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Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/2/23)

What’s next for NXT?

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NXT White 'n' Gold Era

It’s a golden curtain call for two teams!

The WWE Draft sent Fyre & Dawn to SmackDown, and Carter & Chance to Raw! Who will be the women’s tag team champions on their last night in NXT?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee w/ Tyler Bate VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey; Wes wins and retains the title.
  • Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne; Jacy wins.
  • Axiom VS SCRYPTS; Axiom wins.
  • Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh; JD wins.
  • High Stakes Showdown: Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism; Gacy wins and The Dyad will challenge Gallus for the NXT Tag Team Championship.
  • Dani Palmer VS Tatum Paxley; Dani wins.
  • NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Katana Chance & Kayden Carter; Fyre & Dawn win and retain the titles.

PLAY BY PLAY

NXT superstars were taken in the 2023 WWE Draft!

Indi Hartwell, Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, Apollo Crews, Zoey Stark, JD McDonagh, Pretty Deadly, Katana Chance & Kayden Carter, Odyssey Jones, Jinder Mahal & Indus Sher, Grayson Waller, then Von Wagner and Xyon Quinn as free agents, here’s to their futures on Raw and SmackDown!

 

NXT North American Championship: Wes Lee w/ Tyler Bate VS Drew Gulak w/ Charlie Dempsey!

The Cardiac Kid survived the technical savagery of Charlie Dempsey, but now he’s taking on the Philly Stretcher! The Big Strong Boi is watching his back, will this title stay on the #WesSide? Or will Gulak still find a way to grind Wes into dust?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just how styles make fights!

The bell rings and the two rush in! Wes SHOTGUNS Gulak, then fires off fast hands! Gulak bails out but Wes builds speed, only for Dempsey to get in the way! Fans boo, but Gulak sneaks in to roll Wes up! TWO, but Gulak throws body shots! Gulak gut wrenches Wes up but Wes RANAS to a cover! TWO!! Gulak escapes in time and headlocks. Wes powers out, drops and hurdles, but Gulak gets him for a sunset flip! TWO!! Incredibly close but Wes body shots, KICKS and KICKS! Then DOUBLE STOMPS! Fans fire up for Wes and he watches Gulak sit up. Wes drags Gulak up with a facelock and whips him to a corner.

Wes runs Around the World but blocks a boot! Wes ROCKS Gulak, then puts him up top. Fans chant “Which Side?” “WES SIDE!” Wes climbs up, throws hands, but Gulak blocks the superplex! Wes goes up even higher, but Gulak uses that to counter! Wes fights the Super Gourd Buster, but Gulak SHOVES him away! Wes backflips through, but Gulak FLYING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Another close call and fans fire up! Gulak grows frustrated but he grits his teeth and glares at Wes. Gulak stomps Wes at the ropes as fans rally up. Gulak ties up the legs, Wes throws hands, but Gulak gets those wrists to STOMP! Cover, TWO!

Gulak glares at Bate, talks some trash, but fans boo. Gulak clamps onto Wes’s arms and gets the chinbar! Wes endures this stretch and fans rally up. Wes fights up, throws elbows into Gulak’s legs, but Gulak spins Wes around to ROCK him! Wes trades shots, ROCKS Gulak, but Gulak ROCKS Wes! They go back and forth, Gulak gets the edge, but Wes ROCKS him again! And again! Wes fires off body shots and palm strikes! And kicks, and then a snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up again as Wes watches from a corner. Gulak goes to the opposite corner, Wes runs in to UPPERCUT!

Wes ENZIGURIS, then he waistlocks. Gulak holds ropes to stop the German Suplex so Wes CLUBS him! Wes tries but Gulak bucks him! Gulak bails out and tells Dempsey it’s okay, he’s got this. But Wes DIVES and takes Gulak out at the ramp! Fans fire up, Wes puts Gulak back in, and then hurries in. But Dempsey drags Wes back out! Fans boo, but Bate runs in to CLOBBER Dempsey! Fans fire up, but Gulak gets Wes’s hair! Wes says SHORYUKEN! Wes then flips up and in and CARDIAC KICK! Cover, Wes wins!!

Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)

Bate slides in to celebrate with Wes! That title does stay on the Wes Side, but uh, is the Big Strong Boi looking at a golden goal?

 

Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn speak.

The Fire Keeper says, “The future is difficult to predict. That’s why we allow the spirits to navigate us. And now, our imminent direction is towards Friday Night SmackDown.” The Wicked Witch says tonight is their final night on NXT, but one last “unholy séance” to commence. Fyre tells Kayden Carter & Katana Chance, “you’ve been the staples of this tag team division, the torch bearers, for so long. But tonight, we extinguish your final flame.” And Dawn says, “We are taking our tag team titles with us to SmackDown, and in doing so, we will set the fate for not just SmackDown, but all three brands.”

Tonight, Fyre & Dawn leave the hallowed grounds were they first came together as one. They leave NXT not in the light, but in darkness. Will these enchantresses cast one last spell on the NXT Universe?

 

Trick Williams is in the ring.

Trick says let’s get right to business. Everyone saw what happened last week with Bron Breakker. Trick won’t lie, he put Melo int he hospital! Melo is still banged up tonight! But we all know that Melo is a fighter! And Trick’s known since day one. He doesn’t mean day one in NXT, he means day one in high school! That’s right! Trick Melo Gang went to the same school, WJ Kenan High! Trick transferred in, checked out the ladies, but also checked out for who he could hang with, who he could roll with, and who he could get buckets with!

And as the saying goes, game recognizes game. He was sitting at the lunch table, “them nasty ass sloppy joes weren’t the only things being created.” Trick Melo Gang was also being created! That’s why Melo is Trick’s brother, and no one is closer with each other! They always gonna be here! Fans cheer that. Trick says last week, he took the Spear for Melo as a knee jerk reaction. It just happened like that. And he’d do it again if he needs to. In other words, Trick & Melo is like Shaq & Kobe. Melo don’t miss, but when he does, Trick got the rebound. That’s why at Battleground-

Wait! Here comes Bron! Bron tells Trick, “I guess we know who the tough guy is in Trick Melo Gang.” Bron speared Trick and put him in the Recliner, but Trick’s still here. And Bron speared Melo through the wall and put him in the hospital. So guess Battleground will be a lot easier than he thought. Trick says Bron is accepted the challenge then? Bron says the last thing he wants to ever do is represent “these stupid ass people ever again!!” Fans boo because the feeling is mutual. They even start a “Bron Breakker Sucks~!” chant.

But Bron says two things: one, he doesn’t like the idea of Melo being champion; two, Bron has the unique opportunity of humiliating Melo in his hometown in front of his fans, friends and family. That is what gets Bron’s attention. So relay this message for him, would ya, Trick? Bron pats Trick’s shoulder, but Trick tells him not to leave just yet. Melo’s surely watching right now. Last week, Bron blindsided Melo, but he also blindsided Trick. Trick says to handle this like men. Bron smirks as Trick eggs him on. There’s only one man in this ring right now. Bron already put Melo in the hospital. He’d hate to do the same to the mouthpiece.

Oh, Bron ain’t about to fight no mouthpiece! Melo doesn’t need a mouthpiece. And Trick has both the gift o’ the gab AND the gift o’ the jab! Bron just mad the fans never loved him like they do Trick Melo Gang. Matter of fact, Bron can get on out of here, talk all the trash he wants, and Trick will smack that spray tan off him until he’s black ‘n’ blue. Bron smirks, and says if Trick wants to do this right now, guess what? It doesn’t matter what Trick wants! Nor does it matter waht the fans want! Bron is calling the shots. So here’s what happens: Bron VS Trick next week, as a “preview” of NXT Battleground. Bron will break Trick in half!

Will Melo return to a battered and broken best friend? Or will his best friend get even for him before Battleground?

 

Backstage interview with JD McDonagh.

McKenzie is with the Irish Ace and congratulates him on being drafted to Monday Night Raw. She says tonight is his last NXT match and it is against Dragon Lee. JD says he has waited 21 YEARS to become #MondayNightMcDonagh. That means that he has a two-decade sized chip on his shoulder that he’s bringing to Raw. So you better believe all those heavy hitters- Noam Dar walks in with his Heritage Cup to say that it is so great to see JD again. Congrats! But hey, Noam needs a favor. For old time’s sake, in his match with Dragon, could JD uh… pop a knee cap? Rip a ligament? Make sure Dragon doesn’t walk out so he can’t go after Noam’s Heritage Cup. Deal?

JD says that as slimy, sneaky and slithering as Noam is, JD knows all he cares about is that Heritage Cup. It’s why Noam never gave JD a shot at it. So JD has some advice: stay away from him. If you don’t, if you piss him off, JD will just take that cup with him to Raw. So much for the deal between old “friends.” But will JD still do damage to Dragon as his way of saying good-bye to NXT?

 

Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne!

After beating the Toxic Traitor 1v1, the Toxic Avenger thought her path to the top was clear. Jacy made Gigi regret that and screwed her over at Stand & Deliver. Jacy then doubled-down by dragging Gigi’s little brother into this, and now Gigi’s little brother is here to watch his sister in action! Will Gigi finally break this toxic cycle? Or will Jacy make sure there’s no happy ending?

NXT returns and Jacy makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two trash. Then Jacy kicks! Gigi blocks but Jacy dodges, only for Gigi to dodge and fire off forearms! Gigi whips, Jacy reverses and hits low! Jacy whips but Gigi reverses to send Jacy right out! Fans rally and Gigi goes to the apron, but Jacy blocks her kick! Jacy trips Gigi and she smacks off the apron! Jacy goes up then CANNONBALLS Gigi to the floor! Jacy talks trash right to Gigi’s brother, Miles, and then goes back to Gigi. Jacy puts Gigi in the ring, pushes her to a cover, TWO! Jacy CLUBS Gigi, fans rally up, but Jacy CLUBS her again!

Jacy talks more trash to Miles, then wrenches to WRING Gigi’s arm! Then she SENTONS, and KICKS Gigi, then MULE KICKS! Cover, TWO! Jacy says this is what Gigi wanted, and she fireman’s carries. Gigi fights free, half nelsons, but Jacy fights free to SUPERKICK! Gigi staggers, but she SUPERKICKS right back! Gigi grits her teeth and fans fire up with her! Gigi runs, dodges, ROUNDHOUSES, then ROUNDHOUSES again! Gigi wrenches and ROUNDHOUSES, to then STO! Cover, TWO! Jacy stays in this and crawls to a corner. Gigi storms over, drags her up in a waistlock, but Jacy holds ropes!

The ref reprimands, Jacy throws elbows! Gigi staggers, but she dodges to CLOBBER Jacy from behind! Jacy bails out, Gigi pursues and she RAMS Jacy into the barriers! Miles cheers his sister on and Gigi SMACKS Jacy off the steel steps! And fires off Kawada Kicks! Gigi high-fives her brother, then drags Jacy up again. Gigi puts Jacy in the ring at 6 of 10, but Jacy goes to the apron. Jacy is busted open! Gigi drags her up, but Jacy YANKS her into the post! Gigi clutches her bad arm! Gigi stands, into the CYCLONE KICK!! Cover, Jacy wins!

Winner: Jacy Jayne, by pinfall

Jacy grins through her crimson mask, and then she PUNTS Gigi in the side! Fans boo as Jacy goes out after Gigi and RAMS her into steel steps! And then again! Jacy sits Gigi against the barriers, SLAPS her around, and shouts at Miles if this is what they wanted for their lives. Refs stop Jacy and she leaves, “It’s always been about me! I’m the star, not your loser sister!” Will nothing stop this Toxic Grudge?

 

Axiom VS SCRYPTS!

This is almost a superhero comic or movie come to life, but the Undeniable Truth sees the wicked wordsmith as anything but his “archnemesis.” Will Scrypts show Axiom they are like Batman and The Joker? Or will Axiom show Scrypts he’s just a joker?

As soon as Axiom is in the ring, Scrypts slides out from the shadows! Axiom dodges the leg sweep but not the DROPKICK! Axiom scrambles up, the bell rings, and Scrypts fires off on Axiom! Scrypts CHOPS, whips, but Axiom reverses and dodges to springboard and arm-drag and DROPKICK! Cover, ONE! Axiom waistlocks, Scrypts bucks him but Axiom comes back with a kip up! NORTHERN LIRHGTS, into the ARMBAR! Scrypts scrambles and gets the ROPEBREAK! Axiom lets go and Scrypts goes out, but Axiom BOOTS him from the apron! But Scrypts YANKS Axiom off the apron!

Axiom staggers away, Scrypts gets space, to run and leap off the desk for a PARKOUR ATTACK! Direct hit and down goes Axiom! Scrypts puts Axiom in the ring, then covers, TWO! Fans still lose their minds over that flipping attack, and Scrypts ROCKS Axiom with a forearm. And then CLUBS him! Scrypts whips but only gets a glancing blow on Axiom. Scrypts kicks Axiom around, whips him to ropes again, but Axiom slides around to get a SLEEPER! Scrypts flails, pries at an arm, and hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Scrypts then elbows Axiom, goes up a corner, but Axiom follows right after! SLEEPER!

Scrypts fires off elbows and Axiom falls back. Scrypts adjusts to QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!! Axiom survives and Scrypts grows frustrated. Scrypts looms over Axiom, kicks him around, and eggs him on. Scrypts says Axiom is weak and pathetic! Scrypts pie faces, but Axiom ROCKS and CHOPS on repeat! Axiom whips, DROPKICKS, and roars! Fans fire up and Axiom GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Then HALF HATCH SUPLEXES! Fans fire up again as Axiom goes up a corner. Scrypts stands, Axiom leaps, but Scrypts DROPKICKS first! Scrypts wants Axiom to get up, and he aims from a corner.

Scrypts runs in, but Axiom blocks his copycat dropkick! Axiom flips Scrypts for a V-TRIGGER!! Cover, TWO!! Scrypts survives but Axiom takes aim now! Scrypts crawls to a corner, Axiom runs in, but Scrypts gets under the ratio! CORKSCREW CROSSBODY! Scrypts then hurries up top, writes in the air and flips, into a SUPERKICK! Fans fire up and Axiom takes aim again! Scrypts stands, into the GOLDEN RATIO!! Cover, Axiom wins!

Winner: Axiom, by pinfall

Scrypts tried to write Axiom off as a fraud, but he just felt the real deal! But then Axiom surprises everyone by offering Scrypts a hand up. Scrypts accepts it, but he sucker punches Axiom! So Axiom ROCKS Scrypts! And YANKS the mask  off! It’s REGGIE! And Axiom SUPERKICKS him down!! Talk about being exposed! Is this the end of Scrypts’ story?

 

Josh Briggs and Fallon Henley talk at the bar.

Mostly about the weather, like the big tornadoes going on. Brooks Jensen walks in and Briggs asks how he’s holding up. Jensen’s fine. He just wants to apologize- Fallon says they already went over this. Jensen doesn’t need to apologize, they’re all good. Things were said, punches were thrown, but at the end of the day, they’re family! Well, if Jensen can’t say sorry, he’ll say thanks. Thanks for not dropping him like a hot brick. Well, Briggs thanks Jensen for taking his damn head off with that lariat! That reminded Briggs how hard Jensen can go. Heck, Briggs is the one with hands of stone! Fallon’s just glad to have things the way they were.

Jensen says that does feel good. But uh, seeing Fallon looking at the bills, Jensen did learn some things from Kiana. He can tell them all those stories later. The bar is PG. No, no, no! The business stuff! Oh, yeah, that “power dressing” stuff? Well, he looks much better right now. No, guys! The land this bar is on is worth a lot, so maybe the Henleys can get an investor to help, or just sell a piece they’re not using. All that profit can set them up for life, do whatever they want, and still have cash left over. Well, okay, smartie pants! But then a couple girls ask Jensen if he wants to get some drinks.

Jensen appreciates the offer, but he’s getting caught up with his friends. Maybe another time. Have a good night. Wow, little Jensen really has grown up. Cheers!

 

Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh!

The Wonder Boy is just getting started, and the Irish Ace is on his way out. Will Dragon have the honor of sending JD off to Raw? Or will JD be the one on top on his last night in NXT?

NXT returns and JD makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Dragon offers a handshake but JD kicks it away! Dragon shrugs that off to circle with JD. They tie up, Dragon headlocks but JD powers out, only for Dragon to run him over! Cover, ONE, but Dragon wrenches to a wristlock. JD spins, fireman’s carry takeovers, but Dragon wrangles JD with the wristlock! Dragon wrenches, JD spins and pulls on the mask. JD arm-drags but Dragon still has the wristlock! JD rolls, pulls the mask again, and MONKEY FLIPS! Dragon still has the wristlock! Fans rally, JD fights up, and JD pulls the mask again!

Fans boo but JD has Dragon in the mask. The ref counts, but JD throws a body shot, then a CHOP! JD brings Dragon out, headlocks and grinds, but Dragon powers up and out. JD runs Dragon over, things speed up, but Dragon  hurdles to then MONKEY FLIP! JD staggers up, into a DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! JD flounders but Dragon kicks him around. Dragon brings JD up to whip him to a corner. Dragon runs in to JUMP KICJK, leg sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up and Dragon rains down forearms on JD! Dragon lets off to go corner to corner, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Fans fire up even more!

Dragon keeps going, he HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS again! Fans say “UNO MAS!” but wait, Dar has snuck out to ringside. Dragon is distracted for just a second, and JD SHOTGUNS Dragon down! Fans boo but JD drags Dragon up. JD puts Dragon in the Tree of Woe, then rains down fists. The ref reprimands but JD backs off. JD goes corner to corner but Dragon sits up! JD posts himself right on his necessary evil! Dragon gets free of the Tree, rallies on JD with big elbows, then whips him to a corner. JD bounces off buckles, into a back drop! And then into an atomic drop! Dragon runs to clothesline JD out of the ring!

JD falls at Dar’s feet, and the ref has Dar back up. The fans fire up with Dragon Lee as NXT goes picture in picture.

Dragon stares at Dar but Dar stays back as he cheers JD on. Dragon fetches JD and whips him into the apron! Dragon puts JD in, storms up on him, and brings JD up to underhook. TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD hangs tough but Dragon drags him back up. Dragon whips JD hard into a corner, then storms up to rain down fists! Dragon goes all the way to TEN, but JD pushes him away! Dragon returns, JD dodges and then trips Dragon from the apron, for the TORNILLO SPLASH! Both men are down and fans rally up. JD sits up first, he brings Dragon up, and CHOPS him right back down!

JD stands Dragon up again, to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Dragon writhes while JD catches his breath. JD runs to drop AX HANDLES! Cover, TWO! JD huffs and puffs but he drags Dragon up with a facelock. JD snap suplexes, covers, TWO! JD is annoyed by that, and Dar signals for him to break something. JD KNEES Dragon in the side, then wraps on a body scissor squeeze! Dragon endures, fans rally, but JD pulls on the mask! Dragon throws elbows but so does JD. JD keeps up the squeeze, rolls to a cover, TWO! JD still keeps Dragon down while NXT returns to single picture.

Dragon throws elbows, fans rally up again, but JD just puts on more pressure. Dar talks to the cup that they don’t have to worry, JD will put Dragon down. But Dragon throws elbows on JD! JD lets Dragon go and fans rally up. JD CLUBS Dragon right down! JD drags Dragon up to hoist to the top rope. JD CLUBS Dragon more, climbs up again, and he pulls at the mask strings! Fans boo and the ref reprimands! Dragon throws elbows but JD CLUBS away on him! JD pulls at the strings but Dragon elbows JD down! Dragon adjusts, leaps, and CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up for Dragon as he and JD flounder.

Dragon goes to the corner, JD storms up but Dragon counter punches him! And again, and again! Dragon whips, JD reverses but Dragon RANAS! JD bails out and Dragon builds speed to FLY!! Direct hit with the tope conjilo! Fans fire up again as Dragon puts JD in the ring. Dragon climbs up top, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!! JD survives Dragon’s Coup De Grace and he crawls to the apron. Fans rally as Dragon follows JD out there. Dragon drags JD up, but JD CHOPS! Dragon CHOPS! JD CHOPS! Dragon CHOPS! JD shoves, Dragon V-TRIGGERS! JD flops and Dragon drags him back up!

But JD fireman’s carries! APRON DEATH VALLEY!! Both men fall to the floor and fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” A ring count starts and both men are down at 5 of 10. Fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” and both men stand at 7. JD RAMS Dragon into the desk at 8! JD slides in the ring. but Dragon slides in at 9.99!! JD can’t believe it and the fans are loving it! JD drags Dragon up for Kawada Kicks! And then a CHOP! Dragon roars and BOOTS JD! Dragon eggs JD on, JD ROCKS Dragon! JD runs in, but into a SNAP GERMAN! V-TRIGGER! POISON-RANA!! Dragon keeps moving, but JD LARIATS him inside out!!

Fans are thunderous again but Dar says that was just so-so. JD drags Dragon for more Kawada Kicks and another CHOP! Dragon ROCKS JD! Fans say “This is Awesome!” as the forearms go back and forth. Dragon gets the edge, JD gives more Kawada Kicks! And a SLAP! And then a POWER- NO, Dragon slips out to SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! JD survives and now Dar can’t believe it! Dragon goes to the apron, then the corner. Dragon climbs up, JD slowly rises, and JD hits ropes to trip Dragon up! Fans boo but JD goes up after Dragon. JD drags Dragon up top, but Dragon trips JD!

Dragon throws forearms on JD, JD is in the Tree of Woe now! Dragon stands up, but JD sits up! JD HEADBUTTS Dragon again and again! JD stands up, brings Dragon with him, SUPER SPANISH FLY!!! JD roars and fans are thunderous! Suplex, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!?!? Dragon survives and no one can believe it! JD gets Dragon’s arm, DEVLINS- DESTROYER!!! Dragon turns it around, but JD flops out of the ring! Dragon pursues, fans again hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” Dragon puts JD in, but Dar takes a swing! Dragon dodges it to SUPERKICK Dar! Dragon goes back to JD, but gets a HEADBUTT!!

Ripcord, DEVLINSIDE!!! Cover, JD WINS!

Winner: JD McDonagh, by pinfall

The Scottish Supernova helped the Irish Ace come away the victor in this instant classic farewell match! Will JD have the hot hand when he debuts on Raw next week? But then Dragon gets up and DIVES onto Dar! Fans fire up again as Dragon fires hands with Dar all the way to the back! Will the Wonder Boy get after Mr. Supernova 11’s cup anyway?

 

KC Squared talk backstage.

Katana Chance tells Kayden Carter that technically, a Raw tag team is facing a SmackDown tag team for the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships! This has never happened before, and that is wild! Kayden agrees, and says that Fyre & Dawn can try to use their magic 8 ball to conjure up whatever ghosts they want, but we know what’s really gonna happen: Fyre & Dawn are NOT bringing those titles to SmackDown. And how long have those two even been a team? Four months? But how long have these two been a team? Four YEARS. Hell, it’s like Four-EVER! And they have the most successful title defenses, AND the longest reign in history! They’ve got this!

Kayden says, “At the end of the day, this is where it started, this is where we became best friends, and if this is our last night in NXT, we’re going out as tag team champions.” Katana says there’s no other way. And y’know what this feels like? A hug moment. No. No! Katana hugs Kayden anyway. Will these best friends be champions in the end? Or will their NXT run simply end?

 

The Schism watches Joe Coffey.

Specifically, they watch his workout routine video he posted. Joe Gacy says, “Mr. Coffey is impressive. Friends, tonight, I will give my own body for the Schism. I will endure pain and punishment for our collective good.” Jagger Reed says Gacy’s sacrifice will not be in vain. Rip Fowler says if Gacy does them this honor, The Dyad will dethrone Mark Coffey & Wolfgang to claim tag title gold for The Schism. #FourRootsOneTree. They head out, but Ava Raine says that Gacy can do this for The Dyad, and then do something for himself. Gacy smiles, but will he be the one to knock the Iron King off his throne?

 

NXT Anonymous reviews the string of ambush attacks.

First Nikkita Lyons, then Wendy Choo, and now Sol Ruca, and still no leads on who it is. Will we ever find out whodunnit?

 

High Stakes Showdown: Joe Coffey w/ Gallus VS Joe Gacy w/ The Schism!

In a battle of Joes, only the strongest can stand tall! But will Coffey cross off Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed as tag title contenders for the rest of Gallus’ reign? Or will the Schism Boys be on top?

The bell rings and the Joes tie up. They go around, break, and tie up again. Coffey puts Gacy in a corner, fires off hands, but Gacy dodges to fire off clothesline after clothesline! Coffey turns it around for k nee after knee, then some mule kicks! Gacy grabs that foot, stands up, but Coffey breaks free and ROCKS Gacy! Coffey runs to CROSSBODY! Cover, ONE!! Gacy gets up, blocks a kick, trips Coffey and KNEES him down! Gacy then waistlocks, but Coffey fights with elbows. Gacy ripcord SLAMS Coffey, then SENTONS but onto knees! Coffey saves himself, then runs in, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!

Gacy clamps onto Coffey with a chinbar, and we see The Diamond Mine watching backstage. Coffey fights up, arm-drags free, but Gacy returns to whip. Coffey goes up and around in the corner to UPPERCUT! Gacy gets up, but Coffey fires boxing elbows! Coffey whips, Gacy reverses but Coffey dodges to CLOBBER Gacy! And then clinch and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Gacy is hanging tough but Coffey keeps on him. Gacy blocks the whip, ROCKS Coffey, then back suplexes! Cover, TWO! Now Coffey is hanging tough and fans rally up. Gacy runs in at the corner but into a HAYMAKER!

Coffey goes out and climbs up, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Gacy flounders away, The Schism panics, but Gacy stands up into the GLASGOW SENDOFF! Gacy hits buckles, staggers, and into ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Cover, Rip helps Gacy get the ROPEBREAK! The ref didn’t see that but Gallus did! Markus & Wolfie chase The Dyad around the ring, then they start brawling! This distracts the ring, Jagger ends up in the ring, and he gets ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS! Ava jumps in as the ref reprimands Jagger, and she stares Coffey down. Ava then claims Coffey hit her!! The ref asks what happened, but Gacy hits the UPSIDE-DOWN!!! Cover, Gacy wins!!!

Winner: Joe Gacy, by pinfall (The Dyad have an NXT Tag Team Championship match)

The Diamond Mine shake their heads, they figured Ava would get involved. And Ivy’s sick of it! Will the Diamond Pitbull do something about that particular root? As for Rip & Jagger, will they bring those NXT Tag Team Championships to sit under The Schism’s tree?

 

Dani Palmer video chats with Sol Ruca.

The Sol Surfer says Dynamic Dani looks incredible! Dani thanks her for designing the new gear. And tonight, Dani dedicates this one to Sol. Also, she’s just casually doing the splits between boxes. Hank & Tank come in and pump Dani up! She’s so ready! Go get it, girl! Dani heads out, Tank & Hank say this is what she’s been training for. She’ll nail it. And then they look up to see “Big Oba.” They ask if he’s gonna watch Dani’s NXT debut. Obi doesn’t say a word, he just heads off. Will Dani be ready to finally level up?

 

NXT Media catches up with Eddy Thorpe.

He’s all done with training for the day, but he’d be in here all day if he could. What’s he been working on? A lot of side-to-side lateral movement. The title scene’s got a lot of fast moving athletes, but then Damon Kemp walks over. He has some trash, can Eddy throw it away for him? Um, sorry, he’s supposed to clean up after Damon? Yeah, Eddy’s the new guy, duh. Don’t get hot. Didn’t Eddy say he used to sleep on gym floors? Damon just thought he’d make him feel at home. Eddy says that’s not the funniest joke. Yeah, true, the funniest joke is Eddy thinking he can hang with Damon in the ring.

Well then let’s take that bet! Oh, “Young Boy,” Damon said he liked you, but don’t make him put an end to the hype train before it really takes off. Eddy frowns but will the Alpha Wolf get his chance to face the Golden Gopher soon enough?

 

Dani Palmer VS Tatum Paxley!

The dynamic collides with the dangerous as two young and hungry superstars meet in a first-time-ever showdown! Will Dani be just a hop, skip and a jump away from title contention? Or will Tatum take the spotlight away for herself?

The bell rings and Tatum rushes right in! They tie up, Tatum puts Dani in a corner, but lets off as the ref counts. Tatum TOSSES Dani, but Dani handsprings through! Tatum rushes in, Dani dodges to a waistlock, but Tatum switches. Dani trips Tatum, has the leg, turns Tatum over, and ties those legs up in a deathlock toehold! But Tatum drags Dani off the hold to get a hammerlock. Dani rolls, kips up, and wrenches. Tatum wrenches and wristlocks but fans rally for Dani. Dani rolls, flips and wrenches to a headlock. Tatum powers out, throws a body shot, and whips Dani to a corner.

Dani goes up and over, handsprings, goes up and RANAS! Then she DROPKICKS Tatum down! Dani kips and jackknifes, TWO! But Dani headlocks right away! Tatum fights around, Dani avoids the headscissors, and the two move around. They stand, Tatum powers out and she avoids Dani’s up ‘n’ over to CLUB her! Dani ends up in the corner, Tatum storms up and stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Tatum lets off and she brings Dani up. Tatum gut wrench SUPLEXES, then laughs as she covers, TWO! Dani hangs tough but Tatum drags her up. Dani shoves Tatum, Tatum shoves Dani, and Tatum CHOPS!

Tatum throws Dani down by her hair to STANDING SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tatum clamps onto Dani with a chinlock and thrashes her around! Fans rally up as Dani endures, and Dani reaches out. Tatum bends Dani back with the chinlock but Dani fights to her feet. Tatum reels her into a COBRA TWIST! Dani endures, pops free, switches and puts Tatum in the COBRA TWIST! Tatum switches, Dani drops and KANGAROO KICKS! Dani avoids the splash! Dani then runs in, ducks ‘n’ dodges, BIG ELBOW! And then another! Dani keeps moving, Tatum blocks a kick but Dani breaks free to DOUBLE KNEE! NECKBREAKER!

Dani runs in, Tatum dodges, O’Conner, but Dani slips out to shove Tatum! Tilt-o-whirl REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up with Dani and she goes up the corner! Tatum is down, for the FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Dani wins!

Winner: Dani Palmer, by pinfall

Dynamic indeed! She stuck the landing and has a big win, will Dani dive headlong into the title scene?

 

Class is in session at Chase University.

Well, it would be, but Thea Hail asks where Professor Andre Chase is! He’s never late! Never! Oh, wait, everyone is seeing something on social media. Duke Hudson asks what it is, and Thea says Mr. Chase cancelled class for today. He’s not feeling well after his match with “the man who shall not be named,” Bron Breakker. What should they do? Bake him cookies? Get him flowers? Book him a session with Dr. Tom? Thea is worried, but Duke knows exactly what to do! Duke gets up and calms everyone down. There is no reason they should fall behind in the curriculum over the “tragedy” of Mr. Chase losing to Bron.

So, even though Duke is not prepared, he brings out a HUGE binder with the words “Duke University Curriculum 2023-2024” and takes over for today. They will learn about… the WWE Draft! The first ever draft was 2002. But then someone has a question. Is there no pop quiz today? What did he just say? No pop quiz…? Duke looks this guy in the face, and tells him to hold up that test paper. In fact, everyone hold up your test papers! They all obey, and Duke says RIP IT UP! They rip it up! NO MORE POP QUIZZES~! YEAH!! They all cheer Duke on. Duke University. Has a nice ring to it. But will Chase like the sound of it when he gets back?

 

Robert Stone looks up the Beverly Brothers.

As Von Wagner said himself, Von Wagner’s father was part of this tag team. Von sits with Stone to look through the album. Yeah, that’s the Beverly Brothers at SummerSlam ’92, Wembley Stadium, against the Natural Disasters. Stone will say this, that crowd was great. Yeah, and it was for the WWE Tag Team Championships. Was Von upset when they lost? Stone, Von wasn’t even born yet. Fair enough. But sure, Von’s dad may never have been champion, but he had some injuries and stuff. Von vows he will be a champion. Wait, is this little on? No, no, that’s nothing. Von doesn’t wanna talk about that.

Stone wants Von to realize, he got drafted as a Free Agent! He can called to Raw or SmackDown at any time, so Von has to be more open with him. What IS that picture? Von says he doesn’t have to talk about anything. This is enough for tonight. But Stone opens the album back up and looks at the pick of Von with what appears to be a surgical scar on his head. What happened in Von’s past?

 

NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn VS Katana Chance & Kayden Carter!

One way or another, both teams are moving on to the main roster. But this is about both who takes these belts with them to the big leagues, but also about pride as a team. Will the Unholy Alliance continue to shine all the way to Friday Night SmackDown? Or will KC Squared make these titles Raw?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who takes a bow for this curtain call!

The teams talk a little trash, sort out, but then Fyre & Dawn just attack! They CLUB KC Squared down, throw them out, and then go out after them! Dawn keeps after Carter while Fyre brawls with Katana. Carter ROCKS Down, dodges Fyre, and then gives Katana a boost for a DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Fans fire up with KC Squared and they get Fyre in the ring. The bell rings, but Fyre back drops! Katana sunset flips through, TWO! Fyre kicks low, brings Katana up and bumps her off buckles. Tag to Dawn and she stomps away! Dawn taunts Kayden but Katana ROCKS her! Katana slides under, ENZIGURIS, and tags Kayden!

Kayden kicks and throws Dawn out! Fyre runs in but Kayden kicks and throws her out, too! Kayden goes to the apron, SUPERKICKS Dawn then CROSSBODIES Fyre! Katana PLANCHAS Dawn and fans fire up! The party is rocking as NXT goes picture in picture.

Katana & Kayden fetch Dawn into the ring, then Katana SMACKS Fyre off the apron for good measure. Kayden covers Dawn, TWO! Dawn CLUBS Kayden, drags her over, and Fyre tags in. Kayden whips Dawn away but Dawn runs her over! Things keep moving, Fyre trips Kayden and Dawn taunts her. Fyre then spins Kayden into a BIG forearm! Fyre stalks Kayden, and drops a big knee! Cover, TWO! Fyre snarls, stomps Kayden, then bumps her off buckles. Tag to Dawn and they dig boots in. Dawn RAMS into Kayden, brings her out and snap suplexes! Float to a cover, TWO! Dawn throws Kayden down!

Tag to Fyre, she and Dawn handoff, then feed to the TARANTULA! The ref counts, Dawn lets go at 4 and Fyre covers, TWO! Fyre is frustrated but she clamps on a chinlock. Fyre squeezes Kayden, leans on the hold, but Kayden endures. Kayden fights to her feet, but Fyre wrangles her right back down! Fyre grinds Kayden into the mat, thrashes her around, but Kayden fights up again to arm-drag free! NXT returns to single picture as Kayden avoids the knee! Fyre hobbles, Kayden elbows her away! Fyre comes back, but only gets buckles! Hot tag to Katana and she sweeps Fyre, ROCKS Dawn and BULLDOGS Fyre!

Katana keeps moving, and she RANAS Fyre away! Fans fire up as Katana fires off forearms and CHOPS, shouting, “Those titles are OURS!” Fyre shoves Katana away, but Katana comes back to A-LIST LARIAT! Katana then pushes Fyre down to hit the SOMERSAULT AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Katana drags Fyre up, whips her to a corner, then runs in to tag Kayden. Fans rally, Katana snapmares Fyre and sets up with Kayden, they double springboard, STANDING MOONSAULT LEG DROP COMBO! Kayden covers, TWO!! Fyre hangs tough but Kayden drags her up. Fyre fires body shots then CLUBS Kayden!

Fyre whips, Kayden holds ropes and BOOTS back! Katana sneaks a tag, Fyre runs into a shoulder and table top! Kayden gives Katana the wheelbarrow boost, SPLASH onto knees! Fyre JAWBREAKERS Kayden and PUNTS Katana! Tag to Dawn, she drags Katana up while Fyre climbs! BACKSTABBER and SWANSTON!! Cover, Kayden barrels in to break it! Fans fire up while all four women are down! “This is Awesome!” as Kayden hooks Fyre up, hammerlock to BLADERUNNER! Dawn ROUNDHOUSES Kayden! Katana rolls Dawn! TWO!! Dawn rushes in, Katana dodges to CODE BREAKER!

Katana hurries to her corner while fans rally up. Kayden tags in, Katana goes up, HIGHLIGHT REEL!! Cover, but Fyre breaks it!! Fans fire up again while all four women are down! Katana wipes her bloody nose while she regroups with Kayden. Dawn and Fyre regroup on the other end and fans rally back up. Tags to Fyre and Katana! But all four women step up to BRAWL! Fans are thunderous, Kayden TOSSES Dawn but Fyre ROCKS Katana! Fyre SUPERKICKS Kayden! Katana runs up but Fyre whips her. Katana reverses, runs in but into a BOOT! Fyre goes out to the apron, BOOTS Kayden, then climbs!

Katana stands, Dawn runs in, but Katana ducks the kick to shove her at ropes! This trips Fyre up, for Katana to spring up and fire off! Fyre fights back, Kayden sneaks the tag! Kayden CLUBS Fyre, goes up after her, and Katana joins in. Fans fire up as KC Squared bring Fyre up, for a DOUBLE SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Fyre survives and shocks everyone! Kayden thinks of what to do, and she hurries to get Katana up. KC Squared reset, tag and turn, HIGHLIGHT- NO, Katana has to leap at Dawn first with a CROSSBODY! But Fyre RAMS Kayden into buckles! Fyre storms up, Katana dodges to RAN-

NO, Fyre SWINGS Katana into Kayden! And then she brings Katana back up, and Dawn tags in! Pop-up into the Gory Especial! WICKED FACEBUSTER!! Fyre DIVES onto Kayden! Dawn covers Katana, Dawn & Fyre win!!

Winners: Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)

Fans aren’t sure what to make of this, but the titles are still in the clutches of this wicked duo! Will Fridays now be the home of the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships?

 

Dijak speaks.

“Ilja Dragunov. I gave you fair warning: don’t show up to the arena. And now look at you. Your ribcage? Smashed. You didn’t seem like much of a mad dragon when you were trapped under that garage door gasping for air. So helpless. But don’t worry, Ilja, I left a small piece of you to finish off next week, because I DON’T CARE WHO YOU ARE! I CAN BREAK ANY MAN!! And next week, Ilja, I’m finally going to break YOU.” Will Unbesiegbar not survive #HardJustice?

 

Apollo Crews finds Trick in the parking lot.

Trick congratulates Crews on being drafted back to Raw, and Crews says he appreciates that. And Crews saw Trick challenge Bron to a match. Trick says he’s gonna handle business, and Crews says that’s admirable. And while Crews has had his wars with Trick Melo Gang in the past, he just wants to say before he leaves, he sees a lot in Trick. Trick has the ability to take over NXT if he wanted. Melo has the spotlight now, as he deserves. But Trick is the definition of a superstar. Crews knows the others only wish they had the same gifts Trick does. Don’t let that talent go to waste. Keep grinding, keep busting your ass, and next year, it could be Trick’s name called in the Draft.

Trick says Crews doesn’t know how much that means to Trick. They shake hands and Crews tells Trick to give Bron hell. Will Trick be able to break through against Bron Breakker?

 

Indi Hartwell is here!

Thanks to the WWE Draft, the NXT Women’s Champion is going to Raw! But right now, she has the belt on her shoulder, a cast on her foot, and a mic in hand. Fans chant “You Deserve It!’ in regards to the title and the draft pick. Indi says, “One thousand, three hundred and 30 days ago, I stepped through the doors of the WWE Performance Center for the very first time. I was a freshly-turned 23-year-old, with a hope and a dream. Because I was a fan of the black ‘n’ gold era. Women like Bayley and Charlotte and Asuka, who carved their own way in this industry. Legends who helped build the division to what it is today. Women who helped make this championship one of the most important titles in WWE.

“No one ever thought that I was gonna achieve this goal. They counted me out, people doubted me, until I found… The Way.” Fans cheer that! Indi says it was a family, with Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, Austin Theory, and #SexyDexi. That is where she formed a bond with them, but also with the fans. Fans cheer that, too! Indi says she got married right here in this very ring! A WWE wedding with no interruptions? Indi couldn’t believe it! Just like she couldn’t believe she was atop that ladder with the NXT Women’s Championship at Stand & Deliver.

“A lot of people say they wanna be a fighting champion, but you don’t always get an opportunity to prove that. Last week, I was in the medical room with a high ankle sprain, about to be taken out of the match, and I thought, ‘Hell no!'” Fans cheer because Indi got her ass back out to the ring and showed everyone she IS the best in the division! Indi wasn’t gonna let her title run end on the medical table. Fans chant for “Indi Wrestling!” And then, came Friday, and Indi got drafted to Monday Night Raw. Fans cheer that even more! “You Deserve It!” Indi thanks them for that. It has been a few days, and she still can’t believe it.

Come Monday, May 8th, Indi’s new home will be Raw. But right now, just like when she was 23, the most important thing is NXT and this title. So starting next week, there will be a tournament to crown a NEW NXT Women’s Champion, culminating at Battleground in Lowell, Massachusetts. “Ladies, good luck.” And one more thing before she goes. These are words Indi lives by: Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened. Fans cheer that as Indi gives one last long and sorrowful look at the title. She kisses it goodbye, then sets it down on the mat. And now, how to get out of the ring…

Fans cheer as DEXTER LUMIS slides out from under the ring! He gives a smile and thumbs up, and then helps his wife out of the ring. #InDex says goodbye to NXT one last time. Will nothing stop Indi from being Impressive on Raw? And who will be the next woman to pick up that title? Wait, Tiffany Stratton appears to grab the belt! But so does Cora Jade! They tug-o-war over it! Only for LYRA VALKYRIA to CLOBBER them both! Ivy and Tatum and just about EVERY woman in the locker room rushes out! They all brawl, refs hurry to stop this, but fans are loving it! Will it be nothing but chaos until NXT Battleground?


My Thoughts:

A great NXT to follow the WWE Draft, and at least some things were cleared up after what felt like miscues between NXT and main roster. Despite there being a tag title match tonight where both teams were moving on from NXT, it is heavily implied that the champions will pull a Kevin Owens style call-up. Fyre & Dawn had an awesome match with Kayden & Katana, and Fyre & Dawn retaining makes sense given the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Liv Morgan & Shayna Baszler, are on Raw. Fyre & Dawn bring the NXT titles to SmackDown, probably feuding with a team there but also teams on NXT. Maybe we’ll finally get some triple branded competition again with both WWE and NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions going back and forth between Raw, SmackDown & NXT.

And as Indi said in her great promo to close the show, we are getting a tournament to crown a new champion at Battleground, as I was hoping for the moment Indi was drafted. We got a great bit of chaos to close the night, but of course Cora and Tiffany were the first two of the roster to go out and grab the belt, it fits both of their characters. But as such, it’d make for a much better finals if at least one of them wasn’t in the finals, and then someone else entirely wins the belt. Lyra did strike them both down, maybe Lyra finally gets a title after having multiple delays, both in NXT UK and here in NXT.

For that matter, where the hell has Blair Davenport been since Mandy Rose buried her and Meiko Satomura at World’s Collide? Gigi Dolin and Jacy Jayne should also be a big part of that tournament, they had a really good match tonight. I feel like Jacy got bloodied the hard way, that was quite the drip and since when has WWE had blood? At the same time, Gigi and Jacy can wrap up their feud without the belt, escalating to some kind of No Disqualification match for the winner to then challenge the new champion over the Summer. And at that point, it could be anyone, so we’d be getting a fresh match-up in time for the SummerSlam season.

I loved the Chase U segment, because I just felt for the longest time that a “Duke University” pun was in the works, and here it was! Chase will surely be upset, and this could be leading to Chase VS Duke after all. Dijak has a good promo calling out Dragunov, but I’m pretty sure Dragunov will win their match. And really good segment from Stone and Von, surprisingly. Using Von’s dad and his career in story made sense, but wow, are we getting some worked shoot of Von’s real life? Is Von no longer going to be big meaty meathead and actually have something we can sympathize with? I’m not sure how to feel about that.

Great opening title match from Wes VS Gulak, and of course Bate counters Dempsey as part of the finish. But Bate eyeing the title, I would definitely love seeing Wes VS Bate for the North American Championship at Battleground. That one could go either way, as Wes has been a great champion but Bate’s been deserving of something for some time. Trick had a great promo segment with Bron to set up a match which will of course be Bron’s tune-up before Battleground. Apollo also had a great promo with Trick that honestly felt like his genuine feelings. Trick really is great on the mic and in the ring, he’s bound to get some kind of title in his NXT run.

Good promo from Eddy Thorpe and Damon Kemp, especially since it was a subtle reference to the NJPW Young Boy to Young Lion system. Eddy has to win against Damon and then throw it in Damon’s face that he should clean up after him. And I do appreciate that NXT Anonymous posted that highlight reel of the attack segments, and putting a scroll of possibly real fan comments, not just a bunch of kayfabe comments. The real-life answer is that a coach at NXT is pushing the women’s roster too hard in strength training, because there is at least half a dozen other injuries we haven’t even seen played out as an attack, but could totally be put that way for kayfabe’s sake.

Great match out of Axiom and Scrypts, though it makes that random match they had on Level Up months ago all the more random. This should’ve been the first thing we’ve ever seen from these two so that we’d be even more surprised. But Axiom winning was of course the right move, and wow, I didn’t think he’d demask Scrypts here! Everyone already knew it was Reggie, but it’s great that we can finally say it’s Reggie and get from Reggie why he became Scrypts in the first place. And great debut match from Dani Palmer, but I feel like her ring gear could be better. Lots of little straps here and there, but all different colors, that makes it a bit of a mess. It’d be better if they were all the same bright color. Just my opinion.

Great match from Gacy VS Coffey, and I just knew The Schism was going to cheat to help Gacy win so that The Dyad can get their tag title match. Given that Zack Gibson & James Drake are still here as Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed rather than being released as they asked, I hope that means HHH & HBK are going to do big things with them. The Dyad winning the tag titles could be a good move, especially since it feels like Diamond Mine is going to feud with The Schism. Or, perhaps The Diamond Mine stops The Schism from cheating, furthering their feud, and then Gallus feuds with The D’Angelo Family for all that mafia stuff. Well, Gallus VS Tony & Stacks could still happen even without the titles, the winners challenging for the titles at Battleground.

And just an awesome match from Dragon Lee VS JD McDonagh. Given JD is moving on to Raw, I did not see him winning. Wrestling is always about putting someone who is sticking around over, using someone who is on their way out. But since JD is simply moving to Raw and not leaving WWE, he goes over to have momentum for when he shows up on Raw and starts whatever story HHH has planned. As for Dragon and Dar, Dragon losing because of Dar is the perfect way to get their feud going, and they are definitely fighting for the Heritage Cup. Still hoping for a tournament there myself, as Dar’s attempt to keep Dragon away from him, but chances are, they’re going to be more direct in this feud.

My Score: 8.8/10


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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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