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Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (3/30/23)

It’s a golden go-home!

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ROH Wrestling 2023

The champions of ROH prepare for the Supercard!

Before defending their titles in Los Angeles, the many champions of ROH are in action! Will Wheeler Yuta, Athena and The Embassy be ready for Friday?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Aussie Open VS Tony Nese & Ari Daivari w/ Mark Sterling; Aussie Open wins.
  • Miyu Yamashita VS Shazza McKenzie; Miyu wins.
  • Six Man Tag: The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS JD Griffey, Dak Draper & Arjun Singh; The Embassy wins.
  • Metalik & AR Fox VS The Infantry; Metalik & Fox win.
  • ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena VS Emi Sakura w/ Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki; Athena wins and retains the title.
  • 8 Man Tag: Top Flight & The Lucha Brothers w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom w/ Jose & Maria Kanellis; Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom win.
  • ROH Pure Championship: Wheeler Yuta VS Leon Ruffin; Yuta wins and retains the title.
  • El Hijo del Vikingo VS Blake Christian; Vikingo wins.
  • Eddie Kingston VS Christopher Daniels; Eddie wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Aussie Open VS Tony Nese & Ari Daivari w/ Mark Sterling!

Kyle Fletcher & Mark Davis are ready to #ReachForTheSky at Supercard of Honor in LA, but the Varsity Athletes want to spoil things for them in St. Louis. Will this be a trap game for the Aussie Arrow & Dunkzilla? Or will the United Empire soon conquer ROH on top of NJPW?

The Code of Honor is upheld, and the teams sort out. Fletcher starts against Daivari and fans rally up for Aussie Open. Daivari tells them to shut up but the fans boo. Fletcher and Daivari tie up, Fletcher headlocks and grinds the hold. Daivari powers up and wrenches out to a hammerlock then headlock. Fletcher pries free to wrench back, to an ELBOW BREAKER! Fletcher keeps on the wristlock but Daivari rolls, wrenches and wristlocks. Fletcher rolls, wrenches, waistlocks and SLAMS Daivari! Daivari flounders and fans fire up. Daivari stands up, talks trash, then tags Nese. Nese flexes on Fletcher but fans boo.

Fletcher says those are so-so. But then he tags in Davis and the big man steps up. Nese says what he has is muscle, and Davis just has meat. Nese runs, RAMS Davis, but Davis stays up. Fans fire up but Nese runs again. They RAM again, but Davis just roars and flexes! Sterling says one more time, but N ese dropkicks the legs out. Fans boo, Nese runs, but Davis runs him over! Fans fire up and Nese flounders, Daivari tags in. Davis CHOPS Daivari off his feet! Tag to Fletcher, Aussie Open double whip Daivari to double CHOP! PENALTY KICK! SENTON! Fans fire up, Nese runs in but is put on the apron, SLINGSHOT UPPERCUT!

Fans fire up more as they throw the crowns up. Aussie Open set up in opposite corners, but Sterling anchors Davis! Fans boo, but Nese drags Fletcher out to POST him! The ref tells Davis to let Sterling go so Davis obeys. But Daivari RAMS Fletcher into the apron! Daivari stomps Fletcher, puts him in the ring, and fans boo as he drops knees. Daivari chants, “Aussie Aussie Aussie! SUCK IT!” Tag to Nese, and the Varsity Athletes mug Fletcher. Nese keeps Fletcher from Davis, whips him to ropes and CLOBBERS him with an elbow! Cover, TWO! Nese drags Fletcher up, tags Daivari in, and the mugging continues!

The ref counts as the Varsity Athletes throw double haymakers, but they let off. Daivari drags Fletcher up, turns him and hits a NECKBREAKER! Daivari goes to a corner, climbs up, and FLYING SPLASH FLOPS as Fletcher moves! Tag to Nese, Nese drags Fletcher from Davis and puts him in the corner. But Fletcher goes up and over, hot tag to Davis! Davis runs through Nese, SPLASHES Daivari, CHOPS Nese, repeat! Nese dodges, the Varsity Athletes double kick and double whip, but Davis cartwheels to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up with Davis and he brings Nese up. Davis CHOP LARIATS, then again!

Davis keeps on Nese with the CHOP LARIATS, then he brings Nese out. Wrench and torture rack, but Nese fights free! Throat chop! Nese runs, but into a pop-up POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tag to Fletcher and fans rally up. Aussie Open stand Nese up but Daivari makes the save! The Varsity Athletes fire off haymakers, double whip, but Aussie Open both KICK back, and LARIAT on top! Fans fire up, Aussie Open hooks Nese up! But Sterling gets on the apron! The fans boo, Aussie Open drops Nese, but then Nese dumps Davis out! Daivari attacks Fletcher from behind, throws hands, and whips. Fletcher reverses, but misses in the corner!

Daivari GAMANGIRIS Fletcher, puts him up top, and Nese runs in to SHORYUKEN! Then ICONOCLASM CUTTER! Fans boo but Nese goes up top! PREMIER 450! Cover, TWO!! Fletcher survives and fans fire up! The Varsity Athletes can’t believe it! They BLAST Davis off the apron, run in at Fletcher, but Daivari gets a BOOT! Nese blocks a boot, but not the SUPERKICK! Davis is back, AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Daivari runs in, into a scoop, LAWN DART CUTTER! Davis and Fletcher go out and get the Varsity Athletes. They flank Sterling, he gets out of the way of the SPINEBUSTER SANDWICH!

Fans fire up, BOOT SUPERKICK for Sterling!! Sterling will wanna sue for that, but Nese gets the LARIAT SANDWICH! And the COREALIS!! Cover, Aussie Open wins!

Winners: Aussie Open, by pinfall

This was a big win, because Fletcher & Davis are the future of tag team wrestling! But will they be the future ROH World Tag Team Champions in Los Angeles?

 

Miyu Yamashita VS Shazza McKenzie!

One of Tokyo Joshi Pro’s shining stars, a big part of DDT Pro and Joshi wrestling in general, Miyu came so close to winning the AEW Women’s Championship back when she battled Thunder Rosa. The Rose Pink Nightmare is still hungry for gold, will she get closer to the ROH title? Or will the current World Series Wrestling Women’s Champion look to add to her collection?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. Fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Miyu waistlocks but Shazza wrenches and switches. Miyu wrenches back but Shazza rolls, breaks free and wrenches back. Miyu rolls and wrings Shazza, to KICK Shazza in the back! Cover, TWO! Miyu KICKS Shazza more and more, putting her on the ropes. Miyu whips, Shazza reverses but Miyu blocks to SOBAT! Miyu runs but Shazza trips her, puts her on the apron and BOOTS her back into the ring! Shazza then springboard BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Shazza keeps her cool, facelocks and brings Miyu up to whip.

Shazza KNEES Miyu at the ropes, whips again and KNEES her on the other side! Fans rally up, Shazza whips and KNEES Miyu again! Shazza reels Miyu in, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Miyu gets out of that tight arching suplex, but Shazza rains down some elbows. Fans rally up, Shazza AX KICKS Miyu! Shazza hooks Miyu up in a low Cobra Twist, but Miyu fires up! Miyu stands, throws Shazza right off, and then goes to a corner. Shazza runs in but into a BOOT! Shazza comes back, Miyu dodges and ROUNDHOUSES! Then TRIANGLE JUMP ENZIGURI! Cover, TWO! Shazza gets up to throw forearms!

Miyu fires forearms in return, runs in and ROCKS Shazza! Shazza falls over, Miyu covers, TWO! Miyu drags Shazza up and around, ROCKS her with another forearm, then again. Waistlock, but Shazza switches. Miyu bucks the O’Conner, runs in and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Shazza survives that goal, but Miyu runs back in. She only gets buckles, and Shazza kicks the legs out. Shazza ties Miyu up in the ropes, to KICK away on Miyu! Shazza BOOTS Miyu down, then goes up the corner. Miyu stands, Shazza leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO and Miyu rolls it to a cover of her own, TWO! Miyu stands but Shazza ROCKS her!

Shazza cravats, Miyu powers out to low kick and HEEL KICK! Cover, Miyu wins!

Winner: Miyu Yamashita, by pinfall

A big win in her return to ROH, the Ace of Tokyo Joshi is rolling! Will Miyu be waiting on the other side of Supercard to challenge the champion?

 

Six Man Tag: The Embassy w/ Prince Nana VS JD Griffey, Dak Draper & Arjun Singh!

The Machine and Gates of Agony are heading to LA for Supercard, but they’re still hungry for action. Will they tear into the competition tonight before going after the All Heart Airforce?

The Code of Honor is upheld, though with a lot of tension. The trios sort out and Brian Cage starts against the 2019 Top Prospect. They circle, tie up, and Cage powers his way to a waistlock. Dak switches, headlocks, but Cage powers out. Things speed up, Cage hurdles but so does Dak. Cage scoops for a POWERSLAM! Fans fire up and Cage brings Dak up to throw forearms. Cage brings Dak around, whips him to ropes, but Dak springboards to back elbow, only into a waistlock! GERMAN SUPLEX! Dak flounders up, JD tags in, and Toa Liona wants in. Cage obliges with a tag, and Liona circles with JD.

Fans rally, JD throws kicks but Liona stays up. Liona rushes in, JD dodges to fire off fast hands and body shots! JD bobs ‘n’ weaves, JUMP KNEES, then SUPERMAN PUNCHES! Liona stays up, blocks a kick, and he just takes the forearms! Liona TOSSES JD away, and Singh tags in. Singh UPPERCUTS, mule kicks, ROLLING ELBOWS, and runs, into a BODY CHECK! Fans fire up with Liona and he tags in Kaun. The Gates fire up, Kaun SLAPS and whips Liona to SPLASH Singh! Liona feeds Singh to a LARIAT! Kaun drags Singh away, JD runs in but into an elbow! Cage gets in, he BLASTS Dak while the Gates SANDWICH JD!

Kaun stands Singh up to CHOP! Kaun CLUBS Singh into the corner, puts him up top and tags in Cage. Kaun picks Singh up, TOP ROPE BACKBREAKER! Singh flounders to the apron and Liona SENTONS! Liona drags Singh up to hand him off to Cage for the deadlift SUPERPLEX! Cover, The Embassy wins!

Winners: The Embassy, by pinfall

Nana is proud of his three headed monster! Nana mockingly shakes Singh’s hand, then Liona tosses Singh out. Will this trio of titans be unstoppable at Supercard?

 

Metalik & AR Fox VS The Infantry!

Speaking of the ROH World Six Man Tag Team titles, two of the challengers are in action tonight ahead of that big time match. Will the King of the Ropes and the Whole Fox’n Show be muy caliente? Or will Captain Shawn Dean and Carlie Bravo bring them down to the ground?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and we start with The Captain and Metalik. Fans rally up as the two circle, and the two tie up. Dean headlocks, Metalik throws hands and powers out. Things speed up, Metalik drops, hurdles but Dean jumps over. Metalik dodges the clothesline, mule kicks and CHOPS! Dean ends up in a corner, Metalik CHOPS again. Metalik whips, Dean reverses, but Metalik BOOTS back. Metalik runs to SLING-DOG! Metalik keeps moving, he goes up and along the ropes to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Fox so Metalik drags Dean over to tag Fox in.

Fox and Metalik mug Dean, double whip him to a corner, and Metalik sends Fox in for a back elbow! Fox whips Dean to Metalik and Metalik tilt-o-whirl scoops, but OW, rough landing for The Captain! Fox drags Dean to a cover, TWO! Fox drags Dean, stomps him, then tags Metalik. Fans rally, Metalik kicks Dean around and fireman’s carries. Dean fights free, CLUBS Metalik and tags Bravo! Bravo dodges Metalik, spins him around and ROLLING ELBOWS! Metalik goes down and Carlie shakes out his arm. Carlie whips Metalik to the corner but Metalik goes up, only to get caught! Dean tags back in before the SNAKE EYES! NECKBREAKER!

Carlie KNEES Fox down, Dean stomps Metalik. Fox gets up and protests, but Dean stomps a mudhole into Metalik. Tag to Bravo, he drags Metalik up to throw hands. Fans count along and Carlie gets to TEN! Dean tags in, he gives Carlie an Electric Chair Lift! Fans fire up as they spin around and around, and they use that momentum so Carlie can whip Dean in to RAM Metalik! Dean then FLAPJACKS Metalik! Fox runs in but into a DOUBLE HIP TOSS! Carlie and Dean get the legs, then trade, to crisscross split the wishbone! Fox flounders away, Dean drags Metalik up, and Dean bumps Metalik off buckles.

Fans rally and duel, Dean tags in Carlie, and they snapmare Metalik. PENALTY KICK, SENTON, ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Carlie drags Metalik up and snap suplexes! Cover, Fox breaks it! The ref reprimands but Carlie puts Metalik in the corner. Carlie digs his boot in, Dean tags in and he runs in to BIG back elbow! Tag to Carlie, he RAMS in, then tag back to Dean! Carlie fakes Metalik out, HAYMAKER, and feed to the SKY HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Metalik survives and Dean is stunned. Dean tags Carlie back in, they bring Metalik up and put him on the top rope. Carlie climbs, Metalik fights back, the two brawl!

Metalik CHOPS Carlie, tucks him in, and SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS! Both men are down, but Dean gets in to drag Metalik back! Metalik hops up to ENZIGURI! Hot tag to Fox! Fans fire up as Fox rallies on Carlie with big clotheslines! Fox goes Matrix to dodge, then he PELES! Carlie staggers away but Dean full nelsons. But Fox spins through to hit an ANARCHY! Carlie BOOTS Fox, but Fox BOOTS back! Carlie kicks, KICKS, but Fox ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up, Fox runs back in, and back elbows! Fox snapmare rolls and CUTTERS! Cover, TWO! Dean almost had the break-up, but he goes after Metalik.

Dean whips Metalik to the apron. Dean runs in, but Metalik jumps over the slide to ASAI MOONSAULT in one go! Fans fire up, and Fox cravats Carlie. Carlie powers out, but Fox puts him on the ropes. Carlie HOTSHOTS back, slingshots and somersaults, to COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO!! Fox survives and Carlie can’t believe it! Fans rally up, Carlie aims and runs in, into a BOOT! Metalik tags in, Fox dodges Carlie, but Carlie BOOTS back. Carlie runs in, kicks and kicks and kicks, but the ref missed the tag! Fox BOOTS back, whips Carlie to the corner, but Carlie BOOTS! Fox goes up to ARABIAN FLY! Metalik tags in and he tightrope walks, LIMIT BREAKER! Cover, Metalik & Fox win!!

Winners: Metalik & AR Fox, by pinfall

A truly high-flying, hard fought fight, and now two thirds of the challengers are fired up! Will Blake Christian keep pace with his teammates later tonight?

 

ROH Women’s World Championship: Athena VS Emi Sakura w/ Mei Suruga & Baliyan Akki!

The Fallen Goddess called out the Magical Girl, Yuka Sakazaki, for Supercard of Honor, but is risking a lot with this title defense! Will Athena still go on to LA? Or will the Queen of Joshi rock her and take her crown?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the queen of ROH!

The Code of Honor is barely upheld, and the bell rings. They throw forearms and Emi gets the edge! Emi CHOPS Athena off her feet, then laughs. Fans fire up, Emi runs at the ropes to BODY CHECK Athena off the apron! Athena flounders to the ramp and Emi taunts her. Athena rushes back up but Emi brings Athena around by her hair. Athena POSTS Emi, and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! Emi staggers away while Athena scowls. Athena stalks Emi, throws her down by her hair, and then she goes for the steel steps. Mei won’t let Athena do that, Emi rushes up, but Athena pulls hair to SMACK Emi off the apron!

Athena goes up the ramp, comes back, and she SHOTGUNS Emi into the apron! Fans fire up as Athena shouts, “This is MY show!” The ref checks Emi and Mei leaps off the steps! But Athena catches her! Mei begs for mercy but Athena pops her up to SLAM her down! Athena grins, mocks Mei, but Emi CHOPS Athena down! Fans fire up with Emi, and she runs in, BODY CHECK into the steps! Fans fire up as Emi laughs and now the ref checks Athena. Emi stands on Athena, then drags her up and HEADBUTTS! Athena flounders, Emi HEADBUTTS again! The ring count climbs but Emi mocks the champion, before another HEADBUTT!

Emi puts Athena in the ring, brings her back up, and Akki gets fans to rally for “EMI! EMI!” Emi climbs the corner, but Athena trips her up! Athena then drags Emi back into the Tree of Woe, for KICK after KICK after KICK to the back! Athena CLUBS Emi, then PENALTY KICKS her out of the Tree! Fans fire up, Athena drags Emi up and CLUBS her down. Emi sits up to throw body shots but Athena just CLUBS away on Emi! Athena then dribbles Emi off the mat! Fans fire up more as Athena scowls and stalks Emi. Emi grabs the ropes but Athena drops an elbow on her! Athena drags Emi up to whip her to a corner and clothesline!

Athena whips corner to corner to back body block! And then she whips Emi corner to corner again, soaks up the cheers and jeers, to then handspring- CHOP from Emi! Emi brings Athena up, underhooks, for a stalling BUTTERFLY BACKBREAKER! Emi drags Athena into the drop zone, goes up the corner, and fans rally up for Her Highness! MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Athena survives and Emi can’t believe it! Athena shakes out her leg, that’s where Emi landed. Fans rally up as Emi eggs Athena on. Athena stands, Emi ROCKS her! Athena says okay, and she ROCKS Emi back! Emi comes back to ROCK Athena!

Fans rally, Athena scowls and ROCKS Emi again! Emi ROCKS Athena! Athena SLAPS, Emi SLAPS, now it’s a SLAP fight! And a CHOP fight! Fans are thunderous as the shots go back and forth! Athena gets the edge, but Emi responds in kind! Fans are loving “ROH! ROH!” for this one! Emi CHOPS again, then SOUTHPAW LARIATS! But Athena kips up!? But Emi dragon sleepers! TWIST- NO, Athena cartwheels out! BOOT!! Cover, TWO!! Emi survives and now Athena is shocked! “This is Awesome!” as Athena rises again. Athena climbs a corner, Emi stands, O- NO!! Emi holds it off to dragon sleeper! TWISTER!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Emi fires up, the fans fire up, and Emi stands Athena up! Underhooks and BUTTERFLY BOMB! Athena makes it a cradle!? TWO!!! Emi escapes Athena’s sudden counter and fans are thunderous! Emi powers up, says she will be champion, and she SLAPS! SLAPS! SLAPS! Emi windmills the palm strikes, KICKS out the legs and DOUBLE CHOPS Athena down! Emi runs, but into a FOREARM! Athena reels Emi in, Canadian Rack, CLIFFHANGER! Into the CROSSFACE!! Emi flails, moves around, but Athena shifts to a deeper sleeper! Emi can’t get any ground, so she TAPS!! Athena wins!!

Winner: Athena, by submission (still ROH Women’s World Champion)

The Fallen Goddess did not fall, and she is going on to Supercard! She is going to get the match she wanted with Yuka! But wait, Athena is going after Emi’s leg! Athena drops knees on the knee! Fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Athena says, “I told you!” LEG DDT! Athena drags Emi to the apron! Then to the corner! Athena puts the leg in between steps and post! Mei jumps on to stop Athena! But Athena TOSSES Mei away! And DECKS her! WAIT! YUKA IS HERE! Yuka runs down to CLOBBER Athena!! Yuka puts Athena in the ring, she fires off hands and forearms! Fans fire up but security rushes out!

Fans boo, “LET THEM FIGHT!” Athena DECKS a guard, and jumps onto Yuka!! Yuka hits Athena back, the security drags Athena out of the ring! Athena just beats them down now! Yuka climbs the corner, for a MAGICAL GIRL SPLASH!! Yuka wipes out EVERYBODY! Fans are thunderous for Yuka as she holds up the belt, will the Magical Girl take that title for her own?

 

8 Man Tag: Top Flight & The Lucha Brothers w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom w/ Jose & Maria Kanellis!

Aussie Open already won big, they’re ready to #ReachForTheSky. With that match being every team for themselves, will either of these quartets be able to coexist?

The Code of Honor is skipped, the teams sort out, and Dante Martin starts against Matt Taven, but Taven wants someone else. Fans rally up, Taven stays in the ropes and calls out Penta. Fans rally “CERO! MIEDO!” so Penta tags in. Penta and Taven step up, Taven says purple is HIS color. Penta tells Taven listen: CERO! MIEDO! Taven shoves Penta, so Penta takes off his glove. Penta tosses it to Alex and it is a touchdown! Taven mocks Penta by taking off his glove, and he SLAPS Penta with it! So Penta SUPERKICKS Taven! Mike Bennett gets in to DECK Penta! Fenix runs in, dodges Mike and SCREW HIGH KICKS!

Rush gets in to DECK Fenix! Dante springboard MISSILE DROPKICKS Rush! Dante kips up as Dralistico gets in to SCREW HIGH KICK him! Darius runs in and dodges Dralistico to DROPKICK! The Kingdom attacks Darius, double whip him, but the Lucha Brothers DOUBLE SUPERKICK The Kingdom! LFI rush in, the Lucha Bros dodge and Top Flight hurdle over! Top Flight DOUBLE DROPKICK LFI out! Fans fire up, Top Flight build speed but The Kingdom trips them! The Lucha Bros build speed, and DIVE into forearms from LFI! Fans boo but LFI drags the Lucha Bros out, Rush sends Fenix into barriers!

Rush and Dralistico stomp Fenix, The Kingdom GOURD BUSTER and BLINDSIDE ROLLING ELBOW Penta! Fenix rushes in but into a kick. Mike whips, Fenix tiger feint rewinds, but Mike blocks the heel kick! Mike trips Fenix, CATAPULTS him into Taven’s KICK O’ THE KING! And then Fenix falls back, Taven ELBOW DROPS him onto Mike’s knees! Cover on Penta, TWO! Taven drags Penta up, tags in Rush but LFI both hop in. Rush ROCKS Penta! Dralistico CHOPS Penta, LFI mocks Cero Miedo, and they double whip. Penta KICKS Rush, dodges Dralistico and SUPERKICKS him down! Hot tag to Dante!

Dante runs in but into a kick! LFI mugs Dante, snapmares and stomps away! Fans boo but LFI soaks up the heat. LFI mug Dante in the corner with CHOPS, then double whip. Dralistico clotheslines, Rush SPLASHES, and LFI snapmare to DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Rush takes a bow as he soaks up the heat. Dralistico drags Dante away, he and Rush stomp away. Fans rally for Dante but LFI pretend to field goal kick Dante. Rush drags Dante over, tag to Taven and tag to Mike. The Kingdom double whip Dante to the corner. Taven whips Mike in to ROCK Dante! Taven SPLASHES, then feeds Dante to a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!

Taven runs, Dante sits up for JUST THE TIP! Mike covers, TWO!! Dante survives, but Mike tags Taven. The Kingdom coordinates, but Datne back drops free! Taven hurries after Dante, but he dodges to hot tag Penta! Penta tags Fenix, the Lucha Brothers mule kick and, “UNO! DOS! TRES!” DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! LFI run in, they get DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Penta and Fenix coordinate, WHEELBARROW VICTORY SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Taven survives but Fenix goes corner to corner, only for Taven to dodge! KICK O’ THE KING! Mike gets in, he drags Fenix up and puts him up top.

The Kingdom coordinates, but Penta SUPERKICKS Taven! Fenix slips free of Mike’s clinch to feed the SLINGBLADE! Taven and Fenix hot tag Rush and Dante! Rush runs in but Darius tags in before the up ‘n’ over! SUPERKICK! STEP-IN COMPLETE SHOT! Dralistico rushes in, but into a SUPERKICK! Dante whips, Dralistico reverses, Darius pops Dante up and over, then Top Flight work together to TORNADO DDT Dralistico! Fans fire up as Top Flight goes after Rush. Rush shoves Dante away into Dralistico’s GAMANGIRI! Dralistico goes up to springboard, FLYING CODE BREAKER!

Darius rushes up but into a waistlock. Darius BOOTS Rush, elbows Dralistico, but Rush sends Darius to ropes. Darius rebounds into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Dralistico adds a springboard DESTROYER!! Darius flops out of the ring and fans rally up. Rush runs corner to corner, BULL’S HORNS!! Rush drags Darius to the cover, LFI & The Kingdom win!

Winners: Rush, Dralistico & The Kingdom, by pinfall

Top Flight & Lucha Brothers regroup on the outside, finding themselves on the ropes. But while El Toro Blanco, The Prince of Gold & Silver, Miracle Mike and #TheTrend are rolling into Supercard, who will #ReachForTheSky and bring home the titles?

 

Mark Briscoe is here!

Fans are all fired up to see the Sussex County Chicken ahead of Supercard and his ROH World Television Championship match. The ROH World Tag Team title he holds now will be high above the ring in LA, but he holds onto it for one more night as he gets the mic. “Yeah, baby! St. Louie, what’s good, baybay? I come to you tonight representing the Baddest Tag Team in the History of Time and Space, Dem Boys, the Briscoe Brothers.” Fans chant “DEM BOYS!” for the Briscoes, and Mark says tomorrow, in Cali, “it ain’t about tag team action. It’s the biggest singles match of my career.” Mark Briscoe VS Samoa Joe, for the ROH World TV title.

“And this one, let me tell you. This one’s a little bit different. This one’s hitting just a little bit personal, if you know what I mean.” Mark doesn’t just win this for himself. He wins it for his wife and kids, for his brother Jay and Jay’s wife and kids. He wins it for the family, for his mom and dad, for everyone home in Delaware, and everyone worldwide who rode with #DemBoys! “This is bigger than you’d ever know, you know what I’m saying?” But Mark wants Joe to listen. They’ve known each other a long time. Joe’s put some whoopings on Mark’s ass, Mark’s put some whoopings on Joe’s ass.

“But tomorrow night, the difference is, this time, I’m gonna win that title, because it’s my destiny.” Fans cheer for that! But then Joe is on the tron! “Mark! Your destiny? It’s your destiny to take the championship from me? You know what, you don’t need to worry about your destiny, you need to worry about the reality. And the reality is, I cannot believe the disrespect I’m seeing right now!” Mark is talking about destiny, dreams, what he’ll accomplishment instead of talking about survival and what he’s gonna do to beat Joe! Because Mark, you’ve forgotten the man Joe is, so Joe will remind you.

This is Samoa Joe! He is the ROH World Television Champion, the GREATEST ROH World Champion of all time! Samoa Joe is violence made flesh and ruthlessness manifest! Come Supercard of Honor, Joe will remind Mark of that. Joe is seething, Mark is pacing, and fans are fired up! What happens when destiny collides with brutality in Los Angeles?

 

Backstage interview with Jay Lethal.

Dasha Gonzales says Lethal requested this time, but it’s a bit surprising he’s alone since he’s usually with Jeff Jarrett, Sonjay Dutt & Satnam Singh. Yes, he did request this time because in a few moments, Mark will be coming around that corner, and there’s something Lethal needs to say to him alone, without Jarrett, Sonjay or Satnam. This has nothing to do with Triple J, this has to do with his personal relationship with Mark. Mark does walk over, and Lethal gets his attention. Lethal says that he needs to tell Mark, that with everything they’ve been through, they’re like family. So Lethal wants to be the first one to wish Mark luck at Supercard against Joe.

And Lethal knows there’s a lot on Mark’s shoulders, that this is a big moment for Mark and his family, because we’re all waiting for Mark to bring that belt home. Lethal says this has nothing to do with Triple J, this has everything to do with their history in ROH. Bring home that title, man! Mark shakes Lethal’s hand and Lethal heads out. Mark nods and appreciates that. Will Mark do it for the family, friends and fans all wanting to see destiny realized?

 

ROH Pure Championship: Wheeler Yuta VS Leon Ruffin!

The Blackpool Combat Club has been ripping their way through both AEW and ROH rosters, and The Decoder is going to get his wish at Supercard of Honor. He will take on The Wrestler, Katsuyori Shibata! But will he be bringing the belt? Or will the ultimate underdog be the one living the dream of becoming champion?

On stage are the judges, BJ Whitmer, Dean Malenko and Jerry Lynn, and Leon makes sure to shake each of their hands on the way to the ring. Yuta also shakes the judges’ hands, then joins Leon in the ring. The introductions are made, the newly redesigned and very shiny belt is raised, and we see if Yuta is worthy of it.

The Code of Honor is upheld, though maybe sarcastically from Yuta. The bell rings, the match is on the clock, and the two tie up. They go around, Yuta wrenches and CLUBS the arm, then bends the elbow. Yuta wristlocks, Leon rolls but Yuta wrangles him back down. Leon rolls and rolls, but Yuta wrangles him again. Leon rolls again, flips but Yuta wrenches to CHOP Leon down! Fans “WOO~” while Yuta gets a leg. Yuta drags Leon around into the HALF CRAB, then shifts to tie up the legs! Yuta fishhooks, then pulls Leon into the BOW & ARROW! But Leon pops free to a cover, ONE! Both men hurry up and Yuta knees low.

Yuta CHOPS Leon in the corner and fans “WOO~!” Yuta whips corner to corner, Leon goes up and out and catches Yuta for a HOTSHOT! Leon goes up and around, Yuta waistlocks, Leon hammers away on the grip, but Yuta still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Yuta flexes while fans are torn. Yuta stalks Leon to ropes, drags him up and has the wristlcok. Yuta wrenches, hooks Leon up and fans duel, “Let’s Go, Yuta!” “YUTA SUCKS!” Yuta shifts from Cobra Twist to IRON OCTOPUS! A message sent to Shibata but Leon endures and fights his way towards the ROPEBREAK! That’s the first, Leon has two more, but Yuta mocks Leon about that.

Leon goes to a corner, Yuta drags him up to throw him down by his hair. The ref reprimands but Yuta stalks Leon. Leon throws an elbow but Yuta ROCKS Leon! Yuta scoops, SLAMS and SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Yuta grabs a leg, steps through for a toehold, then ties up the legs. Yuta taunts Leon, Leon throws forearms, but Yuta DECKS Leon! Yuta stands and bridges to put on pressure! Fans are torn, Yuta mockingly applauds while he maintains the bridge. Yuta then crosses his arms, another message to Shibata. Leon fights to get the bridge undone, and he crawls his way around. Yuta stands to bridge again!

Leon endures, he reaches out, ROPEBREAK! That’s the second, he only has one left. Yuta smirks, this is playing right into his game plan. Yuta drags Leon up with a waistlock but Leon throws elbows. Leon is free, he ELBOWS Yuta again, then goes to a corner. Yuta runs in but only gets buckles! Leon ENZIGURIS then NECKBREAKERS! Fans fire up as Leon goes to the apron. Yuta runs in, into a GAMANGIRI! Leon springboards, goes around, and around, and under! Leon runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then DROPKICKS Yuta down! Fans fire up with Leon and he brings Yuta up! Yuta powers out of the Bulldog, but Leon springboards, into a FOREARM!

Yuta rains down forearms to Leon’s head, throws crossface forearms, then HAMMERLOCK CROSSFACES!! Leon taps, Yuta wins!

Winner: Wheeler Yuta, by submission (still ROH Pure Champion)

Yuta didn’t need a single ropebreak, and he didn’t even need six minutes. He mockingly shakes Leon’s hand to uphold the Code of Honor, then gets the mic. “Well, well, well… Mr. Ruffin, I applaud your efforts, but they just weren’t enough tonight. Just like Clark Connors’ efforts weren’t enough. Like Timothy Thatcher’s efforts weren’t enough. And like Katsuyori Shibata’s efforts will not be enough at Supercard of Honor against Wheeler Yuta.” Yuta sits cross legged just like Shibata, but with a big, smug grin. Wait! That music! SHIBATA IS HERE! Fans go wild and Yuta looks annoyed and surprised.

Shibata slides into the ring to look at Yuta, and Yuta stands up. Fans are losing their minds, and Yuta says he didn’t think Shibata would show up here. “Shibata, I want you to know how important this is to me.” Shibata wants the mic but Yuta says no, he’s still got something to say. Shibata used to be one of the most lethal strikers in pro-wrestling history. Shibata used to be- Shibata SNATCHES the mic away! And he gets in Yuta’s face! Fans fire up as there’s no more talking. Yuta backs away first, will he be the first to find there’s no “used to be” with Shibata? Will Shibata snatch away that title like he did that mic?

 

El Hijo del Vikingo VS Blake Christian!

While Supercard of Honor is an ROH event, the AAA Mega Champion is going to defend his title in LA! Will the greatest luchador of this new generation shine bright in St. Louis? Or will All Heart prove he’s worthy of the gold?

Fans are already losing their minds seeing EHDV. The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, tie up, and Blake arm-drags, sweeps and covers. ONE, Blake avoids the sweep and kicks low. Blake whips EHDV to ropes, EHDV reverses, drops, and Blake handsprings. EHDV arm-drags, sweeps, covers, ONE! DOUBLE DROPKICKS but those cancel out! Both men kip up and fans fire up! Blake and EHDV shake hands again to show there is sportsmanship here and fans fire up. The two go again, testing the waters. They tie up, Blake waistlocks but EHDV pries free. Blake snapmares, EHDV handsprings through!

EHDV arm-drags, things speed up again. Blake hurdles then drops, but EHDV avoids the dropkick! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! EHDV arm-drags again and he grinds Blake down. Fans applaud these fast and furious exchanges, and Blake fights up. EHDV whips Blake to a corner, Blake reverses but EHDV reverses back to HEEL KICK! Blake wobbles, EHDV handsprings, goes up the corner, Blake runs in but into boots! EHDV takes a moment to steady himself, before going up and around and FLYING RANA! Blake flounders out of the ring while fans fire up! EHDV aims and goes up the ropes, to jump and IMPLODER CANNONBALL!

Fans lose their minds again with both men are down at the ramp! EHDV brings Blake up and puts him in the ring. Cover, TWO! All Heart hangs tough but EHDV keeps focus. EHDV BOOTS Blake down, CLUBS him, then brings him back up. EHDV ROCKS Blake with a forearm, then ROCKS him again! Blake leans on ropes and shakes out the stars going around his head. EHDV SOBATS, whips, but Blake ducks ‘n’ dodges and trips EHDV to basement dropkick! EHDV ends up on ropes, Blake runs in to basement TIGER FEINT! EHDV flounders back, Blake springboards, but EHDV gets under, only for Black to HANDSPRING PELE!

Fans fire up as EHDV bails out. Blake builds speed and FLIES! Fosbury Flop hits at the ramp and fans fire up again! Blake fetches EHDV, “This is Awesome!” as Blake puts EHDV in the ring. Blake covers, TWO! Blake brings EHDV up, ROCKS him with a forearm, and scoops to SLAM! Blake steps on EHDV to STANDING IMPLODER SENTON! Blake brings EHDV up to snap suplex! Fans rally, Blake nods while EHDV crawls to ropes. Blake drags EHDV up, snapmares, and clamps on a chinlock. Blake grinds EHDV but fans rally for “VIKINGO! VIKINGO!” EHDV endures, but Blake traps an arm to keep him down.

EHDV kicks around, reaches out, fights up to his feet, but Blake facelocks. EHDV throws body shots but Blake knees low. Blake whips, EHDV rebounds and gets around into SCREW HIGH KICK! EHDV then whips Blake to a corner, but Blake stops himself to elbow back! Blake goes up, leaps, but EHDV catches him! EHDV swings to SIDE SLAM! And then a roll to SUPERKICK! EHDV puts Blake near the ropes, goes up those ropes, and fans fire up for the INSIDE-OUT PHOENIX SPLASH! Cover, TWO!?! Blake survives because he is All Heart! EHDV keeps his focus, he stomps Blake into the corner and digs his boots in.

Fans rally, EHDV climbs, but Blake trips him! Blake Electric Chair Lifts to SNAKE EYES, and then GERMAN SUPLEX! EHDV stumbles and falls and fans fire up again. Blake storms up to EHDV, brings him out to the apron, and stands him back up. Blake Electric Chair Lifts again! But EHDV fights to APRON POISON RANA! A rough landing for both men but Blake definitely took the worse of it. EHDV shakes out the cobwebs, fans fire up as he builds speed, and goes up, only for Blake to get away. EHDV goes to the apron instead, leaps, but Blake avoids the cannonball! EHDV turns around, into a STANDING SPANISH FLY!

Blake holds on to drag EHDV up and put him in the ring! Springboard 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! EHDV survives and shocks Blake! “This is Awesome!” as Blake waits on EHDV to rise. Blake stands EHDV, but EHDV fires hands. Blake knees low, suplexes, but EHDV slips free to back suplex, to put Blake on the top rope! ENZIGURI! Fans rally again as EHDV climbs up behind Blake. EHDV stands Blake up, for a SUPER INVERTED- WAIT! Both men land on their feet!! They stare down, EHDV grins, but Blake LARIATS! Blake drags EHDV up, reels him in, POWER- RANA! Cover, EHDV wins!

Winner: El Hijo del Vikingo, by pinfall

Just when All Heart thought he had it, the AAA Mega Champion snatches it away from him! Fans give a standing ovation and even bow to the lucha libre prodigy. And best of all, Blake upholds the Code of Honor and even raises EHDV’s hand. With how great this non-title match was, will EHDV and Komander put on an instant classic on Supercard?

 

Backstage interview with Blake Christian.

Dasha knows that was a heartbreaking loss to Vikingo just now, but tomorrow is the ROH World Six Man Tag title against The Embassy. Blake says it would’ve been great to go in with a win, but- Prince Nana walks over. “Heartbreaking? Heartbreaking? HA! Heartbreaking is an understatement for what just happened out there, my friend. Take the night off tomorrow. The Embassy is a realistic and one of the most brutal teams you could possibly face. Take the night off tomorrow, okay? Do yourself a favor, Blake. How about that?” Blake asks Nana if he understands who Blake is.

Does Nana think Blake got the nickname, “All Heart,” for backing down? Nana says he does understand. Then the answer to Prince Nana’s idea is “Nah, nah.” Nana says that’s a good one. But is Blake sure about this? He’s positive. Then no problem. Oh, boys…! LIONA ATTACKS! He sends Blake into spare seating and then the wall! Metalik & Fox rush in, but Nana has his team stand down. This will be settled tomorrow. Blake may be All Heart, but will his body be able to carry him through? Or will there be more than hearts broken on Friday?

 

Eddie Kingston VS Christopher Daniels!

The Mad King was deemed unworthy by the Swiss Superman, but between winning his way up and getting in Claudio’s face, the champion couldn’t let it go. Eddie gets his shot at the ROH World Championship, but will he make it through the ROH Grand Slam winner?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and fans rally for “EDDIE! EDDIE!” Eddie and Daniels circle, fans duel, and the two tie up. Daniels headlocks, Eddie powers out and they RAM shoulders. They stay up, Eddie headlocks, but now Daniels powers out. They RAM shoulders again, but neither falls. Daniels shakes out the arm, he dodges Eddie’s chop and runs to RAM Eddie again! Eddie stays up, and the two men nod. They circle, tie up, and Eddie headlocks. Daniels powers Eddie down to a knee, pops out the back and he headlocks in return. Eddie fights up and powers out, then things speed up.

Eddie drops then CLOBBERS Daniels with an elbow! Daniels goes to a corner, Eddie runs in to KNEE Daniels, then BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, ONE!! Daniels is hanging tough but Eddie stays right on him. Eddie brings Daniels up, for a SAIDO! Fans rally, and Eddie prepares the fist! Daniels rises, but he ducks the backhand! Eddie fights off the clinch, runs in at the corner, but into a BOOT! Daniels runs to SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Eddie goes to ropes, Daniels CHOPS him on the back! Daniels stands Eddie up to bend him against the ropes! The ref counts, Daniels lets off at 4, and then he puts Eddie in the corner.

Daniels climbs up to rain down fists on Eddie! Fans duel, Daniels lets off at TEN, and he CHOPS Eddie again! Daniels whips Eddie corner to corner hard, and Eddie drops to his knees. Daniels soaks up the cheers and jeers then brings Eddie back up. Daniels CLUBS Eddie on the neck, CLUBS him more and more and more! Daniels runs, to STO! Cover, TWO! Eddie is tough and Daniels grows frustrated. Daniels brings Eddie up but Eddie throws shots to the legs! Eddie fires body shots, CHOPS, then runs, to BOOT! Daniels wobbles, but he clinches for a COMPLETE SHOT! Into the KOJI KLUTCH!

Fans rally as Eddie endures and reaches out! Eddie gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Daniels lets off at 4. Eddie sputters but Daniels grows further frustrated. Daniels CLUBS Eddie, CLUBS him again, but Eddie throws body shots. Daniels CLUBS Eddie, Eddie throws a body shot, repeat. Eddie stands to fire a forearm but Daniels gives it back. They go back and forth with shots, Daniels knees low, and Daniels reels Eddie in. Daniels underhooks but Eddie fights the lift! Eddie back drops Daniels away! Fans fire up and Eddie goes to a corner. Daniels stands up, into a CHOP! And another! Daniels snarls, and brings down the straps!

Fans fire up and Daniels CHOPS! Eddie eggs Daniels on so Daniels CHOPS! Now Eddie brings down the straps! Eddie CHOPS, Daniels CHOPS, this is a CHOP fight! Fans “WOO~” again and again with every CHOP! Fans fire up, they’re thunderous as these two finally take a breath. Then Eddie roars! Eddie CHOPS, Daniels CHOPS, Eddie ENZIGURIS! Daniels staggers, Eddie hits an atomic drop! Eddie runs to BOOT Daniels down! Cover, TWO! Daniels is hanging in there, but Eddie clinches to EXPLODER! Daniels flounders to a corner and fans fire up. Eddie loads up, to MACHINE GUN CHOP! But Daniels BOOTS back!

Eddie shakes out the arm, Daniels CLUBS him down! Daniels scowls, his chest is stinging, so he puts the straps back up. Daniels drags Eddie up, headlocks and elbows away. Daniels runs, into a BOOT! But Daniels CHOPS in return! Eddie bobs ‘n’ weaves and ENZIGURIS! URAKEN! Daniels wobbles, into another URAKEN!! Cover, Eddie wins!

Winner: Eddie Kingston, by pinfall

The Fallen Angel falls to the Mad King! And Eddie bows in respect, and helps Daniels stand. Fans cheer the sportsmanship, and Daniels says Eddie has what it takes. If Eddie beat a Grand Slam Champion, will he be able to beat THE champion, Claudio Castagnoli? Wait, speaking of, here comes Claudio! The Swiss Superman has the redesigned and shined up new ROH World Championship on his belt, and he walks down to the ring with it. Claudio stands in the ring to stare Eddie down, and he holds up the belt. Wait, Eddie wants to do this now?! Claudio puts the belt down, and he takes his jacket off!

Claudio has the mic to say he doesn’t wanna wait! They’re doing this now! The ref gets back in the ring and fans fire up! Claudio takes off his shirt, but he’s in slacks! Oh, Claudio gets the belt back and slips away. Claudio says they do this on HIS time, which is also the scheduled time of Supercard. Daniels slides the mic back to Eddie so he can say, “Well… Ladies and gentlemen, what’s a diamond upside-down?” Fans know, and Eddie says he didn’t have to say it so he won’t be fined by HR. Eddie says he’ll wait until Friday. “And everyone here, I promise you this. If you don’t buy the PPV, you will feel like sh*t.”

And here’s why: Eddie NEEDS to be world champion! Eddie NEEDS to fulfill his destiny that he said he’d be when he was nine years old! Eddie told his mom that the reason why she doesn’t have a daughter-in-law, a grandkid, because Eddie cannot concentrate on that until he is world champion. Claudio talks trash but Eddie tells him to shut up, he’s not the one with the mic. And Claudio knows Eddie’s mom, he met her and Eddie’s family. Claudio shook Eddie’s father’s hand and kissed Eddie’s mom, and told them that he loves Eddie. But here’s a little inside look. When it was time for Claudio to do business, he ran to be a sports entertainer. Eddie stayed to fight.

Claudio can say he fought all day, but Eddie remembers when Claudio dressed up like an EFFING CLOWN over there! Don’t tell Eddie nothing! Go back to the circus, because ROH is about competition! Or maybe Claudio should get in the ring? Eddie will smack fire outta Claudio’s ass! Claudio leaves, Eddie tells the fans to buy the PPV, because Eddie will fight until he is dead in the ring. Eddie won’t stop, because of men like Christopher Daniels, men like Bryan Danielson–even though Eddie doesn’t like Bryan but he respects him–and his mentors, Homicide, Xavier–may he rest in peace–and the inaugural ROH Champion, LowKi.

Eddie lives through them, stands on their shoulders, and WILL BE ROH World Champion!! Also, tip your waitresses, try the veil. Eddie vows to give his life for ROH and pro-wrestling, will he finally live his life’s dream of being world champion?


My Thoughts:

A great episode of ROH, especially as a go-home. Now, ROH has only just returned to weekly programming, so they didn’t need a ton of video packages, and didn’t really have enough material for a ton of video packages. At the same time, they weren’t going to use up time for those because they need to get as much down in two hours as possible. Miyu VS Shazza was really the only filler match, and it was still a pretty good match that can still help build Miyu in the ROH Women’s Division. And having title matches here on a go-home is wild, even though neither title was going to change here tonight.

Athena VS Emi was an awesome match, Emi still looking strong even in losing. And it was great to see Yuka show up to brawl with Athena. Yuka stands tall, so she’s definitely not winning on Supercard. And then the ROH Pure Championship match was as close to a squash match as a Pure Rules match can be. Yuta taunting Shibata only to get Shibata was awesome! Yuta and Shibata side by side, it’s almost like Yuta is nWo/wannabe Shibata. Yuta will probably bend rules to keep the title, as Shibata’s first title since coming back should be in NJPW, not ROH.

Really good stuff in the various tune-up matches. Aussie Open had a great opener against The Varsity Athletes, and a great 8 Man Tag from the other four teams. I was a bit surprised the Heels won that, but it was LFI with the win so they’re going into the ladder match with momentum. Aussie Open won’t win, they’re going to be more focused on the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team titles in NJPW. LFI probably won’t win because they stand tall, but who knows, they could defy the math. I would think the Lucha Brothers win the titles to be Face champions that truly continue where The Briscoes left off.

Speaking of the Briscoes, great promo from Mark Briscoe, from Samoa Joe, and from Jay Lethal. Lethal shrugged off his Heel behavior from AEW to be kinda real here with Mark. There’s a very good chance Mark wins the TV title to give us a feel good moment at Supercard in the wake of losing Jay Briscoe. And then, chances are, Lethal shows his Heel side again by wanting the first title match against Mark. And I like that we’re seeing Dasha here, she doesn’t get to do as much onscreen in AEW, and it allows Lexi Nair to not do double duty between the companies.

Good squash match win for The Embassy, though a bit of a shame for JD Griffey to be stuck on that team. Great win for Metalik & AR Fox over The Infantry, though I think Metalik was trying to go too fast, hence that tilt-o-whirl botch with Dean. Amazing match from El Hijo del Vikingo and Blake Christian. Looking at what Blake’s been able to do, it just makes WWE releasing him during the NXT 2.0 era a bad move. Though at the same time, NXT 2.0 was gonna make him into a superhero character, but in a lame way, not in the sorta cool way Axiom is now.

But anyway, it made sense for EHDV to win, he is gonna go into that AAA Mega title match with momentum, and it’s anyone’s guess if he beats Komander or we get a new champion in LA. And of course, Embassy beat down Blake backstage. Pretty sure this is go-home math for Blake, Fox & Metalik finding a way to beat the big bad hosses. Supercard of Honor should at least have one title change, and if the Six Man titles are the ones, then that’s fine. The Gates of Agony can get in the ROH Tag Division and Brian Cage can get back in the singles division.

And we got a great main event from Eddie VS Daniels. Eddie winning makes sense because he needs momentum going into the world title match. We got a good interaction from Eddie and Claudio, as well as a really good promo from Eddie to call out Claudio. That match is going to be great stuff, but I can’t be sure if Eddie wins. Again, ROH TV only just came back and there are many possibilities for Claudio to face as we move into the summer, but the same goes for Eddie should he win.

My Score: 8.8/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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