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Mitchell’s WWE WrestleMania 39 Results & Report! (4/2/23)

That’s a wrap!

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WrestleMania’s in the endgame now.

WrestleMania finishes its epic two part Hollywood adventure! But will Cody Rhodes finish his story? Or will he ACKNOWLEDGE the reigning, defending, undisputed, WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion…! Roman Reigns?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Brock Lesnar VS Omos w/ MVP; Lesnar wins.
  • Women’s WrestleMania Tag Team Showcase Fatal 4 Way: Shotzi Blackheart & Natalya VS Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan VS Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler; Ronda & Shayna win.
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: GUNTHER VS Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus; Gunther wins and retains the title.
  • Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Asuka; Bianca wins and retains the title.
  • The Miz VS Shane McMahon Snoop Dogg; Snoop wins.
  • Hell in a Cell: Edge VS Demon Finn Balor; Edge wins.
  • Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman & Solo Sikoa VS Cody Rhodes; Roman wins and retains the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

It’s the WrestleMania Kickoff Show, part 2!

Join Kayla Braxton, Kevin Patrick, Wade Barrett and Booker T as they discuss, analyze and predict all the action tonight, and react to everything that happened last night!

 

Peter Rosenberg is backstage.

And he finds the golf cart bringing Liv Morgan by. He flags them down and asks how Liv is doing. She’s so excited that she and Raquel Rodriguez “finessed” their way onto the card and that the Women’s Tag Division has been growing so strong. Peter knows Liv is an all-time great finesser. But if he has to make a pick on the match, should he choose her and Raquel? Of course, 1000%! She has had a great year, and have you seen Raquel? The biggest girl in the match, the strong-backed Raquel Rodriguez! Then pinkie swear that this happens. Liv says sure, and she also has all her good luck bracelets. Peter lets Liv go and wishes her luck.

Now, to “gorilla position!” But the thing about SoFi, it is so big that you have to take an elevator to get there. Oh, hey, Stacy Keibler! Peter and the cameraman get in the elevator and they head up. Now, here’s the trip you take to get to your big moment. Don’t stop tog et tacos, but it is an option. Oh, Bronson Reed, so sorry! Bronson tells Pete to watch out backstage. Right, sorry. Bronson is very big. Colossal. Oh, right. Thank you. That could’ve gone worse, luckily it didn’t. We pass by the make-up station for last minute touch-ups, and then down these steps, and whoa! The Street Profits! They won night one, you already know.

But tonight, they are here for the E S T! E S T! E S T! Dawkins, has Braun Strowman landed yet? Nope, he’s still flying from that pounce. Congrats on the win, and there’s the mirror. This is the last chance to touch up before going onto the stage. Pete warms himself up with push-ups, then goes through the gorilla curtain. And here it is! The incredible spot everyone dreams of entering, named for THE Gorilla Monsoon. And now, the curtain that leads to the stage. What a stage this is! Look at this walk the WWE Superstars took yesterday and will take tonight. The lights, the people, and roughly 80 YARDS of ramp to the ring!

Fans cheer seeing Peter, and Peter says he’s glad he doesn’t have to make this walk. Booker T’s done this, Wade’s done this, but not Pete. This will be the path that Cody Rhodes takes to try and take the Universal title from Roman Reigns. Peter is glad to have shared this with everyone, and he’s on his way to the panel. Want any tacos? Yeah, and a Red Bull! Maybe a pint for Wade.

 

Backstage interview with Paul Heyman.

Cathy Kelly is with the Special Counsel, and asks him about last night, “arguably one of the best tag team matches in WrestleMania history,” when Sami & Kevin defeated the Usos to take the Undisputed Tag Team titles. Does the fall of the Usos mean the fall of Roman Reigns? Heyman says, “That’s… Wow, that’s just direct. It’s a direct question which merits a direct answer. And I’m glad that you asked me about our Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns. Because tonight is his night. And it reminds me, it takes me back, I’m very retrospective, I’m almost nostalgic when I walk into the largest grossing WrestleMania of all time.

“And it reminds me of a conversation I had when I was just a little kid in this industry. Just breaking in, just starting. And the big event when I was starting was Starrcade. Nothing close to WrestleMania, but as big as I could get in that moment. And I was tasked with talking into the camera about the enormity of the Starrcade event, and when I came back, there he stood. Majestic as always. As close to a father figure as I’ve had other than my own father, The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes. And he said to me, (Heyman doing his best Dusty), ‘Paul E. Dangerously, that was a great promo. But where’s the money?’

“And ever since that moment in my life, every time I articulate, every time I become an orator, every time I hype you on the main event, which is where my clients always are… I think back to, ‘Where’s the money?’ And after all these years, Cathy, I finally have an answer. That question is, ‘Where’s the money?’ Roman Reigns. See how easy that was? And I can prove it to you. This is the largest grossing WrestleMania of all time. Who’s on top? Roman Reigns. This is the hottest the WWE, and therefore sports entertainment, has ever been. Who’s on top? Roman Reigns. It ain’t Cody Rhodes. Nice try.

“He didn’t crumble under the lights., He didn’t crack under the pressure that we put him under. He’s not wilting under the stress. He’s ready for the amin event of WrestleMania! He’s ready to lose to the Tribal Chief. Ready to lose to the Head of the Table. Ready to lose to the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, ‘The Money,’ Roman… Reigns.” The Wise Man has said his piece, now it all comes down to the match. Will Roman force Cody and the world to ACKNOWLEDGE him?

 

Here to sing America the Beautiful: Jimmie Allen!

 

Tonight, the champ returns.

The coldest cold-opener in the history of cold opens. He is Cold as Balls- Oh, wait, which one is Kevin doing? He’ll smash both. But Kevin Hart says that a rule of Hollywood is that if the first does big numbers, believe they’ll want a sequel. And this time, they’ll want more. “Of everything. More star power. More action. More romance. And of course, more Kevin. It ain’t Hollywood without Hart. Trademark that.” When you’re this big, you don’t need CGI. Everyone lives this. Grab a snack and a cold one, and don’t forget the ice, because WrestleMania Sunday is here. WrestleMania Goes Hollywood, The Sequel. Places, people, the show’s about to start.

Cut! Print! How does Kevin do it? Anyone seen his robe?

 

The Miz and Snoop Dogg are back!

The host of WrestleMania and the Dogg Father are in the ring again, and Miz welcomes us back to WrestleMania! Snoop and Miz are back to kick off another stacked show on night two. Top to bottom, last night was full of surprises! We have a NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion in Rhea Ripley! We have NEW Undisputed Tag Team Champions in Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn! But tonight, THREE titles are on the line! Yes, we’re out here making legends. You heard the Dogg Father. Get out of your seats, we’re getting ready to fire! It! Up!

 

Brock Lesnar VS Omos w/ MVP!

WrestleMania Goes Hollywood Night 2 opens with a real-life kaiju movie! The Beast has been on the defensive the entire time against the Nigerian Giant, but will he finally bring Omos to Suplex City? Or will it all come crumbling down around Lesnar?

The bell rings and fans fire up for Lesnar. Lesnar rushes in! Omos stops the takedown and TOSSES Lesnar away! Lesnar just grins, RAMS Omos, then runs to RAM him again! Omos stays up, Lesnar keeps moving, gets around, but Omos elbows the waistlock away. Omos HEADBUTTS Lesnar, MVP fires up, and Omos scoops to SLAM Lesnar! Fans boo but Omos talks smack on Lesnar. Lesnar staggers up, but he rushes back in! Omos CLUBS Lesnar down, then scoops to SLAM him again! Omos talks more trash, MVP says Omos owns Lesnar, and Lesnar manages to stand again. Omos ROCKS Lesnar in the back! And again!

Omos taunts Lesnar, picks him up, and has a BEARHUG! Lesnar endures the squeeze while fans rally up. MVP says this is done, and Lesnar is turning red! Lesnar fights but Omos RAMS him into a corner! Omos CLUBS Lesnar, ROCKS him in the back again, and soaks up the heat. Lesnar hobbles along the ropes, but Omos scoops him to SLAM him again! Fans boo but Omos soaks up the heat. Lesnar sputters, MVP wants Omos to finish this, and Omos lifts Lesnar for another BEARHUG! Lesnar endures again and again fans rally up. Lesnar fights, throwing elbow after elbow! Lesnar is free to throw hands!

Lesnar runs, but into a CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Lesnar survives but MVP shouts that Omos has him! Just keep on him! Omos watches Lesnar stand, then whips him hard to a corner. Omos roars, runs in, but Lesnar dodges! Omos gets buckles and staggers, into a GERMAN SUPLEX!! Fans fire up because it has begun! Lesnar GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Omos staggers up, Lesnar hobbles after him, for a third GERMAN SUPLEX! Lesnar reels Omos in, fireman’s carries, but his back gives out! Omos is too big for how beat up Lesnar is! Omos grabs Lesnar, but Lesnar slips free! To fireman’s carry again! F5!!! Cover, LESNAR WINS!!

Winner: Brock Lesnar, by pinfall

MVP is in shock! The Beast manages to take down the Giant! Will Omos leave it at this? Or will he come back for Lesnar with a vengeance?

 

Women’s WrestleMania Tag Team Showcase Fatal 4 Way: Shotzi Blackheart & Natalya VS Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan VS Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville VS Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler!

The Wild Child and Queen of Hart. Big Mami Cool and the LIVing End. The Hot Mess and the Pride Fighter. And the Baddest Women on the Planet. One of these teams is not like the other, one of these teams got in on bad reputation alone. But will Rowdy Ronda Rousey & The Submission Magician prove they’re the baddest tag team in the WWE Women’s Division? Or will the odds not be in their favor?

In parallel to the men’s Fatal 4 Way Tag last night, only two teams are legal at one time. The teams sort out, Sonya rushes Liv! Liv dodges, to BACKSTABBER! Liv has Sonya in the corner to back body block, then she rolls, only for Sonya to KNEE her down! Sonya runs in, Liv goes up and over, but Sonya goes up! Sonya leaps, into a CODE BREAKER! Sonya gets away and Natty tags in. Natty catches Liv to rebound and sit her down! Natty steps on Liv, runs and basement dropkicks! Natty drags Liv up but Liv shoves her away. Liv dodges Natty, runs, and RANAS! Natty staggers, tag to Raquel.

Fans rally up as Raquel whips Liv in to back body block! Then Liv whips Raquel in to SPLASH! Raquel brings Natty up, but Natty RANAS! Raquel storms back up, BOOTS the discus, then stares Natty down. Natty says hold on, and she tags Chelsea! Chelsea is not happy about that, but Raquel grabs at her! Chelsea HOTSHOTS Raquel away, goes up, MISSILE- Raquel just deflects it!? Raquel scoops Chelsea, Sonya runs in, but Raquel just catches her. Chelsea throws Raquel down by her hair! Shotzi tags in, BOOTS Chelsea, then springboards to wheelbarrow VICTORY FACEBUSTER! Shotzi runs to SENTON against the ropes! Cover, Shayna breaks it!

Shayna drags Shotzi up to TOSS her out, and Ronda is there to toy with her. But Shayna turns around to see everyone else! TRIPLE KICK! Raquel gets Shayna up, Liv and Natty help SHIELD BOMB her!! Ronda glares at the other three, storms up, but then Sonya & Chelsea attack from behind! They throw the others out, then soak up the heat. But Shotzi’s up top! DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans fire up and Shotzi DECKS Shayna! Sonya runs in, Shotzi sends her out onto Shayna! Shotzi gets help from Natty with the ropes, and she DIVES onto them both! Chelsea ROCKS Natty, then tells everyone to get the cameras out.

Fans boo but Chelsea sees she’s alone with Raquel! Chelsea SUPER CROSSBODIES just so she doesn’t have to face Raquel! Chelsea wipes the others out, but Liv gets in to get a boost! Raquel THROWS Liv onto everyone!! Fans fire up and Raquel goes out to drag Chelsea into the ring. She also puts Shotzi in, then tags off Chelsea. Raquel catches Shotzi, and blocks the tilt-o-whirl to FALL AWAY SLAM! Then Raquel runs to the corner, TWISTING VADER! Raquel drags Shotzi up, hooks her up, but Sonya tags in off Raquel! Chelsea CHOP BLOCKS Raquel, she and Sonya bring her up. Raquel fights back but Sonya sweeps the legs into Chelsea’s DDT!

Sonya runs, SHINING WIZARD! Chelsea runs to BOOT Raquel out! Fans boo but Shotzi sneaks back in. Shotzi and Natty creep up behind, DOUBLE SLICED BREAD! Natty then drags Sonya up, Shotzi runs, HART ATTACK! Cover, Chelsea breaks it! Shotzi whips but Chelsea reverses to send Shotzi out. But Natty scoops Chelsea to SLAM her onto Sonya! Natty then gets both pairs of legs! Natty steps through, for a DOUBLE SHARPSHOOTER!! Sonya and Chelsea both endure, but Liv SUPER CODE BREAKERS NATTY!! All four women are down, Chelsea and Sonya crawl away. Liv also writhes from that high risk attack.

Fans rally, Liv drags Sonya to a drop zone and tags in off her. Shotzi also tags in, they speed up and Liv kicks, KICKS and- NO, Shotzi ducks the enziguri! TIGER PLEX! Liv flounders, into a KNEE! ROLLING ELBOW! And ROUND- NO, Liv ducks, CODE BREAKER! Then ObLIVion on the ropes! But Shayna snuck a tag! Tag to Ronda, KNEE for Liv! The Baddest Women loom over Shotzi and fans boo. Ronda gets Shotzi’s arm, talks some trash, then laughs before she puts on the ARMBAR!! Shotzi taps, Ronda & Shayna win!

Winners: Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler, by submission

The Baddest Women were also the most opportunistic. They waited for the right moment and took down whoever was there. Will they soon be going after the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships?

 

Bobby Lashley is here!

The winner of the 2023 Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal is ALL MIGHTY! The ninth winner of the trophy that honors the eighth wonder of the world carries that trophy with pride, then heads down to ringside to watch what could be the hardest hitting match of the night!

Xavier Woods and the UpUpDownDown team is back.

He has Nikki Cross, Madcap Moss, Tegan Nox, the Street Profits, Hit Row, and even Greg Miller as they’re about to simulate the Intercontinental Championship. Great entrance graphics, great physicality, great near falls! But with a Claymore, it will be Drew McIntyre 42% of the time, leaving the other 58% to be divided by Sheamus and Gunther. But will WWE 2K23 get it right like it did with Seth Rollins yesterday? NIKKI, NO BITING!!

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: GUNTHER VS Drew McIntyre VS Sheamus!

Der Ring General wanted just one challenger, but his own actions put him in this match against two! Will he be able to keep the mat sacred when the odds aren’t in his favor? Or will the tension between the Scottish and Celtic Warriors help Gunther survive Hollywood?

Ludwig Kaiser appears on stage to say, “Ladies and gentlemen… I demand all your gratitude and appreciation for YOUR reigning Intercontinental Champion…! Der Ring General…! GUUUNTERRR!!” The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster for Gunther at WrestleMania!

The bell rings and fans fire up already as Gunther stares down both challengers. He dares someone to try something, then says they can have it out. McIntyre BOOTS Gunther out of the ring!! McIntyre says if Sheamus wants this, then let’s go! They fire off haymakers and fans fire up! McIntyre gets the edge, whips, but Sheamus reverses. McIntyre KICKS but Sheamus CLOBBERS McIntyre! Sheamus UPPERCUTS McIntyre to a corner, then throws more uppercuts! Sheamus bumps McIntyre off buckles, but McIntyre CHOPS in return! And ROCKS! And whips corner to corner. Sheamus reverses but McIntyre comes back to CLOBBER him!

McIntyre CHOPS Sheamus at the ropes, whips, but Sheamus reverses to reel McIntyre in, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sheamus throws McIntyre out to the apron, but Gunther returns to CLUB Sheamus! Gunther CHOPS Sheamus! And CHOPS McIntyre! Gunther stalks Sheamus but Sheamus CHOPS back! Sheamus fires haymakers, but Gunther gets around to a SLEEPER! Sheamus fireman’s carries! Gunther slips off, has the facelock and turns Sheamus, to CHOP him down! Gunther KICKS Sheamus aside, but McIntyre throws hands on the champ! Gunther whips McIntyre into the POST!

Gunther stalks Sheamus to ropes, then BOOTS him down! Gunther stands Sheamus up to CHOP him! Gunther gets in Sheamus’ face to talk trash, and CHOP again! And again! And BOOT him! Gunther says the mat is sacred!! Fans fire up and Sheamus throws hands in return! And forearms! And elbows! Sheamus headlocks, but Gunther lifts for a BACKBREAKER of his own! Then he has the legs, and turns Sheamus over for a BOSTON CRAB! McIntyre BOOTS Gunther, but Gunther holds onto Sheamus! McIntyre SLAPS Gunther, so Gunther lets Sheamus go. The two start throwing hands, McIntyre gets the edge, but Gunther CHOPS!

McIntyre CHOPS in return! Gunther CHOPS again! McIntyre CHOPS again! Gunther snarls and CHOPS! McIntyre snarls and CHOPS! It is a CHOP WAR! Gunther gets the edge but McIntyre gives those all back! Fans are thunderous as the CHOPS keep going! Gunther kicks low, fans boo, but Gunther has to catch his breath. Sheamus CLOBBERS McIntyre, UPPERCUTS Gunther, repeat! Sheamus keeps on Gunther with EuroUpper after EuroUpper! McIntyre ROCKS Sheamus, CHOPS Gunther, repeat! The punches go all around, McIntyre CHOPS Gunther again! Sheamus and McIntyre brawl again, Gunther throat chops both of them!

Gunther CHOPS McIntyre and BOOTS Sheamus! The fans are thunderous again as all three men take a moment to breathe. Gunther has Sheamus at the apron, but Sheamus HOTSHOTS him! Sheamus and McIntyre alternate on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! They go past TEN, and the CHOP on the twelfth knows Gunther down! Then McIntyre DECKS Sheamus! McIntyre gets Sheamus back in the ring, but Sheamus KNEES him in the ropes! Sheamus puts McIntyre on the apron now, and he hooks McIntyre up for BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN!! Sheamus goes past TEN, all the way to TWENTY-EIGHT, only because McIntyre falls!!

Fans are electric! It is a standing ovation all over SoFi! Sheamus drags McIntyre back in, reels him in, Canadian Rack to a- NO, Gunther BOOTS Sheamus! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES him! Gunther runs in and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! The Fella survives and Gunther is furious! Gunther pie faces Sheamus, then eggs him on. Fans rally, Gunther watches Sheamus rise, and Gunther runs in to LARIAT again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Sheamus survives a clothesline from hell JBL would be proud of! And then McIntyre FLYING LARIATS! McIntyre runs, into a BOOT! Gunther swings, into a NECKBREAKER!

Fans fire up, McIntyre sees Sheamus stand, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly onto Gunther in the corner! McIntyre then drags Gunther up, FUTURE SHOCK! And a kip up! McIntyre has Hollywood on his side, no countdown for the CLAY- NO! Gunther dodges to SHOTGUN! Gunther drags McIntyre up, GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!? McIntyre survives and Gunther cannot believe it! Gunther hurries to a corner and he climbs! But Sheamus ROCKS him first! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Sheamus goes up, fireman’s carries Gunther, and hits a SUPER WHITE NOISE!! And then the Canadian Rack! CELTIC CROSS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!?

No one can believe it! This is a trio of superhumans! But Sheamus gets the legs, for the CLOVERLEAF!! Gunther gets the ropes but the ref tells hi,, there are no ropebreaks in a Triple Threat! Sheamus drags Gunther away to sit deep! But McIntyre puts a SLEEPER on Sheamus! Sheamus lets Gunther go, and he elbows McIntyre away. McIntyre kicks, underhooks, but Sheamus wrenches out! Sheamus dodges the lariat to KNEE McIntyre! And KNEE Gunther! Fans fire up with Sheamus! Sheamus aims from the corner, beats his chest, and BROGUE!!! Cover, MCINTYRE DRAGS SHEAMUS AWAY!!!

Sheamus is stunned! He had it and McIntyre takes it from him! Much like he accused McIntyre of when it came to starting this journey! The two brawl, Sheamus ROCKS McIntyre, and “This is Awesome!’ as McIntyre is put in the ring. McIntyre BLASTS Sheamus off the apron, and then builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans lose their minds, McIntyre puts Sheamus in and takes aim! Countdown and- BROGUE!!!! Cover, TWO!??!?!? WHAT?!?! Sheamus can’t even react, he’s that stunned! Fans are electric as both men slowly stir. Sheamus brings McIntyre around, but gets a GLASGOW KISS!

Sheamus KNEES back! McIntyre runs, dodges, CLAYMORE!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW!?!? Both men slowly sit up, and McIntyre throws a haymaker. Sheamus gives it back, they go back and forth, and then they stand to throw even more hands! The shots are fast and furious, simultaneous, and then they start throwing LARIATS point-blank! McIntyre, then Sheamus, and back again! McIntyre gets the edge! Sheamus staggers, but he BROGUES!!! Sheamus crawls to reach out and cover! GUNTHER SPLASHES IN!!!! Gunther drags Sheamus up, to GERNERAL BOMB him onto McIntyre!!

And then Gunther just GENERAL BOMBS MCINTYRE!! Cover, GUNTHER WINS!!!

Winner: Gunther, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Even commentary has to give this a standing ovation! The most incredible match, the most incredible FIGHT, and in the end, Der Ring General comes out on top! After surviving this, will anyone ever be able to stop Gunther?

 

Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Asuka!

The strongEST, the fastEST, the roughEST, the toughEST, the RawEST better hope she is the readiEST she’s ever been, because this is the Empress of Tomorrow she is up against. Though, at the same time, this is a side of Asuka no one has seen in the WWE. Will no one ever be ready for Asuka? Or will Bianca show Asuka’s not ready for her?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if this is still Wr-EST-leMania!

The bell rings and Bianca DROPKICKS Asuka! And DROPKICKS her again! Bianca RAMS Asuka into the corner, again and again, then throws hands. The ref counts, Bianca whips but Asuka reverses. Bianca goes up and over and DROPKICKS again! Bianca kips up and fans fire up as she goes after Asuka in the corner. Bianca rains down fists, and goes all the way to TEN! Bianca then brings Asuka out to suplex high and hard! Then she rolls through, to suplex again! Asuka slips free, goes to a corner, and she ROUNDHOUSES back! Bianca flounders away but she glares at Asuka. Asuka rushes in, gets around, but Bianca fights the lift.

Asuka URAKENS! URAKENS! SOBATS! KICKS! Bianca ducks the backhand but the HEEL KICK hits! Then the BULLDOG! And then the SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Asuka grins while Bianca checks her face. Asuka storms up to KICK Bianca! Fans duel as Asuka KICKS, but then Bianca ducks to shove Asuka way. Asuka kicks low, goes up, but Bianca ROCKS Asuka first! Bianca climbs up to join Asuka, brings her up, but Asuka fights the superplex. Asuka slips under but Bianca holds onto the ropes! Bianca kicks Asuka away, but Asuka goes back to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bianca lands on her feet, to SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO!

Bianca keeps cool, she lines up a shot, and runs to handspring MOONSAULT into a TRIANGLE HOLD!! Asuka has Bianca caught but Bianca throws down hands! Asuka uses Bianca’s hair to keep her down! Bianca rolls and rolls Asuka up, TWO! ASUKA LOCK!! Bianca flails, moves around, reaches out, and gets away to the outside. Asuka grins as fans fire up even more. Asuka brings Bianca up to shove her, but Bianca stops from hitting the desk. Bianca elbows Asuka, runs in, but Asuka pops her up! Bianca handsprings off the apron, suplexes, but Asuka turns it to a TAKEDOWN! FUJIWARA!

Bianca fights up, gut wrenches, and lifts Asuka up to POWERBOMB her to the floor!! The ring count is climbing, Bianca drags Asuka up and into the ring at 8! Cover, TWO!! Asuka survives and Bianca is surprised. Asuka grins and shakes her head as she goes to a corner. Bianca runs in, but Asuka dodges, and Bianca POSTS herself! Asuka rolls Bianca up, TWO! Fans continue to duel, “Let’s Go, Asuka!” “E S T!” Asuka brings Bianca up, but Bianca shoves her away. Asuka returns, but swings into the chicken wings! But Asuka victory rolls to a takedown! KNEEBAR!! HEEL HOOK, TOO! Bianca fights back, and she pries Asuka off!

Asuka fights but Bianca still hits the BIG back suplex! Bianca goes to ropes, drags herself back up, and runs to HANDSPRING- INTO A KNEEBAR!! And then an ANKLE LOCK! Bianca rolls, but Asuka holds on! Bianca rolls and throws Asuka at the corner, but Asuka goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Bianca is still in this as the toughEST, but Asuka keeps on her. Asuka drags Bianca around, grins as she KICKS and KICKS and KICKS her! Bianca blocks a kick to spin Asuka but Asuka SOBATS! Asuka runs in but Bianca dumps her to the apron. Bianca runs in, but into a KICK!

Bianca is on the apron now, and Asuka grins again. Asuka KICKS Bianca against the ropes! And again! And again! But Bianca blocks another kick! Bianca shakes her head, ROCKS Asuka with a forearm, but Asuka comes back to SHOTGUN Bianca into the post! Bianca flops into the ring and fans fire up again. Asuka watches Bianca sit up, brings her up, and looks to the floor…? Asuka brings Bianca up, she wants to suplex Bianca out of the ring! Bianca blocks, wrenches, and ROCKS Asuka! To then POST her! Asuka slumps down now, but Bianca goes to the corner. Bianca climbs up, and she drags Asuka up to join her! Fans fire up for the deadlift SUPERPLEX!

Both women are down and the fans are thunderous again! Bianca crawls, covers, TWO!! Asuka is still in this, maybe she is the toughest? Fans rally as the two sit up and stare down. Bianca shakes her head and throws a forearm, but Asuka gives it back! They go forearm for forearm, Asuka gets the edge then runs. But Bianca follows to CLOBBER her! Bianca brings Asuka up, runs, but Asuka follows, to spin Bianca around, but Bianca victory rolls! TWO and Asuka has the cover, TWO! Asuka catches Bianca to a backslide, TWO!! Bianca escapes but Asuka BOOTS then BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous again!

Asuka drags Bianca up, has the hair and uses it in the chicken wing! Bianca fights off the crossface, drops and throws Asuka into a cover, TWO! Asuka runs in, gets around, fans duel but Bianca bucks the O’Conner. Asuka returns, CODE- NO, Bianca blocks it, throws Asuka and BLOCKBUSTERS! Then the HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!?!?! Asuka survives and Bianca is in disbelief! Fans boo as the camera is long shot. Asuka POP-UP KNEES Bianca, but Bianca CLOBBERS Asuka on the rebound! Bianca stomps Asuka and has her in the drop zone. Bianca climbs up top, but Asuka SHOTEIS!

Asuka climbs up, has Bianca, and fans fire up for the- WAIT, Bianca fireman’s carries!! Asuka fights with elbows and knees, adjusts, but Bianca keeps hammering Asuka. Asuka pulls on the hair! They hop off the corner, CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Bianca survives, still possibly the toughEST. Bianca goes to a corner, Asuka runs in, HIP- NO, Bianca blocks! Bianca chicken wings, for a GlamEST Slam off buckles! Bianca demands Asuka gets back up! Asuka slowly rises, Bianca reels her in to torture rack! But Asuka holds the ropes! Bianca lets go and almost hits the ref! Asuka BLUE MISTS but misses!

Bianca ducks the kick, Asuka ducks the braid, but Bianca blocks the kick to torture rack! But Asuka arm-drags free!! ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!! Bianca flails, fans freak out, Asuka has that arm all to herself! Bianca moves around, rolls, but Asuka just keeps on it, and the hair! But Bianca powers up to torture rack! KISS OF DEATH!!! Cover, Bianca wins!!

Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still Raw Women’s Champion)

Asuka brought everything in her arsenal, but the EST is still THE EST. What will it take to stop her greatEST reign yet?

 

The Miz and Snoop Dogg are back.

Miz says it has been an incredible two nights here at SoFi for WrestleMania! And tonight’s total attendance is… 81,395! More than last night! That makes a two night total of 161,892! And y’know, Snoop, Miz has to get something off his chest. They’re supposed to be friends as the host and Dogg Father. Yet, Snoop put Miz in an impromptu match against Pat McAfee, while Miz was wearing a $10 THOUSAND suit. So, he wants to do it again? NO! NO NO NO! Fans say “YES! YES! YES!” Miz says what he wants is that Snoop caught him off guard and then George Kittle made things a handicap match. Snoop ruined Miz’s suit and tried to embarrass him!

Snoop just says, “My bad.” Oh, your bad? Is that an apology? Well, it’s not good enough! Miz doesn’t show Snoop how to rap! This is Miz’s city, his ring, his WrestleMania! No, he’s got that all wrong! This is OUR city, and OUR WrestleMania. And when Snoop says “My bad.” He meant, “My bad!” SHANE MCMAHON is back?! Fans can’t believe it, and neither can Miz! Shane O’Mac heads to the ring, shows off his classic footwork, and Snoop says, “Uh-oh. You in trouble~!” Shane has the mic and he says thanks for that ovation. They have no idea what that reception means to him, much love back to you, LA!

Snoop says from one OG to another, could Shane take care of this? Where’s a ref? Miz ain’t running from this!

The Miz VS Shane McMahon!

Miz complains that this suit is more expensive than the last one! He is sick and tired of this! Shane JABS Miz! And again! And then fires off in the corner! Shane whips, Miz hurdles but so does Shane! Miz runs, but then Shane pulled a hammy! Now Miz is all cocky because he has an advantage! A medic gets in the ring, but Snoop DECKS Miz! Snoop asks if Shane is okay. Hold on, hold on. Really? Miz knocks his homeboy down like that? That’s what he gonna do? Snoop DECKS Miz again! Then Snoop sets Miz up like the People’s Champion! Snoop takes off his glasses and tosses ’em, to run side to side, for the DOGG FATHER’S ELBOW!! Cover, SNOOP WINS!!

Winner: Snoop Dogg, by pinfall

Well, there’s no real shame in this. Miz just lost to a WWE Hall of Famer! Snoop dropped Miz like it’s hot, will the Hollywood A-Lister ever live this down?

 

Hell in a Cell: Edge VS Demon Finn Balor!

The Rated R Superstar created a faction in the Judgment Day that was meant to elevate and enable those he felt were being held down. The problem is, it only enabled those superstars to become obnoxious ingrates. But now, both men are willing to take the other to Hell to settle this! Will Edge become the devil himself to destroy what he created? Or will Finn’s demon being the most evil of all?

Slayer plays as we get BROOD Edge! And he rises from under the stage with fire, and a shining disco ball skull mask! Then… “You think you know me.” Are we about to see clearly on this day? But of course, with a swirling vortex and spiked mohawk, here comes DEMON BALOR! The introductions are made, the door is locked shut, and the battle to end it all begins! Edge and Finn stare down, step forward, and fans fire up. Edge ROCKS Finn, but Finn throat chops Edge! Edge ROCKS Finn again, but Finn throat chops again! Neither man backs down as they circle, and then they both go out to look under the ring!

Edge finds a chair, Finn finds a kendo stick. They get in, Edge JAMS Finn first! Then SMACKS him! But Finn doesn’t flinch!? Finn fires off with the kendo stick! Fans fire up as Finn holds it up. Edge stands up, Finn clotheslines him out of the ring! Finn goes around, and he digs Edge’s face into the steel fencing! Finn then stomps and kicks Edge against the wall, and stomps some more. Finn lets off to bring Edge up and whips him into the other wall! Finn puts Edge in the ring, storms up, but Edge trips Finn to rain down fists! Finn kicks Edge away, goes to the apron, but Edge runs to BLAST Finn off! Finn hits the wall on the way down!

Fans rally up and Edge goes out to look for more. Edge brings out another kendo stick, and then a few more, and brings them all around the way. Edge JAMS Finn, SMACKS him, then SMACKS him again! Edge follows Finn around the way to RAM him into the wall! Edge then hurries to get those kendo sticks and bring them around. Fans want tables but Edge SMACKS Finn, then traps him with the kendo sticks! Finn is stuck in the corner, and Edge goes to the apron, MISSILE DROPKICK! Finn can’t even fall over because he’s stuck! But he does scowl and grimace at Edge. Edge HEADBUTTS away on Finn!

Edge gest space while Finn snarls. Edge brings out a TABLE! Fans fire up as Edge maneuvers it around the narrow space. Edge tells the cameraman to move aside so he can put the table up against the wall. Edge then goes back for Finn, and Finn breaks one of the sticks! Edge BOOTS Finn first! Edge free Finn but Finn fires off hands on him! Palm strike after palm strike! Finn whips Edge hard into steel steps! Edge bounces off those into the wall and falls into the corner! Finn drags Edge up, brings him around and CHOPS him against the steel! And again! And again! Finn puts Edge in the ring and stalks him.

Finn runs in, but into a FLAPJACK! Edge and Finn stand, Edge kicks low, IMPALER! But Edge doesn’t cover, and he goes to a corner. Edge takes aim, runs in, but Finn hits a SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up as Finn aims at Edge. Edge is on the apron, Finn SHOTGUNS him off the apron! This time Edge hits the wall and falls to the floor. Finn goes out, grabs the broken kendo stick, but throws it aside. Finn runs in, to SHOTGUN Edge through the table!! Edge is down in the wreckage while fans lose their minds. Fans boo Finn but he grabs a chair. Finn TOSSES the chair at the wreckage! Then another one! Edge takes that in the head!

Finn throws another, but Edge deflects it to BOOT Finn down! Edge puts Finn in the ring, stalks him, and brings him up into an UNPRETTIER! Shoutout to Captain Charisma! Edge snarls, aims from the corner, and Finn rises. Edge runs in, but into a KICK! Cradle, TWO! Finn swings, into an EDGE-O-MATIC! Cover, ONE!! Edge doesn’t bother being frustrated, and he goes looking under the ring. Edge brings out a LADDER! Edge says hello to his old friend and puts that in the ring. Edge CHUCKS it at Finn!! Finn goes down in a heap, and then Edge picks the ladder back up. Edge puts that up against the corner while Finn flounders.

The ref wants Edge to hold on to check Finn because Finn is busted open! Finn doesn’t want the medics to touch him, he wants to fight Edge! He grabs at the ref, he grabs at Edge, and Edge decides to give Finn what he wants! Edge goes out and grabs up as many kendo sticks as there are, and he brings out another ladder! And then, the toolbox! Edge moves things aside, such as the steel steps, and he gets back in the ring. Edge takes the first ladder, stands it up near the corner, and the demon rises! Finn grins through blood, but Edge kicks low! But Finn fights the bomb to trip and DOUBLE STOMP!

But Edge staggers up! Into Finn’s ELBOW DROP DDT! Finn snarls and goes up, and smacks himself in the head to show he’s crazy! COUP DE- NO, Edge moves! Edge runs in, SPEAR into the ladder! Roll-up, TWO!! Edge hurries up, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! Fans are thunderous while the ref checks both men. Edge flounders his way to ropes, drags himself up in a daze, but Finn rises again! SLINGBLADE! And then a SHOTGUN into the corner! Edge falls, Finn goes up, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, TWO?!?! Edge survives and shocks the demon! Finn drags Edge closer to the ladder, and then climbs it!

Fans fire up as Finn raises the stakes! But Edge SMACKS him with a kendo stick first! Edge climbs up after Finn, SMACKS him off the top, then brings Finn around, SUPER IMPALER!! Cover, TWO!??! Finn might really not be human after that! Edge goes back outside and he looks at the things he collected. Edge brings out more chairs, and then a TABLE! Finn crawls around while Edge puts that table in the ring. Edge sets this table up, but Finn SMACKS him with a kendo stick! And another! And another! Finn drags Edge up, puts him on the table and CLUBS away! Then SMACKS him with the chair! And again, and again, and again!

Finn then climbs up, and then decides the corner isn’t tall enough. Finn goes to the cage wall and climbs up! COUP DE GRACE but only through the table!! Edge avoids disaster and fans lose their minds! Finn crawls out of the wreckage, Edge aims from the corner, “This is Awesome!” SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! No one can believe it! Edge snarls, pulls at his hair, and he grabs the kendo stick. Edge SMACKS away on Finn until the stick breaks! Edge then gets the chair and SMACKS away on Fin! Fans fire up and Edge gets a sinister idea in his mind. Edge puts Finn’s head on the chair, and fetches a second one!

Edge is bringing back his classic, but also what happened at Extreme Rules! “We could’ve done this together!” CON-CHAIR-TO!!! Cover, EDGE WINS!!

Winner: Edge, by pinfall

The Rated R Superstar slays a demon in the City of Angels! But will this victory truly exorcise Edge of the Judgment Day? Will he be able to use the time he has left to finally achieve the things he wanted all along?

 

Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.

Kayla Braxton is with the RawEST Women’s Champion, and congratulates her on winning. How’d it feel going out there in front of over 80 THOUSAND to defend that title? She can’t put it into words. But this title has meant everything to her this past year. She’s gone up against amazing women, Asuka took her to the limit, and mist aside, Asuka is an incredible fighter. Many times, Bianca felt like she couldn’t get back up, but she had to keep going. She has done it once, twice, and now it’s a threepeat. Kayla says there are many fans happy about that, including the dance troupe that saw her out to the ring! They all cheer the EST, will Bianca keep winning for them?

 

The WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2023 is on stage!

Stacy Keibler, the family of the late, great Andy Kaufman, The Great Muta, the brothers of Warrior Award recipient Tim White, and of course, the headliner, Rey Mysterio!

 

Undisputed WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns w/ Paul Heyman & Solo Sikoa VS Cody Rhodes!

And it all comes down to this. The Tribal Chief, the Head of the Table, the reigning, defending Universal Champion of 945 DAYS wants the world to ACKNOWLEDGE him. But the American Nightmare says Roman is going to acknowledge HIM! Will Cody Rhodes #FinishTheStory? Or will there still be some gold on the Island of Relevancy?

Cody has a new jacket for the occasion, and he hugs his wife and daughter ringside. He also gives his weight belt to Brodie Lee Jr, sone of the late, great Brodie Lee/Luke Harper. As for Roman, he has six live pianists playing the opening to his song! Roman has the Wise Man and the Enforcer with him, as he raises the belts for the pyro. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly ready to be The Guy!

Roman hears the fans chanting for Cody but he has them all quiet down. Heyman hands over the mic, and Roman grins as he says, “WrestleMania! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” Heyman and Solo finally step out of the ring, the bell rings, and fans fire up even more. Roman and Cody step to each other and stare down. Fans are going nuts, and then Roman smirks. Roman and Cody circle, Roman mocks Cody a bit, then they tie up. They go around, Cody headlocks, then spins and hammerlocks. Roman gets the ropebreak, and he grins as he wags his finger. Cody lets off quickly and cleanly while fans boo Roman.

Roman and Cody reset, but Roman is almost swaggering as they circle. They tie up, go around, and Cody headlocks again. Roman powers up and carries Cody, but Cody uses that to hit a takeover! Fans fire up while Cody squeezes tight. Roman fights to his feet, fans rally for Cody, but Roman powers out of the hold. Cody slides under, kicks low, RHODES UPPERCUT! Roman staggers, is furious, and he bails out! Fans boo while Heyman talks with Roman. Heyman says Cody is here because of Roman. Who is the relevant one? The fans paid for Roman to face anyone, it just happens to be Cody, so SMASH him!

Roman takes his time returning, but Cody keeps his focus. The two go again, Roman waistlocks but Cody switches. Roman elbows free, Cody staggers, and Roman whips to CLOBBER Cody! Fans are torn between cheers and jeers as Roman holds up the finger. He the one, and he throws lariats in the corner! Roman goes all the way to TEN, then runs, but Cody dodges the boot to DROPKICK! Cody hurries to cover, ONE!! Roman frowns but Cody clamps onto the armlock. Roman endures as Cody steps over to put on the pressure. Cody then wrenches Roman’s arm, YANKS it, then CLUBS the arm!

Cody YANSK the arm again, headlocks and punches! Cody runs, springboards, but Roman catches him! POWERBOMB! Cody writhes, Roman covers, TWO! Cody’s Beautiful Disaster almost became a disaster, but he and Roman stand again. Roman CLUBS Cody, ROCKS him, then KNEES him down! Roman puts Cody on the ropes to CHOKE him! The ref counts, Roman lets off at 4, and he glares at the ref. Fans rally up, Roman brings Cody around to snap suplex! Cover, ONE!! Cody surprises Roman now, nut then he grins. Roman drags Cody back up, to snap suplex hard! Cody writhes and Roman waves at Brandi Rhodes.

Roman stalks Cody to a corner, brings him up and around, to TOSS him up and out! But Cody skins the cat! Cody TOSSES Roman out! Then Cody goes to the apron, but Roman blocks the kick! Roman trips Cody and Cody hits the apron hard! Roman brings Cody up off the floor, and TOSSES him up the ramp! Cody writhes on the hardwood, only for Roman to scoop and SLAM him onto it! Roman goes back to the ring to refresh the count, and then he has Solo follow him. The ref restarts the count as Roman toys with Cody. Roman scoops Cody, but Cody slips free to scoop Roman! Cody SLAMS Roman on the ramp!

Fans fire up as Cody stalks Roman. Solo backs off as Cody CLUBS Roman around the way. Cody ROCKS Roman, CLUBS him again, but Roman throws body shots! Roman goes to bump but Cody bumps Roman off the apron instead! Cody refreshes the count, CLUBS Roman and throws down hands! Cody drags Roman up, throws him into the ring, but Solo is lurking! Solo grabs a chair and JAMS Cody!! The ref misses it while checking Roman and the fans boo. Roman pretends to be surprised by that. Roman hurries out, to hit the DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! Cody staggers away, Roman puts Cody in the ring. Cover, TWO!

Roman is annoyed again as Cody is still in this. Roman hurries to cravat and grind Cody down. Cody endures the neck wrench and fights up. Cody throws body shots and gets free. Cody ROCKS Roman with a forearm, runs, but Solo trips him up! The ref misses it again! Roman LARIATS Cody inside-out! Cover, TWO! Roman grows further annoyed that Cody is still in this. Cody goes to ropes, drags himself up, and Roman is almost amused now. Roman stalks Cody, brings him around and whips him corner to corner hard! Cody stumbles and falls, clutching his ribs. Fans boo and give thumbs down but Roman just shrugs it off.

Roman brings Cody up, TOSSES him out, and the ref watches Solo closely this time. Roman goes out and he clears off the announce desk! Actually, desks! Both English and Spanish announce desk are cleared, and Roman SMACKS Cody off one. Roman refreshes the ring count and even tells the ref to shut up or else. Roman gets on the desk with Cody, raises the finger, and grins as the fans boo. Roman brings Cody up, but Cody fights the lift! Cody back drops Roman through the English announce desk!! Fans are thunderous while Roman writhes in the wreckage! Heyman is freaking out as Cody refreshes the ring count.

Cody hobbles over and fetches Roman from the wreckage. Cody puts Roman in, but Roman ROCKS Cody! Roman runs, Cody follows, and ROCKS Roman! Kick, RHODES UPPERCUT! Roman runs at Cody, Cody goes up and over in the corner to then POWERSLAM! The fans are thunderous again as Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Roman survives but Cody isn’t shocked. He might be frustrated, but he isn’t shocked. Fans rally as Cody stomps Roman around, legs then arms then chest. Roman flops out of the ring, so Cody just builds speed! Cody DIVES! Direct hit into the barriers!

Roman flops down as fans fire up again! Roman crawls, sputters, but Cody brings him up and around, back into the ring. Cody goes to the apron, but Solo WHIPS Cody with his weight belt!! Solo snatched that from Brodie Lee Jr?! But the ref HEARD that, and so he EJECTS Solo!! Fans are thunderous but Solo is furious! Solo throws a fit, but he has no choice but to leave, and that worries Heyman even more! But Roman grabs the weight belt now! Fans boo, the ref tells Roman not to, and they fight over it. Roman has the belt, but Cody SUPERKICKS! And then CROSS RHODES!! Cover, TWO!?!?

Now Cody might be a bit shocked that Roman survives. Fans sure are, and are rallying up again. Cody brings Roman back up, but Roman is deadweight! Cody forces Roman up, but Roman JAWBREAKERS! And HEADBUTTS! And CLUBS Cody on the neck! And again! Heyman feels a bit better now but he still clutches the lei as he stresses. Roman TOSSES Cody, but Cody again skins the cat! Only for Roman to catch him! But Cody slips free, only for Roman to hit a ROCK BOTTOM!! Cover, TWO!!!! Cody survives Roman’s reference to his other cousin! Roman frowns but nods, understanding Cody is tougher than that.

Roman goes to a corner as the fans boo. Roman locks ‘n’ loads, runs in, SUPERMAN- NO, Cody slips around it! TO underhook and PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!!! Roman survives Cody’s shoutout to The Game! Cody is frustrated and he punches himself for not finishing it here. Fans rally back up and Cody is feeding off it! Cody brings Roman up, but Roman shoves him away! Cody ducks, BEAUTIFUL- SUPERMAN PUNCH!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Cody still survives and now Roman is beside himself! Heyman thought it was over, but he was wrong. Even so, he tells Roman that this is still all his! Does Roman believe that?

Fans believe “This is Awesome!” but Heyman says Cody is ready to lose now. Roman lets out the battle cry, and he runs in, into a sunset flip! TWO!! Cody tackles Roman, “WOO~!” and FIGURE FOUR!! Roman endures as Cody thrashes the leglock! Roman’s shoulders are down, TWO as he sits back up! He’s down again, ONE as he turns to his side! Roman keeps trying, Cody fights to keep it on, but Roman turns it over! Cody hurries and crawls to the ROPEBREAK! The Figure Four is undone but the damage was done. Fans are still thunderous while Roman clutches his legs and Cody goes to the apron.

Cody stands, but Roman ROCKS him! Cody ROCKS Roman back, but Roman ROCKS Cody again! They go back and forth, haymaker for haymaker, the fans on Cody’s side! Cody hits low, throws another haymaker, but Roman runs in! Cody HOTSHOTS Roman away! Cody hurries up top, but Roman gets under the leap! Cody runs, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Roman is in utter disbelief as Cody survives again! Roman paces, talks to himself, talks some trash on Cody, then he starts raining down fists! Fans boo as the fists turn into forearms! Roman lets off, paces around some more, and he says he’s gonna whoop Cody’s ass.

Roman says it’s done, and he brings Cody up. Into the GUILLOTINE!! Roman squeezes the air out of Cody but fans rally even harder. Cody is still on his feet, but he’s turning red! Cody’s fading! Cody drops to a knee, and the ref checks him. CODY COMES BACK TO LIFE! Roman is shocked as Cody fights up, so Roman jumps to put on the body scissors! Roman has Cody down on the mat! But Cody still pries at the hold! Fans rally as hard as they can, and Cody keeps fighting! Cody powers out of the hold! And he rains down forearms in return!! Fans are electric with every shot, and Heyman is speechless!

Roman shoves Cody away, Cody runs in, the BOOT hits the REF! SUPERMAN PUNCH!! LARIAT!!! Both men are down!! Fans are electric as both men slowly stir. Cody sits up first, still catching his breath. Fans fire up as Cody looks to the heavens. Cody then looks at Roman and tells him to get up. Roman stands, Cody dragon sleepers, but THE USOS DOUBLE SUPERKICK!!! Of course! Jimmy & Jey may not be champions anymore, but they’re gonna help Roman stay champion! ONE AND DONE for Cody!!! But here come Kevin & Sami!! The NEW champions brawl with the Usos, and the fans are going nuts!

Sami CLOBBERS Jey out of the ring, Kevin TOSSES Jimmy! Roman sees he’s alone, he gets a STUNNER! And then, a HELLUVA KICK!! But the Usos return! The brawl is back on, it spills out of the ring and into the crowd! Cody and Roman are both down, but Cody crawls his way to a cover! The ref returns, he starts the count, TWO!?!?!?! Roman is still in this and Hollywood is about to take off into space! Fans rally up behind Cody again as he sits back up. Cody drags Roman up, and throws a haymaker! Roman gives it back! Cody throws another, so Roman HEADBUTTS! Cody ROCKS Roman, Roman ROCKS Cody!

Cody UPPERCUTS Roman! Roman ROCKS Cody! Cody kicks, Roman rebounds, and Roman kicks. Cody ROCKS Roman, Roman ROCKS Cody! They keep going back and forth, Roman UPPERCUTS! Cody ROCKS Roman! Roman UPPERCUTS! Roman reloads, SJUPER- JAB! JAB! JAB! And again and again and again! Cody flips, flops, and BIONIC ELBOWS! RHODES UPPERCUT! And then the dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!!! But he holds on!!! CROSS RHODES!!! But he still holds on! Heyman shouts at the ref, the ref tells him to get down, but SOLO RETURNS! Solo SAMOAN SPIKES Cody!! Roman runs to SPEAR!!!! Cover, Roman wins!!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Universal Champion)

That should really be by assist, because without Solo, Roman wouldn’t have even be champion after Clash of the Castle! The Bloodline ruins the story, but they keep themselves on top. Will nothing stop the Tribal Chief from reigning as Head of the Table past 950 Days? Past 1000 days? Past however many days are left in Roman’s career until he retires?


My Thoughts:

An awesome WrestleMania, but could’ve been so much better. For one, they really forced it to get past 11 PM Eastern with some padding and product plugs. It feels like they could’ve given more time to the earlier matches, but oh well. I do appreciate that they wanted to have Miz lose again, but that ended up a partial letdown. Shane getting hurt was rough, but still pretty awesome for Snoop to sub in and win. And I’m a little surprised there were no shenanigans when Lashley appeared. No tease that Bray Wyatt is still after him, no promo from Bronson Reed or LA Knight that they should’ve won, just them showing Lashley off for those who didn’t see SmackDown.

Speaking of giving matches time, I’m surprised Lesnar VS Omos was over so quickly. I’m surprised Omos took German Suplexes, and I’m surprised it took only one F5. Give Omos two F5s before he’s done to keep him looking good in defeat. But Lesnar is Lesnar, duh, he wins. Great Fatal 4 Way from the Women’s Tag Team Showcase, and it was so clear Ronda & Shayna were winning. I thought it was gonna be Chelsea so that at least it was cathartic for the fans, but Shotzi takes the submission because she’s been doing that for the big names for quite some time already. Ronda & Shayna really should move up to the tag titles so Ronda and Becky can revisit their feud.

Actual match of the night, maybe the weekend, maybe all week before and after Mania: Gunther VS McIntyre Sheamus. All those shots, the pace, the tease that Sheamus was gonna get that title, it was just so good. The reactions from commentary were pretty much all legit, how could you NOT react like that seeing that live? But Gunther quite literally uses Sheamus and McIntyre against each other, he retains, and I have no idea who is gonna stop Gunther now. On a flipside of sorts, that’s how things feel about Bianca Belair. She and Asuka had a great match, but the fans were on Asuka’s side by the end. Fitting that Peter Rosenberg called her “Jane Cena” on the kickoff show, because she has now entered that “LOL Cena Wins” space.

Hell in a Cell was great, in part because the cell was the old silver, not the red. Great throwback to Brood Edge, which is apparently the full name of this mode Edge goes into rather than a nickname us fans give it. Demon Balor having purple smoke was cool, and I liked that there were bright purple and red chairs and kendo sticks, and I think even one table was purple. Edge winning was fine, it allows him to move on with a positive note, and the Judgement Day is gonna regroup on SmackDown anyway, surely to focus on the feud of Rey & LWO VS Dominik and Judgment Day so that Backlash or whatever can be that story’s blowoff.

And while I’m kinda trying to avoid talking about it, the main event was another one of those mixed bags only WWE can give us. It was such a great build up to that fever pitch, everyone wanted to see Cody win by the end, but of course the Bloodline is still a factor because Kevin & Sami could only stop the Usos, not Solo. I really thought this Mania was gonna be different with all the other feel good things we got, but I guess that was all just so this one thing would still happen. Roman retains, Cody feels heartbreak, and y’know what’s wild? Day 1000 for Roman’s reign (no pun intended) is Saturday, May 27, 2023. That’s the King & Queen of the Ring event in Saudi Arabia.

Unfortunately, Roman losing to anyone there would overshadow the KQOTR event, so it ain’t happening. Whoever is King of the Ring, hopefully that guy challenges Roman, and hopefully it is someone who can and will beat Roman.

My Score: 8.9/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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