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Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Sapporo Results & Report! (2/4/23)

Will Sapporo be tranquilo?

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Sapporo sees The Roughneck VS The Stardust Genius!

Before Tetsuya Naito faces Keiji Muto in his final match ever, we see the Uncontrollable Charisma take on #SHOOTER, Shota Umino! Will the young star be a speedbump in Naito’s 2023 run?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Great-O-Khan VS Oskar Leube; Khan wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Minoru Suzuki, El Desperado, Ren Narita & Ryohei Oiwa VS The House of Torture; Suzuki, Desperado, Narita & Oiwa win.
  • 8 Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Tomohiro Ishii & Yuto Nakashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Tama Tonga, Hikuleo & Master Wato VS Bullet Club; Tanahashi, Tama, Hikuleo & Wato wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Kazuchika Okada, Toru Yano, Ryusuke Taguchi & YOH VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Catch 2/2 wins and retains the title.
  • Will Ospreay VS Taichi; Ospreay wins.
  • Tetsuya Naito VS Shota Umino; Naito wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Catch 2/2 VS DOUKI & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

TJP & Francesco Akira made it through WrestleKingdom 17 still holding onto the titles, but Japones Del Mal & The Heel Master did get one on them in Super Junior Tag League. That golden ticket is being cashed in now, will Douki & Kanemaru win some gold for #Just4Guys? Or will the United Empire conquer their New Beginnings?

The introductions are made, with Taka Michinoku being on the mic for #Just4Guys. Taka promises victory for all of them tonight, and tells TJP & Akira, “You’re already done!” TJP & Akira then make their entrance, Great-O-Khan waving the Empire’s banner as he already won to open the show. The belts are raised, and we see if the Empire stays standing!

The teams sort out and TJP starts against Kanemaru. Akira gets the fans to chant “T J P!” as he circles with Kanemaru. They tie up, break, then circle again. They tie up, break, and reset again. They knuckle lock, TJP wrenches and wrangles Kanemaru to a top wristlock. Kanemaru rolls back but TJP wrenches him again. Kanemaru kicks low, wrenches TJP’s arm and YANKS it. And YANKS it again! Kanemaru keeps on the wristlock but TJP rolls, spins, cartwheels and drags Kanemaru down to the twist headscissors! Kanemaru reaches up to headscissor back while fans applaud the exchange.

TJP moves around, headstands, and fans applaud as he holds it. TJP then pops free of the headscissors, pats Kanemaru, and slicks his hair back. But Kanemaru kicks the leg! And again! Kanemaru whips, TJP avoids the drop down to kick. TJP headlocks, Kanemaru powers out but TJP handsprings over. Things keep moving, Kanemaru sunset flips but TJP rolls through. Kanemaru avoids the Penalty Kick but TJP MARIPOSAS! Cover, TWO! Akira runs in to BLAST Douki, and then he and TJP double whip Kanemaru. Kanemaru holds ropes, he puts Akira on the apron and Douki trips Akira up! Douki stomps Akira while Kanemaru BOOTS TJP!

TJP ROLLING SOBATS back, runs, but into DOUBLE DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as TJP tumbles out of the ring. Kanemaru whips Douki so he can DIVE onto TJP! Fans fire up as Douki gets back in and Kanemaru whips him to DIVE onto Akira! Taka cheers his guys on along with the fans, and Kanemaru gets TJP’s leg. Kanemaru SMASHES TJP’s knee into the floor! TJP writhes, Khan protests, but Douki whips Akira into railing! Akira slumps down, Kanemaru stomps TJP and SMASHES the knee again! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru argues with him, and TJP slides into the ring. Kanemaru follows and stalks TJP.

Kanemaru stomps TJP’s leg, tags Douki, and Douki gives TJP some stomps. Douki digs his boot into TJP’s bad leg, but lets off as the ref counts. Douki stalks TJP to ropes and wraps the bad leg around them. The ref counts, Douki lets off to run side to side and dropkick the bad leg! TJP falls and fans cheer, and Douki tags Kanemaru. They drag TJP to split the wishbone! Kanemaru drags TJP up, whips him to ropes, and dropkicks the legs out! Kanemaru grabs the leg, and he pulls on a deep CALF KILLER! TJP endures, Akira stomps Kanemaru, but Douki throws Akira out. Kanemaru drags TJP up for a SHIN BREAKER!

Tag to Douki, he stomps TJP’s leg, but TJP shoves him away. Douki kicks the bad leg, and kicks it again. Douki whips TJP to ropes, TJP goes Spider-Man, but Douki rushes in. TJP goes up and over Douki, Akira runs in and TJP jumps over for Akira to WRECK Douki with a dropkick! TJP BLASTS Kanemaru, Akira ASAI MOONSAULTS Douki down! Fans fire up with the Nova Fireball as he puts Douki back in. TJP hobbles over, tags Akira in, and Catch 2/2 double whip. SOBAT, KICK, KICK and SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Akira drags Douki up. Douki fights back but Akira CLUBS him on the back. Akira then RAMS Douki into a corner!

Akira RAMS Douki more, snapmares and basement dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Akira drags Douki up, scoops and SLAMS him, then tags TJP. Akira runs to hop up onto TJP’s shoulders! “Take pictures, take pictures!” ELEVATED SENTON! TJP covers but Kanemaru breaks it! Fans rally, TJP drags Douki by a leg and steps through. DEATHLOCK! Fans rally as TJP falls back to SNAP it! And SNAP it again! And then bridge for the MUTA LOCK! Kanemaru stomps TJP down, but Akira kicks Kanemaru back out. TJP drags Douki up and over, Akira holds onto Douki in the ropes for a TARANTULA!

The ref is busy with TJP and Kanemaru, Akira gets away with a bit more than a five count. Akira lets off and TJP covers, TWO! Fans rally up as Douki shakes his head defiantly. Douki fires forearms on TJP but TJP UPPERCUTS him down! TJP drags Douki to the ropes, goes to the apron, and slingshots, but Douki avoids the senton! Douki rushes in, swings into a back suplex, but lands on his feet! Douki dropkicks TJP’s legs out! Fans fire up while both men are down! TJP and Douki crawl for their corners, hot tag to Kanemaru! Akira runs in to intercept! Catch 2/2 double whip but Kanemaru ducks ‘n’ dodges to DOUBLE SHOTGUN!

Kanemaru drags TJP and whips him to a corner but TJP reverses. TJP runs but into a BOOT! Kanemaru goes up top to STRONG SCISSORS! TJP tumbles but stands, Kanemaru runs in to dropkick the legs out! Kanemaru gets the bad leg again, for another SHIN BREAKER! And then a SHIN BUSTER as he throws TJP to the mat! And then another SMASH of the knee! Kanemaru steps through, but TJP kicks him away with the good leg. Only for Kanemaru to basement dropkick TJP back down! Kanemaru drags TJP up, scoops and BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru keeps TJP in the drop zone and goes up the corner!

MOONSAULT, but TJP moves! Kanemaru lands on his feet, but Akira runs in to kick him low. Akira runs but Douki gets in to elbow Akira! Douki & Kanemaru both run, but TJP sets up for FIREBALL IN MOTION! Fans fire up with all four men down! Akira bails out with Douki and TJP brings the kneepad down on his bad leg. TJP hobbles after Kanemaru and puts him in a corner. Fans rally as TJP scrubs Kanemaru’s face with his laces. TJP then runs side to side, but Kanemaru gets up to dropkick the bad leg! Fans fire up, Kanemaru has the bad leg and steps through, but TJP makes it a cradle! TWO!! Kanemaru escapes and TJP goes to a corner!

Kanemaru runs in, but TJP goes up and over and TORNADO DDTS! Fans fire up as Akira takes Douki out! TJP climbs up and aims, MAMBA SPLASH FLOPS!! Kanemaru avoids the dunk, runs in and dropkicks the leg out again! Step through and FIGURE FOUR!! TJP endures, flails, but Douki keeps Akira outside! Khan coaches TJP, TJP reaches out, but Kanemaru thrashes the leg! TJP still fights his way over, but Kanemaru turns him away!! TJP keeps trying, he pries at the hold, but Kanemaru holds onto the leg itself! TJP reaches out one more time, ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up while Kanemaru reluctantly lets TJP go.

Douki tags in and he waits on TJP. TJP gets to a corner, Douki runs in to clothesline! Kanemaru adds on a back elbow! Douki climbs up while Kanemaru scoops for BRITISH- SUPERKICK from Akira! Douki leaps, but TJP gets under! ALLEY-OOP FACEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki survives and fans fire up! Akira drags Douki up and TJP Electric Chair Lifts. Akira climbs, but the bad leg gives out! TJP falls, Akira hops down to get Douki up onto the corner. Akira CLUBS Douki, TJP tries again, and Akira climbs back up. But Kanemaru runs in! Akira MISSILE DROPKICKS Kanemaru, but Douki escapes the Electric Chair!

Douki waistlocks but TJP fights the suplex. Akira chicken wings for TIGER GERMAN! TJP adds on the jackknife bridge! TWO!?!? Douki escapes by nanoseconds and fans are thunderous! Fans rally with “CATCH! NI NI!” as Akira drums the mat. TJP sits Douki up, he and Akira run, but the bad leg gives out again! Akira checks on TJP as he clutches the leg. Akira hurries to go to the apron and tag in. Akira then drags Douki up and reel him in, SPEED- NO! Douki slips free to monkey flip, and ITALIAN STRETCH #32! TJP hurries over but Kanemaru tackles him down! FIGURE FOUR!! Catch 2/2 is enduring dual submissions!!!

Fans are thunderous as TJP reaches out for Akira! Akira is fading, turning red, but TJP keeps rocking the leglock! Kanemaru keeps rocking it back to keep TJP away, but Akira fights his way over! Douki drags Akira away, but Akira jackknifes! TWO!?!?!? And then a spin, Gory Especial, DOTON NO JUSTU!!! Kanemaru dumps TJP out of the ring and runs back in to SHOTGUN Akira!! Kanemaru hurries to scoop and SLAM Akira, to then MOONSAULT!! Douki drags Akira up, to Gory Especial, DOTON NO JUSTU, HENKEI!! Cover, TJP BREAKS IT?! Fans are electric as Kanemaru throws TJP back out!

Douki aims from the apron, slingshots, DAYBREAK!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Akira survives and Duoki can’t believe it! Fans are electric and Douki roars! Douki wheelbarrows Akira, but Akira fights it! Douki powers through, full nelsons, SUPLEX DE LA- NO, Akira lands on his feet! Akira superkicks but Douki blocks! But TJP SUPERKICKS! Akira runs, rolls, RANA DDT!! TJP drags Douki up and Akira heads up the corner! FINAL CUT DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, but Kanemaru breaks it!! Neither team is giving up! Kanemaru hits a SHIN BREAKER on TJP! But TJP dumps Kanemaru out! TJP PLANCHAS to take Kanemaru out!

Akira roars, he brings Douki up, SPEEDFIRE!!!! Akira then aims from a corner, Douki sits up, NOVA FIREBALL!!!! Cover, Catch 2/2 wins!!!

Winners: Catch 2/2, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

This may be New Beginnings, but there will be NO new champions today! Douki & Kanemaru came so close, will they fight their way to another chance? Will TJP & Akira continue this hot streak until the wheels fall off?

 

Will Ospreay VS Taichi!

The United Empire is 2-0 tonight, and they already beat two of the #Just4Guys. Now, the Commonwealth Kingpin takes on The Holy Emperor in a showdown of faction leaders! Will the Empire assert complete dominance in NJPW? Or is there still a chance #Just4Guys can rise up?

The bell rings and the two rush each other! They both kick, Ospreay BOOTS but then Taichi BOOTS back! Ospreay rebounds to BOOT again! Taichi BOOTS back, Ospreay BOOTS back, repeat! Ospreay throws a forearm, Taichi KICKS! Forearm, KICK, back and forth, again and again! Ospreay fires a flurry, spins, but into a SOBAT! ENZI- NO, Ospreay ducks it! But then Taichi ducks Hidden Blade! Ospreay BOOTS, whips, but Taichi reverses to DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Fans fire up while Ospreay checks his face. Fans chant, “Let’s Go, Taichi!” as he brings Ospreay up. Taichi snapmares and KICKS Ospreay in the back!

Taichi paces around Ospreay, stands him up and whips to ropes, for a kitchen sink knee! Taichi KICKS Ospreay in the back again! Cover, ONE!! Ospreay grits his teeth but Taichi brings him back up. Taichi knees low, whips Ospreay to ropes, but Ospreay holds ropes to stop himself. Taichi runs in but Ospreay FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS him! Ospreay runs, and he BOOTS Taichi down! Fans fire up while Taichi bails out. Ospreay PLANCHAS and takes Taichi down! Fans fire up more while Taka checks on Taichi. Ospreay has Taka back off, and he brings Taichi up. Ospreay CHOPS Taichi and Taichi sputters as he staggers away.

Fans rally, Ospreay stalks Taichi, and Ospreay throws big forearms. The ref wants this to get in the ring so Ospreay brings Taichi up onto the apron. Ospreay CLUBS away on Taichi’s back! Ospreay then goes up to the apron to KNEE DROP! Fans fire up, Ospreay covers, ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud, but Ospreay gives toying kicks. Taichi sits up and eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay kicks and kicks but Taichi keeps egging him on. Ospreay drags Taichi up, puts him in a corner, and CHOPS him back down! Fans fire up but Taichi is stinging! Ospreay talks some trash, “That’s your boy, huh? That’s your boy? Your boy’s getting f’d up!”

Ospreay goes back to Taichi, drags him up, and wrenches to whip Taichi hard into a corner! Fans rally up, Ospreay drags Taichi up and snapmares him, to KNEE him in the back! But Taichi stays up so Ospreay KNEES him again! Ospreay clamps on a chinlock but Taichi endures the squeeze. Taichi crawls forward as fans rally, but Ospreay cranks the hold. Taichi reaches out and gets the ROPEBREAK! Ospreay lets off fast to drag Taichi right up for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Taichi hangs tough and fans rally up. Ospreay drags Taichi back up, reels him in, but Taichi fights the lift! They fight for control, and Taichi back drops Ospreay away!

Ospreay gets right up to CHOP Taichi! Taichi goes to a corner, Ospreay runs corner to corner, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Ospreay sits up first but Taichi follows. Taichi stands first and he stalks up behind Ospreay. Taichi whips Ospreay to the corner, clotheslines in the corner, then runs, but Ospreay gets around to a waistlock! Taichi fights the lift, breaks free and PELES the arm! Fans fire up as Taichi stands again. Taichi runs, Ospreay ELBOWS the Ax Bomber away! Taichi blocks the kick, ducks another, runs and AX BOMBERS!! Fans are thunderous as Taichi fires up!

Taichi stands up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Fans fire up more and Taichi aims from the corner. Ospreay stands, but he avoids the kick! Handspring, NEURALIZER! Both men are down again, but Ospreay goes out to the apron. Ospreay aims, springboards, and PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!! Taichi is still in this but Ospreay stands back up. Fans rally, Ospreay calls his shot, and he has Taichi get up. But Taichi reels him in! Ospreay fights free, Taichi boots the haymaker then runs, but into a Tiger Wall Kick and ENZIGURI! Ospreay wags his finger, waits on Taichi to get up again, and then springboards! OSC- NO, Taichi catches Ospreay!

Ospreay holds onto ropes to avoid the saido! Fans rally and duel as they fight for control, and Ospreay kicks off the ropes to get free. Ospreay BOOTS, whips, but Taichi reverses. Ospreay handsprings, into DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Fans fire up again while both men are down! Fans chant, “Let’s Go, Taichi!” as he and Ospreay stir. Taichi sits up first and then stands. Ospreay sits up, Taichi BUZZ- NO, Ospreay blocks! Ospreay CLUBS the leg, fires off Kawada Kicks, but Taichi just gets in Ospreay’s face. Taichi kicks low, and gives back those Kawada Kicks! Ospreay gives more Kawada Kicks, but then so does Taichi!

Fans rally up as Ospreay sits down. Taichi eggs Ospreay on, and dares him to give more kicks! Ospreay stands up to fire off more Kawada Kicks! Taichi staggers, but now Ospreay eggs him on. Ospreay wants more Kawada Kicks, so Taichi gives him more! Ospreay snarls, Taichi eggs him on, and Ospreay CHOPS! Ospreay eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS! Taichi eggs Ospreay on, and Ospreay CHOPS! Taichi paces around, Ospreay eggs him on, and Taichi KICKS! Ospreay CHOPS, Taichi KICKS, repeat! Taichi staggers and Ospreay grins. Fans cheer Taichi on, and he KICKS Ospreay again! Ospreay sputters, Taichi fires off Kawada KICKS! Taichi BUZZSAWS!

Fans are thunderous and Taka pounds the mat! Khan coaches Ospreay up but Taichi roars! Fans fire up with Taichi, he drags Ospreay up and reels him in, for a LAST- NO, Ospreay slips out of the bomb to HOOK KICK! Ospreay aims from a corner now as Taka shouts to him. Taichi flounders up, HIDDEN- YOKOZUNA ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives but Taichi keeps focus! Taichi vows to end this and fans fire up again. Taichi drags Ospreay up, Alabama Lifts, but Ospreay fights it off! Ospreay lifts Taichi but Taichi slips free to ROUNDHOUSE! Ospreay SUPERKICKS! Taichi BLINDSIDE AX BOMBERS! And then GAMANGIRIS!

Fans are thunderous as both men are down again! Ospreay sits up in a daze while fans rally behind Taichi. Taichi roars, he drags Ospreay up, and he Alabama Lifts. Ospreay fights it, Taichi back drops but Ospreay lands on his feet! Taichi swings but Ospreay catches him and spins him to double underhooks! Canadian Rack, but Taichi fights off Stormbreaker! Ospreay lifts Taichi again, TIGER DRIVER!! Ospreay grins while Akira has returned ringside to join the Empire’s cheering section. Fans rally up, Ospreay stands and brings Taichi up. Ospreay runs, springboards, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO?!? Fans are fired up but Ospreay is surprised!

Ospreay shakes his head and grins. He drags Taichi back up, goes for the corner, SUPER OS- NO, Taichi catches Ospreay! Taichi turns Ospreay around, Ospreay RANAS, but Taichi blocks it! To make it a PILEDRIVER!! Ospreay writhes and clutches his neck! Ospreay tells the ref his arm is stinging. Fans rally back up for Taichi and he sits back up. Taichi goes to a corner while Ospreay sits up. Taichi copies Ospreay preparing his arm, for a BLINDSIDE AX BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Taichi roars again! Taichi drags Ospreay up, SAIDO, but Ospreay lands on his feet! Ospreay runs, but into a DROPKICK from Taichi!

Fans are thunderous again and Taichi stands Ospreay up! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? Ospreay survives but Taichi is too tired to be frustrated. Fans rally up and chant harder, “Let’s Go, Taichi!” Taichi and Ospreay stir, and Taichi crawls to a corner. Ospreay sits up and Taichi roars again! Taichi takes aim, for JU- SUPERKICK from Ospreay! POISON-RANA!! Ospreay drags Taichi up, goes to the corner, SUPER OSCU- SLAM DUNK!! Taichi body scissors for the GEDO CLUTCH! TWO?!?! HIDDEN BLADE OUTTA NOWHERE!! Both men are down again and fans are going nuts!

Ospreay drags himself to the corner and slashes his throat, vowing to end this! Ospreay drags Taichi up, underhooks, Canadian Racks, but Taichi slips free! Alabama Lift, BLACK- NO, Ospreay slips out to steal DANGEROUS SAIDO! But Taichi roars and rises again!! But into a FLYING HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, TWO!??! Taichi survives, fans are electric, but off comes Ospreay’s elbow pad! Ospreay aims from a corner, Taichi stands back up, but Ospreay ROCKS him with forearm after forearm! Taichi staggers but he comes back. Ospreay throws more forearms! Fans rally as Taichi stays on his feet! Taichi comes back, Ospreay thrwos even more forearms, but Taichi leans against him!

Ospreay fires off more forearms, Taichi staggers about, but he still comes back! Ospreay just keeps throwing forearms! Taichi wobbles, Ospreay even more forearms! Taichi ROCKS Ospreay with just one!! Both men wobble, Ospreay roars to DECK Taichi! The ref has Ospreay back off to check Taichi! A standing count begins! Taichi is still down at 5 but Taka shouts to him. The count reaches 7, Taichi stirs, and Taichi stands at 9! BUT INTO HIDDEN BLADE!!! Ospreay then underhooks and lifts, for STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall

The United Empire has conquered the day! Taka and the Young Lions check on Taichi, did Ospreay just slay the Holy Emperor? Will the Commonwealth Kingpin find his way back towards a title?

 

Tetsuya Naito VS Shota Umino!

The Stardust Genius is preparing to face The Wrestling Genius, Keiji Muto, in his Grand Final, but he’s also looking to settle scores. After all, The Roughneck was part of the dream team of past, present and future stars that defeated Naito and Los Ingobernables de Japon at WrestleKingdom in Tokyo. Will #SHOOTER do it to Naito again? Or will the Uncontrollable Charisma be unstoppable on the way to Muto’s Last Love?

Naito of course takes his time with his entrance attire but Shota is patient. The bell rings, fans rally up, and they chant for “NA-I-TO!” Naito and Shota circle, approach, and feel out the grapple. They back away and circle again, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Shota then wrenches to a wristlock. Naito spins, wrenches and wristlocks in return, but Shota rolls to trip Naito to a toehold! Naito endures, grabs at Shota, but Shota grabs that arm to drag Naito up. But then Naito trips Shota to get a toehold in return. Shota endures now, grabs Naito for a chinlock, then hooks Naito with a leg to bring him down.

Shota pulls on Naito’s arm but Naito clasps hands. Naito fights up, stacks Shota, ONE, but Naito has a HEEL HOOK! Shota gets the ROPEBREAK, Red Shoes calls for it, and Naito lets off. Fans applaud as the two reset. Naito and Shota circle, tie up, and Shota headlocks. Shota grinds the hold, Naito powers up but can’t power out as Shota holds tight. Shota grinds Naito more, but Naito fights back up. Naito pulls hair, Red Shoes reprimands, but Naito headlocks. Shota throws body shots, powers up and out, and things speed up. Shota hurdles but Naito waistlocks. Shota switches, shoves, but Naito holds ropes to avoid the dropkick!

Shota avoids Naito’s basement dropkick, then Shota arm-drags Naito down! Naito headscissors but Shota kips free, and Naito tranquilos! Shota aims a finger gun but Naito raises the fist. Naito rolls out of the ring, Shota waits on him. Naito walks around the way, approaches, but backs away as Shota steps forward. Shota steps back and Naito slides in, and fans applaud as the two circle again. They approach, feel things out, but Naito keeps changing the hands in the knuckle lock. They finally tie up, but Naito kicks low and CLUBS Shota! Naito runs, but Shota hip tosses and basement dropkicks! Then snapmare and SOMERSAULT SENTON!

Shota throws Naito out and builds speed! Naito gets out of the way, so Shota steals tranquilo! Fans applaud but Naito just shrugs it off. Naito takes his time outside, so Shota patiently waits inside. Naito rushes in, Shota scoops him and SLAMS him down! Shota runs, and UPPERCUTS Naito! Cover, TWO! Fans applaud, Shota paces around. Shota stomps Naito, paces, then stomps him again. Naito grins as Shota stomps him again, and fans rally up. Shota slaps Naito around, but Naito claws Shota’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Shota swings, but Naito gets around to pull hair. Shota breaks free, runs in, but into an atomic drop!

Naito throws Shota out, builds speed, and he WRECKS Shota with a dropkick! Shota hits railing, Naito goes out and whips him into more railing! Naito rolls into the ring to leave Shota behind. A ring count starts, Shota stirs, but Naito goes out after him. Naito drags Shota up, whips him into railing again, and Shota ends up stuck! Naito pushes him over, then drags him back up. Naito bends Shota against the railing, for a NECKBREAKER! Shota flops down while Naito leaves him behind again. Red Shoes checks on Shota and Shota stirs. Shota drags himself from the railing as the ring count starts, but he’s still down at 7 of 20.

Shota drags himself around the gate at 11 of 20, stands up at 13, and staggers his way over at 15. Shota slides in at 17, and Naito is on him! Naito turns Shota for a NECKBREAKER, into the LEG HOOK FULL NELSON! Shota endures and fans rally up. Shota kicks around, Naito puts on the pressure, and then Naito starts smacking Shota in the head. Shota keeps fighting and moves around, to the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer and Red Shoes calls for the break, but Naito just lets go with his hands! Red Shoes reprimands, Naito pushes a bit more before finally letting go. Naito drags Shota up, Shota throws hands, but they’re not very strong.

Fans rally, Shota keep throwing forearms but Naito ROCKS and whips Shota to a corner. JUMP KICK, leg sweep, SWINGING DROPKICK! Combinacion Cabron! Fans cheer as Naito poses, and then Naito covers, TWO! Naito kicks at Shota, toying with him. Naito brings Shota up, snapmares him, and then has a cravat neck wrench! Shota endures as Naito pulls on the hold! Fans rally, Shota fights up, and throws body shots! Shota breaks free but Naito CLUBS away on him! Naito reels Shota in but Shota ducks the elbow! Shota runs to RANA! Shota then DROPKICKS Naito! Fans fire up while both men are down.

Fans rally up and Shota stands. Shota goes to a corner, aims at Naito as he stands, and runs in to forearm! And elbow! And whip! Naito reverses but Shota holds ropes. Shota BOOTS back, then dodges Naito to arm-drag him! And elbow him down! Shota keeps moving, BASEMENT DROPKICK! Fans fire up with Shota and he storms up on Naito. Shota whips Naito corner to corner, Shota runs in to UPPERCUT! And then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! It wasn’t quite perfect, but fans still rally up. Shota drags Naito, steps through on the legs, and has an STF! Naito endures as Shota pulls back!

Fans rally, Naito crawls forward, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans applaud as Shota lets off quickly. Shota keeps cool as he stalks Naito. Shota stomps Naito, drags him up, and CLUBS him on the neck. Naito goes to a corner, Shota bumps Naito off buckles, then goes up the corner. Shota reels Naito in, for a TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up and Shota aims his finger gun again. Shota waits on Naito to get up, and then kicks low. Shota underhooks but Naito RAMS him into a corner! Naito walks away, Shota rushes him, but Naito catches him to get around! Full nelson, Shota switches, but Naito arm-drags free!

Naito arm-drags Shota again, then headlocks. Fans rally, Shota moves around, and Shota fights up to his feet. Naito CLUBS Shota, whips him to ropes, then ELBOWS him down before basement dropkick! Shota stands up, into a NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and fans rally back up. Naito sits up first, crawls over to Shota and brings him up. Shota breaks free and throws a forearm! Naito throws a forearm back! Shota throws another forearm, but so does Naito! Shota grins, and he gets in Naito’s face. Shota throws a forearm, Naito returns it, and they go faster and faster! Fans rally, Shota gets the edge, but Naito gives all those forearms back!

Shota rebounds off ropes, to SHOTGUN Naito down! Fans fire up while Naito bails out. Shota pounds the mat and fans rally behind him. Shota builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up with Shota! Shota drags Naito back up, but he’s dead weight. Red Shoes checks on Naito and he stirs. Shota brings Naito up and into the ring, then Shota climbs up the corner. Naito stands, Shota leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Shota hurries to bring Naito around by his legs, steps over again, and has the STF back!! Naito endures, fans rally up, but Shota pulls on the hold! Naito crawls forward, Shota CLUBS him on the back, then pulls the hold again!

Naito still reaches out, still fights his way forward, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Red Shoes reprimands Shota, but Shota pulls the hold! Shota lets off after that, then paces around in frustration. Fans rally, Shota drags Naito up, but Naito fights the clinch. Shota knees low, snapmares, and throws down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Shota has learned much from the Blackpool Combat Club! Shota drags Naito up and clinches, but Naito fights free with elbows of his own! Shota kicks, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO DDT! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” as he and Shota stir.

Naito sits up, crawls his way over, and he drags Shota up. Naito throws heavy elbow after heavy elbow! Shota staggers to a corner, Naito storms up on him and hoists him up top. Naito climbs up after Shota, for a SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Naito brings Shota up. Naito hammerlocks, but Shota fights free with elbows! Naito hits a flying-mare, to the PLUMA BLANCA!! Shota endures, kicks and flails, moves around, reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Naito lets go quickly to bring Shota to a corner. Naito climbs up, ESPERANZA! Fans fire up while Shota sits up in a daze!

Naito goes to the corner, and he watches as Shota slowly stands. Naito runs in, but into an ELBOW! And ENZIGURI! Naito comes back, but into a dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!! Shota takes Naito down with the twisting neckbreaker, but he holds on! Shota drags Naito up again, another CROSS RHODES!! And then an inverted suplex, SAVING GRACE!! Cover, TWO!!! Naito survives and Shota is shocked! Fans rally up, Shota goes to a corner and waits on Naito. Naito rises, Shota runs in, but Naito avoids the swing to ROLLING KICK! And then ENZIGURIS! Shota staggers, Naito hammerlocks and lifts, GLORIA! Cover, TWO!!

Shota survives and fans fire back up! Naito drags Shota up, wrenches, but Shota fights free. Shota roars, runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Naito drags Shota up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTI- NO! Shota shifts Naito around and tucks him in! BASTARD DRIVER!!! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Naito and Shota stir, fans rally for “NA-I-TO!” and he sits up first. Shota follows, and stands first to bring Naito up in an Alabama Lift! CRUNCHY!! Cover, TWO!!! Naito survives but Shota hurries to a corner! Shota wants Naito to stand, and Naito rises, for the SWINGING NECKBREAKER!! Cover, TWO!!!

Shota roars and fans fire up again! Shota drags Naito up, underhooks, but Naito wrenches out to scoop, VALENTIA!! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Shota and Naito stir, and Naito crawls over to Shota. Naito drags Shota up, and he throws heavy elbows again! Shota drops to his knees then flops to the mat, but he grabs at Naito’s foot. Shota drags himself back up, but Naito gives him more heavy elbows! Shota drops again, but he shakes his head! Fans fire up as Shota fights back up! Shota snarls but Naito gives him even more heavy elbows! Shota falls back down, but he just fires up! Naito gives even more elbows, Shota eggs him on, but Naito ELBOWS him down!!

Shota roars again, but Naito just fires off MORE elbows! Shota drops to his knees again, Naito says he’ll end this now. Naito stands Shota up, wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but Shota slips free! DEATH RIDER!!! Shota is feeling it now and the fans rally up behind him! Shota drags Naito up, lifts Naito, but Naito slips free and falls to the mat. Shota drags Naito back up, lifts again, for the DEATH SHOOTER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Naito survives Shota’s take on the move, but Shota isn’t done yet! Shota underhooks, but Naito slips free to DESTINO!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Shota survives and fans are thunderous!

Naito still has a wild look on his face as he gets back up. Naito stands Shota up, wrenches, tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!!!! Cover, Naito wins!

Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall

The Roughneck fought as hard as he could for as long as he could, but in the end, the Uncontrollable Charisma could not be stopped! Is it still too soon for the future of NJPW to be the present? As for Naito, he gets his baseball cap, then helps Shota stand up. Shota doesn’t want his help, and he pushes Naito. So Naito TOSSES Shota from the ring! Shota is helped away by Young Lions and Naito gets the mic to say, “Buenas noches, SAPPORO~!” Sapporo cheers, and Naito says, “This was NJPW’s first Hokkaido event of the year, and hopefully everyone’s had a great time. And I’m happy to be showing all of you in Hokkaido Tetsuya Naito’s pro-wrestling here tonight. Gracias, amigos.”

Naito also notes that tomorrow, February 5th, right back here, the main event will be Hiromu Takahashi VS Yoh for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title. He hopes everyone will come back to see that. Fans applaud, they surely will. Naito says, “By the way… You all can make noise again.” Fans cheer, they love that fact! Naito says that they should close this show right. For the first time since February 2019, four years ago, we wrap NJPW’s first night back in Sapporo the only right way! Fans do the roll call along with Naito! “Bushi! Sanada! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Y Naito! Nosotros…! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!”

The Stardust Genius knows how to get the fans fired up, and they chant his name as he poses. Will Los Ingobernables de Japon make 2023 their year? Will Naito send Keiji Muto off in style in just under three weeks?


My Thoughts:

Really good stuff from NJPW for the Sapporo weekend they’ve got going. I skimmed, and I like that in the 8 Man Tag of Not Suzuki-Gun VS House of Torture, Narita was the one to get the win. He and Suzuki had a stare down and Suzuki apparently imparted wisdom on how Narita can reach that top level. Who knows if Narita sticks with Suzuki to learn more about that, but I think teaming with Suzuki in winning efforts against the House of Torture is a sign that Narita is gonna get to that top level at some point. TMDK winning was big given the IWGP Heavyweight Tag and NJPW World TV title matches tomorrow. It was also big because it was their Young Lion recruit, Kosei Fujita, getting the finish.

The other 8 Man Tags give me the feeling that this is the go-home math. Bullet Club lost because Jay White is going to beat Hikuleo and banish him to NJPW Strong in the US, and Kazuchika Okada will retain the world title against Shingo Takagi. The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag title match was awesome stuff, and Douki again raises the bar on how great he can be. I would’ve loved to see Douki & Kanemaru win those belts, but perhaps it is too soon for Just4Guys to start taking over. To that point, Ospreay VS Taichi was also an awesome match, but Ospreay wins so that he can get himself back up.

The main event of Naito VS Shota was really good, but the pacing of it left a lot to be desired. It wasn’t as exciting, or at least the fans weren’t as fired up as they were the previous matches. Maybe the previous matches tired the crowd out, but they also got back into it at the end when Shota and Naito really upped things. I did like that Shota borrowed the Hammer ‘n’ Anvil elbows from the Blackpool Combat Club, though. But Naito wins, of course, as Shota still needs some time to really show what this Roughneck character is about. Plus, Naito needs that momentum going into his match with Muto.

My Score: 8.6/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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