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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/14/22)

A Must-See Apology!

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WWE Raw 2022

Will the Hollywood A-Lister really apologize?

Johnny Gargano revealed the truth, and now on Raw, MizTV is truly must-see as The Miz himself promises a full apology to Dexter Lumis!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali; Lashley wins.
  • Mia Yim VS Tamina; Mia wins.
  • Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Gable wins.
  • Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgment Day VS Shelton Benjamin; Dominik wins.
  • Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL VS Dana Brooke; wins.
  • Austin Theory VS Dolph Ziggler; Ziggler wins, by disqualification.
  • Akira Tozawa VS Baron Corbin w/ JBL; Corbin wins.
  • WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor w/ The Judgment Day; Rollins wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

Seth Rollins heads to the ring.

Louisville sings “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” for the Visionary as he swaggers out, holding onto the United States Championship that he’ll defend later tonight. He doesn’t seem fazed by how he almost lost it last week, either. The Open Challenge was answered by Mustafa Ali, only for Bobby Lashley to sidetrack that. Then Lashley mauled Rollins and let Austin Theory cash his Money in the Bank contract, only to screw Theory over! The confusing motives and actions of the All Mighty aside, Rollins still has the title and now gets the mic. “Kentucky…! Welcome to Monday! Night! Rollins! HAHAHAHA! Allow me to introduce myself.

“I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I am Seth!” “FREAKIN! ROLLINS!” Fans cheer and Rollins says that by the hairs of his chinny chin chin, he is still our WWE United States Champion~! HAHAHA! “Yes, thank you, Bobby. Last week was crazy. Last week was wild. I put one little Open Challenge out into the universe and I’ve got contenders coming outta the woodwork.” People like Finn Balor, Mustafa Ali, and the All Mighty himself, Bobby Lashley! “And for the first time ever, Austin Theory tried to cash in his MITB contract on my United States Championship. Now, that didn’t work out too well for him. But the point is…”

Louisville says, “That was Stupid!” Rollins shrugs and says, “Look, I’m sure he’ll be out here later, you guys can tell him how stupid he is then. HAHAHAHA!” But the point is, something seems different about the US title lately. Rollins can’t put his finger on it. What’s the one thing that’s different? OH RIGHT! ROLLINS! Because now that he is the US Champion, this title is “without question THE top prize on Monday Nights! And right here in the main event tonight, we are going to add to my legacy as United States Champion when I go one on one with a former friend, a former foe, Finn Balor.” But wait! Here comes LASHLEY!

The Rocky Mountain Machine makes his way down to the ring with a mic of his own. “The Visionary! Last week, I turned little Selfie Boy into a punchline. And as for you, Seth, that beating that I gave you last week is going to continue to happen until I get my United States Championship back!” Rollins chuckles and tells “Big Bob” that he had his chance. But instead of a match, he decided it’d be better to take Rollins’ soul from his body. Now, Lashley’s temper got the better of him. It might have to do with that little lose at Crown Jewel. The one to, ahem, BRRROCK! LESNARRR! Oh, and now Mustafa Ali is here!

Ali has a referee with him, what is the Beacon up to? He’s calling out Lashley about the opportunity Lashley cost him! Lashley warns Ali back about the beat down last week paling in comparison to this week. Use your head and make a smart decision. Walk out before Lashley hurts you. Fans boo and then Lashley turns to Rollins. Rollins is sure that’s a good point. But Ali gets in the ring! Lashley ELBOWS Ali, TOSSES him out, and then says that will serve as message to anyone who stands between him and the title Rollins stole from him! But Ali jumps on! Ali fires off hands but Lashley dumps him back out!

Rollins gets to the back since he has the main event to worry about. Lashley says Ali is either stupid or gutsy, but he’s pissing Lashley off. If Ali wants a whooping, Lashley welcomes him to it, but it won’t be pretty. Come get some! Will Ali once again feel the wrath of the All Mighty?

 

Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali!

Raw returns as the bell rings, and Ali DROPKICKS Lashley in the corner! Ali fires off hands but Lashley blocks the whip. Lashley whips Ali hard into the corner and Ali tumbles out of the ring! Lashley goes out after Ali, scoops him and runs, but Ali slips off to POST Lashley! Lashley staggers, Ali runs in, but is thrown intro the timekeeper’s area! Ali gets on the barriers and LEAPS on Lashley! Lashley shifts Ali around to POST him in return! Lashley refreshes the ring count, drags Ali up, and TOSSES him over the announce desk! Lashley leaves Ali behind now, and the ring count climbs. The count passes 5 of 10 but Ali manages to get up!

Ali flounders his way over at 8 of 10, and slides in at 9.5! Ali is still in this but Lashley hauls him up, into the CLIFFHANGER! Ali crawls to the corner and drags himself up. Lashley is annoyed but he fires off hands and stomps away! Lashley runs in, but into an elbow! Ali goes up, leaps, but Lashley catches him! MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley tells Ali to stay down, the ref asks if Ali wants to stop, but Ali refuses to quit! Ali crawls to the ropes and drags himself up again. Lashley sighs as Ali flounders over to him. Lashley hauls Ali up again, for another MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! “Is he done?!”

The ref asks Ali if he wants to stop, but fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Lashley watches Ali drag himself up with the ropes again. Ali is in the corner, and he dares Lashley to bring it! Lashley runs in, but Ali goes up and over! Lashley POSTS himself, and Ali is up on top! FLYING DDT!! Lashley flounders now and fans fire up! Ali gets back to the corner, runs corner to corner, into a SPEAR!! Lashley roars and calls for it! HURT LOCK!! Al is a ragdoll, Lashley wins!

Winner: Bobby Lashley, by referee stoppage

Ali again showed heart, but again it was not enough to topple the mountain of a man that is the All Mighty Lashley. Will Lashley steamroll his way back to the US Championship?

 

Backstage interview with The OC & Mia Yim.

Cathy Kelley asks if they’re at all worried about retaliation from The Judgment Day after last week. AJ Styles says, “Retaliation? Now that we’ve evened the odds? Now that we’ve solved our Rhea problem? Bring it, kiddos.” Gallows says that’s right! But the boys owe the Big LG, he’s why Mia teamed with them. Gallows has a way with the ladies, after all. Uh… Styles changes the subject by saying this whole thing between the OC and Judgment Day needs to come to an end. They’ve been a thorn in Styles’ side since WrestleMania just because he wouldn’t join them! So Styles officially challenges Finn Balor to a match 1v1 at Survivor Series to put this to an end!

Karl Anderson says no doubt Styles will handle business. Just like the toughest woman in the building, “Michan,” will tonight in her return match. Michan? It’s Korean for “Crazy.” But boys, Mia is going to go so the OC can chill in the dojo and have the beers on ice. But first, throw it up! Too SWEET~! Will Mia go michan in her first match back in the WWE?

 

Mia Yim VS Tamina!

The Head Baddie in Charge is back and ready to take over! Will Raw be seeing blue? Or will the Daughter of Superfly ruin the homecoming?

Wait, speaking of Judgment Day, Rhea Ripley & Dominik Mysterio head to ringside to watch this one closely. The bell rings, Tamina CLOBBERS Mia, and then CLUBS away in the corner! The ref counts, Tamina lets off at 4, and runs back in to HIP ATTACK! Tamina drags Mia up, scoops her, and SLAMS her! Rhea is amused but fans taunt Dom, “Whose Your Papi?” Tamina is up top, SUPERFLY FLOPS as Mia moves! Mia aims from the corner, she runs in at Tamina and fires off forearms! Tamina punches but Mia CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS, KICKS! Tamina shoves, Mia dodges the lariat and RANAS!

Tamina ends up in a corner and Mia runs in to BOOT her! Mia roars, wrenches Tamina, whips her corner to corner and forearms! Mia snapmares, KICKS Tamina, KICKS her again, then runs. Tamina ROCKS Mia with an uppercut! Damage Control is watching backstage as Tamina fireman’s carries. Mia slips off, EAT DA FEET! Cover, Mia wins!

Winner: Mia Yim, by pinfall

Rhea is no longer amused as Mia comes out on top. Mia dares Rhea to do something about it, and Rhea creeps up to the apron. Fans rally as Rhea steps inside, but then she steps back outside. The Eradicator says Mia’s not worth her time. But Rhea says Mia better keep her in mind. When and where will these two throw down as part of the OC VS Judgment Day war?

 

Matt Riddle is hitting the bong…os again.

The Bro spots Cathy Kelley and says what up! Cathy says he’s preparing for a match, but she has to ask, where is Elias/ Elias is doing big rockstar things. He’s booking some gigs now that he and Riddle are a band! Riddle is focused on Gable while Elias is focused on tickets, merchandise, y’know, rockstar stuff. But “SHOOOOSH~!” Gable finds Riddle! Bro… Shoosh. Bro! Shoosh! Bro! Shoosh! Bro! Shoosh! Bro! Shoosh! Repeat. SHOOSH!! Enough! Look! The only thing more ridiculous than Riddle & Elias as a band, is the idea of them as a tag team! So tonight, Gable will do to Riddle what Otis did to Elias last week: Put you down, bro. Into the ground! A thank yew~!

Riddle says those guys are lame. But will “Master” Gable be game when he and the Stallion throw down in the ring?

 

Damage Control finds Mia Yim backstage.

Bayley, Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai welcome Mia back to the WWE. That was impressive. No one’s been able to hang with Rhea until now. Thanks. But that makes them wonder how someone as talented as Mia could be forgotten about. They have a lot in common. They also know what it is to be cast aside, forgotten about, and they did something about it and remind people who they are! Mia needs to remind people who Mia is! They can do that as a team at WarGames! Mia appreciates that, but she has no problems with Bianca or her side. Well, maybe Mia should think about it. Just don’t think too long.

But The OC come around and ask “Michan” if things are alright. Yeah, just talking. DMG CTRL heads out. The OC congratulate Mia on the win and they have the beers! Will Mia find herself dragged into the war for the Raw Women’s Division? Or will she stay focused on Rhea and Judgment Day?

 

Matt Riddle VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!

The Drifter did get flattened by the Dozer, but Master Gable did have a part to play. Will the Bro be alright all on his own? Or will he wish he was walking with Elias tonight?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Gable blocks Riddle’s leg pick with a facelock, then he shifts to get the waistlock. Gable then spins Riddle around for a leg pick, roll, and facelock! Gable gator rolls Riddle then waistlocks again. Riddle breaks that to get an arm, but Gable powers Riddle to a corner to stop the double wristlock! The ref counts, Riddle lets off, but Gable throat chops! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Gable says, “A Thank Yew~!” Gable then lifts Riddle for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Gable drags Riddle up, CHOPS him to the corner, then ROCKS him with forearms.

Gable CHOPS again, then gets a leg! DRAGON SCREW! Otis taunts Riddle, “How’s that feel?” Riddle gets up to throw forearms and palm strikes! Riddle kicks but into a DRAGON SCREW! Riddle crawls to a corner, Gable whips him corner to corner, but Riddle goes up and over to KICK Gable down! And then he deadlifts for the gut wrench suplex! Fans fire up and Riddle runs to BROTON, but onto knees! Gable has Riddle in a corner but runs into an elbow! Riddle climbs but Otis pushes the steel steps over! The ref reprimands Otis but Riddle is distracted! Gab le goes up top for a SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX!

Fans are fired up while both men are down! The ref checks Riddle while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Gable has a standing toehold. Riddle endures and fans rally up. Riddle gets a leg free to kick Gable away, but Gable kicks the bad leg out! Gable tells the fans to “SHOOOOSH~!” before he drags Riddle up. Riddle FISHERMAN BUSTERS in return! Both men are down again but fans rally up for Riddle. Riddle and Gable sit up, and Gable shouts, “SHOOSH!” Riddle shouts back, “BRO!” SHOOSH! BRO! SHOOSH! BRO! SHOOSH! The forearms start flying, “SHOOSH!” “BRO!” They stand, fans are with Riddle as he gets the edge and fires off a flurry! BOOT, then a spin and ripcord, FINAL FLASH!

Gable wobbles, Riddle kips up! Riddle runs in to forearm smash! Then side to side for another smash! BROSPLODER! And a BROTON! Riddle runs, Gable ducks the Penalty Kick to roll up! But Riddle rolls through to POWERBOMB! Flip over and FINAL FLASH! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives so it wasn’t that final. But fans rally for “R K O! R K O!” Riddle gut wrenches Gable and tucks, but Gable drops to victory roll and then drag Riddle around! ANKLE LOCK!! Riddle endures again, even as Gable leans on the foot! Riddle rolls to throw Gable, then he JUMPS for a TRIANGLE!! Gable flails, clubs at Riddle, but Riddle holds on!

Gable deadlifts, then slips free to Gut wrench! CLIFFHANGER DDT!! Cover, TWO!?! Riddle survives and Gable is beside himself! He tells Louisville to “SHOOOOSH~!” and then he climbs up the corner. MOONSAULT, but Riddle moves! Riddle sidesteps Gable to put him in the ropes and fans fire up! DRAPING DDT! Riddle hears those voices, bro! Riddle aims but Otis gets on the apron! Riddle DECKS Otis, goes to the apron and PENALTY KICKS him! But Gable drags Riddle in with a waistlock! CHAOS- NO, Riddle slips out! But he runs into a backslide! Gable has his feet on the ropes, Otis hold his feet in place! Gable wins!!!

Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall

The Academy steals another one! Fans boo but the record will say the Academy is 2-0 in the series. Will Elias return to help Riddle win 2v2?

 

Baron Corbin and JBL play cards backstage.

Corbin grins and asks the third guy what he’s got. A pair o’ twos… Oh~, big hand! But Corbin has two Queens and three Kings, and JBL says, “BALL GAME!” Corbin just took this guy for everything! Kentucky bourbon is brought to the table, but JBL says he doesn’t want anything from “a bunch of banjo picking Kentucky hillbillies.” The bourbon is taken away, and Corbin tells the loser to leave. That guy does leave, and JBL says he got them the finest Ugandan preserve prime whiskey. Cheers! Wait, someone new sits at the table. AKIRA TOZAWA!? JBL tells him they’re busy. Akira says he plays poker. Can he even afford to sit at the table?

Akira puts on sunglasses. Has he ever played before? Nope. Does he know any of the rules? Nope. Then his money’s good here! Akira slams down a $20 and we’ll see how it goes!

 

The Miz heads to the ring.

This week’s MizTV is promised to be a genuine, from-the-heart episode as Miz, in his best Mr. Rogers cosplay, will apologize to Dexter Lumis. Will it really be genuine? Or will it be genuine Miz attitude?

Raw returns and Byron Saxton is in the ring with The Miz. Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show and says this will be unlike any before, as he is relinquishing his role as host to Byron. But stay seated, Byron. Instead, Miz is the guest. This is when Byron thanks Miz for joining him. In that case, thank you for joining him. Byron says this is a special edition, but in light of the recent evidence- OH, the hidden camera footage that Johnny Gargano aired last week? Yes. Is Miz sorry that he paid Lumis to attack him? Miz has a prepared statement for that, actually. If he could have absolute silence, he’d appreciate it. Fans boo instead.

Miz puts on his reading glasses while fans boo and jeer. “Ladies and gentlemen, please. This means the world if you could just be quiet for just a little bit so I could finish my statement, and we can move on from all of this. I regret paying Dexter.” So he did pay? Can he please continue!? Miz does regret paying Lumis. But all Miz ever wanted was empathy? Is that too much to ask? He has been here for 18 YEARS, never called a day off, never injured, and even when he was, somehow, someway, he’d still be here and he never got so much as a cheer! Not even a pat on the back! Even when he tried to help Lumis get back on his feet when he was jobless, people were still not on Miz’s side.

Miz has asked for every little. But Lumis… Lumis kept taking and taking until Miz couldn’t see end in sight. That’s why Miz stood up for himself and put a stop to Lumis’ greed! If that’s true, then why did he give a different story to the Hollywood producer who turned out to be a private investigator? Miz was telling her what she wanted to hear! He was putting on a performance so she’d buy his intellectual property! “We know Hollywood. They (the fans) don’t know Hollywood. But in a real city, a big city like Hollywood, they don’t want real, so I had to spin the truth to make it more interesting.

“In reality, ladies and gentlemen, I am just a devoted father, a loving husband, and a man who was cooped up in his bedroom all weekend long because he was depressed and sick about everything that has happened!” Gargano makes his way out here! Fans cheer for Johnny Wrestling and says, “Miz… You weren’t depressed, you were actually vacationing with your family in Cabo.” Oh did Gargano have photographers spy on Miz and take pictures? No, Maryse put it online with pictures on Instagram! Miz wasn’t in them but Gargano is sure he was there, so thanks for confirming another lie. Doing good, Miz.

Miz says he was depressed in his hotel room! Oh stop deflecting! Does Miz wanna know why no one here cares about him? Because he always takes the easy way out! Why would he take the hard way?! Miz never takes the right way. Instead, just hire Lumis into tricking people into liking him! Byron asks Miz if he’d like to respond, but Gargano says Miz would just lie about it anyway. It’s how he got caught up in this mess! He got caught in a lie and stopped paying Lumis. That’s easier than saying the truth. Miz, can you- OH SHUT UP, BYRON! Ask the questions Miz gave you! Oh, is Miz paying Byron now?

Miz says if Gargano wants to talk about the truth, then Gargano should tell everyone why HE’S so involved in all this! Gargano is just doing what Miz was doing, using Miz’s story to get fans to chant, “Johnny Wrestling!” Fans actually do chant, “Johnny Wrestling!” Gargano does love that. But the truth is, Mike, everyone here knows Miz is a compulsive liar. Always have been, always will be, and about literally everything. Starting with that sweater. IT’S A CARDIGAN! Either way, Miz is lying to himself if he thinks he’s pulling that off, Mr. Rogers. To be fair, Mr. Rogers is a good guy. Miz IS a good guy! Miz IS a good guy! No, he’s not.

Y’know what? SORRY! Miz is SORRY! “I’m! SOR! RY!!” Now can we just move on so Miz can be the cornerstone of the WWE and a role model for his children?! He can do that by paying Lumis what he owes! Miz is ready to move on, and Gargano says that’s true. That’s why Gargano talked to the WWE officials. They felt that the hidden camera footage was pretty convincing. So this all comes to an end in two weeks, in this very ring, when The Miz takes on Dexter Lumis! Fans cheer that! And if Lumis wins, Miz has to pay him everything he’s owed, AND he finally gets a WWE contract. Fans like the sound of that, too!

Miz tells Gargano to tell “that deranged psychopath” that this will be the biggest mistake of his life. The next time Miz sees Lumis, there will be no money, no contracts, just lights out and it’ll be AWESOME! Hmm… Well, how about telling him that yourself? Miz turns around, and the cameraman was Lumis all along!! Miz tries to run, he has to ditch his cardigan, and then he makes it to the back! The clock is ticking, will Miz have no choice but to literally put his money where his mouth is?

 

Backstage interview with Shelton Benjamin.

Cathy says he had a confrontation with Austin Theory last week, so what is his reaction to Theory’s failed MITB cash-in? Shelton chuckles but Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio creep over. Dom says Shelton knows all about being a failure. He’s been one since Dom’s “deadbeat dad,” Rey Mysterio was in his prime. And uh, Dom is better than Rey, so that makes Dom way better than Shelton. Shelton tells the “little boy” that he doesn’t have time for this, so just skip down back the hall before Shelton gives him the whooping his dad should’ve. Dom says, “Try me.”

Priest keeps Shelton from hitting Dom now, and tells Shelton to come down. Yeah, calm down! Dom sure is brave hiding behind Priest. But Priest says Shelton should get how the Judgment Day works by now. If you have a problem with Dom, you have a big problem with Priest. Yeah! A serious problem! Shelton says that’s fine, because he wouldn’t mind working on those problems tonight. Alright, then tonight, we settle this in the ring. Yeah, in the ring! Shelton says it’s about time someone taught them a lesson. Shelton accepts DOM’s challenge! “See you in the ring, Junior.” Dom is confused, but he did step in it. Will Dom prove he’s so great going up against the Gold Standard?

Dominik Mysterio w/ The Judgment Day VS Shelton Benjamin!

Raw returns and Shelton Benjamin makes his entrance. The bell rings and Shelton circles with Dom. They tie up, Shelton powers Dom to a corner, but he lets off as the ref counts. Dom SLAPS Shelton! Shelton rushes at Dom but Dom bails out. Fans boo but Dom just soaks up the heat. Dom smirks while Rhea and Priest flank the ring. Shelton is distracted, Dom slides in and CLOBBERS Shelton from behind! Dom CLUBS and punches Shelton to a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Dom gives some Latino Heat, but Shelton ROCKS Dom with haymakers! Dom staggers and Shelton SLAPS him down!

Rhea is upset and Dom is backing up. Shelton whips Dom to ropes but Dom kicks back! Shelton just CLOBBERS Dom! Shelton drags Dom up, whips him to ropes but Dom holds ropes and bails out again. The ref starts the ring count while Rhea and Priest back Dom up. Shelton still storms out, but Dom slips away to the other side. Dom slides into the ring, kicks Shelton low, then goes to suplex. Shelton blocks to snap suplex Dom! Dom BOOTS from the corner, but then Shelton glares at him! Dom wants mercy! Shelton drags Dom up but Dom JAWBREAKERS! Shelton staggers, Dom runs in, but Shelton puts him on the apron.

Dom HOTSHOTS Shelton away! Fans boo but Dom gives more Latino Heat. Dom slingshot sentons in! Dom stomps away on Shelton, rains down fists, and Rhea swings a rally towel of sorts. Dom lets off as the ref counts, and Dom soaks up all the heat. Fans boo, Dom continues to give Latino Heat. Dom drags Shelton up but Shelton ROCKS him! And ROCKS him! And whips him to ropes! Dom goes up to RANA! Dom wants Shelton to get up, and he hops on to wheelbarrow Shelton to ropes! Dom dials it up, but Shelton scoops Dom! POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Dom gets to a corner. Shelton runs in to STEP-UP KNEE!

Shelton brings Dom out to EXPLODER! Dom flounders out of the ring and Priest is there to help him up. Shelton storms right out and puts Dom in the ring. Shelton says, “No problem.” Priest and Rhea glare at Shelton, but Dom rolls Shelton up! TWO!! ANKLE LOCK! Shelton leans on the hold as Dom flails around, but Rhea distracts the ref! Priest helps Dom get the ROPEBREAK! Fans boo, but Shelton drags Dom away! Shelton warns Priest, but then Dom POSTS Shelton! Dom brings Shelton around for a DDT! Shelton is in the drop zone, and Dom goes up top! One more Latino Heat before the FROG SPLASH! Cover, Dom wins!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall

The Judgment Day gets another huge assist as they help Dom pin another big name in the WWE! Will Judgment Day continue to do whatever they want to whoever they want? Will Finn Balor keep this momentum going as he goes for gold in the main event?

 

Backstage interview with Austin Theory.

Cathy introduces him as the former Mr. Money in the Bank, and Theory is a bit upset by that. Cathy was going to allow him to tell us his side of things during the failed cash-in. Aw, she’s so sweet. But Theory takes a moment before he says, “Nobody understands me. Nobody understands the pressure I’m under, and everybody just thinks that I’m made for this because of the way I look. Because of my athleticism, because of these so-called handed-out opportunities. They have no idea what the full story is.”

Theory was touted as the next big thing, and he proved that day one! He exceeded that expectation! He outgrew the ceiling of being the next big thing and became the face of a franchise. People still hate on him to this day because of that! Why? Because they can’t relate. The whole world looks at a person like him and wants to see him fail, fall short, but that’s not gonna happen. For Theory, when he thinks about last Monday, they say he failed but they’re wrong! Theory feels more alive than he ever has. Let’s talk about that briefcase, that MITB contract. It was an anchor on Theory!

Just look at Roman Reigns! No one’s been able to touch him these last two YEARS! No one. And has Roman looked vulnerable? Well, when he does, which is rarely, he has The Bloodline. Look at Theory’s previous attempts! SummerSlam: Brock Lesnar was in the way. Clash at the Castle: Tyson Fury was in the way. And if they weren’t,, the Bloodline certainly would’ve been. Roman Reigns is unstoppable, and that scenario of Theory cashing in on Roman doesn’t exist. So what did Theory do? What did he realize the best next thing? Going after one of the greatest champions of this past decade in Seth Rollins.

And where was Rollins? On his back! Theory had Rollins beat with A-Town Down, but Lashley mauled Theory like a madman. If not for Lashley, Theory would be the TWO-TIME US Champion, and the man who pulled off the greatest cash- “Worst. Cash-in. Ever.” Dolph Ziggler says Theory is coming up with all these excuses. If Ziggler ever gets a traffic ticket, he’ll know who to call. But a couple months ago, Ziggler offered his help. Tried to show Theory things no one showed Ziggler. But for some reason, Theory’s failed cash-in… Ziggler would know, because he was there for the best one. Theory’s ego is just too big, it didn’t wanna listen.

Theory tells Ziggler he’s sick of people talking down to him like he’s a kid. Theory is done being the youngest this and the youngest that, the future, the next big thing, and someone’s protégé. Theory is the NOW. And he’ll prove that in the ring to show he has no more excuses. Ziggler says, “Sure thing, kid.” Will Theory show everyone that he’s no longer waiting his turn, and that his time is now?

 

Iyo Sky w/ Damage CTRL VS Dana Brooke!

Nikki Cross follows Bayley and Dakota Kai as they accompany the Evil Genius to the ring! Will Sky be soaring this close to Survivor Series: WarGames? Or will the Flex Appeal avenge the WWE 24/7 Championship?

Raw returns as Dana makes her entrance. The bell rings and Dana rushes Sky with forearms! Sky shoves Dana way, Dana rolls her up, TWO! Dana gets around, waistlocks and SLAMS Sky, then she drags her back up. Sky swings elbows but Dana ducks them! Sky reaches back to headlock then throw down elbows! Sky runs and HOTSHOTS Dana, to then DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Fans boo but Sky springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Sky kips up and fans fire up as she watches Dana. Dana sits up and Sky CLUBS and stomps her down! Sky drags Dana up, whips her to a corner, then runs in to back elbow!

Sky throws more elbows, then trips Dana up! Sky digs her boots into Dana, lets off at 4 and DOUBLE KNEES her! Kai & Bayley cheer but fans boo. Sky drags Dana up but Dana blocks the suplex! Sky CLUBS Dana, drags her up again, and whips, but Dana blocks! Dana ROCKS Sky, Sky ROCKS Dana, repeat! Fans fire up as the forearms fly and Dana gets the edge! Dana whips, Sky reverses and scoops, but Dana tilt-o-whirl headscissors! But Sky handsprings through! And FLAPJACKS Dana down! Sky steps on Dana, goes to the ropes, and LIONSAULTS, but Dana moves! Dana kicks low, reels Sky in, DDT! Cover, TWO!

DMG CTRL is concerned but Dana is furious. Dana handsprings in, but into a waistlock! Sky GERMAN SUPLEXES Dana down! Dana flounders to the corner, Sky roars and runs in, SHINKANSEN! Dana is down in the drop zone, Sky goes up top, and goes OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Sky wins!

Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall

DMG CTRL celebrates the victory, and Nikki even kicks Dana out of the ring. But wait, Mia Yim makes her way out? She calls out DMG CTRL and says she knows they’ve been waiting for an answer. Miz was thinking real hard about the offer for WarGames. Honestly, they’re right. WarGames is a fight where everyone has to pick a side. And Mia just picked hers. Bayley smiles, but Mia smiles, too. Because here comes BIANCA BELAIR! And Asuka, and Alexa Bliss! The HBIC is Team EST! That’s four and four now, who will each side get for their fifths?

 

We check back in with the poker game.

And Akira Tozawa is raking it in!! JBL and Corbin even lost their hats! What’s Akira laughing at? It’s just 12 hands in a row, that’s no big deal. Corbin goes all in right now on this hand! What’s Akira got? No, no…! THREE COWBOYS, YEEHAW~! Well, Corbin has three aces! But he doesn’t show the hand. Akira stops Corbin, and reveals JACK SQUAT! CHEATER!!! JBL says fine, but they’re not done until Corbin says they’re done. Akira says no more money. Let’s step outside. What? A duel? No! A match! In the ring! No tricks. Akira offers a handshake, Corbin reaches out, but Tozawa slaps it away! Tozawa then snatches all the money away! Will Corbin at least win back his dignity?

 

Austin Theory VS Dolph Ziggler!

Even more shocking than cashing in on the US title and failing, Theory has NO SMARTPHONE! He’s not taking selfies on his way to the ring, the “now” of WWE is all business! But will now truly be his time? Or is it only the future in theory?

Raw returns as Ziggler makes his entrance. The bell rings and Theory and Ziggler circle. They feel things out, fans chant, “That Was Stupid!” but Theory facelocks. Ziggler trips Theory into a corner, but lets off as Theory gets the ropes. Theory gets up, ties up with Ziggler, and headlocks. Ziggler powers out but Theory runs him over! Theory runs, Ziggler hurdles but into a fireman’s carry! Ziggler sips off but Theory blocks the superkick! Theory spins Ziggler to DECK him! Theory talks trash, that didn’t change. Theory stomps Ziggler, talks more trash, and he headlocks. Theory bumps Ziggler off buckles, then scoops to a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Ziggler rolls to ropes but Theory stalks him. Theory drags Ziggler up, CHOKES him on the ropes, and he talks more trash! “Show me something!” Theory lets off as the ref counts, fans boo, and Ziggler sputters. Theory drags Ziggler up but Ziggler throws body shots! Ziggler throws haymakers, runs, but Theory ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Theory rains down fists, covers, ONE!! Theory is frustrated and he chinlocks. Theory grinds Ziggler down, fans rally for Ziggler, and Ziggler fights up, only for Theory to throw him down by his hair! Theory rains down more fists, and he lets off in a huff.

Theory drags Ziggler back up, but Ziggler JAWBREAKERS! Ziggler ROCKS Theory, then SPALSHES in the corner! Ziggler rains down fists, but stops at 4. Theory pushes Ziggler away, Ziggler comes back, but Theory stops the satellite DDT! Theory blocks another superkick and spins Ziggler around to back suplex! Ziggler lands on his feet but Theory LARIATS him down! Theory snarls, drags Ziggler up, and POSTS him! Fans boo but Theory is fuming as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Ziggler fires haymakers on Theory! Fans fire up as Ziggler rains down fists in the corner, at high speed! Ziggler gets TEN, then he drags Theory into a NECKBREAKER! Theory stagger sup into the SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Both men are down and fans rally up as they stir. Ziggler grabs Theory for a facelock, he brings Theory up, but Theory ROCKS Ziggler! Ziggler jumps, but Theory catches the legs to CATAPULT Ziggler! But Ziggler lands safe on the corner! Only for Theory to JUMP and CLUB him on the back! Theory then brings Ziggler back into a torture rack, for TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up but Theory snarls as Ziggler survives. Theory calls his shot now, and he brings Ziggler up as fans boo. Fireman’s carry, A TOWN- NO! Ziggler gets a SLEEPER!! Ziggler is a backpack and fans fire up as Theory turns red! Theory fades, drops to a knee, but Theory snarls and gets a second wind! Theory RAMS Ziggler into buckles! But Ziggler holds on! Ziggler thrashes around, but Theory rolls! Ziggler stays clamped on, but Theory keeps moving around! Theory powers his way up, pries the hold open and THROWS Ziggler off! Ziggler stagger sup, but he KNEES Theory in the head! And then hits a FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!!

Ziggler is beside himself as Theory survives! Fans rally up while both men are down. Ziggler crawls after Theory as Theory crawls to ropes. Theory is in the ropes, the ref counts and Ziggler lets off. Theory hits a cheap back elbow! Theory drags Ziggler up to POST Ziggler again! Theory is glaring daggers at Ziggler as he drags him back in. Fans boo but Theory sneers as he tells Ziggler, “I’m a kid, huh? I’m the kid?” He POSTS Ziggler again, and even harder! Theory shakes his head because he’s not done with Ziggler. Theory brings Ziggler around again, takes aim, but Ziggler POSTS Theory! ZIGZAG!!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Louisville can’t believe Theory survives Ziggler’s best shot! Ziggler and Theory stir, and Ziggler slowly rises. “This is Awesome!” and Ziggler pounds the mat to fire himself back up. Ziggler goes to the corner, tunes up the band, and SUPER- FOREARM from Theory!! Fireman’s carry, A TOWN DOWN! But Theory doesn’t cover? Theory is letting the rage build, and he hauls Ziggler up again! ANOTHER A TOWN DOWN!! And still no cover?! Theory rains down fists from all sides! The ref has Theory stop and Ziggler flops out of the ring. Theory has a wild look in his eyes now as he goes out after Ziggler! He RAMS Ziggler into steel steps!

Theory storms around ringside, he tears the steel steps apart, and it clips Ziggler in the head! Theory drags Ziggler back up, the ref tells Theory to stop this, but Theory SMACKS Ziggler off the announce desk! Fans boo but Theory asks Ziggler, “Who’s the kid?! Who’s the kid?!” He dribbles Ziggler off the desk! The ref calls for the bell!!

Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by disqualification

Theory doesn’t let the bell stop his rage! He TOSSES Ziggler into the timekeeper’s area! And he SLAM DUNKS chairs down on Ziggler! And he even grabs Corey Graves’ armchair to SLAM it onto Ziggler!! Theory is tearing everything apart, then he rains down more fists on Ziggler! The officials rush out to stop this! Theory is ushered away from Ziggler but he’s still fuming all around ringside. Only to go back for more!! Theory wants to tear Ziggler apart but the officials drag him away! “I’m a kid, huh?! I ain’t a damn kid!” Theory storms off as Louisville is thunderous with boos! Will Theory the man unleash this rage #AllDay?

 

DMG CTRL regroups backstage.

Except for Nikki, they’re all concerned about Mia joining Bianca’s team. Who’re they gonna get as a fifth? But then in walks Rhea Ripley. “Yeah, there’s no need to keep looking. Because if Mia’s on Bianca’s side, then I’m on yours. Now does anyone have a problem with that?” Nope! Good. Let’s go to war. DMG CTRL hit the jackpot! But now, who will Bianca get as a response to the Eradicator?

 

Akira Tozawa VS Baron Corbin w/ JBL!

The Stamina Monster won big at the poker table, but now he’s looking to win big in the squared circle. Will Tozawa take Corbin for all he’s worth in and out of the ring? Or will he suffer the wrath of the Modern Day Wrestling God?

The bell rings and Corbin ties up with Tozawa. Corbin puts Tozawa in the corner, smothers him, but the ref counts. Corbin lets off, smirks, but Tozawa KICKS him! And KICKS, spins, slides under, and SPIN KICKS! Corbin staggers and Tozawa fires up! Tozawa fires fast hands and then whips, but Corbin reverses to run Tozawa over. Fans taunt “BUM ASS CORBIN” as he choke grips Tozawa! CHOKE- DDT!! Tozawa turns things around then hurries up top! Tozawa MISSILIE DROPKICKS Corbin down! Cover, ONE!! Corbin gets up and JBL coaches him, but Tozawa throws hands in the corner. Tozawa whips, Corbin reverses but runs into boots!

Tozawa goes up, and calls Corbin out for being a “CHEATER~!” FLYING RANA! Fans fire up and Tozawa builds speed to DIVE! The tope sends Corbin into barriers! Fans fire up and Corbin gets in the ring. Tozawa hurries back in but Corbin bails out. Tozawa and JBL argue, Tozawa DIVES, but Corbin RAMS him into the barriers! Both men are down but Corbin drags himself up as the ring count starts. Corbin RAMS Tozawa into more barriers, throws big haymakers and KNEES, then he CLUBS Tozawa right in front of fans. Corbin puts Tozawa in the ring at 6 of 10, rolls in at 7, but Tozawa dropkicks the legs out!

Tozawa runs, and he RANAS again! Tozawa runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Fans fire up as Corbin is down! Tozawa climbs up, but Corbin stands, Tozawa FLYING SENTONS! Tozawa hurries back up top but JBL glare at him. Tozawa leaps, but into Corbin’s arms! END OF DAYS! Cover, Corbin wins!

Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall

Or as JBL says, “BALL GAME!” Corbin may have lost a considerable amount of money, but he makes it up by getting the winner’s purse! Will Corbin continue to make JBL proud and prove he IS the Modern Day Wrestling God?

 

Backstage interview with Bianca, Mia, Alexa & Asuka.

Cathy is with Team EST to ask their reaction to Rhea joining Team Bayley as the fifth and final member? Bianca says, “Rhea’s definitely a problem, no doubt. But Michan ain’t nothing to play with, either.” And if their team looks this good with just four, just wait for the fifth. Well, Cathy has breaking news for next week: One member from each team will compete to determine the numbers advantage in WarGames. Do they have an idea as to who is competing for Team EST? Bianca says they’re not going to let the secret out here. But Bianca says she would love to lead the team to that advantage, but so would everyone here.

And to get that advantage is huge, so this decision is not being taken lightly. However, Bianca will tell us this: “No matter who they throw at us, we gone represent. Because we are the roughest, the toughest, the baddest team in this fight. And while all those other girls are all about games, we’re about war.” Team EST heads out, and the Alpha Academy step in. Gable says, “Esqueeze me. Have you forgotten to interview tonight’s big winner, Master Gable? The man who single-handedly put down Matt Riddle just one week after my number one guy, Otis, put down Elias?” Otis adds it was “Easy peasy.”

Gable asks, “Could you imagine the pure carnage that would result if they ever stepped to us as a team?” It’d be like another victory on a silver platter! Yes please, a thank yew~! Rollins walks by, singing his own song, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Then he does a “SHOO~ OOO~ OOOOSH~!” remix. Clearly, Rollins is ready for the main event. Speaking of…

 

Finn Balor is at gorilla.

Byron walks over to ask him that, before this match tonight, any response to Styles’ challenge for a match at Survivor Series? “Byron, what sorta question is that? Of course I accept! Does AJ Styles even know who I am?! Ask Edge, he’ll tell ya. Ask Rey Mysterio, he’ll tell ya. But AJ Styles, that’s for Survivor Series. Tonight is about Seth Rollins. Me and Seth have a lot of unfinished business, and I’m about to remind Seth exactly who I am. I am Finn Balor, and I am fitting to go out there and become the NEW United States Champion.” The Prince is ready! Will he settle that golden debt with The Visionary?

WWE United States Championship: Seth Rollins VS Finn Balor!

Universal Championship, Intercontinental Championship, and now United States Championship, this is a golden trilogy a long time coming! Will Finn take this title and make it reeeeeal~? Or will the Visionary, the Revolutionary, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins, stay atop the mountain of Monday nights?

Raw returns and Rollins makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if this is still Monday Night Rollins!

The bell rings and fans sing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Rollins and Finn circle, feel things out, and tie up. Finn waistlocks, Rollins laughs as he wrenches free to an ELBOW BREAKER. Rollins wristlocks but Finn rolls, trips Rollins and gets a headlock. Rollins headscissors, Finn kips free, and the two stand off. Fans applaud and rally up for Rollins. Rollins smirks as he and Finn circle and feel things out again. They double knuckle lock, Finn shoots in to waistlock and SLAM Rollins down. Finn facelocks, Rollins rolls but Finn stays with him. Finn rear mounts, Rollins switches and gets an arm. Rollins says, “That’s right,” as he grinds the arm.

Finn fights up, he arm-drags free and then headlocks. Rollins endures as Finn pushes up into an almost Bully Choke. Rollins moves around, Finn holds on with a headlock, but Rollins powers up. Finn holds on tight as Rollins tries to power out. Finn hits the headlock takeover, Rollins rolls it to a cover, ONE and Finn holds on. Fans rally for Rollins as he endures, then feels around. Rollins fights up, powers out, then drops. Finn ducks but Rollins ELBOWS him down! Finn staggers around, Rollins throws Finn out, and Rollins PLANCHAS! Direct hit and down goes Finn! Fans fire up with Rollins, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn is in the corner. Rollins goes corner to corner to forearm smash! Finn flounders while fans fire up, and Rollins stalks him along the ropes. But Finn wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and then stomps away on Rollins at the ropes! The ref counts, Finn stops at 4, and Rollins bails out of the ring. Finn hurries out after him to bring Rollins to the desk. But Rollins blocks the bump off the desk to SMACK Finn off it instead! Finn crawls away, Rollins stalks after him, and the ring count climbs. Rollins headlocks Finn, but Finn RAMS Rollins into the desk! The corner gets Rollins in the ribs!

The ring count is 7 of 10 as Rollins hobbles away. Rollins and Finn slide in at 8, and Finn stomps away at the ropes again! Finn digs his heel in each time, but he stops as the ref counts. Finn mocks Rollins’ usual swagger, then he brings Rollins up to whip. Finn KNEES Rollins against ropes, then whips him the other way for another KNEE! Finn snarls, he whips Rollins again, and he kitchen sink knees! Cover, ONE!! Rollins grits his teeth while clutching his ribs, but Finn hip drops Rollins down! Finn soaks up the heat as fans boo, and he snapmares Rollins to CLUB him on the back. Finn clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Rollins down.

Fans rally, Rollins fights up, and he JAWBREAKERS free! Rollins CHOPS, whips, but Finn reverses and slips around to have a cobra twist! Rollins endures the abdominal stretch as Finn digs his elbow into the ribs. Rollins endures, fans rally, and Rollins powers up to power out! Rollins hip tosses Finn down! Finn gets up but Rollins counter punches! And again! And again! Rollins CHOPS! ROCKS! CHOPS! Repeat! Rollins whips, Finn reverses again but Rollins kicks him away! Rollins runs to KNEE Finn out of the ring! And then Rollins DIVES! Direct hit and now Finn hits the desk! Fans fire up as Rollins nods his head!

Rollins puts Finn back in the ring as fans sing, “OH~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Springboard FLYING KNEE! Finn flounders back up, into a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Rollins keeps cool, he knows Finn is tough. Fans continue to sing and Rollins goes to the corner. Rollins aims, runs in, but Finn SLINGBLADES! Finn snarls, runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Rollins hurries to a corner as Finn goes down! Rollins is up top, for a FROG SPLASH, onto knees!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins escapes the cradle and Finn can’t believe it, but Raw goes to break!

Raw returns once again and Rollins endures as Finn CLUBS him against ropes. Finn then fires off on Rollins while he’s in the ropes, but stops as the ref counts 4. Finn runs side to side, but Rollins dodges to trip Finn up! Rollins drags Finn up, and Finn knows what this feels like! Finn flails and pops free of the powerbomb! He SHOTGUNS Rollins into the barriers! Finn puts Rollins back in, climbs up top, and he takes aim for CUOP DE- NO, Rollins move! But Finn avoids the curb stomp! Rollins kicks low, hooks the arms, but Finn back drops free! Rollins sunset flips, TWO, into a deadlift POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans fire up as both men are still in this! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins stands and goes back up the corner. PHOENIX SPLASH, but Finn moves! SHOTGUN again, and Rollins hits buckles! Finn fires up and hurries to the corner! Finn climbs, but Rollins trips him up! The Prince is stuck on his throne, and Rollins climbs up after him. Rollins brings Finn up, for the SUPERPLEX! And roll through, to FALCON- NO, Finn slips out to 1916!! Cover, TWO!?! Rollins survives but Finn is too sore to be frustrated. Finn grits his teeth, he throws knees into Rollins’ ribs, and then CLUBS away on the lower back!

The ref has Finn stop so he can check Rollins. Rollins slowly sits up but Finn drags him up. Rollins kicks low and hooks the arms! But Finn trips Rollins! Rollins avoids the double stomps to kick and try again! Finn slips off the bomb but Rollins FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO!! Rollins growls and fans fire up again. “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” Rollins aims from the corner again, but the Judgment Day rush out! Dom gets on the apron but Rollins DECKS him! But Finn rolls Rollins! TWO!! ROLLING ELBOW from Rollins, and then the DREAM SMASHER! Priest gets up but gets away before Rollins can hit him! Finn trips Rollins for the DOUBLE STOMP!

Finn fires up, fans boo, but The OC rush out! They take the fight to the Judgment Day! Finn is distracted, he sees Gallows, Anderson and Mia! Dom and Karl spill into the ring and Dom wants mercy! Karl clotheslines Dom out of the ring instead! But then Finn clotheslines Karl! Mia and Rhea brawl in the timekeeper’s area! Priest throws Gallows into the barriers, then he POUNCES Karl over the desk! Gallows ROCKS Priest with an uppercut, then THROWS him into the crowd! Finn focuses, and he SHOTGUNS Rollins back down! Finn hurries up top, Dom distracts the ref, but STYLES appears! Styles shoves Finn off the top!!

Fans cheer as The OC get one over on Finn! But Priest comes back for more! Priest brawls with Gallows, Styles joins in, but Dom rushes over there! They brawl into the crowd, and the fans are loving it! As for Rollins, he runs at Finn, CURB STOMP!! Cover, Rollins wins!

Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)

BUT THEORY ATTACKS! Theory wants payback on Rollins, and he fireman’s carries to hit A TOWN DOWN! Rollins flops out of the ring but Theory’s rage is still going! He RAMS Rollins into the steel steps! And then dribble shim off the desk! And again! And again! And RAMS him into the apron! And POSTS him! The ref tries to stop Theory but he keeps raining down fists on Rollins! Theory puts Rollins back in the ring, drags him back up, and he fireman’s carries for another A TOWN DOWN!! Fans boo but Theory holds up the US Championship. Theory aims at Rollins as he staggers to his feet, BELT SHOT!!

Fans are thunderously booing like they were earlier tonight as Theory stands over Rollins with the belt held high. Will Theory be the future United States Champion? And what of Bobby Lashley’s claim to the title? Will Rollins be able to survive this series of challengers?


My Thoughts:

A really good episode of Raw, but it sure took some time to rev up. It felt promo heavy, and that’s never good for any wrestling program. I will say that we at least got some good promos to move stories along. For one, pretty good MizTV segment. Miz was so obvious with how fake he was being, so of course Gargano called him out on that. And Lumis revealing himself as the cameraman feels familiar, but that was great stuff. I figured this was going to settle with both money and WWE contract on the line, and I would think Lumis wins. Good promo from Riddle and Gable, but an even better match. And it seems they’re setting up the tag team blow-off, that has to be the moment Elias smashes Riddle with his guitar to return to being a Heel.

Real good stuff out of the Women’s Division, though maybe a bit lopsided. Good promo from The OC as a group, Styles challenging Finn to a 1v1 for Survivor Series is part of what I expected, but it doesn’t really account for keeping the factions out of it. Priest & Dom VS Good Brothers should be a thing so we can get just Finn VS Styles at the PPV. Maybe that can happen as part of the go-home next week, so we can see Priest & Dom work as a duo. But back to Mia, of course she was going to win her return match, but I feel like Rhea walking out there and showing us DMG CTRL watching was a lot at once, kind of took away from Mia’s win.

Sky VS Dana was good stuff, and for a moment I thought Dana was going to join Team EST. Mia joining Bianca’s team instead to then motivate Rhea to join DMG CTRL’s side all made sense, even though I don’t think they needed to. I suppose it does help tie up a lot of stories together instead of having Mia VS Rhea as a separate match somewhere. But I think that leaves Team EST’s fifth spot to be the “surprise” that is Candice LeRae. She got beat up by DMG CTRL, she’ll want payback on them just as much as Bianca, Asuka & Alexa. And this saves big returns like Becky’s, or even Sasha & Naomi, for the next phase of DMG CTRL’s story to take us to Royal Rumble.

Good promo from Shelton, Priest and Dom, with Dom playing his part perfectly as the small fry with the big ego hiding behind the big guy. Shelton VS Dom was a good match, but of course Judgment Day cheats to win that. I’m curious as to HHH’s plans for Shelton, and even Cedric Alexander, as we’re suddenly seeing them on TV again. Maybe Hurt Business reunion? Lashley VS Ali was a great first match of the night, though it seemed like a rehash of the last time these two faced off. Ali is meant to be facing Ricochet on SmackDown, maybe they use this match here as kayfabe reason for swapping someone else into the SmackDown World Cup.

Speaking of that opening, Rollins had a great promo to kick things off, and he has a point that he’s making the US title a big deal again. And while he hasn’t changed his swagger from when he was Heel Visionary, Rollins is making the pivot into Face Visionary, and fans love it.  Theory and Ziggler had a good promo to set up their match, and it was a great match. Theory showing off his rage was great stuff, even if it wasn’t the way I saw this going. Finn VS Rollins was awesome stuff, worthy of the main event and worthy of making the US title feel big.

The Judgment Day and OC brawling during this made some sense, but it also seemed to protect Finn in the loss, or perhaps made Rollins look weaker, depending on how you look at it. Lashley helped Rollins survive last week, the factions did that this week, Rollins needs to win on his own to really solidify himself. Theory attacking Rollins to close out the show does help double down on Theory’s new Heel edge and Rollins being Face. I was surprised Lashley didn’t come back for his own pound of flesh, but maybe the go-home decides who is challenging Rollins next. Though as I say that, Theory VS Lashley would be too hard to call after what we just saw out of Theory. Maybe just make it a Triple Threat?

My Score: 8.5/10


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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; wins and advance to WrestleMania.
  • Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

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?

 

 


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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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