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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (9/27/22)

Which boys will be on top?

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NXT White 'n' Gold Era

Who gets within reach of the gold?

The NXT North American Championship will once again be up for grabs in a ladder match, and Wes Lee wants to EARN his spot against Tony D’Angelo! Will The Don make Wes FOGEDABOUTIT?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Mandy Rose w/ Toxic Attraction VS Fallon Henley; Mandy wins.
  • NXT North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Wes Lee VS Tony D’Angelo; Lee wins and advances to Halloween Havoc.
  • Sol Ruca VS Amari Miller; Ruca wins.
  • Cameron Grimes VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism; Gacy wins.
  • Nikkita Lyons w/ Zoey Stark VS Kayden Carter w/ Katana Chance; Lyons wins.
  • Ilja Dragunov VS Xyon Quinn; Dragunov wins.
  • Brutus Creed w/ Julius Creed VS Damon Kemp; Brutus wins, by disqualification.
  • Pub Rules Match: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Gallus; Briggs & Jensen win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Ilja Dragunov is here!

The Czar of NXT UK made his shocking return last week to close out NXT, and he’s here again to open this week’s! Fans are fired up to see him as he gets the mic. They chant, “Welcome Back!” and he says, “Last time I was in NXT, I conquered an unbeatable machine to become champion! I walked into this place like it’s a coliseum. I suffered, I struggled, I endured, but I succeeded in front of all of you with a heart like a gladiator!” Fans cheer that! Dragunov was armed with nothing but a burning will and an inhuman perseverance. He became a Czar, because pain has always been his best friend.

Dragunov returned again to repeat history and achieve his destiny! One more time, he will beat an unbeatable machine to reclaim gold! Fans cheer that, too! Dragunov says this time, his name is not GUNTHER. This time, it’s BRON BREAKKER! But wait! Here comes JD McDonagh! The Irish Ace has a mic of his own, and he tells Ilja that the fans don’t know him as well as JD does. JD knows that Dragunov is “a sneaky, dirty little rat.” JD isn’t surprised Dragunov followed JD to America. Well, JD, Dragunov seems to remember beating JD and forcing him to leave NXT UK. JD admits, that is right, that did happen. But that’s not the end of the story, is it?

No, no, no, because what happens next? Dragunov’s body was so broken up, so battered, that he had to give up the title anyway! JD joins Dragunov in the ring as fans boo. JD asks how the ankle’s doing. Dragunov better hope JD doesn’t get to find out. Fans chant, “He Still Won!” as JD gets in the ring. JD makes one thing clear to Dragunov: “This is not your time. This is MY time. So if I was you, I’d stay just exactly where you’ve been these past few months: on the sidelines. Because if I need to stop you one more time, just once more, I swear to GOD, I will end your career.” But that only seems to pump Dragunov up.

And wait! Now BRON is making his way out! The NXT Champion has his own mic and says, “With everything going on, I was wondering when you were gonna show up. Welcome to NXT, Ilja. You’re a warrior. But with all due respect, my man…” Bron gets in the ring as the fans bark. “This NXT Championship isn’t going anywhere.” JD has Bron stop right there. Bron, use your brain for once! JD Is the #1 Contender to the title! And he just had a great idea. Fans chant ‘TRIPLE THREAT!” but JD says, “Do not make me laugh; I earned my shot.” But maybe these two Alpha Males should beat the snot out of each other, and then after that, JD takes his shot.

Fans boo but Bron says, “Really? You really think we’re gonna fall for that? After all the props I’ve given you for having such a high ring IQ…” But Bron says he’ll help JD out. Bron is champion, JD is #1 contender, but Ilja never lost his UK Championship. So the way Bron sees it, if his math is correct, which it always is… “You have a 33 and a third percent chance o’ winnin’!” Fans cheer the “Breakker” Math. Bron says there’s three of them, so make it a TRIPLE THREAT! JD is the only one upset by this. Bron tells them he’ll see them at HALLOWEEN HAVOC! Bron holds up the belt in a recreation of last week. Will the Big Booty Nephew make sure the numbers spell disaster for JD & Dragunov?

 

A brawl is going on backstage!

Gallus and the good ol’ boys aren’t waiting for later! They’re fighting NOW! Security does their best to break this up, but that’s easier said than done! Will these teams even wait for the main event’s Pub Rules Match!?

 

Toxic Attraction walks ‘n’ talks to gorilla.

Mandy Rose knows Alba Fyre is watching, so she tells her that Fallon Henley is about to find out what happens when you cross “The Baddest Bitch in the Game.” So Fyre can put down her bat and start taking some notes. Will the Toxic Goddess sting the Cowgirl and check her off the list? Or is Mandy already going to get burned?

 

The Schism speaks.

Joe Gacy tells Cameron Grimes, “we tried to show you that the solution to all your problems lies with us in the shade under the Schism’s tree. You refused our embrace. Now the same limbs that reached out will bind you in helplessness.” Jagger Reed says Grimes has been warned. Grimes brought this upon himself. It didn’t have to be this way! “But to change the world for the better, we have to make an example out of you.” Rip Fowler says, “The wrath of The Schism is imminent.” And Grimes, when you wake up tomorrow, both physically and spiritually decimated, just know that as The Schism continues to grow, Grimes will be right back where he started: alone.

 

Mandy Rose w/ Toxic Attraction VS Fallon Henley!

The Toxic Goddess has held onto her title by hook AND by crook for almost a year now, perhaps even getting lucky here and there. But with Fyre blazing a trail up to her throne, can Mandy focus on Fallon? Or will this Rose’s thorns not matter when trampled by some Cowgirl boots?

The bell rings and fans rally and duel already. Fallon and Mandy circle, tie up, and Mandy gets around to a waistlock and SLAM! Mandy soaks up the heat but Fallon gets in her face. Mandy tells Fallon to hold on, then she wrenches and wristlocks. Fallon rolls, trips Mandy, floats to a headlock and she grinds Mandy down! Mandy keeps her shoulders up, fights up and pulls hair. Mandy powers out, Fallon runs Mandy over! Fallon struts, things speed up, and Mandy hurdles only for Fallon to waistlock! Mandy fights, trips Fallon up but Fallon kicks her away. Mandy handsprings around to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO!

Gigi & Jacy coach Mandy while Mandy kicks Fallon around. “You are nobody!” Fallon snarls and CHOPS Mandy! Fallon whips, Mandy reverses but Fallon ELBOWS her! Fallon runs, shoots around, sits Mandy down and dropkicks her back! Fans fire up with Fallon and she slides to ROCK Mandy at the apron! Fallon tips her cap to the boys then gets back in the ring. Cover, TWO! Fallon drags Mandy up, whips her to a corner but Mandy reverses. Fallon stops herself, elbows Mandy again, but leaps into Mandy’s arms! Mandy FALL AWAY SLAMS Fallon! Fans fire up as Mandy runs in at Fallon, and RAMS her into the corner!

Mandy RAMS her shoulder in again, then lets off to SLAP Fallon. Fans rally and duel, Mandy CLUBS Fallon and ELBOWS her down. Cover, TWO! Mandy drags Fallon up for a suplex! Jacy says that is A+ material. Mandy soaks up the cheers and jeers, then CLUBS Fallon’s arm. Mandy wrenches, ties Fallon up and brings her into an OCTOPUS STRETCH! Fans rally as Fallon endures and fights back! Fallon is free, but Mandy knees low. Mandy reels Fallon in for the GUT WRENCH SLAM! Cover, TWO! Mandy is annoyed but she drags Fallon up and ties her up again. Mandy keeps on that Octopus but Fallon endures.

Fans rally, Fallon fights up, but Mandy digs her elbow into Fallon’s side. Fallon fights and hip tosses free! Mandy rises, Fallon ROCKS her with haymaker after haymaker! Fallon then spins Mandy around to short arm LARIAT! Fans fire up, Fallon runs in and she back elbows Mandy in the corner! Fallon runs but Mandy ROCKS her at the ropes! Toxic Attraction cheers Mandy as she whips Fallon to ropes, but Fallon comes back with a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fallon is frustrated but Toxic Attraction is relieved. Fans rally up as the forearms and CHOPS fly! Fallon sobats, front kicks and then wrenches to facelock.

Mandy TOSSES Fallon away, KNEE FROM A ROSE! Cover, Mandy wins!

Winner: Mandy Rose, by pinfall

The Toxic Goddess turns things around in a blink of an eye, and she conquers another filly. Mandy gets a mic to call out Fyre! “I know you’re jealous that I conquered two continents and unified two titles while you were too busy throwing another log on a fire. You may keep the fire going, but you’re looking at the woman who starts them. So this is your last chance.” But then Fyre tells Mandy from the tron that while Mandy is Women’s Champion, Fyre doesn’t do verbal warnings. Fyre is more of a visual person. Fyre has a fire to light the words, “AND NEW!” Mandy is afraid, is she about to have a meltdown against Fyre?

 

Apollo Crews speaks.

“It is said that revenge is an act of passion, but vengeance is an act of justice. Last week, Grayson Waller got a small taste of what vengeance means. He tried to permanently blind my vision. But in his match, my mere presence blinded him from having an opportunity at the North American Championship. Everything still has a haze to it, but one image sticks out crystal clear.” Apollo envisions Grayson Waller with red eyes! “See you on the other side, Grayson. Keep an eye out, Grayson, because I’m not done with you yet, b*tch!”

 

Dragunov crosses paths with Xyon Quinn backstage.

Czar, meet The X-Factor. Quinn’s heard a lot about Dragunov. All the hype for nothing, eh? Uh, thanks? Quinn says “In the Book of Xyon, you couldn’t even carry all the weight that’s needed to be champion, let alone get a second chance.” Quinn’s yet to get his first chance to “carry the ball.” Maybe because if he did, no one would take the title from him. Xyon Quinn, right? Dragunov’s also heard a lot about him! Just look at him. Unlimited potential, but a total mental moron. Quinn says Dragunov can’t carry the burden of being a champion, but to Dragunov, no one will ever even call Quinn a champion. But we’ll see who’s right. The ball is in your court, Quinn.

 

NXT North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Wes Lee VS Tony D’Angelo w/ Channing Lorenzo!

The Must See Kid has Connor’s Cure Thriver, Quinn “The King Crusher” Molitor, by his side as he makes his entrance. Will this support help Lee go for gold? Or will The Don crush dreams and take the golden ticket for his own?

NXT returns as Tony D makes his entrance, Stacks by his side. The bell rings and fans chant, “Tony Sucks!” Tony and Lee tie up, and Tony throws Lee down. Tony taunts Lee, “Are you serious?” Lee gets up, they tie up again, and Tony puts Lee in the corner. The ref counts, Tony lets off at 4 and Lee pushes him back. Lee eggs Tony on as he sits up top. Tony rushes in, Lee goes up and over and headlocks. Tony powers up but Lee holds on. Tony rolls to a cover, ONE, but Lee holds on and grinds the headlock. Tony fights, Trick Williams & Carmelo Hayes watch backstage, and Tony back suplexes free. Lee lands on his feet to drop toehold!

Tony stays up and he drags Lee up. Tony DECKS Lee then drags him around. Lee avoids the elbow drop and he dodges Tony. Lee runs and RANAS Tony, and Tony gets up into a DROPKICK! Tony flops out of the ring, Stacks coaches him up but fans rally for “WES! WES! WES”! Lee builds speed but Stacks stands in the way. The Don needs time! Lee is annoyed so he PLANCHAS Stacks down! Fans fire up and Lee jumps into the ring. Tony has to keep Stacks back now, but Lee eggs them both on. Stacks gets in the ring, Tony says enough! Stacks says he’ll leave, but then he shoves Lee! Tony is upset, but then the ref EJECTS Stacks!

Tony is even more upset that he’s lost his back-up but fans sing “Nana na na, hey hey hey, good bye~!” Stacks fumes while NXT goes picture in picture.

Tony and Lee reset now that things are truly 1v1. Lee and Tony tie up, Tony RAMS Lee into a corner and fires off body shots! Tony lets off as the ref counts, but he CLUBS Lee down. Tony stalks Lee along the ropes, bumps him off buckles, then bumps him off more buckles. The ref reprimands, Tony bumps Lee off the bottom buckle and digs his boot in! Tony lets off with a stomp, then paces around. Tony digs his boots in again, lets off with another stomp, but Lee kicks back from below! Lee throws body shots, Tony CLUBS Lee down, and Tony stalks Lee to the ropes. Tony drags Lee up, RAMS him back into the corner, and hoists Lee up. Tony back drops Lee away! Cover, TWO!

Tony is annoyed, but he looms over Lee. Tony drags Lee up, throws body shots, then hits a HALF HATCH SUPLEX! Lee writhes and Tony smirks. Tony drags Lee up and ROCKS him with a right. Lee staggers to ropes, Tony whips him to a corner hard, and Lee bounces off buckles. Tony taunts Lee, and the fans, then stands on Lee’s neck at the ropes. The ref counts, Tony lets off and he drags Lee up. Tony whips Lee into the corner hard again! Tony talks trash, paces around, then KICKS Lee in the side! And again!

NXT returns to single picture as Lee blocks a kick! Lee holds onto the foot but Tony drags him up by his hair. The ref reprimands but Tony ROCKS Lee then whips him to ropes. Tony scoops Lee for a tilt-o-whirl SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Tony clamps onto Lee with a chinlock and he grinds him down. Fans rally, Trick & Melo like what they see as Tony fishhooks Lee’s face. The ref counts, Tony lets off, and fans rally as Lee endures. Lee fights up, moves around, and he throws hands. Tony CLUBS Lee down, fans duel, and Tony drags Lee up to SLAP him. Lee snarls as Tony talks more trash, and Lee stands back up.

Tony runs in but Lee drop toeholds him into buckles! Fans rally, Lee and Tony slowly rise, but Tony hobbles on a bad leg. Lee staggers, but the ref calls it! “Due to referee stoppage, the winner of this match is Wes Lee.”

Winner: Wes Lee, by referee stoppage (advances to Halloween Havoc)

Lee seems even more deflated than Tony. Lee wanted to earn the spot in the match, but it seems that drop toehold did the damage. Will Lee just have to accept this and fight to earn that North American Championship?

 

Backstage interview with Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams.

McKenzie asks the former North American Champion how he feels that Wes Lee now has an equal shot at the title. Melo says he doesn’t care about Lee. Go ask Lee how he feels after Melo & Trick put his head in a locker and slamming it shut. But then Oro Mensah walks over to introduce himself. Trick, Melo, it is Oro’s pleasure meeting them. Oro looks forward to facing Melo, Wes, and whoever else qualifies for the ladder match. Melo knows who Oro is. He respects the drip. They can hang out, put Oro’s face on a shirt or something, but at Halloween Havoc, make no mistake, it’s every man for themselves, playboy.

Oro takes off the sunglasses to get serious as he says, “Looking forward to it.” Melo & Trick head out, but will The A Champion still become a champion with the competition stacking up?

 

It’s A Day in the Life of Pretty Deadly.

AKA “A Day in the Life of YOUR NXT Tag Team Champions.” Elton Prince 7 Kit Wilson, the “tastiest snacks in the whole universe.” To maintain their physiques, it looks like they rise at 4 AM to hit the gym, but they don’t. They wake up at 10 AM and have breakfast in bed. They’d get a butler, but they don’t want anyone disturbing their “utopia.” At 11 AM, they go through their extensive wardrobe and pick out the perfect outfits for the day. They always make sure to take a few extra minutes to make sure they look ravishing.

At 2 PM, they’re almost ready to go. They take an hour each to brush each other’s magnificent hair. Then the stop for a quick cup of tea, and then they hit the gym. When they work out, they don’t lift weights. They’re not animals. They’re works of art! They are the yin to each other’s yang, using each other as the equipment. Then after training, they bask in the wonderfulness of each other. Two to three hours of appreciating what makes them the greatest tag team in NXT history, and two of the most handsome creatures to ever walk the earth. #YesBoy. They are YOUR NXT Tag Team Champions, Kit Wilson, Elton Prince, Pretty Deadly!

 

Sol Ruca VS Amari Miller!

The surfer girl has come ashore to start her journey in NXT, and she’s ready to ride a wave of momentum! Will Ruca hang ten? Or will she wipe out against the Vibe of St. Louis?

The bell rings, Sol and Amari shake hands to show there is respect. They tie up, Sol wrenches but Amari reverses. Fans rally for Sol as Amari pushes with the top wristlock. Sol bridges back, powers up, but Amari trips her up! Amari keeps on the arm but Sol kips up. Sol wrenches, wristlocks, then sunset flips! ONE, Amari shoots around to a waistlock but Sol slips free with a spin! Amari blocks the sobat, then she flips Sol! Sol does her best to land out but still falls on her butt. Amari facelocks and fires forearms! Solo throws body shots in return, but Amari CLUBS her down. Amari shoves Sol but Sol rolls back to headscissor!

Sol storms up on Amari, whips, but Amari reverses. Sol flips through the hip toss to FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Sol brings Amari up and CLUBS her. Amari shoves back and RAMS into Sol. Amari whips but Sol sunset flips again! Amari stays up to sit on the cover, ONE! Sol has the sunset, TWO! Amari knees low, brings Sol around and whips, but Sol goes up and over! Sol rolls through, DROPKICKS Amari down, and then covers, TWO! Amari is hanging tough but Solo drags her up. Amari pries free to step over and HEEL KICK! Sol stays up, the LEG LARIAT takes her down! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally for Sol but Amari clamps on a straitjacket stretch! Sol endures, Amari thrashes her around, and fans rally up. Sol fights up, Amari monkey flips her away, but Sol avoids the boot! Sol arm-drags Amari, runs her over with shoulder tackle after shoulder tackle, then she DROPKICKS again! Fans fire up and Sol runs at Amari in the corner, HANDSPRING SPLASH! Sol pushes Amari down, and then STANDING SOMERSAULT LEG DROPS! Cover, Sol wins!

Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall

A big win for the debuting surfer-gymnast hybrid, but she still shows respect to Amari. Amari shakes her hand and fans cheer. Will both Sol and Amari be future champions in NXT?

 

Security again keeps Gallus contained.

Wolfgang and the Coffey Brothers back down towards the door, but then Joe DECKS one of the guards! Gallus goes into their locker room, but will there be repercussions for that unnecessary assault?

 

Cameron Grimes VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism!

The Carolina Caveman continues to be a lone wolf, and that upsets Mr. Inclusion to no end. Will Grimes face the so-called wrath of The Schism? Or will chop down that tree Gacy keeps talking about and use it as green energy to go #ToTheMoon?

The bell rings and Grimes BOOTS Gacy! And KICKS away on him at the ropes! Fans fire up, the ref counts, Grimes lets off at 4, and The Dyad gets Gacy out of the ring. Grimes reaches out but Gacy trips him up. Gacy drags Grimes out to RAM him into the apron and CLUB away on him! Then Gacy stomps away on Grimes! Gacy puts Grimes in the ring, they throw forearms, and Gacy ROCKS Grimes. Gacy CLUBS Grimes more, whips him to ropes, but Grimes hurdles and CLOBBERS Gacy! Grimes runs and CLOBBERS Gacy again! Grimes whips, kitchen sink knees, then SLIDING BOOTS! Fans fire up while Gacy bails out.

Grimes goes to the apron but The Dyad block his way. Grimes LEAPS over them to CANNONBALL Gacy! Grimes puts Gacy in, glares at The Dyad, then hurries into the ring. But Gacy clotheslines him in the corner! And then he hits an URENAGE! Gacy crawls after Grimes, “You could’ve had your chance.” Gacy says those chances are gone, and he stomps Grimes around. Gacy drops an elbow, then drags Grimes up. Grimes throws body shots but Gacy whips him into the corner hard! Grimes bounces off buckles, Gacy hits a DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally for Grimes as Gacy sits him up. Gacy throws hands, then he tells Grimes that it is over for him!

Grimes snarls and he throws body shots back! Grimes swings, but into an URE- NO! Grimes arm-drags free and ROUNDHOUSES Gacy! Gacy wobbles, Grimes SUPERKICKS him down! Fans fire up and Grimes aims from a corner. But Rip Fowler gets up! Grimes DECKS him, Jagger Reed distracts! Gacy HANDSPRING LARIATS! Cover, Gacy wins!

Winner: Joe Gacy, by pinfall

Gacy entered the Upside-Down, and with help from The Dyad, he cuts Grimes down. Will the Schism continue to pass judgment on those who refuse to join them?

 

Backstage interview with Grayson Waller.

McKenzie asks if Waller saw Apollo’s “vision.” Of course he did! You think he’s pacing around for cardio? Apollo isn’t Naz-tra-dumbass, though! You mean Nostradamus? Yeah, whatever! Did you see what Waller’s eyes looked like in that vision? Waller can’t let that happen to his beautiful emerald green eyes! And if you look closely enough, you can see there’s just a speck of sky blue in them. Do you know how rare that is? But y’know what color they aren’t? RED. If he’s so nervous, then he can just stay home next week.

And what? Deprive the fans of the second episode of The Grayson Waller Effect? He already has Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade booked as guests! Those two in the ring together, it’s gonna be fire! But Waller says he’ll just get extra security. No way that vision comes true with extra security! No stress, he’s Grayson Waller. Waller hurries off, but will nothing stop Apollo’s vision from becoming a reality?

 

Nikkita Lyons w/ Zoey Stark VS Kayden Carter w/ Katana Chance!

The NXT Women’s Tag Team Division is heating up, and the dynamic duo that almost didn’t happen are hungry for that gold! Will Lyons’ pride get her a big win over the Filipina Spitfire? Or will the champions prove they’re strong even in singles competition?

NXT returns as KC Squared make their entrance. Lyons likes the music, and the bell rings. Kayden and Lyons circle as fans rally and duel. They tie up, Kayden gets around and slaps dat ass. But uh, that’s a brick house right there, so Lyons shrugs it off. Lyons and Kayden tie up, Lyons waistlocks and SLAMS Kayden down. Lyons holds onto the waistlock but Kayden fights up. Lyons SLAMS Kayden back down! Kayden fights up again, Lyons shifts to a headlock but Kayden slips out to get her own headlock. Lyons powers out, does the splits, but Kayden handsprings over to shimmy ‘n’ shake. Fans cheer and Lyons kips up.

Lyons and Kayden circle, Kayden evades the grapple to kangaroo kick and Eddy Gordo kick! Kayden whips, Lyons reverses but Kayden slides under. Kayden tries a sunset flip but Lyons stays up. Kayden avoids Lyons’ stomp, then she trips Lyons to EDDY GORDO! Cover, TWO! Kayden keeps cool and brings Lyons up. Lyons KICKS back, KICKS the other leg, ROCKS and body shots and URAKENS! Kayden staggers, into a HEEL KICK! Fans are torn as Lyons drags Kayden back up. Lyons scoops but Kayden slips off. Kayden tries a roll-up but Lyons stays up to stomp Kayden down. Lyons then scuffs Kayden to a corner and somersaults to RANA! Kayden flounders, Lyons covers, TWO!

Lyons keeps on Kayden with a straitjacket while Katana and Stark coach them on. Fans rally, Kayden endures the cobra clutch but Lyons grinds her down. Lyons leans on the hold, Kayden fights back up, but Lyons wrangles her down! Fans rally, Kayden fights, and Kayden arm-drags free! Lyons storms up but into a kick and another EDDY GORDO! Roll into the GHOST PIN, TWO!! Lyons escapes but Kayden runs in, into a BOOT! And another BOOT! Lyons scoops for a MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Kayden survives and Katana is relieved. Lyons drags Kayden up, swings but Kayden bobs ‘n’ weaves to kick and SUPERKICK!

Kayden aims again, runs, and she BOOT WASHES Lyons in the ropes! Cover, TWO! Lyons is still in this but fans rally up. Kayden knuckle locks Lyons, CHOPS her, then CHOPS again. Kayden goes up and up but Lyons trips her up! Kayden flops down, fans are torn but Katana coaches Kayden. But the ROARING ROUNDHOUSE and the LYONS DEN hit first!! Cover, Lyons wins!

Winner: Nikkita Lyons, by pinfall

Stark celebrates with her tag partner as they check off one half of the champions. But will it be a different story when it’s 2v2?

 

Chase U holds a public pep rally.

Andre Chase is on stage with Bodhi Hayward & Thea Hail. Chase says that because of the win he and Bodhi scored over Melo & Trick last week, in which Chase pinned Melo, Chase has earned himself a North American Championship Ladder Match qualifier next week! Everyone cheers that news! But who is it against? Von Wagner. Boo! Chase says he’ll beat Von and go to Halloween Havoc to become the NEW North American Champion! Everyone cheers that on! Chase U forever! Chase now opens things to questions from the press. Dave has a question: How confident is Chase going into his match, having never beaten Von Wagner before?

“Who the **** have you ever beaten, Dave?! You think that was a five star question!?” Has Dave ever even gotten in the ring? When Chase punches Von, he’ll be thinking of Dave’s stupid, smug face! Now THAT is a #TeachableMoment! But will Chase be the one to fail the test against vicious Von?

 

Nathan Frazer speaks.

“This isn’t the first time I’ve been tied at one-all. When I was playing soccer, I was always the guy that my team turned to when we needed to pull ahead. Me and Axiom, we’re all square, and headed into extra time in the decider. But now, the stakes are even higher: a place in the NXT North American Championship Ladder Match at Halloween Havoc. With everything level in a Cup Final, and the minutes ticking down, every player on the field tightens up. But that is when I’m at my most outrageous and dangerous. The ball came over my head, and I volleyed it to the goal from like 30 yards to propel us to the championship.

“I’m sure Axiom is gonna pull out moves that we’ve never seen before. But so am I. This is the biggest match of our careers. We’re gonna empty our playbooks, because it’s win or go home. And I just got the ball with the clock ticking down and the game on the line.” Will the British Prodigy score a game-winning goal? Or will he be denied his chance at gold?

 

Ilja Dragunov VS Xyon Quinn!

The Czar is back in a big way! He’ll be part of a Triple Threat at Halloween Havoc, against a great rival in JD McDonagh and a great champion in Bron Breakker. But will he prove Xyon isn’t either of those things in this return match? Or will UNBESIEGBAR fall to “The X-Factor” of NXT?

The bell rings and Dragunov circles with Quinn. They tie up, Dragunov wrenches an arm and then hooks a leg to wrangle Quinn to a headlock. Quinn fights up, fans rally for Dragunov and Dragunov shifts his grip. Quinn throws body shots, pries the hold open and headlocks Dragunov. But Dragunov hip tosses him down! Cover, ONE, but Dragunov facelocks. Fans still rally for Dragunov as Quinn powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Quinn rebounds but into another headlock takeover! Dragunov grinds but Quinn fights up. Dragunov wrenches, Quinn ROCKS him, but Dragunov CHOPS back!

Dragunov reels Quinn in for a cobra twist! Quinn endures, reaches out, and fans rally. Quinn pries at the hold, pulls Dragunov’s hair, then HIP TOSSES Dragunov away! Fans boo as Dragunov goes to a corner. Quinn runs in to back elbow Dragunov! Quinn fires body shots, and then he smirks as Dragunov sputters. Quinn stands Dragunov up but Dragunov CHOPS, CLUBS, and CHOPS again! Quinn shoves Dragunov and becomes a wall! Dragunov bounces off him and fans boo. Quinn whips Dragunov into a corner, then scoops him for a BACKBREAKER! Quinn then STANDING SPLASHES! Cover, ONE!!

Quinn is practically offended but he clamps onto Dragunov with a cobra clutch. Dragunov endures and fights up! It shocks and upsets Quinn but fans rally up! Quinn ripcords but Dragunov SLAPS him! Quinn SLAPS back, but Dragunov PELES! Both men wobble and drop to their knees but fans fire up! Dragunov snarls, waistlocks, but Quinn switches. Quinn shoves, but Dragunov comes back with the CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Fans fire up and Dragunov is feeling it! Dragunov waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Quinn! Dragunov holds on, but Quinn fights! Quinn throws back elbows but Dragunov ducks one to fire knees in return!

Now Dragunov fires palm strike after palm strike, and then a suplex! FALLING FOREARM! Fans fire up for Dragunov after that one! Dragunov aims from the corner, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!” TORPEDO MOSCOW! Cover, Dragunov wins!

Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall

Fans are fired up to see The Czar hasn’t missed a step! Will Dragunov take down both the Irish Ace and the Dog Faced Gremlin’s Son to take back his throne?

 

NXT hears from Wendy Choo and Lash Legend.

“When I hear Lash Legend speak, it’s like listening to nails on a chalkboard. I don’t apologize for sticking up for myself. And I’m not letting Lash Legend and her huge ego interrupt my ego.” Lash says she has no problems with how Wendy dresses, does her hair or anything like that. “You do you, boo.” But when Lash has something to say, you get up out the way. It doesn’t matter if you’re Wendy Choo, Doja Cat, Beyoncé, Lizzo, you move! Buh-bye! Wendy says Lash thinks she can pick on her. But why? Cuz she’s smaller? Not as loud? Not as obnoxious? Well, that last one is impossible.

And Wendy proved in Lights Out that when she gets pushed and pushed, she can tap into the dark side. That is what Lash gets next week! Lash says when you piss her off, she kicks your head off. If Wendy wants to see this next one coming, no problem there. Wendy’s face can kiss the heel of Lash’s boot again. Mwah. Wendy says she gets it. When you have natural ability like Lash, it is hard to be humble. But Wendy will humble Lash. Lash says Wendy is an athlete, but not one like Lash. Wendy says next week, we’ll hear this: … Yep! NOTHING. Because Wendy’s gonna shut up the biggest mouth in NXT history!

Lash says get Wendy’s bed, hug pillow and nightlight, because she’s putting Wendy to bed, OKAY~? But just who is going to take a three second nap at the end of their match?

 

Brutus Creed VS Damon Kemp!

The Diamond Mine had a snake inside their camp the whole time, and it was the Golden Gopher all along! The Creeds lost their NXT Tag Team Championships because of Kemp, will #BrutusSmash? Or will Kemp have another trick up his proverbial sleeve to pour salt in the wounds?

Kemp makes his entrance second, and Brutus rushes him at the ramp! They brawl, fans fire up, and Kemp ROCKS Brutus with forearms and body shots. But Brutus brings Kemp along and puts him in the ring! The bell rings, Brutus TACKLES Kemp and fires hands! Kemp gets up but Brutus tackles him again! Brutus throws a knee, then he gut wrench THROWS Kemp! Kemp staggers up, Brutus runs in, but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Brutus sputters but Kemp KICKS him down! Kemp CLUBS Brutus, cravats, and he grinds Brutus down. Brutus endures and fans rally up. Brutus fights up and gets a leg to suplex Kemp!

But Kemp holds onto the cravat! Kemp grinds Brutus again but fans rally as Brutus endures. Brutus fights up, rolls, but Kemp stays clamped on! Kemp talks trash but Brutus fights up again. Kemp RAMS Brutus into buckles, and again, and again! The ref counts, but Kemp GRINDS Brutus’ face on ropes! Brutus endures, fans rally, but Kemp throws knees. Brutus is starting to fade inside that cravat! But fans rally, Kemp snapmares Brutus then redoes the cravat. Kemp then drops an elbow! Kemp facelocks, fans boo but Brutus still endures. Brutus fights up and he scoops Kemp to SLAM him down! Fans fire up as Brutus is free!

Brutus runs in but Kemp sends him into buckles! Kemp grins, brings the straps down, and he mocks Brutus’ bear crawl. Kemp SLAPS Brutus, but Brutus snarls! Brutus storms up on Kemp, rolls him up, TWO! Brutus POUNCES Kemp to the ropes!! Kemp flops out of the ring and he’s furious. Kemp grabs a chair and he JAMS Brutus! And SMACKS him! And again and again!!

Winner: Brutus Creed, by disqualification

Kemp tells Brutus to get up and he puts him in the ring. Kemp keeps after Brutus with the chair! Refs rush out to try and stop Kemp but now Kemp just shouts in Brutus’ face! Kemp then tells Julius that if he wants some, he can come get some! Kemp storms off, telling Brutus he’s nothing! Will all this only bring more pain down on Kemp’s head?

 

Quincy Elliot talks with Sanga backstage.

The Super Diva asks why the Gentleman Fighter is so down. Sanga says last week, Quincy had a great win while Sanga did not fare so well against Von Wagner of all people. Quincy says that’s alright, there’s plenty of Quincy love to go around. Keep your head up. Sanga gives a lot of advice, but sometimes he needs it. Thank you, brother. Of course, you got this. Sanga heads out, and Xyon enters in. Quincy wants him to hold on. Remember that talk they had last week? Quincy watched Quinn’s match, and that X-Factor thing Quinn keeps talking about… Yeah, Quincy just doesn’t see it. Teehee, laters.

Quinn’s even more upset now. Will he look to ruin Quincy’s good times for his honest opinion?

 

NXT Media catches up with Stark & Lyons.

They congratulate Lyons on the win tonight, she and Stark are picking up momentum going towards the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles. Lyons thanks them for that. Kayden put up a great fight, but the results make it clear. Lyons & Stark are coming for the titles! Stark agrees. With Lyons’ power and Stark’s experience, they’ll be unstoppable. Those titles are coming home with them soon enough. “You guys can’t be serious.” Toxic Attraction walk over and Jacy says Stark & Lyons are nowhere near ready for their titles. Uh, their titles? Didn’t Gigi & Jacy lose? Oh yeah, they did! So those are NOT their titles.

Gigi says those titles look good on them, not on Lyons & Stark. Ew, could you imagine? Mandy says Lyons & Stark should just shut up right now, cuz it’s 3v2. Oh, really? You think they’re scared? But then WOOSH, Fyre lights another fire! Seems now the odds are even. Lyons & Stark like this, but Toxic Attraction backs down. Will Fyre help Lyons & Stark burn down the Toxic Empire once and for all?

 

Pub Rules Match: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Gallus!

As if these teams weren’t in fighting moods before, they’ve been after each other all night! Now things get to finally pop off, with plenty of kegs and Guinness at ringside! Who will end up under the table? And who will be the boys on top?

NXT returns as Briggs & Jensen make their entrance. Briggs is bringing a bull rope to this bar brawl! The bell rings and the brawl is on! Jensen throws hands with Mark Coffey but ends up cornered, while Briggs backs down Wolfie! Wolfgang turns things around on Briggs but Jensen turns things around on Mark. Well, not for long as Mark ROCKS Jensen. Wolfgang bumps Briggs off buckles, the hands fly more, but Jensen throws body shots. Wolfgang shoves Briggs out, he takes Briggs’ rope and LASHES Jensen! Mark goes out after Briggs to CLUB him down! Wolfgang digs his boots in on Jensen while Mark throws more hands.

Wolfgang fishhooks Jensen so he can watch Mark throw hands on Briggs. Mark grabs a trash can lid, but Briggs kicks him first. Briggs gets a trash can lid now, but Mark kicks back. Both men stagger, and Briggs CHUCKS the can at Mark’s head! Down goes Markus while Wolfgang CHOKES Jensen! Wolfgang stomps Jensen but Briggs CLUBS Wolfgang. The good ol’ boys hit back, double whip Wolfgang to ropes, and they double shoulder tackle Wolfgang down! They bring Wolfgang up, but Mark CLOBBERS Briggs! Mark BOOTS Jensen, Wolfgang throws hands on Briggs. Fans rally with “USA! USA!” but the brawl still goes Gallus’ way.

Jensen and Briggs hit back, Mark knees low and Wolfgang claws Briggs’ eyes! The Gallus Boys each whip Briggs & Jensen, but Briggs BOOTS Wolfgang and Jensen WHEEL KICKS Mark! Gallus bails out to regroup and fans fire up! Mark and Wolfgang go under the ring to bring out a TABLE! Fans love that, and Jensen hurries to match them! There’s another table in play as Jensen puts it in the ring. Briggs helps set the table up in a corner, and both teams dare the other to bring it. Briggs & Jensen go out but Gallus hurries around the way. Gallus gets the trash can lids, and Briggs has Jensen stand down so he doesn’t get clobbered.

Briggs & Jensen nod at each other and go looking under the ring. They bring out chairs! Fans fire up as the chairs and lids clash! The chairs win out, Briggs & Jensen SMACK Wolfgang & Mark on the backs! And again! And then they focus on Mark as Wolfgang bails out! Mark bails out and the fans fire up for the good ol’ boys as NXT goes picture in picture.

Briggs & Jensen dare Gallus to get back in the ring. Mark paces while Wolfgang checks his hands. Gallus starts throwing trash cans and lids into the ring, but Briggs & Jensen easily catch those and set them down. Gallus is annoyed as Jensen throws a can back! Gallus go to commentary to complain, and they hurry with trash cans, but they get DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Gallus hits the desk, then Briggs & Jensen put Wolfgang in! Briggs & Jensen corner Wolfgang to forearm and clothesline! Then they double whip Wolfgang to atomic drop and- Mark CLOBBERS Briggs! Jensen DECKS Mark, but Wolfgang CLOBBERS Jensen!

Wolfgang drags Jensen up and POSTS him! Wolfgang then fires off on Briggs at the apron. Briggs hits back, and now they brawl on the edge. Wolfgang kicks Briggs down but Briggs ROCKS Wolfgang back. They brawl more, Briggs gets the edge, but Wolfgang ROCKS him back. Briggs BOOTS Wolfgang down! Briggs then LEAPS at Mark, but Mark DECKS him out of the sky!

NXT returns to single picture, Mark whips Briggs to Wolfgang for the scoop. GAMANGIRI to POWERSLAM! Gallus stands over Briggs, and then they go after Jensen. Jensen throws haymakers! Fans fire up but Mark knees Jensen low. Mark whips Jensen to kitchen sink knee! Wolfgang SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Mark drags Jensen up to Backslide, and then Wolfgang KNEES a chair into Jensen’s face!! Jensen flounders and writhes in pain but Mark covers, TWO!! Jensen survives but Mark covers again, TWO! Gallus is annoyed, but they drop knees on Jensen. Wolfgang covers, TWO! Jensen reaches out but Mark smothers him.

Mark takes Jensen’s belt off him and now he has a leather strap! Wolfgang rips Jensen’s shirt off, but Briggs CLOBBERS Mark! Briggs fires off forearms but he gets mugged 2v1! And then CATAPULT FOREARM COMBO! Briggs is dazed, Mark takes his belt from him, and Gallus loom over both good ol’ boys. They LASH and LASH and LASH both Briggs & Jensen! Fans are stinging just watching and listening to this! LASH after LASH after LASH mark up Briggs & Jensen! Briggs & Jensen fight back but they just get more LASHES! Mark & Wolfgang prepare to use all the slack, but Briggs & Jensen block the lashing!

Briggs HEADBUTTS Mark, Jensen HEADBUTTS Wolfgang, and fans fire up! Now the tide has turned, time for the LASHING of Gallus!! LASH after LASH, and then they literally put Gallus on the ropes. Briggs puts Wolfgang’s shirt over his head while Mark’s shirt is just gone, Briggs & Jensen DOUBLE LASH!! Gallus writhes and fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” The good ol’ boys instead slide out to DOUBLE HAYMAKER! And then, they spot the table with the pitcher on it. Fans chant for “BEER! BEER! BEER!” Briggs & Jensen grab a mug each, to SMASH them on Gallus’ heads!! Briggs & Jensen put Mark in the ring and then put him in a trash can!

Mark is upside-down, but here comes Joe! The Iron King is furious, but Briggs & Jensen DOUBLE BOOT him down, and Joe falls through the table!! The good ol boys are all fired-up, and Wolfgang runs in, DOUBLE HIP TOSS through the other table!! Mark gets right-side-up, for the COUNTRY HIGH LOW!! Cover, Jensen & Briggs win!

Winners: Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen, by pinfall

The Pub Rules Match turned more into a slobber knocker, and we saw that country boys can survive! Will Gallus not leave it at this? Just how much wilder can this one get? Well, speaking of, Gallus isn’t letting security push them back, Wolfgang DECKS one! And then refs rush out, only for Joe to DECK one of them!! That’ll be a mighty big fine! Well now police storm in! They ARREST Gallus for disorderly conduct! Will not even the law stop this firm from taking over?


My Thoughts:

A great NXT with a lot of great things set up for Halloween Havoc. For one, great vignette from Nathan Frazer to frame his rivalry with Axiom within his favorite thing outside of wrestling in soccer. As if Frazer VS Axiom Round 3 wasn’t going to be great already, making it a qualifier for the North American Championship Ladder match is going to boost that into something amazing. Either guy can win and either guy will make an awesome addition to that ladder match. Chase U has a great “pep rally,” and we got another classic Andre Chase outburst. Chase VS Von definitely feels like Von’s to win, but I would love if Chase got another shocker upset.

Wes VS Tony was really good, but I feel like that had to be a legit injury for Tony D. There’s no way NXT would intentionally make that part of story, but they can definitely spin it for story. Wes has to prove to everyone, including himself, that he deserves to be in the ladder match, so he might go above and beyond with wild spots. Given that, maybe Wes dooms himself and overdoes it, allowing someone else to win the title. Melo & Trick also keep hating on Wes so whether it’s Melo or Wes who wins, they can have an awesome feud going into the Fall and whatever NXT special parallels Survivor Series this year.

Great segment from Dragunov, JD and Bron with great use of continuity from NXT UK. And while I personally don’t think a Triple Threat is best for this, obviously the fans all wanted it, and Bron even played along by doing his own take on Steiner Math so that was fun. I just hope that this Triple Threat doesn’t go the way of Mandy Rose using Blair Davenport and Meiko Satomura against each other to win. Bron has had a great time in NXT, but he could easily move up to RawDown. My main thing is, Dragunov cannot, should not and better not be fed to further boost Bron. Dragunov can pin JD so that Bron loses without losing, clean exit and finally NXT UK gets some respect over here.

Mandy VS Fallon was a solid opening match but of course Mandy wins. She calls out Fyre, but then Fyre throws it back at her, obviously we’re getting that title match for Halloween Havoc. Lyons VS Kayden was a great match but it makes sense for Lyons to win since this was 1v1. Lyons, Stark & Fyre have a great confrontation with Toxic Attraction, that is definitely a Six Woman Tag to help factor things in for the women’s title and women’s tag titles. I almost feel like we’ll get a Triple Threat Tag for the women’s tag titles just so we get another situation of one side losing without really losing any power levels. Lyons & Stark can pin Toxic, they can pin KC Squared, the other goes after Lyons & Stark for the Fall season.

Decent promo from The Schism and a really good match from Grimes VS Gacy. The Dyad of course make the difference and Gacy wins, and I further believe this is leading to a Six Man Tag of The Schism VS Grimes, Edris & Malik. Good promo from Apollo and good response from Waller. I have a weird feeling Apollo VS Waller can end up an Eye for an Eye match like Seth Rollins had with Rey Mysterio a couple years ago. Waller also having Roxanne AND Cora on his talk show, he’s of course going to stir the pot, but we all know Roxie VS Cora II was going to happen at some point, so this is a good way to get multiple stories going at once.

Good debut match from Sol Ruca, and with her athletic background, there are parallels between her and Tiffany Stratton, so I’m almost expecting Sol’s first feud to be with Tiffany. Wendy and Lash have a good promo segment, their match will be very good, and it could go either way. Wendy kept her feud with Tiffany going even after losses, so whether Wendy loses or Lash does, they both have that character where they’ll just go back for more. Dragunov has a great return match with Quinn, and of course Dragunov wins. Sanga, Quincy and Quinn had a good segment backstage, and Quinn is a good foil for Quincy to feud with.

Really good match from Brutus and Kemp, but obviously Kemp wasn’t worried about winning, just hurting Brutus. Mission accomplished there and obviously we’ll get Julius VS Kemp next. It’s just rather odd that Kemp still wears the singlet he spray painted last week. I’m sure Kemp will have his own, non-Diamond-Mine ring gear soon, and since Damon Kemp is a former Minnesota wrestler, I’m hoping for gold and maroon. That’d look pretty awesome, especially to contrast the blue and white of Diamond Mine.

We got great segments from Gallus and the good ol’ boys all night, especially with Gallus pushing the limits with NXT security. That main event was awesome stuff, and I’m a bit surprised Briggs & Jensen won, but HHHBK seem to really like those guys. But I feel like having Gallus arrested is actually the wrong way to go about this. Hank Walker should’ve stormed out there cuz he’s basically alpha security guard. Also, Hank has felt like the third man in the Country Boys stable since he showed up on Level Up months ago. Maybe that still happens next week, with a segment where Gallus is released on bail and Hank gets in their face. Then we can get Briggs, Jensen & Hank VS Gallus in a huge Six Man Tag for Halloween Havoc, whatever wild stipulation attached to it you want.

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!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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