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Mitchell’s WWE Money in the Bank Report! (6/17/18)

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WWE MITB 2018

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.

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 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?

 

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!

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?

 

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!

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?

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”

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!

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?

 

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!!

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!

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!

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?

 

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!

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?

 

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.

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~!

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!

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.

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!

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!

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?

 

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!

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!

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?

 

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!!

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!!

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?

 


 

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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Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/4/23)

YEET!

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Main Event Jey goes for gold!

While Drew McIntyre wants the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, it’s Jey Uso who gets his shot at Seth Rollins tonight on Monday Night Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn; wins.
  • The Creed Brothers w/ Ivy Nile VS JD McDonagh & Dominik Mysterio w/ Rhea Ripley; win.
  • Shayna Baszler VS Nia Jax; wins.
  • Best 2 Out of 3 Falls: #DIY VS Imperium; wins.
  • Natalya & Tegan Nox VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance; win.
  • Cody Rhodes VS Shinsuke Nakamura; wins.
  • WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Seth Rollins VS Jey Uso; wins and

PLAY BY PLAY

Drew McIntyre is here!

The Scottish Warrior is ready to tear it all down, all because he didn’t get another title match with Seth Rollins when he wanted. But before he tears into Sami Zayn, McIntyres the mic to say, “It’s been awhile since I’ve done this, but welcome everybody to Monday Night Raw!” Fans cheer that! And McIntyre says Raw is the land where it feels like everyone’s lost their minds lately! “Liars, hypocrites, cowards, just plain idiots. Apparently, you can get fired, released, leave, do what you want for a bunch of time, come back, and you’re instantly forgiven these days!” Fans chant “CM PUNK!” but McIntyre says he could be talking about anyone.

Now, Rollins tried to pull a fast one on McIntyre. Rollins could’ve given the match to anyone, but McIntyre beat Jey Uso weeks ago. So Rollins sticks it to McIntyre, slaps him metaphorically, so he headbutts Rollins in his stupid face. And speaking of Jey, O M G, Jey can apologize! He ran to Randy Orton, tail between his legs, “Oh, I’m so sorry, Randy!” Well Jey, your time’s coming. And there’s someone McIntyre is forgetting. Oh, right! Sami Zayn! And wouldn’t you know? Here comes Sami! Fans cheer and sing Sami’s song as he makes his way to the ring, a mic of his in hand. The fans then chant for ‘SAMI! SAMI!” as he sits up top.

Sami tells McIntyre, he clearly has a lot to say about everybody, including Sami, so he may as well say it to Sami’s face. Oh, yes, McIntyre sure does. Last week, Sami wanted to say how alike they are, but they are not. McIntyre has something to say to Sami and it is the truth: Sami is the one person in the world who deserved to get screwed over by The Bloodline. The fans boo but McIntyre says he will explain. Sami was the Bloodline’s lapdog errand boy, he joined them because he was running away from McIntyre, and then what? Sami screwed Bloodline over! What did Sami think was gonna happen to him? Isn’t Sami supposed to be smart?

McIntyre says Sami deserved what he got, it’s the truth. Sami says McIntyre is right about one thing: Sami was wrong. Sami thought they were alike but the more Sami is seeing, the more “truth” he’s hearing, Sami realizes they are NOT anything alike! Sami is not a delusional person. He isn’t someone who points a finger at everyone else for his own shortcomings. And big difference here: When Sami lost in front of his family and let everyone down, he stayed hungry, driven and motivated and that carried him to victory in the main event of WrestleMania! Fans fire up for that! So Sami got his redemption. Sami got to make his family proud. Does McIntyre think he’s making his family proud?

McIntyre glares at Sami, and then says one of them is NOT walking out of here. Get a ref and ring the bell! Fans fire up as we get their match now! Will McIntyre absolutely explode after Sami set him off?

Drew McIntyre VS Sami Zayn!

The bell rings and fans are behind Sami in this one. Sami and McIntyre circle, then McIntyre RAMS Sami into a corner! And OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! McIntyre asks if it was a good idea to talk bad now. McIntyre ROCKS and DECKS Sami, then stalks him. Fans rally with “Let’s Go, Sami!” as he bails out. McIntyre pursues, and SMACKS him off the apron! McIntyre scoops Sami, but Sami slips free to POST McIntyre! Sami aims at the apron, McIntyre body shots and SMACKS Sami off the apron! McIntyre puts Sami in but Sami builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and down goes McIntyre! Fans fire up with Sami as Raw goes to break!

 


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Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (12/4/23)

B Block, round 6!

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Sure #EverybodyDies, but who will tranquilo?

The World Tag League round robin is almost over, and B Block is looking saucy! Will Lance Archer & Alex Zayne burn Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • BUSHI & Shingo Takagi VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; win.
  • Six Man Tag: Kaito Kiyomiya, Ryohei Oiwa & Oskar Leube VS The Gates of Agony & Boltin Oleg; win.
  • Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Tomohiro Ishii & Tomoaki Honma VS The United Empire; win(s).
  • Six Man Tag: Shota Umino, Ren Narita & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The House of Torture; win(s).
  • Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Bullet Club; wins.
  • 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Taichi & Yuya Uemura VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza; Fale & Bonza win.
  • 2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr; ELP & Leo win.
  • 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki; Bishamon wins.
  • 2023 World Tag League, B Block: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr; Tsuji & Zando win.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current B Block standings.

Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 4-1, 8 points
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 4-1, 8 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 2-2-1, 5 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-2-1, 5 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 2-3, 4 points
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 1-4, 2 points
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 1-4, 2 points

 

2023 World Tag League, B Block: Taichi & Yuya Uemura VS Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza!

The Holy Emperor & Heat Storm are just outside the top after their loss to Monster Sauce, but that’s way better than being at the bottom like the Rogue Army. But can Fale & Bonza ruin things for Taichi & Yuya? Or will B Block belong to Just5Guys?

The teams sort out and Yuya starts against Bonza. The fans rally up as the bell rings and the two stare down. They circle, tie up, and Bonza wrenches to hammerlock then waistlock. Yuya switches to then hammerlock, but Bonza switches the hammerlock back. Yuya reaches back, sits down, rolls and wrenches to a wristlock. Bonza spins, breaks free and pie faces Yuya! Yuya keeps cool, and he resets with Bonza. They tie up, but Bonza kicks low! Bonza runs, runs Yuya over, and says he’s pathetic! Bonza runs, Yuya stays low to then hurdle, and then he hip tosses Bonza down! Yuya scoops and SLAMS Bonza, then arm-drags him!

Fans fire up as Yuya has the armlock, but Fale runs in to throw body shots and scoop! Yuya slips free, but Fale’s too big for an arm-drag! Fale scoops again, and SLAMS Yuya! Then Fale DECKS Taichi for the hell of it! Bonza stomps Yuya around, brings him up, and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Fale and the Rogue Army mugs Yuya. Fale brings Yuya around to CLUB him down, then looms over him. Fans rally but Fale stands on Yuya! Fale goes surfing on the Heat Storm! Fale steps off, covers, TWO! Fans cheer but Fale tags Bonza. Bonza storms up on Yuya, drags him around, and then he goes surfing!

Bonza lets off to then drop an elbow! And then springboard stomp! Yuya sputters, Bonza drags him back up but Taichi rallies the fans. Yuya CHOPS Bonza, ROCKS Fale, repeat! Bonza ROCKS Yuya! Bonza bumps Yuya off buckles, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to elbow! Bonza keeps moving, but Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Yuya crawls, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi storms up to Kawada Kick! Bonza says F U and ROCKS Taichi, but Taichi SOBATS back! Taichi tells Bonza off and BOOTS him in the corner! Fale runs in, but into a BOOT! Fale comes back, Taichi steps aside to GAMANGIRI!

Bonza kicks Taichi, whips him to a corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Fans fire up with Taichi, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi then aims, but Bonza blocks the kick to ELBOW! Bonza whips, DISCUS LARIAT! Bonza fires up, he drags Taichi up, and he reels Taichi in to suplex! Taichi fights that off to suplex back! Bonza fights that off, they fight for suplex control, and fans rally up! In the end, Bonza gets Taichi up, but Taichi slips free! SAI- NO, Bonza fights with elbows! Bonza runs, into a RIDGE HAND! Taichi runs, but Bonza deflects the boot to hit a BIG back suplex! Tag to Fale and he storms up on Taichi.

Fale stomps Taichi, drags him up and CLUBS away on the back! Taichi falls over but Fale stalks him to the ropes. Fale drags Taichi up, but Taichi fights and wrenches to HOOK KICK! Fale runs up, into a clinch! Taichi is using sumo! Fale and Taichi hobble around, Fale tries to counter sumo with sumo! But Taichi still THROWS Fale!! Fans are thunderous and Taichi takes aim! BUZZSAW! Both men are down, fans rally up, hot tag to Yuya! Yuya roars, runs in and CHOPS Fale! Bonza runs in, but gets an arm-drag! And then a DROPKICK! Bonza bails out, Fale staggers up into a DROPKICK! He stays up, so Yuya DROPKICKS again!

Fale rebounds, into an ARM-DRAG!! The fans are thunderous and Yuya runs in at the corner. DOUBLE CHOP! Taichi adds a BOOT! Yuya runs in again, DROPKICK! Fale hobbles, Yuya pushes him out and goes up the corner! CROSSBODY! Down goes Fale! But Yuya isn’t done there! Yuya drags Fale up, wrenches and traps the arm, but Fale swings the other! Yuya catches it! But Fale’s too big for Kamuki! Fale TOSSES Yuya to a corner then SPLASHES! Fireman’s carry, but Yuya flails around! Sunset flip, but Fale stays up! So Taichi GAMANGIRIS him into it! High stack, TWO!! Fale escapes, but Yuya has an ARMBAR!!

Fans fire up as Fale endures! Fale fights around, but Yuya powers him down!! ARMBAR!! Fale flails and kicks around, reaches out, but Yuya shifts grip! Bonza sends Taichi into railing before he gets in, Fale has the ROPEBREAK! Bonza CLOBBERS Yuya for good measure! Fans fire up as Bonza BLASTS Taichi off the apron! Yuya CHOPS Bonza, CHOPS him again, and powers up, but Bonza dodges! Only for Yuya to catch the arms! But Bonza knees low! Yuya roars, but Bonza scoops him! BACKBREAKER to ELBOW DROP!! Cover, TAICHI BREAKS IT! Fans fire up but Bonza scoops Taichi! FIRE THUNDER DRIVER!!

Fale hoists Yuya up! Crucifix lift, for BAD LUCK FALL!!! Cover, Rogue Army wins!!

Winners: Bad Luke Fale & Jack Bonza, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Yuya earn 0)

The Rogue General & Red Commander just brought down two of the five guys! Did they just blow up the chances of Taichi & Yuya going on to the semifinals? Or will luck be with J5G in the seventh?

 

2023 World Tag League, B Block: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado VS Atlantis Jr. & Soberano Jr!

The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions take on the NWA World Historic Light Heavyweight Champion and a former World Middleweight Champion, but both teams are on the bubble in this block. Who pops off and who drops off right before the end?

ELP tries to get the fans cheering Soberano but it takes a second to warm them up. The fans fire up and the sons of lucha appreciate it. “AT-LAN-TIS!” and “SOBER-RA-NO!” then return the favor helping in a “HI-KU-LEO~!” chant. They all shake hands and high-five, and then the teams sort out. ELP starts against Soberano and fans rally up. The two wind up, and shake hands! Fans cheer and the two circle. They tie up, ELP headlocks, but Soberano powers up and out to then reel ELP back and run. ELP sidesteps, he avoids Soberano’s handspring, and fans cheer. Soberano flexes and fans cheer a little more.

ELP gives a mocking golf clap and then circles with Soberano again. Soberano headlocks, ELP throws body shots and powers out. Soberano runs ELP over, then things speed up. ELP hurdles but Soberano front flips! Fans fire up and Soberano looks off into the distance. Soberano then runs in, ELP dodges, Soberano RANAS but ELP handsprings through, then does his drop steps! Fans cheer as ELP flexes and kisses the biceps. ELP gives Soberano a push, Soberano pushes back. They start pushing a little harder, then things speed up again! Soberano ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls off ELP’s back to then run and RANA!

ELP flounders out of the ring and Soberano builds speed! FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and fans fire up again! Soberano gets the fans rallying behind him then has the ref tranquilo. Soberano puts ELP in, then gets fans to actually chant for “PHAN-TAS-MO!” Soberano slides in, brings ELP around, and tags Atlantis. The luchadores mug ELP, and the fans still chant for “PHAN-TAS-MO!” but the luchadores double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW! Then wheelbarrow and ENZUGIRI FACEBUSTER COMBO! Cover, TWO! Atlantis keeps cool as he stomps ELP around. Atlantis drags ELP up, keeps him from Leo, and CLUBS away!

Atlantis suplexes but ELP blocks! ELP tries to suplex but Atlantis blocks! ELP RAMS Atlantis into the corner, CHOPS him, then tags Leo. ELP CHOPS again, then hushes the fans. Leo swings, Atlantis dodges to CHOP them in return! CHOP after CHOP then Atlantis runs, ducks ELP’s hurdle but ends up right in Leo’s DDT! Cover, TWO! Leo drags Atlantis up but Atlantis throws forearms and CHOPS! Leo CHOPS right back! Leo then fireman’s carries, but Atlantis fights free! Atlantis dodges the chop, tries to whip but Leo blocks and reverses! Leo runs in, Atlantis dodges and Leo’s boot gets stuck on the ropes! Atlantis dropkicks that leg!

Leo hobbles and Atlantis keeps moving, Atlantis dropkicks the legs out! Fans fire up as Atlantis stomps Leo’s leg, then SPLASHES down on a knee! Atlantis stomps the leg some more, but Jado & ELP coach Leo. Leo CHOPS Atlantis, but Atlantis stomps him down. Atlantis has the leg and works to turn Leo over! HALF CRAB! Leo endures and fans rally up! Leo fights his way over, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Atlantis lets go at 4, and Leo clutches his knee. Atlantis eggs Leo on, Soberano tags in, and they both taunt Leo to go taunt ELP. Leo crawls over, but then the luchadores bring Leo away. “Chotto matte ne!”

Fans applaud as the Mexican luchadores know some Japanese. Then they get LEo’s hands, bend the fingers, and then Soberano BOOTS Leo down! ELP protests, the ref reprimands, but Soberano BITES Leo’s foot! Soberano keeps Leo from ropes with a chinlock, then he and Atlantis get Leo up again. They double whip Leo to a corner, Atlantis runs in but is put on the apron. Leo DECKS Atlantis, and he catches Soberano’s splash! Soberano BELL CLAPS then BOOTS Leo! Soberano taunts ELP by blowing a kiss, then he goes back for Leo. Atlantis returns, they double whip but Leo breaks the line to DOUBLE LARIAT!

Fans fire up and Leo crawls, hot tag to ELP! ELP grins as he runs up to BOOT Soberano! Mule kick for Atlantis! Atomic drop for Soberano! ELP mocks Soberano’s pain, then he atomic drops Atlantis, into a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ELP clotheslines Soberano up and out, but Atlantis kicks him low! Atlantis whips ELP to the corner but ELP goes up and over then springboards to CROSSBODY! Somersault, LIONSAULT! Another somersault, to PLANCHA Soberano! Fans fire up with ELP and he goes back to the corner. ELP waits on Atlantis to rise up, then he springboards in, FLYING TORNADO DDT!

Fans fire up and ELP drags Atlantis to a cover, TWO! Atlantis survives and the fans rally up again. ELP fires up and Soberano coaches Atlantis. ELP drags Atlantis up, reels him in, tucks the arms, but Atlantis fights! Atlantis ROCKS ELP, ELP ROCKS Atlantis, they go forearm for forearm! ELP whips, Atlantis reverses and Soberano jumps in! Double hip toss into TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! ELP survives and that surprises Atlantis. The fans rally, Soberano stalks ELP to a corner and eggs him on. ELP slaps Soberano, Soberano SLAPS ELP! Atlantis BOOTS Leo, ELP throws hands on Soberano, but Atlantis kicks ELP low.

Atlantis puts ELP up top, Soberano GAMANGIRIS! Then the sons of lucha vow to end this! They both climb up after ELP, CLUB away on him, and bring him up. But Leo gets in, TOWER OF DOOM!! Fans fire up for the double powerbomb double superplex combo! Leo drags Soberano up to POWERBOMB onto Atlantis! Fans fire up again as Leo helps ELP up! Leo scoops, but Atlantis slips free to shove Leo into ELP! Then Atlantis dodges Leo to SUPERKICK ELP! And DROPKICK Leo! Leo runs back in but Atlantis dumps him out! ELP runs in but Atlantis goes up and over, rolls and SPIN POWERSLAMS!

Fans fire up as Atlantis goes up a corner! But ELP hurries to GAMANGIRI! Soberano sneaks a tag! ELP goes up to the very top, brings Atlantis up with him, SUPER STEINER! ELP goes up but Soberano is there! He springboards up to SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Fans are thunderous with everyone down, and Soberano crawls to a cover! Leo breaks it! Fans fire up again and Atlantis regroups with Soberano. Leo UPPERCUTS Atlantis, choke grips each of them, meeting of the minds! But then the luchadores double basement dropkick the legs out! Fans rally for Leo but Soberano & Atlantis have him! DOUBLE-

NO, Leo fights the suplexes to UPPERCUT Soberano! Atlantis dodges the haymaker but not the BOOT! Leo aims at Soberano now, choke grip! GOD- FLIP! Soberano ENZIGURIS! Leo roars! Soberano SUPERKICKS! ELP SUDDEN DEATH!! Fans fire up with ELP and he DIVES to take out Atlantis! Leo hits GODSEND!! ELP returns, he goes up, SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!!! Cover, ELP & Leo win!

Winners: El Phantasmo & Hikuleo, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Atlantis & Soberano earn 0)

The sons of lucha are eclipsed by the Guerrillas of Destiny! Will the “Big Blue Sexy Boys” still have a fighting chance of entering the semifinals?

 

2023 World Tag League, B Block: Bishamon VS Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki!

Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi vow to break the curse that keeps IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions from winning the league! Will they pull it off? Or will Blue Justice & The Meanest Man in the World not only stop Bishamon, but get golden tickets at the same time?

The teams sort out and Suzuki stares Hashi down. Fans rally up and the two start. They circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. But then Suzuki kicks one, wrenches the other to a hammerlock, but Hashi switches the hold onto Suzuki. Suzuki reaches back to cording hold and chinbar Hashi to ropes. The ref counts and Suzuki lets off slowly, then with strong pats on the shoulder. Fans cheer and Hashi keeps cool as the two reset. They step up, and Hashi fires a forearm! Suzuki fires back! They go back and forth and the fans rally as they pick up speed! Suzuki ROCKS Hashi, ROCKS him again, but Hashi comes back to CHOP!

Suzuki eggs Hashi on so Hashi CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Hashi CHOPS more and more but Suzuki stays standing on sheer anger! Hashi drags Suzuki over, tags Goto, and Bishamon double whip to then double shoulder tackle! Hashi BLASTS Nagata for good measure, then Goto stomps Suzuki. Goto drags Suzuki up, CLUBS him, then whips. Suzuki reverses to then headlock, but Goto powers out. Suzuki pulls hair to HEADBUTT! Suzuki CLUBS Goto down and Goto bails out! Nagata runs in to BLAST Hashi as payback, and then the murder grandpas go out after them! Suzuki whips Goto into railing, then brings him around while Nagata sends Hashi hard into railing!

Suzuki RAMS Goto into railing in front of commentary, then has a railing crossface! The ref reprimands, Suzuki lets off of Goto, but Nagata POSTS Hashi! Suzuki stomps Goto around, the ring count starts, and Suzuki stomps Goto again before sliding in. The count reaches 7 of 20, then 10 as Goto crawls. Goto clutches his neck, the count is 15! Goto stands at 17, and slides in at 19! Fans cheer but Suzuki clamps onto Goto with a camel clutch! Goto endures, Suzuki shifts to bring him up for a facelock. Nagata tags in and he CLUBS Goto on the neck! And CLUBS him again! Nagata wraps on a chinlock to grind Goto down!

Hashi coaches Goto as he fights around, and Goto gets the ROPEBREAK! Nagata lets go, to KICK Goto in the back! Nata then drags Goto up with a facelock and tags Suzuki. Suzuki snapmares Goto to KICK him! And then Suzuki pulls at the tape around the neck and shoulders! The ref reprimands but there’s nothing he can really do! Suzuki reels Goto in but Goto resists the Gotch lift! Suzuki powers up but Goto still fights. Suzuki CLUBS Goto, tags Nagata, and Nagata BOOTS Hashi down! Nagata KICKS Goto in the chest, then KICKS him again! Goto grits his teeth, Nagata eggs him on, but Goto blocks the next kick!

Goto CLUBS the leg, but Nagata ROCKS Goto with a forearm! Nagata whips, Goto reverses, but Nagata BOOTS back! Nagata runs, Goto follows to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Goto and Nagata crawl, hot tag to Hashi! Hashi runs to run Nagata over! Hashi BLASTS Suzuki off the apron and fans fire up as Hashi ROCKS, body shots and CHOPS! Then he fires off forearms over and over in the corner! Nagata sits down and Hashi keeps going! The ref reprimands, the fans fire up, and Hashi lets off to bring Nagata back up. Nagata shoves Hashi so Hashi eggs him on. The forearms go back and forth now!

Hashi gets the edge with forearms, then CHOPS Nagata back to the corner. Hashi whips corner to corner, Nagata reverses, but Hashi comes back to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Hashi fires up. Hashi reels Nagata in, suplexes, but Nagata fights it to suplex, and MAGIC SCREW! Hashi flounders, Nagata stands, and Nagata stomps Hashi. Nagata ROCKS Hashi, whips him to ropes, but Hashi holds ropes. Goto tags in, Hashi sidesteps Nagata and Goto ROCKS him! Hashi CHOPS Nagata down, then he BLASTS Suzuki. Hashi hauls Nagata up, turns him, and Goto adds on, HEAD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Nagata hangs in there.

Bishamon set up in opposite corners, and they aim at Nagata. But Suzuki pushes Nagata to save him from the DOUBLE LARIAT SANDWICH! Hashi CHOPS, Goto CLUBS and then GOTO GO TO HUNTER! Bishamon have Nagata in a corner, Goto clotheslines! Hashi clotheslines! Feed to the fireman’s carry, FIERCE FLASH! Cover, TWO! Nagata survives and fans rally up again! Goto hauls Nagata up, Hashi calls the shot! Dragon sleeper and leg lift, but Suzuki catches Hashi to a SLEEPER! Nagata drags Goto down into a CROSSFACE! Goto endures, Hashi is turning red! Fans rally up as Goto fights his way around!

Goto reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Fans cheer, and Suzuki sends Goto to a corner! Suzuki BOOTS! Nagata BOOTS! Snapmare, DOUBLE PENALTY KICK SANDWICH! Then EXPLODER!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and fans fire up again! Nagata drags Goto up, but Goto fights the saido with elbows! Nagata knees low, and again, then CLUBS Goto’s neck! Goto falls and writhes, but Nagata drags him back up! Suzuki keeps Hashi out with an ANKLE LOCK, as Nagata SAI- NO, Goto fights free! Hashi also gets free, to SUPERKICK Nagata! Goto has a SLEEPER, then rolls it to GOTO NISHIKI!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!

Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Nagata & Suzuki earn 0)

The murder grandpas almost had it, but Goto finds a way to survive! Does this mean the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter have a chance to #GetBackUp to the WTL finals after all?

 

2023 World Tag League, B Block: Lance Archer & Alex Zayne VS Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr!

The Monster Sauce is leading the way but they have to finish strong! Will they stay hot going into the seventh and final round? Or will they be sunk by The Gene Blast & King of the World?

Wait, Tetsuya Naito is coming out here? What a great surprise! It sure takes Shingo Takagi by surprise as he’s been on commentary this entire time. Naito joins commentary, even! And he puts his feet up on top of Milano Collection AT’s notes. He makes Milano hold the Right to Challenge bag while he puts his headset on. Monster Sauce then makes their entrance, and Archer suckers a Young Lion in by offering a high-five to then DECK him! He pats another on the shoulder, assuring him it’s fine. Then he RAMS him into railing! Zayne apologizes to each Young Lion in turn, it’s nothing personal. Archer and Zayne then have Red Shoes and Abe-san put on the jackets to see how they look.

Zando and Tsuji make their entrances, the teams sort out, and Archer says that smile of Tsuji’s is gonna be missing some teeth soon. However, Zayne and Zando step up to start and the fans rally up with the bell. They circle, tie up, and Zando powers Zayne to ropes. Zando lets off, fakes the chop, and tells Zayne to take it easy. Zayne and Zando reset and fans rally again. They tie up, Zayne puts Zando on ropes now, and Zayne fakes the chop to twirl his hair. Fans cheer and Zando smirks. The two reset again, tie up again, and Zando headlocks. Zayne wrenches out, but Zando wrenches back to wristlock.

Zayne rolls, handsprings, wrenches and wristlocks, but Zando spins, CHOPS, and whips Zayne to a corner. Zayne reverses, runs in and back elbows! Zayne slips out to the apron and slingshot RANAS! Things keep moving, Zayne ducks ‘n’ dodges and IMPLODER KNEE DROPS down on Zando’s dropdown! Zayne then rolls to STANDING MARIPOSA! Fans fire up and Zayne smirks as he twirls his hair again. Zayne stands Zando up, Zando throws hands but Zayne bobs ‘n’ weaves to body blow! Zayne runs, but Tsuji kicks him! Zayne swings on Tsuji, but Zando reels him in, chicken wings and DODON DROP!

Archer runs in to kick Zando low! Archer reels Zando in to CLUB him, then he runs. Tsuji trips Archer, Zando basement dropkicks! Tsuji then drags Archer out to RAM him into railing! Fans fire up with Zando, and Tsuji sends Archer into more railing! Zando TOSSES Zayne out of the ring, Tsuji fires off on Archer, then CHOPS him! Tsuji holds Archer out along railing, Zando runs in, LEAP FROG ATTACK! Fans fire up while Archer falls over! Tsuji finds Zayne and stomps him, to then put him in the ring for Zando. Zando storms up, drags Zayne up and has him on ropes. Zando lifts Zayne up and Tsuji runs, to LEAP FROG ATTACK!

Zayne flops over, fans rally up, and Zando tags Tsuji. Zando & Tsuij drag Zayne up to double whip. Archer returns, Red Shoes keeps him back, Zayne ends up in the POP-UP KICK! Zando & Tsuji run, basement dropkick sandwich! Fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands. Zando exits, Tsuji digs his knees into Zayne at the ropes before a knee drop! Tsuji drags Zayne up while Archer and Zando shout at each other. Tsuji whips Zayne but reverses direction to send him into the red corner! Tsuji stomps Zayne, Zando CLUBS him, and then Zando tags in. Zando snapmares Zayne to a seated abdominal stretch! Zayne endures and the fans rally up.

Zayne reaches out, but then reaches up to drag Zando into a cradle! TWO, and Zando stomps away! Zando hits Archer, then laughs as he gets away. Zando drags Zayne back, CLUBS him, then grabs a leg. Zando steps over, then clinches, modified cobra twist! Zayne endures, hops on his one free leg, and fans rally up! Zayne reaches out, hot tag- NO, Tsuji drags Archer down and RAMS him into railing right in front of commentary! Zando wrangles Zayne to a cover, TWO! Fans cheer and Zando drags Zayne up. Zando wrenches, wristlocks, then he tags Tsuji. Tsuji BOOTS Zayne’s arm, then brings him around to ROCK with a forearm!

Fans rally up, Zayne ROCKS Tsuji back! And CHOPS! And ROCKS him again! Tsuji knees low, then wags his finger. Tsuji swings, Zayne counter punches! And again! Tsuji runs in, Zayne gets around, roll up and EDDY GORDO KICK! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Tsuji and Zayne crawl, hot tag to Archer! Archer storms around, fires up, and BLASTS Zando! It was a fake out at first, but now he runs to ELBOW Tsuji! “Ichi!” Archer keeps moving, and ELBOWS! “Ni!” Zayne runs in, tilt-o-whirl RANA CANNONBALL! But Zando SUPERKICKS Zayne! Archer CHOPS Zando but Zando just fires up!

Zando CHOPS Archer, and Archer just smiles! Archer CHOPS back! Archer eggs Zando on so Zando CHOPS! Archer CHOPS, eggs Zando on, and fans fire up as Zando CHOPS again! They CHOP back and forth, faster and faster! Archer CHOPS Zando down! Fans fire up with the Murderhawk and he storms up. Zando swings, but into a full nelson that Archer makes into a dragon sleeper. Tsuji runs in, but gets caught! URENAGE REVERSE DDT COMBO! Archer then drags Tsuji up, shoves him to a corner, and DOUBLE CHOPS! Zayne then LEAP FROG MISSILE DROPKICKS! Archer suplexes Tsuji! Then CHOKE SLAM SAULT! Cover, TWO!!

Tsuji survives and fans fire up but Archer fires himself back up. Tag to Zayne, he goes up, but Zando GAMANGIRIS! Archer grabs Zando, but Tsuji DUMPS Archer! Tsuji then rushes the corner, but Zayne jumps and over! Zayne comes back but Tsuji BOOTS him! Tsuji goes up, but Zayne returns, NO HANDS STEINER! Fans fire up as Zando hurries in. Zayne dodges the chop but Zando blocks the chip to CHOP after all! Zando suplexes, Zayne slips free to shove, but Zando blocks the kick! Zando ducks the enziguri, wheelbarrow GERMAN SUPLEX! Archer BOOTS Zando, ripcords, and HELLICOASTERS! Fans fire up with Archer again!

Archer hauls Zando back up, reels him in, but Tsuji saves Zando from the suplex! Tsuji & Zando mug Archer, then go to double suplex! Archer fights it, he wants to double suplex, but they fight it! Zando & Tsuji try again, DOUBLE SUPLEX! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! Zando stirs, flounders out of the ring, and Tsuji rises. Tsuji tags Zando in, they get Zayne up. They double whip, hip toss and SLAM! Then SPLASH, to LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Zayne hangs in there and Zando pounds the mat in frustration. The fans clap along, Tsuji & Zando get Zayne up, ANCHOR!! Cover, TWO!! Zayne survives and fans fire up again!

Zando pounds the mat some more and the fans clap along again. Tag to Tsuji, and he climbs up onto Zando’s shoulders! But Archer caches Tsuji, to CHOKE SLAM him into Zando! Then Archer fireman’s carries, Zayne runs in, ROLLING NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP COMBO!! Cover, Zando breaks it! Fans fire up, Archer runs in, but he doesn’t fall for the dump trick. Archer CLOBBERS Zando against ropes, then clotheslines him up and out of the ring! Fans fire up with Archer again and Zayne pounds the mat. Archer hauls Tsuji up, sets him up for Zayne, ROLLING- NO, Tsuji avoids the ax kick! Then he dodges Archer, and now Zando dumps him out!

Zayne mule kicks Tsuji, runs, but into the GENE BLAST SPEAR!!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!

Winners: Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Archer & Zayne earn 0)

Monster Sauce drops, making the top of this block really interesting! If #EverybodyDies, are their chances at the finals in danger of dying off?

As for Tsuji & Zando, Tsuji gets the mic to say, “It looks like it’s someone’s birthday today.” It’s also someone in Los Ingobernables de Japon. “HIROMU-CHAN!” Oh wait, is he even here? Well, maybe Hiromu was too busy to be here, but Tsuji hopes tonight’s win is a good birthday gift. Fans applaud that, but then Tsuji says he also has some bad news. It would seem after tonight’s penultimate-penultimate results, there mathematically isn’t a chance for Tsuji & Zando to make it to the semifinals. He asks if that’s true or not. Even commentary has to check the math on that. So then, is there a chance?

Milano is sure it’s not zero percent. Really? Pretty sure. Then there IS a chance! The fans cheer and Tsuji says that even if it seems unlikely, should they win next round, Zandokan will be LIJ! Fans cheer for that, too! Tsuji then brings up that the other day, he talked with the others and hoped Takagi & Naito wouldn’t lose today. Takagi stands up from commentary to say that he does need to get better. Well, hey, tranquilo, right? Tsuji then lets Zando say a few words. “WATASHI WA…! ZANDOKAN JUNIOR!” AKA, he is Zandokan. Fans cheer the introduction, and then he says he’s a BIG DEAL! Fans also cheer that.

Zando then shouts in Spanish, Milano asks for a translation, but Tsuji asks if they’re ready for the tournament’s home stretch. Are you ready for him and Zando to do this? VAMOS, AMIGOS!! Fans cheer, but will Gene Blast & The King of The World really make it to the end?

 

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

Alex Zayne & Lance Archer: 4-2, 8 points
ELP & Hikuleo: 4-2, 8 points
Taichi & Yuya Uemura: 4-2, 8 points
Bishamon: 3-2-1, 7 points
Yota Tsuji & Zandokan Jr: 3-3, 6 points
Atlantis Jr. y Soberano Jr: 2-3-1, 5 points [ELIMINATED]
Bad Luck Fale & Jack Bonza: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Yuji Nagata & Minoru Suzuki: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]


My Thoughts:

A great round, and now with some really complex stuff at the top of the block. Monster Sauce lost to go down to 4-2 so that they’d be tied with ELP & Leo and with Taichi & Yuya. Monster Sauce VS ELP & Leo is next, and so one team will go to 5-2 with 10 points, the other will be 4-3 with 8. This scenario alone seems to be creating confusion because while commentary was not prepared to speak on who is still in this, NJPW’s official website has determined Tsuji & Zando are out despite that great main event win. Even if Tsuji & Zando beat Atlantis & Soberano next round, they’ll get to 8 points, BUT they lost to Taichi & Yuya.

And even if Taichi & Yuya lose, they’d be losing to Bishamon, who would then stand at 9 points, making THEM second place flat out. And if Taichi & Yuya win, they are in as second place, not Bishamon. So despite the moment of cheers and hope at the end of that main event, Tsuji & Zando are really just fighting for pride and apparently for Zando to become Sanada’s replacement so that LIJ maintains six members. That’d be cool stuff, but I wonder if Atlantis & Soberano being CMLL like Zando is CMLL comes into play…

My Score: 8.8/10


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