Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Money in the Bank Report! (6/17/18)
WWE brings the best of both Raw and SmackDown together again, but this time we go bigger and longer with a guaranteed FOUR HOUR Money in the Bank PPV! Who will be this year’s Mr. and Ms./Mrs. MITB? Will they choose to cash in on a champion tonight? Who even WILL be champion when they decide to cash in?
All images courtesy of the WWE’s official Twitter
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff show: SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Bludgeon Brothers VS The Club; The Bludgeon Brothers win and retain the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
- Daniel Bryan VS Big Cass; Bryan wins.
- Bobby Lashley VS Sami Zayn; Lashley wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins VS Elias; Rollins wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match; Alexa Bliss wins and becomes Ms. Money in the Bank.
- Roman Reigns VS Jinder Mahal; Reigns wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Carmella VS Asuka; Carmella wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
- WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match: AJ Styles VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Styles wins and retains the WWE Championship.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax VS Ronda Rousey; Nia wins by disqualification, and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
- Raw Women’s Championship, MITB Cash-In: Nia Jax VS Alexa Bliss; Alexa wins and becomes the new Raw Women’s Champion.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match; Braun Strowman wins and becomes Mr. Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Money in the Bank Kickoff show!
Renee Young joins David Otunga, Peter Rosenberg and WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T! They’re ready to recap all the matches for tonight, as well as prepare the Social Media Lounge for Daniel Bryan, so make sure to #AskBryan all your questions!
Kevin Owens complains.
The Prizefighter special ordered something but it wasn’t done right, and he’s upset. How does he feel after that Monster Slam last Raw? He feels “great”, to be body-slammed by a 500 lbs. monster. What kind of question is that?! He actually feels like a fool for thinking Finn Balor and Bobby Roode would stay on the same page. But nope! No one listens to Kevin! So Kevin has a different approach. Wait, is that pancake batter and maple syrup? No… What sly plan does Kevin have up his sleeve?
Sami Zayn adds insult to injury via social media.
Today on #FathersDay, I'm dedicating my #MITB match to @fightbobby's father – a man who raised three beautiful daughters (and a disappointing son) and dutifully served his country (unlike his disappointing son).
THIS IS FOR YOU MR. LASHLEY!
— Sami Zayn (@SamiZayn) June 17, 2018
The obnoxious underdog just loves trolling the Alpha Male. Will he come to regret further insulting Lashley at his family’s expense?
Daniel Bryan joins the Kickoff Show.
What is his response to all of Big Cass’ big talk? Cass has a sound theory, but that assumes Cass is “good”. By the way, Happy Father’s Day to both Bryan and all fathers in the WWE Universe. Time to #AskBryan questions!
“What is your game plan to beat Big Cass tonight?” The same as every time: make him tap. Bryan’s made men bigger and better than Cass tap out, or even just quit from too many knees to the face.
“Did you want to be SmackDown GM?” Well it was a mixed reaction. He had fun, but it was so hard being around what he loves to do, which is what motivated him to get back into ring shape. Plus, Talking Smack was really good!
“What advantages do you have over Big Cass?” Aside from skill, it’s his legs, lungs, and heart. Cass can’t outwork or outdo Bryan. Cass is only big, and big men tire out. Big men don’t fight for things, Bryan does. Will Bryan prove that size doesn’t matter, and that it’s all about ability?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins!
The Intercontinental Champion strums what’s left of Elias’ custom guitar. No, this is a gift from John Mayer! Mayer liked what he saw and gave Rollins a replica. But kidding aside, Rollins is looking forward to tonight. Chicago, MITB, and Elias is great competition. Elias is entertaining and has a mean streak, but he’s not on the Architect’s level. To put it in a way Elias can understand, The Drifter’s greatest hits aren’t even on Rollins’ b-side. Rollins walks in and walks out with HIS title, because he fights for it every night. Will The Man stay The Man when he goes for a #WalkWithElias?
Samoa Joe joins the Kickoff Show.
Who is Joe keeping an eye on? He’s keeping his eye on all of them. The key to a ladder match is never taking your eyes off the prize. Does he want to get his hands on Brock Lesnar via the MITB contract? Yes, but then Kevin Owens pops in. Kevin and Joe, they’re hard-headed alphas, but they’re even better as a duo, to be unstoppable to stop Strowman! Kevin feels Joe understands. Joe does, except for trusting Kevin. He’ll never trust Kevin. It’s not about trust, it’s about logic! Together, they can stop the Monster, then become champion! Yes, that is logically. But Kevin needs to use logic and just walk away. Kevin gives up, but will he be proven right in the Men’s Ladder Match tonight?
As for Joe, this is what he does. Everybody goes to sleep, will he put down the seven other amazing stars in that match with him tonight?
Kickoff show: SmackDown Tag Team Championships: The Bludgeon Brothers VS The Club!
Harper & Rowan have decimated and destroyed the likes of The New Day and The Usos, but the Machine Gun & Big LG are ready to show these nerrrrds what tag team wrestling is really about. Can the Good Brothers dethrone the Bludgeon Brothers and makes those titles #TooSweet?
Big Red Rowan starts against Gallows and we begin with the bell. Rowan and Gallows circle, and Rowan hits first. He puts Gallows in a corner, then whips corner to corner, but Gallows dodges and hits back with body shots. Gallows stalks Rowan but Rowan tags Harper. Harper comes in but misses, and gets an uppercut. Tag to Anderson, and the Club double whip Rowan, to then strike both Bludgeon Brothers at once. Anderson rocket kicks Harper into a Tree of Woe! Harper gets himself loose and regroups with Rowan, but that leg is slowing him down.
The Club keep on 2B, but 2B hits back. Rowan scoops and uses Gallows as a weapon on Anderson. Harper & Rowan toss Gallows away, then double facebuster Anderson on the apron. They double dropkick Gallows down!
The ATTACK
NEVER
STOPSHARPER. ROWAN. BLUDGEON BROTHERS! #MITB pic.twitter.com/9TnBUf3zU0
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018
The duo of doom are in control as they put Anderson in the ring. They embrace the heat while we go to break.
WWE MITB returns, and Harper has Anderson isolated. He rocks Anderson with an uppercut, then slingshot guillotines him into the second rope! Cover, TWO, but Harper tags out to Rowan. Rowan drags Anderson up, pumphandle and backbreaker. Rowan drags Anderson up again to club him down with a clothesline. Cover, TWO, so he stretches Anderson against the ropes. Rowan clubs Anderson again, then tags to Harper. They grind Anderson with boots, but Anderson hits back! Anderson chops but Harper uppercuts. Harper stands Anderson up for a blunt chop! He stands Anderson up to snapmare, and drop the elbow. Cover, TWO.
Harper tags Rowan, then holds Anderson down for Rowan’s splash. Cover, TWO. Gallows has barely recovered, and Anderson ends up in a headlock. Fans rally and Anderson powers up. Anderson endures the head vice, then fights out with back elbows. Rowan pushes and runs Anderson over with a back elbow of his own. Fans boo and jeer, but Rowan ignores it as he whips Anderson corner to corner. He adds the corner splash, then grins as he sees Gallows is still down and out. Rowan whips Anderson again, but Anderson hits Harper! Anderson dodges and sends Rowan into the post!
Fans fire up, and Anderson crawls. Harper tags in first, but runs into the spinebuster! Gallows returns to the apron! Hot tag brings him in! The Big LG rallies on Harper with kick after kick, then tops it off with a corner splash. Gallows boots Rowan away, then kicks Harper again. Pumphandle slam, and Gallows fires up more. Gallows uppercuts Rowan, shotgun kick from Anderson, then double clotheslines. Anderson slingshots and takes Rowan out! But Harper boots Gallows down! Anderson breaks the cover, saving the match. But Harper uppercuts Anderson out. Harper mule kicks and front kicks Gallows, then prepares a suplex, but Gallows sets up- No, Rowan stops Magic Killer. KILLER BOMB!! Cover, Bludgeon Brothers win!
Winners: The Bludgeon Brothers (Harper & Rowan), Harper pinning; still WWE SmackDown Tag Team Champions
Harper & Rowan survive their own doom, and continue to reign over the Blue Brand’s Tag Team Division. Does any team stand a chance of stopping this destructive duo?
Another #SDLive tag team has been BLUDGEONED as @LukeHarperWWE & @ERICKROWAN put away @LukeGallowsWWE & @KarlAndersonWWE on #MITB Kickoff! pic.twitter.com/E9pJL5sKUl
— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018
WWE Money in the Bank begins!
“Pay attention”, because there’s one way to make it to the top. If at first you don’t succeed, climb, climb again. A contract that can change lives, but the opportunity literally hangs in the balance. Then, if it isn’t broken, break it yourself. “The bigger they are, the harder they brawl.” And when it all comes down to it, it’s about whoever is the Last Man Standing. “Opportunity” is Money in the Bank in a nutshell. But who will give more to answer its call and take it for themselves?
Daniel Bryan VS Big Cass!
It’s a rematch from Backlash, where the Human Skyscraper lost the match but won a fight. Cass tapped, but it was just so he could wallop the Goat. Now, can their grudge be settled with a 2-0 sweep from one of the best ever? Or will one of the biggest ever tie it all up?
The bell rings, and the two circle. Bryan literally runs circles around Cass while the fans cheer him on. Cass and Bryan tie up, and Cass powers Bryan to a corner. Cass mocks the “little guy” but Bryan hits back with punches and kicks. Bryan dodges Cass’ big hands to keep kicking and punching. Cass pushes Bryan down, then runs him over with a shoulder. Cass keeps moving but Bryan clears him with a jump! Bryan goes for a leg, but Cass pushes Bryan away. Bryan gets the drop toehold, and a leg, but Cass pushes him away again. Cass walks into kicks! Bryan dodges to kick more, going after that leg. Bryan whips, Cass reverses and Bryan tumbles to the apron, for Cass to blast off into barriers! Cass embraces the heat while Bryan recovers.
Cass goes out to fetch Bryan, and Chicago lets him know “You Can’t Wrestle!” He doesn’t have to, he picks Bryan up and throws him on the apron. They go back into the ring, Cass taking his time as he stalks Bryan. Cass hits Bryan with big rights, then more and more rights. Bryan falls, and Cass drops a big elbow on him. Cass drops another elbow, then covers, TWO. Cass grins and poses again, enjoying the heat. He then rocks Bryan with another haymakers. Bryan staggers around but Cass hits him again. Fans rally for Bryan, and Bryan hits back with his own haymakers. Bryan runs, but into a 7 foot high bearhug.
Cass squeezes Bryan but fans rally up. Bryan endures, elbows out, then hits back. Cass knees low, and he stalks Bryan to a corner. Cass whips Bryan but Bryan goes up and over. Things speed up, but Bryan runs into a 7 foot scrapbuster! Cover, TWO! Cass looms over Bryan, taking his time with his opponent. Cass stalks Bryan again, mocking Bryan the whole time. He runs corner to corner for a 7 foot splash, then mocks the Yes fingers. Fans boo and jeer again as Cass backs up. Cass runs back in, but a drop toehold sends him into buckles! Bryan crawls away but stands up. Bryan ducks to retaliate with kicks. He kicks and kicks, “YES! YES!” then dragon screw!
Cass hobbles up but Bryan won’t stop, he dragon screws again. Cass crawls to the apron in pain, but Bryan still won’t let up. Bryan grabs the bad leg, and jams it on the edge! Fans love the aggression as Bryan drags the leg out again. Bryan wails on the knee, then swings it into the post! The Goat is a shark as he hits Cass’ leg into the post again. Cass manages to shove Bryan away, but Bryan pursues as he climbs up high. Bryan aims, and leaps for the missile dropkick to Cass’ back! Cass ends up in a corner, and Bryan runs in with a dropkick. Then another! Then, into a tilt-o-whirl takedown! YES LOCK! Cass scrambles against it while the fans fire up. Cass reaches, and gets the ropebreak. Bryan lets Cass go, and Cass gets out of the ring.
Bryan aims at Cass on the outside, but Cass tries to drag him out, only for Bryan to shove him away. Cass staggers, Bryan builds speed, and Bryan hits a wrecking ball dropkick. Bryan isn’t done, he climbs way up high, for a SUPER crossbody!! They crash and burn, but Cass takes the worst of it. Fans chant “YES! YES!” for their favorite Goat. Bryan drags Cass up and in, then climbs up one more time. But Cass trips Bryan up. Cass walks off the pain to then haymakers Bryan. Cass hits another, but fans say “Big Cass Sucks!” Bryan is rocked, and Cass climbs up to join him. Cass prepares and hits a SUPER Fall Away Slam!
Just when you thought @BigCassWWE couldn't take things to NEW HEIGHTS… #MITB pic.twitter.com/NJeRpXBtP8
— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018
Cover, TWO! Cass grows frustrated, but fans are relieved. The “Cass-Hole” looms over Bryan again before picking him up. Cass lifts Bryan in a torture rack. He uses it to bend and stretch Bryan, but Bryan fights out with fists. Cass backs up, and hits an inverted death valley! Cover, TWO, and now Cass is really frustrated. Fans rally up for Bryan, but Cass still stalks him. Cass embraces the heat, mocks Bryan’s Yes, then throws another haymaker. Bryan stands up, so Cass runs in, to get hung up on the ropes! Bryan chop blocks the leg! And then another chop block, before unleashing the YES Kicks! “YES! YES!” over and over, then… Cass grabs Bryan by the neck!
But Bryan kicks free, slips out of the choke grip, then kicks out the leg again. Buzzsaw kick! Cass flounders but Bryan fires up. “YES! YES!” echoes through Chicago, and Bryan runs, into a flapjack! Then a boot! Cover, TWO!! Cass is furious and shocked over this. He walks around, trying to understand, but fans still cheer for Bryan. Cass gets a wicked idea, and grins as he looms over Bryan again. He drags Bryan up, hoists him back into the torture rack, but that’s not all. Cass throws Bryan, but Bryan lands on his feet! They run, KNEE PLUS! But Bryan won’t stop there, he puts on the Heel Hook! Cass screams in pain, reaches for ropes, but taps! Bryan wins!
Winner: Bryan, by submission
The Goat has the sweep! He’s 2-0 over the bigger men, because he is in fact the better man! Chicago cheers loud and proud for Bryan, will Bryan’s win take him back towards the WWE Championship?
HEEL GETS HOOKED.
MAT GETS TAPPED.It's that simple. @WWEDanielBryan is VICTORIOUS at #MITB! pic.twitter.com/Rafx3ZA1rp
— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018
The New Day assembles backstage.
Is Woods okay from those peppers at E3? Yeah, he’s all good. Now to go over who–who who who–goes into the Men’s MITB tonight for them? But waht does this “fool” want? Kevin Owens enters. He’s not a fool, he has gifts. Pancakes!? And plenty of Canadian maple syrup! Okay then, he can stay. He knew they were smart. But anyway, he was hoping to talk to them about how only one man is only officially in. But who? Shhhh! Okay okay, it’s a secret. One of them is in officially, but the other two could go after Strowman. “Sir! We are a lot of things. A lot of things. But we are not cheaters!” Anymore…
But that’s not what he’s asking. He just wants common sense from the others. Kevin brought all these things to negotiate a deal. They can talk it over some pancakes. Kevin’s okay, he doesn’t really like pancakes. Or most breakfast foods. Especially Booty O’s, it sucked. Whaaaat?!?!? What? “You done done it now, sucka!” Just get out of here, Kevin! Fine, be that way. But don’t blame him if Strowman destroys us all! And IHOP was right to become IHOB! Wait. Snatch the syrup! Now get!
Bobby Lashley VS Sami Zayn!
What started as a grievance over a bout of vertigo has escalated into questioning the Alpha Male’s service to his country. The so-called smartest man in the room has angered one of the strongest. Will Sami come to regret ever getting on Lashley’s nerves?
The bell rings, and Sami copies his pal Kevin Owens by slipping out of the ring. Sami taunts Lashley from the outside, then wants him to stay back as he returns. Fans sing for Sami, but Sami keeps his distance from Lashley. Then he slips right back out, raising the ire of Lashley all over again. Sami returns again, Chicago on his side, but Sami still wants Lashley to stay back. They circle, but Sami gets away again. Lashley pursues this time, but Sami pounces. Lashley pushes Sami away and then goes after him. Sami has the ropes, so that’s a no go. Lashley keeps trying but Sasmi thumbs Lashley’s eye! Sami hits Lashley with a running kick that sends Lashley out. Sami wants the ring count to start already.
Lashley gets up at 4, then climbs back up, but Sami kicks him back out. Sami puts Lashley into the post, then drags him up to do it again. Sami goes back in the ring to leave Lashley at the mercy of the count. The count passes 5 and Lashley staggers over. Sami stomps on Lashley as he reenters the ring. Sami clubs Lashley with crossfaces, then rains down rights and lefts. Fans chant for “Bobby’s Sisters” while Sami keeps on Lashley. Sami taunts Lashley after each punch, but Lashley blocks and crushes that hand all over again. Lashley lariats Sami down, then clears his head as he takes aim. He runs in, but into a boot. Sami hops up, leaps, but is caught! Lashley throws Sami with a Fall Away Slam!
Lashley aims again, and hits a big corner clothesline. He moves again, to tackle Sami into the corner. Sami staggers away, but reverses the suplex with elbows and chops. Sami runs, but into a spinebuster! Lashley drags Sami up, suplexes him, and then drops him. Does Sami have vertigo again? Lashley doesn’t care, and fans want that “One More Time!” Lashley gut wrenches Sami up from the mat, then just drops Sami. Then, another vertigo suplex! Fans cheer, but Lashley’s not done with Sami yet. Lashley stands between Sami and the ramp, to then deadlift gut wrench again, back into the Canadian backbreaker rack. He drops Sami again, then lifts with a third vertigo suplex! One-handed even!
Not 1️⃣
Not 2️⃣
But 3️⃣ VERTICAL SUPLEXES seal the deal for @fightbobby! #MITB pic.twitter.com/dZZtH65FIg— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018
Lashley slams Sami down, covers, and wins!
Winner: Lashley, by pinfall
Lashley got a good work-out at Sami’s expense. Will The Dominator move on from here towards title contention?
The vertigo HAS to be setting in for @SamiZayn again after this one…@fightbobby with a RESOUNDING victory at @WWE #MITB! pic.twitter.com/OmdBD2QFMF
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018
“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”
TONIGHT, @IAmEliasWWE IS @WWE, and you all know what W-W-E stands for…#MITB pic.twitter.com/FTnomXQ6sX
— WWE (@WWE) June 17, 2018
The Drifter is here in Chicago, and Chicago is actually happy to see him. As always, he asks the crowd, “Who Wants to Walk With Elias!?” Chicago seems in favor of that. As for Seth Rollins, Elias says Rollins took a piece of his soul, so Elias will take that Intercontinental Championship. Rollins is a stepping stone on Elias’ path to the future. Elias is WWE, because WWE actually stands for “Walk With Elias”! But Chicago is filled with “loud mouth scumbags who just want attention”. Chicago agrees, “We Are Scumbags!” Yes, but please silence phones, hold applause and shut mouths so he can begin.
Elias plays his guitar, but stops because he realizes Chicago is “just not worth it.” He puts his guitar away, and waits for Rollins’ entrance. The Kingslayer appears, and we can begin!
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Seth Rollins VS Elias!
The Architect is ready to #BurnItDown, but will his title be taking a #WalkWithElias after all this?
The bell rings, and the two men stare down while fans cheer Rollins on. Rollins prepares, and Elias follows. They tie up, Elias gets an arm, but Rollins reverses. Rollins wrenches the wrist, but Elias gets a waistlock. Elias spins Rollins into a takedown, then wraps on a headlock, but Rollins escapes to put on a hammerlock. Elias gets up and reverses to snapmare Rollins again. Rollins slips out to the hammerlock again, but Elias stands up again. Elias gets a drop toehold, then a facelock, but Rollins goes right back to the hammerlock. Elias grows frustrated, but he gets up again and backs Rollins to ropes. They break, but Elias elbows Rollins.
Elias clubs and punches, then kicks and stomps Rollins down. He stomps Rollins at the ropes, then drags him up. Rollins blocks and counters the punch with chops, then powers out of the headlock. Things speed up, and Rollins dropkicks Elias down. Elias gets out, but Rollins takes aim and slingshots out! They go down but Rollins is up right away. Rollins chops Elias, then throws hands. Rollins puts Elias in the ring, then springboards for the flying clothesline. Elias crawls away but Rollins runs in at the corner for the forearm smash. Rollins throws hands, but the referee backs him off. Rollins goes outside to swing a kick, but Elias dodges to clobber Rollins to the apron! Down Rollins goes, hitting the apron on the way. Elias waits for Rollins to return, then puts him in a corner for furious stomps.
The referee backs him off now, but Elias goes back in with one stiff boot. Elias drags Rollins onto the apron and rams the neck into the apron edge more. Elias does it again, then covers, TWO. The Drifter keeps his cool as he stalks Rollins. Fans cheer for Rollins and boo Elias, but Elias throws more hands. Rollins blocks and counters, then whips, but Elias gets a DDT! Cover, TWO! Elias frowns at Rollins while the referee checks Rollins’ neck. Elias drops a knee, then covers again, ONE. Fans keep cheering for Rollins, but Elias keeps on Rollins with a cobra clutch. Rollins tries but can’t get out, even after two throws. Elias grinds Rollins to the mat, but fans keep rallying for Rollins.
Rollins sits up, but Elias puts his weight on him more. Rollins refuses to quit, and stands up again. Elias knees low, whips, but Rollins kicks him away. Rollins tries but Elias denies the suplex. Elias snapmares Rollins, but misses the knee drop! Elias clutches that leg while Rollins recovers. Rollins chops back, then hits the buckle shot! Rollins crawls away but boots Elias again. He goes up, but has to jump over Elias. Rollins rallies but Elias kicks low. Elias runs, but into a slingblade! Rollins clotheslines Elias out, then fires up with Chicago. He DIVES and hits Elias into barriers!
Time to kick it into a whole new gear for @WWERollins! #MITB pic.twitter.com/PUzpijEsy1
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 17, 2018
Both men are down, though, as Rollins’ neck bothers him. He still gets up first and puts Elias back in the ring. Rollins boots Elias again, then hops up for the Blockbuster. Cover, TWO! Rollins and Elias sit up, and Rollins checks his neck. He’s good, so he runs in, but is put on the apron. Rollins springboards, but now his knee buckles! Elias hits Rollins with a leaping knee, covers, TWO! Rollins almost lost it over his beat up body. Elias drags Rollins up, and shovels him onto his shoulders. Rollins fights out and slips down, but that knee hurts again. Elias rolls him up, TWO, so Elias rocks Rollins with a right. Rollins staggers, and Elias keeps going.
Elias throws hands, but Rollins returns them. They go back and forth, fans in support of Rollins. Rollins fires off lefts and rights, then runs, but into another knee! Elias swings but Rollins rolls and SUPERKICKS Elias! Cover, TWO! That bad leg holds Rollins back, but it won’t stop him. Rollins takes aim from a corner as he climbs up. He gets that leg moving, then takes aim… FROG SPLASH! But into knees! High stack cover, TWO!! Elias grows frustrated over Rollins’ fortitude. Elias climbs up high now, but Rollins hurries up and over to stop him! Rollins climbs up, but Elias resists. Elias sends Rollins back, then readjusts, but Rollins returns! SUPERPLEX! Roll through, dead lift, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!!
Fans are loving this as both men are down from exhausted and sore bodies. Rollins sits up first, and he goes back to the corner. Fans fire up as Rollins stomps for “Burn It Down!” Rollins aims at Elias, mule kick, to… No, Elias dodges the stomp, but Rollins keeps moving to DIVE! But Elias deflects Rollins into barriers! And then into a post! And then steel steps! Elias puts Rollins back in, climbs up top himself, and hits the Drifter’s Elbow! Cover, TWO!! We almost had a new champion, but Rollins is just too strong-willed for that. Fans know “This is Awesome!”
Elias drags Rollins up, prepares the fisherman, but Rollins grabs ropes. Elias lets Rollins go but just throws furious hammer fists on him. The referee backs him off, but Elias comes back to drag Rollins up to the top rope. Elias chops Rollins before climbing up to join him. Elias sits Rollins up, but Rollins slips down for a run. The leg gives out, Elias fishermans, but Rollins rolls up! TWO, and Elias rolls Rollins, with tights! TWO, and Rollins rolls to grab tights! Rollins wins!!
Winner: Rollins, by pinfall; still WWE Intercontinental Champion
The Architect steals the cheat from the Drifter, but a win is a win. Rollins has retained by the skin of his teeth, but with how much damage his body has been taking, how much longer can he keep this reign going?
The #FightingChampion @WWERollins notches another victory in Chicago! #MITB pic.twitter.com/eIlsK7VVBy
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match!
To be clear, this is actually the third ever Women’s MITB Ladder Match, but Carmella “won” them both. Now that both Raw and SmackDown get to compete for the contract, who will be the second-ever Ms. (or maybe even Mrs.) MITB?
The eight women stand, the Raw 4 on one side and the SmackDown 4 on the other. Natty goes after Sasha Banks, and the fight sparks off! Ember Moon brawls with Charlotte while Becky Lynch CHUCKS Alexa Bliss at a ladder! Charlotte puts Ember into the timekeeper’s area, then Becky dropkicks a ladder into Natty. Charlotte gets a ladder, but it gets dropkick’d into her, too! The Lass Kicker has fans fired up, but Ember sentons into her from outta nowhere! Ember grabs that ladder and puts it in, but Natty stops her with a shove. Natty goes for the ladder but Ember puts her into steel steps. Ember continues with the ladder, all alone, but Naomi appears.
Naomi misses and Ember makes her pay. Sasha comes in, but that ladder gets SUPERKICK’d out of her hands. Ember SUPERKICKS Sasha down, then starts setting up a ladder. Naomi returns, but Ember dumps her out. Sasha hits Ember, Ember hits back with an enziguri! Fans fire up for the Prophecy of Flame as she prepares that ladder. Sasha hits Ember again, but Ember keeps herself from going into the ladder. She drop toeholds, but Sasha barely saves herself. Ember springboards them both onto the ladder!!
These women are not wasting ANY time.#MITB @WWEEmberMoon @SashaBanksWWE pic.twitter.com/JeSXmgbexZ
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Fans are losing their minds with that one. Sasha rolls all the way out of the ring, but Ember is down in the middle. With no one standing, Lana appears! The Ravishing Russian knocks Ember down and picks up the ladder. She rams it into Ember’s ribs, then sets it up to facebuster Ember in it. Lana tosses that dinky ladder to grab a slightly taller one. Natty returns, and Lana shoves the ladder at her! The Queen of Harts narrowly avoids disaster, then rallies on Lana with lariats. Natty scoops Lana, and slams her on the steel! Lana writhes while Naomi returns. Naomi swings but gets sat down on the ladder. Natty runs all over Naomi to then dropkick her off it!
Fans are fired up for Natty, and she drags the ladder up. Charlotte returns to unleash Flair chops on the Hart. She chops and chops, then kicks, to exploder Natty out of the ring. Charlotte kips up, but Becky returns. The friends grab the same ladder, then tug-o-war over it. Fans duel while these two fight over the ladder. They bump each other with it, but then Naomi comes in to use it for a Super WOMAN Punch on Natty! Then Naomi ducks under, to dropkick the ladder into both Charlotte & Becky! Alexa returns, and drags the ladder away from Naomi. Naomi slingshots onto Alexa, then takes the ladder back. Sasha grabs Naomi, but Naomi kicks her away, then blockbusters to the floor.
Everyone is sore and on the outside of the ring, that is the toll this match makes superstars pay. Fans love it, “This is Awesome” already. Naomi and Ember return and grab the same ladder. Becky also returns, and goes after them both. Becky throws fire with her fists, but Naomi and Ember double kick her back. They then go back to fighting over the ladder. Becky recreates her crazy climb from last year!
There goes @BeckyLynchWWE gettin' creative! #MITB pic.twitter.com/BksOzaKOHQ
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
But she can’t reach it, and is sent into a corner, the ladder crashing down on her head. Ember runs, and with Naomi on the other end, they double dropkick Becky underneath! Ember scrapes Becky out, and now two of the most athletic women in WWE today go 1v1. Naomi blocks a kick, to give many kicks. Ember ducks to SUPERKICK, then knee, but Naomi scorpion kicks in return. Naomi monkey flips but Ember lands on her feet, to hip toss Naomi on ladder! The fans have not stopped making noise because they love all this action. Ember sees Sasha returning, but Sasha still knees her away. Sasha drags Ember into the corner, then sets Ember on the ladder. Lana returns but gets a knee of her own.
Sasha places Lana on top of Ember, and she has a double stack for the Stock Drop knees! Lana and Ember are sandwiched on that ladder, but Sasha takes the other to set it up. The Boss begins the first climb of this match, but Charlotte stops her. Familiar frenemies stare down once again. They both scramble up but fight all the way. They bounce each other off the rungs, then stagger around. Charlotte swings but Sasha counters. Sasha wants the backstabber but Charlotte counters. Charlotte wants the suplex but Sasha lands on her feet to turn things around, yet Charlotte turns Sasha more, for a neckbreaker.
Charlotte props a ladder up sideways, then drags Sasha up. She powerbomb lifts, but Sasha slips out to the standing ladder! Sasha hits Charlotte away, then climbs, but Charlotte slows her down. Natty returns and joins in, and takes Charlotte away with a bom lift. Charlotte slips out, but Becky returns while Sasha reaches. Becky shoves the ladder, so Sasha ditches the climb for a Meteora on the Queens! But this leaves Becky alone, and climbing high! Sasha and Alexa both go after her, bring her down, and Alexa’s killer right rocks Becky! Now the Goddess climbs, but Sasha stops her. Sasha adjusts the ladder, then climbs, but Alexa follows. Becky goes after Sasha, then after Alexa. Becky joins Sasha up top.
They brawl, reach, but Lana also returns with a new ladder. Lana sets that up while Alexa stops Becky. Lana’s ladder is taller, but Sasha transfers over! Ember returns, then Natty, and all the women are going up. They all fight, Natty drags Sasha off but then Sasha returns the favor. Everyone reaches, but Natty takes Sasha for a ride rebound powerbomb into one of the ladders! Becky goes down! Ember, Lana and Alexa hold onto the taller ladder, but Natty goes up to join them. Charlotte returns to boot Natty down. Then Charlotte tries for Ember but gets knocked away. Lana and Ember brawl while Alexa returns. Charlotte sets up one ladder, and drags Ember off with a powerbomb onto said ladder!
Hey, @WWEEmberMoon… meet @MsCharlotteWWE! #MITB pic.twitter.com/JR0rORLARh
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
Lana and Alexa still fight, but Charlotte rips them off, too. Backbreaker and STO for Lana, but then Charlotte drags down the tiny Alexa, but Alexa counters with a Code Red! Alexa shoves Lana, then climbs. Lana drags Alexa off and shoves her. Lana climbs, but Alexa drags her off for a killer right. “I don’t care what day it is, it’s my briefcase!” But a MACHKA Kick takes her out! “Lana, CRUSH!” Ravishing Accolade! She thrashes Alexa around, then drops her. Lana climbs, but Naomi springboards in! Naomi is there, kicks Lana away, then Becky returns to throw Lana with a Becksploder! But Naomi is working on the case!
Becky stops Naomi before she unhooks it, then smacks those legs into the rungs. Becky climbs, fights off Naomi, then reaches the top. Charlotte runs up, and the friends stare down. They brawl way up above it all. Alexa returns, and shoves them both down! But they’re not down, Charlotte SPEARS Alexa. Charlotte is alone, she drags the ladder up and climbs again. But Sasha stops her, with a backstabber! Naomi puts Sasha into the ladder, then climbs. But Lana yanks Naomi off. Lana climbs, but Natty returns for an Electric Chair! Natty climbs, but Ember SUPERKICKS her away! Ember scrambles up, but Charlotte is back again. SPEAR, onto a ladder, but Becky returns.
The friends fight, circle the ladder, but Becky blocks the spear to give a Becksploder! Becky goes up the ladder, reaches the top… But wait, Alexa tips that ladder. Becky hits the other ladder with her face! Alexa climbs, reaches the top, and unhooks it!
Winner: Alexa Bliss; becomes the new Ms. MITB
Or should we say, GODDESS in the Bank. With this weapon of a contract under her possession, will Alexa snatch away the championship from Nia Jax? Or will it be Ronda Rousey by the time Alexa gets a chance?
Tonight's #MITB event just got a serious injection of BLISS, because @AlexaBliss_WWE is now Ms. #MITB! pic.twitter.com/QhsUfSSm0o
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
The Raw and SmackDown GMs talk backstage.
Angle is so excited that one of his superstars took the Women’s MITB Contract. Paige is happy for him, but there’s still the Men’s. She’s confident one of her men will win that to even the score. Agree to disagree, but dual branding is really working out. Angle gets to see old friends like Samoa Joe and AJ Styles. Don’t touch her roster, Angle, they bleed blue. But then, Constable Baron Corbin walks in. This isn’t about playing nice or nostalgia, but about sweeping the ladder matches. Or is he hoping to disappoint Stephanie McMahon? Paige doesn’t get this. Is Corbin still upset that his cash-in went miserably? The Glampire has fangs, but the Lone Wolf just makes sure Angle knows Raw needs to win. Will Stephanie be disappointed in her GM all over again? Or can Raw go 2-0 and have Mr. MITB on top of having Ms?
Roman Reigns VS Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh!
The Big Dog and the Modern Day Maharaja wanted in on tonight’s Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder match. But between Mahal screwing Roman over in a qualifier over jealousy, to Roman retaliating with aggression, this feud has brought these former champions to throwing hands. Who will prove themselves the more deserving of golden opportunities tonight?
The injured Sunil Singh manages an introduction, perhaps he won’t be a deciding factor like he usually is for Mahal. The bell rings, and Roman throws hands on Mahal. Roman punches Mahal around but then Mahal hits back. Mahal tries but Roman denies the buckle bump. Roman punches more, then whips an druns Mahal over with an elbow. Roman puts Mahal in a corner for a bump, then another. He gets the hat trick, then whips Mahla at ropes. Mahal reverses and kicks Roman, then runs, but into a Samoan Drop! Cover, ONE, and Mahal bails out. Mahal regroups with Sunil while fans rain heat on both men.
Roman walks over and rocks Mahal with uppercuts. Roman puts Mahal back in the ring, then hotshots Mahal away. Mahal is down, Roman aims but misses the Drive-By! Mahal distracts the referee, so that Sunil can STAND, and shove Roman into a post! The little faker!
WAIT A MINUTE…
Sunil @SinghBrosWWE is OK?! #MITB pic.twitter.com/7VER0fWtiK
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Sunil sits back down to continue his act, while Mahal comes out to fetch Roman. Mahal bumps Roman off announce desks, then pushes him into barriers. Mahal refreshes the count, then puts Roman back in the ring. He stomps away on Roman, then drops ax handles. Cover, TWO, and Mahal puts Roman in a chinlock. Sunil cheers Mahal while faking more soreness. Roman endures the squeeze, so Mahal shifts to clubbing crossfaces. Mahal puts the chinlock back on, but Roman endures. Roman gets up but Mahal throws him back down. Mahal grinds Roman down, then bends him back in a half camel clutch. Roman gets up, fights with body shots, then throws hands. He whips Mahal but Mahal reverses and sends Roman hard into buckles. Mahal aims and blasts Roman off the apron and into barriers.
Mahal goes out again to bring Roman up for a slapping right hand. He puts Roman back in the ring, then drops an elbow. Mahal grins as he controls Roman, covers, TWO. Mahal pulls on Roman’s hair, then twists his head. He puts Roman against the ropes and chokes him. Mahal drops springboard knees over and over, then grinds a knee into Roman. The referee backs him off, but Mahal is still grinning. Mahal clubs away on Roman over and over, then puts him back in the chinlock. Roman endures, stands up, but Mahal throws him down. Mahal wants the fans to pay attention to him, but then he misses his knee drop. Roman gets to a corner, then boots Mahal away. Roman uppercuts Mahal and rallies with clotheslines. He whips but Mahal reverses, only for Roman to still hit the leaping lariat.
Mahal gets to a corner, so Roman runs in, but into a boot. Mahal hops up, but Roman uppercuts him out of the air. Roman gives close range clotheslines while Chicago does the wave. Roman runs, but into a big knee! Mahal covers, TWO! Mahal can’t believe it, but he won’t let it stop him. He stalks Roman, preparing for the finish. Roman fights out and wants another Samoan Drop but Mahal slips out. Mahal shoves Roman, but gets a boot in return! Cover, TWO. Roman keeps his cool while he gets to a corner. Roman locks and loads, then takes am, but Mahal ducks. Mahal gets a waistlock, Roman standing switches but so does Mahal. Mahal kicks and lifts Roman, to hit a gutbuster drop! Cover, TWO! And Mahal is furious.
Mahal calms down, then drags Roman up. He puts Roman in the clutch but Roman backs him down and throws him off. SUPERMAN Punch! Cover, TWO, and Roman is surprised. Mahal crawls away, and Roman stands. Roman gets himself to a corner, and fans are a thunderous mix as he lets out the howl. Roman runs, but into a knee! Mahal puts him into a post! Roman is dazed but Mahal is catching his breath. Mahal gets up, sees Roman on the apron, and wallops him with a right. Roman hits back, and they brawl between the ropes. They go back and forth, Mahal throat chops, but Roman knees back. Roman hits a guillotine leg-drop!
Mahal tumbles out of the ring, and Roman hits the Drive-By Dropkick. Roman puts Mahal in the ring, but Sunil tries another cheat. Roman stops himself that time, and the referee sees Sunil isn’t as hurt as he acted. Mahal reaches at Mahal, but Roman uppercuts him away. SUPERMAN PUNCH to Sunil, then one to Mahal! Roman grins now, and takes aim at Sunil. He howls, and SPEARS Sunil! Roman returns to the ring, but Mahal rolls him up! TWO!! SPEAR!! Cover, Roman wins!
Winner: Roman, by pinfall
The Big Dog keeps The Yard under his control, and makes both Sunil and Mahal pay for getting in his way. Will Roman return to the title hunt now that he’s cleared out a fellow former world champion?
What a VICTORY for #TheBigDog @WWERomanReigns LIVE on @WWENetwork! #MITB pic.twitter.com/sJ976x76Fo
— WWE Network (@WWENetwork) June 18, 2018
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Carmella VS Asuka!
This match is all about numbers: The Empress of Tomorrow was undefeated for 523 days; The Queen of Flair gave her her first loss at Wrestlemania 34; Charlotte lost the title to the FABULOUS Princess via her MITB cash-in. Therefore, Carmella is better than Charlotte AND Asuka. At least, in Carmella’s head, that’s how the math works out. Will Carmella prove her figures are correct? Or will she realize that she, like everyone else, is NOT ready for Asuka?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised and we begin! Fans know “Asuka’s gonna kill~ you~”, but Carmella ties up with Asuka anyway. Asuka powers Carmella to ropes, then backs off. Carmella shoves Asuka, then dodges and moonwalks. Asuka swings hands, and Carmella gets to ropes. Carmella dares her to do something while she’s in the ropes. Carmella brags and moonwalks again, but Asuka waits for her to return. The referee ends up stuck between them, but Asuka blocks the sucker kick. Asuka spins Carmella, but Carmella sucker SLAPS her. Yet Asuka grins.
Carmella says she’s not scared, but Asuka chases her. Asuka hits the hip attack, then more hip bumps. Carmella ends up in a corner, but she yanks Asuka in. Asuka blocks, then swipes and slaps and kicks Carmella down. Asuka throws Carmella through the ropes to kick away on her! Carmella is dazed, Asuka blasts her off with the hip attack! Carmella wants out, and snatches her title. She’s the champion, she has the advantage. But then she turns around into Asuka’s sliding knee! Asuka signals that the belt will be around her waist soon enough.
You have to hand it to @WWEAsuka. She knows what she wants. #MITB pic.twitter.com/YrrySmHal1
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
Asuka stalks Carmella with a smile, and grabs her by her hair. Carmella pushes Asuka away, then reels her into the post! Asuka goes down, and Carmella drags her up and in. Cover, TWO, so Carmella grinds Asuka’s face into the mat. Carmella puts Asuka in a modified double chicken wing hold. Asuka rolls but Carmella stops her heel into Asuka’s head. “Is this your Empress?!” Asuka endures, and rolls Carmella again, cover, TWO. Asuka pops out and chicken wings Carmella. Carmella fights off the lock, but misses the lariat. She narrowly dodges the back hand and mule kicks Asuka. Cover, TWO, so Carmella puts Asuka in the chinbar.
Carmella wants Asuka to quit, because Carmella isn’t afraid. Fans rally up for Asuka, and Asuka gets to her feet. Asuka fights back but Carmella wrangles her back down. Carmella pulls on the facelock, but Asuka refuses to quit. Asuka fights up and out again, and wrenches Carmella’s arm. Carmella knees low, then embraces the heat. She toys with Asuka, but Asuka goes up, only for Carmella to trip. Asuka denies the steiner, but misses her dropkick. Carmella waits, but her roundhouse is blocked, into a Kneebar! Carmella gets the ropes, so Asuka has to let go. Asuka and Carmella stand, but Carmella hits first with a back elbow.
Carmella toys with Asuka but fans rally and Asuka fires up. Asuka stands, Carmella slaps, so Asuka slaps back. Pop-up knee! Then the dropkick! Asuka kicks and kicks and kicks, but Carmella blocks one, only to end up in a German Suplex! Asuka hits another hip attack! Cover, TWO! Asuka grits her teeth and gets up again. She brings Carmella up, for the shoulder breaker, into Asuka chicken wing. Carmella grabs ropes, so Asuka throws palm strikes and kicks. Asuka runs, but Carmella holds ropes down, sending Asuka out! Carmella recovers while Asuka is down on the outside. The ring count climbs, but Asuka doesn’t stand until 6. Asuka climbs up but Carmella hotshots her. Carmella kicks and Asuka falls to the floor!
Carmella leaves Asuka to the mercy of the count, but Asuka stands, so Carmella DIVES! A FABULOUS tope takes Asuka down, and Carmella hurries to cover in the ring. TWO, and Carmella is furious. Another cover, TWO, another, TWO, and Carmella shrieks. Fans hope she does that “One More Time!” Carmella stands up, waits for Asuka, but Asuka blocks to back hand over and over, to then German. Carmella rolls, Asuka sits on it, TWO, Shining Wizard! But wait, who is that in Asuka’s gear? They stand on the apron as a strange distraction to both women. The fans have an idea, but Carmella rolls Asuka! TWO, pop-up knee! Asuka keeps looking at the phony on the corner, and the mask comes off. It’s JAMES ELLSWORTH!! He’s back~!
HE'S BACK?! @realellsworth just cost @WWEAsuka the #SDLive #WomensChampionship! #MITB pic.twitter.com/CuTPSjv6Zc
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
But Carmella hits the FABULOUS Kick! Cover, Carmella wins!
Winner: Carmella, by pinfall; still WWE SmackDown Women’s Champion
The Chinless Wonder returns to help his girl again. The anniversary of their #ScrewJobintheBank, it’s the perfect sequel. At least, perfect for Carmella. #MellaIsMoney, #MellaIsGold, #MellaIsChamp, and it’s all thanks to Jamie L. Will Asuka get her revenge on them in the near future?
WWE Championship Last Man Standing Match: AJ Styles VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
From Wrestlemania’s Dream (Re)Match, to the Greatest Royal Rumble’s greatest disqualification to Backlash’s count out draw, this rivalry has only escalated in animosity. Now, in a match where there is truly nothing held back, who will be THE Last Man Standing with the WWE Championship?
The bell rings, the two men circle, and the fans are already dueling at a fever pitch. Fans settle for chanting “Both These Guys!” as Styles and Nakamura tie up and push each other. They’re evenly matched, but Styles is getting an edge. Nakamura pushes Styles back, then knees low into a takedown. Styles headscissors but Nakamura pops out, and Styles rocks him with forearms. Styles chops Nakamura, then whips but Nakamura reverses into another knee. Nakamura runs, but into a dropkick! Styles waits for Nakamura, then chops him again. He bumps Nakamura off buckles in one corner, then another. Styles snapmares and kicks Nakamura in the back. Nakamura rolls and flounders, but Styles gets him with a forearm, then a backbreaker.
The count starts, but Nakamura gets up quick. Styles comes over, but Nakamura denies the suplex. Styles shifts and knees Nakamura, but runs into an elbow. Nakamura wakls over, but Styles body scissors Nakamura out of the ring. Nakamura flounders to his feet, so Styles slingshot forearms him down! A count begins, but Nakamura is up at 5. Styles keeps on Nakamura, putting him into a barrier. Nakamura is up quick, so Styles puts him into more barriers. Styles waits while Nakamura fights the count. Nakamura is up, so Styles goes to suplx him. Nakamura pushes Styles into barriers now, then Northern Light Suplexes Styles onto the ramp!
#NorthernLightsSuplex ALERT…this time, on the STEEL.#MITB #LastManStanding @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/vPgmXl2kBv
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
Both men are under the count, but Nakamura up at 3. Styles stirs, and gets up at 6, so Nakamura goes after him. They go back to the ring, but only for Nakamura to set Styles on the apron for the drive-by knee! Nakamura keeps going, using the steps to help for a guillotine stomp! Styles is down and the count begins. Styles stirs at 4, up at 5. Nakamura puts Styles in the ring, then takes his time entering. Nakamura stomps and kicks Styles in the corner while fans duel again. He drags Styles up, snapmare and knee drop. Style flounders, but he’s up. Nakamura toys with him now, disrespectful kicks to the head. Nakamura throws kicks into Styles, and Styles staggers all the way into ropes. Styles can barely stand but Nakamura just kicks him down hard.
A new count begins, and Styles stirs at 3. Styles uses ropes to help himself up at 5, but Nakamura is on him again with a grinding boot into this throat. And BAD Vibrations on top of it. Styles stops it part way, and hits back with haymakers. Nakamura knees, swings but hits the back heel kick! Styles is dazed while Nakamura grins. The new count reaches 5 while Styles crawls to ropes. Styles stands again, but Nakamura just hoists him onto the top rope. Nakamura clubs and elbows those ribs, then backs off to run back in, Top Shelf Knee! Styles tumbles to apron then to floor, and a new count begins.
Nakamura grins as he follows Styles out and around the ring. Styles hits back, but Nakamura makes him pay, bouncing his face off the steps. Nakamura takes those steps, he has something sinister in mind. He bends Styles backwards to give BAD Vibrations on the step. Nakamura then tosses Styles into the crowd! Nakamura practically slithers after Styles to kick him on the concrete. Styles gets up, Nakamura kicks him down again. Nakamura drags Styles up, then knees him against the wall. Nakamura swings but Styles ducks to counter. Styles hits Nakamura again and again, then kicks Nakamura against the barriers. Styles dumps Nakamura back into ringside, then uses the barrier to springboard, but Nakamura sweeps the legs! The Phenomenal One hits the floor, and a new count begins.
Nakamura is up at 6, and Styles is on his way up, so Nakamura bounces him off steel steps again. Styles slumps down, but Nakamura won’t let the count start. Nakamura drags Styles up for more kicks, then puts him in the ring. Fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” to cheer on the former Club leader. Nakamura stalks Styles, still toying with him the entire time. Styles hits back, backs Nakamura down, then chops him. Nakamura ducks, Inverted Exploder but Styles lands on his feet to enziguri Nakamura into a corner. Styles whips Nakamura corner to corner, then runs in, but into a boot. Nakamura hops up, but Styles dropkicks him out of the air!
The count returns with both men down. It passes 5 as both men sit up. It reaches 8, and they stand to swing hands. Styles hits his Phenomenal Blitz! Then runs in for a corner clothesline, fireman’s carry but Nakamura slips out. Nakamura swings, misses, and Styles drops him with a wheelbarrow facebuster! Styles is up first but Nakamura isn’t far behind. Styles wants the Clash, but sensed that low blow coming! Nakamura regrets trying that trick again.
*instantly regrets low blow attempt*#MITB #LastManStanding @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/MV7U6cNfRo
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
Nakamura blocks Styles’ kick, but the two bump heads on the Pele kick. Both men are under the count, but Styles is up. Nakamura narrowly avoids the sliding forearm, then hits the Inverted Exploder! Nakamura gets to a corner, fires himself up, and runs out, but into another forearm! A new count begins, but Styles is up at 6. He drags Nakamura up, fireman’s carry, Ushigoroshi! Nakamura falls limp, but stirs as the count restarts. Styles walks away to catch his breath. Nakamura crawls to a corner and stands up at 8. Styles runs in, but Nakamura puts him on the apron. Styles hits Nakamura away, springboards but into a roundhouse!
Both men are down, but use exiting the ring to stand back up. Nakamura comes around to fetch Styles, and put him into more barriers. He drags Styles up and around while fans duel, to gordbuster Styles into barriers. Nakamura clears off an announce desk, and drags Styles back up. He suplexes Styles onto the table, but the table holds. Nakamura is fine with that, he just clears the other announce desks off. Nakamura gets up on the Spanish announce table, runs across the American table, to sliding KINSHASA Styles on the German table!
#KneeToFace.#MITB #LastManStanding @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/5i8zf7lcuT
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Both men are down, as Nakamura used a lot of energy. The count begins, Nakamura is up at 4. Styles stirs at 7, rolls over at 8, and gets to his feet at 9. Fans are loving this, but Nakamura is furious. Nakamura bumps Styles off the desk, against the apron and into a post. Nakamura gives more knees and kicks, then puts him in the ring. He goes searching under the ring, and to Chicago’s liking, pulls out a table! Styles stirs in the ring while Nakamura gets the table up and in. Nakamura sets the table up but Styles staggers over. Nakamura kicks Styles and Styles lands on the legs of the table. Styles rolls away, and Nakamura finishes setting up the table.
Nakamura drags Styles over to a corner, hoists him up top, then climbs up to join him. Fans anticipate what he’s after, but Styles does, too. Styles slips down and out, but Nakamura holds the ropes! Nakamura hammers Styles, and Styles bumps into the table. The table goes sideways, so Nakamura gordbusters Styles on its edge! Nakamura resets the table while the count climbs. Nakamura puts the table up in a corner while Styles gets to a corner. Styles stands at 7, but Nakamura throws him into and through the table!! Nakamura grins while the count begins.
Styles is in the wreckage and the count passes 5. Nakamura grins and counts along, but Styles wakes up at 8! He stands at 9.5! Nakamura can’t believe it. Nakamura clears the wreckage from the ring, then takes the pad off the top buckle! He drags Styles from the ropes, and throws him at the buckle, but Styles blocks just in time! Styles elbows Nakamura away, then goes to do the same. Nakamura narrowly avoids hitting the buckle. He shoves Styles away, then knees and ax kicks him down. Nakamura sets Styles on the top rope, runs in, but that knee goes into the buckle! Nakamura clutches his leg while Styles stands back up. Styles kicks out the bad leg, then again.
Fans duel again, and Styles kicks the bad leg more. Nakamura writhes, but Styles shows no mercy. “Let’s see you stand now!” The count begins, and Nakamura writhes in pain. Nakamura drags himself to ropes by 5, but Styles is on him. Calf Crusher!! Styles tortures the leg, and it doesn’t matter if Nakamura taps or grabs ropes, because that’s not the match type. Styles lets Nakamura go, and leaves him to the count. The count reaches 5 before Nakamura gets to his knees. The bad leg gives out but Nakamura still hobbles up. Styles kicks the leg again, stalking Nakamura on the apron. Nakamura slumps out but Styles escalates as he borrows a steel chair from the timekeeper’s area.
SMACK on the leg!! Nakamura writhes, but fans want that “One More Time!” Nakamura begs, but SMACK, to the shoulder! Then SMACK on that leg! Styles watches Nakamura as he pleads with him. Styles says Too Sweet, but then LOW BLOW!
HE STRUCK AGAIN.#MITB #LastManStanding @ShinsukeN pic.twitter.com/PyvilZGLMO
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Both men are down, but Nakamura stands at 3. Styles is gasping for air at 7, but he somehow stands at 9! Nakamura just fires up, KINSHASA! They’re both down again, but Nakamura is stirring. The count passes 5 but Styles hasn’t moved. Styles wakes up at 6, rolls at 8, and stands at 9.5 again! Nakamura is beside himself with this. Nakamura finishes clearing the Spanish news desk, and brings Styles up with him. He lifts Styles, but that bad knee gives out. Styles slips down and shoves Nakamura onto the steel steps! Nakamura hits face first, then staggers up, but Styles hits with a Phenomenal Forearm! Styles flounders, but grabs Nakamura, for an elevated STYLES CLASH!!
Chicago loses its mind over that one. Styles drags himself up while Nakamura flounders. The count is at 7 but Nakamura is reaching. Nakamura is up?! That was 9.75! While Chicago says “This is Awesome,” Nakamura says, “C’MON!!” Styles kicks Nakamura in the nuts! Styles leaves Nakamura down on the outside, but then Chicago encourages him to finish it. He takes aim, springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM, through a table!! Fans lose their minds again while both men are being counted again. Styles sits up and stands at 7. Nakamura doesn’t, Styles wins!!
Winner: Styles; still WWE Champion
A truly phenomenal fight from the Phenomenal AJ Styles. He holds onto the belt while Nakamura gasps for air. With the Men’s MITB Ladder Match still to come, who will Styles soon have gunning for his title?
The #Phenomenal @AJStylesOrg is the LAST MAN STANDING at #MITB! #LastManStanding pic.twitter.com/ytaxqxwY5O
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Raw Women’s Championship: Nia Jax VS Ronda Rousey!
This was meant to be a friendly competition between two great competitors. But from Stephanie McMahon pushing buttons to their mutual friendship with Natalya, this match became personal. In a battle of alpha females, who will prove themselves THE Baddest Woman in WWE?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this highly anticipated title match begins! Nia powers Ronda right to a corner! She rams in shoulders, then drags Ronda out to throw her by her hair! Ronda stands, but gets squashed in a corner! Nia again throws Ronda, but misses this time. Ronda staggers up, but Nia is on her with a choke hold. Ronda hits with straight rights and backs Nia up! Nia powers back and headbutts Ronda down. Ronda gets to a corner again, but Nia squashes her, again. Nia drags Ronda out and lifts her up, playing with her food. But Ronda goes after the Kimura! She brings Nia to the mat!
Nia holds on and rolls for a cover, but Ronda just shifts to a triangle. Nia deadlifts Ronda! Ronda wrangles Nia back down, but Nia tries again. And she gets Ronda up, for a sit-out powerbomb!
This is one way to escape the #Armbar, right?#MITB #RondavsNia pic.twitter.com/voRn3mjyZy
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Ronda feels what it’s like to take one of those, and she stumbles all the way out of the ring. Nia won’t settle for the count out, and she goes around the outside to fetch Ronda. Nia toys with Ronda, then lifts her again, but Ronda tries a headscissor. No go, and Nia just swings Ronda into barriers. Nia drags Ronda up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Nia grows annoyed with Rowdy Rousey, and dares her to get up. Ronda throws hands but falls to her knees from being dazed. Nia hauls Ronda up again, for a trophy lift and slam! Cover, TWO, and Nia grows further frustrate. Ronda boots Nia away, then leaps out for a guillotine!
Nia endures, this hold has been her weakness before. But Nia powers up! Ronda sunset flips, but Nia dribbles Ronda’s head off the mat. Nia does it again, and again, then shouts “I AM THE BADDEST!” before tossing Ronda again. Nia drags Ronda up and squeezes her in a bearhug. Ronda endures, pries her way out, but Nia gets her tight again. Nia keeps squeezing, but fans rally for Ronda. Ronda uses elbows and forearms to get free. Ronda keeps swinging, but Nia stays up. Nia shoves and SAMOAN DROPS Ronda! Cover, TWO! And Nia is shocked. But Nia calms herself, she’s had tough opponents before.
Ronda kicks from the mat, but Nia kicks her back. Nia drops the leg, but Ronda narrowly avoids it! Ronda gets to a corner, stands up, and dodges Nia. Nia goes into the post, and Ronda catches her breath on the top rope. Nia pulls herself out, but Ronda pulls her in for a hanging armbar! Ronda lets go at 4, but she ends up on the outside. Nia checks her arm, but it seems to be working. Ronda gets back up, and with fans encouraging her, she goes top rope. Ronda aims, and… JUMPS! Crossbody hits!
TAKING TO THE SKIES!@RondaRousey just LAUNCHED herself off the top rope against @NiaJaxWWE! #MITB #RondavsNia pic.twitter.com/2hidbm8sF9
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Cover, TWO, with authority. Ronda has Chicago behind her as she works on what to do next. But Ronda focuses and fires herself up. Ronda starts swinging hands! Then a knee! Nia goes to the ropes, but Ronda wants more. Ronda manages a judo takedown! Cover, TWO!! But that only fires Ronda up more. She goes after that arm! Nia resists, rolls it over, TWO. Ronda gets around, for a saido slam! ARMBAR!! But Nia still holds on to resist. Ronda and Nia fight over the grips, and it comes down to the very last finger…! Ronda gets it, but here comes Alexa!!
Winner: Nia, by disqualification; still WWE Raw Women’s Champion
The Goddess inadvertently saves her former friend, but it was mostly to screw over Ronda. Alexa SMACKS Nia, too, then SMACKS Ronda again and again. Alexa drags Ronda up, and puts her into the post! Ronda falls out, is it time!? Alexa tells the referee, she’s cashing- Wait, Ronda is still moving. Alexa changes her mind, and SMACKS Ronda again. She even throws Ronda over teh German announce desk. Alexa goes back to the ring, but Nia’s up, until Alexa swings wild! Nia’s arm is hurting, so Alexa hits her again. She’s doing it?! She’s cashing in!?
Raw Women’s Championship, MITB Cash-In: Nia Jax VS Alexa Bliss!
It’s official! Nia has one bad arm, but she’s not gonna refuse the challenge. Alexa kicks, DDT, and then goes after the arm. She climbs up while Nia is down, TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Alexa wins!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall; becomes the NEW WWE Raw Women’s Champion
The Five Foot Fury was #GoddesintheBank for barely 90 minutes, but it pays off! She is now the FIVE TIME Women’s Champion. But with having stolen this from Nia and Ronda, will Alexa have that belt for long?
Twice on #SDLive…
THRICE on #RAW…@AlexaBliss_WWE is a 5-TIME #WomensChampion! #MITB pic.twitter.com/BdCEdRPxJL— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) June 18, 2018
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match!
It’s finally time for this PPV’s namesake match. From New Day to Rusev Day, GLORIOUS to Extraordinary, Prizefighter to A-Lister, and Destroyer to Monster, only one can be Mr. Money in the Bank.
But speaking of The New Day, they’re only allowed one member to be in this match. Awwww, Chicago, don’t you dare be sour, clap for KOFI KINGSTON, and feel~ the power~! We finally have our eight, and we begin!
The fans are strongly behind Kofi, but all 7 men realize: go after Strowman! The biggest and baddest is an obvious target, but then Miz breaks off to beat up on Finn Balor. Kevin Owens keeps the others united on Strowman, but then Roode hits Kofi, and Strowman knocks everyone away. Strowman bumps Joe on a buckle, then side slams Finn. He grabs Miz and shoves him into Roode, to then sandwich them both in the corner. Kevin runs in, but gets clobbered right down. Strowman roars and Chicago cheers with him. Strowman decides to “Get These Hands”, on a ladder. He brings one up and in, but Joe attacks from behind. Kofi leaps onto Strowman, too, and then Rusev hits Strowman. Finn hits Strowman, then Kevin runs in, to get swatted.
But Rusev and Miz and Finn and Roode all ram ladders into Strowman over and over, then bury him in steel! It’s a ladder pile, but sneaky Miz! He sets up a ladder in the ring, but that brings everyone after him. Joe stops Miz with a shove of the ladder, and Miz begs for mercy. They fight off Finn and Roode first, then Rusev. Miz grabs a ladder but Joe uses it to ram Miz into a corner. Kofi hits Trouble in Paradise on Joe! Then dropkicks that ladder into Miz! Kofi squashes Miz with that ladder, then has the fans fired up as he Boom Drops on top! Miz rolls out, but Kofi brings that ladder up. Fans chant “New! Day Rocks!” as he climbs. Kevin returns and drags him off, but Kofi avoids the pop-up to get a SUPERKICK.
Kevin climbs now, but Finn is there. Familiar foes fight, and Finn gets fingers on the case. Kevin yanks him down and hits him with forearms. Finn staggers, but resists the powerbomb to takedown and double stomp Kevin. Finn climbs again, but Roode returns to stop him. Roode bumps Finn off the rungs, then decides to climb up. Finn follows, but Roode kicks. Finn back drops out of the DDT, but Roode sunset flips, only for Finn to roll through and dropkick him. Roode rolls out, but here comes Kevin with a new ladder. Kevin rams Finn’s ribs, then makes a ramp. Kevin drags Finn up and over, fireman’s carry, but Finn slips down. Finn tosses Kevin out, but Kevin drags him out to throw him into a ladder. Finn staggers, into a SUPERKICK! He’s down on the American desk, but Kevin gets an idea.
Flashbacks to Raw, and Kevin prepares the desk. Kevin brings the very tall ladder over, climbs up from the apron, but then Rusev is climbing in the ring. Kevin stops him, but Rusev fights Kevin off, Fall Away Slam onto that ramp ladder! Joe returns, and goes after Rusev, putting him into the standing ladder. Joe keeps going, whipping Rusev into a corner for the back elbow and Pele! But Kofi springboards to ax handle Joe down and out. Kofi gets the ramp ladder out, then brings the other ladder up. Fans are on his side as he climbs again. Miz returns and stops that, but then Kofi kicks him out. Kofi avoids the ladder coming down on him, then climbs up to TRUST FALL!
But wait, Roode, Joe, Miz, Kevin and Rusev catch him! Finn FLIES and bowls them all over! The fans fire up with Finn,and he brings a ladder from the pile. Strowman comes back to life! And he grabs the same ladder Finn took. Strowman jams it into Finn, holds Roode and boots Finn before running over Kofi! Joe DIVES on the Monster! Strowman goes down from that hit, but not for long. Kevin SUPERKICKS Strowman, Rusev MACHKA Kicks him. Kevin smacks Strowman with a ladder, then Rusev stomps him. Rusev keeps Strowman down while Kevin fetches a table. Kevin has Rusev help him move Strowman over. But Strowman resists, so Joe uses the Coquina Clutch to choke Strowman out! SUPERKICK added on, and Strowman is definitely out.
Joe helps coordinate, and Kevin climbs that super sized ladder. Rusev and Joe hold Strowman down while Kevin reaches the top. Kevin aims, but Strowman won’t let them recreate the spot from Raw. He fights off Rusev and Joe, but Kevin begs Strowman to spare him. Strowman doesn’t, as he climbs up to grab Kevin! Strowman brings Kevin back up to the top, and then tosses him down onto the spare tables!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
WHAT has @BraunStrowman DONE?! #MITB pic.twitter.com/o2tA14L8vq
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Kevin crashes and fans lose their minds. Strowman returns to the ground, and rocks Joe and Rusev with punches and boots. Kofi runs in, but is tossed onto a ladder with a choke slam! Strowman barrels down the ramp, and BREAKS THROUGH the ladder Roode and Finn were using! Miz is in the ring with a ladder set up, but now he’s all alone with Strowman. Miz scrambles up but Strowman reaches at his feet. Strowman brings Miz down, then clubs him down. Now Strowman climbs, but Joe uses a ladder like a bat. Then like a battering ram. Joe clothelines Strowman out of the ring, but Strowman is still on his feet. Joe adjusts the ladder, and Finn blasts Strowman into the timekeeper’s area!
Finn goes after Joe, another familiar foe. They brawl, but here comes Roode. These former NXT Champions brawl, Roode putting Finn into a post. Joe clubs Roode then whips him into a corner. Roode boots Joe, then hops up to jump over, only for Joe to “sit your ass down!” Joe and Rusev brawl, Joe headbutts, but Rusev dumps Joe out. Rusev roundhouses Roode, but Kofi returns to swing. Rusev blocks to roundhouse Kofi upside-down! Fans fire up, because Rusev prepares a STACK-olade! Miz grabs Rusev but gets an elbow and MACHKA Kick! Miz ends up on the stack, and now Rusev goes for a TRIPLE! But Joe comes in, Coquina Clutch on Rusev!
Rusev arm-drags Joe, then MACHKA Kicks him. The Bulgarian Brute gets the ladder up, “RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY!” echoes as he climbs. He reaches the top, but Miz tips the ladder! Rusev goes down, but Miz sets the ladder back up. Miz reaches the top, but Kofi is back. Kofi headbutts Miz, reaches for the case, but Miz hits back. They brawl, reach, brawl again, reach again, but Roode tips them both down. Slingblade from Finn to Roode! Finn clotheslines Miz and Kofi out in turn, then dodges Roode to kick him in return. Roode goes down, and Finn realizes he’s by a ladder. Finn climbs up, aims down at Roode, and… SUPER COUP DE GRACE!!
From OUTSIDE to INSIDE, @FinnBalor FLIES for a massive #CoupDeGrace to @REALBobbyRoode! #MITB pic.twitter.com/hVuVPCGa3u
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
Finn drags the ladder up, climbs, reaches, but Strowman returns! Strowman bounces Finn off the ladder, but Joe returns. Joe runs into a MONSTER Slam, but Miz scrambles up. Strowman stops him, with another Monster Slam! Strowman climbs, but so does Finn. They both reach the top, but Kofi springboards onto Strowman’s back to hitch a ride. They all reach, but they also brawl. Kofi teeters, but Strowman swats Finn. Kofi and Strowman fight awkwardly, but Storwman throws Kofi away. Strowman keeps climbing, grabs, and retrieves the case!
Winner: Braun Strowman; becomes the new Mr. MITB
Or, MONSTER in the Bank. King Kong ain’t got crap on Strowman! Strowman and Alexa Bliss, Team Little Big from the Mixed Match Challenge, sweep the MITB ladder matches, as does Raw! Stephanie McMahon won’t be upset with Angle, but will Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar be upset that this force of nature can go after the Universal Championship at anytime, anywhere? Will Strowman #GetTheseHands on a title in the near future?
MONSTER IN THE BANK.@BraunStrowman has his sights SET on the #UniversalChampionship! #MITB pic.twitter.com/1Lie2pzW2B
— WWE (@WWE) June 18, 2018
My Thoughts:
After the stinker that Backlash was, MITB redeems much of the main roster. Not all, but most of it. The kickoff match was actually so good, and I almost thought Gallows & Anderson were going to take it. But of course Harper & Rowan retain, because it was the kickoff show. Bryan-Cass opens the main show to fire up the fans even more, and it all seems to fit Bryan’s point: Cass doesn’t have wrestling skill, just size and strength. Bryan wins because he has the skills and the toughness, and hopefully this puts an end to their feud. Lashley and Sami, while having a lackluster and controversial build, did put on a good match. Chicago was on Sami’s side at first, but then Lashley got Chicago on his side with his pure power. I also hope this ends their rivalry, both men need to move on something with more substance.
Rollins does it again with that amazing IC title match. Elias is of course a star in his own right, but Rollins is just too hot not to go with. The Women’s MITB tore the house down, built it back up and then tore it down again. So much was going on, and it was all great. Even though Becky doesn’t win, the way it works out where the one true Heel wins just works in so many ways. Ronda VS Nia was great, too, Ronda really showing us all that she isn’t just for show. And with Alexa cashing in, man is that great Heel heat on her, while keeping Nia and Ronda strong.
Oddly, the timing was right on putting Roman VS Mahal next, then Carmella VS Asuka next, as they ended up the two poorer matches of the night. Chicago HATED Roman VS Mahal, and did everything they could to NOT go with it. Roman wins because duh, but Vince McMahon needs an intervention in order to realize this isn’t working. Carmella VS Asuka was good, but it got a bit deflated by the surprise-not-surprise appearance of James “No Chin but Two Hands” Ellsworth. In a vacuum, it’s great Heel moment to reunite this duo, but it kinda felt weird given how bland Roman VS Mahal was before it.
But then things picked back up. Styles VS Nakamura truly delivered with the Last Man Standing stipulation, maybe even going above and beyond. Styles has truly swept Nakamura, retaining every time, Nakamura logically should go to the back of the line. Let the men from the MITB match–Samoa Joe, The Miz, Rusev or even The New Day–give a go now. Maybe Nakamura can go after Hardy’s US Championship in the mean time. And speaking of the Men’s MITB, WOW. They somehow match or even outdo the Women’s, and Strowman is THE Monster in the Bank, as if it was going to be any other way.
My Score: 8.9/10
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The end is so close, we can almost taste it!
Half of A Block at 3-2, half at 2-3, and only two rounds left! Who will break away from the pack to lead this World Tag League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Daiki Nagai; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI VS TMDK; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask; Yano, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Kenta & Chase win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; Gabe & Sanada win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 3-2, 6 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 3-2, 6 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-3, 4 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 2-3, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-3, 4 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-3, 4 points
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
The Roughneck almost didn’t make it to this round with how he hurt his foot last round, but he’s good to go! But will he and Honma be able to make it through the sixth? Or will The Fang Revived & The Crown Jewel make them #Go2Sleep?
OH NO, Kenta & Chase attack as Shota & Honma make their entrance! Bullet Club takes advantage of Shota & Honma going out into the crowd, and now they’re beating Shota & Honma down! The ref reprimands but Chase uses Shota’s own glowstick to JAM him in the head! Kenta drags Honma up for haymakers and Chase JAMS Shota again! The ref reprimands more but this isn’t a match so Bullet Club keeps beating up on Shota & Honma! Kenta POSTS Honma, and Chase drags Shota over. But Shota fires forearms in return! The fans fire up and Shota saves Honma from Kenta! Shota fires forearms on Kenta & Chase again and again!
Kenta ducks Shota’s forearm to full nelson, and Chase kicks the bad leg! Shota drops to the floor as he clutches the knee, and Kenta stomps Honma. Chase grabs a chair and he pushes the ref aside. Kenta holds the leg out! Honma covers the leg to shield it! So Chase SMACKS Honma instead! Kenta drags Honma up, Chase brings Shota around, and Chase puts Shota in the corner. Chase pulls the leg against the post, and then he grabs the chair! CON-CHAIR-TO on the leg against the post! The fans are stunned as Shota falls to the floor and shouts in pain! Kenta drags Honma up and puts him in the ring, and Chase wants the bell!
Kenta storms in, the bell rings, and now we’re on record as Kenta stands Honma up. Kenta KICKS, and KICKS, and KICKS, but Honma blocks! Honma CLUBS the leg, but then Kenta CLAWS Honma’s face! Kenta brings Honma over to bump off Chase’s boot. Tag to Chase and Bullet Club mugs Honma. Chase then traps Honma’s head for the NECK TWEAK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Chase tags Kenta. Bullet Club continues to mug Honma, then Kenta covers. TWO, but Kenta drops a knee on Honma’s head! And another! Kenta tags Chase and Chase stomps Honma. Chase grinds his forearm into Honma’s face!
Chase drags Honma up, headlocks and punches! Chase bumps Honma off Kenta’s boot, tags Kenta back in, but Honma fights back! The fans rally as Honma fires CHOPS and SLAPS, but Bullet Club mugs him again! They double whip Honma to a corner, then Kenta runs in. Honma dodges Kenta, then dodges Chase! Honma kicks Chase, catches Kenta, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up but Shota is still down! Honma is in an unofficial 2v1 handicap match at this point! Shota crawls, but he’s still so far from the corner. Kenta CLUBS Honma, then brings him around. Chase adds on, and they double whip again.
Honma grabs ropes, BOOTS Kenta, then DUMPS Chase! The fans fire up as Honma hurries to his feet. Honma SHOULDER TACKLES Kenta! The fans fire up as Shota is back up! But then Chase CHOP BLOCKS him! Shota falls and tumbles into railing! Honma CHOPS Kenta! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Honma whips Kenta corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! And BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Honma fires up! FALLING KOKESHI FLOPS as Kenta moves! Tag to Chase and Bullet Club storms up on Honma. SOBAT! KICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Chase mocks the Kokeshi call to KNEE Honma down! Cover, TWO!
Chase calls to end this, and Kenta goes up a corner. Chase brings Honma in, but Shota gets up to SHOVE Kenta down! Kenta hits apron then floor! Shota shoves Chase into a cradle! TWO!! Chase escapes, runs up but Honma shoves Chase into Shota’s ELBOW! Chase staggers and Honma rolls him up! TWO!! Chase escapes again, but Honma runs up. Chase swats the lariat, fires a strike fest, but Honma roars! Honma HEADBUTTS, runs, KOKESHI- C-TRIGGER!! Chase tucks Honma in, hoists him up, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: Kenta & Chase Owens, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
Bullet Club struck first and they struck last, and they’re still in the running! Can they find an outside shot at the finals and hit the mark? As for Shota & Honma, they’re mathematically ELIMINATED from the finals! Will Shota even have a leg to stand on when it comes time for his world title match?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
The Funky Sauce is on the bubble at 2-3 but they seem to be getting hot at just the right time. Can Zayne & Taguchi cook up a great comeback? Or will the heat die down after facing the Mad Man & Cold Blooded?
The teams sort out and then the War Dogs attack! It’s the Bullet Club way! Gabe is after Zayne, Sanada is after Taguchi, and the bell rings to get this on record! Sanada TOSSES Taguchi while Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Sanada helps drag Zayne up, and they War Dogs DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Gabe reels Zayne in. Zayne fights the driver, shoves Gabe at Sanada at the corner, but Gabe narrowly avoids running into him. Zayne then SUPERKICKS Gabe, and he dodges Sanada to then IMPLODER KNEE DROP! STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans fire up but Gabe waistlocks! Zayne fights, switches, but Gabe backs him down!
Zayne keeps hold of Gabe and Taguchi tags in. Taguchi CLUBS Gabe, Zayne kicks, and Funky Sauce double whip. They blow past Gabe to then BULLDOG and basement DROPKICK! Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Funky Sauce HIP ATTACK back and forth! Gabe sputters, and he gets a HIP ATTACK SANDWICH! The fans cheer again and Zayne drags Gabe up. Taguchi goes to a corner, Zayne sends him in, and Taguchi BOOTS! Taguchi goes up for DEADLY HIPS! Taguchi then hops up, Zayne tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Gabe stops from running into cheeks! Gabe SHOVES Taguchi to the floor, then he dodges Zayne to CHOP!
Zayne falls then flounders away while the fans rally up. Sanada brings Taguchi out into the crowd and SMACKS him off chairs! Gabe does the same with Zayne on the other side! Young Lions make sure fans get to a safe distance while Sanada SMACKS Taguchi off more chairs. Gabe sends Zayne into the back wall! Gabe fires forearms, then THROWS Zayne into the wall again! Sanada drags Taguchi up and moves through the crowd while Gabe SMACKS Zayne with spare railing! Gabe has a wild grin as he storms around. The ring count starts, so Sanada brings Taguchi back to ringside. Taguchi resists but Sanada CLAWS his face!
Gabe has fans clear out, then he BOWLS Zayne into the chairs! Zayne tumbles up and over multiple rows! That was a strike, maybe even a turkey! Gabe then goes back for Taguchi to put him in the ring at 15 of 20. Gabe flexes and mockingly asks where Zayne went. Gabe drags Taguchi up, and he CHOPS! Taguchi goes to a corner while the fans rally up. Gabe bumps Taguchi off buckles, tags Sanada, and Sanada stomps Taguchi down. Sanada stomps away, and Gabe intercepts Zayne at the gate! The ref counts, Sanada lets off, and Gabe grins as Zayne is down in the crowd again. Sanada drags Taguchi back up to bump off buckles.
Sanada whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS! Taguchi sputters but Sanada tags Gabe. Gabe eggs Taguchi on. Taguchi rises up to CHOP! Gabe eggs Taguchi on more, so Taguchi CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Gabe BITES Taguchi’s forehead! Then he bumps Taguchi off buckles! The ref reprimands but Gabe tags Sanada. Sanada stands Taguchi up and ROCKS him with a right hand! Taguchi drops to his knees, so Sanada stands him up to ROCK him again! Taguchi wobbles, Sanada ROCKS him again, but Taguchi comes back with CHOPS! The fans rally, but Sanada CLAWS Taguchi’s eyes! Sanada whips, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS!
The fans fire up as Taguchi reaches out, and Zayne has returned! Taguchi crawls over but Gabe runs over to YANK Zayne down! And it’s back out to the crowd! Zayne fights the driver to BOWL Gabe into chairs! STRIKE! The fans fire up as Zayne hurries back, but Sanada drags Taguchi away. BIG atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles, reaches out, but Sanada reels him back in! Taguchi fires elbows, runs, but he fakes Sanada out! HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again as Taguchi crawls! Hot tag to Zayne! Zayne dodges Sanada, fires hands and forearms, then whips. Zayne HIP TOSSES Sanada to then MARIPOSA!
Zayne drags Sanada up, suplexes, but Sanada fights it to suplex! Zayne fights that, and it’s a battle for control! Zayne suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Zayne rises! Zayne stands Sanada up to fire forearms and ELBOWS! Then a mule kick! Zayne runs but Gabe trips him up! Gabe drags Zayne out and suplexes, but Zayne fights it! Zayne hangs Gabe out to dry on railing! Then ROLLING AX KICK! Gabe flops down, Zayne runs in and he dodges Sanada! BOOT! ENZIGIRI! Sanada ends up in a corner, tag to Taguchi! Funky Sauce whips Sanada corner to corner, then Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Feed to Zayne, tilt-o-whirl RANA into the HIPS!
The fans fire up as Zayne backslides Sanada, but Sanada rolls through! KETSUYE! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe runs up to kick Zayne and brings him around. Gabe suplexes, but Zayne slips free! Feed to the HIP- NO, Atomic Drop! Wait, Gabe’s knee is what hurts? Taguchi wags his fingers, did he activate his buns of steel?! Zayne ENZIGIRIS, and then HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again and Taguchi goes for Sanada. Funky Sauce double whip, but Sanada grabs ropes. Sanada TOSSES Zayne, then dodges Taguchi to spin and suplex, MAGIC- NO, Taguchi slips free! Sanada fights the suplex to dragon sleeper! But Zayne BLOCKBUSTERS!!
The fans are thunderous but Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Zayne hits back, and the two fire heavy shots! The fans rally, Zayne blocks a boot to KNEE, but Gabe LARIATS! Gabe kicks Taguchi, suplexes, but Taguchi fights it! Taguchi wrenches to ENZIGIRI! Gabe falls but Sanada rises, so Taguchi runs up, to whiff on the hip attack! Dragon sleeper, but Taguchi drops down! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Sanada flails and reaches out, Gabe and Zayne intercept each other! Gabe reels Zayne in, but Zayne fights the lift to have OH MY GAH ANKLE 2!! The fans are thunderous as the War Dogs are enduring! Zayne shouts, “ITADAKIMASU~!” And he BITES Gabe’s leg!!
The fans are thunderous but then Gabe rolls and sends Zayne into Taguchi! All four men are down, and Zayne continues tumbling out to the floor. Gabe bails out to the apron, but Taguchi runs at Sanada. Sanada BOOTS Taguchi, SANADA QUEBRADA! Taguchi dodges! Sanada’s leg jams! KETSU- NO! Sanada dodges the hips! Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada roars, the fans fire up, and Sanada clinches for DEAD- NO, Taguchi trips Sanada up, steps over, LA MAGISTROL!!! TWO!! Gabe beats up on Zayne while Sanada catches Taguchi! Taguchi switches but Sanada shoves the ref, LOW BLOW MULE KICK!!
The fans boo but Sanada reels Taguchi in! DEADFALL!! Cover, War Dogs win!
Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
Another first strike, last strike match for Bullet Club, and the Funky Sauce is ELIMINATED from the finals! Gabe & Sanada now moving up the ranks, will they be the ones taking those trophies?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman!
The four-peat is still alive, but at 3-2, who knows for how much longer. Can the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter defy the United Empire? Or will the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace make sure Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won’t #GetBackUp?
The teams sort out and Callum pushes Goto. Goto steps up and the fans cheer with the bell. Goto and Callum stare down while the fans rally up more, then they circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Goto uses size to power Callum backwards to ropes. The ref counts, Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder, and the fans applaud. Callum brushes that off literally and the two go again. They tie up but Callum kicks low! Callum fires a forearm, whips, but Goto reverses. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS Goto down! The fans fire up and Callum waits on Goto to sit up. Callum stomps Goto, then stands him up to fire forearms.
Goto CHOPS, Callum fires a forearm, repeat! Callum knees low, whips, but Goto grabs ropes! Hashi tags in and Goto BOOTS Callum! Bishamon CLOBBERS Callum! Cobb runs up, but Bishamon drop toeholds him onto Callum! Callum sputters while Goto & Hashi bring Cobb up. “SE~ NO!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Bishamon CLUBS Cobb back down onto Callum! Goto steps out while Cobb rolls away, and Callum coughs and sputters his way to ropes. Hashi brings Callum around to cover, ONE!! Callum is still toughing it out and the fans rally up. Hashi drags Callum up to CLUB him on the neck!
Callum goes to another end of the ring but Hashi storms up. Hashi CLUBS Callum again, then keeps him from Cobb. Hashi ROCKS Callum with a forearm, then whips him to ropes. Callum reverses and HIP TOSS NECKBREAKERS! Cobb runs up to BLAST Goto! Cobb goes out to stomp Goto down, then he stands on Goto’s chest! The fans cheer, and Cobb pretends he didn’t see Goto there as he steps off. Callum drags Hashi up to ROCK him with a forearm! Callum then CHOPS Hashi off his feet! The fans cheer and Callum brings Hashi over. Callum bumps Hashi off buckles, then he tags in Cobb.
Cobb HEADBUTTS Hashi in the back! And HEADBUTTS him again! Cobb whips and RUNS Hashi over! Cobb then carefully covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up again. Cobb stalks Hashi to ropes, stomps him, then drags Hashi up. Cobb CLUBS Hashi down, pushes him around, and then steps on Hashi’s back! Cobb stands on Hashi to use him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Goto’s pose, then steps away to tell Goto to go back to his corner. Cobb bumps Hashi off buckles then tags Callum. Callum CHOPS Hashi, kicks him, but Hashi fires forearms!
Callum and Hashi go back and forth, and Hashi has the edge! But Callum CHOPS Hashi off his feet! Callum stands Hashi up, tags Cobb, and the Empire mugs Hashi in the corner. The fans rally but Cobb scoops Hashi and holds him with one arm! Then Cobb SLAMS Hashi down! Cobb again mocks Goto’s pose to power up, GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and the fans fire up, but Cobb brings Hashi around. Hashi fires body shots and forearms! Cobb JABS! Cobb whips, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up and Hashi crawls over, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs to RAM Cobb!
Cobb stays up so Goto RAMS him again! Cobb tells Goto nice try! Cobb kicks low, whips, but Goto reverses. Goto then blows past Cobb to LARIAT! Callum runs in but Goto kicks him, and snap suplexes him onto Cobb! The fans fire up and Goto brings Cobb around. Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up to MURAMASA, and then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Cobb stays in this and the fans rally up more. Goto drags Cobb up but Cobb’s too much to fireman’s carry! Cobb CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires forearms! Cobb fires back and the forearms go back and forth!
The fans rally as Goto and Cobb throw shots, but then Cobb gets the edge! Cobb pumps up, swings, but into a dragon sleeper! But Cobb fights free! Goto ROCKS Cobb, runs, but Cobb blows past Goto now to “JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLE! Goto is down and the fans fire up! Cobb rolls his way to the corner, Goto crawls, hot tags to Callum and Hashi! Hashi dodges to fire a strike fest! Hashi CHOPS and Callum goes to the corner. Hashi storms up to CHOP again! Hashi turns Callum, Callum slips free to shove, trip, and DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up, Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises again.
Callum drags Hashi up, but Hashi suplexes! Callum slips free, waistlocks, but Hashi RAMS him into a corner! Goto runs up and LARIATS! Hashi CLUBS Cobb off the apron! Hashi whips Callum but Callum BOOTS Goto! And then Callum jumps Hashi’s basement dropkick to DOUBLE STOMP! Cobb storms in and he deadlift suplexes Hashi! Callum adds a PENALTY KICK! Cover, Goto breaks it! The fans fire up but Cobb TOSSES Goto! Cobb goes out after Goto again while Callum brings Hashi up. Cobb runs up but someone crashes into railing! Hashi avoids Callum’s Oscutter, then blocks a kick to fire a forearm!
Callum fires back and the fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Callum wobbles, Hashi fires a flurry! Hashi spins to COHP! Callum falls, kips up and ENZIGIRIS! Callum runs, but Goto is back, and he LARIATS Callum! Bishamon stands Callum up! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! They call their shot and get Callum back up! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Callum kicks free! Goto suplexes, Callum knees free! Goto waistlocks, spins Callum around, and Hashi LARIATS at the ropes! Then full nelson, but Callum BOOTS Goto and STUNNRES Hashi! Victory roll, TWO!! Cobb drags Goto out to send him into railing!
Hashi ducks a roundhouse to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi sees Callum tumble to a corner but Cobb runs up to ROCK Hashi! Goto gets in, Cobb ROCKS him, too! Cobb fires more shots, but gets caught into an URA GTR! Hashi LARIATS Cobb down! The fans fire up and Hashi roars! Callum SUPERKICKS Hashi! And DREAMCAST KICKS Goto! Hashi runs up, into a JUMP KNEE! Callum springboards, OSCU- NO, Goto catches him! Hashi has the legs! SHOTO!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Cobb & Callum earn 0)
A fast and furious finish, and it was certainly lights out for Callum! The United Empire’s dream of facing each other in the finals is in jeopardy, but is the dream of the four-peat about to come true for Goto & Hashi?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
TMDK is on the ropes in both blocks, their hopes of a mighty battle in Kumamoto is no longer possible. But can The Front Man & Mullet stay strong until the end? Or will the Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast keep World Tag League tranquilo?
The teams sort out, LIJ fist bumps, and the fans rally up as Oiwa steps up to Yota. Yota grins, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. Yota and Oiwa circle, feel things out, then circle. They tie up, Oiwa spins to hammerlock, but Yota reaches back to headlock. Oiwa powers out and wrangles Yota into a headlock. Yota fights up, fires body shots, then hammerlocks in return. Oiwa slips around to switch the hammerlock onto Yota, but Yota switches and full nelsons. Oiwa fights that, so Yota spins him to a snapmare. Yota chinlocks but Oiwa slips right out to hammerlock! Oiwa then hooks the other arm and brings Yota into a cover, TWO!
Oiwa keeps on Yota with a double wristlock but Yota fights up to headlock. Yota hits a takeover, Oiwa headscissors, and Oiwa holds on tight! Yota fights around, pops out and has Oiwa’s legs trapped! Oiwa endures, Yota floats to a headlock but Oiwa again headscissors. Yota kips free this time but Oiwa goes up and hits a headscissor takedown! The fans fire up while Oiwa pushes up to put on the pressure. Yota fights around, ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go of Yota to stomp him down, then he brings Yota up to CHOP! Oiwa CHOPS Yota at the ropes, then runs, but Takagi jumps in! LIJ DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Oiwa down!
The fans fire up and Takagi SENTONS! Yota BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this but Yota brings him up. Yota CHOPS Oiwa, but Oiwa comes back for more. Yota CHOPS again, but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa CHOPS, ROCKS, and fires more forearms! But Yota CHOPS Oiwa down! The fans fire up and Yota runs, but Oiwa dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up again as Oiwa hurries, tag to ZSJ! ZSJ drags Yota around by a leg, has a standing toehold, and he twists and tweaks that foot! ZSJ turns Yota over and hooks up the legs. Yota resists as ZSJ goes for the arms, so ZSJ STOMPS the legs!
The fans fire up while Yota writhes, and ZSJ tags Oiwa. Oiwa storms up and grabs a leg for his own standing toehold. Yota endures, fights, but Oiwa YANKS the leg! Oiwa drags Yota around to YANK the leg again! Oiwa then tags ZSJ back in and ZSJ goes right after the leg, SPINNING TOEHOLD! ZSJ scissors the leg but Yota kicks with the free leg. But ZSJ grabs that and adds it on, DEATHLOCK! ZSJ pulls way back on it, and even has a headscissors! ZSJ again innovates with this modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow, but Yota endures and reaches out! Yota rolls over to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go to tag Oiwa.
Oiwa drags Yota up to dropkick the legs! Oiwa brings Yota up again, has a leg, but Yota fights the lift! Yota CLUBS away but Oiwa DRAGON SCREWS the leg instead! Tag back to ZSJ and ZSJ stalks Yota to a corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Yota, UPPERCUTS again, and then UPPERCUTS again! Yota falls over, ZSJ drags him around, and he stands on the leg before dropping into another DEATHLOCK! Yota endures as ZSJ stands up to put on the pressure! Takagi storms up to CHOP ZSJ! ZSJ stays standing but Takagi JABS, JABS and CHOPS, but ZSJ catches him! COBRA TWIST! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ has both LIJ behemoths!
Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets Takagi go, and then he drags Yota back by just walking! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa stomps Yota down. The fans rally up while Oiwa drags Yota up, and he RAMS Yota into an open corner. The fans rally and duel while Oiwa pulls the leg around ropes! Oiwa then KNEES the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Oiwa whips corner to corner. Yota manages to reach the other side, and Oiwa runs up. Oiwa blocks a boot, but Yota reels him in to then DOUBLE STOMP! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Yota hot tags Takagi! Takagi CLOBBERS Oiwa, BLASTS ZSJ, and shouts, “Mada mada! <Not done yet!>”
Takagi runs in at the corner, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through! The fans fire up with Takagi and he JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Red Shoes counts, Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, but ZSJ storms in! ZSJ wrenches the arm, CLUBS it, then he and Oiwa double whip. Takagi grabs ropes, comes back, but into DOUBLE BOOTS! Takagi stays up, clinches Oiwa and kicks ZSJ! DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up again as Takagi suplexes Oiwa high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi tells Kochi, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi rises, brings Oiwa up, but Oiwa fires a forearm!
Takagi shakes that off and comes back to ROCK Oiwa! Oiwa fires another forearm, but Takagi fires back! The forearms go back and forth and the fans rally up again! Takagi JABS, JABS, and JABS! Oiwa LARIATS! Oiwa roars, runs, but Takagi LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Oiwa comes back into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Yota runs in to BLAST ZSJ off the apron! LIJ brings Oiwa up and they double whip. Oiwa breaks the double chops to DECK Yota and DROPKICK Takagi! The fans fire up as everyone is down! Oiwa crawls over, ZSJ is back, and ZSJ tags in!
ZSJ storms up to UPPERCUT Takagi, then UPPERCUT again! And again! Takagi eggs ZSJ on, then blocks a boot! But ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! Takagi flounders to a corner, and ZSJ almost parodies Takagi. ZSJ runs up to UPPERCUT, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this but ZSJ stays focused. The fans fire up as ZSJ aims, and KICKS! Takagi blocks! Takagi puts ZSJ’s leg in the ropes, fires JAB after JAB, then DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! ZSJ flops over and clutches that leg but fans cheer as Takagi rises again.
Takagi grabs a leg, has a standing toehold, then steps through. ZSJ boots Takagi away, Takagi comes back, but ZSJ avoids the sliding lariat to grab that arm! ZSJ hammerlocks, traps, and TWISTS! The fans fire up while ZSJ sits back to clutch his leg and Takagi clutches that elbow. ZSJ clamps back onto the arm, twists the wrist and SNAPS fingers! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ digs elbows into Takagi’s back. ZSJ then drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT the arm again and again! Takagi fights the takedown to ELBOW! YUKON- NO, ZSJ blocks to PELE the arm! ZSJ BOOTS Takagi, then catches Takagi on the rebound!
ZSJ isolates the arm and STOMPS! Then he scoops, but Takagi slips free! Takagi suplexes, ZSJ fights it, so Takagi hits a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! ZSJ and Takagi crawl, hot tags to Oiwa and Yota! Oiwa dodges to headlock but Yota powers right out. They RAM shoulders, and both men fire up! They fire forearms back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! Yota gets the edge and ROCKS Oiwa! Yota runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs to SPINNING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again and Oiwa grabs a leg! SHIN BREAKER!
Oiwa trips Yota, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Oiwa thrashes the hold as Yota endures! Yota pushes at the main leg, but Oiwa pulls on Yota’s legs! Yota endures, reaches out, but Oiwa pushes up for more pressure! Yota fights, crawls, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Oiwa lets go of the hold. Takagi coaches Yota but Oiwa SPLASHES down on the leg! And then drops knee after knee onto it! Red shoes reprimands as Yota again has ropes, so Oiwa stands Yota up. Oiwa whips, Yota reverses, and Yota kitchen sink knees! And then basement DROPKCIKS! Takagi runs up to BLAST ZSJ down!
Takagi checks on Yota, and the fans rally up. Yota stands and Takagi runs in, to ELBOW Oiwa! Takagi feeds Oiwa to Yota’s BOOT, then Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Oiwa staggers and Yota brings him in. LIJ hits a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans fire up again. Yota drags Oiwa up, Takagi wheelbarrows, but ZSJ CLOBBERS Yota! Takagi KNEES and TOSSES ZSJ out hard! LIJ double whip Oiwa, then duck Oiwa’s counter lariats! Takagi fireman’s carries Oiwa to TOSS him to Yota’s KICK! That was like the Aussie Open Dental Plan! The fans fire up as Yota hauls Oiwa up to the top rope!
Yota climbs up after Oiwa and fires up! The fans fire up with him, and Yota SUPERPLEXES Oiwa! Oiwa sits up, into a SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Yota covers, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Takagi TOSSES ZSJ out again! Takagi goes out to stomp away on ZSJ, and Yota grins as he rises up again. Yota powers up, aims at Oiwa, GENE- NO, Oiwa hurdles over, and ZSJ catches Yota into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ then suplexes, but Yota slips free! ZSJ switches to have the COBRA TWIST! Red Shoes reprimands, but Yota HIP TOSSES free! ZSJ UP KICKS, Oiwa UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Oiwa DAIGOSHIKIPLEXES! Cover, Takagi breaks it!
ZSJ BOOTS Takagi back out, then pursues. Oiwa fires up, and he clamps on a SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing right as Oiwa spins Yota! Yota ducks The Grip, and PUMPING BOMBER hits! But ZSJ runs in at Takagi to BOOT! Takagi comes back, ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT- NO, ZSJ slips free! PENALTY KICK! But Takagi’s right back up! PUMPING BOMBER!! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Takagi! GENE- LARIAT?!? Oiwa takes Yota down first, but he also falls over! The fans are thunderous as ALL FOUR MEN are on the mat!
ZSJ and Takagi roll out to the aprons, and the fans rally as hard as they can as Oiwa drags himself up! Yota crawls to the corner, and Oiwa runs in! Oiwa LARIATS, then he suplexes! Yota fights that, wrenches and swings, but Oiwa catches him and spins him! But Yota suplexes first! Oiwa fights that, slips around to waistlock, but Yota fights the lift! Yota switches, Oiwa fights, and then Oiwa switches to have a SLEEPER! Yota snapmares free, and SUPERKICKS! Oiwa staggers, Yota roars and runs, but Oiwa gets around! SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as we hit 20 minutes! Yota runs up again, but Oiwa gets back around, SNAP GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Yota escapes! Oiwa hurries to his feet, and he storms over to a corner. The fans fire up with Oiwa, ZSJ keeps Takagi from getting to the corner, and Oiwa DIVING BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that simple yet effective splash, but Oiwa roars! Oiwa gut wrenches, DOCTOR- RANA from Yota! SUPERKICK! Oiwa roars, but Yota’s GENE TRIGGER hits! Oiwa falls back and now Yota roars! The fans are thunderous again and Yota goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up, to MAROON CRUSH! Cover, ZSJ drags Yota back with an ANKLE LOCK! Takagi CLUBS ZSJ and has a STANDING CROSSFACE!
ZSJ lets Yota go to slip free of Takagi! ZSJ fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT on Takagi, but then Yota catches ZSJ! Spin and wheelbarrow, then BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! ZSJ flounders out and the fans fire up with LIJ! “OI! OI! OI!” Yota sets up in the corner, Takagi stands Oiwa up, PUMP- NO, Oiwa shoves Takagi away and rolls Yota up! TWO!!! Yota escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Takagi CLUBS away on Oiwa, he and Yota double whip, but Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans are thunderous again and Oiwa roars! Oiwa rises, brings Yota up, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and shocks Oiwa!
The fans are electric as Oiwa rises again. Oiwa sits Yota up into the SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing as Yota fights up, but here comes Takagi! Oiwa ducks, ZSJ catches Takagi into a SLEEPER! ZSJ tells Oiwa now’s the time! IRON OCTOPUS on Takagi, and THE- GENE BLASTER POINT BLANK!! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER for ZSJ!! The fans are thunderous again while ZSJ flops out of the ring! Takagi shouts that they’re not done! Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars, Yota rises, and Oiwa is set up for the PUMPING BLASTER!!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)
Another fast ‘n’ furious fight that Oiwa just could not win out! And now, Oiwa & ZSJ are ELIMINATED from the finals! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they simply have to fall back on other plans for WrestleKingdom?
As for LIJ, Yota shows Oiwa respect by standing him up and raising his hand. Oiwa shakes free, not wanting Yota’s pity, so Yota BOOTS him down! ZSJ lets it be while he and Takagi raise their titles at each other. The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion helps his young teammate out of there while the NEVER Openweight Champion stays in the ring. Yota then grabs the mic to say, “Oi, Kochi. Finally…” Takagi says, “Our time has come!” The fans cheer that! Takagi repeats to Yota that their time has come. Yota recaps that they are now 4-2, and on top of the block! The fans cheer that!
Yota asks, “Hey, Takagi-san, you’re ready, right?” Takagi says, “Of course I’m ready! I’m totally ready! Now it’s time to make this really interesting. There’s no time like the present and no team like us to win this! We’re rampage to the end of this league.” The fans cheer that, and Yota tells Kochi and everyone watching to “keep your eye on us as we win this thing!” The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “Oi, Kochi, are you ready?!” The fans cheer because yes they are! Yota simply ends with, “We are winning this World Tag League.” Mic drop and LIJ heads out, but will they be headed to Kumamoto?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 4-2, 8 points
Bishamon: 4-2, 8 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 4-2, 8 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Kenta & Chase Owens: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round for World Tag League, and A Block is dropping like flies compared to B Block. With three teams at 4-2, so many teams get wiped out here, despite the great matches everyone had. Kenta & Chase finish off Shota & Honma, but then Kenta & Chase are still out because Gabe & Sanada won. Bishamon of course stays in the running, their four-peat is a big story for them, and they take Cobb & Callum out of the running to cross off any chances of a United Empire finals. And as I said when this all started, WTL was not the real goal of ZSJ and Shota, they were just setting up their world title match at Tokyo Dome.
Though, ZSJ & Oiwa VS Takagi & Tsuji was an awesome main event with a lot riding on it because had ZSJ & Oiwa won, they might’ve eliminated LIJ from the running. Hard to tell say, given LIJ lost to Bishamon and to Kenta & Chase but beat everyone else. But I guess if Takagi VS Konosuke is a WrestleDynasty thing, then maybe he and Yota can battle for the tag titles at WrestleKingdom. Though, that might telegraph Khan & Henare winning since Takagi would be bringing the tag titles along to a match with Konosuke Takeshita. Maybe? NJPW’s plans could be up in the air even now for all I know.
My Score: 8.9/10
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OHHH Monday Night Raw! Don’t you DARE be sour!
At least, we hope things won’t be sour given last week’s tense moment between Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Can the Power of Positivity prevail on this night, the TENTH ANNIVERSARY of ya bois, the New Day?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL; Liv & Raquel win.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Dakota Kai VS Katana Chance VS Shayna Baszler; Dakota wins and advances to the next round.
- Gunther VS Dominik Mysterio; Gunther wins.
- R-Truth VS Pete Dunne; Truth wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
CM Punk arrives backstage!
And as he heads to gorilla, he says hey to Jey Uso & Sami Zayn. They feel great after their win at WarGames, and even Sami shakes Punk’s hand. Punk continues on as his music begins, and while Everett, Washington may not be Seattle, they go supersonic for The Best in the World! And yes, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk signs autographs before he goes to the ring, and fans cheer more as Punk does a quick lap before grabbing a mic. Punk takes a moment as the fans chant his name, and he says, “Is it good to be alive in Everett, Washington on a Monday night or what?!” The fans cheer that!
Punk says to those at home, it is SOLD OUT here in Everett! And the last time you saw Punk, he stood on that ramp, fresh from a possible career ending Hell in a Cell match, and he said he wasn’t sure what the future held for CM Punk. He had a lot of things to consider. And now some deja vu, here he is, life and in living color, fresh from a possibly career ending WarGames, and now Punk knows exactly where he’s going. He’s less beat up than he was after Hell in a Cell. We can all tell, Punk put the personal issues aside, handled business with Drew McIntyre, then handled some personal business for his friend, Paul Heyman.
The fans cheer that, and Punk gets up on the corner to tell us that he knows what the future holds. Punk points to where a sign would be, and he wants us to imagine it with him. He can see it. For his entire career, everyone said it wasn’t there. They couldn’t see the vision. The sign isn’t hanging in Everett, but oh, ladies and gentlemen, Punk sees it. Punk knows what the future holds. There are many roads you can take to get there, different ways you can finish your story, and the Royal Rumble’s around the corner. That could be the road he takes, or maybe it’s Elimination Chamber. All roads Punk’s taken have been dead-ends, but he has a favor to call upon to get where he needs to go!
Punk invites all of us to come on the journey with him! And- “BURN IT DOWN!” Here comes Seth Rollins! Punk sighs as the Visionary struts out in a very shiny pewter colored suit, or maybe more clay, and then he heads to the ring. Rollins takes off his amber colored sunglasses before he goes into the ring, and the fans sing for him, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins has a mic of his own now, and now the suit appears a bit more the color of hot cocoa. The fans fire up seeing both Rollins and Punk in the ring, and the dueling chants are on! Punk and Rollins stare down from opposite corners, and Rollins speaks first.
“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot. I really shoulda knocked your ass out the same day you came back to the WWE.” The fans are torn on that, but Rollins says he has regretted that every single day of the past year. And over this past year, a lot has gotten in the way. Punk got hurt, Rollins had titles to defend, Rollins had a Bloodline to take down… And the last time Rollins saw Punk, Rollins was this close to taking his shot. But Rollins had pity on Punk, because Punk had just come out of Hell in a Cell and was hanging on by a thread. Rollins showed pity, and that was Rollins’ mistake.
After Saturday, seeing Punk there triumphant next to Roman Reigns, it all became clear that it was time to rectify Rollins’ mistakes. The fans are again torn, but Rollins says that as we stand here right now… Rollins takes off his jacket and says there is nothing in the way. There is only air and hatred, and Rollins has a feeling in his gut that TONIGHT is the night he knocks CM Punk on his ass!! The fans are again torn but Punk just smirks. Punk finally says, “You talk too much, and you don’t listen enough. I just came out here and I said I put all the personal stuff aside. I’m long past running races with people I didn’t even know I was running.
Six months ago, Rollins was a champion, he had something Punk wanted. But now, Rollins has nothing! The fans are torn on that one, but Punk says he knows where he’s going, and what’s in his future. Rollins, kid, you ain’t it. Rollins has been thinking about Punk for six months? Punk doesn’t think about Rollins at all! Punk has things to do in this business, so just stay out of his business. The fans fire up and they wanna see this fight! Rollins tells Punk, “You talk too much, and you don’t listen enough! This is MY business!” Rollins DECKS Punk! The fans fire up, Punk gets up, and the brawl is on! But Sami & Jey hurry out here!
Sami & Jey separate Rollins and Punk, the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but both Punk and Rollins want more! The fans want more, too! Rollins dares Punk to bring it, but Punk listens to level heads and hops out of the ring. Adam Pearce is there, as are producers, but Rollins grabs his mic again. “C’mon! Am I your business now? C’mon now!” Punk rushes in! Rollins stomps at Punk, the producers pull Punk back and Rollins says fine, get him outta here. Yeah, yeah, go on, Punk! Go on, Jey! Run along to Roman! Sami grabs a mic to tell Rollins hey, no! Sami gets Rollins is angry, but he doesn’t get to talk to Jey that way.
The fans cheer and Rollins tells Sami yeah, fine, Sami’s right. That was family, that’s fine, Rollins is just pissed, he shouldn’t have gone there. But Jey is Roman’s family, what’s Sami’s excuse? Sami ain’t family. Sami stares at Rollins, and fans chant “Sami Uso!” Rollin says oh, ha-ha, yeah, Rollins loves Sami Uso. But if Sami’s family with Roman, then he should really be family with Rollins! Rollins and Sami have known each other way longer than they’ve known Jey or Roman. They came up int he business together, up and down the roads for over 20 YEARS together! They’re family, and yet Sami stabbed Rollins in the back when Sami teamed with Punk!
Sami stops Rollins there to bring up how Sami didn’t ask for Punk. Did Rollins think Sami wanted Punk as a partner in WarGames? No, he didn’t. But Punk was willing to help when the OGs were down a man! Sami didn’t want to take his help, he wanted Rollins! Sami asked Rollins, TWICE, and he’ll remind Rollins that Rollins said no TWICE. The OG Bloodline wouldn’t have needed Punk if Rollins had teamed with them, but Rollins is just too damn stubborn! The fans really fire up hearing that one. Rollins gets a headache, and he asks if he’s losing his mind. Can Sami remind Rollins what Sami even wanted him to team with them to do?
What did Sami want Rollins to team with them for? Oh yeah, to help Roman Reigns! To help that monster to regain their power! Sami says “that monster” was created by Rollins! Rollins created that monster when he put the chair in Roman’s back TEN YEARS AGO! So don’t act like Rollins’ hands are clean in this. Rollins says he is in no way acting innocent. He understands completely what he has done. He understands the sins he committed. Rollins understands that the chair shot to Roman’s back was the motivation for “The Tribal Chief.” Rollins has apologized and atoned for that.
But if we’re pointing fingers for stabbing people in the back, then Sami needs to look in the mirror and see he did the same damn thing! And Rollins doesn’t fault Sami for it, because Sami did it for the right reasons! Roman is the scum of the earth! He treated Sami like crap, he treated Jey like crap, every single person was supposed to bow down to Roman. Rollins understands why Sami did what he did, why they ALL did what they did at WrestleMania 40, what they sacrificed in order to take down The Bloodline! Does Sami not remember this? Get it through your head: Roman Reigns has NOT changed!
Has Roman apologized to Sami? To Jey? To ANYONE? Even a shred of remorse? No. Roman hasn’t changed, and “that snake” CM Punk sure hasn’t! Stubbornness is NOT the issue here. Sami’s naivety is! He’s gullible! That’s the issue. And really, Sami’s just being stupid. The fans aren’t so sure about that, and Sami says that Rollins is really angry, with a lot of frustration. If Rollins wants to blow off some steam, then Sami has no problem meeting him in this ring tonight! The fans fire up for that! Rollins says fine by him. Rollins drops the mic and pushes past Sami, but who pays for Rollins simply lashing out?
The Judgment Day is in their clubhouse.
Finn Balor tells everyone that he warned Damian Priest months ago: Finn would be lying in wait for the moment Priest thinks he’s finally done with Finn, and then- Liv Morgan interrupts. Didn’t they agree that Finn was going to leave Priest alone? Finn says oh, well, yeah, but that’s when Dominik was going to handle it. But seeing as lil’ Dom Dom couldn’t get the job done, Finn handled it himself. And now instead of Priest walking around here with the World Heavyweight Championship on his arm, he’s walking around with an arm in a sling.
And Liv, maybe if they’d all listened to Finn, her team might not have lost at WarGames. And now, Liv has to worry about Iyo Sky facing her for the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event! Sis, she’s got a lot to worry about. Liv says yes, that is right. She and Raquel have Damage CTRL to focus on, so that’s what they’ll do. She just hopes Finn knows what he’s doing. Oh, Finn knows. See? He and JD are still WWE World Tag Team Champions. And when everyone listens to Finn, Judgment Day wins. Carlito likes that rhyme. Finn heads out, but Raquel asks what Finn means by that. Liv isn’t sure. But Liv wants Dom to keep an eye on Finn while Liv & Raquel have their match.
Dirty Dom says no problem, and he heads out after The Prince. Liv & Raquel head to gorilla, and JD goes back to WWE 2K. Is everything (not) fine with Judgment Day?
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL!
Well, as Finn just said, the Women’s World Championship is now set to be on the line on December 14th, Saturday Night’s Main Event! Will Lil’ Liv & Big Mami Cool be rolling towards Long Island? Or will The Evil Genius & Pirate Princess start to take control?
The teams sort out, and Raquel BOOTS Kairi down at the bell! Then she BLASTS Iyo! The fans boo but Raquel drags Kairi up. Raquel TOSSES Kairi to the Judgment Day corner, then tags Liv. The fans boo as Raquel scoops and SLAMS Kairi, then Liv becomes her weapon! POWERBOMB SENTON! Cover, Iyo breaks it! The afns fire up but Raquel TOSSES Iyo out! Raquel tells Iyo to stay out, but Liv runs at Kairi. Kairi BOOTS Liv, then runs up to BLOCKBUSTER! Kairi crawls, Liv drags her back, but Kairi ENZIGIRIS! Th efans fire up while both women are down, and Kairi crawls again! Hot tag to Iyo!
The fans fire up as Iyo SHOTEIS Liv! And SHOTEIS again! DROPKICK! Liv tumbles and Iyo kips up! Iyo runs up to ELBOW Liv, then brings her around, only for Liv to throw Iyo at ropes! Iyo BOOTS in return, then goes out to the aprno. Raquel sings, Iyo blocks to SHOTEI! And JAWBREAKER! Iyo KICKS Raquel into ropes, then slingshots to DROPKICK Raquel down! Not the cleanest hit, but Liv waistlocks! Iyo switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Liv tumbles to a corner and Iyo fires up! The fans fire up as Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN! Iyo has Liv in the drop zone and climbs up! Th efans fire up again, but Liv trips Iyo up!
Iyo is in a Tree of Woe and Liv hurries away. Tag to Raquel and Raquel hoists Iyo right up! TEXANA- RAAN!! Raquel avoids hitting buckles, and grins, but Kairi tags in! Raquel runs up, Iyo POSTS her! Kairi AX KICKS and shoves Raquel down! Iyo goes up again, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Raquel is down, and Kairi is up top! The fans fire up for the IN-SANE ELBOW! Cover, LIV BREAKS IT! Liv saves it with nanoseconds to spare, but Iyo TOSSES Liv back out! The fans fire up as Iyo DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Kairi brings Raquel up, but has to dodge a lairat! Kairi fires fast hands, an URAKEN, and another URAKEN!
The fans fire up as Kairi roars, but Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel deadlifts Kairi for the TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel & Liv win!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall
But they’re not done as Raquel stomps away on Iyo! Liv joins in, but HERE COMES RHEA! The fans fire up as Mami runs in, but Liv runs away! Rhea and Raquel throw hands! Rhea HEADBUTTS Raquel, then pump handles! RIP- NO, Raquel fights free, and she CLUBS Rhea in the bad eyebrow! But Rhea UP KICKS! And she LARIATS Raquel up and out! The fans fire up and Rhea goes out to DRIBBLE Raquel off the desk! Liv attacks Rhea! Rhea has Liv as a backpack, and she POSTS her! Liv crumbles, but Raquel BOOTS Rhea! And THROWS her into the desk! Rhea hits the edge!! The fans boo and security rushes out while Rhea clutches her face!
Rhea rises up but Liv laughs as she and Raquel fall back. Rhea wants more, but security keeps her back for her own safety. When and where will Mami Rhea have her revenge?
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Cathy Kelley is with Der Ring General, only to be interrupted by Finn & Dom. Finn tells Gunther, “Hey, Champ. I think you owe me a title match. It was the second time that you faced Damian for the title, and it was the second time that you walked out as champion. And it was the second time because of me! So instead of kicking me in the face, you should’ve been shaking my hand! So, for the second time, I think you owe me a title match.” Gunther says he doesn’t owe Finn anything. He didn’t want Finn’s help, he never needed Finn’s help, and while Finn was plotting this all along, Gunther had a terrible time leading up to Survivor Series.
Gunther needed to win this by himself, and for himself. And that is what Finn took away from him. Oh, well, does he want to face him then? Dom keeps putting up the two fingers and Gunther slaps them down. Why’s Dom so cocky, huh? Oh, right, Gunther knows why. Because unlike Finn, Dom scored a win over Priest. And y’know what? Gunther thinks Dom deserves something for that. Gunther’s feeling rather generous right now. As World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther has leverage around here. Gunther will talk with Adam Pearce. Dom smiles, but then he stops as Finn looks at him. Will Dirty Dom of all people get a title match with Gunther?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Dakota Kai VS Katana Chance VS Shayna Baszler!
Speaking of title matches, everyone in this tournament is deserving, but only those who win will get what they want! To parallel SmackDown’s Women’s United States Championship Tournament, we hold a round of Triple Threats that boil down to singles matches. Tonight, it is #CobraKai, one half of KC Squared, and the Queen of Spades, who defies the odds to head for gold?
The bell rings and Shayna goes right at Dakota! Katana jumps on Shayna, but Shayna throws her off! Dakota DROPKICKS Shayna, BOOTS Katana, then runs up to GAMANGIRI Shayan to the floor! The fans fire up and Dakota builds speed, to DIVE into a HAYMAKER! Shayna drags Dakota up to THROW her into the desk! But Katana PLANCHAS Shayna! The fans fire up with the American Ninja as she says it’s finally her time! Katana stands over Shayna while Raw goes picture in picture.
The ref checks Dakota, she’s okay, and Katana gets Shayna in the ring. Katana then rolls her to a sunset flip, TWO! Katan whips, Shayna reverses, but Katan goes up and up and LEAPS, but Shayan catches her! Shayan pops Katana up to a suplex! Cover, TWO! Katana sputters but Shayna drags her into a wristlock. Shayna twists the wrist and pulls on the arm. Dakota crawls in, Shayna twists Katana’s arm more, but Katana fights up! Shayna CLUBS Katan, then gut wrench SLAMS her! Cover, Dakota breaks it! Dakota then drags Shayna up, but Shayna fights the suplex! Shayan wrenches, Dakota fires forearms and an ENZIGIRI!
Shayna staggers to a corner, Dakota runs in for a BOOT WASH! Katana rolls Dakota up! TWO, and Dakota kicks Katana. Dakota TOSSES Katana out, then goes Around the World! Shayna dodges the boot to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, Katana breaks it! Katana SPIN KICKS, LEG SWEEPS, and then runs, but Shayna blows past her! Katana runs back in but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Katana sputters and flounders, but Shayna brings her up. Shayna wrenches the arm and has a top wristlock! Katana endures being bent around, and she fights up, but Shayna wrangles her down. Shayna isolates the arm, but Dakota runs up!
Shayna catches Dakota, wrangles her arm, and then STOMPS Katana! Dakota flails, but Shayna- NO, Dakota avoids that stomp, which she knows too well! Raw returns to single picture as Dakota fires shots! Shayan shoves Dakota but Dakota comes back to FLYING MARE! Shayna ends up in a corner, Dakota runs in, to BOOT! Shayna flops to the apron, Dakota puts her in ropes! JUMP STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives and Dakota grows frustrated. Dakota drags Shayna into a drop zone and goes up the corner. The fans fire up but Shayna GAMANGIRIS Dakota! Shayna climbs up after Dakota now, but Katana joins in!
The fans fire up as Katana pulls Shayna from the corner! Dakota HEADBUTTS Shayna, but Shayan ROCKS Dakota! Shayna ROCKS Katana, then has Dakota back up! Dakota fires body shots and Shayna falls back! Dakota adjusts, and she STOMPS Shayna down! But then Katana ROCKS Dakota! Katana goes up to SUPER STEINER Dakota onto Shayna! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives so Katana covers Dakota! TWO!! The fans fire up while Katana is beside herself! Katana drags Dakota up, whips, but Dakota reverses. Shayna waistlocks Dakota, Dakota elbows free! But Katana BOOTS Dakota! Katana then uses Dakota as a step to FLYING RAN- NO, Shayna blocks!
Shayna swings Katana up, fireman’s carries, but Katana slips free! O’Conner Roll, Dakota DDTS Katana! Shayna KNEES Dakota! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and the fans fire up! Shayna is seething but she goes to a corner. Shayna aims at Dakota, runs back up, but she has to KNEE Katana away first! Dakota victory rolls Shayna! TWO!! Shayna escapes, but Dakota dodges to SCORPION KICK! And then fireman’s carry, for the DETONATION- NO, Shayna has the leg! Shayna yanks Dakota up, KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Body scissors, but Katana is up top! Dakota rolls free, 450 SPLASH on Shayna!!
Dakota fireman’s carries Katana! DETONATION KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Fast and furious to say the least, but Dakota is now moving on! The brackets show that either Zoey Stark, Kayden Carter or Raquel Rodriguez is next, will someone come back to avenge their teammate? Or will former teammates in Dakota and Raquel have it out in the semifinals?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The Raw General Manager says, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight in commemoration and celebration of the incredible ten-year anniversary of the most decorated tag team in WWE History! Without any further ado, please join me in welcoming Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston, The NEW~ DAY~!” The fans fire up as Woods & Kofi make their way out. The ring and stage are decorated with balloons, as well as props representing the best moments of the team’s career. Kofi shakes hands with Pearce, then starts passing out pancakes. Woods also shakes hands with Pearce, and the fans cheer as Woods throws more pancakes.
Pearce says, “Gentlemen, congratulations. This ring and this moment, this night is yours. But if I may be so bold, to speak on behalf of the WWE Universe, I think we all would love to let you know how much we think New Day Rocks.” The fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods & Kofi grab mics, the cheering gets louder, and they’re a bit emotional. Woods says, “IT’S YA BOIS, THE NEW~ DAY~!” Woods wanted to come out here and say that being a part of the WWE, and being successful in the WWE for ten years… Getting to this point is so much than they could ever dreamed when they started.
So Woods wants to thank each and every one out here. Kofi says yes, it’s been one hell of a ride. Never in Kofi’s wildest dreams would he have thought they’d achieve so many accolades and accomplishments. And have so much fun while doing it! They could not have done it without each other, and you know who else? Who? Who, who? Yes, that’s right, each and every one of the fans! The fans cheer for “EEE~! E! E! E!” Woods says yes, they miss him, too. But with all this said, Woods & Kofi wanted to be face-to-face with the fans to say “what we’re about to tell you… Is not your fault.” What?
Woods says the New Day has nothing but love for each and every one of the fans. Kofi says that he and Woods, they’ve talked. And especially in light of last week… They both feel that when it comes to “The New Day” going forward… WAIT! BIG E IS HERE?!? The fans are all fired up, and both Woods & Kofi are excited to see the man himself! Big E walks his way out to the ring, finally on Raw again after almost four years! Big E joins his boys in the ring, the fans cheer on “E! E! E!” and Big E takes it all in. Big E says he can’t thank us all enough. But he wishes he was here under different circumstances.
Because to see Woods & Kofi argue and bicker and say some of the most hurtful things they could to each other… That troubled Big E’s soul something deep. When they started The New Day ten years ago, they were all they had! Kofi, ten years ago, you were mulling over retirement because your passion was beaten out of you! Woods, ten years ago, you and Big E were each this close to getting fired! And on one of the worst days of Big E’s life, the scariest moment of his career, Woods and Kofi were at his hospital bedside making sure he was good! The fans cheer that!
Big E wants Kofi to remember, that Big E was in a neck brace just a few months after Kofi’s daughter was born, and yet Kofi, his wife, and baby Lotus were in Big E’s home so Big E could hold Lotus. When Woods got back after winning King of the Ring, Big E was one of the first to greet him, tears spilling out of Woods’ eyes! The fans cheer those moments, too. Big E says what they built here means something to a lot of people. The fans also cheer that, and Big E says for damn sure, it means a lot to him. “So, until I am medically cleared to return to this ring… I am going to remind the two of you exactly who you are.”
The fans fire up as Big E says he will be here to cheer for them, root for them, uplift then, EVERY SINGLE WEEK! Big E will serve as the team’s manager! The fans cheer Big E on while Woods and Kofi both look a little guilty. The fans cheer on, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods lifts his mic and says, “Now? Now you wanna come back? After you watched us fight for months? After you watched us argue to the edge of the cliff, and the last thing left to do was jump!? NOW you wanna come back? E, you left us.” The fans boo as Woods is being so negative! Big E says he broke his NECK! What is he saying, “left them?!”
But now KOFI says it, too! “YOU LEFT US!!” Yeah, Big E broke his neck. SO WHAT!? WHAT?!? Stone Cold Steve Austin broke his neck and came back! Kurt Angle broke his neck and came back! Edge broke his neck and came back! They didn’t even have people here waiting for them! Big E had family who kept the lights on, so he’d have something familiar to walk back into. And what’d Big E do with that? NOTHING! Woods & Kofi didn’t change, they didn’t evolve, at their own deficit, for Big E.
Kofi stops Big E from saying anything, and he says that as BIG as E is, as STRONG as E is, and the fact he never even needed surgery for it, he’s trying to say he couldn’t have been back here sooner if he wanted to? Big E says he was meeting with doctors, getting scans, MRIs and- Yeah, they heard it all before. Woods tore his Achilles off the bone, had surgery, and was back in nine months, for Big E. If Big E really, truly cared about The New Day, he would’ve been back a long time ago! He would’ve been by their side, encouraging and cheering them on this entire time, galvanizing them! But NO, he chose his new life over them!
Big E chose his projects and his GIRLFRIEND over them! Big E chose his DESK JOB over The New Day! In fact, listen up: Does Big E even realize the burden he’s become? No matter where New Day goes, the fans always say, “We Miss E!” As if Kofi & Woods didn’t! But obviously Big E didn’t miss them. The fans boo but Kofi says their philosophy since day one has been about brotherhood over anything else! We Before Me! But E… Broken neck or not, Big E chose Big E over The New Day! The fans boo but Woods keeps going: Let’s stop teasing all these fans. Let’s tell them the truth: BIG E WILL NEVER BE MEDICALLY CLEARED!
And since that’s the case… Why doesn’t Big E just get the hell out of this ring and get back to his desk where he belongs? And then they’ll call him, if they need him. The fans boo even more and Big E is as stunned as anyone that The New Day would say these things. Big E says he is not letting them throw this away like that! Not after a decade! They can fix this! Big E wants to hug it out, but Kofi keeps him at a distance. Woods doesn’t even look at Big E. Big E can’t believe it. Just like that, the group is over? Big E asks if they mean this. The fans chant “BIG! E ROCKS!” but he has no choice but to exit the ring.
With Big E gone, Kofi & Woods look at each other now. They say it’s just them now? They united over treating their other friend like nothing, and the fans boo as hard as they can! New Day is now just Two Day, did they just kill the Power of Positivity?
Karrion Kross speaks.
“Throughout my life, I have done some really terrible things to people. Which I’m actually quite proud of. So I have a tolerance for when people wanna do something back to me. But last week… He sent that creature after MY WIFE. And words are not gonna get me what I want, which is exactly each and every one of them in the arena next week. He used Scarlett to get to me. CONGRATULATIONS, because it worked! But just remember: You started this fire, and now I am going to make sure you burn in it. Tick-tock.” The Wyatts have escalated things with the Final Testament, who survives when these forces of nature clash?
Gunther VS Dominik Mysterio!
Der Ring General didn’t appreciate The Prince interfering with his match at Survivor Series, nor did he for SummerSlam, but perhaps as passive aggressive payback, he’s letting Dirty Dom face him 1v1. And furthermore, Dom is telling Carlito & JD McDonagh to stay in the back? Does Dom really think he can handle Gunther all on his own? Or will Gunther use Dom to send a warning to everyone about pissing him off?
The bell rings, and Dom SHOVES Gunther! Gunther scowls but Dom eggs him on. The fans fire up as the two circle, and they tie up. Dom facelocks, but Gunther lifts Dom right up and puts him on the apron. The ref counts, Dom lets go, and Gunther pats Dom on the head. Dom SLAPS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Dom! The fans fire up more as Gunther goes out, brings Dom up, but Dom RANAS Gunther into POST! Dom hurries into the ring, builds speed, and he WRECKS Gunther with a dropkick! Then Dom DIVES! Down goes Gunther and Dom flexes! The fans boo but Dom is standing tall while Raw goes picture in picture.
Dom waits on Gunther, and Gunther settles down before storming back into the ring. They circle, feel things out, and Gunther powers Dom into a corner. The ref counts, Gunther lets off slowly, but Dom avoids a chop! Dom CHOPS, but Gunther just glares. Dom backs up as Gunther steps forward, and Gunther grabs Dom again! Gunther TOSES Dom, but Dom avoids the chop to CHOP! Gunther is just getting angrier, but Dom keeps his distance. Dom then slides under, only for Gunther to turn on a dime! Gunther kicks low, whips, but Dom ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Gunther to scoop! Gunther pops Dom up to SLAM!
Dom writhes while Gunther looms over him. Dom wants mercy but Gunther just clamps on a facelock! Gunther then stands Dom up to CHOP! Dom sputters but Gunther is on him again. CHOP! Dom falls right over and Gunther paces. Dom sputters, Gunther eggs him on, and Dom CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Dom off his feet! Dom writhes while clutching his chest, but Gunther is back on him. Gunther snapmares Dom, to then NECK TWIST! Dom writhes even more, but Gunther stays close. Gunther stalks Dom to a corner while Raw returns to single picture. Gunther eggs Dom on so Dom fires body shots!
Dom kicks, Gunther blocks and DECKS Dom! Gunther then has the legs and flips Dom over, BOSTON CRAB! Dom endures, crawls, but Gunther drags him back to center! Dom fights the other way, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Gunther lets go at 4, and fans boo as Dom survives. Gunther storms up, not even upset about the blood trickling from his own chest, and he pie faces Dom around. Gunther mocks Latino Heat and brings Dom up again. Gunther CHOPS Dom, pie faces him, and eggs Dom on. Dom CHOPS again! Gunther CHOPS again! Dom drops to his knees, but stands back up.
Gunther pulls Dom’s hair and eggs him on. Dom CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires a flurry of forearms! Dom CHOPS, but Gunther grabs him by the face! CHOP, and SLEEPER! Dom grabs the ref, the ref cowers in the corner, Dom LOW BLOW MULE KICKS!! The fans boo but Dom 619s Gunther in the gut! Dom keeps moving, and he dropkicks Gunther onto ropes! Dom redials, 619!! Dom goes up and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Dom is shocked! Dom thinks on what he has to do, and somehow Everett has come around on him!? Dom brings Gunther up, but Gunther fights the suplex!
Gunther CHOPS, BOOTS, and he hauls Dom back up! GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
Dom put up a bigger fight than anyone expected, but it still wasn’t big enough to stop Gunther! But here comes Finn! Finn dodges Gunther to SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, and he SHOTGUNS Gunther down! Finn hurries up a corner while fans are again torn, but Finn still hits a COUP DE GRACE!! Finn smiles and says, “Watch and learn, kid.” Dom does watch as Finn goes back up, COUP DE GRACE!! The Prince isn’t done, he goes back up! CUOP DE GRACE!!!! Finn gets Gunther in the back, and then he holds up the world title! Finn puts it down on Gunther, and he grins. Finn says that’s how it’s done.
The Prince leaves, but he may have just put a target on his own back here. Will Der Ring General give Finn what he wants so he can also give Finn what he deserves?
Backstage interview with Pete Dunne.
Cathy is with The Bruiserweight, and says that while Dunne knows he has a match with R-Truth, does Truth know that? Or does Truth think he still has a match with- Dunne stops Cathy there. Please do not say that name. And as for that idiot, R-Truth, he doesn’t seem to know so Dunne will make this very clear. Tonight, it is Pete Dunne VS R-Truth. Truth needs to get that in his head. Wait, something is going on behind all this. Producers rush in and the camera follows. Someone just attacked Jey Uso?! But the culprit is long gone! Adam Pearce wants medics to check Main Event Jey, but just whodunnit?
R-Truth VS Pete Dunne!
Raw returns as The Bruiserweight makes his way to the ring, still seething over the misunderstanding Truth has had about names and identities. Will Dunne help Truth #FigureItOut the hard way?
The bell rings, the fans chant “BUTCH! BUTCH! BUTCH!” and that just angers Dunne. Dunne runs up, Truth does the splits then runs! Dunne ENZIGIIRS Truth down! Dunne HAMMERS away on Truth but the fans boo. Dunne stomps Truth, tells the fans off, then he grinds Truth’s arm! STOMP! The fans boo but Dunne waits on Truth to get up. Dunne then just shoves Truth down to stand on Truth’s head! Dunne STOMPS Truth, but the fans still chant “YOU’RE A BUTCH! YOU’RE A BUTCH!” Dunne clamps onto Truths’ face but the ref counts. Dunne stops to stomp Truth down, and he dares fans to keep calling him Butch.
Dutch BOOTS Truth down, then he rains down fists! The ref has Dunne stop so he can check Truth. Truth is still in this but Dunne is still pissed at the fans! The ref keeps Dunne from going after the fans, and Truth rolls Dunne up! TRUTH WINS!!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall
Dunne’s anger got the better of him, and now he’s lost the match! Will Dunne absolutely lose his mind at this rate?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy is now with the Intercontinental Champion, and says that in the Triple Threat, in a match where Sheamus ended up with a broken rib, Bron is still the champion. Was that match his biggest challenge to date? Yes, it was obviously a great challenge. But Bron told both men- Oh, speaking of, Ludwig Kaiser steps in. And Kaiser says Bron sure seems happy with himself. That is a surprise, because of Bron had come in a few seconds later, that title would be Kaiser’s now. But hey, it doesn’t matter. Because Kaiser accomplished what he needed to.
When Sheamus broke one of Kaiser’s ribs, Kaiser vowed to come back and put an end to the Celtic Warrior for good, and that’s what he did. A rib for a rib. And now, there is nothing stopping Kaiser from taking the title and bringing it back to where it belongs in Imperium. Bron asks if that’s a challenge. Because Bron knew Kaiser would come here today with the whole “Bron didn’t pin Kaiser” thing. So yeah, Bron will talk with Pearce, see what can be done. But Bron would love nothing more than to face Kaiser for this title and beat him, so that Kaiser can have that stupid look on his face, knowing he will never, ever hold this title.
BUT… Bron will give Kaiser his props. That was a hell of a match. Kaiser proved to everyone that he is on his way out from under Gunther’s shadow. But if Bron was Kaiser, Bron would try to get out of the shadow a lot faster, because Gunther’s stock is plummeting. Bron leaves, will the Impeccable German make good on a title rematch that is 1v1?
Sami Zayn finds Pearce backstage.
Sami wants to know what happened to Jey and Pearce has him calm down. Medical is still evaluating Jey, they have to wait to know the damage. Sami asks who did it, and Pearce says he doesn’t know, but who does Sami think did it? Sami says he knows exactly who, and he’s about to whip his ass in that ring! Is Sami accusing The Visionary of lashing out against Jey? Will Sami beat a confession out of him? Or is Sami aiming at the wrong man?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is on a phone call.
He tells whoever that he appreciates them being on the same page, he just needs them to make it official. He thanks them, then promises to call back, because Finn stepped in. Finn knows Pearce saw what happened out there. He did. Then the only thing Finn needs to know is when is he getting a world title match. Oh, that’s rich. It takes an act of Congress to make Finn defend his tag title and yet Finn wants more. Finn’s lucky the War Raiders aren’t here tonight, or- Oh, the War Raiders?! Finn doesn’t care about them! Finn only cares about when Pearce stops letting Gunther duck Finn!
Duck Finn? Funny enough, Pearce talked with Gunther and Gunther wants this match just as badly. Finn gets his wish. Finn VS Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship… SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT! Finn says about time. Finn turns to go but Pearce tells him, “One more thing. Next week, let’s talk about your other title match.” Pearce leaves and Finn doesn’t like how that sounds. Is Finn going to learn that it’s all about give and take?
Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn!
The Visionary wants to beat the crap out of CM Punk, but he ended up picking a fight with the Honorary Uce. Will Rollins not just #BurnItDown, but burn down the few bridges he has left? Or will he just be red hot in his pursuit of the Best in the World?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Rollins puts Sami in a corner, but the ref counts. Sami and Rollins push each other as they let off, then they tie up again. Rollins headlocks, Sami powers up and out, but Rollins runs Sami over! The fans cheer Sami on as things speed up. Sami ducks, hurdles, then TOSSES Rollins out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but Rollins moves! Sami hits the Arabian Press to land back inside, and the fans fire up as Sami waits on Rollins. Rollins paces around the outside while Raw goes picture in picture.
Sami waits, the fans rally up, and Rollins goes to the steps. Rollins takes his time going up to the apron, then steps inside the ropes. Rollins and Sami tie up again, go around in another deadlock, but Sami waistlocks, Rollins wrenches out to hammerlock and he wrangles Sami to the mat. Sami fights up, Rollins pulls on the arm, but Sami ELBOWS free. Sami bumps Rollins off buckles, then fires forearms! Rollins fires back! The forearms go back and forth, harder and faster, but Rollins ROCKS Sami! Rollins bumps Sami off buckles and Sami falls right over! Rollins stands Sami up to CHOP! Sami CHOPS back!
The CHOPS go back and forth, then Rollins whips Sami to ropes. Rollins scoops Sami to a BACKBREAKER! Sami writhes but Rollins walks around him. Rollins drags Sami up and wrenches an arm. Rollins whips Sami hard into a corner, and Sami falls to the mat! Rollins scowls, not happy he has to fight his friend and rival, but he drags Sami up by his hair. Rollins waistlocks and has a rear bearhug squeeze! Sami endures, fights around, and he throws elbows! Sami is free, he ROCKS Rollins, but Rollins CHOPS back! Sami falls and Rollins seethes as he stands over him. Rollins taunts Sami, eggs him on, and Sami rises.
Sami CHOPS, but Rollins nods,. Rollins CHOPS Sami, Sami CHOPS back, and the CHOPS continue! Raw returns to single picture as now the forearms fly! Rollins gets the edge, whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami LARIATS Rollins down! The fans fire up and Sami goes to a corner. Rollins stands but Sami kicks him! Sami bumps Rollins off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count to TEN but Sami fires a flurry to go all the way to TWENTY! Rollins flounders away but Sami leaps, AX HANDLE! The fans fire up as Sami goes up again! Rollins stands, Sami leaps, but Rollins kicks low!
Rollins underhooks, Sami wrenches out! Sami avoids the lariat to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives but Sami is not deterred. The fans rally up and Sami storms over to Rollins. Sami stands Rollins up but Rollins fires elbows! And an ENZIGIRI! Sami goes to a corner, Rollins runs corner to corner, but Sami catches him! BUCKLE EXPLODER! The fans are thunderous as Sami goes corner to corner, and he takes aim again! Rollins stands, Sami runs up, SUPERKICK from Rollins!! Rollins then runs up, but Sami avoids the curb stomp! Sami bails out while Rollins hobbles a bit. Rollins seethes while Sami catches his breath.
Sami rises but Rollins goes out the side. Rollins storms his way over, and he tells Sami that he didn’t want this fight. This fight is with Punk. Sami SLAPS Rollins! Sami says he knows it was Rollins! Sami SLAPS Rollins, but Rollins POSTS Sami! And then POSTS him again! Sami falls and Rollins rolls into the ring. The ring count climbs, but then Rollins goes out to fetch Sami. Rollins stands Sami up, and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Sami flounders up, the ref reprimands, but Rollins is still seething. Rollins drags Sami up, says it wasn’t him, but Sami BOOTS Rollins away! The fans fire up as Sami storms up on Rollins!
Now Sami POSTS Rollins! Rollins falls back, but Sami gets him in the ring. The fans rally for “SAMI USO!” but then Sami grabs a chair! The fans fire up as Sami wants revenge for Jey! Sami says stop, what’s Sami doing!? Sami says he knows it was Rollins! Rollins doesn’t understand, Sami says it was Rollins who jumped Jey! Rollins says he wouldn’t do that! How about Punk? Maybe it wasn’t Punk, but it sure wasn’t Rollins! Use your head, Sami! The fans are thunderous, but Sami cools off. Sami puts the chair outside, but then Rollins snatches Sami to a cradle! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins defended his innocence, but then he takes advantage of Sami’s emotions! Rollins still wants Sami to understand, Rollins loves that Sami has a big heart, but he wants Sami to start using his brain. Either way, there is still the mystery of whodunnit. Wait, who is this getting int he ring!? CLAYMORE!! DREW MCINTYRE IS BACK?!? Wait, did HE attack Jey!? And now he’s hit Sami! Is the Scottish Terminator going to make sure no one survives his wrath?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, maybe even an awesome one, with another great pivot from one event to the next. Saturday Night’s Main Event is stacking up. We already know of Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens for the WWE Championship, and then they snuck in the announcement of Iyo Sky VS Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship. Great stuff from Judgment Day up and down the show again, with a great tag match out of Liv & Raquel VS DMG CTRL. Logical move to have Raquel beat Kairi, that keeps the math on Iyo and Liv untouched. Rhea coming out to go after Liv but getting Raquel, it’s a logical move to give us Rhea VS Raquel as a way for Rhea to bide her time. Liv VS Iyo can happen for SNME, Rhea gets the winner at the Royal Rumble.
Finn wanting after Gunther over the unwanted assist was good stuff, as was Gunther giving a match to Dom tonight instead of Finn. Dom got a strong showing, perhaps doing two birds at once: Dom is building his power level to counter his reputation as Judgment Day’s scrub, but also showing Gunther might still have an arrogance problem. Gunther of course won, but Finn attacking afterward was of course happening, as well. Gunther VS Finn for the title at SNME, I wonder if Priest returns the favor and screws Finn over. At the same time, Pearce definitely planted the seeds of Finn having to pull double duty on that night, opening the show with the tag titles but then having to turn right around and go for the world title. That’s probably how Finn & JD even lose the tag titles.
Great Triple Threat from Dakota, Shayna and Katana to start the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament, and for just a moment, I thought they were giving this to Shayna. But in the end, Dakota wins out, which I feel is the right choice because Dakota’s been one of the many deserving superstars for a lot longer than a few others. There are a lot of great choices in this tournament, too, but we’ll have to see how this shakes out before I can say Dakota’s getting the title. And speaking of titles, great promo from Bron and Kaiser to set up their own title match, but at this point, if Bron didn’t lose a Triple Threat, he won’t lose 1v1. But I did like Bron getting in Kaiser’s head about leaving Gunther behind, as perhaps Imperium has run its course.
Well, speaking of a team running its course… That New Day anniversary segment was powerful stuff. It was nice seeing some of those old items, and they had a good video package before this segment, but I did NOT see it going this direction. Woods and Kofi talking like it was going to be a faction divorce was already something, but then Big E makes a surprise return and logically tries to patch things up with the group. The shock was Kofi and Woods doubling down by using Big E as some sort of common enemy! They were so callous about Big E’s broken neck that, as the medical diagnosis was years ago, was nearly fatal. It was no less than a miracle Big E wasn’t paralyzed, either, and yet New Day is expelling Big E from the group as Woods & Kofi go Heel together, and that’s nuts!
Very good promo from Kross to put the Wyatts on notice, and that will definitely bring about the 8 Man Tag I’ve been expecting. That will be a great match, can’t wait to see how it goes. Great stuff with Dunne and Truth tonight, especially with how it overlapped a bit with this bigger story of Punk, Rollins, and maybe even McIntyre again. Punk had a good promo to tease his part in the Royal Rumble and maybe even Elimination Chamber if need be, and then Rollins reigniting their issues was good stuff. Sami and Jey made natural mediators, with Rollins lashing out at them. I would think McIntyre attacked Jey as McIntyre still hasn’t gotten over that grudge.
Rollins VS Sami was a great main event, with a very clever win for Rollins. And then McIntyre hits Sami as further revisiting of grudges, and I feel like McIntyre will want to go after Punk, but he’ll be detoured by Sami and/or Jey for some great matches there. The Road to WrestleMania starts a little later this year with the Rumble being a February event, not a January one, but there can be twists and turns that somehow still give us Rollins VS Punk in Vegas, title optional. It’d be bigger if the title was on the line so that Punk can finally have a WrestleMania title match main event, but that would depend on the plan for Gunther’s WrestleMania as well.
My Score: 8.9/10
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