Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (8/13/18)
This Raw before the Slam of Summer, we shall see the Red Roster’s Tag Team titles DEFENDED between The B Team, The Revival and THE DELETERS OF WORLDS!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ember Moon w/ Ronda Rousey VS Alexa Bliss w/ Alicia Fox & security; Ember wins, by disqualification.
- Baron Corbin VS Tyler Breeze; Corbin wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Kevin Owens & Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS Finn Balor; rescheduled as…
- Kevin Owens & Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS Finn Balor & Braun Strowman; Finn & Strowman win.
- Bobby Lashley VS Ricky Roberts; no contest.
- Raw Tag Team Championship Triple Threat: The B-Team VS The Revival VS The Deleters of Worlds; The B Team wins and retains the Raw Tag Team Championships.
- Six Man Tag: The Authors of Pain & Mojo Rawley VS Titus Worldwide & Bobby Roode; Roode & Titus Worldwide win.
- Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad; Ruby wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Rowdy Ronda Rousey heads to the ring!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet is ready for Summerslam, and the first woman of commentary, Renee Young, is here tonight, too. The fans in Greensboro, North Carolina, give her a standing ovation. Ronda brings up the tragedy of losing Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, father to Natalya. “Any loss is heartbreaking, but to lose a father,” a pillar of strength in a hostile world, “we have to face the fact that our fathers have been raising us to be the pillars of strength for our families when they’re gone.” Ronda encourages Natayla to stay strong. Everyone in the WWE loves Natty, including the WWE Universe. Natty was the first person to welcome Ronda. Ronda will be the first to defend her. Alexa Bliss cheated to win over Natty time and again. “But this Sunday at Summerslam”, Ronda vows to be the NEW Raw Women’s Champion!
And speaking of beating Alexa, welcome the new opponent for her tonight, Ember Moon! Yes, the Prophecy of Flame steps up to take the Queen of Hart’s place. The War Goddess is ready for this big opportunity against The Goddess, but speaking of, here she comes! She has Crazy Like a Fox with her as she runs down Ronda making friends. Ronda will need her friends, because her good times are at an end. Alexa is tired of the people Ronda kisses up to. Don’t boo, you’re the bandwagoners saying Alexa’s match is a “foregone conclusion.” But Ronda’s had three matches while Alexa has had five title reigns. Alexa vows to prove Ronda is the over-hyped rookie she is. Summerslam won’t be a triumph but a humiliation. Alexa is also sick and tired of hearing about Ronda, Ember, and those dumb looks on their faces. Alexa mocks Ronda’s mean face.
The champ is also sick of being the only woman not protected. Roman Reigns gets kicked out to protect a main event, but Ronda can sit ringside to do the same. They have six days, so Alexa is taking no chances. She went to the only fair authority figure, Constable Corbin. The Constable agrees to personal security! Alexa’s reinforcements come out as Alexa warns Ronda to be careful around her highly-trained task force. Ronda wouldn’t dare do anything during a match, but is this just another way for Alexa to get away with Goddess knows what?
Ember Moon w/ Ronda Rousey VS Alexa Bliss w/ Alicia Fox & security!
The War Goddess stands on one side of the human wall while Alexa stands on the other. Ronda goes to be in Ember’s corner, but that’s when Alexa strikes! She hits both Ronda and Ember, then laughs at her opponents. Ronda gets mad, but the security guards protect Alexa. The referee warns Ronda, but Ronda goes after the guards! She throws three of them out, the fourth one just runs away. Alicia is Alexa’s last line of defense, but that doesn’t work either! Rowdy Ronda has control of the ring, but the battle of goddesses still has to happen. Can Ronda keep her cool while so close to her prey?
Raw returns and ALexa hides behind the referee. She then sucker kicks Ember and wrenches the arm. Ember rolls and reverses to flip Alexa. Ember wrenches the arm in a grounded hammerlock, but Alexa reaches up for headscissors. Alexa brings Ember to the mat, but fans rally up for Ember. Ember pops out then arm-drags Alexa around. She wrenches Alexa’s arm while we go picture in picture. Alexa stands up and reverses to a headlock. Ember endures, even as Alexa grinds harder. Ember tries but can’t power out at first. She gets out the second time, then runs Alexa over with a shoulder. She flips Alexa up but Alexa trips Ember to slap her. Alexa runs, but into a headscissor! Ember sweeps the leg, then runs to sliding shot Alexa. Cover, TWO!
Ronda keeps Ember focused while Alexa rolls out of the ring. Alexa takes her time catching her breath, but sees Ronda on the other side. Ember hits Alexa with a baseball slide dropkick! Ember puts Alexa into the ring, but Alexa scrambles away. Alexa grabs ropes and shoves Ember away. Ember comes back to snapmare hard into a chinlock. Alexa endures the grind but pulls hair. Ember pulls hair back, but Alexa pries her way out to wring Ember’s arm. Alexa drags Ember up and dropkicks her back. Ronda and fans rally up for the War Goddess, and she enziguris Alexa out of the ring. Alexa staggers away and Ronda glares on while we go to break.
Raw returns and Alexa kicks Ember in the face. Ember rolls Alexa, TWO, and Alexa turns the swinging neckbreaker into a slam. Alexa adds Insult2Injury, then covers, TWO! Alexa puts Ember in a chinlock but Ronda still coaches Ember up. Ember endures the grind, as well as Alexa’s mocking. She stands up as Ronda rallies the fans. Ember jawbreakers out but Alexa runs her over. Cover, TWO, and it’s back to the chinlock. Alexa grins as she grinds down the other Raw rookie. Fans rally for Ember but Alexa laughs as she tells Ronda this will be her Summerslam. But Ember gets up and arm-drags Alexa off. Ember rolls her, TWO! Alexa dropkicks Ember down and covers, TWO! She tries again, TWO. Another, TWO! Ember makes it her own, TWO, and Alexa rocks Ember with a right.
Alexa mocks Ronda more, then toys with Ember. Ember fires up, and roars! Ember rallies with rights and kicks, and knocks Alexa down with an enziguri! She hits a back elbow, then climbs up. Alexa stops her, but ends up in a tornado suplex! Cover, TWO! Alicia gets on the apron, but Ronda yanks her off! Ronda sends Alicia into barriers, but Alexa attacks Ronda! Alexa puts Ronda into barriers, then goes back to Ember. She brings Ember up, but Ember powers out for a pop-up gutbuster! Ember climbs, ECLIPSE!! Cover, but Alicia breaks the pin.
Winner: Ember Moon, by disqualification
Alicia goes after Ember, and boots her down. But Ronda returns, and throws Alicia! And again! AND AGAIN! Alicia retreats and regroups with Alexa. Ronda is all riled up, will Alexa regret ever talking down to her?
Raw reviews the fallout between Beast and Advocate.
When Paul Heyman told everyone Brock Lesnar refused to make his obligated appearance, Kurt Angle declared Lesnar the “worst Universal Champion of all time.” Heyman agreed, but it was a last ditch effort to save himself. Angle was moments from getting rid of both Heyman and Lesnar, but Lesnar made his appearance. Lesnar then asked if Angle and Corbin had problems with him. Before they could answer, Lesnar would F5 Angle! Corbin backed down to the scarier man, but then Lesnar went after Heyman! Lesnar wanted Heyman to get a good look at Angle, but he also gave Heyman a good look at the Tyrant he really was.
Renee Young relates the interview with Heyman last week. Heyman said that this Lesnar would be truly unstoppable. But then, after cameras cut away, he actually suggested there was one way for Roman Reigns to survive, with a simple “Unless…” But the Advocate wouldn’t finish his thought. He would leave, leaving us all wondering, “Unless what?” Heyman keeps things close to the vest, but can The Big Dog figure out the Beast’s weakness on his own?
Angle and Corbin argue.
Angle doesn’t appreciate Corbin going over his head again. Who cares what Angle wants? Stephanie approved these matches, so these matches are going to happen. But then Dolph Ziggler & Drew McIntyre appear. Where’s Seth Rollins? Rollins had a PR tour and travel issues, but he will be here for the contract signing. Ziggler & McIntyre sure hope so. But for now, they’ll have to wait for the Kingslayer’s arrival. Is this going to be another rough night for the Raw GM?
Baron Corbin VS Tyler Breeze!
The Lone Wolf went to Stephanie McMahon to make this match happen, but without even telling Angle what he’s up to. Just days before his grudge rematch with Finn Balor, will this abuse of power come back to bite Corbin?
Prince Pretty is his “hand-picked” opponent, but given how Corbin has treated shorter, lighter superstars, is he just picking on him? The bell rings, and ties up with Tyler. He pushes Tyler to a corner, but then Tyler wrenches his arm. Corbin wrenches back but Tyler pushes him away. Corbin comes back with a big back elbow, then puts Tyler in a half-nelson. Fans boo Corbin while Tyler endures. Corbin grins as he trash talks the Fashion Police officer, but Tyler stands back up. Corbin throws him to ropes, but Tyler kicks back! Tyler runs and dropkicks Corbin out of the ring! Corbin catches Tyler off the apron, to throw him into the barriers! Corbin mockingly applauds, then drags Tyler up and into the ring. Fans rally for Tyler, but Corbin stomps him out. Corbin rocks Tyler while fans duel, “Let’s go Corbin!” VS “Corbin sucks!”
Corbin soaks in the heat, then stomps Tyler out. Fans boo and jeer while he trash talks them back. Corbin elbows Tyler in the face, then puts him back in the half-nelson. He thrashes Tyler around with the chinbar added. Tyler endures and stands up again, only for Corbin to throw him down. Fans continue to boo Corbin, but Corbin just embraces it. But Tyler kicks him back from the mat, then clothesilens him out! Tyler then slingshots but misses completely. Corbin picks Tyler up, but Tyler slips out to enziguri Corbin back! Corbin gets in the ring, Tyler hurries after. Tyler shoulders in, then slingshots up and over. He runs, but into DEEP SIX! COver, Corbin wins!
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall
The Lone Wolf finishes his appetizer, but will he be smiling when he gets the Extraordinary Finn for his main course?
Corbin speaks.
“Wow, I’m good!” That was just a small taste of what he’ll do to Finn at Summerslam. But now it’s Finn’s turn to show us what he can do. His opponent: The Modern Day Maharaja, Jinder Mahal! Mahal is a proxy for Corbin in height and weight, will Corbin’s plan of showing size matters work out? Corbin knows Finn fancies himself as a star, so perhaps he’ll be able to handle two? Let’s make it a Handicap Match, with another opponent, and a friend of Corbin’s: Kevin Owens! The Prizefighter is getting himself a warm-up, too, as he has Braun Strowman and the Money in the Bank briefcase ahead of him in Brooklyn. Can Finn prove he’s Extraordinary tonight?
2v1 Handicap: Kevin Owens & Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS Finn Balor!
“The Little Engine That Can’t” has a tall task ahead of him, but he has the Greensboro branch of Balor Club on his side! He grins at Corbin, but here comes Angle! Corbin isn’t happy as angle gets the classic ovation of “You Suck!” Angle explains that while Stephanie approved this match, Angle can still make his own matches. He’s not cancelling but adding to this match to make it a 2v2 tag match! Finn’s partner: BRAUN!!
Kevin Owens & Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS Finn Balor & Braun Strowman!
Kevin may want to get his hands on the MITB briefcase, but he and Mahal are gonna #GetTheseHands first! And Greensboro joins in the Monster’s mantra as Strowman dares either opponent to step up. The bell rings and Finn starts against Mahal. They tie up, and Mahal puts Finn in a corner. Mahal shows a punch, but keeps his inner peace as he honors the break. Mahal gets a waistlock then wristlock, and brings Finn to a knee. Finn rolls and reverses, but Mahal reverses back. Mahal puts his weight on Finn, but Finn kips up. Mahal knees Finn low, then brings Finn back down. Finn endures the headlock, they stand back up, and Finn powers out. Mahal runs him over, then embraces the heat. Things speed up, sunset flip and Finn dropkicks! Finn steadies himself, but Mahal powers him to the corner.
Kevin tags in and they mug Finn in the corner. Kevin stomps away, then rams knees into Finn’s back. He puts Finn in an armlock, but fans rally up for Finn. Finn reaches but Kevin brings him back down to the mat. Kevin stomps Finn, but Finn pushes against Kevin. Kevin knees low, then whips Finn to the corner. he mugs Finn more, then tags Mahal. Mahal keeps on Finn, then snapmares him for knees. Mahal drags Finn back and tags Kevin. They split the wishbone, and Finn crawls to a corner. Kevin whips Finn, but Finn boots back. Finn dodges, then tags Strowman! Kevin quickly tags Mahal, and Mahal gets blasted! Kevin runs away, Strowman puts Mahal in the ring. Mahal wants mercy, but Strowman wo’t give it. Mahal unleasehs, but gets chopped down! Strowman takes aim and kicks Mahal in the ribs.
Strowman puts Mahal in a corner, and whips him corner to corner. Then he runs in for a big corner splash. He puts Mahal down, then spots Kevin. Kevin cowers away, so Strowman headbutts and runs Mahal over. He then clubs Mahal down with one hand! Strowman tags Finn, and he becomes Strowman’s weapon for the scoop slam senton! Cover, TWO! Finn brings Mahal up, gets a jawbreaker but gives a dropkick! Finn builds speed, but Kevin trips him up. Strowman chases Kevin off! Kevin regroup with Mahal, Finn FLIES on them both! The Man and the Monster are in control while we go to break.
Raw returns and Finn fights his way out of the half-nelson. Mahal brings him back down, and puts more weight on him. Finn gets up again and fights with forearms. Mahal shoves and kicks Finn down, then tags in Kevin. Mahal anchors Finn while Kevin drops an elbow. Kevin drops more elbows, then rains down rights. Kevin taunts Strowman, then goes back to Finn with a knee and chinlock. Finn endures the bend and stretch while Strowman chomps at the bit. We go picture in picture while Finn fights out again. Kevin knees lo, but his back senton gets knees! Hot tag to Mahal, who denies Finn a tag to Strowman. Mahal runs and drops knees, cover, ONE. Mahal puts Finn back in a half nelson, but Finn endures. Finn gets out but Mahal shoves him back. Finn fights his way out, but his tag is denied again.
Mahal puts him in a corner, Finn boots him away. Finn throws Mahal out, then crawls for Strowman! Mahal gets to Kevin to tag, and Kevin stops Finn. Finn fires off forearms on Kevin, but Kevin whips him. Slingblade! Hot tags to Mahal AND Strowman! The Monster rallies on Mahal with shoulders, then hits Kevin, too. Fans are all fired up as Strowman runs Sunil AND Kevin over! He then returns, but misses the buckles. Mahal hits him with a knee, but then runs into a scoop MONSTER SLAM! Strowman covers, Strowman & Finn win!
Winners: Finn Balor & Braun Strowman, Strowman pinning
The Monster in the Bank carries the Extraordinary Man through this tall task, but he has his own challenge ahead of him. Can Strowman keep from losing in any way so that he doesn’t lose his briefcase to Kevin? Speaking of Kevin, Strowman chases him to the backstage area! Corbin strikes with End of Days on Finn! Fans boo and jeer, but Corbin gets the last laugh. Will he get one more over on Finn in Brooklyn?
Angle talks with Stephanie on the phone.
Ziggler & McIntyre check in on Rollins’ status. Is Rollins scared after that beating from last week? Though it’s done wonders for them! If Rollins doesn’t show up to sign, there’s no Intercontinental Championship match. What a shame. Angle promises Rollins will be here. Fine, but Ziggler wants to double check that contract to make sure Angle didn’t let something fall through the cracks. Wait they misspelled Ziggler. What? Gotcha! They leave, but will Rollins arrive in time?
“Ladies and Gentlemen”, Ricky Roberts!
Greensboro’s own cowboy says his favorite musician in the entire world is THE Elias! He may not be as good as the Drifter, but one day he will. He’ll be so good, he’ll be in the Country Music Hall of Fame. And when that day comes, Elias himself will come to Ricky and tell him, “Hello, I am Elias.” The Drifter himself is here! And Elias wonders what he’s looking at. Get his stool. A staffer sets the stool out for Elias to sit on. Elias doesn’t understand what’s going on, but there’s only one Drifter and you’re looking at him. But Elias knows Ricky’s a fan, so is he big enough to go to WWE Shop to buy a copy of Walk With Elias/What Would Elias Do? bracelet? Just $5! Is he that big of a fan? Ricky nods “Yes”, so Elias wants Ricky to humiliate Bobby Lashley.
Elias wants the WWE Universe to understand how insane his life has been. He’s sold out Madison Square Garden, he’s got a hit album at the top of the charts, and this Saturday, he’ll have a concert in the Gramercy Theatre. Then Summerslam will be his greatest performance yet, because of the universal truth that WWE really stands for “Walk With Elias!” Elias has a song for us tonight, and admits he’s a harsh critic of the public. He only speaks the truth, and says Tar Heels are a strong people. They’re a resilient people. Because it must take “unmatched strength” to wake up here knowing they live in a pile of garbage. But before he can run down the Tar Heels more, Elias is interrupted by Bobby Lashley!
Bobby Lashley VS Ricky Roberts!
The Alpha Male takes on the would-be cross between Elias and the Honky Tonk Man. This guy needs a new shtick, WWE already has a no-talent clown who claims to play guitar. Ricky bashes his guitar on Bobby, and that only pisses Bobby off! Bobby whips Ricky, into a SPINEBUSTER! Ricky’s feeling the Bobby Lashley Blues, but will Elias be feeling the same very soon?
The B Team crunches the numbers.
They have a triple threat coming, but Curt Axel wants Bo to “B Positive.” It’s hard to when their odds are lower than usual. But their odds are always low. Yes, but against two teams at the same time, this is a 33.3333% chance of winning! Bo checked, double checked, and even got mathematicians to help. They’re in trouble. Axel says math didn’t get them where they are now, teamwork did! The B Teamwork has given them the best run of their lives, so it’s time to run for their lives! Can Bo & Axel keep themselves from B-ing DELETED!?
Raw Tag Team Championship Triple Threat: The B-Team VS The Revival VS The Deleters of Worlds!
In a match of three teams, only one team may hold the Championships of the Raw Tag Team Division! WOKEN Hardy & Bray Wyatt wish to bring the titles back to their Yin & Yang while the #TopGuys want to #SAYYEAH to their first main roster reign. With these teams closing in, can Bo Dallas & Curt Axel hope to still B champions after this?
Raw returns as The Revival make their entrance. The “undefeated” champions make their entrance, we have our introductions and the belts are raised. Per triple threat tag rules, two men start, and that’s Dash Wilder against Bo Dallas. They tie up, Bo rolls Dash, TWO. Dash puts Bo in his corner, Scott Dawson tags in and they mug Bo. Dawson puts Bo in the open corner and chops hard! Bo is reeling but Dawson is on him with a snap suplex. Cover, ONE, but Dawson is on Bo with a handful of hair. He brings Bo over, tags to Dash, but Bo fights back! The numbers are too much, but Bo elbows Dash down from the whip. Hardy tags in and rallies on Dash. He gives Dash DELETE DELETE buckle bumps! Hardy throws off his shirt, then DELETES Dash with a corner clothesline.
Dash pushes out of the bulldog, but gets the Side Effect! Cover, TWO! Hardy hits Dash with a rope attack, then hops up to give Dash a flying elbow. Hardy chants “DELETE! DELETE!” with the fans, but Dawson tags in. Dash grabs hardy, Hart Attack from The Revival to honor The Anvil. Cover, TWO, but Dawson keeps on Hardy at the ropes. The referee backs him off, but Dawson comes back to chop and club Hardy down. Dawson brings Hardy up and whips him to the corner. Hardy boots back, but gets clobbered down. Tag to Dash for the leg drop weapon. Cover, TWO, and we go to break.
Raw returns, and Dash has Hardy in an armlock. Fans rally and Hardy fights his way back. He elbows Dash at the ropes, and hits a headlock drop! Dawson tags in to intercept, but gets tossed aside! Wyatt tags in and rallies on Dawson, Body Check! Fans fire up with Wyatt as he corner splashes and urenages Dawson. Then one for Dash! Wyatt sees Bo come in, that’s three urenage! Axel gest in and denies a fourth, but then he ends up in buckles. Wyatt grabs Axel, Dawson leaps for a sunset flip on Wyatt, causing Wyatt to throw Axel with a German Suplex! TWO, and Wyatt rocks Dawson. Dash shoves Wyatt out, then builds speed to DIVE! Into an APRON Urenage! But then Bo flies and hits Wyatt!
Everyone but Hardy is down, but Hardy isn’t going to be left out. Fans rally with “DELETE! DELETE!” and he climbs up. Dawson returns to stop him, then climbs up to join him. The others gather nearby, Hardy SUPERPLEXES Dawson onto them! All six men are down but fans are sure “This is Awesome!” The referee can’t count anyone out, but he makes sure they all return into the ring. Wyatt, Hardy and Dawson are up first. Wyatt goes after Dawson and they go into the ring. Hardy follows, but has to take care of Bo first. Wyatt chops Dawson, but Axel tags in. Dawson and Dash get caught but fight out. SHATTER MACHINE! But Axel is legal and throws Dawson out! Cover, B Team wins!!
Winners: The B Team, Axel pinning; still the Raw Tag Team Champions
The “undefeated” B Team keep rolling as they choose the right time to strike. They have the belts this close to Summerslam, when will their Cinderella story end?
The B Team celebrate.
They pass by Roman Reigns and promise him and everyone, don’t sleep on the B Team! Roman has his own title hunt to worry about, and he heads to the ring after the break.
Ziggler & McIntyre go back to Angle.
The contract proves Angle plays favorites. Ziggler points out a particular section that Rollins gets a corner man. Yes, because Ziggler has McIntyre. They could take it out, but that means McIntyre would be banned from ringside. Ziggler accepts the terms, but he just “hopes” Rollins shows.
Roman Reigns heads to the ring!
Greensboro welcomes The Big Dog with the standard mixed reaction, but as usual, he’s not bothered by it at all. That’s because Roman has one more chance, and perhaps his last chance, at defeating The Beast. The Conqueror has become The Tyrant, but that only makes Roman more resolute. Roman speaks, “Leave this place better than I found it.” That’s what Roman tells himself every time, but the truth is, he can’t do it with Lesnar still here. Therefore, Lesnar needs to leave! Fans like the sound of that. Roman is sick of Lesnar from talking to hearing about him, “so it ends this Sunday at Summerslam!” And Roman finally gets his Universal Championship, to send Lesnar back to the UFC to find his head stuck up Dana White’s ass.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman.” And not to copy SmackDown, “It’s a New Day, Yes it Is!” But also, to lock something else down, the Usos are the future of WWE’s Tag Team Division. And the other future of a division is none other than the #1 contender, Roman Reigns! Roman isn’t sure what to make of this. He welcomes the former Advocate to the Beast into the ring to see what Heyman’s up to next. Heyman says this is Roman’s week. Why wait until Sunday to make history? Roman can make history right here and right now.
If Roman saw that interview footage, he knows Heyman Roman can’t defeat Lesnar “unless”. And that “unless” is having Heyman tell you Lesnar’s “dirty big secrets.” Heyman can do that for him. Roman thinks he can beat Brock, but with Heyman, Roman will know he can win. That’s not a prediction, that’s a spoiler! Heyman offers his hand, fans want Roman to take it, but Roman says Heyman doesn’t understand. Roman knows the plan, because he won in Saudi Arabia. Lesnar wouldn’t have gotten out the cage without Roman spearing him through it. And it would’ve ended much sooner if Heyman didn’t interfere. “Guilty as charged.” Heyman has no excuses, but hopefully the sins of this father won’t be visited on his children.
But that’s the past, Heyman talks about the future! Heyman sees next week, Raw after Roman slays the Beast, the two of them side-by-side and Heyman introduces himself to say he’s the Advocate to the “reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion, ROMAN! REIGNS!!” Fans still seem okay with that, but Roman still doesn’t. He knows Heyman is trying, but it’s not good enough. Heyman will understand better than anyone, Roman was groomed for this. His father taught him how to swim with the sharks, and how to recognize those who are drowning. Heyman is drowning, and not worth saving. “Good luck on your future endeavors.”
Heyman seems a bit beside himself, but admits Roman is right. He’s drowning with knowledge learning from his teenage years, riding with Afa & Sika. Heyman says Sika taught Heyman something he teaches all his family. Roman learned it in Samoan, and Heyman repeats it in Samoan. Roman seems to understand, but is still confused. Heyman wants to make this simple. He presents an Agreement in Principle. He wants Roman to look it over, then think it over, and answer him at Summerslam. Roman takes a look at it now, but then Heyman maces Roman!! Roman is reeling and gagging from the intense pepper spray, while Heyman storms off. Why, Heyman, Why!? This is why: BROCK LESNAR IS HERE!! The Beast has a blinded Big Dog on a silver platter, and tees off with knees!
Roman does all he can to cover up but it doesn’t matter, Lesnar gets him down on the mat. Lesnar looms over Roman, and puts him in a guillotine choke! Roman can’t see, and now he can’t breathe! Heyman holds onto the Universal Championship, his master plan having worked perfectly. Lesnar lets Roman go, because Roman is out cold. Greensboro is a thunderous mix of cheers and jeers as Lesnar takes his belt back. The Beast and Advocate are ruthless as ever, because Lesnar goes back for more! Lesnar waits as Roman slowly sits up, and then picks him up, for the F5!! Fans want that “One More Time!” but Lesnar has had his fill for the night. Is Lesnar once again guaranteed to retain? Or will Roman recover and harness his rage to finally rip the belt from The Beast’s hands?
Six Man Tag: The Authors of Pain & Mojo Rawley VS Titus Worldwide & Bobby Roode!
Akam & Rezar have #KillerInstinct just like the former Hype Man, while The Real Deal and his rising star feel it’d be GLORIOUS to team with the former US Champion. As these two rivalries fuse in one match, which side will come out with momentum towards Summerslam?
Akam and Apollo Crews start, and Akam puts the star in a corner to then whip him corner to corner. Apollo goes up and over to then dropkick Akam. He wrenches an arm but Akam forearms Apollo down. Akam puts on a headlock, Rezar tags in, Apollo is fed to a boot. Rezar covers, TWO, but he keeps on Apollo with a neck wrench. We go picture in picture while Apollo endures. Apollo gets up but Rezar thros him down. Rezar trwash talks, then tasg in Akam. The AoP combine for an atomic drop and roundhouse. Cover, TWO, but Akam keeps on Apollo with another neck wrench. We go single picture as fans rally for Apollo. Apollo is put in a corner, but he dodges Akam to then enziguri him down. Hot tag to Mojo, and he blasts Titus down!
Mojo drags Apollo up and backs uplexes, but Apollo slips out to tag in Roode! Roode fires off on Mojo, then climbs up for a flying clothesline. He hits Rezar, too, then corner clotheslines Mojo. he whips but Mojo reverses. Mojo runs into a boot, then a GLORIOUS Blockbuster! Cover, but Rezar breaks it. Titus collides and clotheslines Rezar out, but Mojo hits him from behind. Mojo turns around, GLORIOUS DDT! Cover, Roode & Titus Worldwide win!
Winners: Roode & Titus Worldwide, Roode pinning
Is this the begging of a GLORIOUS new signing to Titus Brand? Or will the AoP rewrite the ending so that they conquer the veteran team?
Roman Reigns gets his eyes cleaned.
The Big Dog’s eyeballs are burning, but the medics quickly work to flush the pepper spray out. Will Roman be in any shape to even leave on his own?
WWE and Raw pay tribute to the late Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart.
The WWE Universe and all of the wrestling world is saddened by this sudden loss. He started as a power lifter, but then got Stu Hart’s attention. Jim trained at the Dungeon, and then married Ellie Hart to become part of the family. Then came the founding of the Hart Foundation, with Bret Hart as his partner. Bret’s technique and Jim’s power helped them dominate the Tag Team Division and connect with the fans. Bret confirms Jim was just as fiery as his on-air persona. Jim had pride in his own accomplishments, but has even more pride in his daughter, Natalya. Ronda gave her support to Natty earlier, but may the entire Neidhart family be supported by our thoughts and prayers.
Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Ruby Riott w/ The Riott Squad!
The Boss & Hug Connection looked to beat Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan again last week, but the Squad Leader made a surprise return! Ruby helped her team win, but is she ready for #BossTime in her return to in-ring action?
Raw returns as the Squad makes its entrance. We see their video message to the “best friends”. It’s easy to get along when things are going right, but the Squad wants to see if that bond withstands a Riott. The bell rings and Sasha ties up with Ruby. They go around and Sasha wrenches but Ruby throws a strong forearm. Ruby taunts Sasha, but runs into a hip toss. Sasha runs but Sarah swipes at her. Sasha still rolls Ruby up, ONE, but she gets an armlock. Sarah & Liv coach Ruby up, and Ruby grabs hair. Sasha wrenches to get her to stop, but Ruby grits her teeth. They stand up and Ruby fights with body shots. She whips Sasha but Sasha throws her to ropes. Ruby rolls Sasha up, TWO, and Bank Statement is on! Ruby scrambles and gets a ropebreak.
Sasha lets Ruby go, and Ruby rolls out. Sasha runs, but misses her baseball slide. Ruby’s kick is blocked, Sasha gives her a knee. The Squad distracts Sasha, and Ruby yanks her into steps. Then Ruby Mule Kicks the steps while Sasha’s hand is inside! The Squad mocks her pain while the referee helps Sasha get free. Ruby drags Sasha up and in, then covers. ONE, but Ruby keeps her cool as she kicks the bad arm. Ruby kicks Sasha more, and soaks in the heat. She drags Sasha up and wrenches that wrist. Sasha rolls her up, TWO, backslide now. ONE, and Ruby stomps the bad hand! Ruby mule kicks Sasha down, covers, TWO. Ruby grows frustrated, but she still looms over Sasha. She stomps Sasha, then drops a knee on the bad arm. The Squad leader is in control while we go to break.
Raw returns, and Ruby tortures Sasha’s bad arm. Fans rally behind Sasha as she endures. Sasha gets up but Ruby shifts to a keylock. Sasha keeps getting up and brings Ruby to a cover, ONE. Ruby still has the arm, and she slams Sasha’s arm into the mat. The Squad cheers their leader on, and Ruby wrenches Sasha’s wrist again. Ruby says Sasha’s friendhsip with Bayley is a joke. Sasha fires off chop after chop, then acrobatically arm-drags Ruby away! Ruby comes back, misses, til-o-whirl to a takedown. Sarah distracts and ruby whips, but Sasha elbows Ruby away. Sasha runs to DIVE onto Sarah! She hurries up and in, but Ruby is ready. Sasha still knees her back, but then Liv yanks Sasha down! Bayley protests, but then runs Liv over with a lariat. Sasha gets back up, but Ruby kicks her again. Roll up, Ruby wins!!
Winner: Ruby Riott, by pinfall
Her return is a success, with help from her friends. Can the Boss & Hug Connection survive with the Squad back at full power?
Corbin shows Angle that time is running out.
Angle has production staff check, but there’s no sign of Rollins yet. One of Raw’s biggest matches, and it might not happen because Angle waited this long. Stephanie won’t be happy. This isn’t a Constable problem, this is a GM problem. they can’t wait any longer. Angle has no choice but to go tot he ring. Will Rollins be here to join him?
Kurt Angle is in the ring!
Before he brings out the champion and challenger for the Intercontinental title, he wants to address Heyman’s and Lesnar’s actions. Roman is still good for Summerslam, but Angle won’t punish Lesnar. Roman will kick Lesnar’s ass to bring that title back to the show each week where it belongs! Lesnar is the worst champion of all time!
But here comes a current champion who does show up. Ziggler walks to the ring, followed by his Scottish Terminator. Rollins isn’t here, just call it. Do they look like they were born yesterday? Angle wasn’t going to suspend Lesnar no matter what, but he can’t afford to lose this title match. If Roman can’t stand, Angle might just prop Roman himself just to protect his job. Angle wanted them to wait, they would’ve been introduced. Sure sure. But does Ziggler have to defend or not? If not, he could do a stand-up set. Angle gives Rollins his intro, but nothing happens. He tries again, but still nothing.
This is over, Angle knew Rollins wasn’t going to arrive. But considering the beatings, Rollins’ “travel issues” could just be a way to stay far away from them. Rollins was a great champion, emphasis on “was”. There’s nothing you can google, Rollins couldn’t figure them out, so he quit. This might be a surprise, but McIntyre & Ziggler respect Rollins. Their alliance was to destroy complacency. If they’re fortunate to be up here, that’s when the hard work begins! Many think getting here is “making it”, but Rollins doesn’t think that way. Rollins fought to prove he’s the best, so these two worked that much harder to be that much better. Rollins was the Architect of his own downfall! He made the classic mistake of pushing himself for the fans.
Rollins busted his ass, for the WWE Universe! It’s a one-way street because Ziggler has been there. The fickle audience loves #BurnItDown, but they also loved #StoleTheShow. It’s all meaningless, because the second fans feel slighted or bored, because it happened with Ziggler. It’ll happen with Rollins, too, and the next guy and the next guy, and it’s all because of the fans! “It’s easy to be around for the fun times, but where the Hell were you for the hard times?” And for the first time in Ziggler’s career, he has someone who actually has his back. And not some mooch, no! The Scottish Psycho eggs Ziggler on to outdo himself to keep that title for the betterment of the company and the world of wrestling!
But Ziggler doesn’t care about the fans, the other wrestlers, or stealing a show. Ziggler & McIntyre do what they want, and take it all! So forego the formality, just hand the contract over and it can be officially Rollins’ forfeit. Angle hesitates, fans chant “Burn It Down!” but the contract is handed over. Ziggler signs on the dotted line, so that’s one half of this. Now where’s Rollins? Here he is!
The Kingslayer is fashionably late, and apologizes. Especially since we had to sit through Ziggler’s therapy session. Rollins hasn’t been completely honest, he was here for awhile already. But he wanted to wait for Ziggler to sign because he might have changed his mind. The truth is, Rollins had travel issues, just not his. And that clause about a corner man to match McIntyre, well… That’s there for a particular reason. Rollins is always stuck 2v1, so the Scottish Psycho better be ready for a LUNATIC FRINGE! Dean Ambrose is back! McIntyre is furious as he throws the table out. He and Ziggler stand their ground as the Shield Brothers rush the ring! And it’s a brawl! Ambgrose throws Ziggler out, SUPERKICK to DIRTY DEEDS for McIntyre! Fans are thunderous over this reunion! Rollins signs his half, and it’s official! Can the Lunatic help Rollins get his title back?
My Thoughts:
For a go-home Raw, this wasn’t half bad. It was essentially all filler, and started to drag at the end, but it had a great although expected ending. The opening was a good adjustment given the tragedy of Jim Neidhart’s passing. Ronda speaking from her heart was really sweet, and Ember Moon makes a great sub-in for a pretty solid match with Alexa. Ember wins for potential title talk later, but I hope Ronda standing tall won’t mean she loses. As I said last week, Ronda is organically over and it would make so much sense for her to be champ. The video package obviously had to be made on the spot, but boy did WWE do great with it, as always. I really do hope and pray Natty and the family will be okay through this unimaginably tough time.
Baron Corbin coming up with matches was a smart way for them to fill the card while also giving everyone else something to do. Corbin VS Breeze was an obvious squash, and I really hope Breeze dabbles in the Cruiserweight Division after Summerslam. Then obviously Corbin stacks the deck for Angle to then change it up, but Strowman is just so entertaining and over. I really hope he keeps that briefcase, his cash-in will be what saves Brooklyn from imploding should Roman win. And while everyone felt Heyman was going to swerve Roman about joining him and leaving Lesnar, I don’t think anyone saw it coming tonight. However, this is still Vince’s roundabout way of pushing Roman as the underdog Face fans don’t want, so again I refer back to Strowman being the ace in the hole.
Ricky Roberts got a new level of jobber squash treatment, where Lashley destroyed him before the bell could ever ring. Elias VS Lashley is a very filler grudge match, but hopefully stuff happens where they can each get back towards title contention as we move into the Fall. That Raw Tag title triple threat turned out way better than I expected, and B Team keeps surprising me. They’re having a 2v2 title match with The Revival for the kickoff show, and I can’t say they’d lose the titles there. The AoP & Mojo lose a filler Six Man Tag, but I still feel AoP find a way up to challenge on the way to Hell in a Cell.
Ruby VS Sasha was semi-filler because it at least gives Ruby a return win, and we can expand this towards Hell in a Cell and WWE Evolution for these two teams to be the Raw finalists for that desired Women’s Tag Team story. Then the story that dominated the night, that was made to be the final segment by any means necessary, the Intercontinental Championship contract signing definitely telegraphed the return of Dean Ambrose. It’s still fine, because it was still fun for both of them to run roughshod over Ziggler & McIntyre. This can go any number of ways, but in the case of Ambrose turning Heel, I hope they at least try a return to tag team action before then. They need something that’s hard to predict because the Lunatic Fringe needs to be that kind of unstable.
My Score: 7.7/10
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So close to the crowns, we can almost taste them!
Randy Orton and Asuka are waiting, who will join them in the King & Queen of the Ring finals set for Night of Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman; Bron wins.
- Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill VS Roxanne Perez; Jade wins and advances to the finals.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Bayley; Becky wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
- King of the Ring Semifinals: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso; Cody wins and advances to the finals.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
Columbus, Ohio is ready to #BurnItDown as they sing along with the song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” The Visionary leads the way for Paul Heyman, Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed, The Wise Man handling the Money in the Bank briefcase. They’re all feeling good after devastating LA Knight to the point of indefinite leave of absence from the bruised ribs caused by multiple Spears and Tsunamis. Rollins revels in the singing in his best Michael Jackson’s Bad ensemble. Heyman hands Rollins the mic, and Rollins says, “Welcome to Monday Night Rollins! I am a Visionary, I am a Revolutionary, I am…” “SETH! FREAKIN’! ROLLINS!”
Rollins takes off the sunglasses while the fans bark for Bron, and Rollins says, “Columbus, you are sending me mixed signals here. So let me ask you a question: All of you, everyone in this building, what do you want?” There is barking but there also seems to be chants for CM Punk. Rollins says exactly! One minute, the fans chant for CM Punk, then the next minute is the OTC, and then they’re barking for “The Dog,” then they’re singing his song! Which they do again.
Rollins says it is painfully obvious that the fans have no damn idea what they want, so Rollins does not care what they want! They don’t know what is good for them, so they need people like Rollins, visionaries like Rollins, to tell them what IS good for them! Rollins wants to try an experiment. Wrap your tiny little brains around this: Even the things that you think you want are because of Rollins. Roman Reigns, the OTC? He exists because of Rollins! CM Punk came back to the WWE because the fans chanted his name? No, CM Punk is back in the WWE because this company wanted to cash in on how much Rollins HATES CM Punk!
Cody Rhodes, The American Nightmare… There is no second coming of Cody unless Rollins is there to put Cody on the map! The World Heavyweight Championship? Rollins was the first! NXT Championship? Rollins was the first! Those things exists as they are because ROLLINS built them in HIS image! Rollins is the creator, the prime mover, the past, present, and FUTURE of this company! Rollins says between him and his “Oracle,” Paul Heyman, they know a thing or two about revolutions. And every revolution faces opposition. Rollins will deal with that opposition diplomatically until that opposition pushes Rollins and forces his hand.
That is exactly what happened to L A Knight, YEAH! Knight stuck his nose in Rollins’ business, and he got Tsunami after Tsunami after Tsunami for it! And… In a few minutes’ time, Rollins’ dog, Bron Breakker, has an opportunity to do the same thing to another person that has been a thorn in Rollins’ side: Penta. The fans cheer but Rollins will spell it out for us. There are a lot of people who think they’ve got what it takes to exist at the very top. Champions like John Cena and Gunther, or even their challengers like CM Punk and Goldberg, or even the King of the Ring entries, Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso and Randy Orton!
But what they all fail to understand is they are all running a race for second place. “This (MITB briefcase) is the finish line. This is the endgame. It has and always will be Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!” But wait, here comes Bron’s opponent! Will Penta’s #CeroMiedo be the key to ruining Rollins’ plans? We find out, after the break.
PENTA VS Bron Breakker w/ Paul Heyman!
Raw returns and the match is already underway as Bron rains down fits in the corner. The ref counts, Bron drags Penta up and whips him to ropes. Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges then RANAS! The fans fire up as Bron tumbles around! Bron sputters to his feet in a corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up, Penta brings Bron out, but Bron fires body shots. Bron shoves Penta, Penta dodges again to springboard and CROSSBODY! Penta keeps going, GAMANGIRI in the corner again! Then a HEADSTAND DROPKICK! The fans cheer Penta on while Bron bails out. Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” and Columbus joins in.
Penta builds speed, but Bron is back in! BACKDROP! The fans bark while Bron seethes. Bron stomps Penta, digs his forearms into Penta’s face and throat, but lets off as the ref reprimands. Bron reels Penta in, suplexes, and paces. The fans rally as Bron circle Penta. Bron stands Penta up but Penta fires body shots. Penta CHOPS, the fans cheer, but Bron kicks low. Bron whips, scoops, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Penta survives but Bron is amused now. Heyman coaches Bron to keep on Penta, and Bron RAMS into Penta again and again. The fans rally for Penta and the ref counts. Bron stops at 4 to bring Penta around.
Bron headlocks, Penta powers up and out, but Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges now! Bron builds speed and LARIATS! The fans bark and Bron says, “Since his first day here, he’s been trying to keep up with me. You’re never gonna beat me, ever!” Bron stomps Penta at the ropes, the ref counts, but Bron stops at 4. Bron stares down the fans as they either cheer or bark. Bron stands Penta up and scrapes Penta’s face off ropes! Bron hoists Penta up top, climbs up to get him, but Penta fires hands! The fans rally for Penta, Bron staggers back, but then Bron UPPERCUTS! Penta flops to the apron! Bron climbs, he drags Penta up by his mask, but Penta CHOPS! And CHOPS!
Penta runs and jumps to RANA! The fans fire up as Bron tumbles away! Penta KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! Penta fires up, aims, and SUPERKICKS! But Bron just gets mad! Bron runs up, but Penta DUMPS him out! Penta then PLANCHAS, but Bron catches him to a fireman’s carry! But Penta slips free! Penta POSTS Bron, slides in the ring, and Penta KICKS Bron from the apron, Penta builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Bron at the ramp but Penta is also in bad shape. The ref hurries to check while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and now Bron and Penta are down behind the desk! It was first Bron hitting a GOURD BUSTER on the post, then Bron hitting his signature FLYING LARIAT! The fans fire up, “This is Awesome!” as Bron and Penta rise. Bron brings Penta around the way to put him back in the ring. Bron stomps Penta, and stomps, and stomps, stomps, stomps! Bron then whips Penta to a corner, but Penta BOOTS back! Penta then ELBOWS Bron, runs up, but Bron grabs him by the neck! Gorilla press for the GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Bron grows frustrated, but Columbus cheers Penta on!
Bron looms over Penta, clamps on a headlock, and he grinds Penta down. Penta endures as Bron claims Penta wants to quit. Heyman says a smart person would quit! The fans rally, Penta fights up, and Penta fires body shots! Penta whips, Bron reverses, but Penta KICKS back! Penta dodges Bron, kicks the legs out, then runs to SLING-DOG! Bron flounders into a corner and the fans fire up with Penta! Penta winds up to CHOP! Penta whips corner to corner, Bron reverses, but Penta goes up and over! Bron holds onto ropes to stop the Backstabber, so Penta O’Conner Rolls, then rolls through, PANCAKE PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Bron escapes but Penta rises up! The fans fire up as Penta calls his shot! Penta runs in, DEST- NO, Bron throws Penta back! Penta SUPERKICKS, goes up, but Bron somersaults?! Bron JUMP KNEES Penta! Bron then runs back up, goes right up, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up again! Heyman grows frustrated, but Bron brings down the straps. Bron builds speed while the fans bark, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta calls his shot, runs up, but Bron grabs Penta again! Another gorilla press, but Penta DDTS out of it! And now, RUNNING DESTROYER!!! Cover, TWO!!
Bron survives and shocks Penta! The fans can’t believe it either, but “This is Awesome!” Penta and Bron rise, and Penta brings Bron in. Penta pump handles but Bron switches! Bron back suplexes, Penta lands out and mule kicks the legs! Penta fires up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, springboard into the SPEAR!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall
Bron ends this one in the blink of an eye with a rather badass counterattack! Rollins returns to ringside to celebrate with Bron, and he tells Penta this is his final warning: Stay out of Rollins’ way! Will Penta listen? Or will Penta stay in the fight against Rollins’ “revolution?”
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
The Raw General Manager is discussing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships with the SmackDown General Manager, Nick Aldis, but has to end the call as someone walks in. AJ Styles is here and asks why Pearce wanted to see him. Pearce says that Liv Morgan is out with injury, but apparently Dominik Mysterio is, too. What? What’d Dom do, strain his mustache? Pearce says the paperwork is legitimate so now the match at Night of Champions is off. Styles says this is just Dom ducking him! He’s gonna go make sure Dom’s hurt. Pearce stops Styles there and says to trust him. When Dom is 100%, Styles is first in line to challenge him.
Styles says fine, he will be waiting. Styles exits, but is Dirty Dom just pulling some kind of charade to avoid a phenomenal title defense? That aside, The New Day walks in, along with Grayson Waller. Xavier Woods says go on, Styles, go on. Kofi Kingston says champions are dropping like flies. A shame, really. Woods is happy they have time to talk with Pearce, they have an idea for a photoshoot. New shirts, great abs, it makes sense. Pearce says he actually wants to talk with them about a match. A MATCH!? Yes. For the tag titles. Against Finn Balor & JD McDonagh. WHAT!? But also, guess what else? It. Don’t say it! Is… Don’t…!! Official! NO!!
Pearce thanks them for dropping by, and Kofi says he is so bad! Pearce knows. Waller hangs back and tells Pearce not to treat his new friends, the NEW~ DAY~, like that! Waller leaves, Pearce sighs, but will the Judgment Day have their day against the New Day next Monday Night Raw?
Exclusive interview with Bill Goldberg.
Michael Cole sat down with the living legend to talk about the revenge he wants against Gunther for the comments made last year. That revenge will be Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta. What is it about Gunther that put Goldberg in this kind of mood? Goldberg answers with his own question: Did we expect anything less from Goldberg? Was there any way he was going to let those comments slide? Cole knows that’s a no. Goldberg takes his family to a WWE event as a fan. They try to relax and have a good night, no worries about opponents. And he steps into a verbal assault from Gunther.
The lack of respect from Gunther that Goldberg say that night was pretty unbelievable. Astonishing even. Did Gunther embarrass Goldberg in front of his wife? Yes. Did he embarrass Goldberg in front of his son? Absolutely. Did he embarrass Goldberg in front of his fans and adopted home of Atlanta? 100%. So there was no way Goldberg was going to let Gunther get away with it. Goldberg didn’t know where and he didn’t know when he would seek revenge, but he was going to introduce Gunther to the true Goldberg. And it didn’t matter if he was 58 or 28, Goldberg could have one foot in the grave, no one is going to talk to him like that.
So yeah, Gunther embarrassed Goldberg in front of his family. So as Goldberg is vying for a retirement match, wondering who his opponent would be, it was rather serendipitous that Gunther has put himself in that spot. This is the logical choice. As long as Goldberg can step foot into the ring, he will make Gunther pay. Goldberg vows to beat to F outta Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event! Goldberg is fired up for what will be his FINAL match, and it will be for the World Heavyweight Champion! Will Goldberg add one more reign to his legacy? Or will Der Ring General crush the seemingly unbreakable?
Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.
With WWE 2K on autopilot in the background, the supposedly hurt Dominik says he misses Liv already. Raquel does, too, we all do. Even Finn. But they all know Liv, and they all know Liv wouldn’t want them sitting around and sulking. Dom is still Intercontinental Champion, and once he’s cleared to compete, he’ll show Styles exactly why he is “Dirty Dom.” And Roxie, she faces Jade Cargill tonight. When Roxie beats Jade, she’ll go on to become Queen of the Ring! And then he and JD have a tag title match next week, and they will bring those belts home! And Raquel, she IS the Women’s World Tag Team Championship, she’s got this!
Raquel brings up that Aldis and Pearce are working out a decision on these titles. Finn says they’ll cross that bridge when it comes. And well, maybe if Rhea shows up… WHAT WAS THAT?! See? That’s the fire Finn wants from Raquel! That’s the enforcer they know! Raquel can’t just let Rhea walk all over her. She needs to be the enforcer, and the enforcer they know would make Rhea pay. Raquel agrees with that! She’ll go take care of her! Raquel heads out and Dom still misses Liv. Roxie assures him, it’ll all be okay. Dom wishes Roxie luck tonight, and now Roxie heads out. The boys are a bit torn, but will Finn be right about everything?
Lyra Valkyria finds Bayley backstage.
The Morrigan asks if The Role Model has a second to chat. Lyra wishes Bayley luck tonight against Becky Lynch, and apologizes for being a bit salty last week. Nobody knows more than Lyra how much Bayley has earned her match with Becky. Speaking of, Becky was walking this way, but sees these two and turns around. Bayley says wow, she didn’t know she needed Lyra’s approval to get this title match. Lyra says that’s not what she means. Bayley cools off and apologizes. This match has been on her mind all week, but she promises that when she beats Becky, Lyra is first in line. Lyra says okay, so they’re cool? They’re cool.
Lyra wishes Bayley luck and heads out. Bayley finishes preparing, but will she be able to bring down The Man? Or will #FiveStarBecks stay golden?
Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Jade Cargill VS Roxanne Perez!
The Storm is in Columbus, and she wants to reign as the Queen of the Ring. But The Prodigy has a long list of accomplishments backing her up, will she just add QOTR finalist to it? Or is Jade about to step right over her to go against Asuka?
Raw returns as Roxie makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and the fans rally up. Jade and Roxie approach, but then Roxie bails out. The fans boo but Roxie says we do this on her time. Jade dares Roxie to bring it, and Roxie takes her time stepping back inside. Roxie and Jade circle, feel things out, but Roxie smirks as she goes to the apron. The fans boo more but Roxie just smiles. Jade scowls but Roxie steps back in. They circle again, but Roxie dodges Jade to SLAP her! Then Roxie runs for it! Jade gives chase, they get back in the ring and Roxie headlocks. Jade blocks the takeover to THROW Roxie to a corner!
Jade runs in, blocks a boot, then ROCKS Roxie. Jade pops Roxie up and holds her up, but Roxie slips through to sunset flip! Jade YANKS Roxie back up, puts her back in the corner, and runs in again. Roxie dodges, then she ROCKS Jade! Roxie takes a bow, but Jade huffs ‘n’ puffs. Roxie gets worried, apologizes and then bails out again. Jade again gives chase, they go back in the ring, and Roxie runs up. Roxie ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the FLAPJACK still finds her! Roxie flounders around but Jade eggs her on. Jade stands Roxie up to SLAP her back! Roxie flops out of the ring and Jade goes after her. Roxie HOTSHOTS Jade in the ropes!
Roxie runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Jade stops that to hit a BACKBREAKER! Jade storms up on Roxie, TOSSES her across the way, and she fires Columbus up. Jade does push-ups because Roxie isn’t enough of a workout! The fans cheer while Roxie flops out of the ring. Jade storms after Roxie, the cat ‘n’ mouse continues, and Jade avoids hitting steps! Jade ELBOWS Roxie back, then fireman’s carries. Jade carries Roxie around, high-fives some fans, then goes up the steel steps! But Roxie slips free and CHOP BLOCKS! Jade sits down hard on the steps, then Roxie DROPKICKS one of the knees! Jade writhes and Roxie goes back for more!
Roxie stomps away on Jade’s leg while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Roxie UPPERCUTS Jade in the corner! Roxie rolls, comes back, and UPPERCUTS again! Roxie rolls again, runs back in again, but Jade catches her! Jade hits a back suplex but Roxie lands out! CHOP BLOCK! Jade is down and Roxie runs, UPPERCUT against the ropes! Jade falls back, Roxie goes up, up, and LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Jade survives and Roxie shrieks in frustration! Roxie grabs a leg, steps over, and has the standing toehold! The fans rally while Jade endures. Jade keeps her shoulders up as she reaches for Roxie, and the fans rally up again. Jade kicks at Roxie with her free leg, then BOOTS her down!
Roxie flounders to a corner, runs up on Jade, but Jade scoops! Roxie slips around to have a SLEEPER! Roxie is a backpack and she brings Jade down to a knee! But Jade fights up and RAMS Roxie in to a corner! The fans fire up as Jade is free! Roxie goes up a corner while the fans duel, and Roxie CROSSBODIES! But Jade catches her! The fans fire up as Jade then FALL AWAY SLAMS! Jade shakes her bad leg out, kips up, but the bad leg still bothers her. Jade runs, and she rallies on Roxie with ax handles! Then a BOOT! Roxie rebounds into a SPINEBUSTER! Jade fires up, slaps the leg into working, and the fans rally behind her.
Jade waits on Roxie, brings her up with a choke grip, and she gets a taste! CHOKE SLAM!! Cover, TWO!! Roxie survives the slam dunk and Jade is stunned! Jade hurries to grab at Roxie but Roxie grabs ropes. Jade throws Roxie, then SUPERKICKS! Roxie wobbles, Jade chicken wings, but Roxie victory rolls! And then a step over to an O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO!! Jade kicks, Roxie dodges, and Roxie SUPERKICKS! Roxie shrieks, runs, and tilt-o-whirls, LA MSYTICA! Then the handspring, DOUBLE KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Roxie is furious that Jade survives! Roxie shrieks as she flails and hammers away!
Roxie drags Jade up, tells her she’s messing with the wrong prodigy, but then Jade ROCKS Roxie! Roxie SOBATS, then hops on, but Jade slips free! BOOT! A glancing blow, but Jade hurries to get Roxie up! POWERBOMB! High stack, Roxie fights, so Jade spins her and chicken wings! JADED!!! Cover, Jade wins!!
Winner: Jade Cargill, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
Roxie may be a prodigy, but Jade is proving to be a force of nature! And wait! Here comes Asuka! The Empress of Tomorrow struts her way out on stage, and she takes off her kabuki mask to look Jade in the eyes. Jade is the storm, but Asuka has the fire, will these two change the entire landscape of the WWE Women’s Division?
Sheamus talks with the Alpha Academy.
The Fella says he told them before, Natalya & Maxxine have a great chance at those Women’s Tag Team Championships. Natty thanks Sheamus, that is appreciated, but Sheamus did a great job in last week’s KOTR Fatal 4 Way. He shouldn’t lose sight of how great he is. Maxxine says sorry it didn’t work out. Sheamus says it’s fine, at least he got to put Rusev in his place. Akira Tozawa says next time… Oh, but here come Rusev. Rusev tells Tozawa to go, and Sheamus has The Alpha Academy move on. Rusev asks if Sheamus is still pretending to be everyone’s friend. This place is full of people like that. They smile to your face, but then stab you in the back.
Is Rusev trying to rile Sheamus up? Cuz Sheamus is used to beating his own drum. And that drum is ten beats o’ the Bodhrain, and he’d love to do it on Rusev’s chest. Rusev says he does his damage in the ring like a god, while Sheamus does his back here like a snake. Oh, Rusev’s a god now? Some god. Rusev was the most embarrassing and egotistical member in the League of Nations. That’s what Sheamus remembers. And he’s tired of talking. So no more BS. Put up or shut up! Rusev vows to make new memories. Rusev leaves, but when and where will Bulgarian Brute and Celtic Warrior have their grudge match?
GUNTHER is here!
The fans are a bit torn seeing the World Heavyweight Champion make his way to the ring, belt around his waist, and surprisingly no suit jacket. That must ironically mean Gunther is all business as he grabs himself a mic. The fans boo, but Gunther says, “Last week was supposed to be my celebration. Me, celebrating regaining what’s rightfully mine, the World Heavyweight Championship! But instead, none other than Bill Goldberg walked down here, looked me straight in the eye, and told me that I am next. So I did a lot of thinking. I thought a lot about what it means to be ‘next.’
“Usually being next means getting speared outta your boots, Jackhammer, 1-2-3, and waking up, looking at the lights. Bill Goldberg is the most destructive man of his generation. But it is not 1999 anymore! It is 2025, and right now, I’M THE GUY!” The fans are torn on that, surprisingly. Gunther says he is the best wrestler in this company, and the world title around his waist proves it! Gunther says he heard what Goldberg said. Intense as always. But nothing changes Gunther’s perception about him: That is a 58-year-old one trick pony that can’t lace Gunther’s boots! The fans are torn again, but Gunther wants to take this moment to apologize.
Gunther apologizes to Goldberg’s wife and son… for everything he is about to do to the man that used to be Goldberg! Gunther is unlike anyone Goldberg has ever faced! Gunther embarrassed him once, and he will embarrass Goldberg again at Saturday Night’s Main Event! It is Gunther’s personal responsibility to make sure that the myth that is Bill Goldberg DIES! Der Ring General storms back out and the fans are just as fired up! Will this be a human demolition derby in Atlanta?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Jackie Redmond is with The Man and apologizes for interrupting as Becky prepares for her match. But Jackie was hoping for her thoughts on- Becky interrupts and says her thoughts are on how she just saw Bayley and Lyra conspiring to work together! That is the only way they can get this title off her! Well, she’s said too much already. Becky hurries off, is paranoia getting to her? Meanwhile, Jackie spots Sami Zayn. Jackie asks Sami if he has a second. He is coming off a loss to Randy Orton, but we all know how much becoming world champion means to him. She has to ask, how is he processing the loss?
Sami starts with, “Um,” but then Karrion Kross joins. Kross mockingly asks what kind of response is, “Um.” But he isn’t trying to upset Sami. Sami must be really, really happy. Kross believed everything Sami said last week. “I’m good enough to become the world champion!” But what happened? What Kross said would happen: Sami wrestled The Viper, and got dropped. Kross wants Sami to get it through his thick skull: the way Sami is now, the way Sami wants to be, that Sami will never be world champion. Sami shakes his head, but then says, “Okay. Okay.” Then Sami DECKS Kross! Sami tells Kross he is done talking! Sami talked to Pearce. Their match is official! Tick-tock.
Sami leaves, Scarlett checks on Kross, but then she says, “Stop it.” They were both playing along and they’ve suckered Sami in! Will Sami’s time fade away as he goes up against Mr. Doomsday?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Becky Lynch VS Bayley!
Well, you can’t spell “megalomaniac” without “MAN,” and that’s what The Man has become. But will all the power and glory Becky has cheated to gain go away? Or will she foil the “conspiracy” between Role Model and Morrigan?
Raw returns as Becky makes her entrance in a very big fur coat. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see which horsewoman wears the gold!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Becky and Bayley slowly circle, talk a little trash, and then tie up. They go around collar ‘n’ elbow, and Becky pulls Bayley’s hair! Bayley puts Becky in the corner, grinds forearms in, but then Becky shoves Bayley. Bayley eggs Becky on, so Becky SLAPS Bayley! Bayley fires a flurry of forearms in the corner! The erf counts, Bayley whips Becky corner to corner and fires more forearms! The ref counts again, Bayley climbs up, but Becky slips free! Bayley runs to CLOBBER Becky! Bayley then runs to ELBOW Becky in the back! And then SLIDING- NO, Becky rolls through the lariat to have the arm!
Bayley fights, stands, and steps over, but Becky trips Bayley up! Becky goes for the arm again, they go around and around, and Bayley TOSSES Becky through ropes! Becky shoves Bayley away, then RAMS into her! Becky steps in, but Bayley HOTSHOTS her after all! Becky flops to the floor and the ring count starts. Bayley slides out, runs up the steps, and she FLYING ELBOWS Becky down! The fans fire up and Bayley brings Becky up. Bayley ROCKS Becky, Becky BODY SHOTS, but Bayley SMACKS Becky off barriers! Bayley puts Becky in at 7 of 10, then she goes up the corner. AX HAN- NO, Becky grabs the arm!
Bayley fights the takedown and shoves Becky away. Bayley runs up but Becky puts her on the apron. Bayley ROCKS Becky, climbs up, but Becky goes to the apron. Bayley drags Becky up by her hair, but Becky HOTSHOTS Bayley’s arm! Bayley falls to the floor and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally as Bayley rises back up. Becky flounders to ropes, Bayley runs up and LAIRATS! And LARIATS! And then dodges a haymaker to SAIDO! Becky stands, Bayley runs, and Bayley KNEES Becky down! Bayley then fireman’s carries, swings, and SIDEWALK SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Becky survives and Bayley grows frustrated. Bayley huffs ‘n’ puffs as she stalks Becky. The fans rally, Bayley clinches, but Becky slips free! Becky dragon sleepers, Bayley snapmares and hooks Becky up! Becky fights to a SAIDO! Becky then clinches, MANHAND- NO, Bayley fights that to BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans fire up while both women are down! Bayley and Becky each stir, then they roll away to opposite corners. Becky drags herself up with the ropes, Bayley runs in, but Becky dodges! JUMP KICK blocked and Bayley THROWS Becky into buckles! Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Bayley drags Becky into a cover, TWO! Becky survives but Bayley brushes that off to go up the corner. The fans rally, but Becky ROCKS Bayley first! Becky climbs up after Bayley, she and Bayley trade shots! Becky CLUBS away on Bayley’s back, the fans rally up, and Becky hits a SUPERPLEX! Then she grabs the arm, ARMBAR!!
The fans fire up, Bayley stacks Becky, TWO! Becky hast he arm again, but Bayley flips Becky over! O’Conner style cover, TWO! Bayley comes back, gets the legs again, but Becky kicks and kicks and kicks! Bayley still turns her for a HALF CRAB! Bayley can only hold onto the one leg with her one arm, and Becky crawls forward! ROPEBREAK! Bayley lets go at 4, then runs back up to ROCK Becky! Bayley runs up again but Becky BOOTS her! Becky runs up but Bayley ROCKS her back! They go forearm for forearm, the fans duel with every shot, but Bayley has the majority. This turns into a scrap and the fans all fire up!
Becky catches Bayley, but Bayley fights free! Bayley now catches Becky to steal the MANHANDLE SLAM!! But Becky flops all the way out of the ring! The fans fire up while Bayley grows frustrated. The ring count starts but Bayley pursues. Becky stands, and she THROWS Becky over the desk! Becky hurries over, and she shoves the chairs onto Bayley! Becky grabs other chairs and adds to the pile! Becky is literally burying Bayley then leaves her behind! The ring count continues, but wait! Lyra is here and she unburies Bayley! Becky runs up on Lyra to DECK her! Lyra is pissed but Becky gets away!
Lyra wants after Becky but she holds back because this would be a disqualification! Bayley pushes Lyra aside, but Becky DECKS her now! Then Becky runs, but Lyra takes the dropkick for Bayley! Bayley SMACKS Becky off the desk, TOSSES her over the desk, then drags her back up! Bayley POSTS Becky, but the ring count climbs as she THROWS Becky into barriers! Bayley puts Becky in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Bayley climbs up! But Lyra attacks Becky!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by disqualification (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
Lyra is pissed but so is Bayley! Lyra still WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! Bayley drags Lyra into the ring and asks what the hell! Bayley had this match won and Lyra had to go and lose her temper! Becky grins as she gets to scurry away with the title. Lyra realizes her mistake a little too late, but was it really a mistake? Or does she just want to be the one that dethrones The Man?
Chad Gable talks with Ivy Nile.
He tells her not to tell The Creed Brothers, but she has always been his favorite. Now, she should’ve won MITB, and she should still be in QOTR, but she has had Stephanie Vaquer in the way. Next time, do what Gable does like he did to Rey Mysterio, to Otis, and others: Wipe ’em out completely, regardless of the cost. Gable spots someone and says they’ll finish this lesson later. Gable walks over to Penta and says far be it for him to laugh at someone else’s misfortune. That is, unless they deserve it. But in this case, Penta, it was Gable’s pleasure watching Bron destroy him earlier. Maybe Gable will finish the job!
Penta tells Gable to shut up but Gable says maybe he’ll rip that mask right off Penta’s head to show his ugly face! Penta shoves Gable, Gable takes a swing, and Penta dodges! Penta SUPERKICKS Gable down! Penta says he warned Gable! SACRIFICE on the arm!! Refs and producers rush in, as do the Creeds, and Penta leaves for Gable to writhe in pain. Will this keep Gable and El Grande Americano out of action for awhile?
Raquel Rodriguez is in the ring.
Ricky Desperado has a mic, and she calls out Rhea! She insults her in Spanish, and then tells Rhea in English that she won’t screw Raquel outta QOTR and get away with it! Raquel tells Rhea that she could drag her out here by her nose ring, or Rhea can make it easy and walk out here to take the beating she deserves! Rhea makes her entrance and the fans fire up! Mami stares Big Mami Cool down the whole way, and then the fight is on! Rhea dodges to fire hands! Raquel shoves Rhea, runs up, but Rhea dodges, only for the AX HANDLES to find her! Rhea comes back to BOOT Raquel! Raquel bails out and Rhea is fired up!
Rhea steps outside but Raquel RAMS her into the apron! And then THROWS her over the barriers! Rhea lands in the timekeeper’s area, but Raquel says she’s not done! Raquel goes under the ring to bring out a TABLE! The fans fire up for that as Raquel puts the table in the ring. But Rhea stands on the desk! FLYING FOREARM! Down goes Raquel, and then Rhea RAMS her into steel steps! The fans fire up and Rhea grins. Rhea says if Raquel wants tables, then she’ll get tables! Rhea sets that table up in the ring, positions it near a corner, then fetches Raquel. Rhea pump handles Raquel, but here comes Roxie!
Roxie jumps on Rhea as a backpack, but Rhea pops her up onto the Electric Chair! SLAM off the top buckles! But Raquel gets up and under, TEXANA BOMB through the table!! The fans boo but Raquel and Roxie just took down the Eradicator! Will they actually end up amigas because of this?
Raw returns and…
Rhea storms into Pearce’s office! She demands a match with Raquel! Pearce says sure, how about a Street Fight? Even better! Then it’s official! Pearce says he couldn’t have said it better himself. Rhea got up after that table Texana Bomb, but will she make sure Raquel doesn’t get up after their grudge match?
PROGRAMMING NOTE for next week!
It will be a special early edition of Monday Night Raw that starts at 6PM Eastern, 3PM Pacific, live from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania!
King of the Ring Semifinals: Cody Rhodes VS Jey Uso!
The American Nightmare and Main Event Jey Uso have a long and storied history, from battling Roman Reigns and The Bloodline together, to holding the tag team championships together, to holding the top championships in the WWE at the same time. But now, only one of them can go for the crown. Will there be adrenaline in the soul? Or will we all YEET on the way to the Night of Champions?
The fans want to YEET “One More Time!” so Jey says why not. The music starts and Columbus gets to YEET again! Then Cody makes his entrance, and the fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off, the bell rings, and the fans duel between “Cody! Cody Rhodes~!” and “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Cody and Jey soak in the moment, nod and shake hands, and the fans cheer the sportsmanship. These two circle, feel things out, then tie up. They’re in a deadlock, and Cody powers Jey back, only for Jey to headlock. Cody powers up and out but Jey RUNS him over! Cover, ONE! Cody sweeps to cover, ONE! The fans cheer the standoff!
Cody and Jey reset, the fans duel even harder, and the two feel things out. They tie up, Cody wrenches and wristlocks, then cranks on the arm. Cody puts Jey in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Jey goes up and over. Jey arm-drags Cody, Cody arm-drags Jey, and the fans cheer the new standoff! Jey shakes out his arm and resets with Cody again. They tie up, Cody waistlocks, then headlocks. Jey endures the grind while fans sing for Cody some more. Jey wrenches at the hold, headlocks in return, but Cody powers up and out. Cody stays back of the up ‘n’ over, then dragon sleepers! Jey snapmares free, but Cody narrowly avoids the superkick!
Jey says it was that close, YEET! Cody nods and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Cody has Jey in a FIGURE FOUR! Jey endures, reaches out, and the fans rally! ROPEBREAK! Cody lets go quickly and he brings Jey back around. Cody spins Jey but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Jey then mule kicks, pops, locks ‘n’ UPPERCUTS! But Cody kicks to then RHODES UPPERCUT! Cody runs but into a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this but Jey stays focused. Cody crawls away, Jey backs up to the opposite corner, “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cody sputters, Jey goes up the corner, and USO SPLASH onto knees! Cody drags Jey into a KIMURA!! Cody uses what The Beast once used on him!
The fans rally, Jey endures, but Cody cranks on the arm! Jey fights up, whips Cody away, and then Jey has the SLEEPER! Jey uses what he used on Gunther! Cody fights and flails but he’s fading! Cody drops to a knee, and Jey becomes a backpack! Cody gets a second wind, but even that fades! Cody gets a third wind and he hoists Jey up! The fans fire up as Cody then runs and DUMPS Jey up and over the top rope! The fans rally while both men are down! The ref calls to Jey and starts a ring count. Jey stirs at 3 of 10 while Cody huffs ‘n’ puffs and stands back up. Cody builds speed, and Cody DVIES into an UPPERCUT!
The fans fire up and Jey hurries to the corner. Jey climbs, but Cody ROCKS Jey first! Cody climbs up to get Jey, “This is Awesome!” as the two brawl up top! Cody goes to the very top, but Jey HEADBUTTS him down! Jey adjusts, but Cody springs right back up! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cody and Jey both writhe, and Cody goes to the apron while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Cody fires hands on Jey! Jey is down on his knees, Cody CLUBS and ROCKS him again! Jey shoves Cody, but Cody fires more shots! Jey counter punches! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” But Cody JABS! JABS! JABS! Cody flips, flops, and- UPPERCUT from Jey! Jey pops, locks, puts some stank on it, but Cody ROCKS Jey! Jey ROCKS Cody, then runs, btu Cody follows and CLOBBERS Jey! Cody goes to a corner, Jey runs in, but Cody goes up and over! Only for Jey to fake Cody out on the snap powerslam! Cody staggers up, into Jey’s SNAP POWERSLAM! Jey uses a very Cody kind of move, and then he puts on a dragon sleeper!
Cody KNEES Jey away, then runs to springboard, CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and Cody is a bit surprised. “This is Awesome!” and Cody watches Jey stir. Jey rises, Cody brings him around, springboard and- NO, Jey ducks the Disaster Kick to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives and Jey is the one surprised! The fans rally up as both men go to ropes. Jey aims from a corner, runs in, but into a KICK! Cody goes to the corner, goes up, up, and SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!?! Jey survives and Cody is shocked! But then Cody fires himself back up, the fans rally even harder, and Cody waits on Jey.
Jey rises, Cody dragon sleepers, but Jey spins it around?! CROSS RHODES from Jey!! Cover, TWO!!! Cody survives his own move and Jey is beside himself! Columbus is thunderous as Jey goes back to a corner. Jey watches Cody rise up now, and he SUPERKICKS Cody back down! Jey dares Cody to get back up, and Cody does rise back up. Jey SUPERKICKS again! Cody falls but Jey drags him around. Jey whips, runs, and SPEARS!! But that isn’t all as Jey puts Cody in a drop zone. Jey climbs up a corner, but Cody is right back up!! Jey and Cody go for a ride in the SUPER DUPER CODY CUTTER!!!
The fans are electric as Cody puts Jey in the dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, CODY WINS!!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (advances to Night of Champions)
These two know each other so well, that’s how they were able to push each other this far! And while he is still Main Event Jey Uso, he loses out to The American Nightmare! Cody shows his friend great respect by kneeling down and looking him in the eye. The fans cheer as the friends stand up together and hug it out. But now this puts Cody on a collision course with his friend and mentor, Randy Orton! Will Cody or Orton be crowned King of the Ring?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw as the go-home to Night of Champions, which is still happening as of this moment. Great opening promo from Rollins to put everything in perspective, while also calling out the fans at the same time. Great segue into Bron VS Penta, and that was a great opening match. Bron winning makes sense, the henchmen need to stay strong if they’re also to be contenders in their own right, whether for tag titles or midcard titles. And great bit with Penta and Gable, this would be a great way to expose El Grande as Gable with the “bad arm.”
Good promo from Sheamus with Alpha Academy and then with Rusev. Sheamus VS Rusev 1v1 is going to be big, but I suddenly want there to be a “Best of” series, so they can go like four, five, six matches, or as Sheamus would put it, banger after banger. Then the winner is more than primed for a title shot, either Intercontinental or World Heavyweight, and they could make a very good case for winning. Speaking of which, not sure how real Dom needing time to heal up is, but Judgment Day said Dom needed it so I guess it isn’t them fooling everyone. Styles VS Dom might be set up for Saturday Night’s Main Event with this delay to help build that show up.
The New Day had a good promo with Adam Pearce, too, with them being so offended at the idea of defending the tag titles, and now Waller trying to be the new third man or something. But hey, I’ve been wanting to see someone somewhere book a Heel VS Heel thing, so here we are, and Waller can make a great counter to like, Dom being the cornerman for Finn & JD. Also, good stuff with Raquel, Rhea and Roxie. Roxie helping Raquel get one over on Rhea is a nice touch, and it probably leads to Roxie & Raquel defending the tag titles together. Whether or not Roxie screws Raquel over is still up in the air with Liv’s shoulder injury so much worse than expected.
Goldberg and Gunther had very good promos to hype their match, and I kinda liked Columbus, OH being on Gunther’s side there. And with it being a combination of retirement match yet also title match, that practically screams, “Rollins is going to cash-in.” Maybe, just maybe, Goldberg wins to have that last title reign and then Rollins cashes in, making it one of the shortest reigns ever. Or to get even more heat from Goldberg’s fans, Rollins cashes in during the match to parallel his Heist of the Century moment.
Good promo for Bayley and Lyra, and very good promo from Becky where she assumes the worst. Becky VS Bayley was great, but they could’ve done a lot better with Lyra messing up the finish for Bayley. Lyra running in there when Bayley was up top felt like Lyra was being far too foolish. Now granted, the other way would’ve been an “accidental” punch on Bayley where Lyra was aiming for Becky, so they were kinda stuck. But obviously, this helps them set up a Triple Threat for the title, and they should put it for Evolution.
Great promo from Sami and Kross, especially with Sami finally hitting Kross. Sami VS Kross being for Night of Champions is great stuff, because Sami finally gets to be part of a big PLE again. And since this is all working to Kross’ plans, maybe this brings Sami closer to turning Heel. Great tournament matches tonight, Jade beating Roxie made sense when Roxie has her Judgment Day story to fall back on, and Asuka VS Jade is certainly a big deal. I feel like either woman could win, but given the stories we’ve got going, I’m leaning towards Jade because of Naomi being Miss MITB, but we definitely need to see Asuka VS Iyo happen for the Women’s World title, too.
Cody VS Jey was awesome, practically a PLE match, but as I figured, we are now getting Cody VS Orton in the finals. That is because Cody will win, then face Cena at SummerSlam, and I would think Cody wins there, too. It makes me also think that we could get a wild double turn. Fans are loving what Cena is doing, he could go back to being Face while we finally get that Homelander Heel Cody fans have been curious about during his time in AEW.
My Score: 8.9/10
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May your New Japan Soul reach the Climax!
With spots left open in the G1 Climax, it’s win-and-you’re-in as NJPW pits Tomohiro Ishii against “Drilla” Moloney and Taichi against Callum Newman!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Tatsuya Matsumoto VS Zane Jay; Time Limit Draw.
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Yasuda wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Toru Yano, YOH, Master Wato, Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins, by disqualification.
- 8 Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Yuya Uemura & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Uemura & Taguchi win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Gabe Kidd & Taiji Ishimori; Gabe & Taiji win.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Boltin Oleg & Shota Umino VS TMDK; Goto, Oleg & Umino win.
- G1 Climax 35 B Block Play-In: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins and advances to the G1.
- G1 Climax 35 A Block Play-In: Taichi VS Callum Newman; Callum wins and advances to the G1.
PLAY BY PLAY
G1 Climax 35 B Block Play-In: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
It’s a dogfight in Korakuen Hall! But will the Stone Pitbull beat some respect into this whelp? Or will this War Dog take a big bite out of the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion?
The bell rings and the fans rally up already. The two tie up as the fans duel, and Drilla headlocks. Ishii powers up and out, Drilla RAMS him, but Ishii comes back. Drilla dodges, Ishii dodges, Drilla hurdles, but Ishii spins him for a suplex. Drilla fights that and lifts, but Ishii fights free! Drilla ducks the enzigiri, but then Ishii avoids the Gore! The fans fire up for the standoff. Ishii and Drilla reset, and Ishii shoves Drilla. Drilla CHOPS, Ishii CHOPS, and repeat! The fans cheer as the CHOPS keep going back and forth! CHOP after CHOP, but Ishii starts to feel those! Drilla CHOPS and CHOPS, but Ishii ducks!
Ishii waistlocks, Drilla switches, Ishii elbows free then runs, but into Drilla’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Ishii bails out. Drilla builds speed and he WRECKS Ishii with the dropkick! Ishii hits railing and the fans fire up! Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs and goes out to fetch Ishii. Drilla CHOPS Ishii again and the fans applaud. The ref wants this back inside so Drilla pushes Ishii in the ring. Drilla taunts the fans, “The F you say?” then he steps inside. Drilla CHOPS Ishii but Ishii eggs him on. Drilla CHOPS again, and CHOPS again, but Ishii SPITS at Drilla! Drilla BOOTS, CHOPS, then he SPITS at Ishii! Drilla snapmares Ishii to KICK him in the back!
Ishii snarls and the fans fire up. Ishii shakes his head and Drilla scuffs him. Drilla gives mocking kicks, eggs Ishii on, and the fans rally up. Ishii eggs Drilla on, so Drilla gives him more kicks. Ishii rises to fire forearms! Drilla ROCKS Ishii! And ROCKS him again! Ishii winds up but Drilla ROCKS him a third time! Drilla reels Ishii in, lifts, but Ishii fights the suplex! They fight for control, the fans duel, and it’s Ishii who suplexes Drilla up and over! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ishii rises, he brings Drilla up, but Drilla CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Drilla fires up and CHOPS! Ishii scowls and CHOPS back!
Ishii reels Drilla in but Drilla fights with elbows. Drilla whips, Ishii reverses, and reels Drilla in for a SAIDO! The fans fire up and Ishii rises again! Ishii stalks Drilla to a corner, winds up and CHOPS! CHOPS! And ROCKS! Ishii CHOPS and ROCKS Drilla again and again, Drilla sputters and the fans fire up. Ishii comes back to stand Drilla up. Ishii whips, Drilla reverses, and Drilla DROPKICKS! Ishii stays up!? And POUNCES Drilla in return! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Ishii drags Drilla up, puts him on the top rope, then climbs. The fans rally as Ishii brings Drilla to the very top, for a SUPERPLEX!
The fans fire up again and Ishii hurries to cover, TWO! Drilla survives and the fans cheer. Ishii stands, and he looms over Drilla. Drilla sits up, Ishii brings him up, but Drilla SLAPS! Ishii SLAPS, and now it is a SLAP fight! The fans fire up as the SLAPS go fast ‘n’ furious! Ishii ROCKS Drilla with one, then kicks him! So Drilla SLAPS back! And then DECKS Ishii!! The fans fire up while Ishii is down! Ishii stirs, Drilla roars, and Drilla runs, but Ishii SWATS the lariat to fire boxing elbows! But Drilla spins, but Ishii ROCKS him first! Ishii runs, but into a wrench and short arm LARIAT! ROLLING ELBOW! Drilla runs to GORE, but Ishii stuffs it!
Ishii lifts, Drilla wrenches free, but Ishii ROCKS him! Ishii runs, but into Drilla’s SPINEBUSTER! Drilla runs and GORES!! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii survives and the fans are thunderous. The fans rally up and duel between Ishii and Moloney. Drilla rises, staggers a bit, but he steadies himself. Drilla brings Ishii up and puts him on the top rope. Drilla ROCKS Ishii, fires the fans up more, and the fans bark along with Drilla. Drilla rises, but Ishii fires body shots! Ishii HEADBUTTS Drilla, but Drilla GAMANGIRIS in return! Drilla climbs back up, drags Ishii onto his shoulders, and he fireman’s carries for a SUPER DUPER LANDSLIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Ishii survives, the fans are thunderous, and we’re only ten minutes in?! Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him back in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla still hits a PILEDRIVER!! But Ishii’s right up!?! He dodges a boot, blocks the next kick, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Both men are down and the fans rally even harder! Ishii crawls away to a corner, and he fires himself up as he rises. Drilla stands, Ishii runs up, but Drilla BOOTS the lariat! Ishii spins to LARIAT, but Drilla ENZIGIRIS! Ishii comes back, but into a pump handle! MADE IN JAPAN!?! Cover, TWO!!! Drilla tried to be a Rampaging Dragon but he couldn’t put Ishii down!
The fans are thunderous again as Drilla rises and Ishii stirs. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, Canadian Rack! Ishii slips free, Alabama Lifts, but Drilla fights that! They fight for control, and Ishii lifts for a BEACH BREAK!! A shoutout to Ishii’s Freshly Squeezed friend, and both men are down! Ishii crawls over, he sits Drilla up and runs, but Drilla avoids the Sliding Lariat! Drilla takes a swing, but into a full nelson! DRAGON SUPLEX! But Drilla is right up?!? Only for Ishii to LARIAT him back down! The fans are electric as Ishii sits Drilla up, for the SLIDING LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Drilla survives and the fans continue to rally!
Ishii huffs ‘n’ puffs and roars to his feet! Ishii brings Drilla up, suplexes, but Drilla slips free! STEP-UP KNEE! Ishii drops down but Drilla reloads! Drilla runs up, but Ishii RAMS him first! Ishii HEADBUTTS, Drilla UPPERCUTS, but Ishii DECKS Drilla!! Ishii roars, the fans are with him, and Ishii runs! LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Drilla survives again and the fans are electric! Ishii brings Drilla back up, suplexes, BRAIN- NO, Drilla fights it off at the last second! Drilla suplexes to BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!??! Ishii survives his own signature move, but Drilla vows to end this now! Drilla hauls Ishii up, reels him in, and Canadian Racks!
But Ishii fights free! Drilla ducks the lariat to wrench and ripcord, but Ishii HEADBUTTS! Ishii then SLIDING HEADBUTTS!! Cover, TWO!!! Drilla survives again but Ishii just stands him up. DOUBLE HEADBUTTS collide! ENZIGIRI from Ishii!! Drilla roars and GORES!!! But Ishii’s back up!??! So Drilla GORES again!!! And with some extra stank on it! Drilla hurries to get Ishii back up, Canadian Racks, DRILLA KILLA!!! But he isn’t done?!? ANOTHER DRILLA KILLA!!!! Cover, DRILLA WINS!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall (advances to G1 Climax 35, B Block)
A dogfight indeed, and both men brought everything they had and a little extra! But it is the young gun that wins his way into the G1! Will no one survive facing 44 Caliber?
G1 Climax 35 A Block Play-In: Taichi w/ Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Callum Newman!
The Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull won the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships off The United Empire, but there’s always more to win. Will Taichi make up for missing out on the G1 last year? Or will the Prince of Pace run through Taichi to join the round robin?
The bell rings and both men run up! Taichi BOOTS first, but Callum BOOTS back! Callum eggs Taichi on and Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Callum comes back to fire a forearm! Taichi RIDGE HANDS, Callum fires a forearm, repeat! The fans fire up with Taichi and he fires another RIDGE HAND! Callum shakes that off to fire forearm after forearm! Callum runs, BOOTS Taichi, but Taichi BOOTS back! Callum BOOTS again, Taichi BOOTS, but Callum blocks! Callum then ducks ‘n’ dodges the haymakers to JUMP KICK! Taichi falls and goes outside while the fans fire up. Callum goes to the apron and he PENALTY KICKS!
The fans cheer as Taichi falls! The ref checks and Taichi is alright to continue, so Callum hops down. Callum drags Taichi up, then whips him at the railing! Taichi hits hard and slumps down! The fans rally while the ref reprimands, and Callum brings Taichi up. Callum CHOPS and Taichi sputters away! Callum pretends even his ears are ringing from that pop sound. Callum puts Taichi in, the fans applaud, and Callum covers, ONE! Taichi is tougher than that and the fans rally behind him. Callum stays cool as he sits Taichi up. Callum mockingly claps along, then KICKS Taichi in the back! Taichi eggs Callum on!
Callum KICKS, and Taichi stands right up! RIDGE HAND! BACKHAND! KICK! But then Callum BODY SHOTS! Callum runs up but Taichi BOOTS him! Taichi runs, dodges a shot to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum crawls to a corner, Taichi runs in, and Taichi BOOTS! Callum slumps down and the fans applaud. Taichi drags Callum up to snapmare and KICK! Callum writhes, the fans applaud, and Taichi KICKS again! Callum eggs Taichi on, so Taichi KICKS again! Now Callum stands up to KICK Taichi in the chest! Taichi snarls and KICKS Callum in the chest!
Callum SOBATS but Taichi ENZIGIRIS! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Taichi rises, the fans rally, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi takes aim from the corner. Callum slowly stands, TENSHO- Callum dodges and ENZIGIRIS! Then he SWEEPS the legs to DOUBLE STOMP! The fans rally while both men are down again. Callum stands, storms over to Taichi, and brings Taichi to his feet. Callum UPPERCUTS Taichi to a corner, but Callum needs a second to catch his breath. Callum then CHOPS Taichi and Taichi slumps down. Callum shakes out the stars, winds up again and CHOPS!
Taichi stands, Callum CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Taichi eggs Callum on, so Callum ROCKS him with an elbow! Taichi RIDGEHANDS in return! Callum fires a flurry of forearms, sits Taichi down with them, and keeps raining forearms! The ref counts, then he backs Callum off at 4! Callum goes back to Taichi, scuffs him, then stands him up. Callum hoists Taichi up top, then ROCKS him with a right! The fans rally as Callum climbs, but Taichi fights the suplex! Taichi shoves Callum away, but Callum comes back to DROPKICK Taichi down! Taichi tumbles to the apron then the floor while the fans fire up!
Callum goes out to fetch Taichi again, and he RAMS Taichi into railing! The fans rally while Taichi slumps down. The ref wants this back inside so Callum puts Taichi in the ring. But then Callum drags Taichi to the apron and stands him up! Callum reels Taichi in, but Taichi fights the suplex! Taichi fires body shots, then RIDGE HANDS! DANGER- NO, Callum fights the saido with elbows! Callum then goes up the corner, APRON OSC- BOOT!! Taichi knocks Callum out of the sky and Callum falls to the floor! Taichi slumps down from the apron and the fans rally up. A ring count starts while both men are on the ground.
The fans rally as we pass 5 of 20, and Taichi sits up at 8. Callum stirs at 11, Taichi rises up to jump into the ring! Callum is still down at 15! The fans rally harder as Callum rises, and he staggers around at 18! Callum lunges in at 19! BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO! Callum survives and the fans fire up! Taichi stands over him, brings him up, and the fans rally. The ref has Taichi hold on, and he checks Callum. Callum stirs, sputters, and sits up. Taichi grabs at him, Callum pushes him away, but Taichi kicks him around. The fans rally more, and Taichi eggs Callum on. Callum tells Taichi to bring it, so Taichi KICKS him down!
The fans rally up, Callum sputters again, but Taichi sits him up for another KICK! Callum flops back over but Taichi eggs him on. Taichi kicks at Callum, Callum rises up, and Callum shoves the ref aside. Callum eggs Taichi on and the fans fire up. Taichi KICKS Callum down again! The fans cheer and Taichi eggs Callum on. Taichi scuffs Callum, Callum pushes him, and Callum puts his arms back?! The fans cheer Callum’s grit, and Taichi KICKS again! Callum goes right back down! Callum takes a moment, but he sits right back up! Taichi KICKS him right back down! Taichi eggs Callum on, and Callum sits up again.
Callum SPITS at Taichi, Taichi wipes that away, and KICKS, only for Callum to block! Callum then stands to CHOP! Taichi RIDGEHANDS! Callum ROUNDHOUSES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Callum goes to ropes, the fans rally up, and Callum drags himself up the corner. Callum reaches the top, steadies himself, then DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Direct hit but Callum can’t cover from the pain in his own ribs! The fans rally while both men writhe, and Callum manages to stand. Callum hobbles his way over, brings Taichi up, but his ribs won’t let him suplex so easily. Taichi wrenches out and RIDGE HANDS!
Callum snarls and ROCKS Taichi with a forearm! Then he hooks the leg, FIREBOLT!! The fans fire up, Callum covers, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans fire up again! Callum sits Taichi up to fire Kawada Kicks, then he calls his shot. Callum runs, springboards, and OSC- NO, Taichi blocks and DANGEROUS SAIDOS!! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Taichi crawls to a corner and roars as he rises! Taichi takes aim again, and as Callum stands, TENSHOU- JUMP KNEE from Callum! And then a forearm! ROLLING ELBOW! ROLLING- ELBOW from Taichi! Then a ROLLING ELBOW from Taichi!
Taichi roars and DANGEROUS- JUMP KNEE form Callum again! Taichi rebounds, AX- NO, Callum ducks and runs, but into the AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and Taichi fires up again! DANGEROUS SAIDO, with BRIDGE! TWO?!? Callum survives, the fans rally for Taichi, but there might be some cheers for Callum in there. Taichi vows to finish this, and he brings Callum up. Taichi Alabama Lifts, but Callum fights it down! Taichi tries again but Callum CLUBS away on Taichi’s back! Callum lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! AX- NO, Callum slips around to DRAGON SUPLEX! Taichi flounders to the ropes, Callum runs up to KNEE Taichi down!
Callum pushes Taichi to the drop zone, then climbs up the corner. The fans rally, Callum DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS Taichi while he’s standing! Callum goes back up top, DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Taichi survives again and shocks Callum! The fans are thunderous as they duel. Callum rises, looks to the corner, and he calls his shot! Callum goes up, up, and- NO, Taichi CLUBS him on the top rope! Taichi then climbs up after Callum, CLUBS him again and again, then brings him up! SUPER DUPER SAIDO, but Callum lands out! Callum BOOTS Taichi! Callum runs in, Taichi dodges and Taichi GAMANGIRIS!
Taichi roars, the fans fire up, and Taichi runs, but into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Callum drags Taichi up again, but the ref has him wait. The ref checks Taichi, Taichi is okay to continue, and Callum brings him up. BLOODY- NO, Taichi fights the lift, wrenches out, but Callum avoids the lariat to DREAMCAST KICK! And then FIREBOLT!! Cover, TWO?!?! Taichi survives and the fans are thunderous! Callum is beside himself but the fans rally up again! The fans chant, “Let’s Go, Taichi!” but Callum shakes his head. Callum brings Taichi up, reels him in, but Taichi fights free of the hold to JAWBREAKER and FIGURE FOUR JACKKNIFE! TWO!!!
Callum escapes, but Taichi ROUNDHOUSES! And GAMANGIRIS! Taichi roars, the fans fire up, and Taichi hurries to Alabama Lift! BLACK- NO, Callum slips free, jumps up, and POISON-RANAS!! Taichi staggers around, Callum runs up to BUSAIKU KNEE!! Callum roars, reels Taichi back in, PRINCE’S CURSE!!! Cover, CALLUM WINS!!
Winner: Callum Newman, by pinfall (advances to G1 Climax 35, A Block)
And once again, the younger generation triumphs! While Taichi might be champion, will he have to admit the times are changing?
As for Callum, he catches his breath to pick up the mic. “Oh my God… Chotto matte <Hold on a moment.> Taichi-san, honto tsuyoi ne. <Taichi, you’re really strong.>” The fans applaud, and Callum says he was rather surprised. Then he apologizes, that’s the limits of his Japanese. But he said once in an interview, that when he was 16 years old, he snuck backstage of a show, no ticket. The first person he saw was Taichi. The fans applaud that, and Callum says he won’t kiss up to Taichi, Taichi wouldn’t want it. But Callum says that honestly, Taichi is probably one of the best wrestlers in the world today.
The fans cheer that, and Callum continues with saying he is so sorry that they had to do it like this. It was either Callum or Taichi, and Callum was going to make it himself. But Taichi should honestly be in every G1 Climax he can make. Callum encourages Taichi to give us more anytime, and anywhere. The fans applaud in agreement there. Taichi seems rather emotional being praised like this. Taichi manages to stand, and he shakes Callum’s hand. The fans cheer as Taichi now encourages Callum, and even raises Callum’s hand in victory. Taichi goes to his corner before giving another bow of respect. The fans cheer Taichi on as he makes his exit.
Callum continues by calling to Yuya Uemura. “Now or later, your choice.” Yuya says that he looks forward to facing Callum in the G1. Callum says please do. Callum says to speed things along, he is in the G1, baby! The fans cheer that! Callum says he had no idea what he was going to say because he wasn’t sure he’d win. But he will say one thing: Everyone wants to talk about being a leader, whether that’s leading this generation, NJPW as a company, or their own faction. Callum DGAF! “No matter who you are, where you are, no matter how much money you earn elsewhere, NJPW is the place where everyone wants to be!”
The fans cheer and Callum says last year, well, he’s barely been in NJPW for about two years then. And already, he has been in two New Japan Cups, one World Tag League, is a TWO-TIME IWGP Tag Team Champion, is the YOUNGEST challenger to the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and now he’s in his second G1! As long as there is a heart beating in this chest, as long as there is air in his lungs, he will be a NJPW wrestler! He will win the G1 as one of the best in the world, because this is CALLUM! EFFIN’! NEWMAN!! Mic drop and the fans fire up! Will The Prince of Pace soon make himself the King of the Climax?
My Thoughts:
Another great New Japan Soul here. The House of Torture winning both matches again comes with a hilarious disclaimer: The 10 Man Tag had a TRIPLE Eddie Guerrero “caught red-handed” moment, but Yano and his team figured if they were gonna lose cuz of cheating, they would do it themselves. Yano, Yoh & Wato got to clobber Narita, Sho & Douki with their signature weapons, and then declared they wanted not only the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag titles back, but even want to go after the NEVER Openweight Six Man titles. Those will be great matches, and the factions probably split the difference.
The G1 Climax Play-In matches were great, but I figured the younger guys were both making it in. Taichi & Ishii just won the tag titles, they can worry more about that story than a G1 story. But I do appreciate Callum telling Taichi and the world that Taichi is sill so good and deserves much more. Ishii VS Drilla was much more high impact, but Taichi VS Callum was a bit grittier, a bit more story and psychology to it, so I see why it was the main event. And Callum is certainly rising up the ranks, NJPW sees what he’s got, and he could make a good run. I can’t be sure what singles title Callum gets, but he’s deserving of something between now and WrestleKingdom.
My Score: 8.8/10
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