Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Monday Night Raw Results & Report! (3/25/19)
Kurt Angle’s Farewell Tour leads him to who!?
Raw grows wilder as Mania draws nearer! Will Ronda Rousey face any consequences? Will Roman Reigns accept Drew McIntyre’s challenge? Angle VS SAMOA JOE?!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Beat the Clock Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS Sarah Logan; Rousey wins in 1:25.
- Beat the Clock Challenge: Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott; Flair fails the Beat the Clock Challenge.
- Beat the Clock Challenge: Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan; Lynch wins in 1:18, and wins the challenge.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Contender’s Handicap Match: Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush VS Finn Balor; changed to…
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Contender’s Handicap Match: Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush & Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers; Finn wins and will challenge Bobby Lashley for the title at Wrestlemania.
- Aleister Black & Ricochet VS The Revival; Black & Ricochet win.
- Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Natalya w/ Beth Phoenix; Banks wins, by disqualification.
- Baron Corbin VS Apollo Crews; Corbin wins.
- Kurt Angle VS Samoa Joe; Angle wins.
- Last Man Standing: Drew McIntyre VS Dean Ambrose; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Beat the Clock Challenge: Ronda Rousey VS Sarah Logan!
The Raw Women’s Champion and her two Wrestlemania opponents will main event Wrestlemania! But that’s in a couple weeks. Tonight, there’s a lot of pride on the line as the Baddest Woman on the Planet divides up the Riott Squad with The Queen and The Man! Who will be the fastest winner on Raw to have bragging rights going into New York?
Before the match, Ronda picks up the mic. Boston wants Becky but they’ll have to hear the champ out first. “For the first time ever, women are going to be the main event at Wrestlemania!” The Raw Women’s Championship, Rousey VS Flair VS Lynch! And Ronda only has one thing left to say: “You’re welcome.” She throws down the mic, but then picks it back up to say something else. Not that the fans appreciate any of her words. Ronda vows to make Charlotte and Becky tap out at the same time! But just as she drops the mic, she picks it up again. She has no idea what this Beat the Clock Challenge is, it sound stupid, so let’s just get this farce over with. Now she’s done talking. Sarah Logan makes her way out and the challenge truly begins!
But wait! The Man makes sure to come out and say something herself! “It’s good to be back in Boston!” And Ronnie, stop being so weird. Ronda came here with her big money contract and the whole world yawned. Every opportunity, every advantage, the best of the best, and yet no one gave a damn until The Man came around! The fans know that the best thing to happen to Ronda is Becky! That’s why they’re the main event of Mania! And one more thing, Ronda knows how this ends: Ronda’s title above Becky’s head, and her own head beneath Becky’s boot.
But here comes The Queen, too! Charlotte has her own mic and just hears “Blah blah blah”. Yes, the women are the main event! But not because of Becky nor because of Ronda. It’s all because of what Charlotte’s done! That’s why she was handpicked to be the main event! Charlotte and Becky stand-by ringside while Ronda finally gets to her Beat the Clock Challenge with Sarah.
The bell rings and the timer starts counting while Sarah bails out! Ronda gives chase and Sarah keeps away from Ronda. Ruby and Liv try to block Ronda’s path but Ronda blasts through them. Sarah turns around and dropkicks Ronda down! Then she whips Ronda hard into ropes! Ronda clutches her arm while Sarah stomps away. Sarah grabs the legs and ties them up for an inverted cloverleaf! Ronda endures the leg hold as Sarah drags her away from the ropes! Ronda grits her teeth and sees the clock climb as she claws her way back. She gets the ropes but then climbs up and around to drag Sarah into a hanging armbar! She lets go at 4 but goes after Sarah with a SUPERWOMAN PUNCH! Ronda puts on the armbar and Sarah taps! Ronda wins!
Winner: Ronda Rousey, by submission, and in 1:25
The time has been set, will either Queen or Man be able to do better than the Baddest Woman on the Planet?
Charlotte steps into the ring and takes her turn.
Beat the Clock Challenge: Charlotte Flair VS Ruby Riott!
The bell rings and the time ticks down. Charlotte goes fast but Ruby dodges and dumps her out! Charlotte hurries back in and boots Ruby down. She CHOPS and CHOPS on Ruby, then gets a takedown. Ruby pushes Charlotte away and we hit the minute warning. Ruby kicks Charlotte on her return, then wrenches. Charlotte decks Ruby with a right! Then hits the backbreaker to STO! Charlotte has to hurry, but Ruby dodges Natural Selection! Ruby gets a complete shot! Cover, TWO!! Ruby just has to play defense with 20 seconds left. She grabs Charlotte’s arm and toys with her. Riott Kick, CAUGHT! Figure Four on, Figure Eight! Ruby holds on, time runs out!!
Charlotte fails the Beat the Clock Challenge
Ronda knew Charlotte wouldn’t, but now Becky wants her shot.
Beat the Clock Challenge: Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan!
The Man is ready but the Juvenile Delinquent distracts her, and Charlotte BOOTS Becky in that distraction! The Queen takes her frustrations out on her, and then lets Liv do what she wants. Liv shouts for the bell and it rings. Liv fires off a mudhole stomp on Becky but backs off at 4 with shrill shrikes. She stomps Becky right back down then drags her to a cover, TWO! The Squad keeps Liv focused as she thrashes Becky around in a chinlock. Becky endures as we reach less than a minute. Boston rallies and Becky fights her way up. Becky arm-drags out then throws haymakers and European Uppercuts! Things speed up as Becky rallies! Calf kick at 30 seconds but Becky keeps going.
Becky wants the arm but Liv school boys Becky into buckles! Liv gets away with 15 seconds, but her code breaker is blocked! Jackknife cover, Becky wins!!
Winner: Becky Lynch, by pinfall
And with seven seconds to spare! Ronda doesn’t care, because what does this matter in a Triple Threat? But Becky still feels good that she did better than both Ronnie and Charlie. Will she feel great when she beats them both for the title?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Contender’s Handicap Match: Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush VS Finn Balor!
The Extraordinary Man managed to beat both the Almighty and the Man of the Hour in a situation like this before, but now he has to do it again to earn a title match at Wrestlemania. Lashley & Lio come out and Lio tells Finn’s Road to Wrestlemania goes through them. This is not a road Finn wants to be on. Finn could’ve quit while he’s ahead, but now he’ll be forced to leave the game as a hot piece of garbage, just like Gronkowski. Boston takes offense to that. But as much as Lio wants to be part of ending Finn’s dreams, it’s Braun Strowman’s fault that he’s not medically cleared to compete. But that’s okay, Lashley has a different tag team partner now: Jinder Mahal!
WWE Intercontinental Championship Contender’s Handicap Match: Bobby Lashley w/ Lio Rush & Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers!
The Modern Day Maharaja joins forces with the Rocky Mountain Machine! Will they leave Finn for dead on the side of the Road to Wrestlemania?
The bell rings and Lashley starts. Fans fire up for Finn as he ties up with Lashley. Lashley knees low then throws Finn to his corner. Lashley throws body shots then puts Finn in another corner for more body shots. He whips Finn corner to corner hard, but Finn dodges! Finn shoulders in but has to fight off Mahal and the Singh Brothers! Lio distracts and Lashley blasts Finn down! The deck is stacked for Finn as we go to break.
Raw returns and Finn fires forearms on Lashley. But Lashley shoves Finn back and tackles him into the corner! Lashley rams his shoulder in on Finn again and again but backs off at 4. Lashley goes corner to corner but Finn Slingblades him down! Mahal tags in and whips Finn. Finn reverses, Mahal sunset flips but Finn rolls through to dropkick Mahal down! Finn dodges Mahal and forearms Mahal into Lashley! Then he gets Mahal with the elbow drop DDT! Lashley returns but gets a takedown and double stomps! Finn clotheslines Mahal out! Finn builds speed but the Singhs swipe his feet! Mahal returns but Finn sends him out, to FLY! He hits EVERYONE! Finn puts Mahal in fast, then climbs up top! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall; NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Intercontinental Championship
He’s going to Wrestlemania! Lashley again loses because of who he teams with, but now it’ll be Finn and Lashley 1v1. Lashley takes his anger out on the Singhs, then SPEARS Mahal! Will Finn finally get the better of Bobby directly? Or will he get dominated by the Dominator on the Grandest Stage of Them All?
Ladies and Gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is already in New York, Times Square even. There have been many iconic stars performing on Broadway, but Elias will be bigger than them all! Times Square is buzzing to walk with Elias. Elias has gotten used to this, so he’ll play something for us. Wait, this other bearded guitarist wants in. Elias is a solo act. But typical New Yorkers: big ego, little talent. Go sell out a subway station, Elias has Mania to focus on. Will Elias really be the hit he thinks he is?
Aleister Black & Ricochet VS The Revival!
The Embodiment of the End and the King of Flight look to take over Tag Team wrestling in the WWE from NXT to the main roster. The Dusty Rhodes Classic isn’t quite over, but can this unexpected duo stake a claim for the Raw Tag Team Championships in time for Wrestlemania?
Forget the bell, it’s time to brawl! The moment Dash & Dawson hit the ring, Aleister & Ricochet start hitting them! Dash & Dawson turn things around and whip Aleister and Ricochet at each other, but Aleister gives Ricochet a boost to missile dropkick Dawson down! Aleister then throws forearms and kicks on Dash. Ricochet adds an enziguri and Dash cowers in his corner. Fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” as Aleister dares Dash to bring the fight. The bell rings and Dawson anchors Aleister’s feet! Dash fires off then tags in Dawson. The Revival mug Aleister then put him in an open corner. Dawson throws uppercuts then drags Aleister out for a hammerlock. Dawson brings Aleister to the mat but Aleister endures.
Fans rally as Aleister works his way up. Aleister powers his way towards his corner but Dawson throws body shots and forearms. Aleister roundhouses Dawson down then tags in Ricochet! The unexpected duo double whip then leap frog with Dawson, before Aleister sweeps the legs and Ricochet adds a basement dropkick! Dash runs in but is sent right back out! Aleister fakes The Revival out, but Ricochet gets them around the corner! Dash goes down but Dawson gets a Meteora! The #TopGuys are down on the ground while we go to break.
Raw returns and Dawson grinds his forearm in Ricochet’s face. Fans rally as Ricochet endures the seated abdominal stretch, then stands up and heads for his corner. Aleister reaches out to him but Dawson scoop slams Ricochet down. Dawson drops but misses the elbow, and again! Dash tags in as Ricochet rolls to the apron. Ricochet shoulders in then slingshots, but into Dash’s arms! Dash and Dawson combine for an assisted brain buster! Cover, TWO! Ricochet survives and The Revival grows frustrated. Dash drags Ricochet over but Ricochet throws forearms. Dash knees low then Dawson tags back in. Dawson stomps and toys with Ricochet, then whips. Ricochet kicks Dawson down, but Dash tags in. Dash runs over but Ricochet dodges to get him with a neckbreaker!
Ricochet and Dash are down but crawling for their corners. Dash tags Dawson, Ricochet tags Aleister! Aleister rallies on The Revival! Aleister sweeps the legs to drive in the knee! Dash returns, but The Revival get a double quebrada! Aleister throws Dash out then goes after Dawson. Dawson punches but gets a strike fest! Another swift knee, cover, TWO! Aleister keeps his focus as he stalks Dawson. He lifts Dawson with his foot but Dash drags Ricochet off the apron! Aleister goes after Dash but Dawson sunset flips! TWO, and both men dodge. Dawson fakes Aleister out for a DDT! Cover, but Ricochet breaks it! Dash shoves Aleister out and The Revival double whips. Ricochet tags in and Aleister goes up and over. Aleister hits a DOUBLE Black Mass?! Ricochet hits his 630! Cover, Ricochet & Aleister win!
Winners: Aleister Black & Ricochet, Ricochet pinning
The Revival miscalculate and now NXT’s air strike has another victory! But The Revival are quick to point out they’re still the champions. Will the #TopGuys have to put those titles on the line at Wrestlemania against the Dutch Destroyer and the One and Only?
Drew McIntyre is here!
The Scottish Terminator vows to destroy The Shield one by one! He made his challenge to Roman Reigns last week, will he get his answer? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and McIntyre has a mic. “I don’t give a damn if you like me, but you will respect me.” McIntyre says a week is a long time to wait for an answer. He’s actually a little nervous, and Roman might still be unsure what to say. So McIntyre will share some footage, and wants us to know that he could’ve finished Roman any time but didn’t. The footage is as expected, McIntyre attacking Roman Reigns from out of nowhere and kicking his head into a post. Then last week, McIntyre challenged Roman to a match but actually wants Roman to say “No” because of how badly McIntyre will beat him at Wrestlemania.
Now in the present, McIntyre really hopes Roman’s family members got through his thick skull to say no. McIntyre “exterminated” the roach, Dean Ambrose. And then last week, McIntyre beat the #1 Contender, Seth Rollins! McIntyre is sure what the superstar, Roman Reigns, wants and that is “Yes”! But McIntyre appeals to Joe Anoa’i, the man, husband and father. Hasn’t his family been through enough? “Think of your children!” They already watched Daddy fight for his life once. Do they really have to go through that again at Wrestlemania when they know it’s a losing battle? Fans chant for Roman, and McIntyre says he’ll wait all night if he has to. But Roman Reigns appears now!
Roman goes to the ring and grabs himself a mic. Roman and McIntyre stare down, and Roman says he accepts the challenge. But listen very closely to what Joe has to say. “Don’t you ever run your mouth about my wife and kids.” Roman fires off haymakers! He gets McIntyre down and then throws him into a post! McIntyre tumbles out but Roman’s still on him with big uppercuts. Roman throws him into barriers, then back into the ring. Fans are fired up as Roman walks over, but McIntyre low blow uppercuts Roman back! McIntyre drags himself to a corner while Roman gasps and sputters. McIntyre aims with a glare as Roman stands. CLAYMORE! Referees appear and get McIntyre to leave, but the damage is done. Will Roman get his revenge at Wrestlemania?
Drew McIntyre spots Dean Ambrose backstage.
“What did you call me out there? A cockroach?” McIntyre “exterminated” him? Doesn’t feel that way. So how about another try tonight? Ambrose VS McIntyre, Last Man Standing!! McIntyre does not know how Ambrose is standing now. But he promises Ambrose won’t be standing after tonight. Is Ambrose trying to get himself killed?!
Sasha Banks w/ Bayley VS Natalya w/ Beth Phoenix!
This match didn’t quite finish last week since Nia Jax & Tamina interfered. But now The Boss of Boston and the Queen of Harts will have it out! Can Natty punch a Wrestlemania title match ticket for the Divas of Doom?
The bell rings and Sasha and Natty tie up. Natty puts Sasha on the ropes but backs off to slap her! Sasha slaps back! Then goes acrobatic for an arm-drag! Sasha blocks and arm-drags Natty again, then grins as she circles with Natty again. Natty blocks a kick and throws Sasha down, to then hook the legs for a Surfboard! Natty holds Sasha high overhead, but Sasha endures as Boston cheers her on. Sasha slips free and rolls out, then hits a basement meteora! Cover, TWO! Sasha keeps her cool while she drags Natty up. Natty rolls Sasha up, TWO! Natty brings Sasha up but Sasha sunset flips, only for Natty to block to the Sharpshooter! Sasha fights out and shoves Natty all the way out!
Beth keeps Bayley at bay while Sasha fetches Natty. Natty throws hands, then throws Sasha at the apron. Sasha spins around and headscissors Natty down! Then a knee into the barriers! Sasha leaves Natty behind while we go to break.
Raw returns and Natty has Sasha in a Canadian torture rack. Sasha endures as Bayley and Boston rally for her. Natty keeps up the pressure but Sasha slips out to a sunset flip! Cover, TWO, but Sasha blocks a kick to give a kick! Sasha runs and wheelbarrows, but Natty sits Sasha down! Natty then walks over Sasha, but gets tripped! Sasha gets the Bank Statement crossface! Natty reaches, crawls, but rolls Sasha away to a Sharpshooter!! Sasha endures now, reaches for the ropes, but Natty drags her away! Sasha finds a second wind and rolls Natty into a corner! Bayley and Boston are relieved, but the Samoan Dynasty attacks again! They get Bayley, then rush the ring! SUPERKICK for Sasha!
Winner: Sasha Banks, by disqualification
The Glamazon rushes the ring to tackle Tamina! And she throws hands on Nia! Fireman’s carry, but Tamina saves Nia. Beth still fights and runs Nia over! She deflects the Superkick to fire off on Tamina! She gets the chicken wings, for the Glam Slam! Natty regroups with Beth and they hold the ring! Fans let Beth know “You Still Got It!” Not only that, but Beth still wants it! She wants tag title gold with her fellow Diva of Doom! Will the Boss & Hug Connection have legendary opponents for Wrestlemania? And what of the Samoan Dynasty? Or the IIconics?
The WWE reveals the newest Hall of Fame inductees: The Hart Foundation!
Bret Hart and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart were the Best There Is, Best There Was, and the Best There Ever Will Be in tag team wrestling. It means so much to the Hart Family, especially Natalya, that The Anvil is finally going in!
Backstage interview with Kurt Angle!
The Olympic Gold Medalist continues the Farewell Tour against Samoa Joe! Why such a tough challenge this close to Wrestlemania? Angle appreciates Joe for coming over from SmackDown for the night. And this tour is about retiring on his terms. Angle promises to be ready for Baron Corbin, and Joe will be his greatest test yet. But Corbin comes over and chuckles. Corbin appreciates watching this farewell tour. How many years has Angle been around? How old is he? Does he realize the fans are cheering not because he’s a great competitor, but because they feel sorry for him? Considering he’s half the man he used to be. Corbin promises the news after Mania will be “Former Gold Medalist tarnishes his career”. Angle simply tells Corbin, “Screw you.” Will Angle show Corbin he’s still good enough when going against the United States Champion?
Backstage interview with The Boss & Hug connection.
Clearly the Women’s Tag Team division is heating up. Nia and Tamina keep attacking, The IIconics won last week, and- Sasha says they vowed to take on anyone, anywhere, anytime! So how about all three teams at Wrestlemania?! A Fatal 4 Way!? Are the inaugural champions going to become former champions in New York?
It’s time for another Moment of Bliss!
The Goddess doesn’t sit on stage, she heads right for the ring. Will she be able to reconcile the Monster Among Men and Saturday Night Live’s Colin Jost?
Raw returns as Alexa sits on her set in the ring. “Welcome to A Moment of Bliss.” Alexa isn’t sure what it is, but since becoming the host, the Wrestlemania card gets better and better. The women are main eventing now! Is she good or what? But Alexa is at a crossroads, because with two weeks left, she feels like her moment and her reputation are in jeopardy. She shares footage of when Colin Jost put his foot in his mouth when he mouthed off to Strowman. Strowman put his hands around Colin’s throat and almost choked the man out. Then when Colin tried to apologize with a car, Strowman ripped the car apart! “That looks like a recipe for a public relations disaster.” So Alexa hopes this becomes A Moment of Healing. First, The Monster Among Men himself, BRAUN!
Strowman storms out to the ring and shakes hands with Alexa before taking a seat. Alexa welcomes Strowman and knows what happens when Strowman’s temper gets the best of him. Strowman’s flipped an ambulance with Roman Reigns inside, yanked down the stage on top of Brock Lesnar, and utterly destroyed one of Vince McMahon’s limousines. “Sure did.” Then what would happen if Michael Che and Colin Jost were to #GetThoseHands? The saying goes, “It’s the thought that counts.” Jost got him that tiny little convertible, Strowman thought about smashing Jost’s face in. Thank you for sharing your feelings, because that is the first step in the healing process. The next is listening, because via satellite, Michael and Colin!
Michael and Colin say hi, and Colin tries to compliment Strowman. Colin admits he made a mistake in Philly. He won’t put on a Mets hat, he’ll put on a Yankees hat. Boston hates that. Michael says that as a lifelong fan of the WWE, and even of Strowman, Michael respects Strowman. But Strowman also responded badly when he went after Colin. Colin may not be funny, but he’s a good guy. Colin wants to be a mentor, sincerely. He went to Harvard. His parents paid millions of dollars to get him on the Women’s Cross Country Team. Wait… Well, anyway, Colin can definitely teach Strowman how to eat, or how to read, or how to do his taxes.
And Colin knows Strowman is big and strong at 5’11” and 180 pounds, but they can talk this out. Michael says this isn’t how to do it. Colin sent him a car! Strowman, consider therapy! Or at least pay Colin back, with interest, and get him an autograph from Brock Lesnar. Or maybe they won’t go to Wrestlemania! Fans don’t care but Alexa can’t let that happen. Strowman has an idea. Michael said someone needs to take care of this, one way or another. Strowman goes with “option number three.” If Colin wants to make this right, he’ll get in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal! No way! He’s not- Listen up, smart guy! Get in the battle royal or Strowman will find you when you’re all alone! Michael accepts for Colin! WHAT?!
Listen, there’s a chance Colin will get hurt in the Battle Royal, but he will DEFINITELY be dead if this happens backstage. Michael promises Colin will be in that match and Michael will correspond alone. Colin says Michael’s the real WWE fan so he’s in, too! Colin starts a chant, but Strowman tells him to shut up. Can Alexa make this happen? As the host of Wrestlemania, she can’t do this for Strowman’s blood-lust. Michael breathes a sigh of relief, but Alexa was just kidding. This is happening! And if Michael and Colin no-show, they’ll be wondering for the rest of their lives when they’ll #GetTheseHands!
Elias is still in New York.
The Drifter has made his way to Madison Square Garden, “the world’s most famous arena.” Now it’s not Boston’s Garden, because that houses a bunch of slobs. Elias has sold this place out three times already, more than Billy Joel ever cold. Elias is given change? Does this city have no idea who he is?!
Baron Corbin VS Apollo Crews!
“Boston’s Favorite Son” is apparently anything but that, as he has every other accolade of his listed. But will he at least redeem himself from last week’s quick defeat?
Raw returns and Apollo rolls Corbin up! TWO, but Apollo mule kicks and sunset flips. TWO, and now Apollo crucifix, TWO! Apollo dropkicks Corbin to a corner then baits Corbin in. Corbin slides out then in but into a dropkick! Corbin staggers and Apollo clotheslines him out! Apollo hits the moonsault off the apron, then runs back in, only for Corbin to toss him into the post! Corbin refreshes the count to drag Apollo up and throw him into barriers. He puts Apollo back in the ring then shoves him into buckles. Corbin lifts and tosses Apollo down! Cover, TWO! Corbin argues with the ref, but then points to the Wrestlemania sign to taunt fans that he’s still going, whether we like it or not.
Corbin drags Apollo up but Apollo clotheslines him back! Apollo baits Corbin into the corner again, then enziguris him down! Apollo climbs and leaps, frog splash! Cover, TWO!! Corbin survives and gets to a corner. He puts Apollo on the apron but Apollo shoulders in. Apollo slingshots and runs, but into End of Days! Cover, Corbin wins!
Winner: Baron Corbin, by pinfall
The Lone Wolf has redeemed himself, but this is far from satisfactory. He drags Apollo up for another End of Days! Corbin grins and applauds, but will he be feeling good after facing Kurt Angle at Mania?
Seth Rollins is here!
The Architect, Mr. Royal Rumble 2019, goes to the ring and grabs a mic. Boston is ready to “Slay The Beast!” so Rollins cuts to the chase. Brock Lesnar and Seth Rollins are not cut from the same cloth. The two roads that meet at Wrestlemania could not be any different. But there is only one road out, and it will be forged with the Universal Championship and by the man who will define the WWE’s future. It will either be Rollins or Lesnar, “and that’s really heavy.” But Rollins wants to carry that burden! Rollins wants to be a champion who inspires people. The champions who inspired Rollins were Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Ric Flair, Triple H, and even John Cena. But Brock Lesnar does not inspire people.
It goes without saying that this will be Rollins’ biggest match yet. Rollins has wanted it for a long time, but until recently, he didn’t realize how much it means to the fans. Rollins did a meet ‘n’ greet and everyone who came up to him, regardless of who they were, they all said the same thing. Fans chant “Burn It Down!” and “Slay The Beast!” and Rollins says it was something like that. “Please beat Lesnar at Wrestlemania.” Rollins promised he’ll do everything he can to stop Lesnar, but now he has no choice. He MUST beat Brock Lesnar! Rollins refuses to let Lesnar be the champion that defines this company! In 13 days, Rollins will stand up to the bully that is The Beast.
And what Lesnar doesn’t understand is that with an army behind Rollins, he WILL be unstoppable! Together, they will march to Suplex City and #BURN IT- “Ladies and Gentlemen!” The Advocate, Paul Heyman, is here in Boston to say, “Thank you.” Heyman thanks Rollins for letting him know that the match is now a “Handicap Match”. It’ll be the reigning, defending, undisputed Universal Heavyweight Champion, BROCK LESNAR VS Seth Rollins & The WWE Universe. Heyman likes Lesnar’s odds, because Rollins’ chances of winning are zero. “Do you know how pathetic you sound, Seth?” Rollins needs the fans’ love, support and affirmation? Or perhaps their thoughts and prayers? Heyman mocks other requests for thoughts and prayers, but especially Rollins needing help not being beaten and victimized by Lesnar.
Heyman says Rollins needs those thoughts and prayers, because Rollins doesn’t have a thought on how to defeat Lesnar, nor a prayer in doing so. This isn’t personal, but when Lesnar does win, Rollins needs to take it personally when he and the WWE Universe fail at Wrestlemania. Heyman tosses the mic but Rollins chases him up the ramp! Rollins scares Heyman and Heyman suddenly says he’s just saying this because Lesnar wanted him to. Rollins laughs. This isn’t about getting thoughts and prayers, this is about answering them. “We are going to Wrestlemania! We are going to beat Brock Lesnar!” And WE are going to BURN IT DOWN!! Rollins carries the banner for the fans, but will he plant the flag in Suplex City’s ashes?
Kurt Angle makes his way out, and the “You Suck!” turns to Heyman. The Olympic Gold Medalist brings the Farewell Tour to Boston, but will it continue to be successful on the Road to Wrestlemania?
Kurt Angle VS Samoa Joe!
Angle and the Samoan Submission Machine have met before, but they’ll have their first and last match in the WWE in Boston! Will Angle win over the WWE United States Championship? Or will Joe tuck Angle in and make him go to sleep before ever making it to Wrestlemania?
Raw returns as Samoa Joe makes his entrance. Joe has a mic and asks Angle to forgive him. He forgot his bouquet of flowers to give to him. And though Joe knows the “scumbag New England mouth-breathers want it”, it’ll be a cold day into Hell before Angle can just ride off into the sunset. This is Wrestlemania Season, and stars around the world are getting ready for the big night. For Angle’s last night in Boston, Joe has a special gift. A good night’s sleep is very important, and Joe couldn’t think of a better way to say good-bye than putting Angle out once and for all. The bell rings and this very tense good-bye match begins!
Joe and Angle stare down, and then Joe headbutts Angle down! Joe stomps away on Angle, then stands him up for those swift jabs! Angle counter punches but Joe rakes his eyes! Joe brings Angle out and snap suplexes, but barely gets Angle over. Angle gets to a corner but Joe throws more hands. Fans rally behind Angle and he gets a waistlock on Joe! Joe elbows him off and snapmares him for stomps! Joe dropkicks Angle in the back, but Angle comes back with haymakers. Angle gets Joe on the ropes but Joe dumps Angle out, to DIVE! Joe bulldozes Angle into barriers and we go to break.
Raw returns and Angle fights his way out of Joe’s sleeper hold. Angle runs but Joe runs him over! Joe taunts Angle as he sits up. Joe puts him in the corner and trash talks before throwing more hands and CHOPS! Angle staggers away and Joe headbutts. Joe throws more jabs then brings Angle out for forearms. Joe runs but Angle ducks to German Suplex! Angle holds on for a second German Suplex! And then the hat trick! Cover, TWO! Angle gets back up and stalks Joe, but Joe fights out of the Angle Slam. Angle kicks but runs into an atomic drop. Joe boots and back sentons! Cover, TWO!! Angle lives and Joe is livid, but Joe keeps his eyes on Angle as he gets to a corner. Angle dodges Joe in the corner, ANGLE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Joe survives and Angle can’t believe it.
Angle fires up and goes for the ankle! Joe pushes him away, then gets up, to catch Angle for a powerslam! Cover, TWO!! Angle barely escapes but Joe keeps his focus. Joe puts Angle in a corner and on the top rope. Joe wants the Buster but Angle pushes him away. Angle hits a missile dropkick! The straps come down and Angle stalks Joe again. Angle lifts but Joe slips out to fire forearms and headbutts. Joe grabs Angle but Angle arm-drags him away. Angle rocks Joe with a right but runs into the sleeper! Joe squeezes and Angle fades, but fans give him a second wind! Angle rolls Joe to a cover, Angle wins!
Winner: Kurt Angle, by pinfall
The Farewell Tour wins by the skin of Angle’s teeth! Joe is shocked, will he be able to snap back before facing Rey Mysterio at Wrestlemania? And what of Angle going over to SmackDown to face the Phenomenal AJ Styles?
Triple H is here!
The world heard what The Animal, Dave Batista, had to say about why he wants one more match at Wrestlemania, but now we hear The Game’s response, after the break.
Raw returns and HHH can’t believe the fans were giving an ovation that entire commercial break. It really was, trust him. But first thing’s first, congrats to the Raw Women’s Championship match for being THE main event at Wrestlemania. Congrats to them and all the women of WWE, past, present and future, because this was not given, it was earned. That’s the kind of thing that makes HHH happy. Just like coming out and realizing this mic is dry, unlike the one Batista spit all over. But some things upset HHH, like this thing buried in his pocket. He presents an envelope and a letter from Batista’s attorney. The letter states that Batista will not be competing at Wrestlemania after all. Unless HHH agrees to another stipulation.
This letter goes on and on, Batista says a lot of things like his recent realization that HHH started Evolution to protect himself. Really? Just figured that out 13 years later? Batista also realized that the moon isn’t made of cheese, so a big week for him. Batista also believes Evolution did nothing for him, except before then, he was just The Deacon following Reverend D-Von around. And then after Evolution, he was a world champion. Batista also believes HHH had an obsession that kept Batista down. Yet six world title reigns later, Batista quit when he couldn’t beat John Cena. Batista also thinks HHH kept Batista away from here, because HHH just refused to return his phone calls. HHH called Batista, but Batista’s manager said they should move Wrestlemania’s date to accommodate Batista’s shooting schedules.
But when the letter finally gets to Batista’s stipulation, as HHH will read now to properly reflect Batista’s feelings… “If you would like me to appear then at Wrestlemania, you will give me what I want. What I really, really want. I’ll tell you what I want, what I really, really want.” This goes on and on for pages! But the bottom line, Batista wants HHH’s career on the line. If Batista wins at Wrestlemania, HHH will never compete in the ring again. HHH tells “Dave” that he beat up a 70 year old man a year after being on his deathbed, all just to get a match at Mania. HHH agreed to that match, 75 THOUSAND people, and yet Batista still demands something. This is just another attempt by Batista to quit. HHH will not let Batista quit. He will make Batista stand up to his commitment.
Batista believes HHH is obsessed with Batista? HHH doesn’t give a crap about him! The only thing HHH is obsessed with is kicking Batista’s ass. And at this point in their careers, if HHH cannot beat a “self-deluded douchebag”, then he has no business being in the ring. If Batista wants HHH’s career on the line, “you’ve got it.” The Game plays Batista’s game, but will Batista regret even wanting to play?
Elias makes quite the haul.
“New York recognizes talent.” Elias has always felt that way. There’s maybe $2000 in his guitar case. New York is the greatest city in the world, so long as Elias is here. Elias will leave no doubt that there is one universal truth. And that is… you need to watch your money. A pickpocket gets away with some of Elias’ tips, but Elias will make way more than that at Wrestlemania. And then no one will doubt that WWE truly stands for #WalkWithElias. The pickpocket comes back to take the entire guitar case!
Last Man Standing: Drew McIntyre VS Dean Ambrose!
The Scottish Terminator thought he had terminated the Lunatic once and for all, but it seems even a Claymore off the stage wasn’t enough. Will Ambrose get payback for himself in such an extreme match? Or will McIntyre be the only one standing on the Road to Wrestlemania?
Raw returns once again as McIntyre makes his entrance. Ambrose is raring to go but the referee has him wait. The bell rings and Ambrose fires off! Ambrose punches and stomps McIntyre in a corner but McIntyre fights his way back out. McIntyre CHOPS Ambrose, then drags him up to CHOP again. McIntyre drags Ambrose up but Ambrose dodges to fire forearms. Ambrose whips but McIntyre reverses. Ambrose kicks and dumps McIntyre out. The Lunatic climbs up top and leaps but misses his Lunatic Elbow! McIntyre watches Ambrose as the count begins. The count climbs to 5 before Ambrose drags himself up. Ambrose stands at 8, but McIntyre is on him with a swinging slam into barriers! Ambrose is down again while we go to one last break.
Raw returns once again, and Ambrose headbutts McIntyre off the top rope. Ambrose adjusts and leaps but into a kendo stick SMASH! McIntyre SMACKS Ambrose more, then digs the stick’s bare tip into Ambrose’s face! McIntyre lets up to SMACK Ambrose against the ropes. The stick is splintered and McIntyre holds it up proudly. McIntyre dares Ambrose to stand back up, but Ambrose ducks and clotheslines McIntyre out! Ambrose builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit sends McIntyre into the barriers! They’re both down as the count begins. The count passes 5 but Ambrose is right up. McIntyre stands, too, but Ambrose throws hands. The Glasgow Kiss rocks Ambrose! McIntyre, bleeding from his back, brings Ambrose under the ring, to catapult guillotine him into the steel frame!
The referee counts on Ambrose but Ambrose is stirring. He stands at 5, but McIntyre has the steel steps! McIntyre rams Ambrose down! The referee counts again as Ambrose sputters and crawls. Ambrose forces himself up at 7! But McIntyre puts him back in the ring. McIntyre takes a chair from the timekeeper’s area and brings it into the ring. He wedges it in the corner and throws Ambrose. Ambrose slides to a stop and baits McIntyre in! McIntyre meets chair! DIRTY DEEDS! The count begins on McIntyre, but the Terminator stands at 8! Ambrose boots him back down then rains down rights! Ambrose hurries to fetch a TABLE! He sets it up in the corner to the liking of the fans. McIntyre manages to stand, and tackles Ambrose through the table!!
Fans lose their minds as the count begins again. McIntyre glares at Ambrose as Ambrose crawls from the wreckage. The count passes 5, then 7, and Ambrose stands at 9! CLAYMORE!! McIntyre knocks Ambrose right back down, and the count begins again. Ambrose slowly sits up but McIntyre looms over him. The count hits 10, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre
The Terminator steps on Ambrose like the roach he called him. Will McIntyre do the same to Roman Reigns at Wrestlemania?
My Thoughts:
Wrestlemania’s growing closer, but it seems Raw is slowing down. There was literally no need for the Beat the Clock Challenge tonight, and certainly not if someone other than Ronda was going to win it. Granted, the fans loved seeing Becky beat Ronda’s time, and it is something Becky can brag about in the two weeks left, but what does any of this do? The announcement that the three of them are THE main event should’ve been enough. They can talk, take credit, all of that, but there’s no need for matches like this at this point in time. For that matter, not even sure about next week having a Six Woman Tag where they join forces against Riott Squad. Pretty sure there will be dysfunction, and yet also a way where The Riott Squad still loses. This build’s homestretch just hit a speed bump.
I’m not entirely sure why Vince insists Finn has to beat everyone other than Lashley to prove he’s worthy of the title. I suppose it’s great for Lashley, but Mahal being dragged in was obviously so Lashley could lose without taking the pin. Finn VS Lashley, actually going 1v1, is still going to be good, and I’m still hoping Finn finally gets that win on Lashley directly to put this to bed. Elias’ New York promos were great, but especially the last one. I wonder if his greatest performance, aka greatest interruption, will actually be bigger than Jeff Jarrett now… Aleister & Ricochet are doing great, though at the cost of The Revival. I have a bad feeling that if Aleister & Ricochet are going for main roster tag titles at Wrestlemania, that means The Forgotten Sons win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic!!
So glad to see The WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way IS happening! At the same time, Bayley seeing some of the Samoan sneak attack coming was good, because it really should’ve been obvious. This also gave Beth a great moment for herself to confirm that she’s coming back for this match. I still feel like it’s between Boss & Hug retaining or the IIconics taking the belts to SmackDown. SmackDown really needs to work on their Women’s Roster overall, so I’m leaning towards Boss & Hug retaining in a big way. The Strowman celebrity angle is starting to be like screeching brakes on the Road to Wrestlemania. For what it’s worth, everyone is properly selling the dialogue, it just seems weird that Colin and Michael will be in the Andre the Giant Battle Royal. I really hope Strowman still wins it all, that’s the only way to salvage this.
Corbin VS Crews was alright, but it’s probably one of the things that makes the most sense tonight. Corbin needed to keep himself afloat or he really would look like the wrong choice for Angle’s farewell match at Mania. Of course, the Farewell Tour is still hitting the right notes. Angle VS Joe was a bit slow at the start but it got going, and naturally Angle wins. It actually helps both stories, Angle’s and Joe’s, that the win was a quick pin and not a finisher. It’s good to push Angle not quite being in his prime, to bring concern that he might not beat Corbin. And for Joe, it seems quick pins are becoming his weakness as this happened when Mysterio pinned him. Also good to know Angle VS Styles and Angle VS Mysterio are coming, those are going to be great for the Farewell Tour, too.
As for Ambrose constantly getting beat by McIntyre, I can’t be sure the reason other than to boost McIntyre. Roman’s brawl with McIntyre was good, and I suppose it makes sense for McIntyre to stand tall thanks to dirty tactics. McIntyre VS Ambrose was good, but the commercial interruption and the shortness overall kept it from being great. If the Beat the Clock Challenge wasn’t a thing, all of that match time could’ve gone to this. Perhaps this is not only to boost McIntyre, but to make it seem less and less likely Ambrose will even be able to help Roman at Wrestlemania. Rollins had a great promo with Heyman tonight, but there’s no guarantees he actually will #SlayTheBeast. It might only be Roman having a good night at Wrestlemania at this point.
My Score: 7.7/10
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Pick and choose, sit and lose, all you different crews…
Night two of the WWE Draft continues here on Monday Night Raw, even as The Judgment Day take on Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade! Will Main Event Jey’s team put a YEET Down on Damian, Finn & JD?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Gunther wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed; Sami wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
- Maxxine Dupri VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; Candice wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax; Liv wins.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy; The Awesome Truth wins and retains the title.
- Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade; Jey, Ricochet & Andrade win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Logan Paul arrives!
The Maverick United States Champion rolls up, also with IShowSpeed, and they’re greeted by Patrick Mahomes! And Judgment Day, too! Damian Priest says hey to Logan, congratulates Mahomes on his success, and from champion to champion, Priest wants to say that Logan looks good with the title. Logan appreciates that. Nick Aldis invited Logan to Raw to help with the WWE Draft, make some picks, and hang out with the greatest QB in the NFL. But hey, Judgment Day’s been crushing it. They run Raw! Logan’s guess is that at Backlash, they’re gonna destroy the “ugly Uso,” Jey. Let’s get it! This clique rolls in, will things all go well for them this close to the big night?
Becky Lynch is here!
The fans fire up for the NEW Women’s World Champion as she makes her way to the ring, gold back in her hands! Becky gets a mic in her hand now, and she says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City!” The fans cheer that! And man, we’ve got history here, right? Yeah, yeah! Lots of people say KC is where The Man was born. Nearly six years ago, right up on those steps, face bloodied, and she let everyone know that this is HER show now! And here she stands, your new Women’s World Champion, and she’s still saying the same damn thing! The fans cheer on “BECKY! BECKY!” Becky says we are on night two of the Draft, and the times, they are a changing!
There’s a whole new division waiting in the wings. It has taken Becky two YEARS to work back to holding a world championship. And the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” She thanks them for that and loves them for it. But now that Becky is holding this title, her instinct is to hold it tight, never let it go, but titles aren’t meant for just holding. They are meant for defending! Fans like the sound of that, too! So Kansas City, let’s find ourselves a new #1 contender! And Becky wants to fight the best, because you only get better fighting the best. And with that, here comes Liv Morgan! Liv has a smile and a mic as she goes to the ring to tell Becky if she’s looking for a contender, here she is!
The fans are torn but the “MAMI! MAMI!” chants come out. Liv says now, the very last thing she wanted was for Becky to just hand her a title match. But for some reason, Liv can’t help but feel like Becky owes her one. The fans boo but Liv says hold on, hold on. The truth here is, the only reason Becky has the World Championship is because Liv did what Becky couldn’t, and that was take out Rhea Ripley. The fans boo because Liv hurt Rhea. Liv continues to say that this is still the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour, after all. And she thinks they both know that the endgame here was always going to be Liv. So Liv won’t stop until she has everything that she wants.
Becky tells Liv she’s right. Becky would not be holding this title if not for what Liv did to Rhea. But the interesting thing is, Liv would be holding this title if not for what Becky did to Liv. Funny how that works, huh? But then here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force was drafted to SmackDown, but rosters don’t lock in until after Backlash! And Nia says this is all just them being rude. She doesn’t know about any of the fans here, but Nia says Kansas City is very rude for not welcoming her. They are lucky she even showed up tonight. Liv can’t hear Nia over the boos! Nia says she dominated them both last week! SHE should be champion right now!
And the only reason she’s not is because Liv and Becky teamed up to make sure she wouldn’t be. But lucky for her, she’s now on the superior show, SmackDown! It’s why she’s wearing blue, if you can’t tell, you idiots. But like Bayley, Naomi & Tiffany saw, Nia will soon be champion. So tonight is her last night on Raw. Fans cheer that! Well, if Nia is leaving, she’s taking one of them with her. So- LIV SHOTGUNS NIA! The fans fire up and Liv says if Nia’s gonna make a challenge, SHE accepts! Will Liv survive a battle with Nia to then go after Becky and the title?
Stephanie McMahon is here!
The fans fire up as the Billion Dollar Queen walk out on stage! She goes to the podium because she has the first round of picks! And she says it feels great to be back here in Kansas City! She welcomes us to night two of the 2024 WWE Draft, and says with the first pick, Raw selects… DER RING GENERAL, Gunther, and Ludwig Kaiser, Imperium! And yes, it’s just them after they expelled Giovanni Vinci from the group. With the second pick, SmackDown selects… JADE CARGILL! The Storm is staying on Friday nights, much to Damage CTRL’s chagrin. And with the third pick, Raw selects… DAMAGE CTRL! Well, never mind!
The fans are torn as Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka & Kairi Sane now move to the red brand! And with the final pick of this opening round, SmackDown selects… KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter stays on Fridays, which is fitting as he wants after The Bloodline! Who else will be chosen? We’ve still got FIVE rounds to go tonight!
Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods VS Kofi Kingston!
Speaking of Imperium, they’re ready to commemorate staying on Raw and dumping Giovanni Vinci by sanctifying the ring. However, will the reigning, defending, W, W, E, King, of, the RING~ prove to Der Ring General that he isn’t ready to wear the crown?
The bell rings, Gunther and Woods slowly circle. The fans rally up for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” The two approach, Gunther kicks low, then CLUBS Woods. Woods goes to a corner, Gunther clinches and grinds forearms, but the ref counts. Gunther lets off, Woods dodges the chop to CHOP! Woods dodges another chop to headlock! Gunther powers up but Woods holds on tight, Gunther powers out on the second try, but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides under to ROLLING ELBOW! Gunther fumes, runs up, but Woods dumps him out! Woods runs, but Gunther avoids the wrecking ball dropkick to CHOP Woods down!
Woods writhes, Gunther hauls him up and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX, and then Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Woods is down in the ring. Gunther paces, Kaiser tries to get fans to cheer him but they boo instead. Gunther brings Woods up to UPPERCUTS! Woods goes to a corner, kicks low, then UPPERCUTS back! Woods fires more UPPERCUTS, but Gunther scoops to SLAM him down! Gunther paces while Woods writhes and fans boo. Gunther goes back to Woods, eggs him on, then stands him back up. Gunther HIP DROPS, then he talks trash. Gunther scuffs Woods, but the fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Secret glitch happens, but Woods fires CHOPS on Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Woods down!
Woods still gets up! Woods CHOPS and CHOPS, but Gunther pushes him to a corner, to CHOP again! And CHOP again! And then short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Gunther grins while talking smack on Kofi. Kofi coaches Woods, Woods rises, and Kofi tells Gunther not to worry about him. Woods stands and ROCKS Gunther, JAWBREAKERS, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Woods again! Then reels him in, hoists him up, but Woods slips free! Woods mule kicks and the fans fire up! Woods runs corner to corner, but is put on the apron! Gunther CHOPS, Woods wobbles, and Gunther climbs!
Gunther drags Woods up, but Woods fires body shots! Woods throws hands and he CHOPS Gunther! And CHOPS him off the ropes! The fans fire up as Woods climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Gunther is still in this but even Kaiser looks a little worried. Gunther sits up, Woods is on him and brings him in. Woods goes to suplex but Gunther fights out! Gunther CHOPS Woods down again! Woods goes to the apron, Gunther runs in but Woods RAMs him! Only for Gunther to SHOVE Woods down! Woods’ leg gets caught in the ropes! The ref hurries to help Woods but Gunther stomps away! The fans boo but the ref backs Gunther off.
Gunther goes outside, to CHOP the leg! The ref frees Woods, Woods flops to the floor, and the ref reprimands. Gunther grins as he still has control, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Gunther drops a knee on Woods’ bad leg! And then another knee drop! Woods flounders to a corner, drags himself up, and Gunther again talks trash to Kofi. Gunther goes back to Woods, but Woods throws body shots and chops! Gunther kicks the bad leg! Woods CHOPS, but Gunther scoops him to SLAM him into ropes! Woods grits his teeth, clutches the leg, but the fans boo as Gunther mocks Woods. Gunther drags Woods up, puts him on the top rope, and CHOPS him on the back! Woods falls back into the Tree of Woe, and Gunther CHOPS the knee! And CHOPS! And CHOPS it again! The fans boo but Gunther BOOTS the knee!
The ref backs Gunther off, gets Woods out of the Tree, but Gunther grins as he watches Woods writhe. Kofi coaches Woods, the fans rally up, but Gunther eggs Woods on. Woods crawls after Gunther, rises up, only for Gunther to CHOP him down! Gunther goes out to the apron, taunts Kofi some more, then goes up the corner! GUNTHER SPLASH onto knees!! A double-edged tactic but it still saves him! Woods slaps the leg, gets it moving, and the fans rally up harder! Woods rises, to kick, but Gunther blocks! Gunther CHOPS Woods down, then has the leg for a HALF CRAB! Woods endures, flails, reaches out, and Kofi coaches him, only for Gunther to drag Woods back!
Gunther sits deep on the leg, and Kofi thinks about the towel! Kofi grabs the towel, but Woods tells him no! Woods doesn’t wanna lose like that! He knows he can do it! Kofi hears Woods out, and throws the towel away! The fans fire up as Woods powers up! Woods crawls forward, reaches out, but Gunther turns him over! Woods kicks with his free leg, but Gunther drags him way back! STF, with HAMMERING ELBOWS on top! INVERTED GRIP!! Woods endures, but he just can’t! He taps, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
A gutsy move by Woods, but Gunther has no mercy for anyone. Der Ring General stands tall over the king and “takes his crown” for his own. Will this also happen during the King of the Ring tournament as we enter the money of May?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is with Main Event Jey, Raw’s first pick from Night One. A great honor for Jey, but is there any pressure being Raw’s first pick while also heading into Backlash’s World Heavyweight Championship match? Jey appreciates the praise, but says there’s no pressure. Put that on his back, watch him work, and Priest is about to catch this YEET down! Then one more question: Logan Paul- Jey stops her there. Jey is glad WWE signed a Paul brother. He just wishes it was the one with a winning record. YEET. Jey heads out, will he and his team get a big win over Judgment Day?
Wait in the background, is that Liv? And is… is that Dom following her?! What’s going on with Mami’s Latino Heat while she’s away?
Logan Paul & IShowSpeed head to the ring.
The fans boo as The Maverick and his pal walk out to the podium. Logan says what’s up, Kansas City? It’s so beautiful. But real quick before they get started, you all know there’s a special guest in the house. Samantha Irvin, do an introduction for Mahomes! The fans cheer as Samantha introduces the TWO-TIME NFL MVP, the THREE-TIME Super Bowl Champion, and the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes! The fans cheer again, and Speed snipes the first pick of the second round. Raw selects… The Voice of the Voiceless, C! M! PUNK! The fans fire up for that one, and even chant his name!
Logan takes the pick for SmackDown, and they select… THE PRIDE! Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & B-Fab are all sticking together, and they’re all staying right on Friday nights to go after A-Town Down Under. Speed says for the third pick, Raw selects… THE MONSTER OF ALL MONSTERS, Braun Strowman!! Raw is keeping the 6’8″, 385 pound superheavyweight right here on Mondays! And SmackDown wraps up this round, they select… Tiffany Stratton! The Center of the Universe is still on Fridays, will it be #TiffyTime for the Summer?
Logan continues to the ring to say it’s time to get real. He came to KC to help picks, celebrate with Mahomes, but then what happened? Jey is running his mouth just because he pointed out the truth? The truth is, stupid, Damian Priest will beat Jey Uso! And here’s why: Because Jey made a mistake leaving The Bloodline. Jey Uso is incapable of becoming a champion on his own! Something Logan has become a master of. So look, KC, let him give you a play by play of what happens this Saturday at Backlash. But wait! Here comes Jey! The fans fire up as Jey goes right to the ring, the fans bouncing along with the beat!
Jey stares Logan down, and even looks at the US Championship. The “YEET!” echoes out as Jey gets a mic. Jey says Logan’s got predictions. But Kansas City, what you got to say? You thnik Jey can beat Priest? “YEET!” You think Jey can be world champ? “YEET!” You think Jey needs to knock the YEET outta Logan for running his mouth? “YEET!” Logan asks if Jey thinks he can out YEET him. For all his little gangstas, Logan’s been yeetin’ since 2017! Lil’ Jey trying to roast Logan? Jey ain’t good when he’s alone. It’s why he got kicked outta the Bloodline. The difference between Jey and Logan, is Logan and his bloodline nis tight.
And here come JD McDonagh & Finn Balor! Logan says well, well, well. Jey’s all alone again. Can’t fend for himself then, can’t fend for himself now, and always behind with those two braincells in his head. Jey’s vocabulary consists of two words: YEET, and UCE. But Jey says YEET and he fires haymakers on JD & Finn! Only to get mugged 2v1! Logan says well, well, well. Logan leaves it to Judgment Day as he says KC has something they might like. Logan goes to Mahomes, and Mahomes gives Logan all his Super Bowl rings to be brass knuckles!! The Judgment Day gets Jey on his feet, Logan swings, but Jey ducks! The Irish Ace takes all three rings to the face!!
Jey then walks back up and even he’s like, DAMN! JD got the knocked the YEET out! Finn swings, Jey TACKLES him! Logan drags Jey off Finn and throws down those rings! But BRAUN is here?!? Logan didn’t realize the Monster Among Men was actually going to be in KC! Braun storms in, Finn goes after him, but Braun SHOVES him down! And then grabs him for a MONSTER CHOKE SLAM!! Braun glares right at Logan, and Logan goes running! Braun pursues right into the crowd but Logan’s too fast. Braun tells him he better run! Braun then looks at Mahomes, who gave Logan the ammo in the first place.
The fans fire up as Mahomes has his linemen step up. Jey has Braun calm down, those guys are WWE’s guests. Braun leaves it at that, and KC fires up as Braun roars! Will nothing stop this Monster Among Men from making Mondays his night?
R-Truth finishes talking with Chad Gable backstage.
Gable says Truth drives a hard bargain, but he won’t regret it. On behalf of The Alpha Academy, it has been a pleasure doing business with him. The Miz walks in and says they just negotiated a title match tonight. Yeah, with Gable. Good businessman here. Gable said they get one now, and two later! W-What? Y’know, like Now & Laters, the candies. But dog, it’s the Draft! And the WWE World Tag Team Champions could be drafted into the NFL and be players for the Chiefs! Miz asks if Truth knows that this is the WWE Draft, not the NFL Draft. Truth knows now. Who does he talk to? Patrick Mahomes is here. The insurance guy?
Truth is ready to bundle his home and auto! It’s two-for-ones all day! Let’s roll! Truth heads out, Gable says that’s quite the negotiator. Miz just replies with, “Really? Really?” Miz heads out, and Sami BOOTS Gable down!! The fans cheer as Sami gets some revenge before heading out for his own title match! Will everything start falling apart for The Alpha Academy this close to Backlash?
Backstage interview with Booker T.
Cathy says Booker is lending his knowledge to Raw as a draft analyst, so what does he think of it so far? Jade Cargill for SmackDown is a game changer. And while Priest is locked in for Raw, what about the rest of Judgment Day? But then CM Punk, what a big break for Raw. That’s huge. But then in walks Drew McIntyre. Book says hey, what’s up? McIntyre says, “Tell me you didn’t just say that. You think this is 2010, Book?” Punk gets hurt after one match, and then he still gets drafted ahead of the guy who took him out, and who literally won the world title?! The title you don’t have right now?
Drew seethes and tells Booker to not be like the others. Booker saw what happened just like everyone else did. Booker asks Drew if he saw what happened like everyone else did. McIntyre asks if this is backwards world or something! He was with Booker back in the day! He knows how Book really felt about Punk! But Booker’s changed. McIntyre storms off, but just what is going on with McIntyre?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed!
The Great Liberator just got a semblance of payback on Chad Gable, and now he’s looking to take a BIG bite out of Auszilla! Will Sami avenge himself of all the cheap shots and blindside attacks? Or will there be a tectonic shift in the championship landscape tonight?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this is a massive moment for both men!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. The fans rally for Sami as the two circle and tie up. Sami waistlocks, Bronson backs him down but Sami puts him in a corner! Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Bronson shoves Sami away, then CLOBBERS him! Bronson snarls, drags Sami up, and HEADBUTTS him! Sami flops against ropes but Bronson storms up on him. Bronson stands Sami up against ropes, to CHOP! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sami, HEADBUTTS him again, then eggs him on. Bronson CLUBS Sami, CLUBS him again, but the fans still rally for Sami. Bronson drags Sami up, whips him to ropes, but Sami holds ropes!
Sami dodges Bronson to send him outta the ring, then goes to the apron! Sami mule kicks, then ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! The fans fire up with Sami as he stands tall! Sami puts Bronson in the ring, goes to a corner and climbs, to CROSSBODY, but Bronson catches him! And RAMS him into the corner! And then RUNNING POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! So Bronson SENTONS! Sami sputters and flounders while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bronson stands tall over Sami. Bronson brings Sami up, HEADBUTTS him, then fires forearms. The fans rally behind Sami as Bronson whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami LARIATS Bronson down! The fans fire up and Sami goes to a corner. Bronson stands, storms over, but Sami ELBOWS him away. Sami goes up and AX HANDLES, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Sami survives that slam but Bronson snarls. Bronson drags Sami back up, reels him in, and hoist shim up, to BUCKLE BOMB! Then he gets Sami back up, SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and the fans fire up again!
Bronson is frustrated but he stalks Sami to the ropes. Bronson kicks Sami out of the ring, goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Sami goes down in a heap and Bronson looks to the title belt. Bronson puts Sami in the ring, then aims from a corner. But Sami HELLUVA KICKS outta nowhere!!! Cover, BUT GABLE GETS IN!? GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by disqualification (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Gable ruins Bronson’s match just to get back at Sami! Gable rains down fists on Sami, then CLUBS away on him with crossface forearms! Gable rolls up his sleeves to put on the ANKLE LOCK!! Sami endures, flails, but ends up int he GRAPEVINE! Refs rush out here to stop Gable and he lets Sami go. But then TSUNAMI!! Bronson gets his in, but perhaps on the wrong target! Gable grabs the gold, he holds it over Sami as he says Sami never deserved it in the first place! But then Bronson fireman’s carries Gable! DEATH VALLER DRIVER!! Bronson grabs the gold and stands over both men! Is Auszilla going to destroy anyone and everyone until he’s the alpha?
Ron Simmons & John “Bradshaw” Layfield are here!
The fans fire up as The APA is here to give the next round of picks! JBL starts by saying Raw’s first pick of the third round is… THE LATINO WORLD ORDER! Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and… Carlito, are all on Raw! But what about the falling out from Friday? Ron says SmackDown selects… LEGADO DEL FANTASMA! Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo are staying on Fridays, them exposing Carlito’s dark secret their final act in the feud. JBL says Raw selects… THE SCOTTISH WARRIOR, DREW MCINTYRE! McIntyre might still have a way to complain about this…
And with the final pick of this third round, SmackDown selects… THE KING OF STRONG STYLE, SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! Shinsuke is moving over to Fridays, will he look to take aim at Cody Rhodes once again?
But speaking of McIntyre, he now makes his way out here, mic in hand! “Am I the only sane and logical person left around here? In what world does Drew McIntyre get drafted in Round Three?” If someone were to walk up to him and explain how it makes sense, he’d call that person a liar! McIntyre says the APA must’ve been doing a lot of drinking since Friday, that’s how stupid this is! But the fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Oh, yes, so anti-establishment to say his name. McIntyre says Punk is the furthest thing from that! Punk is now a corporate ass-kisser! Punk, congrats, you finally did something since returning: you hurt McIntyre!
McIntyre shows off his arm bandaged up, because Punk’s attack fractured McIntyre’s elbow! But unlike Punk, McIntyre is still here, working through the pain instead of staying home collecting paychecks! McIntyre just tapes it up, gets on with it, because he’s a real man! WAIT! Punk’s music hits! Is he here tonight!? McIntyre is storming around, waiting and looking, thinking this is a game. But then Punk says cut his music. Is it good to be alive in Kansas City or what? He’s up in a skybox! Punk is showing he’s not sitting at home, he’s right here, “Ya little b*tch!” Punk waves, McIntyre storms off, and the fans chant for Punk!
Ron looks to JBL, then looks around and says… “DAMN!!” The fans cheer the iconic line, but is McIntyre going to find his way up to Punk’s skybox to settle this once and for all?
The Alpha Academy prepares backstage.
Maxxine is so ready! But then Gable storms in and asks what’s going on. Maxxine says Otis & Tozawa are just firing her up for her match tonight! Didn’t you see her last week? Two eliminations in that battle royal! Finally, some momentum! Gable sarcastically says yeah, two eliminations, that’s great. But uh, can he see the title she won? She didn’t win… No, she didn’t, did she? So what? He’s to celebrate mediocrity? She wants a participation ribbon? It’s PATHETIC! And as for Otis & Tozawa, they better get it together. Tozawa, Gable swears to God, if he sees that stupid dance… Now go out there and win him those championships!!
Gable storms off, Maxxine is shook, but Ivy walks in to calm her down and help her prepare. Otis and Tozawa look to each other, are they going to win just so Gable isn’t disappointed? Or will they do this for themselves tonight?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Raw returns as Cathy is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew, and notes him being a top draft pick. What are his feelings being brought to Monday Night Raw? Bron says that Adam Pearce knows Bron is the best possible pick. He is here to take this place over. But then Sheamus apologizes for the interruption. What? Why’s he interrupting? Sheamus just wants Bron to save his breath to cool his porridge. Sheamus just wants to say he’s impressed by Bron. And this isn’t just Sheamus trying to figure out who the BAMF is, it’s just that Bron reminds Sheamus of a young and hungry Sheamus. Bron’s had banger after banger after banger.
But then McIntyre storms past them both, and Sheamus stops himself. Bron says sure, bangers. Bron heads out, is he going to break through sooner rather than later? As for Sheamus and McIntyre, can Celtic Warrior get through to Scottish Warrior before he does something he’ll regret?
Maxxine Dupri w/ Ivy Nile VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!
With the lingering grudge between these two, we’re bound to see fireworks go off tonight! Will Maxxine accomplish greatness by finally conquering her bully? Or will the Poison Pixie continue to be absolutely toxic?
The bell rings and Candice is already pushing Maxxine around! Maxxine TACKLES Candice for it! Maxxine dribbles Candice off the mat, then lets off to LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up as Maxxine brings Candice up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! And a kip up! Maxxine runs, and BULLDOGS Candice down! Straps come down, and Maxine handsprings into the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! The fans fire up as Candice flounders and Maxxine says ‘A THANK YEW~!” Candice kicks, Maxxine blocks, and has an ANKLE LOCK!! Right outta Gable’s playbook! Indi coaches Candice, she crawls over, but Maxxine drags Candice back!
Candice keeps fighting around, but Maxxine keeps hold of that leg! Candice tries to go the other way, Ivy tells Maxxine to keep on the pressure! Indi POSTS Ivy!! Maxxine’s stunned, Candice rolls to send Maxxine into ropes! Maxxinen sputters, sits up, and Candice SUPERKICKS her down! Candice gets the arms, stretches Maxxine out, to WICKED STEPMOTHER!! Cover off the vicious stomp, Candice wins!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
If Candice is a wicked stepmother, than is Indi her evil stepdaughter or something? They might be winners, but have they completely lost their way?
Backstage interview with The LWO.
Cathy is with Zelina, Rey, Dragon, Cruz & Joaquin, the newest additions to Raw. But Carlito is still coming along with them, so how are they feeling after his apparent betrayal? Rey says there are a lot of mixed emotions, but they are very happy to be here on Raw. As for Carlito… No idea why he did what he did, which means they still have unfinished business. But then Dom walks over to say hey to the “old geezer.” Dom tells LWO that Judgment Day runs Raw. So welcome back, Lollipop Guild. Rey tells Dom Judgment Day can’t run Raw if they haven’t even been drafted here. And wait… What is that on your lip, Dirty Sanchez?
Dom says Rey’s just lucky he’s not cleared! Dom runs off, Zelina says Dommy misses his Mami. But is this a sign that things are going to reignite in this father-son rivalry soon enough?
McIntyre finds the upperdeck.
He asks the fans which skybox is Punk’s but no one knows. McIntyre finds it, but Punk’s gone. Punk did leave a signed picture, though. McIntyre crumples that up, and then Punk’s making his way to the ring! Punk gets the better of McIntyre again, and says it’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME~! McIntyre now watches Punk from the skybox as Punk gets a mic. The fans chant for Punk while he looks up at McIntyre. “I love Kansas City and the people that inhabit it, so I don’t wanna waste your time like Drew McIntyre. So I’m gonna try and do this in less time than the last time you were World Champion, which means I’ve got five minutes and 46 seconds. Pat, time me!”
The fans cheer, and Punk says this would normally be where Punk asks if he has your attention now. But he can see clear as day just like everyone else, Punk’s had McIntyre’s attention for quite some time. He’s like an ex-girlfriend Punk can’t get rid of! And McIntyre says Punk hurt his elbow? GOOD! McIntyre prayed for Punk’s injury, but Punk did that to McIntyre. Punk thought McIntyre hurt his arm sitting around and tweeting. That is why Punk was drafted before McIntyre! Punk isn’t mad, isn’t out for revenge, McIntyre has given him purpose. The fans chant for Punk again, and Punk lets them.
Punk then says the reason Punk went ahead of McIntyre in the draft is simply economics! He is the Best int he World! In the ring, on the mic, even on commentary! No offense to Pat & Michael. Pat lets us know we’re 90 seconds in. Punk tells McIntyre that losers hope things happen. Losers pray for things to happen, but winners make it happen! And when Punk is cleared at 100%, he promises to make McIntyre’s life a living hell! Mic drop, and that’s just under two minutes! Will those other three minutes be used by McIntyre stewing over Punk?
Teddy Long and Alundra Blayze are here!
The Hall of Famers are here, Punk gets a hug from the former SmackDown GM, and even gives Alundra a polite hug and kiss on the cheek. Teddy starts off by saying Raw’s first pick of this fourth round, they select… JUDGMENT DAY! Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Dom Mysterio are all staying put behind Damian Priest! Alundra says SmackDown selects… THE GLOW, NAOMI! Naomi’s challenging for the WWE Women’s Championship, so naturally SmackDown wants to keep it all on the blue brand. Teddy says Raw’s next pick, they select… NXT’s Mad Dragon, ILJA DRAGUNOV!! The Performance Center erupts as Raw is now UNBESIEGBAR!
Dragunov stands up, a standing ovation as he walks down to hug it out with HBK. Dragunov gets to put on the hat, will Mondays soon belong to The Czar? And then SmackDown closes this round with… CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN! The Hot Mess & “Miss P” started liking Aldis better anyway, so hopefully they’ll be happy for once.
Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax!
As we saw earlier tonight, Liv wants her shot at the Women’s World Championship but is willing to earn her way to it. Will a huge win over the Irresistible Force be just the thing? Or will a crushing defeat be Nia’s parting gift before moving to SmackDown?
The bell rings and the two tie up! Nia THROWS Liv away, then eggs her on. Liv runs up, but Nia THROWS her again! Nia eggs Liv on more, then runs her over! Nia smiles, grabs a leg and SMASHES the knee! Liv flounders and hobbles away, but Nia SPLASHES her in the corner! Nia mocks Liv, “Look at that face.” Then she TOSSES Liv again! Nia soaks up the heat, but Liv JAWBREAKERS back! Liv KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! But Nia blocks one and spins Liv around, only for Liv to ENZIGIRI! Liv runs to SHOTGUN but Nia just drops to her knee! Liv SHOTGUNS Nia again, and Nia ends up on ropes! Liv DROPKICKS Nia in the back!
The fans rally up and Liv runs into the corner to back body block! Liv rolls, returns, and back body blocks again! Liv runs but Nia LARIATS her down! Nia drags Liv to a drop zone, stands on her, and Liv sputters as Nia lets off. Nia goes up and up, but Liv grabs a leg! Nia kicks Liv, but Liv sweeps the legs! Nia is stuck in ropes, Liv WOE STOMPS her down! Nia bails out, Liv builds speed, and Liv slides, but into Nia’s hands! Nia wheelbarrows Liv to SMACK her off the desk! Liv flops over and Nia soaks up the heat, but wait, Tiffany Stratton is here. Tiffy taunts Nia from the crowd, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia has Liv down with a cobra clutch! Liv endures, the fans rally up, but Tiffy doesn’t look that impressed. Liv fights up, but Nia thrashes her back down! Raw goes picture in picture to plug The Fall Guy, then comes back as Liv fights back up. Liv throws body shots, but Nia whips her to a corner. Nia runs in, but Liv dropkicks a leg out! Nia stumbles and POSTS herself! Liv runs to SHOTGUN Nia into the post! And then Liv DRIBBLES Nia off the post!! The fans fire up as Liv kicks Nia away and climbs up the corner. But Nia YANKS Liv off the corner, and hits a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives and Nia is fuming!
Nia takes a moment to calm down, then she slaps Liv around. Nia drags Liv up, the fans rally behind Liv, but Nia whips her to a corner. Liv goes up and up, and wheelbarrows to victory roll Nia into buckles! Nia sputters, Liv runs up, goes up and up to DOUBLE STOMP Nia down! Liv pushes Nia to a cover, TWO! Nia is still in this but Tiff is still not impressed. Liv fires herself up, CLUBS away on Nia, then pushes her around. Liv runs, but Nia SPINEBUSTERS! Nia shrieks, the fans boo, and Nia drags Liv to a drop zone. Nia goes up and up, determined to end this! Nia grins as the fans boo, but Liv gets up and under Nia!
Liv YANKS Nia into the buckles again and again and again, then manages a POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Lia almost had Nia and that actually had Tiff on the edge of her seat! But then NAOMI ATTACKS TIFF! The fans fire up as Naomi throws Tiff all around, then DUMPS her over barriers! Naomi goes after Tiff but Tiff turns things around! NIa has Liv int he ropes, CLUBS her down, and Naomi sends Tiff into the desk! Then BULLDOGS her off the apron! And then PENALTY KICKS her down! Nia BLASTS Naomi for distracting her! Liv runs up, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Nia wobbles, into OBLIVION!! Cover, LIV WINS!!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
Nia took her eyes off the ball and Liv takes this one to the house! Liv is ready to go after Big Time Becks, will we #WatchHer become the new world champion?
Backstage interview with Booker T.
Cathy again joins draft analyst Booker, and says he’s had front row seats to many a new superstar’s beginnings. What does he think of this year’s prospects? Booker says it’s about who’s next in NXT! Trick Williams, Roxanne Perez, but congrats to Dragunov. He’ll do a hell of a job on Raw. Adam Pearce walks by, Cathy hopes to get a word on how this is all panning out. Pearce feels great about Raw, good foundation and some new wrinkles added in. But sometimes, it’s the picks you don’t make that can stick in your mind. His favorite so far is actually that he didn’t take Chelsea & Piper! He hopes Aldis prays a lot, because HALLELUJAH, Pearce is free of Chelsea!
And on that note, time to make some more picks in person! Pearce heads for gorilla, who did Raw and SmackDown take in the penultimate round?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
Bully Ray & D-Von Dudley are back again, and they set up their own table! They’re also here to give us the picks! Fans chant for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” and Bully says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! You guys wanna have some fun with the Dudley Boyz tonight? WASSAP~!?” But to business, D-Von! One, two, three, “GET THE TABLES!” “OH mah brotha, testify!” The fans cheer, and Bubba says with the first pick of the fifth round, Raw selects… THE NEW~ DAY~! Kofi & Woods are staying right here on Raw, which will let them settle things with Imperium. D-Von says SmackDown selects… PRETTY DEADLY! Elton Prince & Kit Wilson will stay on SmackDown, #YESBOY!
Bubba says Raw’s next pick is… NXT’s LYRA VALKYRIA! The Morrigan, the former NXT Women’s Champion, is joining her hero, Becky Lynch, on Monday nights! Lyra herself is surprised and even emotional as she gets the red hat and gets to hug HBK. And with the final pick of this round, SmackDown selects… THE WAY, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell! Will they start to poison the waters of the blue brand now?
WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy!
R-Truth may not really know “WHAT’S UP,” but he and Miz are still fired up to defend their titles tonight. Will they make good on the “deal” Truth made with Gable and hold onto their gold? Or will Otis & Tozawa finally make Gable proud?
Raw returns and the match is already underway! Truth fights up from a chinlock to hit a BIG back suplex on Tozawa! Both men are down, the fans fire up and so does The Miz! Truth and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Miz! The fans fire up as Miz dodges Otis to KICK, KICK and KICK! Miz KICKS away in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and then goes corner to corner for the A-LIST LARIAT! Miz sends Otis away, Tozawa runs up but Miz BOOTS him down! Miz RAMS into Otis, ROUNDHOUSES and HOTSHOTS him, then hurries back up! Miz springboards, into Otis’ arms! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!
Otis rips up the shirt, gets those hips moving, and he revs up for the CATERPILLAR… ELBOW! Tag to Tozawa and he goes up! Otis says for the Academy! SUPER SENTON onto knees! Miz powers up, reels Tozawa in, but Tozawa arm-drags free from the nelson! Truth sneaks a tag, Miz ELBOWS Tozawa and reels him in! Truth joins in, THE TRUTH CRUSHIGN FINALE!! Miz SHOTGUNS Otis while Truth covers, Awesome Truth wins!
Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Well, Gable’s not gonna like this. How badly will he tear into poor Otis & Tozawa over this one?
The Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
JD & Finn are still sore from Strowman steamrolling them, but Dom says it’s shocking they fell to the fourth round of night two! What is this? Priest asks Dom if he’s really surprised. Week after week, they’ve gotten involved in Priest’s business, then failed miserably, all because they didn’t talk to him about it. When it comes to Jey Uso, he appreciate sit, but he doesn’t need the help. Cool? Yeah… JD, you got it? JD takes the icepack away and WHOA, that swelled up something bad! This is what Priest is talking about! But tonight, just stick to the plan and get this done. Got it? Priest heads out, JD asks if it’s always been so bright in here. Dom thinks Finn needs a towel.
Judgment Day is definitely struggling without Mami to help them, but will they pull it together? Or will they all end up looking like JD’s lumpy head?
Liv returns backstage.
And Becky finds her to congratulate her on the win tonight. And also congrats, because Liv also gets her title shot. Liv smiles and moves on, but then in step Damage CTRL. Dakota Kai says hi to Becky, they’re all on Mondays now. Dakota leads Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane & Asuka away, Kairi tapping the title. Becky says don’t touch her belt! Is The Man going to get past Liv’s Revenge Tour just to have #CobraKai, The Evil Genius and the Kabuki Warriors coming after her?
Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are on stage!
The Raw and SmackDown GMs finish the Draft in person, and Pearce says it’s been fun playing chess with him. Time to take it home! Pearce says that with the first pick of this final round in the 2024 WWE Draft, he and Raw select… THE FINAL TESTAMENT! Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering & The Authors of Pain are all coming to make Mondays into Doomsday! Aldis says with the second pick, he and SmackDown select… DIY! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano are now making their way to Fridays! Pearce says the third pick from him and Raw, it’s… BIG BRONSON REED! The Colossal Aussie still wants that Intercontinental Championship, will he take it?
And Aldis says with THE final pick of THE final round, SmackDown takes NXT’s BLAIR DAVENPORT! The Performance Center goes wild as now the Ichiban Gaijin is moving on to the next level! She hugs it out with HBK and gets the blue hat, will all of Fridays now beware of Blair?
Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade!
Raw made sure Priest, Finn, JD & Dom are sticking together through the Draft, but their dominance over Raw is seriously in question. Jey just turned their attempt at a beatdown into a YEET down, and we’ve seen both the King of Flight and El Idolo get the better of them time and again. Will they and Main Event Jey embarrass Judgment Day all over again? Or will they fall as #ALLRISE for the Judgment Day?
Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance, followed by Andrade’s. Then Judgment Day makes their entrance, JD still struggling with that welt on his head. The teams sort out and Andrade starts against Finn. They tie up, Finn fires body shots and backs Andrade into a corner. Finn RAMS into Andrade again and again, then CHOPS, throws more hands, then headlocks for a takeover. Andrade keeps his shoulders up, moves around, and he fights up to his feet. The fans rally, Andrade throws body shots and powers out. Andrade drops, hurdles, but Finn whips him away! Andrade goes Spider-Man in the ropes!
The fans cheer, Finn runs in but Andrade drops down to send him out! JD runs in, but Andrade dumps him out onto Finn! Tag to Ricochet, he and Andrade double clothseline Priest out! Then they DOUBLE DIVE onto Finn and JD! The fans fire up as Jey DIVES onto Priest, and Priest goes up and over the desk! The fans fire up with Team YEET as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Priest grinds Ricochet down with a motorcycle stretch. The fans rally as Ricochet endures, and Ricochet fights up to his feet. Ricochet breaks free but Priest BELL CLAPS him! Then Priest suplexes for a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he eggs Ricochet on. Ricochet slowly rises, Priest winds up and KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS, then ROLLIGN ELBOWS! Ricochet falls back, Priest soaks up the heat, then he ROUNDHOUSES Jey down! The fans boo the cheap shot, and the ref has to keep Andrade back, but that lets JD & Finn mug Ricochet! Priest then runs in to back elbow!
Tag to Finn, Priest snapmares Ricochet so Finn can slingshot STOMP! Tag to JD, he slingshots to ARABIAN PRESS SAULT! Tag back to Finn, he tags Priest. They get Ricochet up for the BACKBREAKER LEG DROP! Cover, Andrade breaks it! The fans cheer, Priest grabs Andrade to POST him! Priest storms back to his corner to tag JD, and JD flexes. The fans “YEET! YEET!” but JD has Ricochet. Ricochet hits a RECOIL! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ricochet crawls, reaches out, and JD goes to the neutral corner, he’s that dazed! Hot tags to Jey and Finn! Jey dodges Finn, ROCKS Priest, then ROCKS Finn!
Jey fires off on Finn again and again, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Pop, lock ‘n’ YEET! Finn flounders up, into a mule kick! Jey UPPERCUTS, kicks again but Finn blocks! But the DRAGON WHIP still hits! Finn ends up in a corner, Jey gets the fans joining in on “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs but Priest swings! Jey dodges to DECK Priest! Jey runs at Finn but Finn puts him on the apron. So Jey GAMANGIRIS back! Jey goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, JD breaks it! But Andrade runs up, boot feint to BACK ELBOW! Priest gets up to ROUNDHOUSE Andrade! Ricochet leaps in, but into a FLATLINER! Priest drags Finn over and then tags himself in!
Priest aims at Jey and LARIATS him down! Priest brings down the straps while the fans boo, and he drags Jey up. Priest reels Jey in, lifts, Canadian Rack but Jey slips free to SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down but Jey rolls to a corner! Jey climbs, but Dom gets on the apron! The fans boo but Priest grabs Jey! JD hurries over to SHOVE Jey down! Priest asks what JD’s even doing! Priest had Jey himself! JD says it looked like he was gonna get hit! Priset runs up on Jey, Jey dodges and SUPERKICKS! Priest ends up knocking Finn off the apron! Jey dodges JD to SUPERKICK JD out! Finn is back, Jey dodges and SPEARS!!
The fans fire up and Jey goes back up! Finn is legal again as Jey hits the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey’s team wins!
Winner: Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade, by pinfall
And with that, Main Event Jey wins in the main event! Judgment Day is falling apart at the seams, but can Priest hold it together on his own? Or is Jey about to finally have his moment?
My Thoughts:
A mostly great Raw, but I feel like this year’s WWE Draft was the first real speedbump the HHH Era has hit. HHH himself explained on SmackDown that the brands would be using their picks to keep who they already have and that certainly happened. So many picks were just Raw and SmackDown “securing” many of the people they’ve had this whole time. I did like Pearce’s sense of relief that Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are no longer his problem, they’re Aldis’. But LWO leaving SmackDown right as things were getting interesting again in the feud with Legado seems disappointing. And the fact Carlito is going with them just seems like a messy handling of moving their story over to Raw just so they can also have more Rey VS Dom in the future.
DMG CTRL moving over probably gives away that Jade & Bianca are winning the women’s tag titles for Backlash. Yes, the women’s tag titles are meant to be “roaming” titles, but it feels so long since they’ve really done that. And with the entire The Way family moving to SmackDown, this makes me think Candice & Indi will try (and fail) to take the belts from Jade & Bianca. Final Testament moving to Raw seems rather surprising, but I suppose there’s something to it with them also being on NXT. Raw and NXT are still on USA Network together for now, it’d maybe help continuity for them to be back to back on Mondays and Tuesdays. Also, how strange that this is where they finally say “The Pride” for the team of Lashley, Profits & B-Fab after them being together for months…
I will say that we got great moments for the NXT call-ups. Dragunov going to Raw made sense with Imperium still being here, but I’m surprised Lyra is Raw rather than SmackDown. Maybe she’s meant to back Becky up against DMG CTRL? And Blair being called up period clearly caught her by surprise, that was a rather sweet moment for her villainous self, but she’ll make a solid part of the division on SmackDown. We also got good story crossover as Naomi and Tiffany were here tonight to brawl and cost Nia so Liv could get a great win. Becky VS Liv for some time after Backlash will be good stuff, but I’m thinking Becky retains. What’s more curious is Liv quite literally leading Dom along. Liv’s Revenge Tour really does seem to be about taking everything from Rhea…
Disappointing Draft aside, great action to build towards both Backlash and King of the Ring. Woods VS Gunther was an awesome match, but I figured Gunther would win. Hard to say if Gunther will be the new King of the Ring, but this was a good case for it. Great stuff in the Intercontinental Championship story as Sami gets that boot on Gable, was about to win against Bronson until Gable attacked, and then Bronson stands tall. So far, all three guys are staying on Raw, I sense a huge Triple Threat for this title, and that could really go either way to me. Sami can use Gable and Bronson against each other, one of them could be opportunistic, it’s going to be an awesome match.
Great story intertwining with the Academy, too, as Gable takes his anger out on his team, and that more or less affects all of their performances tonight. Maxxine tried to finally get even with Candice but Indi’s Heel turn is continuing so The Way wins on the way out from Raw. Otis & Tozawa have a fun match with Awesome Truth but end up losing, so Gable’s just gonna lose his mind with them. Good story intertwining for Judgment Day and Logan Paul. Great seeing Braun back, he looks better than ever right now. Now, while the champions are all staying put, I feel like Braun should’ve gone to SmackDown so he can continue to scare the Prime outta Logan over the US Championship. And they did a great cosmetics job with JD’s huge welt, that looked nasty!
The deterioration of Judgment Day continues in wild fashion. They get JD punched in the head, almost get Logan mauled by Strowman, and then they aren’t on the same page in the main event. They could end up messing Priest over at Backlash because of it, giving Jey the win, but it feels like Priest finds a way to win despite them messing up. Then perhaps in a twist, Priest doesn’t get kicked out of Judgment Day, he quits them and leaves them to flounder on their own.
Segment of the night goes to CM Punk making McIntyre look like a fool. He goads McIntyre into storming up to the VIP section only to circle around him and go to the ring. And I feel like Punk was even trying to fill for time since he said he had 5 minutes and 46 seconds, but he still cooked McIntyre in half that. McIntyre VS Punk is going to blow the roof off the place, wherever it takes place.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who truly run the Junior Heavyweight Division?
With Best of the Super Juniors on the horizon, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight AND Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions must defend their gold! Will Sho and the War Dogs keep Bullet Club’s gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg VS Katsuya Murashima; Oleg wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
- 8 Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; TMDK wins.
- 10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino, El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & Tomoaki Honma VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI; Connors & Moloney win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI; Sho wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI!
The War Dogs took these titles back on the Road to New Beginning, and then kept them through Sakura Genesis. But the Timebomb and Black Mask are ready to take their shot ahead of the Best of the Super Juniors! Will Hiromu & Bushi be bringing these titles into the tournament? Or will 100 Proof & 44 Caliber empty the Full Clip to keep their gold?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins this shootout!
The teams sort out and Hiromu starts against Connors. They both run in and DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up and DOUBLE LARIAT again! They still stay up, Hiromu dodges Connors and headlocks. Connors powers up and out and runs Hiromu over! Bu then Hiromu runs Connors over! They get in each other’s face, Hiromu shoves Connors, and then both Drilla and Bushi jump in. Hiromu kicks Drilla first, and Bushi kicks Connors! Hiromu CHOPS Drilla, he and Bushi whip the Dogs at each other, but the Dogs dosido to redirect themselves. Hiromu TOSSES Drilla while Bushi dodges Connors, then Hiromu runs in to clothesline Connors!
Hiromu snapmares Connors, he and Bushi DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Connors with a facelock and tags Bushi in. They mug Connors, then Bushi snapmares to stomp Connors. Bushi brings Connors up but Connors knees low. Connors barks and runs, but into a kick! Then Hiromu dropkicks the legs out and Bushi basement dropkicks Connors down! Hiromu barks at Drilla, Bushi covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally for Bushi, he brings Connors up and CLUBS him to the LIJ corner. Tag to Hiromu, he barks at Drilla while Bushi stomps Connors. Hiromu turns around, Connors UPPERCUTS him!
Connors hot tags Drilla, but LIJ mugs him first! They double whip, but Drilla ducks the clothesline to shove Bushi into Hiromu! Drilla then ripcords Bushi but Bushi ducks the chop to run and RANA! Drilla is right up, but Bushi DROPKICKS him back down! Drilla bails out, the fans fire up as Bushi builds speed, but Connors gets in to SNAP POWERSLAM! Connors runs at Hiromu but is put on the apron! Hiromu runs to FLYING SUNSET FLIP- NO, Connors holds ropes to deny the bomb! And then Drilla gets under to drag Hiromu out, for an APRON POWERBOMB! Hiromu slumps down while Connors growls!
Connors and Drilla go around the corners, coordinate, and run in to SPEAR GORE COMBO Hiromu on the outside!! Drilla roars, Connors throws up the Too Sweet and fans are torn. The ref checks on Hiromu, he’s somehow okay to continue, so the ring count starts. Connors goes out to fetch Hiromu, even as the fans rally up. Connors drags Hiromu through the gate to TOSS him into the crowd! The count passes 15 as Hiromu stirs! Hiromu crawls but we’re already at 18! Hiromu sprints and slides in, SAFE! Drilla chuckles, then he looms over Hiromu to rain down fists! The fans rally for Hiromu, even as Drilla hits him over and over!
The ref reprimands about closed fists so Drilla lets off. The ref checks Hiromu, he’s still conscious so Drilla drags him up by his hair. Connors barks at Hiromu, the fans rally, but the ref still wants to check Hiromu. Hiromu reaches out, shakes his head, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Drilla drags Hiromu back up, bumps him off Connors’ boot, then tags him in. They double whip, double ELBOW, then Connors DROPKICKS Bushi for good measure. Connors taunts the fans cheering on Hiromu, barks at him, then eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu sits up, flounders over, and he drags himself up using Connors’ pants.
Hiromu CHOPS, but Connors doesn’t flinch. Hiromu staggers, CHOPS and CHOPS, but Connors UPPERCUTS! Connors whips, ELBOWS Hiromu down, then covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors is annoyed. Connors scrapes his sole off Hiromu’s face! Tag to Drilla and he stomps Hiromu back down. Hiromu growls but Drilla stands him up. Drilla CHOPS, but Hiromu shakes his head. The fans rally up as Drilla eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu CHOPS, but Drilla CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS, Drilla CHOPS Hiromu down! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Hiromu stays in this, but Drilla sits him up for a chinlock.
Hiromu endures, even as Drilla digs his knee into Hiromu’s neck. The fans rally, Hiromu fights around, fights to his feet, and throws elbows. Hiromu is free but Drilla RAMS him into the corner! Tag to Connors, then Drilla JABS Hiromu! Connors taunts Hiromu, stays out of range, then kicks Hiromu down. Connors reels Hiromu in to snap suplex, then he runs to drop a JUMPING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Connors CLUBS Hiromu. Connors sits Hiromu up for a NECK TWIST! Then he clamps on for a neck wrench! The fans rally as Hiromu endures again. Hiromu fights to his feet, throws elbows and CHOPS!
Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS but Connors HEADBUTTS! Connors runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and Hiromu crawls. But Connors grabs hair and pulls Hiromu back! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Hot tag to Bushi! Bushi fires off on Connors, whips, but Connors reverses, only for Bushi to RANA! Drilla gets in to throw hands, but the ref reprimands. Drilla whips Bushi to a corner, runs in, but is sent into the corner! Bushi BOOTS Connors, brings Drilla in, BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO!
The fans fire up with Bushi, and he blocks a haymaker to spin and DDT Connors down! Cover, TWO! Bushi hurries to SMASH Connors’ knee! Bushi then ties the legs up, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR! Connors endures, scrambles, and grabs the ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go at 4, the fans rally, and Bushi stomps Connors around. Bushi kicks at the leg, then blocks Connors’ leg to kick Connors. Bushi runs, Connors redirects to POUNCE! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Bushi and Connors crawl, hot tags to Drilla and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges Drilla to fire off forearms! Hiromu whips, ROCKS, and puts Drilla on ropes to KICK it!
Hiromu runs, Drilla dodges, but then Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu whips Drilla to a corner, clotheslines him, snapmares and basement dropkicks! The fans fire up with Hiromu, “MOTO! MOTO!” Hiromu drags Drilla up to fireman’s carry, but Drilla slips free. Drilla shoves Hiromu to a corner, runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but fakes Drilla out to then wrench and facelock. But Drilla suplexes first! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again while Drilla frowns. Drilla drags Hiromu up and reels him in, but Hiromu fights the lift! Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu, then reels him back in! Canadian Rack, but Hiromu slips free!
Hiromu shoves, wheelbarrows, but Drilla fights it! Hiromu powers through to COMPLETE SHOT after all! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu staggers up, tag to Bushi! Bushi and Hiromu drag Drilla up, double whip and TU LO- NO, Drilla lands on his feet! Drilla gets around Bushi to waistlock, and RAMS Bushi into Hiromu and then them both into a corner! Schoolboy and DROPKICK for Bushi! All three are down and the fans rally again. Drilla crawls over, hot tag to Connors! Connors storms in and aims at Bushi. Bushi rises, into a LARIAT! Connors fires up, brings Bushi around and suplexes.
Bushi fights the lift, to dropkick the bad leg! Bushi dropkicks that leg again! Connors writhes, Bushi gets the legs, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR!! Connors flails, endures, reaches out, Hiromu intercepts Drilla into TRIANGLE D!! Connors continues to fight around, reaches for ropes, but Bushi steers him in the other direction! Drilla deadlifts Hiromu to POWERBOMB him onto Bushi!! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! Connors shakes out his bad leg while Bushi stirs. They rise up, and Bushi fires a forearm! And another! Connors fires back, but Bushi fires again! And again! And again! But Connors HEADBUTTS!
Connors wobbles, powers up, and runs, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Hiromu then blocks Drilla’s superkick! Hiromu hands that to Bushi, but then Drilla blocks Hiromu’s superkick! Connors SUPERKICKS Hiromu! Drilla gets free to SUPERKICK Bushi! Connors and Drilla aim, SPEAR GORE COMBO on Bushi!! Connors runs in at Hiromu, into a CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Drilla and Hiromu fire forearms, Hriomu gets the edge but Drilla RLOCKS him! And ripcord CHOPS! Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS, SUPERKICKS, then fireman’s carries! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Drilla tumbles out and the fans are thunderous!
Hiromu & Bushi get Connors up, double fireman’s carry, but Connors fights free! Connors ROCKS Bushi, Hiromu waistlocks and Bushi returns, SUNSET FLIP GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives but Hiromu DROPKICKS Drilla! Bushi roars and goes up a corner! The fans fire up again as Bushi aims! Connors rises, into M- SPEAR!! Connors takes Bushi outta the sky! Drilla anchors Hiromu on the apron, for Connors to POUNCE!! Connors then drags Bushi back up, reels him in, and gives him NO- NO! Bushi turns the No Chaser into BUSHI ROLL!! Drilla drags Bushi right up!! And flips him into DRILLA KILLA!! Connors covers, HIROMU BREAKS IT!!!
The fans are thunderous but Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu into NO CHASER!! The Dogs get Bushi up, and then Connors climbs! Drilla suplexes, for the FULL CLIP!! Cover, the Dogs win!
Winners: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The War Dogs redeem themselves for failing on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku and are now rolling right into the round robin! Will nothing stop Connors & Moloney from proving they’re the Best of the Super Juniors?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI!
When it comes to the House of Torture, shenanigans and underhanded tactics are their bread and butter. And nobody’s been doing it better than the Murder Machine. He literally stole this belt from El Desperado before snatching a win by count-out, and then got really lucky against Yoh. However, he’s finally tasting some of his own medicine! Japones Del Mal took the belt, then suckered him into accepting a title match! With the gold finally on the line, who will prove to be the sneakiest of all?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and wait, Sho takes the mic to say something first. He doesn’t trust what’s going on with Taichi on commentary?! Saying that it’s an unfair advantage!? Sho says Douki should try and win this title fair and square! He’s one to talk! Douki wags his finger, and he brings out the contract he had Sho sign. Douki makes it clear to Sho that this is all by the book. Sho still tries to deny it, thinking this is just an exhibition or something. Then he snatches the contract and EATS it?! Sho, that’s not gonna stop anything! Douki then DECKS Sho, stomps away, and the bell rings!
Douki bumps Sho off buckles, stomps him more, then digs his boot in. The fans rally while Sho suffers, and then Red Shoes counts. Douki lets off, drags Sho up, but Sho claws Douki’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo but Sho whips. Douki reverses and does the splits to get under. Then he rolls back to RANA Sho, and then arm-drag! Sho staggers up, into another arm-drag! Douki dodges Sho, arm-drags to then get a leg, and he SMASHES the knee! The fans fire up while Sho bails out. Douki pursues but Sho kicks him first. Sho whips but Douki reverses to send Sho into railing! The fans cheer and Douki storms up on Sho.
Douki stalks Sho around the way, RAMS him into more railing, then puts the bad leg around railing! Sho wants mercy but Douki BOOST the railing! Sho falls over and the fans rally up. Douki storms up on Sho, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer and Douki stomps Sho at the ropes. Douki stomps the bad leg, then puts the leg on ropes to stand on it! HIP DROP! Sho writhes, the fans cheer, and Douki brings Sho around. Douki drops an elbow on the knee! Douki pulls on a toehold, Sho pulls on Douki’s mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets go, and then Sho has the ROPEBREAK! Sho shouts about it and Douki lets go.
The fans rally up while Douki stalks Sho. Douki stomps Sho’s legs, drags him back up and whips, but Sho holds ropes to block. Douki tries again, Sho still holds on, so Douki kicks the bad leg! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki holds ropes! Sho runs in but Douki does the splits again, and Sho is sent tumbling out! Douki then goes to the apron, mule kicks Sho, but Sho sends a Young Lion into Douki! Douki falls and the fans boo! Red Shoes reprimands Sho, then checks Douki. Douki clutches his leg, but Sho drags him up and whips him into railing! Sho brings Douki out into the crowd now! And to the very back, to SLAM his leg into the wall!
Douki hobbles right in front of Section H while Sho grabs a chair. Sho digs that chair into the leg! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Sho lets off. Sho then stomps Douki’s bad leg, talks trash and leaves Douki behind. The fans rally for Douki while Sho gets in the ring. Sho smirks as he waits on the ring count. Douki sits up, shakes out the bad leg, and the fans rally up. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Douki stands. Douki hobbles his way to the aisle and hurries towards ringside. The count passes 15, then passes 17! Douki slides in safe at 19! Sho is upset with Red Shoes’ count, but then he grabs Douki’s bad leg to SMASH the knee!
Douki writhes, Sho wants Red Shoes to call this, but Red Shoes says no, Douki’s still okay. So Sho DDTs the leg! And DDTs it again! And again! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and the fans rally up again. Sho drags Douki up, wrenches, and kicks, KICKS and then stomps the leg! Then he kicks, KICKS and stomps the leg again! And again! Sho drags Douki up but Douki fires a forearm! Sho eggs Douki on, Douki throws more forearms, so Sho kicks the leg out! Sho drops into a KNEEBAR! Douki endures now, fights around, reaches out, but Sho uses his shirt for leverage on the leglock! The fans rally, Douki claws at the mat and drags Sho along to the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Sho lets go in frustration. But then Sho smirks as he looms over Douki, and he stomps the bad leg again. Douki shoves Sho away, fires up and fires off more forearms! Sho kicks the leg! Sho reels Douki in, but Douki fights the lift! Sho kicks the leg, reels Douki back in and hoists him up, but Douki slips free! Only for the bad leg to jam! Sho runs, but Douki dropkicks Sho’s bad leg! Both men are down while the fans rally back up. Sho makes his way to a corner, runs up, but Douki blocks to fire forearms again! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki dropkicks the bad let! Sho scrambles to a corner!
Douki runs in to forearm smash! Douki then brings Sho up, ties up the legs, DOUBLE KNEE BREAKER! Douki runs to SHOTGUN Sho down! Cover, TWO! Sho stays in this but the fans rally behind Douki again. Douki slaps his bad leg into working, then he drags Sho up. Douki turns Sho, but Sho fights the Gory Especial! Douki still tries, but Sho wrenches an arm and bends fingers! Sho kicks and kicks, then he bends fingers again! Douki HELL STABS! Douki runs, Sho gets around to waistlock, but Douki fires elbows! Sho keeps Douki from getting away, but Douki kicks free. Sho blocks a kick, but so does Douki! Sho goes for the eyes!
Douki pulls Sho’s arm away, tucks it under the leg, and drops into a modified FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Sho endures and fans rally, but wait! Yoshinobu Kanemaru shows up! The Heel Master distracts for just a moment, then he gets in Taichi’s face! Taichi stands up, only for DICK TOGO’S SPOILER CHOKER!! The House of Torture is going after the Holy Emperor! The fans boo as Dick chokes Taichi out! Douki still keeps on Sho but Sho drags Red Shoes down! Yoshinobu storms in to stomp away on Douki! The fans boo but Douki lets Sho go and Yoshinobu drags him up. But Douki suplexes first! Sho sees this and freaks out!
Wait Dick gets on commentary in Taichi’s place!? Sho THROWS Douki into Red shoes! Then LOW BLOWS!! Then he THROWS Douki back into Red Shoes!! Sho hurries away from Douki, and Dick jumps in the ring! Dick stomps away on Douki while fans boo! Sho laughs but here come the other guys! Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura run Dick off, but here comes the rest of the House! Evil & Yujiro attack Yuya & Taka! The fans boo and tell them to go home, but they don’t care. Evil & Dick open Yuya’s legs for Yujiro’s FALLING HEADBUTT! Then they get Taka up as Dick climbs, for the DICK CHOP!
The fans boo as Yuya and Taka are down, and then the House drags Douki up. They double whip Douki to a corner, then Dick runs in to elbow! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare Douki down, then Dick climbs up! The fans boo, but Douki suffers a DICK CHOP! Sho laughs and waves to Red Shoes. Evil gets Red Shoes in to count the cover, TWO!!! Douki survives and the fans are thunderous! Sho vows to end it now, and he drags Douki back up. Sho reels Douki in, lifts, for the POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Douki survives again and Sho is furious! Sho drags Douki back up while the fans rally as hard as they can!
Sho brings Douki in, tucks the arms, but Douki fights the lift! And he drops down for the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! But Sho powers through, tucks the arms again, and STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVERS! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki survives again and the entire House is beside itself! Taichi rises, but he’s cuffed to railing! Sho drags Douki up, says he’s done now, and then pump handles! SHOCK- NO! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!! Douki has Sho, but Sho fights for ropes! Douki pulls on the hold, Dick gets on the apron! But Taka is back and YANKS Dick down! Douki rolls Sho from ropes for ITALIAN STRETCH!!
Yujiro and Evil get up but Yuya anchors them both! Sho is fading! Sho is turning red!! Who rang the bell!?! Not this crap again!! It was all DICK!! Douki realizes he hasn’t won, and then Evil SHOVES Douki into Red Shoes!! Red Shoes takes a tumble right out of the ring, and the House stomps away on Douki again! The House taunt Douki, but Douki fights back! Evil CLAWS Douki’s eyes! But Taichi has a Young Lion free him! And he hurries to ringside! Evil & Yujiro double whip Douki, Douki grabs ropes, and Taichi runs in to DOUBLE AX BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi tells his old friend to keep fighting!
Just5Guys turn the tides on the House by stomping away on Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Taka clotheslines! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Taichi runs up to clothesline! Then Taka goes up! They get Dick in place for a HAWK CHOP! Dick flounders out, Taka & Yuya PLANCHA out onto Yujiro & Evil! The fans are thunderous as J5G drags the House to the back! Now it’s just Douki and Sho all alone as we hit 20 minutes! Sho crawls for his corner, he wants his Torture Tool! But Douki goes to his corner, and he brings out his PIPE! And Douki’s is bigger! Sho freaks out, wanting to tell Red Shoes about this!
Douki tells Sho to bring it, so Sho swings! Douki dodges, swings, but Sho dodges! Sho swings but Douki blocks, and Sho loses grip on his wrench! Douki JAMS Sho with the pipe, then CHOKES him, into a STEEL DODON NO JUTSU!! Douki gets the pipe outta there, and a spare ref hurries out here! The fans fire up as Douki roars, and he brings Sho back up! Douki reels Sho in, for the SAHARAWI SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO?!? Sho survives but the fans are electric for Douki! Douki pounds the mat, powers up, and he wheelbarrows Sho! Full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, YOSHINOBU YANKS THE REF!!
Kanemaru stomps away on Douki as fans boo! Kanemaru goes out, grabs his whiskey and takes a big swig! Kanemaru aims, but Douki HELL STABS! The whiskey mist flies into the air, then Douki DECKS Kanemaru! But wait! Ren Narita shows up! He was staying back just for this moment! Narita has the push-up bar and he slides into the ring! Narita SNATCHES the mask!! And as Douki covers up, Narita JAMS him with the bar!! Then he reels Douki in for DOUBLECROSSER!! The fans boo, but Narita at least puts Douki’s mask back on before he helps Sho cover. Narita gets the second ref, Kenta, into the ring, and tells him to count! The ref sees Sho, counts, and Sho wins!!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
The most powerful fight Douki’s ever put up is completely besmirched by the most disgusting game the House has ever rigged! Sho is in no shape to get the mic so Narita brings it over. Sho laughs and says he’s just too strong, it’s becoming a problem. The fans boo as Sho this is what Douki gets for making this more than just sparring. Sho leaves the ring with The House but he keeps on talking, saying he’s happy to be leaving Kagoshima anyway. And as for BOSJ up next, Sho’s confident it’ll be a piece of cake at this rate! Narita raises Sho’s hand in victory and the streamers fly! But will Sho really be able to stack the deck each and every round?
My Thoughts:
A really good Satsuma, even if it’s kinda wedged in right before Dontaku. The Junior Heavyweight title matches were both great stuff, made to feel very close, but in the end, I figured Bullet Club was retaining the gold going into the Best of the Super Juniors. Connors & Moloney are a tough team, they even won a big Triple Threat, so them winning here isn’t really a knock on Hiromu & Bushi. Plus, there could be a chance Hiromu gets a strong showing in BOSJ to go after the singles title again.
And boy, they really overbooked the main event there. I was hoping Douki was gonna find a way, but they did a great job making Narita the final card to play. He stayed back and I didn’t even think about him until he showed up, but of course he’s the deciding factor. Sho retains, and he’ll go into the tournament with the title, but I really hope someone gets their golden ticket off beating him in the round robin just to stick it to him.
My Score: 8.7/10
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