Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (10/8/18)
It’s the Raw After Super Show-Down! Degeneration X promise to respond to the actions of the Brothers of Destruction after the #LastTimeEver No DQ match!!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush VS Kevin Owens; Lashley wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins VS The Riott Squad; Rousey & The Bellas win.
- Finn Balor & Bayley VS Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox; Finn & Bayley win.
- “Acting General Manager Baron Corbin’s Global Battle Royal: El Conquistador/Kurt Angle wins and qualifies for the WWE World Cup.
- Ember Moon VS Nia Jax; Ember wins.
- Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Ascension; Roode & Gable win.
- Six Man Tag: The Shield VS The Pack; The Pack wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Triple H returns to Raw!
And he’s not here as the COO but as The Game! But he’s not alone, he has the Heartbreak Kid, Shawn Michaels, with him! HHH & HBK stand in the ring together and Chicago goes wild for having them both back. “Twenty-five years is a long time to climb a mountain,” HHH says. “But you climb that mountain because it’s the biggest, baddest, deadliest mountain in the world.” You climb step by step, inch by inch, year after year up that mountain! HHH & HBK should be on top of the world after Super Show Down because they made it to the summit. But then an avalanche came and makes them both wonder if that mountain was just a lie. We relive Super Show Down with an epic recap video.
It was the Last Time Ever, and in NO DISQUALIFICATION thanks to HHH pulling some strings. The Game and the Dead Man went toe to toe while HBK and Kane watched. It got brutal, it got rough, and it got personal as HBK and Kane would even get involved in their own ways. But in the end, The Game conquered death. All seemed right with the world as all four living legends celebrated together. But in reality, it was not alright with Taker, as he and the Big Red Machine would beat down and decimate Degeneration X!
We return to the present as HHH says “Respect is a word that’s lost its significance as of late.” Respect is not something DX gives very easily. It takes a lot to earn their respect, like when a hero takes you under their wing because they see something special in you and make you into something more. Or like when you spend an entire career fighting everyone and everything together. Or when you stick to your word, even when everyone tells you not to or wants you to go against it. Obviously HHH speaks of HBK. HBK himself speaks now, saying that you sometimes respect what someone once was. But then you realize respect isn’t always a two-way street.
Those who made the flight like HBK did, you know it is “a long friggin flight.” It was a long time for HBK to think about that beating. HBK thought about the last eight “long years” that he sat by and honored his word out of respect that never actually existed! When he touched down in Chicago, HBK was gonna leave but HHH stopped him and said the three words HBK never thought he’d hear again: “Are you ready?” HHH says them now. But that isn’t directed to HBK anymore, it’s aimed at the Brothers of Destruction!! Crown Jewel, ARE YOU READY!? Because Degeneration X is! Taker, Kane, HBK says this with absolutely NO respect: “If you’re not down with that, we’ve got two words for ya.” SUCK IT! Is the WWE Universe ready for this?! Or will DX soon Rest In Peace?
Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush VS Kevin Owens!
The Heavyweight that’s back to Dominate managed to do just that with the Franchise, JOHN CENA, by his side at Super Show Down. But now he goes it alone with his Manager of the Hour in his corner against the Prizefighter. Will this grudge finally end? Or will Kevin get even with Lashley by any means necessary?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up and Lashley shoves Kevin down. Kevin goes to a corner to compose himself. He and Lashley circle and tie up again, but Lashley again shoves him down. Kevin bails out while Lio laughs at him on the mic. “He’s not ready, he’s never ready.” Lio coaches Lashley up while Kevin returns. They tie up and Kevin gets a waistlock. Kevin slaps Lashley’s head a bit before putting on the headlock. Lashley powers out then runs him over with a shoulder. Lio talks up the muscles while Lashley flexes. Lashley throws hands on Kevin then bumps him off buckles. Lashley throws more hands then whips Kevin. He runs in corner to corner but Kevin dodges. Lashley stops himself, Kevin keeps moving but Lashley leaps up over him.
Kevin dumps Lashley out on the return, but Lashley leaps right up to the apron! Kevin punches Lashley back down, then builds speed! Lashley moves but Kevin simply slows down and exits the ring. Lashley turns around to get a sucker punch from Kevin! Kevin taunts Lio but Lio is more concerned with why fans cheer for Kevin. Kevin turns around and gets a lariat from Lashley! Lio says he knew Kevin wasn’t going to suicide dive. He then talks up Lashley more as he starts a chant. Fans boo Lio and Lashley instead, but Kevin clotheslines Lashley back out of the ring. Kevin slingshots to the apron, jumps the swipe then mule kicks Lashley. Kevin slingshots back into then run and FLY out! Chicago is on KO’s side just for that alone.
Kevin taunts Lio while Lio coaches up “Big Man” Lashley. Lashley stands but Kevin comes out to throw punches. They brawl now but Lashley gets the edge. Lashley brings Kevin around the side then whips him into barriers. Lashley runs in but Kevin dodges, sending Lashley into barriers! Kevin has control while we go to break.
Raw returns and Lashley has Kevin in a chinlock. Fans rally up for Kevin while he endures, and Kevin feeds off that energy. Lio coaches Lashley but Kevin elbows. Lashley shifts but Kevin continues to fight out. Kevin elbows Lashley from the corner while Lio starts up a chant again. Lashley misses in the corner but Kevin chases Lio around the outside! Lio tells Kevin to leave him alone, focus on Lashley. But the chase is on! Kevin catches up but Lashley saves Lio. Lashley whips Kevin hard into steel steps! Lio says that’s what Kevin gets for touching the Man of the Hour. Lashley brings Kevin up to whip him into barriers! Lashley drags Kevin up but Chicago boos. Lio ignores it as he chants for his client.
Lashley puts Kevin in the ring and then a corner. He throws forearms but Chicago wants Kevin to “Fight Owens Fight!” Lashley whips Kevin corner to corner and hits a big clothesline. Lio wants another, and Lashley runs in for the big shoulder. Lashley grins as he brings Kevin out. Kevin reverses the suplex to fight back with furious forearms! Kevin runs, but into the SPINEBUSTER! Lio loves it! Lashley flexes, then drags Kevin up. Lashley lifts Kevin for the Vertigo Suplex! Lio says “Not a chance!” as Lashley covers. TWO!! Chicago cheers for Kevin but Lio still chants for Lashley. Lashley looms over Kevin, brings him up for a full nelson and thrashes him around. Lio says “Make him pay, make him suffer!”
But Kevin stomps on Lashley’s feet, then pries at the fingers. Kevin frees himself and then SUPERKICKS Lashley! Then a stunner! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives and Lio is relieved. Lio continues to coach Lashley but Chicago is still on Kevin’s side as he climbs up. Fans anticipate what’s coming and so does Lio. Lio distracts and Lashley trips Kevin up. Kevin is caught in a Tree of Woe situation, and Lashley boots the bad leg! Kevin staggers around but Lashley sweeps the legs with another big kick. Lashley then drags Kevin up to finish him with the Dominator! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
Lashley and Lio are proving lethal on Raw, but will this change in attitude be what they need to make it to the top?
One thing is clear, Lashley isn’t done with Kevin! He goes after the bad leg, then swings it into the post! Lashley is ruthless but Lio feels that’s not enough. Lashley scares the refs off before going after the other leg with the post! Then Lashley leaps up onto the apron to soak it all in. The Big Man and his 23 year old piece of gold manager are looking to make a statement. Is the message received by Constable Baron Corbin in the back?
WWE announces the Crown Jewel World Cup!
It will be a one-day tournament during the special event in Saudi Arabia with eight male superstars, four from Raw and four from SmackDown. The winner will be crowned the very best in the WWE. The qualifiers begin now, but one man is already in just on his resume. It’s none other than JOHN CENA! One of the most decorated in WWE History is of course a 16-time world champion, and has always been about the big matches. Will Cena be ready for the other seven men in this tournament? Will he truly be crowned THE best?
Backstage interview with Finn Balor & Bayley.
Team B’n’B have a rematch of sorts with #Mahalicia. These two are working great together, but do they think Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox can finally get on the same page? Same page? They’re not even on the same planet! Mahal and Alicia are great individuals, but when they’re together, they argue over who is in charge. B’n’B are like two peas in a pod, PB&J, Batman & Robin. Which one is Batman? They can both be Batman. But then Lio & Lashley come by, still feeling good about their own win. Did you all see what Lashley did out there? This is the real scoop right here. Bayley speaks up, this was their time. But why are they talking about hugs? Lashley just ripped Kevin apart. B’n’B huh? Bayley & Balor, Balor & Bayley, but with Lio’s words and Lashley’s muscles, that is too sweet. Have L’n’L just made enemies of B’n’B?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter has come to Chicago and he plays another little tune. When these legends speak of WWE, they speak about Elias. When HHH, Taker, Kane & HBK speak of WWE, they mean Elias. They may not admit it, but one man who knows the truth is John Cena. Chicago doesn’t like Cena, but Cena knows what we all know, WWE means “Walk With Elias!” Elias is willing to admit when he’s wrong, but that match in Australia was not his fault. He has a song, so please silence phones and hold applause, but most importantly, shut your mouths.
Elias begins, and sings “Lost in Australia, but honestly it wasn’t fair. I was distracted by so many things, most of all, John Cena’s hair.” When Elias heard the accents, he almost refused to do the show. But when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, he’s in Chicago. The food was so gross, he almost caught a disease. But Elias feels better because the Cubs won’t be in the World Series. Fans boo but Elias just sits and waits it out. But he’s interrupted by Ronda Rousey! Chicago loves Ronda, and loves that she’s up next!
Six Woman Tag: Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins VS The Riott Squad!
Super Show Down wasn’t enough for Ruby, Liv & Sarah, they want to try again in the States. Can they get revenge for the loss down under in the Windy City?
The Squad is ready to go already, as are Ronda, Nikki & Brie. The ref keeps the peace and the teams sort out. Brie and Liv start, and everyone knows there’s bad blood from last Raw. Liv and Brie circle, but then Liv gets face to face to boop and SLAP her! Brie hits back, but Liv ducks the Yes Kick to get some hands on Brie! Chicago goes wild as the two scrap on the mat and fall out of the ring! The ref tries to restore order again, but it’s Sarah & Ruby that get rabid little Liv off Brie. Nikki and Ronda bring Brie away, too, and things cool off.
Sarah tags in and so does Ronda. Sarah wants her own payback but Ronda gives her knees instead! Ronda whips but Sarah reverses. Sarah misses but Ronda gets her in a judo flip! Sarah bails out but Ronda scares Ruby and Liv off. The Squad regroups while we go to break.
Raw returns and Ruby has Nikki down. Ruby drags Nikki up and whips, but Nikki reverses to reel Ruby in for a spinebuster! Nikki and Ruby are down, but crawling. Fans rally up as Nikki rallies on Ruby with big clotheslines. She dropkicks Ruby, too, then runs in corner to corner. Big clothesline and then the Fearless enziguri! Cover, TWO! Nikki drags Ruby over and tags Brie. The Bellas work to double code breaker Ruby down. Ruby gets to ropes, so Brie Mode activates! Brie runs but the Squad bails Ruby out. Ruby then drags Brie out for the STO! The Squad backs off and Ruby puts Brie back in. Cover, TWO! Ruby keeps on Brie by bringing her over for a buckle bump. Tag to Liv and Liv gets to stomp a mudhole on Brie. She backs off to then tag Sarah, and Sarah drags Brie up.
Sarah snapmares Brie into a cobra clutch. Fans rally and Brie stands up. Brie fights out and arm-drags Sarah off. Sarah tackles Brie down from the side! Sarah drags Brie up and whips, for a hip toss. The country viking howls then rams a knee into Brie! Cover, TWO! Sarah tags in Liv and holds her for Liv’s enziguri! Cover, TWO! Liv drags Brie over and tags in Ruby. Liv holds Brie for Ruby’s roundhouse. Cover, TWO! Ruby puts Brie in a cravat, but Nikki and Ronda rally with the afns. Brie powers her way to her corner but Ruby knees her and then hits Nikki for good measure. Ruby taunts Ronda but the Squad gets away with sucker stomps. Brie fights up then climbs up for a missile dropkick! Ruby and Brie are down but stirring. Ronda wants in, Brie gets the tag!
Ronda rallies on the Squad, but Ruby rolls her up! TWO!! Ruby brings Ronda up but Ronda monkey flips her away. Ronda fires up and throws those hands! She drags Ruby up for knees, then rolls her out for the ROWDY SLAM! But she doesn’t cover, she puts on the ARMBAR! The Bellas intercept the Squad, Ruby taps! Ronda & The Bellas win again!
Winners: Ronda Rousey & The Bella Twins, Ronda by submission
That’s twice this trio wins over the Riott Squad! They all celebrate together again, but then The Bellas attack Ronda! The Bellas are truly back as they stomp a mudhole into Ronda. Brie drags Ronda up but gets thrown down! Ronda glares at Nikki, who started this. Nikki throws a punch but Ronda throws her! The Baddest Woman on the Planet won’t show mercy but Brie pushes her into a post to save her twin. Referees rush in but the attack is still on with more stomps.
But then Ronda grabs Brie by the throat! Nikki saves Brie and then they both shove Ronda into steel steps! Nikki throws Ronda down by her hair, then into the barriers! The Bellas still aren’t done, they drag Ronda to the LED apron and into the ring. Ronda is all but dead weight as The Bellas stand over her like fallen prey. The Bellas show no mercy, but will they come to regret this betrayal?
Finn Balor & Bayley VS Jinder Mahal & Alicia Fox!
It’s a Mixed Match Challenge rematch as once again, the Extraordinary & Huggable take on the Modern Day Maharaja and Ms. Crazy like a Fox! Will B’n’B continue their clean sweep of #Mahalicia? Or will the Windy City bring winds of change for the winless?
The bell rings and the men start. Finn and Mahal tie up but Mahal quickly scoops and slams Finn. Cover, ONE, but Mahal puts Finn in a headlock. Finn fights up but Mahal drags him down. Bayley rallies the fans for Finn and Finn powers up again. Mahal drags Finn back down, though, not letting things go the way they did last week. Finn keeps fighting and powers out, only for Mahal to sunset flip. Finn rolls through to dropkick Mahal! Mahal rolls away to tag Alicia. Bayley comes in automatically and Finn gives her dropkick to Alicia a boost! Then they hit Mahal, and then Finn helps Bayley throw Mahal with headscissors! B’n’B are in charge and #Mahalicia are furious while we go to break.
Raw returns and Alicia has Bayley in a facelock. She shifts to a chinlock and thrashes Bayley around. Alicia throws Bayley down by her hair, then stomps her hands. Alicia stomps Bayley’s feet, too, then throws in a forearm. Mahal applauds the “Captain” while she covers, TWO! Alicia keeps on Bayley with a waistlock, but Bayley fights out as fans rally. Bayley reaches but Alicia brings her around by her hair. Bayley uses that momentum to throw Alicia out! Alicia hurries back in but Bayley tosses her back out! Tag to Finn! Finn rallies on Mahal, whips but Mahal reverses only to get forearms. Finn gets the takedown and double stomps!
Fans fire up as Finn runs in for the chop. Finn whips but Mahal reverses, only for Finn to go up and over. Finn runs nito a boot, but he swing kicks Mahal off the top. Slingblade is countered but Finn still gets around for the elbow drop DDT! Cover, but Alicia breaks it. Bayley returns but Alicia dodges, Sunil takes the hit! Alicia tosses Bayley out but Bayley drags Alicia out. Finn dodges Mahal and swing kicks him down. Mahal’s in the drop zone, Finn clibs up, and Chicago stansd for teh Coup de Grace! Cover, B’n’B win again!
Winners: Finn Balor & Bayley, Finn pinning
The Extraordinary & Huggable continue their roll, but will that roll come to a screeching halt when they face The Monster & the Moon tomorrow night? Or can they avoid the Eclipse and stay undefeated?
The Pack meets backstage.
They had one little slip up in Australia, but tonight they’ll do it. Ziggler wants the Monster to smash, and he wants McIntyre to be the terminator. But McIntyre knows what to do. He doesn’t like Ziggler calling the shots. He reminds Ziggler that he was the one to get pinned. Instead of worrying about them, Ziggler should worry about pulling his own weight. Ziggler sees what this is, but then Strowman tells them to both shut up! They need to remember why they’re here: to watch Strowman’s back so that HE can win the Universal Championship. Then they all win. They’ll put the Shield down for good, no excuses! Will the dogs of war succeed where they failed before?
Baron Corbin encounters Heath Slater.
The One Man Band wants his shot at the World Cup, by representing West Virginia in tonight’s Global Battle Royal. Corbin likes the initiative, everyone wants in on that. But the problem is, Slater’s no good. Slater is left out in the cold as the road to Crown Jewel heats up.
“Acting General Manager Baron Corbin’s Global Battle Royal!
Stephanie McMahon’s personally appointed Constable wants to make a good impression on the road to the first ever WWE World Cup Tournament. We already know THE John Cena will be part of this event, but who from this international line-up will be the first man from Raw to join him?
Corbin himself comes out to assess the best(?) from around the world. He says Crown Jewel will be historic, but the World Cup will be the biggest thing of all. Eight men, one tournament, and only one best in the world today. But to prove that he deserves to be in it and is the best, Corbin enters this battle royal himself. He knows it won’t be easy, he has the most “star-studded” competition possible. Just look at them! So much talent in one ring, it’s crazy. It’s like if the Avengers and the Justice League combined forces. The fans surely all know these men but he’ll introduce them himself.
From Russia, Gregor “The Sickle” Valkin! Representing Egypt, The Sultan of Shwarma! From Mexico, El Hombre Sin Nombre! Representing Poland, Stanislav the Squeezer! From Chile, The Cruel, The Cunning, Chilean Sea Bass! Representing Antarctica, Dr. Winston Borhees! From Belgium, Franz the Belgian Waffle! Representing Spain, the Conquistador! And last but not least, an amazing get, the Bronze Claw master, Thunder Montgomery of Luxembourg! Of course, Corbin represents America. The bell rings and it suddenly becomes US VS the World as they all surround Corbin! The Lone Wolf finds himself in a beat down! They put him in a corner and go to put him out! Corbin manages to power out, while Conquistador just rests on the outside. Corbin throws out the Waffle and then clotheslines out The Sickle.
Shwarma, Sin Nombre and Thunder go after Corbin but Corbin fights them off. Corbin finds himself outnumbered but he throws out the doctor and El Hombre. Sea Bass and The Squeezer put up a fight but Corbin throws the Chilean out first. Shwarma thins he has COrbin but is slammed out, then Corbon tosses the Squeezer. But wait, the Bronze Claw might do it! He uses the claw grip but Corbin punches out and throws Thunder out. Corbin thinks he won, but Conquistador was never eliminated! When Conquistador realizes this, he is a bit tentative. Corbin chases him, but then he runs into a German Suplex! And another! And another! Wait, a trio of suplexes? The Conquistador hits an OLYMPIC SLAM! Then he clotheslines Corbin out!
Winner: The Conquistador; qualifies for the WWE World Cup
Corbin is shocked, how did he lose to the Golden Gladiator of Spain!? It’s because it’s KURT ANGLE!! Kurt Angle returns from “vacation” and now competes at Crown Jewel! It’s true, it’s damn true!
Backstage interview with Kurt Angle.
First, congratulations on qualifying for the WWE World Cup, but what a great surprise! Welcome back! Well, Angle’s technically still on vacation. In which case, Angle takes his leave. We likely won’t see Angle again until Crown Jewel, can he go all the way in the tournament to be crowned THE best in WWE today?
Ember Moon VS Nia Jax!
While the Prophecy of Flame and Irresistible Force are now friends, that doesn’t mean they can’t compete against each other. Will Ember Eclipse Nia? Or will Nia bring down the Moon?
The bell rings and the two friends circle. They shake hands to show they still respect each other. Ember ducks and gets a headlock but Nia powers out. Nia hip tosses but Ember lands on her feet. Ember tries to arm-drag but Nia is too strong for that. Nia swats Ember to a corner in stead. Ember dodges the corner splash to kick away. She rocks Nia with an enziguri but Nia stays standing. Ember runs but her crossbody is swatted down, too! Ember backs off with frustration but Nia is waiting. Nia runs in and squashes Ember, then tosses her by her fiery hair! Nia looms over Ember, then brings her up. Ember slips around to a sleeper hold!
Nia throws her right off, then blocks the punch to whip. She pops Ember up but Ember headscissors Nia down. Ember dropkicks Nia out, then builds speed to DIVE! But she bounces off of Nia with no effect. Ember isn’t okay with that, but then Nia yanks her back out of the ring to send her down. Nia drags Ember back up and in a fireman’s carry, for a trophy lift. Ember escapes and throws a heavy right. Nia tosses Ember but they’re forgetting the ring count. Nia runs in but misses, hitting the LED instead! Ember gets in, Nia gets counted out!
Winner: Ember Moon, by count out
The War Goddess barely beat her new buddy, but a win is a win. Nia returns into the ring, and hugs Ember to show they’re still friends. Will this big win for the #Shenom help her get closer to the title?
Trish Stratus returns to Raw!
Chicago loves having the Hall of Fame and seven-time women’s champion back, but she knows that history is being made with the first ever All Women’s PPV, WWE Evolution. And Trish wants to talk about her opponent for that event, Alexa Bliss. In last week’s Moment of Bliss, Alexa gave us a Moment of BS. Trish wants to enlighten the “brat” with a Moment of Stratusfaction. However, that very bratty Goddess appears! And of course, she brings Mickie James along with her. Really? A Moment of Stratusfaction? How creative. But no one but these “dullards” will care. Alexa’s the one who “came up short” in math, though obviously that’s not the only pace. Oh wow, short jokes. But Alexa gets it, Trish is the legend showing the younger star how it’s done.
But to put insults aside, Alexa really is star struck having this match with Trish. Trish is a seven-time champion and Alexa watched her in her prime. Alexa can finally tell her face to face, “You sucked.” Like, really. Trish is lucky Alexa wasn’t around back then, because she wouldn’t be anything she is. Trish would’ve ended up in Alexa’s shadow! Well if she wants to prove that, let’s just do this here! Trish is ready, Alexa is ready, but then Mickie steps between them. Chicago doesn’t deserve to see this. And Mickie knows Trish knows nothing good ever happens in Chicago. Yes, Mickie, protect your little bestie. But since she knows what it’s like, tell Alexa what it’s like to face Trish. Then tell her Trish will “take care a bidness” just like that. They’ll get to see what an HoF level beat down feels like.
Mickie says she’d love to see what that’s like. In fact, maybe at Evolution, they could team up. A tag team match? Is that what Mickie is asking for? Well Trish would need a partner… But who? This is an extremely tough choice. But what about… LITA!! Yet another Hall of Fame women’s champion is here, and she actually joins her rival. They end up brawling but also sending Alexa running. Mickie has Trish but Lita turns her around for a BIG right hand. Then the Chick Kick! Lita climbs up, but Alexa saves Mickie. The Goddess and her sidekick get away, but will they be able to beat two of the all time best women in WWE?
The Shield speaks.
They bring us back to the bowels of the arena. The Pack tried to break them, but they don’t break. They’re not an alliance, or a friendship. They’re a brotherhood. Strowman, Ziggler, McIntyre, you three think you’re ruthless, but make no mistake, “you are not the bad guys.” The Shield are the bad guys. It doesn’t matter where it happens, the story stays the same. The Shield won’t bend, break or stop, they are the one true constant. They’re the Hounds of Justice, they are the Shield, #BelieveThat.
Bobby Roode & Chad Gable VS The Ascension!
Both halves of this #ReadyWillingandGLORIOUS team may have lost to Konnor 1v1, but perhaps they can turn it back around in tag team competition! Or will they instead end up left for dead in the Wasteland?
Konnor asks if it was Glorious when he beat Roode and then Gable in the middle of this ring? Konnor proves he’ll beat them both again, but that he and Viktor will end this charade for good! The bell rings and Konnor starts against Roode. Konnor dares Roode to do something. They tie up and Konnor powers Roode to a corner. Konnor continues to egg Roode on, and Roode gets a headlock. Konnor powers out but Gable tags in. Roode gets run over, but Gable flies in for the missile dropkick! Cover, TWO and Gable is set out of the ring! Viktor tags and Konnor goes after Gable but Gable throws hands. Gable gets in but is hit by Viktor’s leaping calf kick! Cover, TWO! Viktor puts Gable in the corner for sharp chops. He then stomps a mudhole into Gable before dragging him out. Cover, TWO!
Viktor tags Konnor and they mug Gable. Konnor brings Gable up for a big European Uppercut, then tags Viktor. Viktor snap suplexes and covers, TWO! Viktor wraps Gable up in a high keylock, but Roode rallies Chicago. Gable gets up but Viktor pulls him back down by the hair. Cover, TWO, but Viktor snapmares and fist drops. Cover, TWO! Viktor puts Gable back in that keylock, but Roode rallies the fans again. Gable powers his way over but Viktor throws Gable to the apron. Gable hits back then slides under. Viktor keeps him from reaching Roode, then yanks him away. Gable rolls, hot tag to Roode! Roode rallies on Viktor, then hits Konnor. Atomic drop and chops for Viktor! Roode whips but Viktor reverses, only to run into boots, and the GLORIOUS Blockbuster!
Roode winds it up but Konnor runs in. Gable dumps Konnor out and then Roode gets Viktor. Viktor slips out and rocks Roode with a right. Roode boots back and hops up, but Gable tags in. Gable gets Viktor with Chaos Theory! Cover, Gable & Roode win!
Winners: Bobby Roode & Chad Gable, Gable pinning
The team wins, but Roode does seem to feel awkward about Gable taking the finish from him. But they won’t have time to talk it out as the Authors of Pain rush the ring! They run Konnor over, then rush Roode & Gable! They clobber Gable with a clothesline, then one for Roode. Akam & Rezar coordinate and the fans like it as they hit a suplex powerbomb combo on Roode! But then Viktor and Gable suffer beatings, and the SUPER COLLIDER! The AoP just made two more teams DOA. Will they come for the Raw Tag Team Champions soon enough?
“Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman!”
Yes, The Advocate for the Beast and THE Crown Jewel of WWE, “BRRROCK! LESNAR!!” And he is here for the same reason we all are: to see a fight! Heyman wants to see legalized assault as The Shield prepares to again face The Pack, but also because it’s quite ironic. Just 72 hours ago, Roman and Strowman beat the “living crap” out of each other in Australia, which does take its toll. Then they had to fly right here to appear in Chicago and beat the “living hell” out of each other again. But that’s what World Wrestling Entertainment does seven days a week and twice on Sundays, “just to put smiles on the faces of the WWE Universe.”
But in Suplex City, Lesnar isn’t watching this, he’s sleeping in his own house so that he can go to the training camp he built and design to specifically prepare himself to be the two-sport champion of UFC and WWE. Because ladies and gentlemen, Lesnar enters Crown Jewel on November 2nd as the only man with the goal to become Universal Champion. Roman doesn’t have that goal, he has his stable to worry about. Strowman doesn’t have that goal, he has his weak links to worry about. They both deprived Lesnar the right to call himself the “hardest working champion” in WWE. Lesnar doesn’t say “We, we, we”, he says, “Me, me, me!!” Which is why on November 2nd, live from Saudi Arabia, the end result is spoiled for us by Heyman: The NEW and reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion of the World, Brock Lesnar.
But then The Shield appears! They want their match, the main event, and they want it now!
Six Man Tag: The Shield VS The Pack!
The Architect, the Lunatic & the Big Dog will once again face the Monster, the Stud & the Show-Off despite already defeating them down under. That’s because they will never back down to prove that they are the workhorses of WWE, and that Raw is still their Yard. Will that still be the case after tonight?
Raw returns as Strowman leads his dogs of war to the ring. The teams stand face to face in the ring, and the referee does his best to get them to choose who starts. The bell rings and Seth Rollins volunteers for The Shield. Drew McIntyre starts against him and gets a headlock. Rollins powers out then things speed up. Rollins goes to hip toss but McIntyre blocks to then clobber him with a cltohesline. McIntyre slaps Rollins around, then brings him up for a scoop. Rollins slips out to then boot McIntyre away. Ambrose tags in and the Shield brothers double suplex. Cover, ONE. Ambrose keeps on McIntyre with crossface forearms. He whips but McIntyre kicks him away. Strowman tags in to barrel Ambrose over! Strowman whips Ambrose corner to corner, but then Ambrose dodges and tags in Roman.
The Big Dog and The Monster Among Men are familiar foes. Strowman pushes Roman then rolls him to a corner to squash him. He runs corner to corner again but gets a big uppercut! Roman lifts Strowman but Strowman is too much. Strowman runs Roman over, then roars as he stands over him. Strowman drags Roman up and tags in Ziggler. Ziggler mugs Roman then bumps him off buckles. Tag to McIntyre and the Raw Tag Team Champions double suplex. The Shield bail Roman out then triple clothesline them out. They then focus on Strowman, but Strowman backs down. Fans boo while Strowman tells McIntyre & Ziggler to “get your crap together!” The Pack is struggling while we go to break.
Raw returns and Strowman has Roman in the corner. He gives body shots then runs in for a big corner splash! Strowman tags Ziggler in and Ziggler taunts Roman. Ziggler throws hands while talking trash. He stands Roman up and bumps him off buckles. Ziggler runs in but into an uppercut! Chicago is thunderous both ways while Ziggler tags to Strowman. Strowman runs in but misses Roman to hit post! Roman crawls for his corner while McIntyre barks at Strowman. Strowman hobbles to Roman but into a Samoan Drop! Both men are down while their partners and fans fire up. Hot tags to Ziggler and Rollins! Slingblade for Ziggler and a hit for McIntyre. Rollins boots Ziggler but leaps over to then DIVE onto McIntyre! Rollins hits Ziggler again, then springboards for the clothesline! Cover, TWO! But Rollins and Chicago fire up to “Burn It Down!”
Rollins aims at Ziggler to mule kick, but Ziggler avoids the stmop. Ziggler kicks, but the Famouser is countered. Ziggler sunset flips throw the bomb, TWO! Rollins stacks, TWO, deadlift into the buckle bomb! Rollins drags Ziggler for a cover, but McIntyre breaks it. Ambrose tackles McIntyre! They brawl then Ambrose tosses McIntyre right out. Strowman grabs Ambrose and then Rollins, but Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES outta nowhere! Ambrose dropkicks, Rollins SUPERKICKS and Strowman bails out. The Pack regroups but Ambrose & Rollins build speed to DOUBLE DIVE! They take out McIntyre & Ziggler, but Strowman grabs them. So Roman builds speed to FLY!! He wipes them all out! Everyone is down while we go to break!
Raw returns once more, and Strowman looms over Rollins. Fans chant “We Want Ambrose!” but Strowman headbutts Rollins down. Strowman wrenches Rollins’ neck and Ziggler adds his trash talk. The Shield and fans rally up for Rollins and Rollins gets up. Strowman powers Rollins to his corner and gives him a big uppercut. Tag to McIntyre and he reels Rollins in for a clothesline. Cover, TWO, but McIntyre toys with him now. “Is this The Mighty Shield?” he taunts. McIntyre brings Rollins up but Rollins fights back! Rollins leaps but McIntyre intercepts to push him back and boot him down! Cover, TWO! The Pack is frustrated, but Ziggler tags in. McIntyre stomps Rollins on his way out, then Ziggler grinds his foot into Rollins’ head.
Ziggler stays between Rollins and The Shield, taunting him about tagging. Fans chant for Rollins but Ziggler keeps stomping him down. Ziggler goes to dropkick but ROllins turns that into a catapult! Ziggler hits buckles and now both men are down. Both men crawl for their corners, but Ziggler gets to McIntyre first. McIntyre suplexes but Rollisn slips out. Rollins chops, McIntyre chops, Rollins enziguris! They’re both down but crawling. Strowman just comes in to blast The Shield because he could! He throws Ambrose into barriers then Roman into the steel steps. Strowman returns to the ring to drag Rollins over to their corner. He tells Ziggler “that’s how you carry your weight!” Ziggler has had it with Strowman but Strowman grabs him by the throat. McIntyre bails Ziggler out and stares the Monster down. But Rollins opunces! Roll up, TWO! He dumps McinTyre out onto Strowman!
Rollins crawls and Ambrose is there! Ambrose is ready and he gets the tag! To DIVE out onto Strowman & Mcnityre! He puts McIntyre in to fire off kicks and punches. He whips but McIntyre reverses. Ambrose hits back with lariats, then another whip. McIntyre reverses again and catches the crossbody. Ambrose slips out, rolls up, TWO! Swinging neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!! Ambrose keeps going, putting McIntyre in the Shield corner. Fans knwo “This is Awesome!” as Ambrose climbs up with McIntyre. McNItyre fights back and headbutts Ambrose down. But Ambrose is right back up, to kick McINtyre out of the air. McINtyre denies Dirty Deeds but runs into an elbow. Ambrose elbows Ziggler as he gets in, but runs into the SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Roman breaks it just in time!
Ziggler SUPERKICKS Roman but Rollins hits him and Strowman. Rollins goes to swing Ziggler out but Ziggler breaks free. Ambrose blocks Ziggler’s kick to then spin him around. Rollins suplexes himself and Ziggler out of the ring hard! McIntyre and Ambrose brawl fast and furious. McIntyre whips but Ambrose dodges, double clotheslines take them out! Roman and Strowman stand, and Roman goes to Superman Punch, only for Strowman to send him into a post! Strowman scoops Roman but Ambrose builds speed to DIVE! Strowman catches him but Ambrose counters with a DDT! Everyone is down, much like Super Show Down. Strowman stands, Roman SPEARS him back down! Ambrose staggers up and into the ring. He dodges Ziggler and Rollins sends him back out with a clothesline. CLAYMORE! The Pack wins!!
Winners: The Pack, Drew McIntyre winning
It wasn’t pretty, and it wasn’t exactly teamwork, but it worked out in their favor. Strowman, McIntyre & Ziggler come out on top to even the score. When and where will we get a third match between these two trios?
However, Ambrose decides to leave without Roman & Rollins? Is he just suddenly done with the Shield?
My Thoughts:
This was a pretty good Raw. At the start, hearing we’d get two rematches from Super Show Down, it didn’t sound like it’d be good at all. But after it finished, it actually felt pretty fun for the most part. And for once, building towards both Evolution and Crown Jewel at the same time works because obviously the two events are separate. Triple H & Shawn Michaels returned, gave a great promo, and as I expected and hoped, we get Degeneration X back! They officially challenge the Brothers of Destruction to a tag team match and thus begins HBK’s return to the ring. I want to say The Undertaker & Kane will return together on the road to Crown Jewel, but I also hope DX parodies them like they so famously did Vince & Shane McMahon. If this is HBK’s “One Last Time” tour, let him and HHH parody two other WWE legends.
Lashley VS Kevin was interesting, because it felt like a double turn. Chicago obviously loved Kevin regardless of what Lio & Lashley did, so it’s smart to make this when and where Lashley turns Heel to match Lio as he is on 205 Live. Lio & Lashley also interject themselves into things with Finn Balor & Bayley, partially because “Country Dominance” will eventually face B’n’B during the Mixed Match Challenge. But hopefully, with Lio Rush issuing an Open Challenge on 205 Live, someone somewhere makes the decision to send Finn over there to go against him. Of course, that’s going to be hard if Finn is also having to do MMC right before, just because Finn might not have enough energy to also go against the super fast Lio. But if ever there was a more perfect time to open the Cruiserweight Division, this week is that time.
The Six Woman Tag rematch was fine going in, and then it got better because The Bella Twins turned! They’re Heels now so it’s okay for fans to boo them. But they did have to work together to beat down Ronda, so that was good booking. Neither Nikki nor Brie should be able to solo THE Ronda Rousey, but obviously only one Bella gets that title match with her at Evolution. Unless they pull a change like they did with Alexa VS Trish. Those as connected to internet wrestling news as we here are probably knew that Mickie VS Lita was already set up, but it’s great to just put those matches together. Trish and Lita look great, and I really hope they win at Evolution.
Nia VS Ember was a bit random, but it was a decent match. Ember wins but in a way that doesn’t’ really settle things. It could become a story in itself on the way to Evolution, depending on what the majority of the Women’s Division ends up doing. I’m still hoping for a tag team title, but will settle for a tag team tournament to parallel the World Cup. Speaking of World Cup, great to see Kurt Angle is back and entering that tournament! Angle VS Cena will surely happen before the end to bring their careers full circle. And I’m going to love seeing who else enters the tournament to then join that tournament.
I really liked while the Roode-Gable tension is still mounting, their story was just fodder for Akam & Rezar to wreck some tag teams. It prolongs the inevitable, in that the AoP will be tag team champions. They’re just waiting until something gives in the story of The Pack and The Shield, and then AoP will strike and take those titles for their own. And speaking of, I oddly did not see The Pack winning tonight. It was another great Six Man Tag from both teams, Chicago was actually well invested, and we get that surprise of The Pack winning and Ambrose walking away. This actually gives some dimension to that “To turn or not to turn” story they’re building for Ambrose, because he just keeps switching week to week like a lunatic should. I still don’t want to see Shield Break-up 2, but at least they’re playing with expectations.
My Score: 8.4/10
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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…
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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