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Mitchell’s NJPW Dominion Results & Report! (6/4/23)

Will Sanada survive Tsuji?

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Will the Cold Skull stay the gold skull?

NJPW returns to Osaka-Jo Hall for another epic edition of Dominion! But will Sanada stay IWGP World Heavyweight Champion against the returning Yota Tsuji?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff match – Young Lion Hattrick Challenge: Oskar Leube VS Ryohei Oiwa, Boltin Oleg & Yuto Nakashima; Oiwa, Oleg & Nakashima win and Oskar gets no prizes.
  • IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament Finals: Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer; Ospreay wins and will challenge Kenny Omega for the title.
  • 8 Man Tag: Just5Guys VS Los Ingobernables de Japon; LIJ wins.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Catch 2/2; Catch 2/2 wins and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
  • NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Jeff Cobb; ZSJ wins and retains the title.
  • Vacated IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Bishamon VS The House of Torture VS Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare; Bishamon wins and are the new dual IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
  • NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay VS El Phantasmo; Finlay wins and retains the title.
  • IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Master Wato; Hiromu wins and retains the title.
  • NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Blackpool Combat Club; win(s) and
  • IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA VS Yota Tsuji; Sanada wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

IWGP United States Heavyweight Championship #1 Contender’s Tournament Finals: Will Ospreay VS Lance Archer!

The Commonwealth Kingpin and the Murderhawk Monster are former IWGP US Champions, and they both want that title back from Kenny Omega! Who wins here to face the Cleaner in the near future?

The second Ospreay hops off the corner in his introduction, Archer CLOBBERS him! Ospreay flops out of the ring,. Archer goes out after him and smacks him with his own jacket! Archer then RAMS Ospreay into railing in front of commentary! The bell rings and Archer drags Ospreay over to the timekeeper’s area! Archer clears off the table, choke grips, and CHOKE- NO, Ospreay lands safe on the table! Ospreay throws haymakers and gets Archer to stagger away. Ospreay then jumps off the railing, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Ospreay goes up top fast, and he ARIHARA TORNILLOS! The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes Archer down!

Ospreay storms up on Archer, puts him in the ring and takes aim, to springboard, but into a choke grip! Ospreay flips out of the choke slam, ENZIGURIS, but Archer stays up! Ospreay dodges Archer to springboard, OSCUTTER!! Cover, TWO! Archer survives but Ospreay prepares the arm, only to run into a LARIAT! Fans fire up and Archer grins. Archer stalks Ospreay to a corner and brings Ospreay up. Ospreay SLAPS Archer! Archer ROCKS, KNEES and ROCKS Ospreay, then stomps away on him! Fans rally, Archer runs corner to corner and hits a BIG back elbow! Ospreay sputters and Archer keeps moving, to ELBOW Ospreay again!

Fans rally, Archer keeps going, and he hits another ELBOW! Ospreay falls over while fans fire back up. Archer stalks Ospreay, drags him up, but Ospreay throws a forearm. Archer ROCKS Ospreay right back! Ospreay throws more forearms in return, but Archer laughs and then ROCKS Ospreay! Ospreay wobbles around, goes to ropes, and fires himself up. Ospreay fires off more forearms, but Archer just ROCKS him! Ospreay gets mad and fires Kawada Kicks! Archer choke grips, Ospreay breaks free but Archer CHOPS! Archer whips, Ospreay handsprings, NEURALIZER! Fans fire up, Ospreay keeps moving, but Archer CLOBBERS him!

Fans fire up as Archer stands back up and looms over Ospreay. Archer drags Ospreay up and gives him the Kawada Kicks! Ospreay staggers up into a BOOT! Ospreay flops out of the ring and Archer goes out after him. Archer aims from the apron to CANNONBALL to the floor! Fans fire up as Archer grins. Archer drags Ospreay up and puts him in the ring, to then put Ospreay on the top rope. Archer ROCKS Ospreay, tells him he’s not winning, and then picks him up in the reverse crucifix! But Ospreay fights back with elbows! Ospreay shoves Archer away, BLINDSIDE PIP PIP CHEERIO! Fans fire up while Ospreay clutches the bad arm.

Ospreay roars, drags Archer up and reels him in, underhooks the arms, but the bad arm won’t let him lift Archer! Archer runs in, Ospreay ducks under the body check, to SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO! Ospreay goes right to the corner and up top! Archer step-up KNEES Ospreay first! Archer positions Ospreay, inverted crucifix, BLACKOUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Ospreay survives and fans fire up again! Archer snarls, he drags Ospreay into the drop zone, and goes up!? Fans fire up, the Murderhawk doesn’t usually fly. Ospreay anchors a leg, Archer CLUBS away on him, but Ospreay tucks Archer in! CHEEKY NANDOS!

Ospreay then drags Archer out onto the Canadian Rack! But Archer is too big and he slips off! Choke grip, HUGE CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Archer grins. The fans are thunderous as Archer drags Ospreay up. Archer swings, Ospreay dodges to mule kick a leg out, HOOK KICK Archer’s face, and then HIDDEN BLADE!! Cover, ONE?!?! HOW?!? Archer gets up but Ospreay JUMPING HIDDEN BLADE! HIDDEN BLADE to the front! And then Ospreay throws off the elbow pad to go to the corner! TRUE HIDDEN BLADE!!! Cover, Ospreay wins!!

Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP US Heavyweight Championship)

It took a lot to slay the Murderhawk Monster, but The Aerial Assassin pulls it off! But Ospreay does show respect to Archer with a fist bump, and then gets on the mic. “Lance. Arigato gozaimashita. <Thank you very much.>” Fans rally for Ospreay, and Ospreay then calls out “KENNY OMEGA! Remember me?! I’m the guy you left covered in my own blood at the Tokyo Dome! Now, you shoulda killed me when you had the chance! Because I’m back for revenge! I will walk in to YOUR territory, bruv. I will walk into Canada, Ospreay VS Canada, and I am bringing BACK the IWGP United States Championship!”

Fans fire up for that mic drop, will the Kingpin once again be gold? Or will fighting the Best Bout Machine in his backyard be a mistake?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Intergalactic Jet Setters VS Catch 2/2 w/ Dan Moloney!

Kushida & Kevin Knight may have taken these titles from TJP & Francesco Akira in a literal bloody fight, but the Public Enemy & Nova Fireball are back for more! Will the United Empire conquer the Junior Tag Division again? Or is there still time on the Intergalactic Jet Setters’ flight?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if history repeats itself!

Akira and Knight get at each other, Akira shoves but then Knight shoves. TJP and Kushida keep the peace, the teams sort out, and the two hot heads start. And they double dropkick! Those cancel out, the bell rings, and the forearms start flying! Fans fire up with every shot, Akira gets the edge, but he runs into a BOOT! Knight runs but into a forearm! Akira runs, but into a tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! TJP runs in to BOOT Knight, but Kushida runs in to BOOT TJP! Kushida fires off on TJP in the corner but TJP turns things around to fire off body shots. Akira does the same on Knight, then Catch 2/2 coordinates.

Catch 2/2 whip the Jet Setters at each other, but the Jet Setters dosido and run back at Catch 2/2, but Catch 2/2 dodge! TJP & Akira trade targets, but then the Jet Setters dodge! STINGER SPLASH for Akira, BIG back elbow for TJP! Kushida then sets up and Knight runs in, BOOSTED STINGER SPLASH! TJP flops out, Kushida throws Akira out to join him, and then Kushida WRECKS them both with a dropkick! Moloney hurries over to help Catch 2/2 up but the Jet Setters go to the apron. Kushida helps Knight in the springboard, BOOSTED ASAI MOONSAULT!! Knight wipes out the United Empire at the ramp!

Fans fire up and Knight shouts, “TSUYOI!” Knight drags Akira up and puts him in for Kushida, who snapmares Akira to then set up, MOONSAULT SPLASH COMBO! Cover, TJP breaks it! TJP gets Akira out but the Jet Setters drag TJP back in! They double wrench, double snapmare, and then double knee drop each arm! Fans fire up as Knight SPLASHES TJP, and Kushida adds a back elbow! The Jet Setters whip TJP to a corner, Kushida elbows and then sets up. Knight runs in but TJP avoids the boosted splash! Knight lands safe on the second rope but TJP keeps Kushida down, and Akira uses Kushida to FIRE IN MOTION!

Akira’s dropkick sends Knight tumbling to the floor! Catch 2/2 send Kushida out, and fans rally up with them. TJP goes up and up and TRIANGLE DROPKICKS Kushida! “A! KI-RA!” builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on Jet Setters at the ramp! Fans fire up, Akira puts Knight back in, and he pushes Knight to a cover. ONE, but Akira snapmares Knight and tags in TJP. Catch 2/2 combine, “Take picture! Take pictures!” Electric Chair SENTON! TJP covers, TWO! TJP KNEES Knight in the back, drags him up and bumps him off buckles. TJP stomps Knight down, digs his boot in, and fans fire up as he starts up the scrubbing!

TJP scrapes Knight with his laces again and again, then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Fans fire up and TJP says one more time! Fans chant “MOIKAI! MOIKAI!” and TJP puts Knight back in for more laces off the face! TJP runs side to side to BOOT WASH again! TJP signals those belts are theirs, and then tags in Akira. Catch 2/2 double whip, kick, but Knight blocks to hand it to TJP, and Knight ENZIGURIS Akira! Everyone falls over but TJP gets Knight’s leg. Knight ENZIGURIS TJP, too! Fans rally, Knight crawls, hot tag to Kushida! Kushida goes up to AX HANDLE Akira! And SHOTEI TJP!

Kushida KICKS away on Akira, whips, but Akira reverses, only for Kushida to HANDSPRING BACK ELBOW! Kushida keeps moving, SHOTEI for TJP! Akira dodges, runs in, but into a hip toss and cartwheel dropkick! Fans fire up with Kushida and he aims at Akira. Akira rises, Kushida goes for the arm but Akira holds him off! TJP rushes in but Kushida kicks TJP low. Kushida also grabs TJP’s arm! Kushida goes around with Catch 2/2 but they shove him away. Knight returns, TJP kick shim low and runs, but Kushida drops and Knight sidesteps. Then Knight drops, Kushida sidesteps, and then Knight DROPKICKS TJP down!

Fans fire up as Jet Setters combine, victory roll DDT! And roll through, into ARMBAR! Akira clasps hands, Moloney coaches TJP, but Kushida clubs Akira’s hands apart! ARMBAR! Knight SUPERKICKS TJP down, but Akira gets the ROPEBREAK! Fans fire up while Jet Setters get Akira up. Kushida Electric Chair Lifts, but Akira slips free to shove him into Knight! Akira whips, but Kushida is there, BOOSTED CROSSBODY FLOPS as Akira moves! Akira kicks and whips Kushida but Kushida reverses. TJP sneaks a tag, Akira ducks the Fastball and then slides under. TJP waistlocks Kushida to shove him, Kushida comes back into the ALLEY-OOP FACEBUSTER!

Catch 2/2 isn’t done there, they sit Kushida up! “CATCH! NI NI!” 2 BY 2!! Cover, Knight breaks it!! Fans fire up, Akira drags Knight up, Knight UPPRECUTS! Knight runs, into a SUPERKICK! Double whip, but he jumps the double lariat!? To DOUBLE PELE!! The fans fire up again as all four men are down! Kushida sits up as the fans rally, and he goes after TJP. Kushida ROCKS TJP, TJP UPPERCUTS Kushida! TJP whips, Kushida reverses, hip toss into ARMBAR!! TJP scrambles, flails, slips free, steps over, PINOY STRETCH!! Akira traps Knight in a TARANTULA!! Kushida crawls, ROPEBREAK!!

Catch 2/2 let the Jet Setters go in frustration, but Moloney coaches them up. The fans rally, TJP rises, and TJP drags Kushida up to fireman’s carry. Kushida fights free, ducks the lariat and PELES! Kushida crawls, hot tag to Knight! Knight runs in to STINGER- NO, TJP dodges the splash to TORNADO- NO, Knight stops that to swing, but into a dragon sleeper! Akira tags in, DOUBLE STOMP FINAL CUT COMBO!! Cover, TWO!!! Knight survives, but Catch 2/2 get the fans fired up! “CATCH! NI NI!” But Knight ducks the knees! TJP flops out, Kushida PLANCHAS him down! Kushida PENALTY KICKS Akira’s arm!

Kushida drags Akira up into the Electric Chair Lift, Knight says it’s time! TIME JET!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Akira survives and no one can believe it! But Knight just fires up to run in at Akira, STINGER ENZIGURI COMBO!! Knight puts Akira up, for the UP- NO, Akira boots him away! But Kushida HANDSPRING KICKS Akira, and then rushes TJP!  But TJP avoids the dropkick to send Kushida into railing! Knight goes up top, but Akira fights him. TJP joins in and Electric Chairs Knight! Catch 2/2 combine for LEANING TOWER!!! TJP WRECKS Kushida now! And then 2 BY 2!!!! Cover, Catch 2/2 win!!

Winners: Catch 2/2, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)

Talk about 2 by 2, Catch 2/2 are now TWO-TIME IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! The United Empire is on a roll, will they make this their Dominion?

Wait, the Bullet Club’s Clark Connors is on his way out here. 100 Proof is here, and Moloney is mad. But Connors says it will be Catch 2/2 VS him and… MOLONEY ATTACKS TJP & Akira?!?!? Da Drilla is betraying the United Empire!! He CHOKES Akira with his shirt! Fans boo as Moloney & Connors stomp them down! Did the battle between them in the Best of the Super Juniors convince Moloney to join Bullet Club?! Moloney tells TJP he’s not just some bodyguard! He feeds TJP to Connors’ POWERSLAM! Fans boo more but then Connors drags Akira up to feed him to Moloney! Fans tell them to go away, but Moloney hits DRILLA KILLA!!

But these two still aren’t done! They haul TJP up so that Connors can hit NO CHASER!! Moloney is an Abunai Gaijin, and he’s joining another dangerous man in this new, more savage Bullet Club. Will Catch 2/2 even stand a chance against these jacked Junior Heavyweights?

 

NJPW World Television Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb!

TMDK’s Frontman made it through a busy week in the States, but he’s back in Japan to revisit his battle with the Imperial Unit! Last time, they went to the time limit. Will they need another 15 for this one? Or will we have a definitive winner in the sequel?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Cobb becomes the star of the show!

The bell rings and the 15 minutes are on the clock. The two rush in, ZSJ jumps on but Cobb RAMS him into a corner! Cobb whips ZSJ back in, but ZSJ BOOTS! ZSJ fires off forearms, but Cobb runs him over! ZSJ gets up to BOOT again! And again! ZSJ runs, but Cobb JUMPING SHOULDER TACKLES! Fans fire up, Cobb throws forearms, then reels ZSJ in, TOUR OF- NO, ZSJ slips free and tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! ZSJ has an arm but Cobb powers his way up. Cobb swings but ZSJ catches that arm to an ARMBAR! Cobb stacks ZSJ, TWO!! ZSJ escapes, UPPERCUTS, but Cobb DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO!

Cobb GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULTS but misses! ZSJ traps Cobb’s head with his legs, to TWIST! Cover, ONE!! Cobb still has strength to spare and fans fire up. Cobb and ZSJ talk trash on each other, and the two stand up. Cobb eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ fires forearms. Cobb ROCKS ZSJ with just one! ZSJ staggers, comes back to fire more shots, but Cobb ROCKS ZSJ again! Cobb eggs ZSJ on again, ZSJ fires more forearms, and he eggs Cobb on. Cobb DECKS ZSJ! ZSJ rises back up, leans on Cobb, and UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Cobb ROCKS ZSJ, but ZSJ flails to stay up! So Cobb LARIATS him down!

Fans fire up, ZSJ goes to a corner, and Cobb runs in to UPPERCUT! Cobb hoists ZSJ up for a RUNNING BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, ZSJ crawls to ropes, and Cobb storms up. Cobb brings ZSJ up to scoop and RAM into the corner! But ZSJ slips free to get a COBRA TWIST! Cobb powers out but ZSJ is after a leg! Cobb drags ZSJ back up! But ZSJ spins around to GUILLOTINE! Fans rally as Cobb powers out of that, so ZSJ goes for an arm! ZSJ drags Cobb down, Cobb stacks, but ZSJ slips around to DISARMER!! Cobb endures, ZSJ shifts to hammerlock that arm, and he pulls on a leg!

Cobb crawls, ZSJ grabs the far arm and pulls! ZSJ then gets a leg added, CLARKY CAT, BAD BALLOON REMIX! But Cobb powers right out! ZSJ is furious but the fans fire up. ZSJ says, “Sugoi, desu ne.” Cobb stands, ZSJ KICKS him in the chest! And again! And again! Cobb drops, blocks a kick, but ZSJ SLAPS him! Cobb just lifts ZSJ to SAMOAN DROP! Fans rally, Cobb drags ZSJ up and whips him to a corner hard! ZSJ flops down, Cobb brings him up to whip hard into the other corner! And then hard at the first corner, but ZSJ goes up and comes back! Cobb blocks the DDT, so ZSJ UPPERCUTS!

ZSJ runs, but into an ATHLETIC- NO, ZSJ slips around to a SLEEPER HOLD! ZSJ is backpack, so Cobb BACKPACK SENTONS! Both men are down and fans fire up! Cobb rises, he drags ZSJ up in a deadlift waistlock, but ZSJ pries the hold open! ZSJ switches, Cobb elbows him, but ZSJ gets around again. Cobb throws ZSJ off the waistlock, and deadlift suplexes, but ZSJ fights that to PELE an arm! ZSJ KICKS Cobb’s arm, then GERMAN SUPLEXES!! Fans fire up as ZSJ manages to throw Cobb! ZSJ runs, PENALTY KICK! Cover, ONE!! ZSJ just keeps moving,  another PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!

Fans rally while both men are down again. Cobb crawls away to a corner, but ZSJ keeps his eyes on him. ZSJ runs in, to UPPERCUT, and then TORNADO- NO, Cobb blocks that! Cobb pops ZSJ around for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! ZSJ staggers up against ropes, Cobb runs in, but ZSJ dodges the lariat. ZSJ avoid the dropkick, body scissors, but Cobb slips out to trip ZSJ! Cobb body scissors ZSJ into an O’Conner Bridge!! TWO!! ZSJ KICKS Cobb in the leg again and again! ZSJ runs, into the ATHLETIC PLEX!! ZSJ flops to the apron but Cobb drags him back in. Cobb deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES!!

Fans fire up with Cobb and he brings ZSJ up. Cobb whips ZSJ to scoop and TOUR- NO, crucifix takedown! Cover, ZSJ WINS!!!!

Winner: Zack Sabre Jr, by pinfall (still NJPW World Television Champion)

Season one is still not done! ZSJ puts this one away in 8 minutes and 46 seconds and he shocks Cobb! Will anyone ever take this title from The Frontman?

 

Vacated IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: Bishamon VS The House of Torture VS Great-O-Khan & Aaron Henare!

The misfortune of Aussie Open becomes an opportunity for others! Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi thought they were 2v2 with EVIL & Yujiro Takahashi, but then the United Empire stepped back in. Will the Dominator & Ultimate Weapon take these titles back for the team? Will it be #LightsOut courtesy of Chaos? Or will Darkness Fall as the King of Darkness & The Tokyo Pimp rise?

But of course the House of Torture attacks before the bell! Evil, Yujiro and even Dick Togo attack The United Empire while they’re making their way down the ramp! Fans boo while they mug Henare, and then start brawling with Bishamon! They CHOKE Hashi with a shirt, and send Goto into railing! Evil then sends Hashi into railing for good measure. Yujiro drags Goto up and Evil has Hashi. The House both whip Bishamon, but Bishamon turns things around to send Evil into Yujiro! And then Goto DOUBLE LARIATS them down! Fans fire up and Bishamon sets the House up, for Hashi to FLY! Direct hit at the ramp!

Fans fire up more but the Empire returns! The bell rings so this is on record now, as Henare HEADBUTTS Hashi and Khan puts Goto in the ring. The Empire then keeps after Goto, IRON CLAW SLEEPER and some body shots! Then MONGOLIAN CHOP, and a KICK to the chest! This has clearly turned into a tornado tag. Khan SPLASHES, covers, TWO! Khan sits Goto up for Henare to KICK and SENTON! Cover, Hashi breaks it! Khan CLUBS Hashi, he and Henare stomp him, and then Khan whips Hashi into a corner to clothesline from behind! Fans fire up as Khan sits up on his throne! AKA on Hashi. Henare then runs in to BUTT PUNCH!!

Khan drags Hashi up, Henare climbs, FLYING CHUCK BACK SUPLEX COMBO! Cover, TWO! Hashi hangs tough but the Empire stomps him. The House of Torture returns and attacks the Empire! They whip Khan to a bare corner! When did the Bullet Club Special come into play!? But then Evil whips Henare into the bare buckles! Henare writhes and falls out of the ring, Dick stands on Khan’s neck! Yujiro RAMS Hashi into the bare buckles! Yujiro drags Hashi up, snapmares, and runs to drop a leg, brother! Cover, TWO! Evil drags Hashi up to throw him out of the ring. Evil distracts the ref, and Dick JAMS Hashi with a chair!

Fans boo, but Dick DECKS Goto then drags Hashi back up. Dick puts Hashi back in and Evil covers, TWO! Hashi is still in this but Evil argues with the ref. Fans rally, Evil & Yujiro kick and taunt Hashi. Fans rally up but Yujiro ROCKS Hashi with a forearm. Hashi ends up in a corner, the House mugs him, and the two double whip him corner to corner. Hashi avoids Evil’s clothesline to dropkick Yujiro’s legs out! Hashi dodges Evil again to SPIN BACK KICK! Fans fire up and Goto returns, he CLOBBERS Yujiro! Goto runs at Evil, blocks a boot and puts it in the ropes to KICK the leg! Yujiro runs in but is sent into Evil!

Goto kicks Yujiro, gets them both, DOUBLE BULLDOG for the House! Fans fire up, Goto drags Evil up but Evil rakes eyes. Evil runs, but into double shoulders from Bishamon! Then ZANMAI! Khan runs in but Goto kicks him first. Goto snap suplexes Khan onto Evil! Hashi mule kicks Henare, and Bishamon DRUMS away on him! Fans fire up as Bishamon flexes. Goto whips Henare corner to corner, runs in to clothesline, and then Hashi runs in to CHOP! Hashi feeds Henare to Goto’s clinch, Hashi runs, but Yujiro trips Hashi up! Yujiro drags Hashi out but Goto CLUBS Henare down. Yujiro whips Hashi into railing while Evil drags Goto out!

Evil RAMS Goto into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san and Young Lions hurry over to help. Evil & Yujiro stomp away on Henare, Evil covers, TWO! Yujiro covers Henare, TWO! Evil covers, ONE!! Henare snarls but Yujiro SLIDING BOOTS! Cover, TWO! The House is annoyed with the count but the count is fair. Evil & Yujiro drag Henare up, mug him, but then Khan gets in! IRON CLAW, into the FGO PLEX! Henare elbows Evil to the corner, Khan runs in to clothesline! Henare adds the SHINING WIZARD! Henare feeds Evil to Khan, ASSISTED BERSERKER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Evil survives but Khan BOOTS Yujiro out!

The Empire flexes! The Monster Rage is boiling! Henare fireman’s carries Evil, Khan runs, but Dick gets in the way! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS him for it! But Evil sends Henare into Khan! Khan falls, Goto LARIATS Henare! Evil kicks Goto and whips him into the bare buckles! Hashi returns, Evil kicks and whips but Hashi reverses! Evil hits bare buckles! Yujiro gets in, he dodges Hashi to then kick low, dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT! Khan returns but Yujiro kicks him and runs. But he runs into the DOUBLE BOOT! Fans rally up, The Empire throw off their armbands to shoutout Aussie Open! DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH!

Khan drags Yujiro up into the HITSUJIGOROSHI! Henare gets the legs, FUBUKI! They thrash Yujiro around, and then hit MARINE!!! Cover, Dick drags the ref out!! Fans boo as Dick lives up to his namesake! But then SHO slides in, and he GERMAN SUPLEXES Henare! Khan swings on Sho, but Sho grabs the ponytail to LOW BLOW Khan! The House of Torture is in full force as they stomp out Bishamon! Fans boo as hard as they can but the House all stomp Goto! The fans tell Sho to go away but the House put one out on Goto. Then they drag Goto up, Evil & Dick hit MAGIC KILLER!! Dick gets the ref in, Evil covers, TWO!!!!

Fans fire up as Goto survives! Evil is furious with the ref, but this distraction allows Dick to get in with the SPOILER CHOKER!! But here comes YOH! Yoh has a skateboard, he throws it to Sho to then DROPKICK it into him! Yoh KNEES Dick out of the ring, SUPERKICKS Evil, and fans fire up! Yoh PLANCHAS Sho down! Fans fire up as Hashi gets in and aims at Yujiro. Yoh drags Sho away as Hashi runs in, but Yujiro boots him! Yujiro runs, but into a LARIAT from Hashi! Bishamon get Yujiro up, whip and fireman’s carry, to FIERCE FLASH!! And from there, Hashi calls their shot! They drag Yujiro back up, but Yujiro kicks free!

Yujiro grabs the ref, Dick SMACKS Goto with a chair!! But Henare is back to PENALTY KCIK Yujiro! And then he RAMPAGES into Goto!! Fans fire up as Henare roars! Fisherman suplex to torture rack, STREETS OF- SUPERKICK! Hashi takes Henare down but Yujiro TOSSES Hashi! Yujiro drags Goto up, PIMP JUICE!! Cover, TWO?!?! No one can believe it but Goto survives! Yujiro drags Goto up, fans are thunderous, but GOto fights Big Juice to waistlock. Yujiro switches, Goto RAMS him into a corner! Hashi runs in to LARIAT! Whip and CHOP! SUPERKICK! Fans fire up with Hashi and they bring Yujiro to the corner!

But Dick jumps in! Evil drags Hashi back, EVERYTHING- NO, Hashi slips free to send Evil into Dick! But Henare MONGOLIAN CHOPS Hashi and sends him into Goto! Evil returns, but Khan blocks the low blow! IRON CLAW!! ELIMINATOR SLAM!! IRON CLAW for Hashi, but Hashi slips free! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! BASEMENT BOOT from Yujiro! Yujiro roars, fans boo, but Yujiro has Hashi up, BIG- NO, no juice! Feed to a forearm, and then a SUPERKICK! Goto goes up top, Hashi brings Yujiro up, DANGEROUS DEED!!! Hashi SUPERKICKS Henare, and fans are thunderous as Bishamon resets!

They drag Yujiro up, SHOTO!!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (NEW Dual IWGP Heavyweight & NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)

What a battle for all these belts! The House of Torture tried to stack the deck, the United Empire tried to continue where Aussie Open left off, but it was Chaos who rose above the chaos! Goto & Hashi are now THREE-TIME IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions, and they have the NJPW Strong titles on top of it! Will Bishamon soon set a new standard for being tag team champions in NJPW?

Wait, what’s this? Bullet Club War Dogs? Who are they? ALEX COUGHLIN AND GABRIEL KIDD?!!? The Android and the Young Bull are now following David Finlay?! And they rush into the ring to fire off on Bishamon!! Fans are speechless as the new champions get beat down! Kidd flips everyone off and Coughlin shouts, that gets fans to boo. Kidd says if they’re not gonna be given chances, they’ll take ’em for themselves! And then Kidd drags Hashi up, Coughlin suplexes Goto, TOMBSTONE and a JACKHAMMER!! The Mechanical Bulls have transformed into the Rebel’s War Dogs, will Bullet Club grab up more gold?

 

NJPW announces the G1 Climax 33 field!

This year is massive! We will see Kazuchika Okada, Tetsuya Naito, Sanada, Will Ospreay, Hiroshi Tanahashi, David Finlay, Shota Umino, Shingo Takagi, Tomohiro Ishii, Tama Tonga, Tanga Loa, Hikuleo, Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi, Toru Yano, Kenta, Zack Sabre Jr, Taichi, Eddie Kingston, El Phantasmo, Ren Narita, Evil, Chase Owens, Jeff Cobb, Great-O-Khan, Aaron Henare, Gabriel Kidd, Alex Coughlin, Shane Haste, Mikey Nicholls, Yota Tsuji, and from Pro-Wrestling Noah, KAITO KIYOMIYA!! What epic history will be #BornInTheRing?

 

NEVER Openweight Championship: David Finlay w/ Bullet Club VS El Phantasmo!

In this Savages Only Era of Bullet Club, there was no room for the compassion ELP showed Tama Tonga. The Rebel kicked the Headbanga to the curb, but now ELP’s back for revenge! Will Finlay regret his hostile takeover? Or will he prove that NJPW needs The Rebel?

ELP has a remix of his theme to signify him leaving Bullet Club behind. As for Finlay, he doesn’t just have Gedo but he has Connors, and the newest recruits, Moloney, Coughlin & Kidd. Finlay hands off the belt to Gedo so he can rush the ring! ELP is ready, and the brawl is on! The bell rings, fans fire up, and ELP gets the edge! Finlay shoves ELP back, swings, but ELP dodges. Finlay narrowly dodges Sudden Death! ELP DIVES out onto Finlay to send him into railing! Fans fire up while Finlay staggers. ELP brings Finlay around to SMACK him off the apron! And then TOSS him over railing!

Finlay hits the other railing in front of the fans, and then ELP goes back into the ring. TO SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODY!! Direct hit in No Man’s Land and they both hit the railing! Fans are thunderous as ELP staggers back up. ELP fist bumps fans, drags Finlay up and tosses him back to ringside. ELP keeps after Finlay with a CHOP! Finlay kicks back, throws a forearm, but ELP ROCKS Finlay back. ELP puts Finlay in the ring, boots him to ropes, and then brings Finlay up to CHOP! Finlay whips corner to corner, Finlay reverses but ELP goes up and over. Things keep moving, ELP ducks to springboard and CROSSBODY! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO!

Finlay grits his teeth but the fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” ELP stands Finlay up to ROCK him with a forearm, then ROCK him again! ELP hushes everyone, and he CHOPS! Finlay turns things around, but ELP dodges to CHOP again! Finlay tries again but ELP blocks the chop to knuckle lock and CHOP! ELP goes up, up, hops around, then FLYING RANAS! Not the smoothest but Finlay is still sent tumbling out. ELP builds speed, but the War Dogs stand in his way. Fans boo, but Finlay gets in to CLOBBER ELP from behind! Finlay rains down fists, the ref counts because those are closed fists, and Finlay lets off.

Fans boo but Finlay just flips them all off. Finlay goes out and drags ELP out to join him. Finlay ROCKS ELP, RAMS him into railing, and then stomps him. Finlay throws hands, the ref has him back off, and Finlay obeys. Fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” but Finlay comes back to then fireman’s carry ELP, and POST him! ELP falls in a heap and Finlay flexes. Fans boo again but Finlay goes looking under the ring. Finlay brings out a TABLE! Fans boo more as Finlay sets the table up. Finlay fetches ELP, drags him over, and he taunts the fans as he hauls ELP up. But ELP fights free of the bomb, gets on the apron, and he drags Finlay up!

Fans fire up as ELP reels Finlay in to hook the arms! Finlay fights, hooks ropes and gets into the ring. ELP hurries after but Finlay throat chops! Finlay whips to CLOBBER ELP, then he SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Finlay is annoyed but Gedo coaches him to stay on ELP. Finlay drags ELP up to whip him hard into a corner! ELP falls over in a heap and Gedo cheers while fans boo. Finlay stands on ELP on the apron but the ref counts. Finlay lets off, Gedo tells ELP to give up, and Finlay taunts ELP. Finlay drags ELP up, but ELP chops. There isn’t much to it, but ELP chops again. There’s still not much power, and Finlay taunts ELP.

ELP chops, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! Fans boo but the Bullet Club all soaks it up. Finlay drags ELP up to snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Finlay clamps onto ELP with a chinlock and he grinds ELP down. Fans rally, ELP fights but Finlay turns him for a full mount. Finlay KNEES ELP in the back, and again, and again! Finlay clamps back on with another chinlock to grind him down. ELP still endures and the fans rally up. ELP fights up to his feet, throws body shots, but Finlay throws ELP by his hair! Fans rally for ELP but Finlay looms over him. Finlay drags ELP up, and CLUBS him with a crossface forearm! And then another!

Fans boo but Finlay sits ELP up again for another crossface forearm! And another, and another, and then winds up to- NO, ELP ducks the blindsider! Things keep moving and ELP DROPKICKS Finlay down! Fans fire up while Bullet Club coaches Finlay up. Finlay stirs and ELP shakes his head. Fans rally again and ELP rises up. ELP goes to a corner, Finlay drags himself up with ropes. Finlay runs in, but into an atomic drop! ELP CHOPS, scoops, and SLAMS! ELP then goes to another corner, goes up top, and FALLING ELBOWS! Fans fire up as ELP tunes up the band! ELP aims but Moloney distracts! AND Connors!

Fans boo but Finlay runs in to CLOBBER ELP! Finlay stomps away on ELP and fans boo more. The ref counts, Finlay lets off at 4 and he dares the ref to keep acting tough. Finlay then drags ELP up for an EXPLODER! Finlay dusts off his hands while ELP crawls to the corner. Finlay runs in but ELP put shim right up top, and in a Tree of Woe! Gedo protests but fans fire up. ELP stands on Finlay’s crotch! The ref counts, ELP lets off, but the fans fire up! Finlay clutches his shillelagh and ELP goes Around the World, to SLIDING BOOT! Finlay falls out of the Tree and ELP drags him to a cover, TWO!

ELP goes outside, takes aim as Finlay rises, and ELP springboards to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and Gedo is relieved. ELP drags Finlay up, reels him in, tucks the arms, but Finlay drops to a knee to fight the lift. Fans rally, ELP keeps trying, but Finlay spins out to ROCK ELP! ELP DECKS Finlay! Finlay goes to a corner, comes back and he ROCKS ELP! ELP winds up to DECK Finlay! Fans fire up while Finlay staggers back up. Finlay rakes the eyes! The ref counts, but ELP gives Finlay PURPLE NURPLES! Finlay throat chops, then SPITS at ELP! Fans boo but ELP swings, into an EXPLODER!

But ELP is right back up!? Fans fire up but Finlay is mad! Finlay slaps ELP around but ELP just palm strikes! And again! And again! ELP BOOTS Finlay into a corner then stomps away! The fans fire up, the ref counts, and ELP lets off to go to the far corner. ELP runs in, but Finlay ALLEY-OOPS him onto the buckles! ELP staggers back, into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up as ELP is still in this, but Finlay hauls him up. Finlay scoops, swings, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Gedo is upset with the count but fans continue to rally. Finlay shakes his head and he looms over ELP.

Finlay drags ELP up to gut wrench, but ELP slips free to mule kick! ELP front kicks, then kicks a leg out, to BUZZSAW! ELP takes off an elbow pad while fans fire up. ELP runs, and LARIATS! A shoutout to “Daddy” Takagi on commentary? Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as ELP takes off another elbow pad. ELP brings Finlay up, slashes his throat, but it’s Finlay who suplexes! Finlay hangs ELP out to dry, then gut wrenches into the Canadian Rack! DOMINATOR! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and Finlay is furious! Fans rally up for ELP but Finlay brings down his kneepad. Finlay slashes his throat but fans boo.

Finlay drags ELP up, suplexes, but ELP slips free! SUDDEN DEATH! ELP resets, to SUDDEN DEATH again!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives but fans are thunderous for ELP! ELP straitjackets, torture racks, and BURNING HAMMERS! No spin needed, ELP just goes to the corner! ELP climbs but Moloney gets up. ELP BOOTS him down onto Connors! And then he ARIHARA MOONSAULTS the War Dogs, Coughlin & Kidd! Then ELP goes back up, to SUPER SWANTON Connors & Moloney! Fans are thunderous again as ELP SUDDEN DEATHS Gedo!! ELP goes up top, Finlay is down, but then Finlay springs up to SHOVE ELP to the floor!

The Rebel played dead just so he could send ELP down! Finlay hurries out, brings ELP over to the table, and he POWERBOMBS ELP through the table!! Fans boo and the ref checks ELP. Finlay grins as he drags ELP up out of the wreckage. Finlay puts ELP in the ring, takes his time stalking him, and then drags ELP up for a POWERBOMB! Finlay doesn’t cover, he’s gonna torture ELP like he did Tama Tonga. Finlay drags ELP up, suplexes him, INTO OBLIVION! Cover, Finlay wins!!

Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)

The Rebel is victorious, but his savage pawns were a big part of this. Finlay calls out “Daddy” Takagi on commentary, daring him to do something to help “Baby” Phantasmo. Does NJPW really need The Rebel when The Rebel needs his War Dogs to win?

 

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Hiromu Takahashi VS Master Wato!

The Ticking Timebomb could not make his four-peat dream come true, but he’s still proud to see the Way of the Grandmaster succeed. Will Hiromu still be proud should Wato actually win here? Or will Hiromu prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Wato walks away with it, the trophy and the banner!

The bell rings and fans rally and duel, “HI-RO-MU!” “WA-TO! WA-TO!” The two circle, tie up, and Wato wrenches an arm to a wristlock. Hiromu slips through, hammerlocks, but Wato switches that onto Hiromu. Hiromu headlocks for the takeover but Wato headscissors. Hiromu kips free and fans cheer the opening exchange. The two reset, circle again, and tie up. Wato headlocks, but Hiromu throws body shots. Hiromu powers out, Wato runs him over! Fans cheer, things keep moving, and Hiromu hurdles. Wato leaps over, comes back and arm-drags, then DROPKICKS! Hiromu falls out of the ring while fans rally up.

Wato builds speed but Hiromu slips in to trip Wato! Hiromu drags Wato out to RAM into railing, and then whip into more railing! But Wato comes back to BOOT Hiromu! Fans rally, Wato whips Hiromu but Hiromu reverses and Wato hits railing hard! Hiromu drags Wato up and shouts “MADA MADA! <NOT DONE YET!>” Hiromu whips Wato hard into more railing! Wato crawls, fans rally, and Hiromu aims from the apron. Hiromu JOHN WOOS Wato through the gate! Hiromu gets Wato back in the ring, covers, TWO! Wato is still in this but Hiromu keeps his cool. Hiromu drags Wato up but Wato throws body shots.

Hiromu eggs Wato on so Wato throws more shots. Hiromu CHOPS Wato, then shouts “MOTTO! <MORE!>” Fans echo that, and Hiromu CHOPS! “MOTTO!” “MOTTO!” CHOP! Hiromu whips corner to corner, clotheslines, then snapmares to basement dropkick! Fans rally as Wato bails out. Hiromu goes back to the apron, to JOHN- NO, Wato dodges! But then Hiromu dodges Wato to kick low and fireman’s carry. Hiromu takes Wato up the ramp! Fans fire up as Hiromu goes higher and higher, but Wato fights free. Hiromu kicks low to suplex Wato on the stage! The ref reprimands while fans rally and duel.

Hiromu leaves Wato behind while the ref checks him. Wato stirs, Hiromu rolls into the ring, and the ring count begins. Wato rolls his way down the ramp, and Hiromu is amused. The count is 11 of 20, Wato crawls as we reach 14. Wato stands at 15 and slides in at 16. Fans applaud and Hiromu brings Wato up. Hiromu CHOPS Wato, CHOPS him again, then whips. Wato holds ropes, he BOOTS back, and then he runs in, to CALF KICK Hiromu down! Hiromu bails out and Wato builds speed. Wato FLIES! Direct hit and Wato fires up! Fans rally, the ring count returns, but Wato puts Hiromu in at 5 of 20.

Wato aims from the apron, springboards in, but Hiromu gets under! Wato rolls to a corner and Hiromu runs in, but into a BOOT! Wato then runs to BULLDOG! Fans rally, Wato brings Hiromu up but Hiromu swings. Wato gets around to ZIGZAG! Cover, TWO! Wato keeps focus, and he rolls Hiromu into VENDAVAL! Hiromu scrambles to get the ROPEBREAK! Wato drags Hiromu back up to wrench and reel him in. Hiromu fights the lift, but Wato keeps trying. Hiromu wrenches out, fireman’s carries, but Wato slips free! Wato runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but Wato ducks to return, into a spin and FALCON ARROW!

Fans fire up while both men are down. Hiromu staggers up to his feet and brings Wato up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, to CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu then drags Wato back up to another fireman’s carry, to DYNAMITE- NO, Wato sunset flips! TWO, into VENDAVAL! Wato has Hiromu caught but Hiromu reaches out. Hiromu teetertotters the hold but Wato isn’t letting go! Hiromu keeps rocking things back and forth, getting closer and closer, but Wato puts on the pressure! Hiromu still endures, to get the ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer as Wato lets go in frustration. Wato drags Hiromu back up, but Hiromu fights the German Suplex!

Hiromu throws elbows, gets to ropes, but Wato pulls him back. Wato lifts again but Hiromu fights, and he ends up going up and over the ropes onto the apron. Hiromu pries at the waistlock but Wato just goes up the ropes! Hiromu fires more elbows and Wato lets go. But then Wato GAMANGIRIS Hiromu to the floor! Fans fire up, Wato builds speed and Wato TORNILLOS! Direct hit, and Wato puts Hiromu back in. Wato aims, springboards, FLYING UPPER- GERMAN!? Hiromu turns Wato’s flight into a crash landing! Fans fire up while Wato is dazed. Wato crawls to the far corner and Hiromu takes aim.

Hiromu runs in to SHOTGUN Wato into buckles! Then fireman’s carry, but Wato fights it. So Hiromu throws Wato to a dragon sleeper, spins him around, but Wato fights the suplex! Wato scoops but Hiromu fights free. Hiromu ducks the elbow, fireman’s carries again, and TIME BOMB 1.5! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives and fans rally up again. Hiromu roars, he waits on Wato to rise, and then runs, but Wato ducks! Wato comes back, but into the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Hiromu dragon sleepers to inverted suplex, but Wato kicks around to turn things around on Hiromu! Wato scoops, to T T D!! Cover, TWO!!

Hiromu survives the Tenzan Tombstone Driver but Wato doesn’t fret. Fans rally as Wato goes to the apron and climbs up. But Hiromu CHOPS him first! And CHOPS him again! Hiromu climbs up but Wato throws headbutts! Wato adjusts, slips under Hiromu and waistlocks, and brings Hiromu off the ropes! Hiromu throws elbows to get free, but then Wato crucifix takedown, reset and RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but the fans are thunderous for Wato! Wato drags Hiromu up, Hiromu fights the lift and throws elbows, then reaches for ropes. Hiromu gets the ROPEBREAK, but Wato kicks that arm!

Wato reels Hiromu back in, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! It wasn’t quite Tsutenkaku so Hiromu manages to escape! Wato fires himself back up, he chicken wings and half nelsons, but Hiromu fights the suplex to a victory roll! Only for Wato to sit on the cover! TWO!!! But Wato then body scissors, for VENDAVAL!! Hiromu endures, but he’s fading! Fans rally, Wato pulls harder on the hold, but Hiromu gets a second wind! Hiromu fights his way around, uses the teetertotter technique again, but Wato PULLS on the hold!! Hiromu starts fading again! But he gets a third wind and fights his way around to the ROPEBREAK!!

Fans cheer as Wato lets go again. Wato is beside himself, but then he fires back up. Hiromu sputters but Wato brings him back up. Waistlock, TSUTEN- NO, Hiromu fights it! Hiromu throws elbows, reaches for ropes, but Wato brings him away! Hiromu throws more elbows and from all sides! Wato lets go, but then shoves, only for Hiromu to buck the O’Conner. Hiromu ELBOWS Wato, but Wato blocks the lariat to kick, KICK and ROUND- NO, Hiromu ducks to mule kick, front kick, and SUPERKICK! Wato shakes his head, but turns around into HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Fans fire up as Hiromu roars!

Hiromu runs, but into the SCREW HIGH KICK! Wato roars and fans are thunderous! Wato drags Hiromu back up, TSUTENKAKU!!! Bridging cover, TWO?!?!? Hiromu narrowly escapes the bridge, but Wato still has the waistlock! Chicken wing, half nelson, RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu slips free! Hiromu ducks the roundhouse to pump handle and HIROMU-CHAN ROLL!! TWO?!?! Wato shocks himself by escaping! But he turn around into a SUPERKICK! Wato comes back, into another SUPERKICK! Wato staggers around, but he blocks the kick to spin Hiromu, tilt-o-whirl, but Hiromu blocks! And tucks, for a- NO, VICTORTY ROLL!

Hiromu slips free! And jackknife rolls to a fireman’s carry! TIMEBOMB!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Wato survives and the fans are electric!! Hiromu stands Wato up, runs, and HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!!! But Hiromu won’t stop there, he dragon sleepers to inverted suplex, and TIMEBOMB MKII!!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)

Hiromu now knows why Master Wato won this year’s tournament, but the world knows that Hiromu is still THE Best of the Super Juniors! The two show respect to one another, will we see them run it back somewhere down the line?

 

NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championships: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii VS Blackpool Combat Club!

The Dream Trio has been going back and forth with Shota Umino and his pals from overseas, but now the Roughneck might have brought the best combination possible. Will #SHOOTER, Jon Moxley & Claudio Castagnoli bring these belts to AEW? Or will the Rainmaker, Ace of the Universe and Stone Pitbull be too much even for the BCC?

The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if these Death Riders can bring about a Paradigm Shift!

The trios sort out and Shota stares at Okada, much like the last match they were both in. And much like then, Okada just kinda ignores Shota. Fans cheer Tanahashi’s abs as he takes off the jacket, and finally, Okada looks at Shota. Okada talks some trash, then goes to the corner. Instead, Tanahashi steps up. So then the BCC let the Swiss Superman step up! Fans cheer getting to see the ROH World Champion in action as the bell rings. Fans rally up for Tanahashi as he and Claudio circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Claudio uses his height as leverage to put Tanahashi on ropes.

Tanahashi turns things around, Red Shoes calls the break, and Tanahashi lets off slowly. Fans cheer and the two reset. They tie up again, and Tanahashi waistlocks. Tanahashi goes for arms but Claudio resists. Tanahashi shifts to a headlock, Claudio powers up to power out, and he runs Tanahashi over! Tanahashi sits up but Claudio brings him around to RAM into a corner, and then UPPERCUT! Fans fire up, Claudio whips corner to corner, then runs in, but into BOOTS! Tanahashi goes up, and CROSSBODIES! Fans cheer the air guitar, but Moxley gets in to CLOBBER Tanahashi! Moxley mocks the air guitar, but Ishii storms in!

Ishii ROCKS Moxley! Moxley choke grips, Ishii breaks that to choke grip, but then Moxley breaks that to go forehead to forehead. Fans fire up, Moxley ROCKS Ishii and runs to RAM him! But Ishii stays up, roars, and ROCKS Moxley! Moxley roars and ROCKS Ishii! Moxley whips, Ishii ducks and Tanahashi comes back to dropkick a leg! Ishii dropkicks a leg, and Okada BOOTS Moxley out! Claudio returns but into double dropkicks to the legs! Okada dodges Shota to shove him into a LARIAT! The Dream Trio stands tall and fans fire up. Red Shoes reprimands, and the others exit so Tanahashi has Claudio.

Claudio UPPERCUTS! Tanahashi forearms! Claudio forearms, so Tanahashi gives it back! Fans rally as the forearms go back and forth, but Claudio kicks low and UPPERCUTS! Claudio headlocks, Tanahashi powers out and drops, but leaps into Claudio’s arms! BACKBREAKER! Fans cheer the show of strength, and Claudio tags in Shota. Shota dares Okada to tag in, but Okada again ignores him. So Shota runs in to DECK Okada! What’s Okada’s response now? Fans rally, and Okada reaches in. Tanahashi tags him in, and then Shota rushes Okada. Okada dodges, drags Shota out, and whips him hard into railing!

Okada runs in to BOOT Shota up and over the railing! Fans fire up as Okada drags Shota up from No Man’s Land and out along the railing. But Shota slips off to RAM Okada into the post! And then Shota POSTS Okada, to then whip him hard into railing! Okada goes down in a heap, but Shota isn’t done with him, as he confiscates the timekeeper table! Shota CHUCKS it at Okada! Okada goes down, Claudio & Moxley throw Ishii & Tanahashi into railing! Shota returns the table to the timekeeper and the BCC “apologize” to Red Shoes. Shota drags Okada up, puts him in the ring, and fans applaud.

Shota stalks Okada, stomps him, then tags Moxley. Fans cheer as the Maniac stomps Okada now. And KICKS him in the chest! And again! And again! Okada falls over, tag to Claudio, and he stomps Okada. Claudio gut wrenches Okada up for the SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this but Claudio tags Moxley back in. The BCC mug Okada, and then split the wishbone! Moxley stomps Okada, gets a leg, and turns Okada for a HALF CRAB! Okada endures but Ishii storms over to CLUB Moxley off the hold! Fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Shota tags in, he stomps a leg, then BLASTS Ishii and Tanahashi off the apron!

Shota goes back to Okada, but Okada BLASTS Moxley and Claudio! Shota fires off on Okada in the corner, digs his boot in, but Red Shoes reprimands. Claudio tags in to stomp a mudhole into Okada! Claudio then lets off, to run in and BOOT Okada! Tag to Moxley, and he runs in to clothesline! Snapmare, KICK, cover, TWO! Moxley facelocks and he drags Okada back. Shota tags in again, and he hoists Okada up. Moxley runs, HART ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Okada is still in this but Shota argues with his dad about the count. Red Shoes says that was a fair count, so Shota kicks and taunts Okada.

Fans rally, Shota keeps egging Okada on with those scuffing kicks, and then he starts slapping Okada around. Okada swings, Shota catches him, but Okada fights the clinch. Shota kicks low, Okada BOOTS him back! Shota comes right back to CLUB away on Okada! Shota whips Okada corner to corner, runs in, but Okada dodges! Okada kicks and DDTs Shota down! Fans fire up while both men crawl. Hot tags to Claudio and Tanahashi! Tanahashi dodges to fire off fast hands on Claudio! Tanahashi whips, Claudio reverses but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! Moxley gets in, Tanahashi shows forearm, but he dropkicks the legs out!

Shota runs in but Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS him down! Fans fire up with Tanahashi and he runs, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio BOOTS, but Tanahashi roars! Claudio runs, but Tanahashi blocks the boot to a DRAGON SCREW! Fans fire up while both men are down. Tanahashi crawls, hot tag to Ishii! Fans fire up as Ishii RAMS Claudio! Claudio ROCKS Ishii, suplexes, but Ishii fights it to suplex. Claudio fights but Ishii powers through to suplex high and hard! But Moxley kicks ow and whips Ishii to the corner. Ishii comes back to run Moxley over! Shota RAMS Ishii, but Ishii stays up to DECK Shota!

Fans fire up with the Stone Pitbull as he goes back to Claudio. Ishii fires forearm after forearm, but Claudio ROCKS him right back! Claudio SWATS Ishii’s lariat, UPPERCUTS him, then torture racks for a RACK BOMB! Tag to Moxley and fans fire up again. Moxley runs at Ishii in the corner to clothesline! Moxley gives another clothesline, and another clothesline, and then climbs up! Moxley rains down fists and fans rally with every shot! Moxley gets TEN, then he BITES Ishii! Red Shoes reprimands, Moxley lets off at 4, then he apologizes. But Ishii BOOTS back! Ishii runs, Moxley trips him and puts on the FIGURE FOUR!

But Okada stomps Moxley! Ishii is freed, Okada whips Moxley to ropes, and Okada boots, but Moxley blocks! Moxley trips Okada, but Okada kicks him away. Ishii ROCKS Moxley, Okada BOOTS Moxley, and they double whip him to ropes, but he DOUBLE LARIATS in return! Fans fire up and Moxley drags Ishii up. Moxley reels him in, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Tanahashi breaks it! Claudio goes after Tanahashi and throws him out hard. Claudio goes out after Tanahashi to send him into railing! Fans rally as Moxley sits Ishii up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Fans rally, Moxley runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!

Moxley stays clamped onto Ishii with a SLEEPER! Ishii endures but he’s already pretty red. Moxley shifts his grip to squeeze even tighter! Ishii fights up, reaches out, but then he SAIDOS! Moxley is right back up!? But Ishii LARIATS! Moxley’s right back up to LARIAT! But Ishii’s right back up!! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither falls! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Moxley wobbles, Ishii runs, but Moxley slips around, DEATH RIDER!!! Moxley wants Ishii to get back up, and then he runs to to CURB STOMP!! Cover, but Okada breaks it! Shota goes after Okada and throws him out! Claudio BOOTS Tanahashi, then drags Ishii up!

Claudio scoops Ishii but Ishii fights free! Ishii staggers, into an UPPERCUT! And a KING KONG LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!!! Ishii survives and fans fire up again! Moxley’s busted open from that headbutt but that just motivates him. Moxley flips the Dream Trio off and calls his shot. Moxley drags Ishii up, underhooks, DEATH- NO, Ishii fights free to ROCK, HEADBUTT and ENZIGURI! Moxley wobbles, Tanahashi SLINGBLADES! Ishii SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Moxley survives but Ishii roars! Okada brawls with Shota, Tanahashi grapples with Claudio, and Ishii suplexes Moxley, but Moxley slips free! CUTTER!!

But Ishii’s right up to LARIAT!! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! Fans rally, Shota and Okada are on their corners. Hot tags to the Roughneck and Rainmaker! Okada catches Shota for a HUGE FLAPJACK! Fans fire up as Shota flounders to a corner. Okada storms up, whips Shota corner to corner but Shota reverses. Shota runs in, into a BOOT! Okada SHOTGUNS Shota down! Fans fire up and Okada drags Shota up to wrench and MONEY CLIP!! Shota reaches out, Tanahashi goes after Moxley and fires hands. Okada squeezes tighter but Shota endures and fights up! Shota reaches out, and gets the ROPEBREAK!

Okada lets off with slapping hands! And a series of scuffing boots! Okada just HAMMERS away on Shota, then runs, into a DROPKICK! Fans fire up again as Shota BLASTS Ishii and Tanahashi! Claudio gets Okada by the legs, SWISS SWING!! Claudio goes around again and again and again, all the way to TWENTY-EIGHT!! Then the BCC get Okada up, Shota joins in, SHIELD POWERBOMB!!! High stack, TWO!!! Okada survives, which is good as Ishii is a nanosecond late! Claudio throws Ishii out, Moxley builds speed and Moxley DIVES to take out Ishii! Claudio goes out to keep Tanahashi down and Shota aims at Okada!

Shota runs in, SWINGING NECKBREAKER! And then underhooks, but Okada fights the lift! Okada back drops Shota away! Shota is right back up, runs back in to kick, but he runs into a DROPKICK! Okada staggers around while the fans are thunderous! Okada ripcords, RAIN- NO, Shota gets under and around, crisscrosses Okada’s arms, kicks low and reels him in, ELEVATED DEATH RIDER!!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Okada survives and the fans are electric! Shota roars, he brings Okada up again, and underhooks again. Okada fights it, Tanahashi runs in to SLINGBLADE! Claudio swings, but into TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!

Moxley kicks, Tanahashi blocks to spin him! Moxley ROCKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Ishii GERMAN SUPLEXES Moxley away! The Dream Trio has Shota all alone! They fire up, Okada BOOTS, Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS and Ishii LARIATS! And then they get Okada up, BOOSTED DDT!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Shota survives and fans are thunderous again! Claudio and Ishii brawl, Tanahashi and Moxley brawl, and Okada drags Shota up. Okada scoops but Shota slips free to throw a forearm! Okada scowls but Shota gets in his face. Shota throws forearms but Okada eggs him on!

Shota swings, Okada dodges and spins Shota, but Shota ducks the discus to kick low! Underhooks, but Okada scoops! EMERALD FLOWSION! And then ripcord, RAINMAKER!!! Cover, The Dream Trio wins!!

Winners: Kazuchika Okada, Hiroshi Tanahashi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions)

It was one hell of a battle, but Shota and his mentor could not defeat the Dream Trio! Moxley is upset, he wants a mic! Moxley gets the mic, “Check one. Is this on? Hey, mother effers, I got somethin’ to say!” Abe-san helps him by pressing the on button. “Arigato. Hey! A lot of people think the three guys standing in the ring right now might be the best wrestlers in the world, but I disagree. The BCC disagrees, because we train with the undisputed best wrestler in the world, and we bring a message.” Moxley points to the tron.

“For the last 10 years, I’ve heard people talk about how great you are. How you’re the best wrestler of this generation. And I’ve also heard in interviews, that you said you wanna wrestle me. That you wanna fight me. Watching you, you’re good. I know you’re good. But I am the litmus test of ‘great.’ You wanna wrestle Bryan Danielson? You call yourself The Rainmaker? When you step in the ring with me, you’re going into the EFFING DESERT! And there ain’t no rain.” Fans go nuts seeing the American Dragon call out Okada! Fans chant “YES! YES! YES!” and Okada gets the mic. His response: “Bryan… You’re damn right I’ll fight you, ya bastard!”

Bryan just said stepping into the ring with him is like going into the desert? Then Okada’s gonna make it rain and drench that desert of Bryan’s! Fans love the sound of that! Okada then says, “Time to step through the Forbidden Door.” Fans really love the sound of that! Will Okada slay the American Dragon? Or will Bryan bring about a drought in Toronto?

 

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: SANADA w/ Just5Guys VS Yota Tsuji w/ Los Ingobernables de Japon!

The Cold Skull won this title back at Sakura Genesis, but his short reign could be cut short here tonight! Will Tsuji bring about an apocalypse for Sanada? Or will NJPW still belong to Just5Guys?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the newest member of LIJ defeats the newest defector!

Takagi leaves commentary so he can be with the rest of LIJ, and Tsuji offers the fist bump. The others get on the apron, and fans cheer as they accept the fist bump. The bell rings and fans fire up as the two stare down. Fans are fired up for “YO-TA! YO-TA!” and he grins. Sanada seems a bit wary as he approaches, as Yota is a big dude. Yota just stares Sanada down as Sanada continues to approach. Sanada then backs off and fans applaud. The two circle slowly, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock as fans rally and duel. Yota pulls Sanada into a headlock and he grinds the hold. Sanada endures, throws body shots, and powers out. Yota runs Sanada over!

Fans cheer as Yota stands over Sanada and grins. Things speed up, Sanada drops then hurdle- SPEAR!! Yota takes Sanada out of the air and Sanada tumbles out of the ring! Fans fire up, Yota builds speed, and FOSBURY FLOPS?!? Fans are going nuts and Yota stands up with a big grin and a raised fist! Takagi is back on commentary and he can’t believe it! To him, that looked more like something Titan would do! Yota puts Sanada in, raises the arm and fans rally up. Sanada slowly rises, Yota takes a three point stance, and Yota runs in, but into a BOOT! Sanada stops the Spear but Yota comes right back!

Sanada blocks the Spear with a facelock and sprawl, but Yota suplexes first! Sanada slips out to SKULL END!! Yota is in the body scissors and Sanada squeezes tight! Yota endures, fans rally up, and Yota pops out of the sleeper, only for Sanada to get him again! SKULL SWING, and then SKULL END!! Yota is back in the body scissors as fans rally up. Yota fights around, reaches out, but Sanada thrashes the hold! Yota’s fading! Sanada lets him go to go up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Yota saves himself, and fans rally while both men are down. Yota grins as he sits up. Is he having fun!?

Sanada stands, as does Yota. Yota ROCKS Sanada with a forearm! Sanada CHOPS in return! Yota ROCKS Sanada again, so Sanada CHOPS again! Sanada steps to Yota and Yota throws a forearm! Sanada CHOPS, Yota forearms, repeat! Yota just smiles as he ROCKS Sanada again! Sanada scowls as he UPPERCUTS! Sanada whips, Yota reverses, and Yota scoops Sanada for a BACKBREAKER! Yota gets the legs, and powers Sanada right over to a BOSTON CRAB! Yota is using a Young Lion level hold on the world champion to add insult to injury! Sanada endures, but Yota sits deep on the hold!

Fans rally and duel, and Sanada crawls towards ropes, only for Yota to pull him back! And then Yota reaches back to get Sanada’s arms! REVERSE CAMPANA! Sanada endures while Yota swings him around, and then Yota HIP DROPS him! Fans fire up with Yota and he brings Sanada up. Yota wrenches Sanada into a reverse Gory Especial! And hits a VERTEBREAKER!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but Yota keeps cool. Yota goes up a corner, fans fire up, and Yota goes to the very top, for a ROUNDING BODY PRESS! But he FLOPS as Sanada dodges! Yota got a bit cheeky there, trying to steal Sanada’s favorite diving move.

Fans rally up while both men are down. Sanada goes to his corner and J5G coach him up. Yota runs in, but Sanada ELBOWS him! Sanada Quebrada but Yota gets under. Sanada dropkicks the legs and then DROPKICKS Yota out! Fans fire up as Sanada aims, to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Yota! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans oblige and Sanada is satisfied. Sanada drags Yota up and puts him in the ring. Fans rally, Sanada has them get louder, and then Sanada springboards in to MISSILE DROPKICK! But Yota’s right up!? And he SUPERKICKS Sanada!

Fans rally again while both men are down. Red Shoes checks and both men stir. Yota sits right up and fans cheer. Yota catches his breath by he nods as he stands up. Yota brings Sanada up, reels him in, but Sanada blocks the suplex! Yota throws body shots and he suplexes again, but Sanada knees free! Sanada and Yota storm up and Sanada CHOPS! Yota CHOPS back! Sanada is really stinging, but he comes back to CHOP again! Yota CHOPS again, and Sanada is stinging again! Yota grins, Sanada CHOPS, and Yota just keeps grinning! It’s starting to get a bit scary. Yota CHOPS, Sanada CHOPS, repeat!

Fans rally up with every CHOP, and Yota CHOPS! Sanada drops to a knee as he clutches his chest! Yota brings Sanada up but Sanada ROLLING ELBOWS! Sanada roars and runs, but Yota ducks the discus to BACKBREAKER, SLAM and STOMP! Yota then suplexes Sanada, for the POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives the Orange Crush but Yota roars! Yota drags Sanada up, hoists him up top, and CHOPS him again! Yota then climbs up after Sanada and fans fire up. Yota brings Sanada up to the very top, CLUBS him, then clinches, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY!!! Cover, TWO!!!

Fans fire up that Sanada survives, and now Yota’s rage boils up! Yota powers up again and fans cheer him on! Sanada rises, Yota hits the three point stance, and SPEAR- NO, Sanada ducks it! DROPKICK! Yota stays up, runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! Throw into the SKULL END, but Yota arm-drags free! Yota blocks the Shining Wizard!! But Sanada blocks the superkick! Sanada reels Yota in, but Yota cartwheels outta Deadfall!??! And SUPERKICKS again! V-TRIGGER! HEADBUTT!! Yota roars, runs, and CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!???! Sanada survives that Gene Blast Blitz, but fans are thunderous for Yota!

Yota waits on Sanada to rise, and he runs in again, but he ducks ‘n’ dodges the clotheslines first. Yota SPEARS into a DROPKICK!! Fans are thunderous again as Sanada avoids disaster! Sanada goes up top, ROUNDING BODY PRESS!! Direct hit, and then Sanada runs to SHINING WIZARD!! Fans are thunderous as Sanada hits DEADFALL!!!! Cover, Sanada wins!!!

Winner: Sanada, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)

Yota Tsuji is truly a genetic freak, but he still fell short of dethroning Sanada! And even in defeat, he smiles. Yota is in the G1 Climax, will he turn it into the “Gene 1?”

As for Sanada, he gets the mic, and he tells Tsuji, “With what you’re capable of achieving, and what you can learn in LIJ, I’ll be waiting for your challenge anytime. Hey, let’s do it again.” Fans like the sound of that! Sanada then turns to the crowd to say that the next time NJPW is in Osaka will be for the G1 Climax. And this year, going in as the champion, Sanada vows to win it and name his own challenger! Sanada then looks to Taichi, who is also in the G1, and Taichi points to himself and says, “Me?” Sanada figures why not. But for now, Sanada wants to “do this thing.” Sanada says, “Gift, if you please.”

The lights go down and the phones come out to be the stars. Sanada says “Everyone, I have something really important to tell you all today. How’s that song go? ‘Osaka, so close, and yet so far away. I miss it so much, but something something.'” The fans encourage Sanada that he can remember it. The other Just5Guys aren’t quite sure what song he’s talking about, though. “Seriously, what was it?” The fans start singing for him. What? “‘I’m missing?'” Okay, okay. Sanada starts from the top. “Osaka, so close yet so far away. I’m missing it, Osaka. But honestly, out of everywhere in Japan, I love Osaka the most!”

Fans cheer because he said the thing! “OI, OSAKA! See you next time!” Sanada drops the mic, kicks it away, and the golden streamers fly! The Cold Skull Era has only just begun, will he make it through the Summer heat to decide his own fate?


My Thoughts:

An awesome, absolutely stacked Dominion. The kickoff match (which wasn’t part of the broadcast) being another Young Lion gauntlet challenge was really weird, especially when no one’s won even one prize. And opening with Ospreay VS Archer was a surprising choice but it was an awesome match all the same. I figured Ospreay would win, he and Omega can have just an awesome match, and depending on how they wanna play off the current story in AEW of Elite VS BCC, Ospreay could win that US title off Omega to bring it back to Japan and have it more involved in story here. And yeah, I skipped the 8 Man Tag, but we still saw all those guys as part of the main event so no big deal.

The United Empire as a whole had a great showing tonight, even though they went 50-50. Catch 2/2 winning to take the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles back was a bit of a surprise, I had hoped the Jet Setters would get to defend against more teams. Meanwhile, I figured ZSJ would retain and Bishamon would win the tag titles. In ZSJ’s case, it was a great surprise that it was under 10 minutes, and they’re doing this so ZSJ can still feud with Samoa Joe, TV Champ VS TV Champ. For Bishamon, it is mostly because Aussie Open is injured, and I figured NJPW would default to Bishamon for the time being.

Bullet Club also had a really strong night tonight, even though Finlay was the only one in a match. Connors gets Moloney to join him in Bullet Club to go after the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles, and then in an even bigger surprised, Coughlin & Kidd both turn Heel to join up and go after the Heavyweight & Openweight Tag titles. I guess Bullet Club needed some new bodies to replace those Finlay kicked out (ELP, Jay White, and I guess in a way, Juice), and this is a great chance for these younger guys to move up in the world. Finlay of course retains the NEVER Openweight title as yet another example of a Heel faction leader using his faction members, but I look forward to where things go from here.

Great stuff from Hiromu VS Wato, and as great as Wato has done, it all makes sense as to why Hiromu won. Great NEVER Openweight Six Man title match, and they did a great job teasing the BCC coming close to winning. But the Dream Trio of course wins to keep those titles here in NJPW, and I love that we’re getting Okada VS Bryan at Forbidden Door. And of course, an awesome main event for the world title, and Yota Tsuji really is a genetic freak. That Fosbury Flop was awesome given his size. But at the same time, I figured Sanada wasn’t losing, his reign is only a couple months old.

We’re getting a great G1 field, and I bet both Sanada and Yota have great showings. It has been awhile since a world champion won the G1, but I don’t think Sanada’s the guy they’re gonna give that to. And regardless of who wins, holy crap I hope Kaito Kiyomiya and Kazuchika Okada meet. From the graphic they gave us, it looks like they’re in separate blocks, so the only way they would is in the finals. But that’d be fine, because the finals would let them go all out, which is exactly what we need to see between them.

My Score: 9/10


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Coverage

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

Talk about a Big Time Raw!

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Will The Man be the Last Woman Standing?

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

Jey Uso is here!

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

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

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

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is on the phone.

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winners: DIY, by pinfall (advance to WrestleMania)

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

 

Judgment Day meets backstage.

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

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

Winners: Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell, by submission

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

 

Cody Rhodes makes his way to the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Nia Jax speaks.

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

 

Cody Rhodes returns backstage.

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

 

Dominik Mysterio w/ JD McDonagh VS Ricochet!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall

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

 

Sami Zayn is backstage.

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

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

 

Adam Pearce is in the ring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Sami confronts Gable now.

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

 

CM Punk speaks.

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

 

Drew McIntyre is here!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Becky Lynch speaks.

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

Liv Morgan confronts Becky Lynch.

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

 

Cody walks with his dog, Pharaoh, backstage.

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

 

Last Woman Standing: Becky Lynch VS Nia Jax!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Winner: Becky Lynch

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

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

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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

The semifinals are here!

Published

on

We’re just one step away from the Cup!

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

OFFICIAL RESULTS

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

PLAY BY PLAY

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

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

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

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

No Contest

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

2024 New Japan Cup Semifinals: SANADA VS Hirooki Goto!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


My Thoughts:

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

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

My Score: 8.9/10


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