Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/3/23)
Raw Goes Hollywood!
What happens after the credits roll?
The yearly tradition of Raw After Mania now goes Hollywood! What will the WWE’s next chapter be for all its champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Omos w/ MVP VS Elias; Omos wins.
- Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory; Theory wins.
- Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Street Profits; Kevin & Sami win.
- Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali; Lashley wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contender’s Match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai; Liv & Raquel win and will challenge Becky Lynch & Lita for the titles.
- High Stakes Tag Match: Cody Rhodes & Brock Lesnar VS Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman; No Contest.
PLAY BY PLAY
The first hour of Raw After Manis is COMMERCIAL FREE!
Triple H is here!
Los Angeles is fired up as The Game walks out to the ring. HHH soaks up all the adulation from the fans before going to the corner for his signature pose. HHH then gets the mic to say, “Welcome to Monday Night Raw!” And he has to say, if he wasn’t already on a high before walking out here after this weekend, he sure is hell on one now. That was unbelievable! What a weekend it was. WrestleMania, 161 THOUSAND fans jam packed into SoFi Stadium! And for the ultimate spectacle, an event that truly lived up to its name: The Grandest Stage of Them All. “An event 40 years in the making. From one man’s vision for WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden, to four decades later.
“LA, SoFi Stadium, packed to the rafters, beyond my wildest expectations.” So HHH is out here to say thank you. To thank every superstar in the back, every performer that has every stepped through the ropes and graced this ring. “They lay their bodies on the line for all of us every single week, and I just wanted to take that moment to say, ‘Thank you.'” HHH also thanks the staff and the crew that make a weekend like WrestleMania possible. That make nights like tonight in the sold-out Crypto Arena on a Monday night possible! Everyone in the back, out here, and Stu manning the camera. Fans chant for “STU! STU! STU!” Stu says hi and fans cheer.
HHH has to say, the people behind the scenes make this all possible. He walked in to SoFi last night, and no matter how many times he’d seen the drawings, the photos, the videos of it being built, when he walked in and saw that set… It took his breath away. They truly make the spectacle of what they do possible. And HHH wants to take one more moment to thank the most important people: the fans. The WWE Universe, the people that make it possible to do what the WWE loves to do day in and day out: entertain the fans. Thank you, fans! Fans chant for “TRIPLE H! TRIPLE H!”
HHH says on a day where the WWE is dominating the news, this day after WrestleMania, when they are anything anyone talks about, WWE makes an announcement that is all anyone walks to talk about. But HHH is here to assure the fans, “we ain’t going nowhere! The same WWE that you love, the same WWE that put 161 THOUSAND people to the rafters in SoFi stadium is going nowhere! The same WWE that you love, the superstars, the action, the drama, all of it! We are going nowhere. We will be here, week in and week out, event after event, sold out arena after sold arena, packed stadium after packed stadium, because WE! ARE! THE WWE!”
Fans cheer that, and HHH says that just like the opening roll: Then, Now, Forever, Together! Fans cheer again, and HHH says with all that said, he wants to ask us one thing. Help him acknowledge one more person. Reigning for 946 days, please welcome the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion… ROMAN! REIGNS! Fans are mixed as the Tribal Chief makes his way out. Paul Heyman and Solo Sikoa are with him, and HHH shakes each of their hands on his way out. Roman lifts the belts he still has after screwing over Cody Rhodes, and sets off the pyro. Then they all go to the ring, and Roman again lifts the belts for more pyro.
Fans boo while Heyman holds onto the belts. Roman grins, takes a moment to soak it all up, even as they chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” and “ROMAN SUCKS!” Roman then takes the mic to say, “I guess after last night’s performance, we should probably do it like this tonight. Hollywood! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Fans boo more but then the bass drums hit! CODY RHODES is here! Cody has the smoke, the pyro, the three piece suit, but he is clutching one of his sides a bit. Cody gets a mic as he gets in the ring for even more pyro. Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” while Heyman has Solo stand down.
Cody looks at Roman, and says, “I know what I wanna talk about.” Roman’s surprised by that. Cody says today is turning out a lot differently than he anticipated, and a lot of people anticipated. We thought Cody would be here the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion. Roman and Heyman both say “NOPE.” Cody sees and feels it. He will acknowledge this: last night at WrestleMania 39 in the main event, Roman was the better competitor. Roman, Cody knows we always have to do this with the world watching, but he wishes this, meaning Solo and Heyman, wasn’t a factor.
Because Cody knows that Roman knows he’s won a lot of matches where he skated by, narrowly defeating people. Last night wasn’t the case. Last night, Cody HAD Roman! Roman shakes his head but the fans agree with Cody. Cody said he knows what he wants to say, and it boils down to just one word. And fans already know what that word is, as they chant, “REMATCH! REMATCH!” Cody says it himself, he wants a REMATCH! Roman smirks and Heyman steps forward. Fans say “YES! YES! YES!” but Heyman wants a word. Roman hands over the mic, and fans boo.
Heyman says, “I was thinking… On behalf of the Tribal Chief… When exactly would you like this hypothetical rematch?” Cody smiles, and says, “TONIGHT!” Fans are thunderous over that idea! Roman is flustered, but Heyman helps him calm down. Heyman says, “No rematch. Not tonight, not in Puerto Rico, not at SummerSlam, not at Survivor Series, not at the Royal Rumble, not in Madison Square Garden, not in San Francisco where life does exist in California. No, no, no, no, NO!” Fans boo harder and call BS. Heyman says that’s called calling the shots when you live on the Island of Relevancy.
Cody asks if Heyman thinks he’s in an normal mood. A mood for these games? For these chicanery? After everything Cody went through his entire career with what happened last night? WHILE Solo is standing here? Let’s read between the lines. Roman doesn’t wanna do a rematch tonight, to give fans what they want, right here and right now? Fans fire up again, and Cody says, “I know exactly how tough you are.” But it won’t change this. if Roman doesn’t wanna do the rematch, well, he fought both guys anyway. Let’s do SOMETHING here, and do SOMETHING, now! Fans chant “ROMAN’S SCARED! ROMAN’S SCARED!”
Heyman asks Roman’s permission to talk privately. Heyman whispers things to Roman, and in the end, a decision is made. Roman turns back around, and Heyman tells “Mr. Rhodes,” and the fans of LA, Heyman has been authorized to inform Cody that item one, the tag team rematch, is accepted. But two parameters: If, and that is IF, someone in that locker room is so stupid as to team with Cody against Roman, it has to be someone that wrestled this past weekend at WrestleMania; Cody will realize how alone he is, because anyone that walks down that aisle that agrees to this, they will NEVER get another title match against Roman Reigns as long as he is still the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion!
So uh, what does Cody wanna talk about now? Fans echo, “WHO WHO WHO?” BROCK LESNAR!! Roman, Heyman, and even Solo are shocked! But Lesnar is all smiles as he circles the ring and fans lose their minds. The Beast stands with the American Nightmare, and shakes his hand! Lesnar even brings Cody in for a hug! Roman keeps Solo back, then they both back out of the ring. Fans boo, but they’ll have to put up or shut up tonight! Will the Island of Relevancy survive this high stakes tag match?
Omos w/ MVP VS Elias!
The Nigerian Giant also fought at WrestleMania, but even he was shocked to have lost to Lesnar. Will Omos get back up at the expense of The Drifter? Or will even the Giant learn to #WalkWithElias?
The bell rings and Elias rushes in, but into Omos’ huge hand! Omos then CLOBBERS Elias with the other huge hand! Omos talks trash on Elias, drags him up, and scoops to SLAM him! MVP says to punish Elias and Omos kicks Elias around. Omos drags Elias up, scoops him, and SLAMS him again! Omos roars, drags Elias up again, and TOSSES him to a corner! Omos SPLASHES Elias in the corner and Elias falls to the mat. Fans boo but Omos just soaks it up. MVP tells Omos to take Elias for a ride, and Omos scoops Elias, to SNAKE EYES! Then he BOOTS Elias! Omos copies the Deadman in the biggest way possible!
Omos kicks Elias around, drags him back up, and with both hands, MOUNTAINTOP POWERBOMB!! Cover, Omos wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
That was comparatively merciful from Omos. Will all of Raw, and even SmackDown, learn to fear the Nigerian Giant?
The Usos find Roman Reigns’ suite backstage.
They knock on the door, Heyman opens up and is happy to see the greatest tag team of all time. Yeah, they wanna see Big Uce. Oh, sorry, the Tribal Chief just stepped out with Solo to have a chief-to-enforcer talk about Cody and Lesnar. Have they seen that? LESNAR?! So, Roman and Solo are talking strategy. Roman wanted Heyman to tell the Usos that this was a wonderful WrestleMania… for some. Their contributes were greatly appreciated, the jet will be fired up so that as soon as Roman and Solo mop the floor with Cody and Lesnar, they can all get going. But he wants the Usos to go ahead, enjoy the seafood buffet. Well, alright. Yeet.
The Usos head out, but then Heyman steps inside and tells Roman that he took care of it! Is this more of Roman’s two-faced manipulation of his family?
Cathy Kelly is ringside to interview Bad Bunny.
Fans cheer for the host of Backlash, how excited is he to bring WWE back to Puerto Rico? Bunny first says hello to LA, and they cheer more. Bunny says he is very happy to be hosting Backlash on his island. Finally WWE is headed back to Puerto Rico, but today he is enjoying things like any other fan. See you all in Puerto Rico!
Rey Mysterio is here!
The King of Lucha Libre is still in LA after the big win over his son, Dominik, and he gives big thanks to Bad Bunny in person for that assist. Fans chant “619! 619!” while Rey gets the mic. Rey says, “What an emotional week. I just got inducted into the Hall of Fame.” Fans chant “You Deserve It!” Rey thanks them, because without them, he wouldn’t be here. “Gracias, mi raza!” Rey continues to say that he wants to take the time to thank the WWE Universe, because they’ve welcomed him with open arms. He thanks them, gracias ustedes, but Bunny, thank you, brother. Wait, here comes Austin Theory.
The Now gets booed as he walks out with a mic and the US Championship. Theory tells “Rey-Rey” that the two of them deserve more respect. They are the only two that did exactly what they said they were going to do at WrestleMania. Rey beat the product of his own bad parenting, and Theory beat a legend! Theory beat the greatest of all time, John Cena! But the difference is that Rey is too busy correcting the past. Fans chant “YOU TAPPED OUT!” at Theory but he says no, THEY tapped out because they didn’t believe in him! He’s the champ! But just like that, Dom didn’t believe in Rey, and all these totos didn’t believe in him!
Wait, that’s it! Fans call Theory names, but Theory says, “You hear that? That is exactly what John Cena had to be talking about. The Raw After Mania, where y’all were gonna eat me alive. Where’s it at? Huh? Because I’m on top of the world, and I can’t be touched.” Fans chant, “YOU STILL SUCK!” Theory says he doesn’t suck, he beat Cena! Fans love screaming for Cena at the top of their lungs, and the fans start chanting “CENA! CENA!” Theory says no, none of that. Cheer for him but he ain’t here, he’s a part-timer. But what about Rey? Rey’s like Cena. They should chant HIS name! Fans do chant for “REY! REY! REY!”
Theory says all that’ll happen is that he’ll beat Rey and add his ass to the collection. Collection? The only thing Theory will be collecting is his teeth after Rey hits the 619! Theory says okay, let’s go. The mics are put aside, the ref gets in the ring, and it is happening!
Rey Mysterio VS Austin Theory!
The bell rings, Theory and Rey tie up, and Theory powers Rey to a corner. Theory climbs up on Rey, talks trash, but lets off as the ref counts. Rey shrugs it off, circles with Theory and ties up with him. Theory headlocks, Rey powers out, but Theory runs Rey over. Fans boo Theory but Raw goes picture in picture.
Theory whips, Rey reverse and sends Theory out. Rey fakes Theory out, then dropkicks him down! Rey brings Theory up and around, and whips him, only for Theory to reverse! Rey hits barriers, then Theory RAMS him into steel steps! And then the announce desk! Theory drags Rey up, puts him back in the ring, and covers, ONE!! Theory fumes but he stalks Rey. Theory RAMS Rey into a corner, RAMS him more, then DECKS him! Rey gets out of the ring but Theory talks trash. Theory goes out after Rey, puts him against barriers, but Rey dodges to COHP! Fans fire up as Rey stalks Theory back into the ring.
Theory CLUBS Rey, has him on ropes, and CHOKES him! The ref reprimands and counts, Theory lets off and Rey sputters. Theory brings Rey up, brings him around, and ROCKS him with another haymaker. Theory looms over Rey, talks more trash, then reels Rey in for a suplex. Rey writhes but Theory keeps talking trash. Theory looms over Rey again while soaking up the heat. Rey goes to a corner, Theory drags him up, and Theory throws hands. Theory whips Rey corner to corner hard, then scoops Rey and carries him around. Theory talks trash, right into the BACKBREAKER! Rey writhes, Theory covers, TWO!
Theory brings Rey back up, snapmares and wraps on a chinlock. Rey endures and Raw returns to single picture. Rey fights up, throws elbows, but Theory knees low. Theory POSTS Rey, stalks up behind him in the corner, and then drags Rey up to the top rope. Theory CLUBS Rey, talks trash on the fans, and then climbs up. Rey fights the back suplex, throws punches, and fans fire up! Rey ELBOWS Theory away! Rey then adjusts, leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Rey gets moving, but Theory CLOBBERS him! Cocky cover, ONE! Theory kicks Rey around, drags him back up, and Theory grins as he says it is HIS time.
Theory snapmares Rey, and he clamps onto an armlock and chinbar. Rey endures, fans rally, but Theory keeps talking trash. Rey fights up, throws hands, but Theory ROCKS Rey! Theory whips Rey corner to corner, but Rey goes up and over to TORNADO DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Rey and Theory stir, Theory runs in but into a BOOT! Rey drop toeholds Theory into buckles! Rey goes to the apron, climbs up, and fans fire up, only for Theory to ROCK Rey! Theory goes up after Rey, but Rey resists the superplex! Rey throws hands, knocks Theory away, and then SEATED SENTONS!
Rey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Theory is still in this but Rey stalks Theory to the corner. Rey RAMS into Theory, climbs up and he rains down fists! Fans count all the way to TEN, then Rey lets Theory go. Rey gives us Latino Heat, and then shoves Theory to another corner. Rey climbs up for more punches! Fans count, Theory slips out at five to CLUB Rey! Torture rack, spin and TOWER HACKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Rey survives and Theory grows frustrated but the fans rally back up. Fans chant “YOU TAPPED OUT!” at Theory but he fireman’s carries.
Rey fights, grabs ropes, gets to the apron and GAMANGIRIS! Then slingshots to RANA Theory onto ropes! Fans fire up, Rey dials it up, but Theory CLOBBERS Rey! Cover, TWO!! Theory snarls but Rey is still in this! Theory goes to the apron, says it’s still his time, and he slingshots, in, but into another RANA! Rey redials, but DOM is there! Rey DECKS Dom, goes after Theory, but Theory blocks! Pop-up and A-TOWN DOWN!! Cover, Theory wins!!
Winner: Austin Theory, by pinfall
Damian Priest tells Dom to go after Rey, so Dom rains down fists! Fans boo as Dom is nothing but a vulture! Dom then glares at Bad Bunny in the crowd. Bunny says what’s Dom looking at, but Dom starts creeping over. Fans chant for “BUNNY! BUNNY!” and Bunny says he did the right thing. Dom says his family is his business, not Bunny’s. Bunny says okay, just relax. He was just doing what he thought was right. Dom says okay, and then swings on Bunny! But Bunny COUNTER PUNCHES Dom!! Fans fire up and Priest sighs. Priest YANKS Bunny into ringside! Priest says all Bunny had to do was not get involved.
Bunny and Priest still being boys, Bunny shoves Priest. Then DECKS Dom again! Priest CLOBBERS Bunny!! Priest throws off his jacket to drag Bunny up. Priest clears off the announce desk! Priest drags Bunny up, choke grips, and CHOKE SLAMS Bunny through the desk!! Fans are losing their minds and commentary is in disbelief, but Dom is loving it! Dom then attacks Rey in the ring with stomps! Fans boo as Dom and Priest leave, will Bunny regret getting involved?
Adam Pearce admonishes Priest backstage.
Bad Bunny is one of the biggest names in music, and he is supporting the WWE, and this is how Priest treats him? Priest says what he did is the issue? YES! That same energy Pearce has now, is that the same energy he had seeing Bunny get involved at WrestleMania? Is that the same energy Pearce had seeing Bunny swing on Dom? But no, take it easy. If Bunny wasn’t Priest’s friend, Pearce would really have a reason to be angry. Priest heads out, but what is Pearce to do about all this?
Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn are here!
Fans fire up for the NEW Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions! They even have shirts commemorating the moment. They each get a mic, and fans chant, “You Deserve It!” Kevin says, “Y’know what? We DO deserve it!” But all the fans deserve it, too! Fans sing “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~!” for Sami, and Sami says, “Look, um… It’s been a pretty crazy year for me, that’s no secret. From last year’s WrestleMania with Johnny Knoxville, all the way to the main event of this year’s main event in Los Angeles! And look, I haven’t had a chance to say this, and I know it’s corny, so I’m gonna say this once and then move on.
“But none of this would be possible for me if it wasn’t for you, so thank you.” Fans cheer again, and Sami says, “Enough mushy-gushy stuff, because I’m pretty sure I’ve been coming to LA for a minute, and I know LA likes to celebrate!” Fans cheer that, too! Kevin agrees, that sounds pretty good. But hopefully, they celebrate the same way. Nothing says celebrating like a good fight. There’s something about being in LA and fighting your heart out and giving your all that seems like the perfect celebration. And there are surely a lot of people who wanna make a name for themselves against the NEW WWE Tag Team Champions!
And the best place to do that is here and now on the Raw After Mania! So if anyone wants some, these two are right here! “Come celebrate with us!” And who answers? The STREET PROFITS! Angelo Dawkins & Montez Ford are also coming off a big win in that Fatal 4 Way Tag Team Showcase, and here come the Solo cups! Ford says, “LA~! Look who it is! It’s Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, your NEW WWE Undisputed Tag Team Champions of the WOOORLD~!” Dawkins likes that. Ford says it is a marvelous day in the land of Los Angeles. So Kevin, Sami, this toast is for you. Because like the crowd says, you two deserve it.
Don’t they? YES! Don’t they? YES! One more time, say “YEAH.” “YEAH!” LA sounding good as hell. “YES! YES! YES!” But Dawkins does bring up, the Profits got a win, too. And ya boi sent Braun flying. But in seriousness, how about Kevin & Sami VS Profits in Tinsel Town? A tag team that wants to make a name for themselves? The Profits have been stamping their names over and over and over, but still no one knows their names. So how about a match tonight on Raw After Mania?! It just makes sense, because Ford woke up to live, breathe and die by four words. Tell ’em, Dawks! The Profits are up, and WE! WANT! THE SMOKE!
Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, and the fans are fired up! The Profits are getting their fight with the champs, after the break!
Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS The Street Profits!
Raw returns, the bell rings, and Dawkins starts with Sami. They tie up, Sami wrenches an arm, then shifts to a hammerlock and headlock. Sami hits a takeover, but Dawkins headscissors. Sami kips free, Dawkins headlocks for a takeover but now Sami headscissors. Dawkins kips free, Sami arm-drags! Sami has the armlock, but Dawkins moves around. Ford coaches Dawkins up, Dawkins fights to his feet and whips, but Sami reverses. Dawkins runs Sami over and Ford fires up! Things speed up. Sami hurdles and arm-drags! And arm-drags again! And then spins Dawkins around to another arm-drag!
Fans cheer that exchange, and Sami has the armlock again. Dawkins fights back up while Ford gets frustrated. Dawkins powers Sami back but Kevin tags in. Fans cheer as the champs whip Dawkins to ropes, drop toehold and SENTON! Then Kevin drops another SENTON! Kevin blows a kiss to Ford, covers, TWO! Kevin SENTONS again! Cover, ONE!! Kevin argues but then brings Dawkins up. Tag to Sami, they mug Dawkins, then Sami ROCKS Dawkins, Sami whips, Dawkins hurdles, Ford tags in, and Dawkins UPPERCUTS Sami! Ford slingshot SENTONS! Cover, ONE!! Ford wrenches Sami and grinds the arm.
Sami endures, fights up, but Ford puts him in an open corner. The ref counts the break, Ford lets off slowly, but then he kicks low! Ford pretends to be surprised, then he CLUBS and whips Sami. Sami reverses Ford hard, then back drops Ford away! Fans rally, Sami covers, TWO! Sami keeps on Ford with a wristlock, then tags Kevin. Kevin kicks Ford, CLUBS him, then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Kevin pushes on Ford in a backbreaker rack! Ford endures, Kevin pushes him to a cover, TWO! Kevin clamps on with a chinlock but Ford fights up. Kevin CLUBS Ford, back suplexes, but Ford lands on his feet!
Kevin kicks low but Ford denies the Stunner! Ford bails out, Kevin pursues, but Ford GAMANGIRIS! Tag to Dawkins and Dawkins DECKS Kevin! Cover, ONE!! Dawkins clamps onto the arm, tags Ford, and the Profits whip and DROPKICK Kevin down! Cover, TWO! Ford clamps onto Kevin’s arm and grinds the shoulder as Raw goes picture in picture.
Kevin endures, fights up, and he throws forearms. Kevin throws more forearms but Ford grinds the arm even more. Kevin reaches for Sami, but Ford keeps him away. Kevin throws haymakers, but Ford whips him into the Profits corner. Ford UPPERCUTS, then tags Dawkins. Ford whips Dawkins in to SPLASH Kevin! Dawkins pushes Kevin down to a cover, TWO! Dawkins keeps Kevin down with a chinlock. Kevin endures, even as Dawkins pushes up for more pressure. Kevin fights his way up, throws body shots, and he HEADBUTTS Dawkins! Kevin runs, into a DROPKICK! Dawkins covers again, TWO!
Dawkins keeps cool, Sami coaches Kevin, and Dawkins returns to the chinlock. Kevin endures as Dawkins leans on him, and Sami has the fans rally up. Kevin fights up, reaches out, but Dawkins keeps him back. Kevin throws hands, then DDTs! Both men are down but Dawkins crawls, hot tag to Ford! Ford leaps to keep Kevin from Sami! Ford stomps away on Kevin’s legs. Kevin gets up to CHOP! Ford CHOPS back! Ford stomps a mudhole into Kevin in the corner. Ford digs his boots in, lets off as the ref counts, and then brings Kevin up. Ford snapmares then goes to the apron. Ford blows a kiss before the slingshot SENTON!
Ford taunts Sami, goes back for Kevin, but Kevin throws hands! Ford ROCKS Kevin as Raw returns to single picture! Both men stand again, fans rally and Ford whips Kevin to a corner. Ford runs in, but Kevin dodges the cyclone splash! Hot tag to Sami! Sami goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Sami keeps focus, he throws hands, then he whips Ford to ropes. Ford reverses, kicks low, and reels Sami in. Sami wrenches out, knuckle locks and CHOPS, then he goes up and up and TORNADO DDTS! Fans fire up, Dawkins runs in but Sami throw shim out! Sami builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on the Profits at the ramp!
Fans fire up with Sami as he puts Ford back in. Sami then goes up top, takes aim, but Ford trips him up! Ford climbs up to join Sami but Sami throws hands. Sami CLUBS away on Ford, then adjusts to SUPER SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ford survives and Sami is surprised! Fans still rally for Sami and he brings Ford back up. Sami waistlocks but Ford fights the lift. Ford throws punches, then ENZIGURIS! Sami staggers, Ford tags Dawkins! Dawkins DECKS Kevin before he CYCLONE SPLASHES Sami! Then ENZIGURIS! Sami staggers around, Dawkins Electric Chair Lifts!
Ford tags in, climbs up top, “SUCK IT!” BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY!! Cover, KEVIN BREAKS IT! Fans fire up and Sami flounders to a corner. “This is Awesome!” as Sami staggers up. Ford runs in, but into an EXPLODER into the corner! Hot tag to Kevin! Kevin BLASTS Deakins for earlier, then runs to SUCK IT!” CANNONBALL on Ford! Ford is in the drop zone, Kevin goes up top! SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, DAWKS BREAKS IT! Sami gets in but Dawkins sends him out. Kevin SUPERKICKS Dawkins, but Ford SUPERKICKS Kevin! Fans fire up as Ford says a prayer and builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit on Kevin & Sami, and Ford lands on his feet!!
Ford says ‘SUCK IT!” and he puts Kevin in. Ford climbs up, FROM THE- NO, Ford has to bail out! Kevin tags Sami! STUNNER and Ford staggers! Sami shoves him into the corner, to HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Kevin & Sami win!
Winners: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn, by pinfall
The Profits stepped up but could not score against the new champions! Fans sing along, but what will be next for Kevin & Sami in their newly minted reign?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins.
Cathy Kelly is with The visionary and says night one, Rollins beats Logan Paul. How is he feeling? Ooooh, he is feeling GOOD, baby! He is on Cloud Nine! It is WrestleMania Weekend, Raw After Mania, and on Saturday, Rollins hit the Stomp Heard ‘Round the World, and he sent Logan Paul, and KSI, back to the wasteland of Social Media. HAHAHAHAHA! But uh… Something’s not right. Something about tonight is missing. He can’t quite put his finger on. WAIT! He’s got it! The party isn’t back here. It’s out there! “Hey, Mr. DJ! Play! My! Soooong~!” BURN IT DOWN! HAHAHA!
Rollins heads out to gorilla and the fans are ready! “OH~ OHH~ OHHHH~!” The fans are fired up as Rollins runs around in his fluffy black ‘n’ white robe with faces on it. What will the Visionary do to celebrate his WrestleMania Moment? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and the fans are still singing Rollins’ song. Rollins soaks it all up, and then goes back out of the ring to swagger around. Rollins goes back up the ramp, is that all he wanted?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley.
Cathy asks the 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal how he is feeling after that win. Lashley says it was huge. But he has some pent up frustration. He stood out in front of that WrestleMania crowd but didn’t get to compete. That burns him up. But then Bronson Reed walks in, very jovial. Can he call him, “Uncle Bobby?” No, he cannot. Oh, okay, hear him out. Lashley is like Bronson’s uncle, though. He teaches Bronson things. In fact, maybe Bronson could be Lashley’s pupil. After all, Lashley taught Bronson how to lose. Lashley won the battle royal, but eventually, the pupil will school the teacher.
Oh, so Bronson wants some? He wants to fight? Is that what Bronson thinks he can do? Bronson tells “tiger” to ease up. He can’t go tonight. School’s out. But eventually, Lashley will learn his lesson. Bronson leaves, and Ali walks in. That’s a whole lotta “no” coming Lashley’s way. A match with Bronson Reed: a no. A match at WrestleMania: a no. But whoa, hold on. Ali is just trying to help. If Lashley wants to change all this negative energy, then he needs to change the way he thinks. Lashley needs to think more #PositiveAli. Make sure you never, ever take no for an answer. Understand?
Right, don’t take “no” for an answer. Right! Then he should just take someone down to the ring and maul them, right? Yes! And since Ali’s here, it should be him, right? N-no! Well, he’s not taking “no” for an answer! So Lashley TOSSES Ali, beats him down, and Ali says he was just trying to help! Lashley TOSSES Ali through the curtain! Fans fire up as Ali scurries away from The All Mighty, but that just sends him closer to ringside! Lashley TOSSES Ali down the ramp! And then into the ring! The ref is still there, so here goes!
Bobby Lashley VS Mustafa Ali!
Ali freaks out, he goes up and over to dodge Lashley, and then says he was just trying to help! Lashley runs in, Ali slips out to the apron, and he ROUNDHOUSES Lashley away! Lashley just gets mad! Lashley runs in, Ali slingshots around. Ali ducks ‘n’ dodges but then Lashley follows to CLOBBER Ali! Fans fire up and Lashley drags Ali up. HURT LOCK!! Ali taps, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
Lashley lets go when he is positive Ali is done! Lashley is in a mood, will he be satisfied by tearing into the Raw roster all over again?
Roman sits with Heyman and Solo.
The Tribal Chief asks the Wise Man if his cousins, The Usos, have left. Yes, they went to the jet. Wise Man. Yes, My Tribal Chief? Did you know Brock would be here? Heyman says this is the day after Mania, Lesnar usually takes six to nine months off and just leaves everyone hanging. That is a life Roman rescued Heyman from, which is why Heyman loves Roman. Then how did this happen? Heyman looks to Solo but says, if Roman remembers, SummerSlam was the last match between Roman and Lesnar ever, so Lesnar can never get another title match against Roman. So who could’ve thought Lesnar would accept this challenge? Lesnar has nothing to lose!
Lesnar has nothing to lose. Great. Good. It doesn’t matter. That was one of Roman’s greatest accolades ever, smashing Lesnar. He’ll do it again. And when he’s done with Lesnar again, he’ll smash Cody like he did last night at WrestleMania. Hell, when Roman is done with Cody, he will tag Solo in, and then they can see who is ready now. Does Solo understand? Show Cody you are ready. Solo nods and looks at his wrapped thumb. Will nothing stop the Bloodline from clearing out the field?
Bianca Belair is here!
Fans cheer as the RawEST Women’s Champion heads to the ring. Bianca gets the mic and fans chant for the “E S T! E S T!” Bianca says, “That’s right. The EST of the WWE is still your Raw Women’s Champion! But y’know what? Like I always say, I cannot be the EST without stepping into the ring with the best. And Asuka… C’mon, I said, Asuka!” Fans cheer, and Bianca says Asuka is definitely one of the best, one of the Most dangerous, so Bianca has to give credit to Asuka and thank her for pushing her to be the best she can be. Because now, Bianca can proudly say we did it! THREEPEAT!
But wait! Here comes RHEA RIPLEY! The Eradicator is the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion, and she smiles as she walks to the ring. “E S T. You walk around here, calling yourself the EST, but you really are just the luckiEST woman in the WWE. Because after my humongous Royal Rumble victory, I decided to challenge Charlotte Flair instead of you.” Fans cheer as Rhea steps in the ring, and tells Bianca that they will get back to this. And Rhea will beat Bianca like she did Charlotte at WrestleMania. Fans like the sound of that but Bianca wonders. “Hold up, hold up. So I’m the luckiEST because you decided not to choose me?
“Girl, uh-uh. Rhea, look, you made your decision for a reason. And you’re SmackDown Women’s Champion, so stand on that and that alone. Because like I said earlier, I’m all about getting in the ring with the best, and that includes you. So, one day, when you’re ready, we’ll really see which one of us is the best of the best.” Fans also like the sound of that! Rhea nods, drops her mic, and steps away, only for Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez to appear! They may not have won the Women’s Tag Team Showcase, but they’re ready to show you can’t keep them down. Raquel also looks at Rhea and that title.
Who wins their way to challenging Big Time Becky and Lita? We find out after the break!
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contender’s Match: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Iyo Sky & Dakota Kai!
Raw returns as Damage CTRL makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Raquel starts against old frenemy, Dakota. They tie up, Raquel throws Dakota down, then scoops her up! Dakota slips free, SMACKS Raaquel, but then Rauqel blocks the Scorpion Kick, into a STRETCH MUFFLER! Raquel SWINGS Dakota around, throws her down, then brings her up, Dakota JAWBREAKERS, SCORPION KCIKS, but Liv tags in! Liv runs in, Dakota dodges and follows but Liv ROCKS her! Liv pie faces, runs, but Dakota BOOTS her! Dakota laughs, runs, but Liv reels her in, BACKSTABBER! Hot tag to Sky!
Sky runs in but Liv DROPKICKS! Liv rolls back, runs in, and back body blocks! But Sky DROPKICKS her back! Liv sits up in a daze, Sky runs in, but Liv dumps her out! Kai runs in but Liv dumps her out, too! Tag to Raquel, and fans fire up as Raquel gives Liv the boost! POWERBOMB SENTON out onto DMG CTRL! Fans fire up and Raw goes to break.
Liv grins as she sits back up, and Raquel fetches Sky. Raquel puts Sky in the ring, covers, TWO! Raquel drags Sky up, whips her to the corner, tags Liv and RAMS into Sky! Liv blows kisses then Raquel whips her in to back body block! Liv then whips Raquel in for the SPLASH! Raquel pushes Sky down for Liv to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Liv keeps on Sky, but Sky bumps her off buckles! Sky runs in to ROCK Liv! Then runs in again, but into BOOTS! Liv goes up, Kai rushes over, but Liv BOOTS her away! Sky YANKS Liv down off the top! Sky wrenches Liv, whips her to the corner hard, and Liv bounces off buckles. Sky tags Kai, she covers, TWO!
Kai grins and brings Liv up, stomps away in the corner, then runs side to side, BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Kai is a little annoyed but she brings Liv up by her hair. The ref reprimands but Kai hip drops Liv! Tag to Sky, she drags Liv up and scoops to SLAM! Liv writhes, Sky mocks her pain and kicks her around. Sky drags Liv up, whips, but Liv reverse to send Sky out! Liv crawls but Kai runs in, only for Liv to dump her out! But Sky DROPKICKS Raquel before the tag! Liv swings, misses, Sky shoulders in! Sky springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Liv flounders, Sky covers, TWO! Sky argues the count but two is two.
Sky CLUBS Liv, drags her around, and wraps on a straitjacket stretch before the hip drop! Raw returns to single picture, Sky whips Liv to the corner, but Liv uses that to BLAST Kai! Sky runs in to UPPERCUT Liv! Sky grins and fans rally up. Sky sits Liv up, but Liv throws body shots! Liv fires off hand after hand but Sky kicks! Liv dodges the shotei to CODE BREAKER! Both women are down and fans fire up again! Liv and Sky crawl, hot tags to Kai and Raquel! Raquel rallies on Kai with big lariats! Kai dodges one but not the SOUTHPAW! Raquel scoops to FALL AWAY SLAM! Kai is in a drop zone, Raquel runs in to TWISTING VADER!
Kai scrambles to tag Sky! Sky tags Kai back in, and DMG CTRL mugs Raquel. But Raquel fights free! She LAWN DARTS Kai into Sky! And then TEXANA- NO, Sky saves Kai! Raquel POUNCES Kai into Sky! Sky falls, Dakota kicks, but into the lift! Liv tags in, TEXANA BOMB! And then ObLIVion!! Cover, Liv & Raquel win!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Morgan & Rodriguez are #LivingLarge! They get their opportunity at the champs next week! Will they be in the Big Time after next Monday Night Raw?
The Miz heads to gorilla.
The Hollywood A-Lister passes by Chad Gable arguing with Maxxine Dupri over how “Otīse’s” hair should be styled. But what will the Most Must-See Superstar have to say about his WrestleMania Weekend? We find out, after the break.
The Miz is in the ring!
Raw returns as Miz asks if everyone enjoyed WrestleMania. Fans cheer and Miz bet they did. It was full of surprises. Little did he know that the surprises were for him. As the host, he thought he would get to sing, dance, roast some people, not have three matches! More matches than anyone on that card! He took on four people! “The Dogg Father of WrestleMania was like, ‘Surprise~! He’s Pat McAfee! Surprise~! Here’s George Kittle,’ who basically made it a 2 on one Handicap match! Surprise~! Here’s jumping Shane McMahon! Yet surprise, I beat him so badly, he couldn’t finish the match!
“But then surprise~! Snoop Dogg sucker punches me! Basically uses his rings as brass knuckles, then proceeds to do the worst People’s Elbow in the history of People’s Elbows! But WrestleMania is over, and tonight starts a new season. And I am DONE with surprises! There will be no more-” “Bro…” Fans fire up for the return of MATT RIDDLE! The Bro is on his scooter and he heads down to the ring! The flip flops fly, the pyro goes off, and there are rainbow giraffes! Miz is in a sour mood as Riddle gets the mic and fans chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!” Riddle tells Miz, “Surprise~! Did you miss me?”
Miz attacks Riddle! Miz stomps Riddle in the corner with his fancy shoes, then lets off to throw off his jacket and tie. But Riddle ROCKS Miz with palm strike after palm strike! ROUNDHOUSE! Ripcord, FINAL FLASH! And then a scoop to a gut wrench, to a BRO DEREK!! Fans cheer, and Riddle wins without it being a match! Will Miz learn to expect the unexpected? Will The Bro rise back up in this new season of WWE action?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch, Lita & Trish Stratus.
Byron Saxton is with Team Big Time, and asks them how it felt to win on the Grandest Stage of Theme All? Trish says to have been in a multi-generational tag match like they had with DMG CTRL, it was incredible. And to beat DMG CTRL, also incredible. Lita says she is still riding that high. And we’re just getting started. Becky says her life has been on repeat dealing with those DMG CTRL fools. But now that that chapter is done, they can go back to their goal of raising the prestige of these titles. And the best way to do that is to beat Raquel & Liv next week! Raw is gonna be Big Time, but will The Man & The Legend elevate things in Seattle?
High Stakes Tag Match: Cody Rhodes & Brock Lesnar VS Roman Reigns & Solo Sikoa w/ Paul Heyman!
The Bloodline made a bet without knowing all the variables, and it may have just bitten them on the butt! Will the Beast help the American Nightmare win that Undisputed Universal Championship rematch? Or will the Tribal Chief and Enforcer of the Island end Cody’s story once and for all?
Raw goes picture in picture as Roman and Solo finish their walk into the ring and the pyro goes off again. Roman walks around with the belts raised high. Then Raw returns to single picture as Cody makes his entrance. Then Lesnar makes his! The introductions are made, the teams sort out, and LESNAR F5S CODY!?!? WHAT?!? Even Roman and Solo are shocked! Roman and Solo get out of the ring while fans lose their minds! Lesnar then drags Cody up to F5 him again!! WHY, LESNAR, WHY!?! Lesnar can’t get another shot at Roman, does he just not want Cody to get another shot? Fans boo as Lesnar stalks Cody to the ropes.
Lesnar stomps Cody, then stands on his neck! Lesnar steps on Cody, drags him up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Fans boo as Lesnar looms over Cody. Lesnar drags Cody up by the rib tape to TOSS Cody out of the ring! Lesnar goes out after Cody, hauls him up, and RAMS him into the barriers! Fans boo as hard as they can while Lesnar stands over Cody. Lesnar drags Cody up to suplex him into the timekeeper’s area! Then Lesnar rings the bell himself, to then SMACK Cody with a chair! Lesnar tosses that chair to the ring, and he looms over the writhing Cody Rhodes. Cody crawls but Lesnar pushes past him to go to the steel steps!
Lesnar has the steps, and he RAMS Cody! Lesnar tosses the steps into the ring, then he stalks Cody. Cody barely stirs, but Lesnar still drags Cody up! Adam Pearce is here to tell Lesnar to stop, but Lesnar doesn’t listen to anyone! He F5s Cody onto the announce desk!! The Beast chases Pearce off, and then goes back to Cody in the wreckage. Cody tries to move but Lesnar brings him up first. Lesnar puts Cody in the ring, fans boo, but Lesnar positions the steel steps at center. Lesnar keeps the officials from dragging Cody out to safety, and Lesnar brings Cody up again. F5 ONTO THE STEEL STEPS!!
Fans boo but Lesnar just soaks it all up as he stands over the battered Cody Rhodes. Fans boo as Lesnar takes his leave. But then as he goes up the ramp, he decides to keep going! Lesnar chases off the officials and producers to grab a chair! Cody manages to sit up, only for Lesnar to SMACK Cody! And again! Lesnar even headbutts the chair himself! Lesnar CHOKES Cody with the chair, and shouts, “LOOK AT ME!!” Lesnar shouts at Cody, then lets off. Lesnar finally takes his leave, the damage done. Only God and Lesnar know why Lesnar just did all this, but did Lesnar just end the American Nightmare?
OH NO, LESNAR RETURNS AGAIN!! But then he just flips everyone off. The Beast is more unhinged than ever before, what can anyone do to stop him?
My Thoughts:
For a Raw After WrestleMania, or even any random Raw during the year, this was rather baffling. A commercial free first hour, but for what? To get all the recaps out of the way? That opening promo between Cody and the Bloodline was great stuff, probably the best stuff all night, even though I would’ve loved if Cody just came out and said what he really meant: Roman’s a coward for not winning on his own and always having his family save him. And Lesnar showing up to side with Cody in that moment was great, it was a really exciting idea.
But as we just saw at the end there, it was all just to swerve Cody. This really has to be a case of, “If I can’t face Roman, no one can.” Lesnar is going to force Cody to beat him in a match before Cody gets his rematch with Roman. For those who said Cody hasn’t faced enough adversity, are you happy now? The silver lining is that they’re building the passive aggressive dysfunction Sami has been talking about. The Usos were given the night off, as simply an excuse for Roman not to be around them after they lost and disappointed him. This has to break down around Backlash to justify keeping the title(s) on Roman.
And for a Raw After Mania, there should’ve been big surprises, like call-ups, returns or brand new stars. I like Matt Riddle, but he was not anyone on the list of people I expected when Miz was clearly setting himself up to be beat up. I suppose Riddle is a safer choice, though, than the possibilities I had in my head. Bron Breakker would’ve been good, except he might still have some heat from the NXT fans who still see him as “LOL Bron Wins.” Jay White would’ve been awesome, except that would rely on there being enough NJPW fans to recognize him. Instead, Riddle and Miz is a good warm-up feud for Riddle to get back in the swing of things before doing something else.
Rey had a good promo, and honestly so did Austin Theory. They had a really good match, but of course Dom got involved. It was good continuity that Priest didn’t have anything against Bad Bunny but Dom did, and so Priest was stuck between two friends and chose Dom because he’s Judgment Day. Bunny did great in selling the lariat, being a ragdoll as Priest picked him up. But Bunny may have overdone it because the Choke Slam through the desk seemed particularly rough. Hopefully Bunny is only kayfabe injured, and we’re probably getting Rey & Bunny VS Priest & Dom in Puerto Rico for a great hometown hero win for Bunny.
Lashley had a good promo, and I’m glad they’re setting up a feud with Bronson Reed like I was hoping on Friday. But Bronson is taking his time, Lashley takes his anger out on Ali to kinda feed Ali’s story of sticking his foot in his mouth all the time. Bronson VS Lashley def feels like a Backlash match, though, with the winner going onto a title match of some sort. And Rollins also should’ve tried to tease going for a title, but instead they simply had him revel in the singing. Which is fine for the live fans, they get to sing along with the most popular chant in WWE right now, but I wish there was more to that segment overall.
Omos VS Elias was a squash, because duh, but we didn’t even get any Boogs. If Boogs was with Elias or watching backstage, that would’ve been nice because it continues that story. Good promo from Bianca to show respect to Asuka, and good addition from Rhea to certainly tease things between her and Bianca. Is the WWE not separating these undisputed titles and instead doubling down by making an Undisputed Women’s Championship? And it seems Ronda’s elbow still isn’t 100%, or else she and Shayna would’ve been #1 contenders. Though, Raquel & Liv are getting their shot next week, not at Backlash, so maybe they just want to give Becky & Lita a successful defense before losing.
And we got a really fun promo from Kevin, Sami and the Profits, and a really great tag match out of them. Even if it was for the titles, I figured Kevin & Sami were winning this. Maybe the Usos will try and get a rematch of their own, as an attempt to appease Roman, but maybe them losing again will aggravate Roman more and things truly break down, right around the time Roman’s going to hit 1000 days. That would be May 27th, which is the King & Queen of the Ring event. Maybe the family drama will get so bad that by the time Roman has to defend against THE King of the Ring, Roman’s usual back-up just decides not to back him up. If they do this right, maybe Roman falls short of the Pedro Morales reign of 1028 days to add even more to the impact of the loss.
My Score: 8.2/10
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Nothing is over until Carmelo Hayes says it’s over!
Not able to accept his loss at Stand & Deliver, Carmelo Hayes drags Trick Williams into the cage! Will Trick ever be able to get past… HIM?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK; Dar wins.
- Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice; Lola wins.
- Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde; Ridge wins.
- Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS Je’Von Evans; Dragunov wins.
- Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley; Tatum wins.
- Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament; AOP wins.
- Josh Briggs VS Ivar; Ivar wins.
- Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams; Trick wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Noam Dar w/ The Meta Four VS DIJAK!
The Meta Four’s idea to parody #HardJustice obviously didn’t make Dijak laugh, but it’s the Scottish Supernova who will take the heat for it. Will Dar teach Dijak to have a sense of humor? Or will “Mr. PLE” prove he’s no joke?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Dar gets around to headlock, but Dijak powers out. Dar RAMS shoulders but Dijak doesn’t budge! Dar kicks, kicks, bobs ‘n’ weaves and he kicks Dijak’s leg out! Dijak ducks the buzzsaw to choke grip! Dar choke grips, but that’s not as effective. Dijak SHOVES Dar into a corner, but Dar avoids the haymaker to KICK, KICK and KICK! Dijak blocks,. Dar SLAPS! Dar grabs an arm to wrap around ropes, but Dijak shoves him away. Dijak storms up on Dar, brings him up, reels him in, but Dar wrenches to KICK the arm! BACKHAND! Dijak wobbles, Dar runs up to CLOBBER him! Cover, ONE!!
Dar clamps onto Dijak’s arm and he pulls it back. The fans rally as Dijak fights up and rolls through. Dijak avoids the sweep, whips Dar to ropes, but Dar holds ropes to bail out. The Meta Four coaches Dar and fans him off, but Dijak storms out! Dar slips back inside, but Dijak BOOTS him! Dijak then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, Dijak covers, TWO! Dar stays in this and the fans rally up. Dijak drags Dar up, whips him to ropes, then scoops Dar, but Dar tilt-o-whirls into a GUILLOTINE! Dijak endures, powers up, and he RAMS Dar into the corner! Dar holds on! Dijak powers up again, but Dar throws headbutts!
Dijak pries the body scissors to KNEE Dar, and FLING him out of the ring!! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” while NXT goes picture in picture.
Dijak snarls while Meta Four checks Dar. They fan him but Dijak storms out after him. Dijak drags Dar up, stands him up against barriers, and CHOPS! Dijak talks trash, Dar shoves him back, but Dijak storms up. Dar fires forearms, but Dijak knees low! Dijak CHOPS Dar and Dar spasms from the pain! Dijak brings Dar around, puts him in the ring, but Dar bails out the side. The Meta Four get in Dijak’s way but he just pushes through. Dijak drags Dar up to then scoop, only for Meta Four to get in the way again! Dar slips free, and he POSTS Dijak! Meta Four taunts Dijak, then Dar KICKS Dijak against the apron!
Dijak gets in the ring, Dar pursues, and Dar stomps Dijak around. Dar KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Dijak wobbles, Dar reels him in, but Dijak’s too big for a fisherman suplex! Dijak throws body shots and then suplexes Dar away! Both men are down while Dijak catches his breath. Dijak rises, and he takes aim as Dar stirs. Dar stands, into the choke grip! But Dar ROCKS Dijak with a left hand! Then roll into CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR! Dijak endures, even as Dar twists the ankle! Dijak fights around, sits up, and the two start throwing hands! NXT returns to single picture as Dar and Dijak go back and forth!
Dijak ROCKS Dar again and again, but Dar fires a flurry in return! The fans rally for Dijak as he roars, and he ROCKS Dar again and again and again! Dijak is free, and he KICKS Dar in the face! Meta Four panics, Dijak watches Dar rise. Dijak hobbles up to ELBOW Dar down! And ELBOW again! Dijak runs, breaks through the lariat and FLYING FOREARMS! The fans fire up while Dar flounders to a corner. Dijak storms up and puts Dar in the corner to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, repeat! Meta Four freaks out as it’s TIME TO FLY! The fans are thunderous behind Dijak while Dar flounders around.
Dijak aims, spins, but Dar jumps on! GUILLOTINE, but Dijak pries the hold open fast! Dijak choke grips, and he brings Dar up for HIGH JUSTICE!! Cover, TWO?!? Dar survives and Meta Four is very relieved. Dar sputters while the fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Dijak drags Dar back up, reels him in, but Dar fights with elbows! The fans rally, Dar reels Dijak in and still wants the fisherman! Dijak throws body shots, so Dar wrenches to KICK the leg! Dar reels Dijak in again, but Dijak throws more body shots. Dijak shoves Dar, Dar stops himself then dodges the boot! Dijak gets hung up, Dar goes up to FLYING LARIAT!
Dar hurries to get Dijak in, FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives, but Dar ARMBARS!! Dijak flails, reaches out, but Dar keeps changing his grip! Dijak stacks Dar, TWO! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up as Dar flounders. Dijak runs up, but Dar dodges, so Dijak hits buckles and tumbles up and out of the ring! Dar runs up to CLOBBER Dijak into the steel steps! The fans boo but Dar runs up to DROPKICK! Dar puts Dijak in, Dijak staggers to his feet, into the BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Dijak survives and the fans fire up! Dar is beside himself, fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this is just the opener!
Dar aims from the corner, Dijak rises, and Dar runs in, into a SUPERKICK! Dar QUESTION MARK KICKS! Dijak roars, spins, into the HAYMAKER! Dar runs, into the CYCLONE BOOT!! The fans are thunderous and Dijak storms around! Dijak calls his shot, but Oro gets on the apron! Dijak swings on Oro, Oro ducks it, but then Dijak SUPERKICKS! NOVA ROLLA!! Cover, Dar wins!
Winner: Noam Dar, by pinfall
The numbers game wins again as Main Man Mensah bites the bullet! Will Dar use this momentum to make his way towards a title opportunity?
Ilja Dragunov meets with Ava Raine.
The Czar visits the NXT General Manager in her office as she brings up that next week is the start of the two-week Spring Breakkin’. Yes, and he adds that it’ll be the last week of Trick Williams in NXT as Dragunov will defend this title. Yes, well, we’ll see. But tonight’s main event is Trick VS Melo in a Steel Cage, and yet Dragunov doesn’t have a match. That doesn’t seem fair given the title match. Well, she’s the GM, she can do what she must. Then that means Dragunov will be in action! But… he does get to pick his opponent. He welcomes that challenge.
But then he wants her to send a message to the entire NXT locker room that whoever stands eye to eye with him first will be the one to have that match with the Mad Dragon. Dragunov heads out while Ava sends the message, who will take this Open Challenge as their opportunity to reach the top?
Tatum Paxley speaks.
“I always wanted to be good. That’s every little girl’s dream: fitting in, playing with dolls, living the life just like the ones in the fairytales. But then I realized… no matter how good I am, nobody wants to play with girls like Tatum Paxley. The cool girls didn’t wanna be my friend. But I didn’t need them. I found the one thing that would be good to me as long as I was good back. It didn’t matter who held it, because I will always be there for it. Charlotte, Bayley, Asuka, Shayna, Kairi, Rhea, Iyo, Raquel, Roxanne, Indi, Tiffany, Becky, Lyra…
“Oh, Lyra. I loved you. I wanted to be you, because you were the closest thing to good as there was! And I was a good girl because I fought hard to keep that championship with you! You were the only one that really let me in, and that title made us real best friends. We were so close! But then, you lost the one thing that I love most, the NXT Women’s Championship. Lyra, you broke my heart. So what is Lyra to me now? Nothing. And I see now that Roxanne is the coolest girl in class. But I can’t have that anymore. It needs to be me. Lyra, my sweet dove, you’re in my way.” Twisted Tatum’s come to play, but will she be the one that’s good enough to challenge the champion?
Sol Ruca VS Lola Vice!
The Sol Surfer was just telling it like it is, and that upset the Mayor of Vice City. Will Lola cause Sol to wipe out before Spring Breakkin’? Or will Sol continue to ride a wave of momentum towards title opportunities?
NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Lola wrenches and clamps onto the arm, but Sol cartwheels and lifts Lola! Sol slams Lola down then has the cording hold. Lola headscissors, Sol kips free then trips Lola to flip over her! Lola sits up into the mule kick! Cover, TWO! Sol clamps onto an arm, wrenches, then wristlocks. Lola wrenches back, kicks then mule kicks! Sol goes to a corner, Lola storms up and whips, but Sol goes up and up and over! Sol keeps moving, Lola drops down but Sol handsprings through the hip toss to FACEBUSTER! Then DROPKICK!
Lola goes to a corner, Sol runs in but Lola dodges to BACKHAND! The fans rally while Sol sits up in a daze. Sol stands, Lola fires off lightning kicks! Lola puts Sol in a corner, goes to the far corner and reminds us, “I’M A LATINA~!” She shakes her hips then HIP ATTACKS! Cover, TWO! Lola gets in Sol’s face, saying she’s the next champ, then she AX KICKS Sol down! And KICKS her in the side! Lola storms up on Sol, brings her around to KICK and KICK, then she brings Solo up. Solo ROCKS Lola, ROCKS her again, but Lola BODY BLOWS! Lola clamps on with a SLEEPER! Sol endures, fights up and has Lola as a backpack!
The fans rally as Sol RAMS Lola into buckles! Lola jumps back on for the SLEEPER! Lola’s still a backpack, so Sol swings and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Sol flounders to the corner, Lola runs up, but Sol dodges! Sol CLOBBERS Lola, CLOBBERS her again, then springboards to CROSSBODY! Sol scoops Lola and POWERSLAMS! Then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Solo keeps cool and the fans rally. Sol goes to the apron to springboard, but she has to roll through as Lola moves! Lola runs up, Sol dodges and goes up! Lola anchors legs, Sol kicks her away and FLYING SUNSET FLIPS! TWO, and Lola stands! Sol ducks a kick to SUPERKICK!
Solo goes up and up and then CARTWHEEL- BLAIR HITS THE ROPES! The ref reprimands, but Lola HEEL KICKS Sol down! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall
Blair with the assist there as Lola scores major points. It’s buenas noches for now, but then Natalya tells Lola hey! Natty’s on the tron and says Lola kept Natty from winning a title she never held before. Well now, Natty will fight Lola on her turf, in her match, to test her. So now is Lola’s chance to show us what she’s got. Time for Lola to show us her heart. In two weeks, Spring Breakin Night 2, Natty VS Lola… in NXT UNDERGROUND!! The fans fire up as the BOAT is looking to sink Vice City, but who will move on to be a step closer to title opportunity?
NXT Anonymous is watching…
This was yesterday as Ridge Holland talked with Ava about his in-ring return. Only for Joaquin Wilde to storm up and tell Ridge to just admit who he really is. Ridge put hands on Wilde to RAM him into the wall and shout “You don’t KNOW who I really am!” Ava reprimanded Ridge for his outburst and Ridge stormed off. Ridge is clearly still working on his inner rage, but will he let all of it out on Wilde tonight?
Arianna Grace meets with Gigi Dolin.
The self-appointed Miss NXT says there is still so much to work on with “Giorgina” before Spring Breakin’. Surely she’ll be late. But no, Gigi is actually early, to Grace’s surprise. Yeah, because the sooner they start, the sooner they get this over with. Arianna isn’t gonna make her bow and curtsey or whatever, is she? They’ll get to etiquette later. The first essential is the dress. Time to go show shopping! Think of your body as a canvas. The way Gigi dresses now… Makes people think she’ll kick their head in if they get too close? Yes. And what a horrifying vision that is! They need to strive for peace, not the opposite.
That prize is within their grasp, they just need to change Gigi’s attire and soften that rather… harsh exterior. Gigi sighs and says fine, but at least make it black. It goes with everything, she already has shoes that match. Black? No, no, no! Why not? Arianna says she’ll take the lead. Gigi just needs to open her mind and allow elegance to come right in. They’ll have Gigi looking like Arianna in no time! Gigi sighs, but just how bad can this get?
Ridge Holland VS Joaquin Wilde!
Yorkshire Grit is starting to loose his grip on his emotions. His bad mood made him sloppy and that’s how he accidentally hurt Cruz Del Toro. But will there be no accidents with what Wilde’s gonna do to get payback? Or will he push Ridge one step too far?
The bell rings, Ridge asks what Wilde wants from him about Cruz’s hand. Wilde fires off forearms! Ridge SHOVES Wilde, CLOBBERS him, and says what happened with Cruz was an accident! Ridge grabs at Wilde, Wilde slips under, and Wilde kicks low to UPPERCUT! Wilde runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then goes up and up to TORNILLO CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE, but Wilde DROPKICKS Ridge out! The fans fire up with Wilde, he PLANCHAS but Ridge moves! Ridge pushes Wilde, Wilde stops from hitting post, so Ridge UPPERCUTS! Ridge fires forearms, but then Wilde ducks! Ridge hits post, then Wilde SUPERKICKS!
Ridge gets in the ring, Wilde runs in, but Ridge puts him on the apron! Wilde ducks one lariat but not the RIGHT! Wilde falls off the apron but fans boo Ridge as he huffs and puffs. Ridge keeps insisting Cruz’s hand was an accident. Wilde gets in, Ridge traps him in ropes to UPPERCUT again and again! Ridge BOOTS Wilde down, covers, TWO! Ridge clamps onto Wilde with the armlock and he grinds the shoulder. Wilde fights up, throws body shots, but Ridge traps the arms! Ridge HEADBUTTS and Wilde ends up in a corner. Ridge runs in to SPLASH, then OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Wilde flounders, Ridge runs up, but Wilde dodges!
Wilde runs back in, ELBOWS, then runs to come back, but Ridge POUNCES! Ridge drags Wilde up, throws knees, then reels him in. Ridge hoists Wilde up, but Wilde DDTS! The fans rally, and Shawn Spears appears on stage. The Chair Man insists that the truth is painful, and Ridge storms up. Wilde ELBOWS Ridge, fires off haymakers then whips, but Ridge reverses. Wilde springboards to FLYING CHUCK! Then JAWBREAKER! Then POP-UP BOOT! Ridge staggers, Wilde spells it out, “L! W! O!” But Ridge runs back up! Wilde goes Matrix to then NECKBREAKER! Ridge bails out and the fans fire up with Wilde!
Wilde builds speed, and DIVES, into a POWERSLAM!! Ridge drags Wilde up and into the ring, hauls him up into a PACKAGE DDT! Cover, Ridge wins!
Winner: Ridge Holland, by pinfall
Wilde may have let his emotions get the better of him, but Ridge is still conflicted. Spears smiles, is Ridge’s “truth” about to come to light?
Josh Briggs visits the medical center.
He’s getting his ribs checked and he says he feels much better now. Though, it’s still a bit painful to breathe and move around, is that normal? Yes, especially given those ribs were broken. Briggs needs to be careful until he’s truly 100%, but he’s “cleared as tolerated.” Briggs thanks the doc, but then Ivar checks in. Ivar asks if Briggs is good and Briggs says yeah, he’s cleared and ready to go after Oba Femi again. Ivar says he likes the grit, but he’s been in this room so many times before. Take it from Ivar, give it a couple more weeks so he can fully heal up. In that time, Ivar can have his match with Oba, and then when Ivar wins the title, Briggs is first up. How’s that sound?
Briggs says absolutely not. Ivar can go back to Raw and get his ass kicked by Sheamus again. Okay, okay, Ivar sees how this is gonna go. Then tonight, Ivar VS Briggs, winner fights Oba. Briggs says then go put on the war paint and he’ll see Ivar tonight. The Viking Raider and the Blue Collar Brawler are ready to throw hands, but who will get their hand raised at the end of the night?
Brinley Reece posts to TikTok.
She wants everyone to know she, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe are all going to work out at the Performance Center and wants them to join in. #BrinActive! They pump up to take on “Ohp.” Who? Y’know, A O P. Oh, Authors of Pain… But Edris says knowing their luck, by the time AOP is done with them, they’ll be SOL. Brin puts it together she’s been saying it wrong, but yeah they are scary. But who cares! She’ll be in their corner! Edris says no she’s not! Malik smooths it over by saying they can’t let their bad juju rub off on Brin. Edris says they need any kind of luck right now. They have been losing and losing!
Malik calms Edris down and says they just have to believe. Brin says exactly! Believe in the lift! Let’s go! Well, Brin’s always positive, will Edris ever see things her way? Or will Akam & Rezar write them off completely?
Andre Chase finds Thea Hail backstage.
She thanks him for coming to talk. He appreciates her wanting to meet, even with her match against Tatum tonight. After last week, they need to talk this out. They sit, and Thea says Jacy wasn’t lying about that bet. Nope. Last July, Chase was already knee deep into his gambling. At the time, he had things under control. Which is why he felt right betting on Thea against Tiffany Stratton. He knew deep down, Thea could do this. Thea could become the youngest NXT champion in history, so when asked if he was for or against, he went all in on Thea. But then seeing her suffer, her refusing to tap out, tears flowing down her cheeks, Chase had to throw in the towel.
In that moment, he didn’t care what it cost him, he just wanted Thea to be okay. Then why didn’t he tell her? She treated him so badly after that! Why didn’t he say something? Because she didn’t sign up for that, she just wanted to win a title. Then what about the towel? Honestly, he just hoped she would understand where his heart is, both that night and every night. He’s always in Thea’s corner. Then she is sorry! She hugs him and he says it’s okay. Chase U looks stronger than ever, but will there be another chance at a title for Thea in the future?
The D’Angelo Family is here!
The fans cheer as The Don leads Stacks, Rizzo & The Legal Eagle out to the ring, having finally returned to NXT after his loss at Stand & Deliver. Tony feels a little better showing off the new suit, then he gets the mic. Tony says after he and Stacks lost the tag titles, he talked about rapid growth in the family. He never said it was gonna be easy, but he knew it was worth it. And if you ask him how, when he’s not NXT Champion, Tony thinks about where they were a year ago. They made Pretty Deadly disappear, but they faced serious allegations. Now he looks at Stacks and the Consigliere, Luca Crusifino, both ready to crack skulls and add gold to the family.
Tony looks to Adrianna, the future of the NXT Women’s Division! And at Stand & Deliver, he went toe-to-toe with one of the toughest men in NXT history! Tony and Dragunov had a fight, one of the hardest fights Tony has ever gone through, and Tony lost. But this is about going one more round when you can’t. Toughness comes from longevity, and he’s here to tell you- Well, No Quarter Catch Crew interrupts first. Charlie Dempsey has the mic to tell Tony he doesn’t appreciate their dealings from last week were made public. What kinda business is he running here? Is Dempsey talking to Tony? Oh yeah, he sure is!
NQCC get in the ring but Tony tells them they came to the Family to take care of one of their own, all because they didn’t have the cajones to do something themselves! No problem, they’re the experts. Yeah, well, when it comes to taking someone out- Oh oh oh, stunad! No specifics, okay? There’s people watching. Yeah but Tony said- Hey, Charlie, didn’t Tony just say no specifics? Tony says they’re No Quarter, right? Well, Tony hasn’t gotten his full quarter, so when’re they gonna pay up? What? Payment? Wasn’t this for the good of the business? There was trash that needed to be taken care of, and they did that. It did the industry some good while they were at it.
Luca tells Mr. Dempsey that they’re still on the hook for services rendered. But the Don has a suggestion: They can either settle the debt, or it gets handled the way the D’Angelo Family always does it. Damon Kemp says no way, this was supposed to be done for the- Whoa, whoa, Damon, no one was even talking to you. Tony says he’ll say this to all three. Tony doesn’t do this for charity, or about feelings. This is about business, and in his business there is a code that you don’t betray. So listen up. It doesn’t matter who NQCC think they are, but they wanna come out here and interrupt him? Don’t think so.
Charlie tells Tony, “Is there anything else you wanna say to me? Is that it?” Tony says that Heritage Cup looks pretty nice. Oh does he? Well, don’t look at the cup, look at Charlie. That cup represents the competition and skill that takes place in this ring. It doesn’t need to be held by some two-bit gangster in wrestling boots! Charlie didn’t have a problem with that when Tony took care of this situation. So is Charlie gonna pay up? Over his dead body that some lowlife scumbag disgraces that cup! Scumbag? Well… Tony takes off the suit jacket, and says how bout this? They brawl! The fans fire up as The Family clears the ring of the NQCC!
The battlelines have been drawn, is The Family about to test that Catch Clause?
Open Challenge: Ilja Dragunov VS ???
The NXT Champion is just fine with facing anyone in the back ahead of facing Trick Williams one last time next week! But then who will step up to be the “tune up?” Lexis King, Joe Gacy, and a lot of others rush out here! They all brawl, but in from the crowd side, it’s JeVon Evans! Ya boi bouncy~, and he quite literally jumps to the front of the line! Dragunov likes the Young OG’s guts, but will he beat those guts right outta him here tonight?
The bell rings and Evans fires forearms with Dragunov! The fans fire up as they go back and forth over and over! Dragunov fires boxing elbows but Evans BOOTS! Dragunov BOOTS, Evans rebounds to spin but Dragunov ducks the kick! GERMAN SUPLEX! Dragunov holds on, he drags Evans up, and GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans chant “DAT BOI!” “BOUNCY~!” but Dragunov drags him up again. Evans pries free, elbows, but Dragunov rebounds to PELE! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Evans flounders to a corner, Dragunov runs in, but blocks a boot! Dragunov blocks another try, puts that leg in the ropes, and then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS!
The fans fire up while Evans slumps down, and Dragunov scrubs him with his boot! Dragunov runs side to side, but into a SUPERKICK! The fans fire up again as Evans has Dragunov dazed! Dragunov stands, he ROCKS Evans, but Evans ROCKS Dragunov! Evans blocks a chop to CHOP, then repeat! Evans CHOPS, CHOSP and CHOPS, the fans “WOO~” again and again. But Dragunov block sone, to HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Then GERMAN SUPLEX, but Evans lands out of it! Evans runs to SCREW HIGH KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Evans and Dragunov rise again.
Evans winds up to KICK! Dragunov wobbles, so Evans KICKS again! Evans goes up and rebounds, but Dragunov turns Rana into POWERBOMB! Evans grits his teeth as he sits up, but Dragunov runs and runs and runs to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives being turned inside-out but Dragunov nods. The fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” as Dragunov brings Evans up. Dragunov fireman’s carries, but Evans fights free! Dragunov hits buckles, Evans reels him in but Dragunov fights with elbows and knees! CONSTANTINE- SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Dragunov survives that sudden turn around and the fans are loving it!
Evans aims from a corner as he goes up and up, but Dragunov CHOPS first! And SLAPS Evans right to the apron! Evans BOOTS back, springboards, but into a CHOP!! Dragunov sits Evans up so he can run and KNEE!! Cover, TWO!! Evans survives and the fans are thunderous! Dragunov reels him in, “This is Awesome!” as Evans fights the bomb, and DDTS! Dragunov flounders out of the ring, Evans goes to the far side. Evans snarls as he gets to his feet, and he builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp! Evans puts Dragunov in, hurries up again, and FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Roll through and deadlift, Dragunov powers Evans up to a fireman’s carry!
Dragunov then hits a CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Dragunov goes to the corner, “UN! BE! SIEG! BAR!!” TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Cover, Dragunov wins!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov, by pinfall
The Young OG showed guts and ability beyond his years, but he’s still a little early if he wants to be champion. Dragunov does show Evans respect, will we see this showdown again one day?
Backstage interview with Karmen Petrovic.
Kelly Kincaid is with Karmen to speak on Natty facing Lola in the first-ever Women’s NXT Underground match. Will Karmen help her train? 1000% yes! Karmen will get Natty training, but her schedule is so crazy right now. She’s on the WWE Europe tour, but then in walks Lola. Lola says Karmen can help Natty all she wants, but Natty is entering Lola’s world, and will be playing by Lola’s rules. Sure, Natty has guts, but she can’t handle the Latina Heat. Karmen can be in her corner, teach Natty all she knows, but it won’t mean a thing. Just wait until you see who Lola has in her corner. See you at next week’s contract signing. Adios~!
Sol talks with Ava backstage.
Blair cost Sol nine months of her career, a year of Wendy Chu’s, so much of Nikkita Lyons’, and Sol’s match tonight! Sol NEEDS to end this. Ava hears that, but Sol already had her match with Blair. No, not just another match. Sol wants Blair in NO DISQUALIFICATIONS! Is that what she wants? Sol says she will not stop until Blair has to be carried outta here. Sol storms off, is she going to wash Blair away with the tide? Or is this all playing right into Blair’s hands?
Thea Hail w/ Chase U VS Tatum Paxley!
The fire is back inside the top prospect, and she’s ready to blaze a trail back to title contention! But will we all hail Thea? Or will the twisted outcast not stop until she’s the one on top of NXT?
NXT returns and Tatum makes her entrance. The bell rings and Thea rushes up. Tatum slips around, waistlocks and SLAMS, then floats around to smile right in Thea’s face. Thea is creeped out and backs up, but Tatum slithers up. Thea rushes in again, but into another waistlock. Thea arm-drags free, runs up, but into a scoop! Thea arm-drags Tatum, runs up to back body block, then runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Tatum goes Matrix! Thea leaps over, the two stare down, and the fans fire up. Tatum reaches out but Thea grabs that arm! Thea SPLASHES down on it, and Tatum flounders to a corner. Thea runs in but only gets buckles!
Tatum scoops Thea to BACKBREAKER! Thea writhes, Tatum has Thea on ropes and bends her against them! The ref counts, Tatum lets off, but she KNEES Thea down. Thea goes to the corner, Tatum runs up, and she BODY CHECKS Thea into the buckles! Tatum digs Thea into the buckles but lets off as the ref counts. The fans rally for Thea and she fires forearms! Thea whips, Tatum reverses to knee low! Tatum grins as she GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Cover, TWO! Tatum top mounts Thea to say she’s the next champion, but Thea hits with body shots. Tatum hooks Thea’s legs and turns over, SPLADLE CHINLOCK! Thea endures as gravity does all the work!
Thea fights her way out, then fires forearms! Tatum hits back, and says the title is hers! Thea HEADBUTTS Tatum down! Tatum goes to ropes, comes back, but Thea wrenches for the ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Thea whips and CLOBBERS Tatum! And CLOBBERS her again! Thea mule kicks a leg out, runs and ROLLNG NECKBREAKERS! But wait, is that Jazmyn Nyx? Jazmyn is mocking the “nerd” but Thea tells her “SUCK IT!” Thea scoops Tatum, POWERSLAM! SENTON! Thea shakes the ropes, but Jacy trips her up! The fans boo and Tatum ghost pins, Tatum wins!
Winner: Tatum Paxley, by pinfall
It seems no one can leave well enough alone, can they? Thea makes Jacy pay with a TOPE SUICIDA!! The fans fire up as Thea rains down fists on Jacy, but Chase and Riley get in there! Jacy hits Thea back but refs rush out to stop this! And then IN the ring, Lyra goes after Tatum! They brawl, refs have to divide and conquer, but the Morrigan is enraged! Will Thea humble the toxic Jacy once and for all? Will Lyra have vengeance on the two-faced Tatum?
Backstage interview with Roxanne Perez.
Kelly Kincaid says it looked like there was going to be a Stand & Deliver rematch between her and Lyra, but after- Oh, yeah, that freak finally turned on little her “girlfriend.” But it doesn’t matter how obsessed Tatum is with the title, or if Lyra has a chip on her shoulder, they can destroy each other for all Roxie cares. Beat each other to a pulp! Roxie will sit back, be entertained, and whoever makes it out of that fight in one piece maybe, just maybe, gets a title match. Wow, that was super easy. Like, what’s Ava even complaining about? Roxie sees it: Spring Breakin’, Roxie defends her title 1v1 against-
Ava walks in and says Roxie is so right. She made Ava’s job even easier! Why choose? Triple Threat! Roxie VS Lyra VS Tatum! NO! Of course Ava does this! Everyone is against Roxie, so why not Ava? Ava wants Roxie to lose her title without actually losing! Well, Roxie said Ava’s job is easy, but surely Roxie will do great. Ava leaves, Roxie is fuming, but will Roxie have no choice but to eat her words?
Malik Blade & Edris Enofe VS The Authors of Pain w/ The Final Testament!
It’s getting harder and harder to find the silver lining for Malik & Edris, and this time, platitudes like “there’s always next time” might not apply. That’s because Akam & Rezar, backed by Paul Ellerin, Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux, might just write their Final Chapter! Will Malik & Edris survive to fight another day? Or is there no upside to facing AOP?
NXT returns as Malik & Edris make their entrance, minus Brin like Edris said. The teams sort out, Akam starts against Edris. They tie up, Akam RAMS Edris into the corner and fires off hands! Akam swings, Edris dodges and fires off hands! Akam shoves Edris, Edris tags Malik and then Edris DROPKICKS Akam! Malik goes up to AX HANDLE! Akam stays up, Malik fires more hands! Tag back to Edris and he goes up, so he can AX HANDLE! Akam is still up, he headlocks, and Rezar tags in as Edris powers out. Akam whips, pop-up to Rezar for the CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO!
Edris survives and Rezar is already furious! Rezar HAMMERS away on Edris, then paces around. Edris drags himself to ropes, but Rezar is right on him. Tag to Akam, the AOP stand Edris up and Akam runs to KNEE Edris low! Rezar CLUBS Edris down, Akam clamps on and makes Edris look to Malik. Akam dribbles Edris’ face off the mat! Malik reaches out, the fans rally, but Rezar tags in. AOP gets Edris up, pops up and KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Edris survives and the fans rally again. Rezar seethes as he drags Edris away. Rezar reels Edris in, TOSSES him to a corner, then runs in, only to get buckles! Hot tag to Malik!
Malik dodges Rezar, BLASTS Akam and fires off on Rezar! Rezar stays up, swings, but Malik dodges to DROPKICK! Rezar tumbles out, Akam storms in but Malik SUPERKICKS! Malik builds speed, Edris tags in, Malik FLIES! AOP catches Malik!! But Edris FLIES but Malik’s thrown at him!! The fans go nuts as AOP are still monsters, and then AOP get a man each. SUPER COLLIDER!! Cover, AOP wins!
Winners: The Authors of Pain, by pinfall
The Final Testament makes up for their loss at WrestleMania, if only in part. But will they not stop until they’re once again wearing NXT gold? Speaking of, Nathan Frazer & Axiom are here! AOP attacked the champs last week so the dynamic duo want to return the favor, except the refs stand in the way. Will the Undeniable Hard-Hitting Truth be able to take the fight to the Final Testament?
Arianna & Gigi visit Lauren Nicole.
The shopping begins, and Gigi can’t believe Arianna thinks Gigi would actually wear anything from here. Like, what is this frilly halter top? Arianna wants “Giorgina” to understand that to become a princess, she must act, think and believe that she truly IS a princess. And Arianna for one thinks Gigi has all the makings to be one. OMG look at that dress! Arianna rushes over to grab the big green one. What does Gigi say? She hates it already. Like, so much. Nonsense! She’d look breathtaking in it! Well, Gigi could make it her own. Yes, Giorgina! Such a fast learner! Then Gigi has some ideas. She’ll try it on.
Arianna is ecstatic that Gigi is taking this seriously! Gigi slips into a dressing room, and there is definitely sounds of tearing. When Gigi comes out, she’s given the outfit a makeover! Yeah, Gigi does look good. She just had to “Gigi” the dress up a bit. She’ll wear it out, thanks. Spring Breakin’, here she comes! Arianna’s paying. Do they take credit?
Josh Briggs VS Ivar!
JBL’s seal of approval means a lot to Briggs, and he wants to finally prove JBL was right to give him the nod. He may have failed to take the North American title at Stand & Deliver, but will he fight his way to another shot here tonight? Or will the raid crash the party at Spring Breakin’?
NXT returns and Briggs makes his entrance, taped up quite a bit around the ribs. The bell rings, the two run up and Ivar BOOTS! Ivar whips, Briggs reverses but Ivar rolls off Briggs’ back! Ivar then cartwheels to dodge and he LARIATS Briggs down! The fans fire up, Briggs goes to a corner and Oba is watching as Ivar fires ELBOW after ELBOW! The fans chant “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” and Ivar whips Briggs to ropes. Briggs blows through the lariat to BOOT Ivar down! The fans fire up as Briggs storms up and whips back. Briggs scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Briggs clutches the ribs, this is perhaps all double-edged right now.
Briggs powers through the pain, but runs up into a SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up while Briggs sputters. Ivar storms up on Briggs, drags him up and CLUBS him, but Briggs throws body shots. Ivar CLUBS Briggs again, has him on ropes, and then HEADBUTTS! Ivar runs, into an ELBOW! Briggs choke grips, but Ivar breaks free to BODY SHOT! Briggs sputters, Ivar reels him in, underhooks for the Canadian Rack! Briggs slips free, ELBOWS, and runs, into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Briggs coughs and sputters, Ivar underhooks for the TIGER DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!!! Briggs survives and stuns Ivar!
Ivar storms around, goes to a corner and climbs up. The fans rally as Ivar aims for the VIKING- NO, Ivar rolls through the splash as Briggs dodge! BOSS MAN SLAM! TWO! Briggs’ bad ribs probably held that move back, but Briggs isn’t gonna stop! Briggs gets Ivar up, wrenches, and GUT BUSTERS! Briggs huffs, puffs, runs, and RAMS Ivar! Ivar tumbles out of the ring, and Briggs roars as he fights through the pain! Briggs goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Down goes Ivar and Briggs rises! The fans are torn as Briggs reels Ivar in. Ivar fights the lift to RAM Briggs into steel steps!
Briggs hobbles up, into the HEEL KICK! Ivar puts Briggs in, goes up the corner again, for the DOOMSAULT!! Cover, Ivar wins!
Winner: Ivar, by pinfall
Perhaps Briggs should’ve listened to Ivar earlier, he was nowhere near 100% and therefore had no chance of stopping the War Beard. Will Ivar raid right through The Ruler and take his throne?
Kelly Kincaid asks Oba his opinion on this win, and Oba just says, “Interesting.” Oba leaves, and he apparently clobbers Oro without a second thought! Main Man Mensah is upset that this keeps happening, when will he get his shot at The Ruler?
Steel Cage Match: Carmelo Hayes VS Trick Williams!
After he failed to Stand & Deliver, Melo could not stand the fact that Trick was going back for THE NXT Championship. Trick’s getting his shot at Dragunov one way or another, but will Melo make sure Trick doesn’t have a leg to stand on? Or will this be Trick finally saying goodbye and good riddance to HIM?
Before the match, Kelly Kincaid is with Melo at gorilla. He cuts her off to tell Trick that this ain’t over until Melo says it is. Trick thinks he’s gonna be a champion, that he’s gonna make it out of the cage in one piece, but Melo will make sure that doesn’t happen. Melo gave Trick everything he has here, and now he’s taking it all away from his ungrateful ass! Melo heads out, his personal security following behind. Then Trick makes his entrance and the fans go wild! NXT is ready to see Trick whoop Melo one more time because there’s no escape. The bell rings, the two storm up, and Melo shoves Trick. They circle, Trick runs up but Melo dodges!
Melo goes to bump off the cage but Trick blocks. Melo then blocks Trick trying that, then Melo gets space. Melo rushes up, Trick headlocks but Melo powers out. Things speed up, melo jumps but into a scoop and SLAM! Trick then scoops to SLAM again! Trick scoops again, but Melo slips free to shove. Melo runs up, Trick dodges and Melo jumps up, but Trick brings him off the cage. The two circle again, Melo kicks low then runs, but he rolls off Trick’s back and Trick DROPKICKS! Trick scoops to SLAM again, then covers, TWO! The fans chant “Melo Got Whooped!” Trick whips, Melo holds ropes to stop himself, but Trick runs up to ROCK him!
Trick whips, Melo holds ropes again, then he sidesteps to SMACK Trick off steel! Melo runs, springboard, FLYING LARIAT! Melo then gets a baton from a security guard! Melo SMACKS Trick with the stick! Then SMACKS him again! And AGAIN! Trick writhes, the fans boo, but Melo SMACKS Trick down again! Melo mockingly conducts the booing while NXT goes picture in picture.
Melo taunts the fans, then he CHOKES Trick with the stick! Trick fights up, pulls the stick away, but Melo knees low! Melo JAMS Trick, SMACKS him on the back, then swaggers around. Trick slowly rises, Melo talks more trash as he winds up, but Trick blocks the stick! Melo kicks low, winds up again and SMACKS Trick low! Melo tosses the stick away to whip Trick, but Trick reverses and back drops! Melo flounders to ropes and Trick stands. Trick runs up, but into a drop toehold! Melo KICKS Trick, CLUBS away, then has the FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Trick rolls through to a cover, TWO! Melo CLOBBERS Trick!
Melo drags Trick up, wraps his arm around ropes and pulls! Trick can only suffer until Melo lets go. Melo puts the other arm around ropes to pull on that, then he has a SLEEPER! Trick endures, the ref reprimands, but Melo lets go when Melo wants. Melo SMACKS Trick off the steel! Cover, TWO! Melo seethes, he drags Trick around, and he ROCKS Trick. Trick ROCKS Melo back! Melo ROUNDHOUSES Trick, CLUBS him, and stomps away! Melo fires off wild shots while NXT returns to single picture. Melo has Trick in a corner, climbs up to stand on Trick’s head, and then stomps the arms against the ropes!
The fans boo, Melo SLAMS Trick’s arm against the steel, then SLAMS the arm again! The fans boo but Trick hits back! Melo stomps Trick, YANKS the arm against ropes, then stalks Trick. Melo whips, Trick blocks, then Trick whips. Melo reverses to ARMBAR CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Melo is frustrated but he clamps onto Trick’s bad arm. The fans rally as Trick endures, and Trick powers his way around. Melo brings Trick down to an ARMBAR! Trick powers his way to a cover, TWO! Melo lets Trick go to kick, whip, but Trick blocks! Trick reverses, but Melo reverses back to send Trick into steel!
Trick falls back, but Melo gets him up. Trick stops from hitting steel, but Melo kicks him through ropes to stomp him against steel! The fans boo but Melo soaks it up. Melo drags Trick back up, runs side to side, and he SPLASHES Trick against steel! And then SPLASHES him against steel again! Melo goes again, but Trick drops and Melo splashes into steel himself! The fans fire up while Trick rises! Melo kicks Trick, Trick blocks the whip to ROCK Melo. Trick whips Melo, Melo goes up but Trick follows! Trick clinches, SUPER BOOKEND!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Trick rises, the fans rally, and Trick pounds the mat.
Trick ROCKS Melo, Melo fires back! They go back and forth, Trick gets the edge, then whips Melo for the LEG LARIAT! LEG LARIAT! FLAPJACK! The fans fire up, Melo staggers and Trick aims! Trick spins but Melo rushes up to LA MYSTI- NO, Trick stops that to INVERTED SUPLEX! Trick kips up, the fans fire up with him, and he whips Melo into steel! And more steel! And more steel! And then the fourth wall! NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick lets the hair down! Trick drags Melo around, cartwheel and ripcord, but Melo arm-drags! Melo runs, but he’s sent into steel again!
Trick storms up, but Melo HOTSHOTS the bad arm! Melo climbs, aims, but Trick catches the three pointer for the BOOKEND! Cover, TWO!! Melo survives but Trick isn’t done with him! Trick fireman’s carries, but Melo DDTS! Cover, TWO! Trick is still in this but Melo stays on him. FIRST 48! Trick rebounds to LEAPING LARIAT! Melo comes back to V-TRIGGER! “This is Awesome!” as both men are down! Melo goes to the corner, Trick rises at center, and Trick runs up after Melo! SMACK off the steel! But Melo gives it back! Trick SMACKS Melo, Melo SMACKS Trick! They dribble each other off the steel again and again!
Trick and Melo wobble, but then Trick CHOPS! Melo CHOPS! Melo SMACKS Trick off steel, headlocks, SUPER BULLDOG but Trick superhero lands out of it! Trick shakes his head, Melo is furious, and Melo runs up! Trick dodges to SPIN KICK! But the personal guards climb the cage! Trick BLASTS a couple off the side, but there’s still another! Trick hurries to get that guy, but the fourth gets in with a chair!! Trick kicks that guy first then TOSSES Him around! And this is a BIG guy! Trick sees the guy stagger to the door, and BOOTS him out! Trick closes the cage, but Melo has the chair!! Trick dodges, runs up, FULL METAL TRICK SHOT!! Cover, Trick wins!!
Winner: Trick Williams, by pinfall
Melo tried to stack the deck but Trick’s shot don’t miss! And now, Trick climbs the cage to be level with the perch, where Dragunov is watching! Spring Breakin’, NXT Championship, and if Trick loses, he must LEAVE NXT. Will Trick’s final chance be the one chance he needs to finally be on top of the world?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here as the go-home to Spring Breakin’ 2024. Great opening match from Dar and Dijak, and while the fans were super behind Dijak, of course Dar wins thanks to help from Meta Four. Dar is definitely being primed for some kind of title opportunity past Spring Breakin’, but Oro kinda got the karma for cheating when Oba Femi again clobbers him while simply exiting a room. Good promo from Briggs and Ivar to set up Briggs VS Ivar, which was a great match. The promo helped us understand how beat up Briggs is, so logically, Ivar would win. Oba VS Ivar is going to be great stuff, and I would think Oba wins.
Good NXT Anonymous promo to add heat to Ridge VS Wilde, and of course Shawn Spears shows up during that match. Ridge wins, though it’s hard to say he was that more brutal with Wilde than any other match, but maybe Ridge is going to end up more and more unhinged. Really good #gymtok promo from Brin, Malik & Edris, but of course AOP demolishes Malik & Edris in the match. Axiom & Frazer wanted after AOP but that’s rather reckless when AOP are both physically bigger than Bron and Corbin. I’m sure Axiom & Frazer find a way to win, but this is gonna be pretty brutal for the champs.
Great stuff in the Women’s Division building towards both the top title and the coming Women’s North American Championship. Great match from Sol VS Lola but we should’ve known Blair would mess Sol up. Then Natty calls out Lola, so we’re going to get awesome stuff out of both the “Beach Brawl” No Disqualification match and the NXT Underground match. And then really good promo where Mr. Chase and Thea finally make amends for last year, and good promo from Tatum putting the twist on how her character’s been this entire time. Kinda some long term storytelling with how Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn always sensed that darkness in Tatum.
Tatum VS Thea of course got Jacy & Jazmyn interfering, there has to be one final blowoff of Jacy VS Thea for Spring Breakin. And Lyra going after Tatum was great stuff, and Roxie was good in her promo. The Triple Threat was a wild move but Roxie might have a point, she could lose that title without being pinned, and then she gets drafted away. We saw Roxie be part of the Raw After Mania, maybe that’s where she’s headed. After all, we know Melo’s gonna end up on SmackDown. Great Steel Cage main event, and again I like that it was a use of the No Escape stipulation. Trick of course won, he’s got momentum going into what is surely his win next week.
As such, Dragunov might end up drafted away after he loses, and if so, his match tonight was even more awesome for him giving Je’Von Evans some shine in the Open Challenge tonight. Evans is definitely ahead of the curve, he’s going to be a big name very soon. The only real rough spot from tonight would probably be the D’Angelo Family interacting with NQCC. They made good points but the flow needed to be ironed out for it being live in front of the fans. For one, we’re getting a big Six Man Tag, and that will then give Tony D’Angelo momentum going into a Heritage Cup match with more than likely Dempsey.
But I think part of the awkwardness in the promo was them having to work-shoot away the Gulak issue. From how things were worded, NXT is siding with Ronda, as Gulak wasn’t even directly named in this whole thing, but they made it sound like he was the problem. Gulak wasn’t part of events during Mania Weekend or anything since, though there’s nothing on him being fired or suspended. we’ll just have to wait and see how this goes.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Andrew’s TNA Xplosion Results & Match Ratings: 4.12.2024
Okay now, I’m just happy Kevin Knight gets a little time to shine. with New Jersey’s own Steve Maclin!
Xplosion has been a waste of time since the new regime took over completely, and I can’t really see anything special about this episode. Still only promoting 1 match, prolly have an old match, an ICYMI and Gia’s interview.
It looks like the Around the Ring interview will be with Rosemary. So maybe that will be interesting, and I was recently talking about what’s been up with Kevin Knight since the Referendum match; so its nice to see him around. Knight shouldn’t win, but as long as he looks good, we might finally get a match worth sitting through old footage and a useless Top 5.
Ratings:
Steve Maclin vs Kevin Knight: Maclin wins via KIA – ** 1/2
Results:
TNA+Throwback Moment: Team 3D vs Motor City Machine Guns, Genesis 2007
Now I’ve said many times that I’m tired of all the clips and vault matches, but I’m also a MCMG fanboy…and this was prime TNA, so I’m at least amused. Plus to validate the match, we’ve got MCMG versus The System coming up on iMPACT!, so its just a nice old match to get the blood pumping.
Don West, You’ve Got to be Kidding Me! Trending Topics of the week:
5. New Full Blooded Italians.
4. Hammerstone vs Alexander, Last Man Standing
3. Myron Reed returns to The Rascalz
2. Nic Nemeth beating Alex Shelley
1. Jonathan Gresham officially signs with TNA
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times, this Top 5 is legitimately a waste of air. Its just dumb dirt sheet highlights mostly from 2 weeks ago because their filming schedule makes the topics old and uninteresting.
Gia’s Around the Ring interview is with Rosemary. She stays in gimmick, not quite as over the top as the one Alicia Atout interview from a few years ago, but Gia is leading “the demon” on why they picked Courtney. They talk about Gia visiting the Undead Realm and that they still don’t know where Taya is. She also reveals a Bunny top of her cane, and very obviously hints to Allie. So I wonder if this is her trying to speak it into existence or if it’s actually a hint. Did something finally make a point for foreshadowing in storylines?
TNA+Throwback Moment: MCMG vs Beer Money, 2 out 3 Falls, 8.12.2010 iMPACT!
Steve Maclin vs Kevin Knight
So basic opening, but when Maclin tries a Hip Toss, Knight also attempts to counter it and it looks really ugly and car crashy. Nothing dangerous, just a fall down “didn’t get all of it” kind of spot. If that’s the only misstep, at least it was at the beginning.
Maclin tries to slow things down, but a huge Twisting Crossbody off the rope keeps things going for Knight. Another miscue where Knight tries to dodge a Chop in the corner, but is hella slow and eats the chop to the eyes. I mean in a way the ugly execution makes the match feel more like a dirty brawl from the 80s, but with how choreographed everything is nowadays, its just odd. Maclin whips Knight to the ropes, Knight jumps over the rope to the outside, revels in his landing, turns around and eats a SCUD Missile from Maclin!
Fully in control, Maclin is working over Knight until Knight catches him with a desperation strike and then rides the momentum into a few nice High spots. There is a locomotion Cradle spot which is also a little wonky to put it nicely, Knight tries to jump on Maclin for a Jumping DDT, but Maclin shrugs it off and heads to the corner. Knight charges, Maclin throws him over his shoulder but Knight catches himself and lands on the ropes, Maclin just shoves him forward to crotch him on the top buckle, Tree of Woe, Caught in the Crosshairs into KIA, and Maclin wins.
Overall Score: 4/10
Given this the old Bret Hart special. The main event was tolerable if not sloppy, the throwbacks having the Machine Guns made the fanboy side of me giddy, but I still hate all the old footage stuff. The main reason for the higher score than the last few weeks is as I already said, decent main event and my hope the convenient Bunny on the cane is foreshadowing and not just acknowledging. Depending on availability, Su Yung could always return to TNA with an “Undead Bunny”. Hell the possibility of a Suzie and Allie tag team is comedic gold.
But we’ll see if that goes anywhere. Its also sad when a 4 is a pretty big upgrade to the last month or so of these shows. Xplosion really is a waste of damn time when I have to scrape the bottom of the barrel to find crumbs of entertainment.
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