Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report! (8/20/18)
The Raw After Summerslam has THREE new champions! The Architect, The Big Dog and the Baddest Woman on the Planet reign, so what’s next for Monday nights?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Baron Corbin VS Bobby Lashley; Lashley wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Ember Moon & The Boss & Hug Connection VS The Riott Squad; The Riott Squad wins.
- Dean Ambrose w/ Seth Rollins VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew McIntyre; Ambrose wins.
- Elias VS Curt Hawkins; Elias wins.
- Titus Worldwide VS The Authors of Pain; The Authors of Pain win.
- Bo Dallas w/ Curt Axel VS Scott Dawson w/ Dash Wilder; Dawson wins.
- Curt Axel w/ Bo Dallas VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson; Wilder wins.
- WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns VS Finn Balor; Roman wins and retains the WWE Universal Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Big Dog heads to the ring!
Roman Reigns enters as the NEW WWE Universal Champion after the chaos and brutality that was Summerslam’s main event. Roman looks at the belt he fought so hard to get, and lifts it up with pride. He ignores the noise as he slings it on his back and continues down the ramp. Roman stands in the ring with a big smile on his face while fans are divided down the middle. “I’m a man of my word”, he says. “I said I was gonna beat Brock Lesnar, and I did.” Roman hears the fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Roman repeats that he vowed to defend the belt. He’ll even do that tonight. Fans like the sound of that.
Roman would make this an open challenge, but he has someone in mind already. That same man won the title in Brooklyn, too. But then he got hurt and never got his opportunity to get it back. Roman will defend this belt tonight, against… FINN BALOR! And speaking of the Extraordinary Man, he heads to the ring! The inaugural Universal Champion stands in front of the current champion, and says, “Wassup, Roman?” Finn accepts the challenge, and vows to take that title back! Fans love this already, so let’s make it official. They shake hands, but here comes Baron Corbin.
Stephanie’s appointed Constable wants us to calm down. As great as that match would be, it’s not happening on Corbin’s watch. If Finn thinks he’s getting rewarded for that “little stunt”, he’s crazy. Finn no-showed and sent his Demon instead. Corbin says that was unprofessional, cowardly, and in breach of contract. Plus, with all the smoke and noise, Corbin couldn’t hear or see so he didn’t know the match was on. Corbin refuses to accept that match happened. The fans boo, and he says they’re booing Finn. He wants Finn The Man tonight. Roman says the fans are booing Corbin, not Finn. And if he sucked as bad as Corbin did, he’d want to strike it from the record, too. Corbin claims the only reason Roman won was because Lesnar had to worry about Braun Strowman. Roman steps to Corbin but Corbin backs down. Here comes Kurt Angle!
The Raw GM soaks in the “You Suck!” greeting, then speaks to the three men in the ring. Corbin’s letting his Constable role go to his head, because Angle makes matches, not him. Angle also tells Corbin to shush, so we can get what Brooklyn wants. Does Brooklyn want Reigns VS Balor for the title tonight? “YES! YES!” Then that’s our main event! As for Corbin, he has a match, right now! And it’s against… Bobby Lashley!
Baron Corbin VS Bobby Lashley!
The Lone Wolf stuck his foot in his mouth, and now he has to take on the Dominator! Will Lashley send Corbin reeling with a bout of vertigo?
Raw returns as the bell rings and these two circle. Lashley gets around Corbin to throw him down. Then he throws him again! Lashley brings Corbin up but Corbin elbows into the standing switch. Lashley switches back to throw Corbin again. Corbin gets a ropebreak, so Lashley backs off. Lashley sees the sucker punch coming and drop sCorbin with a neckbreaker. Fans fire up as Lashley bumps Corbin off a buckle. Lashley bumps Corbin off another buckle, then another. He throws hands then whips. Corbin slides out and catches his breath, but fans boo and jeer him. Lashley pursues and rocks Corbin with forearms. He bumps Corbin off the apron, then puts him in the ring at 6. Lashley enters at 7, then rams a shoulder into Corbin in the corner.
Lashley climbs and gives Corbin corner punches. He gets all 10, then clotheslines Corbin back out. Fans cheer while Lashley goes back to get Corbin. Lashley puts Corbin in the ring then hops right up, only for Corbin to kick him down. Corbin throws Lashley into barriers, then puts him in the ring. Corbin stalks Lashley into a half-nelson. Lashley endures while fans rally up. Lashley stands and fights back with body shots. Corbin knees low, then whips Lashley. Lashley reverses but misses in the corner. They speed up and Lashley leaps over to lariat Corbin down! Lashley brings Corbin up, rocks him with clubbing haymakers, then prepares a suplex. Corbin powers Lashley all the way out, for a rough landing! Then he slides out to clobber Lashley down! The Lone Wolf has control while we go to break.
Raw returns and Corbin has Lashley in the half-nelson. He taunts Lashley while leaning his weight on the hold. Lashley feeds off the fan rally but Corbin knees him low. Corbin then throws Lashley into a post! He tries again, but Lashley turns it around and throws Corbin into a post! Lashley recovers while Corbin stands up. Lashley and Corbin brawl with big haymakers, but then Lashley gets on a roll. He throws Corbin overhead, then runs in for a big clothesline. Lashley keeps going, but runs into a back elbow. Corbin runs, but into a spinebuster! Cover, TWO! Corbin rolls out of the ring, but Lashley pursues again. Lashley throws hands on Corbin, then puts him in the ring. Corbin hotshots Lashley on the return, then clobbers him again.
Corbin drags Lashley in, then hoists him to the top rope. He throws forearms on Lashley while climbing up. Fans boo and jeer while Corbin grins. Lashley headbutts Corbin down, adjusts, and leaps, but into the Choke Slam Backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Corbin is furious, so he runs in. Lashley dodges, Corbin slides in and out, but into a knee. Then into the dominator lift! AK-47 Slam! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
The Dominator may not have dominated, but he did come out on top. Will the Constable come up with excuses for this loss, too?
Paul Heyman visits Kurt Angle.
What’s he doing here? He has a specific mission, as his client, Brock Lesnar, would like his contractually obligated rematch clause. Seriously? Well, yes, Lesnar VS Roman or Finn. Heyman knows what Angle is thinking, Lesnar should be down the road to UFC by now. But Lesnar goes where he wants to go, so he’s going to want a rematch. Yes, that title contract has a rematch clause, but it doesn’t specify when and where that rematch happens. The thing is, Angle has a fighting champion now, and one that shows up. Lesnar will have to wait a long, long long time for that rematch.
Heyman agrees to that, it should be a long time. Obviously it wouldn’t happen next week. Heyman sees it way down the road, where Lesnar uses his rematch clause for… Hell in a Cell. Angle says it’ll be a cold day in hell for that. Or as they say in Brooklyn, forgettaboutit!
Baron Corbin complains to Kurt Angle.
Corbin says he was prepared for Finn the Man at Summerslam, not Demon Balor. And then tonight, the same thing happens but with Lashley the Dominator. Corbin isn’t some dog who does tricks! He is Stephanie’s Constable! And Corbin is tired of not getting what he wants. Angle says his job isn’t to do what Corbin wants. As long as he’s GM, he does what’s best for the WWE Universe. Fine, but Stephanie’s gonna be here tonight. Corbin’s gonna go talk to her, how does that sound? Will Stephanie give her pet Lone Wolf what he wants? Or will she give him what he deserves?
WWE and Raw take a look at the coming Final Chapter.
Super Show-Down in Australia, October 6th, Triple H and The Undertaker resurrect their ruthless rivalry! Six years ago at Wrestlemania, in a Hell in a Cell mach, it was the End of an Era. But finally, we will get the end of this iconic feud. Who wins this #LastTimeEver match?
Six Woman Tag: Ember Moon & The Boss & Hug Connection VS The Riott Squad!
The Prophecy of Flame and the #LegitHuggable duo take on the entire trio of Ruby, Liv and Sarah! Can Ember, Bayley & Banks Eclipse the entire Squad tonight? Or will Ruby and company #StartARiott in Brooklyn?
The bell rings and Sasha starts with Ruby. Sasha slaps Ruby around, then jumps on her for fast hands! She brings Ruby up and to her corner, tag to Bayley. They crisscross and throw Ruby back. Bayley stomps a mudhole, then tags to Ember. Roll up, TWO, and Ruby scrambles to her corner. Tag to Sarah, but Ember fires off a big right hand! Ember fires off kicks, then roars for a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO, but Ember keeps on the Kentucky Viking. Liv and Ruby come in but get decked! The Squad escapes the ring, but Sasha gives Ruby a Meteora while Bayley crossbodies on Liv! Sarah stands alone, but Ember DIVES! The War Goddess and the best buddies are in control while we go to break.
Raw returns and Bayley has Liv down with an armlock. Liv shrieks while her partners shout. Fans sing for Bayley but Liv gets up to whip her into a corner. Bayley snake eyes Liv back, then hits a big knee. Sarah saves Liv from a second one, but gets a punch for it. Liv rocks Bayley out of the ring with that right hand, then tags Ruby. Ruby stalks Bayley to bring her down with an STO! The ref reprimands the Squad but Ruby just puts Bayley back in. Cover, TWO, but Ruby drags Bayley over. Tag to Sarah and the Squad starts mugging Bayley. Tag to Liv, Liv pulls Bayley against the ropes with the backpack chinlock. Sarah gets a cheap shot in, then Liv covers. TWO, but the Juvenile Delinquent keeps Bayley grounded with another chinlock.
Bayley endures while fans rally up. Liv thrashes Bayley around, then knees Bayley low. She puts Bayley in the corner then tags Ruby. Ruby tags Sarah and the Squad coordinates. Ruby whips Liv in for a big corner clothesline, then Sarah throws Ruby in for a shoulder tackle. Liv and Ruby feed Bayley to Sarah’s pop up headbutt! Cover, TWO! Sarah wraps Bayley up in a cobra clutch and thrashes her all around. Fans rally up and Bayley jawbreakers out. Sarah takes out Ember, then howls. Bayley boots her back then fights out of the Squad corner. Sarah grabs Bayley’s leg and stomps her down. Sarah drags Bayley back and tags in Ruby. Ruby stays between Sasha and Bayley, but gets rolled up! TWO, hot tag to Sasha!
The Boss rallies as fans fire up. She dropkicks Ruby, then counters the kick with a knee! She runs in, stops those boots, and sets Ruby up for the Stock Drop! Cover, but Liv breaks it just in time. Ember throws Liv out, then gives her the tornado snap suplex! Sasha runs but Ruby puts her on the apron. She knees Ruby away, but has to fight Sarah. Bayley goes after Sarah, but gets a lethal lariat! Sasha hits a Meteora on Sarah, then climbs up again. Ruby kicks the arms, then brings Sasha in for the Riott Kick! Cover, Riott Squad wins!
Winners: The Riott Squad, Ruby pinning
The numbers were even, but it was about the right moves. Ruby and her Squad continue to rise up, how high will they go?
Triple H is here!
The Game and COO of WWE returns, his already legendary #LastTimeEver match with the Phenom on the horizon. Fans chant “NXT!” for the man behind that brand, and HHH admits, TakeOver blew the roof off the arena. Summerslam took it to another level, and it’s all been incredible. HHH was on the edge of his seat, because just like us, he’s a fan of wrestling “to the core, from day one.” He will work until the day he dies that this is here for all of us. But weekends like this give HHH “that itch” to rip his suit off, tape up and lace up to truly be The Game again! That is why when Vince called with an idea, HHH said “Hell Yeah!” Vince wanted HHH VS The Undertaker. HHH said “Hell No.” But for a different reason than we think.
For everything HHH has done, there’s a moment that stands out against all the others. A moment that he will never forget. The Wrestlemania #EndofanEra Hell in a Cell match. He, Taker and Shawn Michaels, on the ramp. Fans chant “HBK!” for the Heartbreak Kid. HHH says that moment is as real as it gets in this business. That is a moment of mutual respect, two of the biggest icons ever, just as responsible as anybody for WWE today. That moment changed them all. It was the End of an Era, but it also changed them. HBK was gone, The Streak would die. The Undertaker would put his hat and gloves down and disappear. HHH put his gear away and put on a suit. And it was over.
The three of them have talked about it, everything changed. The sound, the goosebumps, gone. It was truly the End of an Era, and without sounding bitter, their Era was special. But fans say “You Still Got It!” HHH continues, for the respect he had for that moment, and told Vince that he was back in. HHH takes off the suit to put back on his tape and boots, and be The Game once again! If Undertaker will pick up his hat, put on his gloves and be The Phenom one more time! Melbourne, Australia, 80000 in attendance and everyone around the world watching, that feeling will be back! “Because the Era is back!” Undertaker, The Game, #oneLASTtime! It’s clear on HHH’s face that the Cerebral Assassin is back already, will he meet the Deadman Down Under?
Dean Ambrose w/ Seth Rollins VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Drew McIntyre!
The Lunatic Fringe kept the Scottish Psychopath at bay last night and now The Architect is the NEW Intercontinental Champion! The Show-Off wants after Ambrose himself, but will lose twice within 24 hours?
The bell rings as Rollins and McIntyre move aside, and Ambrose ties up with Ziggler. Ambrose gets a waistlock, then a facelock, but Ziggler reverses to a hammerlock. They stand up and Ambrose gets a headlock takedown. Ziggler gets up and powers out, but Ambrose runs him over. Ambrose glares at Ziggler while Ziggler regroups with McIntyre. Ziggler comes back and circles with Ambrose again. Ziggler lunges in and gets a leg, but Ambrose counters with a roll. Ambrose has a facelock, but Ziggler gets him to ropes. Ziggler gives a shove, but Ambrose shoves right back! Ziggler kicks low and throws hands, but Ambrose gives back a chop! Ambrose chops Ziggler again, but Ziggler rakes the eyes. Ziggler whips but Ambrose reverses to run him over. Cover, ONE.
Ambrose gets another headlock takeover, but Ziggler stands up. Ziggler powers out, but Ambrose runs him over again. They speed up and Ziggler goes to hip toss. Ambrose blocks it to scoop slam! Ambrose runs but McIntyre sweeps his leg. Rollins keeps Ambrose from going after McIntyre, but Ziggler dropkicks Ambrose down! Ziggler gets control back while we go to break.
Raw returns and Ziggler has Ambrose in the sleeper hold. Ziggler is a backpack, but Ambrose works his way up and out. Rollisn rallies the fans, but Ziggler kicks Ambrose’s legs out. Ziggler slaps Ambrose around, daring him to do something. Ambrose ducks the clothesline to give his own! Ambrose gives Ziggler another, then whips him into the kitchen sink knee. Ziggler rolls to a corner, but Ambrose is right on him with a mudhole stomp. Ambrose goes corner to corner but runs into a boot. Ziggler has the ropes, but TWO! Ambrose bucks off the ZigZag, then catches Ziggler into a Fall Away Slam! Ziggler rolls out to the apron while Rollins coaches Ambrose up. Ambrose drags Ziggler up, but Ziggler hotshots Ambrose back. Ziggler kicks but is blocked into a catapult! Ziggler hits post, but then he dodges Ambrose to send him into the post!
Ambrose tumbles out to the floor, but Rollins keeps McIntyre back. McIntyre takes off the jacket and dares Rollins to do something. Rollins takes him up on it! He fires off and McIntyre fires back, but then Ziggler blasts Rollins from behind. Ziggler holds Rollins up so that he and McIntyre can throw Rollins into barriers. But then Ambrose goes after them! He puts Ziggler in but has to get McIntyre. Ziggler kicks, Ambrose dodges, but Ziggler haymakers. Ambrose stops the superkick, Rollins runs in, but only to DIVE onto McIntyre! Ambrose denies the satellite, to get his Dirty Deeds! Cover, Ambrose wins!
Winner: Dean Ambrose, by pinfall
The Lunatic wins on a great return! He and Rollins regroup while McIntyre comes rushing in. The Shield Brothers are firing on all cylinders, how high will they go?
Elias does a double check with his technicians.
He tells them neither of them are special, that designation is reserved for someone like him. And the guitar better not break or it’s both their careers on the line. The Drifter heads to the ring, will he redeem himself from last night?
Finn Balor prepares backstage.
But he encounters Braun Strowman. The Monster in the Bank got screwed out of a cash-in, but he’s reminding Finn here and now, it’s coming. “Good luck tonight.”
“Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.”
The Drifter tries again from his embarrassing instrument malfunction. After that moment, someone is clearly trying to destroy him. He fired three crew members, and knows Fender does better than that. This mystery person doesn’t realize WWE really stands for “Walk With Elias!” Now he was supposed to give us the greatest performance ever, but his doctor warned him of his blood pressure being around people from Brooklyn. But a performer must perform, so he simply asks New Yorkers to do the impossible and shut up. But just as he starts playing, it’s Brooklyn’s own, Curt Hawkins! Hawkins says Elias can be Number One, as in the first man to lose to Hawkins!
Hawkins feels so lucky tonight in front of not Elias’ town. So maybe together, Elias and Hawkins go ahead and end the 218 match losing streak! Elias likes the moxie, but he has a cold hard fact: Hawkins is a loser. Hawkins was born a loser, will die a loser, just like everyone in Brooklyn. Elias’ ring is his stage, Hawkins doesn’t belong. No more wasting time, just get out of here. Elias can’t even believe he’s wasted this much time. Hawkins turns and walks up the ramp while Elias begins to play. “Hey, Elias,” Hawkins says. Is he gonna hide behind a guitar and a scarf? Or are they gonna fight? Hawkins gets in the ring, and challenges him to a match, right now! Elias sees he has no choice, we have a match!
Elias VS Curt Hawkins!
The bell rings, Hawkins rolls Elias, TWO! Elias hits him with a jumping knee! The Drifter rips off his shirt before throwing hands on Hawkins. Brooklyn is behind their ultimate underdog, but Elias whips him and runs him over. Elias drops an elbow, then covers. TWO, but then a crucifix! TWO! Elias swings, Hawkins rocks him back. Hawkins throws haymakers, then whips. Elias reverses, Hawkins runs him over. Hawkins rallies, “you Deserve It!” Hwakins pursues but gets a big knee to the heart. Elias brings Hawkins up, Drfit Aaway! Cover, Elias wins!
Winner: Elias, by pinfall
Hawkins goes to 0-219, but he at least kept Elias from singing. Will Hawkins ever get that bad streak off his back?
Titus O’Neil finds Apollo Crews and Dana Brooke talking.
Where’ve they been? They were talking “strategy”. Dana has a weakness in AoP’s tactics. Then let’s get to it! That match is up next, does Dana have the algorithm to undo Akam & Rezar?
Titus Worldwide VS The Authors of Pain!
Raw returns as Rezar has Titus in a bearhug. Titus fights his way out with elbows, then with headlock punches. Rezar powers him to the AoP corner, tag to Akam. Akam and Rezar throw in knees and clubbing forearms, then talk trash in their respective native tongues. Akam tries but can’t lift Titus. Titus lifts and suplexes Akam! Dana rallies the fans while Akam and Titus crawl. Hot tag to Apollo! Apollo swings on Rezar, but gets clobbered by Akam! Tag to Rezar, and the Authros double lift and slam Apollo! Cover, TWO! Rezar keeps on Apollo with both hands and trash talk. He lifts Apollo into a facelock. Apollo endures, and powers Rezar backwards step by step. Rezar powers Apollo all the way back, but lets go at 4 in the corner.
Rezar drags Apollo back up and over to tag in Akam. Akam climbs while Rezar lifts Apollo, sidewalk slam and stomp! Cover, TWO! Akam keeps on Apollo with a standing crossface, but Dana rallies the fans. Apollo stands and fights back with elbows. He fires off forearms from both sides, but trades hip toss blocks. Akam throws Apollo with a fireman’s carry, but Apollo fights out of the corner! He dodges Akam, whose knee goes into the buckle! Akam still blocks the enziguri, then tags in Rezar. Both Authors hoist Apollo up top, but Apollo keeps fighting. He gets Akam down then elbows Rezar away, for a BIG crossbody! Cover, TWO! Shooting Star! But Akam covers that cover.
Titus goes after Akam and they go all the way out. The referee is busy with Titus, so that Rezar can knee him down. Apollo rolls Rezar, but Rezar holds ropes. Rezar yanks Apollo up with one hand! He whips Apollo hard, then tags in Akam. The Authors finish this with the Last Chapter! Cover, AoP wins!
Winners: The Authors of Pain, Akam by pinfall
Dana’s diagrams didn’t help, the story ended the same as before. Will the AoP write their way all the way to the very top?
Stephanie McMahon heads to the ring!
The rest of the Raw Women’s Division is already ringside as the Commissioner heads out. Alexa Bliss has her arm in a sling after what the Baddest Woman on the Planet did to her. When Stephanie thinks of today’s Women’s Division, she thinks of “proud.” Stephanie is proud of all the women in the WWE, and of the All Women’s PPV, Evolution. She’s also proud of the Raw Women’s Championship from Summerslam. She cues up footage, The Goddess VS Rowdy Ronda Rousey! Needless to say, Ronda threw Alexa around and then popped that arm out! And then the crowning achievement, Ronda won the title! “This one’s for Roddy!”
Ronda is the first woman to ever be UFC and Raw Women’s Champion. Stephanie takes credit for the business prowess that brought Ronda and her “raw talent” to make it into a diamond to shine above all others. Stephanie takes credit for “molding” Ronda into a superstar, and for setting an example for all the women of WWE. She introduces Ronda as her “protege”, but Ronda skips being formally introduced. Ronda takes up a mic, hears the fans chant for her, which Stephanie takes credit for. Ronda says this isn’t about Stephanie, this is about the women who wrestle in the WWE. Why are they even ringside? What is this? Is Stephanie putting herself above all of them? Ronda invites them into the ring!
Stephanie doesn’t think this is becoming of a champion. She’s telling Ronda what it’s like to be a champion? This isn’t even about one person, this is about the Women’s (R)Evolution! From Natalya, a cornerstone of the Division today, to Sasha & Bayley who made history with NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn sparking this movement. Ronda isn’t Lesnar, she is GOING to be a fighting champion and looks forward to facing each and every woman in the WWE. Stephanie agrees, Ronda isn’t Lesnar. Who is this Ronda? This is the Ronda who wants to just hurt people. Stephanie knows what that feels like! As does Alexa. Alicia comforts her friend, while Stephanie shows everyone how Alexa’s elbow got bent back. Look at Alexa’s anguished face! “That’s not wrestling, I don’t know what that is.”
Stephanie says Ronda will do the same to the Squad, to Alicia, to Dana and the Bellas. Ronda will wipe them all out so that she can stand alone in the spotlight. “That’s who Ronda really is.” Ronda won’t let Stephanie turn them against each other. Ronda only breaks those who deserve it. She then creeps closer to Stephanie, and throws her down! Ronda has the arm, and Stephanie taps out! Stephanie’s arm broke!? Fans love it, as do Natty, Dana, The Bellas, Ember, Sasha and Bayley. They’re with her, but will Ronda suffer consequences for what she just did to the Billionaire Queen?
Bo Dallas w/ Curt Axel VS Scott Dawson w/ Dash Wilder!
“Dearly beloved!” The magic carpet ride of life has its twists and turns, because only a month ago, these two had never won once! Not once! But then, one letter changed all of the WWE, and now Bo & Axel are Raw Tag Team Champions! Tonight, they dedicate these singles matches to the WWE Universe. The B in B-Team stands for Brooklyn! The #TopGuys come out, and we begin.
Bo and Dawson tie up, and Bo powers Dawson back. Dawson pulls hair to pull Bo back, then gives him a headbutt. Bo rocks Dawson with a right, then has him at the ropes. Dawson uses the rope to snap Bo back, then reels BO in for a lariat. Bo gets to a corner, but Dawson is on him with a buckle guillotine! Dawson stalks Bo while Axel rallies the fans. Dawson digs an elbow into Bo’s forehead, then jams it in. Bo crawls but Dawson sits him up for a chinlock.
Bo powers his way out but Dawson rocks him with a European Uppercut. Dawson brings Bo up for a neckbreaker, but Bo backslide counters! TWO, Bo rocks Dawosn with a back elbow. Bo rallies, then hits a knee lift to body check! “B-Team, B-Team! Go go go!” Bo brings Dawson up for a draping neckbreaker, but Dawson counters with buckle bumps. Dawson lifts Bo, for a package DDT! Cover, Dawson wins!
Winner: Scott Dawson, by pinfall
Dawson shows Bo’s luck has run out, but now it’s time to switch. Can Axel keep things even with The Revival?
Curt Axel w/ Bo Dallas VS Dash Wilder w/ Scott Dawson!
“Dash, get your ass in here!” Axel wants this match asap, but Dash takes his time. Raw goes to break while Axel and Dash get ready.
Raw returns and Dash bends Axel back. Axel fights out but Dash is on him again. Dash whips but Axel sunset flips. TWO, and Axel kicks low. Axel runs but into a Wasteland backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Dash mocks the B-Team chant while Brooklyn does the wave. Dash bends Axel back again, but Axel endures while Bo chants. Axel fights his way out and arm-drags Dash away. He throws hands and then rallies with clotheslines. Axel dropkicks Dash down then hits a corner forearm. Fans join in on the chant, Axel neck snaps Dash. Axel brings Dash up, but Dash powers out. Dash runs but into boots. Axel climbs up,for the ax handle, but misses! Dash has Axel in the Gory Special, to facebuster! Cover, Dash wins!
Winner: Dash Wilder, by pinfall
The B-Team isn’t undefeated in singles matches, but Bo and Axel point out that they’re still the champions. Will The Revival get another go at the titles?
Backstage interview with Roman Reigns.
Renee Young congratulates Roman on his Summerslam victory, but brings up his match with Finn Balor and the possibility of a cash-in. Does he regret putting his title up tonight? Not at all. Roman didn’t spend years of his life taking years off his life just to hide. Roman will defend his Yard, and is giving Finn the rematch he deserves. Finn will lose and go to the back of the line. As for Strowman, Roman wasn’t thrown off at all last night, and won’t be tonight. He’s ready to take on all comers, but will The Big Dog really be ready for the Man and the Monster?
Stephanie McMahon is in the trainer’s room.
She’s getting her arm iced after what Ronda did to it. Alexa is with her, too, because she knows what that’s like now. Baron Corbin has the trainer leave while Angle comes in. Stephanie gets mad at him for not keeping his stars under control. But he wasn’t out there, what could he have done? Corbin and Stephanie get on Angle for everything from last minute matches to Ronda assaulting the Commissioner. Stephanie sees Angle is being worn down by this job. It’s been a year and a half, maybe he needs time off. Angle doesn’t want a vacation. It’s fine, it’ll be temporary, but he just needs time away. Which would then put Corbin in charge as interim GM. Angle is beside himself, what will happen under the Constable’s control?
WWE Universal Championship: Roman Reigns VS Finn Balor!
The Big Dog finally beat the Beast, but he isn’t going to rest on his laurels. Demon Balor beat the cranky Constable but this is Finn the Man tonight. Will a Man be enough to take over The Yard? And what of the Monster in the Bank promising to cash-in on the champion no matter what?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Finn and Roman circle then tie up. Roman powers Finn back, then throws him out of the corner. Finn gets a waistlock but also a back elbow. Roman locks on a headlock, but Finn powers out. Roman swings but Finn ducks, only to run into a shoulder. Fans duel while Finn catches his breath. Roman drags Finn up and whips him. Finn sunset flips, TWO, but Finn gets away to swing kick, but Roman rocks him with an uppercut! The Big Dog has control while we go to break.
Raw returns again, and Roman has Finn in a chinlock. Fans duel as Finn fights his way up and out. Roman knees low, then whips Finn. Finn reverses but Roman sunset flips. Finn rolls through for the basement dropkick! Roman checks his face while Finn gets up. Roman runs at Finn, but Finn tosses him out! Finn hits a wrecking ball dropkick, then an apron penalty kick! Wait, Roman catches that to throw Finn into the apron! Cover, TWO! Finn sits up but Roman stalks him to a corner. Roman gives Finn a quick haymaker, then whips him corner to corner hard. Roman takes his time checking his face while Finn writhes on the mat. Fans duel again as Roman circles Finn like a shark. Roman rocks Finn with a right, but then runs into boots!
Finn and Roman runs, but Finn hits forearms. Finn takes Roman down and gives him a double stomp! He keeps going, giving Roman a running chop in the corner. They go corner to corner but Roman reverses. Finn goes up and over, to give another chop. That one wasn’t as strong… Roman puts Finn in the corner to give close range clotheslines! Roman gets all 10, then runs, but into Finn’s dropkick! He goes out, but Finn FLIES! Direct hit on the Big Dog! Finn puts Roman in the ring, then covers, TWO! Finn is shocked but we go to one last break.
Raw returns once more, and Roman stands over Finn. Fans boo Roman, and someone in the crowd, but Roman goes back to Finn. Roman eggs Finn on, but Finn blocks the punches to give his own! Roman uppercuts Finn but Finn PELES Roman! Both men are down from exhaustion, but still have something left. Roman sits up but Finn follows. Finn drags himself up with ropes, but Roman runs at him. Finn ducks to fire off! He gives springboard stomp after springboard stomp! Fans fire up as Finn grits his teeth. He runs at Roman, but Roman counters the slingblade with a roll up. TWO, to a deadlift sit-out! TWO!! Roman can’t believe it, but Finn survives that sudden turnaround.
Roman gets to a corner, and he locks and loads. He runs but into a kick! Then the elbow drop DDT! Cover, TWO! Finn knows he’s close, so he keeps going. Roman shoves him back, but misses in the corner. Finn swing kicks Roman down, then climbs up! Roman gets up and under, but into the Slingblade! Finn runs, SUPERMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO! Both men have gone so far already, but there’s still fight in both of them. Fans rally up and Roman stands first. He goes to a corner and fans are a thunderous mix as he lets out the howl. Roman runs, but into a knee! Then into a wheelbarrow roll-up! TWO! SUPERMAN PUNCH! Roman shouts “ENOUGH!” and goes back to the corner. But here comes BRAUN!!
The Monster in the Bank gave fair warning, but this is a bit different from his face to face from last night. Finn Slingblade! Blasting dropkick! COUP DE– SPEAR!! Cover, Roman wins!
Winner: Roman Reigns, by pinfall; still WWE Universal Champion
But now Strowman is here! He lets Roman get ready, before booting him down! Strowman cashes in!! It! Is! HAPPENING!
But wait, it’s THE SHIELD!! Rollins and Ambrose are in their Shield uniforms!! They and the Monster stare down. Fans aren’t sure what to make of this, but the match hasn’t been made official because there was no bell. Rollins and Ambrose creep in, Roman stands, and now Strowman has WWE’s Cerberus to deal with. Strowman strikes first! It’s a 3v1 as the Shield tear into Strowman. SUPERMAN PUNCH! Chop block from Ambrose, SUPERKICK from Rollins! Roman clotheslines Strowman out, but that’s not all! Ambrose clears the table, we all know what this means! They beat Strowman down more, then hoist Strowman up… But Strowman fights out! SPEAR from Roman! The Shield tries again, and hit the SHIELD TRIPLE BOMB!! Strowman is down, the Shield stands tall! Will Ambrose & Rollins be the guard dogs for The Big Dog against the Monster in the Bank?
My Thoughts:
This was a wild Raw, but I’m still sorting out if that made it good or bad. Kudos to Roman’s character for being a fighting champion out of the gate and giving Finn Balor the rematch. Baron Corbin gets beat by Bobby Lashley, but now he has complete control because Stephanie forces Angle to take a vacation after what Ronda did. Ronda clearly has the Faces on her side, but I’m still hoping Stephanie via Corbin makes a Woman’s Armageddon Hell in a Cell. Ronda and any five women from Raw fighting in the Cell all for the title. Angle told Heyman that Lesnar would have to wait a long time for his rematch, but I’m betting Corbin changes that, too. It oddly feels that while Raw had just reached a great point, they’re purposefully writing themselves back down the hole.
The Riott Squad wins again, a bit to my surprise. I suppose they have to extend this Woman’s Tag story if they want to give us the Women’s Tag Division before the year is out. Clearly Raw’s side of this is still building to Bayley & Banks VS Riott Squad while SmackDown has currently thrown out the possibility of Becky & Charlotte. As for the Men’s Tag Team Division, I almost thought Ambrose VS Ziggler was going to turn into a tag match but that clean ending was actually pretty good. The Revival look primed to finally get those belts, while AoP keep winning without really gaining round. Raw needs to sort out the Men’s Tag because it feels weaker than NXT’s.
And on the subject of Titus Worldwide, I hope they’re not going for a Dana-Apollo shipping. He’s in a relationship and has a child, they can’t/shouldn’t kayfabe those two together. But if they’re both talking about quitting Titus Worldwide, that might be an interesting twist. For some reason, I thought Hawkins was finally going to get the win here. But Elias’ bad luck was only for Summerslam, he’s back up with his quick win tonight. I have no idea where Hawkins’ story will finally give him his first win, and Elias seems just as aimless right now.
HHH had a really solid promo, with the heartfelt part about the End of an Era Hell in a Cell match. I think he started to shoot there a bit about how the three of them all felt about that moment. But then he did great to get back into character, and man, Super Show-Down sounds great just off of the match between WWE legends. We have Hell in a Cell first, but I’m betting there will be some great matches thrown onto Super Show-Down’s card just to give us some great excitement.
Then comes the main event. Roman VS Finn put on one hell of a match, but then Strowman changes his mind to do things the sneaky way. Fans ate it up either way because they all love Strowman. But then The Shield surprises us all, and Brooklyn ate that up, too. It was hard to tell who was Face and who was Heel anymore, but this twist is more than enough to bring some intrigue back to Raw. A massive multi-turn might be interesting, too, with The Shield back to Heel since everyone loves Strowman as Face. I actually want to see next week’s Raw already just to know what they’re going to do next.
My Score: 8.4/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will the Death Riders’ reign of terror continue?
This year’s Full Gear may be the most important one of all! Can Orange Cassidy become the Freshy Squeezed AEW World Champion against Maniac Jon Moxley?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Zero Hour – Anna Jay VS Deonna Purrazzo; Anna wins.
- Zero Hour – Fatal 4 Way: Dante Martin VS The Beast Mortos VS Komander VS Buddy Matthews; wins.
- Zero Hour – Big Boom AJ w/ Big Justice VS QT Marshall; wins.
- Jay White VS Hangman Page; wins.
- Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP; wins.
- MJF VS Roderick Strong; wins.
- Will Ospreay VS Kyle Fletcher; wins.
- AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ricochet; wins and
- AEW TNT Championship: Jack Perry VS Daniel Garcia; wins and
- AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone w/ Kamille VS Kris Statlander; wins and
- AEW World Tag Team Championships Fatal 4 Way: Private Party VS The Outrunners VS The Kings of the Black Throne VS The Acclaimed; win(s) and
- AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley VS Orange Cassidy; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Full Gear Zero Hour!
Join Renee Paquette, RJ City, Jeff Jarrett and special guest, Paul Walter Hauser, in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action set for this monumental night!
Zero Hour – Anna Jay VS Deonna Purrazzo w/ Taya Valkyrie!
The Queenslayer was offered help against Mariah May by The Vendetta but she declined, so this is the payback. Will the Virtuosa handle business? Or will Anna still become the Star of the Show?
The bell rings but Taya distracts Anna. Anna takes a swipe but Deonna kicks low. Deonna headlocks,. Anna powers out, but Deonna RAMS her! Anna stays up, slips around, and waistlocks. Deonna switches, they go to ropes, and Anna bucks the O’Conner! Anna runs Deonna over, keeps moving, then whips. Anna blows past Deonna, sunset flips, TWO! Deonna is up fast but Anna wrenches to HOOK KICK! Anna whips Deonna to a corner, runs up and LEG LARIATS! The fans rally as Anna snapmares and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Anna stays on Deonna with another whip, but Deonna reverses.
Anna slips to the apron, then ROCKS Deonna! Deonna comes back but into a HEEL KICK! Anna goes up a corner but Taya anchors her! Deonna distracts the ref, then she BOOTS Anna! The fans boo but Taya just takes a bow. Deonna “kicks dirt” at Anna, then drags her up. Deonna short arm LARIATS, then she stands on Anna’s face! The ref counts, Deonna steps off, and Deonna storms back up on Anna. Deonna drags Anna up, throat chops her, and Anna goes to a corner. Deonna LARIATS in the corner, LARIATS again, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Anna stays in this but Deonna stays focused.
Deonna paces around, drops a knee on Anna, then clamps on a straitjacket stretch. Anna endures, even as Deonna KNEES her in the back! Deonna bends Anna back but Anna still endures. Anna fights up, snapmares free, but Deonna BOOTS her back! Then BOOTS again! Anna SUPERKICKS! But Deonna hits a FLATLINER, into a KOJI KLUTCH! Anna stacks Deonna, TWO! Anna is free to SUPERKICK Deonna down! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Anna and Deonna slowly rise while Taya pounds the apron. The fans rally up and Anna crawls over to Deonna. Deonna grabs at Anna first, and she fires a forearm!
Anna fires a forearm back, but Deonna hits Anna again! The shots go back and forth, the fans dueling, and Anna gets the edge! Anna backs Deonna down, whips, but Deonna reverses, only for Anna to FLYING FOREARM! And FLYING FOREARM again! Anna keeps moving to SHOTGUN Deonna! The fans are torn as Anna runs up on the hometown girl. Forearm SMASH, and Anna puts Deonna up top! DANGEROUS JAY KICK, and then the ICONOCLASM! Cover, TWO! Deonna survives but Anna drags her up. Anna clamps on the QUEENSLAYER SLEEPER! Deonna endures, pries free, and arm-drags Anna!
Deonna kicks low, runs, and KNEE LIFTS into the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Roll and FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Anna endures, flails and moves around, and kicks her way to a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Deonna holds until 4, and Taya coaches Deonna. Deonna slashes her throat, reels Anna in, but Anna fights the Gotch lift! Anna slips around, Deonna wrenches and wrangles, but Anna rolls free! Anna BOOTS from the corner, goes to the apron, and she puts Deonna in ropes! HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! But Taya takes a swing! Anna dodges, but Taya SPEARS Anna!! The ref saw that and he EJECTS Taya!
Deonna is upset, but better than being disqualified! Taya tells fans to shut up as they sing “Hey hey hey! Goodbye~!” Deonna drags Anna up, but Anna SLAPS Deonna! Deonna is pissed, and she grabs that arm! FUJIWARA!! Deonna pushes on that arm, but Anna uses it to roll Deonna up! ANNA WINS!
Winner: Anna Jay, by pinfall
Deonna is furious, but maybe she should’ve let the ref throw this out. In the end, Anna gets a real win over Deonna, will this help her get back towards some title scene?
Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.
Lexy Nair is with her ROH Minion buddy, and notes that Billie is the first ROH woman entered in the first ever WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup! Billie, what an opportunity, how are you feeling? She is excited! This is the second chance she’s been waiting for, and- Red Velvet steps in to say more like NO chance. Because see, Velvet is also in that match, and well, she already beat Billie. So her odds are looking really good. But then in steps Leyla Hirsch. And she says lucky for them both, because Leyla’s in this! Leyla beat Velvet once, and just looking at Billie, Leyla knows she can beat her.
Oh but then in steps the ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena! The Minion Overlord defends her bestie and Billie, and says it is finally time for the Athena World Tour! She is the fourth participant, even though, why does she have to qualify for HER show? Athena has beaten Velvet, she’s beaten “Small fry” Leyla, and well… Billie Goat, we all know Athena dog walked her! Velvet says Athena shouldn’t talk to Billie like that. Billie says “Cupcake” doesn’t need to defend her. Things are getting tense already, who wins their way into WrestleDynasty’s massive crossover match?
Backstage interview with QT Marshall.
Lexy is now with QT and says later int he Zero Hour, it is QT VS Big Boom AJ. QT took AJ out last night after the weigh-in, will it be the same here tonight? QT wants Lexy to remember, pronounce it “Mar-shall.” And yes, in QT’s home state of New Jersey, the best part will be QT remembering why he left. It’s a dump! Especially Newark! But AJ is also from New Jersey, and he properly represents this dump. Whether AJ is on the Tonight Show, on TikTok, or here in AEW, he is the epitome of someone from The Garden State: an embarrassment! He’s worse than Bruce Springsteen himself!
And tonight, in a sold out crowd that QT drew all himself, it will be like going to his high school reunion and showing how he is more successful than everyone else. And he’ll do that by walking to the ring, staring down AJ, and bringing the doom! Will QT Marshall make himself the boss of the Zero Hour? Or will it be a BOOM for all of New Jersey when QT loses?
New Year’s Day is a NEW ERA for AEW!
Starting Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, AEW Dynamite will be SIMULCAST on Max! And even bigger, it is the return of Fight for the Fallen! All proceeds go to helping victims of Hurricane Helene in Ashville, North Carolina.
Zero Hour – Fatal 4 Way: Dante Martin VS The Beast Mortos VS Komander VS Buddy Matthews!
Now this is going to be a fast ‘n’ furious match! Angel Dorado, the menacing minotaur, the Commander of Space and the Aussie Juggernaut are all fighting for opportunity, who makes that greater impact?
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will B Block stay tranquilo?
After a win over The Might, Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi now take on Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg! Will Los Ingobernables de Japon end up behind BARS?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask; Shota, Honma & Tiger Mask win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS The Filip Brothers; Shane & Mikey win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Narita win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Great-O-Khan & Henare; Khan & Henare win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Yano & Oleg win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-0, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-0, 2 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 1-0, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 0-1, 0 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 0-1, 0 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-1, 0 points
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS The Filip Brothers!
The former IWGP Tag Team Champions aren’t feeling as mighty as they should be after losing to Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi in the opening round. But can they rise back up mightier than ever? Or will Tome the Taiga & Stevie the Phoenix become apex predators in this tournament?
The teams sort out and after the Filip Brothers Too Sweet, Tome starts against Hysterical Haste. The fans rally up and the bell rings. Shane and Tome circle, tie up, and Shane waistlocks. Tome switches but Shane wrenches for a headlock takeover. Tome fights around, rolls Shane to a cover, TWO! Shane holds on but Tome fights up. Tome powers Shane down, pops out the back then wrenches to a wristlock. Tome keeps Shane from ropes, but Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Shane poses, and then Shane brings Tome up. Shane wrenches Tome, tags Mad Mikey, and Mikey wrenches.
TMDK DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Tome down, then they split the wishbone! Mikey BLASTS Stevie for good measure, then he CHOPS Tome. Mikey CHOPS Tome in a corner, brings Tome around, and then snapmares. Mikey clamps on a neck wrench and pushes on it hard. Tome endures, Mikey sneaks a BITE, then pushes Tome down. Tag to Shane, TMDK double whip Tome to a corner. Shane sends Mikey in but Tome DUMPS Mikey to the floor! Shane runs up but Tome dodges, then Stevie joins in! Tome FOREARM, Stevie DROPKICK, and Tome GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Tome hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Shane stays in this but he also bails to the apron. Tome stomps Shane, then tags Stevie. Shane goes to the floor but Stevie pursues. Stevie RAMS Shane into railing, right in front of commentary. Stevie stands Shane up to CHOP, and Shane hurries into the ring. Stevie stalks after and stomps Shane. Stevie snapmares, then he KICKS Shane in the back! Cover, ONE!! Shane shows some grit but Stevie tags Tome. The fans rally but the Filip Brothers mug Shane. Shane CHOPS Stevie but Tome CHOPS Shane! Tome stomps away on Shane in the corner, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Tome steps off, but for only a moment before he digs his boots in again!
Mikey gets mad but the ref keeps him from storming in. That just lets Stevie CHOKE Shane! Mikey protests more but Stevie gets away with that. Tome tags Stevie in, and Stevie BLASTS Mikey! Tome whips Shane and BOOTS him down for Stevie’s HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this and the fans rally up. Stevie KNEES Shane in the back, has the chinlock, then KNEES Shane again for the motorcycle stretch. Shane endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Shane UPPERCUTS, but Stevie holds him back! Stevie kicks and whips Shane, but Shane BLASTS Tome! Shane dodges Stevie and Stevie hits buckles!
Shane crawls but Stevie hurries after him. Stevie grabs Shane’s leg, but Shane swings an elbow. Stevie dodges, but Shane CALF KICKS him down! The fans rally as Shane crawls, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey runs in at Stevie to LARIAT in the corner! Mikey whips Stevie into the corner to LARIAT again! And then short arm LARIAT! The fans fire up and Mikey brings Stevie around. Mikey fireman’s carries but Stevie fights free. Stevie waistlocks, ducks an elbow, but the DDT hits! Mikey powers up, throws off his elbow pad, and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Stevie stays in this but Mikey stays on him.
Mikey stands Stevie up, but Stevie fights the back suplex! Stevie throws down elbows, but Mikey CHOPS him! Mikey swings, but Stevie catches him for a FINAL CUT! Both men crawl, Stevie tags in Tome! Tome storms up on Mikey, but Mikey fires forearms! Mikey CHOPS Tome, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Mikey whips but Tome reverses. Tome runs in but blocks boots. Tome puts Mikey in the ropes to KICK and WOE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Mikey toughs it out and the fans rally up. Tome brushes himself off and brings Mikey up. Tome fires boxing elbows and an UPPERCUT! But Mikey dodges the lariat, to SPINEBUSTER!
The fans fire up and Mikey hot tags Shane! Shane drags Tome up for UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Shane fires up to fire off more UPPERCUTS! The fans rally with every shot, and then Shane whips. Tome reverses, but Shane comes back to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shane BLASTS Stevie for good measure. Tome kicks and whips but Shane reverses to kick, BOOT, and INVERTED EXPLODER! The fans rally behind Shane as he aims from the corner. Shane runs in but Stevie intercepts, SPANISH FLY! But Mikey fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Tome hits Mikey with a SPINEBUSTER! Shane SHORYUKENS Tome!
Stevie SUPERKICKS Shane! Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Tome BOOTS Mikey! Shane BOOTS Tome! Tome just laughs that off! DOUBLE BOOTS hit, but neither man falls! Shane kicks, Tome blocks, and Tome trips Shane to tie up the legs! FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Shane flails, reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, but Tome pushes on the hold! Mikey SLIDING LARIATS Tome! Shane is free and Mikey coaches him up, but Stevie LARIATS Mikey and himself up and out of the ring! The fans rally as all four men are down all around ringside! Shane and Tome stir and head for each other. Shane throws a forearm, but Tome gives it back.
Shane fires another forearm, so Tome fires back. The forearms keep going as both men rise up, and now they pick up speed! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and then Shane UPPERCUTS! ROLLING- NO, Tome ROCKS, ELBOWS, UPPERCUTS, and DISCUS LARIATS! But Shane nis right up! Shane swings, misses, and Tome SNAP GERMANS! The fans fire up and Stevie returns! Tome fireman’s carries, Stevie runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM! Both brothers cover, but Mikey breaks it up! The fans fire up but Tome TOSSES Mikey! Stevie staggers over to Shane, Tome calls for the finish! Stevie feeds Shane to Tome!
Tome underhooks, but Shane wrenches free! Shane sends Tome into Stevie, then Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Shane suplexes Tome, FALCON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Tome survives and the fans fire up! TMDK regroups, and they haul Tome up. Shane aims, but Stevie makes the save! Stevie shoves Mikey at Shane but Shane dodges! Shane clinches Stevie, Mikey joins in, ELECTRIC BLUE! Stevie flounders away from that power-bottom, but Tome is back! Shane fights the waistlock, then switches, POINT-BLANK HIGH LOW! TMDK then hoist Tome up, ELECTRIC BLUE again!! Cover, TMDK wins!
Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Filip Brothers earn 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and that’s why they’re able to rise up again! Will Shane & Mikey make it back to the top? Will Tome & Stevie still find their own way to the trophies?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & Ren Narita!
The Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker opened this tournament with the biggest win possible when they beat the current IWGP Tag Team Champions, Great-O-Khan & Henare. Will they build upon that momentum in round 2? Or will they be cheated by the King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style?
Evil & Narita taunt Taichi & Taka from outside of the ring, keeping their attention as they go around towards commentary. But this is all so Dick Togo can come running in from the ramp! Dick CLOBBERS Taichi, then he TOSSES Taka! The fans boo but what did they expect from The House of Torture? Evil whips Taka into railing, and then brings him out into No Man’s Land! Evil has fans move aside so he can BOWL Taka into chairs! Not even close to a strike, but Evil just CHOKES Taka with a chair! Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs in the timekeeper’s area, and the ref reprimands The House!
Evil lets off of Taka and drags him up. Now Narita brings Taichi into the crowd in some other section. Evil puts Taka in the ring while Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs. The bell rings to get this on record, but Evil stands on Taka’s face! Narita BOWLS Taichi into chairs, only doing a little better than Evil. Evil CLUBS Taka and taunts him while Narita CHOKES Taichi! The ref reprimands from afar but does his best to watch Evil. Evil stomps Taka to a corner, then drags him out. Evil stomps away on a leg, drops an elbow on the knee, then covers. TWO, so Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil tries a full mounted cover! TWO!!
The fans cheer but Evil wants a prawn hold cover! TWO!! Taka escapes five consecutive pins and Evil is frustrated. Taka crawls for his corner but Taichi’s still in the crowd. Wait, he storms back to ringside, with a chair! The ref stops Taichi from going after Narita, and Evil holds Taka’s hand out mockingly. The ref has to stop Taichi from storming into the ring now, and that lets Evil CLAW Taka’s eyes! Evil drags Taka up, tags in Narita, and Narita CLUBS Taka’s arm. Narita wrenches the arm, YANKS it, YANKS it again, and then taunts Taichi before he YANKS the arm again. Narita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER!
Narita bumps Taka off buckles then tags Evil. Evil swings around the House of Torture shirt, and he CHOKES Taka with it! The ref again keeps Taichi back, meaning Taka suffers for it! Evil then throws the shirt at Taichi! Taichi catches the shirt and he storms in to throw it back! The ref stops Taichi but Taichi shoves him down! Taichi attacks Evil but Evil & Narita mug Taichi! They toss Taichi out then go back to the ref. Evil tells the ref to do better, then Evil tags Narita. Narita has Taka under the ropes, for the ROPE GUILLOTINE! Taka sputters, the ref reprimands, but Narita just drags Taka back up.
Narita scrapes Taka’s face along the ropes! The ref reprimands, Narita pushes Taka down, and then Narita argues with the ref. Narita whips Taka to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Narita clamps onto Taka’s arm and drags him up. Narita brings Taka over, Evil tags in, and Evil CLUBS Taka on the back. Evil sends Taka out, then distracts the ref. Dick RAMS Taka into railing, then FLAPJACKS him off the apron! Dick shoves Taka in, Evil covers, TWO! Taka stays in this and Evil gets annoyed. Evil stands on Taka’s face, but steps off as the ref reprimands. The fans rally for Taka but Evil taunts them.
Evil stalks Taka to a corner, but Taka fires elbows! Evil CLAWS Taka’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Evil whips corner to corner. Evil runs in but Taka dodges, to then SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up as Taka crawls, but Narita runs up to stomp him! Narita CLUBS Taka, runs, but Taka goes the other way! Taka BOOTS Narita down! The fans fire up as Taka hurries, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi storms up on Evil to fire Kawada Kicks! Evil staggers to a corner but Taichi runs up to BOOT! Taichi keeps moving but Evil ducks the Ax Bomber! Evil waistlocks, Taichi fights the lift, and he ENZIGIRIS! Taichi then DECKS Dick off the apron!
The fans fire up but Narita attacks! Narita whips Taichi but Taichi BOOTS him down! The fans fire up with Taichi while Evil flounders around. Evil wants mercy, but Taichi says no! Evil ducks the buzzsaw to CLAW eyes! Evil blocks a kick, hands it to the ref, and he mule kicks Taichi down! The fans boo but Evil runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Evil then hooks a leg, FISHERMAN- NO, Taichi fights free, and he wrenches to HOOK KICK! Evil falls and the fans fire up! Taichi roars and rises, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi goes to the corner. Taichi aims for- NO, Evil dodges the superkick and he shoves Taichi into Taka!
Taka falls off the apron, Taichi runs up, but into EVERY- NO, Taichi slips free to DANGER- NO, Evil fights the saido to wrench and whip! TADA, bare buckles! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but The House soaks it all up. Evil tags Narita, and Narita runs to BOOT Taichi down! Cover, TWO! Taichi stays in this but Narita kicks him around. Narita taunts Taichi, pie faces him, but Taichi rises. Narita taunts Taichi more, fires forearms, but Taichi just leans into those! Taichi then SOBATS and Narita sputters. Taichi runs, Narita dodges the Ax Bomber to CHOKE Taichi! The ref reprimands, Narita stops, but then just CHOKES Tacihi more!
Narita whips corner to corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Narita stir, and Taichi crawls his way over. Hot tag to Taka! Taka stomps away on Narita, then whips. Narita reverses, Taka reverses and wrangles Narita to JUST FACELOCK! Narita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka drags Narita up, scoops, but Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Taka, Taka breaks free, but Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Taichi, and he KICKS Taka’s hands! Narita has the full ARMBAR! Taka kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! Dick even tries to swat that foot away!
The ref still counts the break, and he reprimands. Narita holds on but the ref starts to count, so Narita lets go at 4. Narita stomps Taka around then runs. Taka BOOTS Narita down again! And he WRECKS Dick for good measure! Evil has a chair! The ref stops Evil but Narita has his pushup bar! Taka dodges, but Narita jams him up on the return! Taichi runs in, MIC STAND SHOT! The fans fire up but now Evil shoves the ref aside. Evil rushes Taichi but Taichi JAMS Evil with the mic stand! Taka runs to sunset flip Narita! TWO! Narita stands, into a PALM STRIKE! Roll up, high stack, TWO!!
Narita kicks Taka, DOUBLE- NO, Taka sits Narita down! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! But into JUST FACELOCK!! Evil stomps away on Taka! Taichi CLUBS Evil! Taichi drags Evil into SEITEIJUJIHO!! Taka CLUBS away on Narita to put him in JUST FACELOCK!!! The bell rings, but that was DICK!!! That damn Spoiler!!! The House SHOVES Taka & Taichi into the ref!! The fans boo as now Evil CHOKES Taka and Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi! The House stops that so they can set Taka up for the PUSHUP BAR ATTACK! The fans boo more but The House just soaks it up.
Evil & Narita then drag Taka over and set him up for Dick! PUSHUP BAR DICK CHOP!!! Narita slashes his throat, and hits the DOUBLECROSSER!! Dick fetches the ref to count, and The House wins!
Winner: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Taka earn 0)
The House of Torture cheats another team, and Taichi is pissed! Taichi grabs that chair again, and he wants after The House! The House runs off in all directions! Evil has Taichi’s mic stand so Taichi goes after him! The Young Lions try to stop this but Taichi chases Evil around the arena. Taichi almost gets Evil, but then Dick uses his SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi!! The fans boo while Evil taunts Taichi. Narita kicks the Young Lions away while Dick chokes Taichi out! The House of Torture are of course the worst, but will they still be first in the block? Or will justice be served soon enough?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Great-O-Khan & Henare!
Two teams that stumbled out of the starting gate now meet in the second round. Can The Ace & Master Heater make up for falling to the Filip Brothers? Or will THE IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions finally look like champions?
The fans cheer as Tanahashi shows off the abs, but they also rally behind “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” The teams sort out but Jado gets fans to cheer him on first. Then Jado gets the fans to cheer on “TA-NA-HASHI! TA-NA-HASHI!” Tanahashi starts against Khan and the fans rally with the bell. The fans duel, “TA-NA-HASHI!” “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Khan laughs at how his side is stronger, then he circles with Tanahashi. They feel things out as they go around, but each man avoids a takedown. Khan is the aggressor, though, and he manages a waistlock. Tanahashi switches but Khan wrenches out and trips Tanahashi up.
Khan goes for a cover, ONE, and the two back off. The fans cheer as they reset. Khan and Tanahashi circle, feel things out again, and knuckle lock. They clinch, fight for control, and Tanahashi grabs an arm. Khan slips around to hook an arm, but Tanahashi wrenches free. Tanahashi hammerlocks, headlocks, but Khan slips out to headlock in return. Tanahashi endures, and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Khan pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, and both men let go at the same time. But then Khan pulls hair again! The ref counts, Khan KNEES and ROCKS Tanahashi in a corner. Khan UPPERCUTS Tanahashi, then gest space.
Khan runs in but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans cheer on the air guitar. Tanahashi tags Jado and he drags Khan up. Jado & Tanahashi double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Henare runs up but gets DOUBLE ELBOWS! Tanahashi has Henare, Jado has Khan, and they give them a meeting of the minds! Then they kick low and TOSS the Empire out! The fans cheer as we get the air guitar duet! Tanahashi steps out and Jado waits on Khan. Fans rally up and Khan grows annoyed. Khan storms in but Jado kicks! Khan blocks the kick to body shot!
But then Jado blocks the Mongolian Chops to RAM Khan! Jado has Khan in the ropes but Henare KICKS him down! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi, then goes out to stomp away on President Ace! Khan drags Jado up and brings him around to CLUB him! Jado leans on railing, but Khan puts Jado back in the ring. Khan pushes Jado around, and he clamps on for an ANKLE LOCK! Khan then laces the legs in a modified DEATHLOCK! Jado endures, and he CLAWS at Khan’s face! Khan stomps Jado for that! The fans rally as Khan drags Jado up. Khan bumps Jado off buckles, tags Henare, and Henare fires body shots!
The ref counts, Henare lets off, but then he stands Jado up. Jado fires body shots in return! Henare winds up to CHOP Jado down! The fans cheer and Henare BLASTS Tanahashi again! Henare hoots, the fans join in, and Henare SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Jado shows that toughness but Henare drags him back up. Henare bumps Jado off buckles, tags Khan in, and Khan taunts Tanahashi. Khan gives Jado Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! And then feints to kick a leg out! Khan says he’s too smart, and now he puts Jado in the corner. Khan hops up and the fans fire up as he sits on his throne!
Jado endures and the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls Jado’s arms! Khan hops down at 4, then clamps on a SLEEPER! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi yet again! Khan sits Jado down but Jado wags his finger. Jado fights, the fans rally up, but Khan clamps on body scissors! Jado is fading so Khan lets him go for a cover, TWO! Jado stays in this but Khan wants the ref to check him. Tanahashi gets fans to cheer “JA-DO-OH! JA-DO-OH!” Khan scuffs Jado, but that fires Jado up! Jado rises but Khan fires a forearm! Jado growls, nods, and he feeds off that energy! Khan throws more forearms but Jado eggs him on.
Khan fires forearm after forearm! Jado just powers up! Khan kicks low, runs, but Jado DOUBLE CHOPS! Jado roars, runs, and he CLOBBERS Khan! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Jado crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Tanahashi runs at Khan, FLYING FOREARM! Tanahashi BLASTS Henare, payback for all those times! Then Tanahashi dropkicks Khan’s leg! Then he DRAGON SCREWS it! Henare is back but Tanahashi catches his leg! Henare asks please don’t, but Tanahashi says, “Bye-bye.” DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Henare falls down and fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back to Khan.
Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Khan, then he goes up a corner. SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays focused and the fans rally up. Khan slowly rises and Tanahashi runs, to SLING- NO, Khan slips around and waistlocks! Gator roll to a bridge, TWO! Khan tackles Tanahashi, jackknife bridges, TWO! Khan snap suplexes for PANCAKE HOLD! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes again and the fans fire up! Khan rises, but Tanahashi blocks the Mongolian Chops! Tanahashi fires Mongolian QUICK Chops! Tanahashi runs but into a SAYANAGI! Both men are down and the fans rally! Khan crawls, hot tag to Henare!
Henare storms up on Tanahashi and KICKS him in the chest! And then KICKS him in the back! Then SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi rises, blocks a kick, but Henare JABS! Henare winds up, but Tanahashi ducks to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Tanahashi crawls to his corner. Hot tag to Jado! Jado runs up on Henare to fire body shots! Tanahashi joins in, they double whip Henare to ropes, then BODY BLOW! KICK! And then whip into a LARIAT! Jado covers, TWO! Henare stays in this but Jado rallies the fans. Jado drags Henare up, but Henare KICKS Jado’s leg!
Henare KICKS Jado’s leg again and again! Henare runs but Jado DUMPS him out! Henare hurries back up but Jado kicks him! Jado has Henare in the ropes for the DRAPING DDT! Cover, Khan breaks it! Tanahashi CLUBS Khan, then TOSSES him out! Tanahashi leaves it to Jado, and Jado pounds the mat. The fans rally behind him and Henare stands. Jado runs up, blocks Henare’s haymaker, but Henare fights the takedown! BODY BLOW! Jado drops, but Henare clamps on with a half nelson! Full nelson! ULTIMA- NO, Jado powers up and ELBOWS free! Jado runs, but Khan gets a cheap shot in! Heanre fireman’s carries!
Khan runs but Tanahashi hits a SLINGBLADE! Jado hits a takedown, CROSSFACE!! Tanahashi has Khan in a CROSSFACE, too!! The Empire endures, Henare fights around, and Henare reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The Empire is saved but Tanahashi kicks Khan out. The fans rally with Jado again, and Jado runs at Henare. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Henare HEADBUTTS Jado! Jado staggers to a corner, and the NATIVE KNEE hits! Henare powers up and clamps on again! Half, full, ULTIMA NELSON!! Jado endures, Khan stops Tanahashi from getting in!
Khan clamps onto Tanahashi with HITSUJIGOROSHI! Jado taps, The Empire wins!
Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)
Khan mockingly plays Tanahashi like a guitar before pushing him down. The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions are finally on the winning track, will they go all the way to the trophies? Can Tanahashi keep his WTL dream from turning into a nightmare?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg!
The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb took down The Mighty to start this tournament while The Joker & The Rook were cheated by the King of Darkness. Will Naito & Hiromu just add on with another win? Or can Yano & Oleg put the ungovernable behind BARS?
To keep calm during LIJ’s antics, Yano sits at the center of the ring, cross legged, as if to meditate. But it doesn’t really work as Hiromu walks back up the ramp to stand with Naito. Yano loses his cool, shouts at Naito & Hiromu to hurry up, but LIJ take little steps down the ramp. They make it seem like they’re going fast, and Hiromu even does little circles to take longer. Yano is beside himself and this isn’t even a match yet. Red Shoes also insists, so LIJ finally walk normally again. But even then, they take their time getting into the ring. Naito taps the bell, and the introductions finally happen.
Naito continues to troll Yano even as he goes up the ring steps. And then down the steps as Yano gets closer. Red Shoes has Yano back off, and Hiromu insists Yano give Naito space. Yano’s impatience continues to get the better of him, but finally he stays back long enough for Naito to step inside. Then there’s still the matter of his entrance attire… Yano tells Naito to hurry up already but Naito does as Naito does. Hiromu even reclines back while he waits. Yano is just further annoyed, but his complaints do nothing but entertain the fans. Naito finally puts the pants aside, and Yano says okay, let’s get going!
Yano starts, LIJ fist bumps, and Naito pretends to be unsure who Yano wants. Hiromu and Naito each insist, Yano says it doesn’t matter, just hurry! Naito starts, the bell rings, and then Naito tags out to Hiromu. The fans cheer, Yano is further annoyed, so Yano tags Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu says hold on, and he tags in Naito. Naito wants Yano, and Hiromu even gets fans to cheer, but Yano says no. Naito and Oleg circle, but Naito SPITS at Yano! Yano is upset again but he stays put. Naito and Oleg approach, but then Naito dodges Oleg to BLAST Yano off the apron! The fans cheer, Yano is upset, and now he wants in!
Oleg tags Yano, but Naito tags out to Hiromu! The fans cheer as the trolling continues, and Hiromu says he is Yano’s opponent now. They approach, Yano dodges, but Naito avoids Yano’s attack! Hiromu CLUBS Yano, then BLASTS Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu stomps Yano. Naito joins in to double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Oleg runs in to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE LIJ! The fans fire up and Yano says good job! Oleg stomps Naito out of the ring, and Yano unties a buckle pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Yano takes a swing on Hiromu! Hiromu dodges, Red Shoes grabs the pad, but Yano SHOVES Red Shoes down!
Hiromu drop toeholds Yano down! Then he basement dropkicks! The fans rally up and Hiromu paces around Yano. Hiromu stomps Yano, then slides out to go after Oleg! Hiromu kicks Oleg, SHOVES him into railing, then hurries into the ring. Hiromu has the buckle pad and he beats Yano with it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes is confused as to how this happened! Hiromu says no, it’s okay, it’s just a pad. Tag to Naito and Hiromu “apologizes” to Red Shoes, but now Naito beats Yano down with the pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu & Naito double whip Yano, to DOUBLE PAD LINE! Hiromu then puts the pad aside while Naito kicks Yano.
Naito goes to the corner, hops up, and he has the buckle pad. Hiromu distracts Red Shoes from the DIVING PAD ATTACK! Cover, but Red Shoes has to put the pad aside. Hiromu counts, TWO! Red Shoes says that wouldn’t count anyway! Naito puts on a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yano endures but Hiromu runs and runs and builds up speed, to BLAST Oleg! Naito grinds Yano down but Yano scoots back to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go and tags Hiromu. Naito brings Yano up and LIJ double whips Yano to ropes. They DOUBLE LARIAT, then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Hiromu looms over Yano and taunts him. The fans rally, Hiromu drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Hiromu pulls hair! So Yano uses both hands! Hiromu uses both hands! Red shoes counts, both men let go at 4! Hiromu kicks and whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Hiromu down! The fans rally, Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Hiromu! Naito gets away but Oleg goes back to Hiromu! Oleg deadlifts Hiromu, but Naito runs in and CLUBS Oleg on the back! LIJ double whips Oleg, but Oleg breaks the line! Hiromu shoves Naito aside, dodges Oleg, then he sends Naito into Oleg!
Hiromu picks Naito up to make him RA- NO, Oleg stops the assisted rana, to Shake, Rattle and- NO, Hiromu dropkicks a leg! Oleg lets Naito go as he hobbles, and Hiromu runs to CROSSBODY! But Oleg catches Hiromu! Shake, Rattle, and THROW! And a kip up, too! The fans fire up with Oleg, and Oleg runs corner to corner at Hiromu for a SPLASH! Those bare buckles hurt, but then so does the scoop SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Oleg fireman’s carries Hiromu, but Hiromu fights free! Oleg elbows Hiromu away, CHOPS him to a corner, and then scoops Hiromu to SLAM him!
Hiromu is in the drop zone, Oleg goes up and up to VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Oleg rolling deadlifts Hiromu! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Hiromu rolls with the crucifix takedown! Ghost pin, TWO! Both men stagger up and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Oleg roars, Hiromu dodges and CROSSBODIES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Oleg and Hiromu crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano runs to BLAST Naito! Yano goes to Hiromu and brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS! But then Yano dodges to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Yano then drags Hiromu around, and CATAPULTS him to Oleg! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Yano covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Hiromu survives! Yano huffs ‘n’ puffs and he drags Hiromu up. Yano pops Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights to hit a DDT! Naito sends Oleg into railing! Hiromu hot tags Naito in! The fans rally up as Naito stands Yano up for those heavy elbows! Naito elbows Yano again and again, then puts him in a corner. Naito climbs up, reels Yano in, and hits ESPERANZA! A rough roll but Naito is back up. Yano staggers, but he dodges Naito to push him down! M U! TWO!! Yano hits a fireman’s carry takeover, into M U 3! TWO!! Yano shoves Red Shoes, but Naito atomic drops and ENZIGIRIS!
Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yano, BLASTS Oleg, then helps Naito with the TORNADO DDT!! Hiromu goes to the apron and CROSSBODIES, but Oleg catches him! Oleg SLAMS Hiromu down while Naito brings Yano up. Naito wrenches, but Oleg runs in and SHOTGUNS Naito down! Oleg hauls Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into a POP-UP fireman’s carry! Naito runs at Oleg but Oleg THROWS Hiromu at him! LIJ topples over, Yano gets in there to cover them both! Oleg adds on, too! OLEG & YANO WIN!!
Winners: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Naito & Hiromu earn 0)
It was a rather wild ending, but the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions come out on top! Hiromu tries to understand how that happened, but Naito brushes it off. Will LIJ just have to be ready for anything if they wanna win WTL?
As for Yano & Oleg, Yano gets the mic to say, “Hey, everyone, my apologies. Sorry to Naito and Hiromu, and to all the fans here because I knew you were supporting Naito. So again, I’m sorry, I didn’t read the room.” The fans applaud, they aren’t really upset. Yano says it’s rare, though, isn’t it? That he’d win in the main event? But Yano vows that whether on accident or on purpose, Yano & Oleg will win the whole tournament! No more need to read the room! This Toru Yano, and this Boltin Oleg, or perhaps “Yano Boltin” for short. They will win the championships!
Yano says they’ll test this out. He’ll have Oleg say more than just “Hai” and we’ll chant “Yano Boltin.” Is everyone ready? The fans applaud, and Yano asks Boltin for a few words. Oleg takes the mic and thanks everyone for being here tonight. He feels they can definitely win the World Tag League, so thank you very much! The fans cheer, and join in on “YANO BOL-TIN!” Shrug! The Joker & The Rook are looking good now that they’re on the board, but will they make a run at the top?
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Evil & Ren Narita: 2-0, 4 points
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-1, 2 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 1-1, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 1-1, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great second round for B Block, and that is already quite the traffic jam at 1-1. Great rebound win for TMDK over The Filip Brothers, and of course The House of Torture cheats to stay spotless at 2-0. Great rebound win for Henare & Khan, and I think there’s even a chance we see Tanahashi and Khan feud down the line, maybe putting on a KOPW Championship match while Khan still has it. That’s a small window, though, with 2024 almost over and then it’ll be reset for 2025. And what a great match and great shocker in the main event. Hilarious comedy elements with Yano being so impatient, and yet his team comes out on top.
The eventual Yano & Oleg VS Tanahashi & Jado match is going to be a really important one, because with just seven rounds, another loss could pop the bubble on The Ace’s chances. At the same time, Yano & Oleg are his friends and fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions, there’s some drama in that they could really play up.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!