Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (1/28/19)
It’s the Raw After Rumble, and Seth Rollins is heading to Wrestlemania! Will the Architect switch sides? Or will he stay red to go after The Beast?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dean Ambrose VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Nia Jax & Tamina VS Alexa Bliss & Mickie James; Nia & Tamina win and enter the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match.
- Kurt Angle VS Baron Corbin; Corbin wins.
- The Revival VS Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins; The Revival wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: The Riott Squad VS Dana Brooke & Natalya; The Riott Squad wins and enter the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber match.
- Raw Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS ???; Rousey wins and retains the Raw Women’s Championship.
- Braun Strowman VS Drew McIntyre; Strowman wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw is Monday Night Rollins!
And Phoenix is ready to “Burn It Down!” with the winner of the 2019 Men’s Royal Rumble all over again! Rollins is fired up, too, because last week he talked about the 30 men going into that match and laying it all on the line. He said the reason he’d survive is because of heart. Rollins gets to say that he won the Rumble, and Seth Freakin’ Rollins is going to Wrestlmania! Fans say “You Deserve It!” And Rollins promised that he wasn’t going to do this no matter what, but now that he’s said it, he’s going to point at the sign! Some kids grow up wanting to be astronauts or football players, but all Rollins has ever wanted was to point at that sign. Winning the Rumble isn’t the end but the beginning of his journey, because now he has a choice to make.
Rollins could go to SmackDown for the WWE Championship, against an old friend in Daniel Bryan. Or he could stay on Raw and go to Suplex City to challenge Brock Lesnar for the Universal Championship. Fans chant “Take His Belt!” while Rollins says he’s going to take time to think on this. But wait! Here comes Triple H! The Game walks out to the ring and fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” HHH is glad Rollins got to live a dream and point at the sign. He would’ve been disappointed if Rollins didn’t. At the end of 2018, HHH challenged to bring back that Seth Rollins. HHH knows that same dream. Rollins is getting HHH emotional right now. HHH had that same dream, it’s Rollins’ dream and it’s why HHH wanted Rollins to step up. Rollins did, and HHH is proud of him.
The Royal Rumble is meant to test the limits of every star and push them beyond their own expectations, until there is only one. And now we know who that one is: Seth Freakin’ Rollins! And now comes the decision. Becky Lynch has this same decision to make after winning the Women’s Rumble, but she’ll do that on SmackDown. Rollins needs to make his here on Raw. HHH knows Rollins knows how fast this machine moves. And this machine is moving. HHH wants to know, he needs to know. Rollins has until the end of the show, because Daniel Bryan and Brock Lesnar are going to arrive. And HHH wants to know whose ass Rollins will kick at Wrestlemania. Rollins hears the fans chant “Slay The Beast!” and Rollins says he still wants some time, but here comes Dean Ambrose!
The Lunatic Fringe is sickened by this father-son thing! HHH didn’t believe Rollins was “the guy” back in the day. Ambrose always believed! And they came up together and went to takeover, but HHH stood in their way. Oh wow, Ambrose is going to use the brother card after stabbing Rollins in the back? Sorry, this conversation doesn’t concern you, HHH. Everything in the ring concerns him. Ambrose wants everyone to see what’s going on. HHH is a suck-up and Rollins is a kiss-ass! But go ahead, beat Lesnar or Bryan. Because Ambrose has always been able to beat Rollins. “So what about it, chuckles?” HHH should make a match, Ambrose VS Rollins. Fans wouldn’t mind seeing that, but HHH leaves without a word. Does HHH need a permission from his father-in-law? Fans chant “Yes He Does!” HHH calls for a referee. The Shield brothers do battle, after the break!
Dean Ambrose VS Seth Rollins!
Raw returns as the bell rings, and Rollins goes right at Ambrose! He throws hands and CHOPS all around, then stomps away in a corner. The referee backs Rollins off but Rollins goes right back for more. Rollins whips and runs Ambrose over, then snapmares him for a Penalty Kick! Rollins drops a knee and Ambrose rolls away. Ambrose checks his face but gets wrecked by a dropkick! Rollins keeps on Ambrose by throwing him into other barriers! Rollins CHOPS but Ambrose CHOPS, so Rollins CHOPS back! They go around as the ring count rises. Rollins refreshes the count and returns to Ambrose, only to get dumped into the front row! Rollins hits Ambrose away then leaps for a lariat! Fans fire up with Rollins as he stands tall.
Rollins puts Ambrose back in the ring then springboards, but into a kick! Ambrose throws Rollins by his hair, then grimaces as he rains rights down. Ambrose stomps a mudhole into Rollins but the ref backs him off. Fans boo as Ambrose seethes. Rollins gets up to SUPERKICK Ambrose! Fans fire up again and chant “Burn It Down!” as Rollins stomps. Rollins aims to mule kick, but Ambrose bails out before the stomp. Ambrose shoulders in but Rollins kicks him. Rollins slingshots for the sunset flip but Ambrose fights back. Ambrose throws Rollins into the post! Ambrose drags Rollins up and throws him into another post! Rollins gets back in and Ambrose covers, TWO! Ambrose keeps his focus as he puts on an STF! Rollins endures as fans build to a rally.
Ambrose taunts Rollins as he wrenches, but Rollins frees his leg. Rollins stands and throws hands, then CHOPS again. Rollins whips but Ambrose reverses to kitchen sink knee. Cover, ONE, and Ambrose starts taunting Rollins again. Ambrose drags Rollins up and whips, but Rollins boots back. Rollins dumps Ambrose out then builds speed, but runs into a right hand! Ambrose hurries back in, denies the slingblade and chicken wings for the facebuster! Cover, TWO!! Rollins lives and Ambrose is frustrated, but we go to break.
Raw returns and Ambrose clubs away on Rollins on the top rope. Ambrose claims he’s going to Wrestlemania but Rollins shoves him away. Ambrose comes back to hit Rollins again, then underhooks Rollins’ arms! Rollins fights free and headbutts Ambrose down. Rollins adjusts and hits a BIG crossbody! He bounces off the cover! Rollins grits his teeth while he and Ambrose slowly stand. Fans rally up as Rollins CHOPS Ambrose. Ambrose CHOPS back and we have another chop fight! Rollins ducks to chop and forearm, then runs to slingblade Ambrose down! Ambrose bails out but Rollins builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit sends Ambrose into barriers! Rollins put Ambrose back in, clotheslines him back out, then DIVES again! Fans fire up as Rollins puts Ambrose in again.
Rollins suplexes, but Ambrose slips out. Rollins elbows and PELES! Ambrose tumbles out, but Rollins just builds speed again. Rollins DIVES and hits the hat trick! Phoenix cheers as Rollins puts Ambrose in again. Rollins climbs, leaps, Frog Splash FLOPS! Ambrose La Mahistrols! TWO!! Rollins survives but Ambrose is too sore to be upset. Ambrose and Rollins slowly stand as fans build to another rally. Rollins grabs Ambrose but Ambrose kicks back. Rollins denies Dirty Deeds to hit the Revolution Knee! And Buckle Bomb! SUPERKICK! “Burn It Down!” with the Curb Stomp!! Cover, Rollins wins!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
The Architect proves he can defeat the Lunatic! But who will Rollins choose to face at Wrestlemania? And will he prove he can beat them, too?
Dean Ambrose is still in the ring.
Because he has something serious he wants to tell to the fans. When he signed- Nia Jax interrupts! And she’s got her cousin and tag partner, Tamina! The Samoan Dynasty has a chance to enter the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber, but that match is up next. Nia and Tamina stare Ambrose down in the ring, and we saw at the Royal Rumble that Nia isn’t afraid to step to male superstars after she invaded the Men’s Rumble. Tamina gets Ambrose’s attention and Nia sucker punches him! Referees back Ambrose down but fans want to “Let Them Fight!” Ambrose backs down, and the team of Alexa Bliss and Mickie James arrives!
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: Nia Jax & Tamina VS Alexa Bliss & Mickie James!
The Samoan Dynasty faces the Goddess and her bestie in a match headed for history! Alexa and Mickie are logically the best choices for those titles. Alexa has wanted those titles since the moment she revealed them. Titles on any other team is like putting lipstick on a pig, as Mickie says. But these teams still have to earn their spot in history, who takes the first tonight?
The teams sort out and Tamina starts against Alexa. Alexa shoves Tamina but it does nothing. She shoves harder, then ducks a slap to give a slap! But Tamina shakes that off, and shoves Alexa down! Alexa keeps her cool but then runs right into a right hand! Tamina whips Alexa and hip tosses but Alexa rolls through to a cover, ONE, Insult2Injury! Cover, TWO! Alexa goes after Tamina but Tamina scoops her. Nia tags but Alexa slips away, only to get squashed in the corner! Mickie gets blasted off, too, and Nia is all smiles as we go to break.
Raw returns as Alexa gives Tamina more Insult2Injury, but she misses the last part. Tamina gets up to SUPERKICK Alexa! Cover, TWO! Tamina rains down rights on Alexa then drags her up into a chinlock. Tamina thrashes Alexa around but she endures as fans rally up. Alexa fights her way up and pulls hair. Tamina throws body shots and puts Alexa in a corner. Alexa elbows Tamina away, then goes up and sunset flips, TWO! Tamina clubs Alexa back down then drags her back up. Tag to Nia, and Nia headbutts Alexa down. Alexa scrambles away but Nia mocks her as she chokes her against ropes. Nia lets up at 4 then soaks up the heat, before hitting Alexa with a hip attack! Nia grinds her hind quarters in, then yanks Alexa up to drop her down. She toys with Alexa before putting on a seated cobra clutch.
Fans rally up as Alexa endures the thrashing. Fans also taunt Nia with “RKO!” given how Randy Orton helped take Nia out. Nia throws Alexa to her corner and tags in Tamina. Tamina drags Alexa up for another headbutt. Alexa crawls away but manages to boot Tamina back. She goes up and over, Sunset Flip Powerbomb! Cover, TWO! Alexa and Tamina crawl, fans rally up, but Tamina yanks Alexa away. Tamina swipes at Mickie then goes after Alexa. She scoops but Alexa slips out to grab hair! Tamina breaks free but Alexa dodges, hot tag to Mickie! Mickie kicks Tamina then hits a seated senton! Mickie rallies with forearms but Tamina shoves her. Tamina runs into a back elbow, then walks into the Mickanrana! Mickie aims, ducks, and hits a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO!
Mickie keeps on Tamina, dodges a kick to give the Mick Kick! Nia tags in and catches Mickie. She puts her in a corner but misses. Mickie kicks more, and wants her Mick DDT, but Nia shoves her away! Nia scoops Mickie to the fireman’s carry but Alexa’s up top. But then Alexa reconsiders, until Nia scoops her, too! She does some squats before a DOUBLE Samoan Drop! Nia covers, Nia & Tamina win!
Winners: Nia Jax & Tamina, Nia pinning; qualifies for the Eliminatino Chamber Tag Match
The Samoan Dynasty looks to add more gold to the collection! Will Nia and Tamina be too irresistible for the rest of the competition?
Backstage interview with Kurt Angle.
Why did he ask for a match with Baron Corbin? Because being Raw GM was one of the best times of his career. And if it wasn’t for Baron Corbin manipulating things, Angle might still be GM. Angle and Corbin were meant to face off before and Angle got Drew McIntyre instead. McIntyre basically humiliated Angle, and Angle hasn’t been back since. Is he worried that will happen again against Corbin? Angle took a long time to get over that defeat, but he isn’t over losing his job to Corbin. The only one who should worry is Corbin. Oh it’s true, it’s DAMN true! And that match is next!
Kurt Angle VS Baron Corbin!
The Olympic Gold Medalist wants revenge on the Lone Wolf for taking his position as Raw GM, but will he get it?
Raw returns as Kurt Angle makes his entrance and fans give him a standing ovation of “You Suck!” Corbin mocks how exciting this is. Angle is one of the greatest of all time, back in the day. Corbin knows angle believes he has one more great run, one more great match, left in him. The fans make him believe that, but it’s not true. No one is going to be there for Angle when Corbin hurts and humiliates- Angle hits Corbin! The ref rings the bell and Angle fires off more! Angle has Corbin reeling, then throw shim with a German Suplex! Corbin knees low then whips, but Angle reverses. Corbin slides out then in to clobber Angle! Cover, ONE, and Corbin can’t believe it!
Corbin goes after Angle on the ropes with heavy hands and feet. He backs off at 4, then has Angle in a corner. Corbin brings him out for knees and elbows, then stomps. Corbin throws hands on Angle, grinning between each one. Fans boo and jeer but Corbin soaks it up. Corbin sits Angle up for elbows and a half nelson. Angle endures as fans rally up. Angle feeds off the energy but Corbin knees low. Corbin whips Angle into a corner, but runs into an elbow! Angle boots Corbin away, then dodges him. Corbin hits the post! Angle gets Corbin in another German, then holds on for a second. He gives Corbin the third German! Cover, TWO! Corbin slowly stirs but Angle is on him with the Angle Slam. Corbin slips out and boots Angle down! Cover, TWO!!
Corbin mockingly applauds Angle’s resilience, then mocks Angle. Angle SLAPS and then SLAMS Corbin! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives but Angle keeps his focus. Angle brings the straps down and fires up, ANKLE LOCK! Corbin endures, reaches, but rolls and shoves Angle away. Angle runs into Deep Six! Cover, Corbin wins!!
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall
The Lone Wolf shocks everyone by winning! But Corbin isn’t done with Angle, he goes back to hit End of Days! Corbin laughs even as he limps on a bad leg, but will he have the last laugh on this Road to Wrestlemania?
Finn Balor heads to the ring!
The Extraordinary Man went toe to toe with The Beast just last night, but not even his fast and furious attack could stop Brock Lesnar. However, Finn is here despite being worse for wear to speak. Fans chant “Too Sweet! Woop Woop!” for him, and he says that last night, for ten minutes, he went head to head with Lesnar. He will make no excuses, Lesnar beat him. And then Lesnar went and beat Finn up after. Finn never felt speed or power like Lesnar, and certainly not combined. Finn’s hurt right now. But not with his head held low. Finn’s here with his head held high, because Lesnar may have beat Finn and then beat Finn down, but it was because Lesnar now believes! But wait, here comes Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush!
The Rocky Mountain Machine is in a bad mood after Seth Rollins eliminated him in only 12 seconds. But even so, Lashley is still WWE Intercontinental Champion, and both he and the Man of the Hour join Finn in the ring. Lio takes up the mic for Lashley to say “it’s a disgrace that a twerp like you even got an opportunity at the Universal Championship.” We all know Finn almost won, but Finn wouldn’t stand a chance of beating Lashley. Lashley is bigger, faster, stronger than Lesnar will ever be! And that ass whooping from Lesnar will not compare to what Lashley would do. Finn still lasted longer than Lashley did in the Rumble.
Lashley kicks Finn down! And then hauls him up to whip him and SLAM him! Lashley lifts Finn for another spinebuster, but he’s not done there. He drags Finn up for a third spinebuster! The All Mighty Lashley and Lio Rush leave Finn down and out, but will they regret messing with the Extraordinary Man?
The Revival VS Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins!
Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson wanted another shot at the Raw Tag Team Championships, and they roped Mr. Losing Streak in to be their unbiased referee. However, what they really wanted was someone who would ignore their cheating ways. That didn’t happen, and after losing the match, the #TopGuys bullied Hawkins. But in stepped Long Island Iced Z to save his old friend! Now the Edgeheads are reunited, but will it feel good? Or will Dash & Dawson #SayYeah to a much needed win of their won?
The teams sort out and Hawkins starts against Dash. They brawl and Hawkins puts Dash in the corner. Tag to Ryder and Ryder whips Hawkins in for a clothesline. Hawkins feeds Dash to Ryder for a flapjack! Dawson runs in but gets hands! Ryder clotheslines Dawson out and fans fire up. Hawkins whips Ryder and Ryder wrecks the Revival with a dropkick! Ryder puts Dash back in but brawls with Dawson. Dash gets Ryder on the return, and tags in Dawson. The Revival give Ryder the dropkick suplex combo! Cover, TWO! Dawson keeps on Ryder with leg and elbow drops, and even a falling headbutt. He back suplexes Ryder down then tags Dash back in. Dawson helps Dash with the leg drop, Dash covers, TWO!
Dash keeps on Ryder with a chinbar but fans rally up. Ryder gets up and fights back but Dash knees him low. Dash suplexes but Ryder counters to a neckbreaker! Both men crawl for their corners, hot tags to Dawson and Hawkins! Hawkins rallies with haymakers! Hawkins whips but Dawson reverses, only for Hawkins to dropkick him back! Dropkick for Dash, too! Enziguri for Dawson! Fans fire up behind Hawkins as he whips Dawson. Dawson reverses and clobbers him with a clothesline! Dawson hits Ryder for good measure but gets caught into a cradle! TWO!! Hawkins rolls Dawson but Dash tags in, SHATTER MACHINE!! Cover, The Revival wins!
Winners: The Revival, Dash Wilder pinning
The #TopGuys get that win, but Ryder tries to keep his friend confident. Will Dash & Dawson get another fair and square chance at the tag titles? Will Ryder & Hawkins finally get themselves something good?
Backstage interview with Daniel Bryan and Erick Rowan.
Considering Big Red got involved to help the Planet’s Champion stay the world champion, does Bryan feel he can defeat Seth Rollins? Bryan can’t believe Charly is asking that. Bryan would’ve won no matter what happened. As for Rollins, who celebrates air pollution with his “Burn It Down” catchphrase, here’s what happens if he chooses Bryan. Bryan won’t wait until Wrestlemania, because they- Er, Bryan will end Rollins’ Wrestlemania hopes tonight. Bryan and his muscle head out, but are they on Rollins’ radar?
WWE teams up with UNICEF in celebrating Kid Power!
Help along by joining at UNICEF Kid Power’s website, and by spreading awareness of both healthy food and exercise.
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter returns to Phoenix after opening the Men’s Rumble match, and has a brand new guitar to play after smashing his other one on Jeff Jarrett. But as always, he asks “Who Wants to Walk With Elias!?” Phoenix still does, and sings so. Elias is intrigued, because he’s been testing us. He gave us all a chance but we let him down. The WWE Universe needs to be better. By the time Elias strums and we know it’s him, we should be giving him a standing ovation. There should be wild cheers and signs held up all over the world! Fans do admit to that. Being in the presence of Elias means being in the presence of greatness. “But it’s too late.”
Fans say “We’re Not Worthy!” And Elias says they’re right! To think he wrote songs for them. But not anymore. No, Elias’ songs are for him alone now. And he’s got a good one right now. So please silence phones, hold applause, and shut mouths because- Jeff Jarrett returns!? And he’s got a guitar of his own this time. Double J says “Listen up, Slap Nuts!” If Elias thinks he can get away with cracking Jarrett with a guitar just to have a concert for himself, don’t you worry about the people. He has a problem with Jarrett now! J E Double F, J A Double R E Double T is here, but oh you didn’t know?! It’s the Roadie, Road Dogg himself!
Dogg asks Elias that if he’s not performing for the fans, but just for himself, then do us a favor and play with yourself somewhere else. And one more thing, “If you’re not down with that, we’ve got two words for ya: SUCK IT!” Fans lose their mind and Dogg apologizes. But Jarrett and Roadie are gonna sing for the fans! Hit the music! Roadie gets commentary in on singing the theme song as they head down the ramp. Elias takes matters into his own hands and SMACKS Road Dogg! Jarrett goes after Elias now, but Elias gets the upper hand. Elias drags Jarrett up but Jarrett throws counter punches! Jarrett rocks Elias with haymakers then whips, but Elias reverses, only for Jarrett to come back with an uppercut!
Phoenix fires up for Double J as he goes for his guitar! Jarrett aims, but Elias hits back! Elias snags the guitar to SMASH Jarrett! Fans boo and jeer but Elias doesn’t care about anyone but himself. Will the Drifter be the curtain call for Jarrett’s return?
Natalya and Dana Brooke meet backstage.
Dana knows she’s not Natty’s first choice, but Ember Moon got hurt so it’s on to Plan B. Dana vows to hold up her end. She’s just as good, right? Natty says it isn’t that, it’s about trying your hardest. Dana’s better than Ember, and maybe better than Natty. So are they going or what? Clearly there’s tension, but can that help Natty and Dana be a better team than the Riott Squad tonight?
Mojo Rawley speaks.
“This is your fault that this has happened.” He has no one to blame but them. If they weren’t so accepting, he wouldn’t be in this mess! Mojo is the greatest combination of size, strength, speed and intelligence, but he’s a nobody because of “you!” He’s talking to himself?! Mojo ends this now! “Soon, everyone will see who I really am.” What is going on in the mind of the Hype Bro?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Elimination Chamber Qualifier: The Riott Squad VS Dana Brooke & Natalya!
The Juvenile Delinquent and Kentucky Viking want to bring the Riott to the Chamber, but they’ll be going against the very skilled Queen of Harts, and highly self-touted Total Package. Who joins the Samoan Dynasty in the historic tag team championship chamber match?
The teams sort out and Natty starts with Sarah. Natty gets Sarah in a snap suplex right away! And then another! She drags Sarah over and Dana tags in. Dana and Natty work together to double snap suplex Sarah down! Sarah shoves Dana away and tags in Liv. Dana enziguris Liv down and out. She goes to fetch Liv, and shows off her agility as she dodges a sweep from the apron. Dana blasts Liv into the LED board! Ruby checks on Liv and gets her back tot he Squad’s territory. Dana and Natty talk strategy while Sarah tags in. Dana’s ready and rocks Sarah with a right. Sarah whips Dana hard into buckles! Sarah blasts Natty now, then drags Dana over. She rolls Dana with a wheelbarrow then tags in Liv. Liv climbs and adds a bulldog to the wheelbarrow! Cover, but Natty breaks it!
The Squad is furious and they take it out on Dana. Liv toys with Dana but Dana shoves back, only to get an enziguri from Liv! Tag to Natty! Natty rallies on Liv and Sarah! Discus folds Liv, Natty whips. Liv reverses but Natty dodges. Natty gives Liv the atomic drop to the mat, then walks all over her. Ruby swipes at Liv and Liv rolls Natty! TWO, to Sharpshooter! Natty has it in but Ruby gets on the apron. Dana hits Ruby away, but Sarah pushes Dana into Natty! Liv rolls Natty, the Squad wins!
Winners: The Riott Squad, Liv Morgan pinning; qualifies for the Elimination Chamber Tag Match
Dana and Natty were not on the same page, but they were also outnumbered. However, numbers won’t matter for The Squad, only number of entry. Will Liv & Sarah be able to survive five other teams to make history?
Raw Women’s Championship Open Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS ???
The Baddest Woman had quite the challenge in the Legit Boss, Sasha Banks, but the baddest is still the champion. And as fans cheer for “Becky! Becky!” who won the Women’s Rumble, Ronda says that “If you can’t dream big and ridiculous dreams, what’s the point of dreaming at all?” Ronda stepped into the ring last year at the end of the inaugural Women’s Rumble. She dreamed big, and a year later, she is THE Raw Women’s Champion. Sasha gave Ronda the fight of her life, with the passion and desire like Ronda had never seen. Ronda thanks Sasha for that. But on to what’s next: Wrestlemania. Becky Lynch is definitely watching. Becky has a choice to make about who to face. But as always, Ronda is willing to defend any time, anywhere, and answering the call is Bayley!
The Huggable One knows she’s not Becky, but she is part of the Boss & Hug connection. Sasha gave Ronda the match of her career, and Ronda wants another? Well Bayley wants that fight, too! Let’s have that match here tonight in Phoenix! Ronda’s game, will Bayley be the WWE Horsewoman that gets the job done?
Introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin! Ronda and Bayley circle, and Ronda gets Bayley down quick! Ronda wants the armbar but Bayley gets to the ropes. The ref has Ronda back away, and the two circle again. Bayley gets around and clubs Ronda’s bad arm! She whips Ronda out of the ring and then pursues to put her on the apron. Bayley throws body shots then wants the hotshot, but Ronda gets Bayley’s arm! Ronda has a hanging armbar! She lets go at 4, but fans boo as Bayley clutches her arm. Ronda gets back in, but Bayley hotshots her! Cover, TWO!
Bayley keeps on Ronda with a whip to a corner. Ronda goes up but Bayley knows she’d do it, and Ronda’s arm gives out. Bayley gets Ronda with a chopblock! Now Ronda has a bad arm and a leg as Bayley kicks her in the corner. Fans sing for Bayley as she puts Ronda back on the apron. Bayley dragon screws Ronda’s leg through the ropes! Ronda drops and Bayley fires up while we go to break.
Raw returns as Bayley goes after Ronda’s leg. Bayley drops elbows on the knee and fans duel as she wrenches the knee. Ronda endures as Bayley twists. Ronda sits up and wants a sleeper but Bayley fights her off. Bayley stomps the leg more then stalks Ronda to the ropes. Bayley puts Ronda in a corner and throws body shots. She backs away to run back in, but gets an elbow. Bayley still gets up to snapmare Ronda to a cover, TWO! Fans still sing for Bayley as she drags Ronda up for forearms. Bayley powers Ronda to a corner for shoulders to the ribs, then she rolls back, only for Ronda to tackle her! Ronda can’t capitalize because of the bad arm and leg, so Bayley whips, Ronda comes back to tackle Bayley again!
Ronda grabs Bayley to throw her around! She gets a couple but then her bad leg gives out! Bayley brings Ronda up but Ronda kicks her with the good leg. Ronda eggs Bayley on and throws punches with her good hand. She throws Bayley again, and hits the SUPERWOMAN PUNCH! Cover, TWO! Both women are down but fans rally up. Ronda drags Bayley up for big knees, then a shove, but her boot gets caught into a kneebar!! Bayley has Ronda’s bad leg but Ronda spins and slips around to her own hold. Both women roll to ropes and to the floor! The ref starts a count while both women slowly stir. Bayley and Ronda stand and Bayley throws Ronda into barriers! But things need to get back in the ring! Both women stir again while we go to break.
Raw returns and Bayley climbs up top. Ronda scrambles over but Bayley jumps over. Bayley eggs Ronda on, and tackles her back into the corner for shoulders. Bayley brings Ronda to ropes and dumps her back out. Fans fire up as Bayley goes out and dives through the corner! Ronda’s down but Bayley puts her back in the ring. Cover, TWO! Ronda narrowly gets out but Bayley heads back up top. Macho Elbow!! And then a Bank Statement crossface!! Bayley shouts out Sasha as she pulls Ronda back! Ronda holds on, drags her way over, and gets a ropebreak! Bayley lets go at 4, and puts Ronda in a corner. She hauls Ronda up top, but Ronda slips out and throws hands! Ronda climbs but her legs give out! But she comes back for a SUPER takedown, into the ARMBAR!! Bayley taps, Ronda wins!!
Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission; still Raw Women’s Champion
The Rowdy One manages to hold on so soon after a powerful match against The Boss. Ronda shows Bayley respect the same way she did Sasha last night, and Bayley accepts the handshake. But here comes Becky!! The Man has everyone on their feet, even as she lips out with a bad leg of her own. Becky joins Ronda in the ring and picks up a mic!
“Look at this. The Man is back on Raw.” And Becky told Ronnie she’d find a way back. For about a year now, there’s been talk about the Baddest Woman on the Planet, but Becky dropped Ronda in the ring. And yet Ronda didn’t come looking for Becky. Becky’s come looking for Ronda to prove she’s not the baddest. Fans are definitely on Becky’s side as Becky reminds Ronda who won the Women’s Rumble. Unlike Rollins, she doesn’t need much time to think. She chooses Ronda. Fans LOVE this idea! At Wrestlemania, Becky vows to break the Rowdy mystique, take that title, and kick Ronda’s ass in front of the whole world.
Fans chant along, “Kick her Ass!” but Ronda gets a mic again. Ronda wants the world to hear this. How’s the leg? Because unlike Becky, Ronda wants to fight the best. She wants to beat the best version of Becky there is. And to be completely honest, everyone knows that Ronda could re-break Becky’s face faster than you can say “Nia Jax”. And everyone knows that Ronda could kill with her bare hands without breaking a sweat. The only thing stopping her is her decision not to.
But turns out they’re the same age. That means while Becky was still training, Ronda was main eventing a sport where women weren’t even wanted. Becky was in the kickoff show while Ronda was on THE show! Ronda’s been a household name for a decade! She owns the ring she steps into and she’ll own Becky at Mania! Ronda doesn’t drop the mic, she throws it down! The gauntlet has also been thrown, who wins when the Baddest Woman and The Man collide?!
Braun Strowman finds Seth Rollins.
The Monster Among Men says Rollins earned his win, so he shakes his hand. Now go make the right choice, and make it count at Wrestlemania. Which championship does Strowman mean? And will Rollins choose right?
Braun Strowman VS Drew McIntyre!
The Monster Among Men and the Scottish Terminator were allies only long enough to break The Shield apart. Then McIntyre became one of Baron Corbin’s allies in his crusade of becoming permanent Raw GM, and would help in injuring Strowman’s elbow before TLC. But now Strowman is 100% and ready for revenge! Will McIntyre #GetTheseHands? Or will he prove he’s the King of the Jungle?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Strowman pushes McIntyre away then roars. They go again and McIntyre gets a headlock. Strowman powers out and they collide, but Strowman just brushes it off. McIntyre kicks and chops but Strowman throws him to a corner. McIntyre boots Strowman again, then chops and whips. Strowman reverses but McIntyre kicks back. McIntyre throws hands but runs into a BIG shoulder from Strowman! Strowman kicks McIntyre out of the ring! Strowman then goes out to run, but McIntyre dropkicks his legs out! The Monster hits barriers and McIntyre catches his breath while we go to break.
Raw returns and McIntyre has a sleeper hold on Strowman. Fans rally and Strowman feeds off the energy to get up and drop McIntyre with a sidewalk slam! Strowman and McIntyre slowly stand and Strowman rocks McIntyre with a right! McIntyre gets to a corner but Strowman squashes him with a splash! Strowman clubs McIntyre down, then clotheslines him out! Strowman goes back out to pursue McIntyre, he scoops but McIntyre slips out to shove him into a post! McIntyre climbs up and in but Strowman grabs his foot. McIntyre kicks Strwoman but Strowman throws him to the floor! Strowman grimaces as he looms over McIntyre. He picks up the steel steps! Strowman lifts but Baron Corbin attacks!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by disqualification
The Lone Wolf throws Strowman into the post as revenge for the things Strowman has done to him! Corbin uses a steel chair to SMACK Strowman’s back! But then Strowman punches the chair out of Corbin’s hand! And then he throws Corbin into barriers! Strowman throws Corbin into the other steel steps! Fans chant “Get These Hands!” as Strowman goes around the corner to run McIntyre over! Then he keeps going to run Corbin over! Fans want another lap but Strowman picks up the base steps first. Strowman drags those over, then picks Corbin up. He brings Corbin over by his dress shirt to bounce his face off the steps. Then again! But McIntyre returns to BOOT Strowman down!
McIntyre and Corbin retreat but Strowman gets up. McIntyre and Corbin go back to finish him with a rain of rights. They haul Strowman up and double choke slam Strowman on the steps! Fans boo and jeer but McIntyre and Corbin mock the Strowman roar. Are they incurring the wrath of the Monster? Or will they leave him behind on the Road to Wrestlemania?
Seth- Er, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman head to the ring!
The Men’s Rumble winner is going to give his decision, but the Beast and Advocate don’t want to wait. As such, Heyman gives the usual introduction for himself and the “reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion and the main event of Wrestlemania, BROCK LESNAR!” The premise of tonight’s episode is absurd to Heyman. This should be the easiest decision of Rollins’ life. It is easy to make a choice when there are no options. The only real option is that Rollins should challenge for the world title and Daniel Bryan. Heyman says this is for Rollins’ own good. Bryan and Rollins will have a great match, because the last thing anyone wants is to get into a fight with Lesnar!
Heyman assures the fans that it takes a “special kind of being” to withstand the beatings delivered by Lesnar, especially when you go to “his house” and try to take away- BURN IT DOWN! Seth Rollins makes his entrance to shut Lesnar up. Rollins goes right into the ring, and right up to Lesnar! Lesnar laughs in Rollins’ face but fans hope Rollins can “Slay The Beast!” Rollins decks Lesnar! And kicks the gut! Rollins runs but into a fireman’s carry and an F5!! Lesnar still grins as he looms over Rollins. Then he drags Rollins up for another F5! Rollins sputters and crawls but Lesnar is there to haul him up again, for a third F5! And a FOURTH!
Lesnar sets the Universal Championship down, and gives Rollins a FIFTH F5, on the belt! Lesnar lifts up his title high over his head as fans boo and jeer. But Rollins sits up to shout, “Is that all you got?!” Lesnar fires off on Rollins, then throws him for a SIXTH F5!! Raw goes off the air before anything more happens! Will Rollins regret ever choosing to go after The Beast?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode to follow the Royal Rumble. I liked the opening segment with Rollins and HHH getting just a touch emotional over the Wrestlemania dream, and Ambrose even did great here to ruin the moment. Ambrose VS Rollins was great, too bad this wasn’t how their previous Intercontinental Championship singles match went. Rollins wins to move on in his own story, so who knows where Ambrose ends up come Wrestlemania. Raw also did great in stretching the story of Rollins’ decision for the whole night, but of course Rollins is going to go after Lesnar. Rollins wants to stay on Raw and he wants to be the guy to finally #SlayTheBeast. The fight at the end was a good way of declaring that, and good ol’ Lesnar stands tall. Really hoping this means Rollins gets it done.
Lashley and Lio going after Finn was an interesting move, but I suppose Finn really should get another shot at the Intercontinental Championship. Lio calling Finn the twerp is a bit dumb, though, because Finn’s still bigger than Lio. And Lashley comes out a bully because he picks on a bruised Balor. I’m thinking this match happens at Elimination Chamber, and Finn won’t need Demon to win. Even if they decide to throw in four more men for an IC Chamber match. Ambrose, EC3, maybe even Dolph Ziggler could be thrown in because they’d all want that title. I’d add Lars Sullivan but he’s still got his anxiety problems keeping him off air. But a replacement call-up might work.
Corbin beating Angle seemed like a disappointment, but seeing Corbin help McIntyre against Strowman makes me think Angle and Strowman will team together to beat Corbin and McIntyre. Elias having another segment with Jarrett, and then adding Road Dogg on top, definitely says we’re getting Elias VS Jarrett and more than likely at Wrestlemania. Granted, Jarrett and Roadie should stay away until after Fastlane and then they can return to get back at Elias. I’m also kinda hoping it’s some kind of guitar smashing match, first person to get hit loses. Naturally Ryder & Hawkins lose, Hawkin’s first win in 250+ matches has to be a Mania moment in itself. I’m also very curious as to what Mojo’s new character is talking to himself like that.
I was really surprised there would be multiple tag team qualifiers for the Women’s Tag Title match, but I guess everyone that wants in deserves a chance. Obviously this means some makeshift teams, such as Dana Brooke joining Natalya, and next week’s combination of Alicia Fox and Nikki Cross. Naturally in the case of Dana and Natty, they lose to the established team of the Riott Squad. Meanwhile, I was surprised to see Heel VS Heel in Nia-Tamina VS Alexa-Mickie. It was natural for Nia and Tamina to win, they are the powerhouses of the entire Women’s Division, and that adds a great element to the Chamber match. I’m pretty sure Bayley and Sasha beat Alicia and Nikki next week, they’ve been the ones pushing these titles all along.
Speaking of, glad to see I’m right about Ronda going through the WWE Horsewomen. Ronda had a rough time setting up her Open Challenge, fans were really behind Becky, but also surprisingly against Ronda. Likewise, Bayley had the fans on her side, and her match with Ronda started rough but got better by the end. Ronda and Becky having that confrontation was amazing, because Ronda turned it on. With Ronda taking her time off after Mania, that already tells us Becky wins, as she should, but I really hope Ronda returns Heel to join up with her MMA Horsewomen. That match can happen at Survivor Series to A) give Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir time to improve, B) give them and Shayna time to be on the main roster, and C) allow all eight women to participate in the match. A feud as big as that deserves all that.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Wrestling Dontaku is covered in gold!
The IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles, NEVER Openweight title, IWGP Global Heavyweight title, and yes, THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, as Jon Moxley defends against the Souled Out Ren Narita!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Togi Makabe & Katsuya Murashima VS Jet Wei & Naoki Sakurajima; Makabe & Murashima win.
- Tiger Mask & Shoma Kato VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- Yuya Uemura & DOUKI VS Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira; Khan & Akira win.
- Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Desperado, El Phantasmo & Hikuleo VS The House of Torture; Shota, Desperado, ELP & Leo win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Boltin Oleg VS Taichi & Taka Michinoku; Tanahashi & Oleg win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Kenta & Chase win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Gabe Kidd; Takagi wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Nic Nemeth VS David Finlay; Finlay wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS Ren Narita; Moxley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi took these titles off Fang Revived & The Crown Jewel at Sakura Genesis, but Bullet Club is looking to take them right back! Will Kenta & Chase be the ones to #TurnItAllAround? Or will it be Lights Out here in Fukuoka?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins the sequel!
The teams sort out and Goto starts against Chase. The two circle, feel things out, but then Kenta gets in to CLUB Goto down! Chase BLASTS Hashi, then Chase and Kenta stomp away on Goto! The ref reprimands, Kenta backs off, but Chase bumps Goto off buckles. Chase throws body shots, then headlocks for a punch! The ref reprimands, but Chase whips. Goto holds ropes, BOOTS back, then Hashi gets in! Bishamon runs Chase over! Then ZANMAI! Kenta runs in, Goto kicks low and reels him in. Goto snap suplexes Kenta onto Chase! The fans cheer and Goto CLUBS Chase. Goto puts Chase in a corner then whips corner to corner.
Goto runs in, but Chase BOOTS back! BUCKLE SHOT, STO, and SENTON! Fans applaud the string of moves, then Chase drags Goto up. Chase bumps Goto off buckles, tags Kenta, and Bullet Club mugs Goto. The ref reprimands but Chase pretends to be trapped so he can’t let off. Kenta puts Goto in the corner and RAMS into him! Kenta RAMS Goto again and again, then he smothers Goto! The ref reprimands, Kenta tags Chase, and Chase brings Goto out to wrench and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Chase tries again, TWO! Another cover, TWO! The fans applaud as Goto is still in this, but Chase argues the count.
Chase kicks Goto, stands him up, but Goto CHOPS! And CHOPS! Chase CHOKES Goto and puts him in the corner! The ref counts, Chase lets off to argue with him, and that lets Kenta pull Goto’s hair. The ref sees that and reprimands, but Chase tags Kenta in. Kenta stomps Goto, brings him around, and whips to ropes. Kenta then ELBOWS Goto down, BLASTS Hashi for good measure, then goes back to Goto. Kenta drags Goto up but Goto ROCKS Kenta! Kenta staggers back but BLASTS Hashi again! Kenta then blocks a kick to CLUB Goto’s leg! Kenta whips, Goto reverses and runs in, but into a BOOT!
Kenta runs, but Goto follows and LARIATS Kenta down! The fans fire up while both men are down and crawling for their corners. Hot tag to Hashi! Chase runs in but gets run over! Kenta forearms, Hashi CHOPS! Hashi sends Kenta into Chase, CHOPS Kenta, then mule kicks Chase! Hashi hits a NECKBREAKER on Chase and the fans fire up with him! Hashi runs at Kenta, clotheslines in the corner, then brings Kenta out to suplex, and hold him! The fans cheer and Hashi SLAMS Kenta down at ten! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps cool and the fans continue to rally. Hashi drags Kenta up, reels him in, and brings him up, only for Kenta to fight free!
Hashi takes a swing, but Kenta spins him around! Hashi goes to suplex again but Kenta knees free! Kenta blocks the superkick to URAKEN! URAKEN! Kenta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but Hashi LARIATS first! Both men are down and the fans rally back up. Hot tags to Chase and Goto! Goto LARIATS Chase first! Goto runs in at the corner to fire forearms, then he whips corner to corner. Goto runs in, MURAMASA, then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Chase stays in this but the fans rally behind Goto. Goto drags Chase up, fireman’s carries, but Goto fights free! Chase ROCKS Goto, but Goto ROCKS Chase! Chase snarls and comes back to ROCK Goto!
Goto comes back and ROCKS Chase in return! Chase fires another shot, Goto fires a flurry! Chase fires a strike fest, runs, but Goto runs him over! The fans rally, but Kenta runs in with a title belt! The ref reprimands but Goto TOSSES Kenta out first! But Chase has the belt! BELT SHOT!! Cover, Hashi breaks it!! The fans cheer, but Kenta TOSSES Hashi out! Chase gets Goto up, hammerlock and JEWEL HEIST! Cover, Hashi barrels in to break it! Another save from the Head Hunter but Kenta tosses him out! Kenta goes out to CLUB and CHOP Hashi! Chase tucks Goto in, but Goto resists the lift!
Chase still tries, but Goto fights the driver! And then back drops free! Kenta keeps Hashi out as Chase runs to C-TRIGGER! Then fireman’s carry, T K O, THEN CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans fire up! Chase slashes his throat, vowing to end this now! Chase sits Goto up, POINT-BLANK C-TRIGGER!! Goto falls over from that execution shot, but Chase isn’t done! Chase tucks Goto back in, for a- BLOCKBUSTER from Hashi!! Kenta gets in, spins Hashi around, DDT! Kenta hauls Goto up to fireman’s carry, but Goto slips free! Goto shoves, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! The fans fire up while all four men are down!
The fans rally as Chase and Goto slowly sit up. Chase crawls over to Goto, brings him around, and fires a forearm! Goto fires one back! Chase fires another forearm, so Goto fires back! Chase throws a haymaker now! Goto throws a forearm, and then both men stand. The forearm skeep going, then Chase BACK ELBOWS! Chase lines up a shot, but Goto blocks the knee! Hashi SUPERKICKS! Goto fireman’s carries Chase, Hashi adds on for FIERCE FLASH into position, but Chase fights free! Chase ELBOWS Hashi, C-TRIGGERS Goto, but Hashi waistlocks! Chase grabs the ropes, and the ref, too! Chase turns Hashi around so Kenta can CHAIR SHOT Hashi!!
The fans boo as Hashi goes down in a heap and slumps out of the ring. Chase runs up on Goto to BOOT him! Goto wobbles, but Chase runs, only for Goto to follow! Chase PELES knowing that! Goto roars as he stays up, but Chase dodges the lariat, and Kenta gets in to BOOT Goto down! Bullet Club drag Goto up, double whip, but Goto breaks their double clothesline to DOUBLE LARIAT back! The fans fire up as Goto grits his teeth and rises again! Chase is in a corner, Goto runs in, but into BOOTS! Goto roars, Chase runs in, into the HIDDEN GAP! Goto then LARIATS Chase inside-out! Hashi BLASTS Kenta!
Goto drags Chase up, fireman’s carries, G T W! Hashi is on defense while Goto covers, TWO!! Chase survives but the fans fire up! Bishamon drags Chase back up, gets him in position, but Kenta is back with another belt! Chase kicks Hashi away, slips free of Goto’s grip to LOW BLOW!! BUSAIKU KNEE from Kenta! ROLLING JACKKNIFE from Chase! BULLET CLUB WINS!!
Winners: Kenta & Chase Owens, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
By hook and by crook, Kenta & Chase pull off another heist! But now, that makes them and Bishamon 1-1 this year. Will we get a trilogy over these titles as a Summer blockbuster?
Wait, hold on here! The NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions show up! TMDK’s Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls storm right up and tell Bullet Club it’s time to go belts for belts! Anyone else getting deja vu about this scenario? Wait! Now El Phantasmo & Hikuleo show up! They’re the former NJPW Strong Openweight AND former IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions! And they want all those belts back! Things have escalated, and Young Lions do their best to get in here and keep the teams apart. So instead of a trilogy, instead of a remake with new actors, are we going to get a massive, star-studded instant classic?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Shingo Takagi VS Gabe Kidd!
The Rampaging Dragon has redeemed this championship by saving it from The King of Darkness! However, The Mad Man of the Bullet Club War Dogs claims NJPW has lost its way and that he will help right the ship! Is Gabe simply chasing his own Moby Dick? Or will he be able to tear down Takagi and bring back what made NJPW the king of pro-wrestling?
Gabe continues to parody Takagi, sporting a brand new hooded robe to copy Takagi’s. He also tries to intimidate Takagi by being right up in his face. The ref tells them back down, but they don’t go far. Gabe even pushes Takagi! The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who truly embodies NEVER!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as the two run in! They RAM shoulders, then fire forearms back and forth! Kidd gets the edge, runs and RAMS Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Kidd! Kidd rebounds to RAM Takagi, and they RAM shoulders again and again! They both flex and roar, and the fans fire up! Kidd forearms, whips, and runs in to clothesline! Kidd snarls then whips but Takagi reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans rally up and Takagi fires JABS and CHOPS on repeat! JAB, JAB, JAB, but Kidd steps into the shots! Kidd CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS, but Takagi pushes him back!
Takagi catches Gabe’s haymaker to spin him, but Kidd suplexes first! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kidd gets up first and BOOTS Takagi right outta the ring! Kidd then goes out after Takagi to HEADBUTT! Kidd CHOPS Takagi, whips him to railing hard, then storms around. The fans rally for Takagi but Kidd storms over to him. Kidd SMACKS Takagi off the apron, but Takagi ELBOWS back! Takagi kicks Kidd, SMACKS him off apron, then CHOPS! Kidd frowns, eggs Takagi on, so Takagi fires a forearm! Kidd fires back, they brawl back and forth, then Takagi ROCKS Kidd with a right hand!
Takagi whips Kidd, Kidd reverses! Takagi hits railing so hard, he messes up the camera on that end! But Takagi just shakes the railing in anger! Kidd hurries to find chairs under the ring! Kidd throws one to Takagi but the ref says no, that’s not this kind of match! But Takagi brushes the ref aside and grabs the chair! He and Kidd CLASH chairs like swords! Kidd disarms Takagi, JAMS him low, then aims to HEADSHOT! Takagi drops back, Kidd hauls him up to EXPLODER to the floor! Takagi and Kidd are both down but the fans fire up! Kidd rises, the ring count starts, and Kidd storms around. Kidd rolls in at 5 of 20, Takagi is still down at 10.
Kidd sits like Shibata while Takagi flounders up to his feet. Takagi staggers in the wrong direction! He’s outside at 17! 18! Takagi slides in safe at 19! But Kidd’s right on him for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives and the fans fire up! But Kidd whips Takagi, only for Takagi to fall over in a heap! The ref checks Takagi and Kidd wants this called! The fans rally up for Takagi while he clutches his head. Kidd goes out, gets in Desperado’s face on commentary, but then backs off as Desperado stands up. Kidd goes back to the ring, knowing Desperado can’t do anything to him.
Kidd then brings Takagi up, and CHOPS! Kidd still stares Desperado down, then CHOPS Takagi again. Kidd scuffs Takagi, kicks at him, but Takagi eggs him on. Kidd stands Takagi up to CHOP again! Takagi just gets in Kidd’s face! Kidd CHOPS, Takagi snarls, and Kidd eggs him on. Takagi winds up to CHOP! Kidd staggers away from that shot! The fans fire up and both men steady themselves. Kidd asks via the camera if Clark Connors sees this. Kidd comes back to CHOP! Takagi does feel that one and Kidd eggs him on. Takagi CHOPS and Kidd drops to his knees! Takagi kicks at Kidd now, and Kidd gets up in a huff to CHOP!
Takagi eggs Kidd on, so Kidd CHOPS him on the back! Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS! And CHOPS, and CHOPS! Kidd CHOPS, but Takagi just fires up! Takagi CHOPS, Kidd CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally with every CHOP going back and forth! The CHOPS just keep going, but both men are slowing down. Kidd grits his teeth to CHOP again! Takagi JABS! JABS! And JABS! Then CHOP! Kidd growls and feints to BITE Takagi’s forehead! The ref reprimands, the ref tells everyone off, but Takagi LARIATS him down! The fans fire up, and Takagi stands back up. Takagi brings Kidd up to whip and KNEE against ropes!
Takagi runs, Kidd dodges, but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint to DDT! The fans fire up again and Takagi stands Kidd back up. Takagi suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi looks around, finds the camera, and he says “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up now that it’s time, and they join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi drags Kidd up, but Kidd BITES his forehead again! Kidd tells off all the fans, but Takagi BITES Kidd back! The fans fire up, Kidd runs up but into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- SAIDO!! Kidd turns that around and both men are down again! And we’re just 10 minutes into this!
The fans rally but Kidd sits up first. Kidd has a sinister grin as he stands. Kidd winds up, runs, but Takagi gets under the Rebounder to SAIDO! Kidd is back up though! SAIDO! Takagi staggers up, but he gets around! Kidd CLUBS away to stop the suplex, but Takagi runs to ropes and uses those to help the SAIDO! Kidd is dazed and the fans fire up while Takagi rises again. Takagi shakes out the arms, runs in and clotheslines in the corner! Takagi fires up, the fans are with him, and he puts Kidd up top. But Kidd CLUBS Takagi! Takagi climbs to throw headbutts, but Kidd gives them back! Kidd fires more forearms, then has a HANGING GUILLOTINE!!
The ref counts, Kidd drops Takagi to then get him up, for another BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, but Kidd lets up!? Kidd shakes his head and wags his finger. Is this not good enough for him? Kidd puts Takagi in a corner, to ROCK him with a haymaker! Kidd then hoists Takagi up top, to CHOP! Kidd climbs, CLUBS away on Takagi, then goes to the very top! The fans start to worry as Kidd brings Takagi up, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Takagi writhes and Kidd grimaces, but then Takagi rises?! Kidd runs up to BOOT, then runs again, into a BOOT! Kidd swings, into a knee and MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!! Kidd survives and the fans are thunderous!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Takagi and Kidd stir, and it’s Takagi that makes his way over to Kidd. Takagi drags Kidd up, pump handles, but Kidd fights the rack! Both men fall back and go to corners. The fans rally as both men slowly rise. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up, and Kidd eggs him on! They both run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Takagi fires off RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then short arm LARIATS! Kidd stays up!? And he short arm LARIATS in return! Takagi stays up, Kidd talks trash, but Takagi LARIATS!
Kidd still talks trash as he LARIATS back! Takagi LARIATS, Kidd eggs him on, but Takagi’s running out of steam! The fans rally, Kidd LARIATS and LARIATS and LARIATS! Kidd runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! But Takagi ELBOWS! And JABS! Kidd HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS! Kidd PALM STRIKES, Takagi JABS, Kidd DISCUS LARIATS! Cover, ONE?!?! Kidd doesn’t question it, he just runs! Into a LARIAT! Takagi runs, to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars and the fans are thunderous! Takagi hauls Kidd right up, to pump handle, but Kidd turns that into a PILEDRIVER!! Takagi SLIDING D?!!?
The fans are thunderous as both men are defying expectations! Takagi and Kidd sit up and give junkyard dog headbutts. Kidd then forearms, but Takagi responds. They start throwing SLAP after SLAP, but Takagi gives HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Takagi brings Kidd up for boxing elbows! The fans rally with every shot, but Kidd SLAPS, SLAPS and SLAPS with those palm strikes! Kidd still talks trash about fighting spirit, and dares Takagi to show him, so Takagi DECKS him!! Takagi roars, drags Kidd up, and pump handles, for the LAST- NO, Kidd slips free to ripcord and PALM STRIKE!
Kidd HEADBUTTS, but both men stagger around! Kidd reels Takagi back in, PILEDRIVER!! But he’s too dizzy to cover!! Kidd wobbles and hobbles and flops over again! The fans are thunderous as Kidd flounders, finds Takagi and covers, TWO!!! Takagi is still in this, perhaps saved by the delay! The fans rally as both men stir, Kidd drags Takagi up but then staggers away. Kidd shakes his head, refusing to let his own body fail him. Kidd storms up on Takagi as we pass 20 minutes, and he brings Takagi up. Kidd DOUBLE CHOPS Takagi on the back, but that awoke the Dragon! Kidd SLAPS him! And lifts, but Takagi RANAS free!!
Takagi ELBOWS! Kidd UPPERCUTS! Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS!! Then SLIDING LARIAT! Kidd’s right up!? He and Takagi run, dodge, REBOUNDING BOMBER?!? Takagi gets Kidd with his own move, then tucks him in for a TAKAGI DRIVER 98!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Kidd survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi roars and the fans fire up again! Takagi drags Kidd up, but Kidd shoves him back, and SPITS at him! So Takagi SLIDING D! Then Takagi hauls Kidd up, pump handle, LAST OF THE DRAGON!!!! Cover, Takagi wins!!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
Kidd got the fight he wanted, as both men NEVER gave in! But in the end, it was still Takagi’s win! Kidd may not be the one restoring NJPW to what it was, but will Takagi carry that banner for him?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Nic Nemeth VS David Finlay w/ Gedo!
The Wanted Man won the dream match he always wanted by trumping President Ace, Hiroshi Tanahashi, but then The Rebel had to ruin the fun! Nemeth gave Finlay this match so they could settle things once and for all, will Nemeth have two wins in one weekend? Or will Finlay get what he wants in taking this title back?
As Nemeth makes his entrance, Finlay attacks! They brawl on the ramp and fans fire up! Nemeth runs Finlay down the ramp, SMACKS him off the apron, but Finlay kicks him low! Finlay reels Nemeth in but Nemeth back drops him away! The ref reprimands them both but Nemeth sends Finlay into railing! Finlay flounders away but Nemeth gets him up to POST him! Finlay staggers and falls back while Nemeth takes off his jacket. Nemeth stands Finlay up to ROCK with a haymaker, but Finlay kicks low and throws hands back! Finlay RAMS Nemeth into railing! The ref tells them to get this in the ring but Finlay ROCKS Nemeth!
Finlay comes back but Nemeth throws body shots! Nemeth puts Finlay in and fans cheer as this is finally a match. Finlay stands but Nemeth scrapes laces off his face! Finlay flounders away, Nemeth has him in a corner, then SCRAPES Finlay’s face on the ropes! The ref reprimands, Nemeth throws body shots in a corner, then he HEADBUTTS Finlay. Finlay sits down, the fans cheer, and Nemeth drags Finlay up to again scrape laces off the face! Nemeth then CHOKES Finlay on the ropes! The ref counts, Nemeth throws Finlay away, and the fans cheer again. Nemeth looms over Finlay, brings him up, then bumps him off buckles.
Nemeth throws forearms on Finlay, then a ROLLING- FLAPJACK off buckles! Finlay turns things around as Nemeth now writhes. Finlay rains down fists but the ref counts. Finlay lets off but shoves the ref down! The fans boo while Finlay taunts them and says he DGAF! Finlay TOSSES Nemeth out, throws up the Too Sweet, then goes out to RAM Nemeth into the railing! No Man’s Land disappears, but then Finlay RAMS Nemeth back in! The fans rally for Nemeth while Finlay looms over him. The ref reprimands, Finlay says okay, he’ll get this inside. Finlay puts Nemeth in the ring, the fans applaud, and then Finlay covers, ONE!
The fans cheer, but Finlay digs his knuckles into Nemeth’s ribs! The ref counts, Finlay lets off, and Nemeth flounders to ropes. Finlay storms up on Nemeth, CHOKES him in the ropes, then CLUBS him down! Gedo likes it but the fans boo. The ref has Finlay back off, and Nemeth sits up. Finlay drags Nemeth up to whip him hard into a corner! Nemeth falls back, Finlay stacks for a cover, TWO! The fans rally for Nemeth but Finlay stalks him to ropes. Finlay drags Nemeth up to suplex and BROKEN ARROW! Nemeth writhes, Finlay flexes and mocks the HBK pose. The fans boo so Finlay flips them off from the corner.
Finlay watches Nemeth go to a corner, and he hops down. Finlay barks and runs corner to corner to UPPERCUT! Then clothesline! Finlay reels Nemeth in, but Nemeth slips free of the Irish Curse for the OLYMPIC SLAM! The fans fire up while both men are down! Nemeth and Finlay writhe, and Nemeth rises first. The fans rally but Gedo coaches Finlay. Nemeth fires off on Finlay with fast and furious fists, then HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! The ref gets Nemeth to stop but the fans fire up with him! Nemeth bumps Finlay off buckles, brings him around, and bumps him off more buckles! The fans applaud and Nemeth CLAWS Finlay’s face!
The ref counts, Nemeth lets off at 4, then he brings Finlay around, to bump off even more buckles! Nemeth SPLASHES then turns Finlay for a NECKBREAKER! Nemeth then drops ELBOW after ELBOW after ELBOW! The fans clap along with every ELBOW! Nemeth goes to nine, then aims to JUMPING ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nemeth drags Finlay over to a drop zone, then goes outside. Nemeth climbs up the corner, and MACHO ELBOWS! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives but he coughs and sputters for air. Nemeth stalks Finlay, brings him back up, and whips. Finlay reverses to TACKLE Nemeth out of the ring!
Both men are down on the floor and the fans rally up again. The ref checks, both men are able to continue, and Finlay drags Nemeth up. Finlay fireman’s carries, to TOSS and POST him! Nemeth tumbles away but Finlay stalks him. The ref reprimands Finlay and wants this in the ring, but Finlay takes a lap around the ring to come in red hot! But Nemeth moves and Finlay CRASHES through the gate! The fans go wild seeing Finlay tumble, and then insult to injury, some railing falls over on his face! The ref checks, both men are still able to continue, so a ring count starts. Nemeth and Finlay stir at 5 of 20, and Finlay crawls over to ringside at 10.
Nemeth flounders around, drags himself up with railing at 13, but both men are still outside at 15! Finlay is crawling, Nemeth is floundering, we hit 18! Both men spring in at 19.5! The fans cheer as this match will continue! Nemeth and Finlay stir, and Gedo pounds the mat. The fans rally, too, and both men grab at each other. Finlay throws a haymaker, Nemeth gives it back! They go back and forth, rising to their feet with each shot. Finlay UPPERCUTS, but Nemeth HAYMAKERS! UPPERCUT! HAYMAKER! UPPERCUT! HAYMAKER! Finlay rebounds to forearm, Nemeth fires off a flurry! Nemeth eggs Finlay on so Finlay SLAPS him!
Finlay runs and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Nemeth survives but Finlay hurries INTO OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!?! Nemeth survives and Finlay is furious, but the fans are fired up! Finlay drags Nemeth up, reels him in, and hoists him up, but Nemeth slips free to a SLEEPER! Nemeth has the body scissors, he’s a backpack on Finlay weighing him down! Finlay drops to his knees, then to the mat! Finlay is flailing, fading, and Gedo is freaking out! Nemeth thrashes around, the ref checks Finlay! The arm drops once! But then Finlay comes back to life! Finlay rises, crawls to a corner, ROPEBREAK, but he keeps climbing!
The fans rally as Finlay goes up higher and higher! SUPER BACKPACK SENTON! Finlay is free but both men are down! The fans rally again as both men stir. Finlay spots Nemeth, crawls his way over, and then drags him up. Nemeth is dead weight, but Finlay just tries again. Finlay says Nemeth is done, and he lifts for a POWER- FAMOUSER!! Cover, TWO!! Nemeth stuns Finlay but Finlay surprises Nemeth, and the fans rally up again! Nemeth runs up, but Finlay bucks the Danger Zone! But Nemeth ducks the boot! The ROLLING ELBOW hits, but Nemeth SUPERKICKS in return!! Cover, TWO!!! The fans fire up again as Finlay survives Superkick 101!
Finlay and Nemeth flounder as we pass 15 minutes. Finlay goes to ropes, stands back up, DANGER- BUCKLE BOMB! Finlay reels Nemeth in for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Nemeth survives but Finlay doesn’t let off! POWERBOMB!! And then a flip over, into OVERKILL!!! Cover, Finlay wins!!
Winner: David Finlay, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Rebel redeems himself by taking back the belt made just for him! Gedo personally brings the belt back to him, and Bullet Club has more gold in the treasury! Will Finlay prove he’s the Goatslayer by taking down more greats from around the world?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley VS Ren Narita!
The Maniac shocked a lot of people when he came out of the Windy City Riot on top of NJPW’s mountain. And while he made it past “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs in AEW, he’s following through on his promise to accept all challenges, from the young and the old! The House of Torture’s #SOULEDOUT Son of Strong Style took Moxley up on that, will Moxley regret being a fighting champion? Or will he still head towards Resurgence and a showdown with Shota Umino?
Moxley makes his entrance from the crowd as usual, only to get attacked but Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Sho at ringside! The House of Torture always has to have the upper hand, even if it’s through underhanded means! The fans boo but Narita laughs. Narita goes out after Moxley, but Shota shows up to fight off the House! But the numbers are still in the House’s favor, and Kanemaru WHISKEY MISTS Shota! Narita has a facelock on Moxley while Kanemaru & Sho mug Shota, then Narita SMACKS Moxley off the apron! Kanemaru & Sho drag Shota to the ramp while fans tell them to go home, and Narita grabs a chair so he can CHOKE Moxley with it!
Red Shoes does what he can to get this madness to stop, and Narita lets off. But wait, Sho & Kanemaru are handcuffing Shota! Narita stomps Moxley, Kanemaru stomps Shota! Sho has a chair, and he HEADSHOTS Shota! Shota flops over, Kanemaru and Narita mug Moxley in the ring! Sho joins in on that, and then Sho & Kanemaru double whip! But Moxley DOUBLE LARIATS! Narita has the chair, Moxley kicks low first! Moxley then takes the chair to CHUCK it at Shota! Now the bell rings, and this main event is officially underway! Moxley goes out, brings Narita around, and whips him into railing! And then more railing!
The fans rally as Moxley uses a facelock to drag Narita into No Man’s Land, then DECKS him into the crowd area! The fans fire up as Moxley rains down fists on Narita, right in front of them! Moxley BITES Narita’s forehead! Moxley lets off, drags Narita up, and Young Lions have fans be careful as Moxley drags Narita back to ringside. Moxley RAILING BACK SUPLEXES! Narita hobbles, Moxley puts him in the ring, and the fans cheer. Moxley climbs up in a corner, and he rains down fists! The fans count along, and Moxley goes all the way to TEN, then to SIXTEEN! The fans cheer, and Moxley drags Narita to the apron.
We see Young Lions carrying the handcuffed and unconscious Shota to the back, he won’t be able to help anymore tonight. Moxley has Narita in, but Sho’s still here! Sho anchors Moxley, Red Shoes reprimands, but then Moxley SLAPS Sho down! But that lets Narita BOOT Moxley down! Narita then runs to FLYING KNEE STOMP! Narita grins while fans boo, and Narita whips Moxley hard into railing! Moxley staggers out into No Man’s Land, leans on some railing, but Narita snatches that away to JAM him and SMACK him with it! Moxley staggers away, back to ringside, and Narita puts him in the ring for some stomps.
Moxley eggs Narita on, even SPITS at him, but Narita CLAWS the eyes! Red Shoes reprimands, Narita lets off, and Narita stands Moxley up to SCRAPE along the ropes! Red Shoes reprimands but Narita goes all the way to another corner before he lets off. Narita CHOPS Moxley, then CHOPS again! Moxley eggs him on, Narita CHOPS! Moxley CHOPS and fires forearms! Moxley even puts Narita’s shirt over his face so he can’t see the CHOP! Moxley pulls the shirt up and over so he can CHOP again, and again! Moxley whips corner to corner, Narita reverses, Moxley hits buckles and drops down, so Narita KNEE DROPS right on him!
Narita takes his shirt completely off, throws it down at Moxley, then drags him up. Narita suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Moxley grits his teeth. Narita drags Moxley up, TOSSES him out, and Moxley goes to railing. Narita goes out and CLAWS Moxley’s eyes, then whips him into railing! Moxley slumps down, Narita stands him back up, and Narita brings him out to the crowd again. The Young Lions have fans move aside as Narita CLUBS Moxley. Narita BOWLS Moxley into chairs! Not quite a strike, but Narita picks up the spare as he BOWLS Moxley again! Narita then leaves Moxley behind while fans rally.
Moxley takes a fan’s water bottle to drink and even splash himself with. Moxley stands and staggers his way towards ringside, but Narita JAMS him up with a chair! And SMACKS him on the back! The fans boo while Moxley hobbles his way back to ringside, but Narita taunts him. Narita grins as he pushes Moxley into the ring, then drags him onto the apron. Narita CLUBS away on Moxley, then goes up to stomp him. Narita KNEE DROPS, then gets in Red Shoes’ face. This lets Sho & Kanemaru CHOKE Moxley! The fans boo but The House gets away with another one. Narita then has the legs for a ROPE GUILLOTINE!
Moxley coughs and sputters, Narita shoves him around, then Narita covers. Red Shoes refuses, too many shenanigans! The fans cheer but Narita is upset! Narita goes back for Moxley, drags him up and CLUBS him on the neck! And CLUBS him again! Moxley snarls, Narita fires a forearm, but Moxley fires back! Narita fires another forearm so Moxley fires back! Narita fires a flurry and Moxley wobbles! Narita ROCKS Moxley, runs, but Moxley TOSSES him out! The fans fire up but Narita hurries back in, into a CURB STOMP! Shoutout to the Visionary! Moxley sits down while Narita flops to the floor.
Moxley gets up, says a quick prayer, and then DIVES! Direct hit and Narita goes over railing! The fans fire up while even Moxley is stuck on the railing, and messing up a camera feed. Red Shoes checks, both men are okay to continue, and the fans rally up. Moxley has the title belt right in front of him, that motivates him to rise to his feet! Moxley snarls, goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a TABLE! And then another table! Moxley sets those tables up ringside, and surely American fans would be loving this! Moxley hobbles around, he may have taken more damage from that dive than he thought. But he just gets mad and finishes setting the tables.
Moxley hobbles his way back to where he left Narita, drags him up and over railing, and then uses a facelock to bring him over to the tables. Moxley throws hands to make Narita rest back. Moxley DIGS his fingers in, then ROCKS Narita. Moxley hobbles, grimaces, but fires up as the fans rally again. Moxley goes up a corner, but Kanemaru distracts Red Shoes so Sho can attack! Moxley grabs at Sho but Narita ROCKS Moxley first! Narita goes up after Moxley, Desperado is about to leave commentary at this rate, but Moxley CLAWS Narita’s back! Moxley ROCKS Narita, both men go to the apron, but Narita catches MOxley!
Moxley fires elbows to fight the clinch! Moxley clinches, and he URENAGES Narita through the tables!! The fans and commentary all lose their minds, and Moxley flips Narita off! The House protests but what do they know about fair? Moxley gets back in the ring as the fans rally and the ring count starts. Narita is conscious in the wreckage but even he seems unsure if he can move. Moxley doesn’t let the count get past 7 before he goes out to drag Narita from the wreckage, and he puts Narita in. The fans cheer the savagery and the sportsmanship, and Moxley takes a moment to breathe before he gets back inside the ring.
Narita flounders all the way to the far corner, but Moxley pounds the mat. The fans rally up again as Moxley runs in, but into a BOOT! Moxley clotheslines! Moxley runs but Narita follows to JUMP KICK! Narita runs back in, into a KING KONG LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Kanemaru & Sho coach Narita as he stirs, but Moxley rises first. Moxley slaps some sense back into himself but he still clutches his side. Moxley gets Narita up for the X PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Narita is still in this but Moxley says fine! Moxley tells the House to watch this! DRAGON STOMPS! Shoutout to Bryan Danielson and the fans fire up!
Moxley seethes, we pass 15 minutes, and Moxley calls his shot. Moxley drags Narita up, underhooks, but Narita wrenches out! Narita CHOKES Moxley, and brings him down to the mat! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Narita lets off at 4. Narita falls back to the blue corner, and he grabs his push-up bar! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans boo, but Narita shoves Red Shoes away! Moxley dodges the push-up bar shot to have a SLEEPER!! Narita flails, grabs at Red Shoes, shoves him to a corner then RAMS Moxley into Red Shoes! And then the House attacks! The fans boo as Sho & Kanemaru stomp him down!
Desperado has had it! He gets off commentary and grabs a piece of wood! Despy SMACKS Kanemaru with it, then blocks Sho’s attack with the same piece of wood! Then Desperado SMACKS Sho in the head with the wood! The Rogue Luchador clears the ring of Heel Master and Murder Machine and the fans cheer! Desperado even headlocks them both to bring them away! Now Moxley and Narita are alone, but Narita has the push-up bar! PUSH-UP BAR SHOT!! The fans boo as Narita still gets away with one! Narita laughs as he gets Red Shoes back in and covers Moxley, TWO!!! Moxley survives and the fans are thunderous!
Narita is furious with Red Shoes’ count, but then vows to end it now! But Moxley hits a CUTTER!! Outta nowhere like a Viper! The fans rally up again as Moxley rises. Moxley storms up on Narita, slaps him around, eggs him on, and Narita stands. Narita fires a forearm, so Moxley gives it back! Narita fires another, but Moxley fires back! They go back and forth, forearm for forearm! Moxley gets the edge as he ROCKS Narita again and again! Narita CHOKES Moxley, but Moxley breaks free to ROLLING ELBOW! Moxley runs, but into a SLEEPER! Moxley fades, but then fires back up! The fans rally as Moxley reaches out!
Moxley works towards ropes but Narita shifts things into a COBRA TWIST! Moxley endures, the fans rally, but Narita thrashes around! Moxley keeps fighting forward, ROPEBREAK! Narita lets go in frustration, we hit 20 minutes, and Narita waistlocks! Moxley still holds ropes, so Narita CLAWS the eyes! Then GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Narita growls and storms back up on Moxley to clinch, BLIZZARD PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Moxley survives again and Narita seethes. Narita BOOTS Moxley down, then laughs as he goes outside. Narita climbs a corner, takes aim, but Moxley runs up to ROCK him first!
Moxley climbs, throws hands, then CLAWS Narita’s back! Moxley then brings Narita right up for a SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Moxley crawls his way over, covers, TWO!! Narita is still in this but Moxley hasn’t lost his focus yet. Moxley throws HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The Blackpool Combat Club special! Moxley then clamps on a SLEEPER, but Narita powers him right into a corner! Red Shoes got outta the way in time! Moxley turns things around to snapmare and BULLY CHOKE!! But then the lights go out!? Oh no, the House is at it again! Fans boo as we can’t see anything!
When the lights come up, Red Shoes is down! Evil & Dick Togo are here, and they mug Moxley! Fans boo as they stomp Moxley down! Evil soaks up the heat while the fans tell them to go home! Evil & Dick then go back for Moxley, drag him up, and hit MAGIC KILLER!! The fans boo while Evil goes looking for things, and Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER on Moxley! Moxley says you’re not gonna take him alive! Evil gets a chair, and he runs up to JAM Moxley low! Moxley sputters and coughs, but wait! SHOTA’S BACK! Shota SHOTGUNS Dick, but Evil kicks and whips! Shota stops himself to drop toehold Evil onto ropes!
Shota hurries over, SLINGSHOT DDT to the apron! Then Shota goes up to MISSILE DORPKICK Dick! Then he goes outside to CANNONBALL Evil! The fans fire up with Shota as he tells Moxley-shishou to stand and fight! But Narita runs up with his push-up bar! Shota dodges, then feeds Narita to a DDT! The fans fire up as Moxley drags Narita back up! We pass 25 minutes as Shota helps Red Shoes back in! Moxley hits a DEATH RIDER!! Cover, Moxley wins!!
Winner: Jon Moxley, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Roughneck helps his Maniac mentor thwart the House of Torture! Will Narita have to learn the hard way that cheating doesn’t pay? The House retreats, with Evil giving a lingering glare to Shota, who is still wearing the cuffs! The chain is gone, and Desperado confirms, he used bolt cutters to break the chain.
As for Moxley, he shakes his protege’s hand, and is then presented the belt by Hayato Maeda. Moxley bows in respect, then holds up the belt. Moxley also does photo ops with Maeda, and even gives him a noogie and pretend punches. After that, Moxley gets the mic. The fans cheer, and he takes a moment to bow deeply in thanks to everyone. “Fukuoka, I love you all. But I promise you one thing. No matter what happens out here, no matter what the odds, no matter what the challenge, no matter how bad the odds are stacked against me like tonight, I will fight until my dying breath!” The fans cheer, the streamers fly, and Moxley is ready for Shota and Resurgence!
Moxley makes sure Shota understands, there is respect, but there will also be no holding back. Shota nods and they will meet in one week’s time, in the Toyota Arena in California! Will Moxley hold onto the gold in the Golden State? Or will it be the moment Shota brings about his own Paradigm Shift?
My Thoughts:
A great night two for Wrestling Dontaku, lots of matches on this one. I did not expect Kenta & Chase to take the tag titles back, but then they also threw more challengers at this than I expected. They had a Triple Threat for the Heavyweight and Openweight tag titles, this clearly looks to be a Fatal 4 Way in the making. If this were WWE or AEW, it might be in a Ladder match, but even a standard Fatal 4 Way would be amazing given the four teams here. And at this point, any team could win this, but it’d feel silly if Bishamon just won everything back. I’d personally want to see TMDK get all the gold as they’ve put in great work for years now.
Awesome match from Takagi and Kidd for the NEVER title. I thought Kidd was going to win that belt given how much he was shouting about restoring NJPW’s strong style spirit, but it also makes sense for Bullet Club to split even tonight. Kenta & Chase won, Kidd lost, because then Finlay won. That was a bit surprising to me, too, as I thought Nemeth was going to keep his reign going. But at the same time, it was surprising Finlay lost it in the first place. That makes Finlay and Nemeth 1-1 so maybe we get another rematch down the line. And then great main event, but of course The House of Torture interfered, and of course Moxley retained even with that.
Now Resurgence is coming, and I said before that it feels like Shota is being skyrocketed to the top, but who knows. I suppose Moxley could keep the belt and face more AEW stars, but all those matches would be foregone conclusions. I just feel like NJPW and AEW have used their partnerships in hopes of getting both more recognition in the other’s market, but it also feels like they’ve booked themselves into a corner.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Will Backlash be truly phenomenal?
Cody Rhodes’ first defense of THE WWE Championship could also be his last, because he is up against The Phenomenal A J STYLES! Will The American Nightmare have finished his story only for the next chapter to be cut short?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga w/ Paul Heyman; turned into…
- Street Fight Tag: Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga w/ Paul Heyman; Solo & Tama win.
- WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton; Bayley wins and retains the title.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest VS Jey Uso; Priest wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill; Bianca & Jade win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS AJ Styles; Cody wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Backlash in France Kickoff Show!
The countdown to showtime is on! Join Jackie Redmond, Big E and CM Punk as they discuss, analyze and predict what happens at the first-ever Premium Live Event to ever air from France!
BREAKING NEWS!
Make sure to watch the Kentucky Derby’s kickoff show on NBC today, right after Backlash, because there will be news about WWE WrestleMania 41!
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Byron Saxton brings up that Jey Uso was Raw’s number one draft pick. Now he can build on that by becoming the NEW World Heavyweight Champion. How is he feeling? Jey says he’s got goosebumps, Uce. You can’t see ’em, but he’s got ’em. He appreciates Byron being there from day one on Jey’s career, to tonight. This is a career defining moment. Damian Priest is a beast, but Jey’s gotta prove he can stand on his own two feet. And by the end of tonight, Lyon, France and the world will YEET with the new champion, Main Event Jey Uso! Gimme a yeet. Byron says “YEET!” and says we could be looking at the new WHC. Will Jey finally have his moment?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill.
Byron is now with the strongEST duo, and says they are going after Damage CTRL and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bianca immediately says she is so tired of talking about DMG CTRL. She is done, ready to be done with Kairi, with Asuka, with Iyo, with Dakota, and even Bayley. Taking those titles means DMG CTRL gets stuck on Raw. Why does she have to keep repeating herself? She is tired of hearing herself talk about it! She wants to be done! Jade steps in and says they’re just excited to be NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. They don’t have time for this, they gotta go. Jade & Bianca head out, will they soon be the newEST champions?
WWE shares a special interview with AJ Styles.
Kayla Braxton sat down with The Phenomenal One, and wanted to talk about his new attitude since returning. Styles seems confused as to that phrasing, and she asks what brought this on. New attitude? No, this is focus. He was out, got his mind right, dialed in, that’s where he’s at right now. Then to her next question, he hasn’t been world champion in six years. Is frustration over that what brought this change about? Styles says he looked back and realized he’d gotten complacent. So again, he got his mind right and focused himself. Kayla knows Styles and Cody have never faced each other. Styles says he still respects Cody, but that won’t stop him from beating him.
Then to add to that, these two have been ships in the night. Styles comes into WWE, Cody makes his way out. Does this match resonate on a personal level? Styles say sit isn’t personal, it’s business. But he also takes this business personally. He doesn’t wanna beat Cody, but he has to. Then what happens if he doesn’t? That possibility isn’t in Styles’ mind. He doesn’t want this, he needs this, and he needs it much more than Cody. It took Cody two YEARS to get this title, but it’ll only be 27 days when he loses it. Will Styles bring about a phenomenal end to The American Nightmare’s dream?
Now this is cinema.
Time to make hot, new headlines, and to start some new stories. When the stakes are this high, the world tunes in, and the superstars turn it up. “When one good story ends, an even better one begins.” Are you ready? Ready for war!? History is being made before your eyes as WWE is live from France! Welcome to Backlash!
Randy Orton & Kevin Owens VS Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga w/ Paul Heyman!
The Viper and the Prizefighter have proven to be a powerful duo, and they’ve both had their beef with The Bloodline, plus they have initials that line up, so this just seemed like a natural move! Will #R-KO #JustKeepFighting until they’ve torn down the Enforcer and the Good Bad Guy? Or will The Wise Man’s warning from last night come true?
The fans chant “WE WANT ROMAN!” but Solo tunes that out. The teams stare down, the ref wants them to sort out, but Kevin gets righ tin Tama’s face! And then the brawl is on! The fans are thunderous as the hands fly fast and furious! Tama and Kevin tumble out one side, ORton and Solo on the other! Kevin fires off fists on Tama against the desk! Then he dumps Tama over barriers! Orton SMACKS Solo off the apron, throws more hands, then brings SOlo over to the desks! Solo stops that, SMACKS Orton,m and Tama fires hands on Kevin! Refs and produers rush out here to try and get this intno a match but the fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!”
Security now has to get involved, this is just like last night at the end of SmackDOwn! Kevin and Tama are in the ring, Kevin hits a sTUNNER on a guard! STUNNER again! Kevin grabs at Tama, Tama grabs at Kevin! Nick Aldis storms out here as SmackDown GM, and tells his superstars to stop it already! But alright, if they wanna disregard rules, throw out stunners, then fine! Do whatever you want! Thi sis now a STREET FIGHT!!
Street Fight Tag: Randy Orton &
The fans are thunderous as the bell rings and the brawling continues! Tama CHUCKS the Prime at Kevin! Orton and Solo brawl in the crowd! Kevin fires hands on Tama against the French commentary, then SMACKS him with a bottle! Kevin CHUCKS the Prime jug, shoves the cart over, then SMACKS Tama with the Prime sign! Kevin then SPITS on the sign, throw sit down, and keeps after Tama. Meanwhile, Solo and Orton have brawled up into the bleachers! Solo HEABUTTS Orton, throws up the one, but Orton pokes him in the eyes! Kevin and Tama brawl their way through the crowd, Kevin JAMS Tama up with a fan’s chair!
Kevin SMACKS Tama with the chair, then grabs some railing to SMACK him with that, too! Orton has Solo down, but drags him back up to return to ground level. The fans are thunderous for “K O! K O!” as Kevin keeps after Tama. Solo DECKS Orton in return but then Kevin runs over to attack Solo! We’re getting picture in picture of the same beating! Kevin rains down fists and fans count all the way to TEN, or whatever that is in French. But then Tama grabs Kevin in a SLEEPER! Orton is looking for him in the wrong place! The Bloodline mugs Kevin, the fans taunt them, but Orton doubles back!
Solo whips Kevin into barriers, but then Orton attacks him and Tama! Orton HEADBUTTS, but you never headbutt a Samoan! Solo UPPERCUTS Orton down, but Kevin SUPERKICKS Solo! Kevin TOSSES Solo to ringside! The fans are thunderous again as Kevin gets up on the barriers. Kevin walks along, to then FROG SPLASH Tama on the floor! Orton goes up!? Then he hops down. Orton brings Tama up to SMACK him off steel steps! Orton drags Tama along, back to the desks! The fans fire up for the DESK BACK SUPLEX! Tama writhes on top of the French team’s monitors, but then Orton brings Tama to DESK BACK SUPLEX on the English commentary table!
Kevin SMACKS Solo off steel steps, then pulls the steps apart so he can DDT Solo on the steel! Orton goes looking under the ring, and fans cheer! They bring out trash cans and their lids! Lyon wants tables but they’ll have to wait a moment. Orton SMACKS Tama down with a trash can! Solo staggers up, staggers his way over, and Kevin SMACKS him with the lid! The fans cheer for “E C DUB!” as Orton gives Kevin a kendo stick! Kevin SMACKS, JAMS, then SMACKS Solo again! Solo staggers around, into a TRASH CAN SHOT! The fans are still thunderous as Kevin drags Tama up to put him on the desk. Orton SMACKS Tama! And SMACKS him again!
Orton SMACKS Solo off a desk, throws hands, then he and Kevin go looking for something more. The fans are electric as they each bring out a TABLE! “OUI! OUI! OUI!” echoes out as Orton puts his in the ring while Kevin sets his up ringside. Orton throws hands down on Solo, Kevin fetches Tama, and Kevin drags Tama over to the ring. Tama fights back with fast hands! Kevin SMACKS Tama off the apron, then puts him on the table! Orton finishes setting his table up at the center of the ring, and Kevin goes up to the apron! “SUCK IT!” FROG SPLASH through the table!! Kevin roars right in Tama’s face!
Orton gets Solo in the ring and the fans are loving all of this! Orton grins as he brings Solo up, but Solo UPPERCUTS! Orton wobbles, Solo fireman’s carries! SAMOAN DROP through the table! Orton writhes out of the wreckage but Kevin hurries in! Solo stands, roars, but turns around into haymakers! The fans fire up as Kevin kicks, but no stunner! Solo LARIATS Kevin inside-out! The fans boo and taunt Solo, but Solo tunes that out to call to Tama. Tama rises, he and Solo beat Kevin down. Kevin kicks back but Tama fires stomps and fists! Tama just hammers away on Kevin, then rains down HEADBUTTS!
The fans boo and Tama finally lets off. Solo tosses a kendo stick in, Kevin grabs for it but Tama takes it from him! The fans tell Tama off, but Tama SMACKS Kevin! Solo steps in, Tama hands him the stick. Solo stalks Kevin, then SMACKS him in the ribs! Kevin sits down in a corner, Solo rains down fists on him! The fans rally for Kevin but Tama has a trash can lid. Solo lines up a shot first, and he goes corner to corner for the HIP ATTACK! The fans boo as Solo roars, but now Tama takes his turn. Tama SMACKS Kevin with the lid! And then SMACKS him again! And again! Solo has him stand down, then Solo throws down hands!
Tama returns with a trash can, but Kevin TACKLES him first! Solo SMACKS Kevin with the can! And again! Kevin grabs at the kendo stick but Solo takes it from him to SMACK away again and again! The fans boo as Solo holds up the one. Solo tells Tama to fetch more things, and Tama looks under the ring. Tama brings out another TABLE! The fans cheer the table but The Bloodline is setting it up. Kevin manages to stand while the table is propped up in a corner. Kevin BOOTS Tama then TOSSES him out! But Solo ROCKS Kevin back! Solo gets in Kevin’s face and grins a sinister grin before he throws HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT!
Solo brings Kevin around, whips him corner to corner, but Kevin reverses! Solo crashes through the table!! But Tama LARIATS Kevin back down! The fans rally for Randy, wherever he’s disappeared to, but Tama brings in chair after chair. Tama stalks Kevin as he goes to ropes, but Orton returns! Tama hears the fans cheering and turns around. Orton and Tama stare down, they circle, and Tama fires up! Tama swings, Orton dodges! LARIAT! LARIAT! Orton then dodges to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are electric again, and Orton puts Tama through ropes! The fans cheer for the DRAPING DDT!
Even with 11 THOUSAND cheering him on, Orton hears those voices now! R K O!! Cover, Solo breaks it!! Solo throws HEADBUTTS until Orton tumbles out of the ring! Solo goes after him, SMACKS him off the desk, then clears it off! English commentary might end up off the air as Solo drags Orton over. The fans chant “SOLO SUCKS! SOLO SUCKS!” but Solo ignores that again to stand Orton up. Solo HEADBUTTS Orton onto the desk, then climbs up after him. Solo drags Orton up, powers up the thumb, RKO ON THE DESK!!! The fans are thunderous as The Viper strikes outta nowhere! But it was also double-edged given the landing!
Kevin drags himself back up in the ring and the fans fire up as he has Tama to himself! Kevin grabs a chair, “This is Awesome!” as Kevin SMACKS Tama on the back! Kevin sets that chair up, SMACKS Tama with another chair, then sets that chair up. Kevin SMACKS Tama with a third chair, then sets that one up. And then SMACK with a fourth chair, and another SMACK, and another SMACK, before the chair square is complete! The fans are thunderous again as Kevin makes Tama recline back on all those chairs! Kevin goes up, but Tama goes after him first! Tama fires hands, then grabs at Kevin. Kevin fires hands in return!
Kevin ROCKS Tama, adjusts position, but Tama goes up after him! Tama fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT, then goes to the very top! But Kevin turns that around! SUPER FISHERMAN BUSTER through the chairs!!! The fans are absolutely losing it as both men are down in the wreckage! Kevin crawls to a cover, but TANGA LOA drags the ref out of the ring?!? Tama’s brother is here?! Since when!? The Silverback has the steel steps, and he CLOBBERS Randy!! And then he CLOBBERS Kevin! Solo hits an URENAGE on a chair!! The fans boo as Solo drags Kevin up, to SAMOAN SPIKE!!! Cover, Bloodline wins!!
Winners: Solo Sikoa & Tama Tonga, by pinfall
Just when the Bloodline looked like they were at their most dangerous, they got even MORE dangerous! Solo leads the OG Guerrillas of Destiny forward in the WWE, is there going to be no stopping them now?
WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat: Bayley VS Naomi VS Tiffany Stratton!
They say all people are created equal, but when a champion is in a Triple Threat, their odds drastic go down! The Role Model only just got this title off Iyo Sky at WrestleMania, but now things have gotten complicated. Bayley and Naomi are friends, and Tiffany is anything but. Will Bayley survive to bring this belt back to the States? Or will there already be a new Women’s Champion on SmackDown?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster at Backlash!
The bell rings and the fans sing for Bayley. But Tiffy stays it is still Tiffy Time, and the fans join in on that, too! Then Tiff kicks Naomi, swing son Bayley but Bayley dodges to arm-drag! Bayley runs up on Naomi but Naomi arm-drags! Naomi blocks Tiffy’s arm-drag, whips her away, then splits, but Tiffy handsprings over! The fans cheer this opening exchange, and ‘TIFFY TIME!” echoes out. Bayley shoves Tiff, rolls her up, but Naomi rolls Bayley! Tiff rolls Naomi, but Bayley breaks it! The fans cheer, “That was Awesome!” Bayley runs to ELBOW Tiff in the back, then SLIDING LARIAT from the front! Naomi runs up, into a sweep! Cover, TWO!
Bayley keeps going, she ELBOWS Naomi, but Naomi catches the sliding lariat to a ghost pin! TWO, Bayley cradles, TWO! Tiff gets a DOUBLE JACKKNFIE! TWO!! The fans cheer this second exchange as all three women cool off. Bayley smiles, digging the energy from the fans, and then Bayley and Naomi both kick Tiff! They double whip but Tiff KICKS Bayley! Naomi waitslocks, Tiff elbows free, then Tiff sends Bayley into buckles! Tiff whips Naomi, Naomi slides under, then mule kicks back! Naomi runs but Tiff dodges, Naomi SHOTGUNS Bayley! Tiff kicks Naomi, bumps her off buckles, then runs corner to corner to handspring and BACK ELBOW!
The fans fire up as Tiff snapmares Naomi, runs, but Bayley DECKS her! Bayley runs at Naomi, sunset flips, but Naomi stays up! But Tiff SHOTGUNS Naomi, then STOMPS Bayley! Cover on Bayley, TWO! Tiff covers Naomi, TWO! Tiff is annoyed but the fans are still loving this. Tiff TOSSES Naomi out, brings Bayley up to bump her off buckles. Tiff wrenches and whips then ELBOWS Bayley down! The fans applaud and Tiff brings Bayley up. Tiff CLUBS Bayley, CLUBS her again, but fans sing for Bayley again. Tiff puts Bayley in ropes to CHOKE her! And she doesn’t have to let off in a Triple Threat!
Tiff YANKS the ropes to jam Bayley up, but Bayley fires body shots and forearms! Bayley runs, but Tiff LARIATS her down! Cover, TWO! Tiff is annoyed again but the fans continue to cheer. Tiff stomps Bayley, ROCKS her, and Bayley goes to ropes. The fans rally for Bayley as Tiff CHOKES her again! The erf reprimands but that’s all he can do. Tiff brings Bayley around but Bayley fires body shots! Bayley fires forearms but Tiff knees low! Tiff whips but Bayley goes up and over the corner to roll Tiff up! TWO and Tiff CLOBBERS Bayley! Cover, TWO! The fans have not stopped chanting as Tiff brings Bayley up and around.
Tiff whips again, Bayley ends up in the corner. Tiff then handsprings, but Bayley catches her! For a BIG back suplex, but Tiff lands out! Cartwhele and Alabama SLAM! High stack, TWO! Naomi CLOBBERS Tiff, too! The fans are still thunderous like they have since last night on SmackDown, and Naomi whips Tiff. Tiff holds ropes, BOOTS back, but Naoim comes back to SPEAR Tiff through the ropes! Naomi fires up and the fans fire up again, too! Naomi fires forearms on Tiff, then brings her around to whip. Tiff reverses and Naomi hits barriers! Tiff runs and handsprings to BACK ELBOW! Tiff SHOVES Naomi over into the timekeeper’s area!
Tiff says it’s Tiffy Time, but Bayley DIVES onto her! The fans are thunderous as Bayley rains down fists! Bayley finds Naomi, brings her up, but Naomi ROUNDHOUSES her! Naomi goes up onto the barrier, and then BLOCKBUSTERS to the floor! The fans cheer as Naomi finds Tiff and puts her in. “This is Awesome!” as Naomi KICKS Tiff in the ropes, then twerks right on her! HEATSEEKER! Naomi then hits the SPLIT-LEG MOONSAULT! Cover, Bayley breaks it! All three women slowly rise, and Naomi mule kicks Bayley! Naomi then runs Bayley to BUCKLE BULLDOG in the corner!
Naomi puts Bayley up top, climbs up after her, but Bayley fires hands! Tiff YANKS Naomi down, then climbs up after Bayley! Bayley fights with body shots again, and then Naomi CLUBS Tiff! Naomi brings Tiff out for a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Into the BUTTERFLY STRETCH!! Tiff endures, but Bayley MACHO ELBOWS!! Cover on Naomi, TWO!! Bayley hurries to cover Tiff, TWO!! The fans continue to rally, all three women rise up again. Bayley has targets in both corners, so Bayley sunset BUCKLE BOMBS Naomi! Bayley runs to sunset Tiff, but she sits on it!! TWO!! Tiff swings, into a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Cover, TWO!!
Tiff survives, the fans continue to chant and cheer, and Bayley is beside herself. Bayley CLUBS Tiff, stomps her to a corner and fires off fast hands! The fans cheer, Tiff shoves Bayley away, then POSTS her! Bayley is stuck in the ropes, Tiff drags her back out and fireman’s carries! ROLLING SENTON! Tiff goes up but Naomi YANKS her down! Naomi drags Tiff to the floor and rains down fists! Tiff BOOTS Naomi into barriers, then cartwheels for the ALABAMA- NO, they cartwheel more and more! Tiff has Naomi back up, ALABAMA SLAM on the desk!! The fans are thunderous as Tiff drags Bayley out for an ALABAMA SLAM on the French desk!!
Tiff puts Naomi in the ring, then puts Bayley in. Tiff has them lined up like weeks before, PRETTIEST MOONSAULT- NO, Tiff rolls through as both opponent move! Naomi & Bayley hit a ONE D!! The fans are thunderous, “This is Awesome!” as Bayley and Naomi stare down. They are friends but this is about the title! They fire off forearms back and forth, and Naomi gets the edge! Naomi ENZIGIRIS Bayley down! Then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Bayley cradles, BAYLEY WINS!!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Champion)
The Role Model snatches victory away and certainly stuns a portion of the fans! But with how fast this match was moving, will Bayley have to keep up the pace if she wants to stay champion?
Jey Uso prepares backstage.
Solo walks over, as do Tama & Loa. They don’t say anything, but the Bloodline heads out. And then Heyman walks over, shakes his head, then walks on. Can Main Event Jey keep the drama out of his head to YEET the World Heavyweight Championship right off Damian Priest? We find out, because that match is next!
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Damian Priest VS Jey Uso!
Senor Money in the Bank became El Campeon at WrestleMania, but that’s about the only thing that’s gone well for him. The Judgment Day is looking lost without Mami, is this title match going to be another loss? Or will The Punisher make sure Main Event Jey doesn’t have his crowning moment?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see just who’s getting fed to who!
The bell rings, the fans fire up again and the two stare down. “YEET! YEET! YEET!” echoes out, and Jey gets the fans to bounce again, on all four sides of the ring! The fans cheer, and then they all join in, but Priest grabs Jey’s neck! Jey fires haymakers, but Priest TOSSES Jey to a corner! Jey dodges to then fire off haymakers, “YEET! YEET!” Jey whips, Priest reverses, Jey goes up and over, then “YEET!” The fans cheer again but Priest is getting annoyed. Priest runs up but Jey DUMPS him out! Jey then builds speed, but has to stop as Priest moves aside. Priest cools off, but Jey goes out to LEAP from the apron! Only for Priest to catch him!
Priest runs and RAMS Jey into barriers! Priest brings Jey around to ROCK him, but the fans rally for “USO! USO!” Jey gets in the ring, Priest storms in after him, and the “UCE! OH!” echoes out now. Priest stands Jey up but Jey fires body shots! Priest DECKS Jey! Priest soaks up the cheers and jeers, then waits on Jey. Jey goes to a corner, Priest runs in, BACK ELBOW! Priest runs to CLOBBER Jey! Priest mocks the yeet bounce, covers, TWO! Jey stays in this and the fans stay fired up, but Priest grabs Jey’s arms. Priest has a motorcycle stretch and he digs his knee into Jey’s back! The fans rally for Jey as he endures!
Jey fights up to his feet, but Priest chinlocks. Jey throws body shots, “YEET!” But Priest BELL CLAPS! Jey falls, Priest shakes his head, and Priest says Jey is not next. The fans continue to rally as Priest kicks Jey around. Jey stands, into a KICK! And another KICK! And another, and another! But he ducks the discus to hit a BIG back suplex! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Jey and Priest slowly rise, Priest stands first. Jey grins as he hruns up to HAYMAKER! And counter punch! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops ‘n’ locks then puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! Priest staggers, the fans fire up, and Jey whips.
Priest reverses, but Jey slips free of the scoop to mule kick! And UPPERCUT! Priest wobbles, Jey kicks, but Priest blocks! Only for the DRAGON WHIP to hit! The fans fire up as Priest ends up in a corner! Jey goes to a corner, the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and bounce along. Jey runs in, but Priest puts Jey on the apron! Jey GAMANGIRIS in return, then goes up top! Jey leaps, CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! The fans continue to rally and Jey catches his breath. Priest is outside, so Jey builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Priest hits barriers! The fans fire up again and Jey nods. Jey hears the ring count, brings Priest up and puts him in at 7 of 10.
But wait, Judgment Day rushes out here! JD McDonagh messes with the ropes to trip Jey up! Priest SPEARS!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives and JD is furious that their plans still aren’t working! JD coaches Priest but Priest asks what he’s even doing here! Wait, JD is going rogue again? Priest says he doesn’t need any help here! Priest and JD argue, Jey runs up! Jey dodges Priest to SUPERKICK JD! SUPERKICK for Priest! Jey goes up top, USO SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Jey is stunned, but the fans are still fired up! Jey and Priest sit up, and Jey throws a haymaker! “YEET!” Priest gives back a forearm, “BOO!”
Jey haymakers, “YEET!” Priest forearms, “BOO!” Both men stand, and then Jey UPPERCUTS! “YEET!” Jey shoves Priest, Priest comes back to ROCK Jey! “NO YEET!” “YEET! NO YEET! YEET! NO YEET!” Priest gets the edge, fires himself up, and swings, into an UPPERCUT! But then Priest UPPERCUTS! Jey SUPERKICKS! Priest ROCKS Jey again! Jey PELES! Priest JUMP KICKS! Both men fall and the fans are thunderous again! They stare each other down and the fans are so loud, this place is rumbling! Priest blocks a kick, kicks back, then gets Jey up for the RAZOR’S EDGE!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans continue to cheer while Priest cools off. Priest brings down the straps, powers up the hand, and waits on Jey. Jey rises slowly, turns around, into the choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO, Jey slips free, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and the fans are thunderous again! Jey thinks on what he has to do to keep Priest down, and the fans rally behind him as he goes back for a corner. Jey climbs, but now FINN BALOR is here! Finn gets on the apron, Jey SUPERKICKS! Jey then runs in at Priest, but Priest LARIATS! Priest staggers around, choke grip, and SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Cover, TWO?!?
Jey survives Priest’s best shot and the fans are electric! Priest has no idea how, but he works to calm back down. “This is Awesome!” as Priest storms around. Priest fires himself back up, wants Jey to rise, and Jey slowly stands back up. Priest runs up to SPIN KICK! Jey flops back down but Priest tells him to get back up! Jey rises, the fans rally, and Priest SPIN KICKS again! Jey wobbles, drops to his knees, but Priest says one more time! Rise! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” as Jey makes it back to his feet, SPIN- SUPERKICK!! Jey hits another SUPERKICK! And another SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Jey as he runs in to SUPERKICK at the corner!
Priest wobbles, Jey runs, SPEAR!! Jey goes up a corner and the fans are thunderous! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, JD GIVES HIM THE ROPEBREAK!! Maybe Priest was wrong about needing the help! Jey is beside himself, it’s like being on the other side of Bloodline antics. The fans tell JD off, but JD and Finn both coach Priest back into this. The fans chant, “F U J D!” Jey DIVES onto JD! The fans fire up again and Jey hurries around. Finn runs up, into a SPEAR! Jey leaves The Prince behind to aim at the Punisher. Jey climbs, but Priest hits ropes to trip him up! Priest goes up after Jey, choke grips, SUPER SOUTH OF HEAVEN!!! Cover, Priest wins!!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
The Judgment Day didn’t plan this as a team, but they still won as a team to keep the gold with their man! And then Finn & JD have to add on by beating Jey down! That Priest does NOT approve of! He throws JD off, and shoves Finn back! Priest tells them that is enough! Jey’s done, they can leave. Finn & JD don’t understand, but they still listen to Priest. Are things (not) going to be fine with The Judgment Day?
Phillipe Chereau is in the ring.
He thanks the fans for being here this weekend, and for setting the LARGEST GATE of ANY ARENA SHOW in WWE history! Vive la France, vive la WWE!
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: The Kabuki Warriors VS Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill!
The Empress of Tomorrow & The Pirate Princess reunited under Iyo Sky’s Damage CTRL, and they took control of the Women’s Tag Division. However, the EST is about to lose control, and not in a good way! Will Bianca and Jade bring the storm that washes away the reign? Or will even the strongEST duo not be ready for Asuka & Kairi?
The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The teams sort out and the fans cheer for “E S T! E S T!” as she starts against Asuka. They circle, tie up, and Bianca headlocks hard. Asuka pulls the braid and powers out of the hold, but Bianca RAMS her! Neither falls, Bianca fires up, and they start shoving! The fans rally and duel as the forearms go back and forth! Bianca gets the edge, but Asuka SOBATS! Asuka runs, but Bianca blows past her to run her over! The fans fire up and Bianca keeps moving, but Asuka drops. Bianca handsprings, and says kiss this! Asuka runs up, but Bianca bypasses her. Asuka turns hip toss into takedown, TWO! Asuka gets around, IRON OCTOPUS!
Bianca endures as Asuka pulls her arm and twists the wrist! Bianca powers Asuka around for a swinging GUTBUSTER! Asuka flounders away, Bianca runs up but ducks the kick! Asuka ducks a haymaker to drop toehold! Kairi runs up but Bianca DECKS her! Bianca dodges Asuka, reels her in, and suplexes! Bianca kips up again and the fans fire up! Jade reaches out, Bianca tags her in! The fans cheer as Jade and Kairi now face off. Kairi runs up, gets around, but Jade THRWOS her away! Jade flexes, Kairi runs up again, but Jade smothers the spear! Jade lifts, Kairi slips free and kicks Jade in the back! Kairi SLAPS Jade!
Kairi dodges the haymaker, but Jade picks Kairi up for a SWINGING BACKBREAKER! Jade then picks Kairi up for another BACKBREAKER! Kairi writhes, but Jade brings her over, tags Bianca, and they double whip to double hip toss, into a DOUBLE FLAPJACK! The fans fire up as Jade & Bianca say Wakanda Forever and Black girl magic! Bianca then handsprings to MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kairi stays in this but Bianca stays cool. Bianca drags Kairi up, fires forearms, then whips. Bianca RAMS Kairi in the corner, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN, but Kairi slips under to CLUB Bianca!
Kairi grabs the braid, the fans boo, but Bianca backflips and DROPKICKS! Kairi tumbles out and the fans fire up! Bianca PLANCHAS but Kairi dodges! Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Bianca, then Kairi goes up the corner! Kairi grins as she aims for a SUPER CROSSBODY! The Kabuki Warriors fire up while they stand tall! Kairi gets Bianca back in, covers, TWO! Kairi rains down forearms, then drags Bianca over. Tag to Asuka, Bianca fights back but the Kabuki Warriors mug her. They reel Bianca in but she wrenches out to fire forearms! Bianca runs, but into an ELBOW! Kairi adds a SLIDING D! Asuka adds the SLIDING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Asuka drags Bianca up while the fans rally. Asuka CLUBS Bianca, kicks her around, then stands on her face. The fans boo, the ref counts, and Asuka steps away. Asuka kicks, Bianca blocks and ROCKS Asuka! Bianca reaches out but Asuka holds her back! Bianca fiefs a forearm but Asuka KICKS! And KICKS! Tag to Kairi, and the Kabuki Warriors double whip. Bianca is int he corner. Kairi sends Asuka in to ELBOW! Kairi runs corner to corner, SLIDING D again! The fans rally while Kairi goes up, FLYING KABUKI FOREARM! High stack cover, TWO!! Bianca survives and Kairi is annoyed, but she tags Asuka.
The Kabuki Warriors stand Bianca up, but Bianca ROCKS Kairi and dodges Asuka’s leap! Bianca hurries to crawl forward, but Asuka is in her way! The fans rally, Bianca JAWBREAKERS free! Roll up, TWO! Bianca stands, into a SOBAT! Asuka snarls, reels Bianca in, but Bianca suplexes first! Kairi hurries back up while both women are down! Bianca and Asuka crawl, hot tag to Kairi, Kairi uses Bianca as a step to BLAST Jade! The fans boo but Kairi smiles. Kairi drags Bianca up, SLAPS her around, but Bianca SLAPS back! Kairi whips, Bianca reveres, but Kairi holds ropes! Kairi ELBOWS Bianca, Asuka tags in! CODE BREAKER!
Asuka holds on, Kairi BLOCKBUSTERS! The fans fire up for the KABUKI SLIDING COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Bianca stays in this and the fans continue to rally. Asuka stomps away on Bianca, drags her around by an arm, and has a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Does Becky know Asuka’s using her move? Bianca endures, fights around, and lifts Asuka up! Torture rack, but Kairi tags in first! Kairi then saves Asuka from the Kiss of Death, and Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Bianca! Kairi goes up, Asuka has Bianca, but Bianca shoves Asuka away! Kairi leaps, Bianca gets under! Kairi hurries to grab the braid! Asuka waistlocks Bianca, but Bianca fights free!
Bianca reels Kairi in to short arm LARIAT! The fans are thunderous as Bianca and the Kabuki Warriors are all down! Hot tag to Jade! And she SPRINGBOARD CROSSBODIES! She gets both Asuka & Kairi! Jade runs, LARIAT for Kairi, BOOT for Asuka! Then a STINGER SPLASHY in one corner, STINGER SPLASH in the other, repeat! Asuka falls out, Kairi runs up, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, Asuka breaks it! Jade is frustrated but she stays focused on Kairi. Jade drags Kairi up, wrenches and scoops, to then trophy lift! MILITARY PRESS SLAM! The fans fire up with Jade as she storm around. But Kairi BOOTS her back!
Asuka tags in, blocks a boot, and then URAKEN! URAKEN! SOBAT! KICK! MULE KICK! URAKEN! ROUNDHOUSE! Jade wobbles, Kairi tilt-o-whirls for DESTINO!! Cover, but Kairi forgets Asuka tagged in! Kairi still drags Jade around, but Jade UPPERCUTS her down! Jade herself thinks Kairi is still legal, but she whips! Kairi holds ropes, BOOTS back, and Asuka makes it clear this time. Asuka waistlocks, Jade throws elbows, but both women kick low! Jade SUPERKICKS! Asuka falls but Jade drags her back up. Jade reels Asuka in, but Asuka RAMS Jade into ropes! The ref counts, Kairi tags in!
Kairi gets around Jade, waistlocks, CLUBS her, but Jade choke grips! CHOKE SLAM! Jade staggers, maybe running out of steam, but she still gets Kairi up. Kairi trips Jade, pushes to a cover, TWO, into an ARMBAR!! Jade endures, Asuka catches Bianca! ARMBAR!! The fans rally while the strongEST team endures double submissions! Jade clasps hands, Bianca moves around, and then they both deadlift the Kabuki Warriors! STEREO POWERBOMBS!! All four women are down and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” as Bianca bails out, and Jade has both Kabuki Warriors! But they both kick back!
The Kabuki Warriors double whip, Bianca sneaks the tag! Jade KICKS Asuka, gets around Kairi, WHEELBARROW DDT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO!! Cover, TWO?!?! Kairi survives all that and no one can believe it! Asuka is lurking behind Jade, too! Asuka YANKS Jade down, then sends her into steel steps! Bianca is furious, but Kairi rolls her up! TWO!! Bianca escapes, to SPINEBUSTER! Bianca runs at the corner, Kairi sends her into POST! Tag to Asuka, and they get Bianca up! InSANE DDT!! Cover, JADE BREAKS IT! The fans fire up and now the Kabuki Warriors are shocked! Kairi SLAPS Jade, then tags Asuka.
The Kabuki Warriors get Jade up, URAKEN! URAKEN! SOBAT! KICK! Kairi goes up but Jade blocks a kick to SUPERKICK! Kairi still leaps, but into Jade’s arms! Jade pops Kairi up and around, then into the chicken wings! JADED!! Bianca tags in, she gets Asuka in a torture rack! KISS OF DEATH onto Kairi!! Bianca covers, she and Jade wins!!
Winners: Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
And the strongEST become the newEST! Bianca has a Triple Crown in the WWE, and Jade is already a champion just three matches in! DMG CTRL is now stuck on Raw, is this truly the last time Bianca has to worry about them?
WWE announces the opening round for The King & Queen of the Ring tournaments!
Monday Night Raw has decided on their brackets! First, in the Queen of the Ring: Ivy Nile VS Zoey Stark! Shayna Baszler VS Zelina Vega! Lyra Valkyria VS Asuka! Iyo Sky VS Natalya! And then for the Kings: Drew McIntyre VS Finn Balor! Kofi Kingston VS Rey Mysterio! Ricochet VS Ilja Dragunov! Gunther VS Sheamus! A star-studded show to be sure, but who will take one step closer to WWE’s return to Saudi Arabia?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS AJ Styles!
So much has already been said about this first-time-ever match-up over the last few weeks. Ships passing in the night, both men respecting each other but also both needing to win this match to solidify their legacies. Will the American Nightmare keep the dream alive? Or will The Phenomenal One end this new story before it even begins?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly undisputed!
The bell rings and the fans are singing and jumping around so much, this place is practically shaking! Cody and Styles circle, tie up, and go around. They break, the fans fire up again, and the two reset. They tie up again, go around, and Cody puts Styles in a corner only for Styles to turn it around. They go along the ropes, into the corner, and they break again. Styles and Cody tie up again, Cody headlocks, and he hits a takeover. Styles keeps his shoulders up, pushes his way to a headscissor, but Cody pops free. The fans rally again as the two circle. Styles shoots in, gets a leg, but Cody rolls free.
The fans duel between Cody and Styles as the two reset again. The two feel it out, tie up, and Styles headlocks. Styles grinds the hold, hits a takeover, but Cody keeps his shoulders up. Cody pushes to a headscissor, Styles kips free, but Cody hits another headlock takeover! Styles headscissors again, Cody bridges, grabs at Styles, but Styles pulls thar arm down. Cody headstands, pops free, goes for the headlock, but Styles rolls through! Cody waistlocks, Styles waistlocks, they switch and switch, but Styles puts Cody in the corner! The fans cheer the exchange but Cody steps up. Styles shoves Cody, but Cody SLAPS Styles!
Styles staggers away as Cody gets him back for last night! The fans fire up behind Cody, and he resets with Styles. They tie up, but Styles knees low! Cody still puts Styles in a corner to CHOP! Styles CHOPS! Cody CHOPS! Repeat! The fans “WOO~” with every CHOIP, and Styles gets CHOP after CHOP! Styles headlocks, Cody powers out, then Cody drops, hurdles and DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Cody cartwheels to give the Stardust to Styles! The fans are thunderous as the two reset again. The fans chant for “STARDUST! STARDUST!” The two knuckle lock, Styles kicks low then fires off CHOP after CHOP!
Styles whips and DROPKICKS Cody! Payback for the payback and the fans sing for the Phenomenal! Styles runs, but Cody back drops him away! Styles writhes and the fans fire up with Cody! Cody covers, ONE, but he clamps on with a chinlock. Styles endures, fights up, but Cody CLUBS the arm. Cody reels Styles in, suplexes, and holds Styles up! The fans cheer as Cody goes all the way to TEN before the GOURD BUSTER! Styles sputters, Cody looms over him, then Cody brings Styles up. But Styles RAMS him into a corner! Styles hammerlocks an arm and RAMS that shoulder into buckles! Styles wrenches the arm again, to hit a AMRBAR DDT!
The fans duel again as Styles brings Cody up. Styles wrenches the arm to WRING it out! Cody writhes, but Styles hammerlocks the arm to keep Cody down. Cody endures, fights up, and the fans rally. Cody throws forearms on Styles but Styles keeps the wristlock! Cody ROCKS Styles, runs, but Styles kitchen sink knees! The fans sing again, Styles brings Cody up to KICK him! And KICK him again! Cody crawls but Styles stalks him. Styles taunts Cody, kicks, but Cody blocks to hook Styles up, BACKPACK CRADLE! TWO, Cody tries again! TWO, RHODES UPPERCUT! But Styles PELES back!
The fans continue to rally while both men are down! Styles goes to ropes, stands up, runs back in, but Cody sends Styles into ropes! Styles gets jammed up and flops out of the ring! Cody builds speed and DIVES into a haymaker! Styles drags Cody out to SMACK off the English desk! The ring count starts, but Styles refreshes that. Styles drags Cody back up, to SMACK him off the desk again! Cody flounders around, Styles looks to the French desk. French commentary asks him not to, but he still clears their desk off! Styles brings Cody over, but Cody sends Styles into steel steps! Cody gets in the ring and the fans rally back up.
Cody drags himself up with ropes, Styles flounders to the apron, but Cody brings Styles up! Styles fires hands, Cody hits back, then Cody bumps Styles off buckles! Fans chant “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” while Cody drags Styles up the corner. Styles throws body shots, but so does Cody! The fans fire up, and Cody lifts Styles! Stalling- NO, Styles slips free and YANKS Cody down! A hard landing for both men and Cody scrambles to a corner. Cody stands, but Styles storms up on him! Styles Electric Chair Lifts Cody, for a SLAM! Cody writhes on the Prime logo while the fans sing for The Phenomenal again.
Styles runs to LIONSAULT onto knees! Cody saves himself there, and both men are down! The fans cheer while Styles sputters and both men sit up. Styles drags himself to a corner and stands while Cody rises at center. Styles runs up but Cody counter punches! And counter punches again! And again! And again, and again! Cody whips, Styles reverses but Cody FOREARMS! Styles stays up, runs in at the corner, but Cody goes up and over! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again and Cody feels it! The cameras are shaking from the power of the fans! Cody runs, springboard, BEAUTIFUL DISASTER KICK! Cover, TWO!
The fans continue to rally as Cody keeps his focus. Cody rises, the fans continue to sing, and Cody throws hands. Cody springboards again, but Styles catches him to another Electric Chair! But Cody victory rolls it, TWO! Styles fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this, the fans cheer, and Styles grits his teeth. Styles rises again, hobbling on that banged up leg. Cody rises, Styles runs up, but Cody dodges! BULLDOG! Both men are down again but Styles rolls to the apron. Cody steps out after him, “This is Awesome!” as Cody reels Styles in! But Styles suplexes first! APRON BRAINBUSTER!!
Cody sputters while on his feet, then flops over! Both men are down on the outside, the fans sing for The Phenomenal, and the ref checks Cody. Cody is somehow still in this, and the ring count climbs. Styles rolls in at 3 of 10, then goes back out. SLIDING KNEE, BLOCKED! Cody hits a POWERBOMB through the French commentary table!! The fans chant “OUI! OUI! OUI!” while both men are down again! The ring count starts again, both men are still down at 5 of 10! The fans count along, we pass 7, then 8! Both men stand at 9, and slide in safe at 9.5!! The fans are thunderous as this main event continues!
Styles flounders to a corner, runs up on Cody, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so they start throwing forearms back and forth! The fans are torn as the shots keep going! Cody fires hands, as does Styles, then both men ROUNDHOUSE! Both men fall and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as both men go to corners. Both men drag themselves up, fire up, and they both run in! They fire furious fists, then Cody throws body shots! Styles blocks to fire the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Cody ducks the lariat to JAB, JAB, JAB! Flip! Flop! Fly and a little extra, BIONIC ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans are still electric as both men are down!
Both men sit up, Styles grabs at Cody but Cody kicks him away. Cody pounds the mat, the fans fire up with him, and Cody springboards! CODY CUT- NO, Styles dragon sleepers! Inverted suplex, into a gut wrench! Cody flips through to have Styles up! But Styles slips free! Cody runs in, into a BOOT! CORNER SNAP SUPLEX!! Cody slumps down the buckles and the fans sing for The Phenomenal again! Styles drags Cody up and around, scoops him and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cody is down in a drop zone and Styles goes to the corner. Styles aims from the apron, springboards, 450 SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Cody survives and Styles is frustrated. Styles stalks Cody, torture racks, and hits a BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, ONE?!?!? WHAT?!?! Cody punches himself and is all fired up! The fans are volcanic seeing this, but Styles KICKS, punches, repeat! Cody blocks a kick, spins him around, then springboards to CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Styles survives and Cody is beside himself! The fans rally as Styles crawls to the apron and Cody rises. The fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” but this has to end somehow! Styles is in a corner now, Cody shakes his head. Styles tells him to bring it! They both run in, Cody LARIATS Styles down first!
The fans fire up again as Cody has a second wind! Cody storms around, calls his shot, and then dragon sleepers! CROSS- SNAPMARE! Styles ducks the lariat to PELE! Cody goes to a corner, Styles runs in, but Cody puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Cody and Cody staggers away! Elbow pad off, Styles springboards, PHENOMENAL- SUPERKICK!! Both men are down again and the fans continue to cheer! Cody drags Styles into a KIMURA!! Cody learned this from The Beast! Styles is caught in the body scissors, endures as Cody twists that elbow joint, and the fans duel as Styles fights up!
Styles manages to deadlift Cody off the mat, to SPINEBUSTER! Styles drags Cody up into position now, but Cody kicks free of the Clash! Cody BOOTS Styles, dragon sleepers, CROSS- NO, Styles turns things around again! Styles kicks, reels Cody in, STYLES- NO, Cody fights that off to back drop! Styles sunset flips, Cody sists on it! TWO!! Styles swings, Cody dodges to go up and up and SUPER CODY CUTTER!!! The fans are volcanic again as Cody rises! Cody says this is it! Dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES!!! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
That match was Just Too Sweet! A truly phenomenal match, but that just shows how The American Nightmare is undeniable! Will Cody keep writing this incredible “sequel” to his story?
My Thoughts:
I know “Phenomenal” has been used a lot because of how AJ Styles was on this show, but it is truly a fitting adjective for this year’s Backlash. Lyon, France as a crowd definitely proved they were the right location. They were non-stop energy between both last night on SmackDown and right here for Backlash, it added to everyone’s energy, including my own, so much fun. Opening with the Bloodline match was a bit surprising, but it was a great move given it turned into a Street Fight. And the surprise of the night happened here with Tanga Loa making a debut. I did not see that coming, I honestly thought he was still with NJPW, but here he is, and that’s awesome.
The Triple Threat was a great follow-up for that tag match, especially with how WWE has learned from other places how to book a Triple Threat that almost never slows down. They didn’t constantly boil it down to 1v1 pairings until closer to the end, and it was great seeing Naomi and Bayley take Tiff out with a tag team finisher to get there. Bayley’s quick pin win is great for everyone, we can definitely get some more of Bayley and Naomi 1v1 and same for Bayley and Tiff 1v1. Great promo from Jey with The Bloodline, because it was actually more powerful that they didn’t speak. It was just Jey knowing that The Bloodline is getting more dangerous and outta control, and in a way, it’s because Jey left at a pivotal moment.
Priest VS Jey for the world title was a great match, and a solid halfway point on the card. Turns out that Judgment Day can interfere on Priest’s behalf and not muck it up, but Priest still doesn’t like that they’re beating up on people when, in Priest’s opinion, it’s not needed. I’m still sensing that Priest could be leaving Judgment Day because he’s trying to do things in a respectable way and they wanna stay vicious, “pack of wild dog” Heels. Something’s gotta give, and either way, I’d love seeing Priest VS Finn for the title. Great picks for those King & Queen of the Ring brackets, but with McIntyre VS Finn in round one, I feel like so much of the tournament is determined right there.
Great Women’s Tag Team Championship match, though it got a bit wonky in the middle when ref and Kabuki Warriors lost track of who was what. But either way, great to see Bianca & Jade defying the go-home math. They stood tall with Naomi and Bayley last night, and they still won the titles here tonight. Bianca’s grudge against DMG CTRL didn’t cost them, and now with some teams moving around, we can get some fun, fresh match-ups for these titles. And then, the fans just never stopped losing their minds during Cody VS Styles, taking what was a great match and making it feel truly awesome. But I figured Cody would retain, he just got the belt and there is any number of match-ups for him to still do.
Maybe Styles’ story after this is sorting things out with The OC since they’re all still on the same brand. There are still plenty of factions they can feud with for the Summer, like The Pride, Legado, and the Logan-Theory-Waller friends. Maybe Styles also gets in on King of the Ring, as SmackDown’s bracket wasn’t announced yet.
My Score: 9.2/10
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