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Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/18/23)

FIGHT WITHOUT HONOR!

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ROH Wrestling 2023

No respect and no mercy from The Kingdom!

The Kingdom claims ROH is THEIR company, and they won’t stand for young stars, Action Andretti & Darius Martin, using it to just to get ahead! Who survives this Fight Without Honor?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Gringo Loco; Fenix wins.
  • Willow Nightingale VS Madi Wrenkowski; Willow wins.
  • The Iron Savages w/ “Jacked Jameson” VS The Wingmen; The Iron Savages win.
  • Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal VS “The Reality” Zack Clayton & Cole Karter; Daniels & Sydal win.
  • Lady Frost VS Miranda Alize; Frost wins.
  • Angelico & Serpentico w/ Luther VS Cheeseburger & Eli Isom; Angelico & Serpentico win.
  • NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS AR Fox; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
  • The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS Dalton Castle & “The Boy” Brandon Tate; The Gates of Agony win.
  • Shane Taylor & The Workhorsemen VS Schaff, Ricky Gibson, & Eddie Pearl; Shane & The Workhorsemen win.
  • Mercedes Martinez VS Ashley D’Amboise; Mercedes wins.
  • Tag Team Fight Without Honor: The Kingdom VS Action Andretti & Darius Martin; Action & Darius win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Backstage interview with Willie Mack & Ninja Mack.

Dasha is with these two and brings up their great match last week. How’re they feeling after that? Willie Mack says that last week was their first match against each other, and they did the damn thing, and the fans chanting “Let’s Go Mack” was great stuff. These two could have something here. What does Ninja think? Ninja says they can roll strong. Willie got a great win, and that’s hard to do. Ninja’s looking forward to making this work. The two Macks shake hands, so “The Mack Attack” is back! Will these two big Macks take over the ROH Tag Division soon enough?

 

Rey Fenix w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Gringo Loco!

The Lucha Brothers are about to defend their ROH World Tag Team Championships on next week’s AEW Dynamite, so Fenix is ready to tune up. Will his long time rival be just the right thing? Or will Gringo Loco finally get himself some momentum in ROH?

Fans fire up already seeing these two, and the Code of Honor is upheld. Then Gringo CHOPS Fenix! The bell rings, Fenix CHOPS, Gringo CHOPS, Fenix fires forearms! Fenix whips corner to corner but Gringo goes up and over and handsprings away. Fans cheer and things speed up. Fenix tiger feints but Gringo ducks the heel kick. Gringo wags his finger, then baits Fenix into a corner. Fenix runs in but into a BOOT! Gringo handsprings over Fenix but Fenix BOOTS, KICKS and HEEL KICKS! Fans fire up, Fenix whips Gringo to a corner, runs in, but Gringo puts Fenix on the apron. Fenix ROCKS Gringo, then GAMANGIRIS!

Fenix springboards and double jumps to FLYING RANA! Fans fire up and Gringo bails out. Fenix builds speed but Gringo moves out of the way. Fenix just adjusts course and CROSSBODIES off the corner! Fans fire up with Fenix and he puts Gringo in the corner. “CERO! MIEDO!” and Fenix climbs. DIVING- NO, Gringo avoids the stomp, but not the SUPERKICK! “ANIMO!” Somersault, but Gringo trophy lifts to SLAM Fenix! Cover, TWO! Gringo keeps cool while he stalks Fenix. Gringo has Fenix on the ropes, and pulls at the mask! So much for respect! The ref counts, Gringo lets off, and he brings Fenix up.

Gringo snapmares Fenix, and pulls at the mask again! The ref counts, Gringo lets off to soak up the heat from the fans. Gringo brings Fenix up to fireman’s carry, but Fenix fights free! Fenix shoves Gringo to a corner, but Gringo dodges. Fenix crossbodies but into Gringo’s arms! Gringo pops Fenix up to a torture rack, for a RACK BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fenix goes to the apron but Gringo soaks up the heat. Alex coaches Fenix but Gringo storms over. Gringo stomps Fenix around, drags him up but Fenix throws hands. Gringo stomps Fenix down but fans rally up. Gringo runs corner to corner, but into a SUPERKICK!

Gringo comes back, into a BOOT! Gringo tries again, but Fenix gets around. Fenix comes back to JUMP SOBAT! And then Fenix goes out to go up, TIGHTROPE PENALTY KICK! Fans fire up as Fenix goes right back up, FROG SPLASH! Fenix bounces off and crawls back to the cover, TWO! Gringo is still in this but the fans rally up more. Fenix brings Gringo up, shouts “ANIMO!” but Gringo RAMS him into a corner! Gringo comes back, into a roll-up and BUZZSAW! Gringo staggers, Fenix runs, but Gringo SUPERKICKS! Fenix blocks the next kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Gringo whips, Fenix dodges and tiger feint rewinds, HEEL KICK!

Both men are down and fans fire up! A standing count starts, both men stir. The count is 5 of 10, then 7. Fenix stands up but sits back down. Gringo goes to a corner, Fenix runs in, but into a BOOT! Gringo goes up but Fenix SHORYUKENS! Fenix goes corner to corner and back again, somersault and jump, but Gringo FLYING CUTTERS!! Cover, TWO!! Fenix survives and fans fire up! Gringo and Fenix crawl after each other, Gringo brings Fenix up, but Fenix SLAPS him! Gringo ROCKS Fenix! And again! And again! Gringo SOBATS, runs, but Fenix somersaults to SPIKE-RANA! Cover, TWO!!

Fenix aims, SUPERKICK! Gringo is down and fans chant “CERO! MIEDO!” Fenix drags Gringo up, puts him in the corner, and CHOPS! Fans “WOO~” and Fenix hoists Gringo up top. Fenix CHOPS again, then goes out to the apron. Fenix jumps up, throws body shots but Gringo hits back. Fenix double jumps to SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as Gringo survives! Fenix KICKS Gringo around, then brings him up., Gringo resists, Fenix CLUBS him. Fans duel, Fenix fireman’s carries, but Gringo fights. Gringo sits on the top rope but Fenix ROCKS him! Fenix climbs up now, but Gringo throws body shots!

Gringo CLUBS Fenix down and then adjusts. Fenix stands, Gringo leaps, FLYING DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!!! Fenix survives and fans are thunderous! The fans cheer “ROH! ROH!” for making this the opener! Gringo drags Fenix up, Electric Chair Lifts, but Fenix POISON-RANAS! Gringo staggers up, into the SOMERSAULT CUTTER! Cover, Fenix wins!

Winner: Rey Fenix, by pinfall

That was definitely what Fenix needed for momentum! And best of all, he and Gringo keep the Code of Honor. Will the Firebird be more than ready to defend his gold against the Blackpool Combat Club?

 

Backstage interview with The Wingmen.

Dasha is with “Pretty” Peter Avalon and “The Hollywood Hunk,” Ryan Nemeth. They’re going to have their ROH in-ring debut against The Iron Savages. Nemeth says yes, The Iron Savages, whose new thing is that they lift weights. Wow, don’t they all do that? Nice job doing the bear minimum. Avalon likes that there! Who do those dorks think they are? They have terrible fashion sense! The Wingmen have the big glasses and the tight- Shh, Nemeth, no! What? He was gonna say booties. Oh. That’s fine, then. But y’know what? Iron Savages, you’ll see that ROH is Wingman Country! Pinkies out!

 

BREAKING NEWS!

Katsuyori Shibata has been waiting for a time and place to defend his ROH Pure Championship against top LA Dojo graduate, Alex Coughlin! And on Wednesday, May 24th, live in Las Vegas, that match is happening! Will the Wrestler be able to stop The Android from hitting the jackpot?

 

Willow Nightingale VS Madi Wrenkowski!

In the wake of Athena retaining the ROH Women’s World Championship against Skye Blue, the race to be number one contender begins again! Will the Babe with the Power prove she deserves another shot? Or will the returning Wrenkowski give Willow a reality check?

The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle and fans rally for Willow. They tie up, Madi gets around to a waistlock, but Willow wiggles and swivels to break free. But Madi throws Willow down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Willow gets up to circle with Madi. They tie up, Willow headlocks and grinds. Madi throws body shots, powers out, but Willow runs her over! Fans cheer as Willow flexes. Things speed up. Willow ducks ‘n’ dodges, but blocks hip toss to swing. Madi dodges, runs, but gets run over! Willow then drops the SENTON! Madi goes to a corner, Willow runs in, but Madi BOOTS her!

Madi goes up to HANGING HEADSCISSOR! The fans boo, the ref counts, and Madi lets off at 4 to then trip Willow! Madi spins Willow around, and CLUBS away on the apron! Then she uses the skirt to smother Willow and CLUB away! Madi tells Willow to fight back, then pushes her to a cover, ONE!! Willow still has fight in her but Madi wraps her in a cobra clutch! Fans rally while Madi thrashes Willow around. Willow fights up, throws elbows, and she RAMS Madi into a corner! Willow throws more elbows, stops as the ref counts, and fans fire up. Willow runs to back body block! And clothesline! And snapmare, to a BOOT!

Madi flounders, Willow whips her to ropes. SPINEBUSTER! And then a roll to a gut wrench, but Madi RAMS Willow now! Madi RAMS Willow again, climbs up and talks trash. But Willow drags Madi out from the corner! Madi fights, and turns things into a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Willow survives and shocks Madi! Fans rally up, Madi runs, but Willow avoids the scissor kick! To POUNCE!! Willow fires up, brings down the straps, and she brings Madi up! THE BABE WITH POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!

Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall

The good vibes return and Willow shakes Madi’s hand. Will Willow get her second chance against the Fallen Goddess soon enough?

 

The Iron Savages w/ JT Davidson VS The Wingmen!

Once Bear Country, Bronson & Boulder have evolved into something more. Will Pretty Peter and the Hollywood Hunk soon find just how savage this team can be?

As the Savages make their entrance, “Jacked Jameson” shouts on the mic that you’re gonna get pumped in the Savage Sanctuary! They are too strong, too powerful, they’re beefy and bulky, jacked and juicy! Jameson introduces himself, as well as “Dirty Bulk” Bronson and “Beefcake” Boulder! If you wanna be an Iron Savage, you gotta sip that Savage Sauce! #WhoAreWe? IRON SAVAGES! The teams sort out, Bronson and Avalon shake hands for the Code of Honor, and the bell rings. The two circle, tie up, and Bronson THROWS Avalon away! “Who are we?” “Iron Savages!” Nemeth asks how the Savages forgot their names that fast.

Avalon gets up, circles with Bronson, and headlocks. Bronson powers out, runs Avalon over, and then headlocks back. Avalon powers out and tags Nemeth. The Wingmen jump, drop and DROPKICK! Nemeth shoots in, waistlocks and SLAMS Bronson down! Nemeth facelocks and talks trash, but Bronson powers up to throw him away. Nemeth ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson just snarls. Bronson DECKS Nemeth! And DECKS him again! And whips to ropes, to then back drop! Fans fire up, Avalon runs in but into a back drop! Bronson kicks Nemeth, reels him in, and pumps up! Bronson suplexes and holds Nemeth up, for the count of TEN!

Fans fire up with Bronson and he covers, TWO! Bronson brings Nemeth back up, tags in Boulder, and the Savages stomp around. Bronson whips Bounder in to SPLASH! Then a feed to an ELBOW! Boulder swivels those massive hips, for the HIP DROP! Fans rally as Boulder drags Nemeth up. Boulder RAMS Nemeth into the corner, tags Bronson, and Bronson CLUBS him! Bronson scoops but Nemeth slips away to hot tag Avalon! Avalon runs in, but Bronson scoops him, only for Nemeth to CHOP BLOCK! Avalon SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO! Avalon drags Bronson by his arm, wrenches, and tags Nemeth back in.

Nemeth runs in to KNEE Bronson in the side! Avalon adds an elbow, Nemeth throws down hands and digs his knee in! The ref counts, Nemeth lets off and he brings Bronson up. DROPKICK! Nemeth wants fans to take their pics of his hips swiveling and pumping. But Nemeth turns around into a SPINEBUSTER! And a dirty one! Bronson and Nemeth crawl, the fans rally up, hot tags to Avalon and Boulder! Beefcake bulldozes Avalon, SPLASHES Nemeth in the corner, then sends Nemeth into Avalon. BOOT DDT COMBO! Fans fire up with Boulder and he watches both Wingmen rise. He choke grips, but the Wingmen break free!

The Wingmen run, but into a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! Boulder drags Avalon to a drop zone, goes up the corner, and MOONSAULTS but FLOPS as Avalon moves! Avalon goes up, to FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Avalon lands on Boulder for another cover! TWO as Boulder tosses him back up! Avalon lands on Boulder again, TWO, and now Boulder is just bench pressing Avalon! Boulder finally throws Avalon away, and Avalon tags Nemeth, But Boulder breaks through the double clothesline to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans are fired up for the Savages as Boulder tags Bronson. Boulder then gives Bronson a lift, for the SAVAGE SPLASH!! Cover, the Savages win!

Winners: The Iron Savages, by pinfall

The Savages are jacked, the Wingmen were stacked on top of each other, and this team could be tearing their way through the tag division! Will Boulder & Bronson finally get some gold?

 

Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal VS “The Reality” Zack Clayton & Cole Karter!

From one tag battle to another, the iconic duo is back in action! Will the Fallen Angel & Third Eye find their own way to the tag titles? Or will The Reality set in and drop a dime on them?

The teams sort out, Daniels starts against Karter and fans rally up. The two circle, tie up, and Daniels wrenches to a wristlock. Karter wrenches back, hammerlocks then hammerlocks. Daniels powers up but Karter holds tight! Daniels throws body shots, powers out this time, but Karter runs him over. Karter soaks up the heat, things speed up, and Daniels CALF KICKS Karter down! Fans fire up and Daniels CHOPS Karter in the corner. Daniels bumps Karter off buckles, tags Sydal in, and JAWBREAKER to LEG DROP DDT! Then BACK SUPLEX SPLASH COMBO, then the STANDING MARIPOSA! Cover, TWO!

Sydal keeps on Karter but Karter knees low! Karter brings Sydal over, tags in Clayton, and they mug Sydal. Clayton whips Sydal to ropes, but Sydal ducks ‘n’ dodges to WHEEL KICK! Fans fire up, Sydal talks trash on Clayton then tags Daniels. They double whip Clayton to ropes, drop toehold and basement dropkick! Cover, ONE! Clayton hangs tough but Daniels CLUBS him down. Tag to Sydal and he climbs. Daniels wrenches an arm, and Sydal DOUBLE STOMPS it! Sydal KICKS the arm, mocks Clayton, then runs, to KICK! Sydal runs again, but Karter gets a cheap shot! Clayton CLOBBERS Sydal!

Clayton drags Sydal up, snap suplexes, then tags Karter. Karter drops a knee, then covers, ONE! Sydal hangs tough now but Karter whips him to a corner hard! Sydal tumbles, then Karter drags Sydal to center for an elbow drop! Karter drags Sydal up, tags Clayton back in and bumps Sydal off buckles. The young starts mug Sydal, then Clayton ROCKS Sydal, and UPERCUTS Sydal! clayton sucker punches Daniels, fans boo, but Sydal BOOTS Clayton! Sydal ROCKS Karter, goes up, but Karter CLUBS Sydal! Karter climbs up to LAUNCH Sydal into Clayton’s POWERSLAM! Karter goes up to FROG SPLASH! Clayton covers, Daniels breaks it!

Fans cheer as Daniels says that’s payback. Clayton complains, but fans rally for Sydal. Clayton drags Sydal up, scoops him, but Sydal DDTS Clayton down! Fans fire up and both men crawl! Hot tags to Daniels! Daniels rallies on The Reality, forearm after forearm, and then he kicks the legs out to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Daniels just keeps moving, SLIDING LARIAT! Karter runs in, but into a BACK DROP! Daniels brings Karter up to JAB! JAB! JAB! Daniels whips Karter but Karter reverses, and Daniels uses that to forearm Clayton! Daniels BOOTS Karter, brings Clayton along, BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO!

Fans fire up and Daniels brings Clayton around. Daniels calls his shot but Karter DROPKICKS him down! Sydal runs in to RANA Karter out! Sydal tells him bye, then whips Clayton. Clayton reverses and CLOBBERS Sydal! Clayton CLOBBERS Daniels, suplexes, but Daniels slips free! Feed to Sydal’s ROUNDHOUSE! Daniels hits the URENAGE! Sydal PLANCHAS Karter to keep him down! Daniels goes to the corner, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Daniels & Sydal win!

Winners: Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal, by pinfall

The former ROH Tag Team Championship duo is rolling! Will they be ready to take on whoever are the champs after Dynamite?

 

Lady Frost VS Miranda Alize!

Much like Willow earlier tonight, every woman on the ROH roster wants their shot at Athena! Will the Coolest Wrestler You’ll Meet heat up towards the title? Or will the Lucha Baddie be stepping ahead of her in line?

Frost offers the Code of Honor handshake, but Alize slaps it away! Frost headlocks, the bell rings, and Alize powers out. Alize hurdles, bypasses, then follows to tilt-o-whirl headscissor! Alize then KICKS Frost in the side! Frost goes to a corner, Alize runs in to ROCK her with a forearm! Alize fires off heavy hands, then she BITES Frost’s finger! The ref counts, Alize lets off and “apologizes.” Alize runs back in to ELBOW Frost! Alize sits Frost down, goes side to side and blows a kiss, to then BOOT WASH! Alize drags Frost out, underhooks and BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES! Cover, ONE!! Frost is tough and Alize is shocked!

Alize talks trash on Frost, kicks her around, and Alize says SHE is the next big thing in ROH. But Frost JUMP KNEES her away! Frost runs in to GAMANGIRI! Alize sits down, Frost says, “You’re what?” HANDSPRING CANNONBALL! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Frost grows frustrated because she should’ve known. Frost drags Alize up and fans rally, but Alize cravats. Frost powers out but Alize comes back, gets around, and suplexes for an X-PLEX! Cover, TWO! Frost is still in this but Alize covers again, ONE! Alize argues with the ref but the count is the count. Alize kicks Frost, brings her up, and TIGER DRIVERS! High stack, TWO!!

Frost survives again and Alize is beside herself! Alize watches Frost rise, storms up, and reels her in, but Frost wrenches out and kicks back! Frost then CARTWHEEL ALABAMA DRIVERS! Frost says this is it, and she goes up, for the TEMPERATURE DROP!! Cover, Frost wins!

Winner: Lady Frost, by pinfall

Alize tried to burn Frost down but she got frozen out! Alize refuses to keep the Code of Honor, will Frost leave her in the dust on this title chase?

 

Angelico & Serpentico w/ Luther VS Cheeseburger & Eli Isom!

The Spanish Announce Project is also looking to build a case in the ROH Tag Division, but look who’s back alongside Cheeseburger! Will the reformed Shinobi Shadow Squad soon head for gold?

The Code of Honor is upheld while fans rally for “S A P! S A P!” The teams sort out and Serpentico starts against Cheeseburger. They circle, Serpentico kicks low then CLUBS Burger. Serpentico ROCKS Burger, stomps him in a corner, then wrenches and whips corner to corner. Burger goes up and under and knuckle locks to then kick, go around, bait him in and say “Kiss this!” Burger gets around again, knuckle locks, body shots, wrenches and hops on! Burger has LA ESCALARA, but Angelico CLUBS him down! Eli complains but Serpentico CLUBS Burger. Tag to Angelico, the SAP mug him.

Angelico snapmares and stomps Burger down! Fans rally for SAP more as Angelico steps through into a CROSS HEEL CALF KILLER! Burger scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Angelico lets go, and he brings Burger up. Angelico bumps Burger off the buckles, Luther talks trash, and Serpentico tags in. Serpentico stomps a mudhole in, then throws him into buckles! But Burger BOOTS back! And BOOTS again! Burger slips out of one scoop, but Angelico catches him! Burger fights free to send Angelico into Burger! Hot tag to Eli! Eli rallies on SAP, baits Angelico in and throws him out!

Eli ELBOWS Serpentico, spins him around and ripcords to a lift, BIG Northern Lights! Eli kips up, runs corner to corner, and he RAMS into Serpentico! Eli keeps going, POP-UP NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Serpentico survives but Eli hurries to bring him up. Tag to Burger, they double whip, but Serpentico holds ropes. Tag to Angelico and he boots, but Eli blocks! Burger SUPERKICKS Angelico down! Burger whips Serpentico out, and Eli DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Angelico get Burger but Burger victory rolls, TWO! Burger mule kicks but Luther BOOTS Eli behind the ref’s back!

Burger waistlocks, Serpentico switches and trips Burger to tie the legs up! NAVARRO ROLL!! Burger TAPS, SAP wins!

Winners: Angelico & Serpentico, by submission

Luther says that’s how it’s done! The SAP are finally on a winning track, will they soon be los campeones?

 

NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS AR Fox!

The Front Man of TMDK continues to be the star, and he once again travels to the states for competition! Will ZSJ keep this first season going? Or will NJPW World soon be the Whole Fox’n Show?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Fox gets his 15 minutes of fame!

The two circle, feel things out, and fans duel. Fox and ZSJ knuckle lock, ZSJ rolls, wrenches, and slips through to wrench again. Fox rolls, kips up and cartwheels to wrench back. Fox spins ZSJ to snapmare and then says neener neener! ZSJ keeps cool and the fans duel again. The two reset, tie up, and ZSJ headlocks. ZSJ grinds Fox, but Fox throws body shots. Fox powers up but ZSJ holds tight on the headlock! ZSJ then shifts to a cravat, but Fox snapmares free. ZSJ comes back to headbutt low! ZSJ runs, runs Fox over, and flexes. Things keep moving, Fox drops and DROPKICKS!

Fans fire up for Fox as he watches ZSJ go to a corner. Fox runs in to A-LIST LARIAT! Fox then skins the cat to SWINGING DROPKICK! Fans duel more as Fox covers, TWO! Fox keeps cool and he brings ZSJ up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ runs, but Fox SLINGBLADES! ZSJ flounders out of the ring, but Fox builds speed! Fox FLIES and takes ZSJ out at the ramp! Fans fire up with Fox and he high-fives some fans. Fox puts ZSJ in, aims from the apron and springboards, to MISSILE DROPKICK! ZSJ flounders and Fox kips up. Fox covers, TWO! Fans rally up but Fox suplexes. ZSJ fights that to WRING Fox’s arm!

Fans rally and duel again as ZSJ brings Fox up. ZSJ wrenches, steps over, and has a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Fox endures, even as ZSJ bends the fingers and twists the wrist! Fox turns over to get the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets off cleanly, knowing time is still on his side. ZSJ wrenches the arm to an ELBOW BREAKER, then he UPPERCUTS the arm! Fox goes to ropes, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him! And UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS a third time and Fox flops down in a corner. ZSJ flexes and fans fire up. ZSJ tells Fox to wake up, and ZSJ kicks away on Fox in the corner. The ref reprimands, but Fox kicks back!

Fox throws forearms, whips, but ZSJ blocks the jam the arm! ZSJ WRINGS the arm again! ZSJ gets the arm, bends the fingers more, but Fox works on a headscissor. ZSJ rolls around to stomp the bad arm! Fox gets up to throw body shots, and forearms, but ZSJ ROCKS Fox! ZSJ whips, Fox reverses and hip tosses! Fox wants ZSJ’s arm but ZSJ pops him into an ARMBAR! Fox clasps hands and they roll, ROPEBREAK! Fans rally as ZSJ lets go. ZSJ whips but Fox blocks by holding the ropes. ZSJ wrenches to ELBOW BREAKER! ZSJ runs, into a LEAPING LARIAT! Fans fire up while Fox and ZSJ are both down!

Fans rally, Fox and ZSJ rise, and Fox BOOTS ZSJ to a corner! Fox BOOTS him again! Fox runs corner to corner, but ZSJ blocks the boot! ZSJ KICKS but Fox ENZIGURIS! Fox ANARCHY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and we’re past the halfway point! Fox refocuses and the fans rally up again. Fox brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ fights the fireman’s carry. Fox throws body shots, fireman’s carries again, but ZSJ fights around to wrench and PELE the arm! Fox staggers into a drop toehold, and ZSJ STOMPS the bad arm! Fox clutches his elbow but ZSJ grabs that arm. Top wristlock and STOMP!

Fox sits up, into a PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!! Fox survives and ZSJ is upset. ZSJ taunts “Foxy” and says he’s got fight in him. This is a big boy title, Fox, wake up! ZSJ gives kicks but Fox just scowls. Fans rally, Fox stands and he CHOPS! ZSJ falls right over! ZSJ gets back up but into a mule kick! Fox throws ZSJ out and then builds speed, but ZSJ is on the apron! ZSJ ROCKS Fox, but Fox BOOTS and SUPERKICKS back! ZSJ is stuck in ropes, and Fox runs in, DRAPING DDT!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and Fox can’t believe it! Fans rally up, Fox brings ZSJ back up. Fox puts ZSJ up top and climbs up after him.

Fox brings ZSJ up but ZSJ pulls on the bad arm! ZSJ shifts around to TOP ROPE COBRA TWIST! The ref counts, ZSJ lets off, and Fox staggers away. ZSJ BOOTS Fox, but Fox comes back to ARABIAN PRESS FLY! Cover, TWO! Fox can’t believe it, but he hasn’t given up! Fox goes up as we hear the five minute warning! But ZSJ rolls all the way away. But Fox hops down to WRECK ZSJ with a dropkick! ZSJ falls out, Fox builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans are thunderous and Fox hurries to get ZSJ up. Fox puts ZSJ in, climbs the corner, and Fox 450- NO, he has to bail out a ZSJ moves!

ZSJ rushes in, Fox goes Matrix but ZSJ avoids the Pele! EURO CLUTCH TWO!! Fox escapes but ZSJ has the legs! ZSJ STOMPS the knees! ZSJ then drops a knee on the knee! And then a knee on the other knee! ZSJ has a standing toehold, but Fox fights with his free leg! ZSJ eggs Fox on and Fox BOOTS him away! Fox skins the cat, trips ZSJ, and then slingshots to facelock and suplex! ZSJ slips out to pop Fox down, rolls him around, spladle, CALF KILLER! Fox fights, but into NAPALM DEATH!! Fox taps, ZSJ wins!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by submission (still NJPW World Television Champion)

The Submission Master made Fox #JustTapOut, and Dasha appears to interview him in the ring. Huge congratulations on the win, and ZSJ made history five months ago when he became the inaugural champion. ZSJ has had seven successful defenses, and is heading to NJPW Dominion to face Jeff Cobb in a rematch. How is he feeling? “Bloody marvelous!” ZSJ says since he joined NJPW, he set his sights on the IWGP Heavyweight Championship. But an opportunity arose to make some real history. So he put all his energy towards winning that new title, and guess what? He’s the best champion in the world!

And not just that, the most active TV champion in all of pro-wrestling! But wait, SAMOA JOE is here! The ROH World Television Champion walks out with a mic, and he tells ZSJ, “Welcome back, welcome back, welcome back, Zack Sabre Jr. Welcome back, welcome back, Zack Sabre Jr.” Joe joins ZSJ in the ring and he must admit, Joe has been waiting for this. But unfortunately, ZSJ has brought something to the ring that “deeply offends me.” Joe will say that in the world of TV titles, there can be only one! Joe knows the “powers that be” don’t want this to go down. No one can lose face in their little “cultural exchange.”

But Joe says he doesn’t see the powers that be here. He just sees himself, ZSJ, open air and opporutnity. So let’s find out who is the one ready when opportunity knocks. Fans like the sound of that! But ZSJ says, “Hmm… Hmm…” But wait! Matt Sydal & Christopher Daniels make their way out here? Daniels has a mic, too, and he says, “Hold on, hold on, hold on. Now that’s a very interesting suggestion, Samoa Joe. But you can’t just be making matches around here. You’re not the King of Television anymore. But you are, however the ROH World Television Champion. Zack Sabre Jr, the NJPW World Television Champion.

“Now I’ve been a Television Champion in the past, but this gentleman to my right is long overdue for some singles gold, whether it’s ROH or NJPW!” So what does Sydal think of being TV Champion? Sydal says those titles are pulling him towards them! He is only here for the big matches, so that is why he has his eyes on these two. If they wanna stand in Sydal’s way, you’re in for a bad trip. The challenge is put forward, who wants to give Sydal an opportunity? ZSJ says “Oi oi, calm down, calm down, hold your bloody horses.” ZSJ wants “Samoan Joseph” to hear him out as he has a “cunning plan.”

See, those gentlemen over there, they aren’t just ROH legends, they’re former world tag team champions. So, how about as the TV Champions of the world, ZSJ and Joe team up. ZSJ asks the fans be quiet while he’s talking to “Joseph.” ZSJ says the champs should team up and give an opportunity to Sydal & Daniels. And if either of them pins either of the champs, then they’ll earn a title match. That’s because ZSJ & Joe are fighting champions. And then, after dealing with “these buffoons,” perhaps, perhaps, ZSJ and Joe find out who the best TV Champion in the world is. Joe shakes on it, will #ZSJOE take down two icons at once?

 

The Gates of Agony w/ Prince Nana VS Dalton Castle & “The Boy” Brandon Tate!

The Embassy took out Brent just so they wouldn’t have another Six Man Tag match with The Peacock and both Tate twins. Will they pay for what they’ve done? Or will Castle & Brandon just end up like Brent?

Castle is even more upset with The Gates because being down a boy means his entrance is ruined! There’s no honor here, even though he does shake their hands. The teams sort out and Castle steps up to Kaun. The bell rings, fans fire up, and Castle circles with Kaun. But then Brandon wants in? Castle talks with Brandon, and Castle says NOW Kaun’s in trouble! Tag to Brandon! Fans rally up for “BOY! BOY! BOY!” as the two circle. Brandon and Kaun tie up, and Kaun powers Brandon to a corner. But Brandon ducks the chop! Brandon CHOPS, but Kaun glares. They tie up again. Kaun waistlocks and SLAMS, but Brandon is right back up.

Brandon shoots around, waistlocks, but Kaun switches. Brandon switches back and he throws Kaun down! Nana tells Kaun that he’s got this, don’t let Brandon get to him. Kaun tags Liona, then sucker punches Castle! Liona CLOBBERS Brandon and fans boo. But Liona drags Brandon up to GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Liona then storms up to talk trash on Brandon, and CHOP him! Liona tags Kaun back in, the Gates mug Brandon and they fire each other up. Kaun SLAPS Liona, then whips him in to SPLASH Brandon! Liona then feeds Brandon to Kaun’s BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!

Kaun CLUBS Brandon over and over, then SENTONS down! Cover, TWO! Castle calls to Brandon as he crawls in, but the ref has him exit. Kaun brings Brandon into a chinlock, Brandon fights up but Kaun wrangles him back down. Fans rally, Brandon fights up, and Brandon throws body shots! Mule kick, and BASEMENT SHOT! Fans fire up and Castle reaches out! Brandon crawls, but Kaun brings Brandon back! Kaun RAMS Brandon, puts him on ropes, then runs side to side to STRADDLE ATTACK! Tag to Liona and he BOOTS Brandon down! Liona glares at Castle but fans chant “Wash Your Feet!” Liona digs his feet into Brandon’s face!

The ref keeps Castle back and Liona tells everyone to shut up. But Brandon kicks from below! Liona stomps Brandon down, then springboards to HIP DROP! Cover, and Castle shoves Liona over! Fans fire up as Castle gets away, but Liona tags Kaun. Liona bumps Brandon off buckles, CHOPS him, then lets Kaun CHOP him! Scoop and SLAM! Brandon writhes, Kaun covers, TWO!! Brandon hangs tough but the Gates mug him! Liona is legal again and he brings Brandon up to scoop and SLAM! Fans rally for Brandon but Liona FALLING HEADBUTTS! And an armlock! Brandon endures as Castle and the fans rally for him.

Brandon kicks at Liona from below but Liona drags him up. Brandon throws body shots, but Liona shoves him away. Brandon KICKS back! Brandon then slides under, but Liona comes back to CLOBBER him! Liona drags Brandon to ropes, says it’s down, and he springboards to HIP DROP onto knees! Now Liona’s boys are hurting! Fans fire up and Brandon crawls for the corner! Castle gets the fans going even louder, but Liona gets a leg! Brandon hops, reaches, but he ENZIGURIS first! Hot tag to The Peacock! Castle CHOPS Liona, ROCKS him, BLASTS Kaun, then runs at Liona. Liona TOSSES him to the corner!

Liona runs in but Castle dodges! Liona hits buckles and Castle BOOTS Kaun! Castle ELBOWS Liona, then scoops Kaun for an EXPLODER! KNEE and BULL- NO, Liona powers out! But Castle gets under to clinch! Liona CLUBS Castle, choke grips, but Brandon crawls in! Castle PURPLE NURPLES Liona! And then he runs to TABLE TOP Liona! Castle runs to SPLASH! Brandon runs to SPLASH! Castle runs to SPLASH! Brandon runs to SENTON! Castle SPLASHES again! Cover, ONE?!? Liona is still in this but Castle waistlocks. Liona elbows free, UPPERCUTS Castle, but Brandon anchors Liona’s foot! Castle BOOTS Liona out!

Kaun runs in, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Castle calls for a boy, and Brandon is the only one. Castle THROWS Brandon at Liona, but Liona catches him! Nana then puts on the mask he took from Brent, and mockingly tells Castle to throw him! Castle says fine, but Kaun storms up to fireman’s carry! GUTBUSTER DROP!! Liona then APRON URENAGES Brandon! The Gates drag Brandon up, to OPEN THE GATES!! Cover, The Gates of Agony win!

Winners: The Gates of Agony, by pinfall

Wait, when was Brandon the legal boy? Er, man? Castle calls BS, but will his rage do anything to change what the Embassy is doing to his team?

 

Shane Taylor & The Workhorsemen VS Schaff, Ricky Gibson, & Eddie Pearl!

There was little respect shown from Anthony Henry and JD Drake to AR Fox, and Big Bad Shaney T only doubled down. Will they be just as vicious here tonight in trios action?

The Code of Honor is upheld, and the teams sort out. Henry starts against Ricky, and the two tie up. Henry tackles Gibson, throws down hands, then more hands. But Gibson swings back, only to end up in a SLEEPER! Gibson throws Henry off, hip tosses him, then arm-drags him! Gibson has the armlock, he drags Henry up to tag in Eddie. Drop toehold and slingshot senton! Eddie fires up but Henry KICKS him down! Henry drags Eddie up, tags Drake in, and he SENTONS! And SENTONS again! Eddie staggers to a corner, Drake CHOPS him! And then BELLY2BELLY, before the VADER BOMB! Cover, Gibson breaks it!

Drake drags Eddie up, puts him on ropes, and tags Henry in. Drake CHOPS Eddie, and everyone is stinging from that! Drake whips, he and Henry drop toehold onto knees, to then a DOUBLE STOMP! Henry drags Eddie up, suplexes, but Eddie slips out! Eddie crawls under, Henry has a leg but Eddie kicks him away! Hot tags to Drake and Schaff! Schaff rallies on the Workhorsemen, but Shane gets in.  Shane bobs ‘n’ weaves to HEADBUTT Schaff! Schaff dodges the lariat but not the SOUTHPAW! Fans fire up with Shane, and he brings Schaff up and in. Henry and Drake intercept Eddie & Gibson!

Shane and the Workhorsemen all have someone, the Workhorsemen give Gibson & Eddie STEREO BRAINBUSTERS! Shane tucks Schaff in, for the PACKAGE PILEDRIVER! Cover, Shane’s team wins!

Winners: Shane Taylor & The Workhorsemen

This expansion of Shane Taylor Promotions are rolling, will they look to make an impact in all divisions of ROH?

 

Backstage interview with The Righteous.

Dasha is with Dutch and Vincent, and says that for weeks now, they’ve been eyeing The Dark Order. But why? Well, Stu Grayson is so inspiring. But speaking of, Stu storms in to ask what’s going on. Are they playing games? If so, they won’t like how it ends. Dutch pats Stu on the shoulder and says that at this point, Stu and the Dark Order are slow dancing while the barn burns. Vincent suggests to change up the tune. Stu snarls, but Vincent says the Dark Order brought them back, to keep you on a leash in the backyard. But look at Vincent. He is Stu’s friend. All Stu has to do is give him a chance.

But then The Dark Order storms in and tells The Righteous to back off. Evil Uno has had enough of this! He knows what they’re doing. It’s because the Dark Order did it themselves once. But then Stu tells Uno to stop. No one speaks for him! Stu says Vincent & Dutch have one chance. Well, okay. Vincent & Dutch leave, ready to meet the Dark Order in action next week. Uno can’t be sure what just happened, but will he soon lose a Dark Order OG to the Righteous?

 

Mercedes Martinez VS Ashley D’Amboise!

The OG Badass is back in ROH and ready to get back to the ROH Women’s World Championship! Will this be the start of her badass comeback?

The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. Fans rally, the two tie up, and Mercedes waistlocks. Ashley switches, but Mercedes wrenches out to a wristlock. Ashley rolls, kips up and cartwheels to then wrench and clamp onto the arm! Fans cheer the exchange, and Mercedes trips Ashley to a headlock. Mercedes grinds Ashley down, but Ashley headscissors. Mercedes kicks around, but Ashley holds on tight. Mercedes hops, hops and pops free, then SLAPS Ashley down! Mercedes drags Ashley up but Ashley throws body shots and haymakers! Mercedes shoves Ashley but Ashley comes back with forearms.

Ashley kicks, but Mercedes blocks to spin Ashley around. Mercedes back suplexes but Ashley lands on her feet! Ashley waistlocks but Mercedes bucks the O’Conner! Things speed up, and Mercedes ROLLING ELBOWS! Mercedes brings Ashley out to snap suplex! Una Amiga! And then another snap suplex, Dos Amigas! Mercedes suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER AMIGA! Cover, TWO! Ashley hangs tough but Mercedes doesn’t mind. Mercedes brings Ashley up to UPPERCUT! And CLUB her on the back! And CHPO her to a corner! Mercedes fires off forearms, the ref counts, and Mercedes lets off with a CHOP!

Ashley flops down but Mercedes drags her back up. Mercedes UPPERCUTS again, then brings Ashley around to whip to a corner hard! Mercedes runs in but Ashley slips out to the apron! Ashley ROUNDHOUSES Mercedes away, then slingshots in and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Ashley kips up and fires up! Ashley brings Mercedes up as fans rally. Mercedes fights the clinch, but Ashley CLUBS her on the back. Ashley tries a torture rack but Mercedes fights it. Mercedes then SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO! Ashley survives and fans rally up. Mercedes chinlocks, digs a knee in, then gets the arms trapped.

Ashley endures as Mercedes CLUBS her in the chest again and again! Cover, TWO! Mercedes drags Ashley up, reels her in, fisherman’s, but Ashley cradle counters! TWO!! Mercedes runs in, Ashley dodges and fires off hands! Ashley ROCKS, CHOPS and CHOPS again! And then fires off shot after shot! Mercedes shoves Ashley, blows past her, but Ashley CLUBS Mercedes! Fans rally, Ashley torture racks, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Mercedes survives and Ashley can’t believe it! But this is why Mercedes is a former champion! Fans rally, Ashley brings Mercedes around, CLUBS her then brings her up.

Ashley fireman’s carries, but Mercedes slips free to trip Ashley! Mercedes STOMPS Ashley, then gets the arms! MOTORCYCLE CURB STOMP! And then Mercedes hooks up the legs, SLAPS Ashley into giving up the arms, and she pulls back, and back, SURFBOARD into BRASS CITY SLEEPER! Ashley taps, Mercedes wins!

Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by submission

A statement win for her return, the OG Badass is still badass! Will Athena have to watch out for Mercedes coming after her?

 

Tag Team Fight Without Honor: The Kingdom VS Action Andretti & Darius Martin!

Respect is earned, but the #OGK demanded it. Honor is a pillar of this company, but the #OGK say they ARE this company. And because they never showed either to the young guys coming in, things have escalated to this point. With nothing holding them back, will Mike Bennett & Matt Taven do anything they can to break down the new wave? Or will The Sight to Behold & The Air Wolf do everything they can to finally put the OGK in their place?

But as Action makes his entrance, he has a big copper pipe in hand! The Kingdom storm up the ramp to try and intimidate him, but he doesn’t budge. And then Darius CLOBBERS The Kingdom from outta nowhere! The bell rings and the fight is on as Action JAMS and CLUBS Mike with the pipe! Darius ROCKS Taven, the fans fire up, and the young guns double suplex the Kingdom to the stage! Taven writhes down the ramp and Darius drags him back up. Darius UPPERCUTS Taven, Action ROCKS Mike, and things go to ringside. Darius CHOPS Taven, Action CHOPS Mike, and then Darius RAMS Taven into steel steps!

Action puts Mike in the ring, and then Darius starts looking under the ring. Action and Darius throw chairs in, then bring out some pipes, trash can lids, and yes, a TABLE! Action puts Taven in, he CLOBBERS Darius! Mike kicks Action, bumps him off buckles, and now The Kingdom starts throwing hands on the young guns. Mike CHOPS Action in a corner, Taven whips Darius into a corner, then Taven runs in. But Darius dodges and Taven tumbles up and out! Mike whips Action, Action rolls off Darius’s back, and Darius throws a chair to Mike. Mike catches it, to get a DOUBLE DROPKICK through it!

Fans rally as Darius sits a chair up. Taven runs in, but into a double drop toehold onto the chair! Action then jumps off Taven to RANA Mike! Fans fire up and Darius has the trash can. The can is put around Taven, and Darius SMACKS it with a pipe! Action LASHES it with a chain! Darius SMACKS the can again! Action SMACKS the can! Darius SMACKS the can! Action SMACKS the can! Darius SMACKS the can again! Taven falls over, Mike returns, but he gets a pipe to the gut! Then he gets a DOUBLE WHAMMY! Mike is already busted open as he crawls to the corner. Action & Darius go out and bring more things into play.

Fans rally up as a LADDER appears! Mike hurries to stop them, and then Taven WRECKS the ladder into Action! Darius gets on the apron to GAMANGIRI Mike, and he avoids Taven’s kick! Maria lurks again, and she LOW BLOWS Darius! Mike CHAIRSHOTS Darius, and Darius falls on the ladder! The ref checks Darius while the OGK fist bump. Taven puts the ladder in the ring, then fetches “you little stupid Melvin” Action. Taven puts Action in and the ladder is in the corner. Taven SMACKS Action with the trash can! “You thought that was funny, huh?” Mike puts Darius in, and Taven RAMS him into the ladder!

Mike whips Action to a corner, to SPINEBUSTER him onto the trash can! Mike roars through the crimson mask and Taven says this is what everyone wanted. Then The Kingdom puts the ladder around Darius’s head! Mike tells Darius to say hello to Dante for them because he’s going to the ER! Taven runs, JUST THE TIP into the ladder!! Taven willingly damages himself to hurt Darius! And then Mike fetches the table! Fans are torn as Taven puts that in a corner. Mike tells the fans to shut up. How many tables have they seen, anyway? They all look the same! Darius flounders and Maria mocks his pain.

Mike and Taven TOSS Darius out to the floor, and then Mike goes out to bring him up. Taven builds speed as Mike Electric Chair Lifts Darius! But Darius slips away and Taven FLIES onto Mike! Maria panics and Action aims, to ARABIAN PRESS Mike & Taven down! Action & Darius get another table! They put that in the ring, but Taven BLASTS Darius! And CHOPS Action! Taven kicks Action’s table aside but Action throws hands. Taven whips, Action ducks ‘n’ dodges and pop-up DROPKICKS! Mike SUPERKICKS Action! Darius BOOTS Mike, then steps in, COMPLETE SHOT onto the ladder!

Darius hurries to get one of the tables up on its legs while Maria and the ref check Mike. But Taven has a chair and he SMACKS Darius in the back! Darius drops to his knees, Taven finishes setting the table up for him, and then Mike stomps Darius down. Taven sets some chairs up facing each other, and Maria even helps fetch more chairs. Darius hits Mike but Mike DECKS Darius. Taven says they’re gonna finish this, and Mike stands with Darius on the chairs! Taven climbs the corner, Mike lifts Darius up, HAIL MARY PILEDRIVER into the chairs!! Cover, Action breaks it!! All four men are down but fans rally up.

Action CHOPS Taven, ROCKS Mike, repeat! Action throws more shots on The Kingdom, runs, but into a HEEL KICK from Taven! The Kingdom clears space, and Mike SUPERKICKS Action! Mike puts Action up top, brings him out, but Action slips out of Proton Pack! The Kingdom avoids hitting each other, but Action SUPERKICKS Taven! And SUPERKICKS Mike! And wheelbarrows Taven to BULLDOG! Fans fire up, Maria coaches her team, but Action positions the table. Action throws hands to put Taven on the table, then CLUBS him down. Action goes to the apron, springboards, 450 SPLASH on the table!

And yes, “on,” because the table did NOT break! The table did bend drastically, but it did not give way! Fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” so Action hauls Taven up to suplex him through the table! There’s the break! Cover, but Mike breaks it! Mike sets up the other table in a corner, but Action CHOPS him! Mike ROCKS Action, Action ROCKS Mike, repeat! Fans rally, Mike CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Mike roars, but Action ROCKS him! Action runs, but Mike follows and SPEARS! Mike fireman’s carries Action, aims and DEATH VALLEY DRIVER through the table!! All four men are down and the fans are thunderous!

“This is Awesome!” and Darius is back up! Darius ROCKS Mike, CHOPS Taven, repeat! Taven ducks, Mike ROLLING ELBOWS! Taven hits PURPLE THUNDER onto a chair!! Cover, TWO!?!? Darius survives and the OGK are furious! Taven snarls, he drags Darius up, and he puts him on the top rope. But Darius BOOTS Taven! Action returns to clothesline Taven and himself out! But Mike SHOVES Darius to the floor! Maria calls to her hubby and has the pipe. Maria CLOBBERS Darius! Maria stands Darius up so Mike can CHOP! And CHOP! And then he puts some stank on it before one more CHOP!

Maria and Mike kiss, then bring Darius back up. But Darius sends Mike at the ropes! Mike rebounds, Darius ducks, and Mike CLOBBERS Maria!! Mike freaks out and fans are going nuts! Then Darius PELES Mike! Darius hurries into the ring but Taven CLUBS him! Taven stomps away, “Is this what you thought it would be?!” But Action sneaks up to LOW BLOW! Taven gets a taste of his own medicine, and then Darius sits a chair up. Darius & Action hoist Taven up, DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER onto the chair!! Taven writhes, Miek returns, but he gets double mule kicks! He eggs them on, SPITS on them, so Darius BUZZSAWS!

Action KICKS, Darius KICKS, DOUBLE SUPERKICK, and then they shake Mike’s hands. A sarcastic Code of Honor as Action sets up a ladder and Darius Electric Chair Lifts. Action climbs up, fans fire up, and Mike gets The SUPER DOOMSDAY!! Cover, Action & Darius win!!

Winners: Action Andretti & Darius Martin, by pinfall

The Kingdom pushed it to this point, and they suffer the biggest loss of all! Darius & Action say they know exactly what ROH is about, and fans say “That was Awesome!” Mike & Taven manage to stand, and they offer handshakes. Action & Darius are wary, but they still accept. The Code of Honor is observed after all, and perhaps these young guns won respect along with the match. Will Darius & Action rise up to define a new era of honor? Will the Kingdom rebuild back better after this?


My Thoughts:

A great episode for ROH, but I’m surprised they’re suddenly pushing things to the full two hours. All good matches, as expected, but there’s always a handful where the matches are just to build up people in the roster. I do like that Daniels & Sydal did more than just have a tag match. After a great NJPW World TV Championship match, which ZSJ of course won, I like that Samoa Joe came out to both insult ZSJ and challenge him to a match, followed by Daniels & Sydal coming out so Sydal can challenge both champs. I do like ZSJ’s idea to team up with Joe to take on both Daniels & Sydal, and I have a feeling ZSJ & Joe win so we can just get to ZSJ VS Joe.

The ROH Tag Division is definitely growing, with Willie & Ninja Mack teaming up after their great singles match against each other, and more teams that just don’t have a place to be in AEW showing up here, like The Wingmen and The Iron Savages. I did say once that Bear Country felt like a great team in the making, and that’s still the same now that they’re the Iron Savages. Pretty sure Lucha Brothers retain against Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta, allowing them to take on any of these teams on the rise.

And of course, awesome stuff out of the Fight Without Honor, though also some scary stuff. But in the end, Action & Darius winning feels like the right move after everything The Kingdom’s done to them. The teams shaking hands at the end makes me feel like The Kingdom could actually turn Face if they wanted, because they have the ROH longevity and are all about defending the honor of ROH as such pillars. At the same time, they’re just really good as Heels, so I suppose they don’t have to change at all. I’m just not sure where they can go from here in the tag division.

My Score: 8.7/10


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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

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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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