Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (8/29/22)
There’s gold in the Steel City!
Oh, it’s true. It’s DAMN true!
With Kurt Angle welcoming Raw to Pittsburgh, there will be NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned as Kai & Sky face Raquel & Aliyah!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler VS The Judgement Day; The Judgement Day wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS Dani Mo, Kay Sparks & Katie Arc; Bianca, Alexa & Asuka win.
- Kurt Angle’s Fate: The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy; The Profits win and Angle does not have to join the Alpha Academy.
- Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa; Lashley wins.
- Kevin Owens VS Jey Usos w/ Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn; wins.
- Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley VS Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah; Raquel & Aliyah win and are the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
PLAY BY PLAY
AJ Styles & Dolph Ziggler VS The Judgement Day!
The Phenomenal One is in Pittsburgh and fans cheer as he heads to the ring. And then the Showoff makes his entrance for another team-up of A to Z. Will they be able to stand tall against the Prince and the Punisher? Or will this be their Judgement Day?
The teams sort out and Ziggler starts against Finn. They tie up, Finn headlocks but Ziggler powers out, only for Finn to run him over. Finn taunts Styles but Ziggler rolls him up! TWO, and Ziggler DROPKICKS Finn down! Tag to Styles but Finn gets away and tags Priest. The Prince isn’t going to let either opponent get proper payback for what he’s done. Styles and Priest circle, Priest kicks low then ROCKS Styles in the corner, firing off haymakers and stomps! The ref counts so Priest sucker punches Ziggler! Styles ROCKS, CHOPS and whips, but Priest reverses. Styles rolls off Priest’s back to DROPKICK him! Then he clotheslines Priest out of the ring!
Judgement Day regroups but Styles slingshots! The forearm takes out Priest, and Ziggler has Finn and Rhea stay back. The #PhenomenalShowoffs are in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Finn has Ziggler down in a headlock. Finn thrashes Ziggler around, but fans rally up as Ziggler fights to his feet. Ziggler throws body shots but Finn knees low! Finn swings but Ziggler counter punches! And again, and again! Ziggler whips, Finn reverses but Ziggler sunset flips, only for Finn to roll through and basement dropkick! Finn looks at Styles but he drags Ziggler up and reels him in. Finn is mocking Styles even more now! But Ziggler slips out of the bomb to hit a FAMOUSER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Ziggler and Finn flounder for their corners, hot tags to Priest and Styles!
Styles dodges Priest, counter punches, PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Then SLIDING FOREARM! Styles fires up, stares Rhea down then hits a clothesline in the corner! Styles shoves Priest out but Priest dodges! Styles holds up from hitting Finn? Priest DECKS Styles into Finn! Finn falls, Priest choke grips Styles! SOUTH OF- NO, Victory Roll! TWO!! Priest kicks but Styles blocks into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Priest survives but Styles keeps on him. Styles reels Priest in but Priest powers out! Priest runs but Styles catches him for the roll, CALF CRUSHER! Priest endures and fans fire up!
Priest claws his way forward, Rhea and Finn push the rope closer, ROPEBREAK! The ref reprimands and counts, Styles lets go at 4. Ziggler CLOBBERS Finn! Styles runs, but into a BACKBREAKER! Priest drags Styles up, for the RECK- NO, Styles slips out! Styles ducks a kick to ENZIGURI! Priest wobbles, Styles tags Ziggler. They whip Priest but Priest reverses to back drop Styles! Ziggler O’Conner Rolls but Finn gets in while the ref is checking on Styles. Ziggler blocks a boot to SUPERKICK Finn! But Priest UPPERCUTS Ziggler, then choke grips for the SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, Judgement Day wins!!
Winners: The Judgement Day, by pinfall
Priest may have used the Prince as a pawn there, but a win is a win! Will this trio continue to punish all those who oppose them?
Wait! Driving into the arena… IT’S EDGE!! The Rated R Superstar has made the trip to Pittsburgh and the Judgement Day decides to stand their ground! Fans chant, “We Want Edge!” Will he go right for the trio? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns with Judgement Day pacing.
They all have mics and Rhea tells Edge, “We saw that you’re here, so why don’t you come down to the ring? Cuz I will happily smash what is left of your manhood!” Finn says he is so sick and tired of the so-called legends! Priest had Edge beat last week, but Edge gets the documentary? Finn beats Rey, but Rey Mysterio gets a documentary? Where’s Finn’s A&E special? He’s the Monday Night Maestro, he’s a legend, so show him some respect! Priest has Finn calm down, and he says the fans may not like it, but Finn didn’t tell any lies. And Priest says he kept his word last week. He had Edge beat! One South of Heaven, Edge was out!
But no, there was a ref who was “losing his shoes” in this ring, and that made him miss it. But Priest is a man of his word. They’re not in Toronto, Edge doesn’t have friends, family, or the one who wears the pants in the family in Beth Phoenix, to bail him out! Edge is all alone! So let Priest finish what they started last week! Tonight, Edge faces his Judgement Day! They wait, and “You think you know me.” Here comes Edge! The Rated R Superstar’s music hits, he gets on stage and he fires the fans up! Edge also has a mic, the pyro hits, and then Edge says, “Y’know what? The three of you made some valid points. You also made some completely ridiculous points.
“Finn. Rey Mysterio and I didn’t come back to steal your glory. As a matter of fact, I came back to teach you what it is to reach my glory because I’ve already had it. But your ego was too big and got in the way. Now I believe that you want to end my career. And we’re not in my hometown, we’re in Pittsburgh. And you’re right, I don’t have Beth here tonight to watch my back. But to talk about your other statement, I’m comfortable enough in my masculinity to admit that Beth and I both were the pants in our family. A) Because it’s 2022 so quit being a caveman, you’re gonna be single for the rest of your life.
“And B) Beth is a badass! And Rhea, you best keep your hands to yourself or you’re gonna find why she’s the Glamazon, kiddo. Now Priest, last week, you and I went to war. And I beat you! So now, I am standing here all by myself while the three of you are standing in that ring looking all angry and emo because you couldn’t score tickets to the My Chemical Romance tour, telling me that I gotta face my Judgement Day, whatever that means. But guess what? Here’s what you didn’t learn all those months sitting under my learning tree. You didn’t pay attention.” Edge gets up on the apron, and says he isn’t here alone!
The Mysterios sneak into the ring! And they SMACK Finn and Priest with kendo sticks! Then Edge gets his shots in! Edge and Rey beat up on Finn while Dom keeps after Priest. But Priest RAMS Dom into buckles! Edge gets in to clothesline Priest out! They brawl now, Edge DECKS Priest over barriers! But Rhea finds Dom all alone! Rhea tells Dom he doesn’t want to hit her. Just put the kendo stick down. Dom keeps hold of the kendo stick and tells her to stay back. He will hit her if he has to! Rhea smiles and tells him to put the stick away. She promises she won’t hurt him, and he lets Rhea take the stick.
Edge and Rey return and Rhea dares them to get closer so she can hit them! They dare her to try. But Priest and Finn get Rhea out of the ring! The Judgement Day stands down but Priest promises this isn’t done yet. What will happen next in this war of legends and icons?
The Miz and Tommaso Ciampa arrive.
Kevin Patrick wants to interview them but Ciampa cuts him off. Kevin apologizes but it’s a surprise after what happened last week, given Dexter Lumis kidnapped him. Miz will not speak about that. Why are we even worried about him? Lumis isn’t a WWE superstar, so who cares? But Lumis was arrested last Tuesday during NXT. Any insight on that at all? Miz says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He straightens Kevin’s tie for him, then leaves. Will we ever learn what the Tortured Artist did to the Hollywood A-Lister?
Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka are headed to gorilla.
With Clash at the Castle and it’s Six Woman Tag match coming, this trio is going to get a tune-up in! Will they be the readiEST team going into this Saturday?
Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah speak.
Aliyah’s bougie, Raquel’s badass, and tonight, they will leave the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! They’ve confident, but will they be able to keep Kai & Sky from taking control?
Six Woman Tag: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka VS ???
The RawEST Women’s Champion, the Five Foot Fury and the Empress of Tomorrow are preparing for the Clash, so Pittsburgh’s own get to put them to the test! Will Bianca, Bliss & Asuka become a well-oiled machine? Or will they break down before ever heading for Cardiff?
The trios sort out and Bianca starts against Dani Mo. They tie up but Bianca shoves Dani back easily. Dani tags out to Kay Sparks, and Kay ties up with Bianca, only for Bianca to throw her down! Kay scrambles away to tag in Katie Ark, and Bianca waistlocks. Bianca whips, but Katie reverses, only for Bianca to go up, over and handspring all the way to the other corner. Bianca tells her to kiss this, and fans fire up as Katie runs in. Bianca flips up and over her to then DROPKICK her down! Bianca kips up and fans fire up. Bianca dares someone to bring it, so both Dani and Kay get in. Asuka & Alexa get in as Bianca dodges the double clothesline, and they double SHOTGUN Dani & Kay down!
Bianca brings Katie up, suplexes her for the longEST suplex! Tag to Alexa, she drops Insult2Injury MK. II! Then Alexa drags Katie up, wrenches and YANKS the arm, tag to Asuka! Asuka says kiss this, and Alexa whips Katie into Asuka’s butt! Asuka then uses a HIP ATTACK to knock Katie down! Asuka toys with Katie, Katie throws body shots then a flurry of forearms! Katie runs, Asuka dodges and runs her over! Asuka fires up, runs in, but Katie dodges! Hot tag to Dani, but Asuka is ready! Danie runs in, Asuka dodges, and fires off BACKHANDS and SOBATS! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Dani flounders and Asuka runs in, SLIDING KICK! Cover, Katie breaks it!
Katie drags Asuka up, but gets a ROUNDHOUSE into Alexa’s DDT! Kay runs in, Alexa ROCKS her, into Bianca’s torture rack! KISS OF DEATH! Asuka drags Dani back up, wrenches and hooks her up, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP, into the KOJI KLUTCH! Dani taps, Asuka and team win!
Winners: Bianca Belair, Alexa Bliss & Asuka, by submission
The trio is all tuned up, and Bianca gets a mic to say Bayley, Dakota & Iyo can try to come here and run this, but just a month ago, “Y’all didn’t even go here.” Bianca’s been holding it down since WrestleMania, so at Clash, Bayley’s team is going down. Bliss says it’ll get real twisted, because… Asuka says first in Japanese, and then in English, “None of you are ready for Bianca, Alexa and Asuka!!” Bianca says the three of them are talking about damage control, but at Clash at the Castle, this trio is taking control! Will Bianca, Bliss & Asuka show who runs Mondays? Or will they be facing the Role Model and the newly crowned WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions?
Ciampa and Miz talk.
Ciampa is preparing Miz for his match with Bobby Lashley, but then Adam Pearce walks in. Pearce wants to talk with The Miz, but Ciampa says Mike has been dealing with a lot of distractions already today. This match with Lashley is his focus. But Pearce was hoping to talk with Miz concerning what happened last week. Pearce wants Miz to know that he has the full support of the company and all their resources, including counseling. Just let Pearce know what he needs. Miz says he doesn’t want to talk about it. He wants to focus on his match. Okay, but Pearce needs to let Miz know, Lumis was released from police custody.
What? How is that even possible? Well Miz didn’t press charges! He didn’t give the police anything to work with! They couldn’t hold Lumis for anything more than trespassing. Miz not talking about this makes it easier for Lumis to get away with it. Miz says he has nothing to say. Pearce is just trying to help. Oh, is he? Is that why he put Miz in a match with Bobby Lashley?! After everything Miz went through last week?! Then tell Pearce what happened! No. Just go away. Miz has to prepare for his match. Fine, fine. Pearce leaves, but what happened to Miz that he’s clamming up so much?
BREAKING NEWS for Clash at the Castle!
After the confrontation between them, the Judgement Day will take on the living legends they love to loathe! This Saturday, Finn Balor & Damian Priest will take on Edge & Rey Mysterio 2v2!
Ladies and gentlemen, Kurt Angle is here!
Pittsburgh fires up for their hometown hero, and chant “You Suck!” to his theme song for old time’s sake. Angle is in a star-spangled tracksuit and is wearing his gold medal. He gets a mic to say it is so great to be back in his hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania! This Saturday is Clash at the Castle, a PPV so good that you don’t wanna miss it. But then SHOOSH! It’s the Alpha Academy! Chad Gable & Otis head to the ring but fans boo. What business do “Master” Gable and the tree trunk have with the Olympic gold medalist? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Gable says, “A THANK YEW~! Pittsburgh… Kurt! It’s Kurt Angle, baby! Not only the hometown hero, but a personal hero of mine.” When Gable was chasing his Olympic dreams, Angle’s story was one that resonated with Gable, and one that motivated him day in and day out. Forget the fact that on top of all that, Angle won an Olympic gold medal. And with a broken freakin’ neck. Gable loves this guy! That brings Gable to his next point. The Alpha Academy is looking for new members. Gable was gonna continue his search here in Pittsburgh with the Alpha Academy Open Challenge, but there is not one shred of talent among the moronic mouth-breathers here!
Fans boo but Gable tells them to shoosh. Fans boo more, and Gable says there is an Olympic hero here, as well as Kurt Angle ,so show some respect! Gable says he and Angle can change the world. For one night only, Gable is offering Angle something he won’t believe: Full-on, no questions asked, 100% acceptance into the Alpha Academy! They’re happy to have you! Otis, give him a jacket! A THANK YEW~! Exclusive merch right here! Great to have you, Kurt! Angel says he’ll pass. Fans cheer as he throws the jacket back! Um… Ex-squeeze me? Is that Angle turning down the single greatest offer ever? This can’t be true!
Oh it’s true. It’s- SHOOOOOSH! SHOOSH. Wait, wait, did Gable just shoosh Angle? Sorry, what Gable meant to say was, shoosh please, a thank yew~! No, Gable’s the one who can shoosh! What? You don’t shoosh the shoosher! Gable does the shooshing! So Angle can shoosh! Gable can shoosh! It’s a SHOOSH OFF! Gable is fuming! You don’t shoosh the shoosher! Otis, show our good buddy Angle what happens when you turn down an offer from the Academy. Otis steps closer, but wait! Here come the Profits! And they’re wearing Steelers colors! Montez Ford asks Pittsburgh, the Academy must not know the motto: You mess with Kurt, you gonna get hurt.
The Profits are back on Raw to make a fuss, because on Friday Night SmackDown, they made a mess of their bus! Which means the Academy so happen to be in the right place at the wrong time. Tonight, they’re looking for a fight! The Profits are up and #WeWantTheSmoke! NO! Everyone shoosh! SHOOSH THE HECC UP!! The Academy accept the challenge, on one condition: After the Academy wins, Angle must join Alpha Academy and does what Master Gable says day-in and day-out! A THANK YEW~! Ford asks Kurt and Pittsburgh: Is it true? Can they do what they do while Angle rocks the red, white ‘n’ blue? Oh it’s true! It’s DAMN true!
Fans cheer for that one! Will Ford & Dawkins make sure an Olympic gold medalist doesn’t end up Gable’s new student? Or will the Alpha Academy shoosh everyone and bump up their recruiting class?
Kurt Angle’s Fate: The Street Profits VS The Alpha Academy!
Raw returns and Angle sits ringside as the teams sort out. The bell rings and Ford circles with Otis. Otis corners Ford and keeps him caught. The ref counts, Otis lets off, and Ford headlocks. Otis powers up but Ford holds tight. Otis powers out, Ford holds ropes, then Ford CHOPS! And CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Otis shoves Ford to a corner, but Ford elbows back. Ford ROCKS Gable, kicks Otis in the leg, then KICKS and CHOPS Otis again! Otis swings, Ford ducks ‘n’ dodges but runs into a POP-UP POWERSLAM! Otis scowls and Gable brags. Otis tags Gable in and Gable puts Ford in a corner.
Gable CHOPS Ford, CHOPS him again, then mocks Angle’s little spin. Gable tells Angle to watch closely, and he whips Ford corner to corner. Ford goes up and over then DROPKICKS Gable down! Ford shouts out the Steelers and he CLUBS Gable to the corner. Tag to Dawkins, they double whip and run Gable over. Then back suplex SPLASH! Dawkins covers, TWO! Dawkins chinlocks Gable but Gable fights up. Gable powers out but Dawkins runs him over. Things speed up, Dawkins hurdles and then whips Gable. Gable gator rolls but Dawkins slips away. Things keep moving, Gable hurdles but Dawkins handsprings, only for Gable to arm-drag!
Dawkins arm-drags back, fakes Gable out, then dropkicks him down! Otis gets in as Gable bails out, but Ford ENZIGURIS! Dawkins dropkicks Otis out! Fans fire up as Ford whips Dawkins, and Dawkins FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up! Dawkins puts Gable in then covers, TWO! Dawkins stalks Gable to a corner, ROCKS him with a right, then whips corner to corner. Gable reverses, blocks a boot and puts the leg in ropes. Gable gets the other leg, DRAGON SCREW! Dawkins writhes and Gable drags him around for a KNEE JAMMER! And another! Then he YANKS the leg before he tags in Otis.
Otis snatches the headbands off Dawkins and then CHOKES him on the ropes! The ref counts, Otis lets off, then drags Dawkins up. Otis CLUBS Dawkins down, taunts him, then brings him up. Otis CLUBS Dawkins down, tags Gable, and Gable stomps Dawkins. “A THANK YEW~!” Fans rally for Dawkins, he throws body shots but Gable keep shim from Ford! Gable whips Dawkins but Dawkins leaps over Gable, hot tag to Ford! Ford GAMANGIRIS Gable, goes up top and hits a CROSSBODY! Then he DECKS Otis! Ford doges Gable and LARIATS! Fans fire up and Ford gets Gable for a BIG back suplex!
Ford handsprings, flexes and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Ford hurries while Gable is still down! Ford gets to the top rope but Otis grabs at him! Ford kicks Otis away, but Gable goes up for a SUPER BELLY2BELLY!! Both men are down and Pittsburgh fires up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Gable brings Ford up. OLYMPIC- NO, Ford slips off, but then Gable arm-drags him away! Ford runs in but Gable catches him to keep him from Dawkins! Ford turns that into a SATELLITE DDT! Both men are down and fans rally up again! Gable and Ford crawl for their corners, hot tags to Otis and Dawkins! Dawkins dodges Otis, hurdles him, and FLYING ELBOWS! Otis stays up to DISCUS ELBOW! Ford gets back in but Otis POUNCES him way! Otis SPLASHES Dawkins, clinches and scoops, POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Dawkins survives but Otis tags Gable back in. Otis and Gable drag Dawkins up and set up.
Otis runs, but Ford dumps him out! Dawkins victory rolls, TWO! Dawkins runs in, CYCLONE SPLASH and an ENZIGURI for Gable! Then the SILENCER! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Dawkins can’t believe it! Angle is a bit nervous but Dawkins stalks Gable to ropes. Tag to Ford and Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts. Gable slips off to GERMAN SULEX! Ford CROSSBODIES, but Gable rolls it through! TWO!! Ford runs in but is put on the apron. Ford ROCKS Gable, shoulders in, slingshots, into the NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gable is furious but he tags in Otis. Otis drags Ford up to DECK him!
Otis drags Ford around by his legs, and CATAPULTS Ford! Ford lands on the ropes to springboard back! Ford sunset flips but Otis stays up! Gable tags in and Otis whips Ford, FLAPJACK! DIVING HEADBUTT from Gable! Cover, Dawkins breaks it!! Otis hauls Dawkins up, whips, but Dawkins dodges! DOUBLE CLOTHESLINES take them out! Otis and Dawkins bail out, and Gable stands up. Gable spots Ford, stalks up behind him but stares Angle down. Gable copies Angle again with the straps coming down! ANKLE LOCK!! Ford endures, flails, reaches out, but Gable drags him away! Ford powers up as fans rally, and he stands up!
Ford turns, Gable flips him, but Ford lands on his feet! Drop toehold to the ANKLE LOCK!! Ford has Gable now and Angle is loving this! Gable flails, reaches out, and Ford puts on the GRAPEVINE!! Otis runs in to SPLASH Ford!! Otis saves Gable and fans boo. Otis leaves the ring and says Angle’s joining the Academy! But then Dawkins POUNCES Otis over the desk!! Fans are thunderous and Gable is in shock! Ford gets Gable for a cradle, TWO!! Gable throat chops but Dawkins tags in before CHAOS THEORY! Ford lands on his feet! POUCNE GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Tag back to Ford and Dawkins drags Gable into the drop zone!
Ford is up top, to fly in FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, the Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall (Kurt Angle does NOT have to join the Alpha Academy)
The Profits are back up and Pittsburgh is loving it! And to celebrate, the Profits bring the red Solo cups to Angle! Ford pours some of that goodness, and they toast! Angle spews whatever that was right up! Oh, sorry, does he not…? Maybe it was just a little strong? Angle says he has something to make up for it. MILK!! They twist off the tops, and they chug that calcium and Vitamin D!
Raw shares footage from just before going on the air.
Matt Riddle had arrived, but Seth Rollins spotted him. They weren’t going to wait for their face-to-face so they brawled in the parking lot! Referees and security rushed in to stop it, and now instead of face-to-face, they must do things via video.
Corey Graves presides over the joint interview.
He thanks them for taking this time, and asks them, what was that we just saw? Rollins says what went down was Riddle was creeping by Rollins’ bus. Riddle says he was not creeping anywhere. Riddle was on the phone, and Rollins says oh sure, talking to Randy, right? They’re talking over each other so Graves has them move on. Where did this all begin? It seems like Rollins has been targeting Riddle for some time now. Rollins has Graves hold on. He hasn’t been targeting Riddle, Riddle has been a thorn in Rollins’ side since Money in the Bank.
The issue here is that Rollins is at the top of the food chain but Riddle is on the come-up. This battle was bound to happen but there’s only one problem: It’s Rollins’ time, not Riddle’s, and Riddle is not on Rollins’ level! Riddle says Rollins is scared of him and that he’ll get embarrassed again. Just like how Roman Reigns embarrassed Rollins, and just like how Cody Rhodes embarrassed Rollins. This is not about Rollins’ embarrassments! This is not about Roman, and this is not about Cody, this is about ROLLINS VS RIDDLE. And here’s a little secret, Riddle: no one likes you! No one can stand the way you talk or how you look.
Rollins promises to finish the job he started back at Madison Square Garden, and it won’t be for Rollins. No, no, no! This will be for EVERYONE, bro! Well if Rollins wants to end Riddle, it’ll take a lot more than what he’s been doing. Riddle will be here for a long, long time, so get used to it! Watch what you say, Riddle. Rollins will finish what he started. And if Riddle wants to be put on the shelf right next to Cody, then that’s what Rollins will do. Rollins will be done with Riddle to move on to the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship, and there’s not a damn thing Riddle can do about it.
Speaking of this Saturday, Graves says these two compete for the first time 1v1 at a PPV. What can we expect? Rollins asks if Graves knows who he’s talking to. Seth Freakin’ Rollins will steal the show, stomp Riddle’s head into the mat one more time, and once and for all prove who the man around here is! Riddle will prove there’s only one man in Rollins’ marriage, and that’s Becky! Rollins is fuming, but the interview wraps. Will Rollins burn down The Bro? Or will this Riddle be too much for the Architect to solve?
The Miz and Ciampa walk the hall.
They have their plan, now they’ll execute it. Wait, was that Lumis?! Miz turns around, but there’s only a security guard there. Ciampa tells Miz to have that laser focus. Miz agrees, but he drops his sunglasses. Will Miz be able to focus with the specter of Lumis looming? Or will the All Mighty crush him before Lumis ever gets another chance?
Raw shares audio from Rollins and Riddle caught during the break.
They were still mic’d up, and Rollins made sure Riddle was still there. If Riddle wants to talk about Rollins’ family, then let’s talk about Riddle’s. Oh wait, he ain’t got one cuz the wife divorced him and took the kids because none of them want to see his bitch ass again! What did he just say? You heard him, bitch! Come find him! Riddle says he isn’t just gonna beat Rollins up, he’s gonna F him up!! Rollins can keep playing games, Riddle’s gonna get him! Has Rollins just lit a fire inside the Stallion he’ll regret starting?
Bobby Lashley VS The Miz w/ Tommaso Ciampa!
The WWE United States Champion cleared out the Psycho Killer as a contender, but the battles keep on coming! Will Lashley make sure the Most Must-See Superstar doesn’t see a title opportunity in his future? Or will Miz prove that he is still awesome?
The bell rings and Miz rushes in, only to get run over! Lashley frowns, drags Miz up and puts him in a corner to clothesline! Lashley throws back elbow after back elbow then ROCKS Miz with a forearm! Miz staggers to another corner but Lashley runs in to RAM him! Miz staggers away again and Lashley runs in at him. Lashley blocks Miz’s boot, brings him out and spins him around to hit an atomic drop! Miz staggers from those tiny balls getting hit! Lashley rips Miz’s shirt off, then gives him a stalling suplex! fans fire up and Lashley holds Miz up with one arm before the SLAM! Then Lashley clotheslines Miz out of the ring!
Ciampa coaches Miz up, but he gets too close and spooks Miz! Miz calms down and Ciampa tells him to get his head in the game. Miz turns around, and Lashley CLOBBERS him! Ciampa backs off as Lashley shows haymaker, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Miz endures the Canadian Torture Rack before the CLIFFHANGER! Miz bails out of the ring and Ciampa coaches him up again. Lashley storms out, fetches Miz and fireman’s carries, but Ciampa blocks the post! Miz slips off, Lashley stops from being posted, and he elbows Miz! Lashley puts Miz in the ring then glares at Ciampa. Ciampa backs off again, and Miz WRECKS Lashley with a dropkick! Ciampa fires up and Miz smacks Lashley off the desk! And again! And again! Miz then RAMS Lashley into steel steps! Ciampa and Miz applaud themselves and pat themselves on the back, but then Miz is spooked by the front row.
Miz puts Lashley in the ring, clamps onto Lashley, but Lashley gets to ropes. Miz CHOKES Lashley, lets off as the ref counts, and Ciampa gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo but Miz runs to BOOT Lashley down! Cover, TWO! Ciampa applauds as Miz is still in control. Miz kicks Lashley around, puts him in a corner, and fires off IT KICKS! The fans taunt “TINY BALLS!” but Miz runs corner to corner, A-LIST LARIAT! Miz says they’re HUGE! Miz goes up the corner, leaps, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT! Fans rally while Ciampa coaches Miz. Miz gets to a corner, he rushes at Lashley, but Lashley CLOBBERS him!
Lashley ELBOWS Miz, then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! Lashley runs in at the corner, clotheslines, then keeps moving to RAM into Miz! Miz staggers into a scoop but he slips off. Miz runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Fans fire up and Lashley aims from the corner. Miz crawls to the far side, but Ciampa drags him out! Ciampa sneaks something to Miz, and then he delays Lashley. Lashley stalks after Miz as he gets back in the ring. The ref sees Miz has the laminated polaroid picture and stops him! Miz denies he had anything, and Ciampa CLOBBERS Lashley! BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO!!
Miz is grinning as he has Lashley where he wants him! Miz gloats about big balls, and he drags Lashley up, but he sees LUMIS in the crowd!! The spotlight points Lumis out to everyone! Miz tells Ciampa to go after him but Ciampa says to worry about Lashley! Wait, Lumis is gone now? Lashley gets Miz in the HURT LOCK!! Miz taps, Lashley wins!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
Whatever it is that happened to The Miz, the fear of Lumis is doing more damage than anything! Will Miz ever get his head right? Or will Lumis be why Miz loses matches and his sanity?
As for Lashley, he keeps on rolling, seemingly unstoppable as US Champion. Who will be next to step up to him and challenge him for that title?
Kurt Angle talks with Edge backstage.
The legends are happy to see each other again, and Edge did something special for this homecoming of Angle’s. Edge got some pictures made. No, Angle isn’t falling for this again. Oh, there isn’t anything mean written on the back of this. Alright. Yeah, these are their greatest moments together. Check this one. Wait, there IS writing on the back of this one: “Sorry Rey and I beat you for the Tag Titles.” That was a good time! And then this, “Sorry I beat you for the US Title.” The picture is also not too fun, it was their Hair VS Hair where Edge won. But Angle does like being bald, though, so no big deal anymore. In relation to that, the third one reads, “Sorry I shaved your head bald.”
Then there’s this one, “Sorry I started the You Suck Chant.” And “I’m a dork!” “But… You STILL Suck!” Angle feels great after all these. Wow, the meta of how the picture was of Edge pulling this same gag. Angle shows Rey & Dom the pictures, and sees the punchline. He did it again! Cripes, Edge got him again! Rey & Dom chuckle at that, but then Dom brings up Clash at the Castle. He thought it was gonna be a family thing against Judgement Day? It is! Edge is like family to Rey. The reason Rey went with Edge is because he needs that experience by his side against Finn & Priest. Dom gets it, right? Rey wants Dom in their corner, though. He’ll be there, right?
Yeah, Dom gets it. He’ll be by both Rey’s and Edge’s side for Clash. Rey thanks him for that, and they hug it out. Will Dom be able to counter the presence of Rhea while the former tag team championship duo settles things with the Prince and the Punisher?
WWE looks back at the origins of Connor’s Cure.
In 2014, Connor’s Cure was established to honor the life and memory of young Connor Michalek to help find a cure for pediatric cancer, so that no one else would have to go through the pain he did. After his passing, he was enshrined as the inaugural recipient of the Warrior Award for his bravery, love and hope. Through Connor’s Cure and V Foundation’s funding, they’ve awarded $4.5 million in grants and helped over 500 families worldwide. The WWE Universe has come together offering hope in the mission to kick cancer’s butt!
The Usos & Sami Zayn are here!
The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions and the Honorary Uce are feeling great after what they and the Tribal Chief did to Drew McIntyre on Friday Night SmackDown. They all raise their fingers to the sky, #WeTheOnes, then go to the ring, Sami getting his groove on to the Usos’ theme song. They get mics and Jey asks, “Do you see that? Monday Night Raw, the Bloodline is now in your city!” Jimmy says, “730 DAYS! This Friday, your Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has been Undisputed WWE Universal Champion!” Sami adds a “YEE!” and Jimmy says everyone knows this Friday, it’s a big, BIG celebration for your Tribal Chief!
Jey gets started but Sami has him hold on. “Sorry to cut you off there, buddy, sorry. Before we get away from that point, I just wanted to add something that’s gonna make this championship celebration even bigger, if you can believe it! It’s that the Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, has personally appointed me as the master of ceremony for the night. Which, I mean, as the Honorary Uce, I gotta say, that’s huge.” Jey’s glare shuts Sami up. Sami says let’s not forget what we’re looking at here and now! You are in the presence of the most DOMINANT tag team in WWE History! You are in the presence of the UNDISPUTED WWE Tag Team Champions! Sami means the UUUSOOOS!
Nothing changes, Uce. Which means, Uce, Bloodline runs both shows, Raw and SmackDown! Roman Reigns will beat Drew McIntyre at Clash at the Castle! And it’ll be as simple as it gets around here, folks. But wait! Here comes Kevin Owens! The Prizefighter shakes his head as he looks at Sami. “First of all, the Bloodline doesn’t run anything on Monday nights, because I’ve made it clear these past few weeks, Raw is still the Kevin Owens Show.” But he is glad they’re all here, because he can remind them to tell their boss, Roman, that he owes Kevin one. Jey asks Sami, “Is this your boy right here?”
“Am I?” Kevin asks. “Am I your boy, Sami?” T-Technically… Well, then Sami better get him before Jey does! Oh, get him first, huh? Sami has everyone calm down. Sami will explain things to Kevin. Here’s the thing, buddy. Uh… Well, see, Roman Reigns doesn’t owe Kevin or anyone anything ever. That’s how it is. Kevin sighs. Sami, Kevin didn’t think you could find a way to make yourself stupider than when you started growing that insane hair out. And yet, every week, Sami manages to, by running around with the Usos and letting them treat him the way they do. Kevin means it, he is genuinely sad to see Sami forget that he is absolutely one of the greatest in-ring performers of all time!
And now, Sami is just the Bloodline’s personal clown. It’s pathetic. Kevin means that. They’ve been through a lot, they’re more than best friends, they’re brothers. So it is sad what Sami has become. Sami should really reassess things. Sami laughs that off. Kevin doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Kevin is just like the fans who send him the meme, “Oh, he think he on the team!” No, Kevin just can’t get it through his head that the Bloodline actually likes him! Jimmy likes Sami! They do the handshake! BET! And Jey… Uh… Well, they’re working on it. And most importantly, ROMAN likes Sami! Yeah! That’s why Sami gets invited to the locker room.
If you saw SmackDown, it was the four of them united that destroyed McIntyre! Jey tells Kevin if he doesn’t turn around and walk his ass back up the ramp, they’ll drop him like they did McIntyre! Fans boo and Kevin looks at the ramp. Kevin decides to go up the steel steps instead! Kevin tells Jey it doesn’t matter what they did to McIntyre. But Kevin cares what they did to him. Don’t think he forgot that Jey and Paul Heyman are the only reasons why Kevin didn’t beat Roman Reigns for the title at put an end to the reign 18 MONTHS ago! So Friday, you can celebrate 730 days for Roman, but you can also celebrate two years of having Jey’s head up his cousin’s ass!!
Sami tries to defuse things again. Here’s the thing. Kevin, Sami is trying real hard here to keep the peace. He doesn’t want problems. But the way Kevin is talking right now, he is begging for Jey to kick his ass. Jey steps to Kevin, and Kevin says, “Yeah? Y’know what, Jey? I think this is the part where we drop the microphones, get a referee out here, and just fight, isn’t it?” Fans fire up for that, because he comes a ref! Will KO give Jey payback for that screw job a year-and-a-half ago?
Kevin Owens VS Jey Usos w/ Jimmy Uso & Sami Zayn!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Kevin and Jey circle, tie up, and Kevin puts Jey in a corner. Jey turns it around, Kevin turns it back, but then Jey turns it back again. Kevin avoids the chop to CHOP and CLUB Jey! Kevin stomps Jey into the corner, the ref counts and Kevin lets off to tell Sami to “SUCK IT!” But Jey ROCKS Kevin with an uppercut! Jey throws hands but Kevin counter punches hard! Kevin CHOPS Jey and Jey flops out of the ring. Sami and Jimmy stay back as Kevin goes out, but Jey throws a body shot! Jey POSTS Kevin! Jey whips Kevin but Kevin reverses and Jey hits steel steps! The steps come apart!
Fans fire up as Kevin moves the steps around, but then puts Jey in the ring. Kevin throws hands, fires off in the corner, then lets off at 4. Kevin mocks Sami, Sami coaches Jey, but Kevin whips Jey corner to corner, Jey reverses and Kevin hits buckles hard! Sami and Jimmy applaud and Jey storms up on Kevin. Jey rains down fists, then shouts, “You think this is a game?” Jey ROCKS Kevin with a right! Jey brings Kevin up, whips corner to corner again and again Kevin hits buckles hard! Jey goes to the far corner and holds up the finger, #WeTheOnes. Jey runs in, but Kevin dodges the splash! Kevin then goes corner to corner to CANNONBALL!
Jey flops out of the ring again and Kevin hurries out after him. Kevin brings Jey around, reels him in, and aims for those steel steps! Jimmy shows superkick and Kevin storms up to him. Jimmy gets away, but Kevin turns around into Jey’s SUPERKICK! Jey then SAMOAN DROPS Kevin on the steps! Kevin writhes and Sami celebrates with Jimmy while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Jey has Kevin up top. Jey holds up the finger, fans boo, but Kevin resists the superplex! Kevin throws body shots, Jey hits back, but Kevin HEADBUTTS! Kevin hooks the leg, SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Jimmy checks on Jey and Jey gets to the apron. Kevin crawls after Jey, drags him to a drop zone, and now Kevin climbs! Kevin reaches the top but Jey ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jey throws off the wrist tape, ROCKS Kevin again then climbs up after him. Kevin and Jey brawl up top, forearm for forearm, haymaker for haymaker! Kevin HEADBUTTS Jey, then ELBOWS him down!
Jey falls into the drop zone, Kevin adjusts to SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives after that long range shot! Kevin gets to ropes, and fans fire up as he and Jey stand. Kevin aims, kicks, but no Stunner! Kevin blocks the superkick to SUPERKICK back! Kevin whips Jey, POP-UP, but Jey slips out! SUPERKICK!! Jey puts Kevin in the drop zone, hurries up top, USO SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kevin survives and Sami argues with the ref. The ref says that as close as it was, the count was fair! Jimmy coaches Jey and Jey drags Kevin to another drop zone. Jey goes back up, fans fire back up, USO SPLASH onto knees! Cradle, TWO!!
Kevin SUPERKICKS Jey, then SUPERKICKS Jimmy off the apron! Kevin goes up top and Sami freaks out! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Jey survives and no one can believe it! But Sami is relieved that Jey is still in this. Jey bails out and Kevin goes out after him. Kevin reels Jey in, Sami says no! He knows what that will do. Kevin shoves Sami! Kevin dares Sami to do something, but Sami doesn’t get what Kevin is trying to get at. Jey DIVES onto Kevin!! Jey tells Jimmy and Sami to finish this! Get a chair! Get a chair?! YES, get a chair!! Sami goes to fetch a chair, Jimmy distracts the ref, and Jey puts Kevin on the ropes!
Jey wants Sami to hit Kevin! Sami hesitates, he is still Kevin’s friend. Sami refuses to use the chair so the ref spots him! Jimmy says Sami was supposed to hit him already! That was the plan! Jey turns around, into a STUNNER!! Cover, Kevin wins!!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
Sami screws up not screwing Kevin over! Kevin gets some semblance of revenge, but which side is Sami really on?
Bayley, Dakota & Iyo speak.
“Bianca, you’re right. You have been holding it down since WrestleMania. As in, holding them back. And that’s why they need us to lift them up to bring this division back to life. And that starts this Saturday at Clash at the Castle, when we get rid of you, Alexa and Asuka. And pretty soon, everyone will be looking up at me again, The Role Model, while we all look down on you.” Dakota Kai says that doesn’t stop with Raw. They will take over the entire WWE! Tonight, Kai & Sky are in the finals of the tag title tournament. They won’t just say they’re in control, they’ll prove it! Raquel & Aliyah have beaten some of the best to get here, but it’ll hurt that much more when they’re sent back to SmackDown.
Iyo Sky adds in Japanese that this will be so amazing, and English, “We will rule Monday Night Raw as the NEW tag team champions!” Will the Genius of the Sky and #CobraKai raise those titles high overhead before heading for Cardiff?
The Miz is heading out!
Ciampa wants him to wait. He can’t be going home like this, but Miz says it’s fine. He’s fine. Ciampa accepts that and lets Miz get in his van. But Kevin Patrick rushes over! Miz tells him no, he doesn’t want to talk about it! Yes, but what was it that Miz saw during his match with Bobby Lashley? Miz just shuts his car door, but LUMIS IS IN THE BACK SEAT!!! Is Miz in even more trouble than last week?!
WWE Media catches up with Johnny Gargano.
What are his feelings about his return one week in? Last Monday meant everything to him. To hear that reaction, to hear the chants of “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” again, it gives him goosebumps just thinking about it. Because that isn’t just a fun nickname, wrestling is his life. And wrestling’s been out of his life for nine months. That’s the longest time he’s been out of the ring since he was 8 years old. Johnny Wrestling is excited to get back into arenas and do what he believes what he was put on this planet to do.
So (Austin) Theory didn’t ruin it for him? No. Honestly, Gargano was excited to see him. “Say what you want about that kid, but he’s like family to me.” Gargano sat back and watched, and is happy for all of Theory’s success, but it doesn’t surprise him. Theory has every genetic gift Gargano doesn’t have. That is why they were in NXT together. But success affects everyone differently. “You’re a different kind of winner when you start at the bottom.” Theory, given his gifts and who he knows, he didn’t have to start from the bottom. But Theory didn’t even contact Gargano once during those nine months, or even when the baby was born.
But wait! Theory sneaks up on Gargano. Theory says he’s just here to talk. Gargano’s the one that kicked him, after all. They sit back down, and Theory has a question. Why didn’t Gargano call Theory when he became US Champion? Or when he became the youngest Mr. Money in the Bank? Theory, you know why. Gargano was busy with the newborn baby! Oh, excuses, excuses. Baby Wrestling had to be fed and changed. All excuses to Theory. But maybe Gargano didn’t call Theory because he was jealous. Gargano was stuck at home, watching Theory compete at WrestleMania. Gargano was watching Theory become Mr. MITB.
But honestly, from Theory’s perspective, he excepted better. But it’s true: it is lonely at the top. Welcome to Raw, Johnny, and good luck. Because Gargano’s swimming with sharks now. Theory laughs his way off, but will that shark be the one swimming in waters too deep for him?
Vacated WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships Tournament Finals: Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky w/ Bayley VS Raquel Rodriguez & Aliyah!
After quite the rollercoaster of a tournament, we have finally reached the end! Bayley’s duo of Kai & Sky had the smoother ride, wiping out Dana Brooke & Tamina, then toppling Bliss & Asuka. As for Big Mami Cool and #Aliyah317, they overcame Shotzi & Xia, but had to power through Sonya & Natty. Will #CobraKai & the Evil Genius make their Grand Slam Champion Role Model proud? Or will the Bougie & Badass shock them all?
Raw returns as the SmackDown duo makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and one way or another, we will see NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions crowned!
Aliyah starts with Sky and they circle. They tie up, Aliyah headlocks, but Sky pulls hair and powers out. Aliyah RAMS Sky but Shy rebounds to run her over! Sky drags Aliyah to a jackknife cover, TWO and Aliyah sunset flips, TWO! Sky covers, TWO and Aliyah has it back in a ghost pin, TWO! Aliyah facelocks and brings Sky to the corner, tag to Raquel! They double whip, Aliyah does the splits and Raquel BOOTS Sky down! Cover, TWO! Raquel drags Sky up in a deadlift, but Sky victory rolls and STOMP 182! Tag to Dakota and Kai taunts Aliya before she hits a SCORPION KCIK! Sky hits a springboard missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!
Speaking of the beaten teams of Raw, Dana Brooke, Tamina, “Doudrop” Piper Niven and Nikki A.S.H. are all watching this match, as well as each other. Will they all be looking to immediately challenge the winners here? Dakota pushes Raquel around, drags her up, and whips, but Raquel blocks! Raquel runs Dakota over, tags Aliyah in and gives her a boost! ROCKET LAUNCHER CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Aliyah facelocks Dakota but she breaks free. Aliyah goes Matrix to dodge, then she hip tosses Dakota! Dakota bails out and Aliyah handsprings! Tag to Raquel and Aliyah builds speed! But Sky gets Kai out of the way then kicks Aliyah!
Kai RAMS Aliyah into steel steps! Raquel rushes out, and she pops Dakota up! SHOTEI from Sky, PENALTY KICK from Kai! Raquel goes down, then Kai whips Sky at Aliyah for a METEORA against the steps! The count is rising, Kai is in at 8! Raquel drags herself in at 9, but Bayley mocks Aliyah while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Kai tags Sky. They double whip Raquel and BOOT her, CHOP BLOCK her, then AX KICK! Sky tops it off with a basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Bayley is frustrated but Raquel is alone as Aliyah is still down. Kai tags back in to SPIKE-RANA! Cover, TWO! Raquel is showing that toughness but Dakota kicks her around. Kai toys with Raquel, but Raquel shoves her away! Kai comes back, but no Code Breaker! Raquel tosses Kai, Sky tags in! Sky runs, but Raquel THROWS Sky at Kai!! Both of them are down and Raquel crawls for her corner. Aliyah isn’t there, so Raquel has to keep fighting.
Raquel blocks Sky’s punch, then the other, to then HEADBUT Sky! Raquel ROCKS Kai, BOOTS Sky, then ELBOWS Kai! Raquel SPLASHES Sky, then SPLASHES Kai! VADER BOMB onto Sky!! Cover, TWO!! Sky survives, and Raquel is remembering why Sky is also a top NXT Women’s Champion. Raquel drags Sky up, lifts, but Sky slips out to a CODE RED! Cover, TWO!! Raquel survives and Bayley is worried! Sky and Raquel glare at each other, Sky dodges to fire off boxing elbows! Sky fires off a flurry, then a SHOTEI! Sky runs, into a LARIAT!! Raquel hurries to drag Sky up, reel her in, but Kai distracts! Bayley pulls hair!!
Raquel goes down, Sky SPRINGBOARD STOMPS! Raquel flounders into a corner, Dakota goes Around the World to BOOT her down!! Sky then goes up top and jumps OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Raquel survives and Bayley is furious! That can’t be right! And then here comes Bianca, Asuka & Alexa! They run Bayley off from ringside so that Kai & Sky are all on their own! And ALIYAH TAGS IN!! She then hides to trick Kai & Sky, they go after Raquel! KAI-ROPRACTOR! And a CRUCIFIX DRIVER! But Aliyah rolls Kai up!! ALIYAH & RAQUEL WIN!!
Winners: Aliyah & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Bianca, Alexa & Asuka return to celebrate with Raquel & Aliyah! Bayley is speechless, this was not how they wanted this to go, but now they must move on to Clash at the Castle! Will they get sweet revenge on Bianca, Alexa & Asuka in Cardiff? Or will things just keep falling apart for them?
As for the new champions, Aliyah finally has a title in the WWE, how hard will she and Raquel fight to hold onto these titles after waiting so long?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, but I don’t know if the fans were as excited as they could’ve been for this go-home. We did get some great segments with the hometown hero, Kurt Angle. That was a hilarious interaction with Chad Gable, and I still say he should’ve been Angle’s illegitimate son when they did that story. But anyway, we also got a great tag match of Profits VS Alpha Academy, and of course Profits win. Great nod to Angle’s career with him bringing out the milk, and another one with Edge pulling off that signboard gag on Angle again. Judgement Day has a very good tag match opener with Styles & Ziggler, and wow, interaction between Styles and Finn after the Judgement Day turn!
But anyway, of course Judgement Day wins, and of course we get a match set for Clash at the Castle. I liked the standoff between Dom and Rhea, because it was clear it wasn’t just because of the WWE’s rule against co-ed (well, more male hitting female) aggression. Rhea definitely scares Dom, so between that and Dom being the third wheel in Rey’s reunion with Edge, there is a very good chance Dom turns on Rey and joins Judgement Day to bring this feud into the next phase. And there’s a very good chance Beth Phoenix gets even more involved after Clash to bring the feud to Extreme Rules or even Survivor Series.
Great stuff out of The Miz being paranoid about Lumis, and Lumis giving him reason to be paranoid. While Lumis ended up bros with Theory, there’s clearly something more predatory in Lumis’ obsession with Miz. Now, while it was clear Lumis was where Miz saw him, it is a bit silly they’re playing it like only The Miz saw him. Blurring of the lines of where kayfabe starts and stops seems to be a thing HHH & HBK right now, as NXT had a similar inconsistency in presenting Apollo Crews’ future sight. But as far as Raw goes, of course Miz’s fear cost him against Lashley, and then we got a great punctuation on the night with Lumis in the back of Miz’s SUV. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.
Great promo from Gargano and Theory to add to what we got last week and to further reference NXT for the sake of those who weren’t watching then. And those were good kayfabe details about them not being in touch with each other for nine months, it takes advantage of the lack of continuity Vince kept between RawDown and NXT. We also got some strong stuff between Rollins and Riddle. That preshow brawl was well done, they did crosstalk effectively, and they got really, really personal. The heat just got turned up, and that match is going to be a show-stealer. We also got a bit of a show-stealer out of Kevin, Sami and the Usos. Great promo and great match, Sami is very conflicted and that puts him in a bad spot with the Bloodline, this is getting really good.
Decent Six Woman Tag win for Bianca, Alexa & Asuka over jobbers, though I’m not even sure I got those names quite right since we were told them, not shown them in a graphic. And of course, we got awesome stuff for the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Kai & Sky had great teamwork, Raquel & Aliyah had great determination and grit. Good move for Bianca’s team to run Bayley off so she couldn’t keep helping, and what a surprise that Raquel & Aliyah won. At the same time, the math now works where Bayley’s team could win this Saturday to then earn Bayley that title shot against Bianca. And with all the other tag teams watching backstage, obviously Dana, Tamina, Nikki and Piper are going to go after Raquel & Aliyah for some great first feuds.
My Score: 8.5/10
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The storied rival has its final chapter!
For the last time, John Cena and Randy Orton battle over the WWE Championship! This time, it is on Backlash, in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest; Fatu wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch; Lyra wins and retains the title.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA; Dominik wins and retains the title.
- GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee; Gunther wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton; Cena wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WWE Backlash Countdown Show!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action on this highly anticipated night!
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
Byron Saxton is with The Morrigan and asks how she is feeling tonight. She looked up to Becky Lynch for so long, only for her to stab her in the back. And at the same time, Lyra has dedicated this match to Bayley. How is Lyra going to manage all her emotions? Lyra says there is so much going on in her head, but the way to deal with it is focusing on the main emotion: embarrassment. She gave herself “the ick” looking back and seeing how she ate everything Becky fed her. Becky would’ve had a friend for life in Lyra, but then Becky turned on her. And what did The Man expect? For Lyra to run home to Dublin and cry?
No! That shows Lyra that Becky underestimated her. Lyra meant it when she said she is the better wrestler now. Becky may still be the bigger star, but when that bell rings, Lyra will show that she was never a stepping stone. Becky becomes Lyra’s stepping stone, as well as the crowning name on the long list of opponents when Lyra retains the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lyra is locked in, but will the Luck of the Irish favor her in the end?
Vic Joseph joins the panel!
The Voice of NXT helps plug Battleground, but he also gives Lyra her props. From NXT UK to NXT USA, Vic has seen Lyra achieve her potential every step of the way. The NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra and Becky was all about someone from the NXT roster stepping up and proving herself, and Lyra did just that. Lyra took the NXT Women’s title off Becky, but will Lyra keep the Women’s Intercontinental title from Becky? Or is #BeckyHogan going to step on Lyra to get ahead?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
Cole & Barrett have to go prepare for calling Backlash, so Jackie and Peter join Big E in looking back on memory lane. John Cena VS Randy Orton as a rivalry predates the iPod, Wikipedia, and even the original Xbox! 25 years later, will this truly be the end of an era for WWE?
Pershard Owens sings the Star Spangled Banner.
Talkin’ ’bout a detonator…
The fuse is let, and tonight is about to be explosive. Egos, attitudes, grudges, ambitions, motivations, and glory, it’s overflowing! WrestleMania was historic, but now everyone will face the Backlash!
WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest!
The Samoan Werewolf only just took this title “for the family” at WrestleMania, and yet now the stakes are raised! The Scottish Warrior wants to fight a real fighter, the Mega Star wants to redeem himself from his loss, and the Archer of Infamy wants to kill two birds with one stone by avenging his own loss while putting gold back around his waist. Will one of these challengers get what they want? Or will Fatu dog walk all of ’em, YADADA MEAN!?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really all gas and no brakes with it!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as all four men look at each other. Knight talks some smack but St. Louis is loud for “FATU! FATU!” Knight runs up to throw hands on Fatu, Priest and Drew go after each other! Fatu fires back and they trade shots. Priest and Drew are on the outside while Knight throws hands “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Priest CLUBS Drew, Fatu TOSSES Knight, and then Fatu runs corner to corner. Knight dodges, Fatu hits buckles, and Knight hits a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Priest is back in the ring, but Knight gives him a BIG back suplex! Knight WRECKS Drew with a dropkick, then RAMS into Fatu!
Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TACKLE Fatu! Knight sunset flip BACKBREAKERS, then he dodges Drew to pop-up and POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as The Mega Star is unlocking that kavorka! Spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW- NO, Priest catches Knight, but Knight kicks free! DDT! Knight runs and DOUBLE ELBOW DROPS! Fatu shoves Knight, scoops, but Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Cover on Fatu, ONE!! Fatu is tougher than that, but Knight drags Fatu up. Fatu RAMS Knight into a corner, fires hands, then he ROCKS Priest! Knight ROCKS Fatu, Priest ROCKS Fatu, and Knight runs, they HIGH-LOW COMBO!
The fans fire up for that teamwork, and then Priest & Knight POST Fatu! Fatu flops out of the ring, but Priest avoids Knight’s cheap shot! BELL CLAP! Drew RAMS Knight into Priest, then OVERHEAD SUPELXES Knight! Priest runs up, but into a SPIENBUSTER! Drew has Knight again, NECKBREAKER! Then a NECKBREAKER for Priest! Fatu is back, but Drew gives him a NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew aims at Fatu. Drew runs up, but Knight LARIATS! Fatu SUPERKICKS Knight! Fatu kicks Knight out, ELBOWS Priest away, then goes up. Priest JUMP KICKS! Priest climbs up to the very top, SUPER STEINER!
Fatu flounders, Priest rises, and Priest clinches Knight for a FLATLINER! Priest goes out to run around the ring, and he FLYING AX HANDLES Fatu! Priest puts Fatu back in, then dodges a shot to ROUNDHOUSE Fatu! Priest knuckle locks Fatu, St. Louis wants tables, but Priest goes Old School to CROSSBODY Drew! Fatu runs up, Priest dodges, COMEBACKER LARIAT! Fatu flounders out, Priest runs to ELBOW Drew! And ELBOW Knight! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight swings, misses, and Priest DREAMCAST KICKS! The fans fire up and Priest goes back out. Priest runs in but Fatu POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Priest onto the barriers!
The fans fire up with Fatu, and then Fatu stares down with Drew. The fans fire up even more as these alpha males step into the ring. This is the match-up Drew wanted all along, and the two men step up. The hands start flying and the fans fire up! The fans are strongly on Fatu’s side, but the hands keep going faster and faster! Fatu gets the edge, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew runs, but Fatu BODY CHECKS him! Drew is right up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans are thunderous, and Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK on Drew! The fans fire up again, and Fatu drags Drew to the drop zone.
Fatu climbs the corner as St. Louis declares, “This is Awesome!” Fatu nods, reaches the top, but Drew is up to CLAW Fatu’s face! The ref reprimands but that’s all he can do! Drew goes up to the top, but Knight trips Drew up! Knight puts Drew in the Tree of Woe to stomp away, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner and back again, KNEE for Drew! Knight then climbs up, has Fatu on the very top, but Fatu HEADBUTTS Knight down! Fatu adjusts, but Drew sits up! SPIDER SUPLEX throws Fatu onto Knight! But Fatu’s right up to HIP ATTACK Drew!! And then he DIVES onto Priest!! Fatu is all fired up and the fans are thunderous!
Fatu goes up again, SEWANTON BOMB on Drew! Fatu geeks out, but gets B F T!! Priest has Knight, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Drew hits a CLAYMORE on Priest!!! Priest falls on Knight for a cover! DREW BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement now! Priest flops out of the ring, Fatu and Drew go to corners, and Knight finds his way to another. The fans rally, Fatu geeks out, and Fatu runs, into a FLYING HEADBUTT! And then a kick and FUTURE SHOCK!! Then Drew has Knight, but Knight wrenches out! B F- NO, Drew powers out, reels Knight in, FUTURE SHOCK!!
Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew calls his shot! Drew gives the countdown, “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAYMORE for Knight!! Cover, PRIEST yanks the ref!! Priest really does screw Drew this time! Drew is furious but Priest drags him out now! Priest and Drew throw hands and the fans fire up! Drew THROWS Priest and himself over the barriers! Fatu is up, he brings Knight around for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fatu has Knight down, goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT FLOPS!! Knight rises up, goes to the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP FLYING AX HANDLE! And then the BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP!! Cover, TWO!?!
Fatu survives and Knight is beside himself! Priest and Drew are brawling in the crowd! Priest SMACKS Drew off a road case! Priest makes Drew look into the camera, “He’s bored at work!” Priest ROCKS Drew, but Drew ROCKS Priest! They go up to some upper deck, and Priest ROCKS Drew again! They stand on road cases, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew reels Priest in, takes aim, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s face! Priest decides to do what Drew was planning, and with the straps down, SOUTH OF HEAVEN DOWN THROUGH THE TABLES!!! The fans go nuts with Priest and Drew down in the wreckage!!
Producers and medical hurry to check Drew and Priest, but that just means Knight and Fatu are the only two left! Knight RAMS Fatu into the apron, then POSTS him! Knight hobbles but he brings Fatu back up to SMACK him off the desk! Fatu is on the desk, and Knight uses a piece that fell off to SMACK Fatu! Knight keeps Fatu on the desk, and he looks for a perch. The fans fire up as Knight climbs the corner! “L! A! KNGIHT!” NO, Solo Sikoa gets Fatu clear! Knight is furious but Solo tells him it’s not going down like that. Knight storms up on Solo, but a LARIAT hits outta nowhere!! IS THAT JEFF COBB?!?
The fans go nuts as now the Imperial Unit is Solo’s new enforcer! Cobb THROWS Knight around, POSTS him, and then runs to SPLASH Knight against the post!! Cobb drags Knight up, puts him in the ring, and Fatu sees what’s going on. Fatu is not happy with Solo bringing in reinforcements when he didn’t want it, but Solo still serves Knight up on a silver platter. Fatu doesn’t look the gift horse in the mouth, and he gives Knight a HIP ATTACK!! Fatu puts Knight in the drop zone, goes up and up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Fatu wins!
Winner: Jacob Fatu, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The Samoan Werewolf may not like Solo bringing in a ringer, but he still keeps his gold. Will nothing stop “the family” now that they’ve reloaded the arsenal?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch!
When they say, “Never meet your heroes,” perhaps those people were talking about this scenario right here. The Morrigan & The Man were bonded by their Irish blood, and by how the younger followed in the footsteps of the elder. They’ve battled over the NXT Women’s Championship and even won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. But the moment they lost those titles, Becky showed her true colors and betrayed Lyra! Becky called Lyra “recycling,” or rather, “less offensive trash,” but will Becky be the one thrown out this time? Or will Becky take away a title just as Lyra did to her back in the day?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who the real Lass Kicker is around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Lyra and Becky circle, tie up, and they go around. Becky puts Lyra in the corner, the ref counts, and Becky lets off to talk trash. Becky shoves, Lyra shoves, and the two reset. They tie up, Lyra waistlocks, Becky switches, and Becky SLAMS Lyra down. Becky smothers Lyra into the mat, then waistlocks again. Lyra fights up, ELBOWS free, then runs. Becky dodges and RUNS Lyra over! Becky flexes, talks trash, then soaks up the heat. Things speed up, Lyra drops down then hurdles, but Becky hits an arm-drag, only for Lyra to ghost pin! TWO, and Becky arm-drags again!
The fans boo but Becky soaks it up. The two reset, tie up, and Lyra waistlocks. Becky elbows Lyra, whips her to ropes, but Lyra slides under! Lyra blocks a kick, trips Becky, and then turns Becky over with the REVERSE CRAB, to then go for the arms! MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Becky endures as Lyra swings her around! Lyra drops Becky, stands on the legs, and then hooks the legs up! Becky resists but Lyra still gets the arms to pull her back, into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky endures, Lyra rolls and pulls Becky back into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky still endures, but Lyra rolls her and pulls her back again! A third ROMERO SPECIAL! Then a cover, TWO!
Becky escapes, but Lyra waistlocks. Becky switches, Lyra spins through and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Becky scrambles and Lyra says she told her she’s the better wrestler! Lyra then dodges to ENZIGIRI! Becky bails out, the fans “WHEW~” with Lyra, and she WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Lyra puts Becky in the ring. Lyra climbs, but Becky trips her up! Becky THROWS Lyra down, then snarls as she rains down fists! The fans boo but Becky seethes as she paces around. Becky signals that she will be champion! She CLOBBERS Lyra, smothers her into the mat again, then HAMMERS away on Lyra! Cover, ONE!!
Lyra is tougher than that, but so is Becky given she has a bloody cut on her elbow. Lyra ELBOWS Becky but Becky CLUBS Lyra! Becky stands Lyra up to SLAP her! And CHOP her! And CHOP again! Lyra falls into a corner but Becky soaks up the heat. Becky stands Lyra up, runs corner to corner, but Lyra dodges! Becky hits buckles, but then she dodges to JUMP KICK! And BECKSPLODER! Lyra writhes, Becky covers, ONE!! Becky argues the count with the ref, then goes back to Lyra. Becky talks trash on Lyra, CHOKES her on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Lyra goes to the corner but Becky brings her around to TOSS her out!
Lyra is on the floor, Becky builds speed, and Becky WRECKS Lyra with a dropkick! Becky THROWS Lyra into barriers, then SMACKS her off more barriers! “Is this your girl?” Becky tells Lyra’s fiancé to thank her! Lyra fires forearms off on Becky! Becky POSTS Lyra in return! Becky puts Lyra in the ring, covers, TWO! The fans rally for Lyra but Becky talks more trash. Becky SLAPS Lyra, pie faces her, but Lyra just stares defiantly! Then Lyra SLAPS Becky back! The SLAPS fly, Becky clinches, but Lyra cradle counters! Roll through, into a RUNNING FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Both women are down and the fans fire up!
Lyra feeds off that energy and she rises up! Lyra runs and LARIATS! And LARIATS! And SOBATS! KICKS! HEADBUTTS, KICKS again, then runs, cartwheel and ENZIGIRI! Becky staggers around, Lyra GUT WRENCH BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! Becky goes to the apron but Lyra drags her up. The fans rally m ore, but Becky ROCKS and ROUNDHOUSES Lyra! Becky climbs, but Lyra ROCKS her first! Lyra reaches the top, and fans actually duel as Lyra stalling SUPERPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives, reminding us why she’s a Grand Slam Champion!
The fans rally up and Lyra has Becky for a fireman’s carry! Becky fights free, waistlocks, but Lyra switches! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Becky has the O’Conner, but wants the rope! The ref stops that! The fans boo and Becky “apologizes,” but then she runs up on Lyra! Lyra scoops, Becky slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Becky is growing frustrated. The fans rally for Lyra more and Becky dares Lyra to get up. Lyra rises, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to shove Becky into buckles! Lyra runs up, Becky dodges, but Lyra stops the jump kick! Lyra DUMPS Becky out, takes aim, and PLANCHAS! Down goes Becky!
The fans fire up as Lyra hurries to put Becky back in. Lyra climbs the corner, takes aim, TURN OF FORTUNE!! Cover, TWO!!! Lyra is frustrated, but she hurries back up! MOONSAULT onto knees! Becky turns that around on Lyra while the fans fire up! Becky crawls her way over to Lyra, both women stand, and the forearms fly! Becky ROCKS Lyra but Lyra ROCKS Becky right back! The shots pick up speed, Lyra gets the edge, but Becky KNEES low! UPPERCUT into a hook! Becky fights the backslide, SLAMS Lyra down, ARMBAR!! Lyra clasps hands, rolls through, and she has the ARMBAR!!
Becky fights, rolls, high stacks, TWO! Becky steps over, DISARM-HER!! Lyra rolls Becky to a cover, TWO!! Becky clinches, MANHAND- ARM-DRAG! Cover, TWO!! MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives and Becky cannot believe it! St. Louis is thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Becky is freaking out trying to figure out what to do. Becky just HAMMERS away on Lyra! The fans boo but Becky goes to the outside. Becky grabs a chair! The fans boo but The Man is getting desperate! Becky brings the chair in, the ref stops her, and they tug-o-war over the chair! Becky give sit up to the ref, but that lets her untie a buckle pad!
Becky drags Lyra up, brings her around and whips, but Lyra reverses! Becky stops from hitting steel but Lyra GERMAN SUPLEXES! And HEEL KICKS! MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! The fans rally while Lyra now thinks on what she must do. Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky fights free! Becky shoves Lyra into a buckle! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives one thing after another and Becky is going berserk! Becky HAMMERS away on Lyra again, and even DRIBBLES Lyra head off the mat! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Becky stands Lyra up.
Becky aims but the ref sees the bare buckle! The ref stops that, goes to fix things, but Lyra fireman’s carries! NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! The ref is too busy with the buckle! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Becky survives thanks to her shenanigans and Lyra is completely frazzled! Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky still fights! Clinch and MAN- NO, wheelbarrow for the victory roll! TWO, and Becky SLAPS Lyra! Roll-up, high stack, TWO! Lyra has a victory roll, LYRA WINS!!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
Becky attacks Lyra! The Man is a sore loser! DISARM-HER!! The ref reprimands, pries at Becky’s grip, but Becky refuses to let go! More refs rush in, Becky still doesn’t stop, so producers are needed! Adam Pearce shouts right at Becky, and only now does Becky let go!! Lyra is down, potentially her arm and even her nose broken by the woman she once looked up to! Becky scowls, wants to go back for more, but the producers stand in her way. Did Becky still coset Lyra her title with all the damage she did? Or can The Morrigan rise up and keep her #ShinyShiny?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA!
Though it took a Fatal 4 Way to win it, and an Irish Ace in the hole to keep it, “Dirty Dom” thinks he is already the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, as well as the greatest Mysterio and the greatest luchador ever. But now, the Man with Zero Fear gets another shot, and hopefully it’ll be a fair one. Will Penta prove he is the greatest? Or will Dom have another dirty trick up his sleeve?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly El Campeon!
The bell rings and Dom circles with Penta. Dom talks trash but the fans rally behind Penta. Dom shoves Penta, so Penta DROPKCISK Dom! Penta runs up, Dom dodges and fires hands! Dom whips, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Dom tumbles, the fans fire up, and Penta runs in. Dom dodge the kick, comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans cheer because that was impressive, and Dom runs up again. Penta pops him up to SUPERKICK him upside-down! Then BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Dom stays in this and Penta nods respect. The fans rally for Penta while Dom goes to a corner.
Penta runs in, Dom pops him up to crotch him on the ropes! Dom then DROPKICKS Penta down to the floor! The fans cheer, Dom builds speed, and Dom DIVES to TORNADO DDT! Dom flexes and fans cheer because that was impressive, too! Dom refreshes the ring count then mocks Penta’s swagger. Dom stomps Penta, fans actually sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” Dom stands Penta up to CHOP, but Penta CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Dom dodges to SHOVE Penta into steel steps! Dom rolls into the ring and flexes. The fans cheer, Dom goes out to drag Penta up, and Dom puts Penta in.
Dom hears the fans dueling, tunes out the taunts, and he slingshots to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Dom argues the count. The ref defends it, so Dom just stomps away on Penta! Dom uses the Finn style jump stomps, then he rains down fists! Dom lets off to soak up cheers and jeers, then covers, ROPEBREAK! Dom is annoyed and he CLUBS Penta into the chinlock. Penta endures, claws at the hold, and fights up. Penta fires body shots, but Dom fires knees! Dom whips, Penta KICKS him, then Penta dodges to come back, SLING-DOG! The fans fire up and Dom bails out. Penta goes up, up, and from the post, SUPER CROSSBODIES!
The fans fire up as Dom and Penta crash down! The ring count starts, both men stir at 3 of 10, and Penta rises up. Penta pushes Dom into the ring, huffs ‘n’ puffs, and he climbs up the corner. Penta leaps, but into Dom’s kick! Dom snap suplexes, that’s Uno Amigo! Then another suplex, but Penta slips free! Penta shoves Dom, but Dom drop toeholds him onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Penta ducks the 619! Penta GAMANGIRIS, then slingshots to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and both men are down! The fans rally up and Dom DROPKICKS Penta! Dom runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!
Penta survives Liv’s move and Dom is furious! Dom runs up, Penta puts him on the corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta climbs, but Dom shoves him down! Penta CHOPS from the apron, then runs up, but Dom BOOTS him! Dom hops down, reels Penta in, but Penta fights the suplex! Penta ENZIGIRIS, then runs up, APRON DESTROYER!!! Both men are down and the fans go nuts! But wait, here comes Carlito! Judgment Day let Dom come out here alone, but Caribbean Cool isn’t gonna let this go down! But this is all so Finn & JD can get Penta up! Finn gets an idea and grabs a chair!
But the ref sees Finn! Finn’s improvising just cost him his chance! The ref EJECTS Judgment Day!! The fans fire up as now things are 1v1 again! Carlito can’t believe Finn messed this up! Penta FLIES onto Judgment Day! The fans fire up but wait, Finn avoided disaster! Where’d he go? Penta hobbles, rolls into the ring, and SUPERKICKS Dom down! Penta vows to finish this, but Finn returns! Finn distracts the ref now, and EL GRANDE AMERICANO is here! Grande HEADBUTTS Penta with that loaded mask!!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!!! Cover, DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
The Prince almost screwed things up, but then he managed to turn things around with help from the supposed other greatest luchador in history! Will Judgment Day owe Chad Gable- Er, uh, El Grande Americano big time for this?
GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee!
Once again, Der Ring General lost a championship, at WrestleMania, against someone he surely felt was beneath him. And while his ego was still hurting, he lashed out against Michael Cole in an attempt to intimidate and silence commentary. Pat stepped up for his friend, got beat up for it, but he isn’t going to back down just because Gunther is a bully. In fact, Pat has always believed in standing up to bullies, which is why he’s getting back in the ring! Will Pat win one for all the underdogs out there? Or will Gunther unleash all of his anger and silence Pat for good?
The bell rings and Pat throws his shirt to the crowd! The fans fire up as Pat and Gunther circle. They feel things out, Gunther smirks but Pat is stone cold serious. The fans taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther ignores that. He and Pat tie up, and Gunther shoves Pat to a corner. Pat sees what he’s dealing with now, but he still comes back to circle with Gunther again. They tie up, Gunther headlocks and THROWS Pat! The ref checks Pat but Pat stands back up. Pat and Gunther circle again, tie up, and Gunther grabs an arm! Gunther wrenches Pat, wrangles him down and steps over. Gunther pie faces Pat around and the fans boo.
Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, but Pat rolls, rolls, handsprings, and wrenches! But Gunther breaks free! Pat avoids the chop and the fans fire up! Pat and Gunther circle again, and Gunther is oddly amused. Pat and Gunther tie up, and Pat headlocks! Gunther powers Pat to ropes, Pat shifts to a facelock, but Gunther puts Pat on the apron! Pat holds on, the ref counts, and Pat lets go slowly. Gunther pats Pat on the head, and Pat says okay. Pat ROCKS Gunther! Pat slingshots, runs, and fires forearms! Pat runs, into a CHOP! Pat is right down and coughing for air! Gunther drags Pat up, just to CLUB him back down!
Gunther stomps and kicks Pat around, pushes Pat, but Pat comes back to JAB! JAB! HAYMAKER! Pat fires hands, and even CHOPS! Gunther eggs Pat on! Pat CHOPS, the fans fire up, but Gunther wants more! Pat CHOPS, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down again! The fans boo as Gunther glares at Michael Cole. Gunther stalks Pat to a corner, talks trash, “You wanna play with the big boys, huh?” Gunther CHOPS Pat in a corner, CHOPS again, then stomps a mudhole! Gunther stops and Pat puts up his dukes! The fans rally, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down! The fans boo and Cole tells Gunther fine, just pin and finish it!
Gunther decides not to do that, he wrenches and whips Pat instead. Gunther CLOBBERS Pat, but Pat avoids the elbow drop! Pat KICKS Gunther! That NFL punt wasn’t quite enough, and Gunther snapmares Pat! Gunther KICKS Pat now! Pat writhes, but he still rises up! The fans rally behind Pat and he stands again. Pat roars, Gunther eggs him on, and Pat spins to CHOP! Gunther CHOPS, but Pat stays up to CHOP! Gunther BOOTS Pat down now! Gunther glares at Cole, dares Cole to help Pat, but Wade Barrett tells Cole to just sit down. The fans still taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” as Gunther goes back to Pat.
Gunther talks trash on the fans, then he brings Pat up. Gunther dares Cole to keep cheering his guy on. Cole says stop toying with Pat then! Pat SLAPS Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Pat, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat sputters, Cole says just end it then! Gunther looms over Pat, eggs him on, and Pat still rises up! Gunther clamps onto Pat’s head, and then has the SLEEPER!! Pat is already red from everything else, but wait! Pat pries at the grip! Gunther is amused as Pat manages the ROPEBREAK, but then Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat flounders and Gunther paces. Gunther laughs as the fans boo, because Gunther knows only he can end this.
Gunther soaks up the boos and he stalks Pat to ropes. Pat sits up, Gunther clamps onto him again, and Gunther uses a facelock to put Pat in a corner. Gunther CLUBS Pat, reels him in, and hoists Pat up top! Gunther CLUBS Pat, then climbs up. The fans rally for Pat, and he holds on for dear life! Pat fires elbows and he knocks Gunther down! Pat adjusts, and manages to MOONSAULT! Gunther moves, Pat lands out, GERMAN SUPLEX! Pat lands out?! PUNT!! PUNT!! And then a PUNT!!! Cover, ONE?!?! Gunther takes all those shots and is just pissed!! Gunther eggs Pat on, so Pat SLAPS him! Gunther eggs Pat on more, so Pat SLAPS again!
Pat SLAPS, Gunther CHOPS, but Pat just feeds off that now! The CHOPS keep going, and then Pat ELBOWS Gunther! The forearms go back and forth, Pat fires fast hands, Gunther guards! Pat runs, and he BOOTS Gunther! Pat keeps moving, to SUPERKICK! Shoutout to the Panama City Playboy, but Gunther reels Pat in for a POWERBOMB!! Cole says fine, just end this match already! Gunther clamps on the BOSTON CRAB!! But Pat endures! Cole goes to the apron to tell Pat to keep fighting! But Gunther drags Pat back to rain down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans cheer on Cole, but Gunther grabs him through the ropes!!
The fans boo as Gunther drags Cole into the ring! The ref reprimands and Cole says Gunther should just pin Pat already! Gunther pushes Cole around, has him by his tie, then reels Cole in! But Pat BOOTS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Pat!! Gunther glares at Cole as Cole is on the outside again. Pat O’Conner Rolls! TWO!! Pat bails out, Cole coaches him, but Gunther is on Pat again! Gunther suplexes, but Cole trips Gunther!! Cole holds Gunther’s foot down as Pat covers, TWO!!! Gunther is pissed, but Pat puts on the SLEEPER!!! Gunther flails, powers out, and short arm LARIATS!! Gunther drags Pat back up, and he stares Cole down before putting on the SLEEPER!!!
Pat is down in the body scissors and he’s turning purple! The fans rally as Pat still fights, but Gunther traps his arms, too!! Pat is still fighting even now!! Pat rises up, throws elbows, and the fans are thunderous! Pat fires shot after shot but Gunther wrangles him back down!! Pat is caught again, and NOW he’s out! Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
Gunther pushes Pat away and Cole is distraught. Cole goes to Pat’s side, feeling just a bit responsible for letting it go this far. Der Ring General grins as he still returns to his winning ways. Pat manages to sit up again now that he can breathe, and Cole helps him stand. Gunther and Pat stare each other down, and Gunther shows Pat a nod of respect! Gunther leaves, but will he be just as ruthless as he heads back for the mountaintop?
Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton!
Both men have been here in the WWE for 25 years, never wrestling anywhere else, and never wanting to go anywhere else. And while he’s “gone Hollywood,” Cena still became the #NeverSeenSeventeen. The Viper is still only at 14, but he hopes to change that tonight as he now has the homefield advantage. Will the Legend Killer add one more name to that hit list? Or will Cena still be the Last Real Champion?
The fans obviously sing along with Voices as their hometown hero makes his entrance. Orton already seems to be getting chills hearing his hometown sing that for him. Then things turn to “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” even before the music plays. Then things turn to “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” with the music, even as Cena wears his St. Louis Blues inspired merchandise. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the greatest of their generation!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Cena and Orton circle. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. The two break, the fans applaud, and the two reset. Orton and Cena circle again, tie up again, and are in another deadlock. They break again and the fans again applaud. St. Louis rallies behind “RANDY! RANDY!” which annoys Cena, but then he offers a handshake. The fans boo and Orton smirks. Orton steps up, Cena still offers, and Orton accepts. But then Cena pokes Orton in the eyes! Cena fires hands, headlocks, but Orton powers up and out. Orton runs Cena over, then he pokes Cena in the eyes!
The fans cheer, Cena bails out, and Orton goes to the corner so he can look down at Cena. The fans cheer more and Cena slides in. The two tie up, go around, and Orton puts Cena in a corner. The ref counts, Orton lets off at 4, but he counters Cena’s punch! Orton ROCKS Cena, headlocks, and the fans duel, “You Can’t Wrestle!” “YES, HE CAN!” Cena powers up and out, ducks down, and hurdles over! Orton still runs Cena over again! The fans fire up as Orton headlocks, hits a takeover, but Cena keeps his shoulders up. Cena endures, fights up, and powers out. Orton runs Cena over yet again! Cena bails out and the fans boo.
Cena wants to walk!? The fans boo more but Cena doesn’t care. But Orton rushes out to CLUB Cena from behind! Orton ROCKS Cena, ROCKS him again, and they return to ringside. Orton ROCKS Cena, Cena rolls into the ring, and Cena comes back to LARIAT! Cena rains down fists, the fans boo, but Cena stops to catch his breath. Cena brings Orton up to bump him off buckles. Cena climbs up and fans boo more as Cena rains down fists! The fans still count along, and Cena goes to 7 before he hops down. But Orton kicks low! Orton bumps Cena off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count and Orton goes past TEN, to hit TWENTY!!
The fans fire up and Orton backs off. Cena staggers around, Orton reels him in, and UPPERCUTS Cena down! Cover, TWO! Orton drags Cena to center to stomp a leg! The fans cheer and Orton stomps Cena’s other leg! Cena clutches his ankle, but Orton stomps Cena’s hand! The fans cheer as Orton picks Cena apart, with a stomp to the other hand! Orton pushes Cena down and runs up, to KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cena stays in this but Orton stays focused. Cena goes to ropes, rises up, but Orton is on him with a kick down low! The fans cheer Orton and he whips, but Cena reverses. Cena clamps on a SLEEPER! And becomes a backpack!
Orton stays on his feet and Cena slips down. Orton powers up and out, and he catches Cena for a SLEEPER! Cena endures, but he drops to a knee. Cena fights up, powers out, and he grabs the SLEEPER again! The fans boo but Orton powers up and out. Orton has the SLEEPER! Cena powers out, to have the SLEEPER! Orton slips around to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally while both men are down. Orton and Cena stir, Cena goes to the ropes, and Orton is up. Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start up those SHOULDER TACKLES! And then the SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans boo but Cena smooths his hair. Cena smirks, raises his hand, and says the fans can’t see him!
Cena runs, and FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLES! Orton staggers, Cena fireman’s carries, but Orton slips free! Orton shoves Cena and LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Orton dodges then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up while Cena flounders to the apron! Orton storms over there, drags Cena through the ropes, but Cena slips through to roll Orton up! TWO, and Cena has a leg! Orton fights off the crossface, but Cena powers through! STFU!! Orton endures, reaches out, but Cena drags him from the ropes! Orton BOOTS Cena away and Cena goes back to the apron! Orton runs up, has Cena in the ropes, DRAPING DDT!
The fans fire up while Cena sputters, and Orton starts to hear those voices! Orton watches Cena rise up, R K- NO, Cena powers out, fireman’s carries, and ATTITUDE- RKO?!?! Orton turns that around at the last second and the fans are losing their minds! “This is Awesome!” while both men are down again! Both men slowly rise up, Cena has Orton, but Orton ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Orton! Orton kicks Cena low, but then Cena fires a body shot! Orton HEADBUTTS Cena, but Cena HEADBUTTS back! Orton ROCKS Cena again, but Cena ROCKS Orton again! Orton UPPERCUTS! Cena HAYMAKERS! Cena fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!
The fans fire up as Orton survives while Cena grows frustrated. Cena waits on Orton to rise up, the fans duel again, and Cena fireman’s carries! Orton grabs ropes, Cena pries him free, but Orton slips off the carry! Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start more shoulder tackles, but into an RKO!!! The fans fire up but Cena flounders away to a corner! Orton clutches his shoulder, the RKO continues to be a double-edged move when you get right down to it. But wait! Orton wants to go yard! But Cena avoids the Orton Punt! Fireman’s carry and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Orton survives again and Cena is beside himself!
The fans rally as hard as they can for Orton but Cena stalks Orton to a corner. Cena talks trash, and he mocks hearing those voices! Cena smirks as the fans boo, and then Cena decides to further copy Orton! Cena aims from a corner, runs up, but Orton dodges Cena’s kick! RK- NO, Cena shoves Orton into the ref!! The ref goes down, Cena has Orton again, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! But no ref means no pins! Cena smirks again, and he tells the fans, “Shh.” Cena goes outside, grabs the title belt, and Cole asks why he’s resorting to this. Cena says, “History.” Cena slips back into the ring with the belt, but Orton hits an RKO!!!
The ref stirs, Orton covers, and the ref counts! TWO!!!! The delay saves Cena and Orton is beside himself! Cena flops out of the ring, crawls off towards barriers, but Orton pursues. Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms up on Cena. The fans call BS, but Orton thinks this is a good a place as any. Orton clears the desk! The ref reprimands but then Cena RAMS Orton into the ref!! The ref hits steel steps! Cena POSTS Orton, and the fans are dueling again! Cena sees the desk, and then smirks again. Cena decides to use another of Orton’s ideas, and he fireman’s carries Orton. But Orton slips free and fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT onto the desk!!
Cena tumbles off the desk and to the floor! Then the desk breaks! They really made those sturdier than before. Orton mutters something while he clears space. Orton drags Cena up, SMACKS him off the pieces of the desk, then goes back to the ring. The fans fire up as Orton starts looking underneath the ring! Orton goes around the way, and tada! Orton brings out a TABLE! St. Louis fires up again as Orton sets the table up right where he found it, then he drags Cena over that way. Cena fires hands and SMACKS Orton off barriers! And off the steps! Cena fireman’s carries Orton, but Orton fights free! Orton fireman’s carries again!
Orton hits another ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, through the table!!! Once again, Orton gives Cena his move! Orton drinks some Prime Hydration, then goes back to Cena. Orton steps over Cena to drag him back up, and he puts Cena in the ring. “This is Awesome!” but the ref is still down! Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and he hears those voices again! Cena stirs, rises to his feet, and RKO!!! Cover, here comes a spare ref!! The count, TWO!??!?!? Another delay saves Cena and Orton is at a loss for words! The ref defends the count was fair, but Cena has the belt again! Cena aims, runs up, but Orton dodge! BELT SHOT on Eddie Durango! RKO AGAIN!!!!
Orton covers, he would’ve won ten times over! Nick Aldis and his producers hurry to ringside to finally check on both refs. Orton argues with Aldis, they need another official! Aldis says okay but there aren’t many left to work tonight! Orton is furious, so he just RKOS Aldis! And RKO for each and every producer! Even Jamie Noble!! The fans are thunderous as Orton unleashes that 2009 Viper! Orton looms over Cena, seethes, and goes with the last thing he has in his arsenal. Orton lines up a shot, Cena rises up, BUT R-TRUTH gets in the way! Truth pleads with Orton to spare his “childhood hero!” Orton just RKOS Truth!!
Cena is up, and he LOW BLOWS Orton!!! The fans boo, but Cena isn’t done there! He has the belt, and he CLOBBERS Orton with it!!! Cena puts the belt outside, the first ref returns, and he counts the cover! CENA WINS!!!
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Cena’s first defense of his 17th world title is certainly one for the history books! It took multiple referees, tables, distractions, and even a friend/fan biting the bullet for him, and Cena comes out the other side still the champion. Cena takes the mic, and he shouts to cut the damn music! Cena says he doesn’t need the music, he needs competition. And he sure as hell doesn’t need the fans. “Drink it in, St. Louis. Because this is what the Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title at the corner, but if this is what the Last Real Champion needs to survive the Viper, what more will it take for him to finish his Farewell Tour?
My Thoughts:
Despite the concerns from right after WrestleMania, this Backlash turned out amazing! It didn’t need a two hour preshow when there wasn’t gonna be a preshow match, but I get that they did so because this was the final Backlash for Cena, they needed time to talk about Cena becoming the 17 time world champion, and what facing Orton one more time meant to everyone. Cena VS Orton: The Final Time was definitely better than Cody VS Cena at Mania. There was a lot of talk of Cena “purposefully” giving a bad match at Mania and whether that saved it from actually being a bad match because of the meta, but I think they realized that this time, it had to be a legitimately good match.
And it was! It was great stuff from two icons of wrestling, no matter what anyone says. It’s that saying of “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” It didn’t flip the classic moment of Orton slapping the ref to get disqualified, but Cena did still took out two refs through the course of this. Great stuff with Aldis and all those producers, aka former/retired wrestlers, taking RKOs so Orton could unleash his anger. And while I figured R-Truth would play a part, I didn’t think we’d get him taking an RKO. Cena of course resorts to all the cheating ways to win, but this is Heel Cena after all, what else would he do? And now there is some real intrigue as to who is next for Cena as he continues his farewell tour.
To go back to the top, awesome move with the Fatal 4 Way opening tonight. All four guys got their stuff in, it was wild, and yet, Solo Sikoa still gets involved, just as they implied last night. Additionally, Solo brought in a new member to the team, also as they implied. Personally, I still wanted Hikuleo, just so that Solo would be leading the entire Guerrillas of Destiny, but maybe they want to wait until Tama and Loa are health. At the same time, I can’t fault them for going with Jeff Cobb because he’s Jeff Cobb. Cobb is sturdy, strong, athletic, and anyone who has watched NJPW, ROH and/AEW already knows what he’s capable of. You can tell already that this only ups the tension within the faction, and we might get Cobb VS Fatu very quickly.
Lyra VS Becky was great, with Becky really doing her best to Heel her way through this. I really thought she was going to pull off a cheap win thanks to the buckle or some other trick, but Lyra does prove herself the better wrestler tonight. Now, with Lyra holding her nose and then playing up the damage to the rest of her body, they could be setting up some injury angle where she has to take time off, maybe even vacate the title. Lyra’s fiancé was right there, this could be Lyra’s out so the two of them can have their wedding and honeymoon and all that while Becky goes for the vacated title. Bayley could even return to be a major roadblock to that title, and we get a great match from Bayley VS Becky to crown a new champion.
Dom VS Penta was great, and St. Louis seems to be a Dom friendly crowd. Naturally, Judgment Day had to help, but also a logical move for El Grande Americano to get involved because of how Penta superkick’d Gable. Penta will surely confront Gable and get a match with El Grande, this can lead us into something for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in June. As for Dom, things seem patched up in Judgment Day for now, but that could easily change at a drop of a hat. Honestly, Worlds Collide needs to be built starting this Monday, and maybe some AAA stars show up to call out “the greatest Intercontinental Champion/greatest Mysterio ever.”
And of course, for being a bit sudden, Gunther VS Pat was great stuff. It went about how I expected, with Pat just taking damage and getting back up. A little surprised Cole tried to help Pat cheat Gunther out of this, but it didn’t change the outcome. Gunther make Pat take a nap to get the win, but I did like the modicum of respect Gunther showed on his way out. Logan VS Jey is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event in a couple weeks, but much like Rollins, perhaps Gunther tries to change plans? Or maybe Gunther wants the Intercontinental Championship? Gunther should go for something, I’m just not sure what with all these other stories going on right now.
My Score: 9/10
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Will the Front Man have his Resurgence?
Hirooki Goto and Zack Sabre Jr. battle over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, knowing that Shingo Takagi waits at NJPW Dominion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Strong Survivor: Allan Breeze VS CJ Tino; Tino wins.
- Bea Priestly VS Viva Van; Priestly wins.
- Fred Rosser VS Matt Vandagriff; Rosser wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario; TJP & Templario win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers; The Bucks & Good Brothers win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Ishii wins and retains the title.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS El Phantasmo; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr; Double Pinfall Draw, Goto retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario!
No longer just for the West Coast, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson are World Class! But will they start to take over the world from the West Coast? Or will the Aswang & Lion Warrior conquer them for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly world class!
The teams sort out and then WCWC just attack! The bell rings, the fans boo, but Nelson stomps away on TJP! Isaacs TOSSES Templario, then WCWC double whip TJP. TJP leaps over the double lariat and Templario springboards to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as now TJP & Temp have Isaacs. They double whip him to DOUBLE ELBOW, then roll him into a wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Temp SPLASHES the leg! And SPLASHES it again! Then stomps it! Temp wrenches Isaacs, tags TJP, and they double whip to HIP TOSS, then TJP becomes Templario’s weapon for a GOURD BUSTER SPLASH!
The fans cheer and TJP covers, TWO! TJP stays on Isaacs with an UPPERCUT! Isaacs goes to ropes, Nelson talks trash, but TJP tells Nelson to “SUCK IT!” TJP UPPERCUTS Isaacs, whips, but Isaacs catches TJP to a suplex! TJP slips free and wraps on the IRON OCTOPUS! Nelson runs in, CLUBS TJP and BLASTS Templario! Then BOOT and BACKBREAKER, into a BODY CHECK! The fans boo but Isaacs rains down fists! Tag to Nelson and WCWC wrench TJP for a DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! TJP staggers, Nelson dropkicks the legs out, then Isaacs deadlift suplexes TJP! Nelson covers, TWO! Nelson rains down forearms while the fans boo!
Nelson rains down fists, the ref reprimands, and Nelson “apologizes.” Nelson taunts Templario, bumps TJP off buckles, then tags Isaacs. Isaacs digs his boot into TJP while Nelson messes with TJP’s hair. Isaacs then BLASTS Templario while Nelson rains down fists! The ref reprimands WCWC but he also has to keep Temp from storming in. Isaacs & Nelson stomp away on TJP in the distraction and the fans boo. Isaacs taunts TJP to go tag Templario, then stomps him down! Isaacs clamps onto TJP’s arms for a motorcycle stretch! TJP endures, the fans rally, but Isaacs pulls on the arms! The fans boo WCWC while TJP still endures.
The fans rally harder for “T J P! T J P!” Nelson hijacks English commentary to talk trash, but TJP fights up to FLIP KICK Isaacs away! Isaacs hurries to whip TJP, but TJP goes Spider-Man to then slip under and RANA! The fans fire up while TJP and Isaacs crawl, hot tags to Templario and Nelson! Templario handsprings, then he fires forearms with Nelson! Templario gets the edge, trips Nelson, and things speed up. Nelson hurdles but Temp shoves. Nelson sunset flips, Temp rolls through but Nelson avoids the basement dropkick! Temp avoids a kick, rolls Nelson, but Nelson rolls through to RAM Temp! Temp comes back to SHOTGUN!
The fans fire up as Nelson tumbles out! Isaacs is in, Temp kicks but Isaacs blocks! Isaacs FLIPS Temp but Temp lands out! Isaacs whips but TJP tags in! Temp slips around Isaacs, shoves him to TJP for BOOTS, then TJP goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! WCWC regroups outside and the fans fire up. Temp holds the way open for TJP to Triangle Jump DROPKICK! Then TJP returns the favor so Temp can DIVE onto WCWC! The fans fire up with the Empire as they put Nelson back in. TJP goes up, up, and MAMBA- NO, Nelson dodges! TJP blocks a shot, SOBATS, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Nelson dodges Temp but Temp goes up to DROPKICK back!
Isaacs is in, Temp dodges and V-TRIGGERS! Temp runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! All four men are down and the fans fire up! Isaacs and Temp bail out and the fans rally as TJP and Nelson go to corners. Nelson throws off the elbow pads and runs up, but into TJP’s TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again as Nelson flounders to the apron. TJP goes up, but Isaacs ROCKS him! Isaacs goes up, and stalling SUPERPLEXES! TJP flounders back up and Isaacs LARIATS him back down! Nelson hits a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and the fans fire up! WCWC is furious, they whip to SPINEBUSTER and CATAPULT, for NO VASELINE!! Cover, Temp breaks it!!
Temp fires off on WCWC then runs, but into DOUBLE ELBOWS! WCWC soak up the heat, but they miss the Templarooni! The fans fire up as Temp dodges and uses Nelson to get up and RANA Isaacs! Temp then whips, Nelson reverses, but Temp drop toeholds Nelson into buckles! Wheelbarrow and GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up, but Isaacs is back! He POP-UP UPPERCUTS Temp down! The fans boo but Isaacs drags Temp back up. Isaacs whips, Temp reverses, and TJP goes up and over to TORNADO- NO, Isaacs stops that! TJP waistlocks, Isaacs switches, but TJP ducks so Temp’s SUPERKICK hits Isaacs!
Temp runs up on Nelson, Nelson slips around to waistlock Temp, but TJP waistlocks Nelson! Nelson steps through the O’Conner but TJP reaches up to headscissor Nelson forward for Temp to reel in and pick up! EL TEMPLO!! TJP goes up to MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, ISAACS BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! TJP rises and THROWS Isaacs out! TJP aims to PLANCHA! Down goes Isaacs! Temp kicks away on Nelson, ENZIGIRIS, and TJP joins in. TJP Electric Chair Lifts and Temp goes up! Temp tightrope walks, FLYING FOREARM DOOMSDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Nelson survives and TJP is beside himself!
The fans rally up as TJP rises. Isaacs rolls back in, TJP holds him down with a facelock. Temp steps in, they double suplex, but Isaacs fights that to DOUBLE SUPLEX! TJP & Temp fight that, but Nelson anchors Temp! Isaacs shoves TJP into Temp, but TJP fireman’s carries Isaacs! Isaacs fights free, gut wrenches, but TJP turns that around!? Isaacs turns it back around, SPINNING TOMBSTONE!! Nelson whips Temp and pops him up, POWERBOMB! Another catapult, another fireman’s carry, and again, NO VASELINE!! Temp writhes and the fans boo, but WCWC kips up! They keep after Temp with another fireman’s carry.
Nelson and Isaacs take Temp to a corner, and Nelson steps on Temp’s back to- NO, TJP avoids the splash! Temp slips free to ENZIGIRI Isaacs! Nelson CLAWS TJP’s eyes and goes up another corner, to POP THE- NO, TJP catches Nelson to a backslide, but Nelson rolls through to cradle! Temp tips it over, THE UNITED EMPIRE WINS?!?
Winners: TJP & Templario, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Nelson is stunned! He thought he had it, but the Lion Warrior gave Captain TJP the much needed assist! Nelson throws a fit before he and Isaacs storm off. Will all of NJPW, all over the world, soon belong to the United Empire?
8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers!
The War Dogs are still coming fresh off their win against The House of Torture, and now claim the right to be called THE Bullet Club! However, the Founding Fathers of Bullet Club seem to take offense. Matthew & Nicholas Jackson reunite with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, will they #ShowUsTheLight? Or will we see that David Finlay, Gedo, Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors are the ones that’re #JustTooSweet?
The fans bark for the War Dogs, and then they throw up their Too Sweet. The fans chant, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” and the Founding Fathers raise theirs, but the War Dogs attack! The bell rings, the fans are torn, but the brawl is on! Things spill out to the outside, Karl fires hands on Gedo, Finlay THROWS Matt over barriers, and then goes after Matt in the crowd! The fans fire up as Karl CLAWS Gedo’s face! Gabe sends Gallows into railing, but Nick TOSSES Finlay to ringside! Connors has Matt now and they brawl. Gedo CLAWS Karl’s face in return! Gabe and Gallows return to ringside, then go up the ramp.
Gabe and Gallows brawl, shout at each other, and then Gabe CHOPS! Gallows UPPERCUITS! Matt ROCKS Connors, and Finlay has Nick on the stage! Nick fights the suplex, then SUPERKICKS Finlay down the stairs! Finlay tumbles, Gallows CLUBS him, and they all set up for Nick to run and FLY! Nick bowls them all over and the fans fire up! Matt puts Connors in and Nick puts him in a corner. The Bucks whip Connors to a corner, then Matt LARIATS! Nick LARIATS! Karl JUMP KICKS! Gallows SPLASHES! Gallows scoops Connors and SLAMS him down! The fans rally up as Matt goes to a corner. He FLIES out onto Gabe & Finlay!
Anderson SENTONS Connors, Gallows SPLASHES, and then the Bucks coordinate! RISKY BUSINESS! The fans fire up for the Founding Fathers, and they call for the Too Sweet! The fans cheer as they wind up, but the War Dogs attack again! Finlay fires off on Matt, Gabe HEADBUTTS Gallows, Gedo has Karl and Connors has Nick! The War Dogs climb up in the corners, and they rain down fists! The fans count along, and we go all the way up to TEN! That’s forty total and the fans cheer! The War Dogs toss everyone out but Karl, and Gedo stomps him. Gabe SMACKS Gallows off railing, and Connors drags Karl up.
Connors whips Karl to the corner hard and Karl falls to the mat! Connors puts Karl in place, runs, and hits an ELBOW DROP! Connors drags Karl up, brings him around, and whips him into Finlay’s boot! Connors tags Gedo but Finlay digs his boots in. The ref counts, Gedo argues with him, but that lets Finlay & Gabe CHOKE Karl! Gedo storms up but Karl CHOPS him first! And CHOPS, but Gedo blocks to poke Karl in the eyes! The fans are torn, but Gedo CLAWS at Karl’s eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, and Gedo stops at 4. Gedo looms over Karl, pulls him back, and CLAWS at his face again!
The fans boo, the ref counts, and Gedo stops at 4. The fans are torn as Gedo throws up the Too Sweet, then he tags Finlay. Finlay stomps Karl to a corner, stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally and duel as Finlay stands Karl up. Finlay UPPERCUTS, runs corner to corner, and UPPERCUTS again! Finlay suplexes and THROWS Karl, then pushes him down for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay drags Karl away from his corner. Finlay bends Karl’s fingers while Gabe & Connors BLAST the OGs! Gabe grabs a mic to talk trash during the match! Gabe stomps Karl, and mockingly asks if this is 2013 again, when those “14-year-olds were still cool?”
Gabe mocks the Bucks and say they’re the Young CUCKS, because they’re bigger virgin nerds than anyone in this building! And F YOU, too!! Gabe tells Karl and Gallows that HE’s the resident bald white guy in NJPW now! But then Karl CHOPS Gabe! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Gabe DECKS Karl, the War Dogs BLAST the OGs, then Connors feeds Karl to Finlay. Karl dodges, sends Finlay into Connors, but Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Karl reverses, SPINEBUSTER! Hot tag to Gallows! The fans fire up as Doc BOOTS Connors, ROUNDHOUSES Finlay, and YAKUZA KICKS Gedo! Gallows whips Connors into Finlay!
Gallows runs to SPLASH them both, then runs to CROSSBODY Finlay & Connors! The fans fire up but Gabe attacks! Gab e BITES Gallows’ head, talks trash, but Gallows UPPERCUTS! Gabe COMEBACK- NO, he runs into the 12 STEP PROGRAM! Both men are down from that modified Sky High and the fans fire up! Hot tags to Finlay and Nick! Connors still jumps in with Finlay but Nick rallies on them with his strike fest combo! SHINING WIZARD for Finlay, then a BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up again and Nick tags Matt. The Bucks mug Gabe, double whip, but Gabe reverses. Nick goes up and Matt SUPERKICKS!
Matt cravats, Nick helps, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! SHINING WIZARD! Finlay is up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS hit him first! Matt puts Finlay in the ropes, Nick goes up, DRAPING SWANTON! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives but Matt tags Karl. Gallows joins in and the fans rally up. Gallows reels Finlay in, but Connors SPEARS him! Finlay hits Karl with an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But he gets DSOUBLE SUPERKICKS again! The Bucks fake Connors out to DOUBLE DDT! Gabe blocks a kick, sends it into Matt, then UPPERCUTS! But Nick SUPERKICKS in return! Gabe rebounds, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!
Gabe rebounds again, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Gallows is back, he and Gabe DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Gabe CHOPs, CHOPS, and UPPERCUTS! Gabe runs, into a GUN STUN!! We never thought that move would return to NJPW but here we are! Finlay flounders, hot tag to Gedo! Gedo JAWBREAKERS Karl, SUPERKICKS, and the rest of the Dogs hold down the OGs! Gedo mule kicks Karl now to GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Karl escapes and the fans fire up! GUN STUN for Gedo!! Gabe runs up, dodges, COMEBACKER!! Gallows ROUNDHOUSES Gabe!
Connors & Finlay mug Gallows, double whip him, then Connors runs in, only for Gallows to DUMP him! Gallows DUMPS Finlay, too! YAKUZA KICK for Gedo, and into the E V P TRIGGER!! Matt says that’s not enough! Nick climbs up to be on Gallows’ shoulders! SUPER T K DRIVER!! The Bucks PLANCHA out to wipe out the Dogs! The Good Brothers top it off with a MAGIC KILLER on Gedo!! Cover, the Founding Fathers win!
Winners: The Young Bucks & Good Brothers, by pinfall
The War Dogs are beside themselves, but the OGs of Bullet Club still got it! The War Dogs step back into the ring, they look at their “senpai” while Gedo is helped to the back. The Bucks say no hard feelings, and offer the Too Sweet. War Dogs throw it up, just to Too Sweet with each other. It seems some things aren’t “4 life” like we thought. But with the Good Brothers back in town, will things be #JustTooSweet no matter where you look?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Stone Pitbull took this title off Gabe in the Windy City Riot, and now he defends it against another of the War Dogs! Will Ishii survive the 44 Caliber? Or will his reign not even last a full month?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really got that dog in ’em!
The bell rings and the fans rally as Drilla and Ishii get face to face. Then Drilla fires forearm after forearm! Drilla whips, Ishii reverses, but Drilla RAMS Ishii! Ishii roars so Drilla fires more forearms! Ishii eggs Drilla on and leans into the shots! Drilla keeps throwing shots but Ishii backs him down! The fans rally behind Ishii, and he DECKS Drilla into a corner! The fans fire up and Ishii shakes off those forearms. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, but now Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearms but now Drilla leans into the shots! The fans fire up as Drilla ROCKS Ishii. Drilla runs but Ishii CLOBBERS Drilla!
The fans fire up and Ishii suplexes, but Drilla slips free! Drilla waistlocks, Ishii fires elbows, and things speed up. Drilla hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans are torn but Drilla shakes out his arms. Drilla looms over Ishii, kicks him, and CHOPS him! The fans “WOO~” while Ishii wobbles, and Drilla CHOPS again! Drilla CHOPS Ishii to the corner, then CHOPS again! Ishii eggs Drilla on so Drilla winds up and CHOPS! Drilla stomps away on Ishii, the ref counts, but Drilla digs his boot in. The ref counts, Drilla steps off, and the fans rally. Drilla grins and brings Ishii up, but Ishii fires body shots!
Ishii backs Drilla down but Drilla snapmares and KICKS Ishii in the back! Ishii writhes, Drilla covers, TWO! Drilla is annoyed but Ishii is tougher than that. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex! Ishii sputters and rolls to the apron. The fans rally as Drilla storms over to join Ishii. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla pushes Ishii and ELBOWS him down! Ishii LARIATS the legs out from under Drilla! Drilla hobbles up, runs in, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM on the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks Drilla. Drilla is okay to continue, so Ishii drags him into the ring.
Drilla goes to a corner, Ishii runs in, and LARIATS! Ishii whips, Drilla reverses, but Ishii comes back to CLOBBER Drilla! The fans fire up more as Ishii shakes off that damage. Ishii drags Drilla up, but Drilla fights the lift with elbows! Only for Ishii to shift and SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but he’s frustrated with himself. Ishii kicks at Drilla rather mockingly, and Drilla stands in a huff! Drilla ducks the haymaker to ripcord and CHOP! Then he brings Ishii in for a PILE- NO, Ishii fights that, so Drilla grabs tights for a STUFF PILEDRIVER! Ishii writhes but Drilla also grits his teeth from pain, and the fans rally up.
Drilla and Ishii stir, and Drilla rises first. Drilla drags Ishii up, CHOPS and ROCKS him on repeat, and the fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! Ishii just stares Drilla down! Drilla CHOPS, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Ishii DECKS him! The fans fire up and Ishii finally feels that damage. Ishii clutches a shoulder but he storms up on Drilla. Ishii kicks Drilla, hoists him up top, and then climbs up after him. Ishii stalling SUPERPLEXES! But Drilla’s right up!? The fans fire up and Drilla returns, but Ishii LARIATS! Drilla HAYMAKERS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Drilla ROLLING ELBOWS, then ducks the enzigiri! Drilla runs, but Ishii stuffs the Gore!
Drilla wrenches free of the facelock, but Ishii HEADBUTTS Drilla down! The fans fire up while Ishii staggers around. Ishii roars to fire back up and the fans are with him! Drilla slowly rises, Ishii runs, but Drilla catches Ishii to a MADE IN JAPAN!??! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives Drilla using Shingo Takagi’s move and the fans fire up! Drilla goes to a corner while the fans rally up. The fans are on Ishii’s side and that pisses Drilla off. Drilla aims and runs in, but Ishii KNEES him low! Ishii stands Drilla up, but Drilla SUPERKICKS! Ishii rebounds, but into the SPINEBUSTER! Drilla gets moving again, and he GORES Ishii down!! Cover, TWO?!?
Ishii survives and Drilla is beside himself! The fans rally while Drilla and Ishii are down again. Drilla sits up and slashes his throat, vowing to end this. Drilla stands and he brings Ishii up. Drilla reels Ishii in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla swats a lariat, ducks the other, but Ishii ducks the enzigiri to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Drilla and Ishii stir as the fans rally up more. They go to ropes, rise up, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS! Ishii fires boxing elbows, but Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearm after forearm, but Drilla DROPKICKS! Drilla runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!
Drilla survives and the fans rally up! Ishii sits Drilla up, runs, and SLIDING- NO! Drilla catches Ishii into a clinch! URE- NO, Ishii slips free to waistlock! Drilla switches, ripcords and DROPKICKS! Drilla reels Ishii in and suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER!! But Ishii rises?!? His fighting spirit keeps him moving, but Drilla runs to LARIAT! Ishii stays up, UPPERCUTS, and ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire back up! Ishii headbutts the buckles to fire up, and the fans are with him! Ishii runs again, to LARIAT!! Drilla tumbles, Ishii pushes him to a cover, TWO!! Drilla survives but Ishii powers back up!
Ishii hauls Drilla up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Drilla slips fere! Drilla shoves, then catches Ishii to wrench and Canadian Rack! DRILLA- NO, Ishii lands out! Drilla avoids a lariat, then another, and GORES!! Cover, ONE!?!? Drilla is shocked and the fans are thunderous! Drilla goes to a corner and he aims again! Drilla runs up, but Ishii turns leg lariat into POWERBOMB! And SLIDING LARIAT!! Ishii roars, suplexes, and BRAINBUSTERS!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
The Stone Pitbull showed the young pup how it’s done! Will Ishii continue to prove no one is as NJPW Strong as him?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero VS El Phantasmo!
It was just last week at Wrestling Dontaku that The Alpha and Headbanga battled over the NJPW World Television Championship. They went 15 minutes for a time limit draw and both men want more! Will ELP get all he can when he takes this title from Takeshita? Or will Konosuke NEVER lose again?
The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The bell rings and the one hour time limit is on. ELP and Konosuke circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Konosuke headlocks, ELP powers up and out, but Konosuke runs him over! Things keep moving, ELP stays low then hurdles over, but Konosuke leaps over. Konosuke sidesteps, ELP rolls off Konosuke’s back, but Konosuke reels him in! BLUE THUNDER- NO, ELP sunset flips! But Konosuke rolls through! ELP still reels Konosuke in and tucks the arms, but then Konosuke wrenches free! ELP dodges the lariat, but Konosuke goes Matrix to avoid Sudden Death! The fans fire up as the two are in a standoff!
Konosuke and ELP reset, circle again, and the fans are dueling. Konosuke and ELP step up, and ELP CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and ELP eggs Konosuke on. Konosuke winds up, but then ROLLING ELBOWS! ELP falls, the fans are torn, but Konosuke stands ELP up. Konosuke whips, ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then he somersaults to LIONSAULT! ELP bounces off the cover, and Konosuke is up to LARIAT ELP up and out! The fans are torn but Konosuke builds speed to FLY! Down goes ELP and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up, puts him in the ring, and then clamps on with a chinlock.
ELP endures, pries at the hold, but Konosuke shifts to go for an arm. The fans rally as ELP throws body shots, but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke whips, ELP reverses, but Konosuke FLYING UPPERCUTS ELP down! Konosuke clamps onto ELP with a double wristlock! ELP endures so Konosuke changes it to a COBRA CLUTCH! ELP fights around all the same, reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Konosuke lets go, ELP goes to a corner, and Konosuke storms up. Konosuke whips corner to corner hard and ELP bounces off buckles! The fans rally while ELP writhes on the mat. Konosuke watches ELP as he rolls away to ropes.
Konosuke stalks ELP, drags him up, and wrenches to put him in a corner. Konosuke whips ELP corner to corner, but ELP stops short! Konosuke runs in but ELP goes up and over! ELP runs in, but into a BOOT! Konosuke hops up, but ELP GAMANGIRIS him to the floor! The fans fire up and ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Konosuke goes over railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises as the ring count starts. ELP aims from the ropes! ELP did this in Japan, he’s gonna do it in California! SUPER DUPER THUNDERKISS!! Direct hit and the front row almost gets wiped out!
A Takeshita fan talks trash while showing off her Konosuke art, but Rocky is mad and throws off his jacket. ELP drags Konosuke up, CHOPS him back over the railing, and the ELP fans all “WOO~!” ELP storms after Konosuke, CHOPS him again, then puts him in the ring. Rocky gets up on the apron! The fans boo and ELP jumps, but Konosuke dodges! Konosuke then sidesteps to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! ELP survives but Konosuke reels him in. ELP fights the suplex, but Konosuke powers through to suplex! ELP slips free, straitjackets and torture racks! BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!!
Konosuke survives, but ELP kips up and the fans fire up! ELP tunes up the band and the fans cheer him on. ELP aims at Konosuke, for SUDDEN- NO, Konosuke blocks it to fire off boxing elbows! Then a ROLLING- NO, ELP mule kicks, front kicks, but then Konosuke BOOTS! ELP BOOTS! Konosuke rebounds but ELP ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Rocky coaches Konosuke, the fans rally for ELP, and both men rise. ELP and Konosuke go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! ELP grins as the shots keep going back and forth! Both men stand, and the forearms keep going! Konosuke ROCKS ELP and eggs him on!
ELP returns to ROCK Konosuke, and the forearms fly again! The fans fire up as the shots go faster and faster! Then DOUBLE FOREARMS send both men staggering back! ELP and Konosuke go to the apron now, and the forearms fly again! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and ELP ROCKS Konosuke! And ROCKS him again! Konosuke just ROCKS ELP in return! And again, and again, and again! Konosuke has ELP up against the corner, and hoists him up! Konosuke drags ELP onto his shoulder, but ELP fights free!
ELP mule kicks, then he reels Konosuke in! Konosuke fights the tuck, so ELP kicks him low! APRON PILEDRIVER!! Konosuke falls to the floor and Rocky is stunned! We pass 10 minutes while ELP rises up. ELP hears the ring count so he refreshes it, then he goes looking under the ring! ELP brings out a table! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands. ELP ignores that to set the table up at ringside. ELP then fetches Konosuke, drags him to the apron, and tucks the arms! Konosuke fights the lift, and ROCKS ELP! Then POWER DRIVE KNEES! Konosuke reels ELP in, but ELP fights the Blue Thunder with elbows! ELP rolls into the ring, but Konosuke avoids the shoulder!
Konosuke KNEES ELP back down and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up the corner, and the fans are already worried about what he’s planning. ELP fights with body shots, and then adjusts his position on the top rope! Konosuke fires body shots, then SUPER LARIATS ELP down!! Konosuke hurries to cover, TWO!! ELP survives and Konosuke is furious! Konosuke drags ELP up, scoops him, but ELP slips free to gut wrench! But Konosuke turns that back around! TOMBSTONE!! But Konosuke holds on! Konosuke stands up, tucks ELP in, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up!
ELP shakes his head, defiant against the damage done to him. The fans rally more but Konosuke brings ELP up. But ELP wrenches out, only for the ALPHA ELBOW to knock him down! POWER DRIVE- SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP hits first and the fans fire up! ELP hurries to reel Konosuke in, but Konosuke Alabama Lifts! And he spins ELP around for another BASTARD DRIVER!! And then a WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous, and ELP is right up!! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!!? WHAT?!?
ELP just runs again, goes up and up, and FLYING- ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, ONE!??! The fans are thunderous as both men defy expectations! ELP dodges a lariat to POISON-RANA!! Konosuke stands up but wobbles, and ELP ROLLING ELBOWS!! Cover, ONE?!?!?! HOW?!?! ELP shrugs it off to tune up! SUDDEN DEATH!! SUDDEN DEATH AGAIN!! And then C R 2!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke survives all of that and the fans are electric! Rocky is freaking out but “This is Awesome!” ELP is up, THUNDERKISS ATTACK! And then a somersault back to the apron, THUNDERKISS 86 SPLASH!!! Cover, ROCKY DRAGS THE REF OUT!!!
The fans boo as Azucar sours the taste of this one! The ref and Rocky argue, but ELP storms out to get Rocky! Rocky runs for it, but ELP SUPERKICKS him! ELP reels Rocky in and POWERBOMBS him through the table!! ELP goes into the ring, but the POWER DRIVE KNEE finds him! And then RAGING- CRADLE!!! TWO!!! Konosuke escapes, dodges, and ROLLING ELBOWS!! And then POWER DRIVE KNEES!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!? Konosuke throws off his elbow pad, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS!!! Then the RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
ELP kept his NJPW World TV Championship, but now Konosuke has kept his NEVER Openweight Championship! Is Konosuke going to prove he isn’t just The Alpha of AEW, but the Alpha of the World?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr w/ Shane Haste!
The Fierce Warrior took this title from The Front Man at the New Beginning in Osaka, and the Goto Revolution has been on a roll these last few months. ZSJ wants the spotlight back, but there’s also a catch: The winner here must defend against Shingo Takagi at NJPW Dominion in June! Will it be out of the frying pan and into the fire for Goto? Or will this be ZSJ’s resurgence?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the G in IWGP is still for Goto!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Goto and ZSJ stare down. Goto and ZSJ then circle, feel things out, and go around. They knuckle lock, then clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. ZSJ shifts to a headlock but Goto wrenches out to wristlock. ZSJ rolls, bridges, spins and wrenches, but Goto headlocks! ZSJ hammerlocks, Goto goes to the ROPEBREAK, and the fans cheer this opening exchange. Goto and ZSJ reset, circle again, and the two tie up. ZSJ headlocks, grinds the hold, but Goto powers up and out. Fans sing for “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” as he RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds to RUN ZSJ over!
ZSJ avoids the elbow drop, Goto avoids the Penalty Kick, and Goto hits a headlock takeover! ZSJ headscissors, Goto kips free and Goto deflects a boot, only for ZSJ to avoid the lariat! The fans cheer and the two reset again. ZSJ and Goto circle, feel things out, and ZSJ RAMS low! ZSJ whips, but Goto blocks a hip toss, only for ZSJ to do the same! ZSJ THROWS Goto down, then clamps on for the NECK TWIST! The fans fire up, and Goto goes to the apron. ZSJ steps outside and NECK TWISTS Goto again! The fans rally while ZSJ sits Goto up on the floor, and KICKS him in the back! ZSJ then UPPERCUTS, but Goto CHOPS!
ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Goto CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally while Goto falls back! ZSJ swaggers around a bit, rolls into the ring, and lets the ring count climb. Goto sits up at 7 of 20, stands at 10, and takes a moment before rolling in at 12. ZSJ kneels on Goto, the ref reprimands as they’re in the ropes, but ZSJ SNAPS the fingers! Goto bails out while clutching his hand, but the ring count starts again. ZSJ eggs Goto on, Goto shakes out the bad hand and rolls back in. ZSJ is after the hand again and SNAPS the fingers! ZSJ then wrenches the arm, steps over, and he reaches out to have the other arm! Goto endures this modified motorcycle stretch, but ZSJ wrangles him down!
ZSJ has a DOUBLE MOUNTED ARMBAR! Goto endures, the fans duel, and ZSJ pulls on the arms! Goto kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and kicks at Goto. ZSJ scuffs Goto, taunts him with more kicks, but Goto sits up. ZSJ kicks at Goto while taunting him more and more. Goto scowls and stands up. They shoulder bump each other, but then Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS back, then storms up on Goto in a corner. ZSJ pushes Goto, slaps him around, but Goto SLAPS! Goto CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ uppercuts. Goto reverses, runs in, but into a BOOT!
ZSJ runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto rises, he drags ZSJ up, and he ROCKS ZSJ with forearm after forearm! Goto whips, runs in, and MURAMASA! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Goto stays focused and he brings ZSJ up. ZSJ fights the lift, pulls on an arm, and ZSJ wrenches. Goto fires forearms but ZSJ PELES the arm! Goto staggers, ZSJ runs, but then Goto follows again! Only for ZSJ to wrangle Goto to a FUJIWARA! Goto fights, ZSJ traps that arm, and then gets the other arm again! Goto endures the DOUBLE FUJIWARA! The fans rally, Goto fights around, but ZSJ steps over! Goto still gets the ROPEBREAK!
ZSJ lets go in frustration but the fans rally back up. Goto sputters but ZSJ stands him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto, has him on the ropes, then UPPERCUTS again! And again! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Goto and ZSJ stir, rise up, and Goto brings ZSJ up to ROCK him with a forearm! Goto eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ ROCKS him back! Goto ROCKS ZSJ again, and again, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and repeat! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, and the fans fire up more! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Goto spins him! URA GTR!
Goto runs and LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and we’re only at ten minutes! The fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” and considering there’s a one hour limit on this, they can definitely keep going! Goto rises and fires up again. Goto stands ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops back! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ can’t make the cover and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ and the fans rally again. ZSJ makes it to ropes, stands back up, and he goes to a corner. Goto sits up, ZSJ runs in, PENALTY KICK! Deep stack cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans cheer again. Goto goes to a corner, ZSJ goes back to his, and ZSJ aims again.
ZSJ runs in but Goto puts him in the ropes! Then DRAPING SHOTO!! Both men are down again and the fans still rally! Goto rises and powers up! ZSJ sits up, into the BUZZSAW! Goto then drags ZSJ up, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI again! Goto roars, the fans fire up, and Goto dragon sleepers, for G T- NO, ZSJ catches the arm, backslides, TWO!! ZSJ steps over, hammerlock and then CLARKY CAT!! ZSJ has the arms trapped again but Goto fights around! ZSJ pushes on the arms for an almost standing Clarky Cat! Goto endures, even as ZSJ pushes down hard on the arms! And has a leg! CLARKY CAT: BAD BALLOON REMIX!!
Goto fights with his free leg, so ZSJ shifts to focus on just an arm, URESHI ARMBAR!! Goto endures, fights with his legs, and still manages the ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go in frustration and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ to keep on Goto and the fans duel. ZSJ waits on Goto to sit up, and then he KICKS! Goto falls over, ZSJ paces, and Goto sits back up. ZSJ KICKS again! Goto falls back over, the fans rally, and ZSJ paces again. Goto sits back up, ZSJ eggs him on, and then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto falls in another heap and the fans continue to rally and duel. ZSJ lines up another shot to KICK, KICK, KICK! Goto blocks!
ZSJ SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires off fast SLAPS! Goto HEADBUTTS him in return! Shane is worried now as Goto HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Goto SLAMS ZSJ down, runs, and LARIATS ZSJ inside-out! The fans fire up as Goto drags ZSJ back up, fireman’s carries, and G T W!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Goto shrugs that off to drag ZSJ up and dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down to victory roll, then EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Goto escapes in time, and he clinches to a SLEEPER! Then roll, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! Goto fireman’s carries, ZSJ sunset flips, but Goto rocks it back, TWO!
ZSJ has the sunset flip, TWO!!! Goto narrowly escapes and the fans boo! Goto and ZSJ run back in, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! The fans rally up while both men wobble. Goto eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! Throw and G T- NO, ZSJ slips through, waistlocks, O’Conner BRIDGE, but Goto has a waistlock!! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!?!? The ref has to explain to the timekeeper to ring the bell, and then call it a DOUBLE PINFALL DRAW!!!
Double Pinfall Draw; Goto retains the title
ZSJ is pissed with the ref, and uses a GUILLOTINE CHOKE to take him down!! ZSJ grabs the world title, tosses it down at Goto’s feet, and the fans all call BS! ZSJ undoes his wrist tape, the fans tell the ref he sucks for this one, and Goto stands up to stare ZSJ down. This draw does not sit well with either man, but ZSJ pie faces Goto! ZSJ and Shane storm off while the fans boo, but there’s nothing that can be done about this decision now. Goto survived the rematch with The Front Man, will he be so lucky against the Rampaging Dragon?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa!
The CEO thought she was just getting one or the other for Resurgence, but that Double Count Out Draw in Chicago really upped the ante. Now both High Speed Bomb Girl and Fighting Gravure Idol get their shot, will one of them leave the Golden State wearing gold? Or will she still be #FourBeltsMone?
The introductions are made, the lavender belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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4 Corners Podcast: Playoffpalooza
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Patrick and Dave discuss the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Rory McIlroy, NBA Playoffs & NIL
Join Patrick and Dave every Tuesday as they cover the four corners of the professional sporting world!
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June will be electric!
Bandwagon Nerds #287: Filling A Void
The Nerds review Thunderbolts*, check out the latest trailers, and celebrate Star Wars Day as only they can!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (5/1/25)
Let's live it up!
Attitude Of Aggression #308- Unidentified History: From Undesirable to Undeniable
This debut Episode examines how UAPs went from an undesirable topic of discussion into an undeniably important aspect of our...
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VILLAIN MADNESS reaches its epic conclusion. Plus trailers for Predator: Badlands, Pee Wee as Himself, WWE Unreal and much more!
Mitchell’s WWE Backlash Results & Report! (5/10/25)
John Cena's Final Backlash!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Release The Backlash
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/9/25)
NJPW's back in the Golden State!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/9/25)
The time is now!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/9/25)
TGIROHF!
Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis
Chairshot Staff picks!!!
DWI Podcast #475: JAFC vs RKO
We give our picks and predictions for WWE Backlash!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.8.2025
We get to see Alicia Fox in action and a dog collar match! Definitely an odd combination, so let's see...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (5/8/25)
Collision on a Thursday?!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/7/25)
Hear ye, hear ye!
