Coverage
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/25/23)
Z S JOE!
Double the TV Champions, double the fun!
The ROH World TV Champion and the NJPW World TV Champion team together against two ROH icons to see who, if anyone, wins a title opportunity! Can the Fallen Angel and Third Eye Reborn become the stars of wrestling television?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Mark Briscoe VS JD Drake w/ Anthony Henry; Briscoe wins.
- ROH World Championship Proving Grounds: Claudio Castagnoli VS Serpentico; Claudio wins and denies Serpentico a title opportunity.
- Kiera Hogan VS VertVixen; wins.
- Kyle Fletcher w/ Mark Davis VS AR Fox; Fletcher wins.
- Willow Nightingale VS Hyan; Willow wins.
- The Kingdom VS Mack Attack; The Kingdom wins.
- Mercedes Martinez VS Dream Girl Ellie; Mercedes wins.
- Ashley D’Amboise VS Danielle Kamela; Ashley wins.
- Rocky Romero VS Titus Alexander; Rocky wins.
- Six Man Tag: Stu Grayson & The Righteous VS Marcus Kross, Vary Morales & Leon St. Giovanni; Stu & The Righteous win.
- Tracy Williams w/ Rhett Titus VS Shane Taylor w/ The Workehorsemen; Shane wins.
- ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds: Athena VS Promise Braxton; Athena wins and denies Promise a title opportunity.
- Dralistico w/ Jose VS Tony Deppen; Dralistico wins.
- Skye Blue VS Miranda Alize; Skye wins.
- Darius Martin & Action Andretti VS Cole Karter & “The Reality” Zack Clayton; Darius & Action win.
- Nick Comoroto VS Blake Christian; Blake wins.
- Diamante VS Trish Adora; Diamante wins.
- Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Slim J w/ The Trustbusters; Penta wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Samoa Joe VS Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal; ZSJ & Joe win, denying Daniels & Sydal a title opportunity.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mark Briscoe VS JD Drake w/ Anthony Henry!
The Sussex County Chicken has a full plate at Double or Nothing, being the referee for a match between FTR and Triple J. Will he be able to focus on his own match here tonight? Or will Scrap Iron fry himself up some wings?
The Code of Honor is upheld, and the bell rings. Fans rally for #DemBoys as Mark circles with JD. JD says something about proving who’s tougher, and Mark is game. Mark dares JD to bring it, so JD CHOPS! Mark says alright, and he CHOPS back! JD shrugs that off to CHOP back! Mark CHOPS, JD CHOPS, and fans “WOO~!” as the CHOPS keep going! Mark is liking this! He CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! JD knees low, whips Mark to a corner, but Mark comes back to BOOT! JD staggers around, Mark runs up to throw hands! Mark stomps away, the ref counts, and Mark CHOPS JD again!
Fans fire up and Mark is feeling it as he whips JD corner to corner. JD reverses, runs in and SPLASHES! Then BIELS, to then “Click, click,” CHOP! Mark goes to ropes, but he BOOTS back! JD ROCKS Mark, whips him, but Mark SHOTGUN BOOTS! JD bails out and fans fire up. The Workhorsemen regroup and Henry calms JD down. JD goes up the steel steps and takes his time, but then Mark BOOTS him back down! Fans fire up, Mark climbs the corner, and he TORNILLOS! onto the Workhorsemen! Fans are thunderous and Mark puts JD back in. Cover, TWO! JD is tough but Mark stomps him around.
JD sits up, and Mark CHOPS him! JD CHOPS back! Mark CHOPS again, so JD CHOPS! Mark POWER SLAPS and JD wobbles! Mark throws forearms, then some Redneck Kung-Fu shots! Mark runs, but JD CLOBBERS him! And SENTONS! And SENTONS! And KICKS! JD says the kick was good but fans boo. JD stalks Mark to a corner, chokes him with his boot, but the ref counts. JD lets off at 4, brings Mark up again, and ROCKS him with a right! JD CHOPS and Mark’s split flies! JD says one more, so he JABS instead! JD tells the fans off but they boo. Mark CHOPS back! And CHOPS! And CHOPS!
JD shoves Mark, and on the rebound, SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Mark is tough, too, and fans rally up. Mark goes to a corner, JD taunts him and stands him up. JD CHOPS again! JD whips corner to corner, Mark goes up and out to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up as Mark climbs, but JD rushes in. Mark goes up and over, comes back, but into a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, TWO! JD hurries to VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and fans fire back up. Mark goes back to a corner and JD tells him to stay up. JD drags Mark up by his beard, and CHOPS him again! JD hoists Mark up top then CHOPS him again!
JD dares Mark to #ManUp and then climbs up after him. Mark throws body shots! Mark gives REDNECK FU CHOPS! And then an UPPERCUT! JD falls back, Mark adjusts, MISSILE DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! JD crawls to a corner, Mark rises, and fans rally up again. Mark waits on JD and JD eggs Mark on. Mark says, “Back to square one. I insist.” JD says fine, but then Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Mark fires off more CHOPS, then a BIG corner clothesline! Mark hoists JD up now, powers up, and UPPERCUTS! Mark then crosses the arm, but JD shoves him away.
JD hurries in, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!! JD is still in this, and Mark calls his shot! The fans are thunderous and Mark underhooks the arms. But Henry gets on the apron! Mark DECKS him for it! JD bails out the side, Henry hurries over, but Mark WRECKS him with a dropkick. Mark leaps but JD avoids the Blockbuster! JD pops Mark up to CLOBBER him off the ropes! JD puts Mark in, hurries to a corner and climbs, MOONSAULT! Direct hit! Cover, TWO!!! Mark survives and fans are thunderous again! JD is annoyed and he drags Mark up. Fans rally with “MAN UP!” as JD reels Mark in.
JD underhooks and fans boo. JD wants to steal the move! But Mark slips up and out to CHOP! JD CHOPS! Mark shoves but JD RAMS into him! JD runs, but into the ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Mark goes up fast, and slashes his throat! FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, Mark wins!!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall
The Sussex County Chicken flies high tonight, but will he continue to #ReachForTheSky? The Code of Honor is upheld, and Mark reminds Samoa Joe that he wants that TV title. Will destiny still become reality in the end?
Backstage interview with Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal.
Dasha is with the Fallen Angel & Third Eye Reborn, and tonight, in the main event, they face the ROH World Television Champion in Samoa Joe, and the NJPW World Television Champion in Zack Sabre Jr. Huge contender implications in the match, how are they feeling? Daniels says the arrogance of Joe and ZSJ has escalated things way past what Daniels intended. All he did last week was introduce this man, Matt Sydal, into the TV title picture. ROH, NJPW, it didn’t matter. But the champs think they’ve thrown a curveball by saying that if either Daniels or Sydal gets the win, they get that title shot.
All this has done is put the champs behind the 8 ball! This duo are former ROH World Tag Team Champions! And tonight, Joe & ZSJ face the “endless intelligence” of Daniels and the “explosive offense” of Sydal. Sydal says he can feel those TV titles pulling him closer and closer. Tonight, they take the next step! Will these icons of honor soon have themselves a golden ticket?
ROH World Championship Proving Grounds: Claudio Castagnoli VS Serpentico!
While the Young Bucks made sure the Blackpool Combat Club didn’t add anymore gold to the collection, the Swiss Superman is still looking for competition of his own! Will #SNAKEMAN prove to be his Kryptonite? Or will Serpentico not even survive to the time limit?
Claudio offers the handshake for the Code of Honor, but Serpentico hesitates. But then Serpentico offers it himself! Claudio takes it, but quickly. The bell rings and fans rally for “S A P!” Serpentico shoves Claudio and eggs him on, so Claudio shoves him down! Fans boo but Serpentico gets up in a huff. Serpentico steps up to Claudio, and forces a knuckle lock. Serpentico tells Claudio a coward, but Claudio cranks the knuckle locks on Serpentico! Fans still rally for “S A P! S A P!” Serpentico powers up, and Claudio struggles, but then cranks the knuckle locks back on Serpentico! He was just toying with Serpentico!
Claudio then reels Serpentico in for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Serpentico flounders away and Claudio dusts himself off. Claudio eggs Serpentico on, and Serpentico comes back. Serpentico KICKS Claudio in the leg! Fans cheer, but then Claudio kicks Serpentico low! Claudio whips, Serpentico ducks ‘n ‘dodges to KICK and KICK and KICK! But Claudio choke grips! But Serpentico turns choke slam into wheelbarrow and victory roll! TWO, and Serpentico runs, and he tilt-o-whirl headscissors Claudio into buckles! Claudio staggers and Serpentico fires off hands! Serpentico whips, Claudio reverses, but Serpentico BOOTS back!
Serpentico goes up the corner, RANAS Claudio away, and then Oklahoma Rolls! TWO! Claudio bails out in frustration and fans rally up. Serpentico builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on Claudio! Fans fire up and Claudio scrambles back into the ring. Serpentico hurries up but Claudio drags him up! But Serpentico GAMANGIRIS! Claudio staggers, Serpentico climbs, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Claudio runs in again, blocks a boot, and he DUMPS Serpentico out of the ring! Claudio then goes out and dares Serpentico to get up. Serpentico staggers up, and Claudio whips him hard into steel steps!
Fans boo but Claudio looms over Serpentico. Claudio deadlift gut wrenches Serpentico into the ring! Claudio drags Serpentico up to short arm LARIAT! And then another short arm LARIAT! And then another short arm LARIAT! Fans rally and Serpentico flips Claudio off! That just pisses Claudio off! He gives Serpentico short arm LARIAT after short arm LARIAT! Claudio isn’t stopping! He’s hit about ten total! Fans still rally for “S A P!” but Claudio shakes his head. Claudio drags Serpentico up, takes off his elbow pads, and says Serpentico made a huge mistake! Short arm LARIAT!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (denies Serpentico a title opportunity)
The Swiss Superman scowls, having to go even this far against SNAKEMAN. But he mockingly shakes Serpentico’s hand to keep the Code of Honor. But Anarchy in the Arena is going to be a fight without honor, will the BCC do far worse to The Elite?
Kiera Hogan VS VertVixen!
After NJPW Resurgence, there’s even more gold out there in the world of women’s wrestling, and these up-and-coming stars are hungry for a taste! Will Kiera’s fire burn brighter than ever? Or will Vert look to level up and rise in the rankings?
The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, tie up, and Kiera wrenches to a wristlock. Vert spins, loops and hammerlocks to then spin Kiera and slip through to arm-drag! Vert has the armlock and wait, speaking of champions, Athena appears on stage! She has a Proving Grounds match of her own later on but she is taking an interest in this one. Kiera fights up, wrenches Vert and hammerlocks, but Vert moves around and reaches back. Vert spins to a headlock and fans applaud. Kiera powers up and out, but Vert runs her over with a shoulder! Vert flexes, runs, but Kiera gets up. Vert ducks the ax handles to DROPKICK!
Fans fire up, and Vert takes aim. Time to level up! But Kiera drop toeholds her into ropes! Kiera runs and HIP ATTACKS against the ropes! Kiera then YANKS the ropes and runs, STEP-UP LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up while Athena walks closer to the ring. Athena waves hi to Kiera. Kiera asks what she’s doing here, but Athena says she’s just here to watch, so focus on the match. Kiera has Vert in a corner and CHOPS! Kiera whips corner to corner, Vert goes up and over and rolls back. “GET OVER HERE!” Leg sweep! BASEMENT COMPLETE SHOT! And then a shift into the KOJI CLUTCH!! But Kiera gets the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, Vert lets go in frustration, and Athena says she wouldn’t let that happen to herself. Vert drags Kiera up but Kiera throws hands! Vert ROCKS Kiera! And knees low! Vert runs, springboards, FLYING CHUCK! Cover, TWO! Kiera survives and fans rally up. Vert drags Athena up, swings, but Kiera blocks to counter punch! And again! Kiera dodges Vert, comes back and CLOBBERS her! Fans fire up and Athena looks impressed. Kiera runs in to back body block Vert! Vert sits down, Kiera runs to SLIDING BOOT! Cover, TWO! Vert survives and Kiera grows frustrated. But the fans rally as Kiera drags Vert up.
Kiera suplexes but Vert blocks! Vert wrenches out, ROCKS Kiera again, and she whips Kiera to a corner. Vert says time to level up again, and she BOOTS Kiera in the corner! Athena likes that, and Vert then hoists Kiera up, BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The shoutouts to El Generico haven’t finished this but Vert brings Kiera back up. Vert says “GAME OVER!” Fisherman and suplex, but Kiera kicks free! Kiera ROUNDHOUSES Vert, but Vert fights the clinch! Vert elbows free, but Kiera reels her back in! Single leg SAIDO! Cover, Kiera wins!
Winner: Kiera Hogan, by pinfall
Athena applauds, though maybe a little sarcastically. Kiera tells Athena to go off and get ready for her match, they’ll be seeing each other again soon anyway. Athena pie faces Kiera! And inadvertently table tops her over Vert! The Fallen Goddess laughs at Kiera, “Are you gonna step up? Or are you gonna step out, b*tch?!” Kiera gets red hot, will she look to burn down the throne soon enough?
Kyle Fletcher w/ Mark Davis VS AR Fox!
The Aussie Arrow couldn’t capture the AEW International Championship on Dynamite, but he’s never out of the chase. Will Kyle represent for Aussie Open and The United Empire and start to conquer ROH?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans start up “AUSSIE AUSSIE AUSSIE!” “OI OI OI!” But there are also chants for “A R FOX! A R FOX!” Kyle and Fox tie up, Kyle wrenches and wristlocks, but Fox spins, slips around, and wristlocks back. Kyle rolls, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks and hits the takeover. Fox headscissors, Kyle kips free, and the fans cheer as the two stand off. The two go again, a fan starts a “U S A!” chant and Kyle smirks. Fox points to his star-spangled headband, and the two circle. They tie up, Kyle wrenches, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! But Fox rolls, kips up and cartwheels, only for Kyle to scoop and SLAM fast!
Kyle looms over Fox, brings him up, whips him to ropes but Fox reverses to mule kick! Front kick! JAWBREAKER! NECKBREAKER! Fox kips up and fans fire up while Kyle goes to a corner. Fox runs in to A-LIST LARIAT! And then Fox skins the cat for the SWINGING DROPKICK! Fans fire up while Kyle goes to the apron. Fox storms over, brings Kyle up but Kyle shoves him away. And then BOOTS him! Fox staggers, Kyle reels him in, and Kyle suplexes, but Fox lands safe on the apron. Fox throws body shots and forearms, but Kyle gets under to APRON BACK SUPLEX! Fans fire up and Kyle hurries to snap scoop SLAMS Fox on the floor!
Fans rally and duel again while the ring count starts. Kyle drags Fox up, puts him in the ring, and then hurries to bring Fox to center. Cover, TWO! Fox hangs tough, he’s taken a lot more damage than that. Fans rally up again and Kyle stalks Fox to ropes. Kyle drags Fox up, but Fox shoves him away. So Kyle springboard STOMPS Fox down! The ref has Kyle back off, but then Kyle springboard STOMPS again! Fans cheer and Kyle brings Fox back to center. Kyle drags Fox up as fans duel, and Kyle snap scoop SLAMS again! Cover, ONE!! Kyle applauds Fox’s toughness, then brings him up again.
Fox throws body shots! Kyle snap scoop SLAMS again! Kyle brings Fox up yet again, suplexes, but Fox blocks! Kyle keeps trying, but then fires off forearms! Kyle reels Fox back in, but Fox suplexes in return! Fans fire up while both men are down. Fox grits his teeth, goes to a corner, and Kyle goes to the other. Fox runs in to LARIAT! And LARIAT again! Kyle swings but Fox goes Matrix to dodge and ENZIGURI! Kyle ends up in a corner, Fox runs to back elbow! Fox snapmares, rolls and CUTTERS! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives but Fox keeps focus. Fox goes to a corner, climbs up, and 450 but he has to roll through!
Kyle comes back, Fox blocks the kick, but then Kyle blocks the stunner into a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Fox ends up in a corner, Kyle runs corner to corner, GAMANGIRI! And then suplex, SHEER DROP BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Fox survives, this feels familiar from a few weeks ago! Fans say “This is Awesome!” as Kyle drags Fox back up. Kyle scoops but Fox blocks! Kyle keeps trying, but Fox still resists! Kyle powers through, Fox slips out but Kyle kicks! Kyle whips, but Fox reverses! Kyle KICKS, Fox PELES! But Kyle hurries to half nelson! Fox arm-drags free, and BOOTS! Kyle flops out of the ring, gets back up, but Fox BOOTS him again!
Kyle goes back to the floor, Fox climbs a corner! Fox aims, leaps, SUPER SWANTON to the floor! Fans are thunderous and the ring count starts. Fox gets up, he puts Kyle back in fast, and fans are dueling as Fox climbs back up top. Fox reloads, aims again, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!! Kyle survives and Fox can’t believe it! Fans are loving “ROH! ROH!” for giving us this one, and Fox drags Kyle back up. The dueling continues, Fox puts Kyle in a corner, and Fox hoists Kyle up. Fox gets some space, runs back in, but has to block a boot first! Fox fires forearms, climbs up to join Kyle, but Kyle resists the lift!
Kyle clinches Fox now, scoops him, SUPER MICHINOKU DRIVER!! Just like against Orange Cassidy!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fox survives and Kyle is foaming at the mouth! Fans are thunderous again as Kyle aims, runs and CALF KICKS! And then hammerlock, half nelsons, scoop and GRIMSTONE!!! Cover, Kyle wins!
Winner: Kyle Fletcher, by pinfall
Kyle may have no International Championship, he may have had to give up the IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships, but surely this win earns him a place in the various other title pictures. What gold will the Aussie Arrow take aim at after Double or Nothing?
Willow Nightingale VS Hyan!
The Babe with the Power won big at NJPW Resurgence by becoming the first-ever NJPW Strong Women’s Champion! Will she prove too strong for ROH now? Or will “The Renaissance Woman” show she can do it all?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings and the two circle. The two tie up, are in a deadlock, but Willow uses leverage to start pushing Hyan back. Hyan breaks the hold, and fans rally behind Willow. They tie up again, Willow headlocks, but Hyan powers up. Willow holds on tight, Hyan keeps fighting, and she throws body shots. Hyan powers out but Willow runs her over! Fans cheer and Willow is feeling good. Things speed up, Willow rolls over the dropdown and gives a thumbs up. Hyan stomps but Willow dodges. And again! And then Willow spins Hyan, wrenches, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! And then GROUND OCTOPUS!
Hyan endures, Willow kicks her, but Hyan powers to a cover, TWO! Willow gets up but Hyan ducks the enziguri! Hyan puts Willow in a corner, pulls Willow’s hair, but Willow cartwheels through the throw! The ref still reprimands, but Willow ROCKS Hyan, and then pulls Hyan’s hair! Willow TOSSES Hyan across the way! Fans fire up, Willow brings Hyan up to scoop, carry, and SLAM! Fans fire up and Willow smiles again. Willow has Hyan in a corner for a CHOP! Willow whips corner to corner, Hyan avoids the body block and she throws elbow after elbow! The ref counts, Hyan lets off at 4, and then she scuffs Willow with a boot!
Hyan taunts Willow, “You don’t look so happy right now,” and then she bumps her off buckles. Fans still rally but Hyan CHOPS! Willow sputters, and Hyan slaps her around. Hyan traps an arm, GROUND COBRA! Hyan digs knuckles into Willow’s ribs but Willow endures. Fans rally, Willow fights up, and Willow throws body shots. Willow then ENZIGURIS! Hyan staggers to a corner and fans fire up. Willow runs in to BACK BODY BLOCK! And clothesline! And snapmare, then Willow goes up, MISSILE DROPKICK! Hyan flounders and fans fire up! Willow brings Hyan up to CHOP!
Willow whips corner to corner, Hyan sits down, and Willow runs in, CANNONBALL! Willow roars, she pulls down the straps, and the fans fire up! Willow drags Hyan up, reels her in, BABE WITH THE POWER BOMB!! Cover, Willow wins!
Winner: Willow Nightingale, by pinfall
Whether here in ROH or NJPW, Willow is on a roll, this makes nine in a row! She also shows Hyan respect by upholding the Code of Honor. Will Willow face a challenger for her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship first? Or will she earn herself a shot at someone else’s gold?
The Kingdom VS Mack Attack!
Mike Bennett & Matt Taven may not have won the Fight Without Honor tag team match last time, but that doesn’t mean ROH stops being their home. Will they prove they deserve a shot at the ROH World Tag Team Championships? Or will the brand new duo of Willie Mack & Ninja Mack prove to be too much beef for anyone to beat?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Taven starts against Willie Mack. Fans chant, “Let’s Go, Mack!” as Willie and Taven circle. They tie up, Willie trips Taven and then things speed up. Taven hurdles but Will blocks hip toss to hit a hip toss! And then an arm-drag! And another arm-drag! And then a DROPKICK! Fans fire up and Willie whips Taven. Mike sneaks a tag, Taven dodges Willie for Mike to dropkick the legs out! Taven then runs in to AX HANDLE! Mike covers, TWO! Mike drags Will up, tags Taven, and then Mike feeds Willie to Taven’s BOOT! Mike adds a forearm, Taven hits a MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Taven is annoyed but he drags Willie up. Fans rally but Mike tags back in. The Kingdom mugs Willie, they double whip him, and then leap frog into a FOREARM! Taven hoists Willie up but he BOOTS Mike away, and flying-mares Taven! Willie runs through Taven to tag in Ninja Mack! Ninja CROSSBODIES The Kingdom down! Then KNEE for Taven, forearm for Mike, CHOP for Taven, SUPERKICK for Mike! Taven kicks low, talks trash, and suplexes, and he holds Ninja up only for Ninja to slip into a sunset flip, roll through and BUZZSAW! Taven flops out of the ring and Ninja Mack goes to the apron.
Taven blocks Ninja’s mule kick, mocks him as a “Ninja Melvin,” and then flips Ninja! But Ninja lands on his feet! Taven is too busy talking trash to the camera, and then he turns around into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up and Ninja Mack hurries back into the ring. Maria coaches Mike up, Ninja handsprings, but into a BIG back suplex! Taven hurries back in, Mike stomps Ninja and then he drags Ninja up. Mike bumps Ninja off buckles, tags Taven, and then feed to the suplex! GOURD BUSTER, and then Mike DECKS Willie before a ROLLING ELBOW! Taven rolls Ninja to a cover, TWO! Taven is mad, he tags Mike.
The Kingdom puts Ninja in a corner but Ninja fights back with big hands and elbows! Fans fire up for Ninja Mack but Mike FLAPJACKS into the HOTSHOT! Taven climbs, Mike suplexes, BRAINBUSTER to FROG SPLASH! Cover, Willie breaks it! Fans fire up for the return of the Mack, but Mike tags Taven. The Kingdom get Ninja up, fireman’s carry, but Ninja slips free! Ninja SUPERKICKS Taven, KNEES Mike, but Mike back suplexes! Ninja lands on his feet to DROPKICK Mike down! Hot tag to Willie Mack! Mack Daddy rallies on The Kingdom with lariats and elbows! But Taven wrenches to ENZIGURI!
The Kingdom hurry to double whip, but Willie breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT back! Fans fire up and Willie sees the Kingdom go to opposite corners. Willie clotheslines Mike, then he clotheslines Taven! CANNONBALL for Mike, and fans fire up! Mike runs in at Taven, but into a BOOT! Taven runs but into a fireman’s carry! SAMOAN DROP! Fans fire up, and Willie Mack kips up!! And then Willie Mack STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Maria is relieved and Willie is shocked! Willie tags in Ninja Mack and then Willie runs to clothesline Taven out! Fans fire up, Ninja Mack builds speed! “GO NINJA, GO NINJA, GO!” SUPER SASUKE SPECIAL!!!
Fans are thunderous after seeing three flips in a row! Ninja puts Taven in, covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! Taven goes to ropes, Ninja fires off body shots! Bump off buckles, tag to Willie, and the Macks mug Taven. Fans rally, the Macks double whip to FLAPJACK SPIKE! And then Ninja hits a ROBINSON SPECIAL! Maria is freaking out as Willie covers, but Mike breaks it! Willie drags Mike up, tosses him out, and tags Ninja back in. But Mike drags Willie out! And DECKS him! Ninja positions Taven but Taven anchors a foot. Ninja stomps Taven, climbs, but Taven GAMANGIRIS! Taven has Mike hook Ninja up! PROTON PACK!!! Cover, The Kingdom wins!
Winners: The Kingdom, by pinfall
They may have lost the Fight Without Honor, but they’ve redeemed themselves here! Will ROH still belong to The OGK?
Mercedes Martinez VS Dream Girl Ellie!
Speaking of being back, The OG Badass is back and already has one win under her belt again. Will Mercedes be cruising up to a title opportunity? Or will Ellie start to live the dream?
The Code of Honor is upheld and the bell rings. The two circle, fans rally for “MER-CE-DES!” and she appreciates it. They tie up, but Ellie slips past Mercedes and pie faces her! Ellie says she doesn’t have time for Mercedes, but then Mercedes CLOBBERS her! Mercedes kicks Ellie around, saying she has no time for Ellie! Mercedes rains down fists, the ref counts about the hair pulling and closed fists, and Mercedes lets off at 4. Mercedes goes back to Ellie but Ellie KANGAROO KICKS! Ellie says she’s smarter than Mercedes, and she wrenches to a HOOK KICK! Ellie runs in to SHOTGUN, and Mercedes goes to ropes.
Ellie roars, runs, but into a BOOT from Mercedes! Fans fire up while Mercedes scowls, and she looms over Ellie. Mercedes checks her chin, drags Ellie up, and then bumps her off buckles. Mercedes turns Ellie around to CLUB her in the chest, and then CHOP her! Fans rally and Mercedes stands Ellie up. “Who do you think you are?!” Mercedes CHOPS Ellie again! Ellie falls over as she sputters, and Mercedes says this isn’t a dream. Mercedes stomps Ellie, drags her up, and then reels her in, SAIDO! Fans fire up while Mercedes growls, and she dares Ellie to get back up. Ellie crawls, sits up and asks for a time-out.
Mercedes says nope! KAMI-GOYE!! And then another KAMI-GOYE with the other knee! Ellie still wants mercy, but she gets a RUNNING KNEE! And a BLINDSIDER FOREARM! And then the legs are hooked, Mercedes SLAPS Ellie to get the arms, and then up, up and BRASS CITY SLEEPER!! Ellie taps, Mercedes wins!
Winner: Mercedes Martinez, by submission
Ellie just learned that the more you mess around, the more you find out! Mercedes is building momentum, will she be the one going after Athena’s title next?
Backstage interview with The Mack Attack.
Dasha is with Willie Mack & Ninja Mack, a rough loss against the forearm ROH World Tag Team Champions. Ninja says that just like in every sport, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. But Ninja is here to say that you can bet on ROH, you can bet on Ninja and you can bet on Willie. Willie says that they aren’t spring chickens, either, this isn’t their first rodeos. Willie’s cousins, brother and even daddy did get around, so who knows. But the Mack Attack isn’t going anywhere, they’re here to stay! OSU!
Ashley D’Amboise VS Danielle Kamela!
The ROH Women’s Division keeps on growing and it keeps on heating up! Will #JackedBarbie get back up with a win? Or will The Stunning Vision see herself in the win column tonight?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though reluctantly from Kamela. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Ashley wrenches to a hammerlock and fans rally. Kamela spins but Ashely holds on! Kamela spins again but still Ashley holds on! Kamela elbows free and then wrenches Ashley’s arm. Ashley rolls, spins, handsprings and cartwheels to wrench and WRING Kamela! Fans rally, Ashley swaggers, but Kamela YANKS her into buckles! Kamela fires off forearms, then stomps away! The ref counts, Kamela stops at 4 and shouts “I’m off!” Kamela drags Ashley up and TOSSES her across the way!
Fans rally for Ashley but Kamela mocks them. Kamela fires forearms on Ashley, slaps her around, and then has her on ropes. Ashley throws hands but Kamela CLUBS her down. Kamela CHOKES Ashley on the ropes, the ref counts, and Kamela lets off to run and STRADDLE ATTACK! Kamela taunts “poor Ashley,” then goes to the apron to hang Ashley upside down! Kamela KICKS away on Ashley’s back! The ref counts, Kamela steps in to YANK Ashley off ropes and cover, TWO! Kamela clamps on a chinlock and she squeezes tight. Fans rally as Ashley fights up, and Ashley throws body shots.
Ashley gets free but Kamela CLUBS her down! Ashley gets up to ROCK Kamela! Kamela ROCKS Ashley but Ashley fires off forearms! Kamela knees low, runs, but into a LARIAT from Ashley! And then another! Ashley spins and kicks and runs, to ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up with Ashley and she runs in at the corner. Kamela BOOTS Ashley, runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Kamela survives and Ashley grows frustrated. Fans rally for Ashley and she brings Kamela up. Ashely scoops, Kamela slips free and CLUBS Ashley, ACE CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Kamela is frustrated and she brings Ashley up.
SWINGING NECKBRAEKER! Cover, TWO!! Kamela covers again, TWO! Kamela covers again, TWO!! Ashley is still in this but Kamela drags her up to a fireman’s carry. Ashley fights free, CLUBS Kamela and torture racks! BURNING HAMMER! High stack cover, TWO!?! Kamela survives and Ashely grows frustrated. Fans rally up, Ashley storms up on Kamela, and she clinches, but Kamela elbows back! Ashely shoves Kamela, catches her again, URENAGE!! Cover, Ashley wins!!
Winner: Ashley D’Amboise, by pinfall
Ashley hits rock bottom, but in a good way! She still shows Kamela respect by upholding the Code of Honor, but will Ashley be the one going for the gold?
Rocky Romero VS Titus Alexander!
Azucar was on the losing side at NJPW Resurgence, but that won’t slow him down. Will he continue to climb up in the ROH ranks? Or will “The Future Franchise” establish himself here tonight?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and Rocky circles with Titus. Fans rally, the two approach and Titus gets around to waistlock. Rocky switches, Titus switches back, repeat, but then Titus goes to ropes. The ref counts, and Titus hits a cheap shot! Fans boo, but Rocky CHOPS him back! Titus CHOPS, Rocky CHOPS, and then Rocky CHOPS again! Rocky gives some Latino Heat, whips, but Titus reverses. Rocky slides under, waistlocks, but Titus switches and shoves to CLOBBER Rocky! Basement dropkick! Fans boo but Titus brings Rocky up. Titus whips Rocky corner to corner, then runs in, but Rocky dodge!
Titus hits buckles hard, and Rocky starts up the Forever Clotheslines! But Titus stops it at three as he rushes Rocky! Rocky dodges, Titus dodges, and then Titus DROPKICKS Rocky down! Fans boo while Titus flexes, and he scoops Rocky for a SPIN-OUT BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rocky is hanging tough but Titus drags him into an armlock. Titus also steps over Rocky’s head to add leverage. Fans rally, Rocky fights up, and Rocky KICKS Titus! And KICKS him again! Titus shoves back, Rocky holds ropes and UPPERCUTS back! Then springboards to TORNADO DDT! Titus flounders and fans rally back up!
Rocky fires up, the fans are with him, and Rocky waits on Titus to sit up. Rocky KICKS Titus in the arm, KICKS him again, then dodges a haymaker to ROCK Titus! Rocky whips, Titus reverses, but Rocky goes Spider-Man. Titus runs in but is sent tumbling out! Fans fire up as Rocky builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans fire up and Rocky swaggers. Rocky puts Titus in, waits on him to rise, SHIRANUI DDT! Cover, TWO!! Titus proves his toughness but Rocky goes back tot he corner. Rocky runs in, Titus goes up and over, then KANGAROO KICKS! Kip up and FOREARM!
Titus snapmares, rolls, suplexes, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Rocky is hanging tough as a forearm champion, but Titus fires off forearms. Titus whips, Rocky slips out of the scoop to shove Titus to a corner. Titus BOOTS back, goes up, but Rocky blocks his boot to GAMANGIRI! Rocky then runs to spring up and SUPER ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!! DIABLA AMRBAR!!! Titus taps, Rocky wins!!
Winner: Rocky Romero, by submission
Azucar may mean “sugar,” but Rocky was a bit too spicy for Titus. But Rocky shakes Titus’ hand to show respect to this young star. Will Rocky be golden as we move into the summer?
Six Man Tag: Stu Grayson & The Righteous VS Marcus Kross, Vary Morales & Leon St. Giovanni!
As it stands, Dutch & Vincent got what they wanted, and Stu is joining them! At least, for this match. Player Two is just seeing if there’s something more to them than just talk. Will he be convinced with a win? Or will he still be Dark Order Forever?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the trios sort out, and Stu starts against Vary. The bell rings and Stu CLOBBERS Vary! And CLOBBERS him again! And then picks him up to RAM into a corner! Stu CHOPS Vary, ROCKS Vary, and then runs corner to corner. Vary BOOTS back, goes up, leaps, but into Stu’s arms! OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Stu kips up, the Righteous applaud, and Stu whips Vary to scoop. Vary slips free, ducks the lariat and tags Kross. But Stu CLOBBERS him, too! Stu drags Kross up, looks to the corner, and he whips Kross in hard! Tag to Dutch, and Dutch flicks his tongue.
Stu whips Dutch in to SPLASH Kross! Dutch feeds Kross to Stu’s LARIAT! Dutch then adds a LEG DROP! Kross flounders, Dutch smiles and he brings Kross up. Dutch bumps Kross off buckles, tags Stu back in, and Stu runs in to BOOT Kross! Fans rally, Stu CHOPS Kross against ropes. Stu brings Kross up and Vincent wants a tag. Stu obliges, and now he and Vincent double whip. Stu knees low, Vincent kicks, Stu sweeps the leg! BASEMENT SHOT from Vincent! Vincent wants Stu to see this is what he was talking about all along! And then Vincent DECKS Vary for good measure!
Vincent underhooks, Kross slips free, tag to LSG! LSG fires off CHOPS and haymakers! LSG whips, Vincent reverses but LSGO ducks to springboard LARIAT! LSG is fired up, eh DROPKICKS Dutch! Tag to Kross, Stu runs in but he gets mugged! Kross & LSG double back suplex but Stu lands out of it! Stu goes Matrix to dodge, then he DOUBLE PELES! Fans fire up for Stu but the Dark Order appears! They can’t believe this is really happening, but Stu says he’s trying something. Vary ENZIGURIS Stu, but Dutch tags in! BLACK HOLE SLAM for Vary! The Righteous get Kross up, for AUTUMN SUNSHINE!
But then the Righteous look to Stu. They want him to finish this! The Dark Order say no but Vincent says go ahead. Stu tags in, he looks back to his friends, and he drags Kross up. Stu gives Kross the NIGHT FALL!! Cover, Stu & The Righteous win!
Winners: Stu Grayson & The Righteous, by pinfall
Talk about night and day. The Righteous say that was wonderful, and they want Stu to be one of them. Stu still looks conflicted, but then he leaves with Dutch & Vincent! The Dark Order don’t understand, but is that exactly why this has happened?
Backstage interview with Samoa Joe & Zack Sabre Jr.
Dasha is with the ROH World TV Champion and the NJPW World TV Champion, and brings up their main event tag match with Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal. This is a tag match with huge stipulations! ZSJ says this is a long way from Tokyo, but it was worth the flight. He’s here with a mission to make the NJPW World TV Championship the top television championship in all of professional wrestling. Joe chuckles, and says that the only reason he agreed to this is because he wants to see ZSJ’s capabilities in person. And Joe says that he looks forward to having ZSJ’s back. ZSJ tells “Joseph” that he also looks forward to that. Will #ZSJOE stay on the same page long enough to cross off Daniels & Sydal?
Tracy Williams w/ Rhett Titus VS Shane Taylor w/ The Workehorsemen!
Speaking of the ROH World TV Championship, we see another battle of former TV Champions! Will Hot Sauce be too much to handle here tonight? Or will Big Bad Shaney T simply break the bottle and throw it away?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and the two circle. They feel things out, Tracy shoots in but Shane blocks the takedown to TOSS Tracy away. JD mocks Tracy from the apron but Tracy comes back. Tracy wrenches an arm, grinds the shoulder, but Shane powers up to JAB! Tracy stays up and Shane talks some trash. They circle again, Tracy eggs Shane on, and Shane runs in. Tracy gets around to fire forearms but Shane puts him in a corner. Shane fires body shots, the ref counts, and Shane puts Tracy up top. Shane fires off forearms, the ref counts again, and Shane lets off.
Shane argues with the ref, but then Tracy gets an arm! HANGING ARMBAR! The ref counts, Tracy lets off at 4, and Tracy hurries in. Tracy wrenches, Shane shoves him away and CLOBBERS him on the return! Fans rally, Shane sits Tracy up and then DECKS him with a forearm! Shane huffs and puffs, fans sing “Shane is gonna kill~ you!” Shane is amused, and he drags Tracy up to suplex. Tracy knees free, then goes for the arm! Shane stays standing but Tracy grinds the shoulder. Shane powers up to SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Tracy is tough and the fans rally, but Shane talks trash to his old pal, Rhett. Shane slaps Tracy around, Tracy grits his teeth.
Tracy gets up, both men throw hands, but Tracy ROCKS, ROCKS and CHOPS Shane! Shane choke grips, SHOVES Tracy to a corner, but Tracy ELBOWS back! And BOOTS, too! Tracy goes up, but Shane YANKS him off, only for Tracy to DDT him down! Cover, TWO! Shane survives but Tracy roars! Fans rally up, Tracy runs, and he SLIDING LARIATS! Fans fire up, Tracy goes up top, but Shane ROCKS him first! Shane goes up after Tracy, to CLUB away on Tracy’s back! The ref counts but Tracy throws hands in return! Tracy HEADBUTTS and Shane falls back! Tracy adjusts, leaps, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Shane is hanging tough but Rhett coaches Tracy. Tracy watches Shane rise, then reels him in. But Shane’s too much to lift! Shane powers up to back drop free! Tracy staggers to his feet, but Shane blocks a kick to KNEE Tracy! Shane bobs ‘n’ weaves under Tracy’s shots, to HEADBUTT! And RIPCORD, into the URENAGE! And SPLASH! Cover, TWO!? Tracy survives and fans rally up again. Shane drags Tracy around by his arm, brings him up, but Tracy CHOPS! And ROCKS! Shane DECKS Tracy again! Shane drags Tracy up, tucks him in, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Shane wins!
Winner: Shane Taylor, by pinfall
Shane Taylor Promotions continues to rack up the wins! And even then, he still shows Tracy respect with another handshake. Will there be no denying Shane Taylor a golden opportunity after Double or Nothing?
ROH Women’s World Championship Proving Grounds: Athena VS Promise Braxton!
We saw Claudio defend the Proving Grounds against Serpentico, but we also saw the Fallen Goddess eyeing Kiera Hogan earlier tonight. Will Athena focus on the fight in front of her? Or will she not be able to break a Promise?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though sarcastically by Athena. The bell rings and the two circle. Fans rally, the two approach, but Athena shoots around to snapmare and ghost pin, ONE! Promise waistlocks, Athena fights up but Promise SLAMS Athena down! Promise facelocks, but Athena fights up to trip her. Athena has a standing toehold, but Promise turns over, stands up and reels Athena into a headlock. Athena powers up and out, but Promise whips, only for Athena to CLOBBER her with an elbow! Athena taunts Promise, things speed up, and Promise jumps but into a sunset flip!
Promise rolls through but Athena ducks the Penalty Kick! Things keep moving, Athena turns hip toss into arm-drag. Promise avoids the dropkick, and she Japanese arm-drags after all! Promise kips up, but so does Athena, and fans cheer. The two stand off, shake hands again, and then Athena ROUNDHOUSES Promise down! Athena cheers herself but the fans are torn. Promise goes to a corner, Athena runs in to RAM her! And KICK her! And UPPERCUT her! The ref counts but Athena glares at him. Athena brings Promise around to threaten the ref, but Promise fires body shots! Athena DECKS Promise!
Promise goes to a corner, Athena whips her to ropes, but Promise ducks and gets around to waistlock. Athena fights the hold but Promise rolls her up, TWO! Athena scoops, but Promise gets a headscissors to bring Athena into the OCTOPUS! Athena endures, fans rally, and Athena powers up but Promise sunset flips! ONE!! Athena hurries up but into a kick! Promise snap suplexes, rolls through, Una Amiga! Another suplex, but Athena fights it off! Athena suplexes, holds Promise and walks around, then GOURD BUSTERS at 7! SUPERKICK! Athena says it’s done now and she has a laugh. Athena pushes Promise to a cover, TWO!
Athena stalks Promise to a corner, stands her up and whips her corner to corner. Athena runs in, but Promise BOOTS her! Athena comes back, only gets buckles, and promise CLOBBERS Athena! Promise starts to rally! Athena swings, into a spin and GUT BUSTER! Promise keeps moving, METEORA! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up and the time is ticking! Promise nods, storms up on Athena, but into a RANA into buckles! Athena then runs to trip Promise, and she slingshots back in to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Athena grows frustrated and she pie faces Promise. Athena runs, into a KNEE! Promise runs, dodges, and ROCKS Athena!
Promise fires forearm after forearm, CHOPS, but Athena reels her in to CLUB her on the back! Promise elbows back, but Athena DECKS Promise! And then Athena rains down forearms on the mat! Athena ties Promise up, COBRA CLUTCH!! Promise taps, Athena wins!
Winner: Athena, by submission (denies Promise a title opporutnity)
The Fallen Goddess takes out another one, but she continues the mean streak by bringing Promise over. Athena CLUBS away on Promise’s back, lines up the shot, and tells her this is what she gets. But KIERA attacks from behind! Athena is mad, she runs in, but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Kiera gives Athena some forearms now! Fans fire up as Kiera gives Athena a taste of her own mean streak! Kiera shouts, “You really ’bout it? You wanna mess with me, b*tch?! BURN, B*TCH!” Kiera SPIKES Athena on the belt!! Now Athena gets a taste of her own medicine! Athena may have denied one challenger, but did she only anger another?
Dralistico w/ Jose VS Tony Deppen!
La Faccion Ingobernable is still looking for gold in AEW and ROH, but they could be very close. Will Prince of Silver and Gold prove himself worthy? Or will The Czar of Honor steal the spotlight from him?
The Code of Honor is upheld, but Dralistico gets in Tony’s face. The bell rings and Tony DROPKICKS Dralistico out! And then Tony DIVES! Direct hit and Tony adds forearms! Tony stomps Dralistico, whips, but Dralistico reverses to POST Tony! Dralistico RAMS Tony into railing, then brings him up to whip and send him hard into the steel steps! Fans fire up and Dralistico stomps Tony. Dralistico stands Tony up to CHOP him! Even fans are stinging! Dralistico puts Tony in, fans rally up, and Dralistico springboards to SWANTON! Cover, but Dralistico brings Tony up! Dralistico says tranquilo, he wants to have fun.
Dralistico KICKS Tony in the back! Tony goes to a corner, and Dralistico CHOPS him! Dralistico stomps away, the ref counts, and he has Dralistico back off. Dralistico runs side to side to SUPERKICK! Tony flops against ropes and Dralistico lounges on the top rope. Fans cheer the tranquilo, and then Dralistico goes back to Tony. Dralistico stomps Tony around, drags him back up, and reels him in. Dralistico says this is it, abut Tony fights the bomb! Tony BOOTS Dralistico and Dralistico staggers to ropes. Tony runs in but is put on the apron. Tony swings, Dralistico blocks and CHOPS! Dralisetico runs, but Tony jumps over! IMPLODER SENTON!
Fans fire up for Tony and he puts Dralistico back in! Tony climbs, leaps, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO!! Dralistico survives the coup de grace but fans rally up. Tony stands back up, he drag Dralistico up, but Dralistico CHOPS Tony! Dralistico eggs Tony on, so Tony CHOPS back! Dralistico cup checks Tony! Something he learned from big brother Rush when he did that to Jungle Boy. Tony CHOPS back! Dralistico says okay, and he puts his hands back. Tony says fine, and he puts some stank on the CHOP! Dralistico shrugs that off, and then he CHOPS Tony! Tony grits his teeth but he wants more!
Dralistico CHOPS! And then winds up, to CHOP again! Tony is still standing, so he forearms! Dralistico SLAPS Tony! Toni SLAPS, Dralistico SLAPS, this is getting fast ‘n’ furious! Tony and Dralistico fire off forearms back and forth, Tony gets the edge, but Dralistico SOBATS! And KNEES! And runs, but into a KNEE from Tony! Tony runs, but into a SCREW HIGH KICK from Dralistico! But then Tony shoots around to GERMAN SUPLEX! And then another! Fans fire up and Tony runs in, but into a SNAP GERMAN! And a SUPERKICK! And a POISON-RANA!! Tony flops down and fans fire up!
The ref checks both men, they’re okay to continue, and a standing count starts. Fans rally and both men stir. The count reaches 5 of 10 but Dralistico is up first. He stomps Tony, reels him in, underhooks the arms, but Tony fights free! ROLLING ELBOW! Both men go to corners, Tony runs in but is put on the apron. Tony CHOPS, then climbs up the ropes. Dralistico GAMANGIRIS first! Dralistico goes out, springboards in, SUPER STEINER!! Tony staggers up, Dralistico runs in, tilt-o-whirl, LA MYSTICA! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Tony taps, Dralistico wins!
Winner: Dralistico, by submission
The Prince of Silver and Gold almost came to regret letting off on Tony early. But in the end, he gets the win for LFI, will he also go get a championship?
Backstage interview with Nick Comoroto.
Dasha is with “Nicky Boy” and he is set to face Blake Christian tonight. Nick asks All Heart, “Who are you? All I see is just another guy who looks like everybody else, that talks like everybody. Hell, walks around just like everybody else.” All Heart? More like All Generic. How many people look like Nick Comoroto? NONE. NOBODY. This is what’s gonna happen: Nick reaches in to rip out that still-beating All Heart, and then spit down the hole he made. ROH, don’t simp for the wimps, capiche?
Skye Blue VS Miranda Alize!
Chicago Skye fell short of taking the title off Athena, but the chase is never done. Will Skye rise back up to try again? Or will the Lucha Baddie take over pole position?
The Code of Honor is NOT upheld as Alize slaps the hand away then shoves Skye! The bell rings and Skye comes back. Things speed up, Skye ducks ‘n’ dodges to shove but Alize blocks the arm-drag. Alize brings Skye up but Skye goes around to arm-drag after all! Skye keeps moving, tilt-o-whirls and headscissors Alize out of the ring! Skye then hurries out after Alize, but Alize leads her on a chase. They slide into the ring, Alize keeps moving but Skye dodges, only for Alize to dropkick the legs out! And BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Alize argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Skye is in a corner, Alize runs in to forearm!
Alize throws body shots, the ref counts, and Alize goes corner to corner. Alize takes a bow, runs back in and UPPERCUTS! Alize sits Skye down, goes side to side, BOOT WASH! Alize blows kisses, then runs corner to corner to basement dropkick! And snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Alize is annoyed but the fans rally up. Alize pushes Skye around but Skye throws body shots. Skye ROCKS Alize, runs, but Alize UPPERCUTS her at the ropes! Alize pushes Skye to a corner, then runs corner to corner, but into an elbow! Alize comes back, into a BOOT! Skye then spins Alize to a SMASH and whip! And SHINING WIZARD at the ropes!
Skye snapmares but Alize blocks the kick! “I don’t think so, little girl!” But then Skye comes back with the BASEMENT ENZIGURI! Cover, ONE!! Alize has fight in her but Skye drags her up. Fans rally as Skye full nelsons, but Alize stomps Skye’s foot! Skye shoves Alize away, but Alize comes back to spin Skye and suplex, into the X PLEX! Cover, TWO! Skye also still has fight in her, and Alize is frustrated. Alize covers again, TWO! Alize puts on a CROSSFACE! She bends Skye back, and Skye flails around! Th e fans rally, Skye rolls to a cover, TWO!! Skye SUPERKICKS and Alize goes to a corner.
Skye roars, runs corner to corner, but Alize dodges! Alize comes back, but Skye slips into the ropes to then roll Alize up! SCHOOLGIRL BRIDGE! Skye wins!!
Winner: Skye Blue, by pinfall
Alize is stunned that she got caught like that! Skye is savvy beyond her years, will she be back in the title picture soon enough?
Backstage interview with Athena.
Lexi Nair flags Athena down as she’s leaving. Athena asks what Lexi wants, and Lexi just wants to ask, after Kiera attacked Athena after her match, “how does it feel to taste your own medicine?” Athena asks what Lexi means by that. A taste of her own medicine? Athena says it’s crazy, Lexi is everywhere, but the one thing she’s good at is sticking her nose in the wrong person’s business. As far as Kiera goes, next week, Athena will defend her title against her. Is that what we wanted? Yes? Yes?! Athena throws a fit! She kicks spare railing and shouts “KIERA!” Athena storms out, having lost her cool, will she end up losing her title, too?
Darius Martin & Action Andretti VS Cole Karter & “The Reality” Zack Clayton!
The team that won the Fight Without Honor is back in action already! Will they keep winning and rising in the ROH Tag Division? Or will they end up having a reality check?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Action starts against Clayton. They circle, tie up, and Clayton shoves him to a corner. Action comes back, waistlocks, but Clayton elbows free. But Action elbows back! Action whips, Clayton reverses but Action rolls off his back to KICK! Action whips, Clayton reverses, but Action dodges to send him into buckles! Action comes back but the monkey flip is denied as Clayton puts Action up top. Action BOOTS Clayton away, then front flips to arm-drag! Clayton comes back but into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up, Action runs to IMPLODER TORNILLO! Cover, TWO!
Action drags Clayton up, tags in Darius, and Darius leap frogs the arm! Darius wrenches but Clayton LARIATS! Clayton drags Darius up, tags Karter, and they mug Darius. Karter scoops, Darius slips off and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Karter CHOPS back! Karter whips, Darius reverses and DROPKICKS! Darius CHOPS Karter again, whips, but Karter reverses. Darius slides to s stop, tags Action, they pinball Karter in their corner! Action slingshots in, goes up and up, TORNILLO! Cover, TWO! Action keeps cool, and he brings Karter up. Karter swings, Action bobs ‘n’ weaves, to SOBAT, knee and whip.
Karter reverses and then shoves Action off the springboard! Action hits the floor, Karter tags in Clayton. Clayton drags Action up to the ropes, to deadlift suplex him into the ring! Karter drops DOUBLE KNEES! Fans boo but Clayton & Karter just soak it up. Clayton talks trash on Action, saying the fans don’t care about him. But the fans rally up and chant “WE CARE! WE CARE!” Clayton CLUBS Action, CLUBS him more, but Action JAWBREAKERS! Clayton grabs a leg, but Action hops up to ENZIGURI! Clayton grabs Action again, but Action slips out, hops over, and SUPERKICKS! Hot tag to Darius!
Karter jumps in but Darius CLOBBERS him! Darius rallies on Clayton & Karter, CHOP and ENZIGURI! A clothesline sends Karter up and over the ropes! Clayton waistlocks, Darius switches, and then BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBOS! Fans fire up, Darius GAMANGIRIS Clayton, then steps in for the COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Karter drags him off! Darius CHOPS Karter, hurries back and dodges Clayton! But he runs into a POWERSLAM! Tag to Karter and he climbs up! Karter FROG SPLASHES! Cover, Action breaks it! Clayton CLUBS Action, whips him, but Action BOOTS back from the corner!
Clayton staggers, Action tilt-o-whirls, but Clayton blocks it! Darius gives it a push and Action finishes the DDT while Darius clotheslines Karter! Darius & Action bring Karter around, DOUBLE SWINGING SLAM! Cover, Action & Darius win!
Winners: Darius Martin & Action Andretti, by pinfall
The team of #TopAction keeps on winning, will they go all the way to the tag titles?
Nick Comoroto VS Blake Christian!
We heard “Nicky Boy” earlier, will this wrecking ball crush All Heart? Or will Comoroto realize size doesn’t matter?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the bell rings, and fans chant for “ALL HEART!” Comoroto winds up, and he flicks his lollipop at Blake. Blake SLAPS Comoroto! Comoroto swings but Blake dodges to wheelbarrow. Comoroto throws Blake away but Blake SLAPS him again! Comoroto whips Blake to a corner, and he RAMS Blake before he can get up and over! Blake staggers, comes back, but Comoroto puts him on the apron. Blake GAMANGIRIS, then backflips away before Comoroto comes back! Fans cheer and Blake eggs Comoroto on. Comoroto rushes out, Blake slides back in, and Comoroto thinks before just rushing back in.
Comoroto then slides in, but Blake slides out! The chase continues, Blake goes up and around and Comoroto hits steps! Fans fire up, Blake builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and fans fire up more! Comoroto scrambles into the ring, Blake hurries in, but he avoids the elbow drop! Fans chant for All Heart as he slingshot sentons! Comoroto bails back out, Blake builds speed again and DIVES, but in to Comoroto’s hands! Comoroto trophy lifts, then POSTS Blake! Fans boo but Comoroto hauls Blake up. Comoroto puts Blake in at 7 of 10, drops an elbow, then stomps Blake. Comoroto drags Blake up while fans rally.
Comoroto RAMS Blake into a corner, RAMS him again, then suplexes to TOSS Blake away! Comoroto tells everyone to shove it, then he drags Blake up. Comoroto scoop SLAMS, then runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Comoroto is annoyed but the fans continue to rally for All Heart. Comoroto drags Blake back up, scoops again, but Blake slips off! Blake ROCKS Comoroto, but Comoroto CHOPS back! Blake fires more forearms, but Comoroto CHOPS him down! Blake goes to ropes, Comoroto storms up but into more forearms. Comoroto UPPERCUTS Blake off his feet! But BLake kips back up! Blake fires off more forearms!
Fans fire up as Blake ENZIGURIS! Blake whips, Comoroto blocks and reverses, but he misses the splash and only hits buckles! Fans fire up while both men are down! Blake and Comoroto both rise, Comoroto runs in but Blake dumps him out! Blake builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit into the railing! Fans fire up as Blake hurries to the apron. Blake climbs a corner, Comoroto is on the apron now, DOUBLE STOMPS! Comoroto flops into the ring, Blake goes back up to FIVE STAR FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Comoroto survives, guess Blake really isn’t one of a kind. Blake aims from the corner, though, and he runs in, but into a SPINEBUSTER!
Comoroto roars, shakes the ropes, and fans boo as he goes back to Blake. “You ain’t got nothing!” Comoroto drags Blake up, the fans rally, and Blake SLAPS Comoroto again! And then cradles! TWO!! Comoroto is up, fireman’s carries, WIDOWMAKER! Cover, TWO!?! Blake survives and Comoroto is foaming at the mouth. Blake flops out of the ring while Comoroto argues with the ref. Wait, Blake gets a chair?! Comoroto storms up and Blake throws the chair into the ring. The ref and Comoroto both go get the chair but then Blake runs in to victory roll! BLAKE WINS!!
Winner: Blake Christian, by pinfall
Blake proves he isn’t just All Heart, he’s got some brains, too! He tricked Nick, but will Comoroto get back at the small fry soon enough?
Diamante VS Trish Adora!
Another battle in this already powered up Women’s Division, the Cuban Diamond and the Afropunk collide on the road to a title shot! Who gets a step ahead of the other with a win here tonight?
The Code of Honor is upheld, though with some tension. The bell rings, and the shoving begins! Then they tie up, go around, and Diamante puts Trish in a corner. The ref counts, Diamante lets off at 4, but then she swings on Trish! Trish catches her for a double wristlock! Diamante moves around to fight it so Trish wrenches, Alabama Lifts, and tucks Diamante in for a REVERSE NECKBREAKER! Trish holds onto it but Diamante tries to turn it into an Octopus! Trish stands up, wrenches, but Diamante throws her down! Diamante stomps Trish, CLUBS her against the ropes, then lets off as the ref counts.
Trish bails out but Diamante drags her in, DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Trish flops to the apron, and Diamante runs to baseball slide dropkick! Fans boo but Diamante soaks up the heat. Diamante puts Trish in, ROCKS her with a forearm, then fires off more shots. Trish ROCKS Diamante back, but Diamante CHOPS! Diamante CHOPS Trish in the corner, CHOPS her again, then CHOPS her again! Trish dodges the next chop to CHOP back! And again! And again! Diamante shoves Trish, Trish comes back, but into an OVERHEAD Suplex! Trish is in the corner, Diamante runs in to SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO!
Trish is still in this and the fans rally up. Diamante eggs her on, so Trish ROCKS her with a forearm! Diamante forearms back! The forearms go back and forth, but Diamante gets the edge. Diamante says it’s over, and she SLAPS Trish! Diamante grabs an arm, but Trish blocks the ripcord! Trish then WRINGS Diamante’s arm! Trish fires off forearms, winds up and she DECKS Diamante! Trish tells her to get up, but Diamante dodges the haymaker, only for the CROSSBODY to hit! Cover, TWO! Trish hurries to go after Diamante in the corner! Trish stomps and hip attacks point blank! The ref counts, Trish stops at 4.
Trish then drags Diamante up, suplexes, CRADLE SHOCK! Cover, TWO!! Diamante survives and Trish is shocked! But fans fire up and Trish powers up, but Diamante ducks the lariat! Dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES! Diamante says this is it, and she grinds her forearms into Trish’s face, before the half straitjacket and armlock! Trish TAPS, Diamante wins!
Winner: Diamante, by submission
The Cuban Diamond put on the pressure and Trish couldn’t take it! They still uphold the Code of Honor, but will Diamante soon have some gold in her sights?
Alex Coughlin speaks.
“Shibata-san, five years since you changed my life when you invited me to train under your learning tree at the LA Dojo. I learned a lot from you, you beat a lot of lessons into me, but you didn’t teach me everything. When I see you across the ring from me in Vegas, you better come prepared and don’t underestimate me. Because I’m going to give everything that I have. You invited me five years ago to the LA Dojo, and I’m walking out with your Pure title, using your own techniques.” Will the Android dethrone The Wrestler next week?
Penta El Zero Miedo w/ Alex Abrahantes VS Slim J w/ The Trustbusters!
The Lucha Brothers retained the ROH World Tag Team Championships on Dynamite, though with a little help from The Young Bucks. And at Double or Nothing, the Lucha Brothers are both getting in on the Blackjack Battle Royal for the AEW International Championship. Will #CEROMIEDO improve his chances with a win here tonight? Or will the only high rollers in Vegas be Daivari Dinero and his stable?
The Code of Honor is NOT upheld as both men get in each other’s face. The bell rings, they talk some trash, and then Penta tells Slim to listen. “CERO! MIEDO!” and Penta pie faces Slim hard! Slim comes back to shove Penta, but Penta says okay. “CERO!” Slim stops that to say no catchphrases! But Penta SOBATS! Penta headlocks, Slim powers out and drops down, but Penta KICKS Slim! Fans fire up with Penta while Slim goes to a corner. Penta runs in, Slim dodges, but Penta dodges in return. Penta GAMANGIRIS, runs, Slim follows but Penta to SUPERKICK! Slim flops out of the ring and fans fire up!
Penta builds speed, Slim moves but Penta redirects, and DIVES into a forearm! Slim CHOKES Penta on the apron, lets off as the ref counts, and then pushes Penta in. Slim throws Penta out near the Trustbusters, and Slim distracts the ref. Sonny Kiss & Jeeves Kay stomp away on Penta while Daivari keeps Alex back! Slim then goes out after Penta to SLAP him! Penta leans against railing, Slim puts him in the ring, and Slim drags Penta up. Slim knuckle locks and throws body shots. Slim goes up the ropes and he FLYING INVERTED DDTS! Cover, TWO! Penta is still in this but Slim keeps him down with a chinlock.
Fans rally, Penta fights up, but Slim puts him on the ropes. Slim ROCKS Penta, whips, but Penta stops himself to KICK back! Penta then runs to SUPERKICK! And again, to SLINGBLADE! And then another SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!! Slim survives but Penta fires back up! Penta brings Slim up, has him against ropes, and hushes the crowd. Penta CHOPS and Slim flounders away! Fans want one more, “UNO MAS! UNO MAS!” The Trustbusters say no, but Penta brings Slim out. Penta says “CERO! MIEDO!” Tuck and- NO, Slim fights the driver to hit a SWINGING CUTTER! Cover, TWO!!
Penta survives and Slim is shocked! Slim drags Penta up, hoists him up top, climbs up and fires off forearms! But Penta slips out, and SUPERKICKS the legs out! Slim is in a Tree of Woe, Penta goes back up, to WOE STOMP!! Penta then drags Slim to a cover, TWO!! Slim survives but Penta fires up again! The fans are with him and Penta goes back to the corner. Penta tells the Trustbusters to back off, then he climbs. DIVING- NO, Slim avoids the stomps! Slim runs in, wheelbarrow COMPLETE SHOT! Slim goes up a corner, leaps, FLYING REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives again!
Fans rally, Slim drags Penta up, and Slim Electric Chair Lifts! But Penta throws down fists! Penta slips free, shoves, Slim springboards, into a KICK! Penta drags Slim up, “CERO! MIEDO!” PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta El Zero Miedo, by pinfall
No golden ticket for the Trustbusters to get a tag title match! Penta wins big, but will he win just as big at Double or Nothing?
Zack Sabre Jr. & Samoa Joe VS Christopher Daniels & Matt Sydal!
Two submission masters join forces for a common goal of making former ROH World Tag Team Champions #JustTapOut! But will the Front Man and the King of Wrestling Television keep that plot line in mind? Or will Daniels & Sydal snatch a golden ticket to a summer blockbuster?
The Code of Honor is upheld, the teams sort out, and Sydal starts against ZSJ. Fans sing “Joe is gonna kill~ you!” but ZSj says everyone can calm down. No murder here, just wrestling. They circle, Sydal doesn’t take the free leg, and they knuckle lock. ZSJ bridges, rolls, and has a straitjacket on Sydal! Sydal spins it onto ZSJ, turns it into a modified stretch, but ZSJ slips it back onto Sydal! ZSJ bends Sydal against his knees, but Sydal pushes back to a cover. ONE, and Sydal is back in the stretch. But Sydal pushes back again, goes up and over, and he has the jacket back on ZSJ! ZSJ wriggles it down, kicks free, and fans cheer!
ZSJ and Sydal reset, circle again, and tie up. ZSJ gest an arm to wrench and twist, then wrangles Sydal to the mat. Sydal fights up but ZSJ holds onto the wristlock. Sydal spins through, wrenches back and has a double wristlock. ZSJ trips Sydal, then blocks the drop toehold. ZSJ gets an arm, has a top wristlock, but Sydal kips up, goes up and around, gets free and RANAS! Then WHEEL KICKS! Fans fire up, Sydal tags Daniels, but ZSJ gets away and Joe tags himself in. Fans cheer but ZSJ is a bit annoyed. Joe circles with Daniels, meeting again after just facing off 1v1 for the ROH TV Championship just a few weeks ago.
Fans rally, Daniels rushes Joe and whips, but Joe jumps over the dropdown to CHOP Daniels down! And CHOP him again! Daniels rises again but Joe smirks. Joe cravats to snapmare, and he CHOPS Daniels on the back! Joe tells ZSJ to take notes, but Daniels rolls Joe up! TWO, and Daniels drop toeholds Joe! Tag to Sydal, he jumps in to stomp Joe on the head! Sydal stomps more, he and Daniels double whip, then drop toehold to basement dropkick! Fans fire up, Sydal brings Joe up, but Joe CHOPS back! Joe tags ZSJ in but with some stank. ZSJ and Sydal circle, Sydal shows knuckle lock but he KICKS ZSJ in the leg!
Sydal KICKS ZSJ again, has him in the corner, tags Daniels, and they bring ZSJ around. Dragon sleeper to a LEG DROP DDT, and then Sydal gives Daniels a boost with a BACK SUPLEX SPLASH! Then Sydal STANDING MARIPOSAS! Sydal covers but as Joe points out, Daniels is legal. The miscue costs Daniels & Sydal but Daniels CHOPS ZSJ to a corner. Daniels throws forearms, whips corner to corner, then runs in to forearm smash! Daniels brings ZSJ out, ROCKS him and CHOPS him! Daniels whips again, but ZSJ kicks back! Daniels comes back but ZSJ trips him up! ZSJ distracts the ref, Joe gets as cheap shot in!
Sydal is mad but ZSJ BLASTS him off the apron! ZSJ tags Joe and tells him that’s how it’s done. Joe stomps Daniels, then JABS and JABS and JABS, then fires off in the corner! Daniels sits down and Joe lets off. Joe brings Daniels up, Daniels throws forearms in return! Daniels whips, Joe reverse and runs in, back elbow to PELE! Daniels falls, and Joe “graciously” tags ZSJ. ZSJ says that’s better. ZSJ drags Daniels over, has a standing toehold but also stands on Daniels’ bad knee. ZSJ tweaks the foot, twists the ankle, and has a modified calf killer to shift into a modified Deathlock! ZSJ even headscissors!
ZSJ turns Daniels over, flexes at Joe and pushes up to put on pressure. ZSJ then drags Daniels over with that headscissors, and he tags in Joe. Joe stomps Daniels, brings Daniels up, then HEADBUTTS! Joe snapmares, then wraps Daniels up in an armlock. Joe leans his weight on Daniels and ZSJ says that’s pretty good. Fans rally as Daniels endures, and ZSJ taunts him that the ropes are so close. Daniels fights to his feet, but Joe throws him down! Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ wants Joe to watch this. ZSJ wrenches, slips through, wrenches and then wrangles Daniels down! ZSJ rolls Daniels around and around with arm wrench after arm wrench!
ZSJ then isolates the arm to STOMP it! Tag to Joe, Joe brings Daniels up and wrenches him. Joe says this is how he doe sit, and he just HEADBUTTS the hand again and again and again! Then he stomps away on the arm! Joe drags Daniels over, tags in ZSJ, and ZSJ stops with the arm. ZSJ asks Joe what he’s up to, but Daniels shoves ZSJ into Joe! Roll-up, TWO!! Joe gets in to BOOT Daniels! ZSJ drags Daniels over, tags Joe, and Joe sits Daniels up with a neck wrench. Daniels endures, fans rally again, but Joe leans his weight on the hold. Daniels still fights up, throws elbows, and then runs. Joe hits the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!!
Sydal coaches Daniels but Joe tags ZSJ. ZSJ kicks Daniels around, toys with him, and then drags Daniels up to UPPERCUT! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, and again! Daniels flops against ropes, ZSJ CHOKES him, then tags in Joe. Joe isn’t so sure about that one, but he CHOPS Daniels on the back! Joe stands Daniels up, HEADBUTTS him down, then sits him up for a shoulder claw! Daniels endures, fans rally, and ZSJ talks more trash on Daniels. Daniels fights up, throws elbows again and again, and then runs. Daniels KICKS Joe to then STO! Fans fire up while both men are down! Daniels crawls, hot tag ot Sydal!
Fans fire up as Sydal KICKS Joe, KICKS again and again and again! Joe swings, Sydal dodges to THRUST KICK! Sydal dodges ZSJ to JUMP KNEE! Joe runs in but into more KICKS! Sydal fires up, and he fakes Joe out to QUESTION MARK KICK! Joe staggers, Sydal goes up top, METEORA! Cover, ZSJ breaks it with a NECK TWIST! ZSJ tags in, brings Sydal up and UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Sydal wobbles, ZSJ runs in, but Sydal catches him to a backslide! TWO!! Ghost pin, TWO!!! ZSJ escapes, Sydal swings but into a spin and GUILLOTINE! HALF HATCH SUPLEX!
Fans fire up as ZSJ sits Sydal up. ZSJ aims from a corner, runs in, but Sydal duck the Penalty Kick! Tilt-o-whirl, MYSTICA! CROSSFACE!! Joe runs in, into a COMPLETE SHOT and KOJI CLUTCH!! Fans fire up for these dueling submissions! Joe is fading out, but ZSJ gets the ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ saves the team but Sydal puts him in the drop zone. Sydal goes up, but ZSJ springs up after him! ZSJ goes after an arm but Sydal fires body shots! Daniels BLASTS Joe off the apron, then helps Sydal with ZSJ! METEORA BOMB!!! Cover, TWO!?!? ZSJ survives and Sydal can’t believe it! But fans are loving this!
“This is Awesome!” as Daniels tags back in! Daniels drags ZSJ up, clinches, but ZSJ fights to an arm-drag! And an UPPERCUT in the corner! Tag to Joe and he runs in, but Daniels dodges! Daniels kicks low, reels Joe in to underhook, but Joe back drops free! Joe returns to LARIAT!! Sydal SCREW HIGH KICKS Joe! ZSJ runs in, Sydal dodges and jumps, into a cravat! Snapmare and NECK TWIST! ZSJ cravats Daniels but Daniels arm-drags free! Daniels kicks low, underhooks, ANGEL’S WINGS!!! ZSJ flops out of the ring, Joe is still legal! Daniels runs in but into the URENAGE!! COQUINA CLUTCH!!!! Daniels is fading, he is OUT! ZSJOE wins!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Samoa Joe, by submission (denies Sydal & Daniels a title opportunity)
The NJPW World Television Champion and the ROH World Television Champion stand tall, both showing off their belts. But they also uphold the Code of Honor with these icons. Sydal is still hoping for a shot, but how long will he have to wait for it? As for ZSJ and Joe, they clink belts and shake hands, will they look to go TV Champion VS TV Champion one day?
My Thoughts:
I must’ve missed where they said this was a THREE hour ROH. Also, I don’t like that ROH episodes aren’t consistent in length. I get it, ROH being under AEW now, this was all meant to add to the big week going into Double or Nothing, but it didn’t do that, it just tired me out. Three hours without commercials is only worth it if it’s a PPV with PPV level matches, and this wasn’t that. So many of these matches were NOT originally advertised, and instead of being a great surprise, it was just adding to the slog. In the loss of Elevation and Dark on YouTube, AEW is just making ROH into that developmental show, without calling it developmental.
Now, don’t get me wrong, everyone did a great job in their matches. But c’mon, when it comes to this week, this moment in time, did we really need Comoroto VS All Heart? Did we need D’Amboise VS Kamela? Or Skye Blue VS Alize, Rocky VS Titus Alexander, or Mercedes Martinez VS Dream Girl Ellie? Honestly, not to be mean to Kyle Fletcher or AR Fox, it’s kind of bad timing that they had a match on this episode when it was clearly recorded before the sad news that Mark Davis is out with injury and that Aussie Open vacated their multiple tag titles. Because in this episode, they were seen with them, and commentary had to cover it up with a kayfabe excuse. Probably why they’re never there live in the arena, really.
The only silver lining is that, for a promotion under Tony Khan’s power, ROH had more than one women’s match. Though, as I just got through saying, the only ones that really mattered ended up being Kiera VS Vert, and Athena VS Promise because in a very similar build to Athena VS Skye, Athena starts eyeing someone before they’re her challenger, which in turn makes her a challenger. But at least with Kiera, she got right at Athena in the ring while Skye simply called Athena out verbally. Athena VS Kiera is happening next week in the “aftermath” of Double or Nothing, but I don’t think Kiera is the one getting that title off Athena.
Good match from Briscoe VS JD to open the show, and Mark calling out Joe is a nice touch. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I feel like Mark really should’ve had destiny fulfilled back at Supercard. But maybe Tony Khan knew he was going to have Mark in this story with Triple J and FTR and didn’t want the TV title on hold because of it. Of course Claudio wins his Proving Grounds match, it was against Serpentico. Now Angelico might’ve had a better shot, and I kinda wanna see that match happen now. One of these days, a Proving Grounds match should at least go to time limit so that the opponent gets their shot at the champion that way, and I feel Angelico could pull that off.
Really good stuff out of Dralistico VS Deppen, not sure where Dralistico is going to go title wise. Maybe LFI feuds with Lucha Brothers again? Penta had a really good match with Slim J that gives him momentum going into the International Championship battle royal, so he’s probably not winning. And of course, great tag team main event, Daniels and Sydal can both still go, and we know Joe and ZSJ are both great. I wouldn’t mind seeing Joe and ZSJ go back and forth. First would be the NJPW World TV Championship match to see if Joe can win in 15 minutes or less, but then he turns it around on ZSJ by saying he can’t beat Joe when there’s no time limit at all. Those would both be awesome matches to see, maybe one of them at Forbidden Door and the other at All In so that one way or another, ZSJ is right at home.
My Score: 8.4/10
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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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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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