Connect with us

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Report: New Japan Cup 2018 Semifinals!

Published

on

AXS TV’s coverage of the 2018 New Japan Cup continues! Juice Robinson will take on Hiroshi Tanahashi while Zack Sabre Jr. takes on Sanada. Will The Ace of NJPW continue his triumphant return from injury over the Flamboyant up and comer? Will it be the Cold Skull or the Technical Wizard who will #JustTapOut?

 

This review of The New Japan Cup 2018 will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Therefore, all images are courtesy of AXS TV.

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Juice Robinson VS Hiroshi Tanahashi; Tanahashi wins and advances to the finals.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. VS Sanada; ZSJ wins and advances to the finals.

PLAY BY PLAY

AXS TV and NJPW review the action to this point.

Juice Robinson upsets Unbreakable Big Mike while the Once in a Century Talent survives Bullet Club’s Underboss. Meanwhile, Sanada silenced the Sublime Master Thief, and ZJS did as Taka Michinoku said: he made Kota Ibushi #JustTapOut. They are the final four, who will overcome who in order to fight for THE New Japan Cup’s title shot opportunity?

 

Juice Robinson VS Hiroshi Tanahashi!

It’s Taguchi Japan VS Taguchi Japan as young and old battle to take that last step to the finals. Will The Flamboyant or the Ace be the first to qualify for the coveted title opportunity?

We cut to both Juice and Tanahashi down on the ground outside the ring. Juice drags himself up to his feet with the help of barriers. He rallies the fans while he goes over to Tanahashi. Juice puts Tanahashi in the ring at the count of 9, then fires up before climbing to the top rope. Juice takes aim, but Tanahashi hits the ropes to trip him up! Tanahashi catches his breath under the bottom rope while Juice tumbles down to the mat. Now Tanahashi climbs, but Juice returns the favor, barreling into Red Shoes and the ropes to trip Tanahashi up! Tanahashi tumbles down now, and fans rally while they recover from crotch damage. They stir while Red Shoes checks on them. Tanahashi stands, followed by Juice.

Tanahashi throws a forearm, but Juice shakes it off to give one back. They trade more forearms, each daring the other to hit harder. The pace quickens as they continue back and forth. Tanahashi adds a European Uppercut, but Juice gives a chop! Tanahashi teeters so Juice chops him again. Juice gives a third, then fireman’s carry, but Tanahashi blocks the gutbuster to go after the leg! Grounded dragon screw! Fans rally for Tanahashi as he goes after the legs again. Juice crawls to ropes and gets the break. Tanahashi lets go, but then stomps the legs. He drags Juice up and whips, but Juice reverses. Tanahashi blocks the leg lariat to hit another dragon screw! Tanahashi goes back to the legs, and turns Juice over for the Texas Cloverleaf!

Juice endures the bending and pulling, and reaches for ropes. Tanahashi looses a bit of his grip, and Juice gets the ropebreak! Fans applaud Juice’s heart, but Tanahashi is still in control. He stomps the legs more, then dares Juice to stand. Juice starts, Tanahashi runs, but Juice gets Tanahashi with the full nelson slam! Cover, TWO! Juice has evened the playing field while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Juice stands and fires up. He runs, and clotheslines Tanahashi down! Cover, TWO! Juice keeps his cool but the fans are on Tanahashi’s side. Tanahashi stirs but Juice is up again. Juice waits for Tanahashi, then prepares the chicken wings. He turns Tanahashi but Tanahashi shoves Juice, then dodges a clothesline to hit a slingblade! Cover, TWO, but so close! Tanahashi keeps going, climbing up top again. Juice stands and rocks Tanahashi with a left hook! Tanahashi teeters on top while Juice catches his breath. Juice slowly climbs up to join Tanahashi, and prepares the superplex, but Tanahashi resists. Tanahashi hits back and headbutts Juice down.

Tanahashi fires up while Juice stands back up, flying crossbody! But a roll through from Juice, TWO!! Juice can’t believe how close he was. Both men are down, tired from this no-time-limit match. They crawl to each other, Juice gets the facelock. He lifts Tanahashi in the suplex, but Tanahashi comes down and hits a swinging neckbreaker! Tanahashi doesn’t end it there, he brings Juice back up for a second! Then a– No, Juice blocks the third neckbreaker by hitting a suplex gutbuster!

Cover, TWO!! Even closer, but still not enough. Fans duel now between Juice and Tanahashi. Juice thinks on what to do, and he goes to a corner. He slowly makes his way up while Tanahashi stands, Juice hits a flying crossbody of his own! Juice is all fired up as he goes back to the corner and up again. Juice hits a frog splash! Cover, TWO!? But how?! Juice argues with Red Shoes, that couldn’t have been two! Fans are thunderous for Tanahashi while Juice grows frustrated.

Juice drags Tanahashi up, chicken wings, and the turn, but Tanahashi uses all his strength and turns it back around! But then Juice turns it further around! Tanahashi slips his arms out to go for a full nelson, but Juice breaks free. Juice elbows Tanahashi, but Tanahashi catches him with a left hand. Juice gives a left hand back, but Tanahashi gives another. Tanahashi grabs Juice in the full nelson, for the Dragon Suplex!

Tanahashi climbs up top again. He hits High Fly Flow to Juice’s back!

But that’s not all, Tanahashi goes back up again! High Fly Flow to Juice’s front! Cover, Tanahashi wins!

Winner: Tanahashi, by pinfall

The Ace stays alive in the tournament! Juice gave it his all, but it wasn’t enough to stop this Once in a Century Talent. Who will meet Tanahashi in the finals?

 

Zack Sabre Jr. w/ Taka Michinoku VS Sanada!

One of NJPW’s best submission wrestlers, if not already THE best, has an arsenal of holds with which he can torture his opponents. However, the Cold Skull of Los Ingobernables de Japon only needs one. Who will make who #JustTapOut to then meet The Ace in the New Japan Cup Finals?

Taka Michinoku again speaks before the match. “The New Japan Cup Tournament 2018 semifinals…” Zack Sabre Jr. VS Sanada, who wins? Fans cheer “Zack!” And who wins it all? “Zack!” Who takes the New Japan Cup? The man who can finish anyone with any lock anywhere. The man with unlimited submission holds. And the man who already beat Naito and Ibushi, the Submission Master, ZSJ, Zack Sabre Jr! And anyone who gets in his way, will give up and #JustTapOut! Let’s begin this semifinal match. Sanada, “C’mon over here!”

The bell rings, and we begin this no-time-limit match. Sanada and ZSJ circle, feeling each other out. They tie up, but ZSJ gets away from Sanada’s grip. They go again, and ZSJ gets the armlock takedown. He wrenches the wrist but Sanada stands up. ZSJ spins around to keep that wrist control, and brings Sanada back down. He shifts to a headlock and wants the armlock but Sanada reaches with his legs to get the ropebreak. ZSJ lets go and Sanada stands back up. They circle again, tie up, but now Sanada gets wrist control. Sanada wrenches ZSJ but ZSJ rolls, only to be brought down. Sanada shifts to a keylock but ZSJ rolls around to stand up. ZSJ grabs Sanada’s head but Sanada brings ZSJ back down to the mat.

ZSJ rolls around and stands up while grinding a forearm into Sanada’s face. He rolls and bends to reverse the wristlock back onto Sanada. Sanada rolls and spins and even cartwheels to then throw ZSJ with an arm-wringer. Fans applaud this impressive exchange while both men go to corners. Both Sanada and ZSJ work to get feeling back into their arms as they circle again. Sanada calls for a test of strength and ZSJ accepts. Sanada brings ZSJ to his knees with the knuckle lock, but ZSJ turns it around on him. ZSJ brings Sanada to his knees but Sanada turns it back. It becomes a double knuckle lock, but ZSJ uses that to stand back up. He and Sanada go shoulder to shoulder, both trying to find a point of leverage.

Sanada brings ZSJ down to the mat and it’s a cover, TWO as ZSJ bridges. ZSJ moves around and pries himself out of the knuckle locks to then trap one of Sanada’s arms and wrench the other. ZSJ shifts that into a double armlock, and even uses his chin to keep the top arm back.

Sanada endures but ZSJ rolls him over to a cover, TWO as Sanada manages to sit back up. ZSJ again shifts around for a seated motorcycle stretch, and digs his forehead between Sanada’s shoulders. Sanada works to stand up but ZSJ holds on. Sanada uses his power to turn the hold onto ZSJ! ZSJ endures the stretch and stands up, but he doesn’t have the pure strength to turn Sanada. Sanada adds a boot into it and pulls back on ZSJ. ZSJ stands to try the rotation again, but Sanada still powers him down. ZSJ works at it a third time, and manages the turn, only for Sanada to turn it all the way back. With power not working, ZSJ uses agility as he flips and kicks Sanada off the hold. Sanada kip-ups, then throws ZSJ out of the ring.

Sanada builds speed, but tumbles to the apron when ZSJ gets clear. Now Sanada shows off his agility as he tumbles back into the ring. ZSJ grows frustrated, and even threatens a young lion at ringside. Michinoku calms ZSJ down while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns, and ZSJ takes a good part of the 20-count to compose himself. He gets back in at 18, and circles with Sanada again. ZSJ won’t tie up with Sanada yet, he needs a few more seconds. When they do tie up, Sanada uses another double knuckle lock to bring ZSJ to his knees. Sanada even brings ZSJ down to his elbows. ZSJ rolls back and reverses the knuckle locks, then wraps Sanada up in a straitjacket. ZSJ brings Sanada down to his knees, but Sanada reverses the hold with a double arm-drag. Sanada bends ZSJ back with the straitjacket, but ZSJ stands up. He reverses the hold but Sanada uses another arm-drag to reverse it back. ZSJ uses a foot to pry out of the straitjacket, but Sanada pulls ZSJ right back into it.

ZSJ ducks under and uses the arms in a pumphandle flip and he puts Sanada back, but Sanada still flips the hold back onto ZSJ! Michinoku coaches ZSJ, ZSJ stands and bends back to spin and put Sanada back, but Sanada uses yet another arm-drag to put ZSJ back in it. Fans applaud this back and forth while ZSJ stands. ZSJ shimmies the arms down, thereby slipping out of the straitjacket entirely. He then hits Sanada with a EuroUpper, but runs into Sanada’s headscissors! ZSJ gets out of the ring, but Sanada slingshots onto him!

They both go down with the slingshot dive, but Sanada is up first. He checks his wrists while ZSJ rests against the barriers. Sanada fetches ZSJ and puts him in the ring. Fans applaud while Sanada enters from the other side. He goes back to ZSJ and rocks him with a right forearm. He stands ZSJ up for another, and waits while ZSJ checks his face. ZSJ stands up and hits back with a EuroUpper and a kick, but Sanada blocks to then go for the Paradise Lock. ZSJ resists at every turn, and brings Sanada down into an armbar! Sanada rolls it and goes for the dragon sleeper! ZSJ scrambles out of that to then Pele kick Sanada’s arm, then Pele kick the other arm! Sanada gets to a corner for safety, but ZSJ walks over. ZSJ simply stands on Sanada’s shoulders and face to toy with him.

Red Shoes has ZSJ back off, and Sanada slips out of the ring. Sanada takes time to recover his arms. He returns at 10, but ZSJ is on him and those arms in a seated hammerlock. ZSJ goes after the free arm and bends it from fingers to wrist. He shifts it to a crucifix cover, TWO, but ZSJ maintains the almost Rings of Saturn style hold. Sanada endures as ZSJ rolls him around more, into a cradle-like cover, but Sanada gets the ropebreak thanks to his legs. ZSJ is annoyed, but he backs off while Sanada rests in the corner. Fans rally while Sanada stands. Sanada chops ZSJ over and over, but ZSJ kicks the arm. ZSJ runs, Sanada jumps, but ZSJ catches his leg and brings him down a la flapjack. ZSJ then slips right into a grapevine leg and arm lock.

Now ZSJ shifts to a Disarmer, and bends the fingers and wrist before standing up for a hammerlock twist. Sanada writhes while ZSJ walks around. Red Shoes determines Sanada is okay to continue, so ZSJ goes right after the arms again. He twists the wrist and even the elbow. Fans rally while Sanada resists, and Sanada gives ZSJ a forearm. ZSJ wrenches the arm but Sanada hits him again. Sanada keeps hitting ZSJ then whips corner to corner, but ZSJ ducks the boot. ZSJ headbutts the stomach and gives another EuroUpper before running again. Sanada jumps over a couple times then dropkicks ZSJ down! Sanada puts the dazed ZSJ into the Paradise Lock! ZSJ protests being humiliated, but that doesn’t stop Sanada from dropkicking him out of Paradise!

Sanada stands again while ZSJ clutches his bottom. ZSJ resists the saido suplex, and gets the arm before giving another EuroUpper. Sanada staggers, but still lifts ZSJ in the fireman’s carry, only for ZSJ to bring him down with an armbar. ZSJ keeps going, but Sanada gets the ropebreak. This submission showcase continues after we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns one more time as ZSJ stands back up. He walks around while fans rally for Sanada. ZSJ kicks Sanada’s arms, and even toys with him, but Sanada makes him pay with big forearm shots. Sanada whips but ZSJ blocks the hip toss, right into the abdominal stretch! Sanada endures while the fans rally for him, and he reverses the hold onto ZSJ! ZSJ pries his way out to then put the hold back on to Sanada. Sanada turns it back, but ZSJ turns it back again, and they go around and around until Sanada shoves ZSJ away. Sanada then grabs ZSJ for a big back suplex! Cover, TWO! Sanada hurries to a corner, MOONSAULT, but he lands on his feet as ZSJ evades. They run at each other, but ZSJ knocks Sanada over with the EuroUpper.

ZSJ runs again, Penalty Kick! Both men are down from exhaustion, but ZSJ gets himself moving again. ZSJ doesn’t cover, he bends Sanada’s arm back for the hammerlock stomp! Sanada clutches that arm, but ZSJ goes after the other for another hammerlock stomp. ZSJ catches his breath while Sanada writhes in pain. ZSJ toys with Sanada as he kicks the shoulders. He goes after one arm in another Disarmer, then gives it another hammerlock stomp. Sanada gets to a corner, but ZSJ dares him to fight. Sanada throws a forearm, then another, but ZSJ gives back EuroUppers. ZSJ whips but Sanada tumbles to the apron to then springboard for a missile dropkick!

Both men are down again. Michinoku coaches ZSJ up while fans rally for Sanada. Both men get to opposite corners. They run at each other again, ZSJ gives another EuroUpper. Sanada lifts ZSJ in a fireman’s carry, but ZSJ slips into a guillotine! Then the hoverboard armlock! But Sanada uses more power to work out of the hold, and spins ZSJ to the dragon sleeper! He swings ZSJ around, but ZSJ spins back around to give Sanada the arm snap! ZSJ stands, then runs, but into the roll-up and the dragon sleeper. Sanada lifts with the inverted suplex, but ZSJ slips out and under for the double leg takedown. ZSJ hops forward for the chicken wing roll and bridge back! TWO, into Skull End!

Michinoku shouts for ZSJ to resists. Sanada goes to completely lock it in, but ZSJ slips out and around to get that bridge again! TWO!! ZSJ can’t believe he didn’t get it. Sanada gets him with a EuroUpper of his own! Fans rally again while ZSJ is reeling. Sanada brings him up, fireman’s carry, but ZSJ slips to a backpack sleeper, then climbs around to the front, for a triangle hold! He brings Sanada down to the mat, and grabs the free arm for an armbar. Sanada endures, but he’s fading. He uses a last gas to deadlift ZSJ up, powerbomb position to fireman’s carry to the TKO!

Cover, TWO!! Sanada grows frustrated with ZSJ but the fans are thunderous. Sanada stands and feeds off the crowd. ZSJ stands but Sanada has the double chicken wing, and hits tiger suplex! TWO, but he keeps going. Sanada hits ZSJ with a backbreaker, then hurries to a corner, for the MOONSAULT! But into ZSJ’s knees! Then the triangle! ZSJ drives his elbows into Sanada’s head then adds a keylock to the triangle. Sanada reaches but fades. He tries once more to deadlift, but ZSJ just shifts things to the coil lock. ZSJ wants the Rings but Sanada reaches. Sanada can’t, and ZSJ puts him in a hold very much like what he used on Kota Ibushi!

Sanada endures, reaches with his legs, but now ZSJ grabs those for a Bow ‘n’ Arrow modification. ZSJ headbutts Sanada’s ribs, then pulls back. Sanada verbally quits, ZSJ wins!

Winner: ZSJ, by submission

The only reason Sanada didn’t tap out was because the Technical Wizard had both arms trapped. And again, Michinoku asks, “Zack Sabre Jr. VS Sanada, who won?” And he knows everyone knows who ZSJ’s opponent in the finals will be. It may be Hiroshi Tanahashi, but it doesn’t matter who it would be. You step to ZSJ, “Just Tap Out!” So who will win between Tanahashi and Zack Sabre Jr? Who will win the New Japan Cup 2018? You’re already looking at the 2018 New Japan Cup Champion, the man who can finish anyone with any lock, anytime, anywhere. The man who knows unlimited holds. And the man who defeated Naito, Ibushi and now Sanada, the Submission Master, ZSJ: Zack Sabre Jr! Will Michinoku’s predictions come true again in the final round?

 

Backstage interviews.

ZSJ admits Sanada’s Skull End is a “good submission”, but not against the Submission Master’s 7822 different submissions. By ZSJ’s count, he only used about five or six in that match. And for Tanahashi, a living legend, ZSJ makes sure he knows “all legends must die.” Tanahashi is held together by hair spray and athletic tape. ZSJ wants to put the Ace out of his misery. The cup will be ZSJ’s, as will Okada’s IWGP Heavyweight title. Confident as ever, will the Technical Wizard force Tanahashi to #JustTapOut?

 


 

My Thoughts:

Another great pair of matches. I thought there’d be more of Juice VS Tanahashi, but since both matches went pretty long, there probably wasn’t a way to fit them both into one hour, with commercials. What we did see of Juice VS Tanahashi was still really good, and Juice is slowly making gains in the heavyweight division. But as Juice is not there yet, Tanahashi goes over to be one of this year’s finalists.

Then ZSJ VS Sanada, from start to finish, was so great with the submission holds as the way to tell the story. ZSJ is touted as the Submission Master, the best of all submission users, but Sanada gave him quite the challenge. But because Sanada played ZSJ’s game, he ends up losing. ZSJ builds a lot of momentum defeating Ibushi and two members of LIJ on the way to the finals, and we get a great story going into the finals: Tanahashi has a grudge against Suzuki-Gun, especially Minoru Suzuki, and now tries to get to Minoru through his protege.

My Score: 8/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW New Year Dash Results & Report! (1/6/25)

And it begins again!

Published

on

NJPW New Year Dash 2020

What’s next for NJPW?

Zack Sabre Jr. is STILL IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, but he already knows Hirooki Goto has the next shot! TMDK VS Chaos in the main event!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Kickoff – Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima & Yuji Nagata VS Shoma Kato, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai;  Tenzan, Kojima & Nagata win.
  • Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg; Time Limit Draw.
  • 10 Man Tag: El Phantasmo, Jado, Shota Umino, Master Wato & Tomoaki Honma VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
  • 8 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Tiger Mask & Togi Makabe VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
  • Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors; Sanada & Connors win.
  • El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA; Desperado & Kushida win.
  • 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
  • Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Naito & Hiromu win.
  • 8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK; Chaos wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Special Exhibition: Josh Barnett VS Boltin Oleg!

The War Master made his return to NJPW with the Ranbo, and he had quite the confrontation with his former student. Will Barnett show Boltin he still has a lot to learn? Or will Barnett end up behind BARS?

The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans rally as Boltin and Barnett circle. They feel things out, tie up, clinch, and go around. They break, clinch again, and Oleg gets a leg to bring Barnett down. Oleg powers to a cover, Barnett slips out, but Oleg hurries to waistlock. Barnett rolls, but Oleg gut wrenches! Barnett still rolls free, and the fans cheer this exchange. The two go again, clinch, and Barnett goes for an arm. Oleg powers Barnett down, floats around to stay on Barnett, and the two stand again. Barnett manages a double wristlock takeover, but Oleg slips out to go for legs. Barnett fights that so Oleg floats to a facelock.

Barnett slips out of the hold and the fans cheer. Oleg and Barnett go again, clinch, and they fight for control. Oleg throws Barnett down and the two reset again. Oleg and Barnett feel out another grapple, and Oleg gets around to waistlock. Oleg drags Barnett down to go for an arm, then he shifts to an armbar! Barnett has the ROPEBREAK, and Oleg lets go slowly. The fans applaud as the two reset again. They clinch, Barnett goes for a throw, and he has it on the third try! But Oleg hurries to float around and get Barnett’s back. Barnett turns that to a lateral press, TWO! Oleg fights but Barnett keeps him grounded with a wristlock.

We hit the two minute warning as Oleg rolls and rolls, and he goes for the wristlock. Barnett moves around, manages a headscissor, then a leglock! Oleg rolls to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Barnett lets go. The two hurry to their feet and go again. They go around in the clinch, then Oleg goes for a leg. Barnett fights that off with a cravat! Oleg pushes free of that, then he and Barnett tie up again. One minute left, Barnett clinches but Oleg powers him to ropes. The ref calls the break, but the two come off the ropes. Oleg waistlocks, and he brings Barnett down, but Barnett headscissors! Barnett has an arm to keep Oleg grounded!

Oleg fights around, we hit 30 seconds but Barnett puts on the pressure! Oleg endures, the fans rally, and we are under 20! Oleg slips free, and he manages a gut wrench! GUT WRENCH PLEX! at 10 seconds! And then a fireman’s carry! But Barnett slips free to a SLEEPER! TIME’S UP!

Time Limit Draw

It was hard to say who was saved by the bell there, but Barnett shows his student respect with a handshake and a hug. Barnett makes sure to get the mic so he can tell Oleg, “Yesterday, it wasn’t the Ranbo for us. It was a test for you to see if you would come here today, and meet me in this ring. You showed up. That’s the first part, you passed that part. Then, you wrestled your ass off tonight. I told you I was gonna go for that arm, but you learned. So congratulations, you’re now moving up. This is not the end. I’ll take you as high as I can, which means I’mma make you a champion some day, I promise you.”

The fans applaud, and Oleg takes the mic to respond. In Japanese, Oleg apologizes, as his English isn’t so good. But Oleg does tell Barnett that Barnett does know some Japanese, so Oleg will use that to tell him at the Ranbo, it was amazing to see him back and to take him on. Oleg is also honored to train under Barnett, to have this match here, and is looking forward to where they go next. Student and teacher head out, what heights will Oleg reach in the New Year?

 

After the 10 Man Tag…

While the United Empire won against El Phantasmo, Shota Umino and team, Great-O-Khan felt the need to add insult to injury! He not only beats down The Roughneck on the outside, but he takes those fan-made replica belts, AND RIPS THEM UP! The fans boo Khan being a villainous dictator, and Shota is the angriest of all! Shota rushes in there, but he gets mugged by The Empire! Young Lions step in but they can’t save Shota or the gifts that Khan destroyed. Will Shota make sure Khan pays for this with his blood, sweat and tears?

 

After the 8 Man Tag…

The House of Torture found a way to cheat Hiroshi Tanahashi’s team, but what else is new? And speaking of not all that new, they beat down Tanahashi & Yano, basically calling them out for a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Championship match! But with that, here comes Boltin! Boltin runs off The House, but The House is getting away with stealing two of the three titles! Sho gets on the mic to talk trash on The Ace, the Joker & The Rook, and says that if they want their belts back, “Catch us if you can!”

The Murder Machine, Tokyo Pimp, Heel Master & Souled Out Son of Strong Style run away, leaving President Ace to consider his next course of action. Will Tanahashi, Yano & Oleg once again put The House behind BARS? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road get a lot rockier from here on out?

 

Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS SANADA & Clark Connors!

Speaking of the New Japan Ranbo, The Holy Emperor and Cold Blooded had a confrontation that also cost them both the #1 contender’s spot. But at the same time, Sanada did cost Taichi the Global Heavyweight Championship just a few months ago. Will Taichi get a semblance of revenge? Or will Sanada and 100 Proof take down Taichi and the Blue Playmaker?

Well, the tables are turned as TakaTaichi goes after the War Dogs before the bell! The fans fire up as Taka brings Connors away, and then Taichi SMACKS Sanada off the timekeeper’s table! Taichi CLUBS Sanada, brings him back to the ramp, and CLUBS him again! The fans rally for Taichi as he moves railing aside, and has fans clear out. Taichi whips but Sanada reverses, STRIKE! Sanada even takes someone’s umbrella to JAM Taichi up! The fans boo but Sanada leaves Taichi behind. Connors has also turned things around on Taka, and then puts him in the ring. Connors talks trash, the fans boo, but the bell rings to finally get this on record.

Connors takes his time taking off his nice new fur jacket, but Taichi’s already back! Sanada kicks Taichi, then sends him into railing! Connors stomps away on Taka, drags him up, and CHOPS him! Taka staggers, Connors eggs him on, so Taka comes back. Taka eggs Connors on, so Connors CHOPS again! Taka staggers, but he comes back for more! Connors CHOPS again! The fans fire up with Taka, and then he pokes Connors in the eye! The fans cheer while Connors staggers away. Taka stomps Connors around, but Connors ROCKS Taka! Taka fakes an eye poke to kick the shin! Taka runs, but Sanada gets a cheap shot in!

Taka staggers around, Connors runs to JEEP FLIPPER! Sanada BLASTS Taichi off the apron! The fans boo but the War Dogs stalk Taka to their corner. Connors bumps Taka off buckles, then tags Sanada. Sanada CLAWS Taka’s back, then ignores the fans as they boo. Sanada brings Taka around, snapmares, and then clamps on a chinlock. Sanada has the ref watch Taichi, but then he uses wrist tape to CHOKE Taka! Fans boo, but Sanada hides it in the headscissors! The ref checks Taka but Taichi says something’s not right! The ref checks but Sanada’s quite the magician. The ref finally sees the trick and reprimands!

Sanada lets Taka go, the fans rally, but Sanada tags Connors. Connors stomps Taka around, then CHOKES Taka! The ref counts, Connors lets go and “apologizes,” but the fans rally again. Connors clamps on a chinlock and he grinds Taka down. Taka endures, and he pries at the hold, only for Connors to CLUB him down! Connors stands Taka up to CHOP him again! Connors whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Connors into a JUST FACELOCK! But Sanada stomps Taka! Sanada whips, Taka reverses and wrangles Sanada! JUST FACELOCK! But Connors stomps Taka, then he BLASTS Taichi! Connors CLUBS Taka again, then talks smack.

Connors runs, but Taka goes the other way! Connors avoids the boot to knee low! But Taka CALF KICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taka and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Taichi! The fans fire up as the two run up, but Sanada dodges an Ax Bomber! Sanada kicks and whips, but Taichi comes back to BOOT! The fans fire up as Taichi gives Sanada some Kawada Kicks. Taichi whisp, Sanada reverses, but Taichi comes back. Sanada blocks the boot, trips Taichi, but Taichi fights against Paradise! Sanada comes back, kicks and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK!

The fans fire up, and Taichi BOOTS Connors for good measure! The fans rally for Taichi, and he paces around. Taichi drags Sanada up, but Sanada takes a swing! Taichi gets around, DANGER- NO, Sanada fights the saido! Sanada CLUBS away on Taichi, then whips, only for Taichi to reverse. But Sanada dropkicks the legs! Then he DROPKICKS Taichi out of the ring! Sanada storms up to the ropes, PLANCHAS, and down goes Taichi! The fans boo but Sanada soaks that up. Sanada drags Taichi up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally again. Sanada stands Taichi up, fireman’s carries, but Taichi fights free!

Taichi swings, but Sanada catches him! Taichi fights the Skull End, so Sanada shifts to a waistlock. Taichi fights the suplex to then PELE! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taichi rises again, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up but Connors grabs Taichi’s hair! Taichi RIDGE HAND CHOPS Connors! But then Sanada CHOKES Taichi using the pants! Dragon sleeper, SKULL END, but Taichi rolls free! AX BOMBER!! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Connors crawl, hot tag to Taka! Taka runs up to BOOT! Taka runs again but Sanada gets around! O’Conner BRIDGE, but Taka flips it to JUST FACELOCK!

The fans fire up but Connors runs in! Taka kicks his legs out to get him in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Taichi then takes Connors for a SEITEI JUJIHOU! Taka CLUBS away on Sanada, pulls way back, but Sanada fights to the ROPEBREAK! Taka lets go, whips Sanada to a corner, then SHINING WIZARDS! CALF KICK! BOOT! SUPER K!! Taka covers, TWO!! Taichi keeps Connors on the outside while Taka fires up! The fans rally behind Taka as he scoops Sanada! But Sanada slips free, only for Taka to SHOTEI! Taka runs, but Sanada shoves him at the ref! POP-UP LOW BLOW!! The fans boo, but Sanada has Taka in the SKULL END!!

Now Connors keeps Taichi out of the ring! Taka endures, but he TAPS! War Dogs win!

Winners: Sanada & Clark Connors, by submission

Cold Blooded indeed to cheat his former friends. But then Sanada grabs some beer from ringside, and he pours it all over Taka’s face! Taichi is pissed and he shoves Connors away! Taichi storms into the ring, but Sanada bails right out. Taichi grabs a chair and pursues! The War Dogs fall back while Young Lions do their best to stop Taichi! When and where will the War Dogs settle things with Just4Guys?

 

After El Desperado & KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori & KENTA…

The Time Splitter gets the win for his team by making The Fang Revived tap out to the Hoverboard! But now, Kushida gets the mic to speak. “Konosuke Takeshita! You also know ‘the world,’ so please, ‘teach’ me. I want the NEVER-” But then Taiji snatches the mic! Taiji says he’ll get to Kushida later. But DESPY! You know what Taiji wants, right? Put the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on the line against him! “Come, let’s play.” The fans like the sound of that! Desperado takes the mic, and he says Taiji’s getting better on the mic.

But sure, why not? After all, Taiji and the six other guys in that gauntlet ganged up on him! Desperado will do it wherever, dome or no dome, so long as he can beat Taiji. The fans like the sound of that! And so now it is official! El Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, and Kushida VS Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship, Saturday, January 11th, BATTLE IN THE VALLEY! Who leaves the Golden State with the gold?

 

After the 8 Man Tag: LIJ VS War Dogs…

Los Ingobernables de Japon comes away with the win as Titan forces Gedo to tap out to Llave Enmortal, but the rest of the teams still had some fire in them. Yota Tsuij and Gabe Kidd have a stare down, and Yota simply holds up the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship as a silent dare for Gabe to come after him. As for Drilla Moloney, he grabs the mic to shout at Shingo Takagi! Drilla tells Takagi that he’s a HEAVYWEIGHT now! “Rampaging Dragon, huh? Dragon’s aren’t real!! The only thing that’s real is me, and my dogs! Show me WTF you’re about, Takagi!” Another challenge has been issued, when and where will Takagi take on 44 Caliber?

 

Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!

The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb were so close and yet so far from winning those IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships last night, but the chase is never ending. Will Naito & Hiromu stay tranquilo and head back for the titles? Or will they get burned by the Funky Sauce?

Hiromu brought back that ridiculous costume, and he still struggles to get out of it. But that aside, the teams sort out, and Taguchi makes sure his neck is alright before he steps up. Zayne says that’s fine, he and Taguchi are friends. And he’s friends with Red Shoes. See? Matching shoes! Taguchi feels awful, he should’ve thought of that. LIJ fist bump, the fans cheer, and Hiromu steps up against “Funky.” The bell rings, the fans rally, and Taguchi tests the waters with some big kicks. Hiromu stays back, then the two tie up. Hiromu headlocks, but Taguchi pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands, Taguchi powers up and out, then drops down.

Taguchi bypasses Hiromu, and bypasses, and bypasses! Hiromu slides out and says timeout! He knows that trick too well to fall for it again. The fans cheer, but Taguchi slides out! Taguchi chases Hiromu back into the ring, and then he bypasses him again! But then Taguchi drops under the CROSSBODY! Hiromu flops, but Taguchi may have overdone it there. Zayne BLASTS Naito off the apron, then he stomps Hiromu. Zayne calls to Taguchi, stomps Hiromu again, and then gets ice for Taguchi. Taguchi ices the groin, then he hobbles over to help Zayne double whip Hiromu. Zayne then blows past Hiromu to BULLDOG! Taguchi adds a basement DROPKICK!

The fans cheer but Taguchi still ices his groin. Zayne puts Hiromu in a corner, he and Taguchi double whip. Taguchi whips Zayne in, but Hiromu dodges! Zayne hits buckles, Naito trips him up, and Hiromu dodges the hip attack! Hiromu runs up on Zayne to CROSSBODY! Naito brings Taguchi up, and feeds him to a CROSSBODY! The fans cheer and Hiromu brings Taguchi back up. Hiromu wrenches Taguchi, tags Naito, and Naito CLUBS Taguchi’s arm. LIJ double whip Taguchi, atomic drop, and then dropkick to the legs! Naito basement DROPKICKS Taguchi, covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Naito cravats for the neck wrench.

Taguchi endures as Naito puts on the pressure, and then Hiromu tags in. LIJ mugs Taguchi, and Hiromu CHOPS Taguchi to a corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS, then snapmares to run and basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Hiromu tags Naito back in. The fans rally while LIJ stands Taguchi up. Taguchi fires off CHOPS on them both! Hiromu kicks low, Naito kicks, then Hiromu CHOPS! LIJ double whips, Taguchi ducks the lariat to HIP- DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi staggers around, LIJ double whip him again, but he DOUBLE HIP ATTACKS!

The fans fire up while Taguchi and LIJ are all down! Taguchi rolls to hot tag Zayne! Zayne fires off forearms on Naito, whips him to ropes, and hip tosses! STANDING CINNAMON TWIST! The fans fire up and Zayne stands Naito up. Zayne suplexes, but Naito fights that! Naito suplexes, Zayne fights that! Zayne tries again, Naito slips around to waistlock, but Zayne powers Naito to a corner! Naito holds on, Zayne tries again, but Naito sends Zayne into buckles! Naito goes up to FLYING RANA! The fans fire up and Naito brings Zayne around. Zayne CHOPS and ROCKS Naito, but Naito SPITS at him! Naito whips, but Zayne reverses, only for Naito to reverse back!

TORNA- NO! Zayne stops the DDT, then scoops Naito, but Naito wrenches the hair! Red Shoes reprimands but then Zayne BITES Naito’s fingers! Zayne rolls, wrenches, and ENZIGIRIS! Naito staggers away and the fans rally up. Hot tag to Taguchi, and he BLASTS Hiromu off the apron! Funky Sauce double whip Naito corner to corner, then Taguchi CORNER HIPS! Zayne uses Taguchi to LEAP FROG SHOTGUN! Then Taguchi helps Zayne roll to his feet, for Zayne to whip him in, HIP ATTACK! Then CANNONBALL! The fans fire up as Zayne & Taguchi drag Naito to the cover, TWO! Naito stays in this and the fans rally.

Funky Sauce get Naito up, ROLLING AX KICK SIDEWALK SLAM COMBO! Cover, but Hiromu breaks it! Zayne TOSSES Hiromu, Taguchi chicken wings Naito! But Naito rolls back, only for Taguchi to sit on the cover! TWO, but into OH MY GAH ANKLE! Someone is sent into railing outside, and Naito rolls free! But Taguchi stays back, and he BLINDSIDE KETSUYES! The fans fire up as Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strong Style! “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Naito sends Taguchi into the corner! Hiromu LARIATS, Naito UPPERCUTS, Hiromu SUPERKICKS, and Naito ENZIGIRIS! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!

Hiromu CLOBBERS Zayne while Naito hits the ROLLING JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!! The fans fire up as Hiromu helps Naito with the BOOSTED TORNADO DDT!! Taguchi flounders, Naito drags him back up, wrench and DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ wins!

Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall

They may have lost that Triple Threat last night, but Naito & Hiromu are still World Tag League winners for a reason. Will this be just the thing they need to get back to the tag titles? Wait, Naito gets the mic, and he says, “Buenas noches, OTA-KU~! The IWGP Tag Team Championship Three Way at The Dome… Hiromu and I couldn’t become the champions. I don’t want to say that they didn’t beat us. That’d be lame of me. The new IWGP Tag Team Champions, The Young Bucks, please accept our request for a title shot!” The fans like the sound of that! Naito doesn’t know if The Bucks are watching this or not, but he looks forward to their answer, cabron!

Naito has called out Matthew & Nicholas, the ball is in their court! Will The Bucks make LIJ wait very long?

 

8 Man Tag: Chaos VS TMDK!

Hirooki Goto is the NEW #1 Contender to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship after winning the New Japan Ranbo. That has him aimed squarely at Zack Sabre Jr, so both men have brought their teams to back them up. Will the Fierce Warrior, Headhunter, Azucar & Direct Drive build momentum for the New Year? Or will The Front Man, The Mullet and the NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions prove this year is mighty?

The teams sort out and Yoh calls out Fujita. Wait, is that why Yoh has arm straps and his hair’s styled like that? Is he trying to be a Japanese Young Punk? The bell rings, the fans rally up behind both “FU-JI-TA!” and “YO-OH! YO-OH!” Yoh and Fujita take their time circling each other, then they tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Yoh’s height is leverage to push Fujita back. They end up on ropes, Yoh lets off slowly, and then he fakes a chop to pat Fujita on the shoulders. The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and now Fujita pushes Yoh right to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Fujita lets go, and he smooths Yoh’s hair, to then give him a kiss on the forehead.

The fans cheer and Yoh is flustered. Fujita eggs Yoh on, Yoh runs up but Fujita dodges. Fujita kicks, whips, but Yoh reverses. Yoh drops down, drop toeholds, then he basement- NO, Fujita avoids the dropkick! Yoh avoid the Penalty Kick, and the heel kick! Fujita avoids a lariat, Yoh avoids the backhand, and the fans fire up as the two reset. Fujita blows a kiss and Yoh is “shot through the heart!” Yoh composes himself and tags in Rocky Romero. The fans rally up as Fujita tags in Eagles, and Eagles circles with Rocky. They tie up, Rocky powers Eagles back to the ropes, but lets off slowly. Rocky rolls back and gives some Latino Heat.

The fans cheer, but then Eagles trips Rocky! Things speed up, Rocky hurdles but Eagles leaps over. They keep going and Eagles arm-drags! Rocky arm-drags! Rocky evades an arm-drag to UPPERCUT! The fans cheer while Eagles is in a daze, and Rocky tags Goto. The fans rally up as Goto & Rocky double whip, but Eagles reverses to crisscross! Eagles kicks Goto, then WHEEL KICKS Rocky! Hot tag to ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto again and again! ZSJ whips, Goto grabs ropes, and Yoshi-Hashi tags in! Goto BOOTS ZSJ, then Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLES! Then Hashi runs for ZANMAI! Yoh runs in, ZANMAI! Rocky runs in, ZANMAI!!

The fans fire up for that hattrick, and then Chaos says, “Se~ no!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Chaos all flexes! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans cheer “GO-TO-O!” but Hashi stands ZSJ up. Hashi CLUBS ZSJ, CLUBS him again, then wrenches. ZSJ wrenches back and then wristlocks! Hashi ends up in the TMDK corner and Ryohei Oiwa tags in. Oiwa kicks Hashi, wrenches his arm and YANKS it! Oiwa RAMS then whips Hashi, but Hashi dropkicks the legs! Hashi keeps moving, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans cheer and Hashi ROCKS Oiwa. And ROCKS him again! Oiwa goes to a corner, so Hashi CHOPS him!

Oiwa eggs Hashi on so Hashi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi whips corner to corner, runs up, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer while Oiwa sputters. Hashi turns Oiwa, but Oiwa wrenches out to top wristlock! Oiwa wrangles Hashi, isolates the arm and STOMPS it! Oiwa tags ZSJ, then BLASTS the Chaos corner! ZSJ drags Hashi up, wrenches an arm, and Oiwa adds on. They both top wristlock and wrangle Hashi, but then Fujita & Eagles step in! Eagles & Fujita get the legs for toeholds while Oiwa & ZSJ keep on the wristlocks! Red Shoes reprimands but the fans cheer this quadruple hold combo!

TMDK then rotates, Fujita & Oiwa with legs while ZSJ & Eagles have arms! And then rotate again, and rotate again! Red Shoes reprimands more but he also has to keep Chaos from storming in. Red Shoes counts all four TMDK members, and they all let off at 4. ZSJ tags Fujita and Fujita stomps Hashi’s arm. Fujita drags Hashi up, whips him to a corner, then CHOPS! Hashi sits right down and the fans fire up! Fujita stands Hashi up to snapmare, and he runs to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita BLASTS Rocky, but Rocky’s right back to fire hands! Eagles gets in and stomps Rocky out!

Fujita & Eagles double whip Hashi, double ELBOW, then split the wishbone before DOUBLE KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and duel while Fujita brings Hashi up. Fujita whips Hashi to the corner, then CHOPS! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa brings Hashi around for a headlock takeover. Hashi endures, fights up, but Oiwa grinds the hold. Hashi fires body shots, then CHOPS! Hashi headlocks and he grinds Oiwa down. Oiwa wrenches out, headlocks again, but Hashi powers up, only for Oiwa to hold on tight! Hashi fights up, lifts Oiwa, but Oiwa thrashes the hold. Hashi powers free this time, but Oiwa runs him over!

The fans fire up as Hashi rises, but then Oiwa headlocks for the takeover. Hashi headscissors, Oiwa kips free, and Oiwa ROCKS Hashi! Oiwa ROLLING- SUPERKICK from Hashi! Both men go to ropes, Oiwa fires up, but Hashi LARIATS him down! The fans fire up while both men fall! Hashi and Oiwa crawl, the fans rally up, hot tags to Goto and ZSJ! Th efans fire up as ZSJ dodges Goto then fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, and Goto LARIATS! Goto whips corner to corner to MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up and Goto storms around. Goto brings ZSJ up, but ZSJ double wristlocks!

ZSJ wrenches the arm, but Goto fires forearms! ZSJ wrenches and PELES! ZSJ SWEEPS the legs, and the fans rally up again. ZSJ PENALTY- NO, Goto blocks that kick, he knows it well from Shibata. ZSJ fires forearms, but Goto fireman’s carries! But ZSJ slips free, and he hooks Goto up in the IRON OCTOPUS! TMDK BLASTS Chaos off the apron, and Goto falls into a GROUND OCTOPUS! Goto endures, fights around, but Rocky DOUBLE STOMPS ZSJ! Eagles kicks Rocky then TOSSES him out! Eagles keeps after Rocky on the outside while ZSJ stands up. ZSJ KICKS Goto, then KICKS, then KICKS again!

ZSJ runs but Goto follows, and he LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and Goto snarls. Goto rises, the fans are behind him, and he dragon sleepers! But ZSJ slips down, victory roll, EURO CLUTCH! TWO!! Goto escapes, but ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto rises to run up, but into a full nelson! Goto fights that, so ZSJ GERMAN SUPLEXES! Goto rises up again! They DOUBLE LARIAT, and ZSJ staggers! DOUBLE LARIATS, and ZSJ staggers again! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSES the lariat away! But then Goto LARIATS after all! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! ZSJ and Goto stir, crawl, and hot tag to Fujita and Yoh!

The fans rally as Yoh and Fujita fire forearms back and forth! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, ROCKS him again, and again! Yoh whips, Fujita reverses, and Eagles gets a KICK in! Yoh DECKS Eagles, Fujita ROCKS Yoh! Fujita whips, Yoh reverses, and Rocky gets a KICK in! Fujita DECKS Rocky! Yoh and Fujita storm up to each other, Yoh shoves Fujita around, and the forearms start flying! Eagles and Rocky storm in, and they fire forearms with each other! The fans fire up, Red Shoes reprimands, but Rocky CHOPS Eagles! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, but Fujita turns things around on him! Eagles does the same with Rocky, and they each CHOP Rocky and Yoh!

TMDK whips RPG Revise, but RPG Revise dosido! TMDK dodges, but then RPG Revise dodges, and they LARIAT in the corners! Then they trade, but TMDK dodges! CHOP for Yoh and DOUBLE KNEES for Rocky! Eagles feeds Rocky to Fujita’s SOBAT! Eagles UPPERCUTS, then Eagles & Fujita SUPERKICK HEEL KICK COMBO! Rocky falls, the fans fire up, and TMDK drags Yoh up. They double wrench and lift Yoh, but Yoh fights free! Yoh fires shots on them both, then runs, but into a GAMANGIRI! Fujita fires up and the fans are with him! Tag to Eagles, he and Fujita stand Yoh up to wrench, lift, MAXXIE BOMB! Cover, Hashi breaks it!

Fujita whips but Hashi reverses, out goes Fujita! Oiwa runs up, Hashi dodges, but then Oiwa dodge! Oiwa LARIATS Hashi down! The fans fire up as Oiwa gets Hashi out of the ring. Eagles goes corner to corner at Yoh, but Yoh pops him up to the apron! Eagles kicks low, then springboards, SNIPER DROPKICK to the legs! But Yoh denies Eagles the figure four! Goto corner LARIATS, then feeds Eagles to Yoh’s FALCON GOROSHI! Cover, but ZSJ YANKS Yoh back! Goto goes after ZSJ and they fire forearms back and forth! The fans fire up while ZSJ eggs Goto on! The shots go faster and faster, harder and harder!

ZSJ ROCKS Goto, whips, but Goto reverses to fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Goto stomps ZSJ out of the ring, leaving Yoh and Eagles to rise up. Yoh pounds the mat, the fans rally, and Yoh vows to end this. Yoh brings Eagles around, underhooks, DIRECT- NO, Eagles fights the lift, wrenches, schoolboy BRIDGE! TWO!! Yoh runs up but into a scoop! Fujita is in, but Rocky saves Yoh from the Sweet Buster! Rocky shoves Eagles into Fujita, but Fujita fights off RPG Revise! Fujita runs, into the 3K!! Eagles runs up, but Rocky gets around to BACKSTABBER! Yoh gives Eagles the FALCON ARROW!

The fans fire up and RPG Revise tune up! Eagles stands, staggers, and Rocky reels him in, 3- NO, Eagles hits Yoh first! Eagles runs up, Rocky blocks Eagles’ kick, and he sets Eagles up. Yoh runs in, but Eagles slips free, SUPERKICK hits Rocky! Yoh freaks out, Eagles trips him and steps through! But Yoh cradle counters! TWO!! Eagles escapes, and he ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Yoh ducks! Yoh tunes up fast, and he SUPER- NO, Eagles mule kicks the leg! Then TRIG- NO, Yoh ducks that and GROUND COBRA CRADLES! Cover, CHAOS WINS!!

Winners: Chaos, by pinfall

Eagles can’t believe it, but Rocky is thrilled! RPG Revise just got a win over the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! Will Yoh & Rocky look to take those titles off the Ichiban Sweet Boys? But speaking of titles, ZSJ quite literally rubs the world title in Goto’s face. We also have Hashi and Oiwa still scrapping on the outside, and then Eagles gives a shove to Yoh. Rocky gets in Eagles’ face, Fujita and Yoh seem to at least keeping things to trash talk, and now Young Lions have to get in between Hashi and Oiwa as they CHOP each other! Hashi CHOPS Oiwa and he goes staggering away! Hashi storms up, Oiwa gets in Hashi’s face, and ZSJ wants his guys stand down.

Easier said than done as Fujita & Eagles hold up the tag titles to taunt Yoh & Rocky. And then Hashi and Oiwa trade CHOPS again! Oiwa even adds some SLAPS! But then Hashi CHOPS Oiwa, and Oiwa almost falls back! Oiwa runs up to fire forearms! ZSJ is frustrated but Oiwa fires LARIATS! Hashi CHOPS again, then eggs Oiwa on. The fans sound like they’re on Oiwa’s side, and Red Shoes has everyone separate. But then Oiwa gets loose to go after Hashi again! Oiwa fires forearms but Hashi CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Oiwa roars, despite his chest being so red! Hashi CHOPS him again and again, and this goes up the ramp!

Oiwa CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS but Hashi doesn’t care, he just CHOPS back! And CHOPS again! Talk about chaos! Oiwa tries to scoop Hashi! Young Lions stop him, but Hashi fights free to ROCK Oiwa! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Yoh gets on the mic! “Hey! Hey! Stop! Stop the fighting! Stop!” The fans cheer him being het voice of reason. Yoh says they are ruining New Year Dash! If they wanna fight so bad, just do it in the ring. Yoh then says that CHAOS won the night! The fans cheer that, and Yoh says that “2025 will belong to Chaos. Everyone already knows that Chaos is truly the strongest.

“Isn’t that right, Goto-san? Goto, who won an IWGP World title shot, don’t you agree?” The fans cheer as Yoh offers the mic. Goto picks up his title contract and takes the mic to say, “I won this! I finally made it back to this point.” The fans applaud that. Goto says he WILL challenge for the title… in OSAKA! The fans cheer that, too, and Goto says “No matter how many times you get beat, if you don’t give up, you aren’t defeated. The battle has only just begun. In the year 2025, join the Goto Revolution!” The fans are ready, will The Fierce Warrior finally stand atop the mountain? Or will ZSJ make him #JustTapOut?


My Thoughts:

A great New Year Dash, and though I skipped the matches, they still had meaningful moments after so this was a really packed show. Barnett saying he wants to bring Oleg to a title, which of course means singles title, I have a bad feeling that the House of Torture will win those NEVER Openweight Six Man titles off Oleg, Yano & Tanahashi. Barnett will then take Oleg to like the NEVER Openweight singles title or maybe the NJPW Strong Openweight title. Kushida calling out Konosuke Takeshita for the NEVER title is wild, that and Desperado VS Taiji Ishimori this Saturday at Battle in the Valley will be some awesome stuff.

Drilla calling out Takagi after LIJ won against the War Dogs was pretty wild, too. Takagi VS Drilla 1v1 will be great stuff, can’t wait to see who wins out. Naito & Hiromu of course rebound but that was a really fun match against Funky Sauce. Naito calling out The Bucks is great, but I think that’ll be saved for New Beginnings in Osaka, Battle in the Valley is too soon to waste that title match on. And clearly, Goto wants New Beginnings in Osaka to be where he battles ZSJ. Great 8 Man Tag that also helped set up Hashi VS Oiwa 1v1 and then TMDK VS RPG Revise for the Junior Heavyweight titles. Those will all be great matches, and a Chaos VS TMDK faction warfare story is some good stuff to carry NJPW through to the Spring.

My Score: 8.9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/6/25)

Netflix is Raw!

Published

on

Monday nights will never be the same again!

New Year, new home for the WWE! Monday Night Raw’s live on Netflix and in Los Angeles, and it’s time to ACKNOWLEDGE the UNDISPUTED Tribal Chief!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns VS Solo Sikoa; Roman wins and is the Undisputed Tribal Chief.
  • WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley; Rhea wins and becomes the new WWE Women’s World Champion.
  • Jey Uso VS Drew McIntyre; Jey wins.
  • CM Punk VS Seth Rollins; Punk wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

We all are part of history in the making.

Triple H narrates and says, “It’s as real as our ancient yearning. Not merely for a hero, but a villain, as well. Just as they need each other, so do you need them to tell a story. But what of the story of wrestling itself? What if the canvas could speak? Of an ageless carnival with primeval roots that came of age with the most American of institutions: television. As television changed, so did wrestling. And together, they changed America. Truth is, a great swath of American culture of that eternal battle between the Face and the Heel. From ecstasy to humiliation, fame to obscurity, and back again.

“An endless cycle that changed the rules and blurred the lines. Made it harder to distinguish the good guys from the bad. The shoot from the work. The real from the unreal. Because wrestling’s greatest stories, every damn one, has that element of truth. The screens get smaller, but the show gets bigger. Global. From television to streaming, America to the world. Ladies and gentlemen, presenting the all real, ever fantastic, never to end, story of WWE.”

The curtain goes down and HHH is there himself! The fans go wild for The Game, and HHH has the mic to tell the 17 THOUSAND PLUS in the Intuit Dome, “LEMME HEAR YOU!” The fans fire up even more, and HHH says in this moment, and this is THE moment, all of them are being seen and heard by the entire globe! “Show them who you are! Tell them that this is the WWE, and we are louder than anything you have ever seen before!” HHH already knows the answer, but he’ll ask them anyway… “ARE… YOU… READY!?” The fans definitely are! Then welcome to Monday Night Raw, and welcome to the Netflix Era!!

Pyro goes off and the fans are even more fired up than they were two seconds ago! Will this first-ever Raw on Netflix tear the house down?

 

THE ROCK IS HERE!

Scratch that, they’re gonna BLOW the roof off this place! Los Angeles goes wild as The People’s Champion, The Great One, The Most Electrifying Man in ALL of Sports Entertainment, The Final Boss has arrived on Raw! The Rock high-fives the fans as he goes down the ramp, then he makes sure to shake hands with Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, and leaves his People’s Championship right with his young daughters in the front row. The Rock then goes to the sponsorship covered ring, grabs a mic, and he hears the fans chant his name. The Rock then smiles, raises his legendary eyebrow, and even acknowledges the CHEE-HOO in the crowd.

The Rock says, “Years ago, when The Rock was a little rock, little pebble, and I used to travel these highways all across this country with my dad, WWE Hall of Famer, he’s in Heaven now, The Soul Man, Rocky Johnson, the only way to watch WWE was to either buy a ticket, or you watched it on Saturday morning. You can still buy a ticket, but watching it now is a totally different story. Because right now, around the world, you are watching it on Netflix. And by the way, lemme just take a moment to say that here tonight, in Los Angeles, the Intuit Dome, live on Netflix, we’re making history.

“Tonight is the largest arena gate in the history of the WWE. Congratulations!” The fans cheer that genuine compliment, and Rock says that means FINALLY…! The WWE has come back to Netflix. Okay, he knows everyone’s like, “Wait, no, that’s BS, get to the real one.” Okay, here it comes, and he’ll says it loud and proud. FINALLY… The Rock has come back to Los Angeles! The fans cheer, and he wants to acknowledge some people. When it comes to great partners, you need someone who loves the WWE and loves pro-wrestling and can see the bigger picture. That partner is Netflix. The Rock shouts out the execs up in their skybox.

The fans cheer, but Rock assures them, if this part glitched, he’ll go all Squid Game on them. But now, to acknowledge another man who The Rock has spilt blood with, spilt blood across the country, and ready to do it all over again. This man has carried this company on his back for a year. He has done an amazing job. Cody Rhodes, thank you! The fans cheer as we spot The American Nightmare in the crowd! Cody’s not on the card tonight but you know he was going to be here for this. By the way, Rock wants Cody to tell Mama Rhodes that The Rock said hello.

And lastly, Rock will acknowledge one other man, and that is his cousin, Roman Reigns. The fans fire up for the “O T C! O T C!” The Rock says not only is Roman the Tribal Chief, but he is the ORIGINAL Tribal Chief! And in their culture, let’s get another CHII-HOO~! The fans echo that, and Rock says in Tribal Combat, Rock will be watching, as will the world. The Rock is proudly a High Chief himself, he carries it with pride, respect, and a warrior spirit. He will watch this very closely. Rock loves LA, he loves Netflix, let’s get this show on the road! IF YA SMELLLLLLL~… Wait for it… Rock smirks as the fans fire up a bit more.

…WHAT THE ROCK IS COOKING! Mic drop from The Final Boss, but will he be forced to acknowledge a NEW Tribal Chief? Or can Roman take back the ula fala from Solo Sikoa?

 

Tribal Combat: Roman Reigns VS Solo Sikoa!

Well, we won’t have to wait long to find out! The Bloodline: Civil War has gone through constant battles, and even a 5v5 WarGames match! But finally, it comes down to the leaders of each side fighting for THE title of Undisputed Tribal Chief! Who will the world truly ACKNOWLEDGE?

The introductions are made, Paul Heyman doing his part for Roman, the ula fala is raised, and it is time for the civil war to end!

The fans already chant “F YOU, SOLO!” Solo hands the ula fala over, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and the fans again chant for “O T C! O T C!” The bell rings, and the two stare down. The fans rally as the two circle, but Solo points to the ula fala and Heyman, saying those will both be his after tonight. The two tie up, go around, and Solo pushes Roman back. Roman powers up to push Solo back, and they go around the ring. The fans rally behind Roman as he pushes Solo. Solo pushes back but Roman uses that to TOSS Solo out! The fans cheer, Roman goes out after Solo, and they tie up again. They run into the post, into barriers, and then the apron! Solo POSTS Roman, the fans boo, but Solo SMACKS Roman off the desk!

Solo talks trash, puts Roman in the ring, then storms in after Roman. Solo LARIATS Roman down but the fans boo. Solo soaks it all up, then talks more trash on Roman. Solo HEADBUTTS Roman down, then HEADBUTTS him again! Solo whips Roman, Roman LARIATS in return! The fans fire up and Roman whisp. Solo reverses but Roman LEAPING LARIATS! The fans fire up more as Solo flounders to a corner. Roman storms up on Solo to fire POINT-BLANK LARIATS! Roman fires shot after shot, and fans count to TEN! The fans cheer and Roman runs, but Solo follows! Solo ROCKS Roman, then snarls.

Solo runs, but Roman ROCKS Solo! Roman runs, BOOTS Solo out of the ring, then hurries out after him. Roman storms up on Solo but Solo UREANGES him on the desk! The fans boo but Solo clears the desk off, then climbs up onto it! Solo looms over Roman, then hops down to pick up a monitor. The fans boo but Solo SMACKS Roman with a monitor! Roman falls over, Solo soaks up the heat, then Solo hops down to go for the steel steps. Solo pulls the steps apart and tells Roman to get up. Roman rises, Solo tells Heyman to watch this. Solo has the steps, and he BATTERING RAMS Roman! Roman falls, clutching his head, but Solo takes a seat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Roman is in the ring, but Solo is bringing a chair! And another chair! Solo stalks Roman, eggs him on, and as Roman stands, Solo runs up to JAM him! The fans boo but Solo SMACKS Roman on the back! Roman writhes, Solo talks trash, and then he SMACKS Roman again! And again! And again! Roman writhes but Solo SMACKS him yet again! Solo raises the one but the fans boo. Solo stalks Roman while Roman crawls, and Solo puts Roman in the corner. Solo rains down fists, and he says he gave Roman everything! He loved him! Solo rains down fists again, and he says he has to take Roman out, for good.

Solo sits Roman up, puts the chair around his head, and the fans freak out already! Solo goes corner to corner while Heyman pleads for mercy. Solo ignores those pleas and he runs in! But Roman dodges! Solo hits only buckles! Roman stands, armed with that chair! He JAMS Solo up now! And SMACKS Solo on the back! And again! And again! And again, and again, and again! Roman SMACKS Solo off the chair now, then does it again! Roman has the other chair, and he’s thinking about it. The fans want tables, but Roman says hold on. Let’s get Rated R first! CON-CHAIR- NO, Solo dodges! Roman loses the chair and Solo LOW BLOWS!

The fans boo but there’s nothing to be done! URENAGE onto the chairs! Cover, TWO!! Roman survives and Heyman can breathe again. Solo seethes, taunts the fans over their love for OTC, and he just dribbles Roman off the mat! Solo has the chair, but throws it aside. Solo goes outside, looks under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! The fans fire up for that, but Solo hesitates to do anything with the table. Roman hits a DRIVE-BY DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Solo falls and Roman grits his teeth. Roman looks at the table, and he hears the fans cheering him on. Roman puts the table in the ring! Roman sets the table up and the fans rally.

Roman drags Solo up, but Solo SMACKS him with a kendo stick! Solo grins as he gets the better of Roman there. Solo SMACKS Roman again and again, and he talks trash on Heyman. The fans boo but Solo stands Roman up in the corner. Solo climbs up and he CHOKES Roman with the kendo stick! Solo says he loved Roman, but Roman never loved Solo. No matter what Solo did to prove himself! But wait, Roman bench presses the stick away! The fans fire up, and Roman ROCKS Solo! Then he gets under Solo, to POWERBOMB him through the table!! The fans are thunderous as Roman crawls to the cover, BUT TAMA TONGA YANKS THE REF OUT!

The fans boo but of course Solo’s Bloodline would be here to save him! The Good Bad Guy stares Roman down, but wait! The Samoan Werewolf is here! And he DECKS Roman! And SUPERKICKS him! Jacob Fatu shouts, “I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” IMPALER DDT!! Tama clears the wrecked table out of the ring, and Jacob goes up to hit the BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans boo more but Solo flounders around. Solo finds Roman, drags him up, and SAMOAN SPIKE!! Cover, the ref is back, TWO?!?! Roman survives and the fans are thunderous! Heyman is praying in thanks, but Solo’s henchmen corner the ref!

Solo has Jacob stand down. And then he SAMOAN SPIKES the ref!! The fans boo but Solo literally kicks the ref out of the ring! Jacob & Tama sit Roman up, but SAMI ZAYN s here! And he’s got Jimmy with him! They brawl with Tama & Jacob at the ramp! The fans fire up as Sami sends Jacob into steel steps! Jimmy POSTS Tama! They step up to Solo, dodge him, and SUPERKICK! Then HELLUVA KICK!! Roman is up, Sami sends Solo to him, SPEAR!! Cover, But where’s a ref?!? A ref slides in to count, TWO?!?! The delay was too much, the battle must continue! Solo regroups with his Bloodline while Sami & Jimmy stand with Roman.

“This is Awesome!” as #BigJim & Honorary Uce DOUBLE DIVE! Down go Tama and Jacob! And now Roman fires up! “OOOAH~!” But KEVIN OWENS ATTACKS!!! STUNNER!!! The Prizefighter hates Roman that much!! Solo covers, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Kevin beats down on Roman, but the fans cheer for Cody! Kevin hauls Roman up, tucks him in, and YES! Cody’s music hits, here comes The American Nightmare! Cody slides in, he and Kevin brawl, but Kevin kicks low! Kevin whips, but Cody springboards! CODY CUTTER!! Kevin tumbles away but Cody pursues! They brawl into the crowd and the fans love it!

Solo and Roman are all alone in the ring, and Heyman shows Roman the ula fala as inspiration. Roman resets, locks ‘n’ loads, SUPERMAN- NO, Solo catches Roman by his neck! SAMOAN- NO, Roan ducks the spike! SPEAR!!! The fans are thunderous again and Roman is going nuts! “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!!! Cover, ROMAN WINS!!

Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall (UNDISPUTED Tribal Chief)

Heyman steps into the ring, and he kneels to humbly present Roman with the ula fala. Roman nods, but wait, here comes The Rock! The Rock literally just said he’d be watching closely, and now he goes back to the ring so he may stand with Roman. Rock tells Heyman he’ll do the honors. Heyman nods and hands the ula fala to Rock, and Rock turns to Roman. Rock puts the ula fala around Roman’s neck, and the fans cheer as these two chiefs stand tall. Rock then takes off his sunglasses to look Roman in the eye, and he offers a handshake. Roman accepts, they hug it out, and the fans cheer again.

Roman is once again, truly and without question, THE Tribal Chief. He raises the one to the sky and LA joins him. Now that Roman has his ula fala back, what is next for The OTC?

 

It’s almost time…

Almost time to see what WWE is like with CERO! MIEDO! Get ready for PENTA!

 

The WWE Superstar watch party is going on!

Byron Saxton is hanging out with Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Carmelo Hayes, Austin Theory, Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn are having a great time watching all the action.

 

JOHN CENA IS HERE!

The fans are thunderous as #TheLastTimeIsNow! Cena’s farewell tour begins on the biggest Monday Night Raw ever, but he still pulls off the run down the ramp and the slide into the ring! Cena gets the mic and he says everyone’s talking about it, but you don’t get it until you’re out there. There’s just something different about tonight. And there’s people everywhere! LA shows up, huh? The fans cheer for Cena, and he knows that everyone heard it, but yes, this is the first time in history that Raw is broadcasted around the world at the same time. The difference makers are the fans. The fans chant, “Thank You, Cena!”

Cena says yeah, let the world know! Over the years, he has learned that the fans are very, very smart. And now, the audience has gotten a whole lot bigger. Everyone can see the fans right now. The electricity is felt all around the world! South Korea, Brazil, India, let ’em know, Los Angeles! The fans fire up for that, and Cena thanks Netflix for allowing the world to finally see the experience of MONDAY NIGHT RAW! The fans cheer again, and Cena adds, “Thank you, Monday Night Raw, for allowing me the honor to stand in a WWE ring in Los Angeles, full jorts, for the last time.” Cena could not think of a better place to start the farewell tour than LA.

And it is not just LA’s excitement. Hell, he slept in his car when he was working at Gold’s Gym in Venice. He learned to wrestle at UPW in Orange County. He rented a two-bedroom at 106 and Doredy and that’s 600 feet from here. Inglewood is up to no good! LA is where The Prototype was born! It’s where Cena won his first world title! And for 25 YEARS, LA has allowed Cena the opportunity to perform in this ring. So one last time in the city where dreams are made, he humbly stands before you and thanks you. The fans cheer Cena, and Cena says that’s what this year is about. It is about making moments.

There’s a lot of noise in here, and out of here. A new headline from a new expert on the year ahead. Who does Cena face at Mania, in his last match, etc. Names fly out like Drew McIntyre (fans boo), CM Punk (fans cheer), Logan Paul (fans boo), Gunther (fans are torn), Cody Rhodes (YAY!) and everyone wants to know when on the farewell tour does Cena become a history making, record breaking, SEVENTEEN TIME World Champion? Fans chant, “You Deserve It!” But Cena says to be honest, since they’ve always been honest with him, he just doesn’t see it happening. But that’s okay. The reason is, there’s the streak. Not Gunther’s 666, not Roman’s 1316, not even Undertaker’s 21 years at WrestleMania.

Cena means his 2,446 DAYS since he won a match. But that’s okay, he is at peace with it. That’s why they’re doing this! His time is up, their time is now! The fans aren’t so sure but Cena says hey, we’ll have fun on this final year. But as far as a 17th world title, never gonna happen. But hold on now, wait. Cena forgot where he was, this is the WWE. You should never say never. But maybe not never, but that it would take a miracle. He has a better chance at winning an Oscar, and well… But with a streak like his, he can’t just walk into a main event. The only thing he could do is win Money in the Bank, win the Elimination Chamber, or… win the Royal Rumble!

The fans like the sound of all that! Cena realizes what he’s saying, and says hold on, crazy idea. Maybe he can win the Rumble? The fans erupt, and Cena says okay, okay, it’s a long shot, but… Well, you can’t win the lottery if you don’t play! So he should get in the Rumble, right? His last Rumble! No maybe next year! So the best way to say thanks to the fans is to win the Rumble and make history at WrestleMania! Elephant in the room, it sounds impossible. But if you know Cena, nothing is impossible. And the only time you say “never,” is when you say, “Never Give Up.”

Cena thanks LA. Because now he’s not just going to the Royal Rumble, he’s gonna WIN the Royal Rumble! “YOU WANT SOME? COME GET SOME!!” The fans fire up, can Cena make his last year his best year?

 

Logan Paul speaks.

The Maverick gets it, you don’t like him. He’s never respected the process or waited his turn. But what really keeps the haters up at night is that he is just so good at this. And now he is dedicating his life to this. No more “side hustle,” no more BS. 100% WWE Superstar, Logan Paul! This is the beginning of the Logan Paul Era.

 

WWE Women’s World Championship: Liv Morgan w/Dominik Mysterio & Raquel Rodriguez VS Rhea Ripley!

Roman and Solo put an end to their feud, Cena is on his farewell tour, and now, win, lose or draw, the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour comes to an end! Lil’ Liv took almost everything from Mami, but will she be the one to lose it all? Or will Rhea fail to eradicate Liv once and for all?

Raw returns and Rhea makes her entrance. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and one last time, we see who is on top!

The bell rings and the fans fire up as Liv and Rhea stare down. They step up, then they fire hands! The fans fire up as Rhea kicks low, stomps a foot, then KNEES Liv in the head! Liv dodges a lariat but Rhea choke grips her! Rhea lifts Liv to SLAM her back down! Liv tumbles out of the ring, Raquel & Dom go to her side, but Rhea grins as she CANNONBALLS! Down goes Ricky Desperado but Dom gets Liv to safety. Liv gets int he ring, Rhea pursues, but Dom trips her up! The fans boo but Liv KNEES Rhea to the floor! Rhea is on her feet, but Liv goes to the apron. Liv leaps, but Rhea stops the rana!

Rhea lifts Liv to POWERBOMB her on the desk! The fans fire up and Dom panics while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Liv has Rhea down in a corner. Liv stomps away on Rhea, the ref counts, and the fans boo! Liv lets off with a scream, but then Rhea YANKS her into buckles! The fans fire up while Liv is dazed. Rhea runs up, but Liv ELBOWS her away! Liv goes up, up, and FLYING FACEBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! Rhea stays in this but Liv stays on Rhea with slaps and SMACKS off the mat! Liv grins as she kicks and scuffs Rhea, then kicks her in the side! The fans rally for Rhea but Liv is amused. Liv steps on Rhea, then DOUBLE CHOPS her on the back! Liv DOUBLE CHOPS again, but Rhea is just getting mad.

Rhea stands, Liv SLAPS her, so Rhea eggs her on! Liv SLAPS and SLAPS, but Rhea blocks one to short arm LARIAT! And short arm LARIAT! And then ripcord and mule kick! Then a FACEBUSTER of her own! Rhea runs to KNEE Liv down! The fans fire up with Rhea and she brings Liv in. Rhea tucks the arms in a double pump handle! Flip and suplex! The fans fire up while Liv flounders away. Rhea runs in at the corner, but Liv dodges! Liv scurries away, comes back, but Rhea stops the wheelbarrow! Half nelson SUPLEX! Liv tumbles, Rhea covers, TWO! Liv survives and Rhea grows frustrated, but Dom & Raquel are relieved.

The fans rally while Dom coaches Liv. Rhea rises, she brings Liv around and pump handles again! Half nelson and RIP- NO, Liv slips free to BACKSTABBER! And then Liv RAMS Rhea into buckles! Liv reels Rhea in for a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Rhea is tougher than that but Liv is still frustrated. Dom & Raquel continue to coach Liv but the fans continue to rally behind Rhea. Rhea rises at the ropes, Liv runs up, but Rhea HEADBUTTS her! Liv tries again, ENZIGIRIS Rhea, and then whips. Rhea reverses to slide under and RIPTIDE!! High stack, TWO?!?! Liv survives and shocks everyone, even Dom & Raquel!

Rhea pleads with the ref but no, that was two. Or at least, it was a 2.9. Dom slides the title into the ring! But Rhea knows what that means! Rhea BLASTS Raquel off the apron, but Liv hits FULL METAL OBLIVION! Cover, TWO?!? Rhea survives and now Liv is shocked! Liv looks to Dom and Dom says just hit her again! Liv hauls Rhea up, reels her in, and manages a snap suplex! Una Amiga, and the fans boo. Dom grins as Liv hits Dos Amigas! Liv hits THREE AMIGAS, and she kicks Rhea around. Liv puts Rhea in a drop zone, goes up the corner, and gives some Latina Heat. The fans boo, but Liv aims, FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!!

Liv is freaking out and Dom is beside himself! Rhea crawls, Liv stalks her, and they go to ropes. Liv runs up, but Rhea stops Oblivion! Rhea shakes her head, grins, and blows a kiss goodnight. URENAGE! Rhea then hauls Liv up, pump handles, RIPTIDE!!! But then she flips Liv over, resets, RIPTIDE!!! Cover, RHEA WINS!

Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s World Champion)

The fans cheer because finally and for good, Mami is on top! But then Dom sneaks in? What’s he thinking? Rhea turns to see him standing there, and he offers a hug?! What a rat! Snake! Worm! Rhea looks at her title, looks at Dom, and she kisses the title, before she smiles and LOW BLOWS Dom!! The fans cheer as Rhea now hooks Dom up, RIPTIDE!! Dom gets what he deserves and Rhea’s finally leaving him behind once and for all! But now that she reigns supreme, what will be next for Monday Night Rhea?

Wait, The Undertaker’s here?!? And not only that, it’s AMERICAN BADASS TAKER! Rhea grins as she gets to be here for The Phenom’s return! Taker rides by on his motorcycle, goes to the ring and does a quick lap before going back up the ramp. He fist bumps with Mami, and she gets to raise the fist with him! Pyro goes off, Rhea and Taker high-five, and they head out again.

 

The watch party continues.

The New Day is here, but they’re not as excited as KC Squared or The LWO. Why’re they even here then? Or do they think they can scout Rey Mysterio’s partner for their match next week?

 

Backstage interview with Adam Pearce.

The Raw General Manager is talking with Bayley, and they shake hands. Cathy Kelley says this is a massive night already, but what else can we expect for the flagship show? But then American Made walks in. Chad Gable says the answer is the continued ascent of him and his elite group of athletes. A former Olympian, a valedictorian, and the man who singlehandedly dismantled The Alpha Academy. He WILL win a singles title, and he will dispel the rumors that he is lacking against luchadores. Give him the best one on the roster! Pearce asks if Gable is sure about that. Gable has never been more sure of anything in his life. Now make it official.

American Made heads out, Pearce excuses himself, he has a call to make. Is Gable going to regret leaving this up to Pearce? Or will Gable show he has no fear?

 

Travis Scott is here!

The fans go wild as the hit rapper and honorary WWE Hardcore Champion paves the way for Main Event Jey! Los Angeles is ready to YEET, but will Jey smoke the Scottish Terminator like whatever that is Travis has in his hand? Or will McIntyre check another name off his hitlist? We find out, after the break!

Jey Uso VS Drew McIntyre!

Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. Jey DIVES on McIntyre at the ramp! The fans fire up with a “YEET!” and Jey DIVES again! But McIntyre catches Jey, RAMS him into the apron, then OVERHEAD TOSSES him up the ramp! The ref reprimands but this isn’t a match yet, so McIntyre doesn’t have to stop. He stands Jey up to CHOP! Jey goes to the ring, McIntyre storms in after him, and now the bell rings. McIntyre runs up, Jey dodges, and then Jey runs up to back body block and PELE! Jey whips corner to corner, McIntyre reverses, but Jey goes up, only for McIntyre to KICK him out of the air!

McIntyre snarls, storms up on Jey, but the fans rally. McIntyre stands Jey up to ROCK him with a right! Jey drops to his knees, and McIntyre mocks the yeet. McIntyre drags Jey back up, CHOPS him, and Jey goes to ropes. McIntyre storms up but Jey fires a haymaker! McIntyre hits back, then CHOPS again! McIntyre winds up to ROCK Jey, and he puts Jey in a corner. McIntyre CHOPS again, and then he climbs up. The fans are torn but McIntyre rains down fists! McIntyre goes all the way to TEN, then soaks up the cheers and jeers. But Jey uses that to POWERBOMB! Both men are down and the fans fire up!

The ref checks both men, they’re okay to continue, so the fans rally up. Jey sits up first, but McIntyre follows. They stand and start throwing hands! Jey ROCKS McIntyre with haymaker after haymaker, “YEET!” Jey pops, locks ‘n’ puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! McIntyre wobbles, but he blocks a kick, only for the DRAGON WHIP to hit! McIntyre ends up in a corner, fans join in on an “UCE! OH!” Jey runs in to HIP ATTACK! McIntyre staggers around, Jey climbs up, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! McIntyre stays in this and goes to ropes. The fans rally for Jey, Jey runs up, but McIntyre dodges! NECKBREAKER!

Both men are down again, but then McIntyre kips up! The fans fire up as McIntyre scowls and looms over Jey. McIntyre goes to a corner, takes aim, and Jey rises. The countdown is here, “THREE! TWO! ONE!” SUPERKICK from Jey!! Cover, TWO! Jey grows frustrated but he throws off the elbow pads and goes to the apron. The fans rally again as Jey drags himself up. Jey goes up the corner, to USO- NO, McIntyre’s knees get in the way! Jey sputters, McIntyre hauls him up, SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! But McIntyre deadlift POWERBOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and now McIntyre grows frustrated.

The fans rally for Jey but McIntyre laughs. McIntyre glares at Jey as he goes to a corner. McIntyre storms up but Jey shoves him back. McIntyre ROCKS Jey, and fans start to duel! Jey blocks a shot to ROCK McIntyre! McIntyre ROCKS Jey back! The shots go back and forth, then McIntyre CHOPS! Jey fires a forearm, McIntyre returns it, and the fans rally up! McIntyre kicks low, underhooks, but Jey slips free! Fireman’s carry, but McIntyre slips free! FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives again and McIntyre gets mad! The fans rally up as McIntyre goes back to a corner. Jey goes to another corner, so McIntyre runs in, but Jey SPEARS!! Cover, TWO!!

Jey is frustrated as McIntyre survives, but the fans rally up again. Jey goes to a corner, McIntyre sits up and eggs him on. Jey SUPERKICKS! McIntyre staggers so Jey SUPERKICKS again! McIntyre staggers around, Jey runs up, but McIntyre KICKS the spear! Jey SUPERKICKS! Both men run, CLAYMORE!! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is pulling at his hair in frustration but the fans fire back up! McIntyre’s rage boils over, McIntyre rains down fists! McIntyre dribbles Jey, storms around, and then drags Jey up. McIntyre CHOPS Jey in a corner, CHOPS again, and again! McIntyer ROCKS Jey, then backs up so he can GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!

McIntyre goes to the far corner, demands Jey get up, and Jey rises. Jey turns around, McIntyre runs in, but Jey flops to the mat! The fans are torn but McIntyre laughs again. McIntyre soaks up the cheers and jeers, goes back to a corner and aims again. McIntyre wants Jey to get up for one more shot! Jey stands, McIntyre runs up, but Jey ducks the Claymore! Ghost pin, JEY WINS!!

Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall

McIntyre is beside himself, but his anger got the best of him again! Jey celebrates with LA, but will this

 

Gunther speaks.

“I’ve heard everyone say we’re in a new era. It is a new era, for everyone else. But not for me. All their personal problems, and their emotional outbursts mean nothing to me. I am still where their dreams, their hopes, and their ambitions go to die. I am the light at the end of their tunnel, because I hold the prize they all want. I am the World Heavyweight Champion. I am Der Ring General, GUNTHER!”

 

Backstage interview with Gabriel Iglesias.

Cathy Kelley is with the world-renowned comedian and longtime WWE fan, and Fluffy is so excited. Cathy says Fluffy’s new special, Legend of Fluffy, debuts on Tuesday, January 7th. What is he most looking forward to here tonight? But then New Day cuts Fluffy off! They don’t understand why no one has let them explain themselves! Where is their time! This is Raw on Netflix, the biggest platform WWE has ever been on! Cathy should talk to the greatest tag team of all time, not this fluffy buffoon! Man, Gabriel liked them better when ethyl had a cereal. But then The Alpha Academy comes by to say Happy new Year to Fluffy!

Gabriel would love to hang out, but he has to get to his amazing seats. Thanks, Netflix! Also, NEW! DAY SUCKS! Cathy says time’s up, sorry! Kofi says no one likes Fluffy, no one’s gonna watch his special!

 

Heyman and Roman regroup backstage.

The Wise Man says the glory of the Island of Relevancy once again belongs to Roman Reigns. The Head of the Table, the end all, be all! OTC, Tribal Chief! They need a platform from which the whole WORLD can acknowledge him. When can we put that date on the calendar? Roman Reigns says January 27th. Heyman nods and notes that down. Then they walk into the WWE 2K25 room! Is Roman going to grace the cover of the newest WWE video game?

 

HULK HOGAN IS HERE!

The Mouth of the South, Jimmy Hart, leads the way and waves the star-spangled banner, and LA cheers on the Immortal One! Hogan has a mic already as he stands on stage, and he says, “Well lemme tell you somethin’, brother! Y’know something, Maniacs? I’ve been in this business for over 40 years, and the greatest part of my life was being a part of the great WWE, guys. I’ve had all kinds of tag team partners over the years, but you, the fans, have bene my greatest tag team partners, because you’ve stuck with me through thick ‘n’ thin, dudes.” But Hogan says his newest partner is the Real American Beer!

In the past, Hogan’s had a ton of partners! Incredible partners from The Macho Man, Randy Savage, to Andre the Giant! But the greatest partner the WWE has ever had is helping them making history, and that’s Netflix! So whatcha gonna do when the WWE and Netflix runs wild on you?! Hogan rips his shirt to reveal the “Netflix is Raw” shirt! Get ready to get real with Real American Beer!

 

CM Punk VS Seth Rollins!

HHH’s monologue was about heroes and villains, Faces and Heels, and how the lines have blurred over the years. And that blurring of the lines is crystal clear when it comes to these two. The Voice of the Voiceless and the Visionary have had it out with their words, but now it’s time to fight it out in the ring! Who proves that they are indeed the Best in the World? We find out, after the break!

Raw returns and CM Punk makes his entrance, “It’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” The bell rings and the fans are fired up already as they either chant for Punk or sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins and Punk stare down, and Punk smirks as Rollins scowls. The fans are already losing their minds, and then the hands start flying! The fans fire up as Punk gets the edge! Punk backs Rollins down, puts him on ropes for more shots, but Rollins dodges to LARIAT Punk against ropes! And again, and again! But Punk dodges to then LARIAT Rollins up and out! Punk aims, PLANCHAS< but Rollins rolls into the ring!

Rollins builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and both men hit barriers! The fans fire up, and Rollins clears the announce desk! The fans fire up, but Rollins tells the ref to watch his ring count. No one here wants a count out! The ref says don’t put him in that position then! Rollins seethes and goes back to Punk, to CHOP! Punk tries to turn things around but Rollins reverses that, and Punk hits barriers! Rollins runs up, but Punk TOSSES him over barriers! The fans fire up, and Punk goes up to CROSSBODY! Punk stomps away on Rollins, the ref storms out to tell Punk to watch it, but now Rollins and Punk fire hands!

Rollins RAMS Punk into the barriers, DUMPS him over, then CLUBS away on him! Rollins goes up the barriers, and he AX- NO, Punk body shots Rollins first! And then SMACKS him with the desk hood! The fans are thunderously dueling but the ref reprimands. Punk pushes Rollins into the ring, slides in, but avoids the stomp! Punk fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free with elbows! Rollins HAMMERS away on Punk, has Punk on the mat, but the fans start booing. Rollins lets off and Punk flounders to a corner. Rollins storms back up and he digs his boot into Punk’s face! The fans duel, the ref backs Rollins off, but Rollins goes back for more!

Rollins digs that boot in, then he argues with the ref! The fans fire up as Rollins gets the ref to ease up. But then Punk BOOTS Rollins! Punk suplexes Rollins to hang him out to dry! Rollins sputters as he goes to the apron, and Punk goes up the corner. Punk brings Rollins up to join him, and fans fire up already, for the SUPER SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans lose their minds! The ref checks both men, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and the fans duel as the shots go back and forth. Rollins gets the edge, whips, but Punk reverses. Punk runs in, but Rollins dodges! The knee hits buckles, then Rollins forearm SMASHES Punk! Rollins snarls as he gets space, and the fans fire up again as Rollins eggs Punk on. Punk stands in the corner, and Rollins hits another forearm SMASH! Rollins SLAPS Punk, pie faces him around, then gets in his face. The fans rally, Rollins runs, but Punk follows! SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Then a whip corner to corner for another SHINING WIZARD! Rollins powers out of the Bulldog but Punk LARIATS!

Punk LARIATS again, then SWINGING NECKBREAKER! The fans duel as Punk says night-night! Punk stalks Rollins to the apron, drags him up by his hair, and he NECKBREAKER HOTSHOTS Rollins! Rollins falls to the floor, then Punk PLANCHAS! Down goes Rollins again and the fans fire up. Punk stalks Rollins, drags him up and puts him in, then goes to a corner. Punk climbs, aims, and CROSSBODIES! But Rollins rolls through! Rollins deadlifts Punk and the fans fire up! Rollins even pops Punk up to a fireman’s carry! GO TO SLEEP!? But then Punk tumbles out of the ring! The fans are torn but Rollins still sticks it to Punk!

Rollins goes out the side, hobbles his way over to Punk, and he makes sure Punk hears the fans singing the song. “All of this! I built all of this!” The fans are torn, but Rollins puts Punk in the ring. Rollins slides in, but Punk steals the CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!! Both men survive their own moves and the fans fire up again! Punk rains down fists on Rollins, then drags him up. Punk underhooks, but then says night-night! GO TO- NO, Rollins blocks, and again steals GTS!! Cover, TWO?!? Punk survives again and Rollins is stunned! The fans rally up, they duel between the two, Rollins aims, runs up, but Punk avoids the stomp!

Punk bails out, Rollins pursues, and Rollins drags Punk up off the floor. Rollins says Punk is trying to run away like he always does! Rollins SMACKS Punk off the desk, then climbs up on there. Rollins brings Punk up, reels him in, but Punk fireman’s carries! But Rollins fights free! Rollins kicks low, underhooks, PEDIGREE on the desk!! The desk does not break but maybe Punk just did! Rollins clutches his leg, but he drags Punk into the ring. Rollins hurries to underhook again, PEDIGREE!! Rollins turns Punk over for the cover, TWO!! Punk still lives and the fans are thunderous! Rollins is frustrated and he shakes his head.

Punk sits up, he and Rollins stare down again. They both crawl to each other, and they throw SLAP after SLAP! Rollins winds up and ROCKS Punk with a right! Punk hits back, then throws a KNEE! And a CHOP! Rollins fires haymakers again! Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS then turns Punk! But Punk turns through to ROUNDHOUSE! Rollins ends up in a corner, SHINING- NO! Rollins stops Punk to then run and BUCKLE BOMB! Punk falls in a heap, Rollins runs up to CURB STOMP!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! The fans are electric as Punk survives by a literal foot! “This is Awesome!” as for the first time in a long time, Raw has overrun!

Rollins drags Punk up again, stands him up in the corner, then hoists him to the top rope. The fans rally as Rollins climbs. The fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow. Punk HEADBUTTS Rollins away! Rollins snarls, now he’s pissed! Rollins leaps right up top, brings Punk to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX! And roll through for the- Fireman’s carry!? GO TO SLEEP!! Rollins flounders around, and Punk gets under him for another fireman’s carry! Punk powers through to GO TO SLEEP!! Cover, PUNK WINS!

Winner: CM Punk, by pinfall

And though it isn’t a championship, Punk proves he is still Best in the World! The ref helps Punk stand so he can raise his hand, did this put the punctuation on the story that is CM Punk and Seth Rollins? Or will there still be another chapter in store down the line?


My Thoughts:

An awesome Raw for the Netflix debut, though I’m surprised they only did four matches for three hours. At the same time, we got some great promos for it, such as that cold open from Triple H. The Rock also had a great promo to not just commemorate the moment but to hype up the Tribal Combat match. I figured Tama & Jacob would help Solo, and as such, Jimmy & Sami would help Roman. A great bit with Cody and Kevin getting involved, too, but I kinda expected one more twist, like Hikuleo finally showing up in WWE, or even The Rock turning on Roman. But no, Roman wins and has everything going his way. He might even be on the cover of 2K25.

However, this does lead me to think one of my fantasy booking ideas is still possible. That is to say, Heyman’s favor to Punk. Rollins VS Punk was an awesome main event, and I really liked Rollins arguing with the ref to get the ref to be more lax with the count. Plus, stealing your opponent’s finisher is always a fun spot so I like how it happened a couple different times. Punk winning was only a little surprising, as he now has momentum going towards the Royal Rumble. Heyman’s favor can come in handy here, as Punk can either get a very good spot in the Rumble match, or he just gets a world title match at the Royal Rumble.

And speaking of all that, John Cena had a great promo to officially start the farewell tour and even aim for the Royal Rumble. It might be a bit obvious for him to win the Royal Rumble now, but Cena did mention the Elimination Chamber and Money in the Bank. Though, of the three, the Rumble is the least dangerous, given you could have a bad landing in either the Chamber or off a ladder. And very good promo from Gunther, and he’d be a great opponent for either Punk or Cena on the Road to WrestleMania. They probably could’ve not had Hogan do a promo tonight, it seems LA has not forgiven him for much of anything…

Similarly, I appreciate that Logan Paul’s promo was a vignette, and a short one, because the fans might’ve booed him just as bad. Very good promo from American Made with Adam Pearce, nice cameo by Bayley to tease a Transfer Window moment, and very good stuff from New Day again. I’m pretty sure Gable VS Penta is happening as opposed to Rey & Penta VS New Day. For one, it’d be a bit of a rip on the existing LWO for Rey to go with someone else when he can choose Dragon Lee. We’ll get great matches either way, and Penta’s gonna win. I feel like New Day should win their match with Rey & Lee, so as to build their Heel heat.

Great match from Jey VS McIntyre, but I feel like the crowd was a little tired by that point, and the match itself didn’t quite deliver on all fronts. Great win for Jey, but the ghost pin surely means McIntyre will come back for more. There is a lot of potential to McIntyre beating Jey in the blowoff and moving on to Roman in hopes of keeping Roman from the top titles. And awesome stuff from Rhea VS Liv tonight. Of course Raquel & Dom did their best to help Liv cheat, but awesome win for Rhea, and an awesome moment for her to be side by side with Taker. Bayley’s cameo here could tease Rhea VS Bayley going towards the Royal Rumble, but it really depends on how the Transfer Window sorts everything out.

My Score: 9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

 MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling) 

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast 

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR


Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand


Powered by RedCircle


Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Continue Reading

Sports

Entertainment

Sports Entertainment

Buy A Chairshot T-Shirt!

Chairshot Radio Network

Trending

WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com