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Mitchell’s WWE Fastlane Live Report! (3/11/18)

Published

7 years ago

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All images courtesy of WWE’s official Twitter, and the WWE Network streaming service

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff Match, Six Man Tag: Tye Dillinger & Breezango VS Mojo Rawley, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable; Dillinger & Breezango win.
  • Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev w/ Aiden English; Nakamura wins.
  • WWE United States Championship: Bobby Roode VS Randy Orton; Orton wins and becomes the new WWE US Champion.
  • Naomi & Becky Lynch VS Natalya & Carmella; Natalya & Carmella win.
  • WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Usos VS The New Day; no contest.
  • WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott; Charlotte wins and retains the WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship.
  • WWE Championship Six Pack Challenge: AJ Styles VS John Cena VS Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn VS Baron Corbin VS Dolph Ziggler; Styles wins, and will face Shinsuke Nakamura at Wrestlemania 34.

PLAY BY PLAY

The Show-Off will be in the Social Media Lounge!

Use #AskDolph for a chance to get your questions answered ahead of Dolph Ziggler joining the wild Six Pack Challenge for the WWE Championship!

 

Baron Corbin speaks.

“Everybody in the Six Pack Challenge tonight wants the same thing”, and that’s to be the WWE Champion. Well that’s funny, because the Lone Wolf doesn’t care what they want or what the fans want. He only cares about what he wants: Corbin wants to be “The Face of Disappointment”; Corbin wants to be the guy to ruin all their Wrestlemania Moments; and most of all, he wants to point to that Wrestlemania sign so that Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, AJ Styles and John Cena remember him as the guy who took their dreams and turned them into nightmares. Will Corbin live his dream of ruining everyone else’s tonight?

 

Backstage interview with The New Day.

They’re ready to share pancakes with Charly, but she asks them their mind-set for tonight’s match. The Usos have said the New Day are soft and stale, but the New Day don’t care about what the Usos say. There is no team that embodies the E of WWE. People work multiple jobs just to come to these shows for entertainment. And no team entertains in or out of the ring better than The New Day! Usos say New Day is soft, stale, and stuck in the past, but then tell us how the New Day became four time tag team champions in a fraction of the time it took the Usos to become relevant?

Furthermore, the Usos became relevant off the hard work the New Day put in! Usos want to talk about #DownSinceDayOne, but that bond wasn’t their choice. The New Day chose to be brothers, to be Wrestlemania hosts, to be history-making tag team champions and to put the Tag Team Division back in the spotlight! Tonight, the New Day choose to leave the Usos laying while they become five time WWE tag team champions! And here, a pancake for the road. The New Day is fired up, but will they keep that flame burning or will the Usos put it out?

 

Sunil Singh and Jinder Mahal join the Kickoff Panel.

“The Modern Day Maharrrrrraja” says hello to everyone, but points out that he, “the Uncrowned United States Champion”, was left out of review packages. He stood tall over both Orton and Roode in recent weeks, so why is he not part of the match as a triple threat? The fans believe it’s because “Jinder Sucks!” This disrespect from the WWE Universe and SmackDown management is insulting, especially given Mahal being forced into a double header to try and become champion. Mahal has had a great year aside from this, such as not being on the SmackDown Top Ten List.

But that aside, Mahal brings up Roode as an “egotistical mania” and a “liar”! He wants to be the true United States Champion. Who does he want to face, then? It won’t matter! Mahal has gotten the best of them both! He will watch this match closely somehow, will he like what he sees when it’s all over?

 

The Social Media Lounge brings Dolph Ziggler his questions.

The Show-Off has a busy night ahead of him, but he feels like a million bucks. He’s waited for even a shred of a chance of main-eventing Wrestlemania as a world champion. Does he regret giving up the US Championship? No, not at all. At a certain point, you reach milestones, and sometimes those titles don’t mean what they should. Ziggler brings up “King” Booker T and his peasants, but Ziggler has just flat out stopped caring what the WWE Universe wants. He’s proven himself time and again, and he’s “got bigger fish to fry” tonight. In that case, are his best days behind him? No! Ziggler’s never been hurt, he’s always here, because he wants to prove how great he is, without giving a damn about what people think. Booker T likes what he hears!

Time for questions: “Do you thnik this might be your last chance at the WWE Championship?” Maybe. Every day could be the last chance to prove his legacy. Every live event, every SmackDown, even this Wrestlemania, could be his last. Can the Show-Off show the world that he isn’t done yet?

 

Kickoff Match, Six Man Tag: Tye Dillinger & Breezango VS Mojo Rawley, Shelton Benjamin & Chad Gable!

The Perfect Ten teams up with The Fashion Police to show #MojoRising and “American Alpha 2” aren’t #ReadyWillingAndGable to keep them down! Can he, Prince Pretty & WWE’s Lord of the Dance gain some ground in the SmackDown Singles and Tag Team Divisions?

The bell rings and Gable starts with Breeze. Gable baits Breeze in and catches him, to throw him back out. He tells Breeze, “You’re a joke!” while Fandango tags in. Fandango has Tye get him his wrestling head gear! The fans love how “serious” Fandango is taking this match. He ties up with Gable but Gable gets a waistlock and slam. Fandango takes off the head gear and tags out to Breeze. Gable gives Breeze an advantage, and dares the “moron” to do something. So Breeze says “giddy-up”!

Gable gets up and swings, but Breeze dropkicks back. Benjamin comes in but gets a dropkick. Mojo comes in, Fandango hits him with an atomic drop and Tye hits a dropkick of his own. Breeze goes after Gable, but Gable evades to monkey flip Breeze out and onto his face!

Control goes to Gable’s team while we go to break.

WWE Fastlane returns, and Benjamin has control of Breeze as he arm-drags and knee drops. Benjamin drags Breeze around into an armlock with chinbar, but the fans rally for Breeze. Breeze fights his way up and reaches for his corner. Benjamin reels Breeze in for an armbar DDT, cover, TWO. Benjamin tags to Gable, and they both lift Breeze for double knees, kicks and more knees. Cover, TWO, but Gable puts Breeze back in an armlock. Breeze endures and fans rally again. Prince Pretty gets up and reaches again, but Gable wrenches and reels him into an overhead belly2belly! Cover but Fandango breaks it, so Gable tags to Mojo.

Mr. Killer Instinct stalks Breeze, then gives him a swift jab. The fans taunt, “You Can’t Wrestle!” but Mojo ignores it to headbutt Breeze. Mojo says he doesn’t care about being a wrestling wrestler, and then carries Breeze into his team’s corner. He rams shoulder after shoulder then throws Breeze to the mat. Mojo stares Tye down and then points to laugh, before giving Fandango a sucker punch! Breeze revives and enziguris Mojo down! The fans rally while both men crawl, hot tags to Tye and Gable!

The Perfect Ten rallies! He sees Mojo coming and knocks him down, then gives Gable a running chop. Gable reverses the whip but Tye runs him over! The fans chant, “TEN! TEN!” and Tye lifts Gable. Benjamin saves Gable but Fandango takes out Benjamin. Gable reverses another whip and rolls Tye up, TWO! He comes right back with the rolling kick! Tag to Benjamin, Benjamin drags Tye up while Gable climbs up. Powerbomb lift but Tye fights out. Gable jumps into the Beauty Shot! Tye dumps Benjamin out for Fandango to take care of. Mojo rolls up Tye, TWO! SUPERKICK! Then, short Tie Breaker! Cover, Tye & Breezango win! Will this help them finally return to SmackDown television?

 

The Race to Wrestlemania is on.

There’s only so much time left before we reach The Grandest Stage of Them All, so every championship SmackDown has is on the line to see who earns a spot. The Road to Wrestlemania narrows, who will get through this high-speed collision course?!

 

Shinsuke Nakamura VS Rusev w/ Aiden English!

The King of Strong Style already has his spot at Wrestlemania thanks to winning the Royal Rumble. However, the Bulgarian Lion wishes to get payback for his friend, the Drama King. Can “Rusev Daaaaaay~” ruin the Rockstar’s ride down to New Orleans? Or will a new holiday emerge to change the WWE calendar?

The bell rings and Rusev circles with Nakamura while the fans duel with “Rusev Day!” “Nakamura!” Nakamura and Rusev feel it out, and Nakamura lunges in. Rusev blocks and floats to a waistlock to then throw Nakamura down. Cover, ONE, but Rusev gets hold of a facelock. Short fireman’s carry and cover, TWO, and now Nakamura gets a waistlock. Nakamura keeps Rusev from ropes, but Rusev reverses into a wristlock. Rusev digs an elbow into the armlock, then wrenches again. He reels Nakamura into a headlock but Nakamura powers out, only for Rusev to run him over. Rusev speeds things up but narrowly avoids a kick from Nakamura. He then runs out but into Nakamura’s block, flip and knee. Nakamura snapmares and knee drops, cover, ONE.

Nakamura brings Rusev up and wrenches his arm. Rusev knees low and rocks Nakamura with a haymaker. The fans keep dueling, and Rusev goes after Nakamura’s arm. He gives a quick shoulder breaker before wrenching the arm again. Nakamura rolls and cartwheels to reverse the hold. He gets a headlock but Rusev powers Nakamura to ropes. The ref calls for the break, but Rusev swings on Nakamura. Nakamura evades, and then says, “C’MON!”

Rusev doesn’t fall for it, he rolls out of the ring. He regroups with English to cool things off, but Nakamura still says “C’MON!” Rusev brushes it off, grinning as he paces. Nakamura dares Rusev to get in while the referee counts, but Rusev takes his time. He does reenter, to then exit again.

Nakamura gets fed up with that, and goes right after Rusev! He strikes, then puts Rusev on the apron for a big knee lift. Then a knee drop! Rusev goes down, and Nakamura puts him back in again. The fans keep dueling while Nakamura climbs up, but Rusev catches him with a full body attack! Rusev keeps on Nakamura by whipping him into barriers, then ramming him into the apron edge. He rams Nakamura into more barriers, then puts him back in the ring. Cover, TWO! Rusev keeps his cool as he stalks Nakamura. He stomps Nakamura, then drags him up by his hair into a cobra clutch. Nakamura endures the squeeze, and the fans rally. He fights out of the hold, then rolls Rusev into a heel hook!

Rusev reaches and crawls and gets the ropebreak. Nakamura lets go, but then swings a kick, to end up in a swinging side slam!

Cover, TWO! Rusev hobbles on that bad leg, the heel hook clearly did some damage for the short time it was on. Rusev glares at Nakamura before dropping running elbows. He slows down because of the bad ankle, but fans keep dueling. Rusev puts Nakamura into a half straitjacket hold. Fans rally and Nakamura gets up and fights out. Rusev knees low and backs Nakamura down, then whips to ropes. Nakamura evades, dynamic dropkick! Nakamura stands up and starts kicking away at Rusev’s chest. Rusev blocks one but not the other, and staggers to a corner. Nakamura runs in corner to corner for a knee, then lifts Rusev onto the ropes for the Top Shelf Knee! Cover, TWO!

Nakamura doesn’t slow down, he just rams knees into Rusev’s ribs. He drags Rusev up with a facelock, even a guillotine, but Rusev picks him up, only for that bad leg to bring him back down. Rusev tries again, but the leg keeps him down. Nakamura keeps squeezing, but Rusev uses what power he has to lift Nakamura for a Fall Away Slam! Rusev gasps for air, recovering while Nakamura is stirring. Rusev stands up first but Nakamura unleashes the strike fest! Nakamura runs, but into a pop-up knee to roundhouse! Cover, TWO! Rusev can’t believe it! He keeps gasping for air while Nakamura has eyes glazed over.

Rusev glares at Nakamura and stomps about to prepare himself. He throws in a kick but Nakamura rocks Rusev with more strikes. Rusev kicks back, kicking Nakamura’s legs, but Nakamura knees Rusev down for an ax kick! Nakamura takes aim, firing up for his finish, and runs in only for Rusev to side step him. Rusev then rolls Nakamura, TWO, into the Accolade! But Nakamura resists and reverses to a Sunset Flip, TWO! Nakamura swings a kick, Rusev ducks, but that second kick catches Rusev on the back end! Nakamura returns to a corner and takes aim. He runs out, but into a MACHKA KICK!!

Rusev is slow to a cover, and arrogant at that, TWO! And now Rusev is doubting himself. English and the fans chant “Rusev Day!” to encourage him. He says “MACHAK!” and goes for another Accolade, but Nakamura slips out to KINSHASA Rusev in the back of the head! Nakamura isn’t done there, he gives Rusev a KINSHASA to the front!

Cover, Nakamura wins! The King of Strong Style conquers the Bulgarian Brute, can he do the same to whoever he faces at Wrestlemania?

 

WWE United States Championship: Bobby Roode VS Randy Orton!

Regardless of what anyone thinks, or what Jinder Mahal says, this isn’t personal between The Viper and The GLORIOUS One. Roode wants to become the greatest WWE United States Champion ever, while Orton wants to check it off to finally become a WWE Grand Slam Champion. Who will take a step towards history with a victory here tonight?

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The belt is raised, the bell rings, and we begin! Orton and Roode circle then tie up, Roode gets the waistlock. Orton gets the standing switch but Roode works his way out of the hold. Roode goes after the wrist, wrenches the arm and yanks on the shoulder. Orton drops to a knee, but stands back up to drop toehold Roode down. He puts Roode in the front facelock but Roode spins out, the fans applaud this momentary stalemate.

Roode and Orton tie up again, Orton gets the headlock. Roode powers out but Orton runs him over, then poses. Orton speeds things up but now Roode runs him over, and Orton gets to a corner. Roode stares Orton down from across the way before circling again. They tie up, Roode gets a headlock, but Orton powers out again. Roode runs Orton over and hits HIS pose. Now Roode speeds things up, Orton back elbows Roode down. Orton watches Roode get to a corner, and stares him down now. The fans chant “RKO! RKO!” for the Viper, but Roode just grins before tying up again.

Orton puts on another headlock, Roode powers him to a corner. Orton gives a European Uppercut in the break, but Roode chops him back. Roode checks his jaw before whipping Orton corner to corner. Orton comes out, evades and goes for the RKO but Roode narrowly avoids it. Roode catches his breath on the outside while Orton brushes off the chop. The ref begins a count but Roode comes in, Orton allowing him. Fans start dueling while they tie up again. Roode gets the headlock but Orton powers him to a corner now. The break is tense again, Roode catches Orton with a chop. Orton hits another EuroUpper then whips Roode corner to corner. Roode goes up and over and goes for the DDT, but Orton narrowly escapes now. Orton composes himself while Roode grins and fires up.

Jinder Mahal watches this backstage, and is apparently dressed to compete.

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Mahal shakes his head while Orton walks back into the ring. Roode allows it, then they tie up again. They push each other at the ropes, going back and forth, but Orton ends up on the inside. The break isn’t clean as Orton kicks low and then hangs Roode up on that top rope. Cover, ONE, but Orton isn’t frustrated. Orton stalks Roode, stomping away as only Orton can. He drags Roode up to kick him in the ribs. Roode gets to a corner, and Orton gives him a haymaker. Orton whips corner to corner but Roode fires out with a lariat. Cover, ONE, and Roode takes a moment to catch his breath while Orton checks his shoulder. Roode stomps that hand, and a knee drop. Cover, TWO, but Roode keeps on Orton with a chinlock.

Orton endures, the fans rally, and Orton stands up. Roode keeps on him, shifting position to bring Orton back to his knees. Orton tries again, and fights out with body shots. Roode kicks back, then drags Orton up for a suplex. Orton blocks, and counters with his own suplex! Both Orton and Roode need a moment to catch their breath. Orton stalks Roode but Roode swings first, only to be countered with right hands. Roode evades and rallies with clotheslines! He gives on in the corner, then brings Orton out for a neckbreaker. Roode climbs up while Orton is down, takes aim at him, and hits a flying clothesline! Orton goes down again, and Roode fires up. He winds it up, and GLORIOUS Pose!

Roode grabs Orton, but Orton rolls, TWO! Now Orton rallies with clotheslines of his own, and evades Roode to hit the spinning powerslam!

Roode rolls to the apron but Orton knows what to do with this. The fans cheer while Orton drags Roode between the ropes. Orton has Roode but Roode throws Orton to the apron. Roode turns around but into a hotshot! Orton slithers in but runs into boots. Roode hops up again, GLORIOUS Blockbuster!

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Cover, TWO! Roode keeps his cool while Orton gets himself to a corner. Roode chops Orton again, then whips corner to corner. Orton reverses but ROode goes up, only to be caught and put on the apron. Roode hits back but his shoulder is caught with a kick, then the Draping DDT! Fans cheer for it, and Orton hears the voices in his head. Orton stalks Roode, but Roode avoids another one. He kicks low, but Orton counters the DDT and sits on the sunset, TWO! Roode staggers but evades to clothesline Orton out of the ring. Roode catches his breath while Orton crawls on the ground. He then rolls out to stalk Orton. They go around the corner, and Roode whips Orton at the time keeper’s area, only for Orton to reverse and send him into those barriers! Then, ORton lifts Roode to back suplex him onto those barriers!

Roode writhes on the ground while the count reaches 7. Orton puts Roode in at 8, covers, TWO! Orton keeps his cool as he stands back up. He stalks Roode now, and drags him over to a corner. Orton hoists Roode up to the top then gives him right hands. He climbs up to join Roode, and prepares, but Roode resists. Roode tries to pry Orton off, and clubs him back. Roode has a plan, and adjusts, sunset flip and powerbomb! Cover, TWO! Roode slumps over, tiring out from this fight. He drags himself up and thinks on what he has to do to win. Roode gets himself back over to a corner and climbs back up top. Orton revives and trips him up! Orton climbs up again, and with a weakened Roode, he hits the top rope SUPERPLEX!

The impact was so strong, Orton can’t crawl to the cover right away. He makes it over to Roode, covers, TWO! Now Orton feels frustration over falling short of putting his opponent away. They both stand up and start throwing haymakers. Roode kicks, Orton kicks, Roode punches and Orton staggers. Orton comes back with a kick to the ribs but Roode punches back. Orton hits a EuroUpper, and another, but the third is countered to a backslide, TWO! Roode goes for the DDT, Orton slips out but the RKO is denied, GLORIOUS SPINEBUSTER! TWO! Roode is again at a loss for what to do. He sits, head in hands, as he thinks everything over.

Roode eyes the Wrestlemania sign, and stands up. He wont’ let Orton deny him, and grabs a waistlock. Orton elbows Roode back and Roode staggers to a corner. Orton runs in but into more boots. Roode hops up and jumps, but into the RKO!!

Cover, Orton wins! The Viper is the NEW United States and Grand Slam Champion!

Orton makes history, but he doesn’t celebrate long as Jinder Mahal comes out to the ring.

The Maharaja glares at The Viper, and the “Uncrowned United States Champion” storms right up to the ring. Mahal steps into the ring with Orton, and attacks the exhausted champion. However, Roode slides back in and hits Mahal with a GLORIOUS DDT!

The former champion then grabs the new champion, to give him a GLORIOUS DDT, too!

Roode’s mission of becoming the greatest United States Champion may be put on hold, but can he regain the gold when he has a rematch with Orton on the homestretch to Wrestlemania?

 

Sami Zayn finds Kevin Owens backstage.

Kevin is not in the mood to talk to Sami, or is Sami here to lie to him again? What is Kevin talking about? Sami knows what Kevin is talking about! Sami promises to lie down for Kevin in the main event but then Helluva Kicks him on SmackDown?! Yes, Sami did that, because he meant laying down in the championship match. Who cares about SmackDown? This is tonight, this is still Sami “your Guardian Angel.” Count on Sami to- Kevin leaves, not hearing Sami finish. Will Sami still keep his word? Or will Kevin get him before he gets Kevin?

 

Naomi & Becky Lynch VS Natalya & Carmella!

A war of words on social media led to a SmackDown singles match. Then a war of words backstage led to this tag team match! Which duo will down the other to step up towards the top of the SmackDown Women’s Division?

The Lass Kicker starts with the FABULOUS Ms. Money in the Bank. They tie up, pushing each other to ropes. Becky brings Carmella off the ropes and rolls her up, TWO, but Becky says it was close. Carmella shoves Becky, Becky shoves back. Carmella goes to slap but almost ends up in the Disarm-Her! She gets to ropes and screams for the break, to then sucker kick Becky. Natty tags in, and the Queen of Harts kicks Becky low before hitting a snap suplex. She walks on Becky and taunts Naomi but Becky rolls her up, TWO.

Becky arm-drags Natty, then brings her over to tag in Naomi. Double snapmare leads to double kicks, then Naomi hits the sliding slap! Cover, TWO, but Naomi keeps on Natty with a chinlock. Natty fights out and shoves Naomi, so Naomi kicks back. Naomi dodges a swing and headscissors Natty down! Natty ends up in a corner but dodges Naomi for the rebound sit-down and runs, but Naomi counters with a wheelbarrow stunner! She then drags Natty into position, hops up but Carmella distracts. Natty uses that to get Naomi with a sit-out powerbomb! Cover, TWO! Natty embraces the heat as she poses and taunts. Cover again, TWO, so Natty drags Naomi over to her corner. Carmella tags in, they both throw Naomi down by her hair, then split the wishbone.

Carmella keeps on Naomi and bumps her off her boot to then stomp a Fabulous Mudhole. She moonwalks away, then hits the Fabulous Bronco Buster! Cover, TWO, so Carmella grinds Naomi’s face into the mat. She drives elbows into Naomi before thrashing her in a chinlock. Carmella mocks the glow while fans rally for Naomi. Naomi gets up and fights back with wild body shots. Carmella slips out of the scoop to then yank Naomi down by her hair! She brings Naomi back over by her hair to tag in Natty. Natty brings Naomi up and snapmares into another chinlock. Natty taunts the Naomi fans but Naomi endurse while fans rally again. Naomi fights up and arm-drags out, but jumps for a tag only for Natty to carry her all the way back.

Tag to Carmella, and Carmella puts Naomi in a hanging headscissor hold! Carmella lets go at 4, then uses Naomi’s hair to pull her against the ropes! Naomi slaps Carmella, Carmella slaps her back, and then clubs away with forearms. She leaves Naomi on the apron to knee her back, covers, TWO. Tag to Natty, and Carmella whips but Naomi reverses to tackle Carmella into the corner! Natty comes in and pulls Naomi away, but Naomi escapes the back suplex to tag Becky! Becky rallies on Natty with clotheslines and a calf kick. She kicks and throws Natty with a Becksploder!

Natty ends up in a corner, and Becky takes aim. Becky runs for the Straight Fire-arm, but Natty puts her on the apron. Becky knocks Natty away then climbs up, and jump for the missile dropkick! Natty tags Carmella but Becky keeps rallying even on Ms. MITB. Carmella jawbreakers, Naomi tags in to roundhouse and sunset flip, TWO! Naomi whips but Carmella avoids Rear View. Carmella whips but Naomi tags while springboarding for the roundhouse. Becky climbs up again, and hits a super leg drop! Cover, Natty breaks it!

Naomi comes back in but Natty throws her out the other side. Becky throws Natty out, but Carmella evades in the corner. Becky back elbows and climbs up again, booting Carmella down. Natty distracts, allowing Carmella to hit the FABULOUS Steiner! Cover, Naomi breaks it just in time. Carmella gives Naomi a sucker punch, then hurries to get her briefcase! Becky intercepts, but still runs into a FABULOUS Kick!

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Cover, Carmella & Natty win! Teamwork and deception win out, but will Carmella have the confidence to cash-in tonight?

 

WWE SmackDown Tag Team Championship: The Usos VS The New Day!

As if the amazing back and forth between these two teams during 2017 wasn’t enough, they go one more time in 2018! Can Jimmy & Jey finally earn a spot on Wrestlemania’s star-studded stage? Or will the Power of Positivity finally break out of the Penitentiary to prove why they’re the greatest in WWE now, then and forever?

The belts are raised and Jimmy starts with Xavier Woods. They trash talk, pointing to the Wrestlemania sign. Things get heated, and Woods throws the first punch. The brawl goes back and forth, Jimmy rocking with an uppercut. Woods whips but Jey tags in, then waits until Woods isn’t looking to slip in and SUPERKICK Woods down!

The Usos isolate Woods to stomp a mudhole into him in their corner, tagging in and out a la the New Day’s stampede. They even stomp to “New! Day Rocks!” rhythm. Tag back to Jey, and Jimmy holds Woods in for Jey to forearm smash. Cover, TWO, but Jey keeps on Woods with a chinlock. Woods endures the squeeze and fans rally for him. He gets to his feet and arm-drags out, then slides under to tag in Kofi! Springboard clothesline and Kofi rallies with double ax handles. He dropkicks Jey down, then Jimmy, then hits a jumping clothesline on Jey. Kofi runs, “New Day!” boom drop! He gets the fans going as he takes aim at Jey, but Jey blocks Trouble in Paradise. Kofi escapes the back suplex but not the dragon whip kick.

Tag to Jimmy, and Jey runs in only for Kofi to stomp him down. Kofi clotheslines Jimmy back out, not realizing he’s legal. Kofi sees Jey, and decides to copy the running hip attack! It connects!

But then Jimmy returns to run Kofi over! Mule kick to uppercut, Woods comes in but gets the pop-up Samoan Drop! Jimmy dodges Kofi to clothesline him back, and steal the Boom Drop! Jimmy then copies the New Day clap, and takes aim at Kofi, for a chance to steal Trouble in Paradise! Kofi ducks under, tries his own, but Jimmy dodges that to tag Jey. Jimmy scoops Kofi, Jey climbs up, and they steal the Midnight Hour!!

Jey hurries to cover, TWO!! Kofi survives his own team finisher, but Jey keeps eyes on him. He runs in corner to corner, but Kofi dodges the splash! Jey and Kofi are down, Woods is back on his corner. Kofi crawls over but Jey anchors his feet. Kofi kicks Jey away and tags Woods! Woods dodges Jey to knock Jimmy down, Jey rolls up, TWO. They speed up, SUPERKICK but Woods still hits the roaring elbow! SUPERKICK from Woods to Jey, Kofi swing kicks Jimmy and Woods SUPERKICKS again! Another SUPERKICK to Jey, and Kofi tags in. Kofi climbs up, takes aim, and Woods hits another SUPERKICK, then launches for the Uce Splash!!

He hits, he covers, TWO!! The New Day can’t believe it! They stole the Usos’ moves but it didn’t finish them off, either! Kofi tags Woods back in, and the two go to opposite corners. They’re preparing to steal another move, but Jimmy shoves Kofi down. Woods runs in but is sent out, and Jimmy gets his brother back up. The Usos build speed together, and they both FLY!

The Usos wipe out all of the New Day! All five men are down on the outside, when the Bludgeon Brothers appear!

The menacing Harper & Rowan head down to the ring, armed with their hammers. Big E gets up first, and gets knocked down first! The match is thrown out but the Bludgeon Brothers keep going, beating up each Uso and then Kofi and Woods! Kofi is sent flying into a post, and Jey is sent into stairs. Jimmy is fed to the Scrapbuster!

Big E is brought into the ring, as is Woods. Rowan puts Woods on the apron, for a double boot sandwich!

That’s not all for Woods, he suffers a double draping suplex! Then Harper & Rowan turn their attention to Big E in the corner. Harper rams Big E while Rowan throws Kofi, then Harper throws Big E out so Rowan can come around and run him over! The Bludgeon Brothers return their attention to the Usos, taking one each for the powerslam sandwich! They stack the Usos, then Harper becomes a weapon for the scoop slam senton. Rowan tops it off with the big body splash, but they’re still not done!

Harper sits Jey up against steps, and then they get the hammers. Rowan swings, but Jey narrowly avoids the hit! However, Harper just body checks Jey into the crowd! The Bludgeon Brothers start to leave, but then decide they’re not done with Woods yet. Harper sets up steel steps and Rowan brings Woods over, for a powerbomb to the steps!!

The Bludgeon Brothers finally leave, having completely annihilated the SmackDown Tag Team title scene. Who will even be left standing to claim those titles with Harper & Rowan around?

 

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

The Phenomenal One has the odds stacked against him. What does that do his confidence? He’s been talking about the odds for weeks now, and compared to other WWE Champions, this is probably the hardest any champion has worked to get to Wrestlemania. But Styles has a smile on his face because he’s done this his entire life. Styles did the impossible and made it phenomenal. His Wrestlemania Moment starts tonight. Styles has beaten all of the men in this match tonight 1v1, so– Shinsuke Nakamura appears!

Nakamura wishes Styles good luck. Nakamura wants Styles to win so that at Wrestlemania- Just stop, Shinsuke! Styles will make it to Wrestlemania to defend the title and it’ll be Nakamura who gets beat! Nakamura seems to like the sound of that. Will both Nakamura and Styles get what they want on the Grandest Stage of Them All?

 

WWE SmackDown Women’s Championship: Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott!

The Squad leader and the Queen of Flair are each 2-0 on the other’s allies, and now one will get the clean sweep along with the title. Who will win to take the SmackDown Women’s Championship all the way to Wrestlemania?

The belt is raised, the bell rings, and it begins. Ruby gets the waistlock and wristlock, wanting her finish! Charlotte narrowly avoids that, and they circle again. Ruby gets the headlock and takeover but narrowly avoids the Figure Four. They circle again as “WOO!” echoes out with the fans. They tie up, Charlotte reversing a wristlock but Ruby grabbing hair. Charlotte gets to ropes and Ruby lets go, only to kick the rope to jack the jaw! Ruby puts on a headlock, Charlotte powers out, then catches Ruby for a Fall Away Slam!

Charlotte runs in but Ruby boots her away. Ruby hops up but Charlotte runs in again, only for Ruby to turn that into a sleeper. Charlotte bumps her off buckles but Ruby holds on, so they tumble to the apron and the floor! They both stand up but Charlotte rams Ruby into barriers. She then throws Ruby back into them, and then into the ring. Charlotte then spots someone creeping up behind, it’s Sarah Logan AND Liv Morgan!

The Squad has assembled, but Ruby is the one to strike with a sucker kick to the back of Charlotte’s head! Ruby puts Charlotte back in the ring, and hits the Riott Kick! Charlotte goes down, Ruby covers, TWO!? Ruby’s best move didn’t finish Charlotte? Ruby drags Charlotte up and dumps her out, then claims something got in her eye. This allows Sarah & Liv to slink around to where Charlotte is, but Naomi & Becky appear to back them off.

The Squad can’t do anything now that #RoyalGlowFire is all together. Ruby puts Charlotte in the ring and rains down rights to make up for that. The Squad cheers while the fans jeer, but Ruby hits Charlotte with a snap suplex. She rolls through to try another but Charlotte counters with a slingshot suplex! Ruby crawls away, Charlotte runs in but into a mule kick. Ruby uses Deadly Nightshade to ram Charlotte into buckles! She dumps Charlotte down again, then climbs up to fall back for the stage dive senton. Cover, TWO, but the Squad taunts Charlotte. Ruby drags Charlotte up and bounces her off the mat a couple times. The Squad applauds as Ruby drags Charlotte up into a straitjacket hold. Especially when Ruby adds her knees into it.

Charlotte endures the bending and stretching but fans are rallying for The Queen. Charlotte works her way back up to her feet, but Ruby bends her all the way back! Ruby gets on top of Charlotte, and makes her look at her friends. Ruby says “They’re gonna see you fail!” as she thrashes Charlotte around. The fans keep rallying, and Charlotte feeds off the energy to get up. Ruby reels her out for an STO! Cover, TWO, and Ruby grows frustrated. She stomps on Charlotte before going to a corner and climb up again. She cannonballs but gets knees to her back! Charlotte evades but Ruby puts up boots, only to end up in a draping neckbreaker! She doesn’t cover, she climbs over and up, but Ruby shoves her down! Charlotte hits barriers! Charlotte stirs with the ring count, so Ruby runs and DIVES! But she’s caught, into an exploder!

Ruby hits barriers, and Charlotte climbs up to then MOONSAULT on Ruby! Charlotte drags Ruby up and in, then covers, TWO! Charlotte tackles Ruby into the takedown but Ruby pushes her away. Ruby stands up, but Charlotte leaps for a big knee strike! Ruby staggers, Charlotte runs in, but misses and hits buckles. She still boots Ruby away, then climbs up, but Ruby rocks her with a forearm. Ruby climbs up, slapping Charlotte on the way, and hits a SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! And Ruby can’t believe it! She grimaces as she thinks of what to do next.

Ruby brings Charlotte up to give her chops! But Charlotte only grows stronger, and slaps Ruby back before giving her those Flair chops! Chop after chop after chop, then even more chops! Charlotte whips but Ruby holds ropes, only to end up in a backbreaker and shot into the ropes. Ruby gasps but kicks Charlotte back to push Charlotte into buckles! Then the Squad slink in to provoke Becky & Naomi! The referee catches Becky & Naomi, and ejects them! The Squad goes after Charlotte behind his back! But then the referee suspects something, and decides to eject Sarah & Liv! Now it’s back to just champion and challenger, as it was meant to be!

Ruby protests, but doesn’t see Charlotte returning. Charlotte chops, then back suplex, then boots! She’s not done, she puts on the Figure Four, but Ruby counters with a small package! TWO! Ruby wants another Riott Kick but Charlotte reverses to whip Ruby. Ruby goes up, but no Deadly Nightshade this time. Charlotte swings Ruby out then in for an inverted Alabama Slam on buckles!

Charlotte catches her breath as Ruby staggers and flounders in the corner. Ruby staggers out, Charlotte runs in, SPEAR! Then, Figure Four to Figure Eight!

Ruby taps, Charlotte wins! The Queen retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship! She gets the 3-0 sweep to keep her throne as the top woman on the Blue Brand!

Wait a minute, Asuka’s here?!

Raw’s Empress of Tomorrow is here on a SmackDown Pay-Per-View?! And she enters the ring to be face-to-face with Charlotte! Asuka did win the inaugural Women’s Royal Rumble match, and has yet to state which title she wants, so is this her way of challenging Charlotte? She has a huge grin on her face, and the fans are chanting “YES! YES!” Asuka then points at the Wrestlemania sign, that pretty much clears it up! If nobody is ready for Asuka, will Charlotte be ready for her in time for Wrestlemania?!

 

SmackDown Commissioner, Shane McMahon, appears!

Shane O’Mac is here to watch this important and incredible main event that he essentially had a hand in creating.

 

 

WWE Championship Six Pack Challenge: AJ Styles VS John Cena VS Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn VS Baron Corbin VS Dolph Ziggler!

What was a triple threat eventually spiraled into a Fatal 5, and then finally slammed into this star-studded six man one-fall match when the Face that Runs the Place desperately wanted a Road to Wrestlemania! Whether it is John Cena making history as a 17-time world champion, the Phenomenal One keeping his Wrestlemania Dream (Re)Match alive, or one of the other four shocking the world, only one man can face the King of Strong Style on the Grandest Stage of Them All!

The tension mounts, the bell rings, and Sami runs right at Cena only to end up in an AA! Kevin tries, but he runs into an AA! Corbin tries, gets an AA! Ziggler, into an AA! Styles fakes Cena out, not letting Cena complete the set. The fans are fired up seeing this amazing match-up once again.

Cena and Styles circle, but the dueling chants are thunderous. They tie up, Cena gets the headlock, Styles powers out. Cena runs Styles over, and embraces the cheers, jeers and boos. Styles springs up to hit back, but Cena gives his own haymakers. They go back and forth, “Yay!” for Styles and “Boo!” for Cena. Styles misses, Cena gets the fireman’s, but Styles lands out of the AA to kick and go for the Clash. Cena counters into the fireman’s carry, but Styles slips out to the apron. Styles backs Cena off, but then everyone else returns. From Styles to Kevin to Sami to Ziggler and Corbin, they all eye Cena.

Cena realizes the situation he’s in, and so do the fans. They chant “YES! YES!” and Cena ends up in a 5v1 beating! He takes punches, stomps and kicks, then is thrown right out of the ring. That leaves the other five to brawl as they see fit! Kevin throws Styles out while Ziggler and Corbin force Sami out, but the brawls continue even on the outside. Styles rocks Kevin, but Corbin pounces on Styles! Ziggler puts Sami into barriers while Corbin does the same to Styles, then Corbin rocks Kevin with a forearm. Sami fights back on Ziggler while Corbin puts Styles in the ring. Kevin hits Corbin, Corbin bowls Kevin into barriers.

Corbin returns in the ring and Styles rolls him up, TWO! Styles dumps Corbin out, but then Sami grabs Styles. Standing switch and roll up, TWO, so Styles throws Sami out. Kevin comes in, whips but Styles reverses the pop-up into a roll-up, TWO. Styles hits Kevin with a wheelbarrow facebuster! Corbin returns but Styles kicks him to sliding forearm him down. Ziggler in, gets an Ushigoroshi! Sami runs in but into Styles’ boot. Styles hops up, moonsault DDT! Kevin breaks the cover, saving both “friend” and match. Sami slips out, leaving Kevin alone with Styles.

Styles puts Kevin on the apron but Kevin hits back. Kevin climbs up, but Styles revives to stop him short. They brawl while Styles climbs up, and Styles wants the superplex. Kevin resists, hits back and sends Styles down. Corbin returns to throw Styles out but Sami boots Corbin, for Corbin to boot back. Cena returns and runs Corbin over! Ziggler in, and hits Cena with the satellite DDT! But then Kevin frog splashes on Ziggler!

Styles breaks the cover just in time, and all six men are down. Kevin and Styles are the first up, the fans dueling again. Styles and Kevin brawl back and forth, a revisit from the US Championship rivalry. Styles unleashes a strike fest, Kevin breaks the combo with a right hand, but Styles hits the Pele! He hurries to bring Kevin into the Clash but Kevin sends Styles up and out. Corbin returns, but runs into a back elbow. He still grabs Kevin by the throat, for a Choke Slam Backbreaker! Ziggler in with the Zig-Zag!

But Cena’s back, and runs Ziggler over with the signature shoulder tackles. Cena hits Ziggler with the spin-out bomb, but he sees Sami coming in, so he uses another spin-out bomb to set Sami right beside Ziggler. Deja vu to Elimination Chamber, “You Can’t See Me!” and TEN Knuckle Shuffle! Cena targets Ziggler, fireman’s carry, but Ziggler counters with a Famouser!

Cover, TWO! Ziggler is frustrated, but stands up and stalks Cena. He tunes up the band a la HBK, and Cena stands, but dodges! Takedown, into the STF! Ziggler flails and reaches, but Styles returns to break up the hold. Cena staggers up, Styles grabs him in the Clash, but Cena counters with a fireman’s carry, only for Styles to counter back! STYLES CLASH!!

Cover, but Sami breaks it just in time! Sami rains rights down on Styles, then lefts, going wild on Styles. Corbin comes back in while fans declare “This is Awesome!” and brawls with Sami. Sami gets the edge but Corbin knees low to throw Sami out. Sami shoulders back in and bumps Corbin off buckles, only for Corbin to uppercut him out of his slingshot! Corbin runs at Kevin, but slides out then in to lariat Kevin! Styles returns, but runs into a deep Deep Six! Ziggler returns, but his satellite is thrown off, for End of- No, Ziggler slips out! Corbin runs at him, but Ziggler side steps to send Corbin out. Corbin lands on his feet and drags Ziggler out to toss him over barriers. The Lone Wolf pursues the Show-Off, ramming him into more barriers. Then Corbin barrels into Ziggler, busting him through the Plexiglas hockey boards!

Ziggler and Corbin are down and out, leaving things to Kevin, Styles, Sami and Cena. Kevin goes after Styles with a boot, then tears apart the American announce table! AND the German announce table! He puts Styles on one, and drags him to his feet. Kevin shouts, “This is MY show! MY title!” But Styles enziguris Kevin! Kevin falls to a knee, then falls to his stomach. Styles clobbers Sami into the time keeper area while Kevin stirs. Cena sees Kevin and the tables, and hurries over! Cena lifts Kevin in the fireman’s carry, but Kevin fights out. Styles runs in, but into the announce desk AA!!

Cena gets Kevin up and into the ring, but Kevin gets to a corner and boots Cena away. Sami clobbers Cena with a clothesline, but Cena ends up out of the ring. This leaves the “best friends” alone in the ring. Everyone is expecting something, and even Kevin expects a fight. But Sami reminds Kevin the promise he made. Sami is a man of his word, so he’s going to do it. The fans want a fight, but Sami lies down!

Kevin isn’t sure if he can trust this, and fans sure don’t want it this way. But Sami says this is Kevin’s chance, so do it! Kevin doesn’t trust Sami, he grabs Sami by the throat, but then Sami counters with a small package! TWO! And then they brawl! That’s what fans want!

The fight spills to the outside, Kevin putting Sami right into barriers. Kevin then brings Sami into bomb position, and lifts Sami up, but Sami saves himself by grabbing ropes. Kevin joins Sami on the apron and tries from there, but Sami resists to back drop Kevin onto the apron. They both fall to the floor, and Shane sits nearby to watch and enjoy it. However, Sami locks eyes on Shane. “Is this what you wanted? Got a good enough seat, Shane?!” Shane stands up to Sami, but Sami continues to accuse the “tough guy” of conspiring to drive the two apart. Sami sees Kevin coming and dodges, the SUPERKICK goes into Shane!

Kevin sees what he just did but isn’t all that bothered by it. Sami then hits Kevin with the daredevil DDT! Sami is enraged while the fans continue to say “This is Awesome!” He drags Kevin up and in, and takes aim from opposite corners. Sami runs but into the SUPERKICK! Ziggler returns, but Kevin bucks the Zig-Zag away to then Pop-Up Powerbomb! Cover, Shane drags the referee out?! Shane screws Kevin all over again! Kevin glares at Shane, but then Sami HELLUVA Kicks! Only for Shane to drag Sami out! Now Shane’s screwed Sami all over again! Ziggler uses this opening to go for a cover, but Sami breaks the cover just in time! Shane backs off to his seat again while Sami, Kevin and Ziggler are all down.

Corbin returns, and runs Cena over with steel steps. Corbin puts the steps into the ring, and takes aim to run Sami over. He aims at Ziggler and runs Ziggler over. Then he hits Kevin. Corbin grins as he sees Cena returning, dazed and wobbly. Corbin runs at Cena, but Cena blocks the steps! Cena kicks Corbin and hits him with the stairs, three times! Cena puts the steps down, and lines it up. Fireman’s carry, AA to the steps!

Cover, but Ziggler barely breaks it in time. Corbin gets away, and Cena feels the frustration. Ziggler crawls to ropes, Cena lifts the steps, and tosses them! Ziggler evades and SUPERKICKS, but Cena back with an AA! Roll through, to another- No, Kevin is back and he hits Cena with the Pop-Up Powerbomb! PHENOMENAL FOREARM OUTTA NOWHERE!! Styles wins!! Styles uses the chaos to his favor to defy the odds and retain the WWE Championship! That keeps the Wrestlemania Moment he and the King of Strong Style both wanted right where it is!

But while Styles basks in Phenomenal glory, Cena wallows in uncertainty. Is there no way for the still only 16-time world champion to make it to Wrestlemania 34?

 

My Thoughts:

There was a lot of confusion and awkwardness in the build to this SmackDown-only PPV, but Fastlane itself did a lot to push that aside and give us great action tonight. They didn’t really give much time to advertise the kickoff’s six man tag, but the match itself was pretty good considering how poorly Tye, Mojo, Breezango & Benjamin-Gable have been used. If anything, that match should be reason enough to give these six to do relevant things in the near future. Opening the main show with Nakamura-Rusev, and in an extended match, was a really good move for everyone. It gives people exposure to Nakamura, it gives fans plenty of Rusev, and therefore gets the show heated up right away.

Though, the opening pace of Roode-Orton kinda killed some of that. It got better by the end but it would’ve been great if they managed some of the energy created by Nakamura-Rusev. Mahal coming out was somewhat telegraphed by the kickoff as well as his backstage viewing, but I thought it would’ve been as interference. Him just calling out Orton was better, actually, especially with Roode ruining Mahal’s attack while also attacking Orton. Many feel the plan is a triple threat for the US Championship, and that can still work with how this was set up at the end. The Women’s Tag was fun, with only a few mishaps, and mostly surprising that Carmella won.

The Smackdown Tag Team title match was full of great surprises, like both teams using the other’s signature moves to try and defeat them. It speaks to how familiar they are with each other after all the matches they’ve had. Then Harper & Rowan showing up to “ruin” the match and brutalize all five of them was incredible. I don’t know why the Wyatt Family wasn’t used like this when it was three (and then four) of them, but given the kayfabe injuries for Xavier Woods and how this has become personal for the Usos and New Day, I imagine another triple threat for SmackDown at Wrestlemania with these three teams.

The SmackDown Women’s Championship match was great. Ruby was able to keep up with Charlotte, and there was some good story with The Squad, Naomi & Becky showing up, to then get banned later. Charlotte winning was expected, but Asuka showing up was not! It’s great to see her going after the champion who would give her the best match, but it did keep Carmella from cashing in. Maybe Carmella will try in the last four weeks we have before Wrestlemania, but maybe she will wait until after.

Then that Six Pack Challenge, that was a really great match. The Fatal 5 from last SmackDown was fun, and this did improve upon it thanks to Cena’s presence. I didn’t expect him to dish out so many AA’s just to start things off. Shane just can’t help himself, though, can he? This speaks a lot to what we’ve heard about the rest of the ‘Mania card, though… Styles VS Nakamura is still happening, so that’s great. Cena’s fate is still undetermined, but that might lead to something really great for him and fans.

My Score: 8.5/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Japan Cup Results & Report! (3/17/25)

Semifinal Number Two!

Published

19 hours ago

on

March 17, 2025

By

One step away from the Cup!

David Finlay awaits in the New Japan Cup finals, and will either face Shota Umino or Shingo Takagi! Can the Roughneck slay the Rampaging Dragon?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata; Kojima & Nagata win.
  • 10 Man Tag: The United Empire VS El Phantasmo, Jado, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Daiki Nagai; The United Empire wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Hontai VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Just4Guys VS Bullet Club War Dogs; War Dogs win.
  • Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; Double Count-Out Draw.
  • Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
  • 2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi; Shota wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS House of Torture!

Yota Tsuji was cheated out of the New Japan Cup by the King of Darkness, but that’s no surprise. However, that means Evil has a golden ticket to the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship. Will Dick Togo & Yujiro Takahashi help Darkness Fall? Or can Testuya Naito & Bushi help Yota keep everything tranquilo?

Even now, Naito takes his time with his elaborate entrance attire. Eventually, the pants are put aside, and Naito is wearing the new Tendedero merch shirt. LIJ fist bumps, but The House attacks! The fans boo but the bell rings so this is on record. Evil has Yota on the outside and he CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yujiro CHOKES Naito, Dick bumps Bushi off buckles, and then Yujiro TOSSES Naito! Dick CHOKES Bushi now, then he and Yujiro double whip. Dick runs corner to corner but Bushi dodges! Bushi BOOTS Yujiro, then headlocks Dick! BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO! The fans fire up and Bushi hurries to tag Naito.

Naito stomps Yujiro, Bushi joins in, and Evil protests. Evil runs in, but into an atomic drop! Evil staggers away to a corner, Naito & Bushi whip Yujiro into him! Evil falls, Naito kicks Yujiro, and holds him in place, for the NECKBREAKER! Naito poses and the fans cheer. Naito then covers, TWO! Tokyo Pimp is tougher than that, but Naito drags Yujiro up to cravat. Yujiro endures the neck wrench, Naito CLUBS him then whips. Yujiro reverses and Dick gets a cheap shot in! Yujiro runs, but Bushi gets as cheap shot in! Naito runs but Evil trips him up! Dick BLASTS Bushi, Yujiro BLASTS Yota, and Evil drags Naito out.

Evil RAMS Naito into the timekeeper! Abe-san again suffers at the hands of Evil! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but Evil drags Naito up. Evil pushes Naito into the ring, then he and Dick loosen the blue buckle pad. Yujiro covers Naito, TWO! Yujiro drags Naito up while the fans rally, but Yujiro snapmares to drop a leg! And he drops another leg! And another leg! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, but Yujiro taunts LIJ. Yujiro drags Naito up, bumps him off Evil’s boot, and then he tags Evil in. Evil CLAWS Naito’s eyes then stomps away on the legs! The ref reprimands, Evil drags Naito out, and then Evil stomps the leg more!

Evil drops an ELBOW on the knee! Evil pulls on the leg in a toehold, then traps the leg in a leg scissors! Yota runs in and stomps Evil, but Dick TOSSES Yota back out! Evil pulls on the leg, almost has an ankle lock, but Naito has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Evil lets go, and he tags in Dick. They split the wishbone on Naito! The fans rally for Naito but Dick throws down fists. Cover, TWO! Naito is tougher than that and the fans continue to rally. Dick is annoyed, but Naito fires body shots on him! Dick CLAWS Naito’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Dick whips. Naito reverses and ELBOWS Dick, to then arm-drag him!

Naito dropkicks Dick’s legs out! The fans rally, Dick and Naito crawl, hot tag to Yota! The fans fire up as Yota CLOBBERS Dick, then BLASTS the House! But Dick CLAWS Yota’s eyes! Yota runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Yota runs corner to corner, to SPLASH! Yota scoops and SLAMS to then run and BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he paces around. Yota drags Dick up, suplexes, but Dick fights that! Dick wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, then punches Yota! Tag to Evil and they mug Yota! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, but Dick & Evil stand Yota up.

Dick & Evil double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Yota down! Cover, TWO! Yota is tougher than that and the fans rally up, but Evil tells them to shut up. Evil drags Yota to his feet, talks more trash on the fans, but the fans give that back. Evil “puts one out” on Yota, then fireman’s carries! Yota slips free to ROCK Evil! The fans fire up with Yota, he runs, but Evil goes the other way! But Yota catches the pounce into a clinch! BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER, and STOMP! The Gene Combination hits and the fans fire up! Evil sputters, Yota rolls and tags in Bushi. Bushi runs up to dropkick Evil’s legs out! Then Bushi BLASTS Dick!

Yujiro kicks Bushi, whips him to ropes, but Bushi reverses to dropkick the legs out! Evil is back but Bushi DECKS him! Bushi then builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Evil is sent into railing! The fans fire up, Bushi puts Evil back in, and Bushi aims from a corner. Bushi runs corner to corner to ELBOW Evil, then he puts a leg in the ropes to DROPKICK it! Bushi brings Evil out and has the leg, but Evil pulls on the mask! Bushi breaks free, kicks, but Evil blocks, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Bushi down! Dick & Yujiro BLAST Naito & Yota off the apron! They then double whip Bushi to a corner! Dick ELBOWS Bushi! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil LARIATS!

Dick goes up, Evil & Yujiro hold Bushi open, and the ref reprimands! No one to distract him this time! But then Evil just grabs the ref and turns him around! The ref can’t get free, Bushi suffers the DICK CHOP! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives and the fans fire up! Evil is stunned but he brushes that off. Evil paces around Bushi, slashes his throat, and vows to end this! Evil drags Bushi up, spins him, EVERY- NO, Naito gets in to kick Evil down! Yujiro is in, Evil distracts the ref, and Yujiro blocks a kick to LOW BLOW Naito!! The fans boo, but Yota runs up! Yujiro blocks his kick, and trips him up, to FALLING HEADBUTT LOW BLOW!!

The fans boo but Evil still holds onto the ref. Bushi stands, Evil shoves the ref at him! Bushi pushes the ref aside, and he blocks the low blow! But Dick LOW BLOWS from the other side! Evil & Dick get Bushi up, for MAGIC KILLER!! Cover, the House of Torture wins!!

Winners: House of Torture, by pinfall

But they’re not done, as they beat up on Yota now! They snatch the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship from him, and Evil holds it up. The fans boo, but Evil takes aim at Yota! But Yota LOW BLOWS Dick! And he dodges Evil’s attack to then pop-up LOW BLOW! Yujiro has his pimp cane! Yota blocks that, takes the cane, and LOW BLOWS Yujiro with it! The fans fire up behind Yota as he takes his belt back. Yota holds it up to show that not everything is Evil! Will the Gene Blast stop the House of Torture from having more gold?

 

2025 New Japan Cup Semifinal: Shota Umino VS Shingo Takagi!

The Paradigm Shift has certainly taken a turn after The Roughneck gave up his fiery red locks. Shota has changed up his style in the ring to match his new look, but will this Second Chapter lead to the Cup? Or will this young hero fail to slay the Rampaging Dragon?

The bell rings and the fans rally up. They’re strongly behind “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” but Shota doesn’t let that bother him. Shota and Takagi slowly step forward, feel things out, then clinch. Takagi waistlocks but Shota turns around to facelock. Takagi wrenches out and has a wristlock, but Shota rolls, wrenches back, and then hammerlocks. Takagi reaches back to headlock and he hits the takeover, but Shota headscissors. Takagi kips free and the fans cheer the standoff. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength! Shota has the leverage but Takagi powers up.

Takagi breaks a grip, wrenches, headlocks, and he grinds the hold. The fans rally up while Shota endures. Shota pries at the headlock but Takagi keeps it on tight. Shota powers up and out the back, then headlocks in return. Takagi endures the grind now, and he powers up and out! They RAM shoulders, Shota keeps going to RAM Takagi! Takagi rebounds to RAM Shota, but Shota stands his ground! Shota fires a forearm, Takagi fires a DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi whips, but Shota reverses to scoop, HOTSHOT, and then he RUNS Takagi over! The fans fire up while Takagi bails out. Shota waits on Takagi, and the fans rally up again.

Takagi takes his time stepping back inside, and he resets with Shota. They knuckle lock, but then Shota shoots in and trips Takagi up. Shota stomps that leg, then he SMASHES the knee off the mat! Shota stalks Takagi to a corner, then puts the leg around ropes. The fans rally, Red Shoes reprimands, but Shota pulls on the leg. Shota then brings Takagi out to trip him, and Shota stomps away on the leg. Shota drops an ELBOW on the knee, and pulls on the toehold! Takagi endures, works his way back, and has the ROPEBREAK! Shota lets go, but then he drops a knee on the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Shota stomps Takagi’s leg again.

Shota drags Takagi up, facelocks and turns him, but Takagi elbows free! Takagi runs in at the corner but Shota BOOTS him! Shota runs, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT! Shota staggers around while the fans fire up, and Takagi LARIATS Shota up and out! Shota staggers into railing then slumps down. The fans rally behind Takagi while he shakes out the bad leg. Takagi goes out to fetch Shota, and he drags Shota back up. Takagi RAMS Shota into the apron, then RAMS him in again! Takagi whips Shota hard into railing and Shota slumps down! Red Shoes wants Takagi to get this back in the ring, so Takagi rolls in.

The fans applaud and the ring count begins. Shota is still down at 5 of 20, sits up at 8, and he rises up at 10. Shota stands at 13 and hobbles his way over. Shota rolls in at 15, but Takagi stands on him! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi marches in place before he steps off. Takagi KICKS Shota in the back, then drags him up to whip. Takagi KNEES Shota at the ropes, then runs to CLOBBER Shota! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Shota up, reels him in and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Shota is tougher than that, but Takagi looks to the camera. Then he wags his finger, it’s not time yet.

Takagi clamps onto Shota with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Shota endures, so Takagi sits him up and shifts around to also trap an arm. Shota endures being twisted and turned, and he kicks his way forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud, and Takagi lets go, only to BELL CLAP! Red Shoes reprimands but Takagi brings Shota around to SENTON! The fans cheer more and Takagi stands back up. Takagi looms over Shota, kicks him around, but Shota just gets mad. Shota glares at Takagi so Takagi eggs him on. Shota stands to fire a forearm! Takagi shakes his head, so Shota fires another forearm! And another!

Takagi wobbles a bit and Shota fires a flurry! But then Takagi blocks one to wrench and knuckle lock! Takagi goes up the ropes!? The fans fire up, but Shota breaks free! Takagi gives thumbs down, and the fans boo, but Takagi HIP ATTACKS Shota down! Takagi rallies the fans behind him, then reels Shota in. But Shota BACKDROPS free! Takagi gets up fast, but Shota dropkicks the legs! Shota turns Takagi for a NECKBREAKER! Shota snarls, goes to a corner, and the fans rally again. Takagi stands, Shota runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota stays clam.

Shota drags Takagi up and reels him in, but Takagi fights the lift! Shota CLUBS Takagi, whips him to a corner, then runs up, but he blocks a boot! KNEE JAMMER, and then a SHIN BREAKER! Shota turns Takagi over for the STF! The fans rally as Takagi endures and Shota pulls on the hold! Takagi reaches out, crawls his way over, and fights his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Shota lets go in frustration. Shota stands Takagi back up to reel him back in, but again Takagi fights the lift! Shota KNEES Takagi again and again, then tries again. Takagi still fights that lift! Takagi CLUBS at the legs, but Shota CLUBS away on Takagi’s back!

Shota UPPERCUTS into a spin! Takagi suplexes, Shota fights it, so Takagi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Shota crawls away to a corner while Takagi slaps his leg into working. Takagi watches Shota stand, then he runs in. Takagi blocks a boot, CLUBS the leg, and he LARIATS Shota down! The fans fire up and Takagi gets them even more fired up. Takagi stands Shota up, but Shota fires forearms! Takagi SHOVES Shota down, but Shota is right up to fire more forearms! Takagi THROWS Shota down, but Shota’s right up to fire forearms! Takagi YUKON LARIATS outta nowhere!

The fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises and grabs at Shota but Shota shakes him off. Takagi still tries to stand Shota up but Shota kicks him now! So Takagi short arm LARIATS Shota down! And he short arm LARIATS again! Then a scoop for a SLAM, and Takagi goes up! YUKON ELBOW DROP! Takagi hauls Shota up, and hits a POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO!! Into an STF! Takagi gives Shota a taste of his own medicine! Shota endures, the fans rally, and then Takagi shifts to Just Facelock! Shota still endures, then fights around and reaches out. Takagi shifts to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Shota still endures!

Shota reaches out but Takagi pulls on that arm! The fans rally, Takagi puts as much as he can into the Fujiwara, but Shota fights and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud while Takagi lets off, and he throws some elbows down for good measure. Takagi then brings Shota up, puts him on the top rope, and he fires ridge hand chops! Takagi climbs up, goes to the very top, and hits a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up and Shota writhes! Takagi covers, TWO!! Shota survives and the fans fire up again. Takagi finally says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has finally come! They then join in with “OI! OI! OI!”

Takagi stalks Shota, brings him up, and pump handles, only for Shota to fight the lift! Shota slips free, half nelsons, but Takagi elbows free! Shota UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! Shota winds up and runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi keeps moving, Shota gets around to SNAP HALF ‘N’ HALF! But Takagi’s right up to SNAP GERMAN! Shota’s right up, ducks a lariat, and he SNAP GERMANS! Shota roars, runs up, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Takagi and Shota go to opposite ends, and the fans rally up.

Takagi goes to a corner, drags himself up, and Shota is in the other corner. The fans rally harder, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but neither man falls! So they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Both stay up, Takagi SWATS a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then he whips Shota, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Takagi’s right up!? But Shota LARIATS him back down!! Shota also falls and the fans rally back up! Takagi and Shota stir, and Shota crawls his way over to Takagi. The “SHOTA! SHOTA!” fans are showing up now, and he reels Takagi in, for a POWERBOMB!! High stack cover, TWO!!

The fans fire up again and Shota fires himself up. Takagi slowly rises up, Shota runs, but Takagi swats the lariat! ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SHOTGUN! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER again!! Both men are down again as we hit 20 minutes! Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally up, and Takagi crawls over to Shota. The dueling is starting to sound even, and Takagi brings Shota up. Shota fires boxing elbows, then a ROLLING- NO, Takagi catches him! Pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Takagi shouts out Milano Collection AT with how he tucks Shota’s arms! TAKAGI DRIVER 98!! Cover, TWO!!

Shota survives but Takagi keeps moving, SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up as Takagi gets going again, and he PUMPING BOMBERS!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Shota survives and shocks everyone! Takagi thinks on what he must do now, and he brings Shota back up. The fans rally, Takagi pump handles and torture racks! But Shota kicks and flails to get free! Shota LARIATS, but Takagi stays up while Shota drops to his knees! Takagi shakes his head, brings Shota up again, but Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi goes to a corner, Shota fires forearms and an elbow, then a ROLLING ELBOW! Takagi stays up to ELBOW! JAB! And whip!

Shota reverses, and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up, Shota brings Takagi to his feet for the fisherman and SECOND- NO, Takagi fights that to scoop Shota! LANDSLIDE DRIVER!! The fans rally up again and Takagi watches Shota rise. Takagi runs, Shota dodges, but then Takagi dodges! DOUBLE LARIATS!! Shota falls on the cover, ONE?!?! Shota gest going again, SHOTA BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Takagi will not be beat at his own game and the fans fire up! Shota goes to a corner as the fans are dueling, and Shota BUSAIKU KNEES! Then he hooks the leg, SECOND CHAPTER!!! Cover, SHOTA WINS!!

Winner: Shota Umino, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

The Rampaging Dragon has been slain! Perhaps if this was the Shota from before New Beginning, the story would be different, but the Second Chapter writes Takagi out of the tournament. Will Takagi battle his way to the top from a different path?

As for Shota, he decides not to say anything, and exits the ring. But wait! David Finlay & Gedo make their way out here! Gedo grabs the mic to ask, “Oi, kid, where’d you go? Get back out yere, you punk! Get back here, kid!” Shota responds to that taunting and makes his way back out. Gedo tells Shota, “I don’t know what’s going on in your head, but do you realize who you’re facing in the finals? The Savage King, David Finlay! He’s crazy strong, kid! Tougher than you can imagine! Whatever it took for you tog et here, in an instant, it’ll be destroyed! Get over here, ya punk! Get over here! I wanna know how much you want this!”

“You want to come in here, say your piece? Just try!” Gedo drops the mic for Shota, and then Shota stares Finlay down. Shota picks the mic up, and he tells Finlay, “I promise I will beat you.” Finlay likes the sound of that. These two stare down, and we are just days away from them battling for it all! Who will be the 2025 New Japan Cup Champion, and the man aimed squarely at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?

My Thoughts:

Another great night for New Japan Cup, but with as much filler as yesterday’s event. The War Dogs sure have their hands in many things, as does the House of Torture with how Evil is building to a title match with Yota Tsuji. The War Dogs and House of Torture going to Double Count-Out Draw again was a good move, it keeps both sides equal as we wait for them to do whatever huge faction warfare match they’re planning. As for Yota VS Evil, hard to say at this point as House of Torture won the match but then Yota stood tall after that scrap. It’d be really weird if Evil gets that title off Yota just to be a transitional champion to Finlay so that Finlay can get “his” title back.

Shota VS Shingo was a great match, but the crowd really took a second to get into it. There still seems to be a number of fans who are uncertain on Shota so they didn’t feel like cheering right away, but Shota got them on his side as things heated up. Shota winning makes sense, he’s got this new attitude and so that’s part of the push. I hope he changes his aesthetic enough once we get to the finals on March 20th. Take those all white paints, airbrush something on them that helps represent what “Second Chapter” Shota is about, or even just go with a solid color like red or blue to indicate the change visually. As for who wins, that is anyone’s guess, as Finlay will have to circle back to the Bullet Club Civil War at some point.

My Score: 8.8/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/17/25)

Brussels is Raw!

Published

1 day ago

on

March 17, 2025

By

Adrenaline in Brussels, every thought out of control!

Cody Rhodes has called him out and now it’s the moment of truth: Will John Cena return to Monday Night Raw live from Brussels, Belgium?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser; Penta wins.
  • Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile; Dakota wins.
  • Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller; Jey wins.
  • The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee; Rey & Lee win.
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor; Bron wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

JOHN CENA IS HERE!

Brussels erupts with booing as the traitorous GOAT makes his way out. He’s wearing the custom Belgium merchandise, but not even that is enough to appease the fans, and they still sing, “John Cena SUCKS~!” Cena grabs the mic and paces around while the fans boo and give thumbs down. The dueling does begin, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” and Cena just stands there to let it play out. Then he drops the mic and turns to leave, but that makes everyone boo! Cena picks up the mic, fans chant, “You Sold Out!” so Cena drops the mic again. The fans boo, so Cena picks the mic back up.

Cena finally speaks, “When someone is properly grounded in life… They shouldn’t have to look outside themselves for approval.” Fans chant and sing at Cena some more, but Cena says they are making this so easy for him. “For 25 years, I’ve been the victim, okay? I have been the victim of an abusive relationship. No, no, no, you have lost your time to talk!” The fans say, “You Sold Out!” Cena says fine, take the floor. But what do they do with it? They just abuse and bully him into being their damn puppet, and expect him to do it with a smile on his face! NO MORE! The fans tell Cena off, and he lets them say it. “So very classy. Thank you.”

“Look, I am not a ‘baby face,’ I am not a ‘heel.’ I’m a human being. And each and every one of you has been AWFUL to me! Go ahead, go ahead! You’ve been awful!” The fans boo more, but Cena says it has been the same damn noise for 25 YEARS! When he first got here, the fans let him know really loud that they hated him. Moments of embarrassment and shame, they let him know he wasn’t worthy of them. So he changed himself, and it worked for a second, but then it wasn’t enough! So what’d he do? He worked hard like always, he started to win and win and win and win, and win and win and win and win!

But oh, he won a lot, and fans hated it! It wasn’t enough! So what’d Cena do? He spent 10 YEARS giving away everything he possibly could, and it still wasn’t enough! The fans tell Cena to STFU, but he just smirks and shakes his head. In his final moments, what’s the only thing he can do? He can walk away. Wow, and now you cheer. But he announced his retirement in a move no one has done before. He really is walking away at the end of this year. He tried one last time to get along with the fans. He tried one last time to do something nice, but they ruined it! Just like they ruin everything!

Because just like right here tonight, it was great for two seconds, and then it wasn’t enough! The fans sing “Hey Hey Hey~, Goodbye~!” Cena says, “Each one of these idiots is proving my point with every breath. My point is, no matter what I do, it is never enough, and you should all be ashamed of yourselves. All you ever do is take. You take, you take, and you take! And you only care about yourselves! I put my values on the line to make a very important choice in my life, and all you could think is, ‘What do we get?’ My story changed! ‘What do we get? John Cena’s coming to my town! What do we get? This is trending! What do we get?’

“Not one of you SOBs asked me how I feel. No one! It’s just ‘What do we get? What do we get?’ YOU GET NOTHING! You get what you have earned, and what you have earned is NOTHING! You don’t get a new look, because you dress like me, I don’t dress like you idiots! You don’t get new music! That is MY voice on that song, and your time is finally up! And my time is finally now! The only thing you get is to take a long look in the mirror to see how awful each and every one of you has been for 25 years to me!” The fans still boo, and even shift to, “We Want Cody!” Oh, they want Cody? OH~, of course! The brand new, shiny toy! Because they’re about to put this one out to pasture.

Like he said, they’re just proving his point that they’re awful people. And that’s every single person here! No one is safe, no one can hide, especially those he can pick out in the crowd. This guy, that guy in the front row, and that other guy. Yes, he sees them. The “Let’s Go Cena” people. They’re the ones who support Cena. The dueling begins again, and Cena says, “You hear that, world? The Cena Sucks Jagoffs, they have already proved themselves awful people. I’m about ot tell you why the Let’s Go Cena people are just as awful. You claim to support me? What have you ever done? What have you, you, you, what have you ever done to support me, huh?!

“What have you ever done for me? All you ever do is steal from me! You steal! You steal my personal moments! You steal my time! You have made me your freakin’ toy! I am an object to you! You have made me the butt to a stupid ‘invisible’ joke for 15 years, and you still think it’s funny! It is NOT funny! It is pathetic! You are pathetic.” Fans tell Cena off again, but Cena says they don’t wanna hear this, huh? Not ready to hear this? Not ready to lean into the uncomfortable conversation. The truth is, the fans don’t wear his merch to support him. They wear it to feel good. They wear words like Hustle, Loyalty, Respect, but Cena LIVES them.

The fans think they can buy the words “Never Give Up?” Cena is the definition of perseverance, and everyone here knows it! “You do not support me. What you do is you use me as an excuse for your pathetic failure of a life. Because all you’ve ever done there for 25 years is sit on your ass and watch me be great! NO MORE! This, everybody, including that one kid right there, is a toxic, dysfunctional relationship! Oh, you don’t wanna hear it, huh? It’s too tough for ya? Well listen to this. I’m breaking up with you. I’m done. I’m breaking up with every single person. Whether you like me or you don’t, you’re dumped.

“I don’t need you anymore. I don’t care about you. And you don’t matter to me. And here’s the thing. There’s no noise you can make, there is nothing you can do, because you know I’m right and you know you are wrong!” WAIT! Here comes Cody! Brussels erupts with cheers this time, and they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~!” Cody gets his pyro, continues down the ramp and high-fives fans, and Cena just waits on Cody. We get the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and more pyro as Cody throws off his jacket and steps into the ring with Cena. Cody raises the Undisputed WWE Championship, the fans cheer, and then Cody gets himself a mic.

The fans cheer as the song dies down and Cena scowls. The fans sing, “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~! CODY, CODY RHOOODES~!” Cody lifts the belt again and the fans cheer more. Cody then finally says, “I think everybody was willing to hear you out, even myself. If I understood correctly from what you just said, they’ve given you their worst. Sure, they might’ve given you their worst. But they’ve also given you their best for 25 years, and they did that because you were special. They did that because you were special. They did that because you could take it. They did that because you could carry it!” The fans cheer that.

Cena says, “Look, kid,” but Cody tells him, “ENOUGH! And it’s certainly not ‘kid.’ It’s champion!” The fans cheer that, too! And Cody wants to ask Cena something. “Who the hell are you? Where’s the guy on this shirt? Right here! Even after what you did, I was excited at the prospect of going week to week, face to face, with John Cena. And instead, I got this. Well this better not show up at WrestleMania. Because if it does, I run it over, I run it out, because I already took its best shot and it wasn’t good enough, I retire it early! So go find John Cena, because I wanna wrestle him at WrestleMania 41, not this whiny b*tch!”

Cody drops his mic and leaves the ring, the fans all fired up! Cody gives Cena one last look before he makes his way back up the ramp. The fans sing for “CODY! CODY RHOOODES~!” again, and he again lifts the belt. Cena is still in the ring, so the fans boo. Cena drops his mic, exits the ring, and the fans again sing “Hey Hey Hey, Goodbye~!” Cena gives them one last look before he goes backstage. Will this Cena be all we get from now until the end of 2025?

 

No Holds Barred: PENTA VS Ludwig Kaiser!

After going back and forth, and even adding Pete Dunne to the mix, the Man with No Fear and the Impeccable German have it out with nothing holding them back! Will Penta show Kaiser what #CeroMiedo looks like when it is fully unleashed? Or will Kaiser say NEIN to another loss?

Raw returns and Penta makes his entrance. The fans fire up with the pyro, and “CERO! MIEDO!” The fans even sing, “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CEROOO~, MIEDOOO~!” The bell rings and Penta eggs Kaiser on. Kaiser is annoyed with the fans, but then he and Penta start throwing hands! Kaiser gets the edge, but Penta avoids the lariat to CHOP Kaiser down! Kaiser staggers, Penta runs up, and Penta LARIATS Kaiser up and out! Then Penta slides out, runs up, but Kaiser THROWS him into the timekeeper’s area! The fans boo, but Penta gets up on the barriers! Penta tightrope walks his way to FLYING RANA Kaiser into the apron!

The fans fire up with Penta and he pursues, but Kaiser bails out. Kaiser grabs chairs, puts them in the ring, but Penta runs up to DROPKICK Kaiser down! Penta then builds speed and he FLIES! Direct hit, the fans fire up, but then the fans cheer as Penta clears the commentary desk! Penta puts Kaiser up there, CHOPS him, but Kaiser CHOPS back! They CHOPS go back and forth, the fans cheer and boo. Penta fires off a flurry, but Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s face! Then KAISER ROLL on the desk! The fans lose their minds while Kaiser stands tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Kaiser has Penta up top, and he CLAWS at the mask! But Penta fights Kaiser off! The fans fire up as Kaiser staggers, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Kaiser staggers up, Penta dodges and KICKS Kaiser in the leg! Then SLING-DOG! Kaiser flounders to a corner, Penta whips, but Kaiser reverses. Penta goes up and over to BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Penta rises. Penta aims from a corner, calls his shot, and runs up, but into a GAMANGIRI! Kaiser fireman’s carries, KAISER ROLL again, then cover! TWO! Penta survives, but Kaiser kicks him out of the ring. Kaiser UPPERCUTS Penta, then RAMS him into steel steps!

The fans boo, Kaiser leaves Penta behind, but only to go out the side. Kaiser gets running, wanting his favorite shot! But Penta BACKDROPS Kaiser onto the desk! The fans are thunderous as Kaiser writhes! Penta has the fans singing again, and he brings Kaiser off the desk to put in the ring. Penta stalks Kaiser, but Kaiser SMACKS Penta! The fans chant, “We Want Tables!” but Penta CHOPS! Kaiser fires a haymaker, Penta fires back, and the two stand. Kaiser ROCKS Penta, but Penta ROCKS Kaiser! The haymakers keep going, then Penta trades CHOPS with Kaiser’s haymakers! Penta fires a flurry of forearms, then says “CERO! MIEDO!”

Penta runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Kaiser SLAMS him down! BLINDSIDE SLIDING FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Kaiser stalks him to ropes. Kaiser tells Penta to listen to him! Penta will fear KAISER! Kaiser will teach Penta what it means to fear! Kaiser CLUBS Penta down, the fans sing for Penta, but Kaiser grabs a chair. Kaiser dares Penta to get up, and then he SMACKS Penta on the back! Penta scrambles to a corner but Kaiser grins as he storms up. Kaiser CHOKES Penta with the chair and shouts, “Are you scared? Say it!” Kaiser wants Penta to admit he’s afraid, but Penta just powers up! The fans fire up as Penta pushes Kaiser back! “CERO! MIEDO!”

Kaiser drags Penta up, clinches, but Penta WRINGS that arm, then has the other! THE SACRIFICE!! Kaiser writhes, clutches that elbow, but now Penta has the chair! Penta winds up but Kaiser wants mercy! Penta shakes his head but Kaiser says he gives up?! Kaiser says Penta wins? Penta isn’t sure about that, but then Kaiser CLAWS Penta’s eyes! Kaiser has th echair, but Penta SUPERKICKS the chair into Kaiser! Then he SMACKS Kaiser! Then he gives the chair back to SUPERKICK it into Kaiser again! Penta goes up, Kaiser staggers around, and Penta reels him in, FLYING MEXICAN DESTROYER on the chair!!

The fans are losing their minds, but Penta then hits a PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!

Winner: Penta, by pinfall

Brussels gives this brutal opener a standing ovation! Will Penta now leave Kaiser in the past to go for bigger and better prizes? Cathy Kelley interviews Penta on the ramp and congratulates him on the win. That was a definitive end to that match, and we’re on the Road to WrestleMania. What is next for Penta? Penta says first off all, THANK YOU, BRUSSELS! They are amazing, he loves ’em! But the Penta New Era is here! It is alive in Europe, but also in every continent in the world! What is next for Penta? Listen: THE INTERCONTINENTAL CHAMPIONSHIP!

Penta wants to tell everyone that he doesn’t care what he has to do, he WILL be champion! Because he is Penta, and he has CERO MIEDO! That very title is on the line later tonight, will Penta be aimed at Bron Breakker or Finn Balor for WrestleMania?

 

Dakota Kai heads to gorilla.

Iyo Sky gives her a pep talk before her match, but uh, is that Dominik Mysterio talking with Karrion Kross? Is Dom still trying to recruit new members? Or is Mr. Doomsday giving Dom some special advice of his own?

 

The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Carlito is adding to the great graffiti backstage, Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez talk about how Dominik should’ve taken the match with Bron Breakker instead of- Finn walks in! Liv & Raquel say hey, and they wish him luck tonight. Finn thanks them for that, and he wishes them the best of luck in their matches. Jade Cargill is gonna be another stop on the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour! And Raquel, by this time next week, they’ll both be Intercontinental- Oh, Dom walks in! Hey, bud! The man of the moment! Finn knows Dom knows, but Finn wants to say from the bottom of his heart, thanks for getting him the title match.

Dom says of course! Whatever it takes to get Judgment Day back on top. But here’s the thing… Dom was talking with some people, and he has an idea. Oh, an idea? Is Dom sure he should say this? Dom says it’ll be okay. Ever since JD McDonagh went down, they kinda lost some muscle around here. So Dom found the perfect person to add to the Judgment Day! Finn is annoyed and asks who. Penta! Finn wants to get something straight. After all this time, and after all they’ve been through, Dom goes behind Finn’s back, has all these conversations with all these people, and the one he lands on… is offering a spot to Penta, the guy who just declared HE wants Finn’s Intercontinental title?!

Finn seethes, and tells Dom he’s just a snake! Finn storms out, the mood ruined. Dom didn’t know Penta was gonna go for the title. Carlito says Dom doesn’t watch the product, huh? Well, Dom stepped in it this time. Is there some way he can he make it up to Finn? Or should he just give up on adding members?

 

Dakota Kai VS Ivy Nile w/ Team American Made!

Speaking of the Women’s Intercontinental Championship, both #CobraKai and the Diamond Pitbull have fought for and failed to take that title from Lyra Valkyria. With Raquel Rodriguez facing Lyra next, who will prove they’re worthy of the shot after that?

What a surprise to see Chad Gable showing up. He apologizes for being late, and then he joins The Creed Brothers in Ivy’s corner. The bell rings, and Dakota fires off fast hands on Ivy! The ref reprimands as they’re in the corner, but Dakota backs off. Dakota runs up, but Ivy stops the flying-mare! Ivy throws Dakota away, Dakota keeps moving, but Ivy LARIATS! Ivy is already frustrated and she rains down fists! The fans boo, Ivy tells them to shut up, and Maggle taunts Gable about his lucha mask that he may or may not have. Ivy stands Dakota up, whips her to a corner, and Dakota bounces off buckles into Ivy’s GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Ivy is annoyed but Gable coaches her on. Ivy drags Dakota up, reels her in, and she suplexes. Dakota cradle counters! TWO, and Dakota goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, Dakota ELBOWS her away, then Dakota BOOTS her! Dakota runs to DISCUS LARIAT! And then LARIAT again! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Dakota while Ivy ends up in a corner. Dakota runs in to BOOT WASH! Dakota then puts Ivy through ropes, and JUMP- NO, Ivy avoids the stomp! But Dakota GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up again and Dakota builds speed, but Gable is on the apron! The fans boo, Ivy storms in, and Ivy scoops Dakota for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, TWO!

Dakota survives, and here comes the LWO! They go after The Creeds for what Gable or not Gable did! Gable runs but gets flanked, so he goes into the crowd! The fans fire up as Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee chase after Gable! Ivy is shocked, but that lets Dakota run Around the World! BOOT! And then a fireman’s carry, GO TO KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!

Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall

American Made falls apart in Brussels, and now #CapKota is in pole position for the title chase! Will she get one more shot on goal with Lyra? Or will she and her old rival, Raquel, meet again?

 

Iyo Sky heads to the ring!

The fans fire up as the Evil Genius, the NEW Women’s World Champion, is ready to sign on the dotted line! She and Bianca Belair are going to put pen to paper, but will that be all that happens? We find out after the break.

Raw returns as Bianca is in the ring, and Adam Pearce has joined them. Pearce welcomes everyone in French, and says it is now time to make this world title match official between challenger Bianca Belair, and champion Iyo Sky! The fans cheer that! Pearce says they know how this works. Two signatures makes this official, so the floor is theirs. Iyo and Bianca both take their seats, and Iyo picks up her mic first. “Bianca, you will not disrespect me again. Rhea will not disrespect me again. No one will disrespect me again. Because I am the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer that! “And after WrestleMania, I will still be the Women’s World Champion!” The fans cheer even more for that!

Iyo signs her part, the fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Iyo bows in thanks for that. Now Bianca has her turn to speak. “Iyo, I have all the respect in the world for you. I really do. But last week, I gave you a pass because it was lowkey my fault, so I’ma tell you exactly what I told Rhea. If you put your hands on me and think you can get away with it, you don’t know me at all. So WrestleMania, you gonna find out exactly who I am. I am Bianca Belair, The EST of WWE, and I will be your NEW Women’s World Champion.” Fans are a bit more torn here, but Bianca signs her part. Pearce says it is now official!

The fans cheer and Pearce thanks them for being so professional. But then RHEA RIPLEY shows up! The fans fire up but Pearce, Bianca and Iyo are all shocked and upset about this. Mami has a mic as she storms down the ramp, but Pearce already calls in refs! Pearce asks what Rhea is doing out here, but Rhea asks them what they’re all doing out here. Because last she checked, Iyo slapped her in the face and she won’t do nothing about it, like Bianca over here. How the hell is Bianca acting like nothing happened? Well, for one, Bianca had to sign the contract for WrestleMania. That’s what she’s doing out here.

Rhea says real funny, coming from Bianca. Because Bianca had no business being out here for Rhea’s title match, but there she was. So time to take a page out of Bianca’s book, and she’s just out here to watch. Oh, then Rhea will be just watching WrestleMania! Bianca and Rhea argue, Iyo gets riled up, and she storms up like last time. But Bianca pie faces her first! Bianca says she ain’t getting smacked today! Well she gets a HEADBUTT from Rhea! Bianca ends up on the table, and then Rhea kicks Iyo! Rhea reels Iyo in, and hauls her up, to POEWRBOMB onto Bianca! The table doesn’t break, but Pearce has had enough of Rhea!

Rhea sees the contract on the floor, then picks it up. And she SIGNS IT, TOO!? Can she do that?! We have the two signatures, but is she making this into a Triple Threat?! Pearce argues with Rhea all the way to the back as she plays keep-away, but is Mami about to be on top one way or another?

 

Jey Uso walks ‘n’ talks.

“Yeah! Yeah! Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~! YEAH! I ain’t been myself lately. Been doubtin’ myself. Mind playin’ tricks on me. So I flew halfway around the world to whoop somebody’s ass! And that person tonight is Austin Theory. But at WrestleMania, it’s me and you, Gunther, when I shock the world and become World Heavyweight Champ! So Uce! Hey, Uce! Please hit my music-” GUNTHER IS AT GORILLA! Jey and Gunther get to shouting but Pearce and security barge in! Pearce says not tonight! Not after everything Rhea just did! Gunther says he talked to Jimmy on Friday, and he’s just as dumb as Jey!

Jey shoves Gunther, security ushers Gunther out, and Jey says he’ll see “G” out there! UH UH, YEET!! Jey makes his entrance, will he be even more fired up to fight #AllDay Austin Theory?

Jey Uso VS Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller!

Raw returns and A-Town Down Under makes their entrance. The bell rings, Waller distracts Jey already, and Theory fires off haymakers! They end up in the corner, the ref reprimands and counts, but Theory talks trash on the Yeet! Theory drags Jey up, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges then SPEARS!! Cover, Jey wins!!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall

That was fast! Jey really IS fired up to fight Gunther for Mania! Waller storms in, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! Jey then watches ATDU regroup, and Jey FLIES! Jey clips the ropes just a bit but he still takes ATDU down! Jey gets back up, but GUNTHER GETS HIM IN A SLEEPER!! Gunther squeezes tight, but Jey RAMS Gunther into a corner! Jey is free to fire haymakers! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, but Gunther blocks the shot! Jey ROCKS Gunther with his off hand, and then he YANKS the title from Gunther!! The fans fire up, Gunther runs up in a rage, but Jey DUMPS him out! The fans fire up as Jey holds up the belt!

Gunther is furious, the fans cheer, but then Jey tosses the belt back. Der Ring General tried to punk out Jey, but Jey turned the tables! Will nothing stop Jey from proving he IS a main event player?

 

Pearce argues with Rhea.

Pearce will not allow Rhea to get away with what she’s doing! You can’t just write your name on a contract! Rhea says yes she can, she literally just did it! This is like talking to a child. Give him the contract! No! Yes! No! YES! NO! Rhea Ripley, give her the contract! Rhea says then he should put her in the match, her name’s on the contract! She shoves the contract into Pearce’s chest, he thanks her and takes his leave. But here comes Bianca! She and Rhea brawl! Bianca HAMMERS away, but now Iyo gets in, to go after Rhea! Bianca shoves Iyo aside and says Rhea is hers! Iyo DECKS Bianca, tells Bianca not to screw with her, but then Rhea SHOVES Iyo into a door!

Rhea goes after Bianca, and throws her into road cases! Pearce returns to have refs usher Rhea out of here! Rhea demands to be in that title match! Will Mami get what she wants? Or will she throw things out of whack until she does?

 

The Creed Brothers VS Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee!

After that wild encounter earlier tonight, this was a natural choice for all parties involved! Will Julius & Brutus get payback for Master Gable being run out of the building? Or will American Made learn not to mess with the L W O?

The teams sort out and Julius starts against Dragon. The bell rings, and Julius JUMP KNEES Lee down! The fans boo but Julius drags Lee up for a fireman’s carry. But Lee pops up to RANA Julius away! Brutus runs up but Lee dodges to SUPERKICK! Brutus tumbles out, Lee DIVES onto Brutus! Lee goes up a corner, then CROSSBODIES Julius! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Lee clamps onto Julius. Lee reaches out but Brutus YANKS Rey down! Julius turns things around and hits Lee with a ROLLING SPINEBUSTER! Then a SLIDING LARIAT! Julius scowls, the fans boo, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and the fans rally as Lee wipes out the Creeds! Lee crawls for his corner, hot tags to Julius and Rey! The fans fire up as Rey BLASTS Brutus, BOOTS Julius, then ELBOWS Brutus to dodge Julius! Tilt-o-whirl DEJA VU RANA! Julius flounders around, the fans fire up, and Rey climbs up on Julius. Rey rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to “Sept” (seven in French) before Julius carries him off the corner! Brutus is there and Julius hands Rey off! But Rey fights back, elbowing Julius away and raining fists down on Brutus! But Brutus THROWS Rey at Julius, and Julius catches Rey!

Julius powers up and brings Rey around, but Rey swings to DDT! Lee is back, FLYING RANA for Brutus to the floor!! The fans are thunderous and Rey goes up top! But Julius springs up after him! Only for Rey to HEADBUTT him away! Rey leaps, FLYING RANA and Julius is on the ropes! Rey dials it up and the fans cheer the 619! DROP THE DIME! Cover, LWO WINS!

Winners: Rey Mysterio & Dragon Lee, by pinfall

The King of Lucha and his Boy Wonder took down the Creeds, but WAIT! That American Made luchador is back! He CLOBBERS Rey, dodges Lee, and then FLYING HEADBUTTS! El Americano rains down fists on Lee, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Rey storms up to fire forearms! The fans fire up, but Gable- er, uh, Americano waistlocks again! GERMAN SUPLEX and Rey lands on Lee! The fans boo “whoever this is,” but now he goes up top! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” a la Angle, but Americano says SHOOOOSH! DIVING HEADBUTT on Lee!! “UH GRACIAS~!” Americano runs away as security rushes out here!

Gable was ran off from the building, yet this luchador returns. What is going on with this masked man mystery?

 

Seth Rollins is here!

Brussels sings his song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary is in a comparatively normal outfit. Rollins high-fives fans and makes his way to the ring in his dark green suit and boots highlighted with gold chain and wristwatch. What will Rollins have to say about the shocking way Roman Reigns returned? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns as the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it while he has the mic in hand. The fans applaud as the singing just keeps going. Another round of applause, and then Rollins tells Brussels, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins!” The fans cheer again, and Rollins says that by the sound of this, they already know it. In case you don’t, this is a Visionary, this is a Revolutionary, this is SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS! The fans cheer more, the singing returns, and Rollins again smiles. The fans applaud, and Rollins says alright. He was coming out here mad as Hell, but it is hard to be mad with those beautiful voices serenading him.

Rollins takes a moment as fans start to chant “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Well, we’ll get to him, but Rollins wants to talk Roman Reigns first. “O T C! O T C!” Yes, you saw the footage last week. Is Rollins mad as Hell that Roman came for revenge? Absolutely not, cuz he’d have done the same damn thing! HAHAHA! “The problem is, even after all these years, and a Wise Man in his ear, Roman Reigns still can’t come up with a plan. He needs his Architect to do it for him.” Roman had the time, the place, the moment, but he left one detail out: That detail is the man the fans were all chanting for just a few moments ago.

The “C M PUNK!” chant returns and Rollins says yes, “The luckiest loser on the face of the planet.” Because of Rollins had just a few more seconds in that cage, he would’ve ended what he promised the world. He would’ve stomped Punk through the mat, ended the Mania dream, and put Punk’s career on ice! Rollins would’ve taken care of the Punk Problem for everyone, including Roman. But like the good ol’ days, Rollins is left to clean up Roman’s mess. The “O T C!” chants return, and Rollins says don’t worry, he’ll put OTC in his place along the way. And it just so happens that Rollins’ two favorite people are going to be in the same place at the same time this Friday Night SmackDown.

Oh, trust him, Brussels, Rollins wishes those two were here, too. But… Rollins was just thinking… Why let them boys have all the fun? Maybe Rollins makes a trip down to Italy, makes a trip to SmackDown, and he puts himself right in between Roman and Punk? What do the fans think about that? The fans cheer, and Rollins says yeah, that sounds like a nice way to solve a problem and clean up a mess. But that is Friday, this is Monday, this ain’t about SmackDown, this is about the fans! This has been one hell of a crowd all night long! They’ve been singing with their beautiful voices, there’s just one match left and that is the main event for the Intercontinental Championship!

So Brussels, sing Rollins’ beautiful song as he makes his way to SmackDown and we make our way to the main event! Give it to ’em, Brussels! “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins revels in it again, and he says, “It’s on. See you boys on Friday, HAHAHA!”

 

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

Cathy is with the Phenomenal One and says he had a lot to say on the Raw Recap show about Logan Paul. Could he give us a bit of that here? Styles says he stands behind everything he said. Styles hears the fans sing for him, then says Logan Paul just doesn’t belong. But then Karrion Kross & Scarlett Bordeaux walk over. Kross asks if that’s really how Styles feels. Styles says he doesn’t need this. Kross says he is just offering a different perspective, but if Styles doesn’t want it… Kross turns to go but Styles says fine, let’s hear it. Maybe Styles isn’t mad about Logan Paul. Maybe Styles is mad at himself. That’s enough of that.

No, hey, hold on! Kross just wants Styles to think: How long did it take for Styles to get to the WWE and find validation? 16? Styles says it was 17. Okay, okay. But it didn’t take Logan that long, did it? Is Styles not able to respect a guy who just waltzed into the business and did everything Styles has ever wanted to in record time? Styles sees where Kross is going with this, and it’s not gonna work. Styles leaves, but Kross says it’s working. He and Scarlett do the Scott Hall fingers, will their mind games make Styles and Logan bitter enemies?

 

Bron Breakker heads to gorilla.

And Penta is there! Penta looks at the title, and Bron smirks. Will this be the match-up for the title? Or will this Road to WrestleMania take a detour thanks to The Judgment Day?

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Bron Breakker VS Finn Balor!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew has been chewing up this roster ever since he got here, but The Prince claims he chews up “rookies” like Bron his whole career. But until these two fight it out, it’s all just talk. Whose bark is worse than their bite when the bell rings?

Raw returns and Bron makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and it’s time to see who’s the real badass around here!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. In fact, they’re even dueling, “Let’s Go, Balor!” and then barking for Bron. Finn and Bron feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Finn backs away to ropes. The ref has Bron stay back, Finn leaves the ropes, and the two reset. They tie up, Finn headlocks, but Bron powers up and out. Bron RUNS Finn over, the fans bark, and Bron snarls as he storms up on Finn. Finn kicks low, CLUBS Bron on the neck, then headlocks. Bron blocks the takeover with pure brawn, then he hoists Finn up! The fans fire up, but Finn uses that to flying headlock takeover! The fans cheer while Finn grinds Bron down.

Bron endures as Finn thrashes him around. Bron rolls Finn to a cover, TWO, and Finn holds onto the headlock. The fans rally, Bron powers out and headlocks. Finn powers out, drops down, then bypasses Bron to TOSS him out! Bron lands on his feet! The fans fire up, Bron storms in, and he RAMS Finn into a corner! Bron RAMS Finn again and again, then snarls again. Finn staggers to another corner, but Bron runs up to LARIAT! Bron whips Finn to TOSS him out, and Finn tumbles! Bron goes out the side, and he builds up speed! The fans fire up, but Finn SLINGBLADES Bron down! Finn has control while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Finn has Bron in a corner. Finn CHOPS and the fans “WOO~!” Finn paces, then he goes back to Bron for a haymaker. Bron counter punches! And counter punches! Bron fires hands, whips, then scoops, but Finn tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Finn ELBOWS Bron in the neck, the fans rally up, and Finn stalks Bron. Finn scuffs Bron, SLAPS him, and talks trash. “You know who I am? I’m Finn Balor!” Finn keeps scuffing and slapping, and the fans tell Finn he done messed up! Finn fires hands, but Bron just snarls! Bron ROCKS Finn again and again, then whips. Finn reverses, but Bron LEAPING ELBOWS!

Bron storms up again, clinches, and EXPLODERS! Finn flounders, Bron whips again, but Finn KICKS the backdrop away. Finn runs, Bron dodges and then catches Finn for a POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and bark, and then Bron drags Finn up. But wait, here come Dom & Carlito! It was only a matter of time before Judgment Day pulled this move! They distract Bron and Finn rolls Bron up! TWO, and Finn runs up, but Bron catches him by the neck! Military press, but Finn slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Bron survives and Finn is frustrated, but Dom & Carlito cheer Finn on.

Bron crawls to ropes, Finn spins him around, and Finn JUMP STOMPS! The fans tell Dom he sucks, Carlito tells Dom to tune that out, and Finn gives more stomps! Finn asks Dom what he’s doing out here, so apparently this was another of Dom’s ideas. Finn CHOPS Bron, then whips, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges and builds up speed to CLOBBER Finn! The fans fire up and bark again while Finn bails out. Bron storms out after Finn and the ref tells Dom & Carlito to back off. Bron LEAPS from the apron and onto the desk! Both men go tumbling over and the fans lose their minds! Bron sputters, Corey Graves lost a shoe, and “This is Awesome!”

Bron and Finn slowly stir, and Bron is on his feet! Finn crawls, wants mercy, but Bron stomps him! Bron puts Finn in the ring, and he dares Dom & Carlito to pull something. Bron slides in and builds speed again! SLINGBLADE! Finn hits first, and then he hurries to go again! SHOTGUN and Bron hits buckles! Bron slumps down into the drop zone so Finn climbs up! The fans fire up as Finn reaches the top! COUP DE- NO, Bron dodges, runs up, but Finn hurdles over the Spear! Roll up, TWO!! Bron grabs Finn again, military press, BREAKKER SLAM! Cover, TWO! Finn survives, both men are down, and the fans are fired up!

Dom & Carlito coach Finn but Bron is up first. Bron has blood in his mouth, perhaps from a busted lip, but he doesn’t care. Bron runs in, but Finn KICKS him first! And ENZIGIRIS! Bron is down again so Finn goes back up! But Bron hurries to trip Finn! Finn CLAWS at Bron’s head, then throws hands! The fans rally, Finn stands, but Bron ROCKS him first! Bron climbs up and brings Finn to the top! But Carlito distracts the ref! Dom YANKS Bron into a HOTSHOT, but that trips Finn up, too! Finn lands on his prince and he’s pissed at Dom! Dom apologizes, but Bron is just as mad! Bron BLASTS Dom, BLASTS Carlito, then springs up after Finn! SUPER STEINER!!

The fans are thunderously barking, Bron hits the SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Bron is so badass, not even Judgment Day could cost him! But now Judgment Day attacks him! The fans boo but Dom goes to grab the belt. Carlito bumps Bron off buckles, but here comes Penta! The fans fire up as Penta slides in, and he dodges Dom to then SUPERKICK Dom down! Carlito runs up, into a SUPERKICK! Bron gives Carlito a SPEAR! But now Penta holds onto the title as he stares down Bron. The fans sing “OLE~, OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~ MIEDO~!” Penta hands the belt to Bron, and Bron holds it up. Will these two put it all on the line in Las Vegas?

My Thoughts:

A great episode for Raw in Brussels, and the Brussels crowd was just as fun as the Barcelona crowd on Friday. Cena and Cody opening with their big promo segment was the right move to give it time to breathe. Cena did a perfect job of using the fans as part of his promo because he took the trope of “I blame the fans!” to the ultimate level. He didn’t just use recent stuff, he used his entire 25 years and all the phases he went through as part of it, and he really dug into some personal feelings for both him and the fans. Cody therefore had the perfect counter to show Cena was only focusing on the negative, and how that’s not who Cena has presented to us. I think we’re getting another appearance of Cena next week, can’t wait to see how Glasgow treats him.

Iyo and Bianca had a good contract signing but I expected a touch more from both promos. Rhea joining in was the main element, and this is clearly heading for a Triple Threat. That quick brawl backstage was good, and I feel like we’re going to get Rhea VS Bianca to see if Rhea earns her spot in the match. Good stuff from Jey and Gunther again, but I kinda wish we’d just gotten only brawl. Jey squashing Theory was pretty wild, and he still gets the better of Gunther here, but it should’ve just been all Jey and Gunther. Gunther promised a living Hell for Jey, but I’m not sure we’re quite there yet. All the more reason Gunther should’ve beat up Jimmy on Friday as a way to stick it to Jey.

Good promo from Styles and Kross to add to this Styles VS Logan Paul build. Kross continues to be a great instigator, but when is he going to get back in the ring for his own desires? Or is he just waiting for the right opening to mess with the right champion? Honestly, as it feels like Jey is going to win the world title, Jey is the perfect target for Kross. Jey admitted to himself that there is insecurity right now, and the belt can help give him confidence again, but Kross can certainly find ways to tear that back down on the way to Backlash and beyond.

Very good stuff from American Made. Gable being run off by the LWO of course set up “El Americano” for that tag match segment, but it was also a good part of Dakota being Ivy. I feel like it’d be a bit much of Dakota gets a third match with Lyra, but I don’t know if that means Judgment Day screws Lyra out of the title. Cheating Lyra could be a way to keep her strong in the loss, and we could get some good stuff as Dakota takes on Raquel. Plus, DMG CTRL currently having the world title makes them an eventual target of Judgment Day, and the tag titles could also be in the mix for some serious Two Woman Power Trip teasing.

Judgment Day also had great stuff tonight. Dom thinking Penta would want to join Judgment Day is interesting, I wonder if that was Kross’s idea. Penta VS Kaiser was a great opener, but I feel they could’ve done more for a No Holds Barred match. Still good stuff to give Penta the win and move on from Kaiser to call out the Intercontinental Championship. Bron VS Finn was a great match, even with Dom & Carlito showing up. Dom accidentally messing Finn up was pretty clever, and that just adds to the Judgment Day tension. While Bron VS Penta will be awesome stuff, I was kinda hoping we’d get Finn VS Penta to add even more intrigue to the Judgment Day story, but I guess that’s something that doesn’t need a title.

My Score: 8.9/10

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