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Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (9/11/18)

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SmackDown is packed just days from Hell in a Cell: The Bar VS Rusev Day, Jeff Hardy VS Nakamura, Charlotte Flair VS Sonya Deville, and Brie Bella VS Maryse!

 

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • Jeff Hardy VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Hardy wins, by disqualification.
  • Charlotte Flair VS Sonya Deville w/ Mandy Rose; Flair wins.
  • SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Rusev Day VS The Bar; Rusev Day wins and will face The New Day for the titles at Hell in a Cell.
  • Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS R-Truth w/ Carmella; Almas wins.
  • Brie Bella w/ Daniel Bryan VS Maryse w/ The Miz; Bella wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

WWE and SmackDown toll the bell 11 times to remember the tragedy of 9/11.

Never forget.

 

Jeff Hardy VS Shinsuke Nakamura!

The Charismatic Enigma may have the Viper to worry about at Hell in a Cell in the Cell, but he wants to wrap things up with The King of Strong Style first. Can Hardy make the United States Champion OBSOLETE this close to Sunday? Or will Hardy get a #Knee2Face as a parting gift before Randy Orton drags Hardy to Hell?

Before the match, Hardy speaks to Lafayette, Louisiana. “Demons are all around us. Tempting us, taunting us, tearing us apart at times.” Hardy has dealt with demons and has overcome them all, standing before us a better man. Demons will always come around, but you have to face them head on. Hardy does that this Sunday against his “most venomous demon”. They will fight in the sinister paradise that is the Cell.

Hardy knows Orton wants to inflict pain and torment, but Orton doesn’t know what it’s like to fight someone who has fought back through their own personal Hell. Orton forgets that Hardy is a daredevil! Hardy is #ImmuneToFear, and has prepared for such a moment. He vows to unleash a lifetime of torment, pain and suffering upon Orton until he’s classified as OBSOLETE. But tonight, Hardy cleanses himself of another demon in Nakamura. Then Hardy will go straight to Hell one way or another! “Enjoy the show!” Nakamura makes his entrance, and we begin!

Fans rally already as Hardy circles with Nakamura. Nakamura slides out of the ring, wanting to get in some last preparations. He slowly returns, wanting Hardy to stay back. Hardy lets Nakamura enter, and they circle again. Hardy kicks low then gives Nakamura a jawbreaker! Nakamura rolls out but gets a wrecking ball dropkick, then double ax handles off the apron. Hardy whips Nakamura into barriers, then runs all the way over for a LEAPING splash! They collide with each other, and then the barrier. Both men are down while we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Nakamura has Hardy in a chinlock. Nakamura grinds Hardy to the mat but fans rally up. Nakamura shifts to a bearhug, but Hardy resists the shift to a full nelson. Hardy fights out and clubs Nakamura down. Hardy drags Nakamura up to a corner and bumps him off buckles. He throws hands then bumps Nakamura off another corner’s buckles. Then another, and then the fourth for the full set. Hardy goes around another lap, but Nakamura stops the second jawbreaker with a knee! Nakamura fires off strikes, then kicks Hardy down. Nakamura circles Hardy, then brings him up in a cravat. He twists and pulls on the neck, but Hardy fights back as fans continue to chant. Nakamura shifts to a facelock and pulls harder.

Hardy rallies the fans more, and feeds off their energy. He fights back again, but Nakamura knees low. Nakamura drives in more knees and has Hardy down. He kicks Hardy as he sits up, but Hrady catches one! Hardy kicks back and throws more hands. Hardy whips but Nakamura reverses into a knee and the spin kick! Nakamura runs in at Hardy, but gets a slingblade! Both men are down again, but Hardy drags himself away. Hardy stands and drags Nakamura back up, but Nakamura knees out of the suplex! Nakamura aims, runs, but gets a back elbow. Hardy up, Whisper in the Wind! But he can’t cover because of those ribs! Both men are down and the referee starts a 10 count. Hardy stands at 4, then climbs up top. Nakamura stops him with a kick! Then the Top Shelf Knee!

Hardy tumbles down but Nakamura blasts him off with the Dynamic Dropkick! Hardy is down and out whiel we go picture in picture. Nakamura drags Hardy back up and around to throw him into barriers! Nakamura drags Hardy back up to throw him in the ring. Hardy winces while Nakamura takes his time returning. Nakamura kicks and stomps Hardy, toying with him whiel still doing serious damage to those ribs. Cover, TWO! Nakamura keeps his cool, and sits Hardy up for a seated abdominal stretch. Hardy endures, but Nakamura throws in swift elbows! He also adds knees, then covers, TWO. Nakamuar is more annoyed than anything as he brings Hardy back up. He kicks but Hardy catches it! Haryd kicks back and goes for the Twist! Nakamura gets him down into an armbar!

Hardy clasps his hands together to avoid the hold, but Nakamura just changes that to a triangle! Hardy uses power to get Nakamura up and kick his face! Nakamura lets go, but runs into a throat chop! Cover, ONE! Hardy hurries to add on with a splash, cover, TWO! Hardy is frustrated and his ribs are in pain, only making it worse. The referee starts another 10 count but Hardy forces himself to stand. We return to single picture as Hardy hits back with haymakers. Nakamura reverses the whip but Hardy counters. Hardy hits the atomic drop, takedown and leg splitting leg drop. Dropkick added, cover, TWO! Hardy isn’t deterred, he says “DELETE! DELETE!” But he misses in the corner, only to get Nakamura’s kick and BAD Vibrations! Nakamura backs off at the count of 4, but then gives Hardy a sliding knee into the post!

The referee backs Nakamura off whiel checking on Hardy, but Nakamura just fires up. Nakamura runs, but into a school boy! ONE, but Hardy ducks all the kicks to hit the Twist of Fate!! Nakamura down, Hardy throws off the shirt and climbs up! Hardy aims, but Orton attacks!

Winner: Jeff Hardy, by disqualification

The Viper didn’t use his RKO but that was still outta nowhere. Hardy wins, but now his prize is Orton adding on by banging Hardy’s head against steel steps! Orton won’t wait for Sunday, he wants to erase Hardy now. Orton grabs a chair and brings it over. He stalks his prey, then SMACKS Hardy on the back! Then he jabs it into those bad ribs, before another SMACK! Orton embraces all the heat from the fans while he hears those voices in his head. He waits for Hardy to stand up again, but Hardy denies the RKO! Hardy wants teh Twist but is denied, so he gets the chair! Hardy SMACKS, SMACKS, SMACKS and SMACKS! Orton is reeling but Hardy still smacks him. Orton flounders, and into the Twist of Fate!

But Hardy isn’t done there! He climbs up top, SWANTON BOMB! Hardy didn’t get it on Nakamura but he gets it on Orton here. Orton is gasping as he retreats, and the Enigma stands tall. Will Hardy avoid being erased by the bitter bite of The Viper? Or will he make Orton OBSOLETE once and for all?

 

Backstage interview with The Miz & Maryse.

But Miz wants Kayla to give them the proper respect. Maryse is in the spotlight, so this is the interview with Maryse and Miz. They will face Daniel Bryan & Brie Bella in mixed tag action this Sunday, but tonight’s main event will see the singles return of Maryse, something we haven’t seen in roughly 7 years. Is she ready? Are you kidding? It took Bryan three years to return to the ring, but it took Maryse five months after giving birth to return. She’s ready. Maryse vows to make Miz proud, and show little Monroe Sky how great mommy is when she punches Brie in the face.

Miz adds on by saying that there’s a reason these two are called the hardest hitting couple in WWE today. Do you know what Bryan & Brie are called?  The Yes Couple? Is it? No, they’re the “Sure Couple”. As in they say, “Sure, I’ll settle for them.” Their marriage was one of convenience. But they aren’t very convenient, Bryan needs his wife to pay the bills and fight his battles. And if Bryan tries something, Maryse will slap the taste out of his mouth. “And that will be… AWESOME!” Will the It Couple make tonight’s main event must-see? Or will we see Maryse get shown up by #BrieMode?

 

AJ Styles was in the arena alone earlier today.

The Phenomenal One admits Samoa Joe knows his weakness is his temper. And Styles loses his temper quickest when it comes to his family. Joe brought both Styles’ wife and daughter into this. Joe thinks he has the advantage. Maybe he does. But after almost 20 years of friendship, Styles knows things about Joe. Joe has his own family. The difference is, Styles would never mess with Joe’s family. Styles has integrity, which is a strength. Joe’s strength is running his mouth and intimidating, as well as being a piece of… garbage. But all of Joe’s strength will become his weakness. When the bell rings, no one has the upper-hand on AJ Styles.

At Hell in a Cell, the talk stops, the intimidation ends, and Joe will get a reminder of what happens when someone talks about Styles’ family. Styles gave Joe a taste last week, and in five days, Joe will see how Phenomenal Styles really is. SmackDown is still the House that AJ Styles Built! “And it’s not for rent. And it damn sure isn’t for sale.”

 

Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair.

She has a huge match with Becky Lynch at Hell in a Cell, but why is she having a match here tonight? Because she thrives on competition. Charlotte is competitive, but not Becky. Becky complains about Charlotte holding everyone back, yet Charlotte is insecure? Becky gets her opportunity, and if there’s one person Charlotte is willing to bet on, it’s herself. Charlotte will show that it’s easier to talk the talk than to walk the walk. She sure hopes Becky is watching this.

Charlotte Flair VS Sonya Deville w/ Mandy Rose!

The Queen wanted this match, but will she regret giving the Gladiator Gal a chance to shine this close to PPV Sunday?

The bell rings and the two circle. Charlotte avoids Sonya lunging in a couple times, but can’t get away the third time. She counters with a facelock but Sonya gets a facelock back. They trade and roll around, but Charlotte gets a takedown to a headlock. Fans “WOO~!” for Charlotte but Sonya throws her off the hold. They circle again and now Sonya gets the takedown and jackknife. TWO as Charlotte bridges out and goes for a backslide. Sonya counters and bends Charlotte back with a neckbreaker. Sonya kicks away on Charlotte in a corner, then snapmares Charlotte to the center. She hits a stiff sliding knee, covers, TWO! Sonya stalks Charlotte and brings her up, but Charlotte small packages. TWO, and Sonya knees low.

Sonya keeps on Charlotte with a whip but Charlotte reverses. Sonya sunset flips but Charlotte counters with the Flair knee drop! Charlotte runs but Mandy swipes at her! Sonya capitalizes with a strong forearm, but Charlotte boots her back! Charlotte recovers while Sonya flounders, we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Sonya has Charlotte in a standing abdominal stretch. Sonya hammers away on CHarlotte’s ribs, but fans rally up for Charlotte. CHarlotte slips out but gets shoulders and a shove. Charlotte suneset flips but Sonya silps out, so Charlotte gives her a big back suplex! Both women slowly stand, and it’s Sonya who hits first with forearms. Charlotte chops with those Flair chops, and backs Sonya down to a corner. She chops and chops, but then Sonya dodges. SOnya swings but gets the backbreaker and STO! Charlotte holds herself up, then slowly climbs up top. She MOONSAULTS, but gets knees! Spinebuster added, cover, TWO! Sonya can’t believe it! She drags Charlotte up again, and throws muay thai knees. She whips but Charlotte reverses, only for Sonya to reverse it back to a triangle!

Charlotte holds on, and then deadlifts Sony up! Rebound of the ropes then the sit-out! Cover, TWO!! Somehow Sonya survives, but now Charlotte has the Figure Four! Charlotte bridges, Figure Eight! Sonya taps, Charlotte wins!

Winner: Charlotte Flair, by submission

The Queen made Sonya tap out tonight, but it took so much to get there. Will Charlotte be good to go for Hell in a Cell against the Relent-Lass Lynch? Or is this finally Becky’s time to take back the spotlight?

Wait, someone from the stands attacks! It’s Becky in disguise!! The Straight Fire comes for Charlotte with a kick at the ramp! Becky stalks Charlotte, and puts her in the Disarm-Her! Fans are divided as Becky pulls Charlotte’s arm all the way back. Referees appear and get Becky to back off, but the message has been sent. “It’s been two years too long”, but will it only be five days more before she’s champion again?

 

Samoa Joe has a message for everyone.

“Gather ’round, everyone, and quiet down. I’m going to read you a bedtime story.” Joe has just the tale, but don’t worry, it has a happy ending. It’s called, “Night Night, AJ – by Samoa Joe.” There once was a man who lived in a house, that he built for his kids and his house. Styles defended against one and against all, and felt 10 feet tall. His head in the clouds, high above all, he forgot his own family, not even a call. Until a man appeared, the Submission Machine. Joe heard of the “house of broken promises and lies.” The child was frightened, the wife distraught, and hoped and prayed that a lesson would be taught. Things were terrible, horribly bad, but the Warrior had a solution by becoming their new dad.

The arrogant fool drew battle lines, but to emerge victorious, it wouldn’t take much. Just a snatch and a drag, and a Coquina Clutch. Styles’ ego is no more, he was a fool asleep on the floor. A new champion stands as the man of the house, while that 10 foot tall man is small as a mouse. The hero conquered the day, good night to Wendy, Annie, and especially AJ. Joe says this is “The End” of their story, but will Styles make sure the ending is rewritten at Hell in a Cell?

 

Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.

But she doesn’t care about questions. She promised to break Charlotte’s arm, and she still will, after taking the title back. Becky has never been this ruthless. Is this what she needs to finally become champion again?

 

SmackDown Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Match: Rusev Day VS The Bar!

The New Day were the team to finally stop the Bludgeon Brothers and take those belts away, but it took a No Disqualification match to do it. It also took Harper & Rowan out of action for a time, so in the meantime, the champions need contenders. That’s where the contenders tournament came in, pitting six teams in two separate triple threats to then determine finalists! Will the Bulgarian Brute & Drama King overcome the Swiss Cyborg & Celtic Gladiator? Or will Rusev Day fail to be better than the team that doesn’t just set the bar, but ARE the Bar?!

Speakng of the New Day, “ya bois” have their own announce desk again! They’re getting word that “Kramer Kingsman” is getting word with The Bar backstage. And somehow someway, Kramer is backstage watching The Bar finish preparations. The Bar in their natural habitat, but will they be like bad milk and spoil things for Rusev & English? Back to you, Kofi! Wow, what a great professional he is. Shenanigans aside, both teams make their entrance. English sings says they’ll steal the spotlight, win the fight and earn the right to take on the champs. Everybody watch as The Bar gives way, so that the titles will be won on… RUSEV DAAAAAAY~! With that, both teams are in the ring, and we begin!

SmackDown shifts to picture in picture as Cesaro starts with English. They tie up and go aruond, but English bails out before he can be isolated. English gets back in and ties up with Cesaro. English gets a headlock but Cesaro reverses to his own. They go to ropes and Engilsh powers out, but Cesaro runs him over. Cesaro runs but things speed up, English arm-drags Cesaro overhead! He puts Cesoar int he corner and tags in Rusev! Rusev whips ENglish in for the back elbow, then English feeds Cesaro tot he lariat. Cover, TWO! Rusev keeps on Cesaro with haymakers, then shoulders in the corner. He wrenches but Cesaro knees and clubs him back. Tag to Sheamus and Sheamus kicks Rusev. Sheamus suplexes but Rusev resists. Rusev cuonters and gets Sheamus up and over! Cover, TWO, but Rusev drops elbows.

Rusev grabs Sheamus in a facelock, and we return to single picture. Sheamus powers Rusev back to ropes, and they separate. Rusev senses Cesaro lurking and hits him first, only to get run over by Sheamus. Cover, ONE, but Sheamus keeps on Rusev with an arm wrench. Tag to Cesaro as New Day comments on the action. Cesaro gives a European Uppercut and a scoop slam. He wraps Rusv in a chinlock, and the New Day cannot predict who faces them. Fans rally up for “Rusev Day!” as Rusev stands up. Cesaro tags to Sheamus and hands the headlock off. Sheamus grinds Rusev but Rusev stays standing. Rusev arm-drags Sheamus off, and boots Sheamus away. English tags in, climbs up and leaps! Crossbody connects, and he fires off hands.

Sheamus reverses the whip but gets a mule kick. English runs for the swinging neckbreaker! English swings on Cesaro and manages to slip out of the saido suplex. HE dumps Sheamus otu then dumps Cesaro out. Rusev comes in and helps English FLY! English wipes out The Bar and feeds Sheamus in. English puts Sheamus in, falling DDT! Cover, TWO! The New Day enjoy what they see while Sheamus rolls out. English pursues and puts him back inside, but Cesaro goes after him. Rusev backs Cesaro off but Sheamus knees English down! English rolls back out, Sheamus tags Cesaro, and Cesaro gives English a BIG EuroUpper. Cesaro then throws pancakes around before putting English back in.

Cesaro gives English more EuroUppers, then tag Sheamus. They give him double mudhole stomps, then Sheamus clobbers with a clothesline. Cover, TWO! Tag back to Cesaro, and they mug English. Cesaro wrap on a chinlock, but fans rally up for Rusev Day while we go to break.

SmackDown returns and Sheamus has English in the Canadian torture rack. English fights out and jawbreakers Sheamus away. Sheamus runs back in but only gets post! English crawls for his corner but Rusev is still down. Cesaro checks on Sheamus but Rusev returns! Fans fire up as Sheamus tags Cesaro, but English tags Rusev! Rusev rallies on Cesaro, and hits a big shoulder. Rusev keeps moving for the leaping spin kick! THe Bulgarian Lion roars as he stalks the Swiss Cyborg. Rusev stomps and aims, but misses the Machka kick. Cesaro runs but into a pop-up knee and roundhouse! Cover, TWO! But Rusev is not deterred, he is only determined. The New Day see that determination, and respect the “CRUSH!” Accolade is on! Cesaro endures, but Sheamus slips in to clobber Rusev. Sheamus is pushed back out, but Rusev runs into a EuroUpper!

Tag to Sheamus, and they double DDT! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus can’t believe it but Lafayette is fired up for Rusev. Sheamus puts Rusev in his corner but Rusev fights ought! He bounces Ceasro off the post and rolls Sheamus up, TWO! Sheamus hits a tilt-o-whirl slam! Cover, TWO! The Bar cannot believe the resilience of Rusev, but Lana and teh fans keep cheering him on. Sheamus calls for his own kick, and he watches Rusev slowly stir. Sheamus runs at Rusev, but English intercepts to take the Brogue! Rusev MACHKA KICK! Cover, Rusev Day wins!!

Winners: Team Rusev Day, Rusev pinning; #1 contenders to the SmackDown Tag Team Championships

Even The New Day celebrate this one! This is a great Rusev Day for Rusev Day, but this is only the beginning. Can Hell in a Cell Sunday be an even greater Rusev Day when they bring home the gold? Or will the titles stay with the Five-Time champions?

 

Andrade “Cien” Almas w/ Zelina Vega VS R-Truth w/ Carmella!

El Idolo & La Muneca have been on a short downtrend while the newly created #FABULOUSTruth have been on the rise already! Will Truth show Almas #WhatsUp just a week before the Mixed Match Challenge begins again? Or will Truth only be #CienKnees?

SmackDown returns as Almas & Vega make their entrance. Fans echo “What’s Up?!” with Truth as the bell rings. Truth and Almas circle, but Almas kicks and chops Truth to a corner. Truth fires back but Almas stops that quick. Almas runs but into the headscissors! Truth rocks Almas with a haymaker, then whips corner to corner. Almas reverses but Truth goes up and over to handspring. Almas handsprings to PELE Truth! Cover, TWO! Almas stomps Truth then throws forearms. Vega wants Almas to finish Truth, but Truth fights back. Almas rocks Truth with a knee, then wraps on a facelock. Carmella rallies fans and Truth resists the suplex. Truth blocks then counters to gordbuster Almas down!

Vega tells Almas to shake it off quick, but Carmella coaches Truth up. Truth throws hands on Almas, then splits to hit teh calf kick! Fans fire up with Truth as he does mroe splits. Truth runs corner to corner for the splash! He kicks low, then runs, but Almas dodges the scissor kick. Truth shoves Almas, but he and Vega double Tranquilo. Carmella comes around to change that as she drags Vega to the floor! Almas doesn’t like that, but he manages to standing switch and roll up. Almas has hold of the pants, and Almas wins!

Winner: Andrade “Cien” Almas, by pinfall

Carmella was trying to help, but she couldn’t have expected Almas to cheat like that. El Idolo gets away with the win, but will he be reaching new heights if that’s what ti ta

 

Backstage interview with Asuka.

The Empress of Tomorrow helped Naomi out against The IIconics. Why? Naomi pops in to thank Asuka, and also wants to know why. Well the IIconics are so mean, and their accents make it hard to understand them. But they’re also fun to hit. Naomi likes Asuka’s attitude, and the glow. Go? No, glow. Oh! Yes, glow! Asuka loves teriyaki. Teriyaki? Wanna get some? Sure! This pair is eccentric to say the least, but will they be able to keep the future from being IIconic?

 

Brie Bella w/ Daniel Bryan VS Maryse w/ The Miz!

Bryan VS Miz was “Eight Years in the Making”, but so was this! Maryse returns to action after so long, but will she be ready for #BriMode?

The bell rings and Brie circles with Maryse. These former Diva’s Champions circle, but then Maryse ducks out the second Brie rushes her. Miz has Brie stay back while Maryse just grins and laughs. Miz applauds his wife and gives her a quick pep talk. Maryse returns to the ring, then circles with Brie. Brie rushes Maryse again but Maryse uses the ropes for shelter. Brie grows annoyed but Maryse tosses her hair. Maryse ducks out again, but Brie got really close that time. The It Couple talk, but Brie calls Maryse out as a coward. Maryse is angry now, but not so much that she won’t duck back out when Brie goes after her.

Miz talks back. “You think we’re cowards?!” Lafayette says “YES! YES!” Miz says Brie doesn’t even deserve to be in the same ring as Maryse! Maryse is the two times Diva’s Champ and one of the longest reigning champs ever! Five months after giving birth and Maryse is back in the ring, but neither Brie nor this city deserves her! He is calling this main event match off. The It Couple plan to wait until Hell in a Cell and start walking. But Bryan and Brie decide to give chase! Brie gets Maryse from behind by her hair! And she brings her all the way back to bump her off the apron! Twice! Three times! Four times, and then into the ring. Brie has the fans fired up, but Miz distracts. Bryan runs Miz off, but Maryse SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!

Miz and Maryse keep their cool, and they mock the “YES! YES!” chants. Maryse prepares her “hardest punch”, but Bryan rallies the fans for Brie. Maryse gets caught into Brie’s Yes Lock! But Miz drags Brie right out!

Winner: Brie Bella, by disqualification

But Bryan just goes after Miz! He unleashes on Miz against he barriers, and then into the ring! Brie gets back up but Bryan is thrown out onto her! Bryan realizes what happens and checks on Brie. Brie is hurting, and Bryan calls for medics to check on her. However, Miz goes after Bryan and throws him into steel steps! Then Maryse stomps away on Brie! Maryse bumps Brie off the apron in return for earlier, even as the referee orders her to stop. Maryse has Brie in the ring, but Brie Thezs Presses!

Miz gets in but Brie scares him with a glare. But this is so Maryse can snatch hair. But Brie slips out of the DDT. Bryan returns and goes after Miz more! He fires off the YES KICKS! Bryan vows to punch Miz out, but Miz turns around, to get a punch from Brie first! Then Bryan clotheslines Miz out! The YES Couple are in control, but will things go their way at Hell in a Cell? Or will they get to punch the It Couple in their smug faces to settle this once and for all?

 


 

My Thoughts:

SmackDown did much better than Raw, again. For one, they’re not bogging themselves down with build outside of Hell in a Cell, but they also didn’t give us more review than new action. Hardy VS Nakamura was a great opening match, and of course Orton appears to screw the match. But it was also great that Hardy stands tall in the fight after. We can all just feel Hardy jumping off the Cell for the Super Swanton he’s always wanted, but I can’t be sure he wins. It’d be odd for Orton’s mission to erase the heroes of the WWE Universe to fail the first time out. Though, just look at Bray Wyatt’s entire main roster run…

Charlotte VS Sonya was really good, Sonya looks strong even in losing. Becky’s surprise attack was so great, she’s really embracing this Heel Not Heel turn and fans are eating it up. This match is going to be great, but it’s so hard to call. Becky winning would be great, because the iron is hot and fans would go nuts. At the same time, winning at Hell in a Cell could end up making Becky only a transitional champion given Super Show Down and Evolution coming up next. At the same time, delaying Becky becoming champ again runs the risk of things cooling off, so I’d just pull the trigger now and figure things out. Speaking of, WWE needs to figure Asuka and Naomi out. Asuka shouldn’t be dragged into some kind of tag team story, she should be at Evolution in a singles title match.

Styles and Joe have really great promos going into their match, but especially Joe’s storybook. It is a shame we’re only getting one Cell match per brand because Styles VS Joe already has a build worthy of one. Of course, this feud could easily be used for the next few PPV’s, so let’s just hope the action in this match is already levels higher than the Styles VS Nakamura series. Speaking of Nakamura, he needs a challenger some time soon, so maybe some kind of Open Challenge and anyone from R-Truth to Tye Dillinger to even Almas for just some great wrestling. Almas and Truth have a decent match, but it’s a shame Almas won with a cheat. Though, that does help keep Truth strong, he deserves to have something again.

Rusev also deserves something, so he and English getting the contenders spot is great. I would love if they surprised us by having Rusev Day win at Hell in a Cell. Granted, New Day are a strong team, but it’s not like their fifth reign needs to be a long one. New Day already has the record and achieved the Five-Time threshold, so they can let this one go. The match will still be great, but the ones who need the win are Rusev Day, not New Day. Meanwhile, Brie VS Maryse was not a good main event match. Granted, it was never going to be just about them, and in a vacuum, that fight between the two couples was good. The mixed tag could go either away, but I doubt this will really end Bryan VS Miz as a feud. I think it’d take a title to do that.

My Score: 8/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/21/25)

The Raw After Mania!

Published

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Who has WrestleMania hangover here in Vegas?

There are so many new champions in the WWE, but none bigger than JOHN CENA as the SEVENTEEN TIME WWE Champion! What will happen now that he is back on top?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Liv & Raquel win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
  • Iyo Sky VS Stephanie Vaquer; Iyo Sky, by disqualification.
  • WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day VS PENTA; Dom wins and retains the title.

PLAY BY PLAY

A car pulls into the parking lot.

Out steps The Wise Man, Paul Heyman, and The Visionary, Seth Rollins. What will be next for the new Paul Heyman Guy?

 

JOHN CENA is here!

Las Vegas is still just as torn as they were last night, but we sure hear a lot of “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as the NEW Undisputed WWE Champion, the SEVENTEEN TIME world champion, walks down the ramp. Cena drapes the towel over his head and he wears the title backwards, but he doesn’t care what the fans think as he steps into the ring. Cena has his music fade out, and he points to someone. Cena tells them to come closer, and it’s the ring announcer. Cena has Mark Nash join him in the ring while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena hands something to Nash for him to read to the fans.

Nash says, “My sincerest apologies. I have been informed that my announcement has been deemed disrespectful. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Greatest Of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Las Vegas with his presence for the final time… The Last Real Champion, JOHN CENAAA~!” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title. Cena then has Nash hand over his mic, and says, “Winners write history. You (fans) are not worthy. You think that on Friday, you can bully me? And then I step in a ring with gold around my waist, and just because you cheer, I’m supposed to forgive you?” Fans cheer in hopes of that.

Cena says that is not how a functional relationship works! Does this man up front think that’s how it works with his wife? Well, it’s not. Cena asks if the parents treat their children like that. No, because that’s not how it works. The fans might show up in a good mood, Cena will still tell them to go straight to Hell. Every damn one of them owes Cena an apology, but they don’t have the guts to do it! And yeah, go ahead, make the noise. This is always the night fans hijack Monday Night Raw, right? All of WrestleMania, and this is a sacred ticket where the fans can take control, right? They have gotten soft.

Wait, some fans chant “We Are Sorry!” And others say, “NO, WE’RE NOT!” Cena explains that it’s “We Aren’t Sorry.” He does a quick once over, and yeah, this is an arena full of the sorriest lowlifes he’s ever seen! Each and every one of them ARE sorry! And here’s the best part: They don’t mean anything to Cena. The fans tell Cena off and Cena just soaks it in. Cena say she may be an anus, but they’re all idiots. For 25 YEARS, they have called him so much worse. He has taken their best shots, and has always gotten back up. What makes them think THIS is the crowd that’ll crack him? Go ahead! You mean NOTHING to him! The noise means NOTHING!

“The only thing that means to all of our lives… is that!” The number on screen says “36 dates.” Cena says he told us at the beginning of the year, 36 shows, and he’s gone. Time passes so quickly! Let’s countdown the time we’ve already lost. Netflix debut, Indianapolis, Toronto, London, Brussels, Glasgow, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas! That leaves us with 27 dates. Not matches, but appearances. The fans boo but Cena says yeah! You say he can’t wrestle? He doesn’t have to! He can just show up and do this! “When that hits zero, the professional wrestling timeline stops cold. I am not stupid like you. I know there will be another Monday Night Raw. I know you will ‘decide’ another champion.

“But the title held by Bruno Sammartino, the title held by Roman Reigns for over 1000 days, the title taken from me in Chicago by CM Punk, the title held by Triple H ‘The Game,’ by ‘Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels, and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin comes home with ME! I am the Last Real Undisputed Champion of the WWE!” The fans boo but Cena says getting the title was the hard part. The rest is a cake walk. He can just keep playing us like the puppets we are. The best chance the fans had was Cody Rhodes. The fans boo and Cena says, “You heartless bastards. You boo him on Friday, and then you cheer him on Friday, and then you boo him on Sunday. And I say his name?

“And the man we all put on our shoulders last year because he finished his story now disgusts you? That’s what’s wrong with this! And that’s why last night, Cody Rhodes was outshined, outclassed, outwrestled and flat-out destroyed. It’s time for you to take a bold look in the mirror, and here’s the truth: There is NO ONE in the WWE with the strength, the speed, the wisdom, or the ruthless aggression… of John Cena! But unlike you, I have a heart. And I would like to do something nice for you right now. Get out your cameras, please, you’re gonna wanna remember this moment.” Cena waits, and then says make sure to get a great picture. Because the Last Real Champ is here.

AND RANDY ORTON IS, TOO!! Cena turns around and R K O!! The fans are thunderous as The Viper strikes Cena down! Orton then looks at the title. Orton picks it up, smirks, and then holds it up. The fans like the look of that! But is this a vision of the future? Is Cena bout to face some serious backlash for what he’s done?

 

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!

The NEW champions just won these titles last night, but the former champions are cashing in their rematch! Will Liv & Raquel redeem themselves just 24 hours later? Or will The Morrigan & The Man be 2-0 already?

Raw returns and we see Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley watching from the crowd. They’re set to challenge for these titles tomorrow night as part of NXT, but just who will they be facing? Moving on, Lyra & Becky make their entrance together, and the fans sing along with Becky’s “Whoa Oh, Oh Oh, Oh-oh Oh!” The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who holds the gold!

The teams sort out, and Liv goes right after Becky! The fans are torn as Liv fires hands! The ref counts, Liv stomps away, but then she shrieks at the ref to back off. Liv runs in, back body blocks, then SHINING WIZARDS! Snapmare, SHINING WIZARD again! Cover, TWO! Becky stays in this but Liv stays on her by pulling hair and CLUBBING Becky in the side! Liv KICKS Becky, brings her up, but Becky ROCKS Liv! Liv ROCKS Becky, the shots keep going, and the fans fire up! Becky fires off a strike fest, then brings Liv up to whip. Liv reverses, Lyra tags in, and Becky BOOTS Liv! Lyra & Becky double whip to DOUBLE HIP TOSS!

Lyra CROSSBODIES Liv down, then brings her around. Lyra whips Liv to a corner hard, and Liv slumps down. Lyra stomps a mudhole, then brings Liv out. Liv breaks fee but Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, RAMS, and ENZIGIRIS! Raquel runs up, Lyra headlocks her first. Raquel whips, Lyra springboards to CROSSBODY Liv! Then WHEEL KICK for Raquel! The fans fire up with Lyra, she calls to Becky, and they both WRECK Liv & Raquel with dropkicks! The fans fire up for the lass kickers as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Raquel has Lyra in an Argentine Backbreaker! Lyra endures, fights free, and then ROCKS Raquel! Raquel trips Lyra, but Lyra flips to her feet! ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire back up! Lyra and Raquel crawl, the fans rally up, but Raquel grabs at a foot. Lyra kicks free, hot tags to Becky and Liv! Becky rallies on Liv, CALF KICKS her down, then runs at the corner to ROCK Liv with a forearm! Raquel runs up but is sent into Liv! JUMP KICK for Raquel! JUMP KICK for Liv! Then BECKSPLODER for Liv! Cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Becky stays focused. Becky dares Liv to get up, the fans rally, and Becky clinches!

Liv wheelbarrows to victory roll! ONE and Becky has it! TWO and Becky BLASTS Raquel! But Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Then OBLIV- NO, Becky blocks to MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, RAQUEL BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Raquel drags Liv away to the corner. Liv tags Raquel and Raquel drags Becky up. But Becky JAWBREAKERS! Becky runs up, Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel goes up, but Becky CLUBS her first! Becky fires shots, climbs up after Raquel, but Raquel fights the lift! Lyra climbs up, tags in, and then joins in! But Raquel still fights it! Liv flips in, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB for Becky!

Lyra hops up, SUPER STEIN- NO! Raquel blocks, and she brings Lyra up! SUPER POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Lyra survives and the fans can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” while all four women are down. Lyra and Raquel rise, Raquel lifts, but Lyra slips free! Raquel tries again but Lyra DROPKICKS her away! Lyra hobbles and stumbles but she makes it to Raquel. Lyra tries to fireman’s carry, but Raquel pushes her away. Lyra goes up, TORNADO DDT! Lyra then drags Raquel back up, fireman’s carries again, NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Cover, Liv gives Raquel the ropebreak!! The fans boo but here comes Becky!

Becky hits a THESZ PRES and rains down fast hands! Liv gets free, fights off the urenage and POSTS Becky! Lyra WRECKS Liv with a dropkick! Liv climbs up, Raquel rises, TURN OF FOR- NO, Raquel dodges and BOOTS Lyra down! Cover, TWO!! Raquel is furious but Liv calls to her. Liv runs in, Raquel pops her up, POWERBOMB SENTON onto knees!! Lyra saves herself and takes out Liv in one go! Raquel freaks out, runs up, but her boot gets stuck on the ropes! Lyra DUMPS Raquel, but turns into OBLIV- NO, Lyra grabs ropes! Liv falls, Lyra ENZIGIRIS! Fireman’s carry, but Raquel saves Live!

Becky goes after Raquel, Raquel kicks her away! Lyra BLASTS Raquel onto Becky!! OBLIVION!!! Cover, LIV & RAQUEL WIN!

Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)

FOUR TIMES, Liv & Raquel are tag team champions! Becky regroups with Lyra, both of them a bit stunned this happened. But then Becky DECKS Lyra?!? Becky blames Lyra for this failure and Lyra is absolutely devastated! The Man storms off, only to come back and attack Lyra with a rain of forearms! The fans boo as Becky dribbles Lyra off the mat! Becky stops, Lyra is in shock, but Becky comes back again!? Lyra pleads for mercy but Becky just MANHANDLE SLAMS her!! Becky hits another MANHANDLE SLAM!! And A THIRD MANHANDLE SLAM!!! The Man is acting more like a monster, what is going on with her?

 

The New Day walks around backstage.

They admire their newly won WWE World Tag Team Championships, but then they cross paths with Karrion Kross. Mr. Doomsday smiles, perhaps proud of his handiwork? Either way, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods are headed to gorilla. Just how will this New Day celebrate their reign?

 

The New Day heads to the ring.

Las Vegas wasn’t happy during WrestleMania and they aren’t happy now that Kofi & Woods have the titles back in their possession. Kofi & Woods bring those belts to the ring, rubbing it all in our faces. Kofi has a mic to say, “We are your new W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Championssss…!” Woods says, “So get down on your knees before us! Raise your hands to the sky! And scream out in unison, ‘THANK GAWWWWD~! FOR THE NEW DAAAAY~!” The fans boo instead. Kofi says, “There is no tag team alive or dead that is better than ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~!” The fans chant, “New! Day Sucks!” This annoys Woods & Kofi.

The fans felt the New Day couldn’t beat The War Raiders, but they did! Wait, is that The Alpha Academy? Maxxine Dupri has the mic and asks, “Hold on, hold on, hold on. Did I just hear you say that The New Day is the greatest tag team ever? I mean, you might be. But the last time you faced Otise & Tozawa, they beat you in 60 sweet seconds! And now here we are at the Raw after WrestleMania, in Las Vegas, Nevada! And by the sound of it, I think we would all love to watch you two put your money where your mouth is, and put those shiny tag titles on the line right here, right now!” Woods asks if that’s what Vegas wants. “YES!” Then the answer is NO!

Oh, are the “minutemen” scared? M-Minutemen!? The fans chant that at Woods & Kofi, and Kofi says if they wanna do it right now, let’s do it right now! Get a ref right now! The fans fire up, and we have another tag title match already! Except the lights change… And then… RUSEV IS HERE!! Vegas goes nuts because it is now Rusev Day! The Bulgarian Brute, the Redeemer, has returned to the WWE, and he storms right into the ring! New Day bail out, no title match after all. Rusev DECKS Otis! And he CLOBBERS Tozawa! The fans fire up as Rusev glare at The New Day. Tozawa gets up, climbs up, and he leaps, but Ruzez catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM!

Otis rises, the fans fire up, and now we get some “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” ROUNDHOUSE from Rusev! Then MACHKA KICK! The fans fire up as Rusev roars, “RUSEV! CRUSH!!” Rusev stomps away on Otis, and clamps on the ACCOLADE!! Otis taps but it won’t change anything! Rusev thrashes Otis around, and lets go as the fans chant “RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY!” Maxxine is freaking out, but will this show now become Rusev Day Raw?

 

The Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.

They’re all excited over Liv & Raquel becoming FOUR-TIME Women’s Tag Team Champions! And Dom is the NEW Intercontinental Champion, and they toast with a title clink. Dom says this was the greatest weekend of his life! That deadbeat dad missed Mania, and now both Dom & Liv have gold again! But then in steps Finn Balor… The Prince looks at the belt on Dom’s shoulder, and Liv says hey, a win for one is a win for all. As long as someone in Judgment Day has the title, that’s all that matters. Finn says what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. They fist bump and Finn says he’ll be out there with Dom tonight against Penta.

Finn turns around, Carlito is there, and Carlito says even though they don’t have titles, it feels like they have titles, right? Oh, Carlito has to go see the doc, he’s still sore. Carlito hobbles off, but Finn gives a bit of a scowl behind Dom’s back. Is everything (not) fine in Judgment Day?

 

Iyo Sky is here!

The fans cheer as the Evil Genius makes her way to the ring, still WWE Women’s World Champion! But what will she have to say about that WrestleMania victory? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns and Iyo has the mic. The fans cheer Iyo on, even get some “You Deserve It!” in there, and Iyo says last night was the best night of her career! The fans cheer, and Iyo says she is over the moon! She beat the best there is, which means SHE is the best! The fans cheer that! Rhea Ripley tried to forget Iyo, and Bianca Belair tried to forget Iyo. But now, ALL OF YOU will never forget her! The fans cheer that, too! Iyo adds in Japanese, and then translates to English that she is The Genius of the Sky, and she is the Women’s World Champiooon~! The fans cheer more, but wait! Is that Stephanie Vaquer?! The NXT Women’s Champion is headed to the ring!

The fans cheer as we get La Primera and Genius in the same ring! Vaquer congratulates Iyo in three languages, and then wishes to properly introduce herself. She is THE NXT Women’s Champion, La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer. The fans cheer, and Vaquer says she wants to come out here to show Iyo respect. The fans chant for “LA PRIMERA!” Vaquer tells Iyo that she is amazing. Vaquer says Iyo is right that Iyo is the best. But Vaquer is also the best. And Vaquer wants to fight the best of the best! Iyo says if Vaquer wants to face her, then challenge accepted! And what about right here, right now?! The fans cheer as this dream match is made!

Well, hold on, Adam Pearce makes his way out here, and he wants everyone else to hold on. The fans boo the Raw General Manager for ruining the fun. But Pearce double checks, does Vegas want the match? “YES!” Then so doe she! Sky VS Vaquer, and it’s RIGHT NOW! NOW the dream match is official! But who between these two champions will prove they are THE best?

Iyo Sky VS Stephanie Vaquer!

The bell rings and the two shake hands. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Iyo waistlocks. Vaquer switches, SLAMS Iyo down, but Iyo fights up. The fans duel as Iyo fires body shots. Iyo wrenches and wristlocks, but Vaquer shifts around to roll, trip, and she has the toehold. Iyo stands, wrenches, and wristlocks, but Vaquer rolls, handsprings, and wrenches back to arm-drag! The fans fire up, Iyo runs up, Vaquer sweeps and covers, ONE! Iyo sweeps and covers, ONE! The two stand off again and the fans fire up! Iyo and Vaquer go again, and Iyo whips. Vaquer tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through!

Iyo wags her finger, Vaquer smirks, and things speed up. They clinch, Vaquer waistlocks, but denies Iyo’s escape! Iyo CLUBS Vaquer, wrenches and reels her in, but Vaquer switches. Vaquer goes to ropes, Iyo bucks the O’Conner this time, and the fans cheer the standoff. Things get going again, each woman dodges, and then Vaquer avoids the handspring, only for Iyo to DROPKICK! Vaquer bails out, Iyo builds speed, and Iyo DIVES! Direct hit and the fans fire up with the Women’s World Champion! Iyo drags Vaquer up, whips, but Vaquer tiger feint kicks back! Vaquer runs up, Iyo puts her in the timekeeper’s area, but Vaquer goes up! CROSSBODY to the floor!

The fans fire up as now the NXT Women’s Champion stands tall! Vaquer has Iyo on the defense, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns, Vaquer is up top, but Iyo SHOTEIS first! Iyo then climbs up after Vaquer, throws hands, and the fans rally. Vaquer fires body shots, HEADBUTTS, and Iyo falls back! Vaquer adjusts, Iyo runs back up, and SUPER ARM-DRAGS! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally, Iyo stands, and she runs up to SHOTEI! And SHOTEI! And DROPKICK! Iyo drags Vaquer up, whips her, but Vaquer reverses. Iyo goes up, out, and ROCKS Vaquer! Iyo then climbs the corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Vaquer tumbles away, Iyo kips up, and the fans fire up! Vaquer is in the corner, Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN!

Iyo drags Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Vaquer stays in this, but Iyo drags her into the drop zone. Iyo steps on Vaquer as she goes to the corner. Iyo goes up, up, and OVER THE- NO, Iyo has to land out as Vaquer moves! Vaquer then dodges again, comes back, and she blocks the boot for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Vaquer runs, and she METEORAS! Vaquer drags Iyo to a cover, TWO! Iyo is tougher than that but Vaquer stays calm. The fans rally up, Vaquer reels Iyo in, but Iyo flips free of the backbreaker! Vaquer ducks a kick, Iyo ducks a kick! Iyo wheelbarrows, victory roll, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO!

Iyo is a bit frustrated but the fans rally back up. Iyo drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” as Vaquer JAWBREAKERS, and SUPERKICKS! And BIG back suplex! Vaquer sits Iyo up, wraps on the headscissors, and she turns Iyo over for the DEVIL’S KISS! The fans echo Booker T’s sentiments, “Yeeeeeeeeah!” Cover, TWO! Iyo survives and the fans chant, “One More Time!” Vaquer smiles, and she drags Iyo up to tuck her in. Iyo wrenches out, kicks and sunset flips, ONE! Vaquer runs, tilt-o-whirl, RANA feint to roll up! TWO!! Iyo is surprised she got free, and she has Vaquer with underhooks! TIGER BACKBREAKAR! Cover, TWO!!

The fans rally while Iyo isn’t sure what to do. “This is Awesome!” as Iyo drags Vaquer into a waistlock. Vaquer fires elbows, gets free, and runs. Iyo ELBOWS Vaquer first! Iyo runs, but Vaquer ROCKS her! Vaquer runs, but Iyo dodges, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Iyo drags Vaquer back up, but Vaquer reels Iyo in! GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women are down and the fans are thunderous! Now fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” Vaquer goes up a corner, but Iyo rises to SHORYUKEN! Iyo climbs up after Vaquer, fires hands, then clinches. SUPER SPANISH FLY!! The fans are thunderous while both women are down again!

The fans rally and duel as both women stir. Iyo goes to ropes, Vaquer goes to a corner. Both women stand, but here comes ROXANNE PEREZ! She CLOBBERS Iyo!

Winner: Iyo Sky

The Prodigy grins at Vaquer, who she’s set to face for the title just tomorrow night! And Vaquer is pissed about it, only for GIULIA to attack Vaquer?!? The Beautiful Madness and The Prodigy then beat up on the champions! The fans boo, but here comes RHEA RIPLEY!! Roxie panics as Mami is here on Monday Night Raw! Rhea slides in, and she picks Roxie up to THROW her away! Then HEADBUTT her down! Giulia almost sneaks up, but she backs off as Rhea stares her down. Rhea and Giulia circle, and Rhea warns her. Giulia backs off, but is it only a matter of time before she’s back for more?

As for Rhea, she looks at Iyo while she’s down. Rhea picks up the title, and Iyo sits up to see this. Rhea hands the title over to Iyo and the fans cheer. Rhea says something to the effect of Iyo better be ready for when Rhea comes back for the belt. The Genius nods, and she’ll surely be ready for whoever wants a shot at her.

 

Jey Uso is here!

The NEW WWE World Heavy-YEET Champion makes his way in from the concourse and sports his new merch! The fans fire up and bounce along as Jey makes his way down the bleachers and to ringside. Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole, then goes to the ring to keep the bouncing going! The fans chant “You Deserve It!” as Jey grabs a mic. Jey nods, and fans “YEET!” some more, then they chant, “One More Time!” Jey hears that, and he sets the mic and belt down to say okay! The song starts up again and fans sing along, “DAY ONE ISH!” Jey then picks the mic and belt up again, and he says, “The World Heavyweight Champion is now in your citaaaay~!”

The fans cheer more, and Jey says he is here, “YEET!” He’s been wanting it. “YEET!” Since he was a kid. “YEET!” He is here now. “YEET!” Jey says it was a long, hard road. It was not easy. WrestleMania, Jey gave it all he had to beat Gunther. And Jey made him TAP! The fans cheer that! But Jey will be the first one to say that he is very grateful that he has this world title. He will show up every week, every day, and put in the work like he always has. And if you’re excited to have Jey Uso as your World Heavyweight Champion, then dammit, lemme hear ya say, “YEET!” “YEET!!” Wait! Sami Zayn is here! The fans cheer as the Underdog from the Underground returns!

Sami waves to the fans, high-fives a few in the front row, then goes to the ring to join Jey. The fans sing along with Sami’s song, and then Sami grabs himself a mic. Sami smiles as he looks at Jey, and then they hug it out! The fans cheer, and then they chant, “UCEY! UCEY!” “SAMI USO! SAMI USO!” Sami smiles again, and says he has so much he wants to say, he isn’t sure where to begin. First of all, not being here the last eight weeks or so, not being here while Jey was going through what he was going through with Gunther, Sami wants to know how hard that was for him. Sami wishes he could’ve been here.

And missing WrestleMania this year, that was also very hard on Sami. Sami and Jey aren’t that different. They’re gameday players. To be honest, Sami almost didn’t come to Vegas at all. But Sami had to, because he had to make sure that he was the first one to stand in this ring across from Jey, look him in the eyes, with that title on Jey’s shoulders, and say how proud he is of Jey Uso. The fans cheer, Jey thanks Sami, and Sami says Jey is his brother, his dawg, his Uce, he loves him, is proud of him, and knows Jey deserves that title! Sami knows it, Jey knows it, and everyone in this arena knows Jey deserves it!

The fans cheer and chant “You Deserve It!” Sami says it’s the Raw After Mania, not to get sentimental, but we are here to celebrate! So hit Jey’s music! “DAY ONE ISH!” The fans cheer, Sami and Jey hug it out again, and then they both go to the corners. The fans YEET with Jey & Sami, and it’s time to bounce! Sami hops off his corner first, and he looks at Jey. Jey hops down, they hug it out again, and the fans cheer. But wait, is that Jimmy? The fans fire up as #BigJim joins in! The three do the secret handshake, and then they group hug! Jimmy & Sami raise Jey’s hands in victory, and the fans fire up for this feel good moment!

Jey is on top of the world now that he’s World Heavyweight Champion, but how long will it last? Who will be the first one to step up to Main Event Jey Uso?

 

Backstage interview with Logan Paul.

After WrestleMania last night, Cathy Kelley congratulated him on the big win against AJ Styles, but does he feel he could’ve still done it without his friend and manager, Jeff, or the help from Karrion Kross? Logan asks what was that. What’s she implying? He still won, didn’t he? And we’re talking about what if’s? That’s irrelevant. He won. Next question. Then what is next for Logan? Whatever he wants, that’s what. Because this company knows he is the best and he is the future. He’ll face anyone anywhere. Anyone that he faces becomes a victim. He will continue his WrestleMania win streak. Logan is always confident, but will that ever change?

 

Backstage interview with AJ Styles.

In present, Jackie Redmond is with the Phenomenal One, and she says just 24 hours after his loss to Logan Paul, where is he after that? Styles says he won’t lie, it is a hard pill to swallow. But Logan plays his games, gets his lackeys involved, and Styles was prepared for that. But the truth is, Styles took an L. But he’ll move on, he’ll be okay. Because part of being phenomenal is being able to bounce back and- Karrion Kross interrupts! Kross asks if Styles said “bounce back.” Yeah, good bounce back from getting pinned by Logan Paul! Styles is literally the best of us, meaning Logan winning is so much more painful, because now, Styles has legitimized him!

Oh, really? Kross is the one who said Styles is the best of us, so does Kross expect Styles to go back a year ago and be that guy? Why is Kross so adamant about this? Styles hated who he was then. He’s never going back. Kross does not understand. If Styles used the brass knuckles to beat Logan, it would’ve meant nothing! If Kross wants to be angry at the world, fine. Don’t drag Styles down with you! In fact, go solve that problem yourself! Styles storms off, Scarlett calms Kross down, and Kross says, “Maybe I will.” What will Mr. Doomsday do if he’s to “save” WWE?

 

Raw returns and…

Gunther is berating Pat & Cole on commentary! The fans taunt Gunther, “YOU TAPPED OUT!” Gunther dares Cole to say something to his face. Cole asks why Gunther is so upset, Cole is just doing his job. Gunther storms up around the way, yanks Cole’s headset off, and Pat tries to stop this. But Gunther SHOVES Pat, then drags Cole into a SLEEPER! So Pat fires hands! The fans fire up as Pat stands up for Cole, and now refs, security, and producers rush out here! Adam Pearce tells Gunther to stand down, but Gunther just busts through to grab Pat! SLEEPER!! Gunther drags Pat down while security is now busy with Pat’s friends/entourage!!

The fans go nuts as Pat’s friends are only making this worse for Pat! Pearce tells Gunther to let Pat go, but Pat is already red in the face and out cold on the floor! Gunther refuses to let go, even as producers claw at the beefy arms wrapped around Pat’s neck! The fans tell Gunther off as he finally lets Pat go. Gunther paces, then he finally leaves through the crowd side. Fans boo, refs and security follow Gunther while the others check Pat. Pat coughs and sputters as he wakes up, and Pearce is chewing Gunther out. Fans remind Gunther, “You Tapped Out!” while Cole helps Pat to his feet. The fans cheer Pat while he’s helped to the back.

Pat needs a second as they make it to the ramp, coughing and gasping, but he gets back to his feet and keeps walking. The fans cheer his resilience, Pearce calls for more medical help just to be safe, and Pat takes another moment to catch his breath. What consequences will there be for Der Ring General after he lashed out against innocent commentary?

 

Raw returns again and…

Pat is still gasping for air, but he does get a drink of water to help with his throat. Cole and Pearce help Pat to the trainer’s room, and then Pat, his entourage, and refs go inside. Pearce tells Cole that Joe Tessitore can cover for Cole, Cole should get himself checked out. Cole tells Pearce, “How can we do our jobs when we’re not allowed to have an opinion? We’re not allowed to talk about this stuff? We’re not allowed to have fun? You gotta do something.” Pearce knows, he will handle this. Cole should just take the rest of the night off. Cole says no, he is not going to let Gunther bully him. Cole heads back for commentary and Pearce says good for Cole.

Cole returns to ringside and the fans cheer. Tessitore commends Cole for this, and they’ll do their best with the rest of the show from here.

 

WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day VS PENTA!

Twenty years ago, he was just a little boy whose loving and loyal father was fighting with Uncle Eddie for his future. And now, “Dirty Dom” is an Intercontinental Champion, just like both Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero. But will Dom’s first defense also be his last? Or will Dom not care about #CeroMiedo?

The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has more Latino Heat!

The bell rings and the fans rally up. Dom talks a bit of trash, then he kicks Penta low! Dom CLUBS Penta, whips, hurdles, but Penta KICKS Dom out of the handspring! Penta fires up, but Dom fires back with hands! Dom stomps Penta in a corner, lets off as the ref counts, then whips corner to corner. Penta goes up and over, keeps moving, and he ducks’ n’ dodges. Penta RANAS Dom out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed, but Dom is back to DROPKICK! Dom storms up but Penta bails out and the ref holds him back. But then Finn creeps up! The ref sees Finn and has him back off. Dom builds speed, but Penta GAMANGIRIS!

Dom staggers back, Penta climbs up, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Dom flounders back out, Penta builds speed again, and Penta FLIES! Down goes Dom and the fans fire up! Finn coaches Dom but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Penta SLING-DOGS Dom! Then GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Dom sits down, Penta runs and headstands, to DROPKICK! Penta drags Dom, covers, TWO! Dom stays in this but Penta stays calm. Finn coaches Dom but Penta drags Dom up! PENTA- NO, Dom slips free of the driver to shove, scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Dom and Penta go to corners. Dom runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS, mule kicks, and then goes up! Penta calls his shot, jumps, but into a kick! Dom hits a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Dom drags Penta to a drop zone, then goes up while fans actually cheer.

But Penta is up to GAMANGIRI! Dom wobbles, Penta climbs, but Dom fires body shots! Penta hops down to CHOP Dom! Penta then runs, jumps, and RANAS Dom away! The fans fire up, Penta runs in, DESTROYER! Dom flops down and the fans fire up again! Penta reaches out, but Dom rolls away to the outside! Dom stays safe and the fans rally up again. “CERO! MIEDO!” “DIRTY DOM!” Finn coaches Dom, Dom says look out! Penta RANAS Finn into Dom! The fans fire up and Penta drags Dom up. Penta puts Dom in, then he climbs up the corner again. But Carlito distracts the ref! JD MCDONAGH IS HERE!? JD SHOVES Penta down!!

Dom DROPKICSK Penta onto ropes, then dials it up to 619!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, DOM WINS!

Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)

Just when it looked like Penta had the hot hand, Judgment Day pulls out the Irish Ace! Even Finn is surprised that his guy is back, and now this title stays with Judgment Day! Judgment Day celebrates on stage, and Finn feels like the odd man out for a moment. Will Judgment Day (not) smooth out the problems now that they’re back to full strength?

 

El Grande Americano has a new video.

“Rejoice! Despite insurmountable opposition from his jealous, desperate, rule-breaking foes, El Grande Americano has emerged victorious on the Grandest Stage of Them All! The children sang of his honesty and humility. The world stands in awe of his talent and honor! He has reclaimed his throne as the king of lucha libre. Today, we celebrate the legend, the icon, the hero, El Grande Americano!” Given the obvious AI art, photoshopped pictures and cheesy sepia film reel filter, this propaganda is not convincing anyone. But when and where will El Grande Americano face justice for what he did to Rey Fenix?

 

Seth Rollins heads to the ring!

We saw him arrive at the start of the night, and now Las Vegas sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary and his Wise Man make their way down the ramp. Rollins certainly did #BurnItDown when he got Heyman to burn the bridges with CM Punk and Roman Reigns on WrestleMania Saturday. Rollins revels in the singing as he struts around in his canary yellow suit. Heyman fetches a mic, the fans continue to sing, and Rollins continues to soak it all in. Some fans even chant, “Thank You, Seth! Thank You, Seth!” Others come back with “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” and “O T C! O T C!” but Heyman hands his mic to Rollins, like he used to do for The Tribal Chief.

Fans now chant “F YOU, HEYMAN!” but Heyman is merely amused by it. Rollins takes his time turning around to face the main camera, and he takes his sunglasses off to say, “I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I took a Wise Man from Roman Reigns. I stole CM Punk’s best friend. I am the winner of the main event of WrestleMania. I. Am.” CM PUNK IS HERE! The fans go nuts for Cult of Personality while Rollins gets ready for a fight! Punk has his hands taped up for one, too, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as haymakers fly fast ‘n’ furious! Punk puts Rollins in a corner to fire hands from all sides!

Punk stomps a mudhole into Rollins, but Heyman creeps up. Punk stops stomping just in time to turn around and see Heyman. Heyman tells Punk that Heyman didn’t betray Punk, Punk ruined things for him and Roman! Punk storms up and shoves Heyman into a corner! But Rollins runs up and CLAWS Punk’s eyes! Rollins THROWS Punk down, the fans boo, but Rollins hits the CURB STOMP! Punk is down and Rollins stands over him, but now fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Heyman picks the mic back up while fans chant, “We Want Roman!”

Heyman sighs, and says, “We are going to conclude the weekend of WrestleMania 41… by propelling the news all the way to WrestleMania 42! There is a NEW reigning, defending, undisputed number one top star in this entire industry! Ladies and gentlemen, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!” Heyman holds up Rollins’ hand in victory, then tosses the mic aside. BUT NOW ROMAN SHOWS UP!! Rollins is pissed off again, and he hurries to TOSS Punk out of the ring! Rollins prepares for round two, and Roman is making his way out here after all! Heyman steps back as Rollins stares Roman down, and here comes another brawl! No, wait, Roman dodges to SPEAR Rollins!!

The fans are thunderous and Heyman is in shock! Roman now runs up to SUPERMAN PUNCH Heyman!! Down goes The Wise Man and the fans fire up! Roman throws off the shirt, gets the fans even more fired up, and he aims again! “OOOAH~!” SPEAR FROM BRON BREAKER?!?! The Badass just took out the Tribal Chief! And then he stares down Rollins! The fans are going nuts, but Bron SPEARS PUNK!! Punk was back up only to get knocked back down, and Rollins grins as he pats Bron on the shoulder! “That’s my boy!” The Visionary has an attack dog with him now, and the fans are losing their minds!

Rollisn points out that Roman is up on the outside. Bron goes out there, but Roman UPPERCUTS Bron first! Bron staggers, but he stays on his feet! Bron then builds speed around the way, and uses that lap to SPEAR ROMAN THROUGH BARRIERS!!! The fans go nuts all over again, and Rollins says to get Roman’s ass back in the ring! Bron obeys and he drags Roman into the ring. Bron sets Roman up for Rollins, and Rollins tells Roman to watch what’s gonna happen to him! CURB STOMP for Punk again!! Rollins tells Roman to learn that the future of this business runs through him! CURB STOMP for Roman!!

The fans are torn, but Heyman now stands over his former best friends to embrace his new guys! Will these three soon take over the WWE together?


My Thoughts:

After a great WrestleMania Weekend, this Raw After Mania ended up being perhaps one of the best. My only gripe might be how they handled the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bayley being “taken out” and Becky taking her place was fine. But then doing the tag title rematch here seemed random when we had NXT to look forward to. And then, Liv & Raquel win the belts back already, and Becky snaps on Lyra. I suppose if you look at this for Judgment Day, the title change needed to be tonight to coincide with what happened in the main event with Dom VS Penta. But now we don’t get the fun interaction of Tatum, Lyra and Becky I was hoping for.

What would it have hurt if Becky & Lyra didn’t defend the belts tonight, went to NXT and had a really fun match with Tatum & Gigi? Becky & Lyra, Liv & Raquel, neither team is losing to Tatum & Gigi. At least, I would think that’s the case… And then you can give Liv & Raquel their rematch later, and they still win like they did tonight, and then Becky snaps because “Lyra let her down.” But I suppose we’re fast-tracking to Becky VS Lyra for the Intercontinental Championship. And they kinda have to, given Backlash is May 10, just 20 days away. Maybe Becky wins that to reestablish herself and also juice up that title.

Great promo from John Cena, and honestly, I can’t help but agree with Cena on a lot of his points towards the fans. Also, I like how he explained he has 27 remaining dates/appearances, not matches. And of course Orton was next for Cena, the signs were all there: Backlash is in St. Louis, Orton’s hometown; Cena teased it with saying “Ruthless Aggression,” the era both men rose to fame in; and Cena and Orton have faced each other so many times, they gotta get one last one in. And on top of that, Orton is a fan favorite that won’t be hurt by a loss to Cena because Orton’s been around just as long, this will be a good one.

Great stuff with New Day, including passing by Karrion Kross. Alpha Academy coming out and wanting a title match, that was already a bit fishy right from the start. RUSEV returning to annihilate Alpha Academy and “cancel” the world tag title match was quite the way to return, mostly because of how big and beefy Otis is. Rusev VS Otis will be a good match to help get Rusev back into WWE action, and then Rusev can go for whatever title he wants. I’m thinking it should be the World Heavyweight Championship, though that might be a tough choice given Jey Uso only just got the belt. Speaking of Jey, good promo but much better moment between him, Sami and Jimmy. Though, I did appreciate the tiniest tease they gave of Sami going Heel in the absence of Kevin Owens.

Great promo from Iyo, and what a great surprise to see Vaquer. They had an awesome match, but given they’re both champions and they’re both so awesome, it had to be “ruined” by Roxie showing up. But at the same time, what a surprise that Giulia also showed up. Roxie VS Vaquer for tomorrow night is an interesting move, and Giulia got to beat up on Iyo a bit more. I’m thinking both Roxie and Giulia are just one step away from being called up to main roster, and probably to Raw for the Women’s World Championship. Great save from Rhea, and maybe we get some Rhea & Iyo VS Giulia & Roxie before shaking out a title story.

Good promo from Logan Paul to dismiss the interference on his match, as a Heel would/should. And good response from Styles, only for Kross to interrupt. I don’t know if we get another Styles VS Kross match, or maybe Kross goes wild and goes after other people, but there’s still some intrigue here. Also, Kross had quite the rant as part of the WrestleMania post show, so I hope WWE uses that to push him forward towards things like title feuds. Gunther going after Cole and Pat was certainly a wild direction to take his story. I’m not sure what kind of meta commentary they’re making, it has actually been a long time since a WWE commentator got into it with a wrestler, other than perhaps when Drew McIntyre and Wade Barrett got physical.

And as for Gunther and Pat specifically, maybe Pat is gonna get into ring shape so he and Gunther can have it out over the summer. In the meantime, I think Gunther is kayfabe suspended, that’ll let him stay home with wife and newborn child for a bit, so good for him. Hilarious El Grande Americano vignette, all the elements make it such an obvious troll but you can bet someone out there will still get mad. Hopefully we can still get El Grande VS Rey Mysterio, though I’m not sure if Backlash is too soon. Maybe Grande faces Dragon Lee or some other luchador on Rey’s behalf, and then we can arrange El Grande VS Rey Mysterio for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in Los Angeles for June, all commemorating WWE acquiring AAA.

Great stuff with Dom VS Penta for the Intercontinental Championship, but something felt like Finn was going to try and screw Dom out of the title. JD McDonagh showing up was a great surprise, especially given how he got hurt hitting that desk SO hard. Finn himself seemed so surprised (in kayfabe), and we have some more intrigue in this Judgment Day dysfunction. And then a great closing segment with Rollins & Heyman making their debut as the new duo. Punk of course interrupted and we got a great brawl there. And then great stuff with Roman showing up right as the credits were showing up. It has been a minute since HHH has done something like this, and this actually ended up the longest episode of Netflix Raw because of it.

Bron Breakker helping Rollins fight off Roman and Punk was some wild stuff, mostly because I never thought Bron would ever join someone else. I could see a tag match of Punk & Roman VS Rollins & Bron, but maybe not for some time as Roman still isn’t really known for doing matches that often. That is to say, not sure Backlash is big enough, but perhaps MITB or SummerSlam are. And already, there are ideas about what kind of faction Rollins is going to make, perhaps as a second try at what he had with Buddy Murphy and Austin Theory, but just no “Monday Night Messiah” gimmick.

My Score: 9.2/10

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Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/19/25)

Parting is such sweet sorrow…

Published

on

There are more goodbyes than just The Ace’s Final Road.

NJPW already knows Hiroshi Tanahashi will retire with this year, but his final match with Jeff Cobb will also be Jeff Cobb’s farewell to NJPW! Will The Ace never tire out? Or will he take a Tour of the Islands?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

  • 8 Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai; Tenza, Kojima, Nagata & Tiger Mask win.
  • 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, YOH & Master Wato VS TMDK; Yano, Oleg, Yoh & Wato win.
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Tanahashi wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
  • Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Callum Newman, Templario & Jakob Austin Young; Goto, Desperado & Taguchi win.
  • 10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI; LIJ wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!

The Ace’s Final Road continues on, but it would seem the Imperial Unit has hit the end of his run in NJPW. Will the President give Cobb a proper sendoff? Or is there one last Tour of the Islands planned?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “COBBU! COBBU!” Tanahashi nods, and Cobb is emotional hearing that. Cobb and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. But Cobb’s a bit too big to lift even for The Ace. Cobb walks over to the ROPEBREAK, and Tanahashi lets go. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up, Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks, but Cobb powers through, wrenches and wristlocks in return, then hammerlocks to headlock. Tanahashi puts Cobb on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tanahashi lets go cleanly again. The fans applaud the continued sportsmanship, and the two reset again.

Cobb runs up, and he SLINGBLADES?! Cover, TWO!! The “Cobby Cat” strikes again but Tanahashi survives his own move. Cobb whips Tanahashi, Tanahashi grabs ropes, but Cobb runs up. Tanahashi BOOTS Cobb, runs up, but Cobb scoops! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi, and then air guitars before the GACHIMUCHI- NO, Tanahashi avoids the moonsault! Then Tanahashi sets up, to MOONSAULT!? But Cobb moves so Tanahashi belly flops on the floor! The fans fire up while both men are pulling out all the stops. Cobb steps on Tanahashi, pretends he didn’t see Tanahashi there, and then brings Tanahashi up.

Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm, then headlocks. Cobb brings Tanahashi to the ropes to show everyone as he messes with Tanahashi’s hair. Cobb then CLUBS Tanahashi, brings him around, and suplexes. Cobb holds Tanahashi up, the fans cheer as Cobb marches around with him, and then Cobb pops Tanahashi for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this but Cobb stays on him with a GROUND COBRA! Cobb uses Tanahashi as the guitar, then CLUBS him in the ribs and chest! Cobb eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi growls and rises up. Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms, but Cobb just HEADBUTTS back!

Tanahashi staggers away to a corner, and Cobb runs up, only for Tanahashi to dodge! Tanahashi dropkicks Cobb’s legs! Tanahashi then grabs one, and Cobb asks for mercy! Cobb apologizes, but Tanahashi says bye-bye! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while Cobb clutches his leg. Tanahashi storms up on Cobb to fire more fast hands! Tanahashi then says, “MY POWER!” And he SCOOP SLAMS Cobb! The fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs the corner. Tanahashi hits the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi gets moving. But Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi! Cobb winds up, he runs, but Tanahashi dodges the slingblade!

Tanahashi waistlocks, Cobb switches, but Tanahashi throws elbows. Cobb picks Tanahashi up to SLAM him down, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this, but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives the double impact, but Cobb looms over him. Cobb drags Tanahashi up, fires his own fast hand combo, then scoops to SLAM Tanahashi! Cobb grins as he looks to the corner. The fans fire up as Cobb hops up, air guitar and the pose, SUNSET FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi runs, but Cobb grabs tights! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi elbows free!

Cobb SHOTEIS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi goes up the corner! But Cobb stands! Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS, but Cobb catches him! Cobb pops Tanahashi up, shifts around, and ATHLETIC- SLINGBLADE?!? Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi rises, the fans fire up, and Tanahashi runs to SLING- NO, Cobb gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises again! SLING- NO, Cobb scoops Tanahashi, but then pops him around again! TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb roars, but he’s not done!! Cobb ripcords Tanahashi for the RIPCORD- CRADLE COUNTER!! TANAHASHI WINS!!

Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall

Cobb got cocky and it to cost him! Tanahashi still tells Cobb he’s proud of him and of Cobb’s time here in NJPW. The two shake hands and hug it out while the fans cheer. Tanahashi’s Final Road rolls on, and The United Empire is here to say farewell to their friend. Cobb is handed a mic, and Chris Charleton is there to interpret. Cobb says he was not expecting to lose tonight. But first and foremost, he wants to thank the people that don’t even get seen by the fans. The NJPW staff, the music team, the NJPW World techs, the boys ‘n’ girls in the back, and all the wrestlers Cobb calls “family.” The fans applaud and Cobb says Chris’s Japanese is good.

Cobb takes a moment before he says he had a speech ready, but he’s kinda blanking out from the pressure. Online, there has been an outpouring of love, #ThankYouCobb. But really, he should be thanking each and every one of the fans. Cobb gets emotional again while Chris translates for him. Cobb knows it’s a bit of a crappy situation, but he wants Callum Newman to know, he’s got the ball, so run with it. Cobb lets Chris translate now, and then Cobb wraps by thanking the Empire members here, from Khan, to Templario, to “Jakob Change Your Name,” to Akira and to Callum.

And lastly, Cobb says this is not goodbye, but more see you later. Thank you, NJPW. Thank you, fans. Domo arigato gozaimasu! The fans cheer for Cobb one more time, and he bows deeply to them all. When and where will we see Cobb in the ring, any ring, again?

 

10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI!

Well, not only is The Ace on his Final Road, but it would seem Tetsuya Naito and Bushi are on their own way out of NJPW. Then will they and their amigos start their Road to Wrestling Dontaku with a celebration? Or will the Heat Storm, Roughneck, Holy Emperor, Blue Playmaker and Headhunter make this anything but tranquilo?

The teams sort out and there’s a lot of entrance attire to put aside. Once Naito is done putting the pants away, LIJ fist bumps while Just4Guys/Hontai shake hands. Yuya steps up against Naito and the fans fire up already. Naito and Yuya stare down while the fans cheer “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Naito and Yuya step up, but then Naito tags to Bushi. The fans cheer Bushi on now, he circles with Yuya, but then Bushi tags out to Yota. The fans rally as Yuya and Yota feel things out, giving us a taste of their IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Yuya wrenches Yota to a wristlock.

Yota slips around, full nelsons, but Yuya breaks that to hammerlock. Yota reaches back to facelock, then he wrenches again. Yuya rolls, wrenches, and arm-drags Yota down. But Yota headscissors! Yuya kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Yota and Yuya reset, tie up, and Yota headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over to arm-drag again! The fans cheer as Yuya has the armlock. Yota fights up, fights around, but Yuya brings him over and Taka tags in. Taka kicks Yota, CLUBS him, then stomps him. Taka knees low, runs, but Yota dropkicks a leg out! LIJ rushes in and BLASTS Hontai! Then they bring Taka to the ropes!

Hontai rushes in to save Taka! The fans fire up as everyone fights at the ropes, and Taka lands safe on the apron! Taka scurries around the way and back into the ring! The fans cheer, but then Takagi & Yota split the wishbone! Hiromu tags in, he brings Taka up and CHOPS! Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS! Hiromu snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! The fans fire up and Hiromu brings Naito in. They double whip to TENDEDERO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Hiromu bumps Taka off buckles, then he tags Takagi. Takagi RAMS into Taka again and again, but Taka fires body shots.

Takagi HEADBUTTS Taka down, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi sits Taka up, runs to BLAST Shota, and the fans cheer! Takagi drags Taka up to HEADBUTT the arm, then wrench it. Tag to Bushi and he CLUBS the arm. Bushi CLUBS Taka down, stomps him, then has the legs. Bushi stands on Taka’s groin! Red Shoes reprimands, Bushi steps off at 4, then stomps Taka around. Tag to Naito and the fans rally as he brings Taka up. Naito cravats Taka, then Hiromu sits in the ropes. Hiromu claims Hontai is up to something, Red Shoes looks over, and Naito SMACKS Taka off Hiromu’s boots!

Taichi protests, but Naito throws hands on Taka. Taka tries to hit back but there’s not much there. Naito CLUBS Taka, but Taka fires a flurry! Naito just ROCKS Taka! Naito runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT Naito down! The fans rally up, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi runs at Naito in the corner and BOOTS him! Yota gets in, kicks Taichi then whips, but Taichi BOOTS Yota! Takagi runs up, Taichi dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Hiromu gets up but Taichi BLASTS him! Bushi backs off, but Naito CLUBS Taichi. Naito whips, but Taichi reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Naito crawls.

Taichi paces, waits on Naito to sit up, but Naito ducks the buzzsaw! Naito shoves Taichi, Bushi trips him up! Bushi tags in and stomps Taichi around. Bushi ROCKS Taichi, whips, but Taichi grabs ropes. Bushi runs up again but Taichi BOOTS him down! Taichi tags Hashi and Hashi drags Bushi up. Hashi ROCKS and CLUBS Bushi, whips him, but Bushi reveres. Hashi dodges to ELBOW Bushi, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! LIJ blasts Hontai’s corner again! Hashi rolls out under the bottom rope, Bushi BLASTS him off the apron, then Bushi builds speed. But Hashi gets back in to CLOBBER Bushi!

Hashi drags Bushi up, hooks a leg, but Bushi fights free! Hashi blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri, but the REWIND HEEL hits! Bushi runs in from the corner, but Hashi stops the Code Breaker! Taka joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives, but Hashi clamps on the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Bushi endures, fights around, and Naito gets on the apron, only for Taichi to BOOT him down! Taichi intercepts Hiromu, and Bushi TAPS! Hashi ELIMINATES Bushi! Takagi CLOBBERS Hashi, then drops ELBOW after ELBOW! Takagi SENTONS but misses as Hashi moves! Shota storms in and stomps Takagi!

Shota drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT, and Hashi CHOPS! Hashi & Shota double whip, then Hashi runs up, only to be put on the apron! Takagi CLOBBERS Shota, then runs up on Hashi! Hashi RAMS Takagi, they trade forearms, but then Takagi HOTSHOTS Hashi! Hashi holds onto the ropes, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi staggers, Shota runs up, but Takagi throws him into Hashi! Hashi falls to the floor, Takagi ELIMINATES Hashi! The teams are even again after that friendly fire, and Takagi rolls Shota! TWO, and things speed up! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Takagi fires up, “TOKI GA KITA!”

The fans rally as Takagi runs up, but he blocks a boot to then LARIAT! JAB, CHOP, repeat, then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Takagi brings Shota up, suplexes, but Shota fights it so Takagi hits the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays focused. The fans join in with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi storms up on Shota. Takagi pump handles but Shota fights the lift. Shota switches, Takagi fires elbows, but Shota ducks! Shota wrenches and SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! The fans are torn but Shota drags Takagi up. Shota CHOPS Takagi in the corner, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS!

Shota reels Takagi in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota clamps on an STF! Takagi endures, fights around, and he drags Shota along towards the ropes! ROPEBREAK, the fans cheer, and Shota lets go. Shota brings Takagi up, but Takagi denies the tornado DDT! Shota fires forearms to ROCK Takagi again and again, but Takagi just headbutts the buckles to fire up! The fans fire up and Shota fires another forearm, only for Takagi to fire back! Shota headbutts the buckles to fire up! The forearms start flying again, but then Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Shota, but Shota fires boxing elbows now!

Shota ROCKS Takagi, then runs, but Takagi follows! LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, Shota follows, LARIAT at the ropes! Shota runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Shota roars, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- SHOTA LARIATS! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER! Shota is in a daze but he manages to stand, and he swats a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! Shota staggers back up, but Takagi whips him. Shota reverses and reels Takagi in, TORNADO DDT! But Takagi’s right up, and he PUMPING BOMBERS Shota and himself up and out! DOULBE ELIMINATION!!

The fans go nuts as we go to 3v3 now. Yuya and Yota step back in and the fans rally. Yota grins, runs up, but Yuya dodges to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Yuya whips, Yota reverses, but Yuya goes up and over. Yuya arm-drags, then DROPKICKS! Yuya roars and the fans fire up again! Yuya reels Yota in but Yota fights the saido. Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yuya drags Yota back up, clinches, but Yota fires elbow after elbow to get free. Then he SUPER- NO, Yuya blocks! Yuya swings, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But he avoids the stomp! Yuya CHOPS then runs, but Yota SUPERKICKS himdown!

LIJ BLASTS Hontai’s corner again, and Yota looms over Yuya. Yota drags Yuya up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him up top. Yota CHOPS, then he fires up before climbing up. The fans rally up, and Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls back, stands up, and he avoids Yuya’s leap! Yuya comes back, into the GENE TRIGGER! Yota TOSSES Yuya, but Yuya lands on the apron! Hiromu lets Yota know that, so Yota goes up the corner! Yota aims for an APRON MARLOWE- NO, Yuya dodges! Yuya CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Yota ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya fires up! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!

Yota SLAPS Yuya! And then swings, but into the cording hold! Yuya grabs the other arm but Yota resists! Yota HEADBUTTS again and again, then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS hit! Both men fall, another DOUBLE ELIMINATION!! Now it’s just TakaTaichi VS Naito & Hiromu! The fans rally up as the four stare down. Hiromu runs up, but into TENDEDERO! Naito dodges but then Taichi BOOTS him down! TakaTaichi double whip to DOUBLE BOOT! Taka has Hiromu but Hiromu fires forearms! Taka pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to a corner, but Hiromu blocks the shining wizard!

Hiromu runs, RANA, but Taka SHOVES it down! JUST FACELOCK!! Taka CLUBS away on Hiromu, but Naito stomps Taka down! Taichi runs up but Naito kicks him and throws him out! Naito kicks Taka, he and Hiromu double whip, but Taka redirects! And redirects! But then Naito & Hiromu undo Tendedero to let Taka pass! Taka comes back, ducks Tendedero, and he waistlocks Naito. Naito switches, shoves Taka at Hiromu and Hiromu wrenches. Pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! Cover, Hiromu ELIMINATES Taka! And that leaves it 2v1, Hiromu & Naito against Taichi! Taichi paces as he considers his options.

Taichi rushes in, but into TENDEDERO! Naito & Hiromu double whip Taichi to a corner, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT! Naito ROCKS Taichi, ENZIGIRIS, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu gives Naito the boost for the TOR- Well, no, the tornado fails but the DDT still hits! Hiromu brings Taichi up, suplexes, but Taichi fights it! Taichi suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! They end up by the ropes! Hiromu is on the apron, Naito runs up, but Taichi dodges and Naito BLASTS Hiromu! Hiromu falls and is ELIMINATED! Friendly fire in return for before, and the fans fire up as it is Taichi and Naito 1v1!

Taichi and Naito reset, and the fans cheer for “NA-I-TO!” as hard as they can. Naito fires a forearm, but Taichi fires back! Naito fires another, so Taichi fires back! Naito and Taichi both smirk as the shots keep going back and forth! Taichi then KCIKS, but Naito still throws forearms! KICK, forearm, repeat, but then Naito ROCKS Taichi again and again! Naito SLAPS Taichi! Taichi SOBATS! Naito fires the heavy elbow, but Taichi URAKENS! Naito runs, Taichi BOOTS him down, then Taichi drags Naito back up, just so he can AX- NO, Naito lifts Taichi, but Taichi fights off the atomic drop! Taichi shoves Naito to then AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!

Naito survives but Taichi runs, and SLIDING AX BOMBERS! Taichi fires up, the fans are torn, but Taichi suplexes! Naito fights free to kick low! Naito uses the ropes to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Naito drags Taichi up. Naito fires those heavy elbows again and again! Naito has Taichi down in the corner, then climbs up. Naito reels Taichi in, but Taichi sneaks the pants off! GAMANGIRI! Naito falls off the corner, but he holds onto the ropes! Naito dangles off the apron but his feet do not touch the floor! Taichi fires shots, Naito ROCKS him in return! Taichi runs up, Naito slides under! Naito DUMPS Taichi over!

Taichi is on the apron but Naito fires a flurry! HOTSHOT! Taichi wobbles, but he ROCKS Naito! Naito ROCKS Taichi, HOTSHOTS again, then ROLLING KICKS! Taichi falls, LIJ WINS!

Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by ring out

It came down to the leaders as the last men, but the Uncontrollable Charisma found a way to win for the team! LIJ regroups and Naito is given the mic. “Buenas tardes, Korakuen Hall!” The fans cheer, and Naito says, “First and foremost… Bushi, why don’t you say something to the fans?” The fans applaud and Bushi takes a quick drink of water before he takes up the mic. “Now that I have this time, I’ll say this. As previously announced by NJPW, my departure was a decision made after a lot of thought. I have no regrets.” The fans applaud that, and Bushi continues, “My feelings haven’t changed since I spoke here 10 years ago. It’s been a deeply fulfilling experience.”

The fans applaud that, too, and Bushi says, “This Dontaku tour is only getting started. When I step into this ring, I’ll show my gratitude in my own way. Thank you.” The fans applaud again, and Bushi hands the mic back to Naito. Naito also notes that the Road to Wrestling Dontaku has just begun. He and Bushi will be leaving NJPW after May 4th. “Whether Bushi and I will compete in this ring again or not, you already know, don’t you? Yes, the answer is of course, TRANQUILO! Assen na yo!” The fans applaud Naito being Naito even now. Naito then asks if they want to do the roll call, and the fans cheer!

Naito notes they haven’t had one at all this year, so this will be the first roll call of 2025. Are you ready? The fans cheer, so Naito says that the only way to close out tonight in Korakuen Hall is naturally with… “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer the first LIJ roll call of 2025, but will we get more of them before May 4th? Will we get one on May 4th?


My Thoughts:

A great night to kick off the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, though of course it had to be on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Great goodbye match for Cobb with Tanahashi. It was a big awkward because while Tanahashi is still going to retire this year, Cobb was leaving, and so Cobb leaving NJPW trumps Tanahashi retiring, meaning Cobb had to lose. It’s the unwritten tradition of pro-wrestling. Very good farewell promo from Cobb, too, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. Word is, it isn’t AEW, and perhaps the WWE rumors have still been true all along, they just leaked out way too soon.

And then very good 10 Man Elimination Tag in the main event, and it works out that LIJ won. Naito & Bushi needed a chance to address the fans about their own departure from NJPW, and so giving them the win so they can do a main event promo was fitting. In my estimation, I don’t see Naito going to any other company, even if it’s another Japanese based company. He’s done plenty in his career, he’s pushed his body pretty hard, so he needs to enjoy retirement, or at least make a lateral movement to be working with Young Lions in the NJPW Dojo as a teacher. Bushi, could probably keep going a little longer, or he could also call it a day on the other hand, only Bushi really knows how his body feels.

My Score: 8.8/10

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