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Mitchell’s NJPW Burning Spirit Results & Report! (9/25/22)

A red hot finale!

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There’s even more gold on the line than before!

NJPW finishes Burning Spirit with THREE red hot championship showdowns! Will the Rebel, David Finlay, dethrone the United Empire’s Commonwealth Kingpin, Will Ospreay?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; LIJ wins.
  • Toru Yano VS Doc Gallows; Double Count-Out.
  • Great-O-Khan & Jeff Cobb VS Chase Owens & Bad Luck Fale; Khan & Cobb win.
  • SANADA & Tetsuya Naito VS Dangerous Tekkers; Tekkers win.
  • Six Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Togi Makabe & Tomoaki Honma VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
  • Tama Tonga & Jado VS Jay White & Taiji Ishimori; White & Ishimori win.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: TJP & Francesco Akira VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato; TJP & Akira win and retain the titles.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: Karl Anderson VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Anderson wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay VS David Finlay; Ospreay wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions: TJP & Francesco Akira VS Ryusuke Taguchi & Master Wato!

The United Empire took these titles away from Team Six or Nine on the New Japan Road, but Taguchi & Wato have found their road back! Will the Funky Weapon & Way of the Grandmaster be able to return the favor? Or will they fall to the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and the rebellion begins!

Teams sort out and Taguchi starts against Akira. They circle and fans rally up. Akira talks some trash on Taguchi but Taguchi tells him to shut up and tag TJP. Akira is upset but he obliges, and TJP steps in. But then Taguchi backs down to tag Wato. Why start this off then? TJP rushes in and runs Wato over! Things speed up and TJP handsprings over Wato to then sidestep and hurdle. Wato leaps over, arm-drags TJP around but TJP headscissors. Wato kips free but TJP gets him for the twisting headscisosrs! Wato headscissors back and holds on tight. TJP headstands and fans applaud as he holds it. TJP then powers free and pats Wato on the knee.

TJP Penalty Kicks but Wato ducks under to roll TJP up. TWO, Wato sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! TJP goes for the sweep but Wato jumps over it, and then Wato pats TJP on the shoulders. Fans applaud and TJP is annoyed. TJP and Wato circle, but then Akira attacks from behind! TJP knocks Taguchi down, the Empire double whip Wato, TJP SOBATS, Akira front KICKS, TJP low KICKS, and Akira SHOTGUNS Wato down! Fans fire up for that speedy combo, and they clap, “A! KI-RA!” “T! J P!” “EM-PIRE!” The Empire double whip, double kick, but Wato ducks they double bulldog to DOUBLE DROPKICK them back!

Taguchi returns, he goes after Akira and Wato hits TJP. They go corner to corner to back elbow TJP and Akira, and then Taguchi sets up for WATO IN MOTION! Taguchi eggs Akira on and Akira rushes in, only for Taguchi to send that dropkick into TJP! Taguchi & Wato double whip Akira, double drop toehold and then double basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Wato stomps TJP down. Wato brings TJP up to scoop and SLAM, then he tags Taguchi. Taguchi gives a point-blank hip! And then another! TJP ends up in a corner and Taguchi gives him a STINK FACE! Taguchi lets off as the ref counts, but he gives more point-blank hips!

Fans rally, Taguchi runs side to side, but TJP gets up and helps Akira RAILGUN DROPKICK Taguchi down! Taguchi flops out of the ring and fans rally up with the Empire. They both run corner to corner to crisscross, TJP WRECKS Taguchi with a dropkick while Akira goes up for a MOONSAULT! Direct hit and Six or Nine are both down! Fans fire up with Akira & TJP and they high-five. The Empire drags Taguchi up, puts him in the ring, and TJP scrapes his sole off Taguchi’s face! The ref reprimands but TJP drags Taguchi up to EuroUpper. Tag to Akira, the Empire double whip Taguchi for a double atomic drop! Cover, TWO!

Akira talks trash on Taguchi and stomps him. Fans rally, Taguchi sits up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Akira DECKS Taguchi! Akira bumps Taguchi off buckles, TJP tags in and TJP puts Taguchi up top. TJP drags Taguchi into a Tree of Woe while Akira DECKS Wato. TJP gives Akira a boost up to the top and helps him walk the tightrope for a HALF COAST2COAST! TJP drags Taguchi out of the Tree and to the cover, TWO! Fans rally as Taguchi survives, but TJP puts him in a corner to dig his boot in. TJP fires up the fans as he scrapes Taguchi’s face again and again. TJP runs, but Wato’s back! TJP flips Wato off, but turns around into a HIP ATTACK!

Fans fire up and Taguchi tags in Wato! Wato rallies on TJP, dropkicks Akira down, then KICKS TJP in the chest! And again, and again! TJP ends up in a corner, Wato whips him corner to corner but TJP reverse. Wato comes back to dropkick the legs out! Wato hurries to the corner, and he springboards for a FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! TJP survives but Wato fires up! Wato drags TJP into the waistlock, but TJP fights the lift. TJP throws back elbows, runs, Akira tags in. TJP avoids the boot and waistlocks, but Wato moves and Akira’s SUPERKICK hits TJP! Wato then ZIGZAGS Akira down! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally up and Wato calls Taguchi in. They wheelbarrow Akira, but TJP SUPERKICKS Taguchi! Wato gets around but this time TJP ducks and Akira SUPERKICKS Wato! Akira runs, TJP wheelbarrows him, but Wato uses that to hit the COMPLETE SHOT! TJP freaks out and hurries to get Wato up. TJP whips, Wato RANAS him out! Fans fire up with Wato and he drags Akira up. HIGH ANGLE GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Akira survives but Wato fires up. Fans rally with him and Wato bumps Akira off buckles. Wato hoists Akira up top, CLUBS him, then climbs up after him. Wato hooks Akira up but Akira fights!

Fans rally, TJP CLUBS Wato and moves Akira aside. TJP climbs and lifts Wato in the Electric Chair! Akira springboards up, SUPER DUPER FRANKENSTEINER!! Cover, but Taguchi breaks it in time! Fans fire up and TJP throws Taguchi out. Fans rally, the Empire drags Wato up and resets. Another Electric Chair, Akira goes up top, but Wato fights free! Wato DROPKICKS Akira down! Everyone is down but Taguchi, and Taguchi returns to his corner! Wato crawls over, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi hurries to get Akira, but TJP CLUBS Taguchi! TJP climbs up, but Taguchi shoves him down! But Akira shoves Taguchi!

Wato returns, springs up, and he SUPERPLEXES Akira! BUM-A-YE!! Cover, TWO!!! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Wato TORNILLOS onto TJP! Akira endures the ankle lock, Taguchi really leans on that leg, and fans are thunderous! Akira crawls, reaches, but Taguchi reels him into chicken wings! DODON TO THE THRONE!! Cover, TJP breaks it up!! Fans rally, Taguchi drags TJP up and tosses him out. Wato returns and Six or Nine coordinate. They wheelbarrow Akira, but TJP returns to COMPLETE SHOT Wato first!! And then fireman’s carry on Taguchi! Taguchi slips off, dragon sleepers, but Akira helps TJP up and over!

Akira goes up, DOUBLE STOMP ELBOW DROP DDT!! Cover, TWO!?!? Taguchi survives and the Empire can’t believe it! But they set Taguchi up in the Electric Chair, LEANING TOWER!! Cover, the Empire wins!

Winners: TJP & Francesco Akira, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Six or Nine are 0-2 against TJP & Akira! Will Taguchi & Wato have to make the long trek back to the top? Who will the Empire look to conquer next?

 

NEVER Openweight Championship: Karl Anderson w/ Doc Gallows VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

The Machinegun shot down the Good Bad Guy to take this title, but he’s been busy in Impact. Now he’s back to defend this title against the Ace of the Universe! Will Anderson take down another target? Or will the Once in a Century Talent make quite the impact himself?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!

Fans rally, “Let’s Go, Ace!” for Tanahashi as he circles with Anderson. Anderson calls Gallows over to talk things out and even hug. Anderson and Tanahashi circle and the fans rally again. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Tanahashi pushes Anderson to ropes. Anderson turns things around but then Tanahashi turns it back. Anderson puts Tanahashi in the corner and Red Shoes calls for the break. Anderson lets off clean and fans applaud. Tanahashi and Anderson circle again, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Anderson headlocks, Tanahashi slips out the back to get the headlock, but Anderson throws body shots.

Anderson hammerlocks Tanahashi’s arm and then wrenches it to a wristlock. Tanahashi endures, drops to get a leg and he drags Anderson down. Tanahashi floats to a headlock, Anderson slips out to headlock back, but then Tanahashi returns the favor. Anderson slips out again, but then so does Tanahashi. They end up outside the ring and fans applaud as they stare down. They put up their dukes, each daring the other to get in the ring. The ring count starts, Anderson and Tanahashi keep telling the other, “You go!” Anderson suggests they go at the same time, and so they do, at 13 of 20! Fans applaud as the two stand off in the ring now.

Anderson and Tanahashi pace as fans rally up. Anderson kicks but Tanahashi blocks! Tanahashi CLUBS the leg and Anderson goes to a corner. Tanahashi throws body shots. Tanahashi whips but Anderson reverses then runs in, only for Tanahashi to elbow him away. Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up for the air guitar. Gallows protests but Tanahashi ignores him to bring Anderson up. Tanahashi throws body shots, whips Anderson to ropes but Anderson reverses, only for Tanahashi to use that to WRECK Gallows with a dropkick! Tanahashi ROCKS Anderson, BOOTS Gallows, but Anderson GUN STUN HOTSHOTS Tanahashi down!

Red Shoes starts a ring count, fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” and Tanahashi is still down at 10 of 20. Anderson wants to go out but Red Shoes keeps him back. This is all to distract Red Shoes as Gallows APRON CHOKE SLAMS Tanahashi! Tanahashi flops back down to the floor and Gallows acts innocent. Red Shoes can’t call what he didn’t see but he warns Gallows to stay back. Tanahashi stirs as fans rally up, and the ring count restarts. Tanahashi drags himself up at 7 and in at 8, but Anderson is on him! Anderson scoop SLAMS Tanahashi then soaks up the cheers. Anderson runs to SENTON! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally but Anderson is annoyed. Anderson stands on Tanahashi’s face, then lets off to drag Tanahashi into a chinlock. Fans rally, Tanahashi endures, and Anderson grinds the hold. Tanahashi fights up, throws body shots, but Anderson pulls hair! Tanahashi ROCKS Anderson, but Anderson ROCKS Tanahashi. Tanahashi ROCKS Anderson again but Anderson ROCKS Tanahashi again! Fans rally up as the forearms pick up speed! Anderson gets the edge but Tanahashi gives strikes back. Anderson UPPERCUTS Tanahashi, but Tanahashi blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Anderson clutches his knee and fans fire up.

Gallows coaches Anderson up but fans rally for Tanahashi. Tanahashi throws forearms on Anderson, whips him to ropes, but Anderson reverses. Tanahashi hits FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up, Tanahashi storms up on Anderson and he throws body shots. Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Anderson, then goes to the corner. Tanahashi hops up for a SUNSET SENTON! Direct hit and a cover, TWO! Fans rally but Gallows gets on the apron. Tanahashi grabs Gallows’ leg and hits a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Gallows shouts in pain as he flops down. Tanahashi runs but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!

Anderson hurries to fireman’s carry Tanahashi! T K O!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as Tanahashi survives! Anderson shouts at Gallows to get up but fans are rallying for Tanahashi. Anderson walks around, he pounds the mat and fans clap along. Tanahashi stirs, Anderson takes aim, GUN- NO, Tanahashi trips Anderson and gets a leg, GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then an INVERTED GROUND DRAGON SCREW!! Anderson clutches his leg, but Tanahashi gets both legs for the TEXAS CLOVERLEAF!! Anderson endures, Gallows pushes the rope closer, but Red Shoes kicks at Gallows! Anderson crawls forward and reaches out, but Tanahashi drags him away!

Anderson endures as Tanahashi sits deep, but Gallows gets on the apron to distract Red Shoes! Red Shoes misses the tap out!! Toru Yano runs in from Japanese commentary! He trips Gallows and they brawl! Nothing was settled earlier tonight, but Gallows DECKS Yano! Tanahashi lets Anderson go, the Texas Cloverleaf meaning nothing now. GUN- NO! Tanahashi denies Anderson again! Tanahashi then dodges the lariat to run and SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi fires up, goes to the corner and climbs up, and Anderson stands. HIGH FLY ATTACK! Tanahashi fires up more and returns to the top rope!

Gallows distracts again but Yano trips him up again! Tanahashi aims and leaps, HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Cover, TWO!?!? Tanahashi survives the turn around and Anderson clutches his knees. Gallows RAMS Yano into railing! Fans are thunderous for “LET’S GO, ACE!” as Anderson gets to a corner. Tanahashi stands, runs at Anderson but misses! Anderson JUMP KICKS, but his legs are hurting him! Anderson waits on Tanahashi, but still no Gun Stun! Tanahashi tries to steal but Anderson pushes him away! Gallows trips Tanahashi up but Tanahashi kicks him away. GUN- NO!! Tanahashi blocks again, but Anderson slips out of Twist ‘n’ Shout! GUN STUN!!! Cover, Anderson wins!!

Winner: Karl Anderson, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

The Machinegun had Big LG helping him out, and Gallows beats up on Yano for good measure! But wait, here come Jay White & Gedo! The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion and his Blacksmith are here to celebrate with the Good Brothers. White tells the Young Lions to get out of the ring so it can be Bullet Club standing over Tanahashi & Yano. Bullet Club Too Sweets, then they stomp away on The Ace & Producer! Young Lions try to stop this but they get beat up for it. Wait! Here comes TAMA TONGA! The Good Bad Guy CLOBBERS White! And Anderson! And SUPER FOREARMS Gallows! Fans fire up with Tama!

Tama sees White all alone now, and he said he’s told White already. Tama’s gonna kick White’s ass! But White is begging for mercy. Just look! It’s HIKULEO! Tama’s younger brother is storming into the ring! Tama and Hiku stare down, and White grins as he stands with the towering Tongan. “I’M his family now! It’s all about this! Bullet Club is his family!” NOT! Hiku choke grips White! And feeds him to a GUN STUN!!! Bullet Club isn’t family! Family is family! Tama and Hiku hug and the fans love it! The Guerrillas of Destiny have grown stronger now, and Tama has the belt! Tama gets the NEVER Openweight belt, too, and he holds it out to Hiku!

Fans fire up as Hiku holds up Anderson’s belt, and Tama holds up White’s belt! Will we see GoD dethrone the Bullet Club as they make their Declaration of Power?

 

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship: Will Ospreay w/ The United Empire VS David Finlay!

The Commonwealth Kingpin was among many of the shocking upset wins The Rebel pulled off in this year’s G1 Climax. They’ve gone back and forth, in the ring and on the mic, and now they’ll finally settle this! Will the United Empire sweep the night to still reign supreme? Or can the rebellion still come away with a victory?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and after a long, hard road, we see who burns brightest in this Burning Spirit finale!

The two rush each other at the bell and the forearms fly fast and furious! Fans fire up, Finlay gets the edge, then he whips. Ospreay reverses, Finlay ducks the boot but things speed up. Finlay hurdles, hurdles and DROPKICKS! Finlay clotheslines Ospreay out of the ring, then he PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Ospreay! Finlay says it was “that easy,” and then he whips Ospreay into railing! Ospreay bounces off the steel and Finlay fishhooks his face! Finlay dares Ospreay to talk trash now, then CLUBS him down. Red Shoes reprimands and Finlay apologizes, only to whip Ospreay hard into more railing!

Finlay has his shillelagh as he stalks Ospreay around the way. Red Shoes reprimands and tells Finlay to put the shillelagh down. Ospreay mule kicks Finlay first! Ospreay CLUBS Finlay, puts the shillelagh aside and ROCKS Finlay in the mouth! Ospreay whips, Finlay reverses but Ospreay leaps the railing! Finlay runs in, Ospreay ROCKS him then clears off the timekeeper’s table. To pick it up and CHUCK it at Finlay! Finlay and the table go down in a heap and fans fire up for that innovative savagery. Ospreay storms over to Finlay, Abe-san at least gets the mic, bell and hammer, and Ospreay stands the table up.

Ospreay drags Finlay but Finlay has hold of another table. Ospreay whips Finlay into railing now, and he sets up the other table Finlay brought. The tables are put side by side, but Finlay throws body shots! Ospreay ROCKS Finlay, and then reels him in! Ospreay aims for the tables but Finlay fights free! Finlay RAMS Ospreay so hard into the railing, Finlay tumbles into No Man’s Land. Finlay puts Ospreay in the ring, fans rally up, but Ospreay FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS! And BOOTS Finlay down! Fans fire up while Ospreay clutches his back. Ospreay drags Finlay up, CLUBS him on the back, and has him in a corner for hard body shots!

Finlay sputters but Ospreay brings Finlay up for another hard shot! Ospreay stands on Finlay at the ropes, stomps him, but Red Shoes counts. Ospreay springboards for a knee drop! Cover, ONE! Finlay shows heart and fans cheer but Ospreay is annoyed. Ospreay bumps Finlay off buckles, stands Finlay up, and CHOPS him! Finlay staggers then drops to his knees while fans applaud the echo on that one. Ospreay stands Finlay up but Finlay throws CHOPS back! Ospreay CHOPS Finlay off his feet, covers, TWO! Ospreay drags Finlay around to omoplata the arm, and he throws elbows into the sides. Ospreay hooks Finlay’s arm for a RECLINER! It’s a cover, ONE!!

Finlay clutches his arm but Ospreay snarls as he stalks Finlay to ropes. Finlay throws body shots but Ospreay DECKS him with a right. Ospreay reels Finlay in for a cobra twist! Finlay endures but Ospreay throws in elbows. Ospreay puts more pressure on the hold but Finlay endures as fans rally. Finlay powers up to hip toss free! Finlay fires forearms on Ospreay but Ospreay SOBATS. Ospreay reels Finlay in but Finlay back drops him away! Fans fire up and Finlay goes to a corner. Finlay runs in and CLOBBERS Ospreay with forearm after forearm! Finlay whips, Ospreay reverses but Finlay CLOBBERS Ospreay again!

Ospreay goes to a corner, Finlay runs in and UPPERCUTS! Finlay shoves Ospreay out and goes up to FLYING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Finlay is annoyed but he pushes Ospreay around. Fans rally, Finlay reels Ospreay in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Finlay facelocks to grind Ospreay down but Ospreay fights up. Finlay clinches, Ospreay throws elbows but Finlay still lifts! Ospreay stops that with a facelock and they end up on the ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Finlay KNEES Ospreay low again and again! Red Shoes reprimands, Finlay whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER! Fans fire up while both men are down!

Fans rally as Ospreay sits up. Finlay crawls to a corner and staggers up. Ospreay SOBATS and Finlay drops to a knee. Ospreay whips Finlay to the corner hard and then RAMS Finlay in the other corner! Finlay falls down but Ospreay drags Finlay up. Ospreay scoops for a RUNNING BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Finlay hangs tough. Ospreay paces around, drags Finlay up again and reels him in. Finlay fights the lift, Ospreay CLUBS him then gives him Kowata Kicks! But Finlay still fights the lift! Finlay back drops, Ospreay sunset flips but Finlay rolls through to BASEMENT EUROUPPER! Fans rally as Ospreay goes to a corner.

Finlay runs in but Ospreay BOOTS him away! Ospreay runs, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB from Finlay! Cover, TWO! Finlay grits his teeth and fans rally up again. Finlay drags Ospreay up, fires off forearms, and Ospreay wobbles around. Finlay puts Ospreay up top, climbs up and throws headbutts. Finlay then brings Ospreay up, but Ospreay throws body shots! Ospreay HEADBUTTS Finlay down and fans rally up again. Ospreay stands but Finlay trips him up! Finlay climbs up after Ospreay but from the outside! Finlay clinches and aims at the tables! Ospreay fights back and now he aims for the tables!

Red Shoes tells them not to but the two brawl up top. They both hop down, Finlay ROCKS Ospreay, then ROCKS him again. Ospreay ROCKS Finlay, Finlay hits back, and fans rally as the forearms fly again. Ospreay gets the edge, and he HOTSHOTS Finlay off the crossbar! Ospreay leaps to sunset flip right over Finlay! Ospreay brings Finlay around for an APRON POWERBOMB! Ospreay then sets up on the other corner, for a SKY TWISTER!! Direct hit and down goes Finlay! Fans fire up while both men are down! Red Shoes checks on them and they’re both okay to continue. Ospreay gets up and brings Finlay around the way.

Ospreay smacks Finlay off the table, and again. Finlay grabs his shillelagh! Finlay blocks the table bump this time, to SMACK Ospreay’s fingers!! Ospreay scrambles away and Finlay kisses the shillelagh for helping out. Finlay then pursues Ospreay, keeps him from returning to the ring, and he wrenches the bad arm to SLAM the hand on the railing! And on the apron! Ospreay clutches his fingers but Finlay grabs the arm to put it through railing! Finlay BENDS the fingers against the railing! Red Shoes counts, Finlay lets off at 4, and Ospreay is clutching his hand in pain. Finlay just STOMPS the hand!

Red Shoes reprimands but Finlay puts Ospreay in the ring. Finlay stomps Ospreay’s bad hand again! And again! Ospreay shouts in pain but Finlay brings him up. Ospreay throws body shots but swings into a takedown! Finlay throws knee after knee into Ospreay’s side, then he gets the bad arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Finlay bends the fingers as part of it! Ospreay endures and the Empire coaches him up but Finlay pushes way back on the hold! Ospreay moves around, and gets a ROPEBREAK with a foot! Finlay lets off and Ospreay goes to the apron. Finlay stands on Ospreay’s head but lets off to bring Ospreay up.

Finlay bends the fingers on the bad hand! Ospreay throws forearms but Finlay just BITES the bad fingers! And SNAPS them! Finlay runs, into a Tiger Wall Kick and ENZIGURI! The legs still work! Finlay staggers back to a corner and Ospreay clutches his tortured hand again. Ospreay signals to the Empire to get something. Gideon Grey finds spare tape and Cobb POPS Ospreay’s fingers in place! Gideon and Cobb wrap up the bad fingers while Ospreay bites his other hand to endure the pain. Gideon finishes wrapping the fingers, but Finlay puts Ospreay on the apron! Ospreay ROCKS Finlay, springboards, but into the IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Ospreay survives and he’s again holding his bad hand. Fans fire up with Finlay as he cravats. But no Acid Drop, Ospreay puts Finlay on the apron to GAMANGIRI! Fans rally as Ospreay goes out to join Finlay. Ospreay brings Finlay up but he can’t lift Finlay because of the bad hand. Ospreay fires off Kowata Kicks again, calls his shot, but even clapping his hands hurts like hell! Finlay reels Ospreay in for an APRON HALF ‘N’ HALF! Fans fire up as Finlay sees the tables nearby. Finlay brings Ospreay up to line up a shot. Finlay goes up the corner, ACID DROP onto the tables!! But the tables don’t break and both men just bounce off!!

Fans are thunderous as Red Shoes checks both men. Somehow, Ospreay and Finlay are okay to continue. Finlay rises first and he staggers around. Finlay shakes out his head, he resets the tables and he drags Ospreay up. POWERBOMB through the tables!! Finlay gets in the ring to leave Ospreay in the wreckage. Finlay wants the count out and Red Shoes starts the ring count. Gideon checks on Ospreay, coaches him up, but we’re at 10 of 20. And then 15! Ospreay grits his teeth and growls as he crawls, but we’re at 18! Ospreay springs in at 19, into a SPEAR!! Finlay hurries to ACID DROP!! Cover, TWO!??!

Ospreay survives and Finlay is furious! But the fans are thunderous as this one continues! Finlay slashes his throat and drags Ospreay up. Finlay tries to suplex but Ospreay’s dead weight. Finlay gives him those Kowata Kicks in return! Finlay taunts Ospreay and fans rally up. Finlay drags Ospreay up but Ospreay feebly forearms him. Finlay DECKS Ospreay, and Ospreay mumbles and groans as he sits back up. Ospreay throws another weak forearm, but Finlay UPPERCUTS him. Ospreay grits his teeth and fires up to ROCK Finlay! Finlay EuroUppers over and over and over! And then he CLOBBERS Ospreay!

Ospreay sits up in a daze but Finlay suplexes! But Osprey cradles, TWO!! Finlay swings, into a backslide! TWO, and Finlay jumps, but no Prima Nocta! Ospreay spins Finlay around to GHOST PIN! TWO!! Finlay gets up, but Ospreay ROUNDHOUSES him! Ospreay springboards, but Finlay catches the cutter to an inverted suplex! OSAKA STREET CUTTER!! Finlay fires up, runs, but into a STANDING SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but Ospreay prepares the arm! HIDDEN- NO! BACKSLIDE! Ospreay rolls through but Finlay suplexes, TRASH PANDA!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Red Shoes apologizes for not seeing it in time but that was a legit ropebreak!

Finlay is beside himself but the fans are thunderous! Finlay drags Ospreay back up, suplexes, but Ospreay slips out! HIDDEN BLADE!!! But both men are down as we pass 25 minutes! Fans are thunderous again as Ospreay crawls his way back over to Finlay. A standing count begins but both men are down at 5! They get forehead to forehead and give junkyard dog headbutts. They go back and forth like that, and even at the same time! Finlay throws a forearm, Ospreay gives it back and fans fire up! Ospreay and Finlay stand, and now it’s fast and furious haymakers! Ospreay ROCKS Finlay, DOUBLE LARIATS hit, Ospreay swats another to HOOK KICK!

Finlay wobbles, Ospreay runs in, but Finlay ducks the Hidden Blade! Ospreay comes back, he slips through Finlay’s clothesline to lift and- RANA from Finlay!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay escapes and fans are electric! Ospreay dodges Finlay, springboards, but into a PRIMA NOCTA!! Cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives but Finlay just roars! Fans rally with Finlay and he drags Ospreay up. ACID- NO, Ospreay throws him away, goes up and up, SUPER OSCUTTER!!! But Ospreay holds on and says he’s not done! Underhooks and- NO, Finlay fights it, so Ospreay PEDIGREES! AND POINT BLANK HIDDEN BLADES!!! Cover, TWO!??!?! WHAT??!!

Ospreay is furious! He underhooks again, lifts and STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (still IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion)

That was a 28 minute, 22 second WAR, but the Commonwealth Kingpin managed to conquer The Rebel! Finlay came so close to taking this title, but he’s still not quite there yet. Will Finlay be able to fight his way back up and try again before the year is out?

As for Ospreay, the Empire sets up in the ring to celebrate with their leader. Ospreay has the belt around his waist as Great-O-Khan waves the Empire’s banner behind him. But wait! Tetsuya Naito makes his way out! Fans applaud and Ospreay has the rest of the Empire stand down. Naito assures them he’s not here to fight, and they let him into the ring. Ospreay even allows Naito to have the mic first. Khan holds the mic out but just drops it at Naito’s feet. Naito picks it up to tell Ospreay, in English, “Congratulations~!” Then in Japanese, Naito says, “You know why I’m out here.” And back in English, “One more time. Naito VS Ospreay.” What’s “Mr. Ospreay” say? Is it yes or no?

Naito then hands the mic to Ospreay, but then “OI OI OI OI!” Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way out! Naito is surprised, the fans are excited, but Ospreay & The Empire are pissed! ZSJ keeps shouting, “OI!” as he goes down the ramp and into the ring. ZSJ snatches the mic from Ospreay to say “OI OI OI OI!” some more. In Japanese, “Choto matte <Wait a moment.>” ZSJ addresses Naito first. “Does this head work?” Naito’s going to challenge Ospreay for the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship? “Naze? <Why?>” Naito didn’t win today! And he didn’t win against Ospreay in the G1! Ospreay agrees but he doesn’t like ZSJ defending him. He grabs for the mic but ZSJ stops him.

ZSJ admits, Naito beat him in the G1 Climax, but then “this dickhead” beat Naito. But then ZSJ beat “this dickhead” in the New Japan Cup. That means ZSJ should be the next challenger! Naito says no, Ospreay again wants the mic, but ZSJ says “OI OI OI OI.” ZSJ says he has an idea. NJPW will be in England next week for Royal Quest II! So it should be ZSJ VS Naito 1v1, to name the #1 contender to the US Championship! “Dou desu ka? <How about that?>” Naito considers it but then Ospreay grabs the mic! Only for Naito to snatch it away! Ospreay’s so mad while Naito stares ZSJ down. But then Naito turns to Ospreay with a smile. “Amigo… Hasta luego. <Friend… See you later.>”

Naito drops the mic and leaves, but he didn’t really answer anything! ZSJ pursues Naito to ask him about the challenge for Royal Quest! Ospreay then picks the mic up to ask WTF was that! Both Naito and ZSJ are challenging for Ospreay’s title? Khan says that seems to be the case. Ospreay looks to the crowd and shrugs as if to ask them now. “Hey, whichever one it is. If it’s Naito, or if it’s Zack Sabre Jr, it doesn’t matter. Ospreay is best champion.” Fans applaud that. Ospreay then puts on the United Empire merch shirt, and they all stand together again.

Khan gets the mic to say, “Do those fools think they can ruin our moment? They’ll do anything to bore the lot of you. We won’t stand for it. Those scumbags crawled all the way out here, to beg and grovel for a chance at Ospreay’s belt. Don’t get it twisted: It’s Ospreay, the champion, who has the right to pick a challenger! It’s us, the United Empire, who call the shots around here! And now, hail us, loyal subjects!” Fans applaud, and Khan says they have conquered Kobe. “Therefore, show us your allegiance! Show your imperial pride! CROWNS UP!” The Empire throws up their hand sign, but Khan demands more fans do the same!

More fans do as they’re told, and that’s satisfactory for Khan. Have they also done their duty and bought an Empire shirt? If not, it’s probably because they’re sold out. Just get your acts together. The Empire has the IWGP Junior Heavyweight and US Heavyweight titles, so the world title is inevitable! They’ll go to the homeland of Gideon Grey & Will Ospreay, where Aussie Open will “execute” FTR and take the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships! “Attention! We are Gideon Grey, Great-O-Khan, Jeff Cobb, Francesco Akira, TJP, and Will Ospreay! This is the power of the UNITED EMPIRE!” There’s so much gold in their treasury, will the United Empire soon conquer ALL of NJPW?


My Thoughts:

A great event to close out Burning Spirit, even with titles maintaining a status quo. Great Junior Heavyweight Tag title match, but I had a feeling on Friday that that match was going to go the Empire’s way. TJP & Akira are now open to taking on any number of Face teams, especially with Super Junior Tag League joining World Tag League for the Winter. Anderson VS Tanahashi was great stuff, even with Gallows getting involved. Tanahashi losing was a bit of a surprise, but the bigger surprise was Hikuleo leaving Bullet Club to side with his brothers in GoD. Hikuleo can definitely challenge for the NEVER Openweight title but I’m not sure his chances of winning. White VS Tama will also be awesome but I can’t be sure if Tama wins, knowing that Okada is challenging at WrestleKingdom.

And we got an awesome main event with the US Championship. Ospreay and Finlay stepped it up from their G1 Climax match, and that stuff with the tables was rough. I did like that they took finger snapping to another level and had Ospreay have to pop his fingers back into place and wrap them up. Ospreay winning was a small surprise as I thought this was going to be Finlay’s moment. But we do get a big story going into Royal Quest and Declaration of Power. Ospreay may not want it but I bet we will get Naito VS ZSJ at Royal Quest, the winner challenging Ospreay down the line. And whether it’s Naito or ZSJ, the winner will give Ospreay an awesome title match.

My Score: 8.8/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

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on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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