Results
Mitchell’s WWE NXT TakeOver: New Orleans Report! (4/7/18)
All images courtesy of the WWE Network streaming service
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man NXT North American Championship Ladder Match: EC3 VS Adam Cole VS Ricochet VS Velveteen Dream VS. Lars Sullivan VS Killian Dain; Cole wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
- NXT Women’s Championship: Ember Moon VS Shayna Baszler; Shayna wins and becomes the new NXT Women’s Champion.
- Dusty Rhodes Classic/NXT Tag Team Championship Triple Threat: The Undisputed Era VS The Authors of Pain w/ Paul Ellering VS Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne; Undisputed win, retain the NXT Tag Team Championships and win the Dusty Rhodes Classic.
- NXT Championship: Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Aleister Black; Black wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.
- Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano VS Tommaso Ciampa; Gargano wins and has his NXT contract back.
PLAY BY PLAY
The NXT Kickoff Panel interviews Adam Cole.
He clutches onto one of the NXT Tag Team Championship belts but is also going for the North American Championship. Cole is pulling double duty, but tonight is a “living, breathing travesty”, it’s TakeOver: Let’s Screw Undisputed Era. He says it’s ridiculous. And what is Pat McAfee doing there? He’s not worth Cole’s time. But Pat tells Cole soem breaking news: the NAC Ladder Match starts the night! The very first night is the ladder match?! Cole has to do that before the triple threat tag?! Yes, take it up with management. How is Cole going to address this possible lose-lose night? Regal wishes that’s how it’ll go. Tonight is the biggest challenge in Undisputed Era’s career, but they’ll find a way because they always come out on top!
Sam Roberts asks what the goal was with last NXT’s interruption? To prove a point: the Undisputed Era is the best team in NXT and ALL of the WWE. No one else deserves the Dusty Rhodes Classic cup or the Tag Team Championships, “and that’s a fact”. Cole storms out before Pat can finish asking his next question, how will Cole’s mood be once the show starts?
Backstage interview with Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne.
Tonight, the sold-out TakeOver puts both the Dusty Cup and the NXT Tag Team Championships on the line. How are these two feeling? “Tonight’s huge!” Strong has always wanted to be champion here, and tonight it can happen. Strong wanted a tag partner he felt he could trust, and that’s Dunne. Dunne says the Undisputed Era put their foots in their mouths when they stuck their noses in someone else’s business, so now Dunne vows to put his foot and more into their mouths. The Authors of Pains are also part of the match, and Strong knows “they’re big bad dudes”, but while Akam & Rezar bring the fight, so will they. When it’s winner takes all in the triple threat tag, who will come out the combined Dusty Rhodes Classic winners and tag team champions?
Triple H has Johnny Gargano sign the Hold Harmless Agreement.
This paperwork is necessary for the Unsanctioned Match, as Gargano is no longer an employee and WWE cannot be held responsible for what Tommaso Ciampa does to him in their match.
Candice LeRae joins the panel.
Mrs. Wrestling speaks on her husband’s ultimate grudge match with a former best friend. This is like the Twilight Zone to her. Ciampa was a roommate, a best friend, the best man at their wedding, yet he seems like a completely different person. The match is more than just about Gargano getting his dream job back, with how special NXT is, but this is a personal fight. What is Gargano’s state after what Ciampa has done to him? As his wife, Candice doesn’t always agree with her husband’s decisions, but she understands and accepts his choice.
Neither of them are happy about what happened, “I want my husband back.” This has changed Gargano, too, and “it’s unsettling how calm he seems.” Gargano has no nerves or anxiety, he’s eerily calm. Pat knows Gargano has everything to lose as well as gain here, because this could be a permanent good-bye. Is he fighting for revenge or for his career? “He’s fighting for his dream.” Which is Candice more worried about? Gargano’s job or his health? She admits it’s a gamble, but she still supports him. She hopes for the best but prepares for the worst, if it means they can both be in NXT together.
Referee Drake Wuertz joins via video call to say that he’s really only part of the match to count pins and submissions. Other than that, there’s no rules, anything can happen. Unsanctioned means no rules, but Pat can’t understand what else is there for a ref to do! Drake agrees, but he’s not sure about this, either. Sam asks Drake about his relationship with Gargano and Ciampa. Drake had to count the pin that fired Gargano from NXT to begin with. Drake knows now he made a bad call but he was in a bad spot. That pinfall will haunt him for a long time. Will he be able to do another hard call tonight? Drake takes a moment, but says he will. As for Candice, she’s at a loss for words. Anything can happen in the Unsanctioned Match, can Johnny Wrestling get back to NXT?
Drew McIntyre joins the Kickoff Panel.
How does the former NXT champion feel? He’s doing rehab for his injury these last four months, but he did #WWJCD: What Would John Cena Do? McIntyre has been 100% focused to get back. He’s been watching Andrade “Cien” Almas, the man who defeated him, “the man’s cocky but he gets the job down.” Almas and Vega are a great duo, and he dropped McIntyre on his head. McIntyre promises when he returns, he’s not just taking Almas’ arm, but his head. What does McIntyre see happening tonight? It doesn’t really matter, so long as the best man wins, because McIntyre will be back to go after either of them. But who would McIntyre like better? Again, doesn’t matter, he still goes after Almas either way.
Cane Hill opens the show with live music!
Specifically, they play the theme song they provided for TakeOver: New Orleans, “It Follows”.
Six Man NXT North American Championship Ladder Match: EC3 VS Adam Cole VS Ricochet VS Velveteen Dream VS Lars Sullivan VS Killian Dain!
With NXT bordering between developmental and a brand unto itself, William Regal felt it necessary to make an entirely new championship! And what better way to give this new belt meaning than to have six amazing talents from around the world compete to be the first? The Panama City Playboy has another match to worry about tonight, will he be able to focus on grabbing history for his own? Or will another of the contenders climb above the rest?
All six men watch the belt hoisted high above the ring. The bell rings, and already fans say, “This is Awesome!” The six men are standing around but EC3 slips out. Cole and Dream pounce on Ricochet, but then Lars and Damo pounce on them. Only the monsters remain in the ring, but they notice EC3 egg them on, so they go out after him! He’s cornered, but Cole and Dream come over. The behemoths get the better of the three, but then Ricochet springboards and FLIES!
Ricochet wipes out Lars and Damo, and the fans lose their minds! The One & Only King of Speed gets a ladder in the ring and stands it up. Ricochet climbs up but Dream intercepts to knock him away. Dream moves the ladder aside, but Ricochet goes after him. Ricochet whips but Dream reverses, Ricochet rolls off his back to handspring headscissor and dropkick Dream down! Fans are all fired up for the red-hot Ricochet, but Dream puts him on the apron. Ricochet punches Dream away but Dream trips up the springboard to send him crashing and burning. Dream gets the ladder, but Cole comes in to stop that. Cole throws hands and kicks, then a mudhole stomp.
Damo grabs Cole but Cole enziguris Damo down. Dream runs out, but Cole gets him with the Ushigoroshi! Cole hurries up but EC3 gets in, so Cole hops down, but into a shoulder jawbreaker. EC3 keeps Lars out, splashes and snapmares Cole to a neck snap. The fans rally but Lars returns to clobber EC3, then do the same to Cole. Lars whips Cole, pop up into a powerslam! Then he scoops EC3, for another powerslam! Damo returns and dumps Lars out, to then build speed and DIVE!
The Beast of Belfast wipes out the Leviathan, but he enters just as Ricochet does. Damo rallies on him and Dream with big rights. Damo scoops Dream, then catches Ricochet, but Cole kicks and they all fall down. Cole brawls with Ricochet, but then Damo adds on. He grabs them both and Dream comes in for 2v2 brawling. Damo has Cole in a corner while Dream European Uppercuts Ricochet. EC3 comes in and it’s a five man brawl. Lars carries in another ladder like it’s nothing, and throws it at them all!
They go down like bowling pins! Lars roars as he picks that ladder back up and rams Damo with it. Then he knocks EC3 and Cole down with it, then puts the ladder around his head to hit Dream and Ricochet, then EC3 and Cole again! Lars sits the ladder in a corner, and boucnes Damo off it. Lars gets another ladder, grabs Dream, and just drops him on it, ribs first! The Leviathan finally stands a ladder up, and climbs. Ricochet catches up to him and throws hands on the big man. Ricochet gets up and over but Lars holds onto the ladder to deny the sunset flip pwerbomb. EC3 and Dream keep the ladder down, and work to pry Lars off with Ricochet. Cole returns, climbs up and punches Lars, and the powerbomb is completed!
This leaves Cole on the very top, and he climbs! But Damo returns to stop him. Cole tells the “punk” off, but Damo just headbutts Cole down. Damo dumps the ladder over, then tosses Ricochet onto the other! He stands the other ladder back up and begins to climb, but Cole dropkicks him. EC3 returns and hits Damo with a super bulldog! EC3 and Cole fight over the ladder, then decide to work together to use it on Lars. They wedge Lars in the corner and throw hands. Then they spot Damo and go after him. EC3 brings out a new ladder, and Cole helps him with it to make a bridge. They go back to Damo, and double whip him into it, the ladder clotheslining Damo down!
EC3 and COle return to ram Lars again, and even high-five. The Top 1% copies Cole’s pose, and Cole takes offense, so he Death Valley Drivers EC3 on a ladder. SUPERKICK to Dream, SUPERKICK to Damo, SUPERKICK to Lars, then SUPERKICK to EC3! And yes, SUPERKICK to the flying Ricochet, from “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!”
Cole finds himself all alone again, and gets a ladder up. He climbs up with the fans fired up behind him, but Lars returns to tip it over. Cole hotshots on ropes but Dream rams Lars down. Dream climbs up to the top, and hits Damo with a PUrple Rain Maker elbow! He won’t slwo down, he hits one on Cole! Dream wants the hat trick, taking aim at Ricochet, and he hits it to the back of Ricochet’s head. Now Dream is the one all alone, and he grabs a ladder. Lars returns an dpins Dream into a corner with the ladder. Dream taps out, but that doesn’t matter. Lars runs corner to corner, but Dream shoves that ladder in his face! Dream sets the ladder up again, and climbs to the very top. Fans sense what’s coming next as Dream takes aim at Lars. SUPER Purple Rain Maker!
And it hits! The fans are loving this as Dream gets himself back up. Dream sets one of the other ladders up in a corner, then adjusts the ladder he used. He climbs, but EC3 returns to get him. EC3 pulls Dream down and powerbombs him into the corner ladder!
Dream goes down, and EC3 has the fans rallying as he flounders back to the main ladder. Damo blasts EC3 with a dropkick, but EC3 counters with the modified STO. He gives Lars a cutter, too, then finally climbs. Cole yanks him off, then climbs, so EC3 clubs him back. EC3 puts Cole in a fireman’s carry, SUPER TKO!
Everyone is down, but EC3 and Damo are stirring. EC3 climbs while fans again say, “This is Awesome!” Damo stops EC3, bicycle boot knocks EC3 down. Now Damo tries the climb, but Cole goes after him. Damo throws Cole to a corner, then brings EC3 up for the Wasteland slam. Damo sets a ladder on top of EC3, and hits the back senton! EC3 writhes from being crushed, but Damo won’t stop there. Damo climbs up, but Cole returns and clubs him. Cole climbs up, positions himself for a sleeper, but Damo jumps and they both fall on EC3!
The Vader Bomb takes them all out, but Lars slowly returns while fans again say, “This is Awesome!” Cole slumps out of the ring while Damo and Lars rise. The monsters lock eyes again, but Ricochet comes in. Lars tosses Ricochet aside but Ricochet dodges in the corner to hit Darmo with a bicycle kick, then hit Lars with one. Ricochet keeps moving, roaring elbow to Damo, but Lars catches him. Lars puts Ricochet in a corner and throws him across the way! Damo sees that, fans want Damo to “Throw Him Back!” So he does! Ricochet bounces out of the ring, and now the monsters are alone again for a brawl! They go back and forth, Lars runs but into Damo’s mule kick. Damo throws elbows and EuroUppers, then clobbers Lars with a lariat. Damo runs at Lars, but Lars catches him!! Lars slams Damo out of the Divide!
Lars grabs a ladder, stands it up, and begins to climb. Ricochet returns to go after Lars, pulling him off for a roundhouse! Ricochet climbs, but Lars tips the ladder, so Ricochet moonsaults off onto Damo and Cole! Fans lose their minds while Ricochet crawls away from the wreckage. He springboards and dropkicks Lars down, but then EC3 kicks Ricochet down. EC3 puts Ricochet on the top rope and chops away at him. He moves things around, but Ricochet hits back, and EC3 ends up on a ladder again. Ricochet takes aim, and hits a Shooting Star onto EC3 and the ladder!
Everyone is down again, but Ricochet has the fans rallying. Ricochet positions a ladder and climbs up, but Dream returns! Dream rocks Ricochet with a right, then takes another ladder. He misses hitting Ricochet, but Ricochet hits Dream with a heavy haymaker. They go ladder against ladder and make a new bridge. Dream rocks Ricochet again, then finishes the ladder bridge before placing Ricochet on it. Dream climbs up again, but Ricochet intercepts him. They brawl while they climb, and end up balancing on the bridge. The fans beg, “Please Don’t Die!” Ricochet trips up Dream, and looks to leap on him, but Dream kicks him in the stomach. Dream sits up while Ricochet sits down. Dream throws hands and finds footing, for a very scary rolling Death Valley!
The fans lose their minds as both men go down. Referees check on Ricochet and Dream, they’re somehow okay to continue. But while they’re down, Lars gets up. Lars lariats Dream back down! He drags Dream up, sets him on the original ladder bridge, then climbs onto the apron. He sees EC3 coming and clubs him, to bring him out, for a FREAK ACCIDENT!
The ladder breaks!! Lars takes himself out with EC3 and Dream, and the fans are losing their minds harder than ever. But again, “This is Awesome!” While these three men are still down and out, Damo grabs Ricochet and puts him on a new ladder bridge. Damo climbs up, but Cole goes after him. Cole brawls with Damo, but it does nothing. Damo just brings Cole with him as he jumps onto Ricochet!
And that ladder breaks, too!! All six men are wrecked on the floor, but fans chant “NXT! NXT!” The fans also want them to “Fight Forever!”, as impossible as that might seem. Lars drags himself up into the ring, and he goes into the ring to climb the one ladder standing. But Damo is slowly following. Lars is almost there, but Damo stops him. They brawl while they climb. Somehow EC3 returns, and uses a ladder to jab at them both. Lars and Damo come down while EC3 sets up the ladder. Cole returns and climbs with EC3, side by side with Damo and Lars. They all reach while brawling, not letting anyone else get ahead of them.
Dream returns and adds on, while also adding a third ladder. The ladders go three wide while Dream climbs and Ricochet returns. Dream comes the closest but has to let go as the brawl gets stronger. No one is backing down, so Cole just takes EC3 with him in a Russian leg sweep! Dream and Ricochet kick the monsters down, Dream paws at the belt, but Ricochet brawls with him. Ricochet ducks a punch to then turn Dream, for a SUPER Neckbreake! This leaves the monsters left on the ladders. Damo clubs Lars down, but Lars grabs Damo, for a SUPER Freak Accident! No one is left on the ladders, but the fans are loving it. Lars drags himself up again, climbing for the top, but Ricochet leaps in out of nowhere to bring him down!
Ricochet leaves Lars on the ground as he positions a ladder back under the belt. He climbs, but Cole tips him off and out! Cole climbs up, grabs the belt, and brings it down! Adam Cole wins!!
Winner: Adam Cole, NEW NXT North American Champion!
The Undisputed Era’s double duty superstar makes history, just as he promised! Cole has a belt all to his own, but will he have the energy to help Kyle O’Reilly return the tag team championships later on?
NXT Women’s Championship: Ember Moon VS Shayna Baszler!
While the Queen of Spades made it to the finals of the Mae Young Classic and sees herself as a champion already, the Prophecy of Flame simply sees her as a bully. Ember may have survived Shayna in Philadelphia, but will this war end in New Orleans with the War Goddess still champion?
The bell rigns and Ember goes right at Shayna, but Shayna dodges to rock Ember with a right hand! Shayna smirks, but Ember gets her with a swing kick. Ember drags Shayna out, then dropkicks her into steel steps. SHe puts Shayna back in the ring, but Shayna’s right up. Ember runs, dodges, and hits a flying Code Breaker! Cover, TWO, but Ember puts Shayna in a crossface! Shayna rolls her, Ember holds on, Shayna gets the ropebreak. Ember lets go at 4, Shayna gets out of the ring. Ember stalks from the apron, but Shayna blocks the kick to trip the champion up. Shayna taunts Ember before putting her into the barriers, then back in the ring. Cover, ONE, but Shayna goes after that left arm.
Ember gets away so Shayna lets her hair down. Shayna runs and htis Ember with a knee, then a gut wrench suplex and a kick. Cover, TWO, but Shayna isn’t bothered. She just bends Ember back in a Bow & Arrow. The fans rally for Ember, Ember fights out, then slips up and around for a headscissor. Ember runs at Shayna, handspring forearm! She runs, but Shayna follows for another knee. Shayna runs but into Ember’s roll up, TWO. Ember tries again but Shayna spins her around, big knee lift! Cover, TWO! Shayna keeps her cool, daring Ember to get up again. Shayna grabs Ember in a sleeper, but Ember throws her off.
Ember dropkicks Shayna, matchbook cover, TWO, and Shayna slips around to a sleeper! Ember backs her into buckles but Shayna holds on, so Ember jumps to fall on Shayna. Shayna lets go, the fans applaud while Ember crawls to a corner. The fans rally while Ember pulls herself up. Shayna stands and runs in but Ember evades. Ember comes back with kicks, then runs to dropkick Shayna down again. Ember keeps going, half-hatch suplex and kip-up. The fans fire up as Ember runs, sliding complete shot! Cover, TWO.
Ember grits her teeth as she brings Shayna back up. She clubs Shayna, whips but Shayna reverses, Ember springboards but Shayna ducks under, letting Ember hit the mat. Shayna stands on Ember’s hand, and Ember senses what’s coming. Shyna goes to stomp, but Ember gets clear! Ember sweeps Shayna’s legs, then stands on Shayna’s hand to turn things around! Ember stomps on Shayna’s arm!
Shayna writhes, but the referee backs Ember off. Ember doesn’t care, she gets right at the arm for an arm wringer. Matchbox cover, TWO, but Ember keeps her focus. She kicks Shayna’s arm, then decides to climb up top. Ember takes aim, but Shayna bumps ropes to trip her up. Shayna kicks Ember while she’s stuck, giving a swift kick to the head, then a dropkick to the back. The referee backs her off, and Shayna takes a moment to recover. She pops her arm back in with the help of the post! Then she goes to Ember from the outside, but Ember is ready. Ember kicks her down, then gets another wicked idea in her head. She adjusts, takes aim, and leaps for a SUPER Eclipse!
Both women are down on the outside! The referee checks on them, and sees they’re okay to continue. He begins a ten count, and Ember begins to stir. The count reaches 8 when both women get in the ring. Shayna still works to get her arm working, but Ember crawls over. Shayna suddenly pops Ember into the Kirafuda!
Ember reaches, pries, and goes after the bad arm! Shayna lets go, Ember keeps on the arm with hammering forearms, but Shayna gets her in a triangle hold! Ember high stacks that, TWO, so DEADLIFT POWERBOMB! Another cover, TWO!! And Ember can’t believe it! But she won’t let that stop her, as she grits her teeth. The fans rally while Ember gets to the top rope again. Ember takes aim, and jumps for another Eclipse!
But gets dragged into the Kirafuda!!
Ember is caught! She goes for the bad arm, but Shayna won’t let that stop her anymore! Shayna uses her hair to finish the lock, keeping Ember in. Ember tries anything, from the bad arm to prying at the legs. Ember flails, reaches, but she starts to fade. Shayna rolls her away, Ember keeps trying, but she can’t get out. Fans rally, Ember gets a second wind to make it a cover, TWO, and the hold stays on. Ember’s out, Shayna wins!!
Winner: Shayna, by submission; NEW NXT Women’s Champion
The Submission Magician has done it! She has defeated the #Shenom to get her hands on what she felt was hers all along. Now that Shayna reigns over the Women’s Division, will there be any stopping her from doing what she wants to who she wants?
Adam Cole gets checked out in the trainer’s room.
The new North American Champion is very tender, but Kyle O’Reilly wants a partner out there. It doesn’t look good for the Undisputed Era, how will they hold on to their belts like this?
Dusty Rhodes Classic/NXT Tag Team Championship Triple Threat: The Undisputed Era VS The Authors of Pain w/ Paul Ellering VS Roderick Strong & Pete Dunne!
The premier tag team tournament that honors the godfather of NXT, the American Dream, returned for a third year. However, Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly felt that with Bobby Fish down with injury, they had to do something to protect their titles. They ruined what were the finals of the tournament, but William Regal wouldn’t allow it to end that way. Thus, this triple threat was made! Who will come away with all the prizes in this amazing combination of tag team matches?
The Authors don’t wait for the bell, they go right at the weakened Undisputed Era! It is a brawl with all six men going left and right. Akam & Rezar get control with a big boot to Cole, then another to Kyle. Strong gets thrown out and then so does Dunne. They focus on Kyle, neckbreaker bomb, but Cole manages to break the cover. Akam & Rezar throw the battered Cole out, and then clear off the Spanish announce table! Ellering coaches them as they bring Cole up, but Dunne & Strong come in. Akam & Rezar boot them away, then go back to Cole, but he slips out of the double choke slam! He can’t get away, though, they make it a double POWERBOMB!
Cole goes down through the table, but then Kyle flies in to knee Rezar! He boots Akam, too, but then turns into Strong’s chop. Kyle still knees Strong down, but Dunne is upon him with a hoverboard wristlock! They fall to the mat, Kyle makes it a cover, then to an armbar, but Dunne slips out. Dunen swings but Kyle blocks and counters with a strike fest that dumps Dunne on his head. Strong chops Kyle, then catches a knee into a backbreaker. Strong knees Akam out, then dropkicks Rezar. Rezar stays up so Strong unloads, and lets Kyle forearm Rezar out for him. Strong then gets Kyle into a full nelson backbreaker, cover, TWO!
The Messiah of the Backbreaker knows he’s close, so he hoists Kyle up. Kyle slips around to put Strong in the guillotine! He wrenches, Strong works to make it a cover, but Kyle slips into a triangle! Akam returns and stomps Kyle, but Kyle grabs that foot into an ankle lock!
Kyle has two holds at once, but then Dunne comes in, only for Rezar to use him in a powerbomb to break it all! Everyone is down, but Ellering coaches his team up as Rezar gives knees to Strong. Akam actually tags in, and they mug Strong with knees. Akam stomps Strong, then gives him body shots. He tags Rezar in, and they continue to mug Strong. Rezar knocks Strong around, covers, ONE. Rezar puts Strong in a modified clutch, but fans rally. Strong stands up, fights back, but gets thrown overhead! Kyle returns and kicks at Rezar, but Rezar sits him down with a forearm. Cole is barely stirring, so Kyle goes it alone as he throws forearms, but gets thrown in a German Suplex! yet he’s right back up! To fall right out…
Strong crawls for his corner but Rezar intercepts him. Rezar tags in Akam and they again mug Strong in their corner. Akam drags Strong up for kicks to the stomach, then tags Rezar for more mugging of Strong. The referee checks on Cole but he’s nowhere near the ring. Rezar taunts Dunne while standing on Strong. He tags in Akam, and they mug Strong with another knee to the ribs. Akam taunts Dunne but fans rally for Strong. Akam tags Rezar back in, Rezar hits Dunne just because, but Kyle returns, only to get booted down again. Strong boots Rezar then enziguris him, and crawls for his corner. Kyle grabs Strong, but Strong shoves him off, tag to Dunne!
The British Bruiserweight rallies on Akam with strikes and an enziguri. Kyle whips Dunne to a corner but Dunne goes up and over. Dunne gets a waistlock, but Kyle gets the standing switch and German, but Dunne lands on his feet! Dunne kicks Kyle in the back, but then Rezar grabs him, only for Dunne to reverse the slam into a DDT! Cover, TWO! Kyle gets up and kicks Dunne, so Dunne slaps him. They brawl fast and furious, but Dunne get s the edge with a palm strike. Kyle kicks, then they both palm strike, but Akam runs them both over with clotheslines! The Authors grab one each, for the Super Collider!
They’re not done there, they drag Kyle up. Rezar runs, LAST CHAPTER! Cover, but STrong breaks it just in time! Strong hits Akam with a knee, then goes after Rezar. Rezar throws Strong out instead, then goes to Dunne. But Dunne gets the fingers! And snpas them! Then tag to Strong. Strong lifts Rezar but Rezar fights him off, shoving Strong into Dunne. Dunne goes down, but Strong puts Rezar into the corner, for a shining wizard! He then brings Rezar out, Olympic Slam! Cover, TWO! But Strong won’t stop, he tags in Dunne. Dunne climbs up, but Kyle anchors his foot. Strong goes after Kyle, and drops him on the apron! And Dunne adds double stomps! Strong swing kicks Rezar, then hits a knee lift, to then hit the knee and enziguri comb! Strong lifts Rezar, hand-off to Dunne, Bitter End of Heartache!
Cover, Akam breaks it! Strong goes after Akam and dumps him out, then runs, but his wrecking ball dropkick misses. Akam rushes Strong, but Strong puts him into steps! Dunne swings at Kyle but Kyle dodges to counter with the ax kick, Dunne still gets the enziguri! Dunne lifts Kyle, Bitter End! Cover, but Strong breaks it!? And he hits Dunne with End of Heartache?! He puts Kyle on the cover, Undisputed Era wins?!
Winners: The Undisputed Era (Adam Cole & Kyle O’Reilly, O’Reilly pinning), still NXT Tag Team Champions
What is going on!? Why did Strong do that to Dunne when they would’ve won?! Why did he help his enemies in the Undisputed Era? Or, are they enemies? Strong takes the armband, and is now a member of the Undisputed Era!!
NXT Championship: Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS Aleister Black!
The Embodiment of the End has sought the NXT Championship ever since joining this brand. El Idolo has let his ego run wild on his way to the top. Will the devil on Aleister’s back be satisfied with making Almas #FadeToBlack? Or will Almas get the respect he and Vega feel he deserves?
The bell rings, and the two run at each other! Aleister grazes Almas and the two brawl with haymakers. Aleister gives Almas a strike fest, Almas bails out, Aleister fakes him out with a springboard, but then actually jumps on him with a SUPER moonsault! Almas goes down, but Aleister puts him in the ring. Aleister glares at Vega to keep her back, then goes back to Almas. Almas slips out of the ring to overhand chop Aleister. Aleister hits back and puts Almas in the ring but Almas clobbers him. Almas whips, Aleister rolls off his back and goes for the crucifix, but makes it an Octopus hold! Shift to a sunset flip, TWO, and Almas gets out of the ring again.
Aleister pursues him, punching him around the corner. Aleister kicks Almas against barriers, then puts him in the ring, but Vega being Vega, she hits Aleister with a flying headscissors!
She sends Aleister into the steel steps! Vega then shouts to Almas, Almas gets Aleister in the ring, cover, TWO. Almas rains rights on Aleister, then brings Aleister up to put him into the post. The fans duel while Almas stomps a mudhole into Aleister. Almas whips Aleister corner to corner, then blocks Aleister’s boots into a draping backbreaker and clubbing forearm. Cover, TWO, so Almas stomps away on Aleister. Almas goes to the apron and grabs Aleister in the hanging triangle! The ref counts and Almas lets go at 4, to then springboard missile dropkick! Cover, TWO, but Almas keeps on Aleister in the chinlock.
Fans rally and Aleister fights his way out of the hold, but Almas switches to a chinbar and armlock. Almas wrenches Aleister while Vega trash talks him. The fans continue to rally, and Aleister fights his way up. he puts Almas in a corner but Almas holds on, so Aleister rams him to buckles again. Almas brings Aleister around, but the third time is the charm, and Aleister gets free. Aleister runs but back into a sleeper! He backs Almas into buckles and gets free again, to then back elbow Almas away. Almas boots back, then hops up, but Aleister fights him off. Aleister turns around, but Almas gets him right back into the hanging triangle! Almas lets go, and Aleister staggers away, but he counters the springboard missile dropkick with a knee lift!
Fans rally while both men are down, Vega shouting for her man. Both men stir, then stand up and brawl. Almas blocks but Aleister counters. Aleister rallies with forearms, sweeps the leg and slides in for a knee! Aleister kip-ups, and the fans fire up, he runs in for a forearm smash on Almas. He whips Almas back into the buckles, then springboards for the Quebrada!
TWO, and Vega is relieved. She tries to get Almas back into this while Aleister climbs up. Almas springs up to stop him, then chops him for good measure. Almas climbs up to join Aleister, but Aleister resists with body shots. Aleister adjusts, sunset flip but Almas lands on his feet! Almas misses Cien Knees, Aleister boots him back but then Almas gets around Aleister for a German Suplex! Vega tells Almas to seize opportunity, and Almas climbs up. Moonsault, Almas lands on his feet to moonsault again onto Aleister! Cover, TWO, and Vega is frustrated for Almas. Almas goes after Aleister’s arm, but Aleister forearms back.
They brawl with forearms back and forth, Aleister getting the edge. Almas kicks, so Aleister kicks and knees, but the roundhouse misses. Almas throws elbows from both sides, then runs, but narrowly avoids Aleister’s back hand to give a back elbow of his own! Cover, ONE, and Vega can’t believe it. Almas runs, Aleister hits a big knee, cover, TWO! Vega coaches Almas up, and Almas stands up. Aleister also stands as the fans rally. Almas forearms Aleister, then they both forearm, both chop, and both roundhouse! They both fall back to the mat, and fans applaud while Vega is shocked. She tells Almas to think, to be the smarter man. The fans like it, though, and declare “This is Awesome!”
The ref starts a ten count, and it reaches 6 before either man stirs. They get up, Aleister elbows Almas away, and Almas ends up in a corner. Aleister runs in at Almas, Almas hip-tosses Aleister into buckles! Almas fires up and runs, but Aleister intercepts the knees. Aleister kicks then runs, but Almas dumps him out over the top rope! Almas runs, jumps and hits Aleister with a corkscrew plancha! He keeps going, putting Aleister back in the ring to cover, TWO! Vega and Almas can’t believe it! But Almas calms down to then direct Vega. Vega grabs the belt and gives it to El Campeon, who brings it into the ring. The referee takes the belt away from Almas, but this is a distraction so Vega can hit Aleister with a spike-rana!
Vega slips out and Almas covers, TWO! And Vega throws a tantrum. She tells Almas to finish this now, and fans rally as Almas drags Aleister back up. He puts Aleister in the hammerlock, but small package counter, TWO! BLACK MASS!!
Cover, but Vega cheats the ropebreak! Vega laughs to herself while Aleister can’t believe it. Almas slumps out of the ring to buy himself some time. Aleister goes for another moonsault, but Vega anchors his feet! He manages to kick free, but Almas runs over and trips him up! Vega tells Almas to keep going, and Almas climbs up. Almas forearms Aleister, then continues on up, draping double stomps!
Almas isn’t done there, CIEN KNEES!!
Cover, TWO!! And neither Almas nor Vega can believe it! Fans are all fired up for this, even though Vega is furious. Almas stalks Aleister on weak legs. He drags Aleister up, and prepares the hammerlock, but Aleister lifts with a fireman’s carry. Almas slips out then swings that back elbow, but Aleister dodges and the referee almost takes the hit. Aleister goes for Black Mass, but Almas dropkicks him in the back! Both men are down again, Aleister clutching his back. Almas gets to ropes, and they both end up on the apron. Almas grabs Aleister, but Aleister fights back, sitting him down with a chop. Deja vu to Philadelphia, Almas goes to the other end, and comes back for Cien Knees against the post!
Aleister is dazed, but he tells the referee he’s okay to continue. Almas comes over and drags Aleister up, draping him on the top rope, but Aleister slips back in and dumps Almas out! Vega coaches Almas up, but Aleister builds speed to FLY!!
But Aleister doesn’t stop, he gets Almas back in the ring, only to walk right into the Hammerlock DDT!! Cover, TWO!? Aleister survives and no one can believe it! Almas argues with the referee, but Vega’s climbing up top? Everyone sees this, she jumps, but onto Almas!
Almas catches her, but then Alesiter hits another BLACK MASS!!
Cover, Aleister wins!!
Winner: Aleister Black, by pinfall, NEW NXT Champion
The devil on his back has what it wants! Aleister is now THE NXT Champion, the 13th ever, which is incredibly fitting. Vega throws a fit, but it’s her own fault for getting a little too involved. Aleister is ecstatic, having achieved his goal. He fought so hard to get it, how hard will he fight to keep it?
Unsanctioned Match: Johnny Gargano VS Tommaso Ciampa!
They were once friends in Team DIY, but that changed when the Psycho Killer chose to be selfish. Things got worse when Ciampa returned to blindside Gargano after his loss at TakeOver: Philadelphia, and then again to cost him both the title and his job in NXT. But Gargano would return the favor by attacking Ciampa out of nowhere, and now it’s all led to this. In a match with no rules but to win, can Johnny Wrestling get his job back? Or will Ciampa add one last insult to injury and be rid of Gargano once and for all?
And if it wasn’t clear from the booing and the chants of “Asshole! Asshole!” as well as “You Suck! *clap clap* You Suck!” during his entrance, New Orleans does not like Ciampa one bit. Not that it matters to him, he takes it all in stride. But in stark contrast, everyone loves Gargano as he makes his entrance. The referee, Drake Muertz, does not wear official referee stripes, because this is not in line with official NXT regulations. That aside, the bell rings, and we begin.
Gargano and Ciampa stare down, Ciampa saying this is his moment. The fans continue to make noise, in support of Gargano and in anger towards Ciampa. Gargano and Ciampa continue to glare at each other, until they suddenly explode into a brawl! They both punch fast and furious, and Gargano knocks Ciampa over, then jumps on him with a Thesz Press! Gargano rains hands but Ciampa shoves him off. Ciampa throws Gargano to the apron, but Gargano comes back with the slingshot spear!
Gargano doesn’t care for the cover, he just throws more hands! Ciampa kicks back then puts Gargano in a corner. Gargano slips out and throws more hands, then stomps a mudhole into Ciampa! Gargano stomps and stomps and stomps because he can, and the fans love it! He goes back to Ciampa, drags him up for a corner to corner whip, but Ciampa reverses, only for Gargano to reverse back. Ciamap hits buckles, then Gargano clotheslines him out of the ring. Gargano takes aim, runs and DIVES!
Gargano just manages to hit Ciampa and bring him down. The fans are all fired up and cheering as Gargano stalks Ciampa. Gargano rocks Ciampa with a left hand, then another, but Ciampa knees back. Ciampa clubs Gargano’s back, and the fans boo. Ciampa whips, but Gargano reverses, and Ciampa ends up in the crowd! While Ciampa writhes, Gargano backs up then runs, and leaps onto Ciampa! The referee hurries into the crowd, to keep with them as Gargano rains down more lefts on Ciampa.
Gargano backs off to then drag Ciampa back up, but Ciampa shoves him back into the barriers. Ciampa drags Gargano, suplex and gordbuster onto those rails, to then club and club and club away on Gargano’s back. He pushes Gargano away, then climbs back over the rails to drag Gargano up, for a backbreaker! Ciampa’s knee brace adds extra pain into the move, and he dares Gargano to “do something, you piece of garbage!” But when Gargano doesn’t get up, Ciampa peels away floor mats! The concrete is exposed while fans boo and jeer. Gargano gets up and hits Ciampa with a forearm, but Ciampa boots him back. Ciampa stands over Gargano, clubbing him as he brings him up. He lifts Gargano, but Gargano resists! Ciampa keeps trying, Gargano keeps resisting. Ciampa gets him up, but Gargano slips out, then to the apron, for a mule kick!
Gargano is right on the dazed Ciampa by throwing him across the English announce table! The fans chant, “Mama Mia!”, since Mauro Ranello is too busy getting clear. Speaking of clear, Gargano decides to clear the table! Gargano gets on the table and drags Ciampa up to join him. He pulls Ciampa up in powerbomb position–and with a bit of a wedgie–but Ciampa resists the lift to hit Gargano low with a monitor! Ciampa grabs Gargano now, Gargano again resists the lift, but Ciampa still SUPERPLEXES Gargano from table to floor!
Both of them crash land and writhe from the impact! The fans rally for Gargano, but the referee checks on both men to be sure they can continue. Ciampa is first to sit up, and he glares down at Gargano. He rains rights down on him, and fans boo and jeer. Ciampa takes the announce desk cover and sets it up as a ramp, to then back suplex Gargano against it! The cover cracks but doesn’t break, and Ciampa stands up on the desk to embrace the heat. Ciampa sits and watches the writhing Gargano while the fans vent their displeasure. He then kicks Gargano right across the back, then puts him on the apron to ram his chest into the edge. Ciampa pushes Gargano into the ring, not for a cover, but to drop elbows and stomps on him.
Ciampa continues to stomp Gargano, and fans return to calling him an “Asshole!” He whips Gargano hard and Gargano tumbles up and down, landing on his head and shoulders. Ciampa enjoys it as he stalks Gargano again. He taunts Gargano, saying he should give up, but Gargano instead throws more left hands! Gargano throws hands, Ciampa boots, but Gargano comes back for the discus lariat, only for Ciampa to duck under and slam Gargano with a back suplex! Cover, ONE, so Ciampa puts Gargano in a Cloverleaf. Gargano grabs Ciampa’s beard to deny the hold, but Ciampa throws hands to weaken Gargano. Ciampa gets Gargano’s legs, and brings him into the Cloverleaf hold!
Gargano endures, but Ciampa bends him back further. Fans rally for Gargano, and Gargano gets to ropes. There are no ropebreaks, so Ciampa just holds onto the hold as long as he wants! Gargano keeps crawling, and gets himself out of the ring. Ciampa joins him on the apron, stomping and stomping away again without mercy. Then he sits down, and sarcastically claps to mock the fans. The Sicilian Psycho glares down at Johnny Wrestling, then goes searching under the ring. The fans let Ciampa know, “You’re a Wanker!” Ciampa can’t find what he’s looking for on that end, and accuses the referee of removing “it”. He sees Gargano moving, and keeps him down with a knee to his head! Again, that knee brace adds to the impact, and Gargano clutches his head. Ciampa scares a fan and takes their crutches?!
We all know what Ciampa’s done with crutches in respect to Gargano in the past. He waves “bye bye” like he did that night he cost Gargano his job before. Ciampa slips into the ring, armed with the crutches. Fans boo and jeer while rallying for Gargano, but he’s down on the mat. Ciampa uses the crutch to shovel Gargano up to his knees, then thrusts the crutch, but Gargano ducks! Ciampa tries to swing on the return, but Gargano ducks that, too. Gargano gets Ciampa with a strong left hand, then dodges the crutch again to throw a one two combo. Ciampa drops the crutch, Gargano goes for it, but Ciampa kicks him away. Ciampa picks the crutch back up, Gargano dodges and rolls Ciampa, for the school boy kick, which sends Ciampa out of the ring!
The fans cheer Gargano on as he goes over to where Ciampa is on the apron. They’re both slow to standing up, but Gargano stands Ciampa up for another left hand. Ciampa teeters on the edge as Gargano keeps punching. Ciampa sits down, Gargano reaches for him, but Ciampa sweeps his legs out! When Ciampa sees they’re back to the exposed concrete, he drags Gargano up, and tries to suplex him again. Gargano resists, for the sake of his life, and swing kicks Ciampa back. Gargano sees where he is, and slingshots over, but Ciampa blocks it! Ciampa hoists Gargano up and shifts him around, preparing for an Air Raid! Gargano slips out, to powerbomb Ciampa to the concrete!!
A sickening thud as Ciampa’s back hits the floor! And fans are losing their minds! But at the same time, they tell Ciampa, “You Deserve It!” Ciampa writhes in pain on the ground while the referee checks on him. Gargano rests in the ring while Ciampa drags himself up and in. Both men are down, but a crutch is halfway between them. Gargano and Ciampa each eye the weapon, and the fans know what they’re thinking. They both crawl for the crutch, and grab it at the same time. They tug-o-war over it, and Gargano gets the better of Ciampa!
Gargano has ownership of the crutch, and smacks Ciampa over and over with it! One for the betrayal, one for the sneak attack in Philly, and the rest for screwing him out of the title and his job! He even sweeps Ciampa’s bad knee with it. Gargano goes running in but Ciampa dumps him to the outside. Ciampa staggers over, but Gargano SMACKS him in the back of his head!
Gargano gets to the apron, slingshot DDT! Cover, TWO! Gargano keeps his frustration in check, and the fans continue to cheer him on. Gargano gets to a corner, and decides to expose one of the cross bars, as well as the buckle itself. He goes back to Ciampa, bringing him up and carrying him, but Ciampa slips out of the long dart to push Gargano into the top buckle. Ciampa clubs Gargano in the back, then hoists him up in the torture rack. Gargano slips out but Ciampa blocks the kick. Gargano evades Ciampa’s haymaker, but that back elbow gets Gargano right in the jaw. Ciampa gets space while Gargano checks his teeth. Ciampa runs back, and knees the slingshot spear down! Torture rack, Tower Hacker sit-out powerbomb! TWO! Gargano shows the same heart he showed back in Philly, and fans hope they “Fight Forever!”
Ciampa gets to a corner and watches Gargano stir. He waits for Gargano to sit up, and does a callback to their days as DIY. Knee strike to the back of Gargano’s head! Cover, TWO!! And Gargano can’t stand it! The fans keep cheering for Gargano, even as he is dazed. Fans say, “We Want Tables!” while Ciampa adjusts his knee brace. He brings Gargano up, preparing a lift, but Gargano resists again. Ciampa clubs Gargano to weaken him, then lifts, but still Gargano resists. Gargano slips under and starts throwing heavy left lariats! Gargano shouts “This is MY moment!” and starts unloading overhand chops across Ciampa’s face!
Ciampa shoves him, but Gargano tilt-o-whirls on the rebound, but Ciampa clobbers him with a lariat! Then the powerbomb lift, but Gargano slips out again, for the Reverse-Rana! It’s not the cleanest, but Gargano doesn’t care, he fires up to run and tilt-o-whirls! He gets Ciampa in the Garga-No Escape!
The fans chant “YES! YES!” while Ciampa flails and endures. Ciampa reaches, fades, but drags himself to ropes! The ropebreak doesn’t matter, and Gargano pushes them back to the middle of the ring! Ciampa comes close, but he instead rakes at Gargano’s eyes! Fans boo and jeer again, but again, there are no rules. Gargano blindly reaches and rolls while Ciampa undoes his wrist tape. The fans rally, but Ciampa gets enough slack on the tape, to go after Gargano! Gargano blocks the choke, and the two brawl with haymakers. The tape keeps them together as they throw those heavy hands, but neither man backs down. Their punches get stronger and meaner, then faster and faster.
Gargano gets the edge, and fans chant “YES! YES!” but Ciampa kicks Gargano in the balls! A legal low blow gives CIampa a chance to grab the other crutch, and smack Gargano with it! Then he brings Gargano up, for the powerbomb backbreaker, aka Project Ciampa!
Cover, TWO!? Ciampa can’t believe it, but the fans love it! Both men are down, barely stirring. Fans rally for Gargano once more, but it’s Ciampa who gets up first. Gargano crawls over to Ciampa, but Ciampa just shakes his head. Ciampa says this is his moment, but Gargano just fires off palm strikes! Ciampa responds with his own, then spins for the lariat, but turns into a SUPERKICK! Gargano then clobbers Ciampa with a left, and lifts for the long dart into the exposed buckle!
He’s not done there, he mule kicks Ciampa! That’s still not enough, he gives Ciampa the DIY MULE KICK! Cover, TWO?! But how?! Yet the fans chant “NXT! NXT!” Gargano crawls to a corner, and drags himself up to the top rope. Ciampa crawls to follow, and they brawl as Ciampa makes the climb. That knee brace adds to the knee strike, and Ciampa adds a headbutt. Ciampa brings Gargano up in the fireman’s carry, then adjusts, but Gargano fights out again. Gargano elbows Ciampa n the head over and over and over, then adjusts for standing corner punches. But he punches one too many times, Ciampa gets him in a SUPER Project Ciampa!!
Cover, TWO!?!? Somehow, someway, Johnny FREAKIN’ Wrestling survives! Fans again chant “NXT! NXT!” but Ciampa undoes his knee brace… Ciampa clutches his knee, but he stands up to bring the knee pad down. He exposes his knee completely, but Gargano sits up. Ciampa prepares another DIY knee, but Gargano uses the discarded brace as a weapon on that knee! Gargano then grabs the crutch, and breaks it apart to make a jagged edge. Gargano rushes Ciampa with it, but stops short as Ciampa covers up. The fans want Gargano to finish it, but Gargano can’t bring himself to be worse than Ciampa. Deep down, Gargano is still Ciampa’s friend, so he puts down the crutch.
Gargano sits down with Ciampa, flashback to the Cruiserweight Classic, but Ciampa swings at him with the knee brace! Gargano ducks it, and puts Ciampa back in the Garga-No Escape! Ciampa reaches for the brace, so Gargano slips around to the other side, using the brace in an STF!!
Ciampa taps, Gargano wins!!
Winner: Gargano, by submission; wins back his NXT contract
Gargano is BACK in NXT! And Candice LeRae runs out to celebrate with him! Mr. & Mrs. Wrestling are together in NXT!
They were both betrayed by Ciampa, so it is both their victory that Gargano gets back at him here tonight. With this grudge put behind them, what does the future hold for Johnny & Candice in NXT?
My Thoughts:
TakeOver specials are always great, but this was flat out amazing. It was great booking to schedule the Six Man Ladder Match first, because it put a lot of pressure on Adam Cole since he chose to do double duty. I did not expect Cole to win because of this, but it was great to see the fans pop for him so unanimously. Then in that amazing Dusty Rhodes Classic/NXT Tag Title match, I really didn’t expect that swerve coming. I thought Undisputed Era would win using the other teams against each other, but instead, Strong goes back to his ROH roots and is not only Heel but Heel on the Undisputed Era’s side. Now the UE rolls four deep and 100% ROH talent, I can’t wait to see where this leads.
The NXT Women’s Championship was great, especially with Ember returning all the bullying and such to Shayna, but Shayna showing how gritty she could be with that shoulder-fix spot. With how well Shayna has been doing in the ring and even on the mic, it was inevitable for her to become champion. It was also great out-of-character stuff to see her celebrate with Ronda Rousey and Jessamyn Duke, she’s the first of the MMA Horsewomen to really make it in pro-wrestling, so fans can all be happy for her regardless of her being Heel or Face. The NXT Championship was also great, so much of Almas’ offense was from his match with Gargano, Aleister knew it, and he gets the better of Almas because of it. As McIntyre said in the kickoff, a feud of him and Aleister is going to be amazing.
And the most amazing part of it all, was the FORTY MINUTE main event of the Unsanctioned match! And every minute was worth it, this was like taking their Cruiserweight Classic Match, doubling it, and adding all their instant-classic NXT tag team title matches on top of it. So much story, so much aggression, and spots I never could have imagined. Of course Gargano wins, he has so much still to do in NXT, but the match was booked so well that it still made it feel like the most amazing thing in the world to see.
My Score: 9.5/10
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Ain’t Nobody Safe!
After costing Dion Lennox, Saquon Shugars looks to redeem himself by taking the NXT North American Championship from Myles Borne!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne VS Saquon Shugars w/ DarkState; Myles wins and retains the title.
- EK Prosper &
Dorian Van DuxSean Legacy VS Uriah Connors & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Birthright; win(s). - Lizzy Rain VS ???
- Shiloh Hill VS Ricky Saints; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Robert Stone talks with Shawn Michaels & Matt Bloom.
The NXT General Manager is with the heads of NXT management and wants to get right to the point. Ethan Page, Joe Hendry, Fatal Influence, Sol Ruca, Blake Monroe, and even Ricky Saints, all called up to Raw and SmackDown to make an impact there. Those are big shoes to fill, though, and Stone’s phone has been blowing up from all the talent. But he thinks it is time for some fresh faces, maybe even from Evolve and LFG. Bloom says they have a great crop of international talent looking for their chance. HBK says they’ve done what NXT does, they’ve been through this before many times. Now, Stone can put names on cards, put pictures on the board, and continue to take calls.
Or… He can throw a stick of dynamite into the locker rooms and see who runs out. Stone likes that bold approach. Things are about to change drastically, but who will show up while the others blow up?
NXT North American Championship: Myles Borne VS Saquon Shugars w/ DarkState!
Speaking of, we just saw Myles overcome a member of DarkState when he defeated Dion Lennox, but admittedly, The Sugar Man muddied the waters on that. But will it be clear that Myles will #NeverBreak? Or can Saquon redeem himself by taking this title for himself?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if nobody’s safe!
The bell rings and Saquon runs up! Myles dodges then fires hands! The fans rally for Myles as he UPPERCUTS again and again! Saquon flounders, but then he YANKS Myles! Myles stops from hitting ropes, but Saquon gets around for the NECK JACKER! Myles goes to a corner, Saquon runs up again, but Myles dodges again! Saquon tumbles off buckles, and Myles kicks him low. Myles reels Saquon in for the X-PLEX! The fans rally as Myles then deadlift GUT WRENCH PLEXES! Saquon tumbles again while the fans fire up. Myles storms up but Saquon BOOTS him! Saquon runs, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM! Saquon bails out and DarkState regroups.
But wait! Myles goes AIR BORNE! Down go Saquon & Osiris while the fans fire up! Myles puts Saquon in, but Cutler drags him out! Myles ROCKS Cutler, then he CHOPS Saquon! Myles ROCKS and whips but Saquon avoids the dropkick! Saquon grins and runs up to RAM Myles! Saquon climbs up, he rains down fists, but Myles carries him away! Atomic drop! And LARIAT! Then a wrench and hook, but Saquon hooks the ropes! Saquon turns things around on Myles to backslide him onto ropes! A unique hotshot to say the least, and then Saquon goes up, out, around, and he YANKS Myles into the crossbar!
The fans boo but Saquon skins the cat. Myles sputters, Saquon WRECKS him with a dropkick! Saquon wants after Myles but the ref backs him off! Saquon says screw that, and he goes up onto the desk! Saquon soaks up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.
The ref checks Myles as he sputters, that crossbar he hit was exposed steel! Saquon still stands Myles up to SMACK him off the desk! Saquon drags Myles up and puts him in the ring for a KNEE DROP! Myles coughs and sputters again, but Saquon lines up another KNEE DROP! Saquon stalks Myles, brings him around, and JUMPING KNEE DROPS! Cover, TWO! Myles toughs it out but Saquon stays focused. Saquon drags Myles up, kicks him to a corner, then stomps a mudhole into him! The ref counts, Saquon stops at 4, and Myles sputters as he leans against the ropes. Saquon storms up but Myles fires body shots!
Saquon CLUBS Myles , turns him, but Myles turns neckbreaker into O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Saquon has the legs to drag Myles under the ropes! ROPE GUILLOTINE! Myles again sputters and coughs while Saquon looms over him. Saquond rags Myles to a cover, TWO! Myles tough sit out but Saquon clamps on with a chinlock. Myles endures, fights around, but Saquon KNEES him in the back! Myles goes to the apron, Saquon storms up, and Saquon ROCKS Myles with a right! Saquon turns Myles around, CLUBS away on his chest, then stops as the ref counts. Myles RAMS into Saquon, and NXT returns to single picture as Myles slingshots to sunset flip!
The fans rally and even duel as Saquon flails to stay up! Saquon breaks free, but Myles avoids the knee drop! Saquon hurries to headlock but Myles powers up, out, then drops down. Saquon hurdles over the backdrop, but turns around into a HIP TOSS! Myles still coughs, and Saquon UPPERCUTS him! Saquon KNEES Myles in the back and Myles is on the ropes! Saquon runs to BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Then slingshot LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Saquon clamps on with a chinlock and he grinds Myles down. The fans rally while Dion coaches Saquon on the squeeze. Myles fights up, but Saquon wrangles him again! Saquon adds a top wristlock into the hold!
The fans rally again and Myles fights back up. Myles fires body shots, then he runs up in the corner, but Saquon puts him up top! Saquon ENZIGIRIS, then mocks the fans cheering Myles. Saquon climbs up, he neck wrenches Myles, then goes to the very top! The fans rally as Saquon stands Myles up for a SUPER DUPER- CROSSBODY COUNTER!! Cover, TWO!! Saquon survives Myles turning this around and the fans fire up! The fans rally as both men rise, and Myles hobbles his way over to Saquon. But Saquon fights the dragon sleeper to victory roll! TWO, Myles has it, TWO! DROP- NO! Saquon blocks the kick, but Myles twists for a cradle, TWO!
Saquon hits a headlock takeover, Myles headscissors, but Saquon pushes to a jackknife bridge, TWO as Myles bridges up! Myles spins things to a backslide, TWO! Myles reels Saquon in, dodges the lariat, but Saquon UP KICKS while he skins the cat! But Myles DROPKICKS a mile high! The fans fire up as Saquon flops down! The fans fire up as Myles LARIATS again and again! Then EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Myles is all fire dup, kick and FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, and now Dion gets on the apron! Myles swings on him but Dion gets back. Saquon clinches, EXPLODING NORTHERN LIGHTS!
Saquon rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Myles tumbles out, but DarkState argues with the ref? Saquon isn’t sure why, but that’s because Dion has a chair! Saquon shouts at him, “What’re you doing?! I’m trying to win!” The ref spots them both with the chair, and then Myles SHOVES Saquon into Dion! Then BACKDROP for Saquon! Myles SHOVES Dion into the steel steps! Myles slingshots for a BORNE AGAIN!! Cover, Myles wins!
Winner: Myles Borne, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Just as Saquon tried last week, Dion tried to put the fix in, and it all backfires! What is it going to take for DarkState to get back on the same page? As for Myles, Evolve’s Tristan Angels is here! And he tells Myles congratulations on another successful defense. It truly is very impressive. Now, if you’d allow him to introduce himself, he is Mr. England, Tristan Angels! The fans boo but he tells them, “Order, order! Do not let my good looks have you fooled. For I am here today as a courtesy to let you and all these people know that you will be seeing much, much more of Tristan Angels on NXT from here on out!”
Angels lives- OH NO, KAM HENDRIX ATTACKS! The fans boo as Kam gives Myles the KAMERA SHOT! Kam says he is about that action! NXT is now HIS show, because it’s showtime! Well, the opening left by the call-ups is already being filled, but who will prove they’re not just ready to Evolve, but to reign?
Wren Sinclair & Kendal Grey talk backstage.
The Women’s Speed Champion says first it was Kali Armstrong and Lizzy Rain, and now there’s Tristan Angels and Kam Hendrix! It’s all happening so fast! Kendal says yeah, but good thing for Wren is she’s built for Speed, right? Incoming new talents and she’s no longer the new kid on the block anymore. Kelani Jordan walks in and Kendal asks if she’s good. No, she’s not good. She’s staring at someone who got a two-part Chronicle when she doesn’t deserve it, and someone who has had multiple shots at THE NXT Women’s Championship when Lani hasn’t even gotten one! Not to mention, LANI tapped out Lola Vice, something not even Kendal could do. Lani is the one to beat!
Kendal asks about what happened when she faced Lola again. Oh, that’s right! Lani’s ass got knocked out in the Underground! Even though Kendal didn’t win at Stand & Deliver, she also didn’t get pinned, so she deserves her shot at Lola. Lani sighs and says oh, Wren, clueless as always. They both need to realize there are no such things as friends in NXT! Kendal will turn on Wren just like Charlie did. Oh? How about instead of worrying about the NXT Women’s Champion, you worry about this women’s champion? Lani says okay, they can face off, and Wren doesn’t even have to put up the title. Lani will settle for embarrassing Wren in front of Kendal, who better be ringside to watch.
Lani leaves, Kendal says Lani is just crazy. But will the Standout stand tall over Wren as she aims for Lola?
Tony D’Angelo is here!
The fans cheer as THE NXT Champion makes his way to the ring, stoic and stone faced as usual. He already has a mic to say, “Now the more this place changes, the more it stays the same. And there’s only one thing that’s for certain in NXT, and that’s competitors, they come and go. But ever since I got into this building, I have been the constant. And now that I have this title, there isn’t a man on this roster who is tough enough to kick me off of this mountain!” The fans cheer for that, and Tony says that includes whoever sent him the little box last week. Some fans already ask, “What’s in the box~?!”
Tony says there are competitors from LFG and Evolve jumping Myles Borne, European talents stepping up, Keanu Carver side-eyeing him, but Tony’s more curious about that box. Now Tony ain’t stupid, he knows that wasn’t a gift. That was a warning. Wait! The lights go out! Then a blacklight turns out, and from the stage, a man in a hooded jacket walks down the ramp. The man steps into the ring, and the fans chant “EVIL! EVIL!” The man hands Tony a scroll, then reveals, it IS the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Evil! The scroll is actually a shirt, and on it is simply the kanji for war. Evil has made his declaration, but when and where will these two battle?
But wait, someone else is trying a sneak attack! Tony is quick to dodge, but then that man clinches and BELLY2BELLY! WAIT! That’s Tavion Heights! Tavion says he ain’t asking no more, he’s taking! He is after everything he deserves, and he deserves it all! But hold on, someone is adding insult to injury! MOONSAULT off the top rope! The fans here know him, but will the entire WWE Universe soon learn what is going on?
Shiloh Hill & Tatum Paxley are… somewhere in the woods…
And they’re looking down in a grave they dug. Tatum says, “Here lies the final resting ground for Blake Monroe here in NXT. May the cold darkness engulf her glamorous and narcissistic ways.” Shiloh likes those last words. Tatum says she didn’t want to do it, but Blake made her! Tatum had to end it! At least now they don’t have to hear Blake’s voice. Well, they don’t call it soundproof foam for nothing. RIGHT, BLAKE?! HAHA! But seriously, hopefully Blake’s soul finds peace wherever it winds up. Tatum says in a funny way, she does, too. It’s just… She feels like something comes over her when it comes to this title. Like she goes into survival mode.
Shiloh sits with Tatum and says that makes sense. Sometimes, when we work so hard for things, it feels like they become part of us. And when that thing is threatened, it feels like you’re threatened. Plus, Tatum is the kind of person who forms really strong attachments to things and people. That’s what makes her so fun to be around. Tatum says she never thought of it like that. She’ll figure it out later, but as for Shiloh, he has a big match with Saints! Yeah, he’s so excited! Biggest moment of his life! He’s watched every Ricky Saints match the past six months, even made a simulator to study how Saints strings his moves together. Wow, so cool!
Yeah, but it’s sad, though. It got super realistic, and now the virtual Ricky is a little lonely… But at least now, Shiloh knows what to do to win. But speaking of, he’d love to enjoy this scene… Tatum understands, he can go. Shiloh will kill it. No offense to the deceased here. Tatum says she’ll rest here a bit first. Tatum reclines back, holding her title tight. Will anyone ever stop #TuesdayAddams and her reign? Will #ToothlessAggression give the Absolute a proper sendoff before Saints goes to SmackDown?
EK Prosper & Dorian Van Dux VS Uriah Connors & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Birthright!
The Disrespectfully Athletic was definitely disrespected when the entirety of Birthright made sure Lexis King would reign as WWE Speed Champion. And the Muscles from Brussels stepped up to help EK step up to these entitled brats in a 2v2 situation. But before the match, the Drama King himself gets a mic so he can speak. “Hey, there’s no such thing as a slow news day when you are the Fastest Man Alive! And I do have some news to share with y’all, some terrible, terrible news. And y’know, I just wanted to come out here and cheer on my brothers, because they were gonna put on a tag team classic that only generational talent can do.
“But unfortunately for EK, he’s gonna have to prosper all on his own tonight! Because his Belgian bud suffered from a little accident.” They cue up footage, and it was Arianna Grace selfie video vlogging BIRTHRIGHT BEATING DVD UP! Oh no~! The fans boo as they don’t even try to hide what they did! EK makes his entrance and he rushes the ring! EK dodges Lexis, SUPERKICKS Stacks, fires hands on Charlie & Uriah, then SUPERKICKS Lexis! But it’s still a numbers game! WAIT! Sean Legacy is here! #SuperSean rushes the ring to throw hands on Birthright! Things are evening out now, and they TOSS Birthright out! Then they SLIDE Stacks onto the pile!
The fans fire up as legacy is 100% and ready to roll! The ref slides in, and as they say, card subject to change! Birthright is riled up so they’re more than willing to take this fight! Will Prosper & Legacy make sure Birthright gets what they deserve?
EK Prosper & Sean Legacy VS Uriah Connors & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo w/ Birthright!
Stacks rushes in, the bell rings, and Sean dodges to headlock. Stacks powers up and out, Legacy rolls through the hip toss, then trips Stacks up for a DOUBLE STOMP! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Legacy and he whips Stacks to ropes. Uriah sneaks the tag, Stacks sunset flips but Legacy stays up. But then Legacy lets himself roll back to avoid Uriah’s lariat! Legacy blocks Uriah’s kick, hands it to Stacks, then he SUPERKICKS Stacks! Then a GERMAN SUPLEX for Uriah! The fans fire up as Legacy stands Uriah up, CHOPS him, and CHOPS again! Uriah sputters but Legacy snapmares for a KICK to the back! Cover, TWO!
Legacy keeps Uriah from his corner, brings him over to EK and EK tags in. EK goes up, up, and DOUBLE STOMPS Uriah on the back! The fans fire up as EK headlocks but Uriah powers out. Stacks tags in, they drop down and hurdle, but EK ducks the double lariat to NO HAND HANDSPRING! Birthright dodges, but EK comes back to DOUBLE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with EK, and he runs up on Uriah. Uriah puts him on the apron, Stacks trips EK up, and EK hits apron! Uriah BLASTS legacy , then he DIVES! Down goes EK, and then Stacks PLANCHAS! The fans boo but Birthright proves they can fly! They also stand tall while NXT goes to break.
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Tribal Chief, Samoan Werewolf, and Backlash!
Jacob Fatu stated point blank, he’s coming for that WWE World Heavyweight Championship! How will Roman Reigns respond?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS Rusev; Penta wins.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Iyo Sky; Becky wins and retains the title.
- El Grande Americano w/ Los Americanos VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Grayson Waller VS Oba Femi; Oba wins.
- Bayley & Lyra Valkyria VS Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez w/ Liv Morgan; Raquel & Roxie win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The OG Bloodline sits down to talk.
The Tribal Chief tells The Usos that he appreciates them coming, being here with him. They know exactly where Roman Reigns comes from, and they know exactly why he stands here today. Roman knows the past is the past, that’s where they’re gonna leave it because they’re blood, and The Usos are the only ones Roman can trust. He needs their thoughts. he doesn’t understand where Jacob is coming from. Roman said it to the whole roster, the family included, that they had two years to take advantage of Roman taking a backseat. And what’d Jacob do? He pushed, procrastinated, then Roman climbed the mountain and beat CM Punk.
Now, Jacob wants to take that from Roman? Help him understand! #BigJim tells #BigUce that he does not disagree. But he also agrees with Jacob. Jacob wants to upgrade his household. Jimmy gets that, they all get that, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of Roman Reigns. Jacob is a different breed. Jey says he’s DANGEROUS! On SmackDown, we all saw Jacob drop MFT one by one by one! Unpredictable, Uce! Unhinged! They left him “out there” for a reason! If Jacob beats Roman, Jacob takes it all! Ula Fala, the family name, Jacob becomes the shot caller! Jimmy debates that but Jey says Jimmy saw it! This is it, Uce!
It can’t be all about respect here. There has to be consequences! Roman’s the Tribal Chief! Roman ponders on the concept of consequences. Jey is right, they’re not doing charity. Roman thanks The Usos for this. He will make it his own, then he will address this later tonight. He appreciates The Usos. They say it is all love and respect, too. Family first, Uce. They all put hands in, for they are the “first family.” Is the Tribal Chief giving Jacob his match at Backlash? We simply have to wait and see.
Seth Rollins is here!
Laredo, Texas cheers as The Architect makes his way to the ring in all black like Neo from the Matrix! The fans sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as Rollins goes right to the ring. Rollins grabs a mic, revels in the singing, then says, “Laredo, Texas! Welcome to Monday Night Rollins~! I am the Visionary, I am the Revolutionary, I AM Seth! Freakin! Rollins!” The fans cheer for that! Rollins continues by saying he has a lot of ground to cover so let’s get to it.
There is a reason he lost to Gunther at WrestleMania, and it is NOT because Gunther was better that night. There is a reason Roman Reigns is walking around with ROLLINS’ World Heavyweight Championship, and it is NOT because Roman pinned Rollins’ shoulders to the mat. The reasons for those things are one in the same, and they have a name, and that name is BRON BREAKKER! Fans boo and bark, but Rollins knows Bron is sitting in the back, NINE staples in his dome, which you can thank Rollins for. But they have business to tend to, a score to settle, so Bron can get his pea brain out here so they can do the damn thing!
The fans cheer as Bron obliges! The Unpredictable Badass storms down the ramp, Paul Heyman following behind. The fans are torn as Bron keeps eyes locked on Rollins as he steps into the ring. Bron stares Rollins down while fans either bark or sing the song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Bron, “I gave you everything. I gave you the world, I handed it to you on a silver platter, and you repaid me by taking EVERYTHING away from me! You are the reason I had to forfeit the World Heavyweight Championship, you are the reason I didn’t get to main event WrestleMania this year, and you are the reason I didn’t get my hand raised at WrestleMania this year.
“But I gotta ask you, Bron… For what? What’d you get out of it? How did it benefit you in any way?” Heyman has Bron step back, then hands him a mic. The fans tell Heyman off but Bron says, “You gave me everything? What’d you give me, by the way? What’d you give Reed and I? Because the way that I see it, every single week, we were like you errand boys. We got to come out here and fight all your battles for you, and put out all the fires that YOU started all on your own! Because look around, Seth! You got nothing! You got no one! You got no friends, you are nothing! You needed us to fight all your battles for you!
“And what? You were giving me such great wisdom and all this guidance when every single week, you’d kick off the show, and Reed and I would have to stand in the back and listen to you regurgitate the same crap every single week.” Bron plugs his nose so he can imitate Rollins’ voice as he repeats, “I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I am Seth Freakin’ Rollins!” Bron wants to make it clear to Rollins that he never needed him or Rollins’ Vision. The only reason they’re standing here today is because Bron needed HEYMAN. Rollins double checks: Bron needed Heyman? “That dried up sack o’ meat? You needed him?”
Rollins almost laughs, and he says Bron just proved Rollins right on everything. Let’s go on a little ride down memory lane. A couple years ago, Rollins is World Heavyweight Champion, he won a fight with the Best in the World, then calls up The Heartbreak Kid. Rollins asked Shawn Michaels about facing NXT’s best, and who was NXT’s best? Bron Breakker. Rollins said hell yeah, let’s do the damn thing! Last year, Heyman comes to Rollins, asks Rollins about taking Bron under his wing and Rollins said hell yeah, that kid with a year under Rollins’ tutelage will be THE next main event star in this industry!
Just look at Bron! Bron’s got it all! Rollins has been here for 14 YEARS, seen athletes from every single discipline, they are big, strong, fast, but Bron is unique. Bron is the biggest, strongest, fastest, most versatile performer Rollins has ever seen here. Bron has EVERYTHING to be THE next big star… except the most important thing. Rollins points to the brain, and Rollins knows better than anyone what it means to be a 28 year old young cat full o’ piss ‘n’ vinegar, thinking this business owes him something, not wanting to wait for nobody. Rollins knows better than anybody to bet on yourself, take chances, make the hard decisions.
But the difference between them is, Bron tries, Rollins succeeds! And do you know why? Rollins will paint a picture: Every time Rollins bet on himself, it ended with a world title or a main event. Bron bets on himself and it gets him Austin Theory & Logan Paul. It gets him steak dinners, private jets, and happy endings from Heyman. Bron tries, Rollins succeeds, because Rollins will say this plainly for even Bron’s pea brain: Bron is NOT ready. Bron says, “I’m not ready? That’s the narrative you wanna go with? I hate to break it to you, superstar, but before all this was a thing, I was well on my way to becoming a main event with or without you!”
Bron never needed that help, and yet you blame Bron for losing the WHC? The truth is, Rollins’ body can’t handle it, his mind is brittle, and his shoulder can’t handle the weight of a strap on it anymore! The fans boo, but Bron grins as he says yeah, he took his shot and came up short. But y’know what? Bron can go to sleep at night a lot better knowing he lost to the Best int he World instead of someone who self-proclaims it! Bron believes Rollins is everything he says, with all the accolades, titles, everything there is to win here. A first-ballot WWE Hall of Famer, no doubt.
Rollins is THE very best pro-wrestler in the entire world… at being number two. The fans are torn, but Rollins says that was pretty good for Baby Steiner. He come up with all that on his own? Or did he call Big Poppa Pump for the hook up? Bron thinks he is ready, but Backlash is two weeks away! Rollins is going to give Bron the opportunity to prove that he is ready. But let Rollins let you in on a little secret that everyone else knows. As a Steiner, Bron’s not even number two in his own family. Rollins drops the mic and heads out, but will Rollins be ready for the backlash of challenging Bron to a match?
Stephanie Vaquer arrives backstage.
La Primera is ready to get back at Liv Morgan, but RAQUEL RODRIGUEZ ATTACKS! La Ruda catches Vaquer with the cheap shot, then THROWS her into road cases! Roxie & Liv are there, and they RAM a road case into Vaquer! Judgment Day stands over Vaquer, and Liv tells Vaquer this is HER title! Judgment Day leaves Vaquer behind, but have they truly moved past her? Or is the Dark Angel only going to be more hellbent on her revenge?
PENTA VS Rusev!
Speaking of revenge, the Man With No Fear may still be Intercontinental Champion, but now he owes The Bulgarian Brute a beating for last week. Will #CeroMiedo withstand the power of MACHKA?
Raw returns as Rusev makes his entrance. But wait, then so does Ethan Page! The fans boo All Ego getting involved in this, but he technically was part of the problem last week. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two tie up. Rusev KNEES and CLUBS Penta while Ethan takes a seat ringside. Rusev suplexes Penta, then drags him up for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans rally for Penta, but Rusev scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Penta tumbles, but Rusev CLUBS him and BOOTS him! Rusev stands on Penta, but only Ethan applauds. Rusev steps off to whip Penta, but Penta KICKS on return! and SUPERKICKS!
Penta runs, DROPKICKS, and Rusev tumbles out! Penta then FLIES! Down goes Rusev, right in front of Ethan and commentary! Ethan mockingly applauds but Penta warns him. Ethan says eyes on the prize, and Rusev back suplexes! Penta lands out to SUPERKICK Rusev again! Penta puts Rusev in, Ethan protests how close that got, but Penta keeps moving. Springboard, but into the MACHKA KICK! Rusev scoops for a SWINGING SLAM! The fans boo, Rusev snarls, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again as Rusev has Penta up top! Penta fights the suplex with body shots, then with forearms! The fans cheer as Penta HEADBUTTS Rusev down! Penta then adjusts and leaps, CROSSBODY! Penta keeps moving, he ducks ‘n’ dodges to mule kick a leg! SLING-DOG! Rusev goes to a corner, Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta sits Rusev down, then runs up to headstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! Rusev sputters but Penta drags him to a cover, ONE!! Rusev still has a lot of gas in the tank, and he KNEES Penta down low! Rusev whips, Penta goes up and over, BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Even Ethan is surprised!
Penta and Rusev rise, the fans rally, and Penta runs up to DEST- NO, Rusev BACKDROPS! Then ROUNDHOUSE! Rusev clinches, URENAGES, and he goes to a corner. The fans boo as Penta stirs and Rusev stomps around. Rusev runs up, MACHKA KICK! Penta falls, but Rusev isn’t done there! Ethan applauds as Rusev shouts, “CRUSH!!” Stomp and ACCOL- NO, Penta slips out, SUPERKICKS, then feints the springboard! Machka kick misses, Penta rolls Rusev up! PENTA WINS!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The fans cheer, but Rusev CLOBBERS Penta! Ethan cheers, he is also a sore loser so he likes this! The fans tell Rusev off while he stomps away on Penta! Ethan steps in the ring, takes off his jacket and undoes his cufflinks, but then Rusev glares at him. Ethan says okay, Rusev can have his time with Penta. But then Penta CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Ethan CLOBBERS Penta! The fans boo as now Ethan and Rusev stomp away on Penta! But wait, here comes Je’Von Evans! The fans fire up as The Young OG DUMPS Rusev out, then RAMS into Ethan! And then springboards to FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up as Evans taunts Rusev!
Rusev runs up, Penta SUPERKICKS! Evans goes up, up, O G CUTTER!! The fans fire up as Evans kicks Rusev out, and he stands tall with Penta. They shake hands on it, they’ll stand against Rusev & Ethan to clear them out of the way. Will Cero Miedo get BOUNCY~?
Los Americanos speak.
Rayo introduces himself, Bravo, and El Grande himself. El Grande steps forward to say, “In a few weeks, I will be competing in one of the biggest and most important matches in the history of lucha libre against Chaparro Americano, Mask VS Mask!” And he cannot lie, this match will be the most important match of his entire life! The biggest fight he’ll ever have. And y’know what? He’ll have to be ready to fight for his life. And to be honest, there is much more on the line. He must be ready to fight for his name, his colors, for Mexico, and for his home.
And what better way to prepare for that than to issue a respectful challenge to the biggest lucha libre legend ever, Rey Mysterio? It would be an honor to step into the ring against Rey here in Laredo, Texas! That is a GRANDE challenge, but is he biting off more than he can chew facing the King of Lucha?
Becky Lynch is here!
The Man has come around to Laredo, and she is the THREE-TIME Women’s Intercontinental Champion. But what will Becky have to say about her big time WrestleMania win? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns as Becky stands in the ring, still wearing the ring gear from her WrestleMania victory. Becky takes a moment before she says, “The Man, and the NEW Women’s Intercontinental Champion, has come around to Laredo, Texas!” The fans are torn on that, but Becky says we just entered a whole new era of “The Manosphere,” because a lot of history was made at WrestleMania 42! Becky finally got rid of Loser AJ Lee, having ended her horrible title reign, and she put gold around the waist of someone who truly deserves it in herself. She became the first WWE Superstar to win four different titles at Mania.
She became the first-ever THREE TIME Women’s IC Champion! She’s now won more WrestleMania matches than any woman in history! And Undertaker, she’s coming for that streak next! And she proved once and for all why she is the Greatest Women’s Wrestler of All Time, and it’s not just her saying that, other people say it. Sports Illustrated says it, The Bleacher Report says it. All of that is wonderful, all of that is great, but what was most important is that she looked out at a sea of over 50 THOUSAND fans, and she saw her baby girl in the front row.
Becky was able to take her out, walk with her up the ramp, and she realized that she needed to show her daughter what a real champion is. It isn’t about the five-star hotels, the fancy restaurants and the private jets, even though they indulge in all of those. It is not about going to the biggest cities and performing in front of the best crowds. It is also about going to the rundown towns like Laredo and showing out for the commonfolk like everyone here. And Becky knows what they need and what they want. They want a fighting champion! They want her to defend the title! And not just against some nostalgia act or an underdog.
They want Becky VS the best of the best! They want new, exciting, shiny! So Becky stands here before us as The Man of the People, issuing an open challenge to whoever wants to come out here, look them in the eyes and say, “Welcome to the Big Time. Now let’s throw some hands!” Who is it gonna be?! Becky waits, and we get… IYO SKY! The fans cheer that! Iyo gets herself a mic while Becky is rather stunned, and she tells Becky, “I accept!” Becky laughs and asks what Iyo accepts. She wanted to fight the best of the best, the new, the shiny, the exciting. Iyo is none of those things! The fans boo but Becky says that’s for Iyo!
Iyo says no, that’s for Becky! The fans cheer Becky but Becky says okay, okay, she understands. Iyo is accepting on behalf of Rhea Ripley, the part of the team that actually has gold. Is Rhea coming back? Mami VS Becky, Becky Two Belts again. Becky wanted Shawn Michaels, not Marty Jannetty. And clearly, Iyo was holding Rhea back. Iyo SLAPS Becky down! The fans fire up as Iyo stomps Becky, Becky bails out, but Adam Pearce says whoa, hold on, where are you going? The champ wanted a fight, Iyo answered the call, and in case you forgot, we’re in Laredo! So it will be a title match, let’s get a ref, cuz we’re doing it now!
The fans cheer, but Becky CLOBBERS Iyo! The ref hurries in here and backs Becky off. Iyo is still getting her shot, is the Genius about to make The Man’s historic reign historically short, too?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Iyo Sky!
Raw returns as the match is already going, and Iyo SHOTGUNS Becky down! the fans fire up with Iyo, and she CLUBS Becky on the back. Iyo whips, Becky reverses, but Iyo goes up, only for Becky to BOOT her outta the sky, and LARIATS her down! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Becky scowls as Iyo survives. Becky runs up in the corner, forearm SMASH, then clinch for the BECKSPLODER! Iyo bails out but Becky builds speed, and Becky WRECKS Iyo with a dropkick! The fans boo but Becky aims, FLYING FOREARM and down goes Iyo! Becky gets Iyo back into the ring, climbs up a corner, and drops the MAN’S LEG! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Iyo survives, but Becky talks herself down. Becky drags Iyo up, clinches again, BECKS- NO, Iyo slips free and ROCKS Becky! Becky fires back with forearms, UPPERCUT, and SOBAT, but Iyo blocks! GERMAN SUPLEX! Becky sputters but both women are down! The fans rally up, Iyo and Becky go to ropes, and Becky runs up! Iyo dodges, and URAKEN! SHOTEI! And then FLAPJACK! The fans fire up for Iyo as she brings Becky up to whip. Becky reverses, but Iyo goes up, out, and ROCKS Becky! Then HOTSHOTS her! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, to then MISSILE DROPKICK! Direct hit, and Iyo kips up!
The fans fire up as Iyo does her crazy taunt! Iyo then aims at Becky in the corner, SHINKANSEN! Iyo pushes Becky to the cover, TWO! Becky survives but Iyo stays focused. Iyo goes up, up, but Becky YANKS her back down! And dragon sleeper for an EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Iyo is still in this and that frustrates Becky. Becky demands Iyo stand, then clinches, but Iyo victory rolls for STOMP 182! Becky bails out, Iyo builds speed, but Becky ROCKS Iyo first! Becky reels Iyo in, but Iyo PELES free! Iyo then runs up, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB to the FLOOR! The fans are thunderous while both women are down, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again as Becky has Iyo up top! The fans rally as Iyo fights, but Becky SUPERPLEXES! Then roll through for a DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Iyo survives! Both women are down, “This is Awesome!” Becky and Iyo stir but it is Becky that stands first. Becky brings Iyo up and clinches again, but Iyo turns the lift into a crucifix, then sunset flip! TWO, Becky ducks the roundhouse but not HEEL KICK! Iyo hurries to underhooks and TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Iyo is shocked! The fans rally as Iyo goes to the corner! Iyo goes up, but Becky trips her up again! Becky climbs, but Iyo ELBOWS her away!
Becky staggers but Iyo reels Becky in, TORNADO DDT! Iyo goes up, up, and OVER THE MOONSAULT, but into BOOTS! Becky hurries to clinch! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!? Becky is shocked as Iyo survives her best shot! Laredo is all fired up for Iyo but that infuriates Becky. Becky drags Iyo to the drop zone, goes up, but Iyo trips her up now! Becky SMACKS off post, tumbles to the apron then the floor, but Iyo goes right out! ASAI MOONSAULT! Down goes Becky at the ramp! Iyo hurries to get Becky up and in, then takes off a shoe that’s bothering her. Becky distracts the ref, ASUKA TRIPS IYO!! Becky clinches, MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
The Man survives thanks to a big time assist from The Empress of Tomorrow! Asuka may be without her Pirate Princess, but she’s still pissed at Iyo for her supposed disrespect! BUZZSAW! ASUKA LOCK!! Iyo flails, even taps, but nothing can save her from Asuka’s wrath! Fans chant “We Want Kairi!” but Asuka stands on Iyo with a sinister smile. Will Asuka break Iyo and make her respect her senpai?
El Grande Americano Original talks with Rey Mysterio.
EGA OG says hola to Rey, and knows Rey is fraternizing with that faker, that supposed El Grande Americano Dos. First he endorses the guy, then he has a match against him. Original just wants to know that on May 30th for AAA, Mask VS Mask, does Original have to watch his back? Rey says no, he does not, Mr. OG Grande. Listen, the only thing Rey is looking for is for them all to respect lucha libre. Rey says in Spanish that for a luchador, their mask is everything. All OG Grande can says is si, bueno. But then Los Americanos step into the room! And they ask what Rey is doing with this guy! Rey says it is not what they think.
The Grandes start arguing, both in Spanish and English, but Rey shouts them all down. Tranquilos, cabrones! He is not choosing sides. Rayo & Bravo say he better. Is that a threat?! No, take it easy, jefe, they’re just saying. See you in the ring. Los Americanos head out, Rey is a little annoyed with them and OG Grande, but will the King of Lucha teach them all a thing or two about the culture?
Backstage interview with The Usos.
Byron Saxton is with Jimmy & Jey, and he gets to it: Can they give us some intel on which direction Roman Reigns is leaning towards? #BigJim says the OTC will make his decision when The OTC is ready to make his decision. Jey adds YEET, but LA Knight steps in. The Mega Star hopes he didn’t just hear them say that. OTC, sitting at the head of the table. Knight isn’t here to tear them down but to remind them of who they are. Main Event Jey Uso, a former world champion, and how’d he do that? On his own! Big Jim Uso, also all the potential in the world to be world champion, but how is he gonna do that? Not under Roman Reigns, that’s for sure!
Jey tells Knight to stay in his lane, but Jimmy calms him down. Jimmy told Knight that this is family business. Knight understands that, and he can respect that. But the problem is, the whole Bloodline thing, they had immense power, they run roughshod over everybody. But the problem was, that power corrupts, and when it does, it becomes Knight’s business, YEAH! Knight leaves it at this, but does he have a point? Is The Bloodline about to relapse into their old ways?
Joe Hendry is here!
Laredo waves their hands from side to side as The Prestigious One is in the ring. “Say his name because he has appeared in Laredo, Texas!” The fans cheer, and Hendry knows they know he had a big decision to make, so he wants to tell us all about it in the song. “I’ve won the titles everywhere I go. I’ve been on WrestleMania and many other shows. But the time has come for me to pick one brand. I’m sorry to the others, I hope they understand. Joe Hendry’s on Raw, Raw, Joe Hendry signed to Raw. Raw, Raw, Joe Hendry signs to Raw.
“Next time you turn on Netflix, you won’t just want to chill. I’ll have you believing in a better kind of thrill. Raw, Raw, Joe Hendry’s on Raw. respect to the Ruler, I acknowledge The OTC. But Adam Pearce, if you’re listening, can you make one change for me? That’s Logan Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul? Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul? Everyone! Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul? All together! Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan-” Well, now The Maverick is here, and he says you can’t fire him! You can’t fire him, he’s unfireable! Boo you, Hendry, you can’t fire him! He’s Logan Paul! All of you are awful, just like that song!
Logan says, “You’re awful!” to the fans in the front row. He knows this is Hendry’s first not on Raw, and now it’s also his last! He’s made the worst mistake of his life! Theory then tells Hendry that he isn’t seeing things right. See this right here? That’s gold, that makes them the greatest tag team champions of the world! Of the UNIVERSE! What they’re telling Hendry is that they are winners! Hendry asks if these guys are winners. The fans say, “NO!” Hendry says Joe says no to that. He saw ESPN< he saw Mania, he just saw some primetime losers! Now The Vision is mad, and they throw stuff out of the ring!
Theory says lemme tell you something! This mat belongs to The Vision! The camera that everyone sees through belongs to The Vision. And The Vision goes through everybody! Hendry is in a lucky spot, because they’re gonna go through him! They push Hendry, but he TURNS! LARIAT for Theory! Hendry RAMS Logan into a corner! Theory goes after Hendry, the Vision mugs him 2v1, and the fans boo as they KNEE Hendry low! But wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins went after The Vision last week, so here we go again! Dawkins DUMPS Logan out before he DECKS him!
Dawkins ROCKS Theory, whips him, REVELATION! The fans fire up and pump it up with Ford! He goes up top but Logan saves Theory! At least, for now. Ford points to Hendry, he HIGH JUMPS to take The Vision down! The fans fire up for Hendry & The Profits, and we all get to wave our hands from side to side! The Profits are believers, but will they also be the hunters when it comes to The Vision and those World Tag Team Championships?
Grayson Waller complains to Adam Pearce.
The Aussie Icon doesn’t like the Raw General Manager just giving people opportunities outta nowhere. That bouncy idiot, Je’Von, is one cutter away from retirement! Then Pearce has one guy singing songs, there’s some little vampire kid cursing people, where are the opportunities for Waller? He’s in the shape of his life, lad! Pearce says he’ll give Oba Femi a shot. Wow, okay, he beat Brock at the END of his career? #Obarated! Uh, no, Oba’s behind you. Waller regrets everything but Oba says if Waller wants a chance, then Pearce can give him one against Oba tonight. Waller says Pearce should’ve warned him!
Pearce says he did, but too late. Waller needs to go get his gear on, because that match is official. Is Waller about to have a Fall From Grace?
Joe Hendry & The Street Profits regroup backstage.
Ford & Dawkins are singing the very catchy, “Paul, Paul, can we fire Logan Paul?” Hendry thanks for the help, what a welcome to Raw. They shake hands on it, and Ford says get a different colored shirt now that he’s on the red brand, you know what he means? Hendry nods and heads out, and The Profits secret handshake. And then Rollins steps in, and he tells them that last week- Ford stops Rollins there, because there he goes thinking this is all about him. Last week wasn’t about him but about those tag titles. Rollins thinking he special. The Profits leave and Rollins does have to consider that.
But either way, will Rollins and The Profits find themselves working together against The Vision? Or is this all going to be for naught?
El Grande Americano w/ Los Americanos VS Rey Mysterio!
The battle of Los Grande Americanos is set for May 30th, and the King of Lucha has ended up in the middle of it all. Will Rey be much more than just a tune-up for El Grande Americano Dos? Or will this El Grande be more than ready to face the other Grande Americano next month?
Raw returns as Los Americanos make their entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. The two tie up, and Grande wrenches to wristlock. Rey rolls, uses the ropes to flip through, then Rey wrenches, only for Grande to wrangle him. Rey kips up to wrench but Grande rolls, spins, and he drop toeholds Rey to then go for the wristlock. The fans applaud the technical exchange as Grande then floats to a cover, ONE as Rey gets an arm up! Grande puts the arm down, TWO as Rey gets the other arm up! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO as Rey bridges! Grande hops on, but Rey stays up! The fans cheer while Grande is stunned!
Grande jumps again but Rey uses that to get up and up and sunset flip! TWO, Grande runs up but Rey sweeps! Cover, ONE! Grande sweeps and covers, ONE! The fans cheer as the two stand off. Rey and Grande applaud each other, then Rey offers a handshake. Grande accepts, but Rey kicks low! Rey whips, Grande reverses to kick low! Grande hammerlocks Rey, brings him around, but Rey fires elbows. Rey cravats to jump and flying-mare! Grande RUNS Rey over! Things keep moving, Rey bypasses Grande to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! Grande’s on the ropes, Rey dials it up, but Grande GAMANGIRIS first! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again as Rey whips Grande to ropes and BACKDROPS him! Grande goes to a corner while the fans cheer, and Rey whips corner to corner. Grande reverses, blocks a kick, and SMACKS Rey! Rey staggers to another corner but Grande whips corner to corner. Grande runs up but Rey BOOTS him! Rey ELBOWS Grande, then goes up, but Grande CLUBS him on the back! Grande gets under Rey but Rey slips free. Grande SMACKS Rey again, whips, but Rey reverses. Grande goes up and over, but Rey goes up to QUEBRADA, but Grande stays up! Only for Rey to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up while Rey covers, TWO!
Rey is surprised but many are surprised he pulled that counter off in the first place. Rey waits on Grande to get up, then DROPKICKS him onto the ropes! The fans cheer as Rey dials it up, but Rayo distracts so Bravo can trip Rey! The fans boo but Bravo plays dumb. Rayo hurries to sneak Grande his metal plate! Rey DECKS Bravo, then runs to 619 Rayo down! The fans cheer, Rey slingshots, but Grande dodges the splash! Grande grabs the metal plate, but then ORIGINAL GRANDE is here! They tug-o-war over the plate, Rey BLASTS the Grandes into each other! Rey runs again, RANA! Grande Dos is on the ropes, so Rey redials, 619!!
Rey aims again, slingshot and DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
El Grande Americano Dos tried to lie, cheat and steal, but Rey spots the metal plate! And he even tells Original that no one is getting it! They’re gonna have to fight fair ‘n’ square in May! Well for now, Grande Original CLOBBERS Grande Dos! The fans fire up as these two brawl while they grapple! Producers and refs rush out here but fans want to “Let Them Fight! Let Them Fight!” The Grandes are separated, but the animosity between them is only growing! Who proves they are El Grande Americano Superior on May 30th?
Asuka speaks.
“Iyo, did you think you were done with me? I say when we’re done! Because I am still your senpai. All I’ve done is try to help you and all you’ve done is disappoint me. For so long, I blamed myself for your mistakes. I thought I did something wrong for you to turn your back on me. But I finally realize YOU are the problem! You are ungrateful, selfish, and my biggest failure. But I didn’t fail you, you failed me. You failed your family! And now, we’re both alone, because I didn’t want another Iyo. I’ve spared you until now because I thought we could be a family again. But now that you killed that family…NOTHING will stop me from destroying you!
“So, at Backlash, I fix my failure. I teach you one final lesson. And that lesson is… You are not and will never be ready for Asuka!” The grudge match is finally set, but will the Empress of Tomorrow make sure Iyo has no future? Or will the Genius prove that she’s left her senpai behind long ago?
Grayson Waller VS Oba Femi!
The Aussie Icon likes him a good “shoey,” but he stuck his foot in his mouth this time. Grayson wanted an opportunity, but will he even survive against The Ruler that conquered The Beast?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans already chant “O~BA!” as he blocks Waller’s kick. Oba LARIATS Waller, TOSSES him to a corner, then fires body shots from all sides. Oba UPPERCUTS Waller, whips him corner to corner, then UPPERCUTS again! Oba runs corner to corner for another UPPERCUT! Oba keeps going, but Waller bails out! The fans boo, but Oba has Waller at the apron. Waller HOTSHOTS Oba, then somersaults, but into the SHOTPUT BOMB! Oba UPPERCUTS Waller back down and the fans fire up! Pop-up, and FALL FROM GRACE!! Cover, Oba wins!
Winner: Oba Femi, by pinfall
Waller wanted on the card tonight, but maybe he regrets it. At the very least, Waller learned Femi isn’t #Obarated! Oba has the mic to ask Laredo if they’re feeling good tonight. The fans cheer because indeed they are! Oba says they’re feeling good, he’s feeling good, Waller isn’t, but we don’t care about how Waller feels. Waller did say something that was right, though. There is no opportunity around here, because all the big champions are locked in with contenders, the US Champion doesn’t do open challenges, so Oba is going to take it upon himself to create a solution to the problem. Ladies and gentlemen, as of today, the Oba Femi Open Challenge will commence!
The fans cheer, and Oba says to any man back there who wants to prove himself, step up! If you want to see how you fair at the top of the mountain, step up! But Oba will not take too kindly to their decision. Because he will be merciless, unforgiving, and relentless! He will punish them! They are not stepping to just any man, but to OBA FEMI! The fans cheer as Oba makes himself equal to a title! Will anyone be able to overthrow The Ruler?
Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
Liv, Raquel & Roxie are still feeling great after what they did to Vaquer, because THEY run Raw! Vaquer found out the hard way, and so will BayLyra. Liv asks Raquel for time alone with Roxie. Is this about the thing? Yes, it is. Raquel says sure, she’ll go finish warming up. Raquel heads out, and Liv says hey to Roxie. Liv wanted to finish the conversation they tried having before WrestleMania. Remember? Before Vaquer smacked their heads together? Right, yeah. Well, really, Liv just wants to apologize to Roxie.
Liv is sorry for how things went down with Finn while she was gone. She knows Roxie and Finn were close, and that must’ve been hard watching from home. Liv knows how that felt, because she sat at home watching Finn bring Roxie into the group. And Liv wants Roxie to know that they are family, but Finn put himself before the family. That is not something Liv would do to Roxie, she wants to support her like Roxie supported Liv. So Liv will be in their corner and cheer them on as Roxie & Raquel get one step closer to the tag titles. Liv takes Roxie’s hand and asks, “Do you trust me, my little Roxie?”
Roxie nods yes, but then says she needs a second. Liv says okay, see you out there. Liv heads out, saying this is exciting. But Roxie doesn’t seem so sure. Wait, FINN is in the clubhouse?! Roxie tells him he’s not supposed to be here, but Finn says Roxie CANNOT trust Liv! In fact, she can’t trust anyone in the Judgment Day! Roxie asks if she can’t trust them, or can’t trust Finn. Roxie is with Judgment Day, she has a match coming up, so he has to go. Finn says good luck with the match, and hopes she knows what she’s doing. Finn leaves, but is The Prince right about them all?
Bayley & Lyra Valkyria VS Raquel Rodriguez & Roxanne Perez w/ Liv Morgan!
The Role Model & Morrigan fell short of the tag titles at WrestleMania, but Judgment Day wasn’t even in the match! Who proves themselves worthy of the next opportunity with a win tonight?
Raw returns as Judgment Day makes their entrance. The teams sort out and Bayley starts against Raquel. The fans rally as the two circle, tie up, and Bayley wrenches to wristlock. Raquel swings, Bayley ducks, and she puts on the pressure. Raquel powers Bayley to a corner, ROCKS her, then whips her corner to corner. Raquel runs up but Bayley BOOTS her! Bayley headlocks but Raquel blocks the takeover! Raquel lifts Bayley but Bayley fights that with fists. Bayley jumps to tornado takeover! They roll, Raquel fights up, and Raquel hits a BIG back suplex! Raquel looms over Bayley but hears the fans chanting, “We Want Roxie!”
Raquel points to the corner, the fans cheer, so Raquel tags Roxie! The fans cheer even more now as the Judgment Day mugs Bayley! Roxie stomps away, the fans cheer her on, but the ref counts. Roxie backs off, but Bayley lifts Roxie! Roxie kicks and flails but Bayley RAMS Roxie into the corner. Tag to Lyra, she and Bayley mug Roxie, and the fans boo. Lyra headlocks Roxie but Roxie pulls hair. Roxie headlocks and the fans cheer her on. Lyra powers out, but Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown! Roxie takes a bow, then SLAPS Lyra! Lyra CLOBBERS Roxie and rains down fists! Laredo boos but Lyra whips Roxie to ropes.
Roxie tilt-o-whirls through to RANA, but Lyra handsprings through that! Lyra SLAPS Roxie in return! Liv tells Bayley to shut up but Lyra whips Roxie to the corner. Roxie dodges, but Lyra grabs her by the wrist! Tag to Bayley, scoop and BACKBREAKER, but Roxie knees free! Roxie SMACKS Bayley, but Lyra WHEEL KICKS! Bayley goes back up, MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Roxie survives, and she bails out to regroup with the others. Judgment Day avoids Lyra’s dropkick, and Raquel CLOBBERS her! But Bayley fires off on Roxie! Bayley puts Roxie in the ring, but Raquel trips Bayley up!
Bayley POSTS Lyra, all while Roxie distracts the ref! Judgment Day is in control as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again as both Bayley and Raquel are down! The fans rally as both women crawl, Liv coaches Raquel, hot tags to Roxie and Lyra! The fans fire up, but then Lyra CROSSBODIES Roxie and GAMANGIRIS Raquel! Lyra LARIATS Roxie, dodges Raquel, and goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Lyra kips up, then clinches Roxie, NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through for the fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Roxie survives! Liv coaches her team on but Lyra drags Roxie up. Lyra brings Roxie over, tags Bayley, and Bayley fireman’s carries while Lyra climbs. Roxie slips free, SHOVES Bayley into Lyra, then tags Raquel!
Roxie runs, tilt-o-whirls, and clinches, Raquel adds as BOOT to the LEG SWEEP! Cover, but Lyra SPLASHES onto it! The fans rally again and Raquel crawls, hot tag back to Roxie! The fans fire up again as Roxie BLASTS Lyra, SOBATS Bayley, then hops up and hops on! But Bayley SMACKS Roxie off buckles! Then a BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover, Raquel breaks it! The fans cheer, Lyra runs up and CROSSBODIES Raquel and herself out of the ring! Liv shouts at Bayley, but she gets caught! The fans cheer, but then Liv HOTSHOTS Bayley! Roxie SHINING WIZARDS! Then the POP-ROX!! Cover, Judgment Day wins!
Winners: Judgment Day, by pinfall
Laredo cheers their hometown hero, but it was certainly a team effort as always for Judgment Day! Will nothing stop them from having all the gold again?
Roman Reigns heads to the ring!
Laredo, Texas puts up their ones to the sky as The OTC makes his entrance. The WWE World Heavyweight Champion stands on stage, raises the title to the sky, and the pyro goes off. But what has he decided when it comes to him and Jacob Fatu? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns as Roman is in the ring, and he raises the belt again for the second round of pyro. Roman grabs a mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” The fans then shift to singing, “Roman, Roman Reigns~!” then go back to “O T C! O T C!” Roman enjoys that for a moment before he says, “Y’see, it’s been awhile since I’ve been here in Texas. But if you can’t tell from home, they love their Tribal Chief here, baby!” The fans cheer that! Roman continues by saying, “They made this title in spite of me. They made this title to try and take away from my shine. But it never worked. Y’see, there’s an old saying and it’s very true.
“The title don’t make the man, the man makes the title!” The fans cheer that, too! Roman says that’s what he’s done with this strap! He’s put it in the main event! He’s put it on night two of WrestleMania! He’s made this title relevant! See, now you can finally be proud of this title. Now you can respect this title! Now, you can actually choose to acknowledge this title. “As a matter of fact, let’s demonstrate. Laredo, Texas…!” The fans erupt with “O T C! O T C!” Roman says it again, “Laredo, Texas… ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer again! But then Jacob Fatu makes his entrance! The fans cheer again as The Samoan Werewolf arrives!
Jacob goes right to the ring while the fans chant “FATU! FATU!” Jacob and Roman stare down, and Roman says, “Fatu, right on cue. Perfect timing, I was just getting to you. I gave you a week, gave you time to think. I’m hoping you made the right choice, Jacob. I’m hoping you made the choice to unite our family, and not divide it.” Jacob has a mic to say Roman gave him a week but he didn’t need a week. He didn’t need a day. Hell, he didn’t even need an hour! He knew exactly what he wanted when he came out here last Monday. Jacob didn’t stutter, didn’t hesitate, when he said he doesn’t want the title, but that he needs the title.
What? Is Roman stuck in his WWE main event bubble? Is he stuck in Tribal Chief Land? Roman ain’t grind like Jacob! Jacob is uncut and raw! 12 YEARS of hard work, 12 YEARS of grinding, 12 YEARS of suffering, not knowing when the next meal was gonna be! While y’all was running things up here as The Bloodline, Fatu was foaming at the mouth, grinding, on the frontlines, trying to figure out if he was gonna be here or not! The fans cheer that, and Fatu says it ain’t how you start but how you finish. And that has Fatu standing here in front of Roman. So before WWE, Roman didn’t call, Jimmy didn’t call, Jey didn’t call.
You know who did call? Solo Sikoa! The fans boo that name but Jacob says Solo gave him a chance! Roman says, “Solo?! Either you’re completely confused or you’re dumber than I think. Solo couldn’t get a cup of coffee delivered to the building if he wanted to. Take a look around. Who you think runs this place?” The fans chant, “O T C! O T C!” Laredo ain’t lying, OTC runs WWE. And yeah, he’s been distracted, things get hectic around here, but Roman never forgot about Jacob. Roman signed off on Jacob. But Jacob’s sounding confused, sounding like a fool. Jacob doesn’t deserve it, he hasn’t earned it.
Roman allowing Jacob to compete against him is nepotism! And Roman can’t allow- JACOB GRABS ROMAN BY THE FACE! The fans freak out as the TONGAN DEATH GRIP grinds Roman down, but then Roman SMACKS him with the mic! Fatu just shakes it off?! TONGAN DEATH GRIP!! Roman sputters as Fatu HEADBUTTS away! Fatu chokes Roman right out, and he tells Roman, “I am going to take everything, EVERYTHING, from you!!” Fatu finally lets Roman go, and he picks up the belt. Fans are torn, but the decision should be clear now. Roman coughs and sputters but he grabs the mic to shout at Jacob!
“You want me at Backlash?! I’ll see you at Backlash!!” The fans cheer, and the match is made! The Samoan Werewolf has made The Tribal Chief into his prey, but will he have what he’s really after in the world title? Or will The OTC punish Fatu for this insolence?
My Thoughts:
A very good Raw that was a bit toned down on the action after that hot Raw After Mania. Great bookending with the OG Bloodline, though I’m not sure about the set-up of Roman & Usos sitting at the table that was more like a press conference table than a meeting. But Jimmy and Jey each having a different side of the argument was good, this builds a bit on what we saw before Mania when Jey was telling Roman to “get him” in reference to CM Punk. And great ending with Roman and Jacob, where Jacob is already done with talking, and he brings out a submission type move to make himself even more menacing. It’d be rather shocking of Fatu actually wins at Backlash, but I feel like Fatu losing and joining Roman is too much of a rehash of everything we’ve already seen in the Bloodline Saga.
Very good match from Penta VS Rusev, and very good win for Penta, but Ethan Page and Je’Von Evans getting involved made sense. That’ll be a great tag match, and I bet we’ll sort out who is challenging Penta for Backlash through that match. Very good promo from Rollins and Bron to set up their match, I appreciate Bron’s perspective because that is how it looked and felt and was definitely not how it should’ve been even in kayfabe. I feel like Bron wins out to then send him to the world title after Backlash. Another great song promo from Hendry, and honestly a great over-the-top angry reaction from Logan Paul for it. Profits helping Hendry out was logical and very good stuff, and Profits putting Rollins in his place was also good. But yeah, there’s gotta be a Six Man Tag there, too.
Waller getting upset only to get humbled by Oba is classic wrestling trope, and Oba making his own open challenge is also great. That’s in the same lineage as like Andre the Giant daring people to body slam him when he knows they couldn’t, or even Chris Masters and the Master Lock Challenge. This will give us some really fun matches while also building Oba up towards a title opportunity of his own. Becky wanting her own Open Challenge series is good, and Iyo challenging her tonight was probably their best way to improvise from releasing Kairi Sane and ruining their own story of Kairi, Iyo & Asuka. The fans are already starting #WeWantKairi, not sure WWE will listen this time, but Asuka VS Iyo is happening for Backlash and that’s all we can really expect.
Very good stuff with Los Americanos, this ended up a great plug for the AAA story of Mask VS Mask. Rey Mysterio being part of the story was good, too, and Rey keeps himself afloat with this win. Gable Americano of course got involved in the match, he and Kaiser Americano are even in math right now, but I would think Gable loses to finally be exposed. And great stuff with Judgment Day, from the attack on Vaquer to the tag match as the main event match. But I’m a little confused as to the Finn & Roxie part. Finn and Roxie should’ve discussed how their ultimate plan was still working. It should’ve been revealed that Finn really did bring Roxie into the group to mess with Liv x Dom. They can still have Roxie turn on Judgment Day in the most pivotal moment, but now it’ll be a bit confusing as to why.
My Score: 8.8/10
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