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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/22/23)

A final faceoff!

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The Beast wants a fight, but will he get it?

Night of Champions is this Saturday, and both Cody Rhodes and Brock Lesnar will be here on Raw! Will they keep from throwing hands tonight?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Ricochet VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins.
  • Candice LeRae VS Zoey Stark; Stark wins.
  • The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS The Viking Raiders; The Alpha Academy wins.
  • Shinsuke Nakamura VS Finn Balor w/ Damian Priest; Finn wins.
  • Raquel Rodriguez VS Sonya Deville w/ Chelsea Green; Raquel wins.
  • Apollo Crews VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley; Dom wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Imperium VS Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Matt Riddle; Kevin, Sami & Riddle win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Cody Rhodes arrives backstage.

Only to be blindsided by Brock Lesnar into a table!! Water bottles, fruit and potato chip bags go flying! Lesnar drags Cody up while shouting, “You wanna fight!?” And then he RAMS Cody into ladders! And into road cases! “YOU WANNA FIGHT!?” Lesnar drags Cody up to throw him into more road cases, and then a bunch of kegs! Lesnar asks if Coyd’s ready to fight! And he throws Cody into the garage door! Lesnar dares Cody to get up and fight, and then he grabs a keg! Refs and security shout, but Lesnar SMASHES Cody’s hand with a keg!! Cody writhes and Lesnar leaves it at this. Will Cody even make it to Night of Champions now?

 

Paul Heyman is in the ring.

Fans boo as The Wise Man introduces himself. “And for the record, I had nothing to do with that.” Fans boo, they don’t really trust that. But Heyman says what we saw is something he can testify to as a mere example of what Cody Rhodes is in store for this Saturday afternoon, 1 PM Eastern, when he “attempts” to slay the Beast, BRRROCK, LESNAR. Now he understands how much his special appearance on Raw last week was so well received. He was clearly invited back this week to “enlighten” us. On the way to the Island of Relevancy, he stopped by the “hellhole” known as Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Fans boo but Heyman continues, “Just to hype you on one simple fact: This Saturday afternoon, there’s not one, there’s not two, there are THREE main events at Night of Champions, capped off by the historic battle in which ‘KO’ Kevin Owens and his miserable rat bastard of a partner, Sami Zayn, will LOSE the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships back to the Bloodline!” Fans boo that but Heyman says the Usos will watch proudly at home as the NEW Tag Team Champions will be Solo Sikoa… And Your Tribal Chief, the Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion, Roman…! Reigns!

Fans boo even more but Heyman says, “Ladies, gentlemen, and things that live in Pennsylvania, for the final time ever before this Saturday’s Night of Champions, welcome to Monday Night Raw!” Heyman drops the mic, but here comes Kevin! And of course, that means here comes Sami! The Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions go down to the ring and Heyman gets out. Fans sing Sami’s song and Sami says they did pretty good. By the way, where’d Heyman go? Sami’s never seen someone scurry off so fast. He must think that Sami & Kevin have a score to settle after everything last week.

But the truth is, they’re feeling pretty good. They are heading into the biggest possible title defense they could have when at Night of Champions, they face Solo Sikoa & Roman Reigns. Fans boo the Bloodline, but Sami says he’s said it already, and will say it again. This one is very personal for Sami. There’s nothing left to say, because Sami already said it all straight to Roman’s face. Kevin says he has something more to say. A couple weeks ago, Roman on SmackDown, “dedicated” the win he thinks they’ll have over Kevin & Sami to the Wild Samoans, Afa & Sika. So Kevin was inspired to do the same.

Tonight, Kevin officially dedicates their victory over Solo & Roman to… The true pillars of The Bloodline, The Usos! Sami says that’s pretty good. But that’s at Night of Champions. They have to remember, there’s business to take care of tonight! Tonight, they are in Six Man action against Imperium. But speaking of, here they come! Kevin knew that’d happen. Gunther leads Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci to the ring, and they flank Kevin & Sami on three sides. But here comes THE BRO! Matt Riddle slides in to join KO & Sami, and Imperium backs off! Kevin mockingly asks what’s wrong, it’s 3v3.

But wait! Imperium rushes back in! The brawl is on! Fans fire up as KO tosses Vinci and Sami tosses Ludwig! Gunther knocks Riddle down but Riddle comes back with a FINAL FLASH! KO & Sami double clothesline Gunther against ropes, then all three dump Gunther out! Fans fire up but Der Ring General is furious! Will Riddle be just the thing Kevin & Sami need to stop Imperium?

 

Byron Saxton waits on a medical update for Cody Rhodes.

It isn’t clear if Cody will even be able to make it to Night of Champions now, and Byron flags down Adam Pearce as he exits the medical room. Any updates? No, Cody is still being evaluated, so if you’ll excuse him. Byron asks Pearce about a rumor that Cody may have a broken arm. Pearce says he has no information at this time, thank you. Pearce leaves, but did Lesnar make sure he doesn’t have to worry about the American Nightmare?

 

Ricochet VS Bronson Reed!

The One and Only missed out on becoming #1 contender to Gunther’s title, but so did The Colossal Aussie. The chase is always on, so who will be in pole position for after Night of Champions?

Raw returns and Reed makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Ricochet throws kicks but Reed brushes them off. Ricochet slips away before he’s cornered, and then fires more kicks and hands. Reed blocks a kick to shove Ricochet down! Ricochet goes to a corner, Reed runs in but Ricochet dodges to fire off body shots. Reed shoves him again but Ricochet rebounds to dropkick the legs out! Ricochet keeps moving, but Reed scoops him! And throws him! But Ricochet lands on his feet to kick at the leg! Ricochet runs to dropkick the leg again! Ricochet tries a third time but Reed catches him!

Reed brings Ricochet up but Ricochet PELES! Fans fire up as Reed drops to a knee! Ricochet fires off on Reed with big hands and body shots. Reed shoves to BODY CHECK and ELBOW DROP! And then STEAMROLL SENTON! Ricochet sputters and crawls to the corner. Reed storms over after him and Ricochet bails out. Reed goes to the apron, to FLYING SHOULDER! Ricochet is sent into barriers and Reed says this is HIS show, as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Reed is holding Ricochet up in a suplex! How long has he been doing that? Ricochet throws knees, but Reed keeps him up! Ricochet slips out the back, goes to a corner, Reed runs in but into BOOTS! Ricochet runs, but into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and goes back to the apron. Reed storms over, drags Ricochet up but Ricochet HOTSHOTS him! Ricochet hurries back up but Reed is on him. Ricochet HOTSHOTS again! Fans rally with Ricochet, he goes up the corner, but Reed runs in. Ricochet jumps over, keeps moving, and dropkicks the legs out!

Fans fire up, Ricochet fires off hands but Reed shoves him away. Ricochet comes back with a KNEE! Reed stays up so Ricochet SUPERKICKS! Reed is still up, and he grits his teeth! But Ricochet SUPERKICKS! And SHOOTING STARS! Cover, ONE?!? Ricochet hurries to LIONSAULT! Ricochet goes back to Reed, but Reed grabs him by the neck! Reed rises, Ricochet fights the grip. Ricochet throws kicks on the bad leg, then throws big forearms! Reed SWATS the next kick! Ricochet crawls to ropes, Reed clotheslines him up and out! Fans fire up and Reed goes back to the apron. FLYING- V-TRIGGER!!

Ricochet takes Reed out of the air and fans fire up again! Ricochet hurries to put Reed in the ring. Ricochet then GAMANGIRIS! “This is Awesome!” as Ricochet springboards, but Reed trips him up! Ricochet is in the corner, Reed SPLASHES, then POWERSLAMS! Fans boo as Reed puts Ricochet in a drop zone and climbs the corner. TSUNAMI!! Cover, Reed wins!

Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall

Battle tested and destructive, #Auszilla crushes Ricochet in the end! Will Reed be ready for whoever comes back from Night of Champions as Intercontinental Champion?

 

Backstage interview with Apollo Crews.

Apollo says long time no see, Cathy Kelley. But before we get going, Apollo hopes Cody is okay, that was rough. That aside, he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t excited to be back! But in walk Dominik Mysterio & Rhea Ripley. Dom has things hold on. What is Cathy doing? This is Mami’s interview time. Sorry about the confusion, but Rhea’s interview was for after Apollo Crews. Apollo who? Crews. Don’t act like you don’t know who he is. Apollo’s everything that Dom is not. Whatever, man. But Apollo’s time is over, Rhea’s a very busy woman and she has something to say. Rhea thanks “Dom-Dom,” then takes the mic.

Rhea tells Natalya, “You’ve had a very legendary career here in the WWE, but you decided to get in my way. So this Saturday afternoon at Night of Champions, I’m gonna make an example out of you. I’m gonna make you not only regret getting drafted to Raw, but I’m gonna end your legendary career.” Apollo speaks up. No disrespect, Rhea, as you are a champion, but this was his interview. Dom tells Apollo not to interrupt Mami! Well he just did. Question is, what’s Dom gonna do about it? What’s Dom gonna do about it? Rhea says Dom’s gonna remind Apollo just who runs Monday Night Raw! Right, Dom-Dom? Dom says yeah!

Apollo grins and says okay. Can’t wait to see Dom try. Apollo’s return match is set, will he remind everyone just who he is?

 

Corey Graves’ interview with Seth Rollins continues.

We left off last week with The Visionary saying now is the perfect time for a new World Heavyweight Champion, “and we can do it the way it’s supposed to be done.” Then what are Rollins’ thoughts on Roman Reigns and his Universal Championship reign? Rollins takes off the sunglasses to be serious. “I… love Roman Reigns. But I don’t like Roman Reigns. That’s brothers, right? I will always have love for that man. When everybody in the world had made us their enemies, Roman was there for me. But the person he has become… and the champion he has become… I’ve got no respect for that.”

Rollins thinks Roman let his own ego poison him. And the biggest thing is that unified title. He is taking opportunities away from everybody else, and that is the most selfish someone can be. Rollins wants to be World Heavyweight Champion so that we can all forget about Roman Reigns. Then what does Monday Night Raw look like if Rollins is champion? And how will it be different from what we’ve come to know with Roman on top? Rollins says, “It can be the Land of Opportunity, it can be the catalyst for change, it can push the industry forward.

“Because I’m gonna be around, and I want challengers. I wanna know who wants my spot, and I want them to come try and take it from me. Somebody’s gotta carry the torch when I’m gone. When Roman’s gone. Who’s that going to be? I wanna know. That’s what I want.” But that means getting through the Phenomenal AJ Styles. They’ve competed before but these are the highest stakes. Rollins says Styles is unquestionably one of the greats. Graves opened this with saying Rollins is one of the greats, but Styles might argue that, and Rollins might argue that for him. Styles is truly special.

Rollins says that he and Styles have done this dance before. April of 2006, NWA No Limits Wrestling. And in 2016, Styles remembers back to that and thinking, “Holy cow!” After that match in question, Styles himself said Rollins is “The future of our business,” and Rollins was only 19! Styles knew Rollins was going to be a superstar, and he was right. Night of Champions won’t be any different. Rollins is at the top of his game, no one can touch him, and not to jinx it but he’s feeling invincible.

Graves points out Rollins has held ever title on the main roster, he’s in another historic title match, the resumé speaks for itself. Why is Night of Champions different? Why is the World Heavyweight Championship so special to Rollins? Because “this is it.” What does Rollins mean by that? The final part of this interview is still to come later tonight.

 

Raw shares footage from Raw Talk.

The Judgment Day interrupted Shinsuke Nakamura’s interview time (seems to be their thing), and Priest said that “this fool lost” and cost Priest his shot at the world title. Nakamura asked if was Priest gonna cry about it. Y’know, like he did after losing to Bad Bunny. Priest got mad, Finn kept him back. Finn says the Judgment Day just beat the Undisputed Tag Team Champions in the main event. Dom & Rhea were waiting, tranquilo, have tequila, they can deal with “the clown” next week.

Backstage interview with The Judgment Day.

Byron finds Finn & Priest and he asks them for a moment. Priest says Byron should know Finn’s getting ready for his match. Priest gets heated again and rants in Spanish but Finn has him calm down. Finn wants Byron to first congratulate them on their big win over the tag team champions. Byron does congratulate them, and then Finn brushes that off. Tonight, Finn faces Nakamura. Nakamura cost Priest an opportunity at the World Heavyweight Championship. And not only that, he rubs salt in the wounds by disrespecting him! If you disrespect one member of the Judgment Day, you disrespect ALL of them! For that, Nakamura will pay.

Finn vows tonight, he’ll mop the floor with Nakamura, and maybe just a little bit will be left over for Priest to pick the bones. Byron thanks them for their time, will the Prince be able to bring down the King of Strong Style?

 

Candice LeRae VS Zoey Stark!

The Poison Pixie stood up for Nikki Cross, but now she’s in the crosshairs of The Hunter! Will Candice simply be prey for Stark? Or will Stark be taught a little something about respect?

Raw returns and Stark has a video message first. “They say greatness comes from humble beginnings. From working day in and day out, and giving it your all, and being the least important person inside of a room. That is, until one day, you change it. Until one day, you become undisputable.” That is Zoey Stark. She is “clear, calculated, and vicious. You’re not going to like me. I’m going to take all of your favorite superstars, all of your idols, I am going to tear them apart. I am going to expose all of their weaknesses. The time of heroes is over. The Zoey Stark Era begins.” Stark then makes her entrance, will she back up those words with actions?

The bell rings and Stark RAMS Candice to a corner! Stark RAMS into Candice again and again, stomps away, but lets off at the ref’s count. Stark drags Candice up, whips her corner to corner then UPPERCUTS! And GAMANGIRIS! Stark brings Candice around, to HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEX! Candice is dazed and fans fire up with Stark. Stark runs to SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Stark rains down forearms on Candice, roars, and she clamps onto Candice with a chinlock. Candice endures, moves around, and fans rally up. But wait! Nikki Cross is here! Nikki cheers on Candice and the fans rally with her.

Stark shakes her head, but Candice fights up. Candice JAWBREAKERS free, then goes to a corner. Stark runs in but Candice BOOTS her away! Then DROPKICKS her away! Nikki gets fans to cheer for “CNADICE! CANDICE!” Candice back body blocks, snapmares and step-up SENTONS! Stark goes to the apron, Candice DROPKICKS her to the floor! Candice then goes out, and SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! Fans fire up with Candice and she puts Stark in. But then Nikki wants to celebrate with her? Too soon, Nikki! And Stark CLOBBERS them both! Stark puts Candice in, scoops her, Z 360! Cover, Stark wins!

Winner: Zoey Stark, by pinfall

Crazy Cross costs Candice, and Stark comes away with a big win. Will Stark continue to tear through Raw until she’s heading for a title?

 

Backstage interview with Mustafa Ali.

Byron is with The Beacon at gorilla and brings up Ali’s feelings as he prepares for the biggest match of his career. Because Saturday, Night of Champions, for the Intercontinental Championship, it’s Ali VS Gunther. Ali seems speechless. He apologizes, he can’t do this. He knows Byron and the people are expecting a quote about positivity, but listen. This is just way too real for him now. He has been dreaming about this since he was a kid. “Dreaming about doing something great, dreaming about becoming a champion.

“But if you look back at my career, I haven’t even come close to that. It’s been failure after failure after failure, and no one believes that I can defeat Gunther and become the Intercontinental-” Whoa, wait, Brock Lesnar just walked past… The Beast tells Ali to get a life, and then goes through the curtain. Ali sighs and leaves, will The Beacon stand a chance against Der Ring General?

As for Brock, he’s going to the ring! Beating up on Cody Rhodes wasn’t enough, it seems, and Brock gets a mic. Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” but Brock says, “So, Hershey, whaddya wanna talk about?” Fans boo his copying of Cody’s opening line, but Brock says he’d boo Cody, too. “Unfortunately, Cody will not be out here tonight. Cody will not be fighting Brock Lesnar at Night of Champions this Saturday, either. But don’t you worry, Brock Lesnar will not let you down. I’m gonna issue an Open Challenge for anybody back there to fight me at Night of Champions. All you gotta do is step out here, and step up to Brock… Lesnar!”

Brock waits, and eventually, it’s CODY!! Even with an arm in a sling, Cody is storming out to the ring! Refs and Pearce tell him to stop but he isn’t listening! Fans fire up for Cody as he gets closer, and even Lesnar is thinking he shouldn’t. But Cody still goes up the steps, and steps inside the ring! Cody takes off the sling! And the wrap, and the ice pack! Lesnar takes off his cowboy hat, drops it, and he RAMS into Cody! Cody CLUBS away with the good arm, but Lesnar gets the bad arm in the KIMURA!! Pearce shouts for Lesnar to let it go, but Lesnar shouts, “You wanna fight me? C’mon, Cody, fight me! FIGHT ME!”

Cody still endures, and then the arm POPS!! Lesnar lets go and Cody writhes like he did earlier tonight. Lesnar grins and fans boo, and then Lesnar stands on the broken arm! And he STOMPS it!! Lesnar picks up his hat, takes his leave, and Pearce calls for medics. If Cody wasn’t making it to Night of Champions before, he sure isn’t making it now. Right…?

 

The Alpha Academy w/ Maxxine Dupri VS The Viking Raiders!

Chad Gable and Otis are still a duo, but Maxxine is still trying to make Gable the third wheel. Will this business partnership be able to survive the raid? Or will they suffer Ragnarök?

The teams sort out and Gable starts with Erik. They circle, feel things out, and Gable shoots to a waistlock. Erik wrenches, wristlocks, but Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings and spins through to headlock, spin and drop toehold! But Erik stays up! Even Maxxine is worried as Erik drags Gable up. Erik hammerlocks but Gable reaches back to flying-mare Erik away! Gable goes up, “A THANK YEW~” and then headscissors! Fans echo, “A THANK YEW~!” and Erik runs in, but Gable arm-drags! Gable armlocks, wrenches, and reaches out. But Erik keeps Gable away from Otis, to CLOBBER Gable!

Erik tags Ivar, the Vikings mug Gable against ropes! Sarah Logan likes what she sees and Ivar beats his chest. Ivar then stomps Gable, brings him up, and fans chant for Otis. Ivar CHOPS Gable down, drops an ax handle, and drags Gable up. Tag back to Erik and Erik runs in, to SPLASH Gable! Feed to a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Erik looms over Gable, drags him up and DECKS him! Gable crawls to the corner, fans still want Otis, but Erik bumps Gable off buckles. Erik RAMS into Gable, tags Ivar, and Ivar runs in to RAM Gable! Cover, TWO! Ivar clamps on a cobra clutch and he thrashes Gable around!

Fans rally, Gable fights up, but Ivar knees him low! Ivar whips Gable at the corner but Gable uses that to BLAST Erik! Gable CHOPS Ivar, ELBOWS Erik, leaps, but Ivar cathces him! Gable sunset flips, then lets go to go for his corner! Ivar keeps him back again, whips him in, but Gable goes up and over! Hot tag to Otis! Otis rallies on Ivar with big clotheslines! Erik gets in, Otis dodges to WRECKER ELBOW! Otis scoops Ivar to SLAM him! Maxxine cheers as Otis SPLASHES Erik! Erik falls, and fans fire up! Gable says to do it, and Otis tears off the shirt! Otis starts up the CATERPILLAR! ELBOW!!

Maxxine cheers and Otis runs in at Ivar, but Ivar dodges the splash! Gable tags in as Otis staggers, and Gable waistlocks Ivar! Erik saves Ivar from the suplex and tags in. Erik KNEES Gable down! Maxxine gets at Logan and Ivar is distracted. Logan scares Maxxine off, but Erik drags Gable up! But Gable BOOTS Ivar down! And O’CONNER BRIDGE! ALPHA ACADEMY WINS!

Winners: The Alpha Academy, by pinfall

Maxxine celebrates with her number one guy and Gable! “A THANK YEW~!” Will this huge win lead the Academy back to the gold?

 

Byron is backstage, hoping for another medical update.

Adam Pearce is back, he says not now, and he argues with Cody in the room. Cody tells them all to go away! Cody slams the door shut, is he going to go to Night of Champions no matter what the doctors say?

 

Indus Sher speaks.

Jinder Mahal says, “Last week was the first day of the end for many superstars. Veer and Sanga are forces of nature. Thunder is crashing, lightning is clashing, the storm is here. So what happens next on Monday Night Raw?”

 

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Finn Balor w/ Damian Priest!

The King of Strong Style and the Prince of Judgment Day are no strangers to each other, so this is just a new chapter in a storied rival. Will Nakamura continue to establish himself on Raw? Or will this be his punishment for poking fun?

Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, Priest by his side. The bell rings, Nakamura and Finn circle. They tie up, Finn gest around to a waistlock and he SLAMS Nakamura down. Finn floats to a facelock, then floats around to a chinlock. Nakamura slips out, hammerlocks, and the two stand. Finn snapmares, headlocks, but Nakamura slips out to hammerlock again. Finn stands, reaches back, drop toeholds and has Nakamura down for a chinlock. Nakamura fights up, Finn gets an arm and wrenches to a double wristlock. Nakamura endures, reaches for ropes, but Finn keeps him away.

Fans rally for Nakamura and he rolls, kips up and spins to cartwheel and wrench back! Nakamura hammerlocks, but Finn spins around to hammerlock, headlock and hit the takeover. Nakamura headscissors, Finn kips free, but roles reverse as Nakamura gets the headlock takeover. Finn tries for the headscissors but Nakamura shrugs it off. So Finn pulls hair instead! The ref reprimands, but Finn gets the headscissors, and he stomps away on Nakamura at the same time! Fans boo as Finn lets off and stomps Nakamura on the back. Finn has Nakamura in a corner, he CHOPS, and CHOPS! Priest likes it as Finn whips corner to corner.

Finn runs in but Nakamura KNEES him in the gut! Finn sputters, Nakamura gives him stomps in the corner. And then some GOOD VIBRATIONS! Fans fire up but Finn pushes Nakamura back. Nakamura ENZIGURIS in return! Nakamura puts Finn on the top rope, for the TOP SHELF KNEE! Finn falls to the apron, Nakamura runs and baseball slides him to the floor! Fans fire up and Nakamura goes out to fetch Finn. Nakamura puts Finn in, but Finn hurries to kick him back! Finn argues with the ref, but Nakamura throws forearms! Nakamura suplexes Finn but Finn fights it!

Finn throws body shots, but then staggers back. It’s all a distraction so Priest can YANK Nakamura down, and CLOBBER him! Fans boo but the Judgment Day has control as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn has Nakamura down with a chinlock. Fans rally and Nakamura fights up. Nakamura fires off body shots but Finn knees him down! Finn talks trash and stomps Nakamura, but Nakamura growls. Nakamura blocks a stomp, stands up and Finn wants him to hold on. Nakamura CLUBS the leg! And ROCKS Finn with a forearm! Nakamura scoops but Finn slips to a dragon sleeper! But Nakamura drops to KICK Finn away! Finn staggers to a corner, Nakamura runs in but blocks boots. He puts Finn in the ropes, ROUNDHOUSES and SLIDING GERMANS! Fans fire up and Nakamura tells Priest, “C’MON!!”

Priest runs in, Nakamura dodges and then taunts him. Priest chases after Nakamura, Nakamura slides into the ring and dodges Finn. Nakamura scoops, Finn slips out again, and Finn ducks a roundhouse! But not the WHEEL KICK! Cover, TWO! Priest is worried, Nakamura drags Finn up to suplex and GOURD BUSTER! Then KNEES to the head and shoulders! Nakamura drags Finn up, turns him around, clinches, but Finn fights the lift! Finn throws down elbows, staggers, but Nakamura reels Finn in by the purple rag in his pocket! But Finn wheelbarrows to a victory roll, TWO! SLINGBLADE!

Fans fire up while Finn takes aim from the corner. Nakamura rises, Finn runs in, SHOT- DYNAMIC DROPKICK! Fans fire up with Nakamura now and he goes to a corner. “YAO~!” Finn rises, Nakamura runs in, but into a STANDING DOUBLE STOMP!! Finn puts Nakamura in a drop zone, hurries up a corner, and COUP DE- NO, Nakamura moves! BLINDSIDE KNEE!! Both men are down and Priest is freaking out, but the fans rally up. Nakamura goes to a corner, Finn rises again, and Nakamura powers back up! Finn goes to ropes, Priest drags him out to safety!

Fans boo and the ref reprimands, but Nakamura goes to the apron. FLYING KNEE takes out Priest! And then Nakamura fires off kicks and fast hands! And some knees! Nakamura clotheslines Priest up and over barriers! But Finn SHOTGUNS Nakamura into those barriers! Finn puts Nakamura in, goes up top again, COUP DE GRACE!!! Cover, Finn wins!

Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall

The King of Strong Style was strong, but Priest was a big part of the Prince’s victory. Will this momentum help The Judgment Day truly take over Monday nights?

 

Raquel Rodriguez VS Sonya Deville w/ Chelsea Green!

Big Mami Cool took care of the Hot Mess last week, but now she has to take on the Pride Fighter. Will Raquel be rolling into next week’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way? Or will the Complaint Department actually have something to be happy about?

Raw returns and Sonya makes her entrance, Chelsea by her side. The bell rings and Raquel circles with Sonya. But then Chelsea throws her sunglasses into the ring. Raquel is annoyed, and she STOMPS the glasses apart! But Sonya CHOP BLOCKS Raquel down! Sonya CLUBS away on Raquel, fans boo, but Sonya lets off to taunt Raquel. Sonya then runs to KNEE Raquel down! Cover, TWO! Sonya argues the count, but she runs in to forearm Raquel in the corner! Sonya pushes Raquel down, goes up and FLYING KNEES! Direct hit! Cover, TWO! Chelsea complains about the count but the ref says it was fair.

Sonya drags Raquel up by her hair, bumps her off buckles, and then Sonya fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Sonya lets off at 4, and Sonya soaks up the heat from the fans. Chelsea eggs the fans on even, and then Sonya goes back to Raquel. Sonya fires off more forearms, Raquel shoves her away and goes to another corner. Sonya taunts Raquel, but Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel goes up, TWISTING VADER! Raquel hoists Sonya up, TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel wins!

Winner: Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall

But Chelsea BOOTS Raquel in the head! Chelsea rains down fists and fans boo, but Chelsea sets Raquel up for a KNEE from Sonya! Wait, here comes SHOTZI! The Wild Child is here to ROUNDHOUSE Chelsea, dodges Sonya, and Raquel BOOTS Sonya down! The Ballsy Badasses reunite! They coordinate, Raquel goes up the ropes to hold them open, so Shotzi can DIVE! Down goes the Complaint Department! Shotzi may not be Liv Morgan, but will she get just as wild in the chase for the tag titles?

 

A ref talks with Adam Pearce.

He explains that they’ve tried talking to Cody but Cody is very angry. Cody is shutting everyone out of his locker room, but he is hurting badly. Pearce thanks the ref for this, and then Trish Stratus walks in. She says she’s been really busy, thriving and all, but she is ready for the contract signing. He thanks her, and she’s glad he “gets it.” Anyway, speaking of the contract signing, Becky is a little… Uh, feisty, fiery. Y’know how gingers can be. But then maybe they should have a No Contact policy for tonight. Keep the professional environment, the sets are expensive and all that. So maybe Pearce will consider that?

Pearce says there’s a lot going on tonight, in case Trish hasn’t noticed. Frankly, he isn’t sure there’s a need for a No Contact clause. So thank you, Trish, but it’s not happening. Pearce heads out, the contract signing is up next! Will The Man get her hands on Trish even before Night of Champions?

 

Matt Riddle speaks.

“The greatest mistake you can make in life is fearing that you’ll make one.” The Bro has faced champions, monsters, men bigger than him, and faster than him. “But what’s the point of being afraid? You learn your own strength by challenging the impossible. By laughing in the face of adversity. This is my time. If you doubt me, bro, that’s a mistake you can’t afford to make.” Riddle is standing beside Kevin & Sami once again, will they be triumphant against Imperium?

 

Becky Lynch heads to the ring!

Fans fire up as Hershey enters the Big Time! Corey Graves is in the ring already to preside over this contract signing between The Man and the Chick. Becky grabs a mic and says, “The Man has come around to Hershey!” She takes a seat and says there’s business to take care of, so Trish needs to get her ass out here to handle this. Becky already signs her part of the contract and kicks up her high heel boots onto the table. Trish makes her entrance and fans boo as she joins the others in the ring. Trish takes her seat and grabs her mic to say, “Look at you, you little keener. You jumped right into it. Great, so eager.”

Trish says it’s funny. Becky wasn’t that eager to come back to Raw after Trish kicked her head off, huh? Trish has to say, this is kind of a big moment. This is her first contract signing! It’s a big deal. She wants to enjoy this, especially since The GOAT has come around to… Wait, where are we? Hershey? Like the chocolate? Trish says Becky’s being all cool and casual, kicking back with her weird hand sunglasses on. Because contract signings aren’t a big deal to Becky, right? She’s had so many of them. And do you know why Becky’s had so many of them? Because of Trish. Because of the work Trish did.

Because Trish single-handedly changed women’s wrestling where Becky could get down doing her Irish jigs in some dump of a restaurant and come back. Contract signings were just normal a part of the women’s wrestling landscape for Becky, because of Trish. Becky doesn’t respond, and Trish says Becky claims Trish is only back because she wants to be number one again. “Honey, I am number one, I am still number one, and I will always be number one. In fact, I was number one the minute I walked into the WWE, and it didn’t take a broken nose for me to get there.” Becky smirks and sighs, but Trish continues.

“You say you’re ‘It?’ Well what happens when I beat you at Night of Champions? I guess that makes me ‘it.’ And what will happen to you? Will you crawl back into a dark, deep place and have to go through your stuff again?” Becky, Trish has you figured out. Trish sees your weak spots. Becky’s biggest problem is Becky! Becky is Becky’s worst enemy! When Becky said she wanted to find a name and a face for the “badness” in her head, it had a name all along, staring back at you in the mirror. So Trish will sign the contract, the fans don’t have to tell her what to do. But isn’t it ironic? This is Trish’s first signing, and it’ll be Becky’s last!

Trish signs her part, Graves takes the contract, and Becky takes off the sunglasses and picks the mic back up. Fans rally behind Becky and she says, “You’re scared, aren’t you, Trish? I saw that little thing with you and Adam Pearce in the back. You’re scared that I’m gonna hurt you. Don’t worry, Trish, I’m not gonna hurt you. I want you at the full of your health at Night of Champions. But you’re scared of something bigger, aren’t you? That’s what all of this is about. You’re scared that history is forgetting you. Time is passing all of us by, everyone is getting better, but you just stayed the same.

“And what’s more, and this is a problem for you, is that they remember you as being better than you are. But I, I’m even better than you think that I am. So you don’t need to worry about why I was gone, you just need to worry that I’m back.” Fans cheer that! Becky says if Trish wants her flowers, flowers, flowers, that’s all this is about! We’re all past that but okay, here it is to your face: Thank you, Trish. Thank you for being everything Becky hopes she never becomes. Because Trish is vapid, Becky is passion. Trish is trashy, Becky is soul, heart and fashion. Trish is cold, Becky is hot. Becky is it, Trish is NOT! Nice rhyme.

Becky says that Trish can stab people in the back and all, but Becky will punch you in the face every single time. And that’s why she can look at herself in the mirror, know she’s not perfect unlike how Trish thinks she is, and know that Becky can carry on regardless. And that is why, even with the badness in her head, Becky’s had a career Trish can only dream of. Trish has done things that would give Becky nightmares. “And if you think barking like a dog is embarrassing… Just wait until I whoop your ass at Night of Champions! Welcome to the big time, b*tch, WOOF WOOF!” Trish tosses the table, but Becky blocks it!

Fans fire up as Trish storms off in a huff. Becky glares at Trish and Trish tries to smile it off. But will Trish have only herself to blame for getting in this deep with The Man?

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

He tells the other person that they have all the same info he does. Yes, it’s bad. Cody’s arm is “mangled,” but Cody won’t reason with anyone or listen. He gets rid of medical personnel the second they try, so that’s why Pearce is calling. Pearce is at a loss for what to do. He nods and agrees with this other person, but just what is the solution to Cody’s stubbornness?

 

Backstage interview with Raquel & Shotzi.

Byron asks for a word with this new alliance. He has to know, what was Shotzi’s motivation for coming to Raquel’s rescue? Shotzi says everyone has to know how much respect she has for Raquel. And Raquel, Shotzi wants you to know that she has your back whenever you need it. Raquel says she has Shotzi’s. Seems she found her new tag partner! And next week, they walk out the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Shotzi’s fired up, will the Ballsy Badasses be golden badasses?

 

Apollo Crews VS Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley!

Apollo went back to NXT in search of things he never had before. Instead, he perhaps found what he needed all along. Apollo is back thanks to the WWE Draft, will he make this run an even better one? Or will the Prodigal Son ruin things out of his own selfishness?

Raw returns and Apollo makes his entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Apollo and Dom tie up, Apollo wrenches and headlocks, but Dom powers out. Apollo runs Dom over, gives a little Latino Heat, then things speed up. Apollo slides under Dom, waistlocks, but Dom bucks the O’Conner. Dom runs in, Apollo hurdles and drops, then CLOBBERS Dom! Fans rally, Apollo suplexes Dom and holds him up! Fans fire up and Apollo waits until TEN to SLAM Dom! Dom goes to a corner, he BOOTS Apollo, then runs in, but into a trophy lift! Apollo carries Dom around, Rhea freaks out, and Apollo SLAMS Dom down again! Cover, TWO!

Dom wants mercy but Apollo says really? Dom gets to his feet, offers a handshake, but Apollo says no, this is a match. Dom kicks low, whips, but apollo reverses. Apollo runs in, Dom puts him on the apron. Apollo ROCKS Dom, Apollo climbs, but Dom trips Apollo up! Apollo lands hard on the mat and Dom stomps away! The ref counts, Dom lets off to give some Latino Heat of his own. Fans boo but Dom says Judgment Day runs Monday nights! Dom brings Apollo up, snap suplexes, Uno Amigo! Fans boo but Dom then shoves Apollo down to deny the rest of teh Amigos. Cover, ONE! Dom wraps on a chinlock.

Apollo endures, fans rally, Dom tells them to shut up and Rhea says to choke Apollo out. Apollo fights up, throws body shots, and Fans chant “We Want Mami!” Dom KNEES low, CLUBS Apollo, then whips. Apollo reverses but Dom ducks ‘n ‘dodges, but leaps onto a FALL AWAY SLAM! Dom flounders and Rhea worries. Dom goes to a corner, Rhea coaches him up, but apollo SPLASHES him! Apollo snapmares Dom, goes up, and FLYING BLOCKBUSTERS! Dom staggers, Apollo goes up the other corner! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and Rhea is relieved, but Apollo reels him in!

Dom slips out of the back suplex and he dropkicks Apollo onto ropes! Dom dials it up but Apollo ducks the 619! Apollo drags Dom out to CLOBBER him! Apollo roars and fans fire up! But then Rhea stands in Apollo’s way. Fans fire up, but Dom goes looking under the ring. Apollo jukes Rhea, but Dom YANKS him into steel steps! Dom gets back in the ring, distracts the ref, and Rhea POSTS Apollo! The Judgment Day helps each other out as always, and the ring count starts. Rhea counts along to mock Apollo, Dom relaxes in a corner, and we’re past 5 of 10! Apollo drags himself to the desk at 8, but shoots in at 9!!

Fans fire up, but Dom FROG SPLASHES all the way there!! Cover, Dom wins!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall

The one impressive thing about this win was that long distance splash! But Mami has to help Dommy again, will Dom ever get things down on his own?

 

Raw shares the rest of the Seth Rollins interview.

Rollins is a WWE Grand Slam Champion, but why is the World Heavyweight Championship match at Night of Champions different? Why is this so special? Rollins brings it back to where they started this interview: “It is time for change.” Because Rollins has always felt like he was never pegged to be “The Guy,” it made him work harder to take that spot. This is his first love. Since he was four years old, as long as he can remember, pro-wrestling has been everything he’s ever dreamed of. It has given him a life beyond his wildest dreams. He just wants to see it “be the best it can be.”

The World Heavyweight Championship IS that thing. This is the moment to do something special. Rollins is putting all his chips in, all in on the World Heavyweight title. he’ll give it everything he’s got. He wants to create something legendary, something that’ll live forever. He is Seth Rollins, the change we’ve been waiting for. He wants to be someone the future can look to and see as the guy to carry things forward. The Visionary, the Revolutionary, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins is ready, but will he make his dreams come true by becoming THE World Heavyweight Champion?

 

BREAKING NEWS for next week’s Raw!

Money in the Bank is on the horizon, but qualifying matches are set to begin! Who will earn their golden tickets to the first ever MITB in London and those high stakes ladder matches?

 

Six Man Tag: Imperium VS Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Matt Riddle!

The Intercontinental Champion did not appreciate the “disrespect” shown to his soldiers, Ludwig Kaiser & Giovanni Vinci, but the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions told him it was the other way around. But either way, the battlelines have been drawn! Will Der Ring General make Monday Night Raw sacred? Or will the Prizefighter, Great Liberator, and Original Bro bring Imperium down this close to Night of Champions?

Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, followed by Kevin, and then by Sami. The teams sort out and Ludwig starts against Sami. They tie up, go around, and Sami wrenches to a wristlock. Ludwig powers Sami to a corner, the ref counts, and Ludwig throws body shots and stomps! The ref counts, Ludwig throws down fists but lets off at 4. Ludwig drags Sami up but Sami turns things around to CHOP and CHOP and ROCK and wrench! Sami brings Ludwig around, tags Riddle, and Riddle KICKS Ludwig. Riddle whips, Ludwig holds ropes and UPPERCUTS! Tag to Vinci and he BOOTS Riddle down!

Vinci bumps Riddle off buckles, CLUBS him in the chest, UPPERCUTS him, and UPPERCUTS him, and then argues with the ref. Vinci whips corner to corner, but Riddle goes up and over. Riddle KICKS Vinci down! Riddle gut wrenches Vinci up to SUPLEX! Vinci gets away to his corner, and Gunther tags in! Fans fire up as Gunther stares down with Riddle. They circle, Riddle shoots in but Gunther holds off the takedown. Gunther puts Riddle in a corner, the ref counts, and Gunther swings! Riddle avoids the chop to KICK and KICK and KICK! Gunther blocks a kick to KICK Riddle’s leg out!

Gunther hauls Riddle up to CHOP him back down! Gunther frowns and Riddle sputters while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Riddle reaches out for his corner, but Ludwig keeps him back. Riddle ROCKS Ludwig, and ROCKS him, but Ludwig still holds on! Ludwig pulls hair, whips Riddle away, and tilt-o-whirl SLAMS Riddle down! Cover, TWO! Ludwig taunts Sami, bumps Riddle off buckles, and then tags Gunther in. Gunther CLUBS Riddle down, taunts Sami and Kevin, then BOOTS Kevin! The ref keeps Sami back and Gunther goes to Riddle. FINAL FLASH KNEE from Riddle! Both men are down, fans fire up, and they crawl, but Ludwig just rushes in! Riddle TOSSES him back out!

Gunther grabs Riddle’s leg to keep him from Sami, but Riddle BOOTS him away! But then Ludwig trips Sami off the apron! Gunther BOOTS and LARIATS Riddle! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives the double whammy, but Gunther deadlifts him! Riddle fights the German Suplex, to switch and GERMAN SUPLEX in return! Fans fire up, both men crawl, hot tags to Vinci and Kevin! Kevin fires off on Vinci with fast hands! And stomps against the ropes! The ref counts, Kevin lets off and fans fire up! Kevin whips, Vinci KICKS, but Kevin LARIATS! And SENTONS! Kevin waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX Vinci to a corner!

Fans fire up again, “SUCK IT!” Kevin CANNONBALLS Vinci! Cover, TWO! Vinci is still in this but Kevin drags him to a drop zone. Kevin goes up the corner and fans rally up. But Ludwig rushes in! Kevin ROCKS Ludwig, kicks him and reels him in, but Vinci DROPKICKS Kevin! Ludwig tags in, Imperium HIGH LOWS Kevin on the apron! Kevin falls, Imperium is back in control, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns once again and Kevin is up top! FROG SPLASH onto Vinci! Fans fire up but Kevin bounces off the cover! He and Vinci crawl for their corners, hot tags to Sami and Ludwig! Sami rallies on Ludwig with big lariats! Sami whips, back drops Ludwig, and then runs to BLAST Gunther! Ludwig UPPERCUTS Sami, whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami scoops to MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Sami hurries up, he aims at Ludwig, and he goes corner to corner, but Ludwig BOOTS back! Gunther sneaks a tag before Sami TOSSES Ludwig out! Gunther CHOPS Sami! Gunther talks trash, then CHOPS Sami again!

Sami grits his teeth as Gunther talks even more trash. Gunther has Sami by the throat, Sami breaks free, and then Sami dodges the clothesline to get around! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, Vinci breaks it! Riddle gets in to kick but Vinci ducks. Vinci shoves Riddle, Riddle BOOTS him back! Riddle goes up, but Vinci trips him up! But Kevin is there, STUNNER!! Ludwig whips Kevin out of the ring, talks trash, but Sami clotheslines Ludwig out! Fans fire up, Sami runs at Gunther, but into a SLEEPER!! Gunther wraps Sami up, has a rear mount even, but Riddle is back up! FLAOTING BRO onto Gunther’s back!!

Gunther lets Sami go and flounders away. Tag back to Vinci, he runs in but Sami catches him, EXPLODER into the buckles! Fans fire up and Sami goes corner to corner again, but Gunther anchors Sami! Kevin SUPERKCIKS! Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES! Riddle then TOSSES Gunther over the announce desk! Fans fire up, Ludwig runs at Sami but Sami TOSSES him out! Vinci runs in to clothesline! But Sami just follows through to HELLUVA KICK!! Tag to Kevin, he’s up top, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, Team KO wins!

Winners: Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn & Matt Riddle, by pinfall

Imperium falls to the bros! Will Gunther be able to regroup and be ready for Mustafa Ali at Night of Champions? As for the Undisputed Tag Team Champions, they are rolling into their final war with The Bloodline! Sami dares Roman to try his best, but on Saturday, the tag titles stay with them! Will the Sami & Kevin #JustKeepFighting until the end?

 

Someone knocks on Cody Rhodes’ door.

He says he doesn’t need any help, but in walks TRIPLE H! HHH says he just wants to talk. They sit down, and HHH says Cody is a heck of a talent. And he understands Cody has that fire burning inside him. Cody says he knows what HHH is trying to do, Cody has respect for it. HHH knows Cody knows, but this is the position we’re in. HHH says Cody needs medical attention but Cody says he doesn’t. Cody told everyone already. HHH can tell just looking at the arm that it is broken. And HHH can see the look on Cody’s face that Cody knows it, too.

HHH says no one is questioning how tough Cody is, and HHH knows Cody is afraid that- Afraid? Afraid?! What does Cody have to be afraid of? HHH says Cody is afraid that if a doctor comes in here, looks at the arm, says it’s broken, that HHH won’t let him go to Night of Champions to face Lesnar. Oh, over this? An arm? HHH used to do the same thing Cody did. Cody’s legs are just fine, he can walk to the ring! HHH says Cody has nothing to prove! This isn’t about toughness! HHH saw Cody go to the ring at Hell in a Cell with a torn pec! Never seen anything like it! No one questions for a second Cody’s toughness.

But this is different. Think about that year Cody spent on the shelf after that match. A year of his career, a year of his life. Cody tries to say he understands, and that year was terrible. But what is far worse is what would happen if Cody was a coward! If he came back a shell of himself and didn’t go to NOC to fight! And again, of all people, HHH… what would you do? What has HHH done? HHH has fought! That’s what Cody is going to do. Cody is going to NOC to fight Brock Lesnar. Cody does his best to pack his things with one arm, and HHH sits down again. HHH pats Cody on the shoulder, and leaves. Is that HHH’s way of giving Cody permission? Or his way of wishing Cody luck?


My Thoughts:

A great Raw, even for a go-home, but thankfully not with the Go Home Syndrome recapathon. Though in all honestly, the rest of Seth Rollins’ interview promo wasn’t quite as shocking or controversial as they were making it feel. Of course he doesn’t approve of what Roman’s been up to, we heard him say that before. It’s just more of Rollins (and perhaps HHH through him) criticizing the booking of Roman Reigns (by Vince McMahon up until last year). And in the end, it still feels very clear, all but inevitable, that Rollins is going to win the World Heavyweight Championship to solidify his spot at the top.

Great bookending of the show with Cody Rhodes, too. Cody getting ambushed and brutalized by Brock Lesnar right at the start was a wild way to kick things off. I did not think it’d escalate like it did, but perhaps I should’ve expected it to go that way. HHH talking with Cody at the end was a great surprise, given how Cody was referencing HHH so much over in AEW. But their conversation, while not really well recorded, was a logical one. Cody fought with a torn pec, he’ll fight with a busted arm, but it almost feels like too much for Cody to win this time. Sure, Cody swept Seth Rollins in their feud, but Cody’s gonna start entering “Cena Wins LOL” territory at this rate.

Great bit with Mustafa Ali where he brings back his genuine self rather than more “Positive Ali,” but also wow, Lesnar just insulting him for being there. A little surprised Ali didn’t get any further involved with Imperium tonight, but Imperium ended up losing in a great Six Man Tag main event against Kevin, Sami & Riddle anyway. Riddle and Gunther feels like the next title feud after Night of Champions, as also implied by that battle royal and how Riddle taunted Imperium. Riddle got a good video package to show his more serious side, and obviously Riddle VS Gunther is going to be awesome stuff, no matter who wins. But after that Six Man Tag, I really wanna see Gunther VS Kevin and Gunther VS Sami in 1v1 matches just for the hell of it.

A little disappointed in Stark VS Candice, but only because of how short it was. Nikki shows up, and almost immediately costs Candice the match. Why does it feel like none of Candice’s matches on Raw have been even allowed to live up to her NXT stuff? Raquel VS Sonya was also pretty quick, and a little surprised Raquel won rather than be cheated by Sonya & Chelsea. But of course this was to introduce Shotzi back into the tag title scene. But the way Byron worded it, “new alliance,” they’re trying to retcon things like Shotzi & Raquel weren’t a team months ago on SmackDown and that annoys me. But even so, it still feels like Ronda & Shayna are going to win the tag titles.

Really good match from Alpha Academy VS Viking Raiders, but it feels like they’re taking a bit too long on the story of Otis/Otise. Where’s the promo where Mace & Mansoor confronting Maxxine? It’s almost like Maxxine is joining the Alpha Academy rather than getting Otis to join MMM. Good promo from Jinder for Indus Sher, and I’m hoping that one, they decide to go after the other factions here on Raw, like Imperium and Judgment Day, and two, get entrance graphics that better fit them. Really good contract signing segment from Becky and Trish, but those golden hand glasses were really odd. But with Becky standing tall in the contract signing, I wonder if Trish cheats to win and this feud extends through the Summer.

And great stuff from Judgment Day. Good promo from Apollo, Dom and Rhea, with Rhea having a good though perhaps redundant promo aimed at Natalya. Dom VS Apollo was a very good match, but of course Rhea helps Dom. I feel like while Kofi Kingston still recovers, Xavier Woods should make an alliance with Apollo so at least someone can have a fair match with Dom. Then good promo from Raw Talk and then tonight as part of Finn VS Nakamura. Great match from Finn VS Nakamura, but of course Priest is the reason Finn wins. Throw Nakamura into the mix with Apollo and Woods and that’s quite the unique trio to take on Judgment Day.

My Score: 8.5/10


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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; 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!

 


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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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