Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (11/5/18)
The Raw After Crown Jewel is also in the UK! Will the NEW reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Champion, BROCK LESNAR, grace us with his presence?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Woman Tag: The Riott Squad VS Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks; No Contest.
- Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS Apollo Crews; Crews wins.
- Raw Tag Team Championships: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose(?) VS The Authors of Pain w/ Drake Maverick; The Authors of Pain win and become the new Raw Tag Team Champions.
- Dolph Ziggler VS Elias; Elias wins.
- Nia Jax VS Ember Moon; Jax wins.
- Finn Balor VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush; Lashley wins.
- Kurt Angle VS
Baron CorbinDrew McIntyre; McIntyre wins, Baron Corbin remains Raw Team Captain for Survivor Series.
PLAY BY PLAY
Manchester is Raw!
And everyone on the Raw roster is on the stage. Security lines the way between ramp and ring as Acting General Manager, Baron Corbin, makes his way out. The Constable is very proud of himself, and it more than likely has to do with the events of Crown Jewel. Specifically, it has to do with the WWE Universal Championship match to crown a new champion in Roman Reigns’ absence. Corbin screwed Strowman by attacking him just before the bell rang, and then Lesnar went to town. It still took an insane FIVE F5’s in a row, but The Beast got The Monster Among Men to stay down, and once again, Brock Lesnar has the Red Brand’s red belt.
Corbin welcomes the UK fans to the show, and wants them to not be worried by security ringside. Having this many is normal for someone as important as him. This season is an important one, not because of holidays where you hang out with annoying family members, but because of Survivor Series! Survivor Series pits Raw VS Smackdown, so the new Universal Champion will once again the WWE Champion, AJ Styles! Ronda Rousey will go against Becky Lynch! And of course, both the men’s and women’s 5v5 Tag Team Elimination Matches! “Every match is a chance for Raw to show it is the dominant brand.”
But there is a score to settle this year, because Shane McMahon stole the World Cup and title of “Best in the World” from Dolph Ziggler! Stephanie McMahon will address this next week, but Corbin promises dominance. And when that happens, Corbin might go from interim to permanent GM. But to ensure such dominance, Raw needs a great leader. Therefore, Corbin makes himself team captain of the men’s 5v5 squad. Of course, he can’t compete in the match as GM, so he’ll make sure Raw has the most dominant team possible. The first two men put on that team will be Dolph Ziggler and Drew McIntyre!
And there is a third person already in mind, Braun Strowman. Now, Braun might be upset, but he’ll understand that Corbin gave him a teaching moment: you need to respect authority. And once Braun understands that, he’ll know he’s the man they need on that team.
Moving on to the women’s team, choosing the other four members will be… Captain Alexa Bliss! The Goddess heads to the ring, and thanks “Future permanent General Manager” Corbin for this position. She will follow his lead and be more of a manager than a competitor. But given her unprecedented success as a five-time women’s champion, the other women could learn a lot from her. She’s also a natural born leader, so she’s naturally the best choice for this role. Alexa says she will watch the women’s matches tonight very closely, because she wants to see some killer instinct. Raw will not lose to “The B Show” this year! The auditions start tonight with our Evolution rematch, The Riott Squad going against Natalya, Sasha Banks & Bayley!
Corbin likes the way Alexa thinks. She could get used to being in charge. Watch this. That tag team match starts– Wait, Kurt Angle is here! The actual Raw GM, though on “vacation”, has a mic of his own, and after thinking the UK fans for the praise, he says that “competing in the WWE World Cup lit a fire in me.” Angle led Team Raw to victory last year, so he wants in this year. Corbin says that was last year, and this year he makes the decisions. And he’s decided: Angle takes a permanent vacation! Angle says that when he was in charge, Raw settled things in the ring. How about Angle and Corbin have a match, and if Angle wins, he’s part of Team Raw AND is team captain! Fans want to see that! But Corbin refuses to answer.
What kind of leader is that? He wants everyone else to step up but he won’t? “You are an embarrassment to Monday Night Raw!” That gets to Corbin, and he gives Angle his match. Angle can be team captain, sure. But the only way Angle is going to Survivor Series is with a ticket. And the only way Corbin goes to Survivor Series is with crutches! Actual GM VS Interim GM, winner leads team Raw! But Corbin shouts down the match and the fans because this is still his show. But now Alexa can continue where she left off. That women’s tag match starts– BRAUN!! The Monster is here, and he heads right for the ring! The security stands no chance of stopping him! Alexa stands back as Strowman chases Corbin out and around the ring, then up the ramp!
Jinder Mahal, Drew McIntyre and more move to block Strowman’s path, but he goes through them, too! Other brawls break out as rivals go after each other, and Strowman gets through! It’s chaos in Manchester! Strowman goes backstage, and hunts for Corbin. He tells a staffer, that when he finds Corbin, he’s gonna #GetTheseHands! Will the Monster make the Lone Wolf pay for the Crown Jewel screw job?
Backstage interview with Natalya, Bayley & Sasha!
Up next is the 3v3 rematch from Evolution, do they think this outcome will be different? No, not all. Natalya is one of the strongest women on this roster, and Natty wears her father’s glasses to the ring. Tonight is for The Anvil! Will tonight also lead to spots on the Raw Women’s Survivor Series team?
Six Woman Tag: The Riott Squad VS Natalya, Bayley & Sasha Banks!
Ruby, Sarah & Liv look to even the score from the All Women’s PPV while showing The Goddess they deserve to go to Survivor Series. Will the #StartARiott in Manchester? Or will The Queen of Harts and her #LegitHuggable friends sweep the Squad?
The bell rings, and the Squad jumps all three opponents at once! Down go Bayley & Banks but Natty fires off. Natty kicks Liv and Sarah down but Ruby gets her arm. Ruby wrenches into the Riott Kick! But Natty blocks! Sharpshooter! The ref stops Liv from breaking it up, but Sarah is wide open to boot Natty down! Ruby covers Natty, TWO! Ruby drags Natty up and throws her out of the ring. Tag to Sarah, and the Kentucky Viking bounces Natty off the apron. She throws heavy rights, then throws Natty into barriers. Sarah puts Natty in at 6, covers, TWO! She keeps on Natty with a chinlock, but Natty powers her to the Squad corner. Natty throws elbows then crawls for her corner, but Sarah stomps her down.
Tag to Liv, and Sarah snapmares Natty for the Juvenile Delinquent to kick in the back. Cover, TWO! Liv puts Natty out again, and the Squad has control while we go to break.
Raw returns and Liv has Natty in a chinlock. Fans rally up and Natty gets to her feet to throw Liv off. Liv dropkicks Natty down to deny the tag. She puts Natty in a corner for furious stomps. She shrieks at the ref over the count, then stomps more. Liv backs off at 4, but misses the clothesline. Natty crawls but Liv clobbers her down. Natty slips free, hot tag to Sasha! The Boss rallies on the Squad, dropkick to Liv. She blocks a kick to give a knee, and Liv gets to a corner. She puts Sasha on the corner but Sasha gives another knee. Meteora for Sarah! Sasha climbs up, leaps at Liv, Meteora again! Backstabber and flip, Bank Statement crossface! Ruby mule kicks Sasha, then intercepts Bayley to throw her back out. She drags Liv to the Squad corner, and tags in.
Ruby goes after Sasha but runs into a backslide. She rolls through but gets a knee! Sasha bumps Ruby off buckles, tag to Bayley! Bayley goes side to side for a knee, then whips Sasha in for double knees. Sasha feeds Ruby to another of Bayley’s knee strikes, then Bayley throws hands in a corner. Ruby yanks her into buckles and gets running, but Bayley puts her on the apron for the hotshot. Ruby tumbles down and regroups with the Squad, Bayley DIVES! She hits Liv & Sarah as Ruby gets away, and Ruby comes back for an STO! Ruby catches her breath before she puts Bayley in the ring. Cover, TWO, but Ruby keeps her cool. Fans rally up for Bayley as Ruby brings her up. Bayley denies the suplex to roll her up! TWO, and Ruby knocks Bayley down. Ruby covers, TWO!
Fans continue to rally as Ruby wraps on a chinlock. Bayley endures the squeeze and fights her way up. Bayley jawbreakers free! But Ruby throws her back into the Squad corner. Sarah tags and she stomps away while Liv taunts Bayley. Fans continue to rally as Sarah brings Bayley around in a seated cobra clutch. Bayley endures the thrashing and fights her way up. Sarah reels her out and then whips her right into ropes! Cover, TWO! Sarah grows frustrated, but she tags to Liv. Liv climbs up and Sarah feeds Bayley to Liv’s knees. Liv then leaps for the facebuster. Cover, TWO! Liv throws Bayley back out, and we go back to break.
Raw returns and Bayley arm-drags Sarah off. Sarah dropkicks Bayley down, cover, TWO! Sarah and the Squad grow frustrated but the fans continue to rally. Bayley crawls to ropes but Sarah toys with her. Sarah pulls her against the ropes, lets up at 4, then drags her around by her ponytail. She taunts Bayley with tags to her team, but then Bayley blocks a kick to throw Sarah down! Both crawl, but Sarah blasts Sasha the corner first. Bayley slips out of teh scoop to tag Natty! Natty rallies on The Squad, discus for Sarah! German Suplex! Then a whip to ropes. Sarah elbows back, but her wheelbarrow ends up a facebuster! Cover, Ruby breaks just in time! Sasha throws Ruby out, but Liv enziguris Sasha down. Natty clotheslines Liv, then gets Sarah in the Sharpshooter!
Wait, Ruby has the Anvil’s sunglasses?! AND BREAKS THEM!? Natty’s heart is broken, and the Squad goes into retreat. The action stops, but Natty is still in pain. Will there Natty get vengeance for such disgusting disrespect? Or will The Goddess reward the Riott Squad for such evil actions?
No Contest
Braun Strowman continues the hunt for Baron Corbin.
The Monster bursts into the locker room, then the bathroom. He searches the stalls, but doesn’t find Corbin. He does scare one poor fellow who just finished up. The hunt continues, will Strowman get to Corbin before Angle gets him in the ring?
Crown Jewel saw a #FirstTimeEver of epic proportions!
Degeneration-X and the Brothers of Destruction met in a match for the first time, in Shawn Michaels’ first match since retiring. The four WWE legends went toe to toe, and Triple H even went through a table! HBK looked as good as he ever was, and that was the key factor in DX’s victory! HHH & HBK stood tall over The Undertaker & Kane, when and where will we see them again?
Jinder Mahal w/ Sunil Singh VS Apollo Crews!
The Modern Day Maharaja has been working to climb his way back up the rankings, but so has the amazing athlete in AC. “Ever since I left Titus Worldwide,” he’s heard so much about his potential. Potential is a nice way of saying he’s lost more than he won. But Crews will give it everything he’s got to show he is Raw’s new #HumanHighlightReel. Will that be the case? Or will Apollo simply be left with his potential?
The bell rings and the two circle. Mahal kicks low then throws hands. He has Apollo in a corner and whips corner to corner, but Apollo goes up and over to show that agility. Things speed up and Apollo dropkicks Mahal down! Cover, ONE, and Mahal throws Apollo to the apron. Apollo shoulders in, slingshots over, but Sunil distracts. Mahal hits a knee strike, covers, TWO! Mahal drives in knees and then puts Apollo in a keylock. Apollo gets up but Mahal wrangles him back down for a chinlock. Mahal puts on a half nelson chinbar, but Apollo endures. Apollo powers his way up, throws body shots, then counter punches. He mule kicks then runs to boot Mahal. He whips and leaps, but Mahal rolls him up! TWO, enziguri from Apollo!
Apollo trophy lifts Mahal, and that’s no easy thing! He drops Mahal down, then standing moonsault! Cover, Apollo wins!!
Winner: Apollo Crews, by pinfall
The man with all the potential gets a win over a former WWE World Champion! Can Apollo show he’s had what it takes all along and finally get himself some gold?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
The Architect carries three belts with him, but don’t be confused. He has three because he’s holding both Raw Tag Team Championships. The reason for that is because Dean Ambrose abandoned his belt after attacking Rollins just after winning them back! The Lunatic Fringe has yet to explain why, even after Rollins verbally confronted him last week. Rollins stands in the ring this week and feels a bit ridiculous, but he actually hoped to have a trophy with him, too. The World Cup didn’t go his way, but also Baron Corbin helped Brock Lesnar win that Universal Championship. Considering everything Roman Reigns worked for, is fighting for now, THAT is a slap in the face. It’s a slap in the face to everyone from locker room to WWE Universe! Rollins would get in Lesnar’s face about it, but Lesnar is not here. “Shocker, I know.”
But someone who is here tonight is Dean Ambrose. Rollins still can’t believe how The Shield went from top of the world to broken apart. Ambrose wouldn’t even stand in the same ring with Rollins. Rollins could try again, but he won’t waste anyone’s time. As Manchester says, Ambrose “doesn’t have the bullocks.” So moving on, Rollins moves on to the two Raw Tag Team Championship belts. It’s not possible to defend two titles at once, but then Baron Corbin speaks to him from the titantron. Corbin, in his supposedly secure location, tells Rollins he can totally defend those titles. So Rollins and his “partner” should defend right now, against… The Authors of Pain!!
Raw Tag Team Championships: Seth Rollins & Dean Ambrose(?) VS The Authors of Pain w/ Drake Maverick!
Corbin has shown favoritism to Akam & Rezar before, and now is the time for it all to matter. Will Maverick’s machines of war capitalize on a broken Shield?
The introductions, at least for those present, are made and the tag belts are raised. Rollins obviously must start by default against Akam with the bell. He gets around Akam for a waistlock, but has to bail out when he’s in AoP territory. Rollins and Akam go again, but Akam gets Rollins into the corner. Rezar tags in, but Rollins fights them off! Rollins has the fans rallying as he rallies on AoP! But as he gets Akam in a facelock, Rezar runs him over with a lariat! Rezar trash talks Rollins as he puts him into the corner. The one tag team champion is in trouble while we go to break.
Raw returns and The AoP give Rollins a sidewalk slam stomp! Cover, TWO! Akam toys with Rollins as he bounces Rollins’ head off the mat. Akam wraps Rollins in a chinlock but Rollins endures the squeeze. Fans rally up and Rollins jawbreakers free. Rollins whips but Akam reverses, sending Rollins tumbling up the corner then down. Cover, TWO, Akam tags Rezar. The AoP mug Rollins and Rezar continues to trash talk. Rezar wrenches Rollins’ neck but Rollins still endures. Rollins gets up and fights back with body shots. He backs up but runs into a takedown and hammer fists! Fans boo and jeer as Rezar trash talks again. Rezar tags to Akam, and they prepare the end. Rollins fights out! He ducks Akam to clothesline Rezar out, then fires off on Akam!
Rollins chops Akam, whips but Akam reverses. Rollins dodges to then DIVE on Rezar! He dumps Akam out, then DIVES on Akam! Maverick freaks out for his pair of behemoths, but fans fire up with Rollins. Rollins puts Akam in as the fans chant “Burn It Down!” Springboard clothesline takes Akam down. Rezar returns but he gets a slingblade! Rollins boots Akam, hops up, blockbuster! Cover, TWO! Rollins catches his breath while Maverick coaches Akam back up. Fans rally and join Rollins as he stomps out “Burn It Down!” Mule kick, but Maverick distracts! Rezar trips Rollins up and Akam clobbers Rollins. Tag to Rezar, and they set up another sidewalk slam. Rollins heasdissors out, then SUPERKICKS Akam! SUPERKICK for Rezar! Rollins hurries up top, frog splash!! Cover, TWO!!
Fans continue to rally for Rollins as he stands up. He has to hit Akam first, but then runs into a powerbomb! Rezar tags Akam, and they set up, for the Powerbomb Neckbreaker! Cover, AoP wins!
Winners: The Authors of Pain, Akam pinning;Â NEW Raw Tag Team Champions
Akam & Rezar won tag titles in a handicap match since Ambrose never showed. There are new champions in charge, will anyone get those titles off them? Will The Bar be ready for them at Survivor Series?
But wait, only now does Ambrose appear. He saunters his way to the ring, and fans say “You Sold Out!” Ambrose grabs a mic and sits by Rollins to ask him, “You want to know why I did what I did?” He stands up as Rollins asks why. Ambrose answers with Dirty Deeds! The Lunatic refuses to properly explain his actions, will we ever get the reason for this betrayal? Rollins does manage to get back to his feet, how will he prepare for his brand warfare match with United States Champion, Shinsuke Nakamura?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
He’s been running and hiding all night, is that because he’s afraid of what he did at Crown Jewel? Corbin denies being afraid. If Strowman wants a match, fine. But Strowman doesn’t want a match, he wants to destroy Corbin! Then if he’s not running, why is he in this makeshift studio in the storage room? Corbin is upset that she gave away his position. And here comes Strowmran! He barrels through more security, and keeps walking as one guy is on his leg. Strowman stomps that guy off and continues the hunt. How will Corbin possibly stay safe until his match with Angle tonight?
Dolph Ziggler VS Elias!
The Show-Off feels the most cheated out of the World Cup when Shane McMahon inserted himself into the match. But despite how that all happened, Shane O’Mac is NOT the Best in the World. You are looking at the real best in Dolph Ziggler. But typical WWE: he scratches and claws and outperforms everyone, but then “the conspiracy kicks in.” Drew McIntyre was ejected from ringside, that’s fishy. Then the favorite D-Lister attacks Ziggler from behind. Who would allow that? A SmackDown ref. Then Shane bullied his way when Miz went down. But wait, The Drifter interrupts someone else?!
Fans sing for Elias as Elias stares at Ziggler. Elias then plays his guitar to go along with Seven Nation Army. Elias introduces himself, and tells Manchester that that is the respect he deserves. But Ziggler is making excuses and coming up with conspiracy theories. To sum it up, Ziggler’s a loser. But more importantly, Elias got off the phone with Noel & Liam Gallagher, and they heard his song about Ziggler. If he plays it, Oasis will reunite. Elias has worked miracles, but Ziggler says it’ll be a miracle if anyone’s awake after the song. Wow, almost funny. But what Ziggler should’ve done by now is shut up so Elias can sing.
Elias begins and fans clap along. He’s a global phenomenon, Ziggler’s a fool. Ziggler thinks he’s funny, everyone else thinks he’s a tool. Pack your backs, Ziggler, this ain’t your show no more. Elias is about to show us what WWE really stands for. Yes, he’s gonna show us– “Why don’t you walk down here and show me face to face?!” Well all he had to do was ask. Elias heads down to the ring, and this match will happen after the break.
The Revival speak.
Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson say that tag team wrestling isn’t a joke, it isn’t a party, it’s something to respect. The #TopGuys brought their encyclopedic knowledge of wrestling maneuvers, all the Lucha House Party brings is flips and pinatas. There’s no room for the “Loser House Party”, they’re going back to 205 Live where they belong.
Back to the ring…
The bell rings and Ziggler circles with Elias. Fans sing for Elias as he ties up with Ziggler. Ziggler gets the wristlock then hammerlock, then a takedown. Cover, ONE, but Ziggler stays on Elias. He rolls Elias for another cover, ONE, but Ziggler stays locked on. Ziggler shifts to a headlock but Elias gets up and out, only for Ziggler to dropkicks him down! Ziggler grinds Elias’ face on the ropes, then whips him to the ropes. Elias reverses and runs him over with an elbow. Elias scoops and slams Ziggler, then covers, TWO! He brings Ziggler up, headlock takeover! Ziggler works against the hold but Elias grinds him down. They stand up, Ziggler pries his way out. Elias brings Ziggler back in, but Ziggler pushes them to the ropes. Elias lets go at 4, but Ziggler elbows him!
Ziggler throws hands then hits a neckbreaker. Cover, TWO! He keeps on Elias with body scissors and a wristlock. Ziggler pulls Elias to a cover, ONE but the hold stays on. Ziggler shifts to a sleeper, but Elias works his way out of the body scissors. Elias reaches for ropes as Ziggler wrenches back. Ziggler wrangles Elias down but Elias keeps moving. Ziggler wrenches and shifts to a facelock. Elias gets up and pries his way out, but Ziggler kicks low. Ziggler whips Elias corner to corner, but Elias goes up and kicks Ziggler down! Elias hurries up top, for a Macho Elbow! But it misses! Both men are down while we go to break.
Raw returns and Elias struggles against another sleeper hold. Ziggler shifts it to a camel clutch of sorts, and grinds in his forearm. Fans sing and rally for Elias, and Elias works his way up. Ziggler spins Elias but Elias back slides, TWO! ZIggler hits a big uppercut, then rolls to another cover, ONE! The Show-Off toys with Elias but Elias gets him down. Elias throws hammering fists, but Ziggler kicks Elias’ legs. Ziggler hears the fans jeer him in song and tells them to shut up. He grinds Elias’ face on ropes again, then gives him a kidney shot and buckle bump. Ziggler throws hands but Elias counter punches. Ziggler kicks low, then hits another neckbreaker. Fans keep singing for Elias, even as Ziggler swivels his hips. Ziggler drops the elbow, covers, TWO!
Ziggler gets the sleeper on again, with body scissors. He puts his weight on Elias but Elias keeps moving. Elias kicks and flails to reach for ropes, but Ziggler squeezes tighter. They stand up, and Elias fights with body shots. Ziggler kicks, Elias chops and now it’s a brawl. Ziggler whips but Elias reverses only for Ziggler to reverse back, Elias runs Ziggler over with a shoulder! Elias catches his breath, then stalks Ziggler to a corner. Elias throws hands and stomps, but backs off at 4. He goes back over and drags Ziggler back in. He throws hands as fans fire up. Elias lifts Ziggler into the electric chair, spins him around, but Ziggler slips out. Ziggler kicks, then dodges Elias’ knee to roll him up! TWO, knee from Elias! Cover, TWO!!
Elias keeps his cool as both he and Ziggler catch their breath. Elias drags Ziggler up, but Ziggler spins to kick again. Ziggler runs but misses Famouser, into the Electric Chair to powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler survives and Elias can’t believe it. Elias works on what else he can do, and brings Ziggler up for more fists. He chops Ziggler but Ziggler kicks low. Ziggler throws hands and headbutts, then rolls up, TWO! He jumps but Elias bucks off the ZigZag. Ziggler deflects the boot, ZIGZAG! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Elias survives and Ziggler is in shock. Fans continue to sing for Elias, and that only frustrates Ziggler more. Elias yanks Ziggler into ropes, then Drift Away! Cover, Elias wins!!
Winner: Elias, by pinfall
The Living Truth walks with a victory in a tough match. Ziggler is already on Corbin’s Raw 5-Man Team, but will Elias get himself a spot on it?
Backstage interview with Kurt Angle!
The Olympic Gold Medalist could win his way to being team captain. Is there any concern to not only facing Corbin but having his first match on television in years? Corbin is dangerous, and is a threat, but Angle knows his weakness and how to beat him. Angle has that fire inside him again, and he’s going to go to Survivor Series as Team Captain! “Oh it’s true, it’s DAMN true!”
Ronda Rousey is here!
The Baddest Woman on the Planet is still Raw Women’s Champion after Evolution. Nikki Bella got a lot of help from sister Brie in that match, but even so, Rowdy Ronda was too much for even them. Now Ronda looks to her first Survivor Series brand warfare and a match with SmackDown Women’s Champion, Becky Lynch.
Manchester is happy to see Ronda and she’s happy to see them. But Becky says she’s going to rip Ronda’s arm off? “It’s cute, it’s adorable, actually.” It’s easy to see why fans love Becky. Manchester sure does. There’s no doubt that Becky worked hard to again become champion. She’s “The Man”, figuratively speaking. Becky put on the performance of a lifetime at Evolution, and she has Ronda’s respect. But don’t mistake that for weakness. Ronda is the last woman on Earth anyone wants to provoke.
Back when Becky’s alarm was waking her up for school, Ronda’s mom was waking her up by going after her arms. While Becky was at clown college, Ronda was an Olympian. And while Becky was a stewardess serving snacks, Ronda was having the most dominant reign MMA has ever seen. But yeah, Becky’s changed herself and Ronda loves it like everyone else. However, a new attitude isn’t going to beat Ronda. Ronda is “a natural born killer, beaten to a fine edge” after years waking up wanting to be the single greatest athlete ever. Two weeks until Survivor Series, so Ronda wants Becky to bring all the rage, angst, resenment and more because Ronda wants a challenge. Becky says she’s “The Man”, but Ronda IS the Baddest Bitch on the Planet! Ronda throws down her mic as she throws down the gauntlet. Will Becky survive Survivor Series?
But wait, here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force is #1 Contender after winning the Evolution Battle Royal, and never did finish her fight with Ronda at Money in the Bank. Nia picks up the mic and likes seeing Ronda all fired up. It’s got Nia fired up, too. But Survivor Series and Evolution are similar: Ronda will be fighting for Raw, the most dominant brand in WWE, and Ronda won’t let them down. However, after Survivor Series and she makes Becky tap, Nia will be waiting, “champ”. Ronda likes the sound of that. When and where will this epic rematch happen?
Speaking of rematches, Ember Moon appears for hers with Nia!
Nia Jax VS Ember Moon!
Just as the new partnership WWE enters says, it’s time to #GirlUp! The Prophecy of Flame wants to show she can hang with the Game Changer, but will she be able to Eclipse Nia on the former champ’s road back to the title?
Raw returns as the bell rings. Ember and Nia approach and Ember gets a waistlock. Nia throws her off, but Ember’s back up. Ember runs but into a scoop. She slips out and kicks away, but her whip is blocked. Nia whips Ember right out of the ring and to the floor! Nia fetches and puts Ember back in the ring. Ember kicks Nia as she enters, then gets her in a corner. Ember runs in, handspring forearm smash! She keeps moving, but Nia pushes her off. Ember dodges, but bounces off of Nia! Nia squashes Ember with a corner splash then tosses her across the way. She squashes Ember again, then throws her again. Ember sits up but Nia stomps her back down. Nia covers, TWO! Ember crawls but Nia stalks her. Nia brings Ember up in a cobra clutch as fans rally.
Ember works against the hold, but Nia holds tight as she bends Ember. Fans sing for Ember, and Ember works her way out. She fights with elbows, then rolls, but Nia stays standing. Nia pulls Ember up with one hand, but Ember kicks with both legs. Nia headbutts Ember down! She drags Ember back up, scoops, snake eyes! Then she runs in to run Ember over! Nia runs, but Ember dodges the leg drop! Ember and Nia are slow to getting up, but Nia is on Ember first. Ember kicks Nia away, then runs in. She spin kicks, knee lifts and more kicks. She fires a forearm and Nia is dizzy. Ember springboards for the crossbody! TWO, but Ember roars! Spinning forearm! Cover, TWO!! The power shocks Ember, and then Nia shoves her to a corner.
Ember dodges, climbs, but Nia denies the tornado DDT. Enziguri! Ember runs, but into a pop-up Samoan Drop! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
Ember put up quite the fight, but Nia pulls it off. But wait, here comes Tamina again. The Daughter of Superfly again heads to the ring to stare Nia in the eyes. The cousins look down at Ember, then at each other, then back at Ember. Tamina drags Ember up, for her own Samoan Drop! Nia seems stunned but doesn’t go after Tamina herself. Nia nods?! Tamina turns Ember over for a Boston Crab, and Nia adds her leg drop! And an elbow, then another! The family is together, because blood is thicker than fire. Will the cousins combine forces to conquer all of the Raw Women’s Division?
Backstage interview with Finn Balor.
The Extraordinary Man won against Bobby Lashley last week, but by Disqualification. Will the mugging from last week happen again? Finn admits Lashley is probably the most powerful and explosive man he’s ever faced. And on top of that, he’s just getting more and more vicious. It didn’t feel good when little runt Lio Rush was slapping Finn around while Lashley had the full nelson on, but Finn knows walking out here in Manchester as a truly unified city, because Balor Club is for everyone.
Another backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
The Lone Wolf isn’t getting away from Strowman, but apparently he can’t get away from Charli Caruso, either. She keeps finding him! And that means Strowman keeps finding him! Tell Angle that he has an “emergency” and their match is off. Angle will be taking on Drew McIntyre instead. Strowman comes running in and Corbin hops in his car! The car gets away just in time, so Strowman is left with no satisfaction. Will someone else become Strowman’s target tonight?
Finn Balor VS Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush!
Balor Club comes to Manchester, but the Heavyweight came back to Dominate. These two go around one more time, will Finn get even? Or will he just get beaten down physically and verbally all over again?
Before the match, Lio says “The Big Man is here!” As is the Man of the Hour. Though, Lio wishes they were in Liverpool. But that’s okay, because look at Lashley. Michelangelo couldn’t sculpt a better piece of art. Lio has Lashley show “The Greatest Pose of All Time.” His butt? Lio laughs it up, but getting serious, it isn’t an insult. Lashley is just showing off the most developed gluteus maximus and leg muscles. Lashley respects Manchester, he loves Manchester! But it doesn’t seem they love him, and that upsets Lashley. Now he’ll beat up Balor even worse than last week. And it’ll be like he’s beating up Manchester in his mind. Finn makes his entrance, and we begin, after the break.
Raw returns as the bell rings, and Finn circles with Lashley. Fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” but Lashley kicks low. Lashley drags Finn up to put him in a corner with a buckle bump, then clubs him down. He stomps on Finn, then puts hima gainst the ropes to choke him. Lashley bakcs off at 4, but dumps Finn off the ropes. Fans boo but Lio cheers as Lashley stomps Finn. Lashley brings Finn up for a snap Fisherman suplex. Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Finn and Finn fights back. Lashley kicks low then runs, but Finn blows past him to blast him with a dropkick! Lashley bails out, so Finn builds speed. Lio trips Finn up behind the ref’s back! Lashley comes back to throw hands and cover, TWO! He wraps Finn up in a chinlock, but fans jeer in song.
Finn endures and gets his way up, but Lashley throws Finn down! Cover, ONE, so it’s back to the chinlock. Fans rally up and Finn gets up again. Lashley brings him down with a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Lashley grows frustrated with Finn as he throws hands in a corner. He grinds a boot into Finn, but backs off at 4. Lashley runs back in, but Finn boots him. Finn dodges Lashley and then hits a forearm smash. Lashley stays standing so Finn goes for the legs. Lashley lifts, Finn sunset flips, TWO! Finn goes for and gets the legs, then double stomps! Finn fires up, and runs in at Lashley for the chop! He whips but Lashley reverses. Finn goes up but gets caught, but he slips out to hit a slingblade! Fans fire up with Finn as he takes aim. But Lashley runs Finn over with a lariat!
Lashley runs in but Finn dodges. Lashley blocks the kick and rocks Finn with an elbow! He drags Finn up, for a deadlift into the Vertigo Suplex! Cover, TWO!! Finn is tougher than Lashley thinks, but Lashley drags Finn u p in a gut wrench. Finn rolls out, and rolls Lashley up, TWO! Lashley is getting mad as Finn gets to a corner. Lashley runs in but Finn slips out and kicks him down! Finn climbs up top, but Lio distracts. Lio runs away as Finn steps near, but Lashley is up. Finn leaps over him, tosses Lashley out, then builds speed. Lio is there, so Finn dropkicks him down! Fans fire up over that one, but Finn isn’t done. Finn runs at Lio, but into Lashley’s tackle! Lashley puts Finn into the barriers, then into the ring. Lashley drags Finn up, gut wrench, spinning dominator! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
Lashley finally gets on the board against Finn, but Lio has the assist. Will Finn be able to get back at him another day? Or will Lashley move on to a title?
Drew McIntyre makes his entrance now, but he does lock eyes with Lashley. The Scottish Terminator doesn’t back down from teh Rocky Mountain Machine, but neither does Lashley. Lio is the one who talks his big man down, and they leave. Surprisingly, McIntyre actually helps Finn up? But just as Finn thanks him, McIntyre gives Finn a Claymore kick!! McIntyre defends Corbin’s position as captain against Angle in our main event!
Kurt Angle VS Baron Corbin Drew McIntyre!
What was meant to be actual GM VS interim GM turned into the Lone Wolf hiding from The Monster all night. Corbin won’t risk being destroyed before Survivor Series, so he’s put it on someone else to take care of the Olympic Gold Medalist. Can McIntyre defeat the WWE Hall of Famer returning to action? Or will Angle win his way onto Team Raw as well as become it’s new captain?
Angle goes right at McIntyre! He stomps away in a corner, then throws hands. The ref backs Angle off and wants him to wait for the bell. The bell does ring, and the attack is back on! Angle still stomps and punches McIntyre in a corner, but gets a headbutt! McIntyre takes a moment to steady himself before giving back a rain of right hands. McIntyre stomps Angle in a corner now, then tears off Angle’s shirt for chops! He keeps on Angle with an armlock and chinbar, but fans rally up. Angle feeds off the energy but McIntyre wrangles him back down. McIntyre grinds his forearm in Angle’s face, then wrenches the neck with the chinbar.
Fans continue to rally and Angle wills his way back up. Angle throws hands then runs, but into a back elbow! Cover, ONE! McIntyre drags Angle up for a neckbreaker. Fans continue to cheer Angle on, but McIntyre keeps on him with another armlock. Angle gets up again, even as McIntyre pulls on the arm. Angle throws hands but McIntyre knees low. McIntyre CHOPS Angle, then whips him corner to corner. Angle dodges, Angle Slam!! But McIntyre slumps out of the ring. We go to one last break as Angle realizes his missed window.
Raw returns again as McIntyre hits another neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! McIntyre stomps Angle out of frustration, then deadlifts him for a suplex. Cover, TWO! McIntyre stalks Angle to ropes, then reels him in for a lariat. He wraps on another armlock and chinbar to pull and wrench Angle again. Fans again rally and Angle gets up. Angle throws hands, fakes out the back drop to kick McIntyre, but still runs into an overhead belly2belly! Cover, TWO! McIntyre keeps his cool, but then fires off punches and stomps on Angle in a corner. He backs off at 4, to snapmare Angle out and into the armlock chinbar.
Angle again endures and fans again rally up. Angle gets up once more, and throws more hands. He gives McIntyre a jawbreaker, but runs into a scoop. He slips out, and gets a German Suplex! And another! And then the hat trick! The straps come down as Angle fires up. Angle stalks McIntyre, but McIntyre escpaes the slam. Angle runs, but into the Claymore!! McIntyre doesn’t cover just yet, though, he watches Angle slowly stir. Angle sits up, but McIntyre grins. “is this it? This is the legendary Kurt Angle?” Fans rally for Angle, but McIntyre gives him a free shot at the leg. Angle gets it, but McIntyre clubs away. Angle falls and McIntyre stomps him. McIntyre taunts Angle as he gets low to stare him in the eyes.
Angle slowly stands and McIntyre again gives him a free shot at the leg. McIntyre grins and laughs, but Angle fires up and goes after him. They go around and McIntyre just clubs away on Angle’s back, almost endlessly. Angle is down but McIntyre grins. Fans rally as McIntyre dares Angle to look him in the eyes. “You’re an embarrassment to yourself! You’re an embarrassment to your bloody family!” McIntyre forces Angle to look him in the eyes, but that only angers Angle! Angle gets the leg, and the Ankle Lock!! McIntyre realizes his mistake, but he manages to push Angle off. His leg still hurts, but he manages to stand. McIntyre steals the Angle Slam!! But McIntyre still doesn’t end this. Because he steals the Ankle Lock! Angle endures the hold he made famous! McIntyre even grapevines! Angle taps, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by submission; Baron Corbin remains Raw Team Captain
The Olympic Gold Medalist fails to take back some semblance of control on Raw. McIntyre was perhaps just too big, too strong, and too sadistic for even a Hall of Fame icon like Angle. Will Angle ever regain former glory?
My Thoughts:
This Raw was quite the step up from last week’s, which was bogged down by trying to be an aftermath and go-home hybrid. This Raw is making the transition from Crown Jewel to Survivor Series somewhat smoothly at this point. I wish Strowman did more damage tonight in his hunt for Corbin, but the segments with Corbin hiding and Charli giving him away were pretty fun. Next week we’ll have Lesnar back on Raw, so maybe Strowman will just go after him to take out all his frustrations.
I know Alexa said she wanted to see killer instinct and ruthless aggression, but I feel like the idea of Ruby crushing Jim Neidhart’s glasses in front of Natty’s eyes was a step too far. She should’ve teased it so that Sarah or Liv could’ve gotten the better of Natty. Then with Nia, Ember and Tamina, I like the idea of teaming the Samoan cousins together, that just makes sense. Now, while there is no Women’s Tag Division right now, I hope a move like this motivates the main roster to figure that out. Honestly, it’s not like there are that many men in either show’s Men’s Tag Divisions, so why worry about how many women each show has? At the very least, having more titles will keep women’s stories from becoming superficial and repetitive.
It’s great Apollo wins, he needs to finally get some shine. Elias also has a great match with Ziggler, which helps Elias be more Face, and adds to Ziggler’s story of feeling cheated. Corbin essentially screwing Rollins over really adds to his own Heel Authority factor, but Rollins still looked great against the AoP. Naturally AoP win because Ambrose chose to stay out of the match, and I think that while Maverick is their manager, Akam & Rezar are actually the first “Corbin Guys”. Ambrose again refuses to give a reason for his attacks on Rollins, but I still think it’s about being called “Lunatic” and being underappreciated as a friend the way Strowman’s Pack said leading into Super Show-Down. It would mean a lot for Raw if these two had an Intercontinental Championship match for the Survivor Series go-home, so that no one knows who Nakamura faces that Sunday.
Rousey has a pretty good promo to respond to Becky’s. It was good for her to counter what Becky said on SmackDown, and this continues to establish that this Women’s Champion VS Champion is going to be great. Finn VS Lashley was pretty good this week, and may have been better than the others just on Lio not shouting “Lashley! Lashley!” as loud as he can. Lashley wins so that he doesn’t look weak always losing, but then there’s Mixed Match Challenge tomorrow to add to their story, so who knows who goes over in the end. I’m hoping Finn. Speaking of, I thought Angle was going over but McIntyre looked incredible. It raises McIntyre’s level and forwards a “crisis of confidence” for Angle. Angle might turn things around if he finally gets that match with Corbin, but Corbin might keep ducking him until a different Big Four.
My Score: 8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Hizen no Kuni Results & Report! (4/29/25)
Will the United Empire rule all?
Who goes into Best of the Super Juniors as champion?
With Best of the Super Juniors on the horizon, NJPW has both IWGP Junior Heavyweight and Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships on the line!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Masatora Yasuda; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Katsuya Murashima VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, Yuya Uemura & Taka Michinoku; Shota, Ishii, Taichi, Yuya & Taka win.
- 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; No Contest.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Ryusuke Taguchi VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- NJPW World Television Championship: Great-O-Khan VS El Phantasmo; ELP wins and becomes the new NJPW World Television Champion.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS YOH & Master Wato; Yoh & Wato win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Templario; Despy wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
After 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture…
Sanada was about to break the rules by giving “Drilla” Moloney a Smash Hit, but David Finlay beats him to it by giving Sanada a SMACK with a cookie sheet! The referee rules this a No Contest because of all the madness! The Rebel doesn’t care, he tells his guys to fetch something! Gedo gets him a TABLE! Evil is furious but Finlay puts the table in a corner. Finlay reels Sanada in, but Evil CLOBBERS Finlay! The House regroups and Dick Togo CHOKES Finlay! Yujiro hits him with the PIMP CANE! Then then Drilla and the boys come back with weapons of their own! The House retreats so Finlay grabs a mic!
“Hey, hey, hey, hey! Where do you House of Torture p*ssies think you’re effing going?! Evil, if I understood you correctly, you want us to up the stakes of the Dog Pound Steel Cage match! You want me to put it all on the line! You wanna make it… Loser Leaves Bullet Club!” The fans are fired up to hear that! Finlay says as the one true leader, CHALLENGE ACCEPTED! Then Evil CHUCKS the guitar case at Evil! And then he CHUCKS the table! The War Dogs want to keep fighting, but The House got what they wanted, so they take their leave for now. Saturday May 3rd, who will truly be THE Bullet Club?
NJPW World Television Championship: Great-O-Khan VS El Phantasmo w/ Jado!
After he and Callum Newman won the vacated IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships, The Dominator is now a DOUBLE CHAMPION! But the Headbanga is looking to change that in 15 minutes or less! Will this once again be The ELP Show? Or will Khan continue to conquer NJPW World?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the star of the show!
The bell rings and the fans rally already. Khan and ELP circle, Khan gets a leg takedown and cover, ONE! ELP and Khan clinch, Khan pushes ELP down but ELP moves around. Khan waistlocks to bridging cover, TWO! Khan backs up to pose with arms behind his back and the fans cheer. ELP stands, Khan eggs him on, so ELP ROCKS Khan with a forearm! Khan shakes that off, comes back, and he ROCKS ELP! The fans rally as the forearms keep going back and forth! They go faster and faster, and then Khan ROCKS ELP again and again! Then MONGOLIAN CHOP! But ELP RAMS down low! ELP pumps up but Khan grabs his hair!
The ref counts, Khan lets go, but ELP has the PURPLE NURPLES! The fans fire up but uh, is Khan enjoying it? ELP stops and Khan swivels his hips! ELP kicks low, TOSSES Khan out, and then takes aim. The fans rally up, ELP PLANCHAS, but Khan dodges! Khan then kicks ELP, scoops and SLAMS him on the apron! ELP writhes and the fans rally up. Khan cools himself off and then pushes ELP into the ring. Khan drags ELP into a BOW ‘N’ ARROW! The fans rally while ELP endures, and ELP fights around to the ROPEBREA!K The fans cheer while Khan lets go, but then Khan stands ELP up, just to hit a fireman’s carry takedown!
Khan stands ELP up again, for a MONKEY FLIP! Khan drags ELP up for a SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! ELP stays in this and the fans rally. Khan stays on ELP with the MONGOLIAN CHOPS! ELP falls, Jado coaches him up, and ELP rises again. But the MONGOLIAN CHOPS knock him back down! ELP rises again, MONGOLIANÂ feint and an UPPERCUT! ELP ends up in a corner, the fans rally behind Khan, and Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The ref reprimands but the fans cheer. The ref counts so Khan hops down and brings ELP out. ELP CHOPS, Khan eggs him on, so ELP CHOPS again! And again! And again!
ELP CHOPS and CHOPS and whips, but Khan reverses. ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges and rolls off Khan’s back to RANA! Khan tumbles, ELP handsprings up, and ELP LARIATS Khan up and out! The fans fire up and ELP aims again, PLANCHA! Direct hit this time and down goes Khan! The fans fire up, and ELP slides into the ring. ELP builds speed and DIVES! Khan hits railing and both men are down at the five minute mark! ELP raises his finger to say one more time, and the fans rally again. ELP rises up, climbs the corner, and from the very top, ARIHARA MOONSAULT! Down goes Khan again! The fans fire up as ELP rises again!
ELP keeps the crowd going and he drags Khan into the ring. ELP then climbs the ropes to SWANTON BOMB, and LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Khan survives the combo but ELP keeps his cool. The fans rally up again, and ELP reels Khan in. But Khan shifts to grab the leg! ELP fights free, Khan waistlocks, and Khan GERMAN SUPLEXES! ELP goes flying and the fans fire up again! Both men stir, and Khan rises to his feet. Khan drags ELP up, clinches, HITSUJIGOROSHI! ELP endures, so Khan shifts to FLATLINER! And then a roll into the IRON CLAW! And from there, ELIMIN- NO, ELP fights free and CHOPS!
ELP runs, dodges, and springboards, but into the IRON CLAW! ELIMIN- NO, ELP flips through! ELP then ducks ‘n’ dodges, goes up and leaps, but into an IRON RIGHT! Then the IRON CLAW, for an ELIMINATOR!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!! ELP’s long leg saves him and Khan is stunned! The fans fire up but Khan shoves ELP to the outside. Khan then goes out and he looks under the ring. ELP sputters while Khan brings out some chairs! Khan sets them both down, flat on the floor. The ref reprimands but Khan vows he’s gonna end this! ELP is deadweight, but Khan drags him up and reels him in! POWER- DDT COUNTER!!
Both men fall on the chairs and the fans fire back up! ELP and Khan writhe, and ELP crawls to the railing. ELP sits up but flops over as the ring count starts. ELP stands again at 9 of 20, leaves Khan behind, and Khan is still down at 13! The fans rally, Khan grits his teeth to sit up, but we’re at 17! 18! Khan springs in at 19! ELP is on him and tucks the arm! C R 2!! Cover, TWO!??! Khan survives and the fans fire up! ELP is frustrated, but Jado coaches him back up. We’re at 10 minutes as ELP tunes up in the corner. Khan rises, ELP aims, SUDDEN- NO, Khan blocks the kick and spins ELP to scoop! But ELP slips free to scoop! T T D!! Cover, ONE?!?!
The fans fire up as Khan survives the move he took from Tenzan! ELP throws hands but Khan rises up! ELP SUPERKICKS, but Khan stays up! Khan laughs, then dares ELP to hit him again! SUPER FEINT to a mule kick! Then SUPERKICK! Khan goes to ropes, ELP SUPERKICKS again! And again! And AGAIN! Khan staggers around, ELP goes to the apron and climbs, THUNDERKISS ATTACK! Then he goes back out, back up, THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, ELP WINS!!!
Winner: El Phantasmo, by pinfall (NEW NJPW World Television Champion)
The Headbanga certainly banged Khan’s head with all those kicks! And now, ELP is a TWO-TIME NJPW World Television Champion! No more double reign for Khan, will this be a bad omen for the Empire?
ELP waits for Khan to exit before getting the mic. ELP tells Saga, “Arigato gozaimashita.” The fans cheer, and ELP says, “I have one thing that I want to say tonight: Takeshita-chan. I don’t wanna wait until Resurgence. Fukuoka, Dontaku, you are my first challenger, Konosuke Takeshita! And then, Resurgence, we do it for your title, the NEVER title! And you will never beat me again!” Jado translates that The Headbanga is aiming at the Alpha, though he kinda keeps it simple. Will ELP make himself a Double Champion? Or will Takeshita take this title for the Don Callis Family?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS YOH & Master Wato!
The Ichiban Sweet Boys fought hard to get these belts, and they’ve fought hard to keep these belts. But with the Best of the Super Juniors around the corner, can The Sniper of the Skies & The Japanese Young Punk stay strong? Or will Direct Drive & Way of the Grand Master find a way to make The Mighty kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who tastes sweet victory!
The teams sort out and Wato starts against Eagles. The fans rally up with the bell, and Eagles encourages them to get louder. Eagles and Wato circle, with Wato getting a strong response from the fans. The fans duel and Eagles nods. Eagles and Wato feel things out, knuckle lock, then Eagles kicks one apart. Eagles wrenches, wrenches, then hammerlock, but then Eagles pushes Wato away. Eagles and Wato reset, tie up again, and Wato headlocks. Eagles powers up and out, but Wato runs him over! The fans applaud, Wato keeps moving, and Eagles drops down, hurdles, but Wato leaps over! Eagles arm-drags! Wato arm-drags!
Wato runs up, Eagles sweeps and covers, ONE! Wato sweeps and covers, ONE! Dropkicks cancel out and both men kip up! The fans fire up, Wato blocks a kick to give a kick. Wato whips, Eagles reverses to go up, around and arm-drag! Eagles keeps moving, he hurdles over Wato and RANAS! The fans fire up, Wato runs in, but Eagles WHEEL KICKS him down! Eagles kips up and the fans cheer! Eagles kicks at Wato, drags him up, and Eagles CHOPS! Eagles blows a kiss to Yoh, CHOPS Wato, then whips. Wato reverses, Yoh slips in, and they bypass Eagles to DOUBLE ARM-DRAG! Fujita runs in, he gets kicks and a DOUBLE BULLDOG!
The fans rally as the Sweet Boys regroup outside. Wato & Yoh aim, DOUBLE PLANCHAS, but the Sweet Boys slide in! Yoh & Wato land safe on the apron, counter punch the Sweet Boys, but then the Sweet Boys DOUBLE DROPKICK in return! Yoh & Wato sit down on the apron now, and Eagles DOUBLE DROPKICKS them both! The fans rally up again as Fujita springboards to SUPER CANNONBALL! Down go Wato & Yoh and the fans fire up with Fujita! Fujita stomps Yoh, then stomps Wato. Fujita fetches Wato and puts him in the ring for Eagles to cover. ONE, but Eagles stays cool. Eagles brings Wato up by his ear!
The ref reprimands but Eagles bumps Wato off buckles. Eagles CHOPS Wato, tags Fujita, and Fujita wrenches to whip Wato into a corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP Wato, and Wato falls to his knees! Wato crawls but Fujita brings him up to CHOP him back down! The fans cheer and Fujita stands Wato up to scoop and SLAM! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays on Wato and stands him up again. Fujita suplexes, but Wato fights free! CALF KICK! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Wato tags in Yoh! Yoh goes up to CANNONBALL! Yoh then runs to BLAST Eagles off the apron! The fans fire up with Yoh and he brings Fujita around.
Yoh scoops and SLAMS Fujita, takes a moment to soak up the cheers, and then… ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives the string of attacks but Yoh brings him back up. Yoh kicks Fujita, CHOPS him, then CHOPS again! Yoh wrenches and whips Fujita, but Fujita reverses to sweep the legs! Eagles runs in and KICKS Yoh in the side! Fujita somersault SENTONS, then Eagles basement DROPKICKS! Wato runs in, but he gets DOUBLE ELBOWS, then the Sweet Boys split the wishbone before DOUBLE PENALTY KICKS! The fans fire up while Fujita goes back to Yoh.
Fujita stands Yoh up to CHOP, then CHOP again! Yoh goes to an open corner but Fujita stomps and CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans rally up while Yoh sits down in the corner. Fujita stands Yoh up, wrenches and whips him into the corner. Tag to Eagles and he brings Yoh around. Eagles pulls Yoh’s hair to get him into a Camel Clutch while also starting up a “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE!” “OI!” “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” “OI OI OI!” Eagles slaps Yoh around to the rhythm, then scuffs him. Yoh goes to the ropes but he eggs Eagles on.
Eagles eggs Yoh on, so Yoh stands and fires forearms! Eagles CHOPS Yoh down, then stands him up to whip to a corner. DOUBLE KNEES and Yoh sits down! Eagles runs back in, METEORA! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this and the fans rally up. Eagles drags Yoh around by a leg, steps through, but Yoh kicks him away! Eagles comes back, but Yoh wrenches and underhooks, only for Eagles to BACKDROP! Yoh sunset flips through, but Eagles rolls free and has the leg! RON MILLER SPECIAL! Yoh endures, reaches out, crawls, but Wato runs in! Fujita intercepts to have the drop toehold! Wato fights the rest and shoves Fujita onto Eagles!
The fans cheer as all four men are down! Wato drags Fujita up but Fujita TOSSES Wato! Fujita CHOPS Wato, and Eagles sits Yoh up. Eagles KICKS Yoh in the back! The fans rally, Eagles tags Fujita, and they drag Yoh up. Yoh fires forearms and kicks! But he gets DOUBLE CHOPS for it! The Sweet Boys double wrench, and MAXXIE- DOUBLE DDT!! Yoh turns things around and the fans rally up! Yoh crawls, hot tag to Wato! The fans fire up more as Wato RANAS Eagles! Then he scoops to BACKBREAKER Fujita! Scoop and BACKBREAKER for Eagles! Wato stands Fujita back up and whips, but Fujita reverses.
Fujita runs up, but into a BOOT! Wato goes out, GAMANGIRIS, then he aims. Springboard and FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while Fujita bails out and regroups with Eagles. Wato builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up again! The ring count starts, Wato puts Fujita in at 9 of 20, and then he wrenches to hook Fujita up. Fujita fights free, only for Wato to duck his chop! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Wato stays cool and he waistlocks. Fujita fights with an elbow, switches with Wato, but Wato wrenches, fires strikes, then runs. Fujita dodges the dropkick to PENALTY KICK!
Wato snarls as he stands right up. Wato fires more kicks, but Fujita ducks the roundhouse! GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Wato and Fujita crawl for their corners, hot tags to Yoh and Eagles! They fire forearms back and forth and the fans fire up! Yoh fires a rally, but Eagles knees low! Eagles KICKS Yoh down, then stands him back up. Eagles cravats, Yoh fights free, and Yoh JUMP KNEES! Yoh suplexes but Eagles knees Yoh in the head! Eagles wrenches but Yoh ROCKS him with a right! And a ROLLING ELBOW! The fans fire up while Eagles falls! Yoh tunes up and the fans rally again.
Eagles staggers up, but he blocks the kick! But Yoh fights the Turbo Backpack to USHIGOROSHI! Then ANACONDA VICE!! Yoh shouts out Tenzan and Eagles endures! Eagles fights up to his feet, reaches out, but Wato blocks the ropebreak! ENZIGIRI! ANACONDA SLAM!! Wato BLASTS Fujita while Yoh pulls on the hold! Eagles endures, kicks around, and he fights back up! Yoh lets go to underhook, DIRECT- NO, Eagles wrenches free and cravats, ASAI DDT!! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Eagles and Yoh crawl, hot tag to Fujita! Fujita runs over to BLAST Wato, then goes out to ASAI DDT!
Wato is down, Fujita hurries back up, and the fans rally. Yoh stands, Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Fujita calls to Eagles and the Sweet Boys stand Yoh up. They double wrench, and MAXXIE BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Yoh survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita coordinates with Eagles again but the fans rally behind Yoh. Feed to Eagles, but Wato makes the save! Only to get CHOP after CHOP! Double whip, but Wato reverses, only to get a HEEL KICK PELE COMBO! The Sweet Boys get Yoh up again, scoop and- NO, Yoh slips free! He shoves Eagles into Fujita! Eagles falls, Yoh SUPERKICKS Fujita away!
Eagles ROCKS Yoh, Yoh ROCKS Eagles, but Eagles BOOTS Yoh! Yoh rebounds to FLYING FOREARM! But Eagles uses Yoh’s trick, I’ll Be Back ROUNDHOUSE! And SUPERKICK! And PELE misses! Yoh full nelsons, but Eagles breaks it and switches, SNAP SAIDO!! The fans fire up as Fujita is back and the Sweet Boys wait on Yoh! Yoh stands, Eagles gives Fujita the boost, FLYING DDT!! Cover, WATO BREAKS IT! Eagles TOSSES Wato, then DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp and the fans fire up! Fujita vows to end this, and he hauls Yoh back up. Fujita suplexes, but Yoh turns it into a cradle!! TWO!! Fujita holds on, to ABANDON-
NO, Yoh slips free, O’Conner Rolls, FIVE STAR CLUTCH DENIED! Fujita pushes Yoh down, has his legs, NEMOS SPECIAL SURFBOARD!! Yoh endures, the fans fire up, but Fujita adds the CROSSFACE! Yoh pries at the fingers! Fujita lets the crossface go, but he still has the legs! Yoh scrambles and claws at the mat, but Fujita grabs the arms! Yoh gets the ROPEBREAK with his mouth!! Yoh bites at the ropes, the ref counts, and Fujita lets go in frustration. Fujita then gets Yoh up with a deadlift! Eagles is up top, but Wato hurries to GAMANGIRI! Yoh RAMS Fujita into a corner. Wato runs in and LARIATS!
Wato sets up for Yoh, POETRY IN MOTION! Wato runs back in, Yoh puts him on the apron, and then Wato tags! Yoh hoists Fujita up, FALCON ARROW! Wato hits a DIVING DOUBLE STOMP!!! Cover, EAGLES SUPERKICKS WATO!! The fans fire up again as this continues! Yoh whips Eagles, Eagles reverses, but Yoh grabs the ropes. Yoh BOOTS Eagles, but Eagles BASEMENT 619s! Then SNIPER DROPKICK to the leg! Eagles runs up, Wato blocks Hyperion! Wato SUPERKICKS Eagles into Yoh’s POISON-RANA!! Eagles tumbles out and the fans fire up for Yoh & Wato! Fujita rises up, into a SUPER- NO, he dodges!
Fujita CHOPS Wato, KNEES Yoh, then uses Yoh as a step to GAMANGIRI Wato! The fans rally, Fujita wrenches Yoh and SNAP GERMANS! Wato flounders and Fujita roars! Fujita waistlocks to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Wato survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita feeds off the energy and he drags Wato back up. Fujita vows to end this! ABANDON- DROPKICK to the legs! Yoh & Wato coordinate, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS for Fujita! Eagles springboards in, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!! The fans are thunderous as Yoh & Wato have Fujita! HIGH LOW LARIAT & LEG KICK!! Cover, TWO?!?!
Fujita survives but Yoh roars! Wato drags Fujita up, feed to Yoh for the suplex! CHASING THE DRAGON!?!? Cover, WATO & YOH WIN!!!!
Winners: Yoh & Master Wato, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
What most certainly is an odd couple makes for a winning combination! The electricity and the torrent, this stormy duo now reigns over the Junior Heavyweight Tag Division! Will they use this massive moment as momentum going into BOSJ 32? Will Eagles & Fujita use that same tournament to rise back up?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: El Desperado VS Templario!
The Rogue Luchador is the 2024 Best of the Super Junior winner, finally having his name down in the history books. But he has also been an IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion many times, so he knows how to carry this weight. But the Lion Warrior has been a CMLL World Middleweight and Mexican National Middleweight Champion, so he is no stranger to gold. We saw new Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions crowned, will we see the same happen here? Or will Desperado prove he is still the Best of the Super Juniors?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who enters the tournament as the number one seed!
The bell rings and the fans rally. Despy offers a handshake, Templario takes it, and the fans applaud the sportsmanship. Despy and Temp circle, tie up, and then break. Then they tie up, and Temp puts Despy on the ropes. Red Shoes counts the break, Temp lets go and pats Despy on the shoulders before he rolls back. The fans applaud and so does Despy as he resets with Temp. They circle again, feel things out, and Despy facelocks to then waistlock. Temp wrenches free to hammerlock, but Despy reaches back to headlock. Temp wrenches free of that, and he wrangles Despy with a top wristlock. Despy fights up, wrenches and wristlocks, then hammerlocks again.
Temp reaches back to headlock for the takeover, but Despy headscissors. Temp handstands, then falls onto Despy for a headlock! Despy rolls Temp to a cover, TWO! Temp tries, ONE, and the two stand up. The fans cheer the standoff, and the two circle again. They feel things out, then Temp trips Despy! Temp runs, Despy stays low but Temp handsprings over! Temp keeps moving and he rolls off Despy’s back. Despy runs, Temp hurdles, but then Despy sunset flips! Temp rolls through but Despy avoids the basement dropkick! Temp avoids the kick, rolls Despy, but Despy rolls through! Despy avoids the knee, Temp avoids the lariat, and the fans cheer the new standoff!
Despy and Temp circle, the fans rally up, and then Despy eggs Temp on. Temp CHOPS and Despy takes a step back. The fans rally, Despy returns and CHOPS Temp! Temp nods, and he CHOPS Despy! Despy CHOPS, Temp CHOPS, repeat! They CHOP, CHOP, CHOP, fast ‘n’ furious, then Temp ROCKS Despy with a forearm! Despy is frustrated but the fans fire up with him. Despy comes back and he CHOPS! Temp CHOPS, Despy CHOPS, and the CHOPS fly fast ‘n’ furious again! The fans fire up as Despy CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Temp winces, but then he fires back up! Temp steps to Despy, and CHOPS! The CHOPS just keep going!
Temp fires a flurry of forearms, then runs, but Despy ELBOWS him! Despy runs, but Temp blows past to go up, up, and springboard MISSILE DROPKICK! Despy tumbles out and the fans rally as Temp builds speed! DIVE and Despy hits the railing! The fans fire up and Temp comes back for Despy. Demp CHOKES Despy with camera cable, then he drags Despy around to bring him into No Man’s Land! Temp SMACKS Despy off the railing, then SLAMS the gate shut on Despy’s arm! The fans are torn but Red Shoes reprimands. Temp drags Despy up to just SLAM the gate shut again! The fans rally while Despy writhes and we pass five minutes.
Temp grabs Despy’s bad arm, bends it against the railing, but Red Shoes reprimands. Temp stops torturing Despy to stand him up. Temp hammerlocks the arm and POSTS Despy! Despy hobbles away, but Temp brings him through the other gate. Red Shoes reprimands, Temp says okay, he’ll stop. But then he SLAMS the gate shut anyway! The fans rally for Despy while Temp throws up the crown. Temp drags Despy up and into the ring, then he stands on the bad arm! Despy grabs at Temp but Temp STOMPS the arm! And SPLASHES it! And SPLASHES! Temp then drags Despy up to facelock and wrench, for an ARM CODE BREAKER!
Despy writhes but Temp covers, TWO! Temp is a bit annoyed but the fans rally up. Despy pushes Temp away but Temp still stands him up. Temp hits Despy with forearm after forearm, but Despy comes back to return those shots! Temp ROCKS and whips Despy, but Despy reverses, only for Temp to ROCK him again! Temp brings Despy’s bad arm through the ropes to pull on the hammerlock! Despy shouts and Red Shoes reprimands, so Temp lets go at 4. Despy writhes and crawls away but Temp storms over to him. Temp stands Despy up to KICK the bad arm! And KICK it again! Despy blocks the next kick, and CLUBS the leg!
That was double-edged and Despy shakes out the bad arm, then Temp grabs said arm! But Despy ROCKS Temp with his good arm! Temp JUMP ELBOW STRIKES! Temp whips, Despy reverses and SPINEBUSTERS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Temp crawls away to a corner while the fans rally, and Despy rises. Despy runs in, blocks a boot, and he KICKS Temp’s other leg! Despy then has that other leg for a SHIN BREAKER! Temp hobbles around, Despy runs up, but Temp puts Despy on the apron! Despy HOTSHOTS Temp down! Despy drags Temp to the outside, SMACKS him, then whips, only for Temp to reverse! Despy hits railing hard!
Despy staggers, Temp RAMS him into railing in front of commentary! Temp fires up and the fans rally with him. Temp whips, Despy reverses and FLAPJACKS Temp off the apron! Despy then slides in, builds speed, and DIVES! Direct hit and Despy grazes the railing! The fans fire up for Despy as he shows he’s okay, but then he falls back to catch his breath. We hit ten minutes while Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both okay, so Despy sits back up. Despy huffs ‘n’ puffs as he stands back up, and the fans rally again as he brings Temp to his feet. Despy puts Temp in the ring, but Temp gets back on the apron.
Despy meets Temp there, and Despy mentions how he doesn’t like fighting on the edge. Even so, he CHOPS Temp! Temp CHOPS in return! Despy CHOPS again, and again, and again! Despy brings Temp in, but Temp suplexes first! APRON GOURD BUSTER! Despy falls, and this is why he hates the apron edge! Temp slides in, builds speed, and Temp SASUKE SPECIALS! Down goes Despy and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks both men again, and they’re still in this. A ring count starts, both men are still down at 5 of 20, but Temp sits up at 6. Temp stands at 8, hobbles over to Despy and stands him up at 10. Temp puts Despy in at 11 and the fans applaud.
Temp takes a breath, then aims from the apron. The fans rally as Temp climbs the corner, tightrope walks, and CROSSBODIES into a SPEAR! Despy’s antiair wasn’t the cleanest but it did the job! Despy has Red Shoes move aside, and Despy goes up a corner! But Temp hits the Templarooni! Temp then ROCKS Despy, goes to the outside, and he climbs back up the corner. Temp CLUBS Despy, ROCKS Despy, then fires more shots. Temp stands on the very top, brings Despy up to join him, and SUPER DUPER STEINERS!! Despy flounders away but Temp is also down! The fans fire up while both men writhe!
Temp crawls his way over to Despy, manages the cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans fire back up! Temp is too sore to be upset, and the fans rally again. Temp fires himself back up, drags Despy up, and fireman’s carries. Despy fights free, but Temp SOBATS! Front KICK! ENZIGIRI! Fireman’s carry and GUT BUSTER- NO, Despy blocks to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And then STRETCH MUFFLER! Temp flails and reaches out while Despy thrashes the leg! Temp fights his way forward, but Despy grabs an arm! Temp fights off Numero Dos to reach out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Despy lets go in frustration.
Despy fires himself back up as we hit 15 minutes, and he drags Temp into the gut wrench! Temp fights free, for an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Despy fights back by clasping hands and pushing up, and he wants Temp’s leg! Temp slips around to use his leg in hooking Despy’s arm into a hammerlock! Temp then gets Despy’s legs and ties them up, and he shows off his llave techniques with this modified Deathlock Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Despy flails with his one free arm, but Temp traps Despy’s legs with his leg. Temp grabs that free arm, and pulls it back so he can RECLINE on it! Despy is completely caught, but he flails and thrashes around to get his arm free!
Despy uses his core muscles to move forward and crawl around! Temp gets the free arm back for another RECLINER! Despy is caught but he refuses to quit! Despy shakes around, pops free, and has the ROPEBREAK!! The fans cheer while Temp lets go in frustration. Despy slowly rises, but Temp reels him in for a fireman’s carry! GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans rally up again. Despy drags himself up with the ropes but Temp is right on him. Temp RIPS at Despy’s mask, but Red Shoes reprimands! Temp stops that and spins Despy around, but Despy fights the lift!
Despy CLUBS Temp’s legs, then CHOPS him again and again! But Temp V-TRIGGERS Despy down! Temp then wheelbarrows and GERMAN SUPLEXES in one go! Cover, TWO!!! Despy barely survives and the fans fire up! Temp stays cool as he drags Despy back up. Temp fires up, CLUBS Despy, then brings him up, only for Despy to slip free! PINCHE LOCO!! But Despy can’t make the cover! Despy crawls, falls on the cover, TWO!! Temp survives thanks to the delay, but the fans rally up for Despy. Despy feeds off that energy and he brings Temp back up! Despy underhooks again, for a JAY DRILLER!
Despy holds on and he drags Temp back up, but Temp fights the underhooks! Temp ROCKS Despy, ROCKS him again, but he’s also running out of steam! Despy stands Temp up, but Temp fires more haymakers! Despy LOCO MONOS, then underhooks! PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
Templario proved he is a warrior with the heart of a lion, but it just wasn’t enough to take down the Rogue Luchador! Will the BOSJ be his way back to the title?
As for Despy, he grabs the mic to say, “There’re this many people in Saga? It’s a nice building, but I didn’t think there’d be enough people to fill it.” The fans laugh and Despy tells Templario,” Amigo, thanks for coming. I’ve very pleased to have faced you. Do you nkow about this? The rookies here are called ‘Young Lions.’ A rookie lion. You’re the Lion Warrior, aren’t you? The lion is the mark of NJPW. You’ve got the same symbol. I think I’ve found a good friend. Do you agree? Muchas gracias.” The fans applaud and Temp nods in agreement. Despy asks if Temp has something to say, and then hands him the mic.
The fans applaud, and Templario says, “I’ve dreamt of this day for years. I came a long way for this. I’m so grateful to NJPW. You’ll forever be in my heart. I’ll return anytime you’d have me. Japan is a home for me now. Thank you.” The fans applaud, and Despy shakes Temp’s hand. Temp takes a bow and then leaves with the United Empire. Despy takes the mic again and translates for the fans. That is how special NJPW is to the world! The fans applaud that, and Despy says it is great to see people work their asses off to be here. Despy is also glad so many traveled to little Saga just to fill the arena. The fans again laugh at being such a small town.
Despy says if he’ll stop, it’ll go dark and someone will call him out. Can he finish with no interruptions? Well, Despy is again grateful to have faced such a great wrestler in such a venue, and also… This is the last time he’ll see Naito & Bushi in the ring, huh? Well, anybody who’s a fan will know we’ll see them again down the road. The fans applaud that. “Hasta la vista, amigos! Gracias!” The fans applaud, and now Despy heads into the tournament as the one to beat! Streamers fly, but will Despy still be the Best of the Super Juniors in 2025?
My Thoughts:
Another great “detour” on this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, just like Wrestling Redzone a few days ago. Good stuff in the tune-ups, and I like that War Dogs VS House of Torture ups the ante. But if it comes down to “Winners are THE Bullet Club,” I feel like the War Dogs have to win. The House of Torture could’ve and should’ve just been a faction all their own at some point before this, so this can be their out. Plus, the War Dogs are great Tweeners that the fans certainly accept as the Faces in this story, they should win to be undefeated in their own signature “Dog Pound” match.
Great title matches here, and I’m a little surprised that ELP won the NJPW World TV Championship back. But at the same time, Khan already checked off the accomplishment of being a double champion, and I suppose it’d be too American pro-wrestling to make Khan do double headers on a show. Khan can focus on the tag titles, ELP can face all sorts of people with the TV title, it’s just best for NJPW business. The Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match was awesome, and I’m rather surprised Yoh & Wato won. Great for them, as Wato hasn’t had a lot on his list of accomplishments, so a second tag title run is a nice addition.
And of course, awesome main event from Despy and Templario. Despy winning makes sense, though, he’s going to attempt a back-to-back BOSJ tournament win, and having the title with him also adds some drama to every match he’ll have. Everyone always puts up their best against the champ in hopes of getting some golden tickets, and Despy definitely likes being the guy with the target on his back.
My Score: 9/10
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Say his name and he appears…?
Joe Hendry showed up Trick Williams last week, so Trick Williams showed up in TNA! Will Joe Hendry return to NXT and Whoop Dat Trick?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints VS Lexis King; Saints wins and retains the title.
- Sol Ruca w/ Zaria VS Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis; Sol wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura; Hank ‘n’ Tank win and retain the titles.
- Iyo Sky & Jordynne Grace VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez; Iyo & Jordynne win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Joe Hendry is here!
Vic Joseph said his name, so he appears! The TNA World Champion makes his way to the ring, the fans wave their hands from side to side, and Hendry raises his title. The fans cheer, Hendry has the mic, and… TURNS! The fans cheer again, and they chant, “We Believe! We Believe!” Hendry says he is back in front of the NXT Universe! And what a journey it has been. I just wrested Randy Orton at WrestleMania! And less than 48 hours ago, I successfully defended my TNA World Championship at Rebellion.” The fans cheer that, but Hendry says we unfortunately know what happened next. Trick Williams attacked Hendry while his back was turned!
The fans chant F That Trick, and Hendry says he agrees! Hendry knows he embarrassed Trick, he expected retaliation, but what Trick did… He crossed the line! Hendry said Trick was entitled, but now it’s worse than that. Trick used to be someone the fans could get behind! That could lead the locker room! Trick was Mr. Let’s Talk About It, but now Trick can’t stand the fact that fans aren’t talking about him, they’re talking about Hendry! And what the fans are saying is, “We Believe!” The fans do chant that again, and Hendry says Trick is also arrogant. Because instead of looking within, he blamed everyone else that he couldn’t win back the NXT Championship!
We know Oba Femi won’t just give Trick another title match, so Trick thought he’d take a shot at the TNA World Champion! Trick, Hendry assures you he is an entertainer, but he’s also got an antagonistic side, and he recognizes what this is. Hendry will NOT fall for the deception, so he will make this nice and easy: Hendry will say Trick’s name and make him appear! Get out here right now! But wait! That’s DARK STATE! No one is safe, especially not aa wrestler from another company! Dion Lennox, Cutler James, Osiris Griffin & Saquon Shugars swarm Hendry! The fans boo, but they give Hendry the DARK STATE BOMB!!
Hendry writhes while this wild pack of dogs bark and talk trash. Will Trick even need to bother to do something after what just happened?
Ava Raine meets with…?
The NXT General Manager knows it has been a couple hectic weeks, but she gives congratulations on the WrestleMania win, and welcomes them back to NXT. Iyo Sky thanks Ava for that. Ava says she knew Iyo would be coming given the attacks from Roxanne Perez & Giulia, so she is prepared. There is a tag match set, but has Iyo found a partner? Well, no, not yet. But Iyo is sure she will. And tonight- Oh, in steps Jordynne Grace! The Juggernaut offers her help, because she knows it’ll help her get one step closer to the NXT Women’s Championship. Iyo says okay, she accepts. The Juggernaut & The Genius of the Sky shake on it, but Jordynne’s grip is so strong!
Jordynne apologizes, and they high-five instead. Will this super duo take down the new villainous combination of Prodigy & Beautiful Madness?
Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley are backstage.
Karmen Petrovic is with them in the dining area and says they were SO close to becoming WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Not to mention, they almost won the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championships at Rebellion! Gigi points out they weren’t even one of the teams pinned in that Fatal 4 Way match. Tatum says right! And she just feels that if they could get one more shot- Ashante THEE Adonis interrupts. He says he was looking all over for Karmen. Hey, don’t worry about these losers, Karmen. They gotta go cuz he just got her a match with Sol Ruca! Karmen says first, don’t do that. They’re not losers.
Adonis apologizes, but says she needs to hurry to get ready. Karmen says yes, she knows, okay. But when? Tonight! What?! But she isn’t ready! Well, she better get ready! And after she wins tonight, “we” have a title match. Let’s go. Karmen sighs but she does head for the locker room. Gigi repeats that: “We have a title match?” Wow… Is Adonis being a bit controlling in this relationship? Or can Karmen make the most out of the opportunity he got for her?
NXT North American Championship: Ricky Saints VS Lexis King!
The Absolute overcame All Ego at Stand & Deliver, only for The Drama King to think he could just call his shot. Lexis lost his Heritage Cup because he was looking too far ahead, but will he be right on the money tonight? Or will the revolution still be televised?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really championship material!
The bell rings and Lexis CLOBBERS Ricky from behind! The fans boo but Lexis CLUBS away on Ricky, then stomps a mudhole in the corner! Lexis gets in Ricky’s face, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, only to get a BOOT! Ricky goes up, MISSILE DROPKICKS Lexis down, then drags Lexis up to CHOP! And CHOP! And UPPERCUT! Ricky fires haymakers from all sides, and he bumps Lexis off buckles. And bumps him off buckles again! Ricky winds up to CHOP and the fans cheer! Ricky gives the fans what they want with the “Stroke~!” and the fans fire up! Ricky whips Lexis, ELBOWS him down, then finally takes his vest off.
The fans fire up for “Stroke Daddy!” as Ricky frames his shot. Ricky storms up, but Lexis UP KICKS! Lexis headlocks, then punches away on Ricky’s head! The ref reprimands but Lexis digs his boots in. The fans boo, the ref counts, and Lexis stops at 4. Lexis CHOPS Ricky, whips him, but Ricky reverses. Lexis goes up but Ricky stays back! Lexis is confused as to where Ricky went, but Ricky spins him around to SLAP! And CHOP! Ricky fires haymakers, then whips. Ricky dodges Lexis to then OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Lexis bails out, but Ricky builds speed, and Ricky WRECKS Lexis with a dropkick! Ricky steps on Lexis to then go to the fans!
The fans fire up as Ricky is on the barrier and poses! Ricky blows a kiss and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Lexis runs up, but Ricky dodges, only for DOUBLE CROSSBODIES to collide! The fans fire up for “N X T! N X T!” while both men are down. Lexis drags Ricky up to hit a BIG back suplex! Lexis climbs, aims, and SWANTON BOMBS! Cover, TWO! Ricky survives and he brings Ricky up to fireman’s carry. GUT BUSTER DROP! High stack cover, TWO! Ricky is still in this and the fans fire back up, but Lexis goes to a corner. Lexis waits on Ricky, tunes up the band, and then SWEET- NO, Ricky dodges to LARIAT! And LARIAT! Lexis tries, Ricky dodges and scoops to SLAM! The fans fire up with Ricky as he brings Lexis back up!
Ricky whips Lexis to a corner, ELBOWS him, then reels him in, TORANDO- NO, Lexis slips free! Lexis dodges and sends Ricky into buckles! Roll up, and Lexis tries for the ropes! TWO!! Ricky survives again and Lexis is frustrated. Lexis runs, but Ricky blows past! SUPERKICK from Lexis! Lexis reels Ricky in, crosses the arms, but Ricky spins through! TORNADO DDT!! The fans fire up and Ricky hauls Lexis up! Canadian Rack, ROSHAMBEAUX!! Cover, Ricky wins!
Winner: Ricky Saints, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
And that is why Ricky is Absolute! The revolution moves on from The King, but who will step to Ricky next?
The Culling meets.
Shawn Spears sits with Brooks Jensen, Niko Vance & Izzi Dame. “Over the past few weeks, you all have… fallen short of expectations. Brooks & Niko in the gauntlet match, and Izzi… Mere fingertips away from becoming the new Women’s North American Champion at Stand & Deliver. It hurts to lose, I know. But you can’t let your failures define you. Let your failures teach you. If you fear failure, you’re simply putting limitations on your life. I’m going to be honest with you, Izzi. This NXT Women’s Roster is deep and rich with talent. So I need you to focus on how you’re gonna stand out from the pack.
“And I need you to take and I need you to rip that spotlight away from somebody and put it exactly where it belongs: On yourself.” Izzi nods and has a sinister smile. Is there already a name or two on her mind? Spears then tells Vance & Jensen that with Hank ‘n’ Tank as the new NXT Tag Team Champions, Jensen & Vance need to work on building a stronger bond, on becoming a more cohesive unit. They will work deeper than surface level. And if they do that, they will have the results they seek. As always, Spears is here for them all. So he wants them to rise up and seize control. The Chair Man has given his “family” their orders, what will the future hold?
Tony D’Angelo is here!
The fans cheer as The Don finally returns from Las Vegas, but he is without Adrianna Rizzo & Luca Crusifino. The cowardly betrayal by Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo has shaken up the entire family, so Tony is here, the cousins waiting for him in the ring. The fans cheer Tony on, but Tony says, “Betrayal is something everyone can relate to. And everybody’s been asking me, ‘Did you expect this to happen? Did you expect this to happen at Stand & Deliver?’ And honestly, no, I didn’t. Now, I expected me and Stacks to have a conversation man to man, but never this.
“Now Stacks, he’s always been so passionate. And when things started turning sideways, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. And it made me think about when we were kids, and Stacks would pop off on somebody bigger than him. What’d I do? I stepped in, and I handled it. And it didn’t matter if it was on the schoolyard, it didn’t matter if it was in the streets, I always had his back cuz that’s what loyalty is all about.” The fans cheer that, and Tony continues, “Now Stacks, he’s always had his eyes on the big seat. He always wanted to lead the family. But y’know what, there were plenty of times where I was down and Stacks had my back.
“When I got locked up, Stacks stepped in and he handled business. When I got hurt, he stepped in and handled business. And he showed the world why he was deserving to be The Underboss. So I rewarded him. But at the same time, Stacks’ impulsivity jeopardized this family, and I had to step in and show him why I am the Don of this family, why I make the big decisions!” The fans cheer that, too! Tony says Stacks waited. Stacks waited for the right moment. For the whole world to be watching. For Stand & Deliver. Stacks took that knife and he stuck it right in Tony’s back. Tony tells Stacks that he will pay for his sins.
The family is in disarray. No one’s heard from Luca! Rizzo is in hiding! Wait, security walks out here? Stacks is on the tron, and he’s standing on that bridge. Stacks tells Tony that he was gonna go out there and face Tony, “those mason lamps staring back at me. Then I thought, ‘That’s not what The Don would do.’ Security’s out there anyways, nothing’s gonna happen. But Tony, I’m gonna tell you exactly what you need to hear. I am sick of taking your orders. You were getting soft! You talk about this pledge, this code you live by, but you’re making decisions that allowed people like The Dark State to think they could push us around.
“You aren’t capable of leading us anymore. Let’s be honest, T. You were never gonna lead the family anyways, so you left it to me. I had to take the reins myself, and put you in your place. I know you, T, better than anyone. And you’re shaken. Your Underboss and best friend, gone. Luca, gone. And then you send Rizzo into hiding? You’re losing more power every day. Probably thinking to yourself, ‘What’s next? Can I even trust my own family?’ Let’s be real. You don’t even know who you can trust right now, do you?” Tony looks behind him at the cousins, and they all defend their innocence. Only for “security” to rush Tony!
Tony fights off these dirty security guards but that’s 4v1! Tony still DECKS each on, and he TOSSES The last guy out onto the rest! Tony is furious, and he shouts a Stacks, “You wanna piece of me, huh!? You wanna be The Don? Well, you’re gonna have to bring your ass down here and take it yourself!” Tony will not be punked out by the man who was always under his wing. But now, will Tony have to put Stacks under his boot?
The Meta Four reunites backstage.
Noam Dar and Oro Mensah hang out in the Meta Lounge, and they’re both happy to see Dar and the Heritage Cup back where they belong! Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson walk in and they give Dar a big hug. They congratulate Dar and Dar thanks them. But he is thinking… Reunion time~! Oro is up for it, but Lash & Jakara are a bit conflicted. Let’s all just sit down and talk. Lash tells Dar that a lot has changed since he’s been gone. Lash was in the Royal Rumble, she and Jakara went to Saudi Arabia for a shot at the Women’s Tag Team Championships, and Oro is killing it in Evolve.
But honestly… Oro has always been Dar’s main man, but it is time for Oro to be his own man. And it is time for Miss Jackson to be about her action, and for Lash to lash out and be her own legend. Dar agrees. What made the group special is that it always took care of their individual needs. If that also means separating to be the stars that they know they are, then that’s the move. So for one last time, the Meta Four fingernail click together. No matter what, they’ll always be friends. They hug it out, and the others let Dar have the lounge. Dar tells the Heritage Cup that it’s just the two of them again. Will the Scottish Supernova still turn it up to 11 even though he’s the only one?
Sol Ruca w/ Zaria VS Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis!
The Stand & Deliver ladder match was wild, but the Sol Surfer was able to ride that wave and come out on top. However, that just means she has a target on her back. As such, Adonis “gifted” his girlfriend this match. Will Karmen earn a title shot with a #ShingShing? Or will she just get her soul snatched?
The bell rings and the two circle. Karmen KICKS, and KICKS, and then KICKS! Sol hobbles, Karmen headlocks, but Sol powers up and out. Karmen goes up to KICK from the corner! Karmen runs up, wrenches, but Sol blocks that kick to FACEBUSTER! Karmen bails out, Sol goes to the apron, and Sol goes up the corner to MOONSAULT! Karmen dodges, and Zaria is there to break Sol’s fall! The fans cheer, Sol hurries back into the ring, but Karmen KICKS! Karmen whips, Sol ducks that kick, then she jumps the dropdown and handsprings over! Karmen avoids the leg sweep, and the fans cheer the standoff.
Karmen and Sol reset, then Sol slips around to waistlock. Karmen fights the lift, wrenches free, but Sol ducks a kick only for the SOBAT to hit! Karmen whips, Sol goes up and flips over, but the ROUNDHOUSE finds her! Karmen pushes Sol down to rain down fists! Sol gets away, but Karmen drags her for a cover, TWO! Karmen clamps on with a chinlock and she grinds Sol down. Sol fights up, Karmen CLUBS her, and Karmen reels Sol in. Sol powers Karmen back but Karmen throws into the corner! Karmen then runs in and SLIDING KICKS! Karmen snapmares Sol, then SHOTGUNS her down! Cover, TWO!
Karmen grows frustrated but Adonis coaches her up. Karmen stands Sol up but sol fires body shots, Karmen ROCKS Sol with forearms, but Sol ROCKS Karmen in return! The fans rally up, Sol mule kicks, CLUBS and CHOPS! Sol whips, then she SHOULDER TACKLES! And FLYING FOREARMS! And FLYING FOREARMS again! The fans fire up and Sol brings Karmen around to whip. Sol runs up to ELBOW Karmen, then hooks her up for a BACKPACK SENTON! Then Sol runs, runs and KNEES Karmen down! Karmen flounders, Sol goes up, SOUL- NO, Karmen shoves Sol out of the ring! Karmen stares Zaria down, then puts Sol back in.
Karmen hurries after Sol to cover, ONE! Karmen has the cover, TWO! Sol and Karmen rise up, Sol kicks low. Sol whips Karmen to a corner, Karmen goes up, but Sol blocks the kick to YANK her down! Then SOUL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!
Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall
Zaria brings the belt to Sol and the friends celebrate together. But then Adonis tries to talk things out with Karmen, but she doesn’t want to hear it. Adonis turns Karmen around, but Karmen ROUNDHOUSES him down! Is the romcom turning into a tragic breakup?
Trick Williams is here!
The fans still chant, “Whoop Dat Trick!” and Booker T still adds his, “What? Yeah! Uh-huh! I like it!” as #CrashOutTrick goes to the ring. Trick grabs a mic and he says, “Joe Hendry…” He waits, but then says hold on, maybe the mic wasn’t working. “Joe Hendry.” Trick says he’s calling Joe’s name yet his ass done disappeared. And Hendry better be glad Dark State got to him before Trick did. But even those punks know that Joe Hendry doesn’t belong in NXT. The fans boo, but Trick says he won’t lie: Hendry got the best of him last week. Hendry has Trick’s number, Trick was out of character. Trick might even have… crashed out.
But this is what helped Trick Willy feel better. He looked up Hendry’s schedule, he saw there was TNA Rebellion in Los Angeles, so Trick got himself a first class ticket to go whoop that ass, let’s talk about it! That’s right, Hendry! He went on your show, and then made it the Trick Williams Show. Let’s talk about this: While Trick was in LA, he went to Hollywood with some of his old friends, and in case you haven’t heard, Trick Willy hitting the big screen! The fans do applaud, and Trick says coming to the CW, Trick’s second show, season seven of the all-hit show, All American, the season finale, Trick makes his debut, let’s talk about it!
What Trick is saying, he and Hendry aren’t on the same level! The fans chant “Hollywood Trick!” and Trick says yeah, he IS Hollywood! Hendry is just “local talent.” They ain’t on the same level! And while Hendry is trying to figure out his lane in this business, look at Trick’s. It’s the same as The Rock, John Cena. Hendry, you can’t see Trick. But while you’re figuring it out, Trick’s on to bigger and better things! You already know, and that’s the NXT Championship! Oba, Trick meant what he said! He wants his title back. And Oba knows he has what belongs to Trick. Wait, Ava makes her way out here!
Ava tells Trick he just doesn’t get it, does he? Ava had to kick Trick out of the arena because he wrecked the place! He destroyed a camera, and that still wasn’t enough. Because then Trick went to another company and attacked their champion. What is Trick doing!? Trick says he would hear her out, but she needs to hear him out. Trick is about Trick! Trick used to think he was NXT, but no. After Sunday, maybe Trick is bigger than NXT. Let’s talk about how Trick is the biggest superstar here, and after Sunday, he’s the biggest star in TNA, too. Hendry, you better believe that. Wow, biggest star here? That’s a bold claim.
And all of this just to get “his” title back? Ava says if he wants a shot that bad, then he can get it. But he won’t be cutting the line. Trick will have to take about… 25 steps back. Because next week, we are getting a 25 MAN BATTLE ROYALE for the #1 Contendership! If Trick can outlast all 24 other men, then the title shot is all his, because the winner faces Oba at Battleground! Good luck. Trick has his last chance, but will he defy the 1/25 odds to finally be the one around here again?
Roxanne Perez talks with Giulia backstage.
Roxie says she’ll be honest. She was not the biggest fan of Giulia when she came here, and took what she loved the most. But after being side by side with her, she thinks- Giulia stops Roxie there. Roxie is a great champion, Giulia understands that now. And Giulia sees that the Prodigy & The Beautiful Madness together will be unstoppable. These two on the same page could be a very dangerous thing. But will they be the ones writing the story that is the future of NXT?
Backstage interview with Oba Femi.
Kelly Kincaid is with the NXT Champion to ask his response to Trick Williams still wanting a title match, and that there will be a battle royal to determine Oba’s next challenger. Oba says, “Trick Williams’ complaints are starting to sound more and more like that of a crying child. However, if he can somehow manage to win the battle royale, I will face him at Battleground. But what he doesn’t quite understand yet is that it doesn’t matter if I face him one more time, or one million times, at Battleground, the title will stay on the shoulders of Oba Femi.”
Then in steps The Undertaker! He tells big Oba that he said it before, he’ll say it again: This is your yard now. Oba says that means a lot coming from Taker. Taker adds that it is Oba’s yard for now. Just so Oba knows, Taker’s got some guys coming up from LFG, and they’ll be coming for the NXT Championship. In fact, those guys step into frame! Shiloh Hill, Anthony Luke AND Jasper Troy all stare Oba down. Oba asks if this is the future Taker is talking about. It is. Then Oba looks forward to the challenge. Taker knew he would. They shake hands, and Oba heads out. When and where will “Team Taker” look to take over NXT?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura!
From running the table in the tag team gauntlet to then running Fraxiom over like a couple Mack trucks, the big belly boys finally put some gold around those waists. But will their first defense be their last defense? Or can Hank ‘n’ Tank deny The Bullhead Brawler & The Great Rush their last chance at the titles?
NXT returns as Briggs & Inamura make their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who can handle the heat with all that meat!
The teams sort out and Tank starts with Inamura. They both set up in a three point stance, and at the bell, they both rush in! Inamura runs Tank over! Inamura stomps Tank again and again, then he brings Tank up. Inamura whips, Tank grabs ropes and he BOOTS back! Tag to Hank, and Tank bumps Inamura off buckles. Hank runs up to SPLASH, then he BULLDOGS! Tank SENTONS, Hank covers, TWO! The fans fire up and Hank brings Inamura up. Inamura throat chops Hank! Then ROCKS him! Tag to Briggs while Hank sputters, and the challengers double whip. Briggs BLASTS Tank while Inamura CLOBBERS Hank!
The fans are torn while Briggs talks trash. Briggs brings Hank up with a choke grip, but Hank slips free to fire hands! Hank runs, but Briggs ELBOWS him! Briggs whips, but Hank ducks ‘n’ dodges! Briggs also dodges, and he CLOBBERS Hank! The fans fire up with Briggs, he tags Inamura, and they double whip again. Hank sunset flips Inamura, TWO! Inamura headlocks but Tank sneaks a tag while Hank powers out! Hank then blows past Inamura and Tank CLOBBERS him! Hank ‘n’ Tank wait for Inamura to stand, and then ASSISTED SEATED SENTON! The fans fire up for that, and Tank covers, TWO!
Tank huffs ‘n’ puffs, brings Inamura around, and Tank grinds Inamura’s arm. Inamura endures, fights up, but Tank steps over to HIP DROP! Inamura body shots, but Tank clamps on again. Tank whips, Inamura reverses, and they COLLIDE! Tank falls back, Briggs talks trash, and Inamura storms up to CLUB Tank. Inamura brings Tank up to fire forearms, then he whips. Tank cartwheels past Inamura, then slips around to crucifix, only for Inamura to swing free! Inamura CHOPS Tank down! Tank sputters, staggers up, but Inamura fires the SUMO PALM STRIKES! Inamura fires off in the corner, ROCKS Tank, then tags Briggs.
Inamura runs Tank side to side to bump him off buckles! Briggs runs in and BOOTS Tank while Inamura runs and BLASTS Hank! Briggs then sends Inamura at Tank to SPLASH! Inamura feeds Tank to a BOOT! The fans are torn while Briggs & Inamura are fired up, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns again and Hank runs to BOOT Inamura! The fans fire up with Hank while Inamura staggers. But Inamura roars and ROCKS Hank! Hank ROCKS Inamura! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Hank swings, but Inamura blocks to CHOP, CHOP and ROCK Hank! Hank BOOTS in return! Briggs tags in, Hank scoops Inamura to TOSS him! But Briggs BOOTS him down! Then Briggs BLASTS Tank! Briggs whips Hank, scoops, SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! Briggs roars, the fans are torn, but Briggs tags Inamura. Briggs whips Hank into Inamura’s waistlock, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Hank survives and the fans fire up! Inamura roars, he hauls Hank up, and he atomic drops Hank onto the corner! Inamura climbs up, Hanks fires elbows, and Inamura falls! Hank DECKS Briggs, then adjusts position, and FLYING LARIATS! Hot tag to Tank! Tank gives Hank the boost, FLAPJACK SPLASH! The fans fire up as the big belly boys go to the corners, “HONK HONK!” But Briggs trips Hank! Then RAMS him into the steel steps! Tank is stunned, Inamura rolls him up! TWO!! Tank escapes, Briggs tags in! Briggs choke grips to CHOKE SLAM!! Tag back to Inamura, and Briggs CLOTHESLINES FROM HELL!
Inamura is up, he builds up that energy, GREAT RUSH SPLASH!! Cover, HANK BREAKS IT!! The fans are thunderous and Briggs is beside himself! The fans are thunderous for “N X T! N X T!” Briggs runs up, Hank DUMPS him out, only for Briggs to drag Hank out! Tag back in and Briggs choke grips! Inamura joins in, CHOP to the back, and a- Wait, Hank runs in! Inamura scoops him, but Hank’s boots BOP Briggs! Tank is free, and he DECKS Inamura! Tag back to Hank and Hank scoops Briggs! GRIDIRON!! Cover, HANK ‘N’ TANK WIN!
Winners: Hank ‘n’ Tank, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
That was a hoss fight if there ever was one! Hank ‘n’ Tank hold on by the seat of their pants, but will they just keep winning the Hank ‘n’ Tank way? Inamura apologizes to Briggs, and Briggs seems to accept. But with Inamura soon to return home to Japan, what will happen to Briggs now?
No Quarter Catch Crew talks backstage.
Myles Borne asks Tavion Heights if he heard the announcement. Yeah, the #1 contender’s battle royale. There’s gonna be not just NXT talent, but also Evolve superstars, TNA wrestlers, and maybe even some LFG talent. Whoa…! Yeah, who knows who’ll be in it. But next week, that’s gonna be huge. Wait, where’s Charlie? Not here right now. He’s still mad at Myles. For what? For teaming with Je’Von? Yeah. That’s outside the group. C’mon, man, what’s the big deal? Myles is sure Charles will get over it. But for now, they can break out! Myles and Tavion both! Yeah, but what will Charlie say?
Myles says who cares! They’ve done everything he’s ever asked of them, so it is time to think for themselves. And he doesn’t know about them, but Myles is ready to win that battle royal. Tavion says he wants in, too, but what’s Charlie gonna say? Wren knows Charles is a complex man. He has many thoughts about many things. What does that even mean? Wren isn’t sure… But one way or another, will the crew give that battle royal no quarter if it means getting a shot at the NXT Championship?
Dark State speaks.
Saquon Shugars mocks the song, “Say his name and, he appears~!” How about they make him disappear? Hendry, things have changed, fool. Dion Lennox says they don’t care about breaking the internet. They just wanna break your favorites! Osiris Griffin says champions, challengers, it doesn’t matter. When the lights go out, Dark State is around. Cutler James says we can believe in Joe Hendry all we want, but you best believe that they’re just getting started! If no one is safe, will no one be able to stop the chaos?
Chase U is back!
Andre Chase welcomes his students back and they’re all excited to be back. He knows it has been awhile, as five months ago, Ridge Holland ended Chase U as we knew it. Chase was forced to let go of the people who helped build this place from the ground up, and Chase wasn’t sure if he’d ever open these doors again. But never say never! Because today is a new semester, with a new agenda! A Chase U that- Kale Dixon & Uriah Connors arrive late… Someone brings up that Chase himself said class started sharply at 9 o’clock. Uriah tells “Chad” to pipe down, no one likes a snitch.
Chase says everyone settle down, because they’re both right. He will not let students talk to each other like that. They all wear the red ‘n’ black. Now, Chad, as for your question… F THAT! You stupid SOB, you gonna question Chase? F that! F ALL YOUR QUESTIONS! Okay, that just feels right. Chase U really IS back! The class, except for Chad, is fired up! But who will rise up as top of the class in this new semester?
#ZaRuca regroups backstage.
Sol did not see that coming with Karmen & Adonis. Zaria says she sure did. But hey, they don’t have issues, right? Kelani Jordan walks over to sarcastically congratulate Sol on the win. And she “doesn’t mean” to discredit Sol, but when Kelani was a champion, she defended that title every single match. Kelani thought Sol would do the same, but it seems she was wrong. And the audacity! Sol could’ve faced anyone tonight, and she goes and chooses Karmen? The girl with more distractions than you can count? Some champion Sol is. Sol tells Kelani that if she has an issue, then step up whenever you want.
Great! Next week, Sol and Kelani- Zaria has Kelani hold on there. Sol is not defending that title against Kelani next week. Sol asks, “I’m not?” Kelani says she wasn’t talking to Zaria, but Zaria says Sol busted her ass in that ladder match, put hours and hours into her training, and finally has a championship. Sol is not just throwing out title shots. If Kelani wants to step to Sol, step to Zaria first. Kelani says fine, then storms off. Will the Agent of Change make sure the Standout earns her way back?
Joe Hendry gets checked in NXT Medical.
The TNA doctors already found Hendry had a sprained shoulder joint, so the NXT doc is just making sure it didn’t get any worse. Hank ‘n’ Tank check in with “Joe Joe.” Tough week, huh? Hendry got jumped by Trick at Rebellion, and then tonight was Dark State. Is he okay? Hendry says yes, because in due time, Trick will get his. But first, Hendry wants to get his hands on Dark State. Tank says let it be known, he and Hank believe in Hendry. Just say “Honk Honk” and they’ll be there. Hendry joins in for a HONK HONK, and it looks like we’ve got a trio stepping up! Will they make Dark State into believers?
Iyo Sky & Jordynne Grace VS Giulia & Roxanne Perez!
The Genius of the Sky already got some payback on her opponents tonight last night on Raw when she and Rhea Ripley ran them off. But now, she is joined by The Juggernaut to see if she can do it again here on NXT! Will Grace help the Women’s World Champion and earn herself a shot at the NXT Women’s Champion? Or will the Beautiful Madness & The Prodigy use some vicious villainy to take those opportunities for their own?
NXT returns and Grace makes her entrance, followed by Iyo’s. The teams sort out and Iyo starts against Roxie. Iyo then runs up but Roxie bails out! Iyo pursues on the outside, and then Grace hops down so they can trap Roxie. But then Giulia turns Iyo around! Giulia and Grace take a swing but both Iyo and Roxie dodge, so Grace CLOBBERS Giulia! Roxie runs up, Grace dodges and Iyo ROCKS Roxie! Grace puts Roxie in the ring for Iyo and the fans cheer. Roxie avoids the buzzsaw, goes to a corner, but Iyo RAMS her! Iyo stomps away, stops at 4, then digs her boot in. The ref counts but the fans cheer, and Iyo slingshot DOUBLE KNEE DROPS!
Roxie sputters, Iyo brings her up, and the fans cheer. Iyo scoops, but Giulia makes the save! Giulia runs up but Iyo grabs her first. Roxie CLUBS Iyo, then she and Giulia double whip. Iyo ducks the double lariat to then handspring! Roxie & Giulia get clear, but Iyo comes back and DOUBLE DROPKICKS them down! The fans fire up as Iyo kips up, and she tags in Grace. Grace gives Iyo a boost, ELECTRIC CHAIR SENTON! The fans fire up and Grace covers, TWO! Grace drags Roxie up, reels her in, Canadian Rack, but Roxie arm-drags free! Roxie hurries to tag Giulia! Giulia runs up, dodges the lariat and headlocks for a takeover!
Grace headlocks, Giulia kips free, and Grace fireman’s carries! Giulia flails to sunset flip, but Grace breaks fere! Things speed up, Grace cartwheels over to scoop! Giulia slips free, shoves, but Grace runs her over! Grace scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM Giulia! Then a stalling suplex, and Grace shifts it into a SPIN and GUTBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Giulia survives but Grace drags her up. Grace fireman’s carries again, but Roxie runs up! The ref stops Roxie, but that lets Giulia CLAW Grace’s face! Giulia smothers Grace, bumps her off buckles, then tags Roxie. Roxie stomps away, the ref counts, and Roxie stops at 4.
Roxie tells the ref she knows the rules! Roxie then stomps Grace, drags her up, and whips her to a corner. Grace reverses, scoops, but Roxie tilt-o-whirls through to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! Roxie is furious and she stomps Grace down. And SMACKS her off the mat! Roxie drags Grace up, tags Giulia, and they double whip. But Grace reverses to crisscross and SMACK them into each other! Then Grace reels them in for a DOUBLE NORTHERN LIGHTS! Grace crawls, hot tag to Iyo! The fans fire up as Iyo springboards at Giulia for a MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Iyo, and then she rolls to a jackknife bridge, TWO!
Iyo drags Giulia up, underhooks, but Giulia RAMS her into the corner! Grace tags in, and she brings Giulia around to whip and UPPERCUT! Giulia flops down, tag back to Iyo! Grace goes out to spin Giulia around, and then she gives Iyo another boost! But Roxie saves Giulia, and they both YANK Grace & Iyo down! Grace hits apron, Iyo HOTSHOTS off ropes, and the fans boo the devious duo while NXT goes picture in picture.
Roxie & Giulia soak up the heat, then Giulia fetches Iyo into the ring. Giulia kicks Iyo around, puts her in the corner, and fires a CHOP! And a forearm! And repeat! The ref counts, Giulia stops at 4, then she goes corner to corner to SHOTEI! Iyo staggers, Giulia snapmares, and Giulia runs to SHOTGUN! Cover, TWO! Giulia drags Iyo up, tags Roxie, and they double whip Iyo into the corner. They both run in to DOUBLE ELBOW! Roxie & Giulia keep moving, and they DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKCIK! Cover, TWO! Iyo is tougher than that, but Roxie drags Iyo up to bump her off buckles. Roxie stomps a mudhole into Iyo, then digs her boot in!
Iyo CLUBS Roxie, the ref reprimands, and Roxie lets off. Roxie CHOKES Iyo on the ropes, stops at 4, and Iyo sputters. Roxie taunts Iyo, drags her up, but Iyo fires body shots! Roxie storms back up to headlock, but Iyo fires more body shots. Roxie ROCKS Iyo, whips her to ropes, but Iyo reverses. Roxie wheelbarrows, then arm-drags! And SLIDING UPPERCUTS! Cover, TWO! Roxie clamps onto Iyo to bring her around, wrench and then tag to Giulia. They mug Iyo, then Giulia trips Iyo to hook up the legs. NXT returns to single picture as Giulia has the surfboard and STOMP! Cover, TWO! Iyo survives but Giulia tags Roxie.
Roxie stomps Iyo, keeps her from Grace, and she hammerlocks Iyo. Iyo fires elbows, slips around, but Roxie switches. Iyo wheelbarrows, victory roll, STOMP 182! But Giulia runs in to stop Iyo! Iyo rolls free, KICKS Giulia down, then crawls! Roxie BLASTS Grace first! Roxie runs up on Iyo, tilt-o-whirl and LA MYSTICA! But Iyo escapes the crossface and reels Roxie in! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Roxie and Iyo crawl, hot tags to Giulia and Grace! The Juggernaut rallies, then scoops to GUT WRENCH PLEX! UPPERCUT and LARIAT for Roxie, then a fireman’s carry!
Giulia stands, Grace CLOBBERS her using Roxie! Then Grace ROLLING DEATH VALLEY DRIVERS Roxie! Then an ELBOW for Giulia! Grace sends Giulia into Roxie, NORTHERN GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!! Cover on Giulia, TWO!! The fans fire up and Grace lets her hair down! Grace roars, drags Giulia up, and she hooks Giulia up. Giulia resists so Grace RAMS her into the corner! And again, and again! Iyo tags in, Grace completes the Gory Especial, and Iyo climbs up! DOUBLE STOMP followed by GORY BOMB!! Cover, Roxie CROSSBODIES Grace onto it! All four women are down and the fans fire up for “N X T! N X T!”
Giulia crawls away but Iyo fires up! The fans rally with Iyo, but Roxie sneaks a tag! Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Giulia to the drop zone, goes up and up, but Roxie ROCKS her! Roxie goes up to get Iyo, SUPER STEINER! Tag back to Giulia and Roxie SHOTGUNS Grace! Giulia HEADBUTTS Iyo, Roxie SUPERKICKS, and then Giulia hammerlocks for the scoop! Tag to Roxie again, Giulia spins for the GLORIOUS DRIVER! Roxie double jumps to LIONSAULT! Cover, GRACE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up but Giulia CLUBS Grace! “This is Awesome!” as Grace TOSSES Giulia! Giulia goes Matrix to avoid the haymaker!
Giulia HEADBUTTS Grace, drags her to the apron, but Grace blocks a boot! Giulia blocks the backhand and SLAMS Grace down! Giulia headlocks Grace but Grace RAMS her into the apron! They scrap on the outside and the fans fire up! Roxie isn’t sure what’s going on with that, but Iyo reels her in! Roxie switches, they go to ropes, O’Conner Roll! TWO, and Iyo rolls Roxie right up, TWO! Roxie has an arm, LA MAGISTROL into an O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo has the O’CONNER BRIDGE! TWO!! SHOTEI!! Roxie wobbles, Iyo reels her in and whips her to a corner. Roxie goes up and over, hops on, but Iyo pops free!
Iyo runs up, Roxie wrenches to KNEE and SUPERKICK! And SOBAT! Iyo doubles over, Roxie talks trash, and Roxie runs! POP- NO, Iyo backflips through! BUZZSAW!! Then up, up, and OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Iyo & Grace win!
Winners: Iyo Sky & Jordynne Grace, by pinfall
The Women’s World Champion has her vengeance on the disruptors! Roxie is frustrated, what will she do to get back to a title?
Ava talks with Stephanie Vaquer.
The NXT GM says the NXT Women’s Champion did an amazing job last night on Raw. Vaquer thanks Ava, and says she is ready to defend her title again. Who is her next challenger? Ava says given everything that’s happened, it should either be Giulia or Jordynne Grace. And she knows what Vaquer will say about that, so she already has an idea. They will have a #1 contender’s match with each other, and whoever wins that will challenge Vaquer at Battleground. Vaquer says that’s a great plan. La Primera heads out, who will she be meeting in Tampa?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for NXT here, with things going well towards Battleground. Great promo from Hendry to call out Trick, but Dark State going after him was certainly a surprise. Trick had a good promo in response to that, and the 25 Man Battle Royal will be great stuff. I feel like Trick is going to win that, but I feel like there needs to be shenanigans. Trick is a Heel, he should do more Heel things, like find a way to catch the others off guard. They should even have Dark State interfere. Yes, they’re facing Hendry, Hank ‘n’ Tank, but there’s four of them so they could wonk that match to win, then still help Trick. It doesn’t even have to be that Trick is some kind of mastermind, it’ll be that he and Dark State come to an understanding.
Speaking of Hank ‘n’ Tank, awesome tag match with Briggs & Inamura, and a great win for their first title defense. Plus, Inamura was on his way out so he wasn’t winning. Briggs is now adrift again, I wonder if he’ll end up joining The Culling over his bond with Jensen. Good promo from Spears to motivate The Culling, and we’ll get some good stuff from them on the road to Battleground. Good promo from Gigi, Tatum and Karmen with Adonis. A good match from Sol and Karmen for being a bit quick, and it seems Karmen x Adonis is over already. Kelani of course wants her match, and I like Zaria stepping up. I feel like Zaria being the gatekeeper, she’ll end up earning herself a shot at the title just because she gets on a win streak, and that will make for something fun with her and Sol.
Very good promo from the Meta Four, and I appreciate that their faction agrees to split up amicably. It sounds like Lash & Jakara are even agreeing to go for singles titles rather than strike out on the tag titles again. Good promo from NQCC, and it feels like Myles might break away from the group, too. I almost thought Charlie Dempsey was gonna surprise him by walking up on the group, but maybe he confronts Myles about this stuff next week. Very good promo from Tony and Stacks with the battlelines drawn, and I like that the “dirty security guards” were also just Evolve superstars. I still feel like Luca can’t actually be kayfabe dead, he is just waiting to attack whoever at the most opportune moment. And it’d be the more dramatic if Luca attacks Tony to reveal he joined Team Stacks.
Good promo from Oba with Taker, and I like that NXT is already getting familiar with the LFG talent as we’re going to see any number of them in the NXT ring soon enough. Good promo from the revived Chase U, and of course Andre Chase gets a classic Mr. Chase rant in there. But I feel like Kale & Uriah are gonna get cocky just because they’re the two that helped Chase get back on his feet. I hope that cues Riley Osborne to return from Evolve to defend Mr. Chase, and I can only hope that also compels WWE to bring back Duke Hudson.
And great stuff with Iyo Sky’s return to NXT. Good promo to establish the main event tag match with her and Grace VS Giulia & Roxie. A little surprised Cora Jade hasn’t tried harder to get back at Roxie for ditching her at Stand & Deliver, but maybe that happens next given it’s Giulia VS Grace to then face Vaquer. Either choice is great for Battleground, and if it’s Giulia, that’ll be a great farewell-to-NXT match before Giulia goes to Raw full-time. Then Vaquer and Grace can have something for Worlds Collide in June that can also let Vaquer lose the title and move on, given how she’s also been showing up on Raw lately. Or they might just say screw it and give us yet another Triple Threat to do all of that at once.
My Score: 8.9/10
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