Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT Worlds Collide Results & Report! (9/4/22)
There can only be one!
NXT and NXT UK become one!
In the wake of WWE’s European expansion, NXT and NXT UK fuse their titles! Who will be the UNIFIED champions when Worlds Collide?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Ricochet; Hayes wins and retains the title.
- NXT & NXT UK Tag Team Championships Unification Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: The Creed Brothers VS Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Gallus VS Pretty Deadly; Pretty Deadly wins and are the Undisputed NXT Tag Team Champions.
- NXT & NXT UK Women’s Championships Unification Match Triple Threat: Mandy Rose VS Meiko Satomura VS Blair Davenport; Mandy wins and is the Undisputed NXT Women’s Champion.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H; Kayden & Katana win and retain the titles.
- NXT & NXT UK Championships Unification Match: Bron Breakker VS Tyler Bate; Bron wins and is the Undisputed NXT Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the NXT Worlds Collide Preshow!
Join McKenzie Mitchell and Sam Roberts in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action set for this historic event.
“Three letters that changed the game.”
“You are here to see the future, and the future is now!” There are no limits, #WeAreNXT! AND NXT UK! “One expanded universe designed for evolution. Two proud champions, two revolutionary brands, no longer worlds apart.” But this isn’t just about NXT as Raw and SmackDown invade! The past, the future, USA and UK, the game is changing! What will happen when Worlds Collide?
NXT North American Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Ricochet!
The A Champion says he’s beaten the best and that makes him the best, but there is One and Only problem with that: he hasn’t checked off every name that’s on the list! Will Ricochet prove to Carmelo that sometimes, he does miss? Or will Melo make sure this is all it is, and this is all it’s ever gonna be?
As part of Melo’s entrance, he has the tron show “T-shirts” with the names of those he has defeated. And he already has one ready for Ricochet! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Melo can back up all the talk.
Melo and Ricochet circle as fans rally up and duel. They tie up, go around, Ricochet arm-drags but Melo holds on. They stand back up, Melo powers Ricochet to the ropes, but Ricochet arm-drags free. Ricochet waistlocks but Melo switches. Ricochet switches back, Melo switches again, headlocks but Ricochet slips out to headlock back. Melo slips out to headlock again, but so does Ricochet. Melo slips away again but Ricochet hits a headlock and takeover! Melo headscissors but Ricochet kips free! Roles reverse as Melo hits the takeover and Ricochet headscissors for Melo to kip free. Ricochet sweeps, covers, ONE!
Melo handsprings Ricochet blocks his kick, then Ricochet handsprings over the sweep! The two stand off and fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” Ricochet and Melo each talk some smack, then Melo shoves Ricochet. And pie faces! Ricochet trips Melo up! Ricochet grabs the legs, Melo kicks him away, but Ricochet handsprings over! Ricochet avoids the sweep, Melo rolls off the back, but then Ricochet returns the favor. Ricochet ducks under, handsprings back and headscissors, but Melo handsprings through, only for Ricochet to DROPKICK! Fans fire up as Ricochet just brushes himself off.
Ricochet sees Melo go to ropes, and he CHOPS him! Melo goes to a corner but Ricochet CHOPS! Ricochet snapmares, KICKS Melo in the back, then pushes him down. Cover, ONE, but Ricochet CLUBS Melo down. Trick taunts Ricochet but Ricochet KICKS Melo. Ricochet whips, Melo holds ropes and bails out! Fans boo as Melo and Trick talk it out. Ricochet rushes over but Melo HOTSHOTS his arm! Melo gets in, Ricochet headlocks, but Melo powers up. Ricochet grinds the headlock to drag Melo down, but Melo pulls Ricochet’s beard. Melo powers up and powers out, but Ricochet slides out, avoiding Trick’s trip up!
Ricochet calls Trick out on it but Trick plays innocent. Melo rushes in around the way but Ricochet ROCKS and CHOPS him first! Ricochet puts Melo against the barriers, and the fans help hold him there! Ricochet CHOPS Melo! Ricochet then tells Trick to back off. Ricochet puts Melo in, stares Trick down, then gets back in the ring. Melo ENZIGURIS Ricochet! Melo smirks and pushes Ricochet to a cover, ONE!! Melo is annoyed but he drags Ricochet up in the corner. Melo CHOPS Ricochet, then SLAPS him on the head! Fans are riled up as Melo drags Ricochet up and SLAMS him! Melo dribbles the ball, he shoots and he “scores.”
Melo snapmares Ricochet but Ricochet handsprings through! Tiger Wall Kick, Melo ducks the roundhouse to throw Ricochet down! Ricochet kips up, but into Melo’s SUPERKICK! Melo sees Ricochet is down so he hurries to cover, TWO! Ricochet flounders to a corner and “This is Awesome!” Melo runs in, but into a BOOT! Ricochet runs, dodges, handsprings but Melo follows! SPRINGBOARD LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous but Melo is frustrated. Melo talks some trash, drags Ricochet up, but Ricochet elbows free! And CHOPS! Melo ducks the haymaker to wheelbarrow, but Ricochet turns that into a victory roll, STOMP 182!
Fans are thunderous again while both men are down! Ricochet stands first, Melo follows. Ricochet clotheslines Melo against ropes, then he runs, but Melo clotheslines back! Melo runs, but Ricochet runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Both men run, springboard DOUBLE CROSSBODY!! Fans are losing their minds over that one! Fans rally up as Ricochet and Melo stir. Melo kicks at Ricochet but both men stand up. Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this is just the first match of the night! Melo and Ricochet put up their dukes and approach. Melo swings but Ricochet bobs ‘n’ weaves!
Ricochet blocks the jump knee to UPPERCUT! Ricochet KICKS Melo again and again against the ropes! Ricochet whips, Melo rolls but Ricochet shoots in to waistlock. O’Conner, but Melo slips free, into the PELE!! Fans are electric and Ricochet is red hot! Ricochet waist on Melo, fireman’s carries, for a DYNAMITE- NO, Melo blocks the kick, rolls Ricochet, but Ricochet blocks the Code Breaker! Ricochet throws Melo away, Melo ducks and spins Ricochet to suplex. Ricochet slips out and SUPERKICKS! Melo THROAT CHOPS! The ref reprimands but Melo springboards, only for Ricochet to get under, RECOIL!!! Cover, Trick tugs Melo out!
The ref didn’t realize what happened but Ricochet does! Fans boo, we all know what happened, too! Ricochet tries to tell the ref, but then he WRECKS Trick with a dropkick! Trick flounders up the ramp! Ricochet tells Trick that’s what he gets! Ricochet then heads back for the ring, but Melo runs in! Tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTER! Suplex to the CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Melo is furious! Melo has some blood in his mouth, he’s tasting what it takes to beat a former North American and United States Champion! Melo hurries to a corner and climbs up top. Melo aims at Ricochet, but Ricochet springs up there first!
Ricochet has Melo caught for a JUMPING SUPERPLEX!! Fans lose their minds all over again as both men are back down! Both men rise, but Ricochet stands up first. Ricochet KICKS Melo in the chest, then pie faces! “If you wanna beat me then beat me!” Melo SLAPS Ricochet! Ricochet ROCKS Melo! Melo ROCKS Ricochet! Ricochet KICKS Melo! Melo CHOPS, Ricochet CHOPS, so Melo BOOTS! Ricochet stays up to ROCK Melo with boxing elbows! Ricochet fires up, but Melo BOOTS him again! Ricochet V-TRIGGERS! Ricochet suplexes for a BRAINBUSTER! And then a fireman’s carry, DYNAMITE KICK! Melo rebounds to CODE BREAKER!! Melo crawls to a cover, TWO!!!
Melo is beside himself! But Ricochet ghost pins! TWO!!! Melo escapes by nanoseconds and Trick is freaking out! Fans again hope these two “Fight Forever!” and they might at this rate! Melo drags himself to a corner but Ricochet grabs a foot. Melo kicks Ricochet away, but Ricochet comes back. Melo CHOPS him, goes up, but Ricochet drags him down! Ricochet ROCKS Melo, goes up the corner himself, but Melo brings him down to CHOP! Melo shoves Ricochet down, goes up the corner, but Ricochet gets him again! Ricochet goes up but Melo brings him back down. Ricochet HEEL KICKS Melo! Then POISON-RANAS!!!
Fans are electric as Ricochet aims from a corner! Trick rushes in, wielding the belt! But Ricochet dodges to triangle jump DROPKICK Trick down! Ricochet hurries up top and takes aim, for the SHOOTING STAR! Melo moves! Ricochet lands on his feet but Melo cradles, MELO WINS!!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Trick helps out again! Melo is given time to recover, and he snatches victory from the jaws of defeat! Will Melo continue to add to his “Hall of Shame” as the A Champion?
NXT shares footage from earlier today.
Someone brutally attacked Roderick Strong and left him laying in the middle of the parking lot! Who did this to Roddy? Are they still in the area, ready to strike again? How will this affect the mentality of the Creed Brothers ahead of their Tag Team Championship Unification Match? Speaking of…
The Creed Brothers and Demon Kemp talk backstage.
Julius says they’re not going out there to be hunted, they’re going out there to do the hunting. There’s a reason Julius & Brutus are the NXT Tag Team Champions, and it’s because they’re the best team here! Kemp agrees, they can’t worry about what happened to Roddy. This is about the Creeds unifying the tag team titles! Tonight, it’s about Diamond Mine! But will Diamond Mine be forever with what’s been going on lately?
NXT & NXT UK Tag Team Championships Unification Fatal 4 Way Elimination Match: The Creed Brothers VS Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen w/ Fallon Henley VS Gallus VS Pretty Deadly w/ Lash Legend!
Julius & Brutus took their titles off Kit Wilson & Elton Prince, and the #CountryStrong duo kept their titles from Pretty Deadly. Pretty Deadly once upon a time took the UK titles off Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, who were the longest reigning tag team champions on either brand. But who will be THE tag team here in NXT when it’s all said and done?
The introductions are made, but there’s so much animosity, the teams just start brawling! Brutus has Wolfgang, Jensen has Mark, Pretty Deadly gets out of the way but they also instigate by pushing from the outside! The refs get everyone to stand down and go to their corners. In this kind of Fatal 4, only two teams are legal at a time, but Wolfgang is really wanting after, well, anyone! Briggs and Julius decide to both DROPKICK Gallus out of the ring! Now the match begins, and Julius waistlocks Briggs for a SLAM! Briggs fights up and moves around but Julius clinches for a Belly2Belly!
Julius clinches Briggs again but Briggs CLUBS him back. Julius whips, Briggs stops himself and CLUBS Julius again! Briggs scoops, and he SLAMS Julius to then SPLASH! Fans fire up but Brutus runs in, only to get run over by the bigger Briggs! Tag to Jensen and Briggs whips Julius to ropes. Jensen hits an atomic drop and Briggs BOOTS Julius down! But then Kit tags in off Jensen to cover Julius, TWO! Fans taunt Pretty Deadly but Kit scrambles away to tag in Wolfgang! Wolfgang rushes Julius, who gets around to waistlock! Brutus tags in, the Creeds hand Wolfgang off but Wolfgang throws hands. Wolfgang whips Brutus and they RAM shoulders, but neither man falls!
Brutus runs, dodges, and handsprings through Wolfgang’s hip toss! Brutus shoots in to fireman’s carry takeover! And then GUT WRENCH Wolfgang away! Jensen tags off Brutus, he runs but Lash trips him up! So Fallon ROCKS Lash! The ladies end up in the ring and their catfight is on! Fans fire up but Lash kicks Fallon out. Fallon and Lash brawl, Briggs and Kit separate them, but then Fallon gets loose and jumps on Kit! Elton helps out, he hits Briggs, and Lash ROCKS Fallon! Jensen turns around into Wolfgang’s CROSSBODY! They both fall out of the ring, and Pretty Deadly bum rush the Creeds! But the Creeds DECK Pretty Deadly in return!
Brutus and Julius egg Pretty Deadly on, but Pretty Deadly CRISSCROSS to CLOBBER the Creeds! Fans admit that was good, but then Briggs clotheslines Pretty Deadly out! Fans fire up, Briggs gives Jensen a boost so he can FLY out onto Julius and Elton! Fans fire up with the good ol’ boys as Briggs LEAPS to CLOBBER Kit! But then Gallus gets in? Wolfgang boosts Mark so he can FLY and wipe out errybody!! Fans fire up but Brutus is up! He sends Wolfgang out, goes to the corner, and he climbs up top! Brutus aims at the cluster, but Kit goes after him! Julius drags Kit back down, but Wolfgang ROCKS Brutus!
Wolfgang fires hands, climbs up, and he brings Brutus up to the top! Brutus resists but Wolfgang still hits a SUPERPLEX! Brutus tumbles all the way out as fans lose their minds! FAMOUSER from Jensen to Wolfgang! Cover, Mark breaks it in time! Briggs throws Mark out, the good ol’ boys coordinate, but Pretty Deadly screw that up! Wolfgang rolls Jensen, TWO! Jensen WHEEL KICKS Wolfgang down! Jensen heads up top but Mark trips him up! Mark tags in, Gallus get Jensen up, ENZIGURI and POWERSLAM! Cover, Gallus ELIMINATES Briggs & Jensen! One down, two to go, will Gallus Boys be on top?
Pretty Deadly get in and they talk trash to Mark, but then Wolfgang gets in, too! And the Creeds! Fans sing good-bye to Briggs & Jensen while Pretty Deadly get Gallus to side with them, UK VS USA! The Creeds fight 4v2, but that’s just too much even for them! Pretty Deadly and Gallus stomp away on them, kick them out of the ring, but then Gallus turn their attention to Pretty Deadly. Kit & Elton realize there was a flaw in the plan. They turn around and JOE is there! The Iron King tells Mark & Wolfgang, “Show’em who’s kingdom this is!” Pretty Deadly pumps up and the brawl is on! Kit dodges Wolfgang to BOOT him down, but Mark ROCKS Kit!
Mark turns around into Elton’s cradle, TWO! Mark gets around, HALF NELSON SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mark gets Elton up and suplexes but Elton gets around to O’Conner Roll! With tights! TWO! Elton UPPERCUTS Mark, then brings him around, scoop and- NO, Mark slips off and waistlocks. But Elton bucks that away, only to turn around into the GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Mark and Elton flounders, Elton pushes Mark away and heads for his corner. Mark heads for his, but Brutus trips Kit! Brutus tags in off Elton! He POUNCES Elton out, then CLOBBERS Wolfgang! Brutus CLOBBERS him again, knees low, and CLUBS him!
Brutus TACKLES Wolfgang, time for BRUTUS SMASH! The fans fire up and Brutus pushes Wolfgang around. DEADLIFT GERMAN SUPLEX! Tag to Julius and he Electric Chair lifts Wolfgang! Brutus is up top, DIAMOND MINE DOOMSDAY!! Brutus DECKS Mark, Julius grins and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, Diamond Mine ELIMINATES Gallus! And now it’s the current NXT Tag Team Champions taking on the team they dethroned. Gallus is pissed but Hank and the security guards all get them out of the area. Julius tags out to Brutus while Pretty Deadly talks strategy, and Brutus rushes in to get after Elton!
Brutus drags Elton in but Kit DECKS Brutus! Kit EuroUppers, Brutus forearms, repeat! They keep going, but Kit kicks low then uppercuts again and again! Kit tags Elton, Elton RAMS Brutus and Kit forearm smashes! Then fireman’s carry, ASSISTED GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Elton facelocks and CLUBS Brutus, then drops ax handles! Elton drags Brutus up but Brutus throws body shots. Elton CLUBS Brutus, then tags Kit. Pretty Deadly mugs Brutus, stomps away, and Kit eggs on “Brute.” Kit kicks him more, but Brutus RAMS into Kit. Kit snap suplexes, covers, TWO! Kit KNEES Brutus down, then eggs him on again.
Brutus sits up, Kit CLUBS him down. Kit CLUBS Brutus again, dares him to show us something, but Brutus rushes in! Kit block shim from getting to Julius but Brutus powers his way forward. Kit kicks the leg out! Tag to Elton but Brutus gets free! Hot tag to Julius! Julius rallies on Pretty Deadly, whips Elton, and scoops for an EXPLODER! SPINEBUSTER for Kit! Julius suplexes Elton, Elton slips out and hops on for a SLEEPER! Elton has the body scissors, but Julius reaches out! Wait, Gallus and the good ol’ boys are brawling on the ramp now?! What happened backstage?! Julius snapmares free and knees Elton low.
Julius suplexes Elton, holds him up, but Elton throws knees! Julius drops to a knee, then sits down, but he keeps Elton up! Julius stands back up for a SLAM!! The straps come down and fans fire up! Julius runs in corner to corner, Elton ducks so Julius leaps up and over! Julius backflips off the corner and ANGLE SLAMS Elton! Cover, TWO!! And then the brawl CLOBBERS the ref! Security drags Gallus and the good ol’ boys away but what about the ref?! Kit gets in, Julius DROPKICKS Kit back out! Only for Elton to DROPKICK Julius! Elton whips, Julius reverses but Elton dodges and springboards, into Julius’ ROLLING SPINEBUSTER!
Fans fire up and Julius puts the straps back up, just to take them back down! Julius throws off his elbow pads, but Kemp gets in! Kemp SPEARS Kit as he was bringing in a chair! Fans are thunderous as Kemp and Julius hug it out! Kemp says to finish this, but then he SMACKS Julius with the chair!!! And hits an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Fans boo as the Diamond Gopher betrays Diamond Mine! Pretty Deadly is at a loss for words but Kemp gets the ref in the ring! Elton covers, the ref counts, PRETTY DEADLY WINS!!
Winners: Pretty Deadly, by pinfall (UNDISPUTED NXT Tag Team Champions)
WHAT?! Why, Kemp, why!? What happened that turned Kemp against the Diamond Mine? Is he the one who attacked Roderick Strong? And either way, will Pretty Deadly redefine the tag team division now that they hold all four belts?
Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo are having coffee.
They enjoy a good cup o’ joe, but Tony D says letting Legado go was actually a good move. Stacks says they could’ve gotten more miles out of them, though. And Tony said himself, Elektra Lopez was doing good down at the docks. Tony says one bad fish spoils the tank. The Legados were headed in that direction. When you’re the Don, you gotta know when to keep the line in the water, and when to cut bait. There’s always a bigger fish. Cameron Grimes walks in, and Tony calls him over. Grimes says, “You talkin’ to me?” Uh, yeah. C’mere. See, word is, Grimes is looking for friends. And a man of Grimes’ stature, that’s pretty enticing. Especially after Tony fired Legado.
Fired? Tony “fired” Legado? Yeah, does he have something in his ears? Here, have a biscotti and make Tony an offer. Grimes says he’s not hungry. Grimes walks off and Tony is upset, but will Tony be the one to make Grimes an offer he can’t refuse?
NXT & NXT UK Women’s Championships Unification Match Triple Threat: Mandy Rose VS Meiko Satomura VS Blair Davenport!
The Toxic Goddess wants some respect put on her name, but continues to see things through rose colored glasses. Her reign stacked up against that of the Final Boss, Meiko Satomura, leaves something to be desired. And then the Gothic Heiress says she’s the rightful ruler of all NXT! Who will be proven as THE alpha female here tonight?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if NXT is still toxic!
Mandy watches Meiko and Blair, and they watch her. Blair kicks but Meiko blocks and Mandy ROCKS Meiko with a sucker punch! Blair and Mandy mug Meiko, but she fights them both off with forearms! Blair kicks low, Mandy CLUBS Meiko, and they double whip Meiko to ropes. They double ELBOW Meiko down, then Blair drags Meiko up. Mandy and Blair double suplex Meiko, Blair covers but Mandy shoves her away. Mandy covers but Blair shoves her away. Blair and Mandy argue, then start shoving! Meiko rolls Mandy, TWO as Blair sunset flips Meiko! TWO as Mandy ghost pins Blair, TWO!
Meiko BOOTS Mandy but Blair kicks Meiko. Blair whips but Meiko WHEEL KICKS! Mandy runs in but into a sobat! Meiko uppercuts Mandy, DECKS BLair, then waistlocks Mandy! Mandy trips Meiko but Meiko kicks her away. Mandy handsprings and basement dropkicks! Blair GAMANGIRIS Meiko, too! Blair drags Meiko out, scoops and SLAMS her, then says that’s what she gets! Mandy eggs Blair on and they stand off in the ring. Fans rally up, circle, but Mandy gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Mandy drags Blair up, waistlocks, but Blair victory rolls, TWO! Blair dodges and RANAS Mandy to a corner!
Blair runs in to forearm smash! Blair snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Blair is annoyed but she drags Mandy up. Mandy ROCKS Blair, Blair KNEES Mandy! Blair runs but Mandy scoops! Mandy shakes her head to FALL AWAY SLAM Blair away! Mandy then runs at the corner to RAM into Blair! And RAM again! Mandy brings Blair out and runs, but Meiko trips her up! Meiko drags Mandy out to DECK her! But Blair goes to the apron to PENALTY- NO, Meiko blocks and trips Blair! Meiko KICKS Blair into the steps, and again, and again! Meiko then goes for Mandy but Mandy RAMS her into the apron!
Mandy runs in at Blair but is sent into the steps! Blair goes up to DOUBLE STOMP Mandy down! Fans fire up and Blair gets in the ring. Meiko joins her and we finally get a bit of that 1v1 rematch both women have wanted! They approach, Meiko avoids the boot to fire off forearms! Meiko wrenches, wristlocks, then KICKS and STOs! Then KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Meiko gets Blair’s leg and hooks it up for an STF! Blair fights the crossface, pops free and has a wristlock! Meiko rolls but Blair shifts to LA MAGISTROL! TWO, Meiko has a cover, TWO! Blair BUZZSAWS Meiko, then CLUBS her on the back!
Blair whips Meiko but Meiko reverses. Blair BOOTS back, goes up the corner, but Mandy YANKS her down! Blair hits the floor and Mandy dusts off her hands, but she’s forgetting Meiko is there. Meiko waits on Mandy, so Mandy gets in the ring to go champion to champion! They tie up, Mandy fires a forearm but Meiko gives it back! They go back and forth, Meiko fires off more, then whips. Mandy ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Meiko! Mandy says this is HER world! Mandy kicks Meiko around, stomps her down, then talks trash. Meiko sits up, Mandy pie faces her, but Meiko laughs that off. Mandy kicks Meiko but Meiko is right back up!
Mandy pie faces again, but Meiko stands. Mandy pie faces again but Meiko just stares her down. Mandy swings, but into a counter forearm! And another! And an UPPERCUT! Mandy ducks the buzzsaw but not the RETURN! Cover, TWO! Mandy survives but Meiko drags her up to a fireman’s carry. Mandy slips off, shoves, and SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, Blair kicks it apart! Blair drags Meiko up to POST her! Blair stalks Mandy, wrenches and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Blair is annoyed but she stomps Mandy around. Blair goes to the corner and climbs up. Fans rally, but Mandy ROCKS Blair!
Mandy climbs up after Blair, they brawl, Mandy CLUBS away on Blair, and then Mandy SUPERPLEXES! But Meiko is up top, FROG SPLASH! Cover, Mandy breaks it in time! Fans are thunderous as all three women are down! Fans cheer on “Women’s Wrestling!” as Mandy drags Meiko up. Mandy whips, Meiko stops to PELE! Mandy staggers and Meiko fires up! Fans fire up as she forearms Blair, then forearms Mandy! Then corner to corner to forearm Blair again! And back for another to Mandy! Fans fire up as Meiko KICKS Blair, KICKS Mandy, repeat! Blair ducks, waistlocks, facelocks, suplexes, but Meiko blocks!
Mandy joins in, they double suplex but Meiko fights that to DOUBLE DDT!! Fans are thunderous as Meiko kicks Blair aside, and then runs to HANDSPRING KNEE DROP Mandy! Meiko then runs to HANDSPRING KNEE DROP, but Blair dodges! Blair BOOTS Meiko and hurries over to Mandy! Blair drags Mandy up, suplexes, but Meiko KICKS Blair! And KICKS Mandy! And Blair! BUZZSAW for Blair! Both women are flopped over, Meiok runs to DOUBLE HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover on Blair, but Mandy drags Meiko off! Mandy reels Meiko in, underhooks, but Meiko fights that to a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, Blair DOUBLE STOMPS it!
Blair roars and she drags Meiko away. She has the arms, KAMI-GOYE!! Cover, TWO!!! Meiko survives and shocks everyone! Blair is furious but she drags Meiko back up. Mandy SHOTGUNS Blair! Mandy ROCKS Blair, CLUBS her and KICKS away in the corner! Mandy CLUBS Blair, whips her corner to corner, but Blair stops and elbows back! Blair goes up and up, but Meiko grabs at Mandy as Blair leaps, the missile dropkick hits Meiko! Mandy runs in to scoop, gut wrench, but Blair lands on her feet! Blair RAMS Mandy, reels her in, suplexes, but Mandy slips out! Mandy runs, but Blair rolls Mandy up, SCORPIO RISING BREAKS IT!!
Meiko drags Blair up but a KNEE FROM A ROSE OUTTA NOWHERE! Cover on Blair, MANDY WINS!
Winner: Mandy Rose, by pinfall (UNDISPUTED NXT Women’s Champion)
Opportunistic as ever, the Toxic Goddess keeps her reign alive! But she pinned Blair in this win, will the Final Boss return to take this to the next level? Or will this reign of terror never, ever end?
Alba Fyre speaks.
“Lash Legend learned that you do not disrespect my heritage or my ancestors. No matter the weather, terrain or situation, those fire keepers kept those embers burning. Just like I won’t let anyone extinguish my flame. Lash won’t be the only woman to test me, but soon, all of them will know what she already knows: I am a warrior, and I will do whatever it takes to win. And to honor the women that surrounded that flame, from the howls and lochs of Scotland, all the way to NXT, keep your eyes peeled on the horizon. Because where there’s smoke, there’s Fyre!”
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie says over the past month, the superstars of NXT UK have been dominating the scene in NXT 2.0. But this Tuesday, Wes faces perhaps the most sadistic men from NXT UK in JD McDonagh. How does he prepare for someone with “such bad intentions?” Wes says he isn’t sure you can really prepare for someone like JD. Wes saw JD’s interview with McKenzie last week, and that was… uncomfortable. McKenzie confirms. Wes knows JD doesn’t shoot to kill, he shoots to wound, and he loves taking pleasure in agony. That’s dark. And when the bell rings, JD goes to an even darker placer.
But Wes has had his fair share of dark clouds, and the rain doesn’t scare him. Wes isn’t afraid to venture into the darkness. If JD wants to get weird, then let’s get weird! But Wes promises, JD won’t like the results. Can the Must-See Kid trump the Irish Ace at his own game?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H!
KC Squared fought so hard time and time again to get these titles, and they will fight even harder to keep them! But will they have to put up the fight of their lives against the formidable duo that is Monday Night Raw’s Celtic Connection?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins in this NXT VS NXT UK proxy match!
The teams sort out and Kayden starts against Nikki. Fans rally and the two tie up. Nikki headlocks for a takeover, but Kayden fights up and powers out. Nikki runs Kayden over and strikes a pose. But Kayden trips Nikki and walks all over her. Kayden twerks at Nikki, then dodges to hip toss her! Kayden has the arm but Nikki throws Kayden by her hair! Nikki dropkicks Kayden, covers, ONE! Nikki drags Kayden up, Kayden wrenches out to CHOP! Kayden CHOPS again, then tags Katana. Kayden whips Nikki to a corner, Katana traps her and Kayden dropkicks again! Katana headlocks to a takeover and cover, ONE!
Katana keeps Nikki from Piper but Nikki powers her back! Piper tags in but Katana slips away. Katana and Piper circle, Katana dodges Piper then dodges again. Piper does corner Katana, though, but Katana slips out before the splash! Katana slingshots in, springboards up and over but Piper still runs her over! Piper soaks up the heat, and shows off her own twerk! Fans fire up that Piper can doudrop it like it’s hot! Piper scoops Katana, but Katana slips off and tags Kayden. Kayden runs in but is thrown away! Piper throws Katana, too, but Kayden whips Katana back in. Katana trips Piper and Kayden mule kicks! Katana slingshot sentons and Kayden covers, TWO!
Kayden runs in, hops on and has a SLEEPER! Piper throws Kayden off, but Kayden BOOTS back! Katana tags, Piper scoops Kayden and CLOBBERS Katana! Piper then stands over Katana to SLAM Kayden on top of her! Piper runs and SENTONS them both! Piper covers Katana, TWO! Piper keeps cool and clamps onto Katana. Tag to Nikki as fans rally up. Piper bumps Katana off buckles and Nikki stomps a mudhole! The ref reprimands, Nikki lets off but throat chops! And then she RAMS into Katana! Nikki bumps Katana off buckles, tags Piper, and Piper stomps Katana more. Piper SLAPS Katana down then goes corner to corner. But Katana BOOTS Piper away!
Katana DECKS Nikki, ROCKS Piper, but Piper shoves her back. Katana BOOTS Piper and goes out, but Nikki trips her up! Nikki traps Katana in the apron skirt and fires off! The ref reprimands and counts, Nikki tells him to shut up while she gets in the ring. Tag to Piper, Piper goes around and SPLASHES Katana against the apron! Katana flops down and the ring count starts. Piper drags Katana up, puts her in, and she storms up on her. Piper keeps Katana from Kayden and CLUBS her down! Piper drags Katana up again, scoops her, and then tags Nikki. Fans rally but Piper SLAMS Katana and Nikki hits a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, TWO!
Nikki clamps onto Katana for a straitjacket and thrashes her around! Fans rally, Katana fights up and out, but Nikki swings a lariat. Katana gets around to tilt-o-whirl and RANA Nikki away! Piper tags in, CLUBS Katana down, then DECKS Kayden! BIG elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Katana toughs it out and Piper is a bit surprised. Piper drags Katana up, Nikki tells fans to shut up, and Piper tags Nikki in. Nikki RAMS into Katana, then she brings Katana around. Katana throws body shots, but Nikki keeps her from Kayden! Katana knees Nikki away but Piper tags back in! Piper storms up and brings Kanata around to whip.
Katana dodges and Piper POSTS herself! Nikki tags in, CLOBBERS Katana, but Katana avoids the elbow! Hot tag to Kayden! Kayden rallies on Niki, SPLASHES Piper, then mule kicks and SUPERKICKS Nikki! DROPKICK for Piper! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up and Kayden drags Nikki back up. Fireman’s carry, but Nikki slips off! Nikki elbows Kayden, goes up the corner, TORNADO DDT! Fans rally up as both women are down! Piper tags in, she brings Kayden around, and Nikki adds on! INVERTED DDT SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kayden survives and Piper is furious! Piper drags Kayden up, scoops her, but Kayden slips off!
Kayden dodges Piper to SUPERKICK! Both women are down again and Nikki tags in! Nikki drags Kayden away but Kayden KICKS Nikki! Nikki keeps trying but Kayden rolls to send Nikki into buckles! Kayden runs in, blocks boots and puts Nikki in the ropes! Tag to Katana before the DRAPING BACKSTABBER! DOUBLE STOMP added on top!! Cover, TWO!! Nikki is showing us why she’s held titles before, but Katana tags Kayden back in! Kayden stands Nikki up to turn her, Katana is up top, but Nikki shoves Kayden into Katana! Down goes Katana but Kayden hurries to get Nikki. Nikki whips Kayden into buckles!
Tag to Piper and she drags Kayden into a fireman’s carry! Nikki adds up, NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP, aka the ASH DROP! Cover, but Katana barrels in to break it!! Fans fire up again as Katana drags Nikki up. Katana whips but Nikki throws Katana out instead! Nikki goes back to her corner and Piper snarls. Piper runs in at Kayden but into an elbow! Kayden goes up, but Piper SLAPS Kayden! Piper climbs up after Kayden, but TOXIC ATTRACTION shows up?! Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne run out but Nikki WRECKS them both! Then CROSSBODIES them both! But Kayden POWERBOMBS Piper!! Nikki fires off on Gigi & Jacy while Katana tags in!
HUMAN HIGHLIGHT REEL!! Cover, Jacy keeps Nikki out! KC SQUARED WIN!
Winners: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Gigi & Jacy accomplish their mission! Kayden & Katana are still champions, but solely so Gigi & Jacy can get their revenge down the line! KC Squared get to party all the same, but will they have to worry about Toxic Attraction coming for them next?
The Dyad talk backstage.
They have a bunch more of those smiley face buttons, aka “recognition awards,” and Rip Fowler says Joe Gacy really has taken this Cameron Grimes situation to heart. Jagger Reed just doesn’t understand why Grimes doesn’t want to be part of The Schism. Rip spots Grayson Waller walking by and asks him for a moment of his time. Waller asks if Rip’s right eye is all white. What’s with that tone? The eyes are the window to the soul, and Rip’s soul is pure. Oh, okay. Well, Waller will leave this smiley button here for someone who needs it. Jagger says that’s rather kind. Waller rolls his eyes at The Dyad, but then McKenzie finds him.
McKenzie asks if Waller intentionally raked the eyes of Apollo Crews in their match last week. The medical team says Apollo has a scratched cornea. Waller says honestly, Apollo ruined his talk show! Waller just got Apollo back. But then Waller got a call from his mum. Waller ain’t afraid of no man on this planet, but Mama Waller’s a different story. She gave Waller life, and it’s just the two of them. Mama Waller said she was never more disgusted in him in her life. He went on television and talked about a man’s heritage, wife and kids, then basically tried to blind Apollo to win. Waller was bringing down his family name. For the first time in his life, he was speechless.
And Waller said he’d call her back, but they haven’t spoken since. So she’s probably watching tonight. Cheers, mum, and Waller thought about what you said. And she can kiss his ass!! Waller is the only Waller bringing this name to stardom! Waller doesn’t care about Apollo and his family, Waller’s going home with an absolute dime piece Hooters waitress! No, wait, change it up! A swimsuit model! Either way, Waller doesn’t need friends or family. He just needs the Grayson Waller Effect! Now McKenzie rolls her eyes. Will Waller ever get over himself so that he can finally get over in NXT?
NXT & NXT UK Championships Unification Match: Bron Breakker VS Tyler Bate!
This is it! The Big Booty Nephew is already a two-time champion in NXT, but the Big Strong Boy is both the inaugural and the FINAL NXT UK Champion! These men respect their brands and the legacies of their titles, and even respect each other. But in the end, there can only be one! Who will be THE NXT Champion and carry both banners into the future?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and as two great lineages become one, we will see who reigns supreme!
Bate and Bron circle as fans rally. Fans want “Tyler Two Belts!” but Bron smirks. They tie up, but are in a deadlock, so Bron breaks it. Fans bark it up for Bron but Bate smirks now. They circle again, feel things out, and tie up again. Bron headlocks but Bate endures the grind. Bate moves around, pries at the hold, but Bron holds on tighter. Bate fights up again, powers up but Bron still holds tight! Bate rolls it to a cover, ONE! Bron holds on, but Bate rolls it again, ONE! Bate fights up, pries at the hold again but Bron still clamps it on. Bate throws body shots, powers out, but Bron runs him over! Bate gets up but Bron headlocks for a takeover!
Bate headscissors, Bron kips free, but roles reverse as Bate hits a takeover. Bron headscissors, Bate kips free, but Bron trophy lifts! Bate slips off, kicks low, and underhooks! Bron powers out, trips and jackknife bridges, TWO! Bron gets Bate but Bate turns that to a backslide, TWO! Both men run, DOUBLE SHOULDERS take both men down! But both men kip up! Fans fire up again as the two stare down. Fans duel with barks and “BIG STRONG BOY!” Bate and Bron shake out their arms, circle again, and feel things out. Bate knuckle locks then wrenches to wrangle Bron to the mat! Bate keeps Bron down but Bron fights his way up.
Bate wrenches, arm-drags, and armlocks! Bron grits his teeth but Bate wrenches again. Bate YANKS the arm, but Bron pulls Bate’s hair. Bron whips Bate to a corner, Bate goes up and under, then knuckle locks to wrench, bait, leap frog, bait again and sunset flip! TWO! Fans applaud that great display from Bate, and even Bron has to smirk. Bron and Bate reset again, tie up again collar ‘n’ elbow, but Bate arm-drags! Bate has the top wristlock, makes it a cover, ONE as Bron gets back up. Bron stands, arm-drags but Bate holds on tight! Bate wrangles Bron down into an omoplata! Bron turns his head so Bate hammerlocks.
Bate chinbars Bron as he fights up, then grinds the arm. Bron moves around, whips and RANAS! Fans fire up for the agility, and Bron deadlift suplexes Bate! Bron walks around with Bate then he SLAMS Bate down! Bron kips up and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Bate CHOPS Bron but Bron shrugs that off to facelock. Bate endures as Bron grinds him, then Bron gator rolls him. Fans rally up, Bron gator rolls Bate back the other way. Bate fights up, pries the hold and throws body shots. Bron knees low, whips Bate to ropes, but Bate tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Bron flounders, Bate watches him and DROPKICKS him out!
Bate builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up again! Bate checks his neck, stands back up, and he brings Bron up. Bate puts Bron in the ring as the ring count is 5 of 10. Bate aims from a corner, runs in, STANDING SHOOTING FLOP as Bron moves! Bron builds speed, and he catches Bate for a SPINEBUSTER! Fans bark and Bron paces. Bron drags Bate up, but Bate elbows him away! Bron shakes that off, grins, and RAMS Bate out of the ring! They tumble to the floor but Bron is right back up! Bron drags Bate up and into the ring at 4 of 10, then he goes up a corner. But Bate ROCKS him first!
Bate CHOPS Bron, climbs up, but Bron CLUBS Bate! Bate ROCKS Bron, climbs and brings Bron up, but Bron throws body shots! Bron shoves Bate down, then leaps, into an EXPLODER! Bate kips up and STANDING SHOOTING STARS! Cover, TWO! Bron is still in this, and fans rally up again! “This is Awesome!” as both men get up. Bate reels Bron in, but Bron fights the fireman’s carry. Bron suplexes, but Bate turns that to a cradle! TWO!! Bron escapes, but Bate rams low! Bate whips, Bron reverses but Bate turns rana into POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Not quite the Tyler Driver, and that’s why Bron survives!
Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as both men are down. Bron gets to a corner, Bate is watching him stand up. Bate runs in to UPPERCUT! Bate hoists Bron up top, ROCK him, and Bate then sets Bron up. Bate CHOPS but Bron throws hands! Bate ROCKS Bron, climbs up again, but Bron fires body shots! They brawl up there, Bate powers through and clinches Bron, but Bron throws elbows! Bron shoves Bate down hard, then adjusts for a FLYING BULLDOG!! Cover, TWO!! Bron holds on to suplex, into a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Bate survives but Bron is too tired to be upset! Bron and Bate stir as the fans rally up again!
Fans duel while Bate and Bron throw hands and feet on the mat! Bate and Bron sit up to throw forearms back and forth! They stand, Bate EuroUppers, rams low, repeat! Bron throws haymakers! Bate SOBATS! Bop up, but Bron blocks Bang into a FUJIWARA!! Bate endures as Bron pushes back as hard as he can! Bate turns over and ghost pins, TWO! Back to the FUJIWARA! Bate endures again and fans fire up both ways! Bron pushes back on the arm but Bate powers up! Bate stands, slips under, fireman’s carries Bron and stands up for the AIRPLANE SPIN!! Fans fire up and count along, Bate goes to ten before the DRIVER! Cover, TWO!!
Bate runs, Bron dodges, but Bate rebounds to LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! Bate underhooks the arms, but Bron NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridge, TWO! Bron pushes that arm down, TWO as Bate gets the other arm up! Bron pushes Bate down again, TWO as Bate bridges back up! Bate turns Bron around, lifts and TYLER DRIVER 97!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Bron survives and no one can believe it!! Bate gets to a corner and goes up! But Bron grabs him for the trophy lift! BREAKKER SLAM!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Bron miscalculated and Bate survives!
Fans are thunderous for the Big Strong Boy but Bron’s straps come down! Bron vows to crush Bate once and for all! Bron aims from a corner, he runs in at Bate, but Bate KNEES Bron! Bop up, BANG HITS!! Bate underhooks, but Bron back drops! Bate lands on his feet, but Bron trophy lifts again! But Bate rolls him up! TWO!! Bate runs, rebounds, into a SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (UNDISPUTED NXT Champion)
Bate came close, but Bron found the moment he needed! But there’s no hard feelings here, as Bate personally brings the belts to Bron, and Bron holds up Bate’s hand. We just saw Worlds Collide with incredible force, and now Bron stands atop the mountain! How much farther will Bron raise the bar in NXT?
My Thoughts:
A great event for NXT, but a mixed bag in the results for me, at least. In the cases of RawDown stars coming back to NXT to challenge for firmly NXT titles, I figured both of those would go NXT’s way. Ricochet VS Melo was an awesome opener, I don’t think it could’ve gone much better outside of Trick being a distraction as usual. But again, Melo was going to win, so it keeps Ricochet from looking weak to have Trick interfere and be why Ricochet lost. Likewise, the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship had a great match, but I should’ve figured Gigi & Jacy would have a part to play like they did just last week. Nikki & Piper lose but in a protected way, and we’ll surely see Gigi & Jacy call KC Squared out this Tuesday.
I didn’t know the men’s tag title match was elimination until they announced it so that was a great surprise. And that really added something to how it all played out. I figured it’d come down to the Creeds and another team, but I feel like there was a missed opportunity in continuity with having Pretty Deadly win. Kemp betrayed Diamond Mine, and perhaps his reasons will have nothing to do with Gallus, but… how awesome would it have been if they made it because Kemp was joining Gallus? Kemp had that great stint in NXT UK where he palled around with Gallus, so imagine if he was a mole the entire time! But instead, Pretty Deadly does at least get more history on their resumes, being the first team to hold the NXT and NXT UK belts separately, and now at the same time.
Good promo from Wes Lee to respond to JD, they’re going to have a really good match Tuesday. They kinda copy-pasted Alba Fyre’s promo from last week, but it’s still good. We got an interesting interaction between Grimes and Tony D’Angelo, and I’m not sure Tony should’ve shrugged off Legado just leaving that easily. But now, is Tony going to help Grimes against Gacy & The Schism? I feel like it should’ve been Edris & Malik after Grimes tried motivating them that one time. But at least we’re getting some twists and turns, maybe something happens where Grimes is feuding with Gacy and Tony and we get a Triple Threat of some kind. The winner can even challenge Melo for the title at the next NXT special episode/event.
Speaking of Gacy & The Schism, we got a fairly funny interaction between The Dyad and Grayson Waller. And then Waller really turns up the Heel heat by insulting his own mom and saying he doesn’t need anyone. Apollo will surely come back for revenge, but I bet there is going to be something about the scratched cornea that affects his future sight powers. The Women’s Championship Triple Threat was great, and while I had hoped it was Blair so that she could piss off both champions, no, it was Mandy who won. A Triple Threat loss doesn’t really hurt Meiko, but after 313 days, from last October to now September, Mandy is starting to get stale. I suppose Alba Fyre could try again 1v1 since it was a Fatal 4 Way Mandy beat her in, but Fyre seems to be taking the long route to the title.
Bron VS Bate was great stuff, of course, and was a great main event. But how could they give Bate that great entrance with the NXT UK retrospective and then still have him lose? Outside of Pretty Deadly, who started in NXT UK then moved to NXT 2.0, this was like that one year where Raw whooped SmackDown at Survivor Series. The results tonight don’t exclude the NXT UK stars coming back and taking the now unified titles from Mandy and Bron, but it stings a bit for me, who watched the UK Championship Tournament in 2017 and never gave up on the UK division.
My Score: 8.7/10
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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.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; wins and advance to WrestleMania.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; win(s) and advance to WrestleMania.
- Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; 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?
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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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