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Mitchell’s NXT Deadline Results & Report! (12/10/22)

The clock is ticking!

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NXT Deadline

Who will be the inaugural Iron Survivors?

For the first time ever, it’s NXT Deadline! And also for the first time ever, there will be TWO Iron Survivor Challenges to determine NEW #1 contenders to the NXT and NXT Women’s Championships!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Indi Hartwell VS Roxanne Perez VS Cora Jade VS Kiana James VS Zoey Stark; Roxanne wins and will challenge Mandy Rose for the NXT Women’s Championship.
  • Alba Fyre VS Isla Dawn; Dawn wins.
  • NXT Tag Team Championships: Pretty Deadly VS The New Day; The New Day wins and become the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
  • Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: JD McDonagh VS Joe Gacy VS Grayson Waller VS Carmelo Hayes VS Axiom; Waller wins and will challenge for the NXT Championship.
  • NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Apollo Crews; Bron wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the NXT Deadline Kickoff Show!

Join McKenzie Mitchell, Sam Roberts and Denise Salcedo in discussing, analyzing and predicting this historic night!

 

Backstage interview with Roxanne Perez.

Kelly Kincaid says a drawing to determine the Iron Survivor Challenge order was held. Roxie says if she’s gonna win, she’ll have to be the Iron Woman, she drew NUMBER ONE! She doesn’t know what everyone else got, but being number one means she only has a few minutes to mentally prepare. Her tone makes her sound unhappy. She’s not happy or sad. No one knows what the best position is because this is a brand new match type, so she just has to get in the zone. Zoey Stark walks over and says, “That’s right, Roxanne. Get into that zone, because for 25 minutes, I’ll be in yours, because I drew number two. I hope you enjoy being in that Penalty Box.”

The Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge opens the night, will either The Prodigy or the Hunter make it to the end?

 

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams crash the Kickoff show via video chat.

Trick has everyone stop here. They’re all talking, but these picks hold about as much worth as a sandy dollar in a windy day. The only money to talk about is #MoneyMelo. Put your DraftKings money on Melo, and then celebrate like the Trick Melo Gang’s gonna celebrate as Melo walks out THE Iron Survivor. The others weren’t born for greatness like Melo. The year 2022 was the Year of Melo, no debate! This Iron Survivor Challenge is no challenge to Melo! And as for that NXT Championship match, it is already written. What is meant for Melo will be. Sam wants to ask Melo his order of entry. Uh, when his music hits! Melo & Trick head out, but is Melo gonna make his shot no matter when he enters?

 

Kiana James prepares for tonight.

Gina lets her know that everything is in place. Good, good. She is in the perfect position to win this match. Brooks Jensen walks in, Gina steps up but Kiana has her stand down. Jensen keeps his eyes politely up… at the ceiling. What’s he staring at? She has a match to get ready for! Right, sorry, he just wanted to thank her for the tickets, and he knows she’s gonna kill it out there. Thanks. Good talk. Jensen says he’ll go so she can stretch. But then she notices the roses. Oh, yes, here they are. And then Jensen turns around. Kiana has him hold on. Next time she sees him, wear a shirt that fits. Right! He’ll burn this one right away! Jensen heads out, will he make a better impression next time?

 

Backstage interview with JD McDonagh.

Kelly asks him what he’s doing. He says he’s studying. Studying what? How to hurt people. He’s always looking for new ways to inflict pain. Especially tonight. He doesn’t have just one body to toy with, but four! And did you hear? Axiom got his wish: he and JD start as #1 and #2! And JD will make Axiom live to regret it.

 

What is the value of time?

For ten gladiators, time is priceless. “But as time marches forward, just whose vision will be tinted in gold? As the clock ticks towards a new year, is it the dawn of a new day in NXT? Tonight, two Iron Survivors will rise. Tonight, the Deadline is upon us, and the time is now!” History will be made, but by who?

 

Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge: Indi Hartwell VS Roxanne Perez VS Cora Jade VS Kiana James VS Zoey Stark!

Twenty five minutes, competitors added once every five minutes, and most falls wins! If you take a fall, you gotta cool off in a Penalty Box for a crucial 90 seconds! With all this on their minds, who will make it to the end and be the NEW #1 contender to Mandy Rose’s NXT Women’s Championship?

As we learned from the kickoff show, Roxanne Perez is the first and Zoey Stark is the second! The bell rings and we’re on the clock! Fans rally for Roxie as she circles with Zoey. They tie up, go around, and Zoey headlocks. Roxie powers out but Zoey runs her over. Cover, ONE, but Zoey wrenches to a wristlock. Zoey YANKS the arm, YANKS it again, and fans duel. Zoey wrenches again, Roxie cartwheels to headscissor and EURO CLUTCH! TWO, and Zoey backs off. Roxie smirks as she and Zoey reset past the first minute mark. They circle and tie up again, and they go around again. Zoey puts Roxie in a corner, then brings her out.

Zoey wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER, and then another! Zoey wrenches to hammerlock but Roxie reaches back. Roxie pries free to get Zoey with a headlock. Zoey powers up but Roxie thrashes the hold. Zoey powers up but can’t power out as Roxie holds tight! Fans duel, Zoey fights up and powers out. They RAM shoulders, but Zoey grins and brushes that off. Roxie runs, handsprings over Zoey, then does a bow. Zoey swings but into a backslide! Zoey fights it off, we’re at two and a half minutes. Zoey and Roxie fight for control, Roxie almost has Zoey but Zoey powers back up. Zoey whips, Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl roll-up! TWO!

Roxie ghost pins, TWO! LA MAGISTROL! TWO! Roxie arm-drags Zoey down and grinds the arm! Fans continue to duel as Zoey knees free and waistlocks to SLAM Roxie down. Zoey rolls Roxie to a bridge, TWO! Zoey holds onto Roxie, drags her up, but Roxie pries the hold. Zoey headlocks, wrenches, and whips Roxie hard into a corner! Zoey whips Roxie in hard again, then whips her again! Zoey scoops and SLAMS, covers, TWO! We’re at four minutes, Zoey clamps onto Roxie with a chinlock. Fans rally as Roxie endures and fights her way up. Roxie throws elbows, but Zoey CLUBS her on the neck!

Zoey whips Roxie to a corner, but Roxie goes up and over and arm-drags Zoey again! Float over and cover, TWO! But Roxie keeps on the arm! Fans rally, Zoey fights up and pulls hair to whip away. The countdown is here, Roxie wheelbarrows but Zoey blocks that, only for Roxie to drag Zoey down to a cover! TWO, and here comes KIANA JAMSE! Kiana KNEES Roxie, throws her out but Roxie avoids the haymaker. Kiana elbows Roxie but Zoey CLUBS Kiana. Zoey back suplexes but Kiana makes it a sunset flip, TWO! Kiana blocks a superkick but Zoey ELBOWS her back! Zoey reels Kiana in, for a HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Kiana lands on her feet! ENZIGURI! Cover, Roxie breaks it!

Kiana CLUBS Roxie, fireman’s carries, but Roxie fights! Roxie waistlocks but Kiana bucks it to run Roxie over! Kiana pie faces Roxie, “What is your problem?!” Kiana whips but Roxie blocks! Kiana ROCKS Roxie with a forearm, whips her to ropes, but Roxie blocks the hip toss! Kiana body shots hard, fireman’s carries, but Zoey DROPKICKS them both down! Fans fire up while Kiana is on a cover, TWO as Zoey drags her away. Zoey SUPERKICKS Kiana down! Zoey aims but Roxie dodges the superkick to roll-up! TWO, and Roxie UPPERCUTS Zoey down! We’re at seven minutes as Roxie UPPERCUTS Zoey again!

Fans fire up as Roxie whips Zoey to a corner. Roxie runs in but is put on the apron! GAMANGIRI from Zoey sends Roxie tumbling down! Fans fire up as Zoey storms up on Kiana. Kiana elbows Zoey, whips her to ropes, but Zoey slides to WRECK Roxie! Zoey trips Kiana, drags Roxie up, and Zoey CLUBS Roxie before she SMACKS her off the steel steps! Zoey STOMPS Roxie’s head on the steel! Fans boo but Zoey grins as she drags Roxie around. Zoey puts Roxie in, fans chant “ZOEY SUCKS!” but Kiana shoulders into her. And then POSTS Zoey! Zoey falls, Kiana covers Roxie, TWO! Kiana is frustrated and she KNEES Roxie in the back.

Kiana motorcycle stretches Roxie, then steps over to really put on the pressure. Fans rally as Roxie endures, and Roxie fights up. Roxie flips, KANGAROO KICKS, and Kiana staggers! Roxie hurries but she has to dodge Zoey! Kiana and Zoey COLLIDE! Roxie wrenches Zoey hooks her up, but has to back drop Kiana first! Roxie CLOBBERS Zoey, and again! Fans fire up with Roxie as she UPPERCUTS Kiana! Zoey SUPERKICKS Roxie! Zoey drags Roxie up to Z 360!! Cover, Zoey gets a fall! Roxie is in the Penalty Box! But Kiana ROCKS Zoey! Zoey ROCKS Kiana! They brawl, Zoey throws a knee, and then CLUBS Kiana!

But here comes the countdown! Zoey whips, Kiana dodges, but Zoey dodges back! DOUBLE LARIATS hit and CORA JADE is in! She taunts Roxie, then slides in to cover Zoey! TWO! Cora covers Kiana, TWO! Generation Jade SHOTGUNS Zoey, then ENZIGURIS Kiana! Cora runs in to SHINING WIZARD Zoey! And SHINING WIZARD for Kiana! Cora runs to IMPLODER STOMP Zoey down! Then she ELBOWS Kiana at the ropes! Cora high stacks, TWO! Cora stomps away on Kiana, then she storms over to kick Zoey. Fans boo and chant “CORA SUCKS!” while she clubs Zoey. Kiana hits back but Cora CLUBS her!

Cora underhooks Kiana but Kiana resists! Roxie’s 90 seconds are up, she’s back to THESZ PRESS! Fast hands for Cora, but Kiana drags Roxie up. Roxie DECKS Kiana, SOBATS Cora, then storms after Cora. Cora bails out, Kiana waistlocks but Roxie rolls her, TWO! THESZ PRESS for Zoey! Roxie is all fired up but Kiana drags her back again. Roxie BOOTS Zoey, ELBOWS Kiana, then SHOTGUNS Kiana down! Fans fire up for Roxie as she UPPERCUTS Kiana! Zoey runs in but is sent into Kiana! Roxie UPPERCUTS Zoey! Roxie wrenches and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS Zoey, covers, but Kiana breaks it!

Kiana knees Roxie low, ROCKS her, then fires more shots. Roxie reverses the whip to SOBAT, and then she hops on, but Cora SUPERKICKS Roxie down! Cora rolls Kiana, and scores a fall! Cora is on the board and Kiana has to go to the Penalty Box! Cora and Roxie meet again, and Roxie shoves Cora. Cora shoves back. The frenemies are at it again! Cora SLAPS Roxie! Zoey MISSILE DROPKICKS Cora, but Roxie rolls Zoey! Cover, TWO!! Zoey ELBOWS Roxie, then storms up, but Roxie FOREARMS back! Cora steps up, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Roxie dodges, Zoey gets the arm and wrangles Roxie down!

Roxie resists, Zoey throws down elbows, and Zoey gets a CROSSFACE! But Cora has Zoey’s leg for an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! Zoey endures, she SLAPS Cora but Cora SLAPS back! Roxie crawls over to pull Cora back into a HEADCSCISSORS NECKLOCK! Fans rally as dueling submissions are going, but here comes Kiana! Cover on Roxie, TWO! Cover on Zoey, TWO! Kiana stomps away on Zoey, stomps Cora, then brings Roxie around to bump her off buckles! And again! And then she throws Roxie out, before RAMMING Zoey into a corner! Kiana digs her shoulder in, handsprings back and RAMS into her!

Kiana ROCKS Cora, the countdown is back before the SPINNING BACK SUPELX! Cover, Roxie AND Zoey break it! And here comes #IndiWRestling! Indi dodges Zoey, DOUBLE LARIATS Cora & Roxie, then DECKS Zoey! Indi kicks and CLUBS Roxie, drags Kiana up, and she puts Kiana in the ropes for an UPEPRCUT and BOOT! Roxie KICKS back, fans rally for Indi! Roxie gest around to sunset flip, high stack, TWO! Indi drags Roxie up but Roxie JAWBREAKERS back! Roxie runs but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Indi BOOTS Roxie down! Cover, Indi scores! Indi is on the board and Roxie goes back to the box!

Indi drags Zoey up but Zoey HOTSHOTS her back! Zoey slingshots and ARABIAN PRESS SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Zoey is frustrated but she stomps and drops knees on Indi. Cora ROCKS Zoey, Zoey ROCKS Cora! Cora ROCKS Zoey again, but Zoey comes back to ROCK Cora! Fans rally, Cora SUPERKICKS Zoey! Zoey SUPERKICKS Cora! Zoey reels Cora in, GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Zoey drags Cora back up but Cora YANKS Zoey out! Kiana is there to brawl with Zoey! Zoey gets the edge, and whips Kian at barriers. Kiana goes up to QUEBRADA!! Fans fire up and Kiana hurries to TOSS Zoey into the gap!

Roxie’s free of the box! She chases Kiana and brings her back out to RAM her into steel steps! Roxie hurries up and climbs a corner! Fans are thunderous and Roxie CROSSBODIES Indi! Cover, Cora breaks it! Cora drags Roxie up to throw her to ropes. Cora runs to elbow but Roxie dodges! Roxie tosses Cora out! Zoey returns to DECK Roxie! Zoey drags Roxie up again, Z36- NO, sunset flip! ROXIE SCORES!! Fans are thunderous as now Zoey has to go to the Penalty Box! And we’re at 19 minutes! Kiana rolls Roxie but Indi breaks it! Kiana sends Indi into Cora, rolls Indi, TWO! Cora runs in but Kiana trips her! Jackknife, but Cora breaks it!

Fans are thunderous as all four women in the ring go to a corner. They all stand up, and they all brawl! Kiana is after Roxie, Cora is after Indi! Indi shoves Cora out, Roxie throws Kiana out! Kiana drags Roxie out while Indi smacks Cora off the apron. Indi snap suplexes Cora to the floor! Kiana headlocks but Roxie POSTS her! Roxie and Indi stare down from across the way as they get in the ring. Fans are dueling, the two are brawling, but Zoey’s free of the box! Zoey CLOBBERS Indi, CLOBBERS Roxie, CLOBBERS Indi again, then dodges Cora to ELBOW her down! Indi storms up but Zoey ROCKS her!

Zoey ELBOWS, MULE KICKS, and then aims at Indi for the ROBINSON SPECIAL! Indi bails out, Zoey ELBOWS Roxie in a corner! Zoey runs to UPPERCUT Cora in the other corner! Kiana runs in, into the SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! Zoey kips up, Roxie runs in to CLOBBER her! Fans are thunderous as Roxie fires up again! Roxie runs to DIVE onto Indi as Zoey moves! Cora gets on the apron, she CANNONBALLS Roxie, Indi and Kiana! Zoey is in the ring, she aims at the cluster. Zoey springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY everyone!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” and we’re at 22 minutes! THREE MINUTES REMAIN!

Zoey flounders and staggers, she drags Kiana up and in. Zoey hurries to climb a corner, and PHOENIX- NO, Kiana dodges! Indi CLOBBERS Zoey, but Kiana hits 401K! Roxie hit a BACKSTABBER on Kiana! Cora kicks and CLUBS Roxie! Roxie hits back, Cora CLUBS her again! Cora underhooks, Roxie wrenches out to SOBAT! And hops on for POP ROX!! Cover, Roxie scores!! She leads with 2 points! Cora has to go to the box! Fans are going nuts for Roxie and she dumps out Kiana! Zoey rolls Roxie, Indi rolls Zoey, Roxie breaks it up! Cora is freaking out as she can only watch time tick away!

Zoey KICKS Roxie, covers, but Kiana uses Indi to break it up! Kiana covers Indi, TWO! Kiana covers Zoey, TWO! Kiana hurries to grab Roxie but Roxie KANGAROO KICKS! Indi reels Roxie in to lift, but Roxie fights the bomb to RANA Indi out! We’re under one minute! Zoey SUPERKICKS Kiana! Zoey hurries up top but Kiana stands again to ROCK Zoey! Fans rally, Kiana and Zoey brawl up top! Cora is free just as Kiana hits a SUPER SPANISH FLY!!! Cora hurries to CLUB Kiana and snipe the cover, TWO!!! Zoey doesn’t go down! TEN SECONDS LEFT!! Everyone fights, Roxie and Cora brawl, Cora hits a BUTTERFLY DDT! BUT TIME IS UP!!!

Winner: Roxanne Perez with 2 points (inaugural Women’s Iron Survivor)

Cora is SHRIEKING over how Roxie denied her that last fall! And now, The Prodigy, the Breakout Star of 2022, is the first-ever Ms. Iron Survivor!! Roxie was screwed over during her first shot at Mandy Rose, will she have a better shot this time around?

 

Backstage interview with Ivy Nile & Tatum Paxley.

McKenzie says we all thought we’d see Creed Brothers VS Indus Sher, but that won’t be happening because of injury. It is unfortunate that Julius is still hurt, but Ivy is just looking out for them. They’d run through walls and still say that they’re fine. That’s the kind of athletes they are. Ivy may not be their favorite person right now, but she wants them to be 100% before facing Indus Sher. But that just means Ivy & Tatum have more time. Tatum knows Ivy is tough on the outside, but once you get to know her, you see that her heart is as big as her biceps. The NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions then walk over.

Katana Chance & Kayden Carter wanted to say that Ivy did the right thing. You gotta look out for those you care about. Ivy appreciates that, but don’t mistake kindness for weakness. She and Tatum had some starts and stops, but they’ll be seeing the champs real soon. Oh, no doubt about that. They’re not ones to run from fights. Even from teams they’ve grown to respect. KC Squared head out, will Tatum & Ivy soon bring some gold to the Diamond Mine?

 

Alba Fyre VS Isla Dawn!

If not for the wicked ways of the Unholy Enchantress, the Fire Keeper would be the NXT Women’s Champion. But now, Isla looks to bring about the dawn of a darker era in NXT. Will Isla be standing tall when the smoke clears? Or will Fyre burn this witch for her crimes?

The bell rings and the two rush each other! Fyre dodges, ROCKS, CHOPS and repeat! She whips but Dawn reverses to SLAP Fyre! Dawn laughs but Fyre RAMS her out of the ring! Fyre stomps away on Dawn and fans fire up with her. Fyre SMACKS Dawn off the desk, but Dawn puts Fyre back in the ring. Fyre runs in but Dawn GAMANGIRIS! Dawn hurries in, she whips Fyre but Fyre reverses to HOOK KICK! And then mule kick, to run and BASEMENT SHOT! Cover, TWO! But into a KOJI KLUTCH! Dawn flails, endures, claws at the hands but Fyre holds tight! Dawn flails, claws around, makes it a cover, TWO!

Fyre lets Dawn go, but gets around to roll her up! TWO, and Fyre catches Dawn to hook the arms. But Dawn spins around to pick Fyre up and RAM her into the buckles! Dawn stomps Fyre down, then drags her up. Fans rally and duel, Dawn bumps Fyre off buckles. Dawn then whips Fyre hard into buckles, before a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fyre flounders but Dawn is on her. Dawn CHOKES Fyre, grinds her against the ropes, then KICKS her down! Dawn rips a buckle pad right off! She grins, drags Fyre up but Fyre hits back. Dawn CLUBS Fyre, lifts her up, but Fyre sunset flips, TWO!

Fyre and Dawn hurry up, Dawn METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Dawn is frustrated and she drags Fyre around to KNEE her in the side. Fyre goes to a corner, Dawn climbs up to CHOKE her! The ref counts, Dawn lets off to snapmare and KICK Fyre in the back! Fyre writhes, Dawn taunts her, then clamps onto an arm. Dawn grinds the shoulder while she KNEES Fyre in the back. Fans rally, Fyre endures the hold and fights up, but Dawn throws her down! Dawn kicks but misses as Fyre moves! Dawn comes back, into an elbow! Fyre is in the corner, Dawn blocks a kick to put the leg in the ropes. Dawn KICKS the leg, BOOTS Fyre in the head, then bends her against the ropes

The ref counts, Dawn throws Fyre down. Dawn climbs up the corner, leaps, and METEORAS again! Cover, TWO!! Fyre survives and Dawn is furious. Dawn runs at Fyre but Fyre sends her out! Fyre hurries to the corner to go up and up and SUPER SWANTON!! Direct hit and fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Dawn and Fyre are down as the ring count climbs to 5 of 10. Dawn sits up first and crawls her way over. Dawn gets up and in at 9, followed by Fyre! Dawn ROCKS Fyre, Fyre ROCKS Dawn back! They throw forearms back and forth, then Fyre gets the edge! Fyre whips Dawn into the ropes, then wrenches her to a suplex, GOURD BUSTER!

Fyre snarls and she watches Dawn sit up. Fyre KICKS and KICKS but then Dawn ducks! Roll-up, Fyre rolls through, to wrench and facelock, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Fyre is frustrated, but she keeps her focus on Dawn. Fans rally up as Fyre Gory Especials. Dawn fights that, and ROUNDHOUSES Fyre! Dawn reels Fyre in, SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Fans rally while Dawn is frustrated. Dawn climbs up the corner, but Fyre GAMANGIRIS her down! Fyre then DIVES to hit Dawn again! Fans fire up for Fyre as she brings Dawn back up. Dawn fireman’s carries but Fyre fights with elbows! Gory Especial, GORY BOMB to the floor!!

The count is 5 of 10 again, Fyre drags Dawn up and into the ring at 7. Fyre hurries to cover, TWO! Dawn is still in this and Fyre is beside herself. Dawn is smiling?! Fyre fires forearms and then kicks! Fyre fireman’s carries for a WIDOWMAKER! Fans fire up as Fyre goes up the corner again. Fyre aims and SWANTON BOMBS!! Cover, but the ref is convulsing?! Wait, this is the ref Dawn misted just last Tuesday! Is it only now taking affect? Dawn drags Fyre back but Fyre snapmares free! SUPERKICK! Fyre isn’t sure what to do, though, with this ref incapacitated! Wait, a spare ref runs in! Cover, TWO!!!

Dawn survives because of her dark magic, and she HOTSHOTS Fyre, to then RAM her into the bare buckle!! Fans boo as Dawn drags Fyre up! CALL OF THE SPIRITS!! Cover, Dawn wins!

Winner: Isla Dawn, by pinfall

The Wicked Witch had a plan in the works long before tonight! Will she continue to use every trick in the book to take over NXT?

 

Backstage interview with The New Day.

McKenzie asks Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods if they can believe they’re having this match. It is surreal. People wonder why these two are here going after Pretty Deadly, but the New Day is here because they are constantly looking for great competition. Pretty Deadly are champs, and they’re the only ones in the way of ya bois becoming WWE Triple Crown Tag Team Champions! Don’t let the long-sleeve crop tops fool you, Kit Wilson & Elton Prince are good. They came from half way across the world and became champion, that’s not easy. You have to have big ass…pirations! But so do the New Day! And the New Day want to become Triple Crowners!

So tonight, it’s Pretty Deadly VS ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~! And they will become the NEW, W, W, E, N, X- Wait, McKenzie, join in! Oh, of course! Okay, from the top. The NEW, W, W, E< N, X, T, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~! Now get them their theme music!!

NXT Tag Team Championships: Pretty Deadly VS The New Day!

Kit Wilson & Elton Prince have been NXT UK Tag Team Champions, have been NXT Tag Team Champions before, and then united those titles at Worlds Collide. But now they might make even more history in pinning the ELEVEN-TIME WWE Tag Team Champions. Will they be saying #YESBOY? Or saying that ya bois are the champions?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see what it takes to change the #SidePlateCheck!

The teams sort out and we start with Woods and Kit. The fans rally up as the two circle. Woods makes sure Kit hears the fans sing “HEY~ We Want Some New Day!” Kit & Elton do a calming breath, and then Kit rushes Woods. Woods rolls Kit, TWO!! Kit almost lost it right there, and then Woods mocks the Side Plate Check! “We don’t have side plates on main roster, we can only do that here.” Woods and Kit reset, tie up again, and Woods headlocks. Fans chant “We Want Side Plates!” as Kit pries at the hold. Kit powers up, Woods goes up and over in the corner, then CHOPS! Woods puts Kit in the corner, hushes the fans, and CHOPS again!

Fans fire up as Woods whips corner to corner, but Kit elbows back. Kit runs Woods over, and he tells everyone to hush. Kit bring Woods up but Woods shoves, ducks, hurdles, and then ducks again. Another hurdle, but Kit back suplexes! Woods lads on his feet, Kid ducks a roundhouse but the sweep hits! And the SENTON! Cover, TWO! Woods mocks the Side Plate Check again, and he tags Kofi. Fans rally as the New Day double whip, double CHOP, and double KICK to then DOUBLE BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps cool, and Kit wants mercy? Kofi says nope, and he wrenches Kit’s arm.

Kit reaches for Elton, Elton steps in, but that’s not a legal tag! No, it’s a distraction so Kit can throw Kofi down! Tag to Elton, and now it’s official. Pretty Deadly double whip Kofi, run him over, and then SPLASH LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Elton brings Kofi up to UPPERCUT! Elton ROCKS Kofi in a corner, stomps him, then whips corner to corner. Elton runs in to MONKEY FLIP but Kofi lands on his feet! Kofi breaks it down, and gives Elton some TWERK! Elton shoves Kofi and says, “How dare you! This is how you drop it!” Elton twerks?! Fans chant for a “TWERK OFF!” Kofi drops it LOOOOOW~!

Elton swings, Kofi dodges and DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Kofi drags Elton up, snapmares and tags Woods before the PENALTY KICK! SLIDING LARIAT! IMPLODER SPLASH! FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps on Elton with a back suplex, but Kit saves Elton! Elton elbows Woods, tags Kit and Kit climbs up to DOUBLE- DROPKICK from Woods! Fans fire up and Woods drags Kit up. Woods uppercuts Kit to the corner, back body blocks, and tags Kofi. Woods RAMS into Elton, Kofi SPLASHES, then Woods HONOR ROLLS! Kofi covers, TWO! Kofi wrenches, whips, but Kit reverses. Kofi ducks ‘n’ dodges, hold ropes and BOOTS Kit!

Kit runs in but Kofi throws him out. Kofi builds speed, but Elton stands in the way! Fans boo but Kofi DROPKCISK Elton! Pretty Deadly is by the desk, Kofi FLIES onto them both! Fans are thunderous for the New Day and Kofi puts Kit in. But Elton anchors Kofi’s foot! Kofi stomps Elton, but Kit ROCKS Kofi! Kit tags Elton, but Kofi fights them both off! Kit picks Kofi up and Elton helps out, HOTSHOT! Kit BLASTS Kofi out of the ring, and then Elton POSTS him! Fans boo as Pretty Deadly pose together. Elton puts Kofi in, digs his boot into Kofi’s neck, but lets off as the ref counts. Elton drags Kofi up and onto ropes to CHOKE him!

The ref counts, Elton lets off, and then he tags Kit. Pretty Deadly mug Kofi, stomp him down, and Kit eggs Kofi on. Fans rally for the New Day but Kit snapmares Kofi to drop a knee onto nothing! Kofi avoids the knee but Kit CLOBBERS Kofi from behind. Kit wrenches Kofi, Kofi reaches for Woods! Fans rally, Kofi ROCKS Kit! Kofi reaches, but he has to ROCK Kit again! Kit keeps holding on, and then he whips Kofi into the corner. Kofi BLASTS Elton, BOOTS Kit, and leaps, but Kit catches Kofi! Kit throws Kofi away, but Kofi slips up around him to DDT! Fans are thunderous as both men are down!

Kofi and Kit crawl, hot tags to Elton and Woods! Woods rallies on Elton with big clotheslines! Woods whips, Elton reverses but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges to slide and ROLLING ELBOW! Fans are thunderous again as Woods runs in to clothesline Elton! He dodges, Kit almost hits Elton! Woods runs, slips out of a scoop and shoves Kit to DROPKICK him out! Elton waistlocks but Woods bucks that! Woods drop toeholds Elton onto ropes! SLIDE ATTACK AND DROPKICK! Kit goes down, Woods GAMANGIRIS Elton away! Then Woods steps in, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up while Woods keeps focus.

Woods drags Elton up, but Elton fights the suplex. Elton dodges to HELL STAB! Elton runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans chant, “Wake Up, Kofi, Wake Up!” Woods and Elton trade big forearms, fans are on Woods’ side as he keeps going. Woods runs, but into an UPPERCUT! Elton runs, but into a FOREARM! Woods runs but Elton reels him in and kicks a leg out for a BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Elton tags Kit, BOOSTED CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous as Woods survives! Kofi returns to CLOBBER Elton! Kofi kicks Elton out, the ref has Kofi back off. But Elton gets the title belts!

Elton gets in, he throws a belt to Woods then pulls a Latino Heat! But then Woods gives it to Kit to do the same! Kit gives it back to Elton and falls over, and then Elton gives it to Kofi! Kofi just drops, the ref turns around and sees EVERYONE down!! The ref has no idea what to do about this but the fans are loving it! They all sit up and blame the others, but the ref just takes the belts away. Kofi , Elton and the ref tug-o-war while fans chant “This is Awesome!” Elton DECKS Kofi, the ref is busy with one belt, Kit CLOBBERS Woods with the other! Kit high stacks Woods, TWO!?!? Woods survives and no one can believe it!!

Kit tags Elton and they haul Woods up. SPILT- NO, Kofi trips Kita nd drag shim out! TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Woods rolls Elton but Elton high stacks, TWO!! Elton runs in, Woods FLAPJACKS him onto buckles! Tag to Kofi and Woods scoops! Kofi climbs, MIDNIGHT HOUR!!! Tag to Woods so he can cover, NEW DAY WINS!!!

Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (NEW NXT Tag Teams Champions)

HISTORY IS MADE!! The New Day are now WWE TRIPLE CROWN TAG TEAM WINNERS!! They dethroned two of the best NXT Tag Team Champions ever, but are they going to redefine what that means?

 

The countdown is on.

We count it down from ten to one, and January 10th will be the New Year NXT special! But who is the mysterious female superstar in the sparking diamonds? Find out in 2023!

 

Kayden & Katana are headed out.

They’re gonna get drinks and party but speaking of, they run into the party boys, Odyssey Jones, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe! They’re all excited and ask the boys to go with them. Odyssey says they would but he’s hitting the gym. He’s got Von Wagner this Tuesday, and he has got to take care of business. But after that, then they out! Okay, see you then! KC Squared then run into Toxic Attraction. Gigi & Jacy saw what those two did back there. They offered a title match to Mighty Mouse and the leech. Can you believe Tatum is even in Diamond Mine? Is she? Yes, she has the jacket. Um, do Jacy & Gigi have a point they can get to?

The point is, KC Squared call themselves fighting champions but they lost to Gigi & Jacy two weeks ago. Uh, no you didn’t. Well, KC Squared seem to only face teams they know they can beat. But then Ivy & Tatum attack! Diamond Mine takes the fight to Toxic Attraction, but then the guys come back to stop this! Edris holds back Ivy & Tatum while Malik holds back Gigi & Jacy! Will there be no holding these two teams back when it comes to earning a tag title opportunity?

 

Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge: JD McDonagh VS Joe Gacy VS Grayson Waller VS Carmelo Hayes VS Axiom!

A high bar was set for this match type by the women to open the show, can the men measure up? And seeing how chaotic things can get, who will be able to see the path forward?

The Irish Ace and The Undeniable Truth start, but JD doesn’t wait for a bell! He rushes Axiom during his entrance, but Axiom jumps up and over! Axiom comes back to GAMANGIRI at the bell! The clock is ticking, Axiom snapmares JD and takes aim. JD flounders, but he avoids the Golden Ratio! Axiom goes after the leg he beat up, stomps it and turns it but Axiom stands up to KICK back! JD blocks a kick, to hit a SHINBREAKER! Axiom KICKS JD away and then runs, but into an UPPERCUT! JD drags Axiom to the corner and he pulls, but Axiom pulls JD into the POST! JD flounders away as we’re a minute in, and Axiom DIVES!!

Axiom takes JD out but almost takes a header! Fans fire up as Axiom roars through it! Axiom even RAMS JD into the Penalty Box! Axiom drags JD up, CHOPS him, and then pushes him back to ringside. Axiom CHOPS again, puts JD in the ring, then climbs up the corner. Axiom leaps, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up as both men are down! Axiom sits up and clutches his ribs but JD stands him up to KNEE him low. JD CLUBS Axiom, drags him up but Axiom victory rolls, TWO! Axiom KICKS JD’s leg! JD ROCKS Axiom with a forearm Axiom SUPERKICKS! JD and Axiom both swing, DOUBLE LARIATS collide!

Axiom fires palm strikes but JD DECKS Axiom! JD drags Axiom up again, but Axiom slips out of the powerbomb to ENZIGURI! And BUZZSAW! JD flops over at the three minute mark! Fans fire up and Axiom drags JD up. JD ducks the Buzzsaw to sunset flip, but Axiom rolls through to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Axiom is frustrated while JD is dazed. Axiom aims, runs in and DROPKICKS JD in the corner! Axim runs in again, HESITATION DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! JD avoids the Penalty Box while Axiom tries to figure out what to do. Axiom waistlocks and deadlifts JD but JD reaches for ropes. JD throws down elbows, then runs to ropes.

JD bucks Axiom away, but Axiom comes back, into a COMEBACKER LARIAT! And then a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Axiom survives that and JD is frustrated. The countdown is here as JD CLUBS Axiom. Axiom hits back with a forearm, JD CLUBS Axiom again, and third out is… MELO! Fans fire u pas Melo slides in, dodges both JD and Axiom, then SPRINGBOARD LARIATS JD! Cover, Axiom drags him off. Axiom whips but Melo reverses to send Axiom out. Axiom shoulders in but Melo SMASHES Axiom! FADE AWAY! Cover, JD breaks it! JD drags Melo up to CHOP! And CHOP! And kick, then whip.

Melo rolls off JD’s back, sends Axiom at him, but Axiom RANAS JD at Melo! Melo catches JD to a facelock, but Axiom LARIATS Melo down, and that DDTs JD! Axiom covers JD, TWO! Fans rally while all three men are down. Axiom and Melo stand, Axiom knuckle locks and CHOPS! Axiom goes up and up and FLYING RANA ARM-DRAG COMBOS! Fans fire up as JD and Melo both bail out. Axiom runs, for a GODLEN- NO, JD breaks the triangle. JD goes up but Melo shoves JD down! Melo jumps in but JD ducks, the ROUNDHOUSE hits Axiom! Melo ROCKS JD, sets them both up, and he runs to the ropes, but springboards into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!

JD has Axiom in a dragon sleeper, Melo comes back, but into the URENAGE REVERSE DDT COMBO! Then JD STANDING MOONSAULTS on them both! Cover on Axiom but Melo drags JD to POP-UP CUTTER JD onto Axiom! Melo covers Axiom, and scores first! Axiom has to go to the box at the seven minute mark! Fans rally for “MELO~! MELO~!” as he and JD are alone for 90 seconds. JD sits up, he KICKS Melo, ROCKS him, but Melo ROCKS JD back. They go forearm for forearm, Melo gets the edge, but then JD slips around. Melo counter punches and DECKS JD! JD flounders to a corner, Melo runs in to CHOP!

JD staggers to another corner, Melo CHOPS him again! Melo stalks JD, wrenches the arm, but JD ROCKS Melo. Melo kicks low, but JD snap suplexes first! Fans rally and duel, Melo swings but JD dodges to ATOMIC BACKBREAKER! JD drags Melo up, Melo dodges and runs, into a SPANISH FLY! Axiom returns! Axiom climbs up the corner, and he CROSSBODIES them both down! All three men are down as we pass nine minutes! Fans rally for Melo but Axiom KICKS Melo, KICKS JD, and repeat! Melo blocks a kick, he throat chops Axiom, but Axiom blocks JD’s kick to give it to Melo! Axiom KICKS JD away!

Melo swings but Axiom bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP! Melo ELBOWS Axiom, BOOTS JD, but JD blocks a kick to throw it at Melo! HEADBUTT for Axiom!! All three men are down and the countdown is back! At the ten minute mark, in enters… WALLER! And he SOMERSAULT STUNNERS Axiom and JD! Cover on Axiom, Waller scores! Cover on JD, Waller scores again! He just put two men in the box at the same time!! Melo and Waller throw hands, Melo whips but Waller reverses. Melo ducks the leg lariat to CODE- NO, Waller denies that to trip and jackknife, TWO as Melo bridges! Melo spins to backslide, TWO!

Waller spins Melo to DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Waller grins while Melo checks his chin. Fans rally for Melo while Waller builds speed. Melo avoids the slide but Waller ducks the Penalty Kick! Waller Electric Chairs but Melo fights that. Melo returns to the apron to BOOT Waller! But Waller somersaults to STUNNER on the apron! Fans fire up while both men are down! Axiom’s Penalty time is up and he’s free! But JD grabs Axiom! Axiom DECKS JD! And then he closes the door?! Axiom fires off on JD and no one can stop him!! JD slugs Axiom, but swings into a SLEEPER!! Axiom squeezes JD tight, but JD RAMS him into the wall!

Axiom RAMS JD into the wall! JD slumps down, and now Axiom leaves the box. Axiom SLAMS the door shut on JD! But then Waller BODIES Axiom! Fans boo Waller as he drags Axiom up but Melo SUPERKICKS Waller down! Melo says Waller ain’t taking this from him, and he puts Axiom in. Melo slides in and spins Axiom to a BUTTERFLY SLAM! Cover, TWO! Body scissors, Gedo Clutch! TWO! Melo KNEES Axiom low, tells him Axiom ain’t him, because Melo is him! Melo springboards, but Waller shoves him out! Melo drags Waller out to smack him off the desk! Melo slides in, Waller drags him back out, BAC SUPLEX to the desk!

Waller shouts, “Who’s in your five now, bitch!?” Booker did not like hearing that and fans boo. Waller goes to Axiom, pushes him around, and then fireman’s carries. Axiom RANAS Waller down and covers, AXIOM SCORES! Waller is furious but he has to to go the box! JD ripcords Axiom but Axiom hits a DESTROYER!! And the GOLDEN RATIO!! Cover, Axiom scores again!! JD has to join Waller in the box now! But we’re at 15 minutes so now, here comes GACY! Gacy grins as he taps the glass at Waller. Gacy then slides in as Melo does, and Gacy BOOTS Melo! Gacy fires off hands on Axiom, whips Melo to the corner and ELBOWS! Then LARIATS!

Gacy clotheslines Axiom! He clotheslines Melo! Axiom BOOTS Gacy! Axiom leaps, but into a kick! DISCUS LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Gacy clamps right on with RINGS OF SATURN!! Axiom endures, flails, but he TAPS! Gacy scores and now Axiom has to go back to the box! Gacy grins but here comes Waller! Waller sucker punches Axiom! And CLUBS him down! JD comes back out, and Waller serves Axiom up. JD SLAMS Axiom into the box, fires off fists, and then JD exits. Waller closes the box on Axiom, then goes with JD to the ring. But Gacy and Melo BLAST them both off the apron! Melo and Gacy are alone and Gacy grins.

Fans rally, Gacy dodges Melo to handspring, UPSIDE-DOWN WORLD!1 Cover, Gacy scores a fall! Three men have two points, Hayes only has one! Waller and JD return, Gacy fires off on them! They fire off on Gacy, they double whip but Gacy ducks to springboard, CROSSBODY! Fans fire up while JD and Waller bail out. Gacy builds speed to FLY onto Waller and JD! JD staggers away to close the box on Axiom! Axiom is meant to get out, so he DECKS Melo before he CLIMBS the box! JD looks around to see him up top! Axiom BOOTS JD away! Axiom then adjust to SUPER MOONSAULT onto everyone else!

Melo is the only one safe because he was in the box, but he’s losing his mind just like the fans! Gacy hurries to rain down shots on Axiom! Waller storms up but Gacy DECKS him! Gacy also hits JD, but Melo is free! Melo BOOTS Gacy down! Waller CLUBS Melo! Melo puts Waller in the ring, dodges him, and tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO!! But Melo has the CROSSFACE! Waller rolls, but Melo holds on! Waller taps, Melo scores! Now only JD has nothing while everyone else has two! Gacy DECKS Waller, then TOSSES him into the box! Gacy stomps Axiom, trips Melo and drag shim out to DECK him, too!

Gacy drags Axiom up and into the ring. Gacy runs to SPLASH Axiom, but Axiom hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! Gacy shifts, but into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Gacy endures, stacks Axiom but Axiom holds his shoulders up,. Melo hits the THREE POINTER!! Melo throws Axiom out but Axiom GAMANGIRIS! JD YANKS Axiom down, then DEVLINSIDE to the floor!! But Melo ENZIGURIS JD! Melo springboards, into a HEDBUTT! DEVLINSIDE! Gacy runs in, dodges JDY, but handsprings into a HEADBUTT! DEVLINSIDE again!!! JD crawls to cover Gacy but Waller somersaults, into a SAIDO!!!

Fans are thunderous as JD covers, but everyone breaks it! Fans are thunderous as we pass 21 minutes! JD has everyone in a corner, he stomps Waller! Then he BOOT WASHES Gacy and stomps him. BOOT WASH for Melo, then some stomps! Fans boo as JD finishes up by stomping with both feet on Axiom! JD catches his breath, but finds himself surrounded by his enemies. QUADRUPLE BOOTS!! Then Gacy and Waller DECK Melo and Axiom! Gacy handsprings, Waller slides out but Gacy WRECKS him! Gacy hurries out, pulls steel steps apart, and then he URENAGES Waller on the steps!

Gacy gets up but Melo slingshots. Gacy shoves him down, gets in again, FULL NELSON BOMB! And the RINGS OF SATURN!! Melo endures but JD breaks it! JD brings Gacy up but Gacy rolls him into the RINGS OF SATURN!! JD endures, but Axiom breaks the hold! Gacy clamps onto Axiom and throws down elbows! RINGS OF SATURN!!! Axiom endures, but Gacy pulls on the hold! Melo & JD both KICK the hold apart! CODE BREAKER and HEADBUTT takes Gacy down! JD POSTS Melo, he’s the only man without anything and we’re under a minute left! Axiom denies the cover, goes up and MOONSAULT DDTS!!

Melo hits NOTHING BUT NET!!!! Cover, Waller drags Melo away! Waller DECKS Melo, and he hurries in to cover, WALLER SCORES!! Melo is freaking out as we’re under 30 SECONDS! Waller runs away, Melo wants JD but Waller drags him away! Waller runs, Melo chases, they go around commentary! We’re under 10 seconds! Waller is slippery, and time runs out!!! WALLER WINS!!!!

Winner: Grayson Waller with 3 points (inaugural Men’s Iron Survivor)

Fans boo as history was just ruined by the Grayson Waller Effect! The 21st Century Success Story is the NEW #1 contender to the NXT Championship! But with Bron Breakker VS Apollo Crews up next in the main event, who will Waller be facing for the title in the New Year?

 

Backstage interview with Drew Gulak.

McKenzie notes Gulak returned to NXT and many fans want to know why. Will he clarify? More than happy to. Gulak hasn’t yet reached his full potential. But he won’t point fingers at other people, he points to himself as the reason why. But he has an idea of how he can get to where he wants to go. He isn’t here to complain, but to grind in the ring. And if Gulak sees someone with potential in an NXT superstar, or even a prospect at the PC, then even better. Strength in numbers, after all. Damon Kemp then walks over and Gulak says he knows Kemp well. A great wrestler with an even more notorious attitude. Kemp will take that as a compliment.

Kemp saw Gulak watching NXT. This Tuesday, Kemp returns to the ring. And if there’s a match Gulak should watch, it’s Kemp when he schools Duke Hudson. Oh, well Gulak has a pretty good idea of who Kemp is already, but he’ll check him out. Good luck on Tuesday. Gulak heads out, but will he like what he sees?

 

NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Apollo Crews!

The Big Booty Nephew is already a two-time NXT Champion in his two years here, and he has learned a lot. But will all of those lessons help him against the experienced former WWE United States and Intercontinental Champion? Or will he see his title reign hit its deadline?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see what the future holds for both men!

The bell rings, fans rally and Apollo stares Bron down. Fans duel, cheering on Apollo but barking it up for Bron. Bron and Apollo still stare down, then they start to circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock as they match power, so they break. Fans cheer as the two talk a little smack. They go again, are in another deadlock, but Apollo manages to push Bron back. Bron pushes Apollo back, and then they break. Fans applaud as the two circle again. Bron and Apollo feel out a knuckle lock, and then they go for a Test of Strength. Bron starts to bend, Apollo starts to bend, they go shoulder to shoulder, and then Apollo FLIPS Bron!

Bron keeps the knuckle locks and they both stand up! Bron FLIPS Apollo, but Apollo holds on! They stand up again, go shoulder to shoulder again, and fans duel. Apollo headlocks, Bron powers up and out, then hip tosses, but Apollo handsprings through! Apollo arm-drags but Bron cartwheels through! Fans cheer the exchange and the two reset. The two tie up, Apollo headlocks for a takeover. Bron keeps his shoulder up, moves around, rolls Apollo to a cover, ONE! Apollo keeps the headlock, Bron fights up to his feet, and Apollo hits another takeover. Bron headscissors, Apollo kips free but Bron headlocks for a takeover.

Apollo headscissors, Bron kips free, but then Apollo headlocks for a takeover! Bron headscissors, Apollo kips free, Bron headlocks for the takeover! Apollo headscissors, Bron kips free, Apollo headlocks for the takeover, Bron headscissors but then both men kip up! Fans fire up as the two stare down! Fans rally and duel as Bron and Apollo reset again. Bron and Apollo talk a bit more smack, then Bron shoots in to waistlock. Apollo switches, Bron switches back, but Apollo switches. They keep switching, end up on the ropes, and the ref calls the break. Both men let off and they go again. They tie up, Apollo wrenches and whips.

Bron blocks the hip toss but so does Apollo! They go back and forth with that and end up on the ropes again! The ref counts, Apollo shoves Bron! Bron smirks and rushes in. Apollo handsprings, drops, and DROPKICKS! Apollo fires up and fans are torn. STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bron scrambles away but Apollo hurries after him. Apollo sets up on the apron, for a MOONSAULT! Fans fire up as Apollo knocks Bron down! Apollo puts Bron in, slingshots and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Apollo clamps on a headlock and he grinds Bron down. Bron endures, fights up, and fans rally as Bron pries the hold open.

Bron headlocks Apollo but Apollo powers out. Apollo drops but Bron gator rolls him! Bron suplexes and he holds Apollo up! Bron SLAMS Apollo down, then kips up! Bron sets up, STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bron keeps cool as he sees Apollo bail out. Bron builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit and down goes Apollo! Fans fire up and bark with Bron as he drags Apollo up. Bron puts Apollo in the ring, hops up the corner, and he leaps, into a JUMP KNEE! Apollo takes Bron out of the sky and fans fire up! Fans rally, Apollo snarls and he looms over Bron. The rage is building, Apollo cools off. Apollo closes his eyes, is he seeing the future?

Fans chant ‘This is Wrestling!” as Apollo rains down fists on Bron! The ref counts and Apollo lets off with a roar. Apollo fireman’s carries for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Apollo drags Bron up to GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another GERMAN SUPLEX! And then a third GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Bron survives the hat trick but Apollo’s eyes are still wild. Apollo drags Bron up, reels him in, and fans rally and duel. But Bron trips Apollo to jackknife, TWO as Apollo turns it over! Apollo gets Bron up, POWERBOMB! And then a deadlift POWERBOMB! And then another deadlift POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!!

Apollo roars, he climbs up the corner, and he aims at Bron! FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Bron survives and Apollo is beside himself! Fans rally, Apollo runs in at Bron in the corner, and he SPLASHES! Apollo whips Bron corner to corner, runs in but Bron dodges the splash! Apollo falls back and clutches his forehead. Fans rally up for Bron and he runs Apollo over! And then again! Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he turns Apollo’s leap into a SPINEBUSTER! Fans bark it up as Bron climbs the corner! Bron barks, fans echo it, and Bron leaps, FLYING BULLDOG!! Cover, TWO!!

Fans rally while Bron smirks. Bron wants Apollo to get up, and Apollo slowly rises. Bron choke grips Apollo, trophy lifts him, but Apollo turns that to a DDT! Both men are down, Apollo crawls to a cover, TWO!! Bron survives again and Apollo grits his teeth. Apollo pounds the mat and his rage fires up again. Bron stands, Apollo waits on him, SPINE- NO, Bron slips off to SPINEBUSTER Apollo! Cover, TWO!! Apollo survives and shocks Bron! Fans rally and duel, Bron brings the straps down and roars! Bron turns around and choke grips Apollo again. Trophy lift, but Apollo slips off to trophy lift in return! Apollo steals the BREAKKER SLAM!! Cover, TWO!!!

Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while Apollo and Bron are down. “This is Awesome!” as both men go forehead to forehead. Apollo says this is his, but Bron says it’ll never be his! Bron throws a haymaker, but Apollo throws it back! Bron hits, Apollo hits, repeat! Fans rally as Apollo gets the edge and CHOPS! Bron shouts, “Is that all you got?!” The fists start flying!! Both men ROCK each other, then run in, Bron LARIATS! Apollo ENZIGURIS! And BOOTS! And tosses Bron, but Bron lands on his feet to SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)

Apollo’s vision doesn’t come true! Bron Breakker is still the future of NXT as he holds the title high! But then WALLER hits the STUNNER!! Fans boo but Waller grins as he looms over the champion. Waller picks up the belt, will this be the scene come New Year’s Evil?


My Thoughts:

An awesome first NXT Deadline! For one, I’m proud I nailed the match order. And opening with an Iron Survivor Challenge was definitely a great move. The rules may be a bit convoluted but we have the technology to keep track of it all. And it was so fast-paced and chaotic, that alone is a reason to like this match type. I thought Indi was going to be the one after her fiery promo to Mandy last Tuesday, but seems not. Roxie winning this to get a second chance is a pretty good move, I hope she dethrones Mandy at New Year’s Evil, which is surprisingly happening after all, even though they’re advertising ahead to Vengeance Day in February.

Good promos from Ivy & Tatum, KC Squared and Toxic Attraction, as well as a good quick brawl from Toxic Attraction and Diamond Mine. Their tag match will definitely determine a #1 contender to the champions, and that will be a great match. Fyre VS Dawn was a really good match, and when commentary pointed out the ref for that match was the one Dawn misted, I just knew he was going to be important to the finish. Dawn of course wins, but I don’t think this is done between her and Fyre. They might escalate things into a spooky stipulation for New Year’s Evil. Also, speaking of, what was the point of that vignette hyping up someone and the New Year’s special? Is this Tiffany Stratton’s return? Why not just have her return?

Great prematch promo from the New Day, and just an awesome match with Pretty Deadly. I did not actually think they’d have New Day win, but how awesome for them to have the WWE Tag Team Triple Crown on their record now. Plus, now we can have an epic set of matches for New Day, including a rematch with Pretty Deadly. Good promo from Gulak and Kemp, but somehow this has to bring Dempsey in. And between Gulak, Kemp and Dempsey, that is a lot of great technical wrestling right there. I am still wondering where Noam Dar is, and I’m hoping they bring the Heritage Cup/British Rounds back into things.

The Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge was also awesome, and even though this was only the second match of its kind, they innovated it already by thinking outside the box. Or rather, thinking with the Penalty Box with the brawling inside and Axiom jumping off it. But what a wild choice for Waller to win. I guess they’re saving Melo for Vengeance Day and NXT’s first major event on the road. Bron VS Apollo was great stuff, until Bron basically no sells Apollo’s rage and wins. Bron is of course beating Waller, Waller got the better of him and even touched the title.

But what is Apollo to do now that he lost on the big title, the main reason he returned? The North American Championship scene is in a story, and it can’t get crowded all over again after just being very crowded for that ladder match. Kinda brings me back to wanting the Heritage Cup to show up and give us a British Rounds Division. Imagine the fun Apollo could have in a match all about the time constraints and fast pace.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

Published

on

Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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