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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/16/23)

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NXT White 'n' Gold Era

Hello, hello, hello! Live from the moon…

Noam Dar’s return to NXT continues to grow as he brings back Supernova Sessions! And his first guest is Dragon Lee! Will it all go well? Or will it go to hell?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Cora Jade VS Fallon Henley; Jade wins and advances.
  • Tyler Bate & Wes Lee VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak; No Contest.
  • The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ The Schism; The Creed Brothers win.
  • Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak; Melo & Trick win.
  • Thea Hail w/ Duke Hudson VS Kiana James; Kiana wins.
  • NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Roxanne Perez VS Jacy Jayne; wins and advances.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Cora Jade VS Fallon Henley!

The #GenerationofJade is saying she’s the Savior of the Women’s Division and the future champion. All she needs to do is get through the best of the best. The Cowgirl’s been shining, but will she measure up to Jade’s expectations? Or will she YEEHAW B*TCH all over this ring?

The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cora pulls hair to put Fallon in a corner, then lets off to laugh at her. But Fallon comes back and powers Cora to the other corner! Fallon SLAPS Cora, but Cora DECKS Fallon! Cora headlocks, Fallon powers out and things speed up. Cora dodges but Fallon runs her over! Fans fire up, Fallon gets around to sit Cora down and basement dropkick! Fans fire up and Fallon runs to slide out and HAYMAKER Cora back in! Fallon grins as she gets back in, but Cora uses the ropes as a defense. The fans boo, but Fallon blocks the cheap shot to CHOP back!

Fallon snap suplexes Cora, covers, TWO! Cora scrambles away to a corner, Fallon runs in but only gets buckles. Cora SHINING WIZARDS to the back, then SHINING WIZARDS to the front! Cora wraps a leg around ropes and pulls! The ref counts, Cora lets off to KICK the leg, then drop knees on the knee! Cover, ONE! Fallon hangs tough but Cora drags Fallon by her leg. Cora SMASHES the knee into the mat, then drags Fallon up by her hair. Cora puts Fallon through ropes, ties her up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! Cora runs, and SHOTGUNS Fallon down! Cover, TWO! Cora looms over Fallon and drags her around.

Cora steps through, ties up the legs, and gets an INDIAN DEATHLOCK! There’s a watch party going on with Wendy Choo, Tatum Paxley, Kiana James, Thea Hail and many others while Duke Hudson is taking notes. Fallon endures, Cora SLAMS her down, and SLAMS her again. Fallon ROCKS Cora from below, drags her to a cover, TWO! Cora storms up to kick the legs out! Fans boo but Cora gets the leg to SMANSH- NO, Fallon lands on her feet to ROCK Cora! And CHOP! And ROCK and CHOP on repeat! Fans fire up as Cora comes back, and Fallon dodge to UPPERCUT! Fans fire up again as Fallon hobbles up.

Fallon rallies with a LARIAT! Cora goes to a corner, Fallon runs in to elbow! Fallon keeps moving, RUNNNING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Fallon as she slaps her leg. Fallon suplexes, Cora slips out and dragon sleepers! Cora KNEES Fallon in the back, underhooks, but Fallon wrenches out to mule kick the leg! Fallon runs and SHINING WIZARDS! But her bad leg holds her back! Cora flops out of the ring as fans boo, but Fallon hurries out after her. Fallon drags Cora up and into the ring, pushes her to center, but Cora CHOP BLOCKS Fallon’s bad leg! Cora hurries to underhook, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, Cora wins!

Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

The Punk Rock Mean Girl is moving on towards the goal, already seeing herself in the winner’s circle. Will NXT soon belong to the Generation of Jade? Lyra Valkyria appears to tell Cora it won’t be that easy. Their semifinal match happens next week!

 

The watch party reacts.

Everyone was rooting for Fallon since Cora insulted everyone else. But Kiana laughs. They are drawing these conclusions from what experience? Reading textbooks don’t count. There’s a difference between watching as a fan, and watching as a superstar. Thea says okay, but uh, this “fan” watched Kiana get eliminated last week. Oh snap! Kiana says that’s cute. She’s the top tier, while Theta will never get there as a “pathetic little child.” Thea says she should’ve been in this tournament, and she’ll prove it tonight! Sounds like a night off to Kiana. Does she need a permission slip signed first?

No! She just needs Mr. Chase- Er, Duke. Duke can approve it! Thea asks if she can have a match with skirt suit here. Duke says sure, do whatever you want. Then she’s gonna kick Kiana’s prissy little ass! The rest of the party fires up, but will Thea represent for Duke Uni- Er, Chase U?

 

Wes Lee and Tyler Bate meditate backstage.

Wes is down with finding the higher plane, but they have a match next. Can they come back to this? Yeah, they’ll put a pin in it. BUT THE DYAD ATTACKS!! They trap Bate’s arm in a locker, then throw Wes into it to smash the door on the arm!! Then they stomp both of them down! Joe Gacy walks in and says, “This charade of a friendship is based on lies. And eventually, it will burn out. Wes grabs at Gacy but Gacy SLAMS him back down! Will The Schism look to take the gold away from the #WesSide?

 

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams arrive backstage.

They are heated as they head for gorilla, and they pass by Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak, who were going to face Bate & Wes tonight. Trick tells them that if they ain’t got a match, they gotta get out the way. Dempsey & Gulak are upset by that, but Trick Melo Gang goes to the ring now. Trick tells production to cut the video recap, everyone knows what Bron did to them. Melo says last week, his boy defending his honor and brought it to Bron Breakker. But after that, Bron decided to send Melo a message. Guess what? Message received. And hey, Melo is well aware this isn’t the same Bron from Stand & Deliver. But what Bron needs to realize is that this isn’t the same Melo, either!

Trick says let’s talk about it. Melo says that at NXT Battleground, “we in my yard. And in my yard we don’t bark, we bite! So if you this big alpha dog, why don’t you come out here and face me like a real one would.” Trick calls out Big Booty Nephew, but he & Melo get Dempsey & Gulak instead. Gulak tells Mr. Melo & Mr. Williams that their “childish little sit in” has gone on too long. Gulak doesn’t care if Melo was embarrassed because Bron left him beat in this ring, they do not disrespect Gulak & Dempsey. Trick Melo Gang stormed in like children, right as Dempsey & Gulak found out their match isn’t happening.

Gulak says their lifestyles are not alike. Their flash happens in the ring. Fans taunt Dempsey as “Willy Wonka!” but Gulak tells them to shut up and show respect. Just like these ingrates right here! Melo says okay, okay. The difference between them is, when Gulak & Dempsey speak, fans chant “Willy Wonka.” When Trick Melo Gang speak, fans chant “MEL~O!” And they do now. Trick has one! He tells Gulak and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” that if they want a match, Trick Melo Gang is waiting on Bad Booty Breakker, go ahead and run with them! Fans like that, and Gulak asks if they’re sure this close to Battleground.

But then Gulak cheap shots Melo! Dempsey goes after Trick, the brawl is on, and Trick ROCKS Dempsey out of the ring! Melo fires back, and BOOTS Gulak out of the ring! Fans fire up, will this be the substitute for Gulak & Dempsey facing Bate & Wes?

 

Dijak speaks.

“Last week, Dragunov found out that when it comes to NXT, I’m the judge, the jury, and executioner.” But then Dragunov interrupts! He tells Dijak that Dijak is obsessed with this idea of breaking Dragunov. But Dragunov is #UNBESIEGBAR, which is to say invincible and unbreakable. Dijak says Dragunov enjoys pain, and he enjoys inflicting it. Dragunov says pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. There’s not a man alive Dijak can’t break! Dragunov drums his fingers, and invites Dijak to try. When and where will these two run it back?

 

NXT shares footage from over the weekend.

Dani Palmer was part of the NXT Sebring house show, when she was attacked by a hooded assailant! Is this the same person who keeps attacking other parts of the Women’s Division?

 

The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS The Dyad w/ The Schism!

Julius & Brutus are battling it out with Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed on behalf of the Diamond Pitbull going after Ava Raine. Will Diamond Mine crush the Dyad under the pressure? Or will the roots of The Schism’s tree dig into the Creeds?

NXT returns and The Schism make their entrance. The teams sort out and Julius starts against Rip. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Rip arm-drags but Julius kips up and they stay tied up collar ‘n’ elbow. Julius shoots around, fireman’s carry takeovers, and armlocks to wrench. Rip rolls, powers through to back drop, and he has the knuckle locks! Rip pushes Julius down but Julius kips up! But Rip pushes him back down, only for Julius to pop up and monkey flip! They keep the knuckle locks, Julius rolls back but Rip returns the monkey flip! But Julius lands on his feet! And DROPKICKS Rip!

Julius whips but Rip reverses. Julius goes up and over and keeps moving. Brutus tags, Julius ducks ‘n’ dodges and slides out for Brutus to springboard and AX HANDLE! Fans fire up, Brutus wrenches Rip and RAMS shoulders! Brutus wrenches again, but Rip pulls on Brutus’ singlet! Tag to Jagger, the Dyad mugs Brutus in their corner! The ref counts, Rip bails out but Jagger CLUBS Brutus down. Jagger KNEES Brutus in the back and clamps on a chinlock. Fans rally as Brutus endures. Brutus fights up but Jagger throws hands. Brutus DECKS Jagger! And then suplexes Jagger, to hold him up and bring him over!

Tag to Julius, and he takes the handoff! Fans cheer as Julius keeps Jagger up for TEN, then the SLAM! Julius then deadlifts Jagger, but Jagger elbows free. Tag to Rip and Rip ROCKS Julius! And CLUBS him! And suplexes, but Julius suplexes back! Julius holds Rip up now, and he walks over to tag Brutus. Fans fire up as Brutus takes the handoff! It’s a bit trickier with the taller Rip, but Julius tags back in to help out. The Creeds hand off Rip one more time, for the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Rip is dizzy but Julius ROCKS him to a corner. Rip ROCKS Julius back, ROCKS Brutus, but Julius knees low.

Julius whips, Rip stops himself and knees Julius! Tag to Jagger, clinch and ENZIGURI! And then MAYHEM IN MOTION to take out Brutus! Fans are torn as the Dyad makes Julius GRIT YOUR TEETH!! KOJI KLUTCH!! Julius endures, reaches, but Rip stomps away on Julius! The ref reprimands but Julius is fading all the same! Ivy coaches Julius, and he gets a second wind! Julius deadlifts Jagger to POWERBOMB him down! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up while both men are down and NXT goes picture in picture.

Jagger stirs, Julius is after him and CLUBS him to the Creed corner. Tag to Brutus, the Creeds double whip then bypass to DOUBLE ELBOW! Jagger flounders but Brutus clamps onto an arm. Brutus drags Jagger up, wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Tag to Julius, and Julius gut wrench SLAMS Brutus onto Jagger! Cover, TWO! Julius keeps Jagger down with a BEARHUG! Jagger endures, fights up, but Julius SLAMS him back down! Julius keeps on the pressure, Jagger fights up again, but Julius SLAMS him down again! Julius gator rolls with Jagger, keeps him from Rip, but Jagger gets the ROPEBREAK!

The ref counts, but Jagger throws an elbow! Rip tags in and he brings Julius up. The Dyad RAMS Julius into the buckles! Julius falls back, Rip whips him to ropes and CLOBBERS him! Cover, TWO! Rip throws down elbows into the shoulders, then fishhooks Julius. The ref reprimands and Rip CLUBS Julius down. Cover, TWO! Rip clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Julius down. Julius endures, pries at the fingers, but Rip shifts his grip on the hold. Julius still fights up, reaches out, and pries the hold open. Rip knees low and puts Julius in the corner. Tag to Jagger, he whips Rip in but Julius BOOTS!

Julius ELBOWS Jagger but Rip waistlocks! BOOT and ripcord THROAT CHOP! Cover, TWO! Jagger keeps on Julius with forearms, then clamps on a chinlock. Jagger grinds Julius down now as NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally up and Julius endures, but Jagger leans on the hold. Julius fights up, Jagger as his backpack. But Jagger HIP DROPS him down! Jagger ROCKS Julius, snapmares him, and KNEES him in the back! Jagger wraps on another chinlock and he squeezes tight. Fans rally, Julius fights up, and he carries Jagger as a backpack again! But Jagger CLUBS away on Julius, then ripcords, but Julius gets around! BIG back suplex!

Fans fire up as both men crawl, Rip tags in! Rip drags Julius back, but Julius powers through to hot tag Brutus! Brutus goes up, AX HANDLE! Brutus BLASTS Jagger, CLOBBERS Rip, and then waistlocks! Rip holds ropes, throws elbows and waistlocks. GERMAN SUPLEX but Brutus lands on his feet!? Brutus trips Rip to SMASH! SMASH! SMASH!! Brutus brings down the straps, and he reels Rip right back in for more SMASH! Fans fire up with every ax handle! Brutus lets off on Rip and Rip goes to a corner. Brutus runs in, big clothesline! And then a torture rack, for a SHELL SHOCK! Cover, TWO!!

Brutus keeps focused as he watches Rip flounder. Jagger distracts, Brutus swings on him but Jagger gets away. Rip JAWBREAKERS Brutus and tags in Jagger. The Dyad double whip, but Brutus ducks to shove them into each other! O’Conner on Jagger, NORTHERN LIGHTS for Rip! DOUBLE COVER, TWO!!! The Dyad escapes but Brutus drags Jagger up. Tag to Julius but Jagger ROCKS Julius and fires off on Brutus. Jagger runs, but Brutus POUNCES him! Rip returns, LARIATS, but Brutus doesn’t budge! Brutus and Rip trade lariats, but neither man falls! Brutus dodges, Rip dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down!

Fans rally for “NXT! NXT!” while both men crawl. Ivy coaches Brutus as he and Rip stir. They’re in opposite drop zones, so Julius and Jagger end up thinking the same thing. They both climb up, and they both 450 SPLASH the other opponent!! Fans are thunderous and Julius and Jagger roar! They brawl with each other!! The ref lets it go, Jagger ENZIGURIS Julius! Julius KNEES Jagger! Jagger SUPERKICKS Julius! Julius LARIATS Jagger!! Julius roars, reels Jagger in, but Jagger turns bomb into DDT!! Fans chant “This is Awesome!” Rip flounders outside, grabs at Ivy, but then apologizes when he realizes it’s her and not Ava.

But speaking of Ava, she crawls out from under the ring! She scoops Ivy, but ends up in the DIAMOND DRAGON! BRUTUS BALL takes out Rip! Jagger runs in at Julius but only gets buckles! Julius ROLLING SPINEBUSTERS and SLIDING LARIATS!! Cover, The Creeds win!

Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall

The Diamond Mine just crushed the Schism’s tree! Will this lead The Creeds back to some gold?

 

Tony D’Angelo & Channing Lorenzo are out to dinner.

They’re at their favorite place, Fresco Cucina Italiano, and Stacks is upset that Joe Coffey threatened The Don. Tony says Gallus will get theirs when The D’Angelo Family takes their tag titles. Stacks says that’s only if they get their chance. Tony is sure Gallus will play ball. But then Stacks gets a call. Pauly is talking about a shipment being delayed, Stacks will straighten this out. Stacks goes to another room, Tony is proud he is handling business. But in walk the police. Tony already made a donation to the foundation. But they need him to come down to the station to answer some questions regarding certain criminal investigations.

Investigations into what, specifically? Criminal acts associated with Tony D’Angelo. Oh, okay. He knows how this goes. Tony hopes this is legit, he’s missing his meal. Tony heads out with the detectives, and Stacks returns. He asks what happened and a waitress tells him they just took Mr. D’Angelo in for questioning. For what? Stacks hurries to make more calls. Who ratted out The Don?

 

The Creeds hop on commentary real quick.

Julius says by the looks of it, Gallus has no challenger. So here’s what they’ll do: May 28th, NXT Battleground, Gallus VS Creeds for the NXT Tag Team Championships! The phone’s ringing, so Markus & Wolfie better pick up. The challenge has been issued, will Gallus accept?

 

NXT presents the return of Supernova Sessions.

“Hello, hello, hello! Hear me now, live from the moon,” Noam Dar welcomes us to the first-ever episode, live in the USA! Dar is our host, our sensei, and our longest reigning NXT Heritage Cup Champion. Supernova Sessions is must-see TV, is the cream of the cream of the crop, and what originated in NXT UK has now become an international phenomenon that has landed right here in Orlando for all you lucky people. They tell Dar that his first guess is a supreme athlete with his eyes on Dar’s prize, but he isn’t gonna get it. Please give it up, or don’t, for Dragon Lee! Fans cheer the Wonder Boy as he makes his entrance.

Dragon goes to the ring, but Dar has him sit in the chair by the wilting flower while Dar gets the comfy couch and fruit salad. Dar thanks Dragon for coming. Oh, wait, Dar forgot. Dragon no speak English, Dar prepared himself with Spanish Made Easy. “Hola senorita. Mi casa su casa.” No, Dragon can speak English. Maybe even better than Dar. Oh, well there’s $20 wasted. But okay, funny man. Here’s Dar’s first question. Is being on SNS the highlight of Dragon’s otherwise lackluster life? Dragon will say this. It is an honor to be here among the people, except for Dar. Dar doesn’t give people respect.

Dragon comes from a family of respect as a second generation luchador. And Dragon’s father started training him to wrestle at 14, and he also taught Dragon to respect his opponents. Dar says this isn’t about respect. This is about everything except the Cup. Dragon is a champion in three continents, a bonafide celebrity in Mexico… Hey, don’t insult Dragon’s home. He is a proud Mexicano, and he loves the people. Their passion, their spirit, and that is what the NXT Universe has shown him since coming here. But that’s what Dar is talking about! Dar has that same passion for his Cup. But how does Dragon feel knowing this is the closest he’ll ever get to it!?

Dragon says Dar keeps talking about this and that. Does Dar wanna defend his Cup? No no no, tranquilo. Maybe Dragon no comprende. Bring out the level two book! Dragon tells Dar that Dar has to defend the cup. Dar chuckles and says his “reptilian mate” has no idea what he’s asking for. Seis, cinco plus uno, three-minute rounds. Two outta three falls! You have to be a master at this game to know what to do! Plus, it’s not as easy as just asking for a match. There are procedures, protocols, forms- But then wait! Nathan Frazer walks out?! Frazer says he’s “sorry” to have to do this to Dar again, but he must expose him “as a massive fraud!”

Dar calls for security, Frazer’s not supposed to be out here! Frazer says on Hard Hitting Home Truths, it doesn’t matter how many rules you make up, that Cup is a trophy that must be defended like any other title in the WWE! And the fact that Dar is champion, that he holds that cup, that doesn’t make him HBK! He can’t say who, when and where! Dar tries to explain in bad Spanish that Dragon no hablas Ingles. But Frazer says Dragon’s been speaking English for over two months! And because he understands English, Frazer will say this. He speaks on behalf of everyone when he says we want to see Dragon VS Dar for the Cup!

Dar says okay, okay, if Dragon- No, Dragon tells Dar it’s Dar VS Dragon at Battleground! What does Dar say? Frazer likes that! And just know this, Noam. If Dar loses that Cup, he could always call Alicia Fox. Dar says okay, haha, if they want a title match against Dragon, how about this! Dar VS Dragon at Battleground is accepted! Dragon will see why there’s levels to this and Dar’s the best! As for Frazer, to have the audacity to ruin SNS’s premiere, Dar is gonna kick Frazer’s ass, in a non-title normal match. That’s all Frazer and the people deserve. Thank you, buh-bye, check please! But in the end, Frazer and Dragon got Dar to take the bait! Will Dar’s historic reign finally come to an end?

 

Dragunov is being tortured!

Dijak didn’t want to do this in the ring, he’s putting Dragunov through it backstage! Has Dragunov had enough? “Not even close.” Dragunov has a defiant smirk, but Dijak grabs his night stick. What will it take to break the unbreakable?

 

Backstage interview with Jacy Jayne.

McKenzie Mitchell points out the quarterfinal match between Jacy and “the favorite to win it all,” Roxanne Perez. How confident is she that she can get past a former NXT Women’s Champion? Honestly, she’s not confident at all. She doesn’t even know why they’re having this match tonight. NOT! C’mon, this is Jacy here! McKenzie needs to have better questions for when Jacy is NXT Women’s Champion. And to be honest, Roxie’s time has come and gone. And after Jacy eliminates Roxie, she goes on to the semifinals, where she wanted to face Gigi Dolin. But of course, Gigi proved to everyone what Jacy’s been saying for month: Gigi is a failure!

Gigi failed at being a good daughter, a good sister, a good friend, and at winning the title yet again. Jacy, on the other hand is a winner! The complete opposite! So Jacy will just have to picture Gigi’s face when she kicks Roxie’s head in and take the next step towards becoming the NXT Women’s Champion. Will the Toxic Traitor prove she’s always been better than the Toxic Avenger?

 

Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams VS Charlie Dempsey & Drew Gulak!

Trick Melo Gang didn’t walk in expecting a match, but they’re more than happy to show the Philly Stretcher & The Son of the Gentleman Villain why they’re where they are today. Will the NXT Champion send a message to Bron Breakker? Or will Dempsey & Gulak manage a win over HIM?

NXT returns and the teams sort out. Dempsey starts with Trick, they tie up and Dempsey gets around to spin Trick and UPPERCUT! Dempsey then shoots under for a snapmare and armlock. Trick fights up, handsprings and wrenches to a wristlock. The fans seem to be singing a form of the Oompah Loompa song as Dempsey snapmares Trick again. Trick comes back, Dempsey RAMS him, then things speed up. Trick hurdles, but Dempsey turns hip toss into backslide and bridge! TWO! Trick gets up and runs Dempsey over! And again! And then DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Trick fires up and the fans are with him!

Tag to Melo but Dempsey tags Gulak. Fans chant “MEL~O!” as he circles with Gulak. They tie up, Gulak knees low and then knees low again. Gulak hits a headlock takeover but Melo gets up fast. Melo comes back to arm-drag Gulak! Gulak wrenches, lifts, but Melo hits a flying-mare to get the takeover. Gulak fights up and powers out, they RAM shoulders, and things keep moving. Melo goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! And then another arm-drag to have the armlock! Gulak fights up and Melo whips. Gulak reverses, and Gulak denies the rana to whip again! Melo reverses, Gulak headlocks but Melo powers out.

Things keep moving, fans chant “GULAK SUCKS!” but he sunset flips Melo! TWO!! Melo just gets out but Gulak grabs the arm! KIMURA! Melo fights up but Gulak tags Dempsey. The technicians double whip, double BOOT, and then Dempsey covers. ONE!! Dempsey clamps onto the arm, wrenches the arm, but fans taunt him as “WILLY WONKA!” Melo wrenches and wristlocks but Dempsey snapmares. Melo wrangles Dempsey, Dempsey snapmares again, and repeat! They go back and forth, throw for throw, then Melo ghost pins! TWO and Dempsey has a leg! Melo resists, kicks, but Dempsey gets both legs!

Melo fights, he throws Dempsey away, then WRINGS him out! Tag to Trick, they double whip and then CLOBBER Dempsey! Cover, TWO! Dempsey chinlocks but Trick wrenches out to WRING Dempsey! Dempsey throat chops Trick! The ref reprimands Dempsey but misses Gulak CLOBBER Trick at the ropes! Fans boo but Dempsey drags Trick up to ROCK him with a forearm! And CHOP him to the corner! Tag to Gulak, the technicians mug Trick and Gulak snapmares Trick around. Gulak hooks up the legs, grabs Trick’s arms, and pulls Trick’s hair! The ref counts, Gulak lets go, and he drops knees on Trick’s back! Cover, TWO!

Gulak keeps on Trick and tags Dempsey in. They drag Trick up, whip him to a corner, and then GERMAN SUPLEX into another GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Trick is still in this but Dempsey stomps him down! Fans rally but Dempsey has Trick’s leg! Trick resists the turnover, kicks at Dempsey, but Dempsey just grabs that leg! Trick ENZIGURIS and hot tags Melo! Gulak tags in but Melo rolls off his back to DECK Dempsey! Melo fires off on Gulak, then gets around to SUPERKICK! Dempsey tags back in, but Melo dodges him to SPRINGBOARD LARIAT! Fans fire up and Melo whips.

Dempsey reverses, Melo reverses back and ducks the boot! Melo pump handles Dempsey for a SINGLE LEG SLAM! High stack cover, Gulak drags Melo off with a back suplex! Melo lands on his feet, pushes Gulak to the corner, tag to Trick! O’Conner Roll and LEAPING LARIAT! Trick fires up and the fans are with him. Dempsey hits low, uppercuts, but Trick spins him and whips. CYCLONE KICK! Hot tag back to Melo and he’s up top, NOTHING BUT NET!! Cover, Trick Melo Gang wins!

Winners: Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams, by pinfall

Trick with the assist, Melo from downtown, they get the win! Trick says that’s another one for Trick Melo Gang, and Melo says, “As we were saying, Bron…” But Bron just responds via the tron. How do Melo’s ribs feel after being speared outta the sky? Melo will have to wait a little longer, since Bron made a little pitstop. But he has to say, the energy in this place, just not the same today. Bron is in CutWiz! He wonders why everyone’s so nervous. Bron says he’s gonna get a fresh cut before finishing what he started. Trick Melo Gang says fine, they’ll be waiting. When will the Big Booty Nephew arrive and step to HIM?

 

Duke Hudson finishes grading papers.

Wrong, wrong, laughably wrong. But then Thea jumps in with her high energy to say it’s go time! Where? To the ring! Remember? He gave permission! The match is next! Wait, he did? Yes! Oh, right, of course! And it is go time! Thea’s got this! Let’s go! Duke looks worried, though. Will his teaching style be put to the test as Thea takes on Kiana?

 

Noam Dar cradles the cup.

He says he won’t let anyone else touch him. He then walks across Lash Legend, and oh, um… “Miss Jackson.” He apologizes, it’s just that Dar and Lash go way back. Lash wouldn’t say that, say less. Dar asks if Lash saw Supernova Sessions. Lash is upset. All these talk shows on NXT, from the Grayson Waller Effect, which is now on SmackDown, and Nathan Frazer talking all this mess on his show. Dar and Jackson agree, he talks too much. And now, Dar. Running around with his Supernova Sessions. The only show we should be talking is the OG, Lashin’ Out with Lash Legend, okay? Dar missed that one. But will Dar win Lash over soon enough?

 

Thea Hail w/ Duke Hudson VS Kiana James!

Andre Chase is still on sabbatical, but Duke has made a good substitute teacher. Though, maybe that’s not saying much. Will Thea still past this test? Or will the Professional Professional Wrestler flunk her hard?

The bell rings, Kiana talks trash while Thea eggs her on. Kiana shoves Thea down, then shoves her again! Fans boo but Thea gets around to waistlock and SLAM! Thea stomps away on Kiana at the ropes! Fans fire up, Thea lets off, but then Kiana kicks her low and throws her down by her hair. Kiana wants her bag, but Thea rolls her up! TWO, and Kiana ROCKS Thea! Kiana whips Thea to a corner, Thea goes up and over and arm-drags! Fans fire up as Thea arm-drags Kiana more! Thea whips Kiana to a corner, then back drops her! Kiana flounders and Duke cheers, though he wasn’t really paying attention.

Thea gets a bit distracted getting thumbs up from Duke and Kiana ROCKS her! But Thea TOSSES Kiana out! Thea builds speed, and she DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp with the “Tope U-icida!” Thea rains down fists, and she high-fives Duke. Thea puts Kiana in, Duke goes back to his papers, and Thea climbs up. Thea FLYING FLOPS as Kiana avoids the splash! Kiana drags Thea up, KNEES her low, then KNEES her again! And again! Fans boo, Kiana covers, TWO! Thea is still in this but Kiana throws more KNEES in! Kiana KNEES Thea to a corner but the fans rally for her. Kiana throws forearms, then RAMS into Thea.

Kiana brings Thea around, pushes her down to a cover, TWO! Kiana REAR BEARHUGS, but fans rally up. Thea endures the squeeze, even as Kiana thrashes her around. Thea fights up, but Kiana throws her down! Kiana gets the legs and stomps Thea in the stomach! Thea crawls to a corner but Kiana shoves her into the buckles. Kiana taunts Thea, shoves her and BODY BLOWS! And then another! Duke is still too busy checking papers, but Theta blocks the third shove and elbows Kiana back! Thea throws forearms, dodges and kicks the legs out! KNEE! Kiana staggers into forearm after forearm!

Kiana goes to a corner, Thea ELBOWS her, then reels her in, EXPLODER! Fans fire up, Thea shakes the ropes and SPRINGBOARD SENTONS! Kiana goes to a corner, Thea runs in but Kiana puts her on the apron. Thea counter punches Kiana, goes up top, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!! Kiana survives and Thea scowls. Fans rally, but Kiana blocks the suplex to GOURD BUSTER! Thea sputters, Kiana FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS her! Thea flounders but Kiana runs, 401KO! Cover, Kiana wins!

Winner: Kiana James, by pinfall

Thea goes to Duke for consoling, but he still pays a bit more attention to the papers. Will Thea ever get that A+ win? Will Kiana be waiting around the corner of the Women’s Championship tournament finals?

 

Hank Walker & Tank Ledger are backstage.

Tank is checking his teeth after one of them got chipped in that match with Briggs & Jensen. Hank says the dental team did a good job. Tank agrees, but it’s not like they’re winning any beauty pageants. Hank’s gotta admit, the tag division doesn’t care about looks. Briggs & Jensen walk over and say hey, and that Hank & Tank were very impressive. They liked that Hank & Tank were ready to throw hands. And how the teeth doing? Tank’s got a brand new tooth, and a souvenir from the match. Briggs says Tank is one tough kid. The last time Briggs hit someone that hard, it was all Jensen. And Jensen sure gave it back. And now they’re better off for it!

Really? Yeah, beating the hell outta each other was the best thing for them. Huh. Well, once Hank & Tank are done here, drinks are on them! Sounds good to Tank! Tank wonders. Maybe they should do that. Do what? If they wanna be a good tag team, which they do, then they gotta be close. Like, Briggs & Jensen close. Like peanut butter & jelly, like mashed potatoes and gravy! Hank says okay, but Tank says they get in the ring with each other. Wait, Hank VS Tank? Yes! Straight up hoss fight! Push the limits, make it a bonding experience. By beating the hell outta each other? Yeah! Well, alright! Let’s do it! See you in the ring!

 

Backstage interview with Wes Lee & Tyler Bate.

McKenzie is with them as they’re in the medical room getting checked out. Bate is still being looked at, any ideas as to why The Schism attacked them? Wes usually loves talking with McKenzie, but he’s gonna say what he needs to say in the ring. Is Bate good? Yeah. Okay, then. Wes tells us to stay tuned. Well, it’s fairly clear what Wes is gonna do, but will he get the response he wants?

 

Dabba-Kato speaks.

“I came to NXT with one mission. And I put an emphatic end to him. And then I watched as an entire NXT locker room holding their breath, hoping that I would go to Raw or SmackDown. But all of your deepest, darkest fears still exist. Because I’m not going anywhere! I’ve still got so much more to accomplish, so many more superstars to destroy, so much more havoc to create. And championship gold to capture. I’m on the hunt, and every NXT superstar is my prey!”

Other superstars respond.

Axiom sits with Dante Chen, Eddy Thorpe, Malik Blade & Edris Enofe watching that promo. And Enofe isn’t sure about the rest, but Dabba looks pissed. Hey, good thing he and Malik are a tag team. Enofe, what’re you talking about? What? Dabba’s got hands like cement bricks! Thorpe says Dabba’s got the strength of ten men. Malik agrees with that. Axiom says Dabba is definitely the biggest mountain in NXT today. But he enjoys the challenge of climbing the mountain, because the view from the top is breathtaking. Yeah, unless you stop breathing first. Malik says Enofe plays too much. But is the Undeniable Truth going to try and topple the towering Dabba-Kato?

 

Wes Lee heads to the ring!

Fans cheer the North American Champion and he gets a mic. “Look, I wanted to come out here to address everyone. I was promoted to be in a match with my friend, Tyler Bate, tonight. But because of an attack by Schism, that match is not gonna be happening. Look, I have gotten so much better at controlling my anger. But when you attack me and my man for no reason, you’re gonna piss me off. Gacy, you and your leech squad preach friendship and unity, but they aren’t friends. They’re sheep! Tyler Bate, he is a friend! And you did not need to target me or my friend to get an opportunity at this NXT North American Championship.”

Bate is watching while being tended to. Wes says if Gacy wanted it, all he had to do is ask! And Gacy says from the perch,” What a speech! But unlike your friend, Tyler Bate, who you speak so highly of, I have never been dishonest with what I want. And I’ve said it, and I’ll openly say it now, that I want that North American Championship.” Ava says that with every groundbreaking win, Wes edges closer and closer to becoming the greatest North American Champion in history! But what will that make Gacy when he takes that title from Wes at Battleground? If all Gacy had to do is ask, then he’s asking, Wes.

Now all Wes has to do is break the bad news to the Big Strong Liar that Gacy is the one getting the match. Wes asks why Gacy tries to use these Schism powers to drive wedges between people? But wait, Bate is on the move! Wes asks when Gacy will understand it won’t work. Ava says the wedge has already been created. Tyler is deceiving Wes! But speaking of, here comes Bate! Bate tells Gacy that he has had it with this “high school name calling rubbish!” Gacy, Bate doesn’t know why you have a problem with him,. Maybe it’s about Stand & Deliver. Either way, Gacy has a receipt coming for him. And if it is as Battleground, so be it.

Wes says Gacy might have a busy night. But then Bate tells Wes to hold on. Bate says he and Wes are friends. But he would be lying to everyone if he said he didn’t want a title match, too. And the truth sets you free! SHUT UP, GACY!! Fans cheer Wes, and Wes asks Bate what he means. Why didn’t he just say something sooner? Bate says that’s right, he should have said something. But they can still do this strictly in the spirit of competition. Bate would never let titles get in the way of friendship. “If you say so, Tyler,” Ava adds. Gacy asks who it’ll be at Battleground then? The sworn enemy who approaches you face to face? Or the so-called friend who would stab you in the back?

Wes considers his options, and fans seem to sense the answer. “I’ll take you both on. How about a Triple Threat and I’ll see y’all at Battleground!” Wes tells Bate he thought he could trust him. Bate says he can, but Wes still leaves alone. Be it friends or enemies, who comes away with the gold at Battleground?

 

Roxanne Perez speaks.

“Exactly one year ago, my journey to becoming NXT Women’s Champion started when I entered the Women’s Breakout Tournament. I won that contract, and then went on to become the NXT Women’s Champion. Where did the time go? Everything happened so fast. Last year, this board was block, and now, every single one of these pictures capture a moment in time from the last 365 days. Championships, overcoming Meiko, my Rumble appearance. What’ll my next year look like? What’ll my next board look like?” Roxie has it prepared, with NXT, Battleground, Raw, SmackDown and WrestleMania 40 already represented.

Roxie says the unknown is nerve-wracking yet also so exciting. She knows where she’s been and where she wants to go. Now it’s just about how she gets there.

 

Von Wagner walks along backstage.

One of the ladies brings up Raw last night, and the battle royal. He did a great job there. He appreciates that. She also apologizes for what that guy, Lucas, said to him last week. That wasn’t cool. That was horrible. Von says that guy was probably just trying to impress the ladies or something. People always run their mouths like that. Speaking of Lucas, he is complaining to Robert Stone about Von assaulting him last week. Stone tells him to not push the issue, but Von pushes Lucas against spare ladders! Lucas wants to keep playing games, huh?! Do you wanna get in the ring? They can settle this any time he wants!

Lucas runs away, Stone thanks Von for the help. But wait, Von sticking up for Stone? N-No, what? But, you were. Von admits it, he did stick up for Stone. But that’s because Stone’s the only guy who has believed in Von since the beginning. And Stone says the reason why is because he knows there’s a superstar deep inside Von! So Stone asks Von this: Is Von ready to talk about his past?! Von looks at the picture. Nice try, Stone. Von leaves, but is Stone going to be the one that pushes things too far?

 

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament, Opening Round: Roxanne Perez VS Jacy Jayne!

While Gigi Dolin is out of the running, there’s plenty of beef to squash between The Prodigy and the Toxic Traitor from the past 365 days. Will Roxie get a bit of vindication on top of vengeance? Or will Jacy make this all about her?

The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Jacy powers Roxie to a corner and grinds her forearms in. The ref counts, Jacy lets off while talking trash, but Roxie rolls Jacy up! TWO, and Roxie ROCKS Jacy! Jacy nods, that was good. But then she rushes in, only for Roxie to get around and waistlock. Jacy switches, Roxie wrenches out and wrenches hard. But Jacy ROCKS Roxie with a forearm! Fans boo but Jacy whips Roxie to ropes. Roxie wheelbarrows, victory rolls, and steps through to O’Conner Bridge! TWO, and Roxie hurries to step over! La Magistrol, TWO! Jacy staggers into another wrench.

Jacy swings, Roxie ducks but Jacy bucks the O’Conner to run Roxie over! Jacy howls but fans boo. Jacy KICKS Roxie in the back, but then Roxie blocks the mule kick! Roxie drags Jacy down to a roll-up, TWO! Jacy rushes in but into an arm-drag! Roxie has the armlock, floats to a cover, TWO! Roxie keeps on the arm and grinds Jacy down. Fans rally behind Roxie but Jacy fights up. Jacy pulls hair, whips Roxie ot ropes, but Roxie wheelbarrows again. Jacy throws Roxie away to DECK her! Roxie goes to ropes, then a corner. Jacy runs in but Roxie elbows her away! Roxie goes up, but Jacy SHOVES Roxie to the apron!

Roxie drags herself back up, but Jacy BLASTS her off and Roxie hits the desk! Fans boo but Jacy shrugs while NXT goes picture in picture.

Roxie writhes but Jacy taunts her. Roxie drags herself up, drags herself in, but Jacy CLUBS her down! Jacy has Roxie in a corner, runs in and back body blocks! Jacy then snapmares to KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Roxie checks her teeth, Jacy drags her into a motorcycle stretch. Roxie endures, fans rally up, and Roxie kicks forward. Jacy just sits back to pull deeper! But Roxie pushes back! It’s a cover, TWO and Jacy lets Roxie go, to get Roxie in a body scissors! Jacy squeezes tight but Roxie fights around. Jacy adds a chinlock but Roxie still fights. Roxie pushes back again to another cover, TWO!

Jacy lets Roxie go this time, but she hurries to clamp back on with the chinlock. Roxie endures again, fights back up, and she pushes back, only for Jacy to send her into the buckles! Roxie BOOTS back, Jacy runs in but into an O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Roxie gets around to backslide! TWO and NXT returns to single picture as Jacy hits a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Roxie while Jacy grows frustrated. Jacy stomps Roxie around, and bends her back with a chinlock stretch. Roxie endures all over again and the fans continue to rally. Jacy licks Roxie’s forehead, but Roxie fights up, only for Jacy to throw her down!

Fans boo but Jacy soaks it up and has some fun. Jacy runs in to RAM Roxie! And RAM her in again, and again! The ref counts, Jacy lets off at 4, and then she jukes to CANNONBALL into just buckles! Roxie avoids the crash but Jacy hurries after her. Roxie KICKS Jacy from below! Jacy sits up, fans rally, and Roxie throws forearms! Jacy hits back, they go back and forth! Roxie gets the edge, and she eggs Jacy on! Jacy ROCKS Roxie back! Roxie rebounds to ROCK Jacy! And again! And again! Jacy kicks, Roxie blocks and throws furious fists from all sides! Fans fire up but Jacy shoves Roxie away, Roxie SHOTGUNS Jacy out of the ring!

Roxie kips up and fans fire up! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Roxie drags Jacy up and into the ring, then climbs up top. Fans rally, Roxie CROSSBODIES! She bounces off but keeps moving, and BOOTS Jacy! Then RUSSIAN LEG SWEEPS! Cover, TWO! Jacy hangs tough but Roxie keeps her focus. Roxie dares Jacy to get up again. Fans are with Roxie as she sobats but Jacy blocks to knee low! Jacy whips, Roxie goes up and over and around but Jacy pops her off! SUPERKICK! ROLLING ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives and Jacy can’t believe it! Jacy then gets mad, and she scowls at Roxie.

Jacy tells Roxie to give up as she rains down forearms! Fans boo but Jacy drags Roxie up. Jacy fireman’s carries but Roxie grabs ropes. Jacy throws Roxie to KNEE her low! Jacy spins, but Roxie dodges to SOBAT! Hop on and POP ROX!! Cover, ROXIE WINS!

Winner: Roxanne Perez, by pinfall (advances to the next round)

And we have our final four! Roxanne will take on Tiffany Stratton next week, and the two stare down on stage. These two were so close to being champion against Indi Hartwell, but who will be the one to get back to that belt?

And wait! GIGI DOLIN is here, and she beats up on Jacy! Jacy kicks Gigi away but Gigi pursues! They brawl, Jacy gets away again and then drags Gigi out to the floor! Gigi fires back and SMACKS Jacy off the apron! Refs rush in to stop this, when will Gigi get her revenge on Jacy?

 

Dragunov still endures Dijak’s beatings.

He grits his teeth and sweats through the pain, but he’s already battered and bruised. Dijak says he already told Dragunov that he can break any man. But Dragunov says he’s still standing! Dijak chuckles and leaves Dragunov be. Was this satisfactory for Hard Justice? Or does nothing break UNBESIEGBAR?

 

Melo & Trick make their way back out!

Melo has the mic, and he tells Bron that it’s time. Traffic ain’t that bad, so Bron can get on out to the ring. Trick & Melo will stay until the lights turn off if they have to. They’re watching all possible entrances, will Bron follow through on his word? We find out, after the break.

NXT returns and Trick Melo Gang is still waiting. Fans chant “Bron is a Coward!” but then Bron’s music hits. Bron walks down the ramp, mic in hand and smile on his face. But then security walks out, too? Melo asks what’s going on, and Trick says Big Bad Bron needs bodyguards. Bron says he didn’t bring these guys for him. The last time Bron saw them, he speared Melo through the wall. This is to protect Melo from Bron. If they weren’t out here, there would be no homecoming, and no NXT Battleground main event. Trick says the only one who needs protection is Bron!

Bron says, “Excuse me, but the last time I checked, last week, you and I strapped up the boots and let the ring talk, dude.” And Bron is pretty sure he beat Trick, too. Melo says that’s big talk coming from a guy with a wall of security in front of him. Some people say Bron changed for the better, but in reality, Bron can’t blame the people or Melo. Bron can only blame himself. Bron thought he was untouchable, until he got touched. And at NXT Battleground, Bron is NOT taking Melo’s NXT Championship.

Bron says he and Melo fight for two very different reasons. Melo wants to go to Battleground and retain the title, which is fine. But the title isn’t what interests Bron anymore. This is about destroying Melo in front of his hometown, in front of his fans, family and his friends, so that they all leave that night crying that their hero, Carmelo Hayes, couldn’t get the job done. Melo says Bron is saying all that with so much conviction and belief, and it’s that same believe that got him a year long title reign with this belt right here. But there is a reason that Melo and Bron are the main event. Everyone else ain’t cut like them. They ain’t.

And here Bron is, thinking he’s gonna ruin the homecoming. Cool. But the reality is, beating Bron is gonna help Melo create the dynasty he builds over Bron’s body. That is all it is, and that is all it’s gon’ be. Bron says Melo’s hometown does have a history of dynasties coming to an end. Like the New England Patriots. The Boston Celtics. The Red Sox. The Bruins. Any other team from Boston that’s trash. The Floridians in the audience actually cheer that. But the thing is, Bron is gonna put an end to the Him Dynasty before it even begins. And then after, Melo realizes he’s not Him, he’s nothing. And there’s not a damn thing Melo can do about it.

But Melo FLIES out onto the security guards! Bron goes after Melo, they brawl, security gest thrown aside and the hand start flying! Trick also helps clear things out so Melo and Bron can brawl in the ring! Fans fire up but security keeps trying to stop this! “Let Them Fight!” Melo clotheslines a guard out, but Bron CLOBBERS Melo!! Fans bark it up as Bron trophy lifts, but Melo slips free! And LOW BLOWS! No rules in a brawl! BELT SHOT!! Fans cheer Melo on, but he and Bron are both down. Who will be the man who gets back up to be THE NXT Champion?


My Thoughts:

A great episode for NXT, great build towards Battleground, but given that final segment, I kinda wish they had saved that in particular for the go-home show next week. What a great final image of Bron and Melo both down, the belt between them, and them feebly reaching for it. With one more segment next week, I have a feeling Bron stands tall there to establish that he isn’t winning at Battleground. Stand & Deliver was Melo’s Heel win moment, Battleground will be his Face win moment, and then Melo and Bron can move on to another story for the Summer. I feel like Bron should move to the North American Championship given how that scene is building.

Good bit of The Schism attacking Bate and Wes to ruin their plans for the night. And really creative way to get Bate to admit to wanting the title match. That Triple Threat will be great stuff, and because it is a Triple Threat, it could go any which way. As for the rest of Schism, of course The Dyad loses to Diamond Mine. As good as Zack Gibson & James Drake are, Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed are fairly weak. And at this point, we need to have Ivy VS Ava to happen. But should that happen, Ava probably wins thanks to shenanigans. Now, after someone dropped a dime on Tony, The Creeds step up to be contenders, that will be a good match. I can’t be sure if it was Gallus or The Creeds themselves who tipped off the cops, though.

Really good video for Dabba-Kato, and good response. Axiom seems to be moving on from Scrypts to go after his Bane in Dabba. That feud will probably be competitive compared to Axiom punking out Scrypts. Another good segment with Wagner and Stone where of course the “punchline,” if you will, is Stone bringing up the picture of Von’s scar. Von is going to resist, and he probably will beat the hell out of that Lucas guy, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Good promo from Hank, Tank, Jensen & Briggs. And before Tank even said it, I knew he was gonna suggest a match of Hank VS Tank. I hope this doesn’t backfire on these guys.

The Dragunov and Dijak segments were filmed very well, very Hollywood action movie, but I’m not sure the point of it. It’s supposed to establish how tough Dragunov is even though we’ve already seen it plenty when Dragunov has faced opponent after opponent who have beat the hell out of him. Just give us a No Disqualification type match where Dragunov gets brutalized yet still comes out the winner and we’d get the same effect as two of the three segments here tonight.

Great return of the Supernova Sessions, because Dar is always great on the mic. Dragon was great, Frazer was a great surprise, and we all knew Dar VS Dragon was going to be the title match so I guess them just getting to it is fine. No contender match, just straight up challenge made and accepted. Dar VS Dragon at Battleground is going to be great, and Dar VS Frazer next week is going to be great, too. And I liked that watch party stuff during the women’s title tournament. Thea VS Kiana was a good match but even if Duke was paying attention, I feel like Kiana was going to win. Duke being an inattentive teacher is an interesting next step in this story, but he still played it well.

I like that we got some more of that “NXT Women’s Division attacker” at other events other than the televised ones. I wonder if this person is revealed at Battleground. Whoever this is probably attacks whoever the new champion is, thereby getting a title feud for the summer. And while both matches tonight were great, I said last week that the outcomes were so obvious. Lyra advanced, so did Cora. Tiffany advanced, so did Roxie. Those feuds will be settled in the semifinals, and I’m thinking we get Cora VS Roxie to settle the ultimate grudge. Then Roxie can put being a two-time NXT Women’s Champion on her second memory board.

My Score: 8.6/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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