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Mitchell’s NXT Stand & Deliver Results & Report! (4/1/23)

Heeeeere’s NXT!

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Who will be the shining stars in Hollywood?

NXT lands in Hollywood, with all the titles on the line, AND an Unsanctioned match between Johnny Gargano and Grayson Waller! What will NXT’s landscape look like after this blockbuster night?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff Show – High Stakes 8 Person Tag: Chase U & Tyler Bate VS The Schism; Chase U & Bate win and own the rights to Chase University.
  • NXT Women’s Championship Six Pack Ladder Match: Roxanne Perez VS Zoey Stark VS Tiffany Stratton VS Lyra Valkyria VS Gigi Dolin VS Indi Hartwell; Indi wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
  • NXT Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Gallus VS The Creed Brothers VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo; Gallus wins and retains the titles.
  • NXT North American Championship Fatal 5 Way: Wes Lee VS Dragon Lee VS Ilja Dragunov VS JD McDonagh VS Axiom; Wes wins and retains the title.
  • Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano VS Grayson Waller; Gargano wins.
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Fallon Henley & Kiana James VS Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn; Fyre & Dawn win and become the new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions.
  • NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams; Melo wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the Stand & Deliver Kickoff Show!

Join Peter Rosenberg, the hosts of The Masked Man Podcast, David Shoemaker and Kazeem Famuyide, and the host of Busted Open, Dave LaGreca, in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action in the first event of a huge weekend in Hollywood!

 

Kickoff Show – High Stakes 8 Person Tag: Chase U & Tyler Bate VS The Schism!

This is the moment of truth for Andre Chase, Thea Hail, Duke Hudson and the Big Strong Boi! They’ve been fending off Joe Gacy, Rip Fowler, Jagger Reed & Ava Raine for months now, but now the fate of the university rests on this one match! Will the #FourRootsOneTree take away everything Chase U has fought for? Or will this be the biggest #TeachableMoment of all time?

The teams sort out and Professor Chase starts against Rip. They tie up, go around, and Rip headlocks. Chase powers out but Rip runs him over. Things speed up, Rip whips Chase but Chase counters the hip toss. Rip blocks Chase’s hip toss, but Chase hits low, gets a leg up, and flips through to arm-drag. Chase wrenches but Rip ROCKS him! Tag to Jagger, they each kick, and Chase CHOPS! Tag to Bate, even though Duke was reaching out. Bate UPPERCUTS and whips, but Jagger reverses. Jagger runs in, blocks the boot but gets the KNEE! Bate goes up and FLYING UPPERCUTS! cover, ONE!

Bate wrenches Jagger, Duke tags himself in, and he argues with Bate! Chase stops them, but then Thea tags in! Ava steps in as fans fire up! Ava has her first taste of in-ring action, but then chooses to tag out to Gacy. Thea says to get Ava back in, Chase steps in to move her aside, and Gacy BLINDSIDES Chase! SPLASH in the corner, then an URENAGE! Gacy spells it out?! S! C! H! But then Chase blocks that! He ROCKS Gacy with haymakers! Tag to Bate, they keep on Gacy then double whip him to a corner. Bate gives Chase the boost, BIG forearm in the corner, followed by an UPPERCUT! Bate feeds Gacy to the scoop and SLAM!

SHOOTING STAR FIST DROP COMBO! Cover, TWO! Gacy scrambles away and he tags in Ava! Thea steps back in and she’s all fired up! Ava shoves Thea , but Thea shoves back! They tie up, Ava throws Thea down, and Ava taunts the “little girl.” Thea gets up, gets a waistlock, but Ava throws her off. Ava KNEES Thea, CLUBS her, and suplexes. Cover, TWO! Ava drags Thea around by her hair, pulls on her ears, and dribbles her off the mat. Fans rally for Thea but Ava SLAM DUNKS her down! Ava soaks up the heat, brings Thea up but Thea fires off forearms! Fans fire up, Ava swings but misses, Thea kicks and kicks!

Thea runs in to UPPERCUT in the corner! HALF HATCH SUPLEX! SENTON! Thea shakes the ropes, then springboard SENTONS! Cover, Jagger drags her away! Fans boo but Bate tags in. Bate fires off UPPERCUTS on Jagger, then headlocks to bop him with his foot. And again! Fans rally for the Big Strong Boi but Jagger elbows him away. Jagger whips, Rip tags in, things speed up, and the Dyad DOUBLE FLAPJACK Bate onto ropes! Rip taunts Bate, “This was never your fight!” Rip SLAPS Bate, CLUBS away on him with forearms and elbows, then whips him to ropes to CLOBBER him!

Rip continues to taunt Bate, brings him up, but Bate blocks the suplex! Bate suplexes Rip! Fans fire up as Bate takes Rip up and over! Rip and Bate crawl, hot tag to Gacy! Gacy back suplexes, Bate lands on his feet, fakes Gacy out and hot tags Chase! Chase rallies on The Schism, atomic drop for Gacy then a scoop SLAM! Chase goes to the corner as fans fire up! Chase climbs, leaps, CROSSBODY! Hot tag to Bate, even as Duke reaches out. Full nelson, REBOUND LARAIT DRAGON SUPLEX! Cover, Jagger breaks it! Bate fires off on The Dyad for that, haymakers and CHOPS! But Rip DUMPS Bate up and out!

Jagger and Rip mug Chase, so Duke steps in! Fans fire up as Duke fires off hot hands! But the Dyad double kick, double whip, only for Duke to break through and DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up for Duke, he JABS, JABS and JABS Jagger, to flip, flop and U! Bionic Elbow! Duke DECKS Rip, drags him up and puts him in a corner. But Ava steps in to SLAP Duke! Thea CLOBBERS Ava! Jagger ROCKS Duke, drags Thea off Ava, but Thea says “YOU!” She stomps Jagger’s foot, then QUEBRADAS into a TORNADO DDT!! Fans fire up as Thea chases Jagger out! But Gacy BOOTS Duke! Bate is back! He blocks the boot, Bop up, BANG!

Gacy fights the underhooks but Bate rebounds! Gacy dodges, handsprings, but Gate ducks! Duke runs in, Gacy dodges, the BOOT hits Bate!! The Dyad drags Duke out! Gacy hits Bate with the UPSIDE-DOWN!! Cover, Chase breaks it!! Gacy fires off on Chase in anger, tags in Rip, and tag to Jagger. The Schism form up, POWERBOMB BACKSTABBER!! Ava drags Thea back into the ring! Ava WASTELAND SLAMS Thea! The Schism taunt Chase U, but Duke steps up! What’s he gonna do against them all? Fans fire up as Duke eggs them on! But Gacy has the others stand down? Gacy walks up to Duke and whispers something in his ear.

Fans chant for Duke, but The Schism offers Duke a shirt! Duke takes off his Chase U shirt!? Fans boo as Duke takes the Schism shirt, and Chase pleads Duke not to do this! Duke puts the Schism shirt on?! Is he a root of the Tree now?! The Schism hug Duke, and Chase is in disbelief. Fans chant “You Sold Out!” at Duke, but Duke backs up behind The Schism, to RIP the Schism shirt! Chase U attacks The Schism! Chase U gets surrounded, but QUADRUPLE BOPS lead to QUADRUPLE BANGS! And then they ALL spell it out! C! H! A! S! E! U! What’s that spell!? “CHASE U!!”

Hot tag to Duke, Bate FLIES and Thea SPRINGBOARDS to take out The Dyad! FRAT LINER for Jagger!! Cover, Chase U wins!!

Winners: Chase U & Tyler Bate, by pinfall (Chase University still belongs to Chase U)

Fans cheer as Duke proves he still bleeds black ‘n’ red! Will this new chapter in the school’s history be the best one yet?

 

Are you ready to Stand & Deliver?

The hosts, Pretty Deadly, says tonight is a night of headlines. NXT returns to Tinsel Down, so the tasty snacks are here to bring you the incredible spectacle that is Stand… And Deliver! #YesBoy! A Six Pack Ladder Match for the women’s title? That’s a show-stealer! Then a Fatal 5 for the North American title, a bustling hive of tag team wrestling, a dysfunctional duo taking on a devious one, and the return of Johnny Gargano to exact revenge on Grayson Waller “in a match so brutal, it could take years off your career.” But biggest of all, the future of NXT will be decided by a collision 18 months in the making.

The lights are ready, the cameras are rolling, and the action starts now! It’s time for NXT Stand…! And Deliver!

 

NXT Women’s Championship Six Pack Ladder Match: Roxanne Perez VS Zoey Stark VS Tiffany Stratton VS Lyra Valkyria VS Gigi Dolin VS Indi Hartwell!

Just as it looked like we would need to crown a brand new champion this weekend, the Prodigy makes a heroic return! But now that means she’ll have to face the FIVE women who earned this opportunity. Will Roxie survive it all to stay champion? Or will there be a new NXT Women’s Champion after all?

The introductions are made, the belt is already high above the ring, and we see who literally rises to the challenge!

The bell rings and fans fire up as all six women look up. Then Lyra and Indi go outside while STark goes after Gigi and Roxie goes after Tiff! Lyra and Indi RAM ladders like, well, rams, and then put those down cuz that hurts. Tiff turns things around on Roxie, Gigi does the same with Stark. Stark knees Gigi, Indi and Lyra DOUBLE LARIAT! Stark GERMAN SUPLEXES Gigi, Tiff fireman’s carries Roxie. Roxie slips off, Stark ROCKS Tiff, then Roxie rolls and headscissors to go around and around, and send Stark into Tiff! Then she UPPERCUTS Stark down! And UPPERCUTS Tiff!

Roxie rolls, but Lyra runs in, Roxie dodges, to THESZ PRESS! Roxie rains down fists, Lyra shoves her away but Roxie kips up and fires up! Fans are with her, but Stark runs in. Roxie dumps Stark out onto Indi, then DIVES, to get just Indi! Fans fire up more, Roxie gets herself a ladder, only for Tiff to DROPKICK it into her! Gigi ROCKS Tiff, CHOPS Stark, repeat! Gigi whips Stark to ropes, BOOTS her down, then dodges Tiff to spin and ROUNDHOUSE! Fans fire up for Gigi as she goes to get herself a ladder. Tiff and Stark brawl, Tiff whips but Stark dodges to DROPKICK the ladder into Gigi!

Stark blocks Tiff’s boot, back suplexes, but Tiff lands on her feet to RANA! Stark handsprings through! Tiff blocks a superkick but DOUBLE FOREARMS rock them both! Indi CLOBBERS Stark and Tiff! Fans fire up for #IndiWrestling as she hurries to get another ladder. Indi puts that on the apron, but lifts it up as Stark and Tiff slide in! Then she backs it up to hit them! Only for Lyra to WRECK Indi! Fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” as Lyra takes that ladder and puts it in. Roxie snatches it, though! They tug-o-war, go back and forth, but Lyra RAMS Roxie into the corner! Roxie is stuck, Lyra BOOTS her down!

Gigi returns but Lyra SOBATS, kicks and HEADBUTTS, to AX KICK! Lyra then suplexes Gigi onto the ladder! Gigi, Roxie and the ladder fall, and fans fire up again! Indi and Stark have ladders but Indi RAMS Stark into the railing! Stark fights, but Tiff has a ladder that she makes a ramp. Indi ROCKS Tiff, Tiff ROCKS Indi then SMACKS her off the ladder! Tiff then drags Indi under, but Stark adds on! BLOCKBUSTER CATAPULT COMBO!! Lyra has her own ladder and she stands it up! Lyra climbs, “This is Awesome!” as Stark yanks her down. Stark ROCKS Lyra, SMACKS her off that ladder, and Lyra slumps down.

Stark drags Lyra up, whips her to a corner, then runs in to MONKEY FLIP! But Lyra lands on her feet to climb! Tiff also climbs, they kick Stark away, then brawl with each other. Lyra YANKS Tiff into the rungs! But Stark MISSILE DROPKICKS Lyra! But Indi tosses Stark out, has her int he ropes, KNEE and BOOT! Indi then runs to BOOT Stark off the apron! Fans fire up and Indi has the ladder! She positions it under the belt, climbs, but Tiff hurries after. They talk trash, but Roxie climbs on! Roxie elbows Indi away, Tiff grabs at the belt but Roxie ROCKS her! So Indi TIPS the ladder! Tiff and Roxie HOTSHOT off the ropes!

Indi grins, and sets the ladder back up! Fans rally behind Indi, only for Gigi to SMACK hero n the back. Gigi drop toeholds Indi onto the ladder! Then Gigi brings the ladder around, puts that in one corner and has a second in the other. Gigi goes HELICOPTER! Tiff gets hit, Lyra gets hit, Stark gets hit, and then Roxie shoots in, only to get hit on the backside! Gigi puts that ladder down, Lyra runs in but Gigi BACK DRPOS he onto a ladder! Payback for earlier, and then with interest, Gigi sets Lyra onto he ladder in a Tree of Woe. Stark SUPERKICKS Gigi, runs back in, but Gigi dodges! Stark SPLASHES onto Lyra and the ladder!

Fans fire up as everyone is down somewhere around the ring! Gigi hurries to bring another ladder in, “This is Awesome!” as this one looks to be the tallest of all. Gigi stands it up, then clears out some space before climbing. Fans cheer, but Tiff drags her down! Tiff fireman’s carries Gigi, to ROLLING SENTON on a ladder! Roxie is there to ROCK Tiff, and reel her in, only for Tiff to block! Tiff throws body shots, bumps Roxie off buckles, then throws a ladder! Roxie dodges, the ladder comes back, and they both hurry up the main ladder! Both women ROCK each other with forearms and they fall to the mat!

Roxie and Tiff stagger up. Tiff runs in, handspring back ELBOW against the ladder! Tiff climbs again, but Indi returns! Indi brings Tiff down, to SPINEBUSTER on a ladder!! Tiff writhes all the way out of the ring as Indi clears out space. Indi climbs, Stark hurries after her! Stark brings Indi down, to SUPERKICK! Indi flops against rungs, and Stark has a FOURTH ladder. She puts that in the corner, RAMS it into Indi, and again, but Indi fights back! The ladder gets wedged into the main one, and Indi ROCKS Stark! Indi puts Stark on the apron but Stark GAMANGIRIS back! Indi falls onto a ladder, Stark ARABIAN SENTONS onto her!!

Stark kicks that ladder away, brings Indi back up, Z360!! Stark hurries up the main ladder, but here comes Roxie! Roxie grabs at a foot, Stark kicks her away, so Roxie grabs the other foot! Roxie is a dangling anchor on Stark! Stark drops down, she and Roxie brawl, and Stark blocks a rung bump to ELBOW! Z3- NO! Roxie blocks the knee to SOBAT! And POP ROX!! Roxie hurries but Tiff returns! Roxie SOBATS, but Tiff pops the Rox off! Tiff kicks low, gets Roxie up, but Roxie RANAS Tiff out of the ring! Fans fire up as Roxie hurries up the ladder! Roxie reaches the top, reaches for her belt, but Gigi returns!

Gigi drags Roxie down a rung, Roxie tries to rana but Gigi blocks to SWING her into the ladder! And again, and again! Gigi then brings Roxie around, FINAL NAIL!! Roxie flops away and Gigi climbs! But Lyra CLUBS her! Lyra and Gigi brawl, fire off wild hands, and Gigi TOSSES Lyra. Lyra is on the apron, she shoulders in. Lyra bumps Gigi off buckles, runs at Stark to SHOTGUN her onto Indi and another ladder! Lyra climbs, reaches up, but Gigi grabs Lyra. Lyra kicks at her but Gigi CLUBs a leg out! Gigi SLAMS Lyra into a Tree of Woe! Lyra is stuck while Gigi climbs up! Lyra manages to sit up, she throws hands on Gigi!

Gigi ROCKS Lyra, HEADBUTTS her, and TOSSES her off!! Gigi sees she’s got a path and fans fire up! But JACY JAYNE is here?! She DECKS Gigi and she falls onto the ladder bridge!! Fans boo as Jacy says this is HER time! Jacy aims finger guns at Gigi while refs reprimand her. Jacy climbs down, fans chant “YOU SUCK!” but she got what she wanted. And then Tiffany hurries in! Tiff positions the ladder, heads back up, and reaches out, only for Indi to TIP the ladder! Tiff FLIES off onto everyone else!! Fans are thunderous as Indi is all alone now! Indi stands the ladder back up, but she’s slow to climbing the rungs.

Indi sputters as he ribs bother her, but she forces herself to climb. But she just can’t stay on the rungs. WAIT! DEXTER LUMIS is here?! He crawls under Indi and gives her a thumbs up! He Electric Chair Lifts her up! He helps her climb! Indi grabs the belt, to WIN!!

Winner: Indi Hartwell (NEW NXT Women’s Champion)

Where there’s a will, there’s The Way! #InDex wins the belt, and #IndiWrestling finally has her moment! Will this new chapter in NXT be truly impressive?

 

NXT Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Gallus VS The Creed Brothers VS Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo!

Mark Coffey & Wolfgang are fighting champions, so they were more than happy to accept multiple challenges for this defense. But will it still be Gallus Boys On Top? Will Diamond Mine be golden again? Or will The Don and his Underboss bring the gold home to the family?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is really on top!

In this kind of Triple Threat, we get one man from each team, so Tony and Julius step up with Mark. They all fist bump, but then Mark throws hands! Tony runs in, Julius dodges and Mark takes the tackle! Julius RDOPRKICKS Ton, Mark RAMS Julius into the Gallus over. Wolfgang tags in, he ROCKS Juilus but Brutus tags in to CLOBBER everyone! STacks tags in, he DROPKCIKS Bruuts! Juilus tags back in to wrangle Stacks to a cover. Mark breaks it and says #GallusBoysOnTop. But then Stacks and Juilus bot elbow Mark down! Juilus suplexes Stacks, Stacks makes it a cradle, TWO! And Julius dealidfits Stacks to sLAM him!

Tony runs in to DECK Julius, KNEE Wolfgang, but Brutus tags in. Tony fires off body shots, kicks Juilus and HALF HATCH SUPLEXES Brutus! Stacks DROPKICKS Julius, then Tony gives him some shots and an X-PLEX! Tony DECKS Mark, then hip toss SENTONS Stacks into Brutus! The family work together, BACK SUPLEX NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up for Stacks & The Don, but they get dragged out by Gallus! The firms brawl, but the Creeds DOUBLE ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on everyone else and the straps come down! Brutus drags Tony up and into the ring, but Wolfgang brawls with Julius.

Julius feeds Wolfgang to Brutus, double underhook and ASSISTED TIGER DRIVER! Fans fire up and Wolfgang clutches a leg. Daniel Cormier is in the crowd and he celebrates with his pick for this match. Brutus SMASH Tony, SMASH Mark, then SMASH and gut wrench for Tony! Brutus bear crawls but Mark headlocks it! Brutus powers up to SLAM Mark! Brutus goes to a corner, climbs up, leaps over Tony but Mark CLOBBERS Brutus! Mark DECKS Tony, tags Wolfgang, and he SPRINGBOARD SENTONS! Gallus gets Brutus up, to DOUBLE URENAGE! Wolfgang storms up on Tony, scoops and SLAMS him, then covers, TWO!

Wolfgang drags Tony up, ROCKS him, but Tony ROCKS Wolfgang back! They brawl with uppercuts and haymakers! Both men drop to a knee, but Brutus returns! He dodges both men to hot tag Julius! BELLY2BELLY and kip up! BELLY2BELLY and kip up! Mark rags in, he gets a BELLY2BELLY and kip up! Tony runs back in, another BELLY2BELLY and kip up! Another one for Mark! Fans fire up as Julius waistlocks Tony. Tony holds ropes, elbows free, tag to Stacks! Stacks dodge to rally on Julius, then kick Wolfgang from the apron before the SPRINGBOARD LARIAT! FLYING KNEE for Mark! SENTON for Wolfgang!

Stacks sends Brutus into steel steps, then CROSSBODIES Julius! Cover, TWO! Stacks runs in, is put on the apron, and Julius CLUBS him! Julius suplexes but Stacks resists. Mark Electric Chair Lifts Stacks, Julius slides under them both to also Electric Chair Lift!? Brutus is up top, DOUBLE DECKER DOOMSDAY!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” The ref checks all of hem, they’re okay to continue. Wolfgang POSTS Brutus but Julius KNEES Wolfgang! Julius drags Stacks up and into the ring, but Tony CLUBS Julius, into the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Tony shouts to Stacks, he climbs up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, MARK breaks it!!

Tony goes after Mark, FOGETABOUTIT! Cover, Wolfgang uses Tony to break it! Tony CLOBBERS Wolfgang for that! Tony drags Mark up, he whips, and then BADA BOOM! Stacks crawls to the cover, but JOE COFFEY drags him out!! The Iron King is back! And he gives Tony ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Joe feeds Stacks to the boys, Wolfgang tags in! Fireman’s carry, Mark runs in, KNEE TKO COMBO!! Cover, Gallus wins!!

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

The ace in the hole was the Iron King! Joe chooses the perfect time to return to NXT, and he keeps his boys on top! Is NXT truly their kingdom?

 

Pretty Deadly are backstage.

What a wild day already! Death defying feats in the Women’s Ladder match, wow! And a new champion in Indi, double wow! Who would’ve bet on her? And it is still Gallus Boys on… Nope, they dry heave even thinking of it. But they are currently outside Bron Breakker’s locker room, ready to find out what’s on his mind before the biggest match in NXT history. Kit wants Elton to open the door but he thinks Kit should. They’re both hesitant, because last time they saw him, he speared them in half. Well, they’re gonna give the champ his space. Back to Vic & Booker T.

 

NXT North American Championship Fatal 5 Way: Wes Lee VS Dragon Lee VS Ilja Dragunov VS JD McDonagh VS Axiom!

The Cardiac Kick, the Must See Kid, the inspirational underdog that fought his way to this title, must now fight even harder to hold onto the title! But he stacked the odds against himself by handing the opportunities to The Wonder Boy, the Mad Russian, the Irish Ace and the Undeniable Truth. Will Wes be even more inspiring as he survives this match? Or will there be another new champion here in Hollywood?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who shines brightest under this spotlight!

The bell rings and Wes finds himself surrounded by his challengers. Wes figures what the hell, let someone go. JD and Dragunov want after each other, but Dragon lee DECKS JD then DECKS Dragunov! Axiom throws JD out, Dragon does the same to Dragunov. And now the luchadors circle around Wes. Wes ducks a kick, jumps another, but gets caught in a sleeper. He snapmares Axiom away, dodges Dragon, then sends Axiom into Dragunov! Things speed up, arm-drags cancel out and both men hit the mat! JD and Dragunov return to fire off on Wes and Axiom. KICKS, CHOPS, MACHINE GUN CHOPS and a mudhole stomp!

Fans fire up as Dragunov just peppers Axiom until he falls out of the ring! Wes also bails out, and now the archenemies meet. But Dragon gets in to knock them into each other! Dragon whips JD, JD reverses but Dragon BOOTS back. Dragon RANAS JD! Fans fire up and Dragon runs in to JUMP KICK, LEG SWEEP, COMBINACION CABRON! But Dragunov BOOTS Dragon! Dragunov whips, Dragon reverses and DROPKICKS! Fans fire up, Dragon fires off forearms on Dragunov! Dragon runs to DROPKICK JD! And then he DROPKICKS Dragunov! Fans fire up with Dragon, he BLASTS Wes off the apron.

Dragon avoids Axiom’s leap! Fans fire up as these two stare down now. Things speed up, and Dragon DROPKICKS Axiom out of the air! Axiom bails out, fans fire up and Dragon builds speed. Dragon FLIES to take out Wes and Axiom! Fans fire up again and Dragon puts Wes in the ring. Wes rises, but he blocks Dragon’s boot! The Lees circle, rush in, Dragon dodges to whip but Wes reverses. Wes runs in, is put on the apron but he GAMANGIRIS! Wes goes up and over, snapmare to a strike fest! Snapmare again, BASEMENT DROPKICK! Fans fire up but Dragunov is back! He gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX, but Wes lands on his feet!

Fans fire up as Wes eggs Dragunov on. Wes ducks the backhand, RANAS Dragunov into buckles, then runs in to KNEE him down! But now JD stands up, only for Wes to FLY! JD dodges! Wes lands superhero style while JD takes a bow. Wes mule kicks, then he puts JD back in the ring. Wes sees Axiom return but runs into the shoulder. Axiom goes up, but Wes SHORYUKENS him away! Only for JD to CLOBBER him! JD drags Wes up, short arm LARIATS, and then scowls. Dragon returns but JD shoves him away, only for Dragon to run him over! Things speed up, JD CLOBBERS Dragon!

JD KNEES Dragunov at the apron, stomps away, but Axiom wraps on a SLEEPER! JD powers out, Axiom puts him on the apron to ROCK him! JD HOTSHOTS Axiom back! JD storms in after Wes, CLUBS him and whips him, but Wes reverses to send JD tumbling up and down! JD hurries up, he PENALTY KICKS Dragunov, trips up Wes, then avoids Axiom to ASAI MOONSAULT both Axiom and Dragunov down! TORNILLO on Wes! Dragon runs in, into a SPANISH FLY! DEVLINSIDE on Wes!! Cover, DRAGUNOV STOPS THE REF!! Fans fire up as Dragunov rubs it in on JD! JD and Dragunov glare, and fans fire up!

They go forehead to forehead, then start shoving. JD eggs Dragunov on, but Axiom and Dragon return. Dragunov grins as he and the luchadors surround JD, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Dragunov GERMAN SUPLEXES JD down! Fans fire up as all five men are down! Dragunov snarls, blood coming from his forehead. Fans fire up with The Czar as he CHOPS Wes! And BOOTS Dragon! Axiom ROUNDHOUSES but Dragunov PELES in return! GERMAN SUPLEX for Dragon! GERMAN SUPLEX for Wes! Axiom fights the waistlock, wrenches and waistlocks but Dragunov fires elbows. Axiom shoves Dragunov, but gets the CONSTANTINE SPECIAL!

Fans fire up re as the blood is now a streak. Dragunov KNEES Dragon in a corner, KNEES Wes in the other, then goes back to Dragon! Snapmare and roar, Dragunov goes up for a KING KONG KNEE DROP! Wes ROUNDHOUSES Dragunov, but Dragunov CHOPS Wes off his feet! Dragunov drags Wes up, fireman’s carries, and CORNER DEATH VALLEY on Dragon Lee! Dragunov roars again as he climbs back up! Fans fire up, as Dragunov SUPER SENTONS onto Wes!! But he isn’t done, he goes back up top! Only for JD to SHOVE him off! Dragunov hits the apron on the way down, but Axiom GAMANGIRIS JD down!

Fans fire up as Axiom now builds energy. Axiom runs to the corner, up and ARIHARA MOONSAULTS onto JD and Dragunov! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” while Dragon goes up top now. Wes trips Dragon first! Then Wes climbs up, brings Dragon up, but Axiom CLUBS them both. Axiom climbs up, all three men brawl, and Wes HEADBUTTS Axiom down. Wes and Dragon brawl with forearms, but Wes ends up in a Tree of Woe! Dragon stands up to WOE STOMP on the apron!! Both men crash down, Dragon may have hurt himself in the move! JD and Dragunov hurry in, “This is Awesome!” as they go for Axiom.

JD kicks Axiom’s leg out, CHOPS him, then whips him. Dragunov is there, Axiom RANAS him into JD, then LARIATS JD, to DDT Dragunov at the same time!! Axiom reels both men in, DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS! BUZZSAW for JD, Dragunov rolls Axiom up! TWO, into the RINGS OF SATURN! Dragunov rolls before it’s on, Axiom ANKLE LOCKS! But JD ROUNDHOSUES Axiom! Kawada Kicks for Dragunov! Axiom kips up to SUPERKICK JD! And then he clamps onto Dragunov! RINGS OF SATURN!! But Dragunov keeps fighting! He grabs JD’s hair to drag him into a SLEEPER!

Fans fire up as this is now a DOUBLE SUBMISSION! Axiom gets JD in a FUJIWARA! Who is even in a hold!? JD HEADBUTTS away on Dragunov, and Dragunov lets him go! Axiom hurries to focus on just Dragunov, but Dragon jumps onto JD! Rings of Saturn VS Rear Naked Choke! Axiom shifts, but Dragunov deadlifts, he POWERBOMBS Axiom onto JD and Dragon! Stacked cover, but Wes SKY TWISTERS onto it all!! Fans are thunderous again as all five men are down! Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but his has to end somehow. JD finds himself surrounded, Wes handsprings, but into a GOLDEN RATIO!!

JD shoots in, Axiom switches, JD bucks the O’Conner, and HEADBUTTS Axiom down! JD runs at Dragon, but into a SNAP GERMAN, and LARIAT! Dragunov fires off on Dragon, runs and KNEES him down!! Dragunov then lifts and SPIENBUSTERS Dragon! Cover, Wes AX KICKS it apart! HANDSPRING DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Wes runs at Dragon, but Dragon blocks the rana to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Dragon is shocked but fans are fired up again! JD brings Dragon in, catches Axiom, URENAGE REVERSE DDT! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover on Dragon, Axiom kicks it!

All five men are down around ringside again and fans fire up. JD flounders to ropes, he goes for Axiom but Axiom monkey flips then goes up the ropes, MOONSAULT DDT! Cover, TWO!?!? JD survives and Axiom can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Axiom hurries out to the apron after JD. Axiom stomps JD, drags him up, but JD SLAPS Axiom. Axiom BOOTS JD! Fans rally up, Dragon FLYING RANAS JD onto Wes! Dragunov BOOTS Axiom! Dragunov goes up the corner, deadlifts Axiom, and SUPERPLEXES!! Roll through, and FALLING FOREARM!! Cover, WES AND DRAGON BREAK IT!!

Fans again hope these guys “FIGHT FOREVER!” and at this rate, they just might! Dragunov, Dragon and Wes rise up. Dragunov roars and ROCKS Wes! And ROCKS Dragon! Then Wes! Then Dragon! Wes hits low, Dragon CHOPS, the Lees pinball Dragunov! KICK! SUPERKICK! Dragunov CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Wes SUPERKICKS, Dragon CHOPS, Wes boots and Dragon SUPEKICKS! But Dragunov still fires shots! ROUNDHOUSE on Wes!! V-TRIGGER on Dragunov! Dragon runs, into a LARIAT from Dragunov!! Fans are electric as the Czar is now stopping! “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!”

Dragunov runs, into the CARDIAC KICK!!! Cover, WES WINS!!

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

In the blink of an eye, Wes takes the win and holds onto the gold! Will nothing stop Wes from pushing his limits and stealing the show?

 

Pretty Deadly is backstage again.

Kit can’t believe what we just witnessed. Elton says that was barbaric. Speaking of, next is the Unsanctioned Match! But first, as your gracious hosts, they’re waiting outside Carmelo Hayes’ locker room. Surely they’ll get a scoop on Melo. Well, Melo wasn’t really nice to them, either. But they have to remember who they are! They’re Pretty Deadly, dammit! They’re the hosts of Stand & Deliver! They’re multiple time tag team champions! Elton tries to come up with a knock that means supportive but inquisitive, only for Trick Williams to open the door and asks why they’re flapping their “double breasted lips.”

Trick says they’re game planning. But if they want the scoop, here it is. Hollywood ain’t ready, LA ain’t ready, Bron Breakker ain’t ready for what’s gonna happen in this match. They’re gonna do something new tonight. They’re gonna wrestle with alligators, tussle with whales, and the way Pretty Deadly’s dressed, they should go to jail. But today, the world learns why Carmelo Hayes is HIM. Laters. There’s the scoop! Back to the ring for what could still be the most brutal match of the night!

 

Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano VS Grayson Waller!

Just as the 21st Century Success Story started pushing things a little too far with HBK, a certain someone returned to get back at him for the chairshot that went viral. Hollywood, heeeere’s JOHNNY WRESTLING! And with no rules, no restrictions, no consequences for what happens here tonight, will Gargano make Grayson regret everything he’s ever said and done in NXT? Or will he suffer the Grayson Waller Effect?

Waller livestreams on his Instagram as he takes over production to cue up his stuff. Waller goes to the ring, and he even gets Candice LeRae and baby Quill on camera. But then Gargano gets a video package to retell his rise to becoming the NXT Triple Crown Champion before he makes his entrance. And then he SUPERKICKS Waller out of the ring! The bell rings, and Gargano DIVES to send Waller into the announce desk! Gargano TOSSES Waller over the desk! Booker gets taken out, too! Well, Gargano’s not liable for that, either. Gargano clears off the desk, brings Waller up, but Waller CLUBS Gargano in the leg!

Waller CLUBS Gargano down, taunts Vic, ‘That’s your boy, huh?” Waller steps up to Vic, but Gargano LEAPS onto Waller! Gargano fires off hands, then he brings Waller around to SMACK him with a monitor! Gargano finally takes off his vest and puts Waller in the ring. Fans rally for Johnny Wrestling and Gargano brings out a trash can! Gargano tosses that into the ring, as well as a kendo stick, and a few chairs. Waller runs in, into a SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Gargano rains down fists, then grabs the trash can. Gargano SMACKS Waller with it! Then Gargano wedges the can into the corner. Waller runs up but Gargano DECKS him!

Gargano clotheslines Waller out of the ring, and then he builds speed to DIVE, into the LID! Waller had the trash can lid waiting and he takes Gargano out of the air! Waller brings out chair after chair from under the ring, and he JAMS Gargano with one. Waller then sits chairs up but fans chant, “We Want Tables!” Waller CHOKES Gargano with a  chair first, then finishes making his chair rectangle. Waller brings Gargano to the apron, fireman’s carries, but Gargano fights fere! Gargano ROCKS Waller, Waller holds onto ropes, but Gargano keeps throwing hands. Waller shoulder sin, Gargano catches him but Waller HOTSHOTS!

Waller somersaults, Gargano blocks the stunner but Waller blocks the superkick! Waller fireman’s carries, Gargano tries to rana free but Waller blocks that! Waller BUCKLE BOMBS Gargano against the trash can! Waller drags Gargano back around, brings him back up, and he aims for the outside! Gargano slips free, ends up on the apron, and he GAMANGIRIS! Gargano sees the chairs, and fans fire up as Gargano brings Waller up! SUPERPLEX onto the chairs!! Fans lose their minds as both men writhe on the steel! Gargano and Waller crawl, the ref checks them, and they’re okay to continue.

Fans rally up, Gargano stands first and he puts Waller in the ring. Gargano then considers his options, and he looks under the ring. Fans fire up as Gargano brings out a TABLE! Gargano sets that table up ringside, and fans call him “Johnny Tables!” Gargano brings Waller up to the ropes and he wants to do it again! Waller blocks the suplex, throws hands and ROCKS Gargano! Waller runs, but Gargano slingshots, into the knee! Waller suckered Gargano in, and he kips up, only for his back to bother him. Waller goes to a corner, and he tunes up the band! Fans boo, he ain’t no sexy boy! Waller runs in, but Gargano blocks!

Gargano spins Waller, ROCKS him, Waller JUMP KNEES but Gargano ENZIGURIS! Gargano runs, into a ROLLING ELBOW! Gargano falls out of the ring and Waller does drop steps to show off. Waller runs, slides, but into a CHAIR! Gargano runs in, Waller pops him up into an Alabama, but Gargano makes it a DESTROYER to the floor!!  Fans rally up while Candice starts to worry. Gargano drags Waller up, brings him around, and they got the table. Gargano puts Waller on the table and fans fire up again. Gargano climbs the corner, but Waller gets away. Gargano hurries, but Waller somersaults and leaps over the table to hit the STUNNER!

Waller sends Gargano into railing, then brings him up, POWERBOMB through the table! Waller puts Gargano in the ring, covers, TWO!! Gargano survives, Candice calms Quill, and Waller staggers away. Waller grabs a chair, brings it over, and he JAMS Gargano in the gut! And again! “This is your house, huh!?” Waller rains down fists and fans boo. Waller grabs the chair, sits it up, CLUBS Gargano, then CLUBS him again. Fans chant “YOU STILL SUCK!” But Gargano fires forearms in return! Tilt-o-whirl, but Waller SIDEWALK SLAMS Gargano on the chair! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives again, but now Waller has the kendo stick.

Waller stalks Gargano, and SMACKS him on the back! Gargano writhes, but Waller SMACKS him again! Gargano bails out of the ring, fans rally up for him, but Waller goes outside. Waller taunts Candice before he SMACKS Gargano again! Waller wants Candice to watch this, then he brings Gargano over to fire off hands! Candice keeps Quill from seeing this but Waller taunts him, “Have a look at your dad, son!” Waller puts Gargano on the steel steps, grabs a chair, and he brings it over. Fans call Waller an A-hole, but Gargano avoids the chairshot! To SMACK Waller with the kendo stick! And again!

Gargano looks to Candice and they nod. Quill is handed off to Auntie, and MRS. WRESTLING gets involved! Candice fires off on Waller until the stick breaks! But Waller grabs it to say she made the biggest mistake of her life. Only for Gargano to SMACK Waller with another kendo stick! Gargano puts Waller in the ring, ONE FINAL BEAT!! Cover, TWO!?! Waller survives but Gargano fires up more! Gargano tilt-o-whirls into the takedown, GargaNO Escape!! Fans fire up, but Waller CLAWS the eyes! Gargano lets go, fans boo, but Waller dropkicks the legs out! Then ROLLING UNPRETTIER!

Waller goes out of the ring, brings in a new trash can, then gets back in the ring. Waller drags Gargano up and around, cravats and throws knees, and Gargano falls over. Waller makes Gargano sit in the corner and he puts the trash can over him. Fans boo as Waller goes to the adjacent side. Fans boo as Waller tightrope walks to go COAST2COAST!! Cover, TWO!?!? Gargano survives and Waller is furious! “This is Awesome!” as Waller tosses Gargano out of the ring. Waller kicks things aside, clears the desk off again, and Booker gets out of the way this time. Waller taunts Vic more, then puts Gargano on the desk.

Waller brings a busted-up chair, puts it on Gargano, then goes to the ring. Fans boo as Waller climbs the corner. Waller’s copied Shane O’Mac already, he’s gonna go for another one! But Gargano TOSSES the chair at Waller! Waller falls, Gargano hurries to drag him out, and he POWERBOMBS Waller through the desk!! Waller writhes in the wreckage as fans lose their minds again. Candice and the ref check on Gargano, he’s okay to go. Waller is somehow okay, so Gargano crawls after him. Gargano drags Waller up, but Waller LOW BLOWS!! Waller puts Gargano in, somersaults, and STUNNERS!! Cover, TWO!?!??!

Gargano shows that superhuman heart like he did back in the day, but Waller goes out for more chairs. Fans rally and duel, though the “JOHNNY WRESTLING!” is still louder than the “GRAYSON WALLER!” Waller SMACKS Gargano on the back! Gargano writhes, Waller stands on his head to JAM and SMACK and SMACK him again! Waller lets off, out of breath, but he still stands Gargano up. “I told you, these 16 months, I run NXT! You are nothing! You’re not on my level!” Gargano LOW BLOWS Waller back! Turnabout is fair play, and here comes the CHAIRSHOTS! Gargano gives those all back with interest!

Gargano gets more chairs, he SMACKS Waller more, then opens a chair to put it around Waller’s head! Gargano gets the other, HOMERUN!! And then the GargaNO ESCAPE!!! Waller endures, but he taps! GARGANO WINS!

Winner: Johnny Gargano, by submission

Candice gets in the ring to celebrate with Gargano and cool him down. The Heart of NXT just broke the biggest mouth of NXT, and now he can finally move on. And best of all, #InDex returns to the stage to celebrate! This is The Way! As for Waller, will all of this finally humble him? Or does nothing stop the Grayson Waller Effect?

 

Tony and Stacks regroup backstage.

They have no idea where Joe Coffey came from! They gave it everything they got, and for what? Stacks apologizes for letting The Don down, but Tony says Stacks didn’t let anyone down. #YESBOY, Pretty Deadly check in. They want a little scoop. If they may, the hopes and dreams of becoming champions came crashing down, sot hey must feel terrible. Tell them about it? Tony won’t make excuses. But whatever, where they come from, you don’t quit. Very, very motivating from The Don himself. Stacks says he still feels he let everyone down. Tony says to get that out of his head, they’re a TEAM!

Pretty Deadly says that’s a nice sentiment. But it seems the only team that’s ever beaten Gallus is them. Tony gets mad now. They’re gonna come in and make stupid comments? The hosts argue with Tony & Stacks, they start shoving, and refs rush in to stop this! The Don & Underboss are still raring for a fight, will they look to settle this on Tuesday?

 

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Fallon Henley & Kiana James w/ Josh Briggs & Brooks Jensen VS Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn!

What started as a feud became a friendship and a team-up, but now things are falling apart, all because the Calculator won’t tell Brooks Jensen the truth! Will this house of cards come tumbling down? Or can Fallon & Kiana hold together against a common enemy?

The introductions are made, the- Fyre FLIES out onto Kiana!! Fallon fires off on her but Dawn rushes out. Fallon ROCKS Dawn, puts her in the ring, and now the bell rings. Fallon dodges Dawn, scops, but Dawn slips out. Dawn shoves, Fallon gets around to waistlock, SLAM and CALF KICK! Fallon tornado wheelbarrow BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Fallon facelocks but Dawn pulls hair! Tag to Fyre, Dawn powers Fallon away and Fyre trips her up. Dawn waves mockingly, Fyre drags Fallon out to ROCK her with a forearm! Fyre pushes Fallon back in, then drops a knee right on her! Cover, TWO!

Fyre argues but the ref’s count was fair. Fyre stomps Fallon, bumps her off buckles, then tags Dawn, Dawn gets Fallon for a TARANTULA, and Fyre SUPERKICKS! Fallon falls, Dawn covers, TWO! Dawn drags Fallon up to CLUB her down, then brings her up into a facelock. Fallon endures the squeeze but Dawn CLUBS away on her. Dawn suplexes but Fallon blocks. Fyre tags in, she sunset flips and Dawn ROUNDHOUSES Fallon down! Cover, TWO! Fallon is hanging tough but Fyre KICKS her in the side. Fyre runs in to RAM Fallon, then backs off. Fans fire up while Fyre grins, and she runs back in, into a BOOT!

Fallon runs in to get around and DECKS Fyre! Both women fall over, and fans rally up. Fyre and Fallon crawl, Fyre drags Fallon from Kiana but Fallon fights up! Hot tag to Kiana! Kiana rallies on the wicked witches! She puts Dawn in a fire to stomp a mudhole into her! Handspring, but Fyre is there. Kiana RAMS Fyre into the corner, tosses her out, then dumps Dawn! Kiana goes to the apron, lines up the shot, ASAI MOONSAULT takes out both opponents! Fans fire up, Jensen & Briggs cheer Kiana on as she puts Fyre in. Dawn storms up, Kiana boots her away, but she has to jump over Fyre. Kiana handsprings to back suplex! Cover, TWO!

Kiana drags Fyre up, whips her to a corner, but Fyre BOOTS her! Fyre swings on Fallon, misses, and Kiana SPINEBUSTERS! Highs tack, TWO! Fallon tags in, she brings Fyre up but Fyre shoves her away. Fallon blocks the superkick to fire haymakers! Fallon whips, Fyre reverses but Fallon hits a RUNNING COMPLETE SHOT! Fallon waistlocks but Fyre elbows free. Fyre switches, Fallon bucks the O’Conner, but Dawn grabs hair! Kiana protests but that only dsitracts so that Dawn & Fyre can mug Fallon! Fans boo, the ref counts as Fyre digs her boots in. Dawn tags in, she pie faces Fallon around.

Dawn ROCKS Fallon, tags Fyre, and brings Fallon up. Fallon switches to shove Dawn into Fyre! Fyre falls to the floor, Fallon goes up to BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Fallon grows frustrated, but Fyre grabs at Dawn. That prevents the whip, and then Dawn TOSSES Fallon! Dawn BLASTS Kiana, then tags Fyre. They mug Fallon, then Gory Especial and GORY COMPLETE SHOT!! Cover, KIANA BREAKS IT! Fans fire up but Dawn & Fyre stomp away on Kiana and Fallon. Dawn puts Kiana on the apron and BLASTS her! Fyre CLUBS Fallon, then has the boys watch this. Fyre hoists Fallon up top and Dawn joins in.

Dawn & Fyre mug Fallon, climb up after her, but Kiana sneaks the tag! Kiana drags Dawn right off! Kiana CLUBS Fyre, brings her out, and Fallon adjusts! They MISSILE DROPKICK POWERBOMB!! Cover, Dawn breaks it!! Fans fire up as all four women are down! Kiana drags Fyre up, fireman’s carries, but Fyre claws eyes! GOURD BUSTER! Tag to Dawn, she runs in to METEORA! DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, Fallon barrels in to break it!! Fans rally up while all four women are down again. Fallon and Fyre flop to one side, Dawn and Kiana on the other. Kiana JAWBREAKERS Dawn away!

But Kiana asks for her bag? Briggs says no, they have to do this fair and square. But Kiana pleads with Jensen! But Fyre tags in! ROUNDHOUSE for Kiana! SUPERKICK for Fallon! BACKSTABBER to SWANTON BOMB on the knees! Cover, Briggs holds Jensen back! Dawn & Fyre win!!

Winners: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, by pinfall (NEW NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Jensen was gonna get in to stop this, but it’s too late! Dawn & Fyre have the gold, but will NXT only get darker now with them on top of the mountain? And how will this defeat affect the already strained relationship of Fallon and Kiana?

 

NXT is getting back on the road in May!

On May 28th, in Lowell, Massachusetts, it will be NXT BATTLEGROUND! Who will be bringing the gold to New England? Well, the main event is next!

 

NXT Championship: Bron Breakker VS Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams!

It all comes down to this. As black ‘n’ gold gave way to 2.0, these two men were standouts among their class. They both won as part of WarGames to show that the new school had arrived, and this clash of alpha males is not only historic, it was inevitable. Will Bron break Melo’s hopes and dreams by holding onto the title? Or will there be no denying that Melo is him?

Melo has a new shirt for the occasion, with the words “Melo Don’t Miss,” and a purple target on Bron’s face. Trick lists Melo’s accolades: June 21st, 2020, he put the world on notice. It was banger after banger, from Strong to Grimes to D’Angelo to Ricochet to Vinci to Axiom to Bate to Crews. Everyone stand up, to Stand & Deliver! Melo is in purple ‘n’ gold because this is LA! As for Bron, he’s got the pack at his back, because he’s got that dog in him. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who IS N! X! T!

The bell rings, fans rally up already, but Melo and Bron stare down. They slowly approach, fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” and the two finally tie up. They’re in a deadlock, Melo tries to push Bron back but Bron starts to steamroll Melo! Melo gets away before ending up in the corner, and they go again. Melo waistlocks, but Bron breaks free, so Melo shoves him away. Fans bark it up, and Bron circles with Melo. They approach, Bron switches around to lift and SLAM! Melo hurries up to his feet, but Bron tosses him away! Bron then gets down low and barks at Melo! Melo goes up the corner like a cat, and goes to the apron.

Melo and Trick talk strategy but Bron SLINGSHOTS Melo in! Melo rolls, slides, hurdles, then rolls off Bron’s back to DROPKICK him down! Fans fire up while Bron goes to a corner. Melo hits a free throw and taunts Bron. Bron rushes up, Melo gets around and headlocks. Bron powers out, things speed up, Bron hurdles to CLOBBER Melo! Fans are torn while Melo flounders away. Bron stalks Melo, runs in, but Melo dodges to springboard, only to slip! The ropes must be loose from all the action tonight. Bron drags Melo up, Melo JAWBREAKERS, then he springboards, only to bounce off Bron! And then Bron shoots his shot!

Bron whips then RANAS Melo! Bron shows he can go air, then he gator rolls Melo into a stalling suplex! Run and SLAM! Then kip up and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bron keeps cool and keeps Melo down with a facelock. Melo fights up, but Bron gator rolls him more. Melo reaches for ropes, but Bron keeps him away. Bron squeezes tighter on the facelock but Melo pulls on a leg. Bron uses that to throw Melo down and squeeze even tighter. Melo fights his way up as fans rally and duel. Melo stands, but Bron suplexes! Melo fights that off but he’s still in the facelock.

Bron suplexes Melo up and over hard, and Melo writhes to a corner. Bron storms up on Melo but Melo drop toeholds the legs! Bron hits ropes, Melo stomps away! The ref counts, Melo lets off, and then Melo hurries to kick away on Bron. The ref counts again, Melo lets back off, and fans duel while Bron clutches his ribs. Melo storms up but Bron elbows him away. Bron runs, Melo dodges, SPRINGBOARD LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Melo keeps Bron down with an armlock. Bron endures, fights around, but Melo pushes back as he keeps wanting that Fujiwara. Bron fights off the extension, but Melo pushes with his legs!

Fans rally and duel as Bron endures and Melo keeps on the pressure. Bron powers up, rolls Melo, TWO! Melo kicks low! Melo brings Bron around, whips him to a corner, then runs in to CHOP! Melo wraps the bad arm around ropes and YANKS it! Then he whips, but Bron reverses. Melo dodges in the corner to CHOP! Bron CHOPS! Melo kicks low again, then whips again. Bron blocks by holding ropes, then he whips Melo into the buckles. HIP TOSS on the rebound! Bron keeps moving, big shoulder tackles! Melo runs, tilt-o-whirls, but into a SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Bron now clamps onto Melo with an armlock.

Melo clasps hands to fight off the extension but Bron drags him up. Bron CLUBS Melo’s shoulder, shoves him and ROCKS him in the back with a forearm. Fans duel as Bron stands Melo back up. Bron shoves and ROCKS Melo again, and then again. Bron keeps on Melo, back suplexes high and HARD! Cover, TWO! Trick is relieved but Bron stays focused. Bron drags Melo up, wrenches and lifts but Melo holds the ropes! Bron brings Melo away, torture racks him, but Trick brings Melo to the apron! The ref reprimands, and then he EJECTS Trick! Fans boo but now things are truly 1v1 here!

Melo tells Trick it’s okay, but then Bron FLIES! Direct hit onto Trick Melo Gang and fans fire up! Bron puts Melo in, climbs up the corner, FLYING BULLDOG! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Bron brings him back up. Bron suplexes, but Melo fights it. Melo throws body shots, cravats but Bron powers out. Tilt-o-whirl FACEBUSTER! Melo keeps going, suplex CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Bron survives and Melo thinks on what he has to do. Melo fires up and the fans are with him as he goes to the corner. Melo climbs the corner, NOTHING BUT- NO, Bron dodges the three pointer! Melo BOOTS Bron to the apron!

Melo drags Bron up the ropes, REBOUND SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Melo hurries to cover, TWO! Melo goes back to the corner, climbs back up, and he wants his shot again. But Bron springs up after him, SUPER STEINER!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Melo crawls to the far side while Bron leans against ropes. Both men talk some trash and the fans rally back up. Melo and Bron drag themselves back up with the ropes, and then head for each other. Melo ROCKS Bron with a haymaker, but Bron gives it back! Melo BACKHANDS Bron, so Bron DECKS Melo! Melo staggers up, and he ROCKS Bron again!

Bron and Melo go back and forth, faster and faster, haymaker for haymaker! Melo ROUNDHOUSES, jumps, but into a choke grip! But Melo spins it around, only for Bron to drag Melo down! STEINER RE- NO, Melo slips out and CLUBS Bron! Melo wants the crossface, Bron powers out to a SIDEWALK SLAM! But Melo snatches Bron! CROSSFACE!! Bron rolls to a cover, TWO! Bron is free, he runs, blows past Melo, SPEAR into the ref!! Melo and the ref are both down and Bron doesn’t realize it! Bron brings down the straps, drags Melo up, STEINER RECLINER!! Melo endures, TAPS, but there’s no ref to call it!!!

Bron only now realizes what’s wrong! And then Trick gets in to CLOBBER Bron with the belt!! Trick hides the evidence, puts Melo on the cover, and the ref regains consciousness! He counts, TWO!?!? Bron survives the sneaky Trick! Melo springboards, but into the choke grip! Trophy lift, BREAKKER- DDT!!! Melo turns it around!! Melo resets at the corner, climbs back up, for NOTHING BUT NET!!! Cover, MELO WINS!!

Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (NEW NXT Champion)

Trick tried to give the assist, but in the end, Melo had to do it himself! Bron has been dethroned, but to show respect, he personally hands over the belt. Bron offers a fist-bump, and Melo says paper covers rock, a nod to Bron’s previous response. Bron raises Melo’s hand in victory and LA cheers. Now that Melo is truly The A Champion, will there be no stopping him?


My Thoughts:

An awesome Stand & Deliver here, and it really sets the tone for the whole weekend. A little disappointed they downgraded Chase U VS Schism to the kickoff show, but looking at the time, the main show wouldn’t have fit under the three hour mark HHH & HBK like to keep things. Chase U VS Schism was great stuff, and I love the double swerve Duke pulled. We all expected him to turn and join Gacy, only to use that as a way to lower Gacy’s guard. Great win for Chase U, which will still be a thing now, and anything’s possible for them now. Maybe Bate stays on as their singles title guy while Chase & Duke try for the tag titles again?

The ladder match opening was a great choice because that was wild stuff. Of all the possibilities, I did not expect Indi would win. No offense to her, I just thought this was going to be the moment she finally moves on to Raw to be with The Way. Instead, NXT gets a great reunion of #InDex so that Indi can finally have her moment, and she joins the very small club of NXT Women’s Tag & Singles Champions. And of course Jacy shows up to ruin things for Gigi, their feud is not done yet. Roxie is an interesting one, though. She already checked off everything in NXT, but I don’t know if she’s quite ready for RawDown just yet.

I personally am very happy to see Joe Coffey return, and it all played out as I expected. Joe helps Gallus Boys stay on top, and now there are endless possibilities for the full trio. Pretty Deadly getting on the nerves of Tony & Stacks was also a good touch, their match can help build the next contenders in a more traditional 2v2 feud. With that, I’m leaning towards Tony & Stacks, those guys definitely deserve a full feud with Gallus to go “firm against firm,” aka mafia against mafia like back when Tony was dealing with Legado del Fantasma. I still feel like The D’Angelo Family should get someone new to help with numbers, but it’s hard to say who that third man could be.

The North American Championship Fatal 5 practically stole the show there. All five guys are extremely talented, all the 1v1 combinations we saw in the match worked, and though there were some scary moments, all five made it to the end. Wes retaining with that interception was a great choice. It isn’t that Wes has something to prove, so much as Wes still has so many feuds he can have before finally losing the title and moving on to something else. The Unsanctioned Match from Gargano and Waller was great stuff, but naturally NXT was not going to go as bloody as AEW has with their Unsanctioned matches. Great to have Candice get involved, and it was a strong feel-good moment for Gargano to win so that The Way could have an even bigger reunion.

The Women’s Tag Team title match went about how I expected, too. It wasn’t even so much Fyre & Dawn getting between Kiana & Fallon so much as Kiana wanting to bend the rules and Fallon being against it. Jensen got stuck in the middle, as he has this whole time, and that cost Kiana & Fallon the titles. With nothing left to lose now, Fallon will surely reveal the truth about Kiana and Sebastian to Jensen and we get another match between the ladies. And then the main event, while not as wild as the ladder match or Fatal 5, had great storytelling. Both guys knew each other well enough to handle the other’s offense, but then they brought out tricks the other wasn’t aware of.

Though, it does disappointment me that Trick tried to screw Bron over when this was to be about respect. But at the same time, that attack didn’t finish it, Melo’s did, so it was still technically a clean win. The outcome I was hoping for still happens, in that Melo has the title and Bron is free to move on. Now, whether it’s RawDown or just a different title scene, who knows. Bron’s been ready for main roster for some time now, as far as having a complete look and the in-ring talent, and he’s spent plenty of time in NXT to where fans down there are mixed about seeing him. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see this Monday on Raw.

My Score: 9/10


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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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