Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (2/25/19)
Roman Reigns returns to Raw with an update on his condition!
Roman Reigns returns to Raw! What will his medical update say about his battle with leukemia? Plus, we celebrate Ric Flair’s 70th Birthday!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Revival VS Aleister Black & Ricochet; Black & Ricochet win.
- Ronda Rousey & Natalya VS The Riott Squad; Rousey & Natalya win, by disqualification.
- Open Challenge: Jinder Mahal w/ the Singh Brothers VS ???; Kurt Angle wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Finn Balor VS Lio Rush; Finn wins and retains the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
- Braun Strowman VS Bobby Lashley; No Contest.
- No Disqualifications: Dean Ambrose VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Nia Jax w/ Tamina; Bayley wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
October 22, 2018 – Roman Reigns revealed his real fight.
The Big Dog wanted to be a workhorse, but he couldn’t. “The reality is, my real name is Joe, and I’ve been living with Leukemia for 11 years.” And it returned. Roman could not fulfill his role as fighting champion, and would relinquish the WWE Universal Championship. But by no means is Roman retired. He has faith that he’ll whoop Leukemia again and will return home to the WWE.
Tonight, February 25, 2019 – Roman Reigns returns to Raw!
The Big Dog heads down the ramp as Atlanta gives him a standing ovation. Roman high-fives and shakes hands with all the fans in the front row, as well as giving hugs to his family. He takes a moment to soak it all in before entering the ring. Atlanta continues to give him the ovation as well as chant “Welcome Back!” Roman picks up a mic and knows he’ll say this a lot, but starts with “Thank you.” Atlanta says “You are Welcome!” Roman admits, he misses them. Seriously, there is no other job like pro-wrestling. There is no other fanbase like the WWE Universe. Fans let him know “This is Your Yard!” Roman admits he’s adlibbing, but this isn’t his Yard, this is “Our Yard”.
Roman’s a man of faith, has always believed in God and the blessings He gave, but that night in October, Roman was scared. He wasn’t sure about sharing that secret. Mostly because he wasn’t sure how fans would react. When he arrived home, the outreach in texts, calls, Tweets, Instagram and Facebook, “If there was a way to get to me, y’all figured out how to do it.” The amount of thoughts and prayers sent his way was completely overwhelming and appreciated. Not just WWE fans but everyone. Anyone and everyone who knew him was surrounding him with love and support. So many people prayed for Roman, God’s voicemail was full. God must’ve wondered what was going on just for one man. But that was how strong it was to feel the love and grace of other people. The strength they gave him made Roman feel he could do anything.
Fans take a moment to chant “Thank You, Roman!” before Roman continues. That overwhelming support gave him “new life” and a new purpose. In the WWE, a lot of purpose is to win and climb the mountain. But now, Roman only wants to make his return. And if he does, he’ll use this WWE global platform to raise awareness and support others in need. Fans cheer on that new mission.
Roman knows this was advertised as an update, so now it’s time for that update. When Roman made his announcement in October, he vowed to swing for the fences. “We did better than that, y’all.” They not only swung for the fences, they hit that home run. Roman is again so grateful and humbled, to announce that- “Wrestlemania!” No, no, let’s walk before we can run. But the good news is that he is in remission! Atlanta loves to hear that! And with that said, The Big Dog IS back! Fans bark for the Big Dog, and then chant “Welcome back!” Before Roman takes his leave, he wants to say it again. “Thank you so much, y’all.” Roman loves the fans and the fans love him. When and where will Roman return to full action?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
The Architect times it right and meets Roman at the top of the ramp. The Shield brothers embrace after hearing the amazing news.
The Revival VS Aleister Black & Ricochet
Dash Wilder & Scott Dawson are the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions, but they already lost to the NXT Champion and North American Champion last week. This week, they face the Embodiment of the End and the King of Flight. Will the #TopGuys be able to break even against the new guys?
But before the bell, The Revival attacks! They send Ricochet tumbling out and club away on Aleister! Fans boo as the Revival double hip. Aleister slips through and Ricochet returns with a crossbody! Jumping neckbreaker for Dawsno and a handspring headscissor and dropkick for Dash! Aleister fakes them both out, but Ricochet DIVES! Ricochet takes out Dash, Aleister FLIES onto Dawson! The chaos calms while we go to break!
Raw returns and teams have sorted out. Dash has Ricochet in a keylock but Ricochet reaches for Aleister. Ricochet fights back with forearms but Dash suplexes. Ricochet lands on his feet and leaps over Dash, tag to Aleister! Aleister rallies on Dash and then sweeps the legs to drive in the knee! He roundhouses Dawson, then springboard quebradas Dash! Cover, TWO! Aleister keeps on Dash while the GLORIOUS Duo watch backstage. Bobby Roode and Chad Gable like what they see as Aleister hauls Dash up. Dawson saves Dash from the German Suplex and tags in. Dawson climbs while Dash swings on Aleister. Aleister dodges and hits Dawson but Dash hits Aleister. Aliester knees out of the suplex but Dawson leaps for a sunset flip! High stack cover, TWO!
Aleister fires off counter punches on Dawson, but gets caught in a DDT! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Dawson tries again, TWO! The Revival are frustrated but Dawson drags Aleister up for an electric chair. Dash climbs up but RIcochet shoves him down! Aleister slips away, Ricochet moonsaults onto Dash! Aleister rolls Dawson but Dawsno sits on it! TWO! BLACK MASS!! Cover, Aleister and Ricochet win!
Winners: Aleister Black & Ricochet, Black pinning
A big win for the Dark and the Flight! Will there be a tag title opportunity waiting for them when they make the full-time jump?
Backstage interview with Baron Corbin.
The former GM made light of things like Roman Reigns’ fight with leukemia, and even hoped Roman would never return. Is there any concern now that he’s returning? Why is everyone living in the past? Corbin gets it, they’re desperate for a story. But he never said those things. They have footage of it, though. Okay, okay, it was all out of context given the stress of being in charge and in the ring. No one can understand what he was going through. Running Raw was more difficult than dealing with a disease? Corbin says that for Roman’s sake, they better not cross paths.
Shawn Michaels is spotted on the Raw Red Carpet.
HBK spots Johnny Gargano and they talk while being interviewed. What part will the Hall of Famer play in Ric Flair’s birthday party?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in Atlanta, but he’s immediately interrupted by Lacey Evans! The Model Soldier walks and waves and then leaves without a word. But she’s not the only one to interrupt Elias, Dean Ambrose appears! The Lunatic Fringe sees all this celebrating and he’s in a festive mood. He’s nostalgic, if you know what he means. There’s positivity flowing through him and he feels dangerous. Ambrose issues an open challenge for a rematch with Drew McIntyre. But he wants everyone to hear this part: NO DISQUALIFICATIONS!
Elias ignores Ambrose’s wishes but Ambrose interrupts again. Trying to play him off like this is the Academy Awards? No, because if it was, Elias would have a second standing ovation. What Ambrose did was interrupt his song about loving Atlanta. Atlanta is so fascinating. It is fully capable of hosting a Super Bowl. Winning it is a different story. Ambrose is actually a big fan, and he has a request. Does Elias any Temple of the Dog? Yes. Nightranger? Yes. Yankee Doodle? Of course. Thunderstruck? Yes. How about… Dirty Deeds? Just saying. Elias could play anything, but he swings at Ambrose! Only to GET Dirty Deeds! Ambrose heads out despite fans, and Renee, wanting an encore. Will Ambrose get his request of a No DQ redo with the Scottish Terminator?
Elias sits up, but he still gets interrupted by the Riott Squad! Ruby, Liv and Sarah want to settle the score with the Baddest Woman on the Planet, after the break!
Ronda Rousey & Natalya VS The Riott Squad!
The Rowdy Raw Women’s Champion has run through the entire Squad on her own, but she teams with good friend in the Queen of Harts to take them all at once. Will Ronda roll right down the Road to Wrestlemania? Or will Ruby, Liv & Sarah prove to be a riotous roadblock?
The teams sort out and Sarah starts against Natty. The Kentucky Viking spinebusters Natty down fast! She fires hands off on Natty against ropes! She clubs Natty down then taunts Ronda. Sarah kicks Natty to the corner and tags in Ruby. Ruby snapmares Natty to kick her in the back. Cover, TWO! Natty powers Ruby to the corner and tags in Ronda! Ronda and Natty work together to double suplex Ruby down! Liv barks from the apron to distract Ronda, Ruby STO’s Ronda down! Ruby brings Ronda over to stomp a mudhole into Ronda, then tags Sarah. Sarah keeps up those stomps and throws right hands. Sarah tags back to Ruby and they both stomp Ronda down.
Ruby drags Ronda out but Ronda reaches for Natty. Ronda fights back buy Ruby whips her to the corner. Ronda hits Sarah then Ruby, then tags Natty! Natty rallies on Ruby but Ruby reverses the whip. Natty dodges in the corner to rebound sit-down Ruby! She hits Sarah down, then walks all over Ruby. Liv trips Natty and brags about it, but Ronda comes around the side. Liv turns around, into a Rowdy Hart Attack! Natty throws Ruby back in but Sarah shotgun knees Natty down! The Squad brings the riot while we go to break.
Raw returns and The Squad isolates Natty. Sarah uses Ruby for a human weapon, leg drop! Cover, TWO! Ruby keeps on Natty with a chinlock but fans rally up. Natty endures but Ruby keeps on the grind. Fans chant and Natty powers up to fight out. Ruby grabs hair to throw Natty down! High stack cover, TWO! Ruby argues but the ref tells her it was a two. Ruby intercepts Natty and powers her to the Squad’s corner. Tag to Sarah, and Ruby whips her in for a big corner splash. Sarah eggs Natty on but Natty fights out of the corner! Natty scrambles for Ronda but Sarah catches her! Sarah drags and drops a senton on Natty! Sarah howls but fans boo and jeer. She drags Natty up in an inverted cloverleaf! Natty endures as Sarah pulls and bends her back.
Fans rally up as Natty grits her teeth. Natty powers out of the hold! Sarah swings on Ronda but gets swatted. Natty crawls and tags Ronda! Ronda rallies on Sarah with judo throws! Ronda fires off body shots but Ruby runs in! Ruby ends up stacked on top and gets body shots for herself! Ronda throws Sarah again, then knocks Liv off the apron! Huge shining wizard! Cover, but Ruby breaks it! Ruby throws Natty out but Natty drags her out with her. Discus clothesline takes Ruby out! Ronda drags Sarah up into the fireman’s carry, for Piper’s Pit! Cover, but Becky Lynch appears!? The Man again violates suspension and DECKS Natty!
Winners: Natalya & Ronda Rousey, by disqualification
Becky doesn’t care about anything but going after Ronda! So Ronda goes after her! Security does their best but its’ a fight with those crutches! Fans are thunderous as security reinforcements arrive! They barely pull Ronda and Becky apart, but Ronda fights them off! Becky almost gets loose but Ronda gets at her first! More serious authorities arrive and Atlanta police have to haul Becky away! Ronda wants to rip into Becky but the referees, security and police keep between them. Becky is cuffed and booked! Will Becky be forced to watch the rest of Raw behind bars?
Raw returns as Ronda helps Natalya to the back.
The Queen of Harts got the sucker punch from Becky but she’s up and walking again. As for Ronda, she storms to the ring and goes to the ring. “It’s time to end this!” She demands Vince McMahon to show himself! Ronda paces, but gets Stephanie McMahon instead. Stephanie wants Ronda to remain calm. Ronda gets to the point: reinstate Becky, add her to Wrestlemania! Stephanie knows Ronda is upset, and we all saw why. But reinstating Becky is the least of our problems. Becky has been arrested. Then take care of that, too! Drop the charges, reinstate Becky, tell “daddy” all of this. Just do it!
But it’s not that easy. Stephanie reminds Ronda that her opponent is Charlotte Flair. It’s not what anyone wanted and it didn’t go the way anyone wanted, but Becky is a loose cannon! Becky did this to Becky. So instead of the Road to Wrestlemania, Becky’s on the road to jail. But isn’t this about what’s best for business? Ronda wants it, fans want it, it’s what that “ginger douche” wants! The first-ever Women’s Main Event at Mania! Think about what this would mean to Stephanie’s legacy. Think about what it would mean to Stephanie’s daughters. Fans chant “Triple Threat!” but Stephanie says no. Ronda says no to Stephanie, and demands Becky be brought back NOW! Stephanie doesn’t want Ronda to talk like that to her. Vince was right, Ronda’s no better than Becky with a bad attitude. Nobody is bigger than the WWE!
Ronda says no one controls her. She’s bled enough to be set for life. She is not a worker bee, she is RONDA ROUSEY! Ronda carries the title as long as it carries the best of the best. But it means nothing now! It’s just a gaudy accessory. Ronda will not stand here endorsing the violation of this title! Vince says he’s able to make the tough decisions, but it’s time to make the right decision. Ronda puts the belt down, and leaves the ring. Stephanie sees Ronda’s Rowdy Ultimatum, but what is her response?
Triple H finds Stephanie backstage.
They talk about Ronda’s sudden actions. Will they be able to convince Vince to do as Ronda asked?
Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers are in the ring.
Fans boo The Modern Day Maharaja as he says that “All of this talk about Ric Flair’s birthday. What has Ric Flair ever done?” Does Mahal not know his wrestling history? But it’s really that he’s upset that he wasn’t invited to the part. No party is complete without the Maharaja and the Bollywood Boys! Mahal issues an open challenge to those on the guest list! As far as Mahal is concerned, the party’s over!
Open Challenge: Jinder Mahal w/ the Singh Brothers VS ???
The man to answer the challenge: KURT ANGLE! The Olympic Gold Medalist is naturally on the guest list, but will Mahal ruin the fun for him already?
The bell rings and the Singh Brothers distract Angle. Mahal boots Angle down! Cover, TWO! Mahal keeps on Angle with elbows to the head and knees to the back. Mahal stomps Angle down then throws haymakers to put Angle in a corner. Fans rally for Angle while Mahal says Shanti. Mahal snapmares Angle to a chinlock, but Angle endures. Fans rally up and Angle feeds off the energy. Angle fights out but Mahal wrangles him back down! Cover, TWO! Mahal drives in more elbows and puts on a half nelson with chinbar. Angle endures again, and fans rally up again. Mahal puts his weight on Angle but Angle powers his way back up. Mahal throws hands but Angle counter punches! Angle gets a BIG German Suplex!
Fans fire up as Angle and Mahal are slow to standing. Angle is up first and stalks Mahal. Mahal stands, and gets another German! And then another! And the hat trick! Angle fires up and blasts the Singhs down! Mahal grabs Angle but Angle arm-drags and drop toeholds, to the Ankle Lock! Mahal taps, Angle wins!
Winner: Kurt Angle, by submission
The Singh Brothers run in but they get German Suplexes, too! The Olympic Gold Medalist still has what it takes! Will Angle make a big move on this Road to Wrestlemania?
It’s time for another Moment of Bliss!
The Goddess is on stage as Raw returns. Before getting started, Alexa just wants to say, “Bye, Ronda.” Don’t let the red carpet smack you on the butt on your way out. As a three-time Raw Women’s Champion, she would never have insulted the title the way Ronda did. But if the McMahons want someone to take Ronda’s place, they know where to find Alexa.
As for tonight’s episode, it will be Extraordinary, for her guest is the NEW Intercontinental Champion, Finn Balor! Finn walks out with jacket and belt as fans give him a great ovation. Alexa welcomes him to the show and he’s happy to be here. At Elimination Chamber, Finn beat both Lio Rush and Bobby Lashley to win the title. Finn must be on top of the world. But one downside is that the title covers up those great abs. Let those bad boys breath. Is Bliss trying to make him blush? Alexa makes him a deal: show off the abs, and she’ll- Here comes Lio Rush!
The Man of the Hour stares Finn down as he says “This whole talk show is a sham.” Finn doesn’t deserve that title. Bobby Lashley deserves to be champion. Finn says if Lashley wants to challenge him, then just come find him. Lashley is preparing for Braun Strowman, so for now, Finn answers to Lio. Lio won’t stop until Lashley gets that belt back. Even if it means taking it himself. Wait is Lio challenging Finn for the title? So that Lio can prove he’s better? N-no! That’s not what this is. But that’s what it sounds like. Finn isn’t sure what anyone else will say, but he believes Lio is deserving of opportunity. Finn accepts the challenge! It makes perfect sense, really. Finn pinned Lio, Lio should get the rematch.
Lio won’t let Finn stir the pot but too late. Finn asks Atlanta if they want to see Finn VS Lio, for the title, tonight? “Yes! Yes!” Alexa asks if Lio isn’t man enough to do the job himself. Lio accepts Finn’s offer! Those tighty-whities don’t make you tough! Lio wants time to prepare, but Alexa says that match is now. Fine, just give him a proper entrance. His theme plays, and Lio heads to the ring. Will the 24 Year Old Piece of Gold finally get some gold for himself?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Finn Balor VS Lio Rush!
Raw returns as the belt is raised and the match begins! Lio and Finn circle and tie up. Finn puts Lio in a corner but Lio slips out. The chase is on as Lio redirects himself and tilt-o-whirls Finn! He adds a dropkick and covers, ONE! Lio talks trash but Finn shrugs it off. They circle again and tie up. Finn gets a headlock, and holds on as Lio tries to power out. Finn gets the takeover but Lio gets the headscissors, only for Finn to slip out. They get up, Lio handsprings and mule kicks to enziguri! Dropkick sends Finn out! Lio builds speed but Finn comes in to run him over with an elbow!
Finn stalks Lio to the ropes to stomp away. Lio bails out and Finn backs off, only for Finn to wreck Lio with a dropkick! Finn hurries to the apron, but Lio intercepts the Penalty Kick! Lio springboards to ASAI! Direct hit, but Lio keeps moving. Lio DIVES with a tope! And then AGAIN! Lio puts Finn in fast, then climbs up top. Lio leaps, Final Hour gets knees! Both men are down but Finn catches his breath and stands up. Finn stomps Lio more despite the bad knee. He puts Lio in a corner and CHOPS! Finn whips Lio corner to corner and still CHOPS again. Finn whips again but Lio goes up and over. Slingblade! Finn aims from the other end, runs, but Lio dropkicks the legs out! Finn clutches the leg but Lio is on him with stomps and an elbow drop to the knee.
Lio pulls on the leg but Finn fights back. Lio stands and stomps the leg more. Then he yanks it! Lio keeps on the knee with another toehold but fans rally for Finn. Finn kicks with his free leg, driving the knee into Lio’s back. Finn gets free but Lio is right back on him, only to get an enziguri! Both men are down while Finn clutches his leg and Lio shakes out the stars. Finn catches the kick to CHOP Lio again. Finn throws forearms into the back then drops Lio with an elbow drop DDT! He drags Lio up in a dragon sleeper, but Lio slips out of 1916 to roll Finn up! TWO, but Lio spins for a roundhouse! Cover, TWO!! Finn lives and Lio grows frustrated.
Lio sees Finn is in a drop zone so he climbs up top. Moonsault but Finn dodges! Finn clotheslines Lio off his feet! Finn sees Lio is in the drop zone and he drags himself to the corner. He climbs up now, but Lio springs up! Lio trips Finn, then throws haymakers. Lio positions Finn and climbs up to join him. SUPER STEINER, SUNSET FLIP! But Lio rolls through and stacks Finn, TWO! Lio kicks away but Finn throws forearms. Lio kicks, Finn forearms, repeat. Finn CHOPS, but Lio mule kicks the leg. Lio runs, springboards, but gets caught into the 1916! Finn hurries to the top rope, even on one leg! Finn leaps, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall; still WWE Intercontinental Champion
The Extraordinary Man proves he’s extraordinarily tough by winning on one leg! Will Lio be back for more? Will the Almighty Lashley want his own rematch? Or will someone else move up on the Road to Wrestlemania?
Tucker Knight encounters The Ascension.
Konnor tells Viktor they’ve got some fresh meat. But where’s the pet pig, Otis? Probably dumpster diving. Watch what you say about Dozer. He’s got a big temper. Probably not as big as his gut. Or his neck. What neck? He’s like a bowling ball on a boulder. Tucker warns them, Otis may not be smart but he is sensitive. Otis comes along and sees The Ascension. Tucker tells Otis what The Ascension says about being a pig and a bowling ball, and dumpster diving for food. Dozer SMASH! “That’s what you get for messing with Heavy Machinery!” Will everyone on Raw and SmackDown learn not to make light of these heavy hitters?
Bobby Lashley is furious with Lio Rush.
That was supposed to be LASHLEY’s shot, but then Lio gets it for himself. And then he loses anyway! Lio, look at him. You had one job. He can’t be worried about Lio when he has Strowman to worry about. Can he trust Lio? He can’t hear you! Can he trust Lio. Yes. Lashley’s music hits, and Lio accompanies Lashley to the ring.
Braun Strowman VS Bobby Lashley!
The Monster Among Men owes Baron Corbin’s entire pack some payback after what they did to him at Elimination Chamber. Strowman already put Corbin through a table, but what will he do to the Rocky Mountain Machine?
Lashley attacks Strowman from behind! He doesn’t let this match begin as he rams in shoulders and throws hands on the Monster. Lashley kicks a leg out then clubs away on Strowman’s back. Fans boo Lashley as he knocks Strowman down. Lashley cravats then drags Strowman to a corner to bump off buckles. Lashley throws body shots and goes to suplex, but Strowman’s just too big and strong! Strowman gourd busters Lashley instead! Strowman runs but into an elbow. Lashley runs but into a boot! Strowman runs corner to corner to squash Lashley! Then he clubs Lashley down with one hand! Fans roar with Strowman as Lashley bails out. Lio checks on Lashley, but Strowman comes out and around the corner! Strowman runs Lashley over, then comes back for Lio!
Strowman lets Lashley know that he’s coming for all three of them! Corbin got a table, and Lashley got run over! Will Drew McIntyre be the one to #GetTheseHands?
No Contest
Backstage interview with Seth Rollins!
The Architect has a pep in his step after hearing the fantastic news. Rollins was so obsessed with Brock Lesnar lately, and his Wrestlemania match for the Universal Championship will be his biggest ever. But tonight, that’s secondary because he has his brother back. Roman is in remission and tonight is about love and celebration. Speaking of, Roman’s probably got some ice cold beverages waiting for him. Will chilling out now help Rollins #BurnItDown later?
Ric Flair arrives!
The Nature Birthday Boy is here! Time to party!
WWE superstars visit the site where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
We can only imagine today the heartbreak of losing such a great man, and can only thank him in spirit for his hard work and sacrifice.
No Disqualifications: Dean Ambrose VS Drew McIntyre!
The Lunatic Fringe has been in the mood for a fight, and he wants to fight the Scottish Terminator again! But with the rules thrown out the window, will Ambrose be able to get even with McIntyre?
Ambrose rushes McIntyre on the ramp! They start brawling and Ambrose throws McIntyre into barriers! Ambrose throws McIntyre into more barriers, then into a post! McIntyre staggers away and gets his coat off to punch and CHOP Ambrose back. Ambrose hits back and bumps McIntyre off the apron! Ambrose runs and tackles McIntyre into a corner as the bell rings. Fans count as Ambrose gets 5 corner punches. Ambrose punches and chops and whips, but McIntyre kicks back. McIntyre runs but Ambrose dropkicks the legs out. Ambrose kicks McIntyre while he’s down, then takes off a belt! Ambrose is wearing two belts?! McIntyre boots Ambrose away before he can be whiplash’d, and then he picks up that belt! He WHAPS Ambrose, then WHAPS again! McIntyre WHAPS Ambrose against the ropes! And then across the chest!
Ambrose writhes but McIntyre ditches the belt to drag Ambrose up. McIntyre pushes and SPINEBUSTERS, jackknife cover, TWO! McIntyre takes the belt back to WHAP Ambrose more! He makes it a leather fist but Ambrose dodges to punch and chop! Ambrose clotheslines McIntyre out, then builds speed, to DIVE! But McIntyre catches him to slam him into the barrier! And then slam him into more barriers before throwing Ambrose overhead! McIntyre looks to make Ambrose regret making this challenge, but we go to break.
Raw returns and Ambrose leaves McIntyre leaning against barriers while he climbs up. Ambrose LEAPS for a Lunatic Elbow! He clobbers McIntyre back into the barriers! Ambrose fires off furious hands and goes to whip McIntyre, but McIntyre reverses to send Ambrose at steel steps. Ambrose stops himself, then dodges to let McIntyre run into the steps himself! He puts McIntyre in the ring and rolls McIntyre, TWO! McIntyre swings but misses and Ambrose hits a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Ambrose keeps his cool and hears the fans calling for the belt. Ambrose picks the belt up and grins as he gets to WHAP, WHAP, WHAP away on McIntyre! McIntyre can’t cover up enough for Ambrose’s furious lashing. But McIntyre gets up to give Ambrose a Glasgow Kiss! The headbutt sends Ambrose out of the ring!
McIntyre is still stinging but he follows Ambrose out. McIntyre picks up steel steps, and runs at Ambrose! Ambrose drop toeholds and McIntyre crashes into the steps himself! Ambrose bounces McIntyre off the steps again and again and again! He drags McIntyre up and fans fire up, but here comes Elias! Elias SMASHES Ambrose with the guitar! The Drifter gets away with it, and puts Ambrose in the ring for McIntyre. McIntyre accepts Elias’ help, then aims at Ambrose from the corner, CLAYMORE! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
And now Baron Corbin comes out, with Bobby Lashley! It seems Corbin’s pack of wolves have a new friend as Elias joins in on stomping Ambrose out! Corbin drags Ambrose up for a choke slam backbreaker! Lashley SPEARS Ambrose down, but here comes Seth Rollins! The Architect has a chair! And Roman Reigns! They take out Corbin and Lashley at the ramp! Rollins takes care of Elias while Roman SUPERMAN PUNCHES McIntyre! SUPERMAN PUNCH for Lashley! Curb Stomp for Elias! Roman fires up and lets out the battle cry, to SPEAR McIntyre! Roman and Rollins stand tall, but they leave Ambrose to pick himself up. The Big Dog really is back, but is The Shield back? Or will it take a little more time to heal those wounds?
Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Nia Jax w/ Tamina!
The Boss & Hug Connection are the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, but that just means the line of challengers is forming. The Samoan Dynasty have the first shot, and tonight the Irresistible Force looks to fire a first shot of her own. Will Nia and Tamina carve a path of destruction on the Road to Wrestlemania?
The bell rings and Nia shoves Bayley around. Nia runs in but misses in the corner, but she headbutts Bayley back. Nia runs but Bayley dumps her out. Bayley clubs away on Nia the moment she returns, and then manages a hip toss! Cover, ONE! Nia backs off to ropes but Bayley is on her with more furious hands. Bayley runs and forearms but Nia barely staggers. Nia grabs Bayley and shoves her right out! Sasha checks on her best friend while we go to break.
Raw returns and Nia scoops Bayley up for a bearhug. Bayley endures the squeeze while fans rally up. Bayley fights with elbows and scrambles to a sunset flip. Nia stays standing and drops down, but misses! Bayley runs to drop a knee but Nia dodges. Nia drops an elbow but Bayley dodges. Both women stand up and Bayley dropkicks a leg out. Bayley runs and bulldogs Nia down! Nia hurries to a corner but Sasha coaches Bayley up. Bayley runs in for a big shoulder tackle! Then wacky waving- Nia runs Bayley over! Nia mocks the wacky waving before raining rights down on Bayley! She lets up at 4 then stalks Bayley to the ropes. Nia drags Bayley up and tosses her across the ring! Nia chokes Bayley on the ropes but lets up at 4. She drags Bayley up for a cobra clutch and thrashes Bayley around.
Fans rally while Bayley endures. Nia squeezes tight but Bayley feeds off the energy. Bayley fights out with elbows and then a jawbreaker! Nia staggers while Bayley crawls to a corner. Nia storms over but is yanked into buckles! Bayley drags herself up and stomps a mudhole into Nia! Then she knees Nia right out of the ring! Nia hurries back up but gets a hotshot! Bayley fires forearms on Nia, then runs for a dropkick! Nia tumbles back down and Bayley waits. Bayley fires off on Nia as soon as she returns, and hits a big knee! Bayley leaps but is caught, Nia slams Bayley into the Tree of Woe! Fans boo as Nia goes corner to corner, for the Samoan hip attack! Nia stomps Bayley more but backs off at 4.
Sasha checks on Bayley, but Nia grabs her by the hair! Bayley hits Nia with a knee! Tamina runs in but is sent into steps! Bayley hits the Macho Elbow on Nia! Cover, Bayley wins!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
This round goes to the champs! Bayley and Sasha get momentum towards their title match, will Fastlane help them accelerate towards Wrestlemania?
Happy Birthday, Ric Flair!
The cake and balloons are in the ring while the superstars are on stage. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon head to the ring to officially begin the festivities. Mondays are already hectic, but the Road to Wrestlemania amps things up. Take tonight as an example. Roman Reigns returns to his Yard, Ronda Rousey issues an ultimatum, and Becky Lynch goes rogue and then goes to jail. But all of that will pale in comparison to why we’re here now: to celebrate the 70th birthday of the greatest pro-wrestler of all time! The Nature Boy, Ric Flair! But of course a party needs guests, so Stephanie introduces Shawn Michaels! HBK makes his way to the ring, having a bit of fun with the superstars on stage.
Of course, we also need Ric’s greatest rival, Ricky “the Dragon” Steamboat! The Dragon makes his way out, and playfully chops the superstars, such as Seth Rollins. Stephanie introduces the Olympic Gold Medalist, Kurt Angle! Angle high-fives and joins in on the “You Suck!” ovation from Atlanta. And last but not least, the Icon, STING! String shakes hands with the superstars, and lets out his own howling “WOO!” to Atlanta. A lot has been said about Ric over the years, there isn’t much more to add. The kiss-stealing, wheeling-dealing, stylin’ and profilin’, limousine-riding, jet-flying sonovagun, gets a video tribute! “What’s really causing all this? I’m gonna tell ya!” Bright lights, big cities and pretty ladies on top of the historic 16 world championship reigns, “It’s time to style and profile!”
Ric Flair will always be a champion, so he will receive a custom Big Gold Belt to immortalize his career. So without much more, HHH introduces The original Man himself, Ric Flair! Fans and superstars alike applaud, but where is Ric? Wait, is that Batista?! He’s dragging a camera man along into Ric’s dressing room, only to close the door behind him! Batista drags Ric out of his dressing room!? The Animal wants to know if he has HHH’s attention. HHH hurries to the back to confront Batista, while everyone else is speechless. HHH finds Ric, along with security and officials. Batista has since disappeared, but he’s the least of anyone’s concern. HHH and the others shout for doctors, will the Nature Boy be alright?
My Thoughts:
Wow, what a great Raw! Granted, pacing felt odd but that’s because Raw’s been doing more commercials than usual. But those aside, there was so much to love about tonight. First off, Roman Reigns is in remission and that is something to truly celebrate. This result came much sooner than I’m sure anyone expected, but it’s obviously well-received. And they wasted little time getting him going again, as they tease Baron Corbin thinking Roman should stay away, and then Roman helping Rollins save Ambrose. I’m thinking that, even with Roman and Rollins leaving Ambrose behind, the Wrestlemania moment they should build to is The Shield VS Corbin’s pack, even if it’s a handicap match. Shield wins, and whether Ambrose is taking time off or leaving for good, their last Shield fist bump will make for a great send-off.
I did not expect Aleister & Ricochet VS Revival but they did pretty good. Revival loses again, which might mean Ricochet and Aleister will temporarily be a team. This builds on what NXT has them doing by seemingly taking on The Undisputed Era as a tag team. Of the four newest NXT “call-ups”, I’m pretty sure Ciampa & Gargano are the ones to get the belts. But a crazy Triple Threat would be great, Revival VS DIY VS Ricochet & Black, to really elevate those titles. Because I’m a little worried Heavy Machinery is already going down a bad path. Making Otis into a hothead when he was never that in NXT, Vince is already taking too much control of the beef.
For just a moment, I really thought that was supposed to be a Handicap Match of the entire Riott Squad VS Ronda & Natty. Honestly, what would it have changed if it was? Liv Morgan got involved either way, and then the match doesn’t even have a clean finish. Becky shows up, attacks Natty because she got in the way, and then has only a partial scrap with Ronda before “being arrested”. The Stone Cold parallels are the most apparent they’ve ever been, but it’s not necessarily bad. Ronda threatening to quit was a good move, though. This will obviously compel the McMahons to bring Becky back and we have our Triple Threat. However, the McMahons won’t have to make a move on it yet, there’s still a lot of time. I picture the McMahons trying to talk Ronda out of it, and then cave to her demands around Fastlane.
Angle finally gets a win now that he’s back! Maybe he and Strowman, being that they have issue with Corbin, McIntyre and all that, will help The Shield, or at least Roman, come Wrestlemania. The match might even start as Corbin’s Pack VS Roman, Angle & Strowman, stuff happens and Ambrose jumps in to help them, thereby reuniting Shield. Apparently, Alexa Bliss is the Goddess of Flirting. She flirted with EC3, now Finn. Finn VS Lio for the title was great, adds more to this divide between Lio and Lashley. Maybe Lio turning will be another part of Corbin’s Pack VS The Shield & Friends. Lio really should get more title shots, but for Cruiserweights, I’m not sure if he’ll win the contender’s tournament to challenge Murphy at Mania.
Bayley VS Nia was pretty good, for yet another go of this same rematch. Obviously the champions have to stay strong so Bayley wins. I would think they’d make it through Fastlane, and then either take on a SmackDown team or a legendary team for Wrestlemania. Maybe even an NXT team if they really want *cough* Sky Pirates */cough*. Honestly it’s either legends or NXT or all at once, because the SmackDown teams alone don’t have time to be built into Wrestlemania ready contenders. But to everyone’s surprise, there is a Wrestlemania story ready in Batista VS HHH. I did not expect Batista to show up and “attack” Ric Flair like that, but wow! Instant heat between them and now they can build from here to Mania.
My Score: 8.4/10
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Who has WrestleMania hangover here in Vegas?
There are so many new champions in the WWE, but none bigger than JOHN CENA as the SEVENTEEN TIME WWE Champion! What will happen now that he is back on top?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Liv & Raquel win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Iyo Sky VS Stephanie Vaquer; Iyo Sky, by disqualification.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day VS PENTA; Dom wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
A car pulls into the parking lot.
Out steps The Wise Man, Paul Heyman, and The Visionary, Seth Rollins. What will be next for the new Paul Heyman Guy?
JOHN CENA is here!
Las Vegas is still just as torn as they were last night, but we sure hear a lot of “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as the NEW Undisputed WWE Champion, the SEVENTEEN TIME world champion, walks down the ramp. Cena drapes the towel over his head and he wears the title backwards, but he doesn’t care what the fans think as he steps into the ring. Cena has his music fade out, and he points to someone. Cena tells them to come closer, and it’s the ring announcer. Cena has Mark Nash join him in the ring while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena hands something to Nash for him to read to the fans.
Nash says, “My sincerest apologies. I have been informed that my announcement has been deemed disrespectful. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Greatest Of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Las Vegas with his presence for the final time… The Last Real Champion, JOHN CENAAA~!” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title. Cena then has Nash hand over his mic, and says, “Winners write history. You (fans) are not worthy. You think that on Friday, you can bully me? And then I step in a ring with gold around my waist, and just because you cheer, I’m supposed to forgive you?” Fans cheer in hopes of that.
Cena says that is not how a functional relationship works! Does this man up front think that’s how it works with his wife? Well, it’s not. Cena asks if the parents treat their children like that. No, because that’s not how it works. The fans might show up in a good mood, Cena will still tell them to go straight to Hell. Every damn one of them owes Cena an apology, but they don’t have the guts to do it! And yeah, go ahead, make the noise. This is always the night fans hijack Monday Night Raw, right? All of WrestleMania, and this is a sacred ticket where the fans can take control, right? They have gotten soft.
Wait, some fans chant “We Are Sorry!” And others say, “NO, WE’RE NOT!” Cena explains that it’s “We Aren’t Sorry.” He does a quick once over, and yeah, this is an arena full of the sorriest lowlifes he’s ever seen! Each and every one of them ARE sorry! And here’s the best part: They don’t mean anything to Cena. The fans tell Cena off and Cena just soaks it in. Cena say she may be an anus, but they’re all idiots. For 25 YEARS, they have called him so much worse. He has taken their best shots, and has always gotten back up. What makes them think THIS is the crowd that’ll crack him? Go ahead! You mean NOTHING to him! The noise means NOTHING!
“The only thing that means to all of our lives… is that!” The number on screen says “36 dates.” Cena says he told us at the beginning of the year, 36 shows, and he’s gone. Time passes so quickly! Let’s countdown the time we’ve already lost. Netflix debut, Indianapolis, Toronto, London, Brussels, Glasgow, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas! That leaves us with 27 dates. Not matches, but appearances. The fans boo but Cena says yeah! You say he can’t wrestle? He doesn’t have to! He can just show up and do this! “When that hits zero, the professional wrestling timeline stops cold. I am not stupid like you. I know there will be another Monday Night Raw. I know you will ‘decide’ another champion.
“But the title held by Bruno Sammartino, the title held by Roman Reigns for over 1000 days, the title taken from me in Chicago by CM Punk, the title held by Triple H ‘The Game,’ by ‘Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels, and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin comes home with ME! I am the Last Real Undisputed Champion of the WWE!” The fans boo but Cena says getting the title was the hard part. The rest is a cake walk. He can just keep playing us like the puppets we are. The best chance the fans had was Cody Rhodes. The fans boo and Cena says, “You heartless bastards. You boo him on Friday, and then you cheer him on Friday, and then you boo him on Sunday. And I say his name?
“And the man we all put on our shoulders last year because he finished his story now disgusts you? That’s what’s wrong with this! And that’s why last night, Cody Rhodes was outshined, outclassed, outwrestled and flat-out destroyed. It’s time for you to take a bold look in the mirror, and here’s the truth: There is NO ONE in the WWE with the strength, the speed, the wisdom, or the ruthless aggression… of John Cena! But unlike you, I have a heart. And I would like to do something nice for you right now. Get out your cameras, please, you’re gonna wanna remember this moment.” Cena waits, and then says make sure to get a great picture. Because the Last Real Champ is here.
AND RANDY ORTON IS, TOO!! Cena turns around and R K O!! The fans are thunderous as The Viper strikes Cena down! Orton then looks at the title. Orton picks it up, smirks, and then holds it up. The fans like the look of that! But is this a vision of the future? Is Cena bout to face some serious backlash for what he’s done?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!
The NEW champions just won these titles last night, but the former champions are cashing in their rematch! Will Liv & Raquel redeem themselves just 24 hours later? Or will The Morrigan & The Man be 2-0 already?
Raw returns and we see Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley watching from the crowd. They’re set to challenge for these titles tomorrow night as part of NXT, but just who will they be facing? Moving on, Lyra & Becky make their entrance together, and the fans sing along with Becky’s “Whoa Oh, Oh Oh, Oh-oh Oh!” The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who holds the gold!
The teams sort out, and Liv goes right after Becky! The fans are torn as Liv fires hands! The ref counts, Liv stomps away, but then she shrieks at the ref to back off. Liv runs in, back body blocks, then SHINING WIZARDS! Snapmare, SHINING WIZARD again! Cover, TWO! Becky stays in this but Liv stays on her by pulling hair and CLUBBING Becky in the side! Liv KICKS Becky, brings her up, but Becky ROCKS Liv! Liv ROCKS Becky, the shots keep going, and the fans fire up! Becky fires off a strike fest, then brings Liv up to whip. Liv reverses, Lyra tags in, and Becky BOOTS Liv! Lyra & Becky double whip to DOUBLE HIP TOSS!
Lyra CROSSBODIES Liv down, then brings her around. Lyra whips Liv to a corner hard, and Liv slumps down. Lyra stomps a mudhole, then brings Liv out. Liv breaks fee but Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, RAMS, and ENZIGIRIS! Raquel runs up, Lyra headlocks her first. Raquel whips, Lyra springboards to CROSSBODY Liv! Then WHEEL KICK for Raquel! The fans fire up with Lyra, she calls to Becky, and they both WRECK Liv & Raquel with dropkicks! The fans fire up for the lass kickers as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Raquel has Lyra in an Argentine Backbreaker! Lyra endures, fights free, and then ROCKS Raquel! Raquel trips Lyra, but Lyra flips to her feet! ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire back up! Lyra and Raquel crawl, the fans rally up, but Raquel grabs at a foot. Lyra kicks free, hot tags to Becky and Liv! Becky rallies on Liv, CALF KICKS her down, then runs at the corner to ROCK Liv with a forearm! Raquel runs up but is sent into Liv! JUMP KICK for Raquel! JUMP KICK for Liv! Then BECKSPLODER for Liv! Cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Becky stays focused. Becky dares Liv to get up, the fans rally, and Becky clinches!
Liv wheelbarrows to victory roll! ONE and Becky has it! TWO and Becky BLASTS Raquel! But Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Then OBLIV- NO, Becky blocks to MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, RAQUEL BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Raquel drags Liv away to the corner. Liv tags Raquel and Raquel drags Becky up. But Becky JAWBREAKERS! Becky runs up, Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel goes up, but Becky CLUBS her first! Becky fires shots, climbs up after Raquel, but Raquel fights the lift! Lyra climbs up, tags in, and then joins in! But Raquel still fights it! Liv flips in, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB for Becky!
Lyra hops up, SUPER STEIN- NO! Raquel blocks, and she brings Lyra up! SUPER POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Lyra survives and the fans can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” while all four women are down. Lyra and Raquel rise, Raquel lifts, but Lyra slips free! Raquel tries again but Lyra DROPKICKS her away! Lyra hobbles and stumbles but she makes it to Raquel. Lyra tries to fireman’s carry, but Raquel pushes her away. Lyra goes up, TORNADO DDT! Lyra then drags Raquel back up, fireman’s carries again, NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Cover, Liv gives Raquel the ropebreak!! The fans boo but here comes Becky!
Becky hits a THESZ PRES and rains down fast hands! Liv gets free, fights off the urenage and POSTS Becky! Lyra WRECKS Liv with a dropkick! Liv climbs up, Raquel rises, TURN OF FOR- NO, Raquel dodges and BOOTS Lyra down! Cover, TWO!! Raquel is furious but Liv calls to her. Liv runs in, Raquel pops her up, POWERBOMB SENTON onto knees!! Lyra saves herself and takes out Liv in one go! Raquel freaks out, runs up, but her boot gets stuck on the ropes! Lyra DUMPS Raquel, but turns into OBLIV- NO, Lyra grabs ropes! Liv falls, Lyra ENZIGIRIS! Fireman’s carry, but Raquel saves Live!
Becky goes after Raquel, Raquel kicks her away! Lyra BLASTS Raquel onto Becky!! OBLIVION!!! Cover, LIV & RAQUEL WIN!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
FOUR TIMES, Liv & Raquel are tag team champions! Becky regroups with Lyra, both of them a bit stunned this happened. But then Becky DECKS Lyra?!? Becky blames Lyra for this failure and Lyra is absolutely devastated! The Man storms off, only to come back and attack Lyra with a rain of forearms! The fans boo as Becky dribbles Lyra off the mat! Becky stops, Lyra is in shock, but Becky comes back again!? Lyra pleads for mercy but Becky just MANHANDLE SLAMS her!! Becky hits another MANHANDLE SLAM!! And A THIRD MANHANDLE SLAM!!! The Man is acting more like a monster, what is going on with her?
The New Day walks around backstage.
They admire their newly won WWE World Tag Team Championships, but then they cross paths with Karrion Kross. Mr. Doomsday smiles, perhaps proud of his handiwork? Either way, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods are headed to gorilla. Just how will this New Day celebrate their reign?
The New Day heads to the ring.
Las Vegas wasn’t happy during WrestleMania and they aren’t happy now that Kofi & Woods have the titles back in their possession. Kofi & Woods bring those belts to the ring, rubbing it all in our faces. Kofi has a mic to say, “We are your new W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Championssss…!” Woods says, “So get down on your knees before us! Raise your hands to the sky! And scream out in unison, ‘THANK GAWWWWD~! FOR THE NEW DAAAAY~!” The fans boo instead. Kofi says, “There is no tag team alive or dead that is better than ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~!” The fans chant, “New! Day Sucks!” This annoys Woods & Kofi.
The fans felt the New Day couldn’t beat The War Raiders, but they did! Wait, is that The Alpha Academy? Maxxine Dupri has the mic and asks, “Hold on, hold on, hold on. Did I just hear you say that The New Day is the greatest tag team ever? I mean, you might be. But the last time you faced Otise & Tozawa, they beat you in 60 sweet seconds! And now here we are at the Raw after WrestleMania, in Las Vegas, Nevada! And by the sound of it, I think we would all love to watch you two put your money where your mouth is, and put those shiny tag titles on the line right here, right now!” Woods asks if that’s what Vegas wants. “YES!” Then the answer is NO!
Oh, are the “minutemen” scared? M-Minutemen!? The fans chant that at Woods & Kofi, and Kofi says if they wanna do it right now, let’s do it right now! Get a ref right now! The fans fire up, and we have another tag title match already! Except the lights change… And then… RUSEV IS HERE!! Vegas goes nuts because it is now Rusev Day! The Bulgarian Brute, the Redeemer, has returned to the WWE, and he storms right into the ring! New Day bail out, no title match after all. Rusev DECKS Otis! And he CLOBBERS Tozawa! The fans fire up as Rusev glare at The New Day. Tozawa gets up, climbs up, and he leaps, but Ruzez catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM!
Otis rises, the fans fire up, and now we get some “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” ROUNDHOUSE from Rusev! Then MACHKA KICK! The fans fire up as Rusev roars, “RUSEV! CRUSH!!” Rusev stomps away on Otis, and clamps on the ACCOLADE!! Otis taps but it won’t change anything! Rusev thrashes Otis around, and lets go as the fans chant “RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY!” Maxxine is freaking out, but will this show now become Rusev Day Raw?
The Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’re all excited over Liv & Raquel becoming FOUR-TIME Women’s Tag Team Champions! And Dom is the NEW Intercontinental Champion, and they toast with a title clink. Dom says this was the greatest weekend of his life! That deadbeat dad missed Mania, and now both Dom & Liv have gold again! But then in steps Finn Balor… The Prince looks at the belt on Dom’s shoulder, and Liv says hey, a win for one is a win for all. As long as someone in Judgment Day has the title, that’s all that matters. Finn says what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. They fist bump and Finn says he’ll be out there with Dom tonight against Penta.
Finn turns around, Carlito is there, and Carlito says even though they don’t have titles, it feels like they have titles, right? Oh, Carlito has to go see the doc, he’s still sore. Carlito hobbles off, but Finn gives a bit of a scowl behind Dom’s back. Is everything (not) fine in Judgment Day?
Iyo Sky is here!
The fans cheer as the Evil Genius makes her way to the ring, still WWE Women’s World Champion! But what will she have to say about that WrestleMania victory? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Iyo has the mic. The fans cheer Iyo on, even get some “You Deserve It!” in there, and Iyo says last night was the best night of her career! The fans cheer, and Iyo says she is over the moon! She beat the best there is, which means SHE is the best! The fans cheer that! Rhea Ripley tried to forget Iyo, and Bianca Belair tried to forget Iyo. But now, ALL OF YOU will never forget her! The fans cheer that, too! Iyo adds in Japanese, and then translates to English that she is The Genius of the Sky, and she is the Women’s World Champiooon~! The fans cheer more, but wait! Is that Stephanie Vaquer?! The NXT Women’s Champion is headed to the ring!
The fans cheer as we get La Primera and Genius in the same ring! Vaquer congratulates Iyo in three languages, and then wishes to properly introduce herself. She is THE NXT Women’s Champion, La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer. The fans cheer, and Vaquer says she wants to come out here to show Iyo respect. The fans chant for “LA PRIMERA!” Vaquer tells Iyo that she is amazing. Vaquer says Iyo is right that Iyo is the best. But Vaquer is also the best. And Vaquer wants to fight the best of the best! Iyo says if Vaquer wants to face her, then challenge accepted! And what about right here, right now?! The fans cheer as this dream match is made!
Well, hold on, Adam Pearce makes his way out here, and he wants everyone else to hold on. The fans boo the Raw General Manager for ruining the fun. But Pearce double checks, does Vegas want the match? “YES!” Then so doe she! Sky VS Vaquer, and it’s RIGHT NOW! NOW the dream match is official! But who between these two champions will prove they are THE best?
Iyo Sky VS Stephanie Vaquer!
The bell rings and the two shake hands. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Iyo waistlocks. Vaquer switches, SLAMS Iyo down, but Iyo fights up. The fans duel as Iyo fires body shots. Iyo wrenches and wristlocks, but Vaquer shifts around to roll, trip, and she has the toehold. Iyo stands, wrenches, and wristlocks, but Vaquer rolls, handsprings, and wrenches back to arm-drag! The fans fire up, Iyo runs up, Vaquer sweeps and covers, ONE! Iyo sweeps and covers, ONE! The two stand off again and the fans fire up! Iyo and Vaquer go again, and Iyo whips. Vaquer tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through!
Iyo wags her finger, Vaquer smirks, and things speed up. They clinch, Vaquer waistlocks, but denies Iyo’s escape! Iyo CLUBS Vaquer, wrenches and reels her in, but Vaquer switches. Vaquer goes to ropes, Iyo bucks the O’Conner this time, and the fans cheer the standoff. Things get going again, each woman dodges, and then Vaquer avoids the handspring, only for Iyo to DROPKICK! Vaquer bails out, Iyo builds speed, and Iyo DIVES! Direct hit and the fans fire up with the Women’s World Champion! Iyo drags Vaquer up, whips, but Vaquer tiger feint kicks back! Vaquer runs up, Iyo puts her in the timekeeper’s area, but Vaquer goes up! CROSSBODY to the floor!
The fans fire up as now the NXT Women’s Champion stands tall! Vaquer has Iyo on the defense, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Vaquer is up top, but Iyo SHOTEIS first! Iyo then climbs up after Vaquer, throws hands, and the fans rally. Vaquer fires body shots, HEADBUTTS, and Iyo falls back! Vaquer adjusts, Iyo runs back up, and SUPER ARM-DRAGS! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally, Iyo stands, and she runs up to SHOTEI! And SHOTEI! And DROPKICK! Iyo drags Vaquer up, whips her, but Vaquer reverses. Iyo goes up, out, and ROCKS Vaquer! Iyo then climbs the corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Vaquer tumbles away, Iyo kips up, and the fans fire up! Vaquer is in the corner, Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN!
Iyo drags Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Vaquer stays in this, but Iyo drags her into the drop zone. Iyo steps on Vaquer as she goes to the corner. Iyo goes up, up, and OVER THE- NO, Iyo has to land out as Vaquer moves! Vaquer then dodges again, comes back, and she blocks the boot for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Vaquer runs, and she METEORAS! Vaquer drags Iyo to a cover, TWO! Iyo is tougher than that but Vaquer stays calm. The fans rally up, Vaquer reels Iyo in, but Iyo flips free of the backbreaker! Vaquer ducks a kick, Iyo ducks a kick! Iyo wheelbarrows, victory roll, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO!
Iyo is a bit frustrated but the fans rally back up. Iyo drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” as Vaquer JAWBREAKERS, and SUPERKICKS! And BIG back suplex! Vaquer sits Iyo up, wraps on the headscissors, and she turns Iyo over for the DEVIL’S KISS! The fans echo Booker T’s sentiments, “Yeeeeeeeeah!” Cover, TWO! Iyo survives and the fans chant, “One More Time!” Vaquer smiles, and she drags Iyo up to tuck her in. Iyo wrenches out, kicks and sunset flips, ONE! Vaquer runs, tilt-o-whirl, RANA feint to roll up! TWO!! Iyo is surprised she got free, and she has Vaquer with underhooks! TIGER BACKBREAKAR! Cover, TWO!!
The fans rally while Iyo isn’t sure what to do. “This is Awesome!” as Iyo drags Vaquer into a waistlock. Vaquer fires elbows, gets free, and runs. Iyo ELBOWS Vaquer first! Iyo runs, but Vaquer ROCKS her! Vaquer runs, but Iyo dodges, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Iyo drags Vaquer back up, but Vaquer reels Iyo in! GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women are down and the fans are thunderous! Now fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” Vaquer goes up a corner, but Iyo rises to SHORYUKEN! Iyo climbs up after Vaquer, fires hands, then clinches. SUPER SPANISH FLY!! The fans are thunderous while both women are down again!
The fans rally and duel as both women stir. Iyo goes to ropes, Vaquer goes to a corner. Both women stand, but here comes ROXANNE PEREZ! She CLOBBERS Iyo!
Winner: Iyo Sky
The Prodigy grins at Vaquer, who she’s set to face for the title just tomorrow night! And Vaquer is pissed about it, only for GIULIA to attack Vaquer?!? The Beautiful Madness and The Prodigy then beat up on the champions! The fans boo, but here comes RHEA RIPLEY!! Roxie panics as Mami is here on Monday Night Raw! Rhea slides in, and she picks Roxie up to THROW her away! Then HEADBUTT her down! Giulia almost sneaks up, but she backs off as Rhea stares her down. Rhea and Giulia circle, and Rhea warns her. Giulia backs off, but is it only a matter of time before she’s back for more?
As for Rhea, she looks at Iyo while she’s down. Rhea picks up the title, and Iyo sits up to see this. Rhea hands the title over to Iyo and the fans cheer. Rhea says something to the effect of Iyo better be ready for when Rhea comes back for the belt. The Genius nods, and she’ll surely be ready for whoever wants a shot at her.
Jey Uso is here!
The NEW WWE World Heavy-YEET Champion makes his way in from the concourse and sports his new merch! The fans fire up and bounce along as Jey makes his way down the bleachers and to ringside. Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole, then goes to the ring to keep the bouncing going! The fans chant “You Deserve It!” as Jey grabs a mic. Jey nods, and fans “YEET!” some more, then they chant, “One More Time!” Jey hears that, and he sets the mic and belt down to say okay! The song starts up again and fans sing along, “DAY ONE ISH!” Jey then picks the mic and belt up again, and he says, “The World Heavyweight Champion is now in your citaaaay~!”
The fans cheer more, and Jey says he is here, “YEET!” He’s been wanting it. “YEET!” Since he was a kid. “YEET!” He is here now. “YEET!” Jey says it was a long, hard road. It was not easy. WrestleMania, Jey gave it all he had to beat Gunther. And Jey made him TAP! The fans cheer that! But Jey will be the first one to say that he is very grateful that he has this world title. He will show up every week, every day, and put in the work like he always has. And if you’re excited to have Jey Uso as your World Heavyweight Champion, then dammit, lemme hear ya say, “YEET!” “YEET!!” Wait! Sami Zayn is here! The fans cheer as the Underdog from the Underground returns!
Sami waves to the fans, high-fives a few in the front row, then goes to the ring to join Jey. The fans sing along with Sami’s song, and then Sami grabs himself a mic. Sami smiles as he looks at Jey, and then they hug it out! The fans cheer, and then they chant, “UCEY! UCEY!” “SAMI USO! SAMI USO!” Sami smiles again, and says he has so much he wants to say, he isn’t sure where to begin. First of all, not being here the last eight weeks or so, not being here while Jey was going through what he was going through with Gunther, Sami wants to know how hard that was for him. Sami wishes he could’ve been here.
And missing WrestleMania this year, that was also very hard on Sami. Sami and Jey aren’t that different. They’re gameday players. To be honest, Sami almost didn’t come to Vegas at all. But Sami had to, because he had to make sure that he was the first one to stand in this ring across from Jey, look him in the eyes, with that title on Jey’s shoulders, and say how proud he is of Jey Uso. The fans cheer, Jey thanks Sami, and Sami says Jey is his brother, his dawg, his Uce, he loves him, is proud of him, and knows Jey deserves that title! Sami knows it, Jey knows it, and everyone in this arena knows Jey deserves it!
The fans cheer and chant “You Deserve It!” Sami says it’s the Raw After Mania, not to get sentimental, but we are here to celebrate! So hit Jey’s music! “DAY ONE ISH!” The fans cheer, Sami and Jey hug it out again, and then they both go to the corners. The fans YEET with Jey & Sami, and it’s time to bounce! Sami hops off his corner first, and he looks at Jey. Jey hops down, they hug it out again, and the fans cheer. But wait, is that Jimmy? The fans fire up as #BigJim joins in! The three do the secret handshake, and then they group hug! Jimmy & Sami raise Jey’s hands in victory, and the fans fire up for this feel good moment!
Jey is on top of the world now that he’s World Heavyweight Champion, but how long will it last? Who will be the first one to step up to Main Event Jey Uso?
Backstage interview with Logan Paul.
After WrestleMania last night, Cathy Kelley congratulated him on the big win against AJ Styles, but does he feel he could’ve still done it without his friend and manager, Jeff, or the help from Karrion Kross? Logan asks what was that. What’s she implying? He still won, didn’t he? And we’re talking about what if’s? That’s irrelevant. He won. Next question. Then what is next for Logan? Whatever he wants, that’s what. Because this company knows he is the best and he is the future. He’ll face anyone anywhere. Anyone that he faces becomes a victim. He will continue his WrestleMania win streak. Logan is always confident, but will that ever change?
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
In present, Jackie Redmond is with the Phenomenal One, and she says just 24 hours after his loss to Logan Paul, where is he after that? Styles says he won’t lie, it is a hard pill to swallow. But Logan plays his games, gets his lackeys involved, and Styles was prepared for that. But the truth is, Styles took an L. But he’ll move on, he’ll be okay. Because part of being phenomenal is being able to bounce back and- Karrion Kross interrupts! Kross asks if Styles said “bounce back.” Yeah, good bounce back from getting pinned by Logan Paul! Styles is literally the best of us, meaning Logan winning is so much more painful, because now, Styles has legitimized him!
Oh, really? Kross is the one who said Styles is the best of us, so does Kross expect Styles to go back a year ago and be that guy? Why is Kross so adamant about this? Styles hated who he was then. He’s never going back. Kross does not understand. If Styles used the brass knuckles to beat Logan, it would’ve meant nothing! If Kross wants to be angry at the world, fine. Don’t drag Styles down with you! In fact, go solve that problem yourself! Styles storms off, Scarlett calms Kross down, and Kross says, “Maybe I will.” What will Mr. Doomsday do if he’s to “save” WWE?
Raw returns and…
Gunther is berating Pat & Cole on commentary! The fans taunt Gunther, “YOU TAPPED OUT!” Gunther dares Cole to say something to his face. Cole asks why Gunther is so upset, Cole is just doing his job. Gunther storms up around the way, yanks Cole’s headset off, and Pat tries to stop this. But Gunther SHOVES Pat, then drags Cole into a SLEEPER! So Pat fires hands! The fans fire up as Pat stands up for Cole, and now refs, security, and producers rush out here! Adam Pearce tells Gunther to stand down, but Gunther just busts through to grab Pat! SLEEPER!! Gunther drags Pat down while security is now busy with Pat’s friends/entourage!!
The fans go nuts as Pat’s friends are only making this worse for Pat! Pearce tells Gunther to let Pat go, but Pat is already red in the face and out cold on the floor! Gunther refuses to let go, even as producers claw at the beefy arms wrapped around Pat’s neck! The fans tell Gunther off as he finally lets Pat go. Gunther paces, then he finally leaves through the crowd side. Fans boo, refs and security follow Gunther while the others check Pat. Pat coughs and sputters as he wakes up, and Pearce is chewing Gunther out. Fans remind Gunther, “You Tapped Out!” while Cole helps Pat to his feet. The fans cheer Pat while he’s helped to the back.
Pat needs a second as they make it to the ramp, coughing and gasping, but he gets back to his feet and keeps walking. The fans cheer his resilience, Pearce calls for more medical help just to be safe, and Pat takes another moment to catch his breath. What consequences will there be for Der Ring General after he lashed out against innocent commentary?
Raw returns again and…
Pat is still gasping for air, but he does get a drink of water to help with his throat. Cole and Pearce help Pat to the trainer’s room, and then Pat, his entourage, and refs go inside. Pearce tells Cole that Joe Tessitore can cover for Cole, Cole should get himself checked out. Cole tells Pearce, “How can we do our jobs when we’re not allowed to have an opinion? We’re not allowed to talk about this stuff? We’re not allowed to have fun? You gotta do something.” Pearce knows, he will handle this. Cole should just take the rest of the night off. Cole says no, he is not going to let Gunther bully him. Cole heads back for commentary and Pearce says good for Cole.
Cole returns to ringside and the fans cheer. Tessitore commends Cole for this, and they’ll do their best with the rest of the show from here.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day VS PENTA!
Twenty years ago, he was just a little boy whose loving and loyal father was fighting with Uncle Eddie for his future. And now, “Dirty Dom” is an Intercontinental Champion, just like both Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero. But will Dom’s first defense also be his last? Or will Dom not care about #CeroMiedo?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has more Latino Heat!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Dom talks a bit of trash, then he kicks Penta low! Dom CLUBS Penta, whips, hurdles, but Penta KICKS Dom out of the handspring! Penta fires up, but Dom fires back with hands! Dom stomps Penta in a corner, lets off as the ref counts, then whips corner to corner. Penta goes up and over, keeps moving, and he ducks’ n’ dodges. Penta RANAS Dom out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed, but Dom is back to DROPKICK! Dom storms up but Penta bails out and the ref holds him back. But then Finn creeps up! The ref sees Finn and has him back off. Dom builds speed, but Penta GAMANGIRIS!
Dom staggers back, Penta climbs up, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Dom flounders back out, Penta builds speed again, and Penta FLIES! Down goes Dom and the fans fire up! Finn coaches Dom but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Penta SLING-DOGS Dom! Then GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Dom sits down, Penta runs and headstands, to DROPKICK! Penta drags Dom, covers, TWO! Dom stays in this but Penta stays calm. Finn coaches Dom but Penta drags Dom up! PENTA- NO, Dom slips free of the driver to shove, scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Dom and Penta go to corners. Dom runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS, mule kicks, and then goes up! Penta calls his shot, jumps, but into a kick! Dom hits a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Dom drags Penta to a drop zone, then goes up while fans actually cheer.
But Penta is up to GAMANGIRI! Dom wobbles, Penta climbs, but Dom fires body shots! Penta hops down to CHOP Dom! Penta then runs, jumps, and RANAS Dom away! The fans fire up, Penta runs in, DESTROYER! Dom flops down and the fans fire up again! Penta reaches out, but Dom rolls away to the outside! Dom stays safe and the fans rally up again. “CERO! MIEDO!” “DIRTY DOM!” Finn coaches Dom, Dom says look out! Penta RANAS Finn into Dom! The fans fire up and Penta drags Dom up. Penta puts Dom in, then he climbs up the corner again. But Carlito distracts the ref! JD MCDONAGH IS HERE!? JD SHOVES Penta down!!
Dom DROPKICSK Penta onto ropes, then dials it up to 619!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Just when it looked like Penta had the hot hand, Judgment Day pulls out the Irish Ace! Even Finn is surprised that his guy is back, and now this title stays with Judgment Day! Judgment Day celebrates on stage, and Finn feels like the odd man out for a moment. Will Judgment Day (not) smooth out the problems now that they’re back to full strength?
El Grande Americano has a new video.
“Rejoice! Despite insurmountable opposition from his jealous, desperate, rule-breaking foes, El Grande Americano has emerged victorious on the Grandest Stage of Them All! The children sang of his honesty and humility. The world stands in awe of his talent and honor! He has reclaimed his throne as the king of lucha libre. Today, we celebrate the legend, the icon, the hero, El Grande Americano!” Given the obvious AI art, photoshopped pictures and cheesy sepia film reel filter, this propaganda is not convincing anyone. But when and where will El Grande Americano face justice for what he did to Rey Fenix?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
We saw him arrive at the start of the night, and now Las Vegas sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary and his Wise Man make their way down the ramp. Rollins certainly did #BurnItDown when he got Heyman to burn the bridges with CM Punk and Roman Reigns on WrestleMania Saturday. Rollins revels in the singing as he struts around in his canary yellow suit. Heyman fetches a mic, the fans continue to sing, and Rollins continues to soak it all in. Some fans even chant, “Thank You, Seth! Thank You, Seth!” Others come back with “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” and “O T C! O T C!” but Heyman hands his mic to Rollins, like he used to do for The Tribal Chief.
Fans now chant “F YOU, HEYMAN!” but Heyman is merely amused by it. Rollins takes his time turning around to face the main camera, and he takes his sunglasses off to say, “I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I took a Wise Man from Roman Reigns. I stole CM Punk’s best friend. I am the winner of the main event of WrestleMania. I. Am.” CM PUNK IS HERE! The fans go nuts for Cult of Personality while Rollins gets ready for a fight! Punk has his hands taped up for one, too, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as haymakers fly fast ‘n’ furious! Punk puts Rollins in a corner to fire hands from all sides!
Punk stomps a mudhole into Rollins, but Heyman creeps up. Punk stops stomping just in time to turn around and see Heyman. Heyman tells Punk that Heyman didn’t betray Punk, Punk ruined things for him and Roman! Punk storms up and shoves Heyman into a corner! But Rollins runs up and CLAWS Punk’s eyes! Rollins THROWS Punk down, the fans boo, but Rollins hits the CURB STOMP! Punk is down and Rollins stands over him, but now fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Heyman picks the mic back up while fans chant, “We Want Roman!”
Heyman sighs, and says, “We are going to conclude the weekend of WrestleMania 41… by propelling the news all the way to WrestleMania 42! There is a NEW reigning, defending, undisputed number one top star in this entire industry! Ladies and gentlemen, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!” Heyman holds up Rollins’ hand in victory, then tosses the mic aside. BUT NOW ROMAN SHOWS UP!! Rollins is pissed off again, and he hurries to TOSS Punk out of the ring! Rollins prepares for round two, and Roman is making his way out here after all! Heyman steps back as Rollins stares Roman down, and here comes another brawl! No, wait, Roman dodges to SPEAR Rollins!!
The fans are thunderous and Heyman is in shock! Roman now runs up to SUPERMAN PUNCH Heyman!! Down goes The Wise Man and the fans fire up! Roman throws off the shirt, gets the fans even more fired up, and he aims again! “OOOAH~!” SPEAR FROM BRON BREAKER?!?! The Badass just took out the Tribal Chief! And then he stares down Rollins! The fans are going nuts, but Bron SPEARS PUNK!! Punk was back up only to get knocked back down, and Rollins grins as he pats Bron on the shoulder! “That’s my boy!” The Visionary has an attack dog with him now, and the fans are losing their minds!
Rollisn points out that Roman is up on the outside. Bron goes out there, but Roman UPPERCUTS Bron first! Bron staggers, but he stays on his feet! Bron then builds speed around the way, and uses that lap to SPEAR ROMAN THROUGH BARRIERS!!! The fans go nuts all over again, and Rollins says to get Roman’s ass back in the ring! Bron obeys and he drags Roman into the ring. Bron sets Roman up for Rollins, and Rollins tells Roman to watch what’s gonna happen to him! CURB STOMP for Punk again!! Rollins tells Roman to learn that the future of this business runs through him! CURB STOMP for Roman!!
The fans are torn, but Heyman now stands over his former best friends to embrace his new guys! Will these three soon take over the WWE together?
My Thoughts:
After a great WrestleMania Weekend, this Raw After Mania ended up being perhaps one of the best. My only gripe might be how they handled the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bayley being “taken out” and Becky taking her place was fine. But then doing the tag title rematch here seemed random when we had NXT to look forward to. And then, Liv & Raquel win the belts back already, and Becky snaps on Lyra. I suppose if you look at this for Judgment Day, the title change needed to be tonight to coincide with what happened in the main event with Dom VS Penta. But now we don’t get the fun interaction of Tatum, Lyra and Becky I was hoping for.
What would it have hurt if Becky & Lyra didn’t defend the belts tonight, went to NXT and had a really fun match with Tatum & Gigi? Becky & Lyra, Liv & Raquel, neither team is losing to Tatum & Gigi. At least, I would think that’s the case… And then you can give Liv & Raquel their rematch later, and they still win like they did tonight, and then Becky snaps because “Lyra let her down.” But I suppose we’re fast-tracking to Becky VS Lyra for the Intercontinental Championship. And they kinda have to, given Backlash is May 10, just 20 days away. Maybe Becky wins that to reestablish herself and also juice up that title.
Great promo from John Cena, and honestly, I can’t help but agree with Cena on a lot of his points towards the fans. Also, I like how he explained he has 27 remaining dates/appearances, not matches. And of course Orton was next for Cena, the signs were all there: Backlash is in St. Louis, Orton’s hometown; Cena teased it with saying “Ruthless Aggression,” the era both men rose to fame in; and Cena and Orton have faced each other so many times, they gotta get one last one in. And on top of that, Orton is a fan favorite that won’t be hurt by a loss to Cena because Orton’s been around just as long, this will be a good one.
Great stuff with New Day, including passing by Karrion Kross. Alpha Academy coming out and wanting a title match, that was already a bit fishy right from the start. RUSEV returning to annihilate Alpha Academy and “cancel” the world tag title match was quite the way to return, mostly because of how big and beefy Otis is. Rusev VS Otis will be a good match to help get Rusev back into WWE action, and then Rusev can go for whatever title he wants. I’m thinking it should be the World Heavyweight Championship, though that might be a tough choice given Jey Uso only just got the belt. Speaking of Jey, good promo but much better moment between him, Sami and Jimmy. Though, I did appreciate the tiniest tease they gave of Sami going Heel in the absence of Kevin Owens.
Great promo from Iyo, and what a great surprise to see Vaquer. They had an awesome match, but given they’re both champions and they’re both so awesome, it had to be “ruined” by Roxie showing up. But at the same time, what a surprise that Giulia also showed up. Roxie VS Vaquer for tomorrow night is an interesting move, and Giulia got to beat up on Iyo a bit more. I’m thinking both Roxie and Giulia are just one step away from being called up to main roster, and probably to Raw for the Women’s World Championship. Great save from Rhea, and maybe we get some Rhea & Iyo VS Giulia & Roxie before shaking out a title story.
Good promo from Logan Paul to dismiss the interference on his match, as a Heel would/should. And good response from Styles, only for Kross to interrupt. I don’t know if we get another Styles VS Kross match, or maybe Kross goes wild and goes after other people, but there’s still some intrigue here. Also, Kross had quite the rant as part of the WrestleMania post show, so I hope WWE uses that to push him forward towards things like title feuds. Gunther going after Cole and Pat was certainly a wild direction to take his story. I’m not sure what kind of meta commentary they’re making, it has actually been a long time since a WWE commentator got into it with a wrestler, other than perhaps when Drew McIntyre and Wade Barrett got physical.
And as for Gunther and Pat specifically, maybe Pat is gonna get into ring shape so he and Gunther can have it out over the summer. In the meantime, I think Gunther is kayfabe suspended, that’ll let him stay home with wife and newborn child for a bit, so good for him. Hilarious El Grande Americano vignette, all the elements make it such an obvious troll but you can bet someone out there will still get mad. Hopefully we can still get El Grande VS Rey Mysterio, though I’m not sure if Backlash is too soon. Maybe Grande faces Dragon Lee or some other luchador on Rey’s behalf, and then we can arrange El Grande VS Rey Mysterio for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in Los Angeles for June, all commemorating WWE acquiring AAA.
Great stuff with Dom VS Penta for the Intercontinental Championship, but something felt like Finn was going to try and screw Dom out of the title. JD McDonagh showing up was a great surprise, especially given how he got hurt hitting that desk SO hard. Finn himself seemed so surprised (in kayfabe), and we have some more intrigue in this Judgment Day dysfunction. And then a great closing segment with Rollins & Heyman making their debut as the new duo. Punk of course interrupted and we got a great brawl there. And then great stuff with Roman showing up right as the credits were showing up. It has been a minute since HHH has done something like this, and this actually ended up the longest episode of Netflix Raw because of it.
Bron Breakker helping Rollins fight off Roman and Punk was some wild stuff, mostly because I never thought Bron would ever join someone else. I could see a tag match of Punk & Roman VS Rollins & Bron, but maybe not for some time as Roman still isn’t really known for doing matches that often. That is to say, not sure Backlash is big enough, but perhaps MITB or SummerSlam are. And already, there are ideas about what kind of faction Rollins is going to make, perhaps as a second try at what he had with Buddy Murphy and Austin Theory, but just no “Monday Night Messiah” gimmick.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/19/25)
Parting is such sweet sorrow…
There are more goodbyes than just The Ace’s Final Road.
NJPW already knows Hiroshi Tanahashi will retire with this year, but his final match with Jeff Cobb will also be Jeff Cobb’s farewell to NJPW! Will The Ace never tire out? Or will he take a Tour of the Islands?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai; Tenza, Kojima, Nagata & Tiger Mask win.
- 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, YOH & Master Wato VS TMDK; Yano, Oleg, Yoh & Wato win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Callum Newman, Templario & Jakob Austin Young; Goto, Desperado & Taguchi win.
- 10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!
The Ace’s Final Road continues on, but it would seem the Imperial Unit has hit the end of his run in NJPW. Will the President give Cobb a proper sendoff? Or is there one last Tour of the Islands planned?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “COBBU! COBBU!” Tanahashi nods, and Cobb is emotional hearing that. Cobb and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. But Cobb’s a bit too big to lift even for The Ace. Cobb walks over to the ROPEBREAK, and Tanahashi lets go. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up, Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks, but Cobb powers through, wrenches and wristlocks in return, then hammerlocks to headlock. Tanahashi puts Cobb on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tanahashi lets go cleanly again. The fans applaud the continued sportsmanship, and the two reset again.
Cobb runs up, and he SLINGBLADES?! Cover, TWO!! The “Cobby Cat” strikes again but Tanahashi survives his own move. Cobb whips Tanahashi, Tanahashi grabs ropes, but Cobb runs up. Tanahashi BOOTS Cobb, runs up, but Cobb scoops! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi, and then air guitars before the GACHIMUCHI- NO, Tanahashi avoids the moonsault! Then Tanahashi sets up, to MOONSAULT!? But Cobb moves so Tanahashi belly flops on the floor! The fans fire up while both men are pulling out all the stops. Cobb steps on Tanahashi, pretends he didn’t see Tanahashi there, and then brings Tanahashi up.
Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm, then headlocks. Cobb brings Tanahashi to the ropes to show everyone as he messes with Tanahashi’s hair. Cobb then CLUBS Tanahashi, brings him around, and suplexes. Cobb holds Tanahashi up, the fans cheer as Cobb marches around with him, and then Cobb pops Tanahashi for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this but Cobb stays on him with a GROUND COBRA! Cobb uses Tanahashi as the guitar, then CLUBS him in the ribs and chest! Cobb eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi growls and rises up. Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms, but Cobb just HEADBUTTS back!
Tanahashi staggers away to a corner, and Cobb runs up, only for Tanahashi to dodge! Tanahashi dropkicks Cobb’s legs! Tanahashi then grabs one, and Cobb asks for mercy! Cobb apologizes, but Tanahashi says bye-bye! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while Cobb clutches his leg. Tanahashi storms up on Cobb to fire more fast hands! Tanahashi then says, “MY POWER!” And he SCOOP SLAMS Cobb! The fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs the corner. Tanahashi hits the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi gets moving. But Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi! Cobb winds up, he runs, but Tanahashi dodges the slingblade!
Tanahashi waistlocks, Cobb switches, but Tanahashi throws elbows. Cobb picks Tanahashi up to SLAM him down, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this, but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives the double impact, but Cobb looms over him. Cobb drags Tanahashi up, fires his own fast hand combo, then scoops to SLAM Tanahashi! Cobb grins as he looks to the corner. The fans fire up as Cobb hops up, air guitar and the pose, SUNSET FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi runs, but Cobb grabs tights! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi elbows free!
Cobb SHOTEIS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi goes up the corner! But Cobb stands! Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS, but Cobb catches him! Cobb pops Tanahashi up, shifts around, and ATHLETIC- SLINGBLADE?!? Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi rises, the fans fire up, and Tanahashi runs to SLING- NO, Cobb gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises again! SLING- NO, Cobb scoops Tanahashi, but then pops him around again! TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb roars, but he’s not done!! Cobb ripcords Tanahashi for the RIPCORD- CRADLE COUNTER!! TANAHASHI WINS!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Cobb got cocky and it to cost him! Tanahashi still tells Cobb he’s proud of him and of Cobb’s time here in NJPW. The two shake hands and hug it out while the fans cheer. Tanahashi’s Final Road rolls on, and The United Empire is here to say farewell to their friend. Cobb is handed a mic, and Chris Charleton is there to interpret. Cobb says he was not expecting to lose tonight. But first and foremost, he wants to thank the people that don’t even get seen by the fans. The NJPW staff, the music team, the NJPW World techs, the boys ‘n’ girls in the back, and all the wrestlers Cobb calls “family.” The fans applaud and Cobb says Chris’s Japanese is good.
Cobb takes a moment before he says he had a speech ready, but he’s kinda blanking out from the pressure. Online, there has been an outpouring of love, #ThankYouCobb. But really, he should be thanking each and every one of the fans. Cobb gets emotional again while Chris translates for him. Cobb knows it’s a bit of a crappy situation, but he wants Callum Newman to know, he’s got the ball, so run with it. Cobb lets Chris translate now, and then Cobb wraps by thanking the Empire members here, from Khan, to Templario, to “Jakob Change Your Name,” to Akira and to Callum.
And lastly, Cobb says this is not goodbye, but more see you later. Thank you, NJPW. Thank you, fans. Domo arigato gozaimasu! The fans cheer for Cobb one more time, and he bows deeply to them all. When and where will we see Cobb in the ring, any ring, again?
10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI!
Well, not only is The Ace on his Final Road, but it would seem Tetsuya Naito and Bushi are on their own way out of NJPW. Then will they and their amigos start their Road to Wrestling Dontaku with a celebration? Or will the Heat Storm, Roughneck, Holy Emperor, Blue Playmaker and Headhunter make this anything but tranquilo?
The teams sort out and there’s a lot of entrance attire to put aside. Once Naito is done putting the pants away, LIJ fist bumps while Just4Guys/Hontai shake hands. Yuya steps up against Naito and the fans fire up already. Naito and Yuya stare down while the fans cheer “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Naito and Yuya step up, but then Naito tags to Bushi. The fans cheer Bushi on now, he circles with Yuya, but then Bushi tags out to Yota. The fans rally as Yuya and Yota feel things out, giving us a taste of their IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Yuya wrenches Yota to a wristlock.
Yota slips around, full nelsons, but Yuya breaks that to hammerlock. Yota reaches back to facelock, then he wrenches again. Yuya rolls, wrenches, and arm-drags Yota down. But Yota headscissors! Yuya kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Yota and Yuya reset, tie up, and Yota headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over to arm-drag again! The fans cheer as Yuya has the armlock. Yota fights up, fights around, but Yuya brings him over and Taka tags in. Taka kicks Yota, CLUBS him, then stomps him. Taka knees low, runs, but Yota dropkicks a leg out! LIJ rushes in and BLASTS Hontai! Then they bring Taka to the ropes!
Hontai rushes in to save Taka! The fans fire up as everyone fights at the ropes, and Taka lands safe on the apron! Taka scurries around the way and back into the ring! The fans cheer, but then Takagi & Yota split the wishbone! Hiromu tags in, he brings Taka up and CHOPS! Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS! Hiromu snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! The fans fire up and Hiromu brings Naito in. They double whip to TENDEDERO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Hiromu bumps Taka off buckles, then he tags Takagi. Takagi RAMS into Taka again and again, but Taka fires body shots.
Takagi HEADBUTTS Taka down, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi sits Taka up, runs to BLAST Shota, and the fans cheer! Takagi drags Taka up to HEADBUTT the arm, then wrench it. Tag to Bushi and he CLUBS the arm. Bushi CLUBS Taka down, stomps him, then has the legs. Bushi stands on Taka’s groin! Red Shoes reprimands, Bushi steps off at 4, then stomps Taka around. Tag to Naito and the fans rally as he brings Taka up. Naito cravats Taka, then Hiromu sits in the ropes. Hiromu claims Hontai is up to something, Red Shoes looks over, and Naito SMACKS Taka off Hiromu’s boots!
Taichi protests, but Naito throws hands on Taka. Taka tries to hit back but there’s not much there. Naito CLUBS Taka, but Taka fires a flurry! Naito just ROCKS Taka! Naito runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT Naito down! The fans rally up, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi runs at Naito in the corner and BOOTS him! Yota gets in, kicks Taichi then whips, but Taichi BOOTS Yota! Takagi runs up, Taichi dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Hiromu gets up but Taichi BLASTS him! Bushi backs off, but Naito CLUBS Taichi. Naito whips, but Taichi reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Naito crawls.
Taichi paces, waits on Naito to sit up, but Naito ducks the buzzsaw! Naito shoves Taichi, Bushi trips him up! Bushi tags in and stomps Taichi around. Bushi ROCKS Taichi, whips, but Taichi grabs ropes. Bushi runs up again but Taichi BOOTS him down! Taichi tags Hashi and Hashi drags Bushi up. Hashi ROCKS and CLUBS Bushi, whips him, but Bushi reveres. Hashi dodges to ELBOW Bushi, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! LIJ blasts Hontai’s corner again! Hashi rolls out under the bottom rope, Bushi BLASTS him off the apron, then Bushi builds speed. But Hashi gets back in to CLOBBER Bushi!
Hashi drags Bushi up, hooks a leg, but Bushi fights free! Hashi blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri, but the REWIND HEEL hits! Bushi runs in from the corner, but Hashi stops the Code Breaker! Taka joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives, but Hashi clamps on the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Bushi endures, fights around, and Naito gets on the apron, only for Taichi to BOOT him down! Taichi intercepts Hiromu, and Bushi TAPS! Hashi ELIMINATES Bushi! Takagi CLOBBERS Hashi, then drops ELBOW after ELBOW! Takagi SENTONS but misses as Hashi moves! Shota storms in and stomps Takagi!
Shota drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT, and Hashi CHOPS! Hashi & Shota double whip, then Hashi runs up, only to be put on the apron! Takagi CLOBBERS Shota, then runs up on Hashi! Hashi RAMS Takagi, they trade forearms, but then Takagi HOTSHOTS Hashi! Hashi holds onto the ropes, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi staggers, Shota runs up, but Takagi throws him into Hashi! Hashi falls to the floor, Takagi ELIMINATES Hashi! The teams are even again after that friendly fire, and Takagi rolls Shota! TWO, and things speed up! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Takagi fires up, “TOKI GA KITA!”
The fans rally as Takagi runs up, but he blocks a boot to then LARIAT! JAB, CHOP, repeat, then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Takagi brings Shota up, suplexes, but Shota fights it so Takagi hits the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays focused. The fans join in with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi storms up on Shota. Takagi pump handles but Shota fights the lift. Shota switches, Takagi fires elbows, but Shota ducks! Shota wrenches and SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! The fans are torn but Shota drags Takagi up. Shota CHOPS Takagi in the corner, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS!
Shota reels Takagi in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota clamps on an STF! Takagi endures, fights around, and he drags Shota along towards the ropes! ROPEBREAK, the fans cheer, and Shota lets go. Shota brings Takagi up, but Takagi denies the tornado DDT! Shota fires forearms to ROCK Takagi again and again, but Takagi just headbutts the buckles to fire up! The fans fire up and Shota fires another forearm, only for Takagi to fire back! Shota headbutts the buckles to fire up! The forearms start flying again, but then Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Shota, but Shota fires boxing elbows now!
Shota ROCKS Takagi, then runs, but Takagi follows! LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, Shota follows, LARIAT at the ropes! Shota runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Shota roars, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- SHOTA LARIATS! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER! Shota is in a daze but he manages to stand, and he swats a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! Shota staggers back up, but Takagi whips him. Shota reverses and reels Takagi in, TORNADO DDT! But Takagi’s right up, and he PUMPING BOMBERS Shota and himself up and out! DOULBE ELIMINATION!!
The fans go nuts as we go to 3v3 now. Yuya and Yota step back in and the fans rally. Yota grins, runs up, but Yuya dodges to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Yuya whips, Yota reverses, but Yuya goes up and over. Yuya arm-drags, then DROPKICKS! Yuya roars and the fans fire up again! Yuya reels Yota in but Yota fights the saido. Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yuya drags Yota back up, clinches, but Yota fires elbow after elbow to get free. Then he SUPER- NO, Yuya blocks! Yuya swings, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But he avoids the stomp! Yuya CHOPS then runs, but Yota SUPERKICKS himdown!
LIJ BLASTS Hontai’s corner again, and Yota looms over Yuya. Yota drags Yuya up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him up top. Yota CHOPS, then he fires up before climbing up. The fans rally up, and Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls back, stands up, and he avoids Yuya’s leap! Yuya comes back, into the GENE TRIGGER! Yota TOSSES Yuya, but Yuya lands on the apron! Hiromu lets Yota know that, so Yota goes up the corner! Yota aims for an APRON MARLOWE- NO, Yuya dodges! Yuya CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Yota ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya fires up! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!
Yota SLAPS Yuya! And then swings, but into the cording hold! Yuya grabs the other arm but Yota resists! Yota HEADBUTTS again and again, then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS hit! Both men fall, another DOUBLE ELIMINATION!! Now it’s just TakaTaichi VS Naito & Hiromu! The fans rally up as the four stare down. Hiromu runs up, but into TENDEDERO! Naito dodges but then Taichi BOOTS him down! TakaTaichi double whip to DOUBLE BOOT! Taka has Hiromu but Hiromu fires forearms! Taka pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to a corner, but Hiromu blocks the shining wizard!
Hiromu runs, RANA, but Taka SHOVES it down! JUST FACELOCK!! Taka CLUBS away on Hiromu, but Naito stomps Taka down! Taichi runs up but Naito kicks him and throws him out! Naito kicks Taka, he and Hiromu double whip, but Taka redirects! And redirects! But then Naito & Hiromu undo Tendedero to let Taka pass! Taka comes back, ducks Tendedero, and he waistlocks Naito. Naito switches, shoves Taka at Hiromu and Hiromu wrenches. Pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! Cover, Hiromu ELIMINATES Taka! And that leaves it 2v1, Hiromu & Naito against Taichi! Taichi paces as he considers his options.
Taichi rushes in, but into TENDEDERO! Naito & Hiromu double whip Taichi to a corner, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT! Naito ROCKS Taichi, ENZIGIRIS, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu gives Naito the boost for the TOR- Well, no, the tornado fails but the DDT still hits! Hiromu brings Taichi up, suplexes, but Taichi fights it! Taichi suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! They end up by the ropes! Hiromu is on the apron, Naito runs up, but Taichi dodges and Naito BLASTS Hiromu! Hiromu falls and is ELIMINATED! Friendly fire in return for before, and the fans fire up as it is Taichi and Naito 1v1!
Taichi and Naito reset, and the fans cheer for “NA-I-TO!” as hard as they can. Naito fires a forearm, but Taichi fires back! Naito fires another, so Taichi fires back! Naito and Taichi both smirk as the shots keep going back and forth! Taichi then KCIKS, but Naito still throws forearms! KICK, forearm, repeat, but then Naito ROCKS Taichi again and again! Naito SLAPS Taichi! Taichi SOBATS! Naito fires the heavy elbow, but Taichi URAKENS! Naito runs, Taichi BOOTS him down, then Taichi drags Naito back up, just so he can AX- NO, Naito lifts Taichi, but Taichi fights off the atomic drop! Taichi shoves Naito to then AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!
Naito survives but Taichi runs, and SLIDING AX BOMBERS! Taichi fires up, the fans are torn, but Taichi suplexes! Naito fights free to kick low! Naito uses the ropes to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Naito drags Taichi up. Naito fires those heavy elbows again and again! Naito has Taichi down in the corner, then climbs up. Naito reels Taichi in, but Taichi sneaks the pants off! GAMANGIRI! Naito falls off the corner, but he holds onto the ropes! Naito dangles off the apron but his feet do not touch the floor! Taichi fires shots, Naito ROCKS him in return! Taichi runs up, Naito slides under! Naito DUMPS Taichi over!
Taichi is on the apron but Naito fires a flurry! HOTSHOT! Taichi wobbles, but he ROCKS Naito! Naito ROCKS Taichi, HOTSHOTS again, then ROLLING KICKS! Taichi falls, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by ring out
It came down to the leaders as the last men, but the Uncontrollable Charisma found a way to win for the team! LIJ regroups and Naito is given the mic. “Buenas tardes, Korakuen Hall!” The fans cheer, and Naito says, “First and foremost… Bushi, why don’t you say something to the fans?” The fans applaud and Bushi takes a quick drink of water before he takes up the mic. “Now that I have this time, I’ll say this. As previously announced by NJPW, my departure was a decision made after a lot of thought. I have no regrets.” The fans applaud that, and Bushi continues, “My feelings haven’t changed since I spoke here 10 years ago. It’s been a deeply fulfilling experience.”
The fans applaud that, too, and Bushi says, “This Dontaku tour is only getting started. When I step into this ring, I’ll show my gratitude in my own way. Thank you.” The fans applaud again, and Bushi hands the mic back to Naito. Naito also notes that the Road to Wrestling Dontaku has just begun. He and Bushi will be leaving NJPW after May 4th. “Whether Bushi and I will compete in this ring again or not, you already know, don’t you? Yes, the answer is of course, TRANQUILO! Assen na yo!” The fans applaud Naito being Naito even now. Naito then asks if they want to do the roll call, and the fans cheer!
Naito notes they haven’t had one at all this year, so this will be the first roll call of 2025. Are you ready? The fans cheer, so Naito says that the only way to close out tonight in Korakuen Hall is naturally with… “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer the first LIJ roll call of 2025, but will we get more of them before May 4th? Will we get one on May 4th?
My Thoughts:
A great night to kick off the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, though of course it had to be on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Great goodbye match for Cobb with Tanahashi. It was a big awkward because while Tanahashi is still going to retire this year, Cobb was leaving, and so Cobb leaving NJPW trumps Tanahashi retiring, meaning Cobb had to lose. It’s the unwritten tradition of pro-wrestling. Very good farewell promo from Cobb, too, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. Word is, it isn’t AEW, and perhaps the WWE rumors have still been true all along, they just leaked out way too soon.
And then very good 10 Man Elimination Tag in the main event, and it works out that LIJ won. Naito & Bushi needed a chance to address the fans about their own departure from NJPW, and so giving them the win so they can do a main event promo was fitting. In my estimation, I don’t see Naito going to any other company, even if it’s another Japanese based company. He’s done plenty in his career, he’s pushed his body pretty hard, so he needs to enjoy retirement, or at least make a lateral movement to be working with Young Lions in the NJPW Dojo as a teacher. Bushi, could probably keep going a little longer, or he could also call it a day on the other hand, only Bushi really knows how his body feels.
My Score: 8.8/10
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