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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (9/6/22)

New era, same standard!

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The more things change, the more they stay the same!

We saw Worlds Collide, and in the end, Bron Breakker and Mandy Rose are still atop NXT! Who will be next to challenge each of them for their UNDISPUTED titles?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Toxic Attraction VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven; win(s).
  • Wes Lee VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
  • Roxanne Perez VS Meiko Satomura; Meiko wins.
  • Ricochet VS Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes; Ricochet wins.
  • Best of 3 Series, Part One: Nathan Frazer VS Axiom; Axiom wins, leading the series 1-0.
  • Bron Breakker & Tyler Bate VS Gallus; Bron & Bate win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Tyler Bate is here!

The Big Strong Boy may not be NXT UK Champion anymore, but he’s still here in Orlando to talk to the fans. “I just wanted to take this moment to thank you all from the very bottom of my heart.” Fans chant back, “Thank You, Tyler!” Bate thanks the fans who were here on Sunday, for their love and generosity, and those who supported NXT UK from the beginning. Tyler also wants to thank Bron Breakker. Bron proved to the world that he is not only Breakker by name, but breaker by nature. As much as Tyler would’ve loved to be the one to unify the titles, he and Bron created magic. Tyler is grateful to have shared that moment with all these beautiful people.

Now that said, Tyler’s name will forever remain in the history books as the first and the last NXT UK Champion. Tyler also hopes that he represented NXT UK to the best of his abilities. But wait! Here comes Gallus! Joe Coffey says enough of this! This ends tonight! Mark can’t believe Tyler is thanking people when he should be apologizing! Tyler should apologize to everyone back home in the UK. England, Wales, Ireland and especially Scotland! Tyler let the UK down! And more importantly, he let a whole locker room down. More than that, Tyler let all of Europe down! He had one job, and he blew it!

The fans chant, “You Lost, Too!” but Gallus ignores that. Joe says Tyler should be the one standing there with the unified titles. But he’s not! Whatever happened to the Big Strong Boy? Fans chant, “He’s Right There! He’s Right There!” Tyler says yes, Worlds Collide didn’t go the way he’d hoped. But he can’t help but notice Gallus didn’t keep their end of the bargain, either! Where are THEIR unified titles? Wasn’t this Gallus Boys On Top! Hahaha very funny! Very clever! “But just remember, son, wo you’re speaking to. Look around, Tyler Bate. There’s three of us, and there’s one of you!” But Tyler DECKS Joe!

Wolfgang and Mark rush in as Tyler stomps Joe, and Gallus mugs Tyler! Security gets clobbered, too! Fans boo as the beatdown continues, but here comes BRON! Bron CLOBBERS Wolfgang, LARIATS Mark and Belly2Belly suplexes Joe! Joe staggers up, Tyler throws up Bop to hit with BANG! Fans fire up and bark for Bron as he and Tyler stand together! Bron gets a mic to say, “Gallus, you guys have caused nothing but problems since you been here in NXT. On Sunday, worlds collided, but tonight, worlds unify! You guys are looking for a fight? Well, I’ll stand with ya, Tyler! Because we’re gonna kick your ass!” Will the Big Booty Nephew and the Big Strong Boy be the ones on top?

 

Pretty Deadly admire their gold.

Elton Prince says they’re all beautiful! How can they decide which belts are the most beautiful? That’d be like trying to decide between Hemsworth and Pitt! Pitt is lovely. But Kit & Elton won the UK titles in a massive victory, then came overseas to win the US titles in their first match, and against four teams! Then they unified these titles on Sunday against three more teams. Doesn’t that make them the greatest team of all time? YES, BOY! #DoubleSidePlateCheck! OMG! Jinx! Jinx again! Lash Legend walks in and high fives her boys! That was so good on Sunday. It was in-cre-di-ble! But don’t worry about what they’re saying.

Wait, what’re “they” saying? Tell them, tell them! Well, it was only because of Damon Kemp. What?! Why is there always a problem no matter what these two do?! People always have to pick, pick, pick! Pretty Deadly has Lash hold onto the UK belts while they take the US belts to gorilla. Will Pretty Deadly get after all the haters tonight?

 

NXT shares a digital exclusive from Sunday.

After Worlds Collide, Meiko Satomura talked with Roxanne Perez. NXT Media asked her how she felt after the Triple Threat loss. Meiko is disappointed, but she is also proud of everything she did in NXT UK. But then Cora Jade walks over to sarcastically say, “Rough night for you, huh? Can’t relate. So sorry you lost your title.” Cora knows Meiko’s done a lot, but one thing she hasn’t done is experience #GenerationJade. So maybe we change that? Sorry, Cora, Meiko can’t accept. Oh, okay, Cora knows Meiko is scared because it’ll be another L, but hear Cora out. Meiko will get the chance to wrestle Cora. Or is the Final Boss that scared?

No, it’s that she already has a match. Against who? A very respectful Roxanne Perez. Cora grumbles over being snubbed and storms off, but will Roxie show Cora up when she sharpens herself against the steel of the former NXT UK Women’s Champion?

 

Toxic Attraction VS Nikki A.S.H. & “Doudrop” Piper Niven!

Speaking of tag titles, Gigi Dolin & Jacy Jayne had a part to play in the Celtic Connection from Raw NOT winning the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships. Nikki & Piper have been struggling as a duo, will they finally get going again against the toxic duo?

NXT returns as the Raw superstars make their entrance. The teams sort out and Nikki starts with Gigi. They tie right up, Nikki puts Gigi on the ropes but lets off to ROCK her. Nikki bumps Gigi off buckles again and again, then whips her to ropes. Nikki CLOBBERS Gigi, then bumps her off the buckles. Tag to Piper and she steps in for the ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Piper drags Gigi up, HEADBUTTS her, then tells Jacy to kiss this. Piper scoops Gigi, tags Nikki in, and SLAMS Gigi! Nikki NECK SNAPS, then covers, TWO! Nikki drags Gigi up but Gigi pulls hair! Jacy tags in, Toxic Attraction mugs Nikki, and Jacy pushes Nikki down.

Nikki kicks but Jacy rolls her up, ONE! Jacy throws Nikki down by her hair! Jacy taunts Nikki, kicks her around, then drags her back up. Nikki RAMS into Jacy, then dropkicks her down! Nikki runs in at the corner to SPLASH and BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Nikki drags Jacy around to CLUB her, then clamp onto her with a half nelson chinbar. Jacy endures and fans rally up. Jacy reaches, fights up, but Nikki wrangles her down! Jacy still endures and still fights, but Nikki turns her for a NECKBREAKER! Fans duel as Nikki goes up top. Jacy shoves Nikki down to the floor! Fans boo but Jacy tells them up theirs!

Jacy goes to the apron, howls and CANNONBALLS! Jacy taunts Nikki, swaggers around, but Piper storms over! Gigi PENALTY KICKS her from the apron! Fans are torn as NXT goes picture in picture.

Jacy drags Nikki up and puts her in, but Piper kicks from below. Jacy stomps Piper, gets back in the ring, and Nikki gets her for a cradle! TWO!! Jacy hurries to fireman’s carry, but Nikki sunset flips it! TWO! Nikki staggers up, into the ROLLING ELBOW! Jacy struts around, soaks up the cheers and jeers, and tells fans to kiss this. Jacy kicks Nikki, ROCKS Her with a right, then CHOPS her in the corner. Nikki shoves back then elbows Jacy away! Nikki runs for a FACEBUSTER! Nikki hammers Jacy then covers, TWO! Nikki hammers away on Jacy again, drives in her knee, then covers again, TWO! Nikki drags Jacy up and whips her to ropes.

Jacy reverses, Nikki holds ropes and BOOTS back, only for Gigi to get a cheap shot in! Jacy LARIATS Nikki down! Tag to Gigi, she HEADBUTTS Nikki, then taunts Piper. Gigi brings Nikki around to rain down fists, then she taunts Piper more. Nikki crawls but Gigi keeps her away from Piper. Gigi whips Nikki into the Toxic corner, then she tags Jacy. They mug Nikki, then Jacy taunts Nikki before she kicks her down. Nikki JAWBREAKERS back! Only for Jacy to CLOBBER her! Jacy taunts Piper, drags Nikki away and drops a SENTON! Cover, TWO! Jacy smiles as she drags Nikki around again, and RAMS her into the corner!

Tag to Gigi, she digs her boots into Nikki and stands on her face. The ref counts, Gigi hops off but keeps between Nikki and Piper. Gigi clamps onto Nikki but Nikki resists. Gigi powers through and gets the top wristlock. Nikki fights up but Gigi wrangles her down! Gigi thrashes Nikki but Nikki still endures as NXT returns to single picture. Fans duel, Nikki fights up but Gigi CLUBS her! Gigi bumps Nikki off buckles, tags Jacy, then whips Jacy in to back body block! Jacy helps Gigi hit the BRONCO BUSTER! Jacy then adds the CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Nikki is still in this! Nikki crawls but Jacy drags her into a chinlock stretch.

Fans duel but Nikki endures. Jacy holds on tight but Nikki fights up. Jacy shifts to a facelock but Nikki fights their way forward. Jacy pushes Nikki back, reaches out to Gigi, but Nikki pushes Jacy back. Nikki throws body shots, Jacy headlocks, but Nikki reaches for Piper! Jacy kicks Piper’s hand, then hits a NECKBREAKER on Nikki! Jacy continues to taunt Nikki, and then drops a SENTON to nothing! Nikki avoids the impact and fans rally up again! Hot tags to Gigi and Piper! Gigi BOOTS Doudrop, but Doudrop CHOPS! Gigi swings, into a HEADBUTT! Leg sweep! Jacy hops on, but Piper SLAMS her onto Gigi! SENTON SANDWICH! Cover on Gigi, TWO!!

Piper is frustrated but she drags Gigi up. Piper scoops Gigi, Gigi slips off and shoves, then follows to- NO, no STO! Piper spins Gigi around for a SAIDO! Gigi ends up in a corner and Piper run sin, CANNONBALL! Gigi flops over and Piper climbs up! VADER BOMB!! Cover, Jacy breaks it with a SUPERKICK! Jacy is fired up but Nikki kicks her. Jacy throws Nikki out instead, but then Nikki trips Jacy! And traps her in the apron skirt! Nikki fires off like back in the day and fans love it! Piper gets up again but Gigi BOOTS her! Gigi hops up, leaps, but into Piper’s arms! MICHINOKU DRIVER!! BASEMENT SPLASH!! Cover, Piper & Nikki win!!

Winners: Nikki A.S.H. & Piper Niven, by pinfall

Piper’s got a bloody nose, but she doesn’t care! She got the win off former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions with a helping of revenge! Is this the spark Piper & Nikki need to get the gold?

 

Apollo Crews speaks.

“The true test of a man’s character is shown not in victory, but in defeat. Words are said, insults are thrown, but now I fully see who I’m dealing with in Grayson Waller. The first poke may have been accidental, but the second was unmistakable. He attempted to ruin my vision, permanently blind me from seeing monumental moments. All I can do is storm ahead. But when I look in that direction, it isn’t clear. It’s too hazy, it’s too grainy to make out. Grayson Waller has blurred my vision. But unlike Waller, I’m not afraid of the unknown.” Apollo turns his head, and his damaged eye is red! Will Apollo be able to see just how to get even with Waller?

 

Wes Lee VS JD McDonagh!

The Must-See Kid sees what a lot of us see: The Irish Ace is creepy! But will he be able to overcome that fear to then overcome JD in the ring? Or will the Necessary Evil do what he must to return to the title scene?

The bell rings and fans duel as the two circle. Wes and JD stare down and then JD headlocks and thrashes. Wes fights the hold, throws body shots, then powers out. JD runs Wes over but Wes gets up. JD headlocks for a takeover but Wes fights by pushing JD to a headscissors. JD kips free but Wes arm-drags him all around! Wes CLOBBERS JD, covers, ONE! JD swings but into a waistlock. JD switches but Wes ELBOWS out hard! JD shoves, things speed up and Wes handsprings over JD! Fans fire up but JD rushes in. Wes puts JD on the apron but JD throws Wes down by his hair! JD storms back in and drags Wes up to UPPERCUT him!

Wes goes to a corner, JD stomps him and digs his boot in. The ref counts, JD lets off, but then he brings Wes out to whip to ropes. Wes ducks the roundhouse, rams into JD and whips him to ropes,. then hurdles and monkey flips JD down! JD flounders up into a DROPKICK! JD tumbles out of the ring and Wes grins. Fans fire up as Wes builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and Wes lands on his feet! Fans fire up and NXT goes picture in picture.

Wes drags JD up, brings him around and throws haymakers. Wes ROCKS JD, follows him around the way, then CLUBS and CHOPS him! Fans fire up as JD continues on and WEs pursues. Wes ROCKS JD again, CHOPS him, then brings him back into the ring. But JD RAMS into Wes at the ropes! JD suplexes but Wes slips free to O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Wes hurries to waistlock again. Wes puts JD in a corner, runs in, but is put on the apron. Wes GAMANGIRIS JD, climbs up the corner, but JD GAMANGIRIS back! Wes falls to the floor and tumbles to the barriers! JD grins as he goes out after Wes.

JD drags Wes up, CHOPS him, then puts Wes in the ring. JD drags Wes up to lift and ATOMIC BACKBREAKER! Wes writhes while JD checks his own neck. JD stalks Wes to a corner, drags him up, and bumps him off buckles. The ref counts, JD tells him to let off, and then he brings Wes out to snap suplex! JD takes a moment before he looms over Wes. JD stomps Wes’s fingers! JD then sits Wes up, steps over on the arm and twists! Wes endures, flails and kicks, but JD bends the fingers! Wes endures, so JD lets go to stand on his head. JD drags Wes around, has the mounted armlock again, but Wes continues to endure.

NXT returns to single picture, fans duel and Wes kicks around to reach out for ropes. JD sits deep on the arm, but Wes fights and gets the ROPEBREAK! JD lets go in annoyance, and he drags Wes back up by his hair. Wes throws body shots, then blocks the haymaker to fire off hands and knees! Wes ROCKS JD against the ropes, fires off more body shots and fans fire up! Wes GAMANGIRIS and JD wobbles! JD flops down, Wes rolls to throw more body shots and KICKS! SUPERKICK to the back! Then DOUBLE STOMPS to the back! Fans fire up as JD writhes! JD bails out and the ref wants Wes to stay in. Wes says nope! He DIVES and JD goes flying over the desk!

Fans are losing their minds, but JD grins?! JD grabs at Vic Joseph, but Wes puts JD in the ring. Wes stalks JD and METEORAS! Cover, TWO!! JD survives and Wes is shocked! Wes grumbles and sees JD getting up. Wes brings JD up but JD ROCKS Wes with a right! Wes mule kicks back, and runs in, but JD avoids the Meteora to GERMAN SUPLE! Wes lands on his feet!! PENALTY KCIK! JD avoids the next one, kicks low and reels Wes in, but Wes slips out of the bomb! JD kicks a leg out, but Wes JUMP KNEES! JD HEADBUTTS!! Both men fall over and fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!”

JD grabs the arm, ripcord, but no saido! Wes sunset flips, TWO!! JD still has the wrist and the two stare down. “This is Awesome!” as JD PUNTS Wes in the face! JD ripcords, DEVLINSIDE!! Cover, JD wins!

Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall

The Irish Ace really is scary. He enjoyed being sent flying, and he enjoyed driving Wes down. Will JD be enjoying himself as he fights all the way to the top of NXT?

 

Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo are having coffee.

Stacks says The Don makes a better espresso than he does a cappuccino. But hey, look who it is! The Unified NXT Tag Team Champions of the World! That was a huge win on Sunday. Thank you! Some sense! Screw the haters, listen to the praise. What’re you boys having? Some espresso. Want some? Well, sure! Tony says that was a big win, but how much did it cost? Cost? What’s Tony talking about? C’mon, they got Damon Kemp to screw over Diamond Mine for free? Wow! That’s impressive. Kit doesn’t seem to like the taste of the coffee… Elton says they didn’t ask Kemp to do anything, and Kit says no one was doing anything for them! They won on their own!

Okay, okay. Stacks promises and Tony won’t tell. No, tell people they did this on their own! They’re just like the internet! They’ve always got something to say! Pretty Deadly won on their own! Pretty Deadly storm off, and Stacks still thinks they’re joking. But will Kit & Elton have to prove it themselves that they can win on their own?

 

Roxanne Perez VS Meiko Satomura!

The Gamer Girl wants to settle things with Cora Jade, so consider this level grinding! Will Roxie learn where she is in the NXT power levels after going against the Final Boss?

NXT returns as Meiko makes her entrance. Cora is watching backstage, shaking her head because she feels she should be having this honor. The bell rings and Roxie shakes hands with Meiko to show there is respect. They circle, tie up, and they go around. Meiko hooks a leg and arm, throws Roxie down, but Roxie gets up. Meiko wrenches the arm, Roxie rolls and kips up to hammerlock. Meiko fights with a headlock, then a drop toehold. Meiko floats to a facelock but Roxie fights up. Roxie wrenches and headlocks, but Meiko endures and powers out. Fans rally as they RAM shoulders, and neither woman falls!

Meiko eggs Roxie on, they RAM again, and then Meiko SOBATS! Meiko whips Roxie to rope, and FLYING SHOULDERS Roxie down! Roxie staggers up but Meiko wrenches to a wristlock and KICK! LEG SWEEP! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Meiko drags Roxie up and steps over, to then wrangle Roxie into an ARMBAR! Fans duel, Roxie pushes to a cover, ONE! Meiko gets Roxie go and Roxie comes back to full nelson! Roxie spins Meiko to arm-drag her around! Roxie has the armlock as fans duel, but Meiko headscissors. Roxie kips free and the two stand off. Fans cheer and Meiko nods as she stares Roxie down.

Meiko and Roxie reset, tie up, Roxie duck sand rolls and headscissors into a roll-up! TWO, but Roxie hurries to wrench an arm. Meiko wrenches back, Roxie handsprings to the headscissors and victory roll, to an O’Conner BRIDG! TWO, and into the REAR NAKED CHOKE! Roxie pries at the hands, slips free of the sleeper but into a body scissor clutch! TWO, and into an STF!! Roxie pulls Meiko back but Meiko crawls around! Meiko finds ropes and heads that way, but Roxie pulls back! Meiko throws elbows to get free! Roxie clinches but Meiko KICKS and DECKS her! Roxie SHOTGUNS Meiko out of the ring!

Roxie builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and fans are fired up! Cora is annoyed and storms off as Roxie refreshes the ring count. Roxie gets Meiko back in the ring as NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie pushes Meiko to a cover, ONE!! Roxie facelocks and grinds Meiko, but Meiko slips around to waistlock. Roxie pries at the hold, but Meiko shifts to a facelock. Roxie turns the facelock back onto Meiko, but Meiko powers Roxie into a corner. Meiko lets off to ROCK Roxie with a right! Roxie staggers along the ropes but Meiko ROCKS her again! And UPPERCUTS! Meiko drags Roxie up to ROCK her again! Roxie staggers and Meiko kicks her down. Roxie throws body shots and forearm but Meiko DECKS her! Meiko drags Roxie up, whips her to ropes but Roxie reverses, only for Meiko to reverse back and UPPERCUT!

Meiko clamps onto Roxie for a motorcycle stretch. Roxie endures, even as Meiko sits back to push deep into the shoulder blades! But Roxie pushes back to make that a cover! TWO, and Meiko now has Roxie for a mounted wristlock. Roxie resists and kicks at Meiko, but Meiko holds on tight. Meiok then stands up to KICK Roxie down! Meiko paces but Roxie sits up. Meiko KICKS her back down! Roxie slowly sits up again, and she blocks the kick! Roxie pushes the leg but Meiko blocks the sobat to KICK Roxie back down! Meiko then drags Roxie up, reels her in, and DDTs! Meiko runs, to HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! The Satomura Special! Cover, TWO!!

Roxie is hanging tough but Meiko nods. Meiko clamps on with another motorcycle stretch, but Roxie endures again. NXT returns to single picture and fans duel between Roxie and Meiko. Roxie fights up, gets to her feet, and turns things around, only for Mieko to turn it right back around! Fans rally as Roxie endures and fights up again. Roxie turns it around, ROCKS Meiko, but Meiko EuroUppers! Fans fire up for “Women’s Wrestling!” as Roxie fires a forearm! Meiko UPPERCUTS again! Roxie comes back to uppercut, and uppercut, and uppercut! Roxie whips, Meiko reverses but Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Meiko!

Fans fire up as Roxie starts rallying! Roxie runs in to SHOTGUN Meiko down! Fans fire up as Meiko goes to a corner and Roxie runs in! UPPERCUT! Roxie rolls, comes back, into the ROUNDHOUSE! Meiko drags Roxie back up and fireman’s carries, but Roxie slips off to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie drags Meiko around, KOJI KLUTCH!! Meiko endures, fans duel, and Meiko powers through to get free! She KNEES Roxie down, then whips her to ropes. Roxie reverses but Meiko WHEEL KICKS on the return! Fans fire up and Meiko climbs the corner! Roxie gets up to ROCK Meiko first! Roxie climbs up after Meiko and fires off forearms!

Roxie stands on the very top now, to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Meiko survives, showing why she is the living legend! Roxie drags Meiko back up, runs, blocks the roundhouse to forearm! PELE from Meiko!! Meiko hurries to the corner and she fires up as she runs in! SCORPIO RISING!! Cover, Meiko wins!

Winner: Meiko Satomura, by pinfall

The Final Boss wins in her first singles match in NXT 2.0, showing everyone she is still a legend! Roxie bows in respect and Meiko applauds her in return. But then Cora slips into the ring to SMACK Roxie with the kendo stick! Meiko returns and Cora runs away! Seems Cora’s the one who is scared! But will Meiko and Roxie humble Cora soon enough?

 

Bron and Tyler prepare backstage.

Tyler thanks Bron for the assist against Gallus. Bron says he knows they’re from different countries and NXT UK just ended. NXT Europe is right around the corner, so Bron wants Tyler to know that Tyler IS NXT. They’ll kick Gallus’ ass tonight! They shake hands, will the current and former champions be able to bring down Gallus together?

 

Damon Kemp speaks.

“On Sunday, the whole world was talking about Damon Kemp. But that’s not how I started in NXT.” Roderick Strong brought him into the Diamond Mine because of his wrestling legitimacy. “And how did I do? Brutus & Julius became one of the most dominate tag team champions. And what thanks did I get? Nothing! Roddy didn’t even put me in the singles ranks. It’s always, ‘DK, stay ready for whatever we need you!'” Kemp is a Pan-American Games winner! Championships are in his DNA! As matter of fact, here’s a secret: Kemp beat Brutus’ ass in college! Made him look like a little punk! And Julius was jealous of Kemp because Roddy liked him better.

Hell, Ivy Nile had more of a say in the group than Kemp did! And Kemp saw the Roddy-Julius beef coming from a mile away. He could’ve squashed it, but he decided to stir the pot because he wasn’t given the respect he deserved. So he took them down from within! This is what happens when you put two alphas against each other. And no one thought it was Kemp who took at Roddy in the parking lot! It was so hard to keep a straight face. Kemp gave the Creeds one last chance, but they shut him down! That moment cost them the titles. The sound of that chair hitting Julius’ back signaled the end of Diamond Mine.

Kemp will leave us with this: It isn’t Diamond Mine Forever, it’s Damon Kemp forever! Will the Golden Gopher go for gold now that he’s a one man show?

 

The Dyad are still at their “recognition award” table.

Rip Fowler says “The Schism can help you achieve greatness. To join The Schism is to allow your soul to enter a harmonious place. To sit under The Schism’s tree is to truly-” Jagger Reed calls out to Kiana James and her assistant. They seem a bit lost. They seem to need guidance. Kiana tells Jean to grab a couple of those for them. Thank you, guys, this is great. Can’t wait for this, love what you’re doing, keep it up. Not. Kiana doesn’t do free sponsorships. Jean puts the buttons in the trash. Kiana keeps hounding her subordinate on the phone. Whoever this is always seems to surprisingly screw up! What? When will Duncan get a call from Kiana? Maybe when his phone works!

Someone in a red hoody walks over to The Dyad and offers their smiley face buttons then hugs it out. Meanwhile, Arianna Grace turns down adding anything more to her already busy schedule. She has a luncheon, then a meet ‘n’ greet, then she’s helping judge a beauty pageant. Kiana walks over to say hi. Arianna is just what Kiana has been looking for. Kiana has a problem with- Lyons & Stark? Arianna knows. She can’t stand either of them, either. Then Kiana’s just found a solution to her problem. Jean, book Arianna for training at 6 AM tomorrow morning. Arianna says that works for her schedule. Will this team-up of beauty and business be a winning combination?

 

Ricochet VS Trick Williams w/ Carmelo Hayes!

The one and only reason the One and Only isn’t the NEW North American Champion is because of Melo’s main man getting involved. Will Ricochet make sure to #WhoopThatTrick once and for all? Or will Trick have more tricks up his proverbial sleeves?

NXT returns and Trick makes his entrance. Melo joins commentary as the bell rings. Ricochet tells Melo to watch this closely. Trick runs in, into Ricochet’s KNEE! Trick bails out and Melo says lock it in. But then Ricochet WRECKS Trick with a dropkick! Melo says nevermind, stay out here. Ricochet and Melo stare down, Ricochet stands Trick up to CHOP him! And ROCK him! Ricochet puts Trick in, talks some trash on Melo, but Trick storms back up on him. Ricochet shoulders into Trick, slingshots up and over, spins him around and WRINGS him out! Trick endures the armlock while fans rally for Ricochet.

Ricochet wrenches the arm, WRINGS Trick again, and grinds the armlock again. Ricochet knuckle locks, Trick kips up and WRINGS Ricochet, but Ricochet handsprings through! But Trick HEEL KICKS Ricochet down! Trick stomps away on Ricochet in the corner, then lets off. Fans boo but Trick talks trash. Trick drags Ricochet up to whip him hard into the corner! Cover, TWO! Trick runs back in and STINGER SPLASHES! Trick talks trash, slaps Ricochet around then drags him up. Trick suplexes but Ricochet slips off to ROCK him with right hands! Ricochet CHOPS, whips, but Trick reverses. Ricochet ducks ‘n’ dodges, but into a pop-up UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!

Melo is enjoying himself as Trick covers again, TWO! Trick is annoyed but fans rally up with ‘WHOOP THAT TRICK!” Trick runs, but hits buckles! Ricochet shakes out the cobwebs, but Trick trips up the springboard! Melo is laughing at Ricochet and Trick smacks Ricochet off the desk! Trick keeps hitting Ricochet off the desk and Melo says Ricochet isn’t coming back to NXT after this. Trick puts Ricochet in the ring, but Ricochet cradles! TWO, and Trick YANKS Ricochet into ropes! Fans boo but Trick runs in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Melo is annoyed.

Melo tells Trick to stay on Ricochet, but Trick is mocking Ricochet’s superhero pose. Ricochet ducks the roundhouse to CLOBBER Trick! Ricochet rallies on Trick, springboards and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up with Ricochet and he tells Melo to watch this. Ricochet RAMS into Trick, bumps him off buckles and ROUNDHOUSES him away! Ricochet springboards to FLYING LARIAT! Fans fire up more and Ricochet aims from a corner. Melo says Ricochet is full of himself but he’s one to talk. RECOIL!! Ricochet looms over Trick, tells Melo he’s still watching him. Ricochet goes up the corner, Melo is sure Trick will evade. SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! Cover, Ricochet wins!

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

Trick didn’t move, and now he isn’t moving at all! Ricochet whooped that Trick, but will he get a fair rematch with The A Champion?

 

Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo are still having coffee.

And they still can’t believe Pretty Deadly is trying to pull a face one on us. Like The Don couldn’t tell what was really going on. Oh, hey! Cameron Grimes! There he is! Look, Tony gave Grimes time to consider the offer. They both know Tony’s right, so Stacks can get him an espresso on the house. Grimes says these guys don’t stop. They’re as bad as Joe Gacy. But he appreciates the free coffee. Now, Grimes doesn’t know Italian, so he’ll do his best to say this in English. “The answer is no. Not today, not tomorrow, not any day. Because Cameron Grimes don’t need nobody! And he definitely don’t need you two.”

Tony says he gave Grimes the benefit of the doubt, but not this time. The last couple of guys who said no aren’t even here anymore. Tony ran them out! Yeah, but Grimes isn’t like those guys. Yeah, because people actually respect those guys. Grimes throws the coffee in Stacks’ face! Tony DECKS Grimes! Stacks rains down fists, but Grimes fights back! Only for Tony to URENAGE him through the table! Tony & Stacks leave Grimes writhing in the sugar and cream, but will Grimes make sure he gets even with the Don?

 

NXT, a new wave is coming in.

Sol Ruca the surfer girl is coming soon. Who will be able to hang ten and hang tough with her?

 

Backstage interview with Diamond Mine.

McKenzie knows Julius, Brutus and Ivy heard what Kemp had to say, what is their response? Brutus wants to break Kemp’s face! For what Kemp did to Roddy, to the Creeds, and what he said about Ivy! Kemp talks tough when he’s in an empty studio. Talking about a match that happened like six years ago. Brutus says this will be on sight! McKenzie says they don’t know when that’ll be, but next week, they’ll get their championship rematch with Pretty Deadly. Do they have a way to clear their minds? They don’t have a plan. This is fuel on the fire! It’s one thing at a time. First, they correct what happened at Worlds Collide. Then, Kemp’s a dead man!

Pretty Deadly storm in and says they’ve been looking all over for these two “divs.” Pretty Deadly says they beat The Creeds on Sunday! Damon or no Damon, the NXT Tag Team Championships are Pretty Deadly’s! And though the people don’t believe it, they’ll change that. The naysayers who don’t think Kit & Elton deserve the titles will be picking the stipulation for the tag match! That’s right, fans get to decide what kind of match they have! And then, there won’t be any excuses when the Creeds lose again! Julius says everything that’s happened, all this rage he has inside, is going to be taken out on their bitch asses! Just how will this go down between Diamond Mine and Pretty Deadly?

 

Best of 3 Series, Part One: Nathan Frazer VS Axiom!

The British Prodigy wishes the Established Truth could’ve had a chance to compete in NXT UK, and especially in British Rounds matches. But as a compromise, these two will have a best two out of three matches series! Will Frazer learn just how good this anonymous kid really is? Or will he be taking the all-important first fall?

NXT returns as Axiom makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally up and duel, the two tie up, and Axiom waistlocks to then spin and snapmare. Frazer slips out to hammerlock, but Axiom uses a leg to get free and he wrenches Frazer right back! Axiom wristlocks, grinds the arm, but Frazer rolls, only for Axiom to WRING him out! Axiom keeps on the arm but Frazer fights up again. Frazer spins, arm-drags, but Axiom holds onto the wristlock! Frazer rolls again, handsprings more, wrenches and WRINGS, but Axiom handsprings through! Fans fire up as the two stand off. They shake hands and reset.

They tie up, Frazer headlocks, but Axiom powers out. Frazer runs Axiom over, things speed up, and Frazer blocks hip toss to a backslide! ONE and Axiom has Frazer’s legs for the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Frazer pops out, covers, ONE! Axiom sweeps legs and covers, ONE! Frazer sweeps legs and covers, ONE! Axiom and Frazer both kip up and fans fire up! They circle again while fans rally again. They knuckle lock, Axiom rolls and wrenches, drags Frazer down to a headlock, but Frazer keeps his shoulder up. Frazer fights up but Axiom wrangles him down. Frazer fights up, slips out the back to waistlock, but Axiom switches.

Axiom shoves but Frazer goes up and over in the corner. Things speed up. Frazer ducks ‘n’ dodges and SHOTGUNS Axiom out of the ring! Fans fire up and Frazer builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and NXT goes picture in picture!

Frazer drags Axiom up, puts him in the ring, then hurries in after him. Frazer has Axiom in a corner, clinches, then CHOPS! Axiom drops to his knees but Frazer stalks him to the other corner. Frazer clinches again, stands Axiom up and CHOPS him! Axiom drops again, but Frazer drags him up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Frazer keeps cool and he drags Axiom up. Axiom wrenches out to ARMBREAKER DDT! Axiom drags Frazer around, isolates the arm, and STOMPS it! Frazer clutches his elbow but Axiom stalks him to a corner. Axiom clamps on for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Frazer endures, moves around, reaches out, but Axiom KICKS the bad arm!

Axiom stomps Frazer, stomps him some more, then lets off to catch his breath. Frazer still clutches the arm but Axiom whips him to ropes. Axiom CLOBBERS Frazer, hitting the bad arm! Axiom clamps on to the arm again, grinds his forearm into Frazer’s face, but Frazer fights his way up. Axiom wrangles Frazer down, TWEAKS the hammerlock, then traps it to get the other arm. Axiom pulls on the arm, Frazer endures, but Axiom focuses on the trapped arm. Frazer kicks around, reaches out, and NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally up, Axiom bridges over to tweak the arm more! Fans rally as Axiom does it again!

Frazer keeps fighting, gets up to his feet and he throws elbows! Axiom lets go and ROUNDHOUSES Frazer! Axiom whips but Frazer blocks to ROCK him! Frazer grabs at Axiom but Axiom gives the bad arm an ELBOW BREAKER! Frazer falls right out of the ring! Axiom then DIVES and takes him out! Axiom puts Frazer in as fans cheer on “Both These Guys! Both These Guys!” Axiom climbs up the corner and leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Frazer escapes but Axiom clamps on with a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Frazer endures, fans rally and duel, and Axiom keeps on the arm. Frazer pushes up and gets to his feet, but Axiom drags him back down!

Axiom has the double wristlock but Frazer fights up again. Axiom hops on with body scissors! Frazer endures the Hoverboard and throws body shots! Frazer powers through to suplex, ANARCHY!! Fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while both men are down. Frazer crawls over to Axiom and both men stand. Frazer CHOPS Axiom, and CHOPS, but Axiom kicks! Frazer ducks to CLOBBER Axiom! And again! Then he QUEBRADAS to get the INVERTED DDT! Cover, TWO!! Frazer can’t believe it but Axiom is tough! Frazer drags Axiom up, fans duel, but Axiom cradles! TWO!! Frazer escapes, SWATS the kick, then hits a SLINGBLADE!

Fans fire up as Frazer runs in, STANDING SHOOTING STAR onto knees! TRIANGLE HOLD!! Frazer flails, Axiom turns this around to an omoplata, but Frazer uses a leg for the ROPEBREAK! Axiom lets off to STOMP Frazer! Fans rally and duel, but agree “This is Awesome!” Axiom KICKS Frazer, but Frazer rolls things into the BOSTON CRAB! And it’s deep! Axiom endures, crawls, reaches out, but Frazer focuses on a HALF CRAB, then a CALF CRUSHER!! Axiom reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! Frazer lets off in frustration but fans duel again. Frazer runs in but Axiom shoves him away! SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO!!

Frazer flounders to a corner, Axiom reloads, RIDER DROPKICK!! Axiom covers, Axiom wins!

Winner: Axiom, by pinfall (leads series 1-0)

Axiom takes the win and the lead! Will round two only be even better? Will there need to be a round three?

 

Security is on high alert outside Gallus’ locker room.

Hank tells the guys that Gallus has been wreaking havoc, so they need to keep a close eye on them so that they can’t try anything. But then Javier Bernal walks in and says this bunch of Paul Blart rent-a-cops must be waiting for a fight to be over before doing their jobs. Hank tells Javier to move on already. Easy, tiger, who do you think you’re talking to? This is Big Body Javi. When he made his name on Level Up, he was blowing minds and kissing dimes. Wait a minute. How do all these security guards still have jobs around here? Alright, that’s enough, Javi. No, no, it’s not. Javi is a big time superstar, and Hank’s just a security guard.

Hank says he may not be a superstar, but he could whoop Javi’s ass any day of the week! Gallus heads out, Hank has the guards follow them and leave “the prick” behind. Will Hank have to humble Javi on Level Up?

 

Quincy Elliot speaks.

“The time has come. The biggest package is about to be delivered to NXT. I’m Quincy Elliot, the Super Diva, and I’m about to set fire to Tuesday nights. It’s hard for people to keep my name out of their mouths. But the struggle is real, and I’m more than a mouthful. Nothing’s cuter than a boy and his scooter, and I’m bringing all of this to NXT. Don’t worry, baby. Next week, I’m coming.” Quincy’s on his way, will you be ready?

 

Backstage interview with Melo & Trick.

McKenzie knows that wasn’t how they wanted things to go with Ricochet. Trick says yeah, but even a broken clock is right twice a day. But Trick is still taller, stronger, and even after a loss, he still looks better than Ricochet. Melo says they’re done with Ricochet. Ricochet tried something, he failed, and he doesn’t have what Melo has, and that’s the NXT North American Championship. Next question. Well, next week is the one year anniversary of NXT 2.0. Yeah, the Year of Melo! He done beat everyone there is to beat, done done everything there is to do, he IS the A Champion, and he IS the face of NXT! He’s got that vote in the bag.

But he doesn’t even know who his opponent is yet. Wait, what? What opponent? Who’s left to beat? That’s up to the fans to decide to defend his title against. Uh, no no no. How does McKenzie even know this? Listen, the fans don’t decide any of that, Melo does! Then he can vote on it. Oh! You hear that? They can vote. Melo & Trick storm off, but will The A Champion be careful not to end up a former champion?

 

BREAKING NEWS for the anniversary episode!

After that rejection turned brawl, Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo are taking on Cameron Grimes, and a partner of Grimes’ choosing! Who will Grimes get to join him against The Don & Stacks? And after recruiting Arianna Grace to her team, Kiana James is getting her payback tag match with Nikkita Lyons & Zoey Stark! Will the Calculator crunch the numbers and assure victory for her and Arianna?

 

Bron Breakker & Tyler Bate VS Gallus!

The UNDISPUTED NXT Champion came to the aid of the Big Strong Boy, and now they’re facing the Coffey Brothers to make them eat their words. Will the Big Booty Nephew and Big Strong Boy get a big time win? Or will Joseph & Markus show everyone that NXT is still their kingdom?

NXT returns as Tyler makes his entrance, followed by Bron’s. The teams sort out and Bron starts against the Iron King. They tie up, Bron powers Joe towards ropes, and then has him on the ropes. Bron lets off, Joe ties up with him and Bron headlocks. Joe powers out and they RAM shoulders. Neither man falls and Bron grins. Bron waistlocks, headlocks, but Joe powers out again. Bron RAMS Joe again and Joe staggers. Joe steadies himself and crosses his arms Gallus style. Bron runs in, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then CLOBBERS Joe! Fans fire up and bark with Bron, and he brings Joe to the corner. Tag to Tyler and Tyler goes up while Bron scoop SLAMS Joe!

Bron stands in place for Bate to KNEE-BOARD SENTON! Cover, ONE, but Bate wrenches an arm. Bate grinds the arm but Joe throws body shots. Bate YANKS the arm, Joe blocks the whip to reverse, but Bate goes up, only to turn around into Joe’s UPPERCUT! Joe wrenches, tags Mark, and the Coffey Brothers double wrench and double lift, to DOUBLE CHOP! Mark whips, arm-drags Tyler, but Tyler turns things around to a headlock! Mark fights up, Tyler BOPS him with a foot! And again! Mark powers out to wrench but Bate rolls, handsprings and dropkicks Mark down! Tag to Bron and Bron suplexes Mark. Joe saves Mark but Bron hits Joe!

Bate gets Joe now, and he and Bron STEREO SUPLEX! And then the stall and SLAM! And then double kip-ups, DOUBLE STANDING MOONSAULTS! Fans are thunderous while Gallus regroups! Bron makes a lap around Bate before sliding under, a shoutout to the legends as NXT goes picture in picture.

Gallus talks strategy and Mark gets back in. Mark rushes Bate but into a drop toehold! Bate has the legs tied up, then shifts to a headlock. Mark fights up, Bate brings him around and tags Bron. Bron throws body shots on Mark, wrenches his arm, then wristlocks. Mark rolls, snapmares Bron and headlocks, but Born slips out to get the wristlock back. Mark fights up, pushes Bron back, and MONKEY FLIPS! But Bron holds onto the wrist! Bron drags Mark over, tags Bate back in, and Bate RAMS into Mark. Bate hits a headlock takeover and he grinds Mark down. Mark headscissors, Bate moves around, headstands and pops free to get the headlock again.

Mark keeps his shoulders up, Bate grinds the headlock but Mark fights up to his feet. Mark pulls hair but Bate hits another headlock takeover. Bate thrashes and grinds Mark again, but Mark rolls to a cover, TWO! Bate holds on, Mark fights up again, and NXT returns to single picture. Fans duel as Mark stands up. Mark powers out but Bate ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bate then dropkicks Mark out of the ring! Bate runs and FLIES! Direct hit right in front of the desk! Fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” but Joe stalks over to Tyler. Bron storms up to Joe and chases him off, but Wolfgang POSTS Bate!

Fans boo but Mark puts Bate in. Mark stomps Bate, tags Joe, and Joe drags Bate up to EuroUpper! Joe whips Bate to a corner, then whips him back in! Joe scoops Bate for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Joe KNEES Bate in the back, then TOSSES him to the corner! Joe elbows Bate, tags Mark, and Mark throws body shots. Bate throws forearms back and he backs Mark down, but Mark ROCKS Bate! Bate ROCKS Mark, but Mark whips Bate into the corner! Bate bounces off buckles, Mark picks him up and tags in Joe. Mark BACK DROPS Bate, for Joe’s ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO!

Joe sits Bate up to KNEE, and CLUB and KNEE again! Joe clamps claws onto the shoulders but Bate fight sup. Fans rally and Bate throws body shots. Joe knees low, snap suplexes, and then covers, TWO! Joe is annoyed but he drags Bate up into a BEARHUG! Bate endures, Joe thrashes him around, and fans rally up. Bate powers up to throw forearms into Joe! Joe squeezes tighter on the bearhug! Fans rally and duel, Bate grinds forearms in Joe’s face. Joe RAMS Bate into the corner! Joe shoves Bate to ropes and CLUBS him on the back! Then back to the BEARHUG! Fans rally up again as Bate endures, and Bate throws hands!

Bate BELL CLAPS, sunset flips, but Joe stays up! Joe can’t reach Mark and Bate rolls him back! Joe rolls through and he gets a leg! Bate kicks away on Joe with the free leg and gets the other leg free. Bate runs but Joe catches him before he reaches Bron! Bate slides under to hot tag Bron! Bron rallies with big shoulder tackles, then he catches Joe’s leap into a POWERSLAM! Fans bark it up and Bron drags Joe up. Bron clinches, BOOTS, but Mark tags in before the OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Mark half nelson but Bron arm-drags free! SPINEBUSTER! The straps come down, and Bron signals to Tyler.

Bron tags Bate and Electric Chair Lifts Mark! Bate and Bron hit the FLYING BULLDOG!! Cover, Joe breaks it! Wolfgang distracts but Bate DECKS him! Joe runs in, but Bron SPEARS him down! Bate rebounds to LARIAT Mark! Then underhooks for the TYLER DRIVER 97!! Cover, Bate & Bron win!

Winners: Tyler Bate & Bron Breakker, by pinfall

This big strong duo just cooled off the Coffey Brothers, but JD attacks them both! He KNEES Bron down, and hits DEVLINSIDE on Bate!! The Irish Ace runs off as Bron returns, but fans boo JD blindsiding them like that. Is the Necessary Evil coming after the UNDISPUTED NXT Championship?


My Thoughts:

A great NXT to follow up Worlds Collide, and then set up next week’s one year anniversary episode. Next week’s episode is looking pretty big already with how the fans get to vote on things. I like that Pretty Deadly got upset that everyone is stating the obvious when it came to how they won the titles. They had a great bit with Lash, with Tony and Stacks, and with Diamond Mine. I would think the options for that will be things like Tornado Tag, No Disqualifications, things like that. And it doesn’t matter what we get, these teams will deliver, and I bet Kemp will help Pretty Deadly win again to add heat to his feud with Diamond Mine. Kemp had a good promo to hype that up, but I wish this was all still to connect his time in NXT UK hanging out with Gallus.

Great match out of Toxic Attraction VS Nikki & Piper, and what a great surprise that Piper & Nikki won. I don’t know how this will affect their run on Raw, but I suppose this can help them stick together as a team and keep fighting for titles. Good promo from Apollo Crews, and nice reveal of the damaged eye. I also like that he referenced his future sight being affected, that was clearly where they were going with the eye rake. We got another interaction between Tony, Stacks and Grimes, and this was really good with the quick brawl. I can’t wait to see who is joining Grimes against Tony & Stacks, but I have a feeling that person takes the loss.

Quincy Elliot is on his way, so he’s going to have a big debut on the big anniversary episode. And it seems another new star is already being hyped up. Sol Ruca (real name Calyx Hampton) has already been competing on Level Up, she’ll surely win her NXT TV debut, but who knows how her surfer persona will help her. But if she doesn’t use a form of the surfboard stretch as her finisher, I’ll be a bit disappointed. We got a good bit out of The Dyad with Kiana James and her assistant, and also Kiana with Arianna. The tag match between them and Nikkita & Zoey will be very good, but I am betting Nikkita & Zoey win.

Great match out of Roxanne and Meiko, and of course Meiko wins. But also, of course Cora is a sore loser for not getting to be the one that loses to Meiko. Cora attacking Roxie of course adds to their coming rematch, and that thing better be No Disqualification at the least. We got a good match out of Ricochet VS Trick but of course Ricochet wins. Now, whether or not fans vote for him to get a rematch with Melo, we’ll just have to wait and see all the options. Solo Sikoa is heading to SmackDown so he can’t be an option, so I have no idea who else it could be but Ricochet. Either way, Melo will give us another great match, I just hope Trick doesn’t get involved again because that’s just lazy.

We got an awesome match out of Frazer VS Axiom. And what a big surprise that this is a best of three series and not just a British Rounds match. I would be very surprised if this ends in two, but I’m also wondering where this goes when we get a winner. Can it please be that Noam Dar and the renamed NXT Heritage Cup Championship show up and gives NXT a second midcard title? Then we can get Dar VS whoever wins the series, and a lot of other superstars on this brand that never got to visit NXT UK, all giving us great variety in the British Rounds style. It’d just be nice if something from NXT UK survived to enhance NXT 2.0.

And we got great stuff out of Gallus, Bate and Bron. I personally have to agree with Gallus on the point that Tyler Bate should be the Unified NXT Champion over Bron. We got a great promo out of Hank and Javier on the side before the main event, and you can bet Hank VS Javier is happening. The main event tag was great stuff, but of course the Faces win. At least it was Bate getting the pin here. But then nice surprise in JD attacking them both. He clearly wants another shot at the top title, but I have a feeling he’ll have to fight Tyler Bate to earn that opportunity. JD VS Tyler will be awesome, and no matter who wins, they will surely have a great rematch with Bron.

My Score: 8.6/10


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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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