Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Report & Results! (12/17/18)
It’s the Raw after TLC, and The Chairman makes a return! What will Vince Kennedy McMahon have in store to “shake things up again?”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Baron Corbin VS Kurt Angle; changed to…
- 4v1 Handicap Match: Baron Corbin VS Kurt Angle, Apollo Crews, Bobby Roode & Chad Gable; changed to…
- 4v1 Handicap No Disqualifications Match: Baron Corbin VS Kurt Angle, Apollo Crews, Bobby Roode & Chad Gable; Angle, Crews, Roode & Gable win, and Baron Corbin is NOT Raw GM.
- Finn Balor VS Dolph Ziggler; Finn wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge: Dean Ambrose VS Tyler Breeze; Ambrose wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Authors of Pain VS The Revival VS The B-Team VS Lucha House Party; The Revival wins and will face Roode & Gable for the Raw Tag Team Championships.
- Raw Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS ???; changed to…
- 8 Woman Gauntlet Match: Natalya wins and is the #1 contender to Ronda Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Mr. McMahon is here!
The Chairman, Vincent Kenny McMahon, is on the Raw after TLC! And he knows we want to know what’s going on with Raw. Tonight, we find out. Raw has been on the air for over 25 years, an extraordinary feat. And that’s because the show changes with the time. “Despite one man’s brilliance, despite one man’s creativity, despite one man’s vision,” Vince can’t do this alone. Vince can do it without the fans, though. Fans boo, but then Stephanie McMahon appears! The Commissioner, and daughter of Vince, heads to the ring and gives her father a big hug. Fans boo but Vince asks they be nice. And then, Triple H appears! The Game, the COO, joins wife and father-in-law in the ring, and even gives Vince a hug.
Fans are excited to see these three in the ring, but there’s more! Shane McMahon is here! The SmackDown Commissioner joins father, sister and brother-in-law in the ring, and now we have all the power players of WWE at the same time! Stephanie says they’re all out here because they’ve all realized, “we haven’t been doing a good job lately.” They’ve all realized that there’s need for a change, and this will be a fresh start. These four will be “taking back Monday Night Raw”, and even SmackDown. These four know they are the ones ensuring the best possible experience for their fans and empowering their superstars. They will finally give fans what they want. “Something new, something fresh.” There will be new faces, new matches, and now the fans are the Authority! WWE will always be #ThenNowandForever.
But wait, here comes Baron Corbin! The Constable lost his job at TLC when he lost his TLC Match to Braun Strowman, but he seems to think he has another chance. “No one is more excited for a fresh start than me.” Fans rain down the boos and jeers, to which Stephanie makes sure Corbin understands. Corbin knows they’re all upset, but he’s so very excited to have the entire McMahon family in charge of Raw. However, those promises were amazing, but there’s something they didn’t mention. “Fair”. Last night’s TLC Match was not fair, so let’s talk this out. What will Corbin have to say? Find out after the break!
Raw returns and Corbin joins the McMahons and HHH. Fans still boo as he defends the Sacramento crowd does not reflect the WWE Universe as a whole. HHH tells the fans if they keep booing, Corbin can’t finish speaking. Corbin needs to explain himself. HHH asks the fans please stop for a moment. Stephanie wants fans to speak up, Vince is harder of hearing. But the fans eventually calm down, but Corbin riles them up again. Shane actually encourages the booing. Corbin ties to defend that he does his best. Vince tells Corbin he can be louder with his microphone. Fans chant “You Suck!” but Corbin does not take the blame. He says superstars aren’t living up to the challenge. Strowman was not supposed to be at TLC, Corbin was not prepared, and Corbin was not prepared for being outnumbered. If fans think that is fair– They do!
HHH tells Corbin that “as predictable as you are”, Corbin is here to say it’s a “travesty of justice” and hopes they all reconsider Corbin as GM. Is that it? Yes! And Corbin is thankful they’re all here to sort this out. Corbin would’ve won if not for Finn Balor, Kurt Angle and the rest. Are they letting that travesty stand? Or will they overturn the decision? Fans boo but Corbin says “Think of what we can accomplish with you guys backing me.” The McMahon Family huddles up, and then it comes down to a vote. Shane and HHH go with “No”, Stephanie says “No Chance in Hell.” Vince thinks of a way. They huddle up again and perhaps Corbin does deserve a chance. Fans don’t agree, but Corbin is willing to take that chance. Then Corbin will get that chance.
If Corbin wins a match tonight, right now, he’ll be permanent Raw GM! Just beat this man. KURT ANGLE! The previous Raw GM and Olympic Gold Medalist returns to action himself, and gets a chance to shut Corbin up once and for all! Will Corbin fail to make good on this second chance? Or will he find a way to revive his tyranny?
Baron Corbin VS Kurt Angle!
Stephanie “remembers” the special guest referee for this match. It’s Heath Slater! The One Ref Band gets to be part of this payback! Slater rings the bell and we begin!
Corbin swings but Angle counter punches! Angle bumps Corbin off buckles to then stomp and punch away! Slater lets Angle continue and whip Corbin corner to corner. Corbin reverses but misses, Angle throws him with a German Suplex! Corbin bails out of the ring while we go to break.
Raw returns and Corbin has Angle down. Corbin eggs Angle on while fans rally up. But then HHH returns to say he “forgot” something else. This is a Handicap Match.
4v1 Handicap Match: Baron Corbin VS Kurt Angle, Apollo Crews, Bobby Roode & Chad Gable!
The rising star AND the Raw Tag Team Champions appear to reinforce Angle! Corbin finds himself flanked by the people he wronged, and now they’re getting further payback! Roode, Gable & Apollo rain down hands and stomps, then feed Corbin to Angle. Angle drags Corbin up for another German Suplex! And another! And the hat trick! Angle tags in Gable, and Gable drags Corbin up for his own German Suplex! Gable tags Roode, and the tag champs coordinate to double whip. Roode whips Gable to whip Roode in for a clothesline! Tag to Apollo for a big enziguri! Corbin bails out again but he can’t get away from Apollo and the champs! They drag him back to ringside, tossing him over barriers!
Gable puts Corbin in and Angle returns. The four of them surround Corbin, but look to Slater. Slater literally looks the other way as they stomp Corbin out! But now Shane O’Mac appears, and says he was so pumped to be in Sacramento, he “forgot” this is No Disqualifications!
4v1 Handicap No Disqualifications Match: Baron Corbin VS Kurt Angle, Apollo Crews, Bobby Roode & Chad Gable!
Now the foursome don’t have to worry about Slater’s disapproval. In fact, Slater gets in on the action! Slater stomps Corbin while the others get chairs! Angle, Gable, Roode & Apollo repeat last night’s humiliation with new chair shots! They jab, they SMACK, repeat! Fans love seeing Corbin getting what he deserves! But “We Want Tables!” Gable climbs while Roode brings Corbin up, GLORIOUS Combination! Apollo climbs for the frog splash! They bring Corbin up and feed him to Angle’s Olympic Slam! Cover, Angle’s team wins!
Winner: Team Angle, Kurt Angle pinning; Corbin is NOT Raw GM
Finally, the dictatorship of Constable Corbin ends! The Lone Wolf really was all alone against his “disgruntled employees”, and now he is out of power! Who will take his place in this new Raw?
But the punishment isn’t over! Apollo, Gable & Roode set a table up in the ring, and everyone but Corbin is grinning. They haul Corbin up again, for an Olympic Slam through the table!! Now the celebration begins!
John Cena wins the Muhammad Ali Legacy Award.
The Face that Runs the Place is honored to receive this award, but he wouldn’t win this award without being a friend and philanthropist to so many.
Finn Balor VS Dolph Ziggler!
The Extraordinary Man helped The Show-Off to stick it to the Scottish Psychopath. And Ziggler would return the favor, mostly to stick it to Drew McIntyre. However, neither man is thankful for the other’s help, and look to show what they can do on their own. Who will gain some major momentum as we approach the New Year?
The bell rings and the two circle. Fans are already fired up as they tie up. Finn and Ziggler go around and Ziggler puts Finn on the ropes. Ziggler backs off but gives a shove. They tie up again and Ziggler gets a headlock. Finn goes to power out but Ziggler holds on. Ziggler grinds and gets the takedown. Finn moves around to make it a cover, TWO! Ziggler keeps on Finn with the headlock, but fans rally. Finn gets up and powers out now, then things speed up. Finn arm-drags Ziggler around and into an armlock. Ziggler quickly headscissors but Finn quickly pops out, and fans cheer this close match-up. Finn kicks low, snapmares and kicks Ziggler, then brings him up again. Finn whips and dropkicks Ziggler down! Ziggler bails out while fans cheer Finn. Finn soaks it in as we go to break.
Raw returns and Ziggler whips Finn. Finn reverses but Ziggler sunset flips. Finn rolls through to dropkick! Both men are down as Finn clutches his leg. Finn gets up and to a corner, and boots Ziggler on the way in. Ziggler keeps after Finn but Finn counter punches and chops him! Finn whips but Ziggler reverses, only for Finn to run him over with forearms! Finn fires up and gets a takedown to a double stomp! Fans fire up as Finn aims at Ziggler. Finn runs out but the Slingblade is rolled up! TWO, and Ziggler uppercuts Finn. Ziggler taunts Finn, but misses the Famouser, to get the elbow drop DDT! Cover, TWO! Finn keeps moving as he aims at Ziggler again. Finn runs at Ziggler, and hits the Slingblade! He takes aim again, but the shotgun dropkick goes into the Satellite DDT! Cover, TWO!
Both men are down but fans rally up. Ziggler sits up but Finn gets to a corner. Ziggler runs but the ZigZag is denied. Finn goes to the apron and swing kicks Ziggler down! Finn climbs but Ziggler trips him up! Ziggler throws Finn into the post! ZIGZAG!! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler is shocked and sore, but he gets up in a corner. He takes aim, but here comes McIntyre! Ziggler kicks McIntyre, then leaps out! McIntyre catches Ziggler but they still brawl it out! McIntyre shoves Ziggler but Finn FLIES! Ziggler clobbers Finn! Ziggler puts Finn in, FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!! Finn lives and the match continues! Fans rally for Finn while he and Ziggler stir. Ziggler stands first, tunes it up, but gets another Slingblade! Finn aims again, but McIntyre attacks!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
The Scottish Terminator targets both thorns in his side as he throws Finn out and gives Ziggler the Glasgow Kiss headbutt! McIntyre rains rights down on Ziggler, then yanks him right up for a Claymore! McIntyre aims at Finn, Claymore! Fans boo and jeer McIntyre as he seethes all the way to the stage. Will McIntyre eliminate Ziggler and Finn on the road to the Royal Rumble?
Dean Ambrose heads to the ring!
The Lunatic has his siren and his gas-mask wearing henchmen accompany him and his newly won WWE Intercontinental Championship. Ambrose picks up a mic while fans boo and jeer. “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Fans should show more respect! But they boo. “You disgusting little people” should be bowing to Ambrose, because he made his prediction come true. Rollins spun out of control, dropped the ball in the fourth quarter and choked. Rollins failed himself and failed the fans. Ambrose doesn’t need respect, because he has the belt. And it wasn’t too long ago that Rollins had two belts, now he has none. But Ambrose is just getting started. When Ambrose is done, Rollins will truly have nothing!
Ambrose promises to take Rollins’ career, take Rollins reputation and drag it through the mud! But there’s another option. “The Moral Compass” has an obligation. Rollins can come out here and be a man of character and integrity to admit Ambrose was right! Rollins, tell everyone that Ambrose was right! Fans boo while Ambrose waits. They chant “Burn It Down!” but Rollins doesn’t appear. Ambrose waits but has a new idea. “How about an open challenge?” But not for the title, Rollins doesn’t deserve it. But maybe Rollins wants to take out his anger. Ambrose dares Rollins to appear, but he doesn’t. This proves Rollins is no hero, he’s “a selfish little whiner who always has to get his way.” Rollins lost and is too ashamed to show his face.
So Ambrose moves on to a third idea: Ambrose will stay a page from the playbook and actually give an Open Challenge for the title, to anyone not named Seth Rollins. And out comes… Tyler Breeze!
WWE Intercontinental Championship Open Challenge: Dean Ambrose VS Tyler Breeze!
Prince Pretty wants his shot and this is his chance! Can Breeze make that Intercontinental Championship gorgeous? Or will Ambrose make an example out of him?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Ambrose goes after Breeze but Breeze is ready! Breeze throws hands, whips but Ambrose reverses. Breeze hits big forearms then stomps away in a corner! He backs off at 4 and dropkicks Ambrose! Breeze clotheslines Ambrose out! Prince Pretty is fired up while we go to break!
Raw returns and Ambrose stomps Breeze out. Ambrose laces up the legs and puts Breeze in a modified Queen Angelito stretch. Breeze endures and crawls for ropes. Ambrose grabs that arm to stomp it! Breeze crawls but Ambrose is on him with a whip. Ambrose elbows Breeze down, covers, TWO! Ambrose keeps on Breeze with a chinlock. Fans rally up as Breeze endures. Breeze fights his way up but Ambrose wrangles him down hard! Ambrose keeps Breeze grounded, but fans rally for Breeze. Breeze gets up but Ambrose knees low. Ambrose clubs and scoops Breeze, but Breeze slips out to enziguri! Ambrose is dazed, and Breeze gets up to huricanrana! To a cover, TWO! Breeze enziguris from a corner, then sends Ambrose into post! Cover, TWO!
Breeze hits the Beauty Shot heel kick! But Ambrose gets up again so Breeze climbs up. Breeze leaps, big crossbody! Cover, TWO! SUPER MODEL KICK! Cover, TWO!! Ambrose survives Breeze’s best, but he is dazed. Breeze gets up and stalks Ambrose. Breeze brings him around but the Unprettier is denied. Dirty Deeds! Cover, Ambrose wins!
Winner: Dean Ambrose, by pinfall; still WWE Intercontinental Champion
The Lunatic says that is the performance of a champion with character! Rollins didn’t show because Rollins– “BURN IT DOWN!” But where is Rollins?! He’s one of the gas-mask men!! Rollins SUPERKICKS Ambrose down! And then throws fast hands from all sides! The other henchmen hurry in but Rollins fights them off. Ambrose runs away with the belt while Rollins tosses the henchmen away, and SUPERKICKS another! Rollins tells Ambrose to bring the fight, but Ambrose continues his retreat. Will Ambrose back up his words and be brave enough to face The Kingslayer?
Backstage interview with Shane McMahon.
The McMahons promise a fresh start, but what does that mean? Fresh faces and new opportunities! There will be tough decisions to make, but here comes Drake Maverick. These two finally meet, and Maverick introduces the “rightful” Raw Tag Team Champions, Akam & Rezar. Maverick says those titles were stolen from them. But now that the McMahon Family is here, they’ll make this right. Authors of Pain get their title rematches tonight. Now, now, hold on. The mandatory rematch clause Maverick is citing is “antiquated”, Corbin handed AoP those titles in the first place. Let’s create an opportunity. But they’re the former champions! Shane suggests AoP take on The B-Team, The Revival and… Lucha House Party! Fatal 4 Way #1 Contender’s match! Shane wishes them luck, but the AoP are just upset. Will they make the best of this huge opportunity?
WWE takes a look at the new faces coming to the main roster!
Monsters, Beasts, Vipers, Giants. None of them compare to the Leviathan! Lars Sullivan is a dominate Freak and promises to destroy the roster.
The Lady of NXT, the Model Soldier, Lacey Evans is armed with a Woman’s Right to hit hard and class it up.
#SteaksAndWeights fuel Tucker Knight & Otis Dozovic in tag team wrestling! They have a “damn good time” in the ring, and they’re COMIIIIN’!
The Loony Lass loves to play! SAnitY’s Twisted Sister finally joins her chaotic crew, who wants to play?
The Top One Percent prepares for #VictoryAfterVictory on the main roster! Will he find brand new success as he jumps from #NX3 to TV?
“Ladies and Gentlemen: The Almighty Bobby Lashley.”
Lashley and Lio Rush are in the ring, parodying Elias’ usual greeting and performance. These two will give the fans something they’ve never seen before. It turns out Elias isn’t the only gifted guitarist. The greatest music Elias ever heard was a guitar smashing into his back at the hands of Bobby Lashley! And be honest, no one here wants to hear another of Elias’ boring songs. They’re all here to witness a “true work of art.” And that is exactly what Lashley will give you. But before that, please silence phones, hold applause, and shut your mouths!
Lashley gets up with the mangled guitar, and starts posing. The double biceps, the side chest. Comparing Lashley to Elias is like comparing the Golden State Warriors to the Sacramento Kings. But of course, there’s always the “favorite pose”, the double glutes! Lio and Lashley laugh it up, but “Ladies and gentlemen, Elias.” The Drifter SMACKS Lashley with a guitar! Lashley gets back up but Elias gets away. There won’t be an encore tonight, but when will these two create another smash hit together?
Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: The Authors of Pain VS The Revival VS The B-Team VS Lucha House Party!
Drake Maverick knows Akam & Rezar feel robbed over the feud they had with Roode & Gable, but considering they got those titles through unfair means to begin with, they have no automatic right to a rematch. Can they rip their way through Dash & Dawson, Axel & Dallas, and the luchadores of 205 Live? Or will one of those other teams step up to the GLORIOUS challenge instead?
The teams sort out and we start with Curt Axel and Lince Dorado. They circle but Axel stays back when Lince handsprings. “Lucha! Lucha!” starts, as do the matracas. But “B-Team! B-Team! GO GO GO!” counters. The chants duel but Axel swings into a dropkick! Lince tags Kalisto and they combine for an alley-oop dropkick! Scott Dawson tags in and now The Revival revive their feud with LHP. Dawson slaps Kalisto, Kalisto fires off forearms! They brawl, and Dawson rocks Kalisto with a right. Dawson wrenches the arm and kicks Kalisto to the ropes. Dawson chops Kalisto on the ropes, but keeps his distance from AoP. He bumps Kalisto off buckles and gives European Uppercuts. Dawson mocks the lucha chant, then suplexes Kalisto. He drops an elbow, then tags Dash Wilder.
The Revival go after Kalisto together but they get a double DDT! Kalisto tags Lince, and hist the elevated splash! Lince hits the planking splash, covers, TWO! Dash scrambles and Akam tags in. Lince goes after Akam but Akam shoves him away. Lince dropkicks but Akam tags Rezar, for a pop-up and tackle into a corner! AoP mug Lince while we go to break.
Raw returns as Dash has Lince in a Gory Special! Lince endures as fans chant, but Dash reaches back to go after the mask. Dash mocks the lucha chant, but Lince pops out to arm-drag Dash! Axel tags in, Dash gets an enziguri! Axel goes after Lince but Lince handsprings to the Golden Rewind! Both Lince and Axel are down and fans rally up. Chants duel while Axel crawls. Hot tags to Bo Dallas and Kalisto! Kalisto springboards and crossbodies! Kalisto kicks and whips, Bo reverses but Kalisto springboards for a corkscrew crossbody! Fans fire up with the Lucha Dragon as he tackles Bo in a corner. Axel returns but gets the tornado DDT! Kalisto kicks Bo then whips, but Bo reverses. Dawson tags in and goes after Kalisto to throw him out. Dawson slaps Bo but Bo fires off hands!
Bo boots and clotheslines Dawson, then brings him up for the draping neckbreaker! Cover, but Dash breaks it up! Dash takes his time leaving, but Kalisto comes in to tilt-o-whirl DDT Dash down! Axel swings but gets a kick! Kalisto dodges Rezar, Bo and Dawson clothesline him out! But then Akam grabs them both, only to get haymakers. Akam shoves them back but is sent out. Lucha House Party are LAUNCHED onto both AoP! Bo and Dawson are alone, Dawson rolls Bo up but Bo rolls him back! Cover, TWO! Small package, TWO! Dawson scoops but gets another cradle, TWO! Bo shoves Dawson but Dash tags in. SHATTER MACHINE! Cover, The Revival win!!
Winners: The Revival, Dash Wilder pinning; new Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders
#SayYeah! Now that Dash & Dawson got a fair shake, they can get another shot at those tag titles! Will they be #ReadyWillingAndGLORIOUS against Roode & Gable?
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins!
The Architect got back at Ambrose just a bit earlier, but he still feels rough from last night’s “disaster.” Personally, professionally, it was all wrong. He let Ambrose get in his head and take that title, and Rollins heard the crowd. Rollins takes the blame for all of that, and vows to move forward. This isn’t about his in-ring performance or titles, this is his life! “This is everything that I’ve dedicated everything to!” It’s going off the rails, but Rollins will right the ship by ending Ambrose.
But Baron Corbin comes over, and tells Rollins that everyone thought he was doing great until Rollins had to speak up. Rollins goaded Corbin into a match, Rollins is why Strowman won, and Rollins is why the McMahons are back in charge. Ambrose was right. And Corbin would take Rollins title, if Ambrose hadn’t already done that. Rollins hits Corbin! The Lone Wolf gets further comeuppance, but when will the Lunatic get his?
Ronda Rousey is here!
And the Baddest Woman on the Planet is still Raw Women’s Champion after a physical match with Nia Jax! Ronda denied the #FaceBreaker her victory, but she didn’t stop there. She got her payback on The Queen, Charlotte Flair, and The Man, Becky Lynch, by throwing them off their ladder in the SmackDown Women’s Championship TLC Match! The Empress of Tomorrow, Asuka, has the throne now, but what does that mean for both shows now?
Ronda smiles as fans duel. She says “I told Nia Jax she could kiss that right hand she’s so proud of good-bye. I told Charlotte Flair I was going to write the next chapter of our story. And I told Becky Lynch I am the last woman on Earth she should provoke.” Ronda didn’t come out here to justify her actions, but to define what a real champion is. “A real champion is so much more than just a title someone puts in front of your name or an object you can hold”. It’s so much more than the winner of a match. A real champion represents the limit of human potential, physically, mentally and morally. A real champion is the best the human race has to offer, and steps up to the challenge. That is why Ronda is here tonight!
Fans still duel as Ronda suggests a new tradition. Every Raw after a PPV, the champion shows up no matter what to defend their title! Ronda wants a fight, this is her open challenge, so who wants a shot!?
Raw Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS ???
There’s a traffic jam at gorilla position! So many women want their shot at Ronda, the production team can’t figure out what song to play! Stephanie McMahon leads them out in front of the fans, microphone in hand. Stephanie lets Ronda know that everyone wants their shot. And they’re deserving, but there won’t be any favorites anymore. These women will all earn their shot, in a Gauntlet Match! And that’s right now! And we start with Alicia Fox, against Bayley!
8 Woman Gauntlet Match!
Who will be the last woman left to challenge Ronda for her title?!
Bayley circles with Alicia and tie up. Bayley rolls Alicia, ONE. Alicia backs off to circle with Bayley again. They tie up and Bayley gets an arm wrench. She brings Alicia down and then Mahistrols, TWO! Alicia scrambles to ropes for safety, and fans boo as she takes her time getting up. Alicia kicks low, still holding the ropes, then throws forearms. She throws Bayley down by her hair, covers, ONE. Alicia keeps on Bayley in a corner for buckle bumps, then stomps her in another corner. She backs off to snapmare Bayley to a cover. ONE, but Alicia wraps on a chinlock. Fans rally up and Bayley feeds off the energy. Alicia clubs Bayley but misses the scissor kick to get a saido suplex! Cover, TWO! Alicia runs away again and we go to break.
Raw returns as Alicia stomps Bayley. Alicia kicks Bayley down and around at the ropes. Bayley gets to a corner, Alicia throws forearms. Alicia taunts Bayley to whip her corner to corner. Bayley slips to the apron and shoulders in. She slides under to sunset flip, TWO! Alicia clobbers Bayley quick! Alicia chokes Bayley on the ropes but backs off at 4. She pulls on Bayley’s ponytail, then throws more forearms. Bayley kicks and kicks, then throws forearms. Alicia kicks low but fans rally for Bayley. Alicia whips Bayley hard into buckles! Cover, TWO! Alicia keeps her cool, but then she starts slapping Bayley around in the corner. Bayley pushes Alicia away then flapjacks her on the buckles! Bayley whips but Alicia reverses, but Bayley goes up and over. But Bayley’s ankle gives out, and Alicia boots her down! Cover, but Bayley reverses it, Bayley ELIMINATES Alicia!!
Dana Brooke comes out now, and hurries to capitalize. She goes after Bayley with an enziguri! Dana handsprings corner to corner for the elbow! Cover, TWO! Dana tries again, TWO! Dana rains rights down because she wants this chance. She puts Bayley in a body scissor squeeze and trash talks, but Bayley fights out. Bayley makes it a cover, TWO! Dana chop blocks the bad leg! The ref checks on Bayley, but she won’t quit. Dana bumps Bayley off buckles and stomps a mudhole. Dana whips but Bayley can’t even run on the leg. Cover, TWO! Dana keeps on Bayley with a chinlock but fans rally. Bayley endures the thrashing, and fights her way up. Dana throws her back down by her hair, then covers. TWO, Dana tries again, TWO!
Dana grows frustrated but she keeps on Bayley in a corner. She stomps in another mudhole, then backs off at 4. Dana taunts Bayley, but gets a Bayley2Belly! Cover, Bayley ELIMINATES Dana! The Huggable One continues in this Gauntlet while we go to break!
Raw returns and Bayley’s third opponent is Mickie James. Mickie has Bayley in a chinlock but Bayley fights her way up. Bayley fights back but Mickie knees low. Mickie whips Bayley to a corner, but runs into a boot! Bayley runs out but into a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Mickie is frustrated that a beat up Bayley is still going. Ronda watches backstage as Mickie toys with Bayley. Mickie drags Bayley up to choke her on the ropes. She stops at 4, but runs, only to miss and get ropes! Bayley covers, TWO! Mickie brings Bayley up and kicks, but then runs and misses, Bayley rolls her up! TWO, and Mickie flapjacks Bayley! Mickie kips up and heads up top. Bayley stands, Mickie hits the flying seated senton! Cover, TWO and Bayley sunset flips, TWO! Mickie high stacks, TWO, roundhouse! Cover, TWO! Bayley still lives!
Mickie grows frustrated, but aim to finish this. Bayley slowly stands, but denies the Mick-DDT to a saido suplex! Fans fire up with Bayley, but Mickie kicks her out of the ring. Mickie builds speed, to slide, but Bayley spins her around for a big knee! Bayley grits her teeth as she heads back up. Bayley has a bad footing on the ropes but she still elbows Mickie. She leaps for a crossbody, but can’t keep the cover! Mickie gets to a corner, Bayley runs in for a big knee! Bayley tosses Mickie out to climb back up. Bayley leaps, Macho Elbow! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Mickie survives and Bayley grows frustrated. Bayley gets up and goes after Mickie but gets body shots. Mickie steps in for a hotshot! Bayley fires herself up, but Mickie grabs hair! Bayley powers Mickie back, but Mickie elbows Bayley.
Mickie goes for the Mickanrana but is put on the apron. Mickie hits back and bumps Bayley off buckles! The Mick-DDT hits! Cover, Mickie ELIMINATES Bayley! But there’s no rest for the wicked, Ember Moon heads in! Mickie dropkicks Ember right as she slides into the ring! Mickie stomps away but backs off at 4. Ember gets up but Mickie kicks her to a corner. Mickie grinds her boot in but stops at 4. Ember gasps for air but Mickie is on her with a slap. Ember and Mickie kick each other, Mickie whips but Ember flips through the hip toss to arm-drag! Mickie runs into a leg sweep, Ember misses the dropkick! Mickie covers, TWO! Ember blocks a kick but gets a kick. Mickie runs, but she misses. Ember runs, springboard crossbody! Cover, TWO!
Mickie slides out, because she wants a time-out. But Ember doesn’t give her one. ember runs and slides out, but Mickie kicks her on the return. Mickie wants a draping DDT but Ember fights her off. Mickie slides out and wants a bomb! Ember holds on for dear life and fights Mickie off, but Mickie trips her up! Ember hits apron while we go to break.
Raw returns and Ember slams Mickie! Both women are down but stirring. Mickie throws a forearm but Ember throws one back. Ember throws more forearms, then ducks to swing. Mickie dodges but Ember dodges and mule kicks, Ember enziguris! High stack cover, TWO! Ronda still watches backstage as Mickie gets to a corner. Ember runs in but misses, and Mickie rolls her up. She uses ropes but gets caught! The referee reprimands Mickie, but Mickie still flapjacks Ember! Mickie kips up again, then heads up top. Mickie leaps, but into a code breaker!! Ember hurries up top now, for the ECLIPSE! Cover, Ember ELIMINATES Mickie! But here comes The Queen of Harts! Natalya hits the ring but Ember rolls her up, TWO!
Natty gets Ember down, but the Sharpshooter is denied. Ember ducks the discus to SUPERKICK Natty! Cover, TWO! Ember drags Natty up into a chinlock but Natty endures. Natty works her way up and fights out, but Ember kicks her back. Ember brings Natty up to trap an arm in the standing chinlock. Natty endures the modified stretch, even as Ember clubs her on the back. Natty fights out and fireman’s carry, but Ember fights out. Ember throws forearms, then whips, but Natty reverses. Natty runs into a boot, and Ember hops up. Ember brings Natty over, tornado snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Ember clubs Natty again, then heads up top. Natty stands and gets clear of the Eclipse, to discus clothesline Ember! Cover, TWO!! The War Goddess survives and the Queen of Harts is frustrated.
Natty goes for legs but Ember fights her off. Cradle, TWO! Natty rolls Ember up, Natty ELIMINATES Ember!! Natty shocks Sacramento, but The Riott Squad heads out together. Will it be a rematch of TLC to determine a #1 Contender? We’ll find out after the break.
Raw returns and Ruby has Natty in a chinlock. Natty endures and pries her way out of the chinlock, but Ruby puts on body scissors. Liv and Sarah smirk as Ruby squeezes Natty. Natty turns around to club Ruby, so Ruby slaps Natty! Ruby wraps Natty in a guillotine now, but Natty still endures. Natty powers up and powers Ruby off with a scoop slam! Fans fire up as Natty and Ruby double clothesline! Both Ruby and Natty are down but the Squad coach Ruby up. Ruby gets up first and kicks Natty in the ribs! Ruby drags Natty up to throw her down, then brings Natty up to bump her off buckles. She stomps a mudhole into Natty but stops at 3. Natty rolls her up! TWO, and Ruby clobbers Natty again. Cover, TWO!
Ruby grows frustrated, but puts Natty in a cravat. Natty endures and fights her way back up. Natty arm-drags Ruby off, but gets a knee to the chin! Ruby throws Natty down, covers, TWO! Ruby keeps her cool, and toys with Natty, but Natty slaps her! Natty gets up but Ruby rolls her, TWO! Natty boots Ruby down, then catches her breath. She scoops Ruby but Ruby sunset flips, TWO! Natty dropkicks Ruby down! Ruby and Natty are slow to get up but Natty rallies with ax handles and lariats. Natty kicks low, then fires the fans up with a snap suplex! And another! Natty slaps Ruby then whips her to a corner. Discus meets STO! Ruby positions Natty in the drop zone then climbs up. The Squad cheer on the back senton, but it misses! Roll up, Natty ELIMINATES Ruby!
But it’s Boss Time! Sasha Banks goes at Natty, and rallies the moment she hits the ring! She blocks a kick to give a knee, then turns Natty sideways in the corner. Stock Drop knees! Cover, TWO! Natty survives but The Boss keeps her focus. Sasha puts up the four and says she wants that belt, but Natty powers her to a corner! Natty rams her shoulder in but then misses. Sasha goes up, but Natty gets under to roll her up! TWO! Sasha runs, sunset flip DDT! Cover, TWO!! Natty still lives and this match continues, after one more break!
Raw returns and both women are down. A 10 count begins, and Sasha sits up at 6. She stands at 7 and Natty follows. Natty blocks the kick to trip Sasha up, then she walks all over her to dropkick! Cover, TWO! Natty fires up the fans as she brings Sasha around. She wants the Sharpshooter but is denied with a roll up, TWO! Sasha backslides, TWO! Sasha knees Natty but Natty discus clotheslines! Cover, TWO!! Natty grows frustrated, but she wants that Sharpshooter. And she gets it! Sasha endures as Natty drags her from ropes! Fans fire up and duel as Sasha crawls. Sasha reaches but Natty drags her away again! Natty sits down deep but Sasha gets a second gas, to roll Natty into buckles! Both women are down and the ref checks on them.
Fans rally up as both women are okay to continue. Natty goes for the legs but Sasha rolls through to a Half Crab! Natty endures, crawls and reaches! Sasha shifts to the Rings of Saturn, to a cover, TWO! Bank Statement crossface!! Natty endures as Sasha pulls back hard! Natty powers Sasha around, but Sasha holds on. Fireman’s carry, but Sasha slips off. Natty throws Sasha with a German Suplex! Fans rally and duel while both women stir. Sasha gets to a corner, but Natty stands up. Natty runs in, but into a boot! Sasha elbows Natty away, then hops up. She leaps, Meteora! Cover, TWO!! Natty lives and Sasha can’t believe it! Sasha and Natty slowly stand, and Sasha wants the backstabber. Natty bucks her off, but walks into a takedown!
Sasha wants the crossface but Natty arm-drags her off. Sasha runs and rolls again, but into an inverted bomb! Natty gets the legs, Sharpshooter is on! Sasha endures as she’s far away, and TAPS! Natty wins the Gauntlet!!
Winner: Natalya, by submission; will face Ronda Rousey for the title next week
The Queen of Harts just won herself the best Christmas present ever! Natty shows Sasha respect, but here comes Ronda to congratulate her friend. Natty and Ronda celebrate this accomplishment together, but now friends must become opponents. Ronda offers a handshake, and Natty accepts it. Will friends stay friends after their title match?
My Thoughts:
Well this wasn’t what I expected from a post-PPV Raw. And sadly it wasn’t worth the hype. Vince and the McMahon family promised change and finally giving fans what we want, but this first night doesn’t quite give that impression. The only change might’ve been that there were way more commercials than I can remember being on a Raw. Did WWE need to pay some bills or something? This would’ve been a better Raw just on the virtue of keeping the flow going with less ads and more action. It’s not like having more of those commercials changed how Raw actually ran, either. The opening was a talk segment to give us this supposed “change”, and Vince’s time on his own show to shine. The only reason it wasn’t a consecutive 20 minutes is because a commercial happened 5 minutes in.
Now, I did appreciate that the McMahons were the Faces in this scenario, and gave Corbin further comeuppance. It was proper karma with the running gag of “remembering” things. However, another “change” seems to be we won’t get Angle back as GM or even someone new, like a rumored WOKEN Hardy. But perhaps if that means HHH is technically in charge, there’s a sliver of hope he’ll get this thing running as it should. In fact, Finn VS Ziggler was a really great match, but I am a bit disappointed McIntyre interfered. We’ve already been told there will be a Triple Threat for this story on the Christmas Eve edition, so that sounds like a good time. And for those who don’t already know, the Christmas Eve Raw will be recorded TONIGHT and put on tape delay. I don’t know if the live audience is lucky or being tortured…
There are also these “new faces” to address. The NXT Call-Ups have been announced in advance, but honestly I hope most of them go to SmackDown. We’ll have to wait and see how the “fresh start” affects SmackDown, but I’d imagine SmackDown will still be just as good as it was before. Therefore, they’d be able to use Lacey Evans, Heavy Machinery and EC3 much better than Raw. In fact, we were all worried about what Faces could face the Heel Daniel Bryan, maybe The Top One Percent can be that Face.
It seems Tyler Breeze is Mr. Open Challenge, with having gone back to NXT long enough to challenge Ricochet then returning to Raw to answer Ambrose’s Open Challenge. Rollins being in disguise as a gas-mask man was a standard twist, but still fitting of the story. If only Rollins interfered during the match to cost Ambrose the title. But perhaps that in itself proves Ambrose right: Rollins won’t go after Ambrose unless he can get the title back. Rollins VS Corbin will be the Christmas Eve match, and perhaps Ambrose attacks him back to keep pace. I wonder if their title rematch would be at Royal Rumble to keep them out of the Royal Rumble match… Perhaps that’s for the best if Rollins isn’t going to win to then challenge for the Universal Championship.
A Fatal 4 Way tag to determine contenders was good, and the match itself was alright. I’m sure many fans are happy that The Revival are finally back in the title scene, and I for one am glad the Raw Tag Division didn’t have to worry about pee jokes and lucha rule inaccuracies. Revival VS Gable & Roode should be a good one, if they’re allowed to go NXT level with HHH behind the wheel. Fans would be even more amazed if The Revival finally won. At the same time, we’re getting some Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn “returning soon” hype, I wonder if they finally aim for tag titles on top of singles. It’d make a lot of sense to me, at least, as Kevin would get his Grand Slam with the help of his best friend.
It seems the Raw Women’s Division has finally turned the corner to match up to SmackDown’s. Ronda wanted a match already, and the Gauntlet was a great surprise. I am genuinely surprised but pleased that Natalya is facing Ronda “next week” rather than Sasha Banks. There is story to be had with Ronda VS Raw’s NXT Horsewomen, but everyone was expecting Ronda VS Natty to have happened at some point, so this seems like a good a time as any. Ronda VS Natty, tired as they both might be, will still be a solid match, and I just hope that there’s no interference. At least not until the title match gets to a really hot point. The Riott Squad or the Samoan Dynasty might be expected given Raw stories, but I’m thinking it should be Charlotte and Becky for payback from TLC to move that story forward.
My Score: 7.7/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will the Death Riders’ reign of terror continue?
This year’s Full Gear may be the most important one of all! Can Orange Cassidy become the Freshy Squeezed AEW World Champion against Maniac Jon Moxley?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Zero Hour – Anna Jay VS Deonna Purrazzo; Anna wins.
- Zero Hour – Fatal 4 Way: Dante Martin VS The Beast Mortos VS Komander VS Buddy Matthews; wins.
- Zero Hour – Big Boom AJ w/ Big Justice VS QT Marshall; wins.
- Jay White VS Hangman Page; wins.
- Swerve Strickland w/ Prince Nana VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP; wins.
- MJF VS Roderick Strong; wins.
- Will Ospreay VS Kyle Fletcher; wins.
- AEW International Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Ricochet; wins and
- AEW TNT Championship: Jack Perry VS Daniel Garcia; wins and
- AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Mone w/ Kamille VS Kris Statlander; wins and
- AEW World Tag Team Championships Fatal 4 Way: Private Party VS The Outrunners VS The Kings of the Black Throne VS The Acclaimed; win(s) and
- AEW World Championship: Jon Moxley VS Orange Cassidy; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Full Gear Zero Hour!
Join Renee Paquette, RJ City, Jeff Jarrett and special guest, Paul Walter Hauser, in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action set for this monumental night!
Zero Hour – Anna Jay VS Deonna Purrazzo w/ Taya Valkyrie!
The Queenslayer was offered help against Mariah May by The Vendetta but she declined, so this is the payback. Will the Virtuosa handle business? Or will Anna still become the Star of the Show?
The bell rings but Taya distracts Anna. Anna takes a swipe but Deonna kicks low. Deonna headlocks,. Anna powers out, but Deonna RAMS her! Anna stays up, slips around, and waistlocks. Deonna switches, they go to ropes, and Anna bucks the O’Conner! Anna runs Deonna over, keeps moving, then whips. Anna blows past Deonna, sunset flips, TWO! Deonna is up fast but Anna wrenches to HOOK KICK! Anna whips Deonna to a corner, runs up and LEG LARIATS! The fans rally as Anna snapmares and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, TWO! Anna stays on Deonna with another whip, but Deonna reverses.
Anna slips to the apron, then ROCKS Deonna! Deonna comes back but into a HEEL KICK! Anna goes up a corner but Taya anchors her! Deonna distracts the ref, then she BOOTS Anna! The fans boo but Taya just takes a bow. Deonna “kicks dirt” at Anna, then drags her up. Deonna short arm LARIATS, then she stands on Anna’s face! The ref counts, Deonna steps off, and Deonna storms back up on Anna. Deonna drags Anna up, throat chops her, and Anna goes to a corner. Deonna LARIATS in the corner, LARIATS again, then short arm LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Anna stays in this but Deonna stays focused.
Deonna paces around, drops a knee on Anna, then clamps on a straitjacket stretch. Anna endures, even as Deonna KNEES her in the back! Deonna bends Anna back but Anna still endures. Anna fights up, snapmares free, but Deonna BOOTS her back! Then BOOTS again! Anna SUPERKICKS! But Deonna hits a FLATLINER, into a KOJI KLUTCH! Anna stacks Deonna, TWO! Anna is free to SUPERKICK Deonna down! Both women are down and the fans fire up! Anna and Deonna slowly rise while Taya pounds the apron. The fans rally up and Anna crawls over to Deonna. Deonna grabs at Anna first, and she fires a forearm!
Anna fires a forearm back, but Deonna hits Anna again! The shots go back and forth, the fans dueling, and Anna gets the edge! Anna backs Deonna down, whips, but Deonna reverses, only for Anna to FLYING FOREARM! And FLYING FOREARM again! Anna keeps moving to SHOTGUN Deonna! The fans are torn as Anna runs up on the hometown girl. Forearm SMASH, and Anna puts Deonna up top! DANGEROUS JAY KICK, and then the ICONOCLASM! Cover, TWO! Deonna survives but Anna drags her up. Anna clamps on the QUEENSLAYER SLEEPER! Deonna endures, pries free, and arm-drags Anna!
Deonna kicks low, runs, and KNEE LIFTS into the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Roll and FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Anna endures, flails and moves around, and kicks her way to a ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Deonna holds until 4, and Taya coaches Deonna. Deonna slashes her throat, reels Anna in, but Anna fights the Gotch lift! Anna slips around, Deonna wrenches and wrangles, but Anna rolls free! Anna BOOTS from the corner, goes to the apron, and she puts Deonna in ropes! HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! But Taya takes a swing! Anna dodges, but Taya SPEARS Anna!! The ref saw that and he EJECTS Taya!
Deonna is upset, but better than being disqualified! Taya tells fans to shut up as they sing “Hey hey hey! Goodbye~!” Deonna drags Anna up, but Anna SLAPS Deonna! Deonna is pissed, and she grabs that arm! FUJIWARA!! Deonna pushes on that arm, but Anna uses it to roll Deonna up! ANNA WINS!
Winner: Anna Jay, by pinfall
Deonna is furious, but maybe she should’ve let the ref throw this out. In the end, Anna gets a real win over Deonna, will this help her get back towards some title scene?
Backstage interview with Billie Starkz.
Lexy Nair is with her ROH Minion buddy, and notes that Billie is the first ROH woman entered in the first ever WrestleDynasty International Women’s Cup! Billie, what an opportunity, how are you feeling? She is excited! This is the second chance she’s been waiting for, and- Red Velvet steps in to say more like NO chance. Because see, Velvet is also in that match, and well, she already beat Billie. So her odds are looking really good. But then in steps Leyla Hirsch. And she says lucky for them both, because Leyla’s in this! Leyla beat Velvet once, and just looking at Billie, Leyla knows she can beat her.
Oh but then in steps the ROH Women’s World Champion, Athena! The Minion Overlord defends her bestie and Billie, and says it is finally time for the Athena World Tour! She is the fourth participant, even though, why does she have to qualify for HER show? Athena has beaten Velvet, she’s beaten “Small fry” Leyla, and well… Billie Goat, we all know Athena dog walked her! Velvet says Athena shouldn’t talk to Billie like that. Billie says “Cupcake” doesn’t need to defend her. Things are getting tense already, who wins their way into WrestleDynasty’s massive crossover match?
Backstage interview with QT Marshall.
Lexy is now with QT and says later int he Zero Hour, it is QT VS Big Boom AJ. QT took AJ out last night after the weigh-in, will it be the same here tonight? QT wants Lexy to remember, pronounce it “Mar-shall.” And yes, in QT’s home state of New Jersey, the best part will be QT remembering why he left. It’s a dump! Especially Newark! But AJ is also from New Jersey, and he properly represents this dump. Whether AJ is on the Tonight Show, on TikTok, or here in AEW, he is the epitome of someone from The Garden State: an embarrassment! He’s worse than Bruce Springsteen himself!
And tonight, in a sold out crowd that QT drew all himself, it will be like going to his high school reunion and showing how he is more successful than everyone else. And he’ll do that by walking to the ring, staring down AJ, and bringing the doom! Will QT Marshall make himself the boss of the Zero Hour? Or will it be a BOOM for all of New Jersey when QT loses?
New Year’s Day is a NEW ERA for AEW!
Starting Wednesday, January 1st, 2025, AEW Dynamite will be SIMULCAST on Max! And even bigger, it is the return of Fight for the Fallen! All proceeds go to helping victims of Hurricane Helene in Ashville, North Carolina.
Zero Hour – Fatal 4 Way: Dante Martin VS The Beast Mortos VS Komander VS Buddy Matthews!
Now this is going to be a fast ‘n’ furious match! Angel Dorado, the menacing minotaur, the Commander of Space and the Aussie Juggernaut are all fighting for opportunity, who makes that greater impact?
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Will B Block stay tranquilo?
After a win over The Might, Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi now take on Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg! Will Los Ingobernables de Japon end up behind BARS?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Masatora Yasuda VS Daiki Nagai; Time Limit Draw.
- Six Man Tag: Bishamon & Shoma Kato VS Shota Umino, Tomoaki Honma & Tiger Mask; Shota, Honma & Tiger Mask win.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Alex Zayne, Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima; TMDK wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS The Filip Brothers; Shane & Mikey win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & Ren Narita; Evil & Narita win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Great-O-Khan & Henare; Khan & Henare win.
- World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg; Yano & Oleg win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current B Block standings!
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-0, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-0, 2 points
Evil & Ren Narita: 1-0, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 0-1, 0 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 0-1, 0 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 0-1, 0 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-1, 0 points
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS The Filip Brothers!
The former IWGP Tag Team Champions aren’t feeling as mighty as they should be after losing to Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi in the opening round. But can they rise back up mightier than ever? Or will Tome the Taiga & Stevie the Phoenix become apex predators in this tournament?
The teams sort out and after the Filip Brothers Too Sweet, Tome starts against Hysterical Haste. The fans rally up and the bell rings. Shane and Tome circle, tie up, and Shane waistlocks. Tome switches but Shane wrenches for a headlock takeover. Tome fights around, rolls Shane to a cover, TWO! Shane holds on but Tome fights up. Tome powers Shane down, pops out the back then wrenches to a wristlock. Tome keeps Shane from ropes, but Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and basement DROPKICKS! The fans cheer as Shane poses, and then Shane brings Tome up. Shane wrenches Tome, tags Mad Mikey, and Mikey wrenches.
TMDK DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Tome down, then they split the wishbone! Mikey BLASTS Stevie for good measure, then he CHOPS Tome. Mikey CHOPS Tome in a corner, brings Tome around, and then snapmares. Mikey clamps on a neck wrench and pushes on it hard. Tome endures, Mikey sneaks a BITE, then pushes Tome down. Tag to Shane, TMDK double whip Tome to a corner. Shane sends Mikey in but Tome DUMPS Mikey to the floor! Shane runs up but Tome dodges, then Stevie joins in! Tome FOREARM, Stevie DROPKICK, and Tome GERMAN SUPLEX! Then Tome hits a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Shane stays in this but he also bails to the apron. Tome stomps Shane, then tags Stevie. Shane goes to the floor but Stevie pursues. Stevie RAMS Shane into railing, right in front of commentary. Stevie stands Shane up to CHOP, and Shane hurries into the ring. Stevie stalks after and stomps Shane. Stevie snapmares, then he KICKS Shane in the back! Cover, ONE!! Shane shows some grit but Stevie tags Tome. The fans rally but the Filip Brothers mug Shane. Shane CHOPS Stevie but Tome CHOPS Shane! Tome stomps away on Shane in the corner, digs his boot in, but the ref counts. Tome steps off, but for only a moment before he digs his boots in again!
Mikey gets mad but the ref keeps him from storming in. That just lets Stevie CHOKE Shane! Mikey protests more but Stevie gets away with that. Tome tags Stevie in, and Stevie BLASTS Mikey! Tome whips Shane and BOOTS him down for Stevie’s HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shane stays in this and the fans rally up. Stevie KNEES Shane in the back, has the chinlock, then KNEES Shane again for the motorcycle stretch. Shane endures, fights up, and fires body shots. Shane UPPERCUTS, but Stevie holds him back! Stevie kicks and whips Shane, but Shane BLASTS Tome! Shane dodges Stevie and Stevie hits buckles!
Shane crawls but Stevie hurries after him. Stevie grabs Shane’s leg, but Shane swings an elbow. Stevie dodges, but Shane CALF KICKS him down! The fans rally as Shane crawls, hot tag to Mikey! Mikey runs in at Stevie to LARIAT in the corner! Mikey whips Stevie into the corner to LARIAT again! And then short arm LARIAT! The fans fire up and Mikey brings Stevie around. Mikey fireman’s carries but Stevie fights free. Stevie waistlocks, ducks an elbow, but the DDT hits! Mikey powers up, throws off his elbow pad, and SLIDING LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Stevie stays in this but Mikey stays on him.
Mikey stands Stevie up, but Stevie fights the back suplex! Stevie throws down elbows, but Mikey CHOPS him! Mikey swings, but Stevie catches him for a FINAL CUT! Both men crawl, Stevie tags in Tome! Tome storms up on Mikey, but Mikey fires forearms! Mikey CHOPS Tome, CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Mikey whips but Tome reverses. Tome runs in but blocks boots. Tome puts Mikey in the ropes to KICK and WOE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Mikey toughs it out and the fans rally up. Tome brushes himself off and brings Mikey up. Tome fires boxing elbows and an UPPERCUT! But Mikey dodges the lariat, to SPINEBUSTER!
The fans fire up and Mikey hot tags Shane! Shane drags Tome up for UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT! Shane fires up to fire off more UPPERCUTS! The fans rally with every shot, and then Shane whips. Tome reverses, but Shane comes back to DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shane BLASTS Stevie for good measure. Tome kicks and whips but Shane reverses to kick, BOOT, and INVERTED EXPLODER! The fans rally behind Shane as he aims from the corner. Shane runs in but Stevie intercepts, SPANISH FLY! But Mikey fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Tome hits Mikey with a SPINEBUSTER! Shane SHORYUKENS Tome!
Stevie SUPERKICKS Shane! Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Tome BOOTS Mikey! Shane BOOTS Tome! Tome just laughs that off! DOUBLE BOOTS hit, but neither man falls! Shane kicks, Tome blocks, and Tome trips Shane to tie up the legs! FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Shane flails, reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, but Tome pushes on the hold! Mikey SLIDING LARIATS Tome! Shane is free and Mikey coaches him up, but Stevie LARIATS Mikey and himself up and out of the ring! The fans rally as all four men are down all around ringside! Shane and Tome stir and head for each other. Shane throws a forearm, but Tome gives it back.
Shane fires another forearm, so Tome fires back. The forearms keep going as both men rise up, and now they pick up speed! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and then Shane UPPERCUTS! ROLLING- NO, Tome ROCKS, ELBOWS, UPPERCUTS, and DISCUS LARIATS! But Shane nis right up! Shane swings, misses, and Tome SNAP GERMANS! The fans fire up and Stevie returns! Tome fireman’s carries, Stevie runs up, BOOT O’ DOOM! Both brothers cover, but Mikey breaks it up! The fans fire up but Tome TOSSES Mikey! Stevie staggers over to Shane, Tome calls for the finish! Stevie feeds Shane to Tome!
Tome underhooks, but Shane wrenches free! Shane sends Tome into Stevie, then Mikey LARIATS Stevie! Shane suplexes Tome, FALCON BOMB! Cover, TWO! Tome survives and the fans fire up! TMDK regroups, and they haul Tome up. Shane aims, but Stevie makes the save! Stevie shoves Mikey at Shane but Shane dodges! Shane clinches Stevie, Mikey joins in, ELECTRIC BLUE! Stevie flounders away from that power-bottom, but Tome is back! Shane fights the waistlock, then switches, POINT-BLANK HIGH LOW! TMDK then hoist Tome up, ELECTRIC BLUE again!! Cover, TMDK wins!
Winners: Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls, by pinfall (gain 2 points; The Filip Brothers earn 0)
The Mighty Don’t Kneel, and that’s why they’re able to rise up again! Will Shane & Mikey make it back to the top? Will Tome & Stevie still find their own way to the trophies?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Taichi & Taka Michinoku VS EVIL & Ren Narita!
The Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker opened this tournament with the biggest win possible when they beat the current IWGP Tag Team Champions, Great-O-Khan & Henare. Will they build upon that momentum in round 2? Or will they be cheated by the King of Darkness & Souled Out Son of Strong Style?
Evil & Narita taunt Taichi & Taka from outside of the ring, keeping their attention as they go around towards commentary. But this is all so Dick Togo can come running in from the ramp! Dick CLOBBERS Taichi, then he TOSSES Taka! The fans boo but what did they expect from The House of Torture? Evil whips Taka into railing, and then brings him out into No Man’s Land! Evil has fans move aside so he can BOWL Taka into chairs! Not even close to a strike, but Evil just CHOKES Taka with a chair! Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs in the timekeeper’s area, and the ref reprimands The House!
Evil lets off of Taka and drags him up. Now Narita brings Taichi into the crowd in some other section. Evil puts Taka in the ring while Narita SMACKS Taichi off chairs. The bell rings to get this on record, but Evil stands on Taka’s face! Narita BOWLS Taichi into chairs, only doing a little better than Evil. Evil CLUBS Taka and taunts him while Narita CHOKES Taichi! The ref reprimands from afar but does his best to watch Evil. Evil stomps Taka to a corner, then drags him out. Evil stomps away on a leg, drops an elbow on the knee, then covers. TWO, so Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil covers again! TWO, and Evil tries a full mounted cover! TWO!!
The fans cheer but Evil wants a prawn hold cover! TWO!! Taka escapes five consecutive pins and Evil is frustrated. Taka crawls for his corner but Taichi’s still in the crowd. Wait, he storms back to ringside, with a chair! The ref stops Taichi from going after Narita, and Evil holds Taka’s hand out mockingly. The ref has to stop Taichi from storming into the ring now, and that lets Evil CLAW Taka’s eyes! Evil drags Taka up, tags in Narita, and Narita CLUBS Taka’s arm. Narita wrenches the arm, YANKS it, YANKS it again, and then taunts Taichi before he YANKS the arm again. Narita wrenches to an ELBOW BREAKER!
Narita bumps Taka off buckles then tags Evil. Evil swings around the House of Torture shirt, and he CHOKES Taka with it! The ref again keeps Taichi back, meaning Taka suffers for it! Evil then throws the shirt at Taichi! Taichi catches the shirt and he storms in to throw it back! The ref stops Taichi but Taichi shoves him down! Taichi attacks Evil but Evil & Narita mug Taichi! They toss Taichi out then go back to the ref. Evil tells the ref to do better, then Evil tags Narita. Narita has Taka under the ropes, for the ROPE GUILLOTINE! Taka sputters, the ref reprimands, but Narita just drags Taka back up.
Narita scrapes Taka’s face along the ropes! The ref reprimands, Narita pushes Taka down, and then Narita argues with the ref. Narita whips Taka to ropes, ELBOWS him down, then covers, TWO! Narita clamps onto Taka’s arm and drags him up. Narita brings Taka over, Evil tags in, and Evil CLUBS Taka on the back. Evil sends Taka out, then distracts the ref. Dick RAMS Taka into railing, then FLAPJACKS him off the apron! Dick shoves Taka in, Evil covers, TWO! Taka stays in this and Evil gets annoyed. Evil stands on Taka’s face, but steps off as the ref reprimands. The fans rally for Taka but Evil taunts them.
Evil stalks Taka to a corner, but Taka fires elbows! Evil CLAWS Taka’s eyes! The ref reprimands but Evil whips corner to corner. Evil runs in but Taka dodges, to then SHINING WIZARD! The fans fire up as Taka crawls, but Narita runs up to stomp him! Narita CLUBS Taka, runs, but Taka goes the other way! Taka BOOTS Narita down! The fans fire up as Taka hurries, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi storms up on Evil to fire Kawada Kicks! Evil staggers to a corner but Taichi runs up to BOOT! Taichi keeps moving but Evil ducks the Ax Bomber! Evil waistlocks, Taichi fights the lift, and he ENZIGIRIS! Taichi then DECKS Dick off the apron!
The fans fire up but Narita attacks! Narita whips Taichi but Taichi BOOTS him down! The fans fire up with Taichi while Evil flounders around. Evil wants mercy, but Taichi says no! Evil ducks the buzzsaw to CLAW eyes! Evil blocks a kick, hands it to the ref, and he mule kicks Taichi down! The fans boo but Evil runs up to LARIAT in the corner! Evil then hooks a leg, FISHERMAN- NO, Taichi fights free, and he wrenches to HOOK KICK! Evil falls and the fans fire up! Taichi roars and rises, and OFF COME THE PANTS! The fans fire up as Taichi goes to the corner. Taichi aims for- NO, Evil dodges the superkick and he shoves Taichi into Taka!
Taka falls off the apron, Taichi runs up, but into EVERY- NO, Taichi slips free to DANGER- NO, Evil fights the saido to wrench and whip! TADA, bare buckles! The fans boo and the ref reprimands but The House soaks it all up. Evil tags Narita, and Narita runs to BOOT Taichi down! Cover, TWO! Taichi stays in this but Narita kicks him around. Narita taunts Taichi, pie faces him, but Taichi rises. Narita taunts Taichi more, fires forearms, but Taichi just leans into those! Taichi then SOBATS and Narita sputters. Taichi runs, Narita dodges the Ax Bomber to CHOKE Taichi! The ref reprimands, Narita stops, but then just CHOKES Tacihi more!
Narita whips corner to corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Taichi and Narita stir, and Taichi crawls his way over. Hot tag to Taka! Taka stomps away on Narita, then whips. Narita reverses, Taka reverses and wrangles Narita to JUST FACELOCK! Narita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taka drags Narita up, scoops, but Narita slips free! Narita CHOKES Taka, Taka breaks free, but Narita hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Evil BLASTS Taichi, and he KICKS Taka’s hands! Narita has the full ARMBAR! Taka kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! Dick even tries to swat that foot away!
The ref still counts the break, and he reprimands. Narita holds on but the ref starts to count, so Narita lets go at 4. Narita stomps Taka around then runs. Taka BOOTS Narita down again! And he WRECKS Dick for good measure! Evil has a chair! The ref stops Evil but Narita has his pushup bar! Taka dodges, but Narita jams him up on the return! Taichi runs in, MIC STAND SHOT! The fans fire up but now Evil shoves the ref aside. Evil rushes Taichi but Taichi JAMS Evil with the mic stand! Taka runs to sunset flip Narita! TWO! Narita stands, into a PALM STRIKE! Roll up, high stack, TWO!!
Narita kicks Taka, DOUBLE- NO, Taka sits Narita down! SHINING WIZARD! Cover, TWO! But into JUST FACELOCK!! Evil stomps away on Taka! Taichi CLUBS Evil! Taichi drags Evil into SEITEIJUJIHO!! Taka CLUBS away on Narita to put him in JUST FACELOCK!!! The bell rings, but that was DICK!!! That damn Spoiler!!! The House SHOVES Taka & Taichi into the ref!! The fans boo as now Evil CHOKES Taka and Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi! The House stops that so they can set Taka up for the PUSHUP BAR ATTACK! The fans boo more but The House just soaks it up.
Evil & Narita then drag Taka over and set him up for Dick! PUSHUP BAR DICK CHOP!!! Narita slashes his throat, and hits the DOUBLECROSSER!! Dick fetches the ref to count, and The House wins!
Winner: Evil & Ren Narita, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Taichi & Taka earn 0)
The House of Torture cheats another team, and Taichi is pissed! Taichi grabs that chair again, and he wants after The House! The House runs off in all directions! Evil has Taichi’s mic stand so Taichi goes after him! The Young Lions try to stop this but Taichi chases Evil around the arena. Taichi almost gets Evil, but then Dick uses his SPOILER CHOKER on Taichi!! The fans boo while Evil taunts Taichi. Narita kicks the Young Lions away while Dick chokes Taichi out! The House of Torture are of course the worst, but will they still be first in the block? Or will justice be served soon enough?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado VS Great-O-Khan & Henare!
Two teams that stumbled out of the starting gate now meet in the second round. Can The Ace & Master Heater make up for falling to the Filip Brothers? Or will THE IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions finally look like champions?
The fans cheer as Tanahashi shows off the abs, but they also rally behind “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” The teams sort out but Jado gets fans to cheer him on first. Then Jado gets the fans to cheer on “TA-NA-HASHI! TA-NA-HASHI!” Tanahashi starts against Khan and the fans rally with the bell. The fans duel, “TA-NA-HASHI!” “O-KHAN! O-KHAN!” Khan laughs at how his side is stronger, then he circles with Tanahashi. They feel things out as they go around, but each man avoids a takedown. Khan is the aggressor, though, and he manages a waistlock. Tanahashi switches but Khan wrenches out and trips Tanahashi up.
Khan goes for a cover, ONE, and the two back off. The fans cheer as they reset. Khan and Tanahashi circle, feel things out again, and knuckle lock. They clinch, fight for control, and Tanahashi grabs an arm. Khan slips around to hook an arm, but Tanahashi wrenches free. Tanahashi hammerlocks, headlocks, but Khan slips out to headlock in return. Tanahashi endures, and he pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Khan pulls hair! The ref reprimands them both, and both men let go at the same time. But then Khan pulls hair again! The ref counts, Khan KNEES and ROCKS Tanahashi in a corner. Khan UPPERCUTS Tanahashi, then gest space.
Khan runs in but Tanahashi ELBOWS him! Tanahashi goes up to CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans cheer on the air guitar. Tanahashi tags Jado and he drags Khan up. Jado & Tanahashi double whip to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Henare runs up but gets DOUBLE ELBOWS! Tanahashi has Henare, Jado has Khan, and they give them a meeting of the minds! Then they kick low and TOSS the Empire out! The fans cheer as we get the air guitar duet! Tanahashi steps out and Jado waits on Khan. Fans rally up and Khan grows annoyed. Khan storms in but Jado kicks! Khan blocks the kick to body shot!
But then Jado blocks the Mongolian Chops to RAM Khan! Jado has Khan in the ropes but Henare KICKS him down! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi, then goes out to stomp away on President Ace! Khan drags Jado up and brings him around to CLUB him! Jado leans on railing, but Khan puts Jado back in the ring. Khan pushes Jado around, and he clamps on for an ANKLE LOCK! Khan then laces the legs in a modified DEATHLOCK! Jado endures, and he CLAWS at Khan’s face! Khan stomps Jado for that! The fans rally as Khan drags Jado up. Khan bumps Jado off buckles, tags Henare, and Henare fires body shots!
The ref counts, Henare lets off, but then he stands Jado up. Jado fires body shots in return! Henare winds up to CHOP Jado down! The fans cheer and Henare BLASTS Tanahashi again! Henare hoots, the fans join in, and Henare SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Jado shows that toughness but Henare drags him back up. Henare bumps Jado off buckles, tags Khan in, and Khan taunts Tanahashi. Khan gives Jado Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! And then feints to kick a leg out! Khan says he’s too smart, and now he puts Jado in the corner. Khan hops up and the fans fire up as he sits on his throne!
Jado endures and the ref reprimands, but Khan pulls Jado’s arms! Khan hops down at 4, then clamps on a SLEEPER! Henare BLASTS Tanahashi yet again! Khan sits Jado down but Jado wags his finger. Jado fights, the fans rally up, but Khan clamps on body scissors! Jado is fading so Khan lets him go for a cover, TWO! Jado stays in this but Khan wants the ref to check him. Tanahashi gets fans to cheer “JA-DO-OH! JA-DO-OH!” Khan scuffs Jado, but that fires Jado up! Jado rises but Khan fires a forearm! Jado growls, nods, and he feeds off that energy! Khan throws more forearms but Jado eggs him on.
Khan fires forearm after forearm! Jado just powers up! Khan kicks low, runs, but Jado DOUBLE CHOPS! Jado roars, runs, and he CLOBBERS Khan! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Jado crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Tanahashi runs at Khan, FLYING FOREARM! Tanahashi BLASTS Henare, payback for all those times! Then Tanahashi dropkicks Khan’s leg! Then he DRAGON SCREWS it! Henare is back but Tanahashi catches his leg! Henare asks please don’t, but Tanahashi says, “Bye-bye.” DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Henare falls down and fans fire up as Tanahashi goes back to Khan.
Tanahashi scoops and SLAMS Khan, then he goes up a corner. SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays focused and the fans rally up. Khan slowly rises and Tanahashi runs, to SLING- NO, Khan slips around and waistlocks! Gator roll to a bridge, TWO! Khan tackles Tanahashi, jackknife bridges, TWO! Khan snap suplexes for PANCAKE HOLD! TWO!! Tanahashi escapes again and the fans fire up! Khan rises, but Tanahashi blocks the Mongolian Chops! Tanahashi fires Mongolian QUICK Chops! Tanahashi runs but into a SAYANAGI! Both men are down and the fans rally! Khan crawls, hot tag to Henare!
Henare storms up on Tanahashi and KICKS him in the chest! And then KICKS him in the back! Then SENTON FLOPS as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi rises, blocks a kick, but Henare JABS! Henare winds up, but Tanahashi ducks to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Tanahashi crawls to his corner. Hot tag to Jado! Jado runs up on Henare to fire body shots! Tanahashi joins in, they double whip Henare to ropes, then BODY BLOW! KICK! And then whip into a LARIAT! Jado covers, TWO! Henare stays in this but Jado rallies the fans. Jado drags Henare up, but Henare KICKS Jado’s leg!
Henare KICKS Jado’s leg again and again! Henare runs but Jado DUMPS him out! Henare hurries back up but Jado kicks him! Jado has Henare in the ropes for the DRAPING DDT! Cover, Khan breaks it! Tanahashi CLUBS Khan, then TOSSES him out! Tanahashi leaves it to Jado, and Jado pounds the mat. The fans rally behind him and Henare stands. Jado runs up, blocks Henare’s haymaker, but Henare fights the takedown! BODY BLOW! Jado drops, but Henare clamps on with a half nelson! Full nelson! ULTIMA- NO, Jado powers up and ELBOWS free! Jado runs, but Khan gets a cheap shot in! Heanre fireman’s carries!
Khan runs but Tanahashi hits a SLINGBLADE! Jado hits a takedown, CROSSFACE!! Tanahashi has Khan in a CROSSFACE, too!! The Empire endures, Henare fights around, and Henare reaches out for the ROPEBREAK! The Empire is saved but Tanahashi kicks Khan out. The fans rally with Jado again, and Jado runs at Henare. DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Henare HEADBUTTS Jado! Jado staggers to a corner, and the NATIVE KNEE hits! Henare powers up and clamps on again! Half, full, ULTIMA NELSON!! Jado endures, Khan stops Tanahashi from getting in!
Khan clamps onto Tanahashi with HITSUJIGOROSHI! Jado taps, The Empire wins!
Winners: Great-O-Khan & Henare, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Tanahashi & Jado earn 0)
Khan mockingly plays Tanahashi like a guitar before pushing him down. The IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions are finally on the winning track, will they go all the way to the trophies? Can Tanahashi keep his WTL dream from turning into a nightmare?
World Tag League 2024 B Block: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi VS Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg!
The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb took down The Mighty to start this tournament while The Joker & The Rook were cheated by the King of Darkness. Will Naito & Hiromu just add on with another win? Or can Yano & Oleg put the ungovernable behind BARS?
To keep calm during LIJ’s antics, Yano sits at the center of the ring, cross legged, as if to meditate. But it doesn’t really work as Hiromu walks back up the ramp to stand with Naito. Yano loses his cool, shouts at Naito & Hiromu to hurry up, but LIJ take little steps down the ramp. They make it seem like they’re going fast, and Hiromu even does little circles to take longer. Yano is beside himself and this isn’t even a match yet. Red Shoes also insists, so LIJ finally walk normally again. But even then, they take their time getting into the ring. Naito taps the bell, and the introductions finally happen.
Naito continues to troll Yano even as he goes up the ring steps. And then down the steps as Yano gets closer. Red Shoes has Yano back off, and Hiromu insists Yano give Naito space. Yano’s impatience continues to get the better of him, but finally he stays back long enough for Naito to step inside. Then there’s still the matter of his entrance attire… Yano tells Naito to hurry up already but Naito does as Naito does. Hiromu even reclines back while he waits. Yano is just further annoyed, but his complaints do nothing but entertain the fans. Naito finally puts the pants aside, and Yano says okay, let’s get going!
Yano starts, LIJ fist bumps, and Naito pretends to be unsure who Yano wants. Hiromu and Naito each insist, Yano says it doesn’t matter, just hurry! Naito starts, the bell rings, and then Naito tags out to Hiromu. The fans cheer, Yano is further annoyed, so Yano tags Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu says hold on, and he tags in Naito. Naito wants Yano, and Hiromu even gets fans to cheer, but Yano says no. Naito and Oleg circle, but Naito SPITS at Yano! Yano is upset again but he stays put. Naito and Oleg approach, but then Naito dodges Oleg to BLAST Yano off the apron! The fans cheer, Yano is upset, and now he wants in!
Oleg tags Yano, but Naito tags out to Hiromu! The fans cheer as the trolling continues, and Hiromu says he is Yano’s opponent now. They approach, Yano dodges, but Naito avoids Yano’s attack! Hiromu CLUBS Yano, then BLASTS Oleg! The fans cheer and Hiromu stomps Yano. Naito joins in to double whip Yano, but Yano grabs ropes. Oleg runs in to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE LIJ! The fans fire up and Yano says good job! Oleg stomps Naito out of the ring, and Yano unties a buckle pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Yano takes a swing on Hiromu! Hiromu dodges, Red Shoes grabs the pad, but Yano SHOVES Red Shoes down!
Hiromu drop toeholds Yano down! Then he basement dropkicks! The fans rally up and Hiromu paces around Yano. Hiromu stomps Yano, then slides out to go after Oleg! Hiromu kicks Oleg, SHOVES him into railing, then hurries into the ring. Hiromu has the buckle pad and he beats Yano with it! The fans cheer but Red Shoes is confused as to how this happened! Hiromu says no, it’s okay, it’s just a pad. Tag to Naito and Hiromu “apologizes” to Red Shoes, but now Naito beats Yano down with the pad! Red Shoes reprimands but Hiromu & Naito double whip Yano, to DOUBLE PAD LINE! Hiromu then puts the pad aside while Naito kicks Yano.
Naito goes to the corner, hops up, and he has the buckle pad. Hiromu distracts Red Shoes from the DIVING PAD ATTACK! Cover, but Red Shoes has to put the pad aside. Hiromu counts, TWO! Red Shoes says that wouldn’t count anyway! Naito puts on a CAMEL CLUTCH! Yano endures but Hiromu runs and runs and builds up speed, to BLAST Oleg! Naito grinds Yano down but Yano scoots back to the ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes counts, Naito lets go and tags Hiromu. Naito brings Yano up and LIJ double whips Yano to ropes. They DOUBLE LARIAT, then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Hiromu looms over Yano and taunts him. The fans rally, Hiromu drags Yano up, but Yano pulls hair! Red Shoes reprimands, but then Hiromu pulls hair! So Yano uses both hands! Hiromu uses both hands! Red shoes counts, both men let go at 4! Hiromu kicks and whips, but Yano reverses to THROW Hiromu down! The fans rally, Yano crawls, hot tag to Oleg! Oleg CLOBBERS Hiromu! Naito gets away but Oleg goes back to Hiromu! Oleg deadlifts Hiromu, but Naito runs in and CLUBS Oleg on the back! LIJ double whips Oleg, but Oleg breaks the line! Hiromu shoves Naito aside, dodges Oleg, then he sends Naito into Oleg!
Hiromu picks Naito up to make him RA- NO, Oleg stops the assisted rana, to Shake, Rattle and- NO, Hiromu dropkicks a leg! Oleg lets Naito go as he hobbles, and Hiromu runs to CROSSBODY! But Oleg catches Hiromu! Shake, Rattle, and THROW! And a kip up, too! The fans fire up with Oleg, and Oleg runs corner to corner at Hiromu for a SPLASH! Those bare buckles hurt, but then so does the scoop SLAM! Oleg runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up, Oleg fireman’s carries Hiromu, but Hiromu fights free! Oleg elbows Hiromu away, CHOPS him to a corner, and then scoops Hiromu to SLAM him!
Hiromu is in the drop zone, Oleg goes up and up to VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Oleg rolling deadlifts Hiromu! Fireman’s carry and- NO, Hiromu rolls with the crucifix takedown! Ghost pin, TWO! Both men stagger up and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Oleg roars, Hiromu dodges and CROSSBODIES! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Oleg and Hiromu crawl, hot tag to Yano! Yano runs to BLAST Naito! Yano goes to Hiromu and brings him up. Hiromu CHOPS! But then Yano dodges to clinch and BELLY2BELLY! Yano then drags Hiromu around, and CATAPULTS him to Oleg! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Yano covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up as Hiromu survives! Yano huffs ‘n’ puffs and he drags Hiromu up. Yano pops Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights to hit a DDT! Naito sends Oleg into railing! Hiromu hot tags Naito in! The fans rally up as Naito stands Yano up for those heavy elbows! Naito elbows Yano again and again, then puts him in a corner. Naito climbs up, reels Yano in, and hits ESPERANZA! A rough roll but Naito is back up. Yano staggers, but he dodges Naito to push him down! M U! TWO!! Yano hits a fireman’s carry takeover, into M U 3! TWO!! Yano shoves Red Shoes, but Naito atomic drops and ENZIGIRIS!
Hiromu SUPERKICKS Yano, BLASTS Oleg, then helps Naito with the TORNADO DDT!! Hiromu goes to the apron and CROSSBODIES, but Oleg catches him! Oleg SLAMS Hiromu down while Naito brings Yano up. Naito wrenches, but Oleg runs in and SHOTGUNS Naito down! Oleg hauls Naito up, fireman’s carries, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into a POP-UP fireman’s carry! Naito runs at Oleg but Oleg THROWS Hiromu at him! LIJ topples over, Yano gets in there to cover them both! Oleg adds on, too! OLEG & YANO WIN!!
Winners: Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Naito & Hiromu earn 0)
It was a rather wild ending, but the NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champions come out on top! Hiromu tries to understand how that happened, but Naito brushes it off. Will LIJ just have to be ready for anything if they wanna win WTL?
As for Yano & Oleg, Yano gets the mic to say, “Hey, everyone, my apologies. Sorry to Naito and Hiromu, and to all the fans here because I knew you were supporting Naito. So again, I’m sorry, I didn’t read the room.” The fans applaud, they aren’t really upset. Yano says it’s rare, though, isn’t it? That he’d win in the main event? But Yano vows that whether on accident or on purpose, Yano & Oleg will win the whole tournament! No more need to read the room! This Toru Yano, and this Boltin Oleg, or perhaps “Yano Boltin” for short. They will win the championships!
Yano says they’ll test this out. He’ll have Oleg say more than just “Hai” and we’ll chant “Yano Boltin.” Is everyone ready? The fans applaud, and Yano asks Boltin for a few words. Oleg takes the mic and thanks everyone for being here tonight. He feels they can definitely win the World Tag League, so thank you very much! The fans cheer, and join in on “YANO BOL-TIN!” Shrug! The Joker & The Rook are looking good now that they’re on the board, but will they make a run at the top?
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Evil & Ren Narita: 2-0, 4 points
Taichi & Taka Michinoku: 1-1, 2 points
Toru Yano & Boltin Oleg: 1-1, 2 points
Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi: 1-1, 2 points
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls: 1-1, 2 points
Great-O-Khan & Henare: 1-1, 2 points
The Filip Brothers: 1-1, 2 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi & Jado: 0-2, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great second round for B Block, and that is already quite the traffic jam at 1-1. Great rebound win for TMDK over The Filip Brothers, and of course The House of Torture cheats to stay spotless at 2-0. Great rebound win for Henare & Khan, and I think there’s even a chance we see Tanahashi and Khan feud down the line, maybe putting on a KOPW Championship match while Khan still has it. That’s a small window, though, with 2024 almost over and then it’ll be reset for 2025. And what a great match and great shocker in the main event. Hilarious comedy elements with Yano being so impatient, and yet his team comes out on top.
The eventual Yano & Oleg VS Tanahashi & Jado match is going to be a really important one, because with just seven rounds, another loss could pop the bubble on The Ace’s chances. At the same time, Yano & Oleg are his friends and fellow NEVER Openweight Six Man Champions, there’s some drama in that they could really play up.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Fight for the soul of AEW!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/23/24)
B Block, Round 2!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: AEW Full Gear!
With DJ out on assignment, Rob and Jason pick up the slack and talk excitement levels for Full Gear, this...
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/22/24)
A Block, round 2!
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/22/24)
Mariah & Mina are on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (11/22/24)
Cody Rhodes, Kevin Owens, face to face!
#TheOddity 019: Raccoon Sausage & Jiggle Balls
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/21/24)
B Block tags in!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 11.21.2024
Let's pretend last week didn't happen? Okay? So tonight's iMPACT! has to be better...right?
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (11/21/24)
WHO BETTA?
