Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (1/22/18)
All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Woman Tag: Absolution, Nia Jax & Alicia Fox VS Mickie James, Bayley, Sasha Banks & Asuka; Mickie, Bayley, Sasha & Asuka win.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Roman Reigns VS The Miz w/ The Miztourage; The Miz wins and becomes the new WWE IC Champion.
- Bray Wyatt VS WOKEN Hardy; Wyatt wins.
- Titus Worldwide VS Heath Slater & Rhyno; wins.
- The Balor Club VS The Revival; The Balor Club wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE Raw Preshow exclusively on the WWE Network
Your #RAW25 Pre-Show panel is ready… @ReneeYoungWWE @rosenbergradio & @DavidOtunga are looking ahead to an amazing night! pic.twitter.com/wSCLfwCDLR
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Renee Young, David Otunga & New York’s own Peter Rosenberg kick us off on this historic occasion in Barclays, but Jerry “The King” Lawler & Good Ol’ JR are in the Manhattan Center!
Goosebumps. Already.@JRsBBQ & @JerryLawler are LIVE at @TheHammerstein for #RAW25! pic.twitter.com/j2bdYhyRQ9
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The fans chant “Twenty-Five! Twenty-Five!” as WWE promises #Raw25 to be historic, unpredictable and exciting!
Backstage interview with The APA!
……..DAMN! @JCLayfield & #RonSimmons are protecting the backstage area TONIGHT at #RAW25! pic.twitter.com/lvkN4Tl9hL
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
“What is the Raw 25th Anniversary without the APA?” Nothing. JBL & Ron Simmons have been around a long time, protecting people and making cash. Mr. T, Rebecca Romain, and best of all, everyone had to knock on the door regardless of who they are. Should they come back one last night? Simmons wants to show some punk rookies some manners. JBL is onboard, but JBL doesn’t have the keys. Simmons doesn’t either! The APA head out to find the keys, leaving Charly in charge. Is the APA returning for this historic night!?
Bayley speaks.
Sunday may be the Women’s Royal Rumble, but the Huggable One is excited for tonight’s 25th Anniversary of Raw! She is star struck, as she meets Trish Stratus! Bayley grew up watching Trish and Lita as the top two women. Trish thanks Bayley and says she’s proud to see Bayley doing the same. Will Bayley get over being star struck long enough to make an impact going into the Royal Rumble?
The New Day speaks.
Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston & Big E are all ready for #Raw25! The history, the legends, and the moments, just like their moment of becoming the longest reigning W, W, E , Tag, Team, Champions~! Not to mention it has been ten years of Kofi Kingston himself, “baybyyyyyyyyyyyyyy~….!”
Monday Night Raw main show
It's about to be ???#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/M2Kwfy8QXW
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The Manhattan Center starts us off!
The place Monday Night Raw debuted is just one of the sites where this 25th anniversary celebration takes place!
But the Barclays Center is rocking just as hard!
Commentary returns to ringside, and we welcome both Stephanie and Shane McMahon in the ring.
What a way to kick off #RAW25…with #RAW Commissioner @StephMcMahon and #SDLive Commissioner @shanemcmahon! pic.twitter.com/RG1pp35T2B
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Commissioners of Raw and SmackDown stand together and give a shout out to Brooklyn! The McMahons thank the various WWE superstars that have made this show a success, as well as the “unsung heroes” behind the scenes. They also thank fans young and old for their support. Now to take a quick look back on the 25 glorious years of Monday Night Raw!
Stephanie and Shane thank the fans again, but promise Raw is just getting started. There is one very special person they should thank above all. The one person who had the determination and vision to make Raw a success. This one person is why Stephanie and Shane are even here at all, and yes, they mean the Chairman and Creator of Raw, VINCE MCMAHON!
It wouldn't be #RAW25 without the STRUT!@VinceMcMahon is LIVE on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/IU83FKtHu2
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
“Twenty-five years, that is truly amazing!” Vince hears the “Thank you, Vince!” chants and Stephanie wants Vince to know it was thank you. Well Vince is normally not the kind to pat himself on the back or smell the roses, but tonight, he’s gonna do it all! But before he leaves, Stephanie & Shane have a surprise! This plaque is a gift on behalf of everyone, from Stephanie to Shane to every fan around the world, that commemorates the 25 years of Raw. The fans again chant “Thank you, Vince!” Isn’t it nice? It’s a plaque.
Stop, smell the ???, and enjoy the plaque! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/eJwiKDzKMv
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Yes, a commemorative plaque. That seems a bit cheap. Well, this is Brooklyn. Fans don’t like that. So a bunch of cheapskates gave to “GoFundMe” and only got a plaque? “Yes! Yes!” Plaque is what’s on all your teeth and in your arteries! After all Vince has done and this is what he gets? Vince has one person to thank, and it’s not anyone in his family or in the back! Now Brooklyn calls Vince “Asshole! Asshole!” Stephanie doesn’t need to translate that. Vince thanks himself and only himself! There is not ONE person– GLASS SHATTER!
OOOHHHHHHH HELLLLLLLLL YYEEEEEEAAHHHHHHHHHH!@steveaustinBSR is HERE! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/owfCXlKYR4
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Stone Cold Steve Austin heads right to the ring! The fans go nuts while Austin stands up on the turnbuckles and gives those iconic middle fingers! Vince has Austin calm it down, but the fans are losing their minds. “Don’t encourage him!” Vince sees the look in Austin’s eyes. It has been some time since they’ve both been in the ring. “What?!” Austin looks great, by the way, but Vince admits he’s not. Vince has heart problems, some kind of murmur, not to mention his brittle bones and arthritis. He even lives in a retirement community now. Vince hopes Austin will go easy on a senior citizen. Not only that, but Vince also points out that Shane is still in his prime! Doesn’t he look great? Shane and Austin shake hands, and Austin even raises Shane’s hand. The fans cheer, then the Stunner!
Thanks for comin', @shanemcmahon!#RAW25 @steveaustinBSR pic.twitter.com/rMeGix11Q6
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Vince lets that happen, and even gets Austin those beers. Brooklyn wants that Stunner “One More Time!” Shane can’t take another Stunner. Vince cracks the beers open, and even excuses the splatter on his suit. They drink, then hug, then raise hands, then have another drink and hug, but… “Stun His Ass!” “Yes! Yes!” Vince asks kindly not to, but no dice. STUNNER!
AAAAAAAAAND ANOTHER ONE! STONE COLD STUNNER! STONE COLD STUNNER! STONE COLD STUNNER!#RAW25 @steveaustinBSR pic.twitter.com/K2WAQmuUEv
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Shane manages to stand up, and has himself some beer, before another Stunner! A truly enjoyable start to the night, what other memorable moments happen before Raw is over?
Oh, how we missed you, @steveaustinBSR! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/Tzl1g4uxBu
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
8 Woman Tag: Absolution, Nia Jax & Alicia Fox VS Mickie James, Bayley, Sasha Banks & Asuka!
#RAW25 just got LEGIT, because here comes former #RAW #WomensChampion @SashaBanksWWE! pic.twitter.com/5ILVbCouGd
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The Royal Rumble makes history on Sunday with the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble match. Which women of Raw will get the last bit of momentum before this momentous occasion?
Nia goes right after Asuka, and it is an eight woman brawl!
WE GOT A BRAWL going on as tensions are HIGH heading into the first-ever Women's #RoyalRumble match! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/YFQ1adFLWS
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The referee tries to restore order but that’s difficult as he’s outnumbered. The teams settle down and regroup, and it is The Empress of Tomorrow to start against Absolution’s Gladiator. The bell rings and Asuka fires off on Sonya Deville! Asuka runs, and hits Sonya with those hips. Sonya is against ropes as Asuka kicks away. She slips out of the ring and regroups with Paige while we go to break.
Raw returns and Mandy goes after Asuka, only to get kick after kick. Mandy reversee a whip but Asuka uses that wipe out Alicia and Sonya with a hip attack!
Watch where you're whipping @WWEAsuka, @WWE_MandyRose… #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/fik1bYAdO4
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Asuka gets Mandy with the pop-up knee strike, then a sliding shining wizard! The fans fire up as Asuka tags in The Boss. They double suplex Mandy, Mandy scrambles to tag Nia! The Brutal Beauty has the fans fired up as she shoves Sasha. Sasha kicks back, kicks low, running knee of her own, TWO. Nia spinebusters Sasha down! She stalks Sasha before flipping her over for a cover, TWO. Nia drags Sasha up and puts her in a corner, Mandy tags in. Mandy stomps a mudhole into Sasha, then tags in Sonya. Absolution works together to mug Sasha with body shots. Tag to Alicia, Ms. Crazy like a Fox gives Sasha the Northern Lights!
What is @AliciaFoxy's ? to the @WWEUniverse for #RAW25? A BEAUTIFUL #NorthernLightsSuplex, of course! pic.twitter.com/IlhLEddYP5
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
TWO! Foxy keeps on Sasha with a chinlock, but fans rally for The Boss. Sasha endures the squeezing and thrashing while Bayley gets fans going stronger. Foxy throws Sasha down then covers, ONE, so it’s back to the chinlock. The fans keep rallying, Sasha gets up while the fans sing for Bayley. Sasha fights and throws Foxy off but Foxy boots her down! Cover, TWO, but Foxy keeps on Sasha with that chinlock. Sasha gets up again and backs Foxy down into a buckle. Foxy throws Sasha down again, then taunts her partners. Mickie rushes Foxy but is kept back, we go to break again.
Raw returns to see Foxy still in control of Sasha. Sasha fights back form a corner, then hops up but Sonya shoves her down! Bayley goes after Sonya, Asuka and Mickie get Mandy and Nia! Alicia gets caught in the Bank Statement!
BANK ON THIS! @SashaBanksWWE just won it for her team of @itsBayleyWWE @MickieJames & @WWEAsuka just six nights before #RoyalRumble! #RAW25 #RumbleForAll pic.twitter.com/bLzrbwynbE
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Alicia taps, Sasha’s team wins! And then Asuka turns on her team to throw them out a la the Rumble! Sasha tries but fails to hit a Bank Statement, Asuka throws her out, too!
MESSAGE SENT by the #EmpressOfTomorrow @WWEAsuka!#RAW25 #RumbleForAll pic.twitter.com/UIQGBZD9Z8
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Will the Empress remain undefeated even after facing 29 other women?
Kurt Angle speaks to a referee in his office.
The Raw General Manager wants tonight to be about celebration, not chaos. With Brock Lesnar in the same ring with Kane and Braun Strowman tonight, Angle wants to keep something from happening. The referee assures Angle things will remain calm. Then Angle is visited by The Coach, Johnathan Coachman!
If one thing's for sure, it's that… @TheCoachrules!#RAW25 @RealKurtAngle pic.twitter.com/OSG00LN85o
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The former GM is honored to be back and see his old friends again. Speaking of, here comes Harvey and The Brooklyn Brawler! And even Teddy Long! The guests don’t stop there, it’s Brother Love! He loves everyone here! Wait, there’s more. It’s the BOOGEYMAN!! And he’s still eating worms… He shares some with Coach before taking his leave. Awkward…
It's that kind of night…#RAW25 @realboogey @TheCoachrules @RealKurtAngle @brawlerreal @TeddyPlayaLong #BrotherLove #HarveyWippleman pic.twitter.com/zpYkFCA0QU
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Who else will surprise us with an appearance tonight?
Raw returns to the Manhattan Center.
The Empire State building glows red for Raw, and The King hopes he gets to see some “puppies” in person. That aside, celebrating Raw wouldn’t be complete about celebrating The Undertaker, who has been here since the original episode. Whether he was alongside Paul Bearer, alongside his Brother of Destruction, Kane, or standing alone against any and all challengers, The Phenom is always iconic. And, he’s here! The fans in the Manhattan Center lose their minds as The Deadman walks out to the ring.
#Undertaker! ????? #Undertaker! ????? #Undertaker! ?????#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/xvzAFXnHtY
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
They give Undertaker a standing ovation as he stands in the center, and then chant his name. Undertaker then speaks, and they fall silent. “The carnage began on this sacred ground of evil, 25 years ago.” And for those 25 years, Undertaker dug holes to bury his foes. For 25 years, Taker would rip legends off their pedestals and throw them down. From Stone Cold to Mick Foley to even his brother Kane, they all “answered to the Reaper.” “They all tried, they all failed.” Undertaker says that on this sacred ground, he declares, “for all of those who have fallen”, it is time to “Rest! In! Peace…!” The Undertaker is cryptic as ever, what do his words here tonight mean for the future?
Where it all began… The #Undertaker walks the sacred ground of Monday Night #RAW once again! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/KYZaerXT3Z
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The APA hang out with Slater & Rhyno.
They also play cards. Read ’em and weep, JBL! Pair of Threes! Full House. The APA win the pot. But Slater has kids! Well their daddy’s broke. A knock on the door, and in comes a wad of cash. From the Million Dollar Man, Ted DeBiase! JBL deals him in, for old times’ sake.
When @MDMTedDiBiase joins your poker game, BUSINESS PICKS UP! #RAW25 @JCLayfield @HeathSlaterOMRB @Rhyno313 pic.twitter.com/054sai18oG
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Raw welcomes back former General Managers!
First, John “People Power” Laurinaitis! Second, current NXT GM William Regal. And the controversial Eric Bischoff! Oh, and a surprise appearance by General Manager of SmackDown, Daniel Bryan!
NOW IT'S A PARTY! YES! YES! YES!#RAW25 @WWEDanielBryan @RealKingRegal @EBischoff @JohnLaurinaitis pic.twitter.com/o5jfUQM27A
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Of course, The Miz ruins Bryan’s time in the spotlight as he comes out to have his time.
The most tense seconds of the night thus far…#RAW25 @mikethemiz @WWEDanielBryan pic.twitter.com/jKgG0hP1p6
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Roman Reigns VS The Miz w/ The Miztourage!
BIG. DOG.#RAW25 @WWERomanReigns pic.twitter.com/X69yaq7GKk
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Big Dog has the title in His Yard, but the Hollywood A-Lister wants it back. Which man will make history on this historic night?
We are UNDERWAY for the #ICTitle as @WWERomanReigns defends against the 7-TIME champion @mikethemiz! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/KLGjoyEQIU
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The bell rings, the two circle, and fans duel over whether or not Roman sucks. Roman and Miz tie up, Roman shoves Miz to a corner. Miz wants Roman to stay back while he gathers himself, and the referee obliges. The two circle again, fans continue to be thunderous both ways. Miz slips out of the ring but Roman grabs his hair, so Miz elbows him away. Miz climbs up, jumps, but gets rocked by an uppercut! Roman looms over The Miz as he gets to ropes, then slips outside. Bo Dallas won’t allow the Drive-By, so he takes a right hand! Axel stays back, Miz mises the wrecking ball dropkick, Roman rocks him with another uppercut. Axel distracts this time, Miz boots Roman down. Miz puts Roman into steel steps!
Is @mikethemiz on his way to becoming an 8-TIME #ICChampion?!#RAW25 #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/p37rAmuG9b
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Miztourage bark around Roman as we go to break.
Raw returns to see Miz and Roman corner to corner. Roman rallies with big lariats. He whips but Miz reverses, only to get run over by the leaping lariat. Roman stalks Miz into another corner, and gives those close-range clotheslines. He hits all ten, then runs for the boot! The Miztourage looks worried while the fans are a thunderous mix.
The #Miztourage has a front row seat, and they're not liking what they see!#RAW25 #ICTitle @TheBoDallas @RealCurtisAxel pic.twitter.com/86kwMdEkWH
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Roman takes aim, locks and loads, but The Miz escapes. Roman pursues on the outside, Drive-By! Miz falls down, but Roman keeps eyes on The Miztourage. Roman puts Miz in the ring, takes aim and runs in, only to hit post! Miz uses the ropes for leverage as he rolls Roman up! TWO! Miz recovers, walking off the dropkick while catching his breath. Roman sits up, Miz starts the “It Kicks!”
Look familiar, @WWEDanielBryan? #RAW25 #ICTitle @mikethemiz pic.twitter.com/VKdyh3iaXK
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Miz runs in for the buzzsaw but gets blocked, into a powerbomb! TWO, and Roman is shocked. Miz regroups with The Miztourage while Roman catches his breath. Roman slips out of the ring again, and gives The Miztourage the Drive-By! He throws Axel into the LED apron, and then Bo into the post so hard he goes flying! Roman throws Axel into the timekeeper’s area, but then gets blindsided by Miz’s boot! Miz puts Roman in the ring, hurries for the Finale but Roman throws him off. SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO, and Roman is shocked again. Both men slowly stir, and Roman is the first to stand up. The fans cheer and jeer while Roman gets to a corner. Bo returns to anchor Roman, Miz hits his signature corner clothesline! The referee reprimands The Miztourage, then ejects them!
SEE YA BYE, @TheBoDallas & @RealCurtisAxel!#RAW25 #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/INUTeCNBz0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Miz is devastated, he no longer has his henchmen to help him. Roman rolls him up, TWO, SUPERMNA PUNCH for The Miztourage! SKULL-CRUSHING FINALE!! TWO?! The Miz cannot believe he didn’t steal that win! Brooklyn declares “This is Awesome!” then return to dueling between who likes Roman and who likes Miz. Miz tries for another but Roman powers out with back elbows. Miz staggers, Roman runs in, but into an exposed buckle?! SKULL-CRUSHING FINALE AGAIN! The Miz wins!! He is once again THE Intercontinental Champion! The Miz becomes the second-highest Intercontinental Champion behind only Chris Jericho, can he make this reign last through Wrestlemania?
HE'S DONE IT! Here is your winner…and NEWWWWWW #ICChampion (for the 8TH TIME) @mikethemiz! #RAW25 #ICTitle pic.twitter.com/gaWldJtB1J
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Who knows WHERE that turnbuckle pad went? But it doesn't matter…@mikethemiz has made history by winning the #ICTitle on #RAW25! pic.twitter.com/L6xzwS8WMn
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The APA’s backstage poker game has expanded.
Heath Slater, Rhyno, Ted DeBiase Sr, The Usos, MVP and even Jeff Hardy are back there playing. Slater has Ace High, MVP has even higher. Who else will join this star studded game of cards?
Some more familiar faces have joined the poker game backstage…#RAW25 @JEFFHARDYBRAND @The305MVP @WWEUsos pic.twitter.com/qBLq0EWpLa
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
WWE Presents Christian & The Peep Show!
PEEP SHOW TIME!#RAW25 @Christian4Peeps pic.twitter.com/JWyGm4e64u
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Captain Charisma hears a lot of Peeps in Brooklyn. He misses the WWE Universe. Christian knows about being a tag team champion, and has seen it all. Or so he thought, because tonight’s guests are the Raw Tag Team Champions, who won their first night as a team. His guests are Jason Jordan & Seth Rollins!
Look at the threads…
You might say @WWERollins & @JasonJordanJJ are stylin' and profilin' in the #RAW25 swag! pic.twitter.com/99RyIHO6BH
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The Gold-Blooded Son and The Architect walk to the ring and shake Christian’s hand before taking a seat. Rollins is happy to be here, Jordan takes over, and fans boo. Jordan knows this is about the upcoming title match, but before that he wishes to say it’s an honor. However, the fans drown him out. Jordan continues on, he’s also honored to be in the presence of all those legends. He also thanks the fans for their “continued support”. Jordan also congratulates his father, Kurt Angle, for assembling such amazing talent, despite what the fans think. He wants the fans to give a round of applause to Angle, the fans aren’t playing along. That’s when The Bar decides to come out!
THE BAR has just been raised on the PEEP SHOW…#RAW25 @WWECesaro @WWESheamus pic.twitter.com/uLcl696I8W
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Cesaro & Sheamus speak. “Jordan, Jordan, Jordan.” He needs to slow down, he has it all wrong. Those superstars and legends are here to hang out with Sheamus & Cesaro, because “we ARE the Bar!” Funny enough, those same superstars and legends all expect Cesaro & Sheamus to take back those title belts, and thanked them in advance. Angle doesn’t suck, Jordan sucks! Brooklyn agrees, “You Suck! You Suck!” Rollins tries to keep Jordan calm, but Jordan still starts a fight! Rollins helps him out, then DIVES on Sheamus! Jordan grabs Cesaro, Rollins flies in, but Cesaro evades!
Consider @WWERollins and @JasonJordanJJ ONE-UPPED by #TheBar @WWESheamus & @WWECesaro! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/UposPnYwU9
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Jordan goes down from the flying knee, and Brooklyn celebrates. The Bar grins and gloats on their way out, will they leave Philadelphia with gold?
Backstage interview with Alexa Bliss.
The Goddess knows history is being made on Sunday with the Women’s Rumble. Does Alexa think she’ll still be champion at Wrestlemania to face the winner? Is that an insult? Alexa is champion and Goddess, but here comes a Champion who is also a Queen! Charlotte Flair lets Alexa know that the only reason Alexa is champion is because they’re on separate shows. Charlotte doubts Alexa will make it to ‘Mania. She doesn’t have the size, speed or pedigree, and “to be the woman, you gotta beat the Woman.” Ask the man himself! Ric Flair appears. Alexa is lovely, she is champion now, but he promises his daughter will be the champion every day until Wrestlemania and even after, all the way until she hangs up the robe! WOO~!
#RAW #WomensChampion @AlexaBliss_WWE… meet #SDLive #WomensChampion @MsCharlotte AND @WWE Hall of Famer @RicFlairNatrBoy!#RAW25 #WOOOOOOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/G8p570St40
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The APA’s card game has even more players.
Natalya and even Titus Worldwide~ have joined, and they’re all beating Slater. He has a straight, The Queen of Harts has a Queen of Hearts Royal Flush. Dana Brooke crunches the numbers, Slater’s lost “a lot of money”.
"I crunched the numbers…you lost a LOT of money!" – @DanaBrookeWWE to @HeathSlaterOMRB #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/rufjLPvQB8
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Bray Wyatt VS WOKEN Matt Hardy!
He's here…at @TheHammerstein.#RAW25 @WWEBrayWyatt pic.twitter.com/bURrQvl77v
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
HE IS #WOKEN! @MATTHARDYBRAND is set to go one-on-one with @WWEBrayWyatt at @TheHammerstein LIVE on #RAW25! pic.twitter.com/TGvaLahzgH
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Eater of Worlds comes to the Manhattan Center, but so has the WOKEN WISDOM! The Great War truly begins on #Raw25, who will take this first battle?
The bell rings, Hardy gives forearms and runs, but Bray catches him. Hardy avoids Sister Abigail and rocks Bray to a corner. Clothesline and hammer fists, Hardy then laughs in Bray’s face. Bray shoves Hardy away but misses his clothesline, Hardy gives him a Russian Leg Sweep. Hardy climbs up, fans fire up and cheer “DELETE! DELETE!” as he hist the ax handle. Hardy continues, kicks but Wyatt shoves him away, they run the ropes and Bray runs Hardy over with a body check!
Now THIS is an absolute COLLISION!#RAW25 @WWEBrayWyatt pic.twitter.com/NFHN9dHrjV
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
He laughs while Hardy is dazed and we go to break.
Raw returns to Hardy hitting a jawbreaker on Bray. They both stagger, but Hardy blocks and retaliates with forearms. He “DELETE DELETE DELETE” bumps Bray’s head off buckles, then runs in for a clothesline. Bray denies the bulldog, but Hardy evades in the corner. Bray leans back and Hardy says it’s “WONDERFUL~!” The two stare down, Hardy laughs again. Bray runs out, and into a Side Effect! TWO, but Hardy doesn’t’ stop there. “DELETE! DELETE!” echoes out, Hardy kicks but Bray denies the Twist by putting Hardy against ropes. Bray yanks Hardy into the ropes, then hits Sister Abigail! Bray wins this opening encounter! Will the Face of Fear outlast the WOKEN Wisdom in this Great War?
#WOKEN @MATTHARDYBRAND has officially been introduced to #SisterAbigail, as @WWEBrayWyatt picks up the win at @TheHammerstein! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/pKKZ0M5xLX
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
WWE welcomes back legendary women!
Welcome back to #RAW, ladies!@BellaTwins@TheBarbieBlank@JackieMooreTx@Torrie11@McCoolMichelleL@trishstratuscom@MariaLKanellis@TheTerriRunnels@LilianGarcia@MaryseMizanin pic.twitter.com/0EpHYoN5hB
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The Bella Twins are back, along with Maryse, Kelly Kelly, Lilian Garcia, Jacqueline, Torrie Wilson, Michelle McCool, Terri Runnels, Maria Kanellis, and… Trish Stratus!
IT'S TIME TO ROCK AND ROLL!
Great to see @trishstratuscom BACK on Monday Night #RAW!#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/JulIL9a4oj
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Backstage, Elias encounters CHRIS JERICHO!
.@IAmEliasWWE, meet @IAmJericho! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/pc5JxVH1RQ
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Ayatollah of Rock ‘n’ Rollah has a song for The Drifter. May he borrow the guitar? No. That’s fine, he has his own. Jericho doesn’t want to walk with Elias. Why? He’ll give you the gist. Elias is a stupid idiot who just… Just kidding, no he’s not! Elias made the List! “And you’re stupid scarves, too!”
You thought you were safe, @IAmEliasWWE?
WRONG! YOU JUST MADE THE LIST (and your scarves, too)! #RAW25 @IAmJericho pic.twitter.com/TdjtwIFuc1
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”
#RAW25 WANTS TO WALK WITH @IAmEliasWWE! pic.twitter.com/2qCmKmpHqK
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The Drifter still performs for the Barclays Center despite what just happened. And he still asks “Who Wants to Walk with Elias?!” Twenty-five years and WWE finally got it right with him. And yes, WWE stands for “Walk With Elias”. The Royal Rumble this Sunday will be great, but tonight has celebrities and legends. Elias has a song for tonight, so please silence cell phones, hold applause and shut mouths or he won’t sing. The fans like the sound of that! They call him “Stupid Idiot!” after Jericho. In that case, Elias is gonna leave! The fans also like the sound of that! Elias reconsiders, because he spotted Jimmy Fallon!
Does @jimmyfallon want to WALK with @IAmEliasWWE? Let's find out…#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/eiaVkw72tJ
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
“Hey Jimmy, let me show you how it’s done.” Elias begins playing and fans clap along. “HBK had his time and now he’s done. Stone Cold saw me coming, and decided to run. Undertaker is a decrepit old man, he should buy a ticket to Elias and sit in the stands.” Fans boo. “Chris Jericho is a big phony, and in the past, he’s stuck. As far as The Rock goes, well I gotta say that, Rocky Still Sucks! Now forgive me if I forget any names, Elias is here and he’s changing The Game. John Cena’s not a legend, not like me at all. John’s more like Brooklyn, because he has no balls. It’s a Royal Rumble, and I’m gonna win–” John Cena appears!
MUSIC TO OUR EARS! @JohnCena is LIVE on #RAW25! pic.twitter.com/WhzxqLNyti
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Leader of the CENAtion is here to mixed reaction as always. Even so, Cena appreciates the noise. “And just so you know, Elias, both myself and Brooklyn have balls, because there they are right there.” Yes, Beach Ball Mania made a return, but only for a moment. Elias tells Cena to “shut your damn mouth! No one wants to hear you. They came to hear me!” Brooklyn continues to have mixed reactions. Cena ruined Elias’ moment? “Do something about it.”
The game just changed, @IAmEliasWWE.#RAW25 @JohnCena pic.twitter.com/Ov8TmVKLDP
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Cena prepares to fight, and waits for Elias’ response. Fans want to see this go down, but Elias says “That’s not how this works, John.” Elias doesn’t take orders from Cena nor does he take orders from “these Brooklyn Scumbags.” Elias turns to leave, then goes after Cean! Cena knew it was coming and rallies with his shoulder tackles. He hits the Spin-out Powerbomb, and then raises the hand to say “You Can’t See Me!” Five Knuckle Shuffle, and the fireman’s carry, but Elias slips down for a low blow uppercut! Elias grabs his guitar, takes aim at Cena, and SMASH!
The song of @IAmEliasWWE was just played…across the BACK of @JohnCena! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/MsP8bmo3Sv
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The guitar explodes off of Cena’s back, Brooklyn actually likes that. He then picks Cena up and hits Drift Away! Elias sends a message to Cena and the WWE Universe, will he make Cena #DriftAway for good?
The APA’s poker game is bigger than ever!
The New Day join in, and they serve pancakes. JBL goes all in on this hand! So does everyone else! Slater has a Full House!
"JUST LIKE MY WIFE'S FAVORITE SHOW, BABY… FULL HOUSE!"#RAW25 @HeathSlaterOMRB pic.twitter.com/0I7RkRvEuL
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
How? That has to be cheating! The others protest, JBL shouts everyone to calm down. Simmons agrees, Poker Games aren’t for fighting. If they want to fight, go to the ring! In that case, they will! DeBiase wins this hand, and Simmons has one word to say: “DAMN!”
.@MDMTedDiBiase wins the pot…#RonSimmons says…#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/4Svs6iUFp0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Mark Henry walks the halls of Barclays Center.
It still ain't easy… GODFATHER'S IN THE HOUSE!#RAW25 @TheMarkHenry pic.twitter.com/4TeVEVHdar
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
The World’s Strongest Man finds The Godfather, and a lovely guest of his, Olivia. Godfather explains that Henry was once known as “Sexual Chocolate”. That was a long time ago. Though, Godfather stayed the same. Her name was Olivia, yes? Yes. Slow down, Henry, this is MRS. Godfather. Things really have changed.
Titus Worldwide VS Heath Slater & Rhyno!
The tensions of the poker game have spilled into the #RAW25 ring as @HeathSlaterOMRB and @Rhyno313 battle @TitusONeilWWE and @ApolloCrews! pic.twitter.com/Q10N51IubB
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Just as The APA suggested, this fight from the poker game spills out into the ring. This match will not only settle their argument, but can also help towards climbing the Raw Tag Team Division ladder!
The bell rings, Titus argues with Rhyno over tagging in Slater. Rhyno chops Titus again and again, Titus puts him in a corner. Titus gives Rhyno a chop, Dana says “That’s what you get for cheating!” Titus gives Rhyno another chop then tags in Apollo Crews. Crews wrenches but Rhyno reverses, then tags in Slater. Slater ax handles the arm then wrenches it more before yanking away. Crews whips Slater but Slater runs him over. Slater whips Crews, Crews reverses, things speed up and Crews drops Slater with a dropkick. Crews dares Slater to come at him, then kicks him low and into a suplex. He holds Slater up there a good, long time before slamming him down. Titus Worldwide~ are in control as we go to break.
Raw returns and now it’s a brawl! Neither team backs down, the ref throws the match out. The Dudley Boys are here! Bubba Ray & D-Von head to the ring! Titus Worldwide, Slater & Rhyno get out of the way, but Bubba wants to take them all on! The fans chant “E C Dub!” while the stars of WWE figure this out. Fans chant “We Want Tables!” as well. Rhyno forces Slater into the ring! He ends up taking the scoop slam, and then D-Von climbs. “WAZZUP!?”
WAZZAAPPPPPPPPP?! ??????#RAW25 @bullyray5150 @TestifyDVon pic.twitter.com/JOQd1QOc0Q
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Flying headbutt! They’re not done here, because Bubba tells D-Von and the fans, “GET THE TABLES!” D-Von has a little help from Rhyno as the table comes out. Bubba sets it up, D-Von grabs Slater, for the 3D!! Will that toughen Slater up?
THIS, @HeathSlaterOMRB, is called a 3D! Welcome to DUDLEYVILLE!#RAW25 @bullyray5150 @TestifyDVon pic.twitter.com/k1NaUQdqjz
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Backstage interview with WWE Champion, AJ Styles.
The Phenomenal One has someone helping him on this interview for the 25th Anniversary of Raw. Charly moves aside for… MEAN GENE OKERLUND! Mean Gene is honored to be here for this. He asks Styles about his 2v1 Handicap Championship match. “Well lemme tell you something, Mean Gene!”
"WELL, LET ME TELL YA SOMETHIN', MEAN GENE!"@WWE Hall of Famer @TheGeneOkerlund is getting the #RoyalRumble report from the @WWE Champion himself, @AJStylesOrg! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/KeUzafREUy
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Styles will defend his title against #Kami, who believe they’re better than Styles and that the #YEPMovement is superior to the #YESMovement. #Kami thinks they’ll be the first ever co-champions. Styles won’t allow it, because Styles knows that in the end, they’ll say “And still WWE Champion, The Phenomenal AJ Styles!”
Degeneration X reunites in the Manhattan Center!
#DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #DX #RAW25 @TripleH @ShawnMichaels pic.twitter.com/9vTzLXFxpe
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
Shawn Michaels and Triple H head to the ring to give out DX glow sticks and even spit water. The fans chant “DX! DX!” before Michaels speaks. What is HBK’s most favorite moment? He can barely remember even 25 minutes ago. But, he does think back and surely, his favorite has to be the one with the giant sausage- We can’t tell that story here. Then how about that Christmas when- No, can’t tell that one, either. Well y’know what? HBK is really annoyed that he used to be the boss of the team, but now HHH is boss of everything. HBK doesn’t get to do things anymore. Even so, go ahead and watch those days on the WWE Network for just $9.99. HHH knows HBK still has it, but the fans still have it, too. The Manhattan Center started it all! The fans lit the spark that started the fire that became the inferno that is the WWE.
"25 years later, WE are here because of YOU!" – @TripleH#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/I9PWJCbhhZ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
HHH & HBK started something, too, walking out to the ring with Ravishing Rick Rude and the Ninth Wonder of the World, Chyna! DX would do whatever they wanted and say whatever they wanted, and has always been at the forefront. They were here from the first Raw to driving a tank to WCW’s front door and starting the Monday Night Wars, to being here tonight for the 25th Anniversary! This is home. HHH vows that DX will be at the forefront of the next 25 years, starting tonight. “Are you ready?!” Because DX didn’t come alone. “Oh you didn’t know?” The New Age Outlaws are her!
OH, YOU DIDN'T KNOW?!#RAW25 @WWERoadDogg @RealBillyGunn pic.twitter.com/zPBW8UNJ4H
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Road Dog, Jessie James! The Badass, Billy Gunn! But there’s still more, because X-Pac is here!
The #DX ARMY is GROWING! @TheRealXPac is in the HOUSE!#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/SL2VrKpUEj
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
And while this is a DX reunion, they can’t have a Raw celebration without… Razor Ramon, aka Scott Hall! We go to break while the legend makes his way to the ring.
#RAW25 is officially OOZING MACHISMO!@SCOTTHALLNWO is back at @TheHammerstein! pic.twitter.com/9O92WRGuCs
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Raw returns and Hall says “Hey yo!” Everybody knows you can’t have a party without The Bad Guy. Hall was watching the show, and he’s sure everyone agrees, it’s “Too Sweet~!” The Balor Club appears!
Now THIS is TOO SWEET! The #BalorClub is LIVE at @TheHammerstein!#RAW25 @FinnBalor @LukeGallowsWWE @KarlAndersonWWE pic.twitter.com/Z6yqsykg0d
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Finn, Karl & Luke are here and the fans lose their minds. The Balor Club enters the ring and stands across from DX and Razor Ramon while fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop woop!” They all Too Sweet together.
IT'S A TOO SWEET PARTY!#RAW25 #DX #BalorClub pic.twitter.com/Nt1CG8kb1I
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
And if you’re not down with that, “Say Yeah!” The Revival comes out?! Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson head to the ring, because they want their match to start already.
The Balor Club VS The Revival!
The Machine Gun and Director of Chaos are the opponents, but Dash & Dawson don’t wait for a bell before blindsiding them in the ring! Dash stomps away on Anderson before backing off with Dawson. The bell rings and Dash pounces, then tags to Dawson so they can mug Anderson in their corner. Dawson kicks Anderson then whips and runs Anderson over with a back elbow. He mocks the Too Sweet before dropping a legdrop on Anderson. Dawson tags Dash in and bumps Anderson off the knee, then they mug him a bit more before Dash puts on a headlock. Dash grinds Anderson down but Anderson powers out and sends him into buckles. Dash tags Dawson to stop Anderson, but Anderson powers out of a headlock to hit a jumping calf kick. The fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop woop!” Anderson and Dawson tag in Gallows and Dash, Gallows rallies on Dash. Big corner splash, but he has to ditch Dash to boot Dawson down. Roundhouse for Dash, then a tag to Anderson, the Balor Club boys hit Magic Killer! The Balor Club wins! Hall and DX celebrate with this new generation, and give another grop Too Sweet. However, Dawson calls out The Bad Guy. Hall flicks his toothpick, X-Pac hits the X-Factor! Road Dogg gives jabs, Billy gives the Famouser! Dash gets up, to get a Sweet Chin Music and a Pedigree! And everyone turns to Finn, telling him to go up top. In that case, Finn obliges, climbs up and takes aim for… COUP DE GRACE! “And if you’re not down with that, we’ve got two words for ya: SUCK IT!”
TWO WORDS FOR YA from @TheHammerstein!#RAW25 pic.twitter.com/Q5nUW3x8Wl
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Raw General Manager, Kurt Angle, heads to the ring.
And he takes no chances tonight, he brings out several legends and current superstars to bare witness to this closing segment.
UP NEXT: @RealKurtAngle has paraded a sea of legends and @WWE Superstars to the ring for an epic confrontation between @BrockLesnar @BraunStrowman & @KaneWWE! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/qyeN2NQemJ
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Angle thanks Brooklyn before recounting that the Universal Championship will be defended in a Triple Threat. He first introduces the Monster Among Men, Braun Strowman.
A monster walks among us… HERE COMES @BraunStrowman!#RAW25 #UniversalTitle pic.twitter.com/edXBW7qQF6
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
Next comes the Big Red Machine, Kane. Current superstars are needed to keep these two apart from each other.
The #BigRedMachine @KaneWWE is on the scene, and tensions are MOUNTING… #RAW25 #UniversalTitle pic.twitter.com/rlM40QYwMj
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
And finally, “Ladies and gentlemen”, Paul Heyman appears to make sure these “fighters” are ready. Of course Heyman introduces the most relevant man in all 25 years of Raw, “the reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion, BROCK LESNAR!!”
BUSINESS JUST PICKED UP! #UniversalChampion @BrockLesnar isn't wasting ANY time!#RAW25 #UniversalTitle @HeymanHustle pic.twitter.com/NMfOQmIeZB
— WWE (@WWE) January 23, 2018
The Beast heads to the ring while the mere mortal superstars exit it. Strowman barrels through Kane to then storm up the ramp and meet Lesnar halfway! Lesnar clubbers Strowman then goes after Kane, to hit an F5! The Beast roars, but Strowman returns. Strowman resists the German Suplex to then clothesline Lesnar out. Strowman pursues Lesnar to then throw him into the barriers. He clears off the announce table and the announcers clear out! Strowman hoists Lesnar up and over, to slam him through the table! The Monster Among Men looms over the Beast before returning to the ring. Will Strowman be the last titan standing at the Royal Rumble?
The #MonsterAmongMen @BraunStrowman stands TALL on #RAW25 and the FINAL #RAW before @WWE #RoyalRumble! pic.twitter.com/RQNWNo2rB8
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) January 23, 2018
My Thoughts:
This was only a pretty good Raw for the 25th Anniversary when it should’ve been great. WWE trying two locations immediately sounded sloppy, but I suppose they did about as good as they could have while still keeping to what they needed to do before the Royal Rumble. First, starting with all the McMahons and Stone Cold was classic and logical because of all the great moments where Austin stuck it to Vince and his family for trying to stick it to him first. The Women’s Division being the first match of the night was fun, but there appeared to be pacing problems with the commercials. We go to a commercial only to return right before the finish of the match, that felt a bit poorly planned. However, having Asuka then turn on her team to remind everyone about the Rumble was great, because she is definitely Raw’s favorite to win. The various moments with legends were also great, and Undertaker’s was most cryptic. It could be a confirmation of his retirement or it could be a confirmation of his return but we won’t know until Wrestlemania creeps closer.
Roman VS Miz was solid stuff in the ring and went as expected, even down to The Miz winning with stealthily underhanded tactics. Of course, Roman being without a title now clears him to face the Universal Champion, Brock Lesnar, at Wrestlemania as is the general theory. It was great to see The Peep Show return while also forwarding The Bar VS Rollins-Jordan just a bit. While the knee strike to Jordan was “inadvertent”, this could be setting up Rollins VS Jordan for them to have something down the line that wraps up at Raw’s Elimination Chamber this year. Wyatt VS WOKEN Hardy was rather sudden but having it at the Manhattan Center was still fine in my opinion. If there was more time, I’m sure there could have been a promo from Wyatt or Hardy about bringing their powers to the birthplace of Raw to frame this match better. Wyatt winning was a nice surprise, and I’m sure they’ll have more matches post-Rumble before finally having something fitting of the BROKEN Universe at Wrestlemania. There were also a lot of dark match/house show moments at the Manhattan Center, which surely made the experience for those fans unique and worth a lot of the wait. Especially when they got the main event match segment where all of DX, Scott Hall and even The Balor Club appeared to join together as Faces to shut up the cocky Revival. Then the closing segment was a bit rushed but still exciting as Strowman stands tall once again. This probably won’t change the plans of Lesnar VS Roman for the title, but it honestly should, as everyone loves Strowman and would be so excited to cheer for him.
My Score: 8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Who heads for the Tokyo Dome?
Even with ROH Final Battle on the horizon, Athena, Billie Starkz, Red Velvet & Leyla Hirsch battle to be part of NJPW’s International Women’s Cup! Who will represent ROH at WrestleDynasty?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup ROH Qualifier Fatal 4 Way: Athena VS Billie Starkz VS Red Velvet VS Leyla Hirsch; wins and advances to WrestleDynasty.
- The Outrunners VS The Premier Athletes w/ Mark Sterling; win.
- Toa Liona w/ Bishop Kaun VS Lee Johnson w/ EJ Nduka; wins.
- Dustin Rhodes & Sammy Guevara VS ???
- Madison Rayne VS ???
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: Grizzled Young Veterans VS MXM Collection; win(s) and
- ROH Pure Championship: Lee Moriarty VS Matt Taven; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Fight the cold by fighting for gold!
Best friends no longer, Mina Shirakawa wants to take the AEW Women’s World Championship from Mariah May, and break her heart like Mariah broke hers! Who will truly be the ice queen of AEW?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White; Moxley & Pac win, by disqualification.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay; Ospreay wins.
- Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly; Cole wins and will face MJF at Worlds End.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa; Mariah wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-0, 9 points
Shelton Benjamin: 1-1, 3 points
Kazuchika Okada: 1-1-1, 4 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
Mark Briscoe: 1-1, 3 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-0, 6 points
Brody King: 1-1, 3 points
Will Ospreay: 1-0, 3 points
Ricochet: 1-1, 3 points
Darby Allin: 1-1, 3 points
Komander: 0-2, 0 points
Jon Moxley & PAC w/ The Death Riders VS Orange Cassidy & Jay White!
It was last Saturday that the AEW World Champion and his band of rogues almost poisoned Freshly Squeezed, if not for FTR saving him. And it was last Wednesday that Pac & Wheeler Yuta almost got one over on The Switchblade, if not for Jay White’s top tier toughness. But will tonight be the night The Maniac & The Bastard destroy their enemies once and for all? Or will unlikely allies be able to win another battle in this war for AEW’s soul?
The teams sort out and while fans cheer on Cassidy, White works to convince him that White should start. Cassidy isn’t so sure, but then he warns White! White turns around and he DECKS Pac first! Moxley runs up but Cassidy SHOTGUNS him down! The fans fire up as Cassidy kips up and DIVES onto Pac! White slides out to SMACK Moxley off the desk! White fires hands, SMACKS him off the desk again, then CHOPS! Cassidy sends Pac into railing, the fans fire up more, and Cassidy ROCKS Pac! White CHOPS Mox, then RAMS him into the apron! Pac is sent into more railing! Moxley is sent into railing!
The fans fire up but Pac whips, only for Cassidy to reverse! Pac hits more railing! Fans on the other side count along as White rains down fists on Moxley’s head! White stops at nine so he can BITE Moxley’s head! The fans fire up and Cassidy DECKS Pac! White CLAWS Moxley’s back, and Cassidy CLUBS Pac. Pac and Moxley stumble into each other, so White and Cassidy trade! White sends Pac into railing while Cassidy does the same with Moxley! The fans fire up more, and now Cassidy climbs up so he can rain down fists! The fans count along, and Cassidy is almost about to fall as he reaches nine! Cassidy uses that to his advantage, and he runs back up to BOOT Moxley!
White SMACKS Pac off the desk! Fans high-five Cassidy but Moxley turns things around! Moxley fires knees, then he sends Cassidy into steel steps! White gives Pac more SMACKS off the desk, then puts him in the ring. The ref has White hold on, and finally the bell rings! White then JABS, wrenches, and scoops Pac for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, Moxley breaks it! The ref reprimands and fans boo but Moxley steps back. Moxley tags in, he gets in White’s face and he ROCKS White with a forearm! White goes to a corner, Moxley storms up on him, but Moxley blocks a boot! So White kicks a leg! White fires hands and the fans fire up!
White CHOPS, but Moxley CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” as the CHOPS keep going! White CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Moxley snarls but White gives him more CHOPS! White CHOPS in the corner, then whips corner to corner. White runs up but Moxley ELBOWS him! Moxley storms up, but into a clinch! Moxley powers out, runs up again, but into a BOOT! Cassidy tags in and he runs to DROPKICK Pac! Cassidy then puts Moxley in the corner to fire off hands! Moxley shoves Cassidy, Pac sneaks a tag, and Moxley avoids an Orange Punch! Cassidy runs but Pac BOOTS him down! Pac kicks Cassidy out, then distracts the ref so Moxley can DESK BACK SUPLEX!
Cassidy slumps to the floor, Pac goes out to stomp away! White protests but this only lets Pac stomp Cassidy more! The ref reprimands Moxley & Pac but Moxley puts Cassidy back in. Pac stalks Cassidy, then stomps him down! Pac taunts White, goes back to Cassidy, and Pac snapmares Cassidy to the ropes. Pac stomps Cassidy right on the face! The fans boo but Pac stomps Cassidy again, then digs his boots into Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, and we get a glimpse of The Patriarchy up in a skybox! Captain Charisma is clearly in no rush to cash in his Casino Gauntlet contract, or else he’d be much closer to the action.
The fans boo as we see Christian Cage on the tron, but in the ring, Pac tags Moxley. Pac & Moxley drag Cassidy up to mug him, and Moxley CLAWS at Cassidy’s face! The ref counts, Moxley stops at 4, and fans boo more. Moxley kicks and stomps Cassidy, then talks trash, but Cassidy springs up to SUPERKICK! The fans fire up while both men stagger around! Moxley and Cassidy reach for their corners, hot tags to Pac and White! The Switchblade rallies on The Death Riders! Then he dodges Pac to BACKDROP him! The fans fire up with White, there are many Gold Members in Kansas City, Missouri!
White runs at Pac in a corner, and UPPERCUTS! White then CHOPS, whips, but Pac reverses. White comes back to wrench and DDT! Moxley runs in, but into a wrench and DDT! Moxley staggers, White tells Mox that he has his number! White runs up on Pac in the corner, but Pac BOOTS White down! Death Riders have turned the tides while Dynamite goes picture in picture,
Pac drags White up, TOSSES him out, and then he tags Moxley. Moxley goes after White and brings him around to crotch him on the railing! Moxley then runs up to BOOT White over! Moxley flips off Kansas City because clearly they boo him, and then he goes out after White in the crowd. White fights back! They brawl out there, but Moxley ROCKS and TOSSES White back to ringside. Moxley puts White in the ring, storms up on him, and paces around. Moxley stomps White’s hand, then tags Pac. They mug White, then Pac riles up the fans. Pac stomps White around, taunts the fans, but the fans rally up.
Pac BLASTS Cassidy off the corner! Pac goes back to White but White CHOPS him! Pac BOOTS White back down! Pac then CHOKES White by kneeling on his neck! The ref counts, Pac steps off to taunt Cassidy, then Pac drags White up to snapmare him to the corner. Tag to Moxley and he’s already up top! Moxley jumps down to STOMP White! Christian Cage is still watching intently as White fights from below. White CHOPS but he’s the one that falls over! Dynamite returns to single picture as Moxley puts White in another corner, and Moxley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans do count along, and Moxley goes PAST TEN to FIFTEEN!
The fans boo but Moxley hops down to KNEE White again and again! Moxley digs his knee in, but stops as the ref counts 4. Moxley drags White up and DECKS him! Moxley CLAWS White’s face, the ref counts, but Moxley pushes White down. The fans rally but Moxley drags White to the corner. Tag to Pac, Moxley stomps White in the stomach, and Pac drops knees on White’s face! Cover, TWO! White is still in this and Pac argues with the ref. The ref defends the count, and White rises up to CHOP! Pac eggs White on so White CHOPS again! Pac SOBATS and White falls! Pac mockingly asks, “Is this it?!”
Pac paces while White sputters and crawls. Pac drops down to have a headlock on White. The Patriarchy talks, and Christian has Nick Wayne, Mother Wayne & Kip Sabian head out, but for what purpose? White endures, fights around, and reaches out for a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Pac lets go, and then the ref makes sure Marina Shafir & Wheeler Yuta stay back. Pac checks with Moxley, then keeps on White in the open corner. Pac drags White over to bump him off buckles, then tags Moxley. Moxley pie faces White but White CHOSP! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Moxley HEADBUTTS White, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO!
Moxley clamps onto White’s legs to tie them up in a reverse deathlock! Moxley throws down crossface forearms, but White BITES Moxley’s hand! The ref reprimands, Moxley gets free and tags Pac. Pac KICKS White down, then KICKS him again! White shakes his head so Pac KICKS him again! The fans rally, Pac mocks them for it, and the fans boo Pac for that. Pac kicks but White blocks! White grins and hits a DRAGON SCREW! The fans fire up while both men are down! White and Pac crawl, Moxley warns Cassidy, but we get hot tags to Cassidy and Mox! The fans fire up as Cassidy storms up on Moxley and the forearms start flying!
The fans are on Cassidy’s side, he fires a flurry, but Moxley fires a flurry of body shots and knees in return! Moxley JABS, ROCKS, and runs, but Cassidy doges to Alabama Lift! Moxley rolls through but gets a PENALTYO KICK fore it! Pac is back but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls for a DDT! Cassidy kips up while fans fire up, and Cassidy climbs a corner! But Moxley is up after him! Cassidy BITES Moxley! Moxley falls back, Cassidy hits DEEP IMPACT! Cover, TWO! Moxley stays in this but Cassidy fires back up! The fans rally, Cassidy pulls on the elbow pad, but Moxley sits up! REAR NAKED CHOKE!
Cassidy rolls back to have a cover, TWO as Moxley lets go! Cassidy builds speed, ducks ‘n’ dodges, tilt-o-whirl and DDT! Pac is back again, but Cassidy ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ tilt-o-whirls, but this time Pac blocks! Pac powers through to suplex, but gets STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! White is back in and gives Pac a CUTTHROAT SUPLEX! Moxley BOOTS White down! Cassidy Alabama Lifts Moxley for BEACH BREAK!! Cover, TWO?!? Moxley survives and Kansas City is shocked! Cassidy rises up, the fans rally up, and Cassidy goes to a corner. But Yuta gets on the apron! The ref stops Yuta but Marina grabs at Cassidy!
Cassidy KICKS Marina away! And he runs up to ORANGE PUNCH Yuta!! Moxley runs up, Cassidy dodges, ORANGE PUNCH!! Off comes the elbow pad! The fans are thunderous and Cassidy aims, but HANGMAN PAGE SPEARS MOXLEY!!
Winners: Jon Moxley & PAC, by disqualification
This isn’t Cowboy S*it, this is BULL, because Hangman just handed Moxley the win! Granted, Hangman’s raining down fists on Moxley, but Cassidy is upset. Cassidy brings Hangman off but Hangman shoves him away! Hangman rains fists back down on Moxley, CHOKES him even, but now Cassidy is pissed! Cassidy drags Hangman away from Moxley, but Hangman punches Cassidy! So now Cassidy and Hangman are brawling! The fans are torn but Hangman ROCKS Cassidy! So White goes after Hangman! These rivals brawl it out, a score still to be settled, but then Hangman gets loose! Cassidy runs up, Hangman ducks, ORANGE PUNCH hits White!
Hangman swings, misses, ORANGE PUNCH for Hangman! BLADERUNNER for Cassidy!! The Death Riders are amused, because their enemies are doing their dirty work for them! And now the Death Riders attack Cassidy, White and Hangman! The fans boo but Moxley kicks Hangman out of the ring while Yuta digs his boots into Cassidy. Pac & Marina beat up White, the fans tell off Yuta, but Moxley has his crew head out. Will nothing and no one stop this literal reign of terror?
The Most Wanted is back!
The little western town sees Bandido arriving, and the sheriff’s men are ready for a fight! They tell Bandido that he’s wanted, so he’s under arrest. They can do this the easy way, or the hard way. What’s it gonna be? Bandido hops off his horse, puts his hat and cape aside, and so the hard way it is. The sheriff has his men apprehend Bandido, but Bandido TIGER WALL KICKS the sheriff, DOUBLE DROPKICKS his men, then kips right up! Bandido says bring it, so the sheriff runs up! Bandido BACKDROPS him away, grapples with his biggest man, and that guy fireman’s carries Bandido! He claims that reward is all his!
But Bandido slips free, SHOVES the man into the railing, and then with a finger gun, he says BANG! Bandido runs up, pommel horses off the big guy to DROPKICK the sheriff, and then he hits the BLACKJACK 21 GERMAN SUPLEX on the big guy! Bandido stands tall after the shootout, but where will we see him next?
The Death Riders regroup backstage.
Moxley says, “I’m a marked man. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Being a marked man is the only way to live, it’s the only way to feel alive! The only way to live is with a knife to your throat, with the dynamite stick burning down to the end of the wick. That is the only way to live and I wouldn’t have it any other way!” Moxley says these guys, their problem is their egos! They wall want that next title shot! Moxley mockingly runs around arguing with himself, “I want the next title shot! No I want the next title shot!” That’s the problem! YOUR EGOS RUN YOUR LIVES! EGOS RUN ALL ELITE WRESTLING!!
Moxley says none of this is about him, it’s about his people. They do not fight flesh and blood. He’ll give all three of them an “early Christmas gift.” Worlds End in Orlando, Florida, the AEW World Championship, FATAL 4 WAY!! Moxley heads out, Death Riders following, and the champ just raised the stakes on himself! Will The Maniac be able to win his own gamble? Or will there be a NEW AEW World Champion one way or another?
Christian Cage speaks.
Still up in the skybox, Captain Charisma tells Kansas City, “As I literally and figuratively look down on you, sit down and shut your mouths while I conduct my business!” The fans boo, but Christian continues. “So it’s a four way match at Worlds End, huh? Well, I have a problem, a very- SHUT UP!” Fans boo more but Christian says he has problem with every person in that match. Jay White cost Christian the world title at Full Gear, and so did Hangman Page when he didn’t live up to his end of the bargain. And while Orange Cassidy is just a pissant that gets on Christian’s nerves, Moxley is the real problem because he has what Christian wants.
The fans boo more but Christian says if Moxley happens to make it out of that match still the champion, know that Christian very well might be waiting on the other side. And if he is, then this time, Christian will not miss. Christian will send Moxley back into a tailspin, send him back to rock bottom, and Moxley will hear that little voice in his head saying, “It’s okay, Jon, do it. It’s okay, Jon, you earned it. Have that drink.” Christian vows to send Moxley back to rehab, and he will then rehab the world title! Until then, do not ever forget that Christian is THE face of TBS then, now and forever, and he is the reigning, defending, undisputed NEXT AEW World Champion!
The fans boo more but Christian adds one more thing. “Kansas City, before I leave, I just wanted to say… Go- HOOK!?” Hook SMASHES the door window with his arm that’s in the cast! It’s in that cast because of last week’s Con-Chair-to! Christian freaks out, runs away and goes to the bleachers, but Hook drags him back! Hook fires off on Christian in the skybox, and he dribbles Christian off the side of the cabinets! The fans fire up as Christian has no one to help him! REDRUM!! Christian flails while Hook drags Christian out into the crowd, and then goes to dump him over the balcony!! Christian flails and fights free!
Christian runs away but Hook keeps after him! Hook SLIDES Christian across the kitchen counter! And then does it again, right into a wall! Kip & Nick return to fight Hook, but Hook THROWS Kip into the table! And he KNEES Nick low! Christian has run for it but Hook pursues! Kip & Nick hurry after, will The Patriarchy regret getting on the bad side of the Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Claudio Castagnoli VS Will Ospreay!
The Swiss Superman is leading this block after demolishing Ricochet and cheating Brody King. But while he’s on his third, The Aerial Assassin is on his second. Can Ospreay bring down Claudio and tie things up with him? Or will all the Death Riders be unstoppable?
The bell rings and both men run right in! SPANISH FLY from Ospreay!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio gets up and out but Ospreay builds speed! Ospreay handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL! Down goes Claudio and Kansas City is already thunderous! Ospreay high-fives a fan and puts Claudio back in. Springboard, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO! The fans sing for “Ospreay~ Ospreay Ospreay Ospreay~!” and he calls his shot! Ospreay springboards, but into an UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! Claudio drags Ospreay by his legs, but Ospreay flips and twists for a victory roll! TWO, and Claudio kicks low! Gotch lift, but Ospreay backdrops free!
Claudio lands on his feet, UPPERCUTS, but Ospreay HOOK KICKS! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! A standing count begins, the fans rally for Ospreay, and both men rise at 5 of 10. Ospreay fires a forearm, Claudio give sit back, and they go back and forth. Ospreay rises with a shout and the fans fire up! Ospreay fires another forearm, but Claudio wrenches to hit an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay still ROCKS Claudio, the forearms go back and forth, and Ospreay fires a flurry! Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! And another! But Ospreay fires more shots! Ospreay whips, Claudio reverses and WRINGS Ospreay into buckles!
The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, and Claudio goes out after him. Claudio CLUBS Ospreay, and then pulls the steel steps from the corner. Claudio goes to Ospreay but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS! But Claudio hits another ELBOW BREAKER! Claudio whips Ospreay at the steps, but Ospreay leaps up, onto and then off the steps! Ospreay quickly turns back around and he DROPKICKS the steps into Claudio! Claudio hobbles away and the fans fire up with Ospreay. Ospreay runs up the steps to leap, but into Claudio’s arms! FLAPJACK off the railing! Claudio refreshes the count, then shakes out his leg before going for Ospreay.
Claudio UPPERCUTS Ospreay down, then has the legs! Claudio swings Ospreay into the steps! The fans lose their minds while Ospreay writhes! Claudio then tips the steps over to be on their side. Claudio again refreshes the count because he wants to keep putting the hurt on Ospreay. Claudio puts Ospreay inside the steps, and he pulls Ospreay’s arm through a gap in the frame! Claudio pulls Ospreay into that frame, then climbs up to trap Ospreay’s arm on top of the steps! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but Claudio STOMPS Ospreay’s hand! Ospreay flops out of the steps, and Claudio pushes them over! Ospreay narrowly avoids being crushed!
Ospreay goes into the ring, Claudio pursues, but Ospreay CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Claudio TOSSES Ospreay out but Ospreay ROCKS Claudio from the apron! Ospreay springboards, but into another UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives but Claudio isn’t even annoyed as Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio grabs Ospreay’s legs, steps through, and he turns Ospreay over for the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures but Claudio sits deep on that hold! Ospreay reaches out with his good arm, pushes up as best as he can with the bad one, and he crawls forward, only for Claudio to drag him back! Claudio sits deep again, but Ospreay still endures! Ospreay pushes back up, fights forward, but Claudio reaches back to get the arm! CROSSFACE! And he rolls Ospreay away from the ropes, too! Ospreay endures all over again, but he has Claudio’s wrists in his face, blinding him to where ropes are! Ospreay fights, even as Claudio pulls him back!
Ospreay endures, Claudio pulls him back again, but Ospreay uses that o cover! TWO, and Claudio now shifts to the legs! Ospreay CLUBS away on Claudio’s legs, but Claudio still turns over, back into the SHARPSHOOTER! Ospreay endures this painful technical innovation as Claudio again sits deep on the legs and back! Ospreay fights, the fans rally, but Claudio does not let Ospreay gain an inch! Ospreay powers up to turn and tuck, and he slips under as Dynamite returns to single picture! Ospreay fires fists from below, Claudio knuckle locks, but Ospreay lifts Claudio! Claudio leans back but Ospreay uses that to spring up, springboard, and FLYING RANA!
The fans are thunderous and Ospreay gets moving! Handspring, NEURALIZER KICK! Both men are down and Kansas City fires up again! Ospreay runs up to BOOT Claudio in a corner! And then he reels Claudio in, but Claudio fights the suplex! ELBOW BREAKER! The fans sing for Ospreay again but Claudio reels Ospreay in. But it’s Ospreay who suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Ospreay sets up, STANDING SKY TWISTER! Cover, TWO! Claudio stays in this and Ospreay grits his teeth as the fans fire up. Ospreay then takes off the elbow pad, gives a wink, and he aims from a corner. HIDDEN- BOOT from Claudio!
Claudio has the straitjacket, RICOLA- NO, Ospreay slips free, and he wraps Claudio up in the IRON OCTOPUS! Claudio endures, fights around, and goes to the ROPEBREAK! Ospreay lets go, but Claudio ELBOWS him! And he WRINGS the arm! Claudio runs to DOUBLE STOMP Ospreay! Claudio then deadlifts Ospreay into the GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives, “This is Awesome!” Claudio is a bit frustrated now but he watches Ospreay go to a corner. Claudio runs corner to corner, but Ospreay BOOTS him! Ospreay goes up but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio then climbs up, and goes to the very top!
Ospreay fires body shots, and he HEADBUTTS Claudio down! The fans fire up while Ospreay wobbles, and Ospreay resets up top! LEAP OF- NO, Claudio moves, Ospreay lands out, UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio is firmly frustrated now as Ospreay survives. Claudio scuffs Ospreay but the fans boo. Claudio kicks Ospreay but Ospreay gets mad! Ospreay sits up, Claudio kicks the bad arm, and Claudio eggs Ospreay on. Ospreay stands to fire a forearm! Claudio hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Ospreay fires a forearm! ELBOW BREAKER! Forearm! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! UPPERCUT! ELBOW! ELBOW BREAKER!
Claudio fires a flurry of UPPERCUTS, then runs, but Ospreay dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER!! But Ospreay can’t cover from the pain in the bad arm! Claudio rolls out to the apron, but so does Ospreay. Ospreay drags Claudio up, puts him back in, and he aims from a corner! HIDDEN- POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!!! Ospreay survives and Claudio is furious! Claudio drags Ospreay up, runs, and LARIATS him inside-out!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives so Claudio hurries to Gotch lift! But Ospreay trips him, jackknife bridge! OSPREAY WINS!!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Claudio earns 0)
Even Claudio is shocked! Ospreay serves him his first L this year, but Claudio is a sore loser! He CLOBBERS Ospreay, and hits the NEUTRALIZER!! Claudio storms off, but he comes back with a chair! WAIT! Here comes Darby Allin! And he has the baseball bat! Claudio runs away, he doesn’t want this one! The Relentless One makes sure Ospreay stays safe, because next week, Dynamite’s Holiday Bash, we get Will Ospreay VS Darby Allin! With Ospreay at 6 points and Darby at 3, will the dynamic of this Gold League change rather quickly for the holidays? Or will Ospreay make sure he’s headed for Worlds End?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Renee Paquette is with The One & Only, and she says he is 1-1 in the Continental Classic right now. He had an incredible win over Komander last week on Rampage, but tonight is about Brody King, who is also 1-1 right now. How is Ricochet preparing for a man like Brody? Well, see, this is why Ricochet came to AEW. This scenario is why! It’s the level of competition. And nothing brings that out quite like the Continental Classic. So tonight, ya boi Ricochet drew Brody King, and we’re seeing this for the first time anywhere! Brody’s big, bad and scary, perhaps one of the toughest guys in this entire tournament.
But do you know one thing Brody is not? He’s not Ricochet. And while both men are 1-1, after tonight… Ricochet glances at MVP’s business card…!? Ricochet says tonight, he’s holding all the cards! Ricochet heads out, but will he make the C2 #OuttaThisWorld?
A car pulls up backstage.
And reaching out is a hand adorned with the Dynamite Diamond Ring on the pinkie. It’s Maxwell Jacob Friedman! MJF is in KC, surely to watch the match between Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly. Will the Wolf of Wrestling have an effect on that match’s outcome?
Backstage interview with Matt Cardona.
Renee is now with “The Complete” Cardona, and brings up the incredible reaction he got when he arrived in AEW/ROH last week. Cardona says he’s #AlwayZReady, but given what we saw on Rampage last Friday, does he feel ready for Chris Jericho? Cardona says it is great to be back in AEW, and everyone was shocked about it. But who wasn’t shocked? Cardona himself. He’s been saying it for years, he is always ready, it even says so on his T-shirts. But for the past five YEARS, he has busted his ass to reinvent himself, going from “Indy Guy” to “Deathmatch King,” and at Final Battle, December 20th, the biggest opportunity of his career is against Chris Jericho.
On Rampage, Jericho and Bryan Keith laid him out, sent him a message, and he’s glad they did. Now he knows what he is in store for in New York City, but he isn’t gonna wait! Cardona calls out Keith for a match this Friday on Rampage! Cardona is always ready, but is Keith? As for Jericho, he better watch so he can get a taste of what’s in store for Final Battle! Will Cardona take a bite out of the Bad Apple before returning home to the Big Apple?
Dynamite Diamond Ring #1 Contender’s Match: Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly!
It has been quite the tangled web of a roller coaster ride when it comes to the Ballad of the Brochachos. But after MJF relapsed into being the Scum of the Earth, the Panama City Playboy couldn’t keep himself from pursuing MJF. However, from the perspective of The Violent Artist, that same pursuit is what got Roderick Strong hurt. Will Kyle stop Cole from reaching MJF for his own good? Or will Cole have to be the one that hurts a friend to finally have vindication?
Before Kyle steps through gorilla, Renee is there to ask him about this match. These two are good friends with so much history between them, how has Kyle prepared himself for tonight? But before Kyle can answer, The Kingdom’s Matt Taven & Mike Bennett walk over. Taven tells Kyle that they don’t have to do this. Didn’t Kyle himself say a couple weeks ago that MJF is just playing them all? They’re all looking like idiots fighting each other when “that Melvin” isn’t even here! Bennett tells Taven to relax, and says the match is happening. Bennett knows Kyle is gonna go out there and fight, but he hopes Kyle remembers, they’re all family in the end.
Kyle says yeah, they are. But Kyle adds that they all should’ve thought about that before letting one of their brothers get hurt. Kyle gives a shrug before heading out, will Kyle take out his frustrations on Cole?
Cole steps forward and offers a handshake. Kyle slaps the hand, hard to say if that was respectfully or disrespectfully. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Cole wrenches an arm, then wristlocks. Kyle spins, drop toeholds, and he floats to a facelock. Kyle then floats to a waistlock but Cole fights up. Cole switches, the fans duel, and Kyle wrenches out to wristlock. Cole goes to the ROPEBREAK, and Kyle lets off cleanly. They circle again and tie up. Kyle headlocks and grinds Cole down, but Cole fights up. Cole powers up and out, but Kyle runs him over! Cover, ONE, and Cole sweeps the legs! Cover, ONE!
Kyle narrowly avoids the superkick and bails out of the ring. Cole lets Kyle have his time while the ring count climbs. Kyle goes up the steps and into the ring, and the two reset. The fans rally as the two tie up, and Cole headlocks. Kyle endures the grind to power up and out. Cole sunset flips but Kyle stays, to then drop into the ARMBAR! Cole clasps hands and hurries to stack Kyle! Cole steps through but Kyle turns leglock into cradle! TWO, and Cole narrowly avoids a roundhouse! Cole bails out and Kyle gives him time. But then he goes to the apron! Cole avoids the flying knee, but Kyle blocks the superkick!
Kyle fires a strike fest, then SWEEPS the legs! Cole falls hard and the fans fire up while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Kyle paces around, brings Cole up, and he puts Cole back in the ring. Kyle storms back into the ring, and he storms up to Cole to KICK him down! Cole goes to ropes, and Kyle KICKS a leg out! Cole crawls to a corner, then along ropes, but Kyle goes right after him. Kyle clinches to KNEE and whip, then he kitchen sink knees into a COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Cole endures, and then Cole powers up to hip toss free! Both men go to ropes, and Cole storms up to fire forearms! Kyle shoots in and trips Cole, then he floats for some ground ‘n’ pound! Cole guards as best he can but Kyle lets off to pace around.
Kyle drags Cole up to wrench an arm, and he hits an ELBOW BREAKER! Kyle still holds onto that arm, and he wrenches for another ELBOW BREAKER! And then another wrench, a snapmare, and Kyle ties Cole up in a Figure Four seated COBRA TWIST! Cole endures being turned into a pretzel, but Kyle let shim up to wrench and kick! Kyle wrenches again as Dynamite returns to single picture, and Cole fires off forearm after forearm! Kyle fires another strike fest and Cole hobbles to a corner. Kyle runs up to forearm SMASH! Kyle runs side to side into a SUPERKICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Cole drags himself up as the fans rally, and Cole then goes up the corner. Cole leaps, but Kyle KNEES him first! Kyle then reels Cole in, but Cole suplexes for the GHOSTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Kyle survives and Cole is shocked! Cole rises, waits on Kyle, and Kyle stands into a 52 FAKE OUT! Then a fireman’s carry, but Kyle slips free! Kyle suckers Cole in, steps up and over, and kitchen sink knees hard! Cole bails out, Kyle goes to the apron, FLYING KNEE! The fans fire up as Kyle puts Cole back in, and then Kyle climbs! KING KONG- NO, Cole moves and the knee hits mat! But then Kyle ducks The Boom!
Cole returns, 52 FAKE- NO, Kyle SOBATS through! AX AND SMASH!! But THE BOOM returns!! Both men are down as Cole can’t make the cover! The fans rally up while a standing count begins! Kyle and Cole go to ropes on opposite ends, and they drag themselves up. They both run up and they both BOOT! And BOOT! Cole avoids a sweep to SUPERKICK! But Kyle yoyos in the ropes to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Kyle suplexes, FALCON ARROW into the ARMBAR! Cole fights that so Kyle grabs a leg! ANKLE LOCK, then GRAPEVINE!! Cole fights to the ROPEBREAK! The fans are torn but Kyle lets go of Cole’s foot.
Cole crawls and Kyle hobbles, but the fans rally up again. Kyle hoists Cole up top, ROCKS him, then climbs up after him. Kyle has the DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! Cole fights but Kyle fires back! They brawl up top and the fans fire up! Cole HEADBUTTS again and again! And then AGAIN! Kyle falls back, Cole adjusts, and Cole leaps for the PANAMA SUNRISE!! Kyle flounders, Cole brings down the kneepad, but Kyle grabs the other leg!! ANKLE LOCK!! Cole flails, reaches out, but Kyle drags him back! Cole still fights, still claws at the mat, then Cole rolls! Kyle is sent outside, but Cole hurries to the ropes. Kyle trips Cole to drag him out!
Kyle reels Cole in to suplex, but Cole knees free! SUPERKICK! Cole drags Kyle back up, puts him in, and Kyle is punch drunk! Kyle staggers then falls, and the ref checks on him. Cole wants Kyle to get up, but wait! MJF SNEAKS OUT HERE! Cole sees MJF, dodges and SUPERKICKS him!! But Kyle rolls Cole up!! TWO!! Cole escapes to SUPER- NO, Kyle blocks to have the ANKLE LOCK!! Cole rolls to a cradle! COLE WINS!!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall (advances to Worlds End)
The Wolf of Wrestling tried to weasel out of a match with Cole, and now he runs away like the coward he really is! But will Cole soon shine with that Dynamite Diamond Ring as the ultimate revenge on MJF? As for Kyle, Taven & Bennett have also joined them out here, and Cole wants that handshake. Kyle sighs, and bails out. Is Kyle letting this grudge against MJF ruin his friendship with Cole? Or is there something more to this frustration?
FTR speaks.
The Top Guys are backstage again, and Cash Wheeler says, “So as we were saying last week before we had to go stop an attempted murder… Asheville, North Carolina, January 1st, Fight for the Fallen, one of the most important shows, one of the most meaningful shows, that we’ll ever be a part of. Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, it hit the western North Carolina area, it washed away cities, it washed away towns, it washed away communities. And now, with the help of you, with the help of AEW, with the help of Fight for the Fallen, we get to help build Asheville up from the ground up. Because nothing is gonna stop North Carolina, come hell or high water.”
Dax Harwood adds that January 1st might be the biggest night in AEW TV history. Because for the first time ever, Dynamite will be simulcast from TBS and streamed on HBO Max. For the first time ever, AEW comes to Asheville, NC, and for the first time in five YEARS, FTR is bringing pro-wrestling back to their city. So a big event needs a big match. And what FTR suggests is that FTR shows up that night and has that big match. But before we get there, there was a miscommunication last week with The Death Riders. Dax & Cash don’t have a problem with them.
But if they’ve got a problem with FTR, then this Saturday night, on Collision, FTR will be in that ring. Moxley, Claudio, Yuta, Pac, show up, have a conversation with them. See you there. #TopGuysOut. But will Dax & Cash even make it home to Asheville if they start picking a fight with the Death Riders?
Chris Jericho speaks.
With Bryan Keith behind him, The Learning Tree says, “Hi, guys~! It’s Chris Jericho, The King of New York here, and this is a New York Minute. Earlier today, I was on the Staten Island ferry, going from Washington Heights to the meat packing district, and I heard about Matt Cardona’s challenge to Bryan Keith. Matt, apparently you’re not happy that we left you laying like a discarded Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle action figure, also from New York, last week on Rampage, and you wanna challenge Bryan Keith!? Huh?! You wanna try and send a message to the King of the Big Apple by taking a bite outta the Bad Apple?”
Keith says he’ll take a bit outta Cardona, “dumbass!” Jericho says that makes it official. Cardona VS Keith on Rampage, with Jericho on commentary. But wait! There’s more. Tomorrow night on ROH, available on WatchROH.com, you can see Jericho and Cardona have their contract signing to make their title match at Final Battle official. See? Cardona’s getting everything he ever wanted. But be careful what you wish for. As Mayor Bloomberg once said, “New York City is where potential is realized, and where dreams are made.” But there’s a big difference between dreams and delusions.
But Cardona’s delusional if he thinks he’ll walk out of the Hammerstein Ballroom and Final Battle the NEW ROH World Champion! AIN’T GONNA HAPPEN! You are NOT ready for Jericho, NOT ready for The Nueve, and NOT ready for Bryan Keith. Keith says Cardona made a mistake. He put his crumby hands on the King of New York, so Keith’s gonna make him pay the damn price. That’s a Learning Tree lesson for you, Cardona. Jericho signs off, this has been a New York Minute. Thanks, guys~!
BREAKING NEWS for Collision!
Winter is Coming, but only after coverage of the NBA on TNT wraps. That means an EARLY start time for the West Coast, so you better be ready! With that said, there will be MORE Continental Classic action as Blue League leader, Kyle Fletcher, goes up against Mark Briscoe. Can the Sussex County Chicken bring down The Protostar? Or will the Aussie Arrow hit the mark and be an unstoppable 4-0? Plus, Kazuchika Okada is back in action as he takes on The Beast Mortos! Will the Rainmaker make up for some lost ground? Or will the menacing minotaur drag him down into the dungeon?
Sit-down interview with Darby Allin.
Tony Schiavone met with the Relentless One before the show began, and brings up how he hasn’t really spoken to anyone since Full Gear’s ending and that wild car crash into the Death Riders’ truck. Does Darby feel his efforts to topple Jon Moxley failed? And if so, is his quest over? Darby says the quest is never over. When Darby thinks about Moxley, The Death Riders, and everything they’re doing to this place, they are slowly chipping away at what makes AEW great. Darby saw them put Bryan Danielson’s neck in a chair and essentially end his career. And thinking back to that, Darby thinks to how Bryan was the backbone of this place.
And Darby gets why the younger guys don’t wanna get involved. For many, this is the first time they’ve made a real living off of pro-wrestling. But the problem is, if they don’t do anything about this, it’ll just keep happening. People think Darby is reckless, impulsive… Darby punches himself and immediately draws blood! Darby says this does not bother him. Blood, pain, violence, that doesn’t bother him. What bothers him is if no one does anything about it. Schiavone understands, and says all of this is going on during the Continental Classic, the most important time of year for AEW.
Darby says that when he thinks on the C2, it is “everything that’s right” with AEW. People going out there, putting it all on the line for the love of the game, and for the love of AEW. Darby needs to win this tournament because it represents AEW. It represents the passion of AEW. And Darby isn’t stupid, he knows there’ll be collateral damage along the way. But Moxley thinks everything is so wrong in AEW and that it needs to be saved. But Moxley failed to remember that this is the company that gave his career a second shot. This is the company that let Sting go out on his own terms. This is the company that took a chance on Darby.
So Moxley keeps telling himself all these lies again and again and again. “But nothing fools you better than the lies you tell yourself, Jon.” Darby has called out The Maniac, but will he be able to focus on Will Ospreay and their Continental Classic Holiday Bash?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Brody King VS Ricochet!
Speaking of kings, The King of Death and the King of Flight are about to collide in a critical match for both men! They’re both 1-1 with 3 points, and only one can keep pace with Will Ospreay. Will Brody keep Ricochet grounded? Or will the C2 be #OuttaThisWorld?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock. Brody and Ricochet circle while fans bark. The two tie up, Brody SLAMS Ricochet down, and Ricochet backs right up to a corner. Brody waits on Ricochet and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Brody TOSSES Ricochet to a corner! Ricochet comes right back to CHOP! Brody just grins. Ricochet ducks a chop to KICK and fire body shots, but Brody TOSSES him to another corner! Brody runs up, Ricochet goes up and over, and Ricochet CHOPS! Brody just stares Ricochet down. Ricochet runs, ducks ‘n’ rolls to roll back, and he RANAS Brody to a corner!
Ricochet runs up, Brody puts him on the apron, but Ricochet RAMS him! And GAMANGIRIS! Ricochet climbs, leaps, but he bounces off of Brody! The fans bark and Brody SHOVES Ricochet up and out to the floor! The fans bark more while Brody storms out to fetch Ricochet. Ricochet CHOPS, but Brody CHOPS back! Ricochet definitely felt that! But then Brody CHOPS again! Brody peels off the protective padding on the railing, brings Ricochet over, but Ricochet jumps up and off the railing! SUPERKICK! Brody wobbles, Ricochet goes to the apron, and Ricochet leaps, only for Brody to stop the rana!
Brody brings Ricochet up to APRON POWERBOMB! Ricochet writhes, but Brody hauls him up to whip hard into railing! Ricochet falls but Brody stands him up to CHOP! Ricochet takes a seat, he wants Brody to leave him be, but Brody runs up to CROSSBODY against railing! Ricochet falls in a heap and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Brody looms over Ricochet, but leaves him behind to refresh the ring count. Brody then hauls Ricochet up and into the ring, stalks him to a corner, then CHOPS! Ricochet sputters while he slumps down to the mat. Brody stands on Ricochet’s neck! The ref counts, Broody steps off, and Brody grabs at Ricochet. Ricochet shoves Brody back but Brody ROCKS him! Ricochet flounders along the ropes, Brody CLUBS him down, and then he digs his boots in at the corner! The ref counts, Brody steps off, and Ricochet sputters some more. Brody comes back, stomps a mudhole into Ricochet, then grabs the legs.
Brody YANKS Ricochet up for him to fall hard on the mat! Ricochet sits up but Brody clamps on with a neck wrench! Brody grinds his elbow into Ricochet’s head, then drags him up. Brody whips Ricochet hard into the corner! Ricochet falls back and Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up and CHOPS him back to the corner! Brody then brings Ricochet up to suplex high and hard! And then SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives the onslaught but Brody stays on him. Brody ROCKS Ricochet and Ricochet staggers on noodle legs. Brody brings Ricochet up to ROCK him again!
Ricochet stumbles about, Dynamite returns to single picture, and the fans bark again. Brody CHOPS Ricochet, eggs him on, so Ricochet musters up what he can. Ricochet fires forearm after forearm but Brody shoves him! Ricochet ducks and handsprings, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up and Brody covers, TWO! Ricochet is still in this but Brody looms over him again. Brody drags Ricochet up, CHOPS Ricochet back down, and he eggs on the King of Flight. Brody stands Ricochet up, so Ricochet fires forearm sand CHOPS! Brody CHOPS Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Brody runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS!
Ricochet spins to PELE!, and Brody wobbles! The fans fire up, Ricochet baits Brody in and DUMPS him out! Brody lands on the apron, Ricochet triangle jumps to ENZIGIRI Brody down! Ricochet then builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Down goes Brody and the fans are torn. Ricochet drags Brody up and into the ring, then aims from the apron. Springboard 450 SPLASH! Cover, ONE?!? Brody shocks Ricochet with that toughness! Ricochet hurries to BOOT, but Brody just growls! Ricochet BOOTS again but Brody eggs him on! Ricochet KICKS, Brody just snarls! Ricochet runs up but Brody SWATS the kick! And he spins to LARIAT Ricochet! Cover, TWO!!
Brody is annoyed with Ricochet but he drags Ricochet up. Brody reels Ricochet in, hauls him up, but Ricochet fights free to sunset flip! TWO!! Brody escapes and runs back up, only for Ricochet to V-TRIGGER! Ricochet drops back to a corner, Brody runs up again, but into another V-TRIGGER! Ricochet tries to fireman’s carry!? Brody’s too much for that, and he CLUBS Ricochet! And then CHOPS him! Ricochet goes back to a corner for Brody to SPLASH! Ricochet sits down and the fans bark it up! CANNONBALL! Brody drags Ricochet out to cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Brody is more exasperated than frustrated.
Brody stalks Ricochet, hoists him up top, and he CHOPS! Brody climbs up, Ricochet fires body shots, and Ricochet CLUBS away! Ricochet adjusts, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB!! Ricochet hurries back up top, for the SHOOTING STAR PRESS!! But then Brody reaches to grab Ricochet by his neck!! Brody rises like a zombie, but Ricochet CLUBS away on Brody’s arm! Brody spins Ricochet into the SLEEPER! Ricocher grabs the ropes! Th eref counts, Brody holds on until 4. Brody has the SLEEPER again, but Ricochet clibms the corner! Ricochet goes up and out to HOTSHOT Brody! Then he ROUNDHOUSES!
Brody wobbles, Ricochet slingshots, but into a DOUBLE CHOP!! Brody has Ricochet on the apron, drags him up and clinches, to then YANK him right up to the top! Brody climbs now, but Ricochet still fights back! DDT on the top buckle! Brody wobbles, Ricochet shrugs, and he KICKS the legs out! Brody hits buckles on the way down! Kansas City boos but Ricochet says BANG! SPIRIT GUN!! But Ricochet knows that’s not enough! Brody rises, Ricochet runs, SPIRIT GUN!! Cover, Ricochet wins!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Brody earns 0)
Ricochet overcomes the biggest and meanest obstacle in his way, and now he is tied with Will Ospreay and Claudio Castagnoli! But given Ricochet lost to Claudio in the opening round, how much harder will he have to fight to become a finalist?
Private Party speaks.
Marq Quen says, “Good evening, everybody. We are your AEW Tag Team Champions, Private Partaaay~! And welcome to The Vault.” Isiah Kassidy says, “What happens in The Vault stays in The Vault.” Winter is Coming, and you know what that means! Santa is coming to town! But in step Lio Rush & Action Andretti, and they say this is rather interesting. What do Quen & Zay say to letting them have a taste of some of that? Oh, okay, Zay’s got ’em! All he had to do was ask. No, Action wasn’t talking about the shots. Lio says they want the gold on the table. That’s what they want this year from Santa Claus.
Well, Zay will tell ’em what HE wants from Santa. This year, a nice, thick, juicy a- And here comes Leila Grey & Top Flight! Leila wants to have a little chat after last week. Zay notes Santa came early this year. Darius & Dante ignore that to have that chat. Darius, remind Dante again, how many tag team matches have Action & Lio won to actually earn a tag title shot? Darius is pretty sure it was ZERO. Dante takes a sip of the good stuff while Private Party says, “Ooh~!” Lio asks Action to remind him who got eliminated from the battle royal. Action says let’s think. Oh, it was Darius & Dante! OOH~! The two sides argue, and Private Party has them both stop.
Zay says he has a perfect solution! Y’all can just face each other at Collision: Winter is Coming, and the winners can face the champs for the titles. That is good for them all. Lio offers a handshake and says, “No hard feelings, right?” Darius takes the handshake, pulls Lio in close, but pats him on the back. Leila leaves with the Martin brothers, and Zay says, “Thank you, Santa.” But then with the table set for Top Flight VS Bad Child & Sight to See, who will get their shot at Private Party?
Backstage interview with both Anna Jay and Mercedes Mone.
Renee welcomes both The Queenslayer and The CEO one week ahead of their AEW TBS Championship at Holiday Bash. Mone says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! Missouri or Kansas, Renee? Y’know what? It doesn’t matter! Just say hello to your C E O.” Renee thanks them both for being here, and for agreeing to no physicality. Mercedes has now defended the TBS title ten times, and today marks Day 200 as champion. But before getting into that match, Renee wants to talk Sunday, December 15th. In Long Beach California, it will be NJPW Strong Style Evolved, where Mone defends the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Hazuki.
Mone says Renee is doing so good today, she is so proud. But she’s also really proud of Anna. Anna has been doing so well. Mone loves how gutsy Anna is, and how she went to Japan to train. Mone went to Japan, too. And Mone loves that Anna believes in herself, it is so cute. But Mone says Anna is only 26 and just getting started. By the time Mone was 26, she was a FIVE-TIME CHAMPION. And now she’s the greatest TBS Champion of all time. So next week on Dynamite, Mercedes shows Jay there is a price to pay when you mess with Mone. Anna tells her hold on, Mone is not going anywhere.
They may have agreed to no physicality, but they also agreed to a face-to-face. Mone is going to stay and listen to Anna. Mone is a living legend, and Anna does admire what Mone does in the ring. And Anna is aware she’s going into this the underdog. But that’s fine. Anna has been underestimated her whole life, her whole career, and she keeps proving people wrong. So go ahead, underestimate her, too. Because when Mone makes the first mistake, Anna will capitalize on it, because all she needs is 1-2-3 to shock the world and become the NEW TBS Champion. Anna leaves, Mone says we’ll see about that.
Confident as she is, the walls are closing in. Will Mone make it through the holidays with both belts still in her possession? Or will Christmas be cold when you don’t have any gold?
AEW Women’s World Championship: Mariah May VS Mina Shirakawa!
They met in Japan’s World Wonder Ring Stardom and not only became tag team partners, but became best friends. But in the world of wrestling, we all know friendship can only last so long when both friends want to be the best in the world. The Glamour betrayed the Fighting Gravure Idol out of paranoia, but claims to still love her. Will this newest chapter in Mariah’s twisted story have a “happy ending” for her? Or will Mina make May pay?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who ends the night on top!
The bell rings and the two run up on each other! They start throwing hands and the fans fire up! Mina HAMMERS away on Mariah, but Mariah shoves her back! Mariah SLAPS Mina! Mariah talks trash, too, but Mina SLAPS back! The fans fire up as Mina SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires more shots! Mariah cowers in the ropes but Mina keeps after her with hammer fists! The ref counts, Mina lets off, but then she SOBATS! Mina whips, dropkicks Mariah’s legs, then grabs a leg to kick away on it! The fans cheer Mina as she kicks and stomps Mariah around, then hits a KNEE JAMMER! The fans cheer and Mina drags Mariah around.
Mina steps through to have a FIGURE FOUR! Mariah hurries and rolls under the ropes, but Mina holds on! Then they fall to the floor! But Mina still holds on! Mina kicks at Mariah while letting off the hold, and the fans fire up while the ref checks Mariah. Mariah clutches her leg but she is still in this. Mina drags Mariah up while the fans rally, only for Mariah to wrench and whip Mina into the steel steps! Mariah brings Mina up to whip hard into railing! The fans boo, and we see Thunder Rosa in the front row! She holds up a sign that reads, “Mariah May??? You May Not!!!” Rosa herself says, “YOU SUCK! You’re not my champion!”
Mariah is mad, and she runs up to SHOTGUN Mina! Mariah stomps away on Mina, but the ref counts. The ref has to pull Mariah back at 4, and Mariah goes to the ring. Mina crawls and Mariah mocks the shimmy and shake. The fans boo but Mariah slaps her knee, both because she thinks she’s funny and to get it working again. Mariah then goes to the apron, takes aim, and as Mina rises, Mariah runs up! But Mina blocks the kick! Mina trips Mariah, brings her to the corner, and she SLAMS the leg against the post! The fans fire up and Mina ties those legs up! Mina stares Mariah down, and shouts “B*TCH!” before hitting the HANGING FIGURE FOUR!
The fans fire up while the ref counts, and Mina lets go at 4! Mariah screams in pain, but Mina shows no mercy as she SLAMS the leg into the post again! The fans fire up and Mina feeds off that energy while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Mina storms back over and stalks Mariah. Mina drags Mariah up to hook the leg, SHIN BREAKER! Mariah writhes but Mina kicks her around. Mariah goes to the ropes but Mina brings her back up. Mariah CLUBS Mina to stop the lift, and then she hits a SAIDO! Mariah grins while Mina flounders, The Glamour has her confidence back. Mariah then rains down fists on Mina! The ref reprimands about closed fists but Mariah lets off to hobble around. Mariah soaks up the heat from Kansas City, then mocks their crying. Mariah throws her armbands at Mina, stomps her around, but Mina throws them back!
Mariah kicks Mina, snapmares her, and she runs to SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Mina stays in this but Mariah storms around. Mariah soaks up more heat, then kicks Mina around. Mina goes to a corner, Mariah stands her up and she CHOPS! Mina staggers away to another corner, but Mariah is right on her at the ropes! Mariah CHOKES then stomps away, then CHOKES Mina again! The ref counts, Dynamite returns to single picture, band Mariah drags Mina up. Mariah snapmares Mina, steps over, and throws down fists! Mariah gives Mina one last kiss, then runs, but Mina dodges! FLYING CHUCK!
The fans fire up and Rosa cheers Mina on as she stands Mariah up. Mariah breaks free but mina still ROCKS her first! Mariah hits back, so Mina hits her again! Mariah ROCKS Mina but Mina ROCKS Mariah! The shots keep going, the fans cheer Mina on, but Mariah gets the edge! Mariah grins, runs, but Mina ROLLING ELBOWS! Mina runs, but into a HEADBUTT! But Mina URAKENS! Both women fall and the fans are thunderous! Mina and Mariah crawl, Rosa gets the fans even more fired up for Mina, and Mina DROPKICKS the legs out! Mina wants the legs but Mariah kicks her away! Mariah rises, but Mina wrenches and SAIDOS!
The fans fire up and Mina hurries to cover, TWO! Mina goes right to a corner and right up, only for Mariah to hit some STRATUSFACTION! Mariah then runs up, but Mina avoids the knee! URAKEN! Mariah stays up this time, takes a swing, but Mina catches her and spins her, dragon sleeper and REVERSE DDT! The fans fire up and Mina covers, TWO! Mariah survives but Mina just hauls her up! Mina suplexes Mariah to the top rope, for a DRAPING DDT!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! Mariah survives by her fingertips! Mina grabs the legs, Mariah holds tight to the rope, and then Mariah YANKS Mina into the ropes!
Mariah rises up, runs up to KNEE Mina down! Mariah keeps moving, Mina rises, into another KNEE!! Mariah hauls Mina into a fireman’s carry, for the MAYDAY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Mina shocks Mariah and KC loves it! Mariah snarls but her former best friend would know how to survive Mariah’s best shot! Mariah drags Mina up, fireman’s carries again, but Mina hits a CRUCIFIX DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Mariah survives that sudden turnaround, but Mina hurries up top! Mariah stands, into a FLYING SLINGBLADE! Mina roars and the fans fire up with her! Mina drags Mariah up in the dragon sleeper!
Mina lifts, GLORIOUS DRIVER MINA!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Now Mariah shocks Mina for surviving her best shot! Mina tries again but Mariah HEADBUTTS! Mariah reels Mina in, STORM ZERO!!! Cover, MARIAH WINS!
Winner: Mariah May, by pinfall (still AEW Women’s World Champion)
It was a gritty battle, but it took the move of a different former friend to finish this! But even so, Mariah is still champion, or as Rosa’s second sign puts it, “You are NOT My Champ!!!” But wait! IS THAT TONI STORM!? And now Rosa has a sign that says “W T F?!” Because yeah, while this isn’t Timeless, this is STILL TONI STORM!! She’s gone back to her original identity, and everyone is going wild! Are we about to get one hell of a sequel to All In?
My Thoughts:
A great start to what is now Winter is Coming Week in AEW. And the only weak point for tonight might be the time constraints on the women’s match. It was great to make it the main event, and for what time they had, they made the most of it, but if you’re going to make it the main event, I feel like it needed more than 10 minutes. But at the same time, it seemed rather clear Mina was losing. Mina is already Rev-Pro Women’s Champion, she wasn’t going to become the other double champion in AEW. Plus, with Rosa wanting next AND Toni Storm returning, that’s big story stuff for Mariah. Also, it is incredibly clever for Toni Storm to return as rock ‘n’ roll Toni after “Timeless Toni” said she’d retire from wrestling. We all knew this was coming so great to see it happen.
Speaking of the double champion in AEW, good promo from Mone with Anna Jay, but as I said last week, Mone’s going to have two title defenses in one week. Either Mone has a great week by retaining both titles, or she could have a really bad week by losing both titles, it really depends on the plans for WrestleDynasty. I’m leaning towards Mone having a great week because I don’t think she’s going to lose at Strong Style Evolved, and I’m not so sure she loses on Holiday Bash. Mone is more likely to lose her TBS title at Worlds End, maybe even to Kamille once Kamille’s arm is all healed up. Also, I assume that was just a kayfabe injury to lead to the breakup we got.
And to my earlier point of time constraints, I feel like we got a few promos we didn’t really need, despite them still being good promos. For one, Bandido having his Hollywood Western fight scene. Again, really fun and very well made, and maybe it was to help some people learn/remember who Bandido is, but I thought last week’s “Most Wanted” was enough to let us know he’s on his way back. The other was Private Party with all of Top Flight. Given we had Top Flight arguing it out last week, we knew they were going to have a match, Dante & Darius VS Action & Lio. But that promo seems a bit redundant now with this one, setting up that same match, but now with actual stakes. AEW’s been a thing for five years and they still can’t iron out disjointed storytelling?
Though at the same time, they’re not good with pacing out stuff like this Jericho VS Cardona build. They obviously do it to get people to watch ROH Thursdays, and maybe the sooner they get that cable TV deal the better. If Rampage really is going away, they should just make ROH replace it, but keep it on Thursdays because I don’t need overlaps with SmackDown and how that is going to be three hours in 2025. But either way, good promos from both Cardona and Jericho, and we’ll get a very good contract signing segment and good tune-up match for Cardona on Rampage. Though again, what weird pacing since Rampage is being recorded right now yet ROH was more than likely last Saturday…
Really good stuff with this Death Riders story tonight. That was a great tag match to open, though rather long, especially with Hangman “ruining” it. If he was gonna do that, cut things down by 5 minutes because why would Hangman wait until the match was getting hot to go after Moxley? But to Moxley’s point right after with his ranting promo, the egos kept the other three guys from becoming a super team that the Death Riders would’ve certainly lost against. But hey, that Fatal 4 Way is gonna be awesome, and Christian Cage might get in on that. Though, great promo from him and great attack by Hook. I’m a little surprised we didn’t get a follow-up on that tonight.
Very good promo from Darby, though maybe another spot that could’ve been another night for sake of time. Darby still got his point across, and I think this was his best paced promo, no rushing through lines to get them out. Depending on how Worlds End goes, I feel like we could get a really good “Can they coexist?” 8 Man or even bigger, where Darby, White, Cassidy and Hangman work together to fight Moxley, Claudio, Yuta & Pac. They could even do a Stadium Stampede/Anarchy in the Arena (I forget if there’s any real difference other than what kind of venue they do it in), and that could even give us the return of Bryan Danielson for him to tip the scales in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff in the Cole VS MJF story, though I’m not sure we needed the tease of MJF showing up before the match. Clearly The Kingdom weren’t watching the show because Taven didn’t even think MJF was there, but I guess that’s the writing trope known as “dramatic irony,” where the audience knows something ahead of the characters. Not a good execution of it but it still counts. And great match of Kyle VS Cole, but there’s something kayfabe suspicious about the timing of Kyle being down for the count and MJF sneaking out there, only for Kyle to then recover and roll Cole up. Could Kyle have been turned to the dark side by MJF? Or, what is now the dark side after the still rather clunky double turn. I still want Cole to get that diamond ring to stick it to MJF but Kyle could screw him over…
And of course, great stuff in the Continental Classic tonight, even though it was just two matches. Claudio VS Ospreay was awesome, and fitting that Ospreay would win to stay near the front. Darby watching Ospreay’s back was good, but also a reason Darby’s promo tonight could’ve waited for Collision. And Ricochet adds some intrigue by showing he still has MVP’s card. I almost thought The Hurt Syndicate would walk out there after he won, but maybe they’re waiting for Ricochet to take control of Gold League so that no matter what, the Syndicate has someone going to Worlds End. Plus, that’d be a big moment should Ricochet go to Worlds End, win the whole thing and become NEW Continental Champion with MVP, Lashley & Shelton backing him.
My Score: 8.8/10
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