Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (5/30/23)
It’s about to get TOXIC!
Tonight: Jacy Jayne, Gigi Dolin, and a WEAPONIZED STEEL CAGE!
NXT returns from the Battleground, but another battle is about to begin! The Toxic War between Gigi and Jacy ends, inside a cage, the walls lined with weaponry! Who will be left standing as the Toxic Victor?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Weaponized Steel Cage: Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne; Gigi wins.
- Wes Lee & Tyler Bate VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine; Wes & Bate win.
- Joe Coffey VS “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo; Joe wins.
- Cora Jade VS Ivy Nile; Cora wins.
- NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Noam Dar w/ Oro Mensah, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson; Melo wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Weaponized Steel Cage: Gigi Dolin VS Jacy Jayne!
What was once one of the most dominant duos in the NXT Women’s Division was torn apart by ambition and pride. Where one thought they were closer than sisters, the other only saw herself as the star and everyone else as a side character. This is going to end one way or another, but will it be the Toxic Avenger or the Toxic Traitor that comes out on top?
But wait! Jacy attacks Gigi during her entrance! And then RAMS her into the steel! And then into steel steps! Fans boo but Jacy takes Gigi’s jacket from her, throws it at her, then throws Gigi into the steel again! Jacy says it’s all about her, and she SMACKS Gigi off more steps, and Gigi’s head also hits the underside of the door! Jacy makes Gigi take a seat, to SLAM the door shut on her! And again! And again! Jacy howls but fans boo, and Jacy drags Gigi into the cage. Jacy then closes the door, the bell rings, and Jacy stalks Gigi. Jacy has a duffel bag, and she brings out a LEATHER STRAP! She LASHES Gigi!
Jacy LASHES Gigi more and more, then howls again. Gigi writhes, Jacy gets a chair, but Gigi gets a trash can lid! Gigi kicks Jacy low, SMACKS her on the back, and now Jacy writhes. Gigi runs, but Jacy drop toeholds her onto the chair! Jacy drags Gigi through the chair, runs, but Gigi avoids the ax kick! Gigi comes back with a ROUNDHOUSE! Jacy takes a seat, Gigi CROSSBODIES her down! Gigi drags Jacy up, RAMS her into the steel, then RAMS her into the other side! Gigi gets that strap for herself now, and she LASHES Jacy! And again! And again! And again! Then she just throws the strap at Jacy before getting a trash can lid.
Gigi brings the can around, puts it on Jacy, and then Kawada Kicks away on it! Jacy falls over, Gigi takes the can off her, and fans fire up. Gigi has Jacy against ropes, digs the can into her, and says this is what Jacy wanted! Gigi SLAPS Jacy, runs, and dropkicks the can into Jacy! Cover, TWO! Jacy is still in this, and Gigi snarls. Gigi looks for something else to use as fans rally behind her. Gigi gets the strap and CHOKES Jacy with it! Gigi says Jacy ruined everything! They were like sisters! Gigi lets Jacy go, gets more trash cans, and she sets one down. Fans chant “We Want Tables!” but Gigi gets the bat! It has a rose on it!
Gigi JAMS Jacy with the baseball bat, then DIGS the thorn covered side into her! Gigi climbs up to CHOKE Jacy with the bat and again shouts that Jacy ruined everything! Gigi then takes aim, waits on Jacy to get up, but Jacy avoids the homer to SPINEBUSTER Gigi on the can! Fans are shocked while NXT goes picture in picture.
Jacy talks trash on Gigi, stalks her, and brings her up. Jacy RAMS Gigi into steel, then RAMS her into more steel! Jacy then grinds Gigi into the chain link like it’s a cheese grater! Jacy lets off to revel in the moment, then she steps back in through the ropes. Jacy talks trash on the fans and on Gigi, and then stalks her to ropes. Jacy KICKS Gigi in the face! Jacy gets a chair, wedges it in a corner, and then goes back for Gigi. Jacy brings Gigi up to whip, but Gigi stops herself! Gigi ELBOWS Jacy, runs and BOOTS her down! Gigi then gets another trash can, and she wedges that in another corner.
Gigi goes to Jacy, kicks her low, and whips, but Jacy reverses! Gigi blocks, Jacy kicks low, then blocks a kick to LARIAT Gigi down! And SENTON! Cover, TWO! Gigi is still in this but Jacy rains down fists on her! Jacy eggs Gigi on, taunts fans, then gets a steel chain! Jacy wraps that around her first, gives it a kiss, and FULL METLA BODY SHOTS! And then another! And another! Gigi falls over while Jacy swings the chain. Jacy grinds as she sits Gigi up, and wraps the chain around Gigi’s face! Gigi can only endure as the chain digs into her nose and mouth! NXT returns to single picture as fans rally back up.
Gigi fights, powers up, and swings Jacy into the steel chair! Jacy goes down and fans fire up! Jacy staggers up, Gigi roars, and Gigi ROCKS Jacy, KICKS her and KNEES her! Ripcord and STO! Cover, TWO!! Gigi is frustrated but she pounds the mat. Fans rally up, Gigi gets another chair, and she puts that down at center. She gets that chair from the corner, and another chair, and another chair, and she piles them together. Gigi brings Jacy over, half nelsons, but Jacy fights! Jacy whips, spins Gigi, and then NECKBREAKER on the chair pile!! Both women writhe but Jacy covers, TWO!! Gigi survives and Jacy is beside herself!
Fans rally up, Jacy clears the chairs out of the way and she throws a forearm on Gigi. Gigi comes back with a haymaker! Jacy throws a forearm back! Gigi throws a forearm of her own! Fans rally, Jacy throws another forearm but Gigi fires a flurry! Gigi wrenches, hooks Jacy up, but Jacy dosidos her into the TRASH CAN! And then SUPERKICKS! Just like the night she betrayed Gigi! Jacy runs in, CANNONBALL into the trash can! Cover, TWO!!! Gigi survives again and Jacy is at a loss for words. But then Jacy just grins and rains down fists on Gigi! Fans chant “We Want Tables!” and Jacy drags the table out!
Fans actually chant, “Thank You, Jacy!” and she says shut up, she’s not doing it for them! Jacy sets the table up near a corner, and she goes back to Gigi. Jacy suplexes but Gigi blocks! Gigi throws body shots, turns things around, but Jacy blocks the suplex! Gigi CLUBS Jacy, KNEES her low, and then drags her up to whip. Jacy reverses and sends Gigi into the steel! Jacy then brings Gigi up, bumps her off buckles, and brings her up the corner! Fans fire up as Jacy dribbles Gigi off buckles and the steel! Jacy says this is all about HER, and she reaches the very top rope. But Gigi HEADBUTTS in return!
Jacy wobbles, Gigi SMACKS her off the steel again and again! Jacy stays on the top rope but Gigi clinches, CHOKE SLAM THROUGH THE TABLE!! High stack, Gigi wins!!
Winner: Gigi Dolin, by pinfall
The Toxic Avenger finally ends the Toxic War! Fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” What is next for Gigi now that she’s gotten past her past?
Backstage interview with Wes Lee.
McKenzie Mitchell is with the North American Champion and notes we’re just 48 hours removed from his win in a Triple Threat. He is now the longest reigning North American Champion, with TEN successful defenses. Has it sunk in yet? Now that she says it, yes! He is PUMPED! But he’s also sore. Comes with the territory. Back when he won the title at Halloween Havoc, he had no idea how this ride was gonna go. But through the multiple multi-mans, the open challenges and the unforeseen odds- “Sunday’s victory proved nothing!” The Dyad storms in to say Joe Gacy wants to send a reminder.
Wes says okay, he’ll bust them all! But then Tyler Bate steps up to say that if they want to fight Wes, they fight him, too! The Dyad backs off, and Bate tells Wes that as he said on Sunday, that was all business. He still has Wes’s back, if he’ll have him. Wes says he appreciates that. They fist bump, but will Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed still try to send that “message” from The Schism?
Tony D’Angelo gets his mug shot.
He isn’t happy about it, either. But what will happen should The Don have to go to court?
Gallus talks backstage.
They’re of course happy to be NXT Tag Team Champions, but Wolfgang admits, The Creed Brothers are tough. But no one can stop Gallus! They never stop. The Creeds are done, so who steps up to their kingdom next? Well, Tony D and Stacks had next, but uh, Tony can’t do too much with his hands cuffed. “It wasn’t me, officer! I swear! I’m a nice guy!” Fogedaboutit! But Stacks storms in! He knew it was them! They ratted on Tony! Don’t get the wrong idea, Stacks, it wasn’t them. But what is he gonna do without his daddy? Better question: Ever heard that snitches get stitches?
Stacks fires off on Gallus, but he gets mugged 3v1! The refs rush in, but Gallus still throws Stacks into shelfs! The refs tell Gallus they are EJECTED from the building! Gallus is fine with that, they did the damage. But who is going to be next if The Family is busy with their own problems?
Carmelo Hayes is here!
Fans cheer as Trick Melo Gang heads to the ring, because the NXT Champion is still HIM! Trick gets the mic to get to business. They went to Melo’s hometown, Melo went to Battleground, and he left still champion. Fans cheer that, and Melo says he did that. Now listen, Battleground was exactly that: a battle. So he will paint a picture: Melochussetts was going crazy! Bron VS THOUSANDS! Big Spear, Melo still alive. Nothing But Net, #AndStill! And one thing everyone needs to realize, sometimes you gotta take shots to make shots. When it comes to this NXT Championship, Melo don’t ever miss!
Trick says Melo don’t lie, either! Battleground is another brick in the foundation of the HIM Dynasty. But wait, NOAM DAR is here? Dar and his squad walk out, and Dar tells Melo, “Well done! Congratulations! You managed to escape your hometown still champion. And Melo, you weren’t the only one to retain their championship.” Fans boo as Dar says HE defended HIS NXT Heritage Cup, “the most coveted prize in NXT.” But Melo only just managed to beat Bron. Dar beat Dragon Lee not once, but twice. Thank you.
Trick tells “Mr. Supernova” that we don’t have time to talk about how it took four of them to cheat Dragon Lee. Fans cheer that! But there is time to talk about Dar coming out to interrupt Trick Melo Gang. Interrupting Trick Melo Gang is a super no-no. Melo says he saw that match, Dar really is like that. But there’s levels to this. That trophy puts Dar on a high level, but this NXT Championship puts Melo on the HIGHEST level. Dar may’ve “beat” Dragon twice, but Melo bets he couldn’t even beat Melo once. And that’s all it is, and that’s all it- NO NO NO NONONO! SHH! The adults are talking, Trick.
Fans boo as Dar tells Melo that that almost sounded like a challenge. Is Melo challenging Dar, even though that’d be the biggest mistake of his life? If Melo is building a dynasty, then step up! Put the NXT Championship on the line TONIGHT! Trick says whoa, whoa, wait a minute. Dar is trying to take advantage of Melo while he’s tired. DUH! Well done, Captain Obvious. But hey, straight up, what does Melo say? Oh, wait, Lash was right! Melo is just counting the minutes, making it easy, because he doesn’t have what it takes to compete at the highest level night in and night out, like Dar.
But actually, it must be hard to miss when he has… What’s Lash calling it? Low management! No, no, if Dar wants it, then he’s got it! TONIGHT! Fans fire up, but did the Supernova Squad just get the better of HIM?
Cora Jade talks with the other women in the locker room.
They all saw her match with Lyra in the tournament, right? Lyra headbutted her right in the eye! Cora was basically blind half the match! And if she could’ve seen, SHE would have gone to Battleground, and SHE would be NXT Women’s Champion. Literally everyone else goes, “Um…” Cora says fine, but the only one to be celebrated is HER! Her accomplishments, her star power. But nooo~, we all let Cora get screwed over. She deserves to be champion! But in walks Ivy Nile. We’ve all had it with the whining. Injuries are part of the game, so suck it up and get over it. Everyone would’ve loved to have been in that tournament, too.
Cora tells Ivy not to give her attitude just cuz her guys couldn’t get the job done and Ava whipped her ass. Ivy says at least they were all in that fight. Where was Cora on Sunday? Just sitting here bitching about it. Cora says she’s not scared of Ivy, but does anyone believe that?
Axiom watches footage on his phone.
Reggie walks over and says, “What’s up, Ax? Tell me you’re watching Battleground.” Axiom says yes, but then sees who he’s talking to. Axiom stands right up but Reggie tells him to chill, he means you no harm. Then what does he want? See, “Reggie!” Everyone always calls him that, and that is his given name, but growing up, a lot of people called him “Scrypts.” Who? His family? And why “Scrypts?” Definitely not his family. And he won’t get into it right now, that’s a story for another day. Then what does Scrypts want? He appreciates what Axiom did for him. Wait, what? When he took the mask off! It opened Scrypts’ eyes!
It was like Scrypts was living in a cave, watching shadows on the wall. But now, he is living in the sunlight, seeing what is meant to be seen. And Dabba-Kato trying to take Axiom out after their match last week, Scrypts couldn’t stand by. He jumped into action to help Axiom since Axiom helped him. And Scrypts just wants to thank him. Scrypts/Reggie leaves, and Axiom says, “Any time.” Is Scrypts going to go from a would-be archenemy to a new ally?
Wes Lee & Tyler Bate VS The Dyad w/ Ava Raine!
The Cardiac Kid & Big Strong Boi are standing together again against Rip Fowler & Jagger Reed. The Schism isn’t done with Wes, but will their tree get chopped down?
NXT returns as Bate makes his entrance, followed by Wes. The teams sort out and Reed starts with Bate. They circle, tie up, and Reed wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Bate rolls, rolls back, then uses a leg to get free and knuckle lock. Bate whips and WRINGS Reed out, then wrenches the arm again. Reed pulls hair to put Bate in the corner and Rip tags in to ROCK Bate! Rip ROCKS Bate again, puts him in a corner, but Bate boots then KNEES back! Bate goes up to FLYING UPPERCUT! Fans fire up and Bate wrenches Rip to tag in Wes. Wes slingshots to sunset flip! TWO! Rip gets Wes in the face with that kickout, then he ROCKS Wes!
Rip scoops, Wes slips off but Rip bucks the O’Conner. Things speed up, Wes slides and headscissors! Wes runs in, tilt-o-whirl CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Wes facelocks Rip, tags Bate, and Bate goes up to AX HANDLE the arm! Bate wrenches the arm, tags Wes back in, but Rip shoves Bate into Wes! Rip CLUBS Bate, tags Reed, and the Dyad brings Bate up to whip to the corner. Reed runs in but into a BOOT! Bate goes up and over Rip, under Reed, and baits them in for Wes’s FLYING ARM-DRAG HEADSCISSOR COMBO! Fans fire up as Wes & Bate DOUBLE DROPKICK The Dyad out!
Fans fire up as The Dyad get back in and the four stare down. But then Wes & Bate see MUSTAFA ALI in the perch!? The Beacon is here, but why!? Ali heads down to ringside while NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Jagger grinds Bate down with a chinlock. Fans rally up, Bate fights up, and we see Ali is on commentary now. Bate powers the hold open but Reed KNEES him in the back and tags Rip. They double suplex and hold Bate up but Bate throws knees! Bate knees and knees and DOUBLE KNEES, to then get free! Bate DOUBLE RANAS The Dyad! Fans fire up, Bate dodges Reed but Rip ROCKS him! The Dyad set Bate up but Bate BOOTS Reed away! He ends up in the corner with Rip, Wes tags in to rally on The Dyad! SUPERKICK for Reed, ELBOW for Rip, BOOT for Reed, and a flurry of fists for Rip!
Wes snapmares and DROPKICKS Rip and fans fire up! Reed storms up but Wes elbows him away. Victory roll and jump, DDT for Rip! Reed runs in but Wes ducks the enziguri to wrench and fire off fast strikes! DOUBLE STOMP on Reed’s back! Rip runs in but is sent into the corner! ENZIGURI, then snapmare! Wes flips but Rip dodges! THROAT CHOP! Fans boo but Ava cheers, and Reed tags in. Reed and Rip aim, but Bate gets up, Rip DECKS Bate, but Wes fires off haymakers and CHOPS on The Dyad. The Dyad kicks back, double whips, but Wes ducks ‘n handsprings to DOUBLE PELE!! Tag to Bate!
Bate and Wes each have a corner, they each aim at a Dyad, for DOUBLE TORNILLO!! Wes then FLIES to take out Rip! Bate gets Reed for the TYLER DRIVER 97!! Cover, Bate & Wes win!
Winners: Wes Lee & Tyler Bate, by pinfall
That was definitely a big strong victory, and then Ivy gets at Ava!! The Creed Brothers rush out, but The Dyad goes after them! It is a chaotic brawl, more refs rush out to stop this, but fans want to “Let Them Fight!” And then Gacy gets in to CLOBBER Wes and Bate! Gacy stomps away on Wes, but Ali jumps in! Ali DECKS Gacy! Fans fire up as Ali DECKS Gacy again! Ali TOSSES Gacy out hard, and he throws off his jacket! The Beacon stands with Bate and Wes, will they join forces to chop down The Schism’s tree?
Drew Gulak & Charlie Dempsey lead another Chase U class.
The Philly Stretcher says, “The name of the game is leverage.” Collar ‘n’ elbow, let’s go. Then you get the headlock. Thea Hail watches closely but Duke Hudson tells her that while he’s all for pushing yourself, but Gulak was the one who made her cry. She doesn’t have to take this class, he can give her a pass. No, she has to do this for herself. She never wants to feel that way again! They think she’s weak, but she’s not! She wants to prove it! She wants to get in there! Let her go! LET HER GO!! Thea, let HIM go! Yeesh. But okay, give ’em hell. Okay okay okay! She jumps in, Gulak tells the one guy, “Submission wrestling is the backbone of success. Good job.”
Dempsey taps Gulak’s shoulder and says, “Speaking of success. Look who decided to join.” Well, so nice of Thea to join in. But no crying this time or running away, okay? Loud and clear, sir. She can do this. Alright. Everyone done. She circles with Dempsey, what will her grade be in this test?
Tiffany Stratton heads to the ring.
The Center of the Universe is the NEW NXT Women’s Champion, and given all the pictures of herself in the ring, this “Tiffybration” is only about herself. Tiffany gets the mic to say, “Raise your hands if you’re not surprised that Tiffany Stratton is the NEW NXT Women’s Champion~!” She knows she isn’t. This Sunday, she claimed her rightful spot at the “Tiffy top” of NXT. Fans do cheer, and Tiffany says this title has been held by future hall of famers: Charlotte Flair, Asuka, Bayley, Rhea Ripley, the list goes on and on. And tonight, she shows everyone what it means to be a true champion.
Fans cheer that, and Tiffany says “Honestly, when I think of what a champion is, it is me! Nobody in that locker room can do what I can do. And when I look in the mirror, I think to myself, I am the epitome of what a true WWE Superstar is! So to continue on in my Tiffybration, I would like to invite up the entire NXT Women’s locker room so they can all recognize me as their Women’s Champion. Ladies?” No one comes out. Fine, no one wants to know who her first opponent is gonna be. Do the fans do? “YES!” “Aww, you guys actually think I care what you think.” Tiffany asks the locker room to come out, and finally they all walk out.
Tiffany says she knows they’re all starstruck, and that they all have the same question: “What is next for Tiffany Stratton? Who will I give my first title defense to? And to be honest, as everyone is out here, I can’t help but think to myself that I’m gonna be champion for a long, long time. I mean, I might as well retire as champion. Nobody can sit with me. Not you, not you, and I don’t even know why you’re out here,” Thea. Oh, and it is DEFINITELY not Lyra. Sorry not sorry. This is getting so awkward, she invited them all out here. Hah, JK! Luckily for them, on her way home, she had a Tiffany Epiphany!
She thought to herself, she should give them all an opportunity at the #TiffyTitle! So next week, there will be a #1 Contender’s Battle Royal to determine her challenger. Good for you all. “But TBH, it doesn’t matter who’s gonna win, because I’m gonna beat all of you to it. I am gonna beat all of you to it, because as far as I know, and for as long as I want, it is Tiffy Time.” Tiffany raises the belt, and confetti and balloons fall. But then Thea gets in to SLAP Tiffany! Fans fire up, and then both Roxie and Fallon get in! They pinball Tiffany with forearm shots! And SOBATS! Lyra gets in, too, but Tiffany scurries away!
But Lyra WRECKS her with a dropkick! Tiffany is furious but she’s the one who just turned the entire roster against her. Who will have their moment and get their shot at the Center of the Universe?
Trick Williams is on the phone backstage.
He says it is going down, but Melo will be alright. They’ll pull up afterward. Just keep the bottles on ice and the jacuzzi hot. Lash, Jakara & Oro walk over. Lash says they call him Trick Willy. Well, you heard that right. Then your boy is about to get whooped by Dar. A shame, though, cuz they kinda cute. Kinda? Hey, now! They may disagree on the match, but in the looks department, Trick Melo don’t miss. And y’all can leave, button your lips, move your hips, he’ll holler. Oro wants Trick to understand what the ladies are saying: Melo should’ve taken the night off.
Trick recognizes Oro. He saw that match, Oro was in Dar’s corner, this must’ve all be his plan. Oro’s a real shyster, y’know that? And Miss Jackson the Distraction, and Lash is a distraction herself. Bet they’d like to hit Trick with a bucket. Trick would like that, huh? Trick says he’s watching all y’all! Don’t try him! Will Trick Melo Gang be ready for everything the Supernova Squad is bringing?
Dani Palmer is in the ring.
“I cannot leave, I cannot leave this ring, until I find out who this attacker is! Whoever’s been wreaking havoc in this division said that they’d reveal themselves TONIGHT! You attacked me, and you attacked my best friend, Sol, and now she’s out for a year! I’m done waiting. I’m not going anywhere until you show your face!!” The attacker is on the tron, watching the footage of her handiwork. Nikkita Lyons, Wendy Choo, Sol Ruca, Dani Palmer, Roxanne Perez. Dani gets anxious, but the person is RIGHT BEHIND HER!! She attacks Danni, drags her up, and suplexes for a FALCON ARROW!!
IT’S BLAIR DAVENPORT! The Top Gaijin is back, and she gives Dani a KAMI-GOYE!! Targets of the Heir, beware! Who will be next on the list for Blair?
NXT shares footage from after the show last week.
Eddy Thorpe returned backstage and encountered Malik Blade & Edris Enofe. They congratulated him on the great effort against Tyler Bate. It’s tough, but so are you. And if Bate were to win the title, he could be looking at Eddy as next. Eddy says that’s nice of them to say, but he wishes he had that one back. Nah, they all feel down after a loss. You learn more after a loss than you do a win. But Damon Kemp gives a sarcastic clap. Kemp was watching, and he has to admit, he was impressed. But Eddy can’t win without cheating, huh? Eddy rushes Kemp but Kemp gets away, will the Alpha Wolf get back at the Golden Gopher in their rematch?
Joe Coffey VS “Stacks” Channing Lorenzo!
Gallus was poking fun at The Don, and the Underboss wasn’t going to stand for it! Mark Coffey & Wolfgang were sent home, but will the Iron King still be on top? Or will Stacks make Joe fogedaboutit?
The bell rings and Stacks SHOTGUNS Joe! Stacks stomps Joe in the corner, the ref counts and Stacks lets off. Joe gets up to CLUB Stacks in the back, and throw body shot after body shot! Stacks still tackles Joe and rains down forearms! Stacks headlocks, but Joe fights up, only for Stacks to KNEE Joe again, and again, and again! FIST DROP! Cover, TWO! Stacks clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Joe, but Joe fights up. Stacks hits a headlock takeover, Joe keeps his shoulder up but Stacks pushes the arm down, TWO! Stacks throws hands, Joe is down again, TWO! Joe rolls Stacks to a cover, TWO!
Stacks still has the headlock, but Joe fights up. Joe powers out and hip tosses Stacks hard! Stacks staggers up to ropes, but Joe runs in to fire haymakers. Fans rally and Joe whips Stacks corner to corner hard! Stacks bounces off buckles, Joe drops knees on his back! And then an elbow on the ribs! Cover, TWO! Stacks is hanging tough but Joe drags him up. Stacks throws body shots but Joe knees low. Joe ROCKS Stacks, RAMS him, then HIP TOSSES! Stacks flounders to ropes but Joe digs his laces into Stacks’ face. Stacks throws body shots, ROCKS him, and wrenches an arm to HIP DROP it! Cover, TWO!
Stacks keeps cool, he brings Joe up but Joe scoops to SLAM! Stacks writhes, Joe shakes out the arms and checks his ears. Joe runs in but Stacks put shim on the apron! Stacks DROPKICKS Joe off the apron! Fans fire up and Stacks eggs Joe on. Joe tells Stacks that HE’s the rat, but Stacks goes out to ROCK him! Stacks has Joe on the defense as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Joe has Stacks in body scissors. Stacks powers back to a cover, TWO and Joe keeps on the squeeze. Fans rally as Stacks endures, and Stacks pries at the hold. Stacks pushes back again, ONE, and now Stacks is free! Stacks gets the legs but Joe kicks him away! Joe and Stacks stagger up, Stacks rushes in but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Joe drags Stacks up to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Joe drags Stacks up but Stacks throws hands! Stacks ROCKS Joe, brings him in, DDT! Fans fire up while both men are down! Stacks rises, Joe crawls, and Stacks runs in to rally with haymakers!
Fans fire up as Stacks dodges Joe to UPPERCUT him down! Joe staggers around, Stacks runs in at the corner to UPPERCUT again! Joe staggers out of the corner, Stacks gets him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The Iron King is hanging tough but Stacks tells him vaffanapoli! Stacks goes up the corner, but Joe UPPERCUTS him first! Joe climbs up, clinches, SUPER OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!?! Stacks survives and fans fire up! Joe is furious and he drags Stacks up. Joe whips, Stacks reverses, but Joe goes up and around, but into a back drop! Fans fire up, Stacks runs in and clotheslines Joe and himself out of the ring!
Fans fire up while both men are down on the outside. A ring count starts, both men stand at 3 of 10. Stacks runs in to UPPERCUT Joe against the apron! We’re at 7, Stacks runs in, but is sent into the steps!! Joe drags Stacks up and in, aims from the corner, GLASGOW SENDOFF!! Joe keeps moving, ALL THE BEST FOR THE BELLS!! Cover, Joe wins!
Winner: Joe Coffey, by pinfall
Stacks fought hard to protect Tony D’s honor, but The Iron King still crushes him. Will NXT still be Gallus’ kingdom?
NXT shares more footage from after last week’s show.
Robert Stone asked Von Wagner, “What the hell was that, man?!” What the hell was what? Luca deserved everything he got out there! That’s not what Stone meant. Von got disqualified! He wants to get suspended? Fined? Have his free agency status revoked? That could happen if you keep acting like this! Von says Luca was running his mouth the last two weeks, on Von and on Stone. Von finally just shut it! Then don’t take what Stone’s about to say the wrong way. But whatever went on in Von’s past, he has anger issues. If Von isn’t gonna listen to Stone, then it is time to talk to a therapist.
A therapist? What the hell is that gonna do? So that they can take Von’s hard earned money? No, look, Stone can pay for it. He’s just asking Von do this for him. Von thinks about it, pats Stone on the shoulder, and says he’ll still think about it. Is Vicious Von going to finally get past his past?
NXT shares footage of Ilja Dragunov.
It was before Battleground on Sunday that he called home and assured his son, Constantine, that he’ll make it home in one piece. He made sure Constantine know he loves him. “Is it the pain that keeps searching for me? Or am I the one who searches for pain? Or maybe, I am the pain. In the end, it doesn’t matter. Because tonight, the world shall know pain.” Dragunov put on his gear, brought back the red contact lenses, and prepared for the war that was ahead of him. Last Man Standing with Dijak was truly the definition of pain. And in the end, Dragunov stood tall. The Czar will return next week, what will he be searching for when he does?
Cora Jade VS Ivy Nile!
Selfish, arrogant, entitled. Sound familiar? The Generation of Jade may have a black eye, but as she sees it, she’s still the most important part of NXT. Will she prove herself right? Or will the Diamond Pitbull make her see she’s just a punk?
NXT returns as Ivy makes her entrance. She already got into a scrap with Ava Raine, maybe that was just a good warmup. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Cora claims Ivy touched her bad eye! But then she ELBOWS Ivy! Cora laughs at Ivy but Ivy grabs that finger! Cora kicks low, headlocks, but Ivy powers out. Things speed up and Ivy goes to hip toss but Cora turns it around. Ivy blocks that to CLOBBER Cora! Ivy grabs an arm, steps through, drags Cora down, cover, ONE! Ivy wrenches Cora to an ELBOW BREAKER, and then she YANKS the arm. And YANKS it again!
Ivy WRINGS Cora out again, then brings her up to a fireman’s carry. Cora fights free with elbows and throws Ivy down by her hair! The ref reprimands, Cora laughs at Ivy, then runs to ELBOW her against ropes! Cover, TWO! Cora kicks Ivy around, taunts her, then throws her down by her hair again. Cora gives more toying kicks, CLUBS Ivy, then brings her around to TOSS her out to the apron. Fans duel as Cora brings Ivy in to CLUB her! Ivy is in the ropes, Cora puts some stank on the CHOP! It gets Ivy in the face!! Cora runs to SHOTGUN Ivy down! Ivy flops down, Cora covers, they’re in the ropes so Cora has to pull Ivy away. Cover again, TWO!
Cora is upset but she throws Ivy down by her hair again. Cora clamps on a chinlock and she squeezes tight. Ivy endures, fans rally up, and Ivy arm-drags free! Cora comes back but into a roll-up, TWO! Cora swings, Ivy blocks to KICK! KICK! And ROUNDHOUSE! Cora staggers, Ivy whips her to a corner. Ivy runs in around the way, CALF KICK! Snapmare and cover, TWO! Ivy drags Cora back up to fisherman, but Cora cradle counters! TWO!! Ivy escapes but Cora kicks low. Cora wrenches the hair to throw Ivy back down! Fans rally, Cora runs, IMPLODER- NO, Ivy dodges the stomps and Cora jams a knee!
Ivy gut wrench SLAMS Cora! But here comes AVA! Ava grabs Ivy while the ref checks Cora! But Ivy gets the DIAMOND DRAGON on her! But Cora SHINING WIZARDS from behind! Cora gets Ivy up, FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, Cora wins!
Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall
Ivy is feeling rather #Jaded after that, but that’s more because Ava came back for more. Will the Generation of Jade look to go after the gold during #TiffyTime?
Hank ‘n’ Tank talk backstage.
Hank is sorry but how is the shoulder? Better every day. How’s Hank’s wrist? Better every day. But in all seriousness, they crushed it. Tank says Hank deserved that win, though. And at the end of the day, it worked! They’re tighter than ever! There’s this energy going back and forth! That connection! That’s what Hank was gonna say. Whoa, there’s the connection! Okay, let’s test it. First word that comes to mind, no thinking. Favorite food? On three- Wait, wait, “One two, go,” or “one two three, then go?” After three. Okay, okay. Favorite food. One, two, three, CHICKEN PARM! GASP!
Favorite animal? One, two, three, HONEY BADGER! Whoa… Favorite sauce on your wings. One, two, three, BUFFALO!! YES!! Edris & Malik walk over and say if they’re talking sauces, ya boi could eat. Bro, they just did eat! All they’re talking about is, ever since Tank ‘n’ Hank beat the tar outta each other, they’re like this! Fingers crossed. Tight. Oh, okay, after one match. It takes a bit longer than that, y’know that right? Oh, really? Watch this. Best movie of all time. One, two, three, JAWS! Okay, okay, they can do that. Edris & Malik go with “favorite day to work out.” One, two, three, MONURDAY. Monday VS Saturday.
No, try this. Pizza topping. One, two, three, PINEAMI! WHAT? Pepperoni VS Pineapple! Hank ‘n’ Tank let them argue this out, but Edris says they’re not gonna fight. But Malik says that could help them! Will each of these tag teams figure out their synchronicity over the Summer?
Backstage interview with Diamond Mine.
McKenzie finds Ivy & The Creeds, and she says there was just another altercation between Ivy and Ava. Ivy says yeah, and she’s sick of this crap! Ava, if you wanna be part of the game, step up! And for that matter, the Creeds tell The Dyad they can get it, too! Four roots, one stupid tree! But speaking of, Ava & The Dyad storm over! Refs rush in already as everyone is shouting, will the Diamond Mine look to crush The Schism once and for all?
NXT Championship: Carmelo Hayes w/ Trick Williams VS Noam Dar w/ Oro Mensah, Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson!
Two champions triumphant at Battleground now collide to see who is truly at the very top. Will the Melobration continue into the Summer? Or will Supernova 11 have double swagger when he has double the championships?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Dar can beat HIM!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Dar wrenches and wristlocks but Melo rolls, wrenches and wrangles Dar down. Fans rally, Dar rolls and stands to clinch and put Melo on the ropes. The ref counts, Dar swings but Melo dodges to CHOP! Melo headlocks, he grinds Dar down, but Dar fights up. Dar brings Melo down to a knee, pops out the back, and he wrenches to a wristlock. Dar shouts he’s the champ, then SLAPS the hand! Melo kips up, wrenches back, and arm-drags to an armlock! Fans chant “LOCK IT IN~!” as Trick makes the motion. Dar powers up and out to headlock, but Melo powers out of that.
The two RAM shoulders, neither falls, so Dar kicks a leg then KICKS Melo down! Dar talks more trash but fans boo. Melo swings, Dar gets around but Melo ELBOWS him away! Melo runs and springboards, FLYING LARIAT! Fans fire up but Dar bails out to regroup with his group and NXT goes picture in picture.
Melo dares Dar to get back in but Oro, Lash & Jakara all coach Dar. Dar gets up, catches his breath, tells Melo to be patient, and takes his time returning. Dar slithers in, circles with Melo again and they tie up. Melo arm-drags Dar to a corner and then storms up. Melo CHOPS Dar, Dar staggers but Melo bumps him off buckles. Melo follows Dar to another corner, and CHOPS him down! Dar goes to the apron, Melo drags him up and SLINGSHOT SUPLEXES Dar in! Melo does crunches in the ropes while Dar writhes. Melo then goes to Dar to snap suplex low and hard! Cover, TWO! Dar’s team cheers him but Melo drags him up.
Dar wrenches to sweep the leg! Melo clutches a knee and Dar rains down fists! Dar grabs the arm to stomp it! Dar taunts Trick, follows Melo to a corner and fires off hands. Dar RAMS into Melo, the ref counts, and Dar wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER! Dar snapmares Melo, gets the legs and ties them up, but Melo boots him away! Melo arm-drags to another armlock. Melo digs his knee into Dar’s face and Dar endures. NXT returns to single picture as fans chant “LOCK IT IN~!” Dar fights up, tries to arm-drag but Melo smothers it. Dar ROCKS Melo, whips him, but Melo reverses. Melo runs in to ROCK Dar!
Melo whips corner to corner, runs in, blocks boots and puts Dar in the ropes to ENZIGURI! FADE AWAY! Cover, TWO! Dar is still in this but Melo brings him up. The corner teams argue, Dar elbows Melo! Melo whips, Dar reverses, they dosido and Melo goes out to the apron. Dar swings but Melo blocks. Dar ducks to sweep the legs again! Dar runs to SHOTGUN Melo off the apron! Fans fire up, Dar goes out and taunts Trick while he puts Melo in. Cover, TWO! Dar aims from a corner, Melo sits up, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Melo is still in this but Dar’s team coaches him again.
Dar drags Melo up, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Dar grows frustrated but he drags Melo back up. Melo throws body shots, ROCKS him, ROCKS him again, but Dar ducks to step and SUPER FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Melo survives but Dar argues with Trick. Dar brings Melo up, throws knees, but Melo rolls Dar up! TWO, and Dar UPPERCUTS! Melo rebounds to tilt-o-whirl, FACEBUSTER! Both men are down and fans fire up again. Dar and Melo slowly rise, and Dar swings. Melo counter punches! Dar KICKS a leg, Melo CHOPS! Melo CLOBBERS Dar, and CLOBBERS him again!
Melo spins Dar, KNEE SMASH and a LARIAT! And a SUPERKICK! Dar staggers around, Melo runs to BOOT him down! Melo brings Dar up, whips, but Dar reverses to wrench. Melo ducks the kick, pump handle and SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives but Melo fires up. But Lash AND Jakara bark at him in the corner! Trick tells the ladies to stop that, but they get in Trick’s face now. But then Oro runs up, so Trick DECKS him!! Fans fire up but the ref tells Trick he’s EJECTED! Fans boo, he didn’t even start nothing! Trick still accepts the decision, though Team Dar rubs it in his face.
Dar sneaks up but Melo rolls Dar up! TWO, and Dar boot fents to BACK ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Into CHAMPAGNE SUPER KNEEBAR!! Melo powers up to stand and he rains down fists! Melo is free, and he grabs the arm! CROSSFACE!! Dar crawls, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Melo lets off fast to drag Dar back. Dar kicks the leg out, then stands. Melo ROCKS Dar, but Dar ROCKS Melo! Melo ROCKS Dar again, Dar ROCKS Melo again! Melo gets the edge but Dar kicks the leg! Melo blocks a kick but Dar ELBOW JABS! Dar spins, Melo ducks the heel kick but the BACKHAND connects!
Dar reels Melo into the facelock, but Melo SUPLEX CUTTERS! Dar flops over, Melo goes to the corner! Fans fire up as Melo climbs, but Lash distracts! Oro trips Melo! Fans boo as Team Dar keeps at it, but here come NATHAN FRAZER & DRAGON LEE! They got screwed by Team Dar so they go after Oro! Fans fire up but Dar tells them to back off! But Melo goes up, SUPER CROSSBODY on Dar and Oro! Fans are thunderous as Melo puts Dar in! Melo goes up, aims, NOTHING BUT NET!!! Cover, Melo wins!
Winner: Carmelo Hayes, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
An assist off the bench from Frazer & Dragon, Melo dunks on Dar! Put that on a poster, but who will- WAIT! BARON CORBIN?!? Corbin is back in NXT and he CLOBBERS Melo on the ramp! Corbin puts Melo in the ring, rains down fists, and fans boo as hard as they’ve ever booed before! But Corbin hits Melo with END OF DAYS!! Will the Lone Wolf look to bring an end to the HIM Dynasty?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of NXT, especially for an aftermath episode. They didn’t have quite the “Aftermath Syndrome” Raw was falling into, they were able to take things from Battleground and build upon them, not just recap them. I really liked that Dragunov vignette for the Last Man Standing match, and I look forward to what he’ll have to say next week. And while I was wondering what was next for everyone else, we got that for pretty much all the titles.
Wes Lee & Tyler Bate have a very good match with The Dyad, and of course there’s story overlapping with Schism and Diamond Mine, but I love that Mustafa Ali is part of the next “callback” (a main roster star coming back to NXT for a minute). Wes VS Ali would be amazing, but feels like something they’re gonna put on free TV. And Gacy clearly wants another shot, maybe he and Wes have a 1v1 feud going towards Great American Bash in late July. Wes has hit the record for defenses and apparently days as champion, so maybe he’s soon to drop the title so he can eventually move up. And I would hope we’re getting another Mixed Tag blowoff involving Dyad & Ava, but this time against Diamond Mine.
Also in connection to the Diamond Mine story, Ava attacking Ivy gives Cora a good rebound win after losing in the tournament. Cora is definitely nailing her Heel persona, but she’s gonna have to wait until a Face is champion again. Tiffany’s celebration being ruined was of course going to happen, and the contender battle royal will be really good. But after Gigi won that awesome cage match, I’m thinking she’s a frontrunner for challenging Tiffany. And while Dani Palmer called out the attacker and then got attacked, I feel like it should be Roxanne Perez or maybe a returning Nikkita Lyons should have the real feud with Blair Davenport. Nikkita would count as Blair’s first victim, it’d make make the most sense for her to want revenge.
Good promo from Gallus, Mark Coffey does an excellent Italian American/New Yorker impersonation. Stacks of course points the finger at Gallus, it’s kinda who I thought it was. But that would be too easy, so it’s not them. Stacks VS Joe Coffey was great stuff, Stacks is really coming into his own, but I figured Joe was winning that. Joe Coffey himself should really get in on like the North American Championship story, he hasn’t held anything in his WWE career, so he’s gotta get something. And since he has Gallus, Wes’s loss could be protected cuz Gallus helps Joe cheat and win the belt. Though that feels like how they might play Gacy getting the belt, if he gets the belt.
Good promo from Axiom and Reggie/Scrypts, and obviously last week established Reggie wants to be Axiom’s friend now. Him insisting he’s still Scrypts is an interesting choice, though. Good backstage promos that were “last week.” We’re of course getting Eddy VS Kemp round 2, and I liked Hank ‘n’ Tank having mind sync. Good stuff from Von and Stone, and I do like that Von’s story is starting to turn into a sort of PSA for normalizing therapy and taking care of mental health and emotional stability. But as I see it, either the therapy has no effect and Von stays a rage monster, or therapy makes Von too much of a pacifist and Stone tells him to unleash the righteous fury so he can win against bullies.
Great combining of stories with Dar stepping up to Melo here tonight. Great match, but I figured Melo was going to retain the title. I also figured Dar’s new little group was going to do everything they could to help him, and in turn we would see Dragon and Frazer turn things around on them. I would think Frazer gets next on Dar with Dragon as the cornerman now. And after Ali already made a splash, I did NOT think we were getting a second callback in the form of Corbin. Corbin and Ali do have a thing in common that they never held titles while in NXT, so maybe Corbin thinks he can tear down Melo to finally have the NXT Championship. But it’s not happening, Melo is definitely beating Bum Ass Corbin to make it through to Great American Bash.
My Score: 8.6/10
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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?
Becky Lynch and Nia Jax want to finally put this to an end, so tonight on Raw, it will be a Big Time Last Woman Standing match! Will the Irresistible Force force the WrestleMania 40 match to change?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: #DIY VS The Creed Brothers; DIY wins and advances to WrestleMania.
- Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; Candice & Indi win.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The New Day VS The Alpha Academy; wins and advance to WrestleMania.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: The Awesome Truth VS Indus Sher; win(s) and advance to WrestleMania.
- Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax; 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?
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We’re just one step away from the Cup!
Cold Skull faces The Fierce Warrior, and Gene Blast faces The King of Darkness, and when the smoke clears, we will have our New Japan Cup finalists!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg & Shoma Kato VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Mikey Nicholls; ZSJ & Mikey win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Tomohiro Ishii & Togi Makabe VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
- Tanga Loa & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Callum Newman; Loa & Taguchi win.
- Six Man Tag: YOSHI-HASHI, Toru Yano & Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & YOH VS The House of Torture; Shota, ELP, Leo & Yoh win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The United Empire; LIJ wins.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL; Tsuji wins and advances to the finals.
- 2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: Yota Tsuji VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Gene Blast overcame the tricks Ren Narita tried, but that’s because the House of Torture was saving all the good stuff so they could slay the Rampaging Dragon. Will the deck be even more stacked to make sure Everything is Evil’s? Or will Yota be one step away from LIJ VS LIJ at Sakura Genesis?
Well, Dick is making his way out here, but where is Evil? Oh, there he is. No tricks just yet it seems. But then Yota DIVES onto Evil! The fans fire up but Dick attacks Yota! Dick whips, Yota stops himself, and then scoops Dick for a BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota wants the bell. The ref says yes, ring the bell, and this is on the record! Yota stomps and CLUBS Evil, then whips, but Evil reverses! Yota hits railing, and then Evil whips him into more railing! Evil CHOKES Yota against the railing, Yota fights back, but the ref gets knocked aside! Evil puts Yota in so he and Dick can stomp away!
The fans boo but here comes the rest of the House already! Narita, Yujiro, Kanemaru and Jack all stomp away on Yota, but here come Bushi & Hiromu! It’s a replay of yesterday as LIJ fights off the House, but the numbers are still against them! The ref rushes in to tell everyone to stop! Evil shoves the ref out of the ring, Yota fires off on him, but Evil CLAWS Yota’s eyes! The House CHOKES LIJ, but the ref says stop! The bell rings, but what is the decision!? NO CONTEST!?
No Contest
What does this mean!? Someone has to advance, right? The finals aren’t until the 20th, how can there be a no contest? The House started this, where’re the consequences?! Yota gets up but Evil TOSSES him back out! LIJ regroups and Yota asks for a mic. Yota tells Evil that he’s sick and tired of this! They ARE gonna finish this match! The fans like the sound of that! All the refs come out, including Red Shoes, to discuss how this will be handled. For starters, they tell all the extras to get outta here! LIJ is cool with that, and Hiromu tells the House to come along. Evil says fine, and Jack, Kanemaru, Narita, Yujiro and even Dick reluctantly exit.
The announcement is officially made, and the bell rings! Yota and Evil rush in, Evil kicks low but Yota CLUBS away on Evil! Evil CLAWS the eyes! Evil kicks, runs, RAMS, but Yota rebounds to run Evil over! Then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Yota fires up and the fans are with him! Evil bails out but the fans rally for Yota. Evil wants Yota to stay back, then he slides in, only to slide right out! Yota runs out after Evil, but Evil kicks him! Evil RAMS Yota into the timekeeper! Abe-san and his table go flying! Evil gets the mic to tell Yota that this is what he gets! The fans boo but Evil tells them off, too! Evil stomps Yota then soaks up the heat.
Evil unties the blue buckle pad himself, then waits in the ring. The ref checks Yota and the fans rally up again. The Young Lions help Abe-san while Yota drags himself up. Yota slides in, the fans cheer, but Evil pulls on Yota’s hair! Evil wrenches the hair, then wrenches it again! And again! Evil CLUBS the hair! The ref reprimands but Evil just dusts off his hands. Evil covers, but the ref refuses to count! Evil is furious but he’s the one up to no good! The ref still says no, so Evil stands on Yota’s head. The fans rally up, Yota rises, and he grins as he winds up to ROCK Evil with a forearm! And ROCK him with another!
Yota ROCKS Evil again, but Evil whips him into the bare buckles! Yota falls and the ref reprimands about the missing buckle pad. Evil stomps Yota, covers, TWO! The fans cheer but Evil is annoyed. Evil scuffs Yota, taunts him, and drags him up. Evil CHOPS, Yota drops to his knees, but Evil stands him back up. Evil CHOPS again and Yota grits his teeth as he drops to his knees! Evil stands Yota up again, to fake the chop to CLAW the eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil lets off, and then Evil stands on Yota in a corner. The ref counts, Evil lets go of the ropes but that’s not the problem! Evil steps away, drags Yota up but claims he’s dead weight.
The ref checks, Evil stands Yota up and wrenches an arm. Evil whips Yota into a corner, runs in, but into a BOOT! Evil runs in again, blocks the boot, but Yota brings Evil in for the STOMP! The fans fire up while Yota rests on the mat. The fans rally up and Yota rises again. Evil’s in the corner, runs out, but into the BACKBREAKER! COMPLETE SHOT! STOMP! The fans fire up again as Yota stands back up. Yota runs, to CURB STOMP!! Yota roars and the fans fire up again! Evil flounders while Yota aims. Yota runs in, but the ref is used as a shield! Evil kicks Yota low, then uses the ref in MAGIC KILLER!
All three men are down while the fans rally up again. Evil stands, he brings Yota up, and the ref also rises. Evil whips Yota into the bare buckles, then clotheslines him in! Then FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets off?! Evil wants to torture Yota but it’s hard to say if Yota is still even in this. Yota opens his eyes, rises up, but Evil fireman’s carries! DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives, the fans fire up, but Evil is furious! Evil slashes his throat and vows to end this now! Evil drags Yota up, spins him around, but Yota fights the STO with elbows! Evil kicks low, whips again, but Yota stops from hitting buckles!
Evil runs in, Yota dodges and Evil hits the buckles! SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! We’re only ten minutes into this new match but this is on top of the madness from earlier. Evil drags Yota up, but Yota ROCKS Evil! Evil fights Yota’s fireman’s carry and CLUBS him, but both men wobble. Evil LARIATS, but Yota stays up! The fans fire up but Evil swings to LARIAT again! Yota drops to a knee, but he grins through the pain! Evil says alright, and he throws off his elbow pad. Evil runs to LARIAT! Yota grits his teeth to stay up! V-TRIGGER! Yota brings Evil in, suplexes, ORANGE CRUSH! Cover, TWO!!
Evil is still in this but the fans rally behind Yota again. Yota rises, drags Evil up, and then goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up and Evil moves the ref into the way! The ref takes the FLYING CURB STOMP!!! And now the House returns! The fans boo as Kanemaru, Dick, Yujiro, Narita & Jack all stomp away on Yota again! The fans tell them to go home, again, but these guys don’t care! They just put one out on Yota. They whip Yota to a corner, then DIck runs in to ELBOW! Kanemaru ELBOWS! Yujiro BOOTS! Jack SPLASHES! Narita ELBOWS! Then they snapmare and set Yota up! Dick climbs for the DICK CHOP!!
The fans boo but the House applauds their own dirtiness. But here come Bushi & Hiromu again! But they just get mugged again! They set Hiromu up for the DICK CHOP, while Bushi gets a JACK CHOP! The House then slithers away before a replacement ref rushes out here. Evil drags Yota up, winds up and runs, to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Yota survives and the fans are thunderous! Evil is at a loss for words, but he slashes his throat! He vows to end it for real, and he reels Yota in. EVERYTHING IS- Yota flips through!? And HEADBUTTS!! The fans fire up as Yota reels Evil in for a fireman’s carry! 70 CROSS!! Cover, TWO!!
Evil survives the swinging spinebuster and the House cheers! Yota drags himself to a corner, drags himself up with the ropes, and roars as he takes aim! Evil rises, but Yujiro distracts! Dick runs in, but gets a V-TRIGGER! The ref sees Dick, but misses the LOW BLOW! Then Evil RAMS Yota into the ref! That’s the second ref this match! Narita gets his push-up bar! The others set Yota up, but here comes SHINGO TAKAGI! The Rampaging Dragon has seen enough, and he’s still pissed from yesterday as it is! He dodges Narita to PUMPING BOMBER! Kanemaru & Yujiro kick Takagi, double whip, but he DOUBLE PUMPING BOMBERS!!
Jack gets in, but he gets ELBOW, JAB and YUKON LARIAT! Evil runs up but Takagi SWATS Evil’s lariat to JAB! Then feed to Hiromu’s SUPERKICK! Hiromu & Takagi set Evil up for Bushi’s BLACK MIST!! Evil can’t see, the PUMPING BOMBER turns him inside-out!! The fans are thunderous as LIJ helps Yota up! Red Shoes hurries out here, and Yota aims at Evil! GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, Yota wins!!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
The House of Torture ran out of tricks, and now there is light at the end of the tournament! Will Yota do LIJ proud and bring home the Cup?
2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!
One down, one to go. Yota Tsuji has made it through, now we see who joins him in the finals! Will the Cold Skull or Fierce Warrior be the one that steps closer to former glory?
The bell rings and the fans duel between “GO-TO-O!” and “SA-NA-DA!” Red Shoes measures the levels, and it seems to slightly favor Goto. Goto and Sanada circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto gets some leverage to put Sanada against ropes, but he lets off slowly. Goto pats Sanada on the shoulders and the fans cheer. The two reset, circle again, and tie up again. It’s another deadlock, but again Goto finds a way to put Sanada on ropes. Sanada turns things around, lets off slowly, and also pats Goto on the shoulders. The fans applaud and the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, then move to a clinch.
They fight for control, Sanada starts pushing Goto towards a corner but Goto slips away. They feel things out, knuckle lock again, then break. They tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, Goto waistlocks, but Sanada wrenches to wristlock. Goto rolls, wrenches, wristlocks, but Sanada spins, wrenches, only for Goto to roll! Goto gets a leg to trip Sanada up, and he has a toehold. Sanada fights back with a chinlock but Goto pulls on the leg. Sanada uses his free leg to hook Goto into an ARMBAR, but Goto clasps hands! Goto moves around, pops free, then headlocks. Sanada fights up, Goto grinds the headlock, but Sanada throws body shots.
Sanada powers up and out, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally as things speed up, and Goto counters hip toss with hip toss! Goto runs and he clotheslines Sanada up and out! The fans fire up and Goto slides out after Sanada. Goto stomps Sanada, drags him up, then CLUBS him on the neck! Sanada staggers, Goto CHOPS him, then kicks him, then CLUBS him! Goto whips but Sanada stops himself from hitting railing! Goto runs in but Sanada drop toeholds him into the railing! Goto goes down in a heap, but Sanada opens the gate. Sanada brings Goto through, then to the crowd! PILEDRIVER to the bare floor!
The fans are stunned but Red Shoes reprimands. Sanada leaves Goto behind and slides into the ring. The fans rally for Goto as the ring count begins. Goto crawls at 5 of 20, finds his way to ringside at 10, but still hobbles and crawls. He stands at 17 to slide in! The fans cheer, but Sanada stomps Goto. Sanada drags Goto up, CLUBS him on the neck, then brings him back up to CLUB him again. Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Sanada eggs Goto on so Goto CHOPS again! Goto whips, Sanada reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps cool and sits Goto up into a chinlock. Goto endures and the fans rally again.
Goto kicks forward, reaches out, but Sanada cranks on the hold! Goto keeps fighting, and has the ROPEBREAK! Sanada lets go cleanly, but then he stomps Goto while he’s down. Sanada then stands Goto up to CLUB him on the neck. Goto CHOPS in return! And CHOPS, and CHOPS, and has Sanada in a corner! Goto CHOPS again, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, but Sanada BOOTS first! Sanada runs, Goto follows, and Goto LARIATS Sanada down! The fans fire up and Goto rises, clutching his neck. Goto stands Sanada up to fire off forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA!
Sanada wobbles, into the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Goto grits his teeth. Goto drags Sanada up, fireman’s carries, but Sanada fights free! Sanada waistlocks, Goto throws elbows, then runs. Sanada hurdles, hurdles, and DROPKICKS! Goto tumbles out of the ring, Sanada PLANCHAS him down! The fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder and Sanada appreciates it. Sanada then goes back for Goto, brings him up and puts him in the ring. Sanada fireman’s carries but Goto throws elbows! Sanada turns around into Goto’s fireman’s carry, but then slips out into the dragon sleeper!
But Goto arm-drags free! Sanada kicks low, runs, but Goto follows! Sanada dodges this time, runs again, but Goto still follows! Sanada sidesteps this time, but Goto holds ropes to avoid the hurdle! Goto runs in, but Sanada fireman’s carries! T K O! Cover, TWO! Goto is still in this and the fans rally up! Sanada goes up the corner, ROUNDING BODY- NO, Sanada has to land out as Goto moves! Sanada runs in, but into the fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! They cheer on “GO-TO-O!” but the “SA-NA-DA!” chants are still there. Red Shoes checks them both, and both men slowly rise.
The two crawl towards each other, and Goto fires a forearm! Sanada shakes his head, eggs Goto on, so Goto throws another! Goto eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires a forearm! Goto fires a forearm back, and the two stand. Sanada UPPERCUTS! Goto comes back to forearm! Sanada UPPERCUTS again, and Goto drops back to a knee! The fans rally, Goto stands again, and he forearms! UPPERCUT, forearm, repeat! Goto growls, fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Sanada! Sanada drops to his hand and knees but Goto powers up! Goto KICKS but Sanada blocks! Goto fires more forearms, then waistlocks, but Sandaa fights free!
Sanada runs, but Goto fireman’s carries! And he throws Sanada into the dragon sleeper! But Sanada turns around and suplexes, for MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Sanada roars as he rises up, and he aims from a corner. Sanada wants Goto to get up, and Goto sits up, into the SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then dragon sleepers, for the SKULL END!! Goto endures, flails, reaches out, but he’s caught in the body scissors! Goto fights around but he’s fading! The fans rally, Goto’s hand drops! Sanada lets him go to then climb! ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Goto survives but Sanada storms around. Sanada drags Goto up, reels him in and clinches, but Goto slips free to shove Sanada away! Sanada forearms, ROLLING- HEADBUTT from Goto! The fans fire up and duel, and Goto drags Sanada up. But Sanada breaks free! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Sanada falls back down and Goto steadies himself. Goto roars, the fans are with him, and Goto sits Sanada up. Goto runs to PENALTY KICK! Shoutout to Shibata and the fans fire up more! Sanada grits his teeth as he sits back up but Goto takes aim! BUZZSAW! And then he hauls Sanada up to dragon sleeper! G T- BACKSLIDE COUNTER! TWO!!!
Sanada and Goto hurry up, Sanada dodges to O’Conner BRIDGE!! TWO?!!? Goto escapes and shocks everyone! Sanada resets, runs in, SHINING WIZARD!! The fans are thunderous as Sanada roars and drags Goto back up! Clinch and DEAD- NO, Goto slips around to ripcord and fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Sanada survives but Goto is all fired up! The fans are thunderous as Goto dragon sleepers for G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (advances to the finals)
Don’t call it a comeback, Goto’s been here for years! Sanada’s hopes of being IWGP World Heavyweight Champion again have been delayed, how long must he wait for another chance?
As for Goto, he’s going back to the New Japan Cup Finals for the first time since 2016, and his seventh overall! But before he can get the mic to speak, Yota makes his way back out here. Yota steps into the ring and he gets the mic first. Yota tells Goto, “In order to open the door to a new era, we must do this.” The fans applaud that, and Yota continues by asking Goto, “Are you ready?!” Yota drops the mic at Goto’s feet, and Goto stands up to speak. “I also have something I want to show you. As a three-time New Japan Cup Champion, I will show you my strength.” The fans like the sound of that!
The Fierce Warrior stares down with Gene Blast, a true generational showdown on the horizon! Will Goto return not juts to former glory, but finally ascend to top of NJPW? Or will Yota make it LIJ VS LIJ for the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
My Thoughts:
A great semifinal round for this tournament, with quite a surprising main event. Sanada VS Goto was great stuff, and while I felt Sanada wasn’t winning the Cup, I didn’t think he’d be out this round. Yota VS Evil was rather creatively put together, too. I did not think the House would get so involved that at first it was a No Contest but then they restart under a ringside ban. Takagi making sure Yota won was good stuff, too, maybe we can get Takagi VS Evil for the NEVER Openweight Championship if they’re not gonna circle back to more Shota Umino VS House of Torture stuff.
Goto VS Yota is going to be great stuff, and Goto is clearly a top utility guy. He’s had so many New Japan Cup finals appearances, certainly among the most ever, but I don’t think he gets a fourth Cup win against Yota, one of the “new era Musketeers” that NJPW clearly loves. Yota VS Naito is definitely the title match for Sakura Genesis.
My Score: 8.9/10
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