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Mitchell’s NXT Vengeance Day Results & Report! (2/4/23)

Vengeance, thy name is…

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NXT is back on the road, but how will the landscape be affected?

NXT takes over Charlotte, North Carolina and puts it all on the line! Will Bron Breakker or Grayson Waller be NXT Champion after their Steel Cage match?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee VS DIJAK; Wes wins and retains the title.
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Fallon Henley & Kiana James; Fallon & Kiana win and become the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.
  • Best 2 out of 3 Falls: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Apollo Crews; Hayes wins.
  • NXT Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS Pretty Deadly VS Gallus VS Chase U; Gallus wins and becomes the new NXT Tag Team Champions.
  • NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Roxanne Perez VS Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne; Roxanne wins and retains the title.
  • NXT Championship Steel Cage Match, NO ESCAPE: Bron Breakker VS Grayson Waller; Bron wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the NXT Vengeance Day Kickoff Show!

Join Matt Camp and Sam Roberts in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action on this historic night!

 

NXT_Anonymous shares footage.

Apollo Crews and Carmelo Hayes had a tense encounter in the lobby of the hotel, but management was there to keep it from exploding. Their Best 2 Out of 3 Falls will settle things, but which way will the future go?

 

Wes Lee speaks.

“Woo~ hoo! Fresh to death, and ready to head to the Spectrum Center. But first, a kiss from the missus.” Wes kisses his wife, picks up his title, “never leave home without it, and I plan to make my way back home with it.” The Missus says he better. Wes tells Dijak he has no shot, the North American title stays on the #WesSide.\

 

Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen talk with Fallon Henley & Kiana James.

Briggs knows Kayden & Katana have a ton of tag moves, so Fallon & Kiana have to stop them before they get going. Jensen agrees. Kayden loves her dropkick-splashes, so Kiana should get those beautiful legs- er, knees up! Kiana asks if Jensen was watching film for her. He was. Kiana tells Fallon, “Isn’t Jensen the sweetest?” Fallon says, “I don’t now, Kiana. You tell me.” Briggs tells them to focus! If they’re gonna win, they gotta listen to each other. The ladies agree, they’ve got this. Will the Cowgirl & Calculator figure out KC Squared and bring home the gold?

 

Backstage interview with The New Day.

McKenzie Mitchell is with the NXT Tag Team Champions, and notes that they take on three tag teams at once. Xavier Woods says yes they will, but first, he wants to talk about something very important. New Day has new shirts at WWE Shop! But also, NXT had these tag titles stuck down in Orlando, going up and down Florida, nobody saw them! The New Day has taken these belts all over the world, starting with Australia, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Now, we’re here at Vengeance Day! Kofi Kingston says they have stiff competition.

First, the longest reigning NXT UK Tag Team Champions EVER in Gallus! Then there’s former NXT Tag Team Champions, Pretty Deadly! And if that wasn’t enough, there’s Chase U! Chase U hasn’t won titles yet, but imagine if Andre Chase won his first here in his hometown of CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA! Chase will win one day, just not today. Woods bids us adieu as he and Kofi must prepare to walk out your W, W, E, N, X, T, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~! And do you know why? McKenzie does her best Big E, “BEEECAUSE~!” “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” McKenzie knows, but will the world know after tonight’s Fatal 4 Way?

 

Chase U gets hyped outside the Spectrum Center.

But why? It’s freezing right now! Andre Chase says Spectrum Center in Charlotte, NC is a place with so many great wrestling moments he grew up on. And tonight, they have the opportunity to have THEIR moment! It’s just as Michael Jordan said: Heart is what separates the good from the great. Chase U may be the underdogs, but not here in Charlotte! They not only have heart, they have homefield advantage! They’ll go give those other three teams an Andre Chase University sized ASS WHOOPING! Duke does the U to high-ten, he and Chase are all fired up! But will this homecoming be a big win for Chase U?

 

Charlotte Flair speaks.

“Alright, North Carolina, it’s about damn time. NXT is back on the road. A brand that revolutionized this industry. But it’s not about then, it’s about this generation. Starting with this man: NXT Champion, Bron Breakker. He will Spear you so hard, your great-grandchildren will feel it. His opponent: Grayson Waller. A silver-tongued Aussie who believes it’s not talking smack if you can back it up. Two caged animals, but only one will come out as champion. From one champion to another, allow me to introduce a 21-year-old Prodigy, Roxanne Perez. This new champion has to fend off two Toxic vultures whose mission is to stop the future and rebuild their empire. Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne will do it by any means necessary.

“And for the ten people in the world who don’t know the new Day, they’re only the greatest tag team in WWE history. Three teams respect history, but want to write their own. A university rich in passion, rich in tradition. A flamboyant duo who’s pretty on the outside, but deadly inside the ring. And two bruisers who are ready to reign over a new kingdom. If we’re talking tag teams, where my ladies at? Katana & Kayden, please stand up. Since day one, ride or die. And you chose to ride all the way to the longest reign in Women’s Tag Team History. Raw, SmackDown, NXT, period. But there are two bitter rivals, Fallon Henley & Kiana James. They put their disdain aside for the opportunity to break the streak and capture championship gold.

“If there’s a way to get that W, North American Champion Wes Lee will find it. But Dijak is a man on a mission, ready to serve justice. It’s the classic David VS Goliath for the North American title. And finally, there’s talent, and then there’s these two men. Apollo Crews and Carmelo Hayes. They have more athleticism in their pinkie finger than 99% of men have in their whole bodies. Don’t blink, you’ll miss something incredible, because these two men are about to put on a show. Not for one fall, but for two out of three. This is your moment. This is your day. This is Vengeance Day!” The Queen has spoken, who seizes the day in The Queen City?

 

NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee VS DIJAK!

The Must-See Kid has proven himself to be a fighting champion and a worthy champion, but he’s going up against #HardJustice! Will this title stay on the #WesSide? Or will it be put under lock and key?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Cardiac Kid’s heart will see him through!

The fans fire up as the two circle. The fans chant for Wes as he ties up with Dijak. Dijak shoves Wes away, but Wes grins as he gets up. Dijak says he should’ve just given up, but Wes throws up the W. The two approach, Wes gets around Dijak, headlocks, and holds on tight. Dijak throws body shots, powers out, then runs Wes over! Wes gets up, a little worried by the strength difference, and Dijak tells him to save himself the beating and lie down. The fans rally up behind Wes, but Wes lies down? Dijak covers, but Wes KICSK him in the face! Wes grins, Dijak rushes in, things speed up and Wes slides to roll and headscissor!

Dijak hits buckles, Wes runs in and waistlocks. Wes starts to lift Dijak but Dijak elbows back. Dijak bucks Wes away, Wes returns but is put on the apron. Wes shoulders in, slingshots and RANAS Dijak into another corner! Fans fire up as Dijak bails out, and Wes WRECKS him with a dropkick! Wes goes to the apron, leaps, but into a fireman’s carry! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER to the floor!! Fans are stunned as Dijak puts Wes in the ring. Cover, TWO!! Wes survives and Dijak grows frustrated. Dijak clamps on a hammerlock and CLUBS away on Wes’s arm! Dijak pushes Wes to a cover, TWO! Wes is hanging tough but Dijak stomps him down.

Dijak stalks Wes to a corner, puts him on ropes, and CHOKES him! The ref counts, Dijak lets off, and fans rally up for Wes. Wes sputters but Dijak drags him up. Dijak throws back elbows, then CLUBS Wes in the chest! Dijak suplexes Wes, TIME TO FLY! Wes hits hard, Dijak covers, TWO! Dijak is annoyed but also a bit amused by Wes still fighting. Dijak stands WEs up but Wes throws hands! Wes UPPERCUTS, runs, and CROSSBODIES, but Dijak catches him! Dijak KNEES Wes in the side, then TOSSES him out of the ring! Fans fire up as Wes crashes down! Dijak goes out after Wes, drags him up again, and RAMS him into the apron!

The ring count climbs but Dijak THROWS Wes into barriers! The count is 5 of 10 but Dijak RAMS Wes into the apron, CLUBS him, then pushes him in at 7. Dijak stalks Wes, covers, TWO! Wes crawls to a corner, Dijak stalks him. Dijak stomps Wes again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Wes sputters and fans boo but Dijak drags Wes up. Dijak ROCKS Wes with forearm after forearm, and then heavy elbows! Dijak lets off to whip Wes corner to corner hard! Dijak then runs in, to back elbow just as hard! Wes is dazed, but Dijak stands him back up to whip the other way. Dijak runs in again, but Wes dodges! Dijak hits buckles so hard, he falls out of the ring!

Fans rally for Wes but Dijak hurries back in. Wes avoids Dijak’s hands, throws body shots, but Dijak ROCKS Wes with a forearm! Wes SOBATS, fires off body shots, and fans fire up as he fires off in the corner! Wes ROCKS Dijak, whips Dijak, but Dijak reverses! Wes hits buckles, but he dropkicks Dijak’s legs out! Dijak hits buckles, Wes SUPERKICKS! Wes waistlocks, Dijak is too big, so Wes shoves him to ENZIGURI! Wes tires again, he has Dijak up, GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Wes again as Dijak goes to the apron. Wes throws down hands, but Dijak drags him out to the apron!

Dijak and Wes brawl on their knees, Wes gets the edge, but Dijak fireman’s carries! Wes throws elbows to fight free! Wes then back drops Dijak OFF the apron!! Wes then builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP!! Direct hit and fans are thunderous! Wes puts Dijak in the ring, he goes to the corner and slingshots in for the HANDSPRING- NO, torture rack! FEAST YOUR- NO, POISON-RANA!!! Wes brings Dijak in, to fisherman and MICHINOKU DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Dijak survives Wes’s feat of strength and no one can believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Wes rises up. Wes goes up the corner, takes aim, and 450- NO, Wes bails out as Dijak moves!

Dijak runs in, but into a SUPERKICK! Wes springboards, into a choke grip! HIGH JUSTICE!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Wes roars, but Dijak clamps onto him with the hammerlock sleeper! Wes fights but he fades! Fans rally and Wes reaches out! Dijak keeps Wes from ropes, but Wes backs him up and snapmares! Dijak holds on and has body scissors!! Wes is caught! Wes is fading! Fans rally up harder, the ref checks, and Wes comes back to life! Wes fights his way out of the body scissors, reaches out, but Dijak brings him around into a torture rack! FEAST YOUR- ROLL-UP!! TWO!! Dijak choke grips again, HIGH- Wes slips out! SUPERKICK!! SUPERKICK again!

Dijak shakes his head as he sits back up. Dijak is laughing and Wes isn’t sure what to make of this. RUNNING KNEE! Wes keeps moving, but Dijak CYCLONE BOOTS!! Cover, TWO!??! Wes survives and Dijak is shocked now! Wes snarls as he gets back to his feet, but Dijak SUPERKICKS! And LARIATS! Cover, TWO!?!??! How is Wes doing this!?! Fans are thunderous again for Wes as Dijak drags him by his hair to a corner. Dijak stands Wes up then climbs the corner. Dijak brings Wes up to join him, to SUPER POWER- STEINER!!!! Wes turns things around at the last possible moment! Wes hurries back up, for a SKY TWISTER!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?

Just what are either of these two made of!? Dijak bails out, ‘This is Awesome!” as Wes goes and DIVES from the corner, to be sent into barriers! Dijak thwarts Wes’s flight plan, and then he grabs the timekeeper’s armchair! The ref starts the ring count but Dijak makes Wes take a seat. Dijak then grabs a broom, and he puts it through the armrests so that Wes can’t get out of the chair! SUPERKICK!! The ref reprimands but Dijak tells him to shut up. Dijak climbs the corner!? Dijak reaches the top, but Tony D’Angelo and Channing Lorenzo get Wes out of the way of the ARIHARA MOONSAULT!!!

Dijak wipes out Teh Don and Stacks, he tells them to stay out of his business, and then he puts Wes in the ring. Dijak springboards, into a SUPERKICK!! Wes handsprings for the PELE! Cover, Wes wins!!

Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Hard Justice just ran into Street Justice! The Don did Wes a favor saving him from utter destruction, but will Wes soon owe them?

 

Backstage interview with Kayden Carter & Katana Chance.

McKenzie is with the NXT Women’s Tag Team titles moments away from their defense against the “unorthodox team” of Fallon & Kiana. Katana says from unorthodox to in-sync to best friends to bitter enemies. They’ve faced them all on the road to becoming THE longest reigning Women’s Tag Team Champions in the WWE. Kayden says whether it’s a love triangle, rectangle or whatever between Kiana, Fallon, Jensen and Briggs, that’s not their concern. Their concern is the titles. Kayden isn’t trying to sound cocky, but this team busted their asses to become champions. They’re gonna do what they do. But will they do it for one more night to keep the reign going?

 

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Fallon Henley & Kiana James w/ Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen!

KC Squared loves to bring the party, but the other team is all business. Well, Kiana is business, Fallon is a pretty rough ‘n’ tumble party girl in her own right. But will the Cowgirl & Calculator handle business against a united duo? Or will Chance & Carter be bringing these titles to an after party?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if KC Squared adds to the Highlight Reel!

The teams sort out and Kiana starts against Kayden. Briggs shouts, “New champ alert!” as Kiana and Kayden circle. They tie up, Kayden gets around to waistlock, and she trips Kiana to twerk on her. Kayden asks if the boys like twerking, but Briggs covers Jensen’s eyes. Kiana whips, Kayden reverses, but Kiana blocks hip toss to throw Kayden out. Jensen gives Kiana a thumbs up, but Kayden gives Jensen a spank! Kiana rushes out, chases Kayden, but Kayden dropkicks Kiana in the ring! Tag to Katana, they whip, trip and basement dropkick to a slingshot senton! Cover, TWO! Katana brings Kiana up, but Kiana knees low!

Kiana brings Katana over, tag to Fallon, and Kiana holds Katana, but also pulls hair! Fallon argues with Kiana about that, and the ref also reprimands over that, but Katana kicks! Fallon blocks, goes to punch, but Katana gets away, so Fallon has to hold back so as not to hit Kiana! Katana kicks Kiana, Fallon kicks Katana. Katana tags Kayden, Fallon & Kiana both kick but both get blocked. KC Squared swing haymakers but Fallon & Kiana get around to short arm LARIAT in stereo! Fans fire up, Fallon ghost pins Kayden, TWO! Kayden EDDY GORDO KICKS Fallon! Tag to Katana, the champs double wrench, sweep and run to MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO!

Katana grinds Fallon’s arm, Fallon powers her back, tag to Kiana. Fallon whips Katana into Kiana’s knee! Fallon is still upset about cheap tactics but Kiana hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Kiana sucker punches Kayden, pie faces Katana, and drags Katana up to whip her to the corner. Kiana fires off on Katana, RAMS into her, then handsprings to RAM into her again! Fallon tags in, runs, and Kiana feeds Katana to the LASSO FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fallon clamps onto Katana with a chinlock, then makes it a half nelson chinbar! Fans rally up as Katana endures. Katana fights up but Fallon wrangles her back down!

Fallon keeps on Katana, thrashing her around. Katana still endures and fans rally up. Katana fights up and arm-drags free! But Fallon hurries to keep her from Kayden! They’re fingertips away! Fallon back suplexes, Kayden tags in! Katana slips free, Kayden BULLDOGS Fallon, BLASTS Kiana, and then fires off forearms on them both! Kayden sends Fallon into Kiana, sandwiches them, then DROP-SPLASHES! Fans fire up as Kayden runs side to side. Tag to Katana before the BOOT WASH! Fallon falls out of the ring, Katana comes in around the way to get the boost, CROSSBODY on both Kiana & Fallon!

Katana puts Fallon in, then ROLLING AX KICKS! Cover, TWO! Katana keeps on Fallon but Fallon throws body shots! Fallon throws haymakers and DECKS Katana! Fallon drags katana up but Katana JAWBREAKERS! Kiana tags in, brings Katana up and back suplexes, but Katana lands on her feet! Katana and Kayden SILLY STRING Kiana down! Tag to Kayden, she brings Kiana up toa  fireman’s carry. Kiana slips free, shoves and scoops, SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kiana is frustrated, but she drags Kayden up by her hair. The ref reprimands, Kiana whips but Kayden holds ropes. Kayden BOOTS, Katana tags in, they TABLE TOP Kiana!

Kayden gives Katana a WHEELBARROW BACK SUPLEX, but onto Kiana’s knees! Kiana TOSSES Kayden, storms up on Katana and DECKS her with a right. Tag to Fallon, she runs to go up the ropes, FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Scoop and DOUBLE DRIVER!! Cover, Kayden breaks it apart! Kiana is furious, she kicks Kayden then throws her out! Kiana goes out to the apron, MOONSAULT! Kayden avoids it, mule kicks and goes up, FLYING CUTTER to the floor! Fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as Jensen checks Kiana and Briggs coaches Fallon. Fallon and Katana throw hands back and forth. Katana CHOPS, Fallon ROCKS then CHOPS!

Fallon drags Katana up, whips her to the corner, runs in but is put on the apron. Katana shoulders Fallon, Kayden tags in and she ROCKS Fallon. Kayden climbs up the corner, Fallon fights the lift! Fallon HEADBUTTS Kayden! Fallon climbs up now, but Kayden HEADBUTTS back! Fallon CHOPS Kayden but Katana sneaks a tag! Fallon is up on Kayden’s shoulders, but Katana SUPER STEINERS her down!! Cover, TWO!?! Fallon survives and no one can believe it! Katana hurries to tag Kayden, then Katana climbs. Kayden drags Fallon up and turns her, but Kiana SHOVES Katana away! Katana crashes down and Kayden is shocked!

Fallon runs, Kayden gets around, O’Conner Roll! TWO and Kayden hits ropes! Fallon kicks Kayden into body scissor clutch position, and Kiana holds Kayden’s legs! FALLON & KIANA WIN!!!

Winners: Fallon Henley & Kiana James, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships)

Kayden knows she got cheated! She protests but it’s too late! The streak is over at 181 days, and now the gold is going home with the Cowgirl & Calculator! Is this unlikely duo going to go far with these belts? Or will it only be a matter of time before Kiana gets caught bending the rules?

 

Drew Gulak is on Instagram.

He has Hank Walker join him on his Instagram story. Did Hank see Wes use speed to counter Dijak’s size and strength? Yeah, he saw that. That is how you have to beat high-fliers: you ground them. One more thing, too. See how nice everyone here is dressed for Vengeance Day? Why is Hank dressed like he’s going to repair a sink? These are just Hank’s clothes. Oh, those are just his clothes? They need to get Hank some real ring attire. Sure, right away. Good, Gulak is building a superstar, not a house. Hank says he can do that. What kind of ring gear will we see the Blue Collar Boy bring to NXT?

 

Lyra Valkyria speaks.

“My Vengeance Day was supposed to arrive last Tuesday. Cora Jade was going to, as she put it, teach me my place here in NXT. But I guess Cora changed her mind. I can’t respect a woman who says one thing and then does the opposite. Cora Jade’s time will come, and she will perish. This Tuesday, I’m going to be standing in the middle of the ring. So who among the women’s locker room is ready to soar?”

 

Best 2 out of 3 Falls: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Apollo Crews!

These two have gone 1-1, and they both want the same thing: a shot at the NXT Championship. With no excuses left, this will decide who really has next! Will Melo be that man? Or is the future bright for Apollo?

Trick gives Melo the introduction. “Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Trick ‘n’ Melo fans of all ages. I need you to strap in and glue your wigs on tight.” For he is the 2021 Breakout Superstar; the longest combined reigning North American Champion; an NXT WarGames winner; the Unified Cruiserweight & North American Champion… “HIM!” Melo makes his way out, his shirt having Apollo’s face with a big blue X through it. Apollo’s entrance has highlights from his first NXT run, facing Finn Balor, wining the United States and Intercontinental Championship, to the moment he almost beat Bron Breakker.

The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. They talk a little trash, circle and then tie up. Apollo waistlocks, throws Melo down, but Melo slips out to wrench. Apollo wrenches back, but Melo drops, spins and trips Apollo. Apollo gets the ropebreak and Melo lets off. Fans cheer as the two stand off. There’s a little more trash talk, and the two tie up again. Melo wrenches, drop toeholds, and floats to a facelock. Apollo slips out to flip Melo over and facelock back. Melo slips out, but then Apollo has him again. Apollo drags Melo down but Melo slips out to wrench an arm. The two separate again and fans applaud.

Apollo and Melo reset again and tie up. Melo waistlocks, Apollo pries free to headlock, and Apollo hits a takeover. Melo headscissors, Apollo shrugs that off and he grinds the hold. Melo tries again, gets the headscissor and keeps it, but Apollo fights around. Melo slaps Apollo here and there, clamps onto an arm, but Apollo fights both holds at once. Apollo pops free, floats to the headlock, but Melo chinbars in return. Fans rally and duel, Melo facelocks and pushes Apollo, but Apollo slips out to facelock back. Melo fights up, Apollo headlocks but Melo powers out. Things speed up, Melo hurdles then ducks to roll off Apollo’s back, and SLAP him!

Melo SLAPS Apollo again! Apollo smirks while Melo talks trash. Apollo SLAPS Melo down! “Get your ass up!” Melo gets up, swings, but Apollo gets around toe headlock. Melo powers out, Apollo goes up and over and handsprings. Fans cheer as the two stand off again! Melo runs, Apollo hurdles, drops but Melo avoids the dropkick! Melo strolls around, but Apollo blocks the rana! Apollo CATAPULTS Melo at a corner! But Melo lands on the ropes! Apollo runs but into a mule kick! Melo CROSSBODIES into anti-air DROPKICK! Apollo shoots his three and scores! Fans are torn but Apollo drags Melo up.

Apollo scoops Melo to RAM him into a corner! Melo tumbles down the buckles but Apollo drags him back up. Apollo CLUBS Melo, CHOPS him, but Melo pie faces back. Apollo stomps Melo down, whips him corner to corner hard, and Melo hits buckles! Apollo drags Melo back up, scoops and BACKBREAKERS! Melo writhes but Apollo waits on him to get up. Apollo waistlocks, Melo moves around and goes to ropes. Melo throws elbows, then whips Apollo tropes. Apollo reverses, and catches the Fade Away to a GERMAN SUPLEX! Apollo holds on, but Melo throws elbows! Melo whips Apollo out of the ring!

Apollo gets on the apron, Melo runs, and Melo slides, but Apollo jumps over! Melo trips Apollo but Apollo lands on his feet. Trick stands in the way and fans boo! Melo builds speed, Apollo moves and Melo stops before he hits Trick! Apollo CLOBBERS Melo! Trick can’t believe that didn’t work! Apollo goes up the apron, MOONSAULT to the floor! Apollo is going above and beyond for this one! Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Apollo puts Melo in. Slingshot senton! Cover, TWO! Trick brings out a chair!? The ref and Apollo warn him, but Trick says he’s just taking a seat. Apollo suplexes Melo, holds him up, then SLAMS Melo! Cover, TWO!

Apollo keeps focus, and he rolls Melo to his feet. Melo goes to a corner, Apollo rushes in but Melo gets away. Melo elbows Apollo, then puts Apollo up, HOTSHOT!! Apollo falls to the floor, and Trick isn’t sitting anymore. Melo grins and he dribbles. Free throw made, Melo goes out to get Apollo. Melo puts Apollo in, Trick brags and high-fives with Melo. Melo gets in the ring, CLOBBERS Apollo and hammers away with fists! Melo dribbles Apollo off the mat, covers, TWO! Apollo sputters but Melo clamps onto him with a neck wrench. Melo chinbars to pull Apollo’s head around but Apollo still endures.

Melo grabs an arm in the hold and Trick cheers Melo on. Fans rally, Apollo and Melo throw hands, but then Melo clamps on a headlock. Apollo fights but Melo throws knees. Melo whips, Apollo ducks and comes back, but into another HOTSHOT! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Melo is annoyed, but he says “I am.” Apollo goes to ropes, Melo winces and storms up on Apollo. Apollo CHOPS, ROCKS and CHOPS again! Apollo fires off, Melo knees low, Apollo wrenches but Melo CLOBBERS Apollo! Melo drags Apollo up and gives him toying kicks. “Get your ass up. You ain’t Him.” Apollo stands, but ducks the lariat to GERMAN SUPLEX!

Apollo has the waistlock to GERMAN SUPLEX again! Melo fights it but Apollo back suplexes! Melo lands on his feet, dragon sleepers, but Apollo fights around to BACK DROP! Both men are down and fans fire up! Melo and Apollo go to opposite ends, and Apollo comes back with wild eyes. Apollo mule kicks, BOOTS and LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Melo flounders, Apollo whips him to ropes for a LEAPING- NO, Melo gets around! Melo suplexes, Apollo fights out and dodges, to LEAPING LARIAT! Fans fire up with Apollo and he runs to SPLASH! And then a whip, only to get buckles! Melo runs in, is put on the apron, but he ROCKS Apollo!

Melo slingshots but Apollo GAMANGIRIS! Melo is dazed on the apron and Trick is praying he pulls through! Apollo deadlift SUPERPLEXES! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives and Apollo grows frustrated. Trick is still praying, begging and pleading even, but Apollo says he’s gonna raise the roof! Fans fire up, Apollo drags Melo up, but Melo clamps onto a leg. Apollo CLUBS Melo, KNEES Melo, then KNEES him some more! Apollo drags Melo back up, trophy lifts him, but Melo slips off to grab an arm! Apollo fights the takedown, OLYMPIC- NO, Melo arm-drags to a takedown! But Apollo rolls it! TWO, Apollo BOOTS!

Melo rebounds, and tilt-o-whirls for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Apollo survives and Melo is a bit shocked! Melo hurries to suplex and CUTTER! Cover, TWO, but into a CROSSFACE! Apollo endures, fans rally but Trick coaches Melo! Apollo TAPS, Melo gets the first fall!

Melo: 1; Apollo: 0

Melo grins, he high-fives Trick, and Melo rests in the corner while Apollo gets to ropes. Apollo goes to the other corner, Melo storms over, and there’s no rest for the second fall. But Apollo throws body shots! Melo DECKS Apollo, but Apollo throws hands from below. Melo ROCKS Apollo and Apollo leans against ropes. Melo chinlocks and brings Apollo from ropes, but Apollo throws more body shots. Melo throws a haymaker, then he HOTSHOTS Apollo on the ropes! The ref checks Apollo but Melo drags Apollo back up. Melo reels Apollo in, but Apollo slips around to a GERMAN SUPLEX! And another GERMAN SUPLEX! And another GERMAN SUPLEX!

Apollo lets off to hit a STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO!! Apollo hurries to a corner, goes up top, but Melo anchors a foot. Apollo CLUBS Melo but Melo GAMANGIRS! Melo puts Apollo in the ropes for an ENZIGURI! And the FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO!! Apollo is still in this and Melo can’t believe it! Melo runs, Apollo dodges, ROLLING DDT!!! Cover, TWO!!! Melo survives and Apollo is beside himself! Trick has the chair again but Melo rolls to the apron. Apollo storms over, he drags Melo up the corner again. Fans rally, but Melo shoves Apollo over! Apollo ends up in the ropes, he climbs up again and throws back hands!

Apollo climbs but Melo has him first! Apollo throws body shots, Trick is worried as the two grab at each other. DOUBLE HOTSHOTS! Both men are on the floor, Trick isn’t sure what to do as Melo and Apollo both sputter. The ring count climbs, Trick barks at Apollo, and we’re at 6 of 10. Melo pushes Apollo down, gets in the ring, but Apollo slides in at 9! Melo is shocked, and Apollo says that’s not how a champ wins. Melo runs, Apollo waistlocks, but Melo throws him away. Apollo JUMP KNEES, then pops Melo up! Wheelbarrow, but Melo slips out to go after the arm! Apollo makes that an OLYMPIC SLAM!

Apollo and Melo stagger, bump into each other, Melo CODE BREAKERS! But he runs into a POP-UP DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Both men are down and fans are thunderous! Trick is panicking, so he unties a buckle pad! Fans boo but the ref was too busy checking both men. Trick coaches Melo to let him know, fans chant, “Trick’s a Cheater!” Melo grins as he sees the bare buckle, and he brings Apollo up. Apollo breaks free, but Melo BOOTS him! Apollo roars! Apollo CHOPS and ROCKS and fires off furious fists int he corner! Apollo whips Melo into the bare buckle! The ref sees what happened but there’s nothing he can do now!

Melo bails out, Trick gets the chair! BUT AZEEZ IS HERE! Or rather, Dabba-Kato! He trips up Trick, and then Apollo CLOBBERS him! Apollo and Kato are united again, but Melo hits the FLYING LARIAT! Melo goes up top, to hit NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Melo wins!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, 2-0

Melo pulls off a sweep! Kato isn’t happy about that but there’s nothing he can do about it now. If Melo can do this to Apollo, will Melo do this to even the NXT Champion?

As for Kato, he joins Apollo in the ring and helps him up. Fans cheer that these two are reunited and hug it out, but then Kato’s face turns to a scowl! Kato HEADBUTTS Apollo down! Fans boo as Kato brings the chair over, and then drags Apollo up! TWO HAND BOMB on the chair!! Why did Kato help Apollo if he was just going to beat him down?

 

Valentina Feroz and Wendy Choo are also on Instagram.

Ferzo wants to take Lyra up on her challenge! Elektra Lopez says Lyra is tough, Feroz might need help with that. Wendy says Feroz doesn’t need help. But Wendy will offer Feroz her support. Feroz thanks Wendy for that. And she says she’ll welcome Lyra to the jungle!

 

Fallon, Kiana and the boys celebrate backstage!

Briggs has the bubbly, he is so proud! Jensen says it again, “AND NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions!” Fallon can’t believe they did it. Kiana says she knows someone who can. They congratulate each other, and Kiana says it was all Jensen’s idea. Jensen says he loves this! And Briggs says let’s go drink! WOO~!

 

NXT Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS Pretty Deadly VS Gallus VS Chase U!

Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston have joined The Revival and Street Profits as being TRIPLE CROWN Tag Team Champions, but they’re up against the historic unified NXT & NXT UK Tag Team Champions, the historic longest reigning NXT UK Tag Team Champions, and… Well, New Day said themselves that Andre Chase & Duke Hudson have yet to put their marks on history, but could that be tonight? Or is Vengeance Day just another day for the New Day?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the New Day can defy the odds!

In this kind of Fatal 4 Tag, only two teams are legal at a time, so Kofi starts for the champs against Elton Prince. They circle, fans rally up, and the two tie up. Kofi waistlocks, fans rally for him but Elton standing switches then headlocks. Kofi wrenches out to headlock, but Elton powers out. Kofi ducks ‘n’ dodges, Woods tags in, and Kofi RANAS Elton! Woods joins in as Kofi CHOPS Elton down! Woods CHOPS Elton, too, then CHOPS again! Elton shoves Woods away, runs in but Woods throws him out! Kit Wilson runs in but is put on the apron! Woods SLAPS the hands, but Elton saves Kit with a chair lift.

Pretty Deadly do Scott Hall fingers, but Kofi runs in to baseball slide! Elton drops Kit on the apron! And Thea Hail SHOUTS at them! Then Woods WRECKS Pretty Deadly! Woods puts Elton back in, Duke has Thea not cheer New Day, and Woods suplexes. Woods holds Elton up, Duke tags in and pushes them both over! Fans cheer as Duke wrenches and shoulders into Elton. Duke wrenches and shoulders again, tags in Chase, and they double whip to drop toehold and “LET’S GO~!” ELBOW DROP! Fans shout, “U~!” as Chase lifts Elton. Kit tags in before the atomic drop, but Chase dodges Kit to hit an atomic drop on him!

Chase says that is a TEACHABLE MOMENT! But Mark Coffey sneaks a tag before Chase CHOPS Kit! Mark arm-drags Kit, wrenches him to a cobra clutch and Wolfgang tags in. Gallus mugs Kit, then Wolfgang wrenches for a Straight Arm Lever Suplex! Tag to Mark, they double wrench, CHOP and Kit is shouting in pain,. “STOP CHOPPING ME!” Kit tells them all to stop, but Mark ROCKS him! Woods tags in off Kit and fires off on Mark! Woods fires off the E Honda combo! Woods whips, Mark reverses and kitchen sink knees! Wolfgang tags in to SENTON! Wolfgang hurries to get Woods up but Elton tags in off him!

Elton tells Wolfie to leave, then he storms up on Woods. Elton throws down hands, then stomps a mudhole! Kit says Woods isn’t special! Pretty Deadly is special! They’re the specialest! Elton snap suplexes Woods, covers, TWO! Elton drags Woods up, fans rally, and Woods throws hands. Elton RAMS Woods into a corner, Kit tags in, and Kit taunts Kofi before he UPPERCUTS Woods! Cover, TWO! Kit says Woods has ruined Kit’s life! Kit wrenches the arm and bends the fingers! Woods endures the double wristlock and fans rally up. “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods fights up, throws body shots, but Kit shoves him and they COLLIDE!

Kit drops elbows on Woods, then tags Elton. Pretty Deadly CHOP Woods, then CHOP him on the back! Elton stomps Woods’ hand, then he taunts each team in turn. Thea is furious but Elton uppercuts Woods, then BLASTS Chase U! Fans boo but Woods ENZIGURIS Elton! Fans fire up as both men are down! Kit coaches Elton, fans rally for New Day, and Woods crawls over, hot tag to Kofi! Kofi springboards to AX HANDLE Elton! Kofi BLASTS Kit, BLASTS Gallus and DROPKCISK Elton! Fans fire up as Kofi LEAPING LARITS Elton! Then he dodges Kit to LEAPING LARIAT him! Mark gets in but he gets a LEAPING LARIAT!

Kofi sees he has three, fans fire up as he runs, NEW~ DAY~ BOOM DROP! Fans clap along as Kofi aims at Elton. Elton ducks Trouble in Paradise, but swings into SOS! Cover, Kit breaks it! Chase runs in to COHP Kit! Wolfgang CLOBBERS Chase! Duke CLOBBERS Wolfgang! Elton CLOBBERS Duke! Woods ROLLING ELBOWS Elton! Mark CLOBBERS Woods! Kofi KNEES Mark down! Elton returns to fireman’s carry and Kit runs in, DRY MARTINI! Cover, TWO!! Pretty Deadly is furious but they get Kofi back up. They mug Kofi, back suplex, but Kofi lands on his feet! Kofi dumps Kit out hard! Kofi BOOTS Elton, Woods tags in!

Woods scoops Elton, Kofi goes up top, UP UP DOWN DOWN!! Cover, EVERYONE breaks it!!! Fans are thunderous as all four teams are down! “This is Awesome!” as the eight men sort out. Elton SMACKS Kofi, Woods staggers over to CLUB Duke. Kofi staggers into a corner, Elton throws Mark out. Brawling continues outside, Chase tags in off Kofi! The ref tries to get things in order but Kofi puts Chase up top! Kofi throws hands, everyone brawls by commentary, and Kofi climbs up! Chase throws body shots on Kofi, and SHOVES him onto the cluster! Charlotte, NC comes alive for “U~~!” Chase adjusts, but Kit SMACKS him!

Thea freaks out but Kit brings Chase up. But Chase throws body shots! The cluster is fighting again, and Chase brings Kit up for a SUPERPLEX onto the cluster!! Fans are losing their minds, they sound like Mr. Chase when he gets mad! Chase brawls with Gallus, but Gallus mugs Chase! They SMACK him off the apron, RAM him into the desk, and then decide to clear off the desk! Fans fire up, but Duke makes the save! Duke whips Wolfgang into the barriers! And then he TOSSES Mark aside! Duke finishes clearing off the desk! But Kit CLOBBERS Duke! Elton stomps Duke, he and Kit drag Duke up. Thea freaks out for the DOUBLE-

NO, Duke is too much to lift! Duke CLUBS Elton away, reels Kit in, and he lifts Kit up! Elton makes the save, kicks Duke low, then RAMS Duke into the apron! Thea panics for Duke’s sake, Pretty Deadly puts things back on the desk? Fans boo, that’s lame. But Pretty Deadly goes into the ring and they rush Duke. They double whip, but Duke busts the line to DOUBLE LARIAT Pretty Deadly! Duke JABS away on Kit, flips, flops and “U~!” ELBOW! SENTON! Clothesline for Elton, then an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Mark runs in but gets hands! Duke whips, Mark reverses, but Duke FLYING ELBOWS! Fans are thunderous as both men are down!

DUKE KIPS UP!? Duke aims from a corner, he tunes up the marching band, but Wolfgang runs in! Duke DECKS Wolfgang but Mark bails out. Duke goes out after Gallus and fires off on them! Gallus mugs Duke, clears the desk, and DOUBLE URENAGES Duke through the desk!! Fans lose their minds all over again! Gallus leaves Duke behind in the wreckage, then go tot he ring to go after Chase! Chase fires off hands! Fans fire up but he gets mugged! Wolfgang whips but Chase holds ropes! Chase dumps out Wolfgang to fire off hands on Mark! Mark whips, Chase reverses, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Time to spell it out!

C! H! A! S! E! U! What’s that spell? “CHASE U~!” Chase goes up the corner, leaps and CROSSBODIES Mark! Cover, TWO!! Chase gest a leg, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Charlotte, NC goes “WOO~!” for the Nature Boy shoutout! Mark endures, crawls, reaches out, but Wolfgang HOWLING SWANTONS Chase! Wolfgang lifts Chase, Mark adds on, DOUBLE TAP! Cover, TWO!?!? Chase survives Gallus’ best shot?! They haul Chase up again but Kofi leapfrogs to CLOBBER Mark! Chase slips away, Kofi dumps Wolfgang out! Kofi goes up the corner to SUPER TRUFST FALL onto Pretty Deadly, only tog et caught! SPILT MILK to the floor!!

Pretty Deadly shout, “YES BOY!” but Woods BLASTS them off the apron! Mark waistlocks, Wood switches, ROLLING ELBOW! Woods hurries to the apron and he goes up top! LIMIT- NO, Wolfgang catches Woods! DOUBLE TAP!!! Cover, GALLUS WINS!!

Winners: Gallus, by pinfall (NEW NXT Tag Team Champions)

It was chaotic and violent, but that’s how Markus & Wolfie like it! And now, we see Gallus Boys back on top! Will Gallus soon have a historic reign like they did in the UK?

 

NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Roxanne Perez VS Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne!

The inaugural Women’s Breakout Star, the inaugural Miss Iron Survivor, and a Prodigy in this business living the childhood dream, Roxanne Perez is now facing perhaps the hardest first defense a champion has faced in NXT. Toxic Attraction claims to be on the same page, and claims that they can be co-stars in the singles division, but only ONE walks out of Charlotte, NC with this title! Will the 2v1 break down into every woman for herself? Will the numbers spell disaster for Roxanne on Vengeance Day?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the Toxic Empire strikes back!

The bell rings and Roxie eyes Toxic Attraction as they flank her. Roxie blocks Jacy’s punch and then Gigi’s punch! Roxie UPPERCUTS Jacy, UPPERCUTS Gigi, but Jacy blocks an uppercut and Gigi BOOTS Roxie down! Toxic Attraction mug Roxie, going through with their plan. Double wrench and DOUBLE FACEBUSTER! Gigi and Jacy each gloat, but fans boo as they stalk up on Roxie. Roxie fights back but gets mugged again. Toxic Attraction double whip, Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges to CROSSBODY, but they catch her! BACKBREAKER to BOOT! Roxie bails out, Gigi pursues, and Gigi drags Roxie up to throw her back in.

Gigi lets Jacy go after Roxie, but Roxie dodges the boot! O’Conner Roll, TWO, THESZ PRESS on Gigi! Roxie rains down fists but Jacy drags her away. Jacy waistlocks but Roxie elbows free. Roxie runs but is sent into ropes! Jacy and Gigi coordinate, they aim from opposite ends, but Roxie moves! The Toxic Annihilation is stopped before someone gets hit! Jacy helps Gigi up, Roxie dodges them both to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Fans fire up with Roxie, she wrenches Jacy and knuckle locks. Gigi storms up, Roxie kicks her low and knuckle locks her, too. Roxie goes up the ropes to springboards and DOUBLE ARM-DRAG!

Fans fire up as Toxic Attraction bails out! Roxie builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Gigi! Jacy is on the apron as Roxie gest Gigi up, Jacy CANNONBALLS but only gets Gigi! Roxie ROCKS Jacy, puts her in the ring, and Roxie has the fans rallying up. Roxie stomps Jacy, rolls and handsprings, MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! But into the CROSSFACE! Jacy endures, pries free, rolls to a cover, TWO! Roxie hurries after Jacy, wrenches an arm, and she whips. Jacy reverses to hit a NECKBREAKER! Jacy rains down fists on Roxie then shrieks! Fans boo but Jacy just grins. Jacy drags Roxie up, SLAPS her, then CHOPS her!

Roxie goes to ropes, Jacy snapmares and KICKS her in the back! Cover, TWO! Jacy clamps onto Roxie with a chinlock and she smothers her! Fans rally as Roxie fights up, and she arm-drags free! Jacy staggers up, CLOBBERS Roxie, but then Gigi drags her out! They argue about the mishaps, they shove, but then Gigi says they should focus and work together. They shake hands, but Roxie runs in! Gigi makes Jacy take the dropkick! Gigi then RAMS Roxie into steel steps! And fires off Kawada Kicks against the steps! Gigi fires off furious knees, grins, then THROWS Roxie into barriers! Gigi snarls and shouts SHE’S the next champion!

Gigi drags Roxie up and puts her in the ring. Roxie is on the apron, Gigi drags her up, but Roxie fires a forearm! And another! And another! Roxie shrieks, but Gigi hits an APRON STO! Gigi pushes Roxie in, drags her up, and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, Jacy drags her off! Jacy wags her finger with a grin, and gets in the ring to cover. Gigi drags Jacy off and fans are loving the dysfunction. Jacy and Gigi argue, they growl at each other, then Jacy shoves Gigi. Gigi shoves Jacy! The shoving continues, but Jacy SLAPS Gigi! Gigi grins and SLAPS Jacy! Fans seem to be on Team Gigi here, but Jacy has a wild grin, too!

Gigi blocks a neckbreaker, things speed up, Jacy gets around to trip Gigi and jackknife! TWO, Gigi sunset flips, TWO! Jacy and Gigi stand, pull hair, but Roxie CROSSBODIES them both down! Fans fire up with Roxie, and she RAMS Gigi to then CLOBBER Jacy! And she CLOBBERS Gigi! Roxie SHOTGUNS Jacy down, kips up, and fans fire up! Roxie has Toxic Attraction in the corners, UPPERCUT for Gig! UPPERCUT for Jacy! UPPERCUT for Gigi! UPPERCUT for Jacy! Roxie wrenches and reels Jacy in, kicks Gigi and adds her, too! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP DDT!! Cover on Jacy, TWO! Cover on Gigi, TWO!

Roxie shakes her head, fans rally up behind her, and she drags Jacy up. Roxie runs, hops up, but Jacy puts Roxie up top! The Tree of Woe traps Gigi, too, and Jacy stomps away! Jacy mule kicks Roxie, then shrieks as she goes corner to corner! CANNONBALL SANDWICH! Gigi flops out, Jacy SUPERKICKS Roxie! Jacy aims from the corner, runs in, and KNEES Roxie down!! Cover, Gigi breaks it! Gigi and Jacy get forehead to forehead, and fans fire up as the forearms fly! Team Gigi is strong as she hits Jacy again and again! It’s a scrum! Both women shove, Jacy ROLLING ELBOWS Gigi down! “SUCK IT!”

Jacy grabs Roxie, Roxie cradles! TWO!! Ghost pin! TWO! Jacy knees Roxie low, brings her up and puts her in a corner. Jacy back body blocks, then grins as she goes corner to corner, but Roxie dodges! SUPERKICK! Roxie hops on, but Jacy pops her off into Gigi’s STO! ROUNDHOUSE for Jacy! Gigi drags Roxie up, PANCAKE! Bridging cover, but Jacy SENTONS it apart! All three women are down and fans fire up! Gigi sputters and coughs while she crawls away. Roxie and Jacy stir, they crawl. Fans duel between Roxie and Gigi, they and Jacy meet int he middle. Jacy ROCKS Roxie, Roxie ROCKS Jacy, Gigi ROCKS Roxie, they all just go around hitting each other!

Gigi HEADBUTTS Roxie, Roxie ROCKS Jacy, then ROCKS Gigi! Roxie fires off on both opponents again and again! Roxie roars, but DOUBLE SUPERKICKS take her down! Gigi and Jacy glare at each other, DOUBLE HEADBUTTS!! DOUBLE COVER, TWO!?!? It was hard to tell who was even on top, but this match is still going! Fans rally up, Gigi and Jacy decide they should work together to take Roxie out. Gigi shouts, “Jacy! GET THE TABLES!” Jacy shrieks and brings out a table, Toxic Attraction is Team 3D tonight! They drag Roxie up and over, DOUBLE- NO, Roxie elbows free! Roxie SOBATS Jacy, but Gigi runs in!

Roxie SOBATS Gigi! POP ROX to the floor! Roxie tells Gigi that’s what she gets, but Jacy is after her! Roxie ROCKS Jacy, RAMS her into the apron again and again, then pushes her into the ring. Fans chant for the table but Roxie climbs up. But Jacy GAMANGIRIS first! Jacy climbs up, CLUBS away on Roxie, and hoists Roxie up! Roxie resists, CLUBS away on Jacy, and fans fire up! Roxie adjusts, but Gigi joins in! Jacy begs for help, and Gigi holds onto Jacy. Roxie BOOTS Gigi off and Gigi falls through the table!! Roxie then hits SUPER POP ROX!!! Cover, ROXIE WINS!!

Winner: Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Champion)

Breakout Star, Iron Survivor, and still youngest Women’s Champion in NXT history! Will the Prodigy make all the history and break all the records now that she’s survived Toxic Attraction?

 

NXT Championship Steel Cage Match, NO ESCAPE: Bron Breakker VS Grayson Waller!

The Big Booty Nephew has been through a lot in his NXT career, and has survived quite a bit. But the 21st Century Success Story will not be denied! Controversy in the form of a ring malfunction muddied their previous match, will not even the cage falling apart keep these two from settling the score?

Waller has lovely ladies, lots of bubbly, and “The Golden Shoey” with him as he makes his entrance, already planning his celebration before the match has even started. As for Bron, he busts through a Grayson Waller Effect cutout and storms right tot he ring. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the cage is locked in place! One way or another, vengeance will be served! But then Waller CLOBBERS Bron before he gets in the cage! Waller RAMS Bron into barriers, talks trash, but fans boo and the refs reprimand. Waller throws hands but Bron throws them harder! Bron runs, but Waller dodge! Bron avoids crashing through barriers, and he stalks the swaggering Waller.

Bron CHOPS Waller, THROWS him into barriers, and barks it up with the fans. Bron ROCKS Waller, then SLAMS the door into his face! Bron puts Waller back in the ring, storms up the steps, and he slams the door shut himself. Waller realizes Bron’s not trapped in a cage with him, he’s trapped in a cage with Bron! The bell rings, fans fire up and this is happening! Waller climbs but Bron drags him down to DECK him! Bron ROCKS Waller with hands, stalks him around the way, then ROCKS him again! Waller knees low, CLUBS Bron, then cravats for a neck wrench. Waller throws knees and Bron staggers around.

Waller whips Bron to ropes, fans duel, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds speed to CLOBBER Waller! Bron shakes the cage, fans bark it up, and Bron brings Waller up. Bron suplexes Waller and marches around! Fans fire up as Bron does a lap, then SLAMS Waller down! Bron kips up and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Waller writhes but Bron grins. Bron drags Waller up, scoops him, but Waller slips off! Waller ROCKS Bron, but Bron shakes it off quickly. Waller climbs again but that baits Bron in! Waller ROLLING ELBOWS, then tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Cover, ONE!! Bron is tough but Waller keeps cool.

Waller stomps Bron’s leg, stomps Bron’s face, then mocks the barks with little arfs. Waller CLUBS Bron, throws kidney shots, but fans boo. Bron elbows back, elbows again, but Waller dropkicks the legs out! Cover, ONE! Waller drops an elbow, talks some trash, then brings Bron up. Fans duel, Waller whips, but Bron avoids hitting steel! Bron elbows Waller away, knees him low, then throws haymakers. Bron whips corner to corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Waller somersaults, but leaps into a clinch! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Bron runs to rally with big shoulder tackles! Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges, and catches Waller for a POWERSLAM!

Fans bark it up as Bron goes to a corner. Bron climbs, aims, leaps, FLYING BULLDOG! Bron aims from a corner, Waller rolls away, but the cage keeps him from bailing out! Bron runs in, but Waller dodges and Bron hits steel! Waller drags Bron to a cover, TWO! Waller keeps cool, and says Bron’s in Waller’s world. Waller stomps Bron, rains down fists, then drags Bron up. Waller throws hands, using the straps to keep Bron close. Waller DECKS Bron, then swaggers. Waller drags Bron back up, RAMS him into the steel, and Bron flops back! Cover, TWO! Waller shows off by doing push-ups, then pretends to pee on Bron like a dog.

Waller knees Bron into the steel, then digs his boots in! Bron can only endure, and Waller lets off to drag Bron to center. Waller stomps the legs, throws forearms, then runs, to SPLASH Bron against steel! Bron flops down, Waller waits on him to get back up. Bron stands, Waller runs, but Bron catches the splash for a scoop! Waller rakes eyes! And RAMS Bron into steel! And then RAMS him into more steel! Waller sees Bron stagger, ROLLING UNPRETTIER! Cover, TWO! Bron survives but Waller keeps his cool. Waller drops some knees on Bron’s head, then snap suplexes. Waller grins and he goes up the corner.

Bron storms over but Waller throws hands. Bron CLUBS Waller’s legs, Waller CLUBS Bron’s back. Bron goes right up to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Waller survives and Bron is frustrated, but fans rally up while both men are down. Bron goes up the corner again, leaps, but Waller JUMP KNEES the bulldog down! Waller hurries up the ropes, for the BALLER ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives but Waller says, “Okay, Bron.” Waller kicks Bron around, has him against ropes, and ties the arms up in the ropes! Fans boo but Bron is stuck! Waller fires body shots on Bron like he’s the heavy bag in the gym!

Waller runs to SHOTGUN Bron in the ribs! Fans boo but Waller slaps Bron around. Waller gives toying kicks, then JABS Bron! Waller mocks taking down the straps and breaking stuff a la Bron. Waller hits a three point stance, to RAM into Bron! Waller does drop steps, but Bron just gets mad! Bron goes Incredible Hulk and breaks out of the ropes! Waller is scared now as the fans all bark it up! Waller tries to climb again, but Bron grabs him and TOSSES him! And then THROWS him into steel! And into more steel! And more steel! Waller wobbles, Bron trophy lifts! To TOSS Waller into steel! Waller scrapes down the side and fans fire up!

Bron goes to a corner, aims at Waller as he flounders up, and runs in, but Waller dodges! Bron keeps from hitting buckles, but Waller LOW BLOWS! Waller somersaults for the STUNNER! Cover, TWO!?!? Bron survives and Waller is beside himself! Fans rally up, Waller talks trash from the corner. “You can’t beat me!” But then Waller looks up at the cage, and remembers back to WarGames! Fans duel as Waller climbs the corner, and then climbs the cage! Fans are freaking out as Waller stands on the very top! Bron stands and stares Waller down! Bron hurries up, Waller kicks at him, but Bron throws hands!

Waller tries to leave the cage but that won’t change anything! Bron drags Waller back into the cage, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as Bron aims! SPEAR!! Bron roars, pulls down the straps, and he flexes! Waller flounders, but Bron looms over him. Waller drags himself up but can’t stay up. Bron tells Waller to look at him! “You wanna talk trash now, huh? You wanna talk trash on social media to me, huh? This is MY dog pound! I RUN NXT!” But Waller SLAPS Bron! Fans bark it up as Waller eggs Bron on! Bron runs and SPEARS Waller back down! Cover, Bron wins!

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

Waller talked a lot, backed up a lot of that talk, but none of it was enough to break down Bron Breakker! Bron climbs the cage and holds up the belt to show he truly stands atop NXT! But wait, here comes Trick Melo Gang! Melo won against Apollo, he is the de facto #1 contender! Will Melo be the man that finally dethrones the man?


My Thoughts:

A great event for NXT to get back out on the road with! Vengeance Day wasn’t a TakeOver by name but it was definitely one in spirit and quality. Granted, they did still give us promos from the superstars not involved in matches tonight, but I do like that they were having a viewing party back in the Performance Center. Feroz VS Lyra for NXT this Tuesday is going to be good stuff, and it will surely help push stories along. It could even feed into the story of who attacked Nikkita Lyons, with Feroz still being a suspect from the footage. And I was just hoping we’d get Hank Walker having to get traditional wrestling gear, I can’t wait to see how that turns out.

Good promos in the kickoff show, and the North American title opening was a bit of a surprise. But at the same time, they went nuts in that match to really set the bar. Tony and Stacks helping Wes was a surprise, but it makes sense since they’d want to screw over Dijak. Also, Dijak apparently broke his finger through the course of this match, that sucked for him. But Wes retaining makes sense, as he’s been doing great ever since being on his own. Plus, there are limitless possibilities for his next defense. Great women’s tag match, and of course Kiana still uses her Heel tactics. Kiana and Fallon winning was a bit of a surprise, but it works for their story as we approach Valentine’s Day and perhaps the culmination of the Kiana-Jensen story.

The Best 2 Outta 3 was great stuff, but I was a bit disappointed they didn’t push that to the third fall before Azeez returned. Also, I like that Azeez has returned as Dabba-Kato. But also, I kinda meant it when I questioned them bringing him back if he was gonna turn on Apollo. I suppose this will be Apollo’s next story, and it’ll help reestablish Dabba-Kato as his own man. The Fatal 4 Way tag title match was awesome stuff, as expected. I thought Duke and Chase were going to fall apart as a team, but it seems not. Instead, we got new champs in Gallus, without Joe Coffey even showing up. Gallus is great, they will carry things while New Day will return to SmackDown for their WrestleMania story, if they have one.

Awesome Women’s Championship Triple Threat, and we all knew it was gonna fall apart for Toxic Attraction. They weren’t going to copy Michelle McCool & Layla when they were co-WWE Divas’ Champions, and Roxie wasn’t going to lose in her first defense ever. Just like with Wes, Roxie has any number of potential opponents for Stand & Deliver, maybe even the superstar who attacked Lyons! Something about that could tie in multiple stories. This person could’ve been someone Lyons considered a friend, but they betrayed her to get ahead much like Cora Jade betraying Roxie.

And of course, NXT Championship as the main event was great stuff. The Steel Cage being made No Escape was a good move, and was just what I was sensing on Tuesday. Waller going after Bron before the match was a good touch, but that and his big celebratory entrance were just indicators he wasn’t winning. And given that, I was kinda hoping Bron would Spear Waller through the steel cage wall at the end there. Escape wouldn’t give Waller the win, so it would’ve just been an epic moment to kinda get us past the whole “Bron Wins LOL.” Bron VS Melo is the clear match for Stand & Deliver, and I would hope Melo wins. Melo wins to truly be THE champion of NXT, Bron moves on to Raw or SmackDown to head for a midcard title.

My Score: 9/10


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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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