Coverage
Mitchell’s NXT TakeOver: New York Results & Report! (4/5/19)
Wrestlemania Weekend begins with a TakeOver!
NXT kicks off Wrestlemania Weekend by taking over New York! Who will be claim the vacant NXT Championship for their own after 2-out-of-3 Falls?!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – WWE 2K19 Million Dollar Challenge: AJ Styles VS Stephen T. Benson; Benson wins the WWE 2K19 MDC and the million dollar prize.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS Aleister Black & Ricochet; The War Raiders win and retain the NXT Tag Team Championships.
- NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Matt Riddle; Dream wins and retains the NXT North American Championship.
- WWE United Kingdom Championships: Pete Dunne VS WALTER; WALTER wins and becomes the new WWE United Kingdom Champion.
- NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way: Shayna Baszler VS Bianca Belair VS Kairi Sane VS Io Shirai; Baszler wins and retains the NXT Women’s Championship.
- NXT Championship 2-out-of-3 Falls Match: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole; Gargano wins and becomes the new NXT Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Welcome to the NXT TakeOver Kickoff Show!
Join Charli Caruso, Pat McAfee and Sam Roberts in discussing and predicting all of tonight’s championship caliber action!
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Era.
#ShockTheSystem. Roderick Strong, Bobby Fish & Kyle O’Reilly don’t like the idea that tonight has the “potential” to be big. These three do not operate under “potential”. There is one conclusion already destined: Adam Cole becoming the NEW NXT Champion. What was their advice for him, then? Ouch, 0-2. The only piece of advice Cole needs is, “Go out there and be Adam Cole”. That’s all anyone needs him to be. Just think of everything Cole has done since taking over NXT. Now picture an even more determined and focused Adam Cole than ever before! Gargano feels dangerous? Adam Cole IS dangerous! And when Adam Cole wins the title, he truly ushers in the Era of the Undisputed. Then they will all follow and be draped in gold. And that itself is Undisputed. Will Cole be better than Gargano for 2 out of 3 falls tonight?
WWE 2K19 Million Dollar Challenge: AJ Styles VS Stephen T. Benson!
After months of competition in the WWE 2K19 Towers, a challenger has emerged! The Phenomenal One battles “The Golden Voice”, but can the former world champion deny this pro-wrestling gamer one MILLION dollars?!
Corey Graves comes out on stage to get New York hyped for this moment. But he’s not alone, he brings UpUpDownDown’s host, Austin Creed, aka Xavier Woods! “I think this will be the first TakeOver where I’m not getting beat up by Rusev.” But now, after almost a year of waiting, AJ Styles’ challenge to the world is coming to fruition. The last player standing now faces The Phenomenal One. That last player will compete to either earn $1 MILLION, or nothing! And now, here is the Golden Voice, Stephen T. Benson! Stephen T. Benson didn’t just win this opportunity by beating the Tower, he also had to defeat the other three finalists in a quick tournament to prove he was truly worthy! Benson gets the fans fired up, but now… The Phenomenal AJ Styles!
AJ Styles knows he doesn’t have his gloves, but his entrance will still be the same. Both Styles and Benson are ready, but the fans are raedy for Styles. Benson says he’s gonna take Styles to Suplex City. Brooklyn can boo but Benson will be going home with a million bucks! He’s here, they’re not! Benson soaks up the heat, especially since he represents Brock Lesnar in the game. Styles trash talks that Lesnar is a part-timer, Benson snaps back with Randy Orton giving Styles an RKO.
Now, the rules of this match are displayed: Win by pinfall or submission; no count outs or disqualifications; 10 minute time limit, and a draw will go to with the character in the best condition. Both men accept these stipulations, and we begin!
Fans are again on AJ Styles’ side as his character goes against Benson as Brock. The bell rings and Styles taunts but Lesnar/Benson attacks! Benson starts #SuplexCity already with a German! And then he clubs away on Styles back before going for a carry. Scoop slam! Benson hits another German! Then a third! Benson drags Styles up again for a fourth German Suplex! Styles is getting flashbacks after German Suplex #5! And 6! Benson trash talks as his character gets reversed! Reverse DDT! Styles pumps up but gets caught for a powerslam! Cover, ONE with Resiliency! Benson kicks Styles then brings him in for a powerbomb! And another! And another! Benson continues to trash talk as he hits an F5! Cover, Benson and Lesnar win!!
Winner: Stephen T. Benson, by pinfall; wins the WWE2K19 Million Dollar Challenge
The Golden Voice trash talks the entire time as Corey gives him the million dollar check. Brooklyn boos but Benson’s a perfect Heel. Styles is Phenomenal, but Benson is golden. Where and how will Benson choose to spend his new fortune? Can Styles redeem himself should there be a WWE 2K20 challenge?
Since its ArRival, NXT has always been meant to take over.
History is being made in Brooklyn again. The first ever 2-out-of-3 Falls Match for the NXT Championship. Another Dusty Rhodes Cup leads to the tag team championships. A crossover between US and UK will determine fate. A bro wants to live his own dream. And a Queen of Spades looks to keep her crown while surrounded on all sides. Who is going to take over in New York?
NXT Tag Team Championships: The War Raiders VS Aleister Black & Ricochet!
Raw Rowe & “Warbeard” Hanson bring the war, but the Unexpected Duo bring the fight! Will the Dutch Destroyer & King of Flight leave the modern day vikings in the dust on Wrestlemania Weekend? Or will they end up feeling the Fallout?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we begin! Another TakeOver begins with tag team action as Aleister starts against Rowe. Fans are already thunderous for this match up as Aleister and Rowe stare down. They circle and tie up. Aleister wrenches to a wristlock but Rowe pries his way through to a reversal. Aleister rolls and gets a headlock, but Rowe powers out. Rowe boots but Aleister gets under. Aleister headlocks again but Rowe reverses. Aleister breaks free but Rowe snapmares. Rowe headlocks but Aleister slips out, but Rowe snapmares him again. Rowe goes for the headlock again but Aleister slips out again, only for Rowe to get a takedown! Aleister prepares a triangle while Rowe is ready to punch! Both men stop and fans applaud this incredible opening exchange!
Rowe backs off and Aleister gets up. Rowe and Aleister circle again as fans rally up. Aleister waistlocks but Rowe switches to a slam. Aleister’s up again but Rowe holds on tight. Rowe rolls Aleister but Aleister throws him off. Aleister kicks but Rowe tanks it! Rowe stands up to stare Aleister down. The two show respect with a fist bump, then tag out to Hanson and Ricochet. Fans are fired up even more as Ricochet and Hanson speed things up! Ricochet bounces off Hanson so he goes for a wheelbarrow arm-drag. Hanson blocks with size and strength to whip Ricochet. Ricochet rolls off his back then somersaults under for a handspring headscissor and dropkick! Hanson bails out and Ricochet tags to Aleister.
Aleister intercepts Rowe but Rowe reverses the whip. Aleister rolls off Rowe’s back to throw him out. The War Raiders regroup but Aleister fakes them out! Both Aleister and Ricochet sit down cross-legged! Brooklyn is thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as the Raiders rush the Unexpected. Now the Raiders roll of their opponents’ backs! Aleister boots Hanson and Ricochet rocks Rowe. Rowe hits back but things speed up, kitchen sink to basement dropkick! The Unexpected double whip Hanson, but Hanson seated sentons Aleister! Hanson scoop slams Ricochet and tags in Rowe! Human Weapon: Hanson Senton! Ricochet bails out while Rowe goes back to Aleister. Rowe scoop slams Aleister then drags him up for an armlock. Aleister endures while Rowe leans his weight on him. Rowe brings Aleister up and tags Hanson.
Hanson wrenches and shoulders Aleister down for another armlock. Hanson grinds in his forearm into the shoulder, then scoop slams Aleister. Tag to Rowe, Human Weapon again, but Aleister sweeps the legs! It becomes a powerslam on Hanson! Ricochet tags in and speeds up to huricanrana Rowe to a corner. Ricochet keeps moving for a shoulder tackle and roundhouse! Rowe staggers, Ricochet springboard clotheslines and shooting stars! Cover, TWO! Ricochet drags Rowe up and wrenches while fans rally. Ricochet puts Rowe in a modified abdominal stretch. Rowe endures but Ricochet shifts to another wrench. Aleister tags in and takes Rowe for another wrench. Rowe forearms out but Aleister whips. Aleister elbows Rowe down then covers, ONE!
Aleister keeps on Rowe and that arm with a seated stretch. Rowe endures again but Aleister pulls on a leg. Rowe is being bent way back, but he feeds off the fans’ energy. He fights his way up but aleister pushes him to the corner. Rowe hits Ricochet but Aleister kicks away on Rowe. Aleister boots but Rowe shoves, only to walk into a sweep! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! ALeister boots Rowe but Rowe gives him Ace Ten Mao! Hanson tags in but so does Ricochet. Ricochet runs into a back drop! And then a sidewalk slam! Hanson hits a basement crossbody! Hanson drags Aleister up into one corner while Ricochet gets to his. The Warbeard beings a clothesline train! Hanson hits a total of TEN clotheslines and Brooklyn is thunderous again.
Hanson whips Aleister at Ricochet but Ricochet puts Aleister out. Ricochet catches Hanson!? For a Fall Away Slam?! Fans give a standing ovation for that one! But both Ricochet and Hanson are down. They crawl for their corners, hot tags to Aleister and Rowe. Fans chant “Mamma Mia!” as these two meet again. Aleister and Rowe stagger towards each other, and start brawling with heavy forearms! Rowe hits, Aleister hits and repeat. Rowe gets the edge but misses the spin. Aleister starts his strike fest, misses the sweep but blocks Rowe’s knee! To roundhouse and quebrada, into a knee! Rowe roars but runs into a knee from Aleister! Aleister stalks the staggering Rowe, for a German! Bridging cover, TWO!! Rowe survives and Aleister is shocked.
Fans continue to keep the fever pitch as Aleister drags Rowe up. Rowe shoves but Ricochet tags in. Hanson tags in, cartwheel clothesline misses but they both handspring! Ricochet boots the clothesline to roundhouse Hanson! Ricochet runs, handsprings, but misses the enziguri. Hanson handsprings to hit his back elbow! Cover, TWO! Hanson is shocked but he already shocked us with that agility. “This is Awesome!” but far from over. Hanson climbs up high and turns around?! Ricochet stops Hanson then shoves him for an elbow and a boot. Ricochet somersaults but Hanson catches him.
Tag to Rowe and bumps Ricochet on buckles and then feeds him to Rowe’s shotgun knees! Hanson wipes out Aleister, then becomes Human Weapon: Hanson Hip Attack! Then he tosses Ricochet to Rowe, for the elevated clotheslines German! Double cover, but Aleister double stomps!! Brooklyn is already at a fever pitch, how much more exciting can this get?! Fans hope they “Fight Forever!” but this has to end somehow. Aleister and Hanson brawl but Hanson feeds Aleister to Thor’s– Meteora! Aleister throws Rowe out then triangle moonsaults onto Hanson on the outside! Rowe DIVES on Aleister! Ricochet staggers up, builds speed and hits the CORKSCREW Sasuke Special onto Rowe! But Hanson climbs up, and LEAPS onto everyone for a cannonball! Brooklyn loses its mind for that one! All four men are down on the outside and the referee starts a ring count.
The count reaches 5 as Aleister and Hanson stand. Hanson keeps Aleister get in but Aleister does the same. But now they’re all down, so Rowe and Ricochet get in at 9.5! Rowe and Ricochet are now legal as they slowly stand up. They start brawling, and Ricochet manages to bob ‘n’ weave. Rowe lands a right but Ricochet hits an uppercut. Ricochet swings but into Ace Ten- No, a boot from Ricochet! Tag to Aleister who boots Rowe and knees Hanson. Rowe grabs Aleister but Aleister shakes him off. Rowe roars, BLACK MASS! Tag to Ricochet, who climbs up, SHOOTING STAR! Hanson returns as Ricochet covers, Hanson barrels into everyone to break the pin! Aleister and Hanson tumble out but Ricochet keeps on Rowe. Rowe’s in a drop zone and Ricochet’s up again. Ricochet aims, 630 senton FLOPS as Hanson saves Rowe!
Aleister moonsaults but misses Hanson! Hanson clobbers Aleister then gets Rowe in. Rowe crawls and tags Hanson back in. Ricochet stands and boots Hanson first! Ricochet runs, dodges, but gets THOR’S HAMMER! Hanson DIVES onto Aleister! Rowe drags Ricochet up, Hanson climbs, FALLOUT!! Cover, War Raiders win!!
Winners: The War Raiders, Hanson pinning; still NXT Tag Team Champions
This may very well have been THE greatest tag team war in NXT history! Hanson & Rowe find a way to win, and still hold the thrones in NXT’s Tag Team Division. Will Aleister & Ricochet be able to recover in time for a Wrestlemania tag war in the SmackDown Fatal 4?
But in a showing of great respect, Rowe & Hanson help Ricochet up, and then bow to both Ricochet and Aleister. Aleister and Ricochet return the bow, and say good-bye to NXT once and for all.
NXT North American Championship: Velveteen Dream VS Matt Riddle!
The Patrick Clark Experience really only just won this title thanks to the Worlds Collide tournament. He hasn’t had a chance to defend it yet, but now he’ll take on the toughest challenger possible in the undefeated Original Bro. Will Dream keep the spotlight on him? Or will he be a one-and-done champion, bro?
The introductions are made as the New Bro Yankees Matt Riddle meets the Statue of Velveteen atop his palanquin. The belt is raised, and we begin this #DreamBro match!
Dream and Riddle stare down as fans duel. It melds together to become “Bro-veteen!” Dream and Riddle each get the crowd going for their side, but then Riddle offers a bro fist. Dream says no no, and copies the crane. Riddle and Dream put up their dukes and go around. Riddle gets a kick on Dream’s leg and Dream backs off quick. Dream comes back only to get another, and has to back off again. Dream offers the bro fist now? Riddle takes it but Dream gets his leg. Riddle counters and gets a waistlock to slam Dream! He wants the wristlock but Dream resists, so Riddle uses ropes for a tornado takedown! Riddle wrenches but Dream ropebreaks. Riddle lets go but Dream stays on the defensive. They circle and tie up, but Dream backs off to cool off.
Dream and Riddle tie up again and they go shoulder to shoulder in their test of strength. Dream pushes but Riddle reels him back in. They turn around, but Dream throws Riddle over his shoulders. Riddle reels Dream in for a monkey flip into armbar! Dream scrambles and rolls to another ropebreak, and Riddle lets go at 2. Dream cowers in the corner so Riddle dares him to return. They go again and Dream stomps the bare feet! Dream headlocks but Riddle powers out, only for Dream to run him over. Cover, ONE, but Dream Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! School boy, TWO! Dream headlocks again but Riddle powers out. Dream goes up and over then rakes the back! This only angers the Bro. Dream swivels his hips but gets caught for a gut wrench suplex! Riddle holds on for a second, then for a third with hip swivels, bro!
But Dream rolls and dropkicks Riddle! Dream gets up but has to elbow Riddle away. He hops up for flying ax handles! Dream hurries up top again, for another! Riddle gets to the apron so Dream triangle ax handles Riddle down. Dream climbs again and leaps, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up as Riddle focuses on Dream. Riddle puts Dream in then follows after. Riddle CHOPS Dream in a corner, and again! Dream gasps for air but Riddle toys with him. Riddle drops the back senton! Dream gasps and sputters as he gets to ropes, but Riddle is on him. Dream throws body shots but Riddle throws palm strikes! Riddle boots, then spins Dream into a Pele! Riddle goes side to side for a forearm smash, then another the other way! Exploder suplex, bro! Riddle misses the penalty kick and the moonsault, but not the second senton!
Now Riddle gets the Penaly Kick! Cover, TWO! Dream survives but Riddle’s on him with a sleeper. Riddle gets the mount and pulls on the arms, but fans rally up both ways. Riddle drags Dream around into an armbar, but Dream uses his legs for a ropebreak. The ref counts but Riddle drives in his heels! Dream scrambles away in a daze while fans sing for Riddle. Riddle drags Dream up in a waistlock, but Dream holds ropes. Riddle kicks Dream off the ropes! The ref reprimands Riddle, but Riddle goes back to Dream. Dream standing switches and German Suplexes! But Riddle’s on his feet! Bro Trigger! Fisherman brain buster! Cover, TWO!! Dream survives again and Riddle might actually be getting frustrated. Riddle stalks Dream to ax kick him at the ropes. Riddle drags Dream for a third senton! Cover, ONE, and Riddle is definitely frustrated now.
Riddle stalks Dream again, and wants to drive in those vicious elbows. But Dream rolls thruogh to another ropebreak, so Riddle drives in forearms! Riddle goes after Dream but Dream dodges the boot to put on his own sleeper! But Dream’s Million Dollar Dream is countered to a European Clutch! TWO, but Dream runs into Riddle’s triangle hold! Dream starts to fade as Riddle squeezes tight! Fans rally both ways but Dream gets a second wind as he stands up. It’s a cover, TWO, but Dream deadlifts. Riddle dodges and ripcord bro triggers for a Bro-To-Sleep! German Suplex with Bridge, TWO!! Riddle is foaming at the mouth over Dream becoming his toughest challenge yet. Riddle stalks Dream, and sits him up for Bro Kicks. Dream flounders with each one, but also manages to sit back up. Riddle tells Dream he’s The Bro that Runs the Show.
Dream dares Riddle to keep kicking him, so Riddle does. Dream powers up, he HULKS up! Fans are thunderous as Dream gives him the finger wag of doom! Dream fires off hands then whips. Riddle stops himself but runs into the boot! Dream scoop slams Riddle! And hits a shining wizard! Dream clotheslines Riddle out then hops up top for BIG ax handles! Dream poses then puts Riddle in. Famouser leg drop! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and shocks Dream, but Dream doesn’t stop. Dream drags himself up top again, but stops to see Riddle running in. He hits Riddle back then leaps, but into a bro trigger! Riddle drags Dream up, but Dream hits a CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!? Riddle survives but Dream just keeps moving.
Dream’s up top again, but Riddle sits up. Dream hops back down and runs in, but his shining wizard is caught into an ankle lock! Riddle wrenches and pulls, Dream flails and shouts! Dream kicks but Riddle just puts that leg in the ankle lock! Dream flails and turns and kicks again. Riddle staggers but comes back, school boy but Riddle powerbomb lifts. Dream slips out to SUPERKICK! Sidewinder DDT! But Dream doesn’t cover, he jackknifes and rolls through for Dream Valley Driver! Dream still doesn’t stop, he climbs up once more, PURPLE RAIN MAKER- INTO A BROMISSION!! Riddle pulls tight but Dream resists. Dream gets ropes and yanks Riddle into them. Riddle goes down but comes back to deadlift SUPER GERMAN! Riddle puts Dream in the drop zone, for a Floating Bro moonsault! Cover, TWO!?! Dream survives and Riddle is beside himself!
Riddle fumes as he sees Dream sitting up. Dream dares Riddle to bring more kicks, then he SLAPS Riddle! Riddle boots, Dream SUPERKICKS! Riddle rolls through and powerbombs! Flip to Bro Trigger! Cover, TWO?!? How?! But now, BROMISSION!! Riddle slaps away on Dream, Dream rolls through!? Cover, Dream wins?!
Winner: Velveteen Dream, by pinfall; still NXT North American Champion
Riddle is in disbelief! How could his undefeated streak end like this?! But Dream keeps his own hot streak alive with the biggest first defense anyone could ever have! Dream grins and blows a kiss before striking a pose with the belt. Riddle calms down, and does applaud the winner. He offers a bro fist, and Dream accepts it. Will Dream’s reign only have tougher contenders from here on? Will Riddle be able to rebound from his first loss in NXT and have another shot at a title?
It’s official: NJPW sensation, Kushida, signs with NXT!
The Time Splitter will now be full-time at Full Sail! What will this Super Junior do once he debuts in the ring?
WWE United Kingdom Championships: Pete Dunne VS WALTER!
The Bruiserweight has had this title for just under 700 days! He has beaten everyone there is to beat between both NXT and NXT UK, except the Ring General. Will the Austrian Anomaly end Dunne’s reign on his first try? Or will this title still and always be Pete Dunne’s?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin this NXT UK guest spot match!
Walter and Dunne stare down as fans cheer. They slowly start circling as fans cheer for the “UK! UK!” Dunne and Walter tie up, and Walter puts Dunne on the ropes. Walter lets up on the count of 4, then backs off to let Dunne return. They circle again and tie up. Dunne drops to go for a leg but Walter sprawls and catches him! Walter has Dunne in a modified crab but Dunne barrels through. Dunne has a toehold and he stands on a hand of Walter. Walter uses the free leg to push Dunne away, then gets in Dunne’s face to show he’s not afraid. Dunne doesn’t back down, and he circles with Walter. They tie up again and Dunne gets fingers but Walter gets the chin. Dunne bends the fingers while Walter pulls Dunne’s head.
Walter shoves Dunne off but Dunne avoids that infamous chop! Dunne shrugs as he and Walter circle again. They tie up and Walter throws Dunne! Walter eggs Dunne on but Dunne keeps his cool. They tie up but Walter throws Dunne again, then is on him immediately! Dunne narrowly avoids that chop again! Fans duel as Walter and Dunne tie up once more. Walter wrenches Dunne’s arm to a one-arm suplex and slam! Walter keeps on Dunne with a mounted armlock. Dunne pries his way out then nips up to a ropebreak. Walter lets up but Dunne forearms him back! Walter CHOPS Dunne off his feet! Now Dunne knows what that feels like. Walter toys with Dunne then drags him up for another CHOP! Fans fire up from the echo as Walter looms over Dunne again.
Walter rams his knees in but Dunne resists the cover. Walter floats over to a headlock, but Dunne works his way up. Dunne powers out of the hold and things speed up. Dunne manages to hurdle Walter, but the clothesline does nothing! Walter hurdles and BOOTS Dunne! Walter drags Dunne up and puts him on the top rope for a CHOP! Then he climbs up to stand on Dunne! The ref counts but Walter lets up at 1 and Dunne tumbles down. Walter fetches Dunne up for a back suplex onto the apron! Fans duel as Walter fires himself up. Walter returns to the ring and Dunne kicks back, but it doesn’t do enough. Walter stomps Dunne then goes after his foot with a toehold. Fans rally as Dunne endures.
Dunne pulls at Walter’s fingers while avoiding the cover. Dunne drop toeholds into a kneebar with heel hook! Walter endures and CHOPS, but Dunne holds onto the hold. Dunne kicks but Walter CHOPS him off! Walter brings Dunne around for a Boston Crab! And he sits in deep! Dunne endures and powers up to crawl for ropes. Ropebreak and Walter legs to. Dunne gets to the apron but Walter is on for clubbing forearms. Walter stands Dunne up for another, but Dunne catches the arm! Dunne has the fingers, bends them around, but Walter breaks free to BOOT Dunne down! Dunne falls to the floor while Walter checks his hand. Walter waits for Dunne as he crawls back in. Dunne gets in but gets knees from Walter. Walter grinds his boot in but backs off at 4. Dunne grits his teeth even as Walter kicks him against the ropes.
Walter dares Dunne to stand and Dunne does. Walter forearms but Dunne explodes with strikes! Dunne whips but Walter reverses, Dunne goes up and over to enziguri! Dunne waistlocks but Walter standing switches and German Suplexes! But Dunne lands on his feet to buzzsaw Walter! Walter bails out but Dunne goes to the apron, for a MOONSAULT! Direct hit take Walter out! Both men are down and a ring count begins. The count reaches 5 before Walter stands and gets in. Dunne stands at 8 and takes to the top rope. Walter intercepts him with throat chops! Walter climbs up to join Dunne, but Dunne holds on. Dunne grabs the fingers! He bends Walter’s arm around, then sunset flips! Dunne somehow gets Walter for a walking powerbomb! Cover, TWO!!
Walter rolls out of the ring but Dunne is also down. Dunne drags himself back to the corner, climbs back up and leaps for DOUBLE STOMPS! Walter writhes and screams from the damage done to his chest! The ring count begins again and reaches 4 before Dunne stands. Dunne puts dead weight Walter in at 5. Dunne runs in but Walter dodges. Walter sees Dunne going up and over and shotgun dropkicks him down! Walter drags Dunne up for a sleeper hold! Dunne grabs ropes but Walter CHOPS him on the back! Then German Suplex! Then WALTER BOMB! High stack cover, TWO!! Dunne survives and Walter is in disbelief. Dunne grits his teeth as he glares at Walter from the mat. Walter drags Dunne back up and clubs him on the back.
Walter stands Dunne up for another CHOP! He stands Dunne up again but Dunne SLAPS Walter! Walter CHOPS Dunne then stomps him out! Dunne somehow sits back up but Walter prepares another. Walter aims but it’s Dunne who chops and jabs back! Walter still CHOPS back and stuns Dunne. He drags Dunne up once more, but Dunne has the fingers! Walter and Dunne end up in a test of strength. Dunne bridges but Walter STOMPS! Walter lifts but Dunne slips out of the bomb to enziguri! Both men are down but Brooklyn is fired up! Fans continue to duel while both men slowly stir. Dunne stands on Walter’s hands, and stomps! Then buzzsaws! Then Dunne climbs up top, but Walter chop blocks a leg out! Walter climbs up behind Dunne, and waistlocks. Dunne holds on for dear life but Walter goes for a sleeper.
Dunne smacks Walter’s hands on the post! Walter clubs Dunne back and drags Dunne up, SUPER SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!? Dunne survives but Walter keeps his focus. Walter stalks Dunne to the ropes, but Dunne catches the chop! Dunne SNAPS the fingers! Then SNAPS the other fingers! Walter runs but into a rebound German! Dunne keeps going, rolling crucifix! Cover, TWO!! Walter survives now and rolls away. Dunne stalks Walter while fans duel. Dunne drags Walter up for Danielson stomps! But Walter kicks back all the same! Dunne stomps Walter back! Walter reels Dunne into a sleeper! Dunne rolls through to give more stomps, then rolls Walter into a finger-bending Rings of Saturn! Walter endures as Dunne traps both arms and pulls the fingers past their limits! But Walter turns and gets the ropebreak with his long legs! Dunne lets go, because he’s also exhausted.
Walter gets under the ropes while Dunne crawls after him. Dunne climbs up high and drags Walter up to join him. Walter SLAPS Dunne back, then CLUBS Dunne right off the top! Dunne tumbles into a drop zone, and Walter climbs?! Walter leaps, but into a triangle!! Walter flails as Dunne struggles to put it on. Dunne ends up on top, and he wants the fingers, but Walter blocks and chops back! Walter stands to stomp Dunne out again! Walter goes back to Dunne but Dunne gets those fingers. But Walter stomps Dunne more. Dunne keeps those fingers in his grip, and stands up. Dunne ducks a boot, pump handles, but Walter CLOTHESLINES his way out of the Bitter End! Walter runs but into Dunne’s clotheslines! Dunne pump handles, BITTER END!! Cover, TWO?!? Walter survives Dunne’s best move?!
Dunne is beside himself but he glares at Walter as they both slowly stand up. Fans duel again as Dunne and Walter stare down from opposite ends. Dunne and Walter approach, and the brawl is on! Dunne forearms but Walter CHOPS, and repeat! Walter eggs Dunne on and Dunne gives it. Walter continues to give CHOPS but Dunne continues to forearm back. Dunne eggs Walter on now and things pick up speed! Dunne fires off palm strikes and haymakers! The ref has to back Dunne off, Walter BOOTS him! Dunne looks out cold but Walter doesn’t cover?! Walter climbs up top?! Dunne’s back and SNAPS the fingers again! Dunne climbs up but Walter resists. Walter blocks the triangle takedown, to CHOP away! Walter lifts Dunne back up, SUPER WALTER BOMB!! Fans are losing their minds for that one! Walter leaps, WALTER SPLASH!! Cover, Walter wins!!
Winner: WALTER, by pinfall; NEW WWE United Kingdom Champion
The Bruiserweight’s reign finally ends! And the new reign is that of the Ring General! With such a match to earn that title, will anyone ever be able to take the title from Walter?
NXT Women’s Championship Fatal 4 Way: Shayna Baszler VS Bianca Belair VS Kairi Sane VS Io Shirai!
The Queen of Spades and only two-time champion held onto this title against the EST 1v1 thanks to help from her friends. But now, Shayna will have more opponents than ever before! Will The EST, Pirate Princess or Genius of the Sky come away with the title? Or will Shayna make each one of them #TapNapOrSnap?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this star-studded match begins!
Shayna stares down with Bianca, Shirai and Kairi, but then things break down into brawls! Shayna throws Shirai out while Bianca throws out Sane. The Sky Pirates are out of the way, so now we get a TakeOver: Phoenix rematch! Bianca waistlocks and slams Shayna down, but Shayna elbows out. Shayna leaps on for the sleeper but Bianca powers out and runs Shayna over. Cover, but Shirai returns with meteora! Cover, but Bianca sunsets! ONE as Shirai sits on Bianca but Shayna buzzsaws the cover apart! Sane returns as Shayna covers Shirai, blockbuster breaks that! Sane goes after Bianca but Bianca shoves her away. Bianca trash talks but Sane pushes back, so Bianca runs Sane over! “Girl, uh-uh.” But just like last Wednesday, Sane catches Bianca’s kiss! And then fastballs it to Shirai for a Home Run!
Bianca tries to laugh it off, but she goes against both Sky Pirates. The Pirates double dropkick Bianca, then Shirai catches Shayna’s kick to send it into Bianca! Bianca bails out while Shayna is surrounded by Pirates! The Pirates chop and whip Shayna but Shirai has to kick Bianca out first. Shirai ducks Shayna’s boot to then rake the back. Sane double chops and Shirai trips Shayna, to meet in the middle with dropkicks! Shayna bails out, but now the good friends face off! Shirai and Sane circle then speed up. Sane rolls off Shirai’s back then slingshots to headscissors, but Shirai handsprings through! Both women know each other’s Joshi Strong Style too well for that. Shirai keeps going but then Bianca and Baszler trip them both up. Shayna whips Bianca by her hair!
Shayna hits Sane back out then wrenches Bianca down. She stands on the arm for the hammerlock stomp! Shayna hits Shirai back out while Bianca gets to a corner. Bianca elbows Shayna away and leaps up and over. Bianca dropkicks Shayna down! Shayna bails out but is ready for Bianca when she pursues. Shayna throws Bianca around the side and grabs her hair, but Bianca blocks from being reeled into the post, to return the favor! The Queen of Spades hits post and then Bianca decks Sane with a right! Bianca puts Shayna in and builds speed for a handspring splash! Cover, TWO! Shayna survives but Bianca pursues. Sane returns to hit Bianca with a Flying Kabuki! Cover, TWO! Sane drags Bianca back up to put some stank on her chops!
Bianca swings back and handsprings out of the school boy. Sane deflects the dropkick to ax kick back! Shirai kicks Shayna away while Sane whips Bianca. Bianca reverses but Shirai springboards up and over, Shirai missile dropkicks Bianca while Sane baseball slides Shayna! Fans fire up for the Sky Pirates while Shirai aims from the corner. Sane throws Shayna into steps while Shirai hits Bianca with meteora! Shirai walks over Bianca but Bianca grabs her feet. Shirai punches Bianca back then climbs up. She leaps but into Bianca’s arms! Bianca sees Sane and throws Shirai into her! Then she throws Shirai! Cover, but Shayna breaks it! Shayna hits Sane then gut wrench slams Shirai. Shirai bails out while Shayna shining wizards Sane. Shayna goes after Bianca in the corner with an elevated sleeper hold!
Bianca flails but Sane attacks from behind. Shayna hits Sane away then wants another gut wrench, but Sane hits Shayna. Sane wants to bomb Shayna but Shayna holds onto Bianca who holds onto ropes. Shirai helps out, and the Sky Pirates bomb Shayna while Shayna SUPER Gut Wrenches Bianca! Fans fire up but all four women are down. Fans rally up as the four women stir. Shayna slumps out but Bianca follows. The Sky Pirates coordinate and Sane builds speed, Shirai gives her the boost for a SUPER FLYING KABUKI! Sane brings Shayna back up for Shirai’s snap ASAI! Fans fire up with the Pirates as Sane brings Shayna up again. Shirai runs, but Bianca SPEARS! Cover, but Sane breaks it just in time! Sane back hands but Bianca ducks it. Bianca gets Sane with the chicken wing facebuster!
Shayna returns to hit Bianca with a knee trigger! Shirai German Suplexes Shayna! But she can’t hold onto the bridge, so all four women are down again. Fans still rally up and SHirai crawls to cover Shayna. Bianca pushes her off but Sane tries now. Bianca pushes her away, too, so now the Pirates target Bianca. Sane and Shirai take turns with back hands and uppercuts! Sane runs but Shayna drags her out! Bianca rolls Shirai, TWO!! Bianca throws a big forearm then scoops Shirai, to trophy lift and toss her onto Shayna and Sane! The EST continues to show why she’s the strongest, but now she’ll go after Shayna to show she’s the fiercest. Bianca stalks Shayna and clubs her with both hands. Bianca brings Shayna into the chicken wings, but Shayna rolls through! Kirafuda Klutch outta nowhere!
Bianca flails about, flashbacks to Phoenix! Shayna holds on tight but Bianca refuses to nap again. Bianca pries at the arms, and manages to get to her feet! Fans rally up as Bianca pries the legs apart. Bianca’s free, and torture racks Shayna for KoD! Cover, but Shirai breaks it in time! Bianca clubs away on Shirai then powerbomb lifts, but gets a facebuster counter! Shirai hurries to the corner for a moonsault! But she’s not done, she goes up higher for the Genius Asai! Cover, but Sane breaks it! They may be friends, but Sane can’t just let Shirai win! The friends start brawling! Shirai underhooks Sane but Sane back drops to Alabama Slam Shirai on Shayna! Sane fires up as she targets Shayna in a drop zone. She climbs up high, InSane Elbow! Cover, but Shirai breaks it! Turnabout is fair play even between friends!
Sane and Shirai respect each other too much to go easy! Shirai runs but into Sane’s forearm. Sane runs but into Shirai’s dropkick! Shirai drags Sane up and fires forearm after forearm! She scoops but Sane DDT’s back! Sane fires up and climbs up top. She doesn’t want to do this to her friend, but she still takes aim. But Bianca WHAPS Sane with her hair! Bianca drags Shirai up, torture rack. Then she double stacks with Sane! Bianca gives us the EST KoD!! Cover, but Shayna kicks Bianca in the face! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Bianca flails and writhes, but she’s stuck! She claws at Shayna’s face! Shayna holds on, Bianca taps!! Shayna wins!!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission; still NXT Women’s Champion
The most shocking victory for the Queen of Spades yet, compounded by how she didn’t even need the other Horsewomen! Will #ShaynaTwoTime stay that way all the way to overcoming Asuka’s legendary reign?
NXT Championship 2-out-of-3 Falls Match: Johnny Gargano VS Adam Cole!
No matter what happens, history is being made tonight! The title is vacant, and this match will have a definitive winner. But will that definitive winner be Undisputed? Or will he be NXT’s first Triple Crown Champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we begin the first fall!
Fans are divided between the Panama City Playboy and #IronJohnny even before the bell. Cole and Gargano hear it all as they slowly circle. Gargano and Cole slowly approach and tie up. Gargano waistlocks and brings Cole down then holds on as Cole rolls. Cole breaks free and backs off, and he circles with Gargano again. Cole headlocks but Gargano pries his way out. Gargano steps over to a hammerlock then gets Cole’s other arm. Gargano makes it a cover, ONE, but he holds onto the hammerlock. Cole sits up and switches to a hammerlock of his own. He shifts to another headlock, but Gargano pries his way out. Fans continue to duel as Gargano gets Cole in the headlock. Cole powers out and avoids Gargano going up and over to get the headlock takeover. Gargano works against the hold but Cole holds on.
Fans rally and Gargano stands up. Gargano powers out but Cole runs him over with a shoulder. Things speed up and Gargano hurdles and standing switches. Cole bucks Gargano but Gargano dodges the Last Shot knee. Gargano rolls Cole but Cole slips out. Cole misses the boot but Gargano misses the mule kick. Both men dodge more, Gargano gets Cole with an arm-drag and fans applaud! Cole arm-drags but Gargano arm-drags him again. Gargano has Cole down, grinding a knee into his head and twisting the wrist. Fans duel as Cole gets up and Gargano yanks his arm. Gargano wrenches but Cole whips. Gargano runs Cole over and sees Cole’s duck coming, so he hops on for a headlock! Cole scrambles and gets a ropebreak! Gargano lets go and backs off.
Gargano comes back but gets a forearm from Cole! Cole walks into Gargano’s forearm and now both men throw forearms back and forth. Cole gets the edge and has Gargano in a corner. He wrenches and whips Gargano corner to corner but Gargano goes up and over. Gargano rolls and whips Cole then headscissors and dropkicks Cole down. He clotheslines Cole up and out, then heads to the corner. Gargano aims from the apron, but Cole runs away from the canonball. So Gargano wrecks him with a dropkick from the ropes! Gargano drags Cole back up and into the ring, but Cole scrambles all the way out the other side .The ref keeps Gargano back for a moment, and Gargano walks into Cole’s enziguri! Gargano gets to a corner and Cole hurries over.
Cole drags Gargano up for forearms, then CHOPS! Cole decks Gargano with another forearm, then drags Gargano up for a cravat. He drives in knees and Gargano drops to a knee. Cole stalks Gargano then drives in a knee for a chinlock. Gargano endures and fans rally up. Cole puts pressure on the hold but Gargano gets a second wind. Gargano stands up and fights back with forearms. He runs but into Cole’s back elbow! Cole drags Gargano for a cover, ONE! Cole drives elbows in then wraps on a dragon sleeper! Gargano fights back but Cole holds on tight. Fans rally up again and Gargano powers up. Gargano fights back again and breaks free. Cole headlocks again but Gargano powers out. Things speed up, double crossbodies wipe both men out!
Cole and Gargano slowly stand up and they start throwing forearms. Gargano gets the edge and starts rallying. Cole runs into Gargano’s overhead belly2bellY! Gargano rolls Cole, TWO and Cole has the cover, TWO! Cole runs but into a rebound school boy kick! Cole bails out and Gargano slingshots, but Cole gets back in, only to get a slingshot spear! Cover, TWO! Gargano keeps his cool while Cole gets to ropes. Cole goes to a corner and Gargano runs in for a chop! Gargano whips but Cole reverses. Cole runs into boots, then Gargano hops up. Gargano fakes out the superkick to hit a tornado complete shot! Cover, TWO! Cole denies the first fall but Gargano keeps his cool. Gargano gets up and drags Cole to his feet.
Gargano suplexes but Cole knees out. Cole suplexes but Gargano slips out. Gargano full nelsons but Cole slips out. Cole waistlocks but Gargano fights back. Cole shoves Gargano to a corner, deflects, draping backstabber! Cover, TWO! Gargano refuses to let Cole take the first fall. Cole slowly stands up but Gargano follows. Cole is on Gargano first but Gargano holds on, so Cole clubs away. Gargano counters the suplex to a cradle, TWO! Cole has it, TWO, back to Gargano, TWO and Cole has it again! TWO, and both men stand. Cole fireman’s carry but Gargano slips out only to get an elbow.
Gargano ends up in a corner but he goes up and over to school boy Cole again. Cole sees it all coming and ducks the kick. Gargano slides under but gets an enziguri! Cole brings down the knee pad and runs, but Gargano rolls him up! TWO and Cole has Gargano, TWO! Both men show superkick and that gets them to hesitate. Gargano mule kicks Cole’s knee out! Gargano buzzsaws but Cole ducks it to mule kick Gargano back. Cole tries another superkick but Gargano ducks that to victory roll, TWO! Cole kicks low and runs, but Gargano dodges and runs to sunset flip. Roll through to sit Gargano up, Last Shot shining wizard! Cover, Cole scores the first fall!
Adam Cole: 1; Johnny Gargano: 0
This is a huge advantage for Cole and Gargano finds himself behind the 8 Ball. Can Gargano make a huge comeback? Or will this be over quickly?
Cole brings his knee pad back up while he watches Gargano flounders to a corner. Fans rally and Gargano manages to stand. The second fall officially starts and Cole fires off! Cole punches and stomps Gargano down then brushes his hands. He drags Gargano up but Gargano fires forearms back. Gargano spins but nito a German Suplex! Cole runs and hits another Last Shot! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives and Cole is annoyed. Cole drags Gargano up into a fireman’s carry. Gargano grabs ropes and fights free but gets a right forearm. Cole joins Gargano on the apron, only to get a SPEAR! Both men tumble but Gargano’s back up for a cannonball! Gargano drags himself up then drags Cole up and in. Gargano refuses to do this by count-out, but his slingshot DDT is caught into Ushigoroshi! Cover, TWO!!
Gargano survives and Cole is starting to wonder what it’ll take for this second fall. Cole climbs up but Gargano anchors his feet. Cole and Gargano brawl, and Cole drags Gargano up top. Gargano holds on for dear life, then grabs Cole for a SUPER AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Cole survives Gargano’s take on Tommaso Ciampa’s move, but Gargano crawls over to him. Gargano drags Cole closer to ropes then goes to the apron. Gargano would slingshot but Cole flops down. Cole joins Gargano on the apron again, but Gargano brings him up. Cole fireman’s carry again but Gargano slips out to enziguri! Gargano slingshots to DDT Cole on the apron! Both men fall to the floor and the referee checks on them. They’re both somehow okay to continue and a ring count begins.
Fans duel as both men stir. Gargano sits up at 3 and drags Cole up at 5. Cole is dead weight and the count is climbing, so Gargano leaves Cole to the count’s mercy. No, wait, he refreshes the count? But Cole shoves him into a post! And then another! Cole puts Gargano in and follows to bring the knee pad down again. But Gargano grabs an arm! Gargano again borrows a move from Ciampa, the bridging Fujiwara! Cole endures and pops through for a crucifix! But Gargano slips right out to put on his GargaNO Escape! Cole taps, Gargano ties it up!!
Adam Cole: 1; Johnny Gargano: 1
Now it’s sudden death! With just one last fall to go, who will win it all to become NXT Champion!?
Gargano has a bloody eyebrow, but he wills himself to sit up. Cole gets himself to ropes while the ref patches up Gargano. The third and decisive fall officially begins, and Cole glares daggers at Gargano. Gargano and Cole both stand and Brooklyn is fired up for “NXT! NXT!” Cole and Gargano trade forearms back and forth, fast and furious! Gargano gets the edge and runs, into a bicycle boot! And another! But Gargano returns with a roaring elbow on the rebound! Gargano calls upon DIY but Cole dodges the mule kick. Cole enziguris but misses, Gargano’s buzzsaw hits! Gargano runs and tilt-o-whirls, but Cole blocks into Last Shot Brainbuster! Cover, TWO!! Cole’s frustration grows but so does the energy from the crowd.
Cole gets to a corner and hops up but Gargano pursues. Gargano then gets away but Cole brings him in for buckle bumps. Fans duel as Cole puts Gargano in position. Cole climbs up but Gargano enziguris! Gargano scoops Cole for a corner-to-corner LONG DART! Full Nelson Facebuster, the Hurts Donut! Cover, TWO! Cole survives and Gargano starts to see his own blood. Gargano and Cole both get up and throw forearms on his knees. They stand and still throw hands, but Cole gets the edge. Cole aims, but Gargano blocks the kick to give one. Cole blocks that but gets an enziguri, to give an enziguri! Both men stay up, throw more hands, but then they both SUPERKICK! They take each other down but fans give a standing ovation! Gargano and Cole stir as fans cheer for “Both These Guys!”
Cole and Gargano meet and swing, but Cole waistlocks and clubs away. Cole swings Gargano out but Gargano forearms first. Gargano reverse-rana misses, SUPERKICK to the back! Cole straitjacket suplexes to a bridge, TWO!! Gargano still has that superhuman heart even after two falls! Cole drags Gargano up and underhooks, but Gargano avoids the driller to get the arm! But Cole saido suplexes! Cole climbs up again, leaps, but Gargano avoids the destroyer to SUPERKICK! Gargano hops up and over for a Reverse-Rana! MULE KICK! But Cole tumbles out of the ring! Gargano can’t believe Cole’s luck. But Gargano also gets a wild idea. Gargano turns to run but Cole drags him out for a wheelbarrow suplex into the apron!! Cole may have just broke #IronJohnny! Cole drags Gargano up and in, and fans know “This is Awesome!”
Gargano springs up and gets Cole with a draping DDT! Another shout-out to Ciampa! But then slingshot DDT added on! Cover, TWO!? Cole survives two DDT’s so Gargano DIVES! Gargano sends Cole into barriers but then into the ring, slingshot- SUPERKICK! Cole leaps for a Panama Sunrise DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!?! Gargano still lives?! Brooklyn reaches that fever pitch again but this match is far from over. That’s just fine by them, too, because the fans chant “Fight Forever!” Gargano crawls to an apron but Cole scrapes him out. Cole pursues, also not content for the ring count to take care of this. He says Gargano’s a failure and a disappointment, and he pie faces Gargano down. Gargano keeps getting up but Cole keeps pushing him down. “What you do is fail!” Gargano doesn’t fail to forearm Cole back!
Gargano throws Cole over the announce desk! And then he clears it off! Brooklyn is loving this as Gargano drags Cole onto the table top! Cole hits back, underhooks, butterfly driver onto the table! And it doesn’t break! Cole steals Ciampa’s Fairy Tale Ending to end Gargano! Fans lose their minds and want “One More Time!” Cole returns to the ring to leave Gargano for dead. The ring count begins, but Gargano somehow sits up at 4! Gargano drags himself to his feet at 7 and hurries to the ring! He beats the count at 9.9!! But Cole aims, mocks DIY, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO?!?! How is this even possible!? Cole is in disbelief while Gargano eyes are completely glazed. Fans duel again as Cole aims again. The knee pad comes down again, but Gargano SUPERKICKS Cole! Cole SUPERKICKS Gargano! Cole hops up, leaps, but into a GargaNO Escape!
But here come the Undisputed Era! Gargano hits Roderick Strong away, and then gets Cole back in GargaNo Escape! Strong argues with the ref, but that’s so Fish & O’Reilly can come around the other side! Cole is tapping but the ref doesn’t see! O’Reilly rakes Gargano’s eyes! Brooklyn boos but Cole kicks Gargano into the ref! Now the Undisputed Era swarms, TOTAL ANNIHILATION from reDRagon! Strong gets the ref back in while reDRagon runs away! Cole cover, TWO?!??! There are not enough punctuation marks that exist for this! The Undisputed Era tell Cole to finish this and fans duel so hard. Cole runs in but Gargano dumps him out onto his friends! Gargano puts Cole back in, then throws Strong into a post! He SUPERKICKS Fish then tornado DDT’s O’Reilly while kicking Fish!
Gargano gets back in, SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! LAST SHOT WIZARD!! Cover, TWO!?! Just like I already said, there are not nearly enough punctuation! No one can believe any of this, but all the fans are loving it! Cole is starting to lose his mind, but he tells Gargano this will end. He runs again, but Gargano ducks the shot into GargaNo Escape!! Cole flails, scrambles, but Gargano rolls him away! Cole taps, Gargano wins!!!
Winner: Johnny Gargano, by submission; NEW NXT Champion
FINALLY! Not only does this match finally end, but Johnny Wrestling finally becomes Johnny Takeover! Johnny Wrestling finally becomes Johnny Champion! Johnny Wrestling becomes NXT’s first Mr. Triple Crown! Candice LeRae appears to celebrate with her husband, because they’ve finally put the past behind them, and Gargano finally stands atop the mountain! Gargano also celebrates with fans, friends, but especially family. Papa and Mother Gargano are there by their son’s side as he raises the title high overhead. He had to fight this hard to get there, how much harder will #IronJohnny fight to stay there?
Wait! Is that Tommaso Ciampa?! He has a neck brace on, as he embraces Gargano! DIY truly buries the hatchet as they and Candice celebrate together!
My Thoughts:
I am going to stand by this statement no matter what anyone says: This was the best TakeOver ever. It was amazing from bell to bell, from first match to the last. Now, getting the Million Dollar Challenge was a nice bonus, but boy did Styles get squashed by Benson Lesnar. But hey, good for Benson to win this inaugural challenge. Maybe that’ll keep this going for the next few years. But then we get to the real stuff, and we get yet another great tag team title match to open the show! War Raiders win as the more traditional tag team and because it was all but stated that Aleister & Ricochet are full-time main roster superstars now. I really wonder if this means Aleister & Ricochet will win the SmackDown Tag titles at Wrestlemania.
I’m really impressed by myself that I predicted the proper order of this event’s card. I didn’t have to touch the order once. The North American Championship was great, and so many times I thought Riddle was going to win. At the same time, there were many times it felt like Riddle could’ve gone Heel. But in the end, Dream wins in an incredible first defense, and Riddle manages to stay Face with a smile and a thumbs up. Dream could go just about anywhere from here, such as against one of the Undisputed Era members, most likely Roderick Strong. Riddle could come back around or even go up to the main title scene.
The WWE UK Championship was even greater than I expected. And as I’d been saying, Walter rightfully won so that Dunne wouldn’t end up insanely overpowered. Dunne already did great setting such a high bar for a long reign, but now Walter freshens things up going towards NXT UK’s own exclusive TakeOvers. The NXT Women’s Fatal 4 Way was incredible, and there was so much great story, especially between the Sky Pirates being such good friends but having to fight each other. The only thing about this is that I was really thinking Shayna should’ve lost. I know there are ways around this making her too strong, such as letting the others fight each other more, but is Shayna going to beat three opponents to then lose to Shirai 1v1? At the same time, I’m still hoping Sky Pirates take on the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions soon.
Holy crap that 2-out-of-3 Falls. As many of these go, that first fall was so hard to get, but naturally Cole gets it to put pressure on Gargano. I was really impressed that they waited to bring out the Undisputed Era only once Cole looked like he was going to lose. They did such a great attempt at the screw job, but Gargano reaches demigod levels of heart tonight. Gargano’s entire journey has been incredible, this is how you properly build somebody up to an organically over and deserving top champion. And I love that not only did Gargano have his parents in the crowd to share this moment, Ciampa was able to make the trip and surprise the fans with that unofficial Face turn. DIY and Candice celebrating as the friends and family they really are was truly a great closing shot, I’m so happy for them.
My Score: 9.8/10
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They’re the best around! Nothing’s ever gonna keep ’em down!
With quite a lot of pro-wrestling crossover in both blocks, this might be the most star-studded tournament ever ever! But will the Rogue Luchador still be THE Best of the Super Juniors?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ninja Mack & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & Robbie X; Taiji & Robbie win.
- Six Man Tag: Master Wato, Ryusuke Taguchi & Kevin Knight VS MAO, Tiger Mask & Shoma Kato; Wato, Taguchi & Knight win.
- YOH & Toru Yano VS Robbie Eagles & Hartley Jackson; Yoh & Yano win.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Nick Wayne VS SHO; Nick wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira; Fujita wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS KUSHIDA: Hiromu wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Titan; Desperado wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Nick Wayne VS SHO!
The Prodigy isn’t just the historic youngest ROH World Television Champion ever, he is now the historic youngest entry into the BOSJ ever! But will he make The Patriarchy proud? Or will the Murder Machine ruin all the fun right in round one?
Well to start, Sho grabs a mic to tell Nick, “Congratulations on your first BOSJ. To commemorate this moment, here’s this towel as a present.” It is in fact a House of Torture rally towel, but as Nick cannot read Japanese, he doesn’t realize Sho is pranking him. It reads, “I am a country bumpkin.” Nick still bows in thanks for the gift, and Sho talks more trash, this time on Chiba. Chiba is so far removed into the countryside and from civilization that no one’s phones get reception. Sho tells Nick again congrats on being here, and he’ll let Nick introduce himself to the “country idiots.” Nick takes the mic, but Sho ATTACKS!
The fans boo as Sho CLUBS away on Nick, then talks more trash. The bell rings and Sho puts Nick against ropes. Sho wraps an arm around ropes, pulls on the arm, but stops as the ref reprimands. Sho stops to whip Nick, Nick reverses and hurdles, then bypasses Sho to UPPERCUT him down! Nick handsprings up and the fans cheer! Sho bails out but Nick builds speed, only for Sho to use a Young Lion as a shield! Nick stops short and goes to the apron, only for Sho to YANK him down! The fans boo more but Sho just grins. Sho drags Nick up, brings him to a corner, and SLAMS Nick’s arm off the post! Sho then goes to fetch a chair!
The ref stops that, so Sho knuckle locks Nick and brings him to the crowd! Sho wrenches Nick to a wristlock and ELBOW BREAKER, then he aims at the chairs! The fans hurry away and Sho BOWLS Nick into the chairs! STRIKE! The ref reprimands but Sho just takes a chair and digs it into Nick’s side! Sho stands on Nick’s hand, has another chair, but the ref reprimands. Sho puts the chair aside and drags Nick to his feet. Sho wrenches the arm, pulls it through the corner, and wraps it around the post! The ref reprimands again and Sho lets go at 4. Sho puts Nick in the ring, and then he SLAMS the bad arm against the post!
Sho hurries off to go snatch the bell hammer! The ref stops Sho, and Sho grabs a chair! Sho SMACKS Nick’s arm against the post! The fans boo but Sho laughs as he gets away with it! Nick shakes out the bad arm but Sho is right on him with a cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Nick stays in this, but Sho grins as he drags Nick up to knuckle lock. Sho wrenches, ELBOW BREAKERS, and Nick falls back. Sho stands Nick up to wrench again, then pushes him down to kick, KICK, and SUPER- NO, Nick blocks the kick! Sho ducks the lariat to POP-UP ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Nick clasps hands, but Sho pries it free, ARMBAR!!
The fans rally up and Nick scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Sho lets go at 4. Nick clutches his bad arm but Sho goes outside to grab the ROH World TV title! The ref reprimands, stops Sho as he steps in, and Sho sets the belt down. To step on it! The fans boo and Nick gets pissed! Nick fires hands, but Sho CLAWS his face! Sho whips Nick, Nick grabs ropes, but that also hurts his arm! Nick still ELBOWS Sho away, ELBOWS him again, then runs up. Sho SWATS the lariat, whips, and the ref almost gets hit! Sho runs up, but Nick BOOTS him away! Nick goes up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS!
The fans fire up and Nick goes back to a corner. Nick runs in and UPPERCUTS! Nick snapmares Sho, runs up, and he spins Sho for an ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! Sho survives but the fans rally for Nick. Nick shakes out the bad arm, storms over to Sho, and waistlocks to drag Sho up. Nick then shifts to a half nelson, but Sho fights the full nelson! Sho swings Nick into ropes! Nick falls in a heap, clutches the bad arm, and stands up, only for Sho to run in! Nick TOSSES Sho, builds speed, and FLIES! Direct hit on Sho and the fans fire up with Nick! Nick drags Sho back up, puts him in the ring, and the fans rally as Nick goes up the corner.
Nick aims, FROG- NO, Nick has to roll through as Sho moves. Nick goes back, but Sho dodges again! Nick still pursues, but Sho uses the ref as a shield again! And then SPEAR! Both men are down, but Sho crawls his way over to the corner. Sho grabs Nick’s title again and the ref stops him! Sho SHOVES the ref, then grabs his Torture Tool! Sho aims, but Nick dodges! Nick kicks low, and then he has the torture tool! The ref stops Nick, Nick apologizes, but Sho LOW BLOWS in the distraction! The fans boo but Sho reels Nick in! POWERÂ BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Nick survives and Sho is shocked while the fans fire up!
Sho “aims his bow” and reels Nick in. Sho tucks the arms but Nick fights the lift! Nick BACKDROPS, Sho sunset flips, TWO! Sho stands, ducks a kick, and then GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Nick’s right up! Only for Sho to LARIAT Nick back down! Sho laughs and drags Nick back up. Nick trips Sho to a jackknife bridge! TWO! Sho shoves the ref, but Nick blocks the low blow! Nick slips around, DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Sho survives but the fans fire up with Nick! Nick waits on Sho to rise up, then he ROUNDHOUSES him! Nick brings Sho around and hooks a leg, PRODIGY PLEX!! Cover, Nick wins!!
Winner: Nick Wayne, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)
Sho tried a lot of different tricks, but Nick still gets the better of him! The Prodigy has his first win in his first BOSJ, will he soon be the youngest man to win Best of the Super Juniors?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
After a tough time last year, The Infinite Carat Diamond is back and ready to shine! But will he overcome the Heel Master’s many antics? Or will he crack under the pressure?
Classic House of Torture, Kanemaru attacks Dia during his introductions! The fans boo but Kanemaru SMACKS Dia off the commentary desk! And then POSTS him! The bell rings to get this on record as Kanemaru stomps Dia. Kanemaru drags Dia up, brings him around, and whips him at another post! Dia uses that to swing into the ring! Dia then DROPKCIKS Kanemaru off the apron, slingshots out, but Kanemaru YANKS him down! Kanemaru puts Dia in the ring, but then on the apron, SUPER KNEE SMASH to the floor! The fans boo and the ref checks Dia. Dia is somehow okay to continue, but Kanemaru leaves him behind.
The ring count starts, Dia hobbles up and rolls in at 7 of 20. The fans cheer but Kanemaru stomps Dia’s leg! Kanemaru has Dia on the ropes but the ref counts. Kanemaru whips Dia to then dropkick the leg out! Dia writhes but Kanemaru drags him up, for a SHIN BREAKER to the mat! Dia writhes more but Kanemaru brings him around by that leg. Kanemaru YANKS the leg, then looms over Dia. Dia clutches his knee so Kanemaru stomps him on the side. Kanemaru then grabs the leg and twists it in a standing toehold! The fans rally as Dia endures, but Kanemaru puts on even more pressure! Dia fights around and has the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud, the ref counts, and Kanemaru lets go at 4, just to stomp the leg again! Kanemaru drags Dia to center while the fans rally, and Kanemaru has another standing toehold! Dia endures as Kanemaru uses his own leg for leverage. Kanemaru pushes on the foot, but Dia fires hands from below. The fans rally, but Kanemaru turns Dia over for a HALF CRAB! Dia endures, fights forward, and the fans rally, only for Kanemaru to pull back more! Dia still scrambles his way over to the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Kanemaru lets go, only to SMASH the knee on the mat again! Dia writhes but he refuses to let this take him out.
Kanemaru drags Dia around, drops an ELBOW on the knee, then he pulls on the leg! Dia still endures, even as Kanemaru puts on more pressure. Dia tries to fight back with a chinlock but Kanemaru thrashes the leg! Kanemaru then drops KNEE after KNEE on Dia’s knee! Kanemaru kneels on the leg, slaps Dia around, then kicks him around. The fans rally and Dia rises up to CHOP! Kanemaru gives Dia more mocking kicks, but Dia CHOPS again! Kanemaru kicks the leg out! Dia writhes, Kanemaru stomps him more, but the fans continue to rally. Kanemaru stomps the leg, digs his boot in, but he also uses ropes for leverage!
The ref reprimands and counts, so Kanemaru steps off at 4. Kanemaru stalks Dia as he crawls away. Dia still refuses to give up, so Kanemaru drags him up and grabs the leg. Dia fights the lift with elbows! Kanemaru kicks the bad leg again! Kanemaru whips Dia to a corner, runs up, but Dia BOOTS him! And BOOTS him again! Dia runs, slides, and then tilt-o-whirl arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans fire up while Kanemaru tumbles out! Dia fights through the pain to build speed, but Kanemaru gets away! Dia sees Kanemaru go to the side, and intercepts him with a 619! Kanemaru falls to the floor, Dia sets up, and ASAI MOONSAULTS!
The fans fire up as Dia takes Kanemaru down again! The ref checks and both men are okay to continue. Dia rises, the fans fire up again, and Dia hobbles over to Kanemaru. Dia puts Kanemaru in the ring, the fans rally, and Dia SOBATS! And LEG SWEEPS! And STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Dia stays fired up and the fans stay with him. Dia goes up the corner, shakes out the bad leg, and DD- NO, Kanemaru dodges the 4D! Kanemaru then DROPKICKS Dia’s leg! Kanemaru steps through to FIGURE FOUR! Dia endures as the fans rally up, but Kanemaru puts on the pressure! Dia drags Kanemaru along as he grabs the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer but Kanemaru doesn’t let go. The ref counts and Kanemaru lets go at 4. Kanemaru drags Dia up, scoops him, BRITISH FALL! Cover, TWO! Dia survives but Kanemaru brings him right up. Kanemaru suplexes, but Dia cradle counters! TWO, and Dia leaps up! Kanemaru stops the rana to SMASH the knee! Step through and FIGURE FOUR!! Dia endures and the fans rally up again! Dia keeps his shoulders up but Kanemaru puts on the pressure! Dia works to move around but Kanemaru turns against him! Dia rolls through, and crawls his way over to the ROPEBREAK! Kanemaru lets go cleanly this time while the fans applaud.
Dia clutches his knee but Kanemaru brings him right up. Kanemaru scoops and SLAMS Dia into the drop zone! Kanemaru goes up, MOONSAULT! Kanemaru has to bail out as Dia moves! Kanemaru returns, blocks a boot, and CLUBS the leg! Kanemaru whips, Dia reverses, but Kanemaru reverses back, to send Dia at the ref! Dia stops short, but Kanemaru CLOBBERS Dia into the ref! The fans boo but Kanemaru hurries to bring Dia up. Kanemaru THROWS Dia down, then grabs his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a swig, but the ref grabs the bottle! Kanemaru lets him have the bottle, but then Dia ENZIGIRIS! The whiskey mist goes to waste!
Dia puts Kanemaru up top, climbs, and the fans fire up for the ASTRO SCISSORS! Kanemaru tumbles away, but Dia runs up to REPTIALIAN!! Cover, Dia wins!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Much like Sho to open, Kanemaru had his tricks up his sleeve, but none of them paid off! Dia is already shining with this win, but will he be the centerpiece of the whole A Block?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Francesco Akira!
The Japanese Young Punk and the Italian Crown of Fire are both former IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions looking to spark something all on their own. But will Fujita prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel? Or will Akira blaze a trail to the top of the block?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle fast. They tie up, Fujita powers Akira to the mat then goes for an arm. Akira slips around, Fujita waistlocks, but Akira keeps moving. The two separate and the fans applaud this opening exchange. The two reset and circle again. They tie up, Fujita waistlocks but Akira wrenches out to hammerlock. Fujita switches the hammerlock, but Akira sits down, rolls, and hammerlocks in return. Fujita spins, steps over, and he holds Akira down so he can CHOP Akira on the back! The fans applaud but Akira is annoyed. Akira says okay, and he fires a forearm!
Fujita eggs Akira on so Akira fires another forearm! And then a CHOP! Fujita comes back to CHOP! The fans fire up, Fujita runs, but Akira CALF KICKS him down! The fans fire up more while Fujita bails out. Akira storms out, saying if Fujita wants to play, let’s play! Akira POSTS Fujita, brushes himself off, then drags Fujita back up. Akira CHOPS Fujita against the apron! Akira sits on the apron and wraps Fujita up with the headscissors! The ref reprimands but Akira lets go at 4. The fans rally, Akira drags Fujita back up, and then ROCKS him with a forearm! Akira talks some smack, ROCKS Fujita again, but then Fujita ROCKS him in return!
Fujita RAMS Akira into the apron, CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then KNEES low again and again! The ref reprimands and wants this in the ring. Fujita puts Akira in, the fans applaud, and Fujita runs corner to corner. Akira puts Fujita on the apron, but Fujita springboards, only for Akira to stop him and trip him up! Fujita flops to the mat, Akira covers, TWO! The fans rally while Akira drags Fujita up. Fujita breaks free to fire a forearm, but Akira eggs him on. Fujita fires another forearm, but Akira blocks the chop! Akira KNEES low, scoops and SLAMS, then covers, TWO! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally as Fujita stays in this, but Akira stays on Fujita with a rear bearhug! Fujita endures, even as Akira squeezes tight and talks more trash. Fujita crawls, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Akira lets go in frustration. Akira drags Fujita up, bumps him off buckles, then RAMS into Fujita! Akira RAMS in again, then whips corner to corner. Akira runs up and LARIATS! Akira then snapmares and covers, TWO! Fujita toughs it out and the fans rally up, but Akira stays focused. Akira drags Fujita up, but Fujita breaks free to CHOP! Akira mule kicks, whips, but Fujita reverses. Akira dodges the chop but not the LEG LARIAT!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita and Akira go to corners and the fans rally. Fujita runs corner to corner and CHOPS! Akira is stinging, but Fujita whips corner to corner. Fujita runs up again, but Akira puts him on the apron! Fujita ducks a shot to ROCK Akira, then he springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fujita sits Akira up to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Akira stays in this but Fujita stays focused. Fujita waistlocks to deadlift, but Akira fights with elbows! Akira runs, but Fujita drop toeholds, and then has the legs tied up! Akira fights the rest of the hold, but Fujita still grabs the arms!
Fujita and Akira struggle against each other, and Akira slips an arm free to have the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go and the fans rally up again. Fujita stands Akira up and suplexes, but Akira fights that off! Akira wrenches, Fujita ducks the lariat to waistlock, but Akira runs to ropes! Akira TOSSES Fujita out with that and then runs to WRECK him with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Akira builds speed, and he FLIES! Down goes Fujita and the fans fire up more! Akira roars, the fans cheer, and the standing count starts. The fans chant for “A! KI-RA!” and he puts Fujita in at 6 of 20, Akira goes to the corner, springboards and LIONSAULTSÂ onto knees! Cover, TWO!!
Akira survives the turnaround and the fans rally up. Fujita stalks Akira, waistlocks and deadlifts, but again Akira fights with elbows! Fujita still reels Akira in and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Akira lands on his feet! Akira SUPERKICKS, but Fujita CHOPS! Akira ENZIGIRIS! Fujita HEEL KICKS! The fans fire up with Fujita now and he brings Akira around. Fujita suplexes, but Akira slips free! Akira has the arms, pops Fujita up, TIGER GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Fujita survives and Akira is stunned! The fans rally up while Akira drags Fujita up. Akira reels Fujita in, SPEEDFIRE! But Akira isn’t done, he goes to the corner!
The fans rally for “A! KI-RA!” and he runs in, NOVA- NO, Fujita ducks the Fireball to DOUBLE CHOP! But Akira comes back to LARIAT! The fans fire up again as Fujita flounders around! Akira roars and he gets moving, but Fujita sidesteps! Akira bucks the O’Conner and runs in, only for Fujita to drop toehold! Fujita wants the legs but Akira cradles him, TWO!! Both men rise and the fans rally again! Fujita dodges to SNAP GERMAN!! But Akira manages to stand?! Akira runs back in, but Fujita pops him up! Fujita has the waistlock, and he holds on even as Akira fights with elbows! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!!
Akira survives and the fans fire up again! Fujita hauls Akira up again, half nelson then facelock, but Akira fights with knees! The fans rally as Akira fires knees down low, only for Fujita to hook one! Fujita suplexes Akira into a torture rack! BURNING HAMMERÂ DDT!! Cover, Fujita wins!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
Akira brought the heat, but he was put out like a light with that one! Whatever Fujita calls that new move, will it be the key to his success in this tournament?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS KUSHIDA!
Two of the most decorated Super Juniors battle once more, all to help kick off this year’s tournament! Will the Ticking Timebomb make things more and more fun? Or will the Time Splitter turn back the clock to his former glory?
As soon as Hiromu’s ringside, Kushida wants to dive out onto him! Hiromu scrambles away from one corner, only for Kushida to hurry and DROPKICK him off the apron! The fans fire up as Kushida climbs and the bell rings, but Hiromu hurries up top! Hiromu trips Kushida, then brings him to a fireman’s carry! The fans fire up but Kushida fires elbows! Kushida has the HOVERBOARD way up there! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, but Hiromu throws Kushida off! Kushida finally takes his jacket off, and he HANDSPRING KICKS Hiromu down! Kushida builds speed, but then Hiromu slides back in!
Kushida lands safe on the apron, only for Hiromu to SUNSET FLIP! Kushida holds onto the ropes, throws hands, then RAN- NO! Hiromu stops the rana, brings Kushida back up, but Kushida fights free of the powerbomb! Hiromu dodges the boot, and then DROPKICKS Kushida’s leg! Kushida writhes and the ref checks him while the fans rally up. Hiromu stands and catches his breath. Kushida is still in this, so Hiromu drags him around, and SMASHES the knee on the floor! Kushida hobbles and flounders around, but Hiromu stomps him down. The ref reprimands but Hiromu drags Kushida around to SMASH the knee again!
Kushida writhes and Hiromu paces. Hiromu keeps Chiba fired up while Kushida rolls into the ring. Hiromu slides in but Kushida hurries to bail back out. Hiromu pursues, then pushes Kushida back into the ring. The fans rally as Hiromu keeps Kushida from escaping again. Hiromu CHOPS, then whips Kushida to a corner. Hiromu runs in and LARIATS! Then he snapmares to basement DROPKICK the legs! Kushida writhes but Hiromu turns him over for the MAXIMUM THE HOLDING! But Kushida scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go, only to drag Kushida back. Hiromu fakes the knee smash so he can grapevine the leg!
Kushida endures the modified leg lock and he crawls his way forward! Hiromu puts on the pressure with his modified Trailer Hitch, but Kushida still manages the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go and the fans rally up. Hiromu taunts Kushida, but Kushida CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kushida runs, but Hiromu drop toeholds and leg scissors! Kushida endures the modified calf slicer as Hiromu puts on the pressure! The fans rally, Kushida crawls, and Kushida reaches out again for another ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go and the fans applaud. Hiromu drags Kushida back, turns Kushida over, and SMASHES the knee again! And again!
Kushida writhes and the fans rally but Hiromu looms over Kushida. Hiromu stomps Kushida’s leg! Kushida hobbles to the corner but Hiromu stomps a mudhole into that leg! The ref counts, Hiromu backs off, and Kushida hobbles up. Kushida CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Hiromu kicks the bad leg! Kushida CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Kushida whips, Hiromu reverses, but Kushida manages the handspring and BACK ELBOW! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Kushida and Hiromu go to corners while the fans rally. Hiromu stands up first, but Kushida runs up! Kushida blocks boots, and has an ANKLE LOCK!
Hiromu hops around, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Kushida lets go at 4, but he has Hiromu stuck on the top rope. Kushida runs to DROPKICK Hiromu down to the floor! The fans rally while Kushida crawls to the apron. Hiromu rises up and Kushida takes aim, FLYING RANA! Hiromu tumbles and the fans rally up again as Kushida puts Hiromu in the ring. SOMERSAULT DDT, and then ARMBAR! Hiromu scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Kushida lets go in frustration, but he aims for an arm! Kushida runs up and DROPKICKS Hiromu’s left arm! Then he KICKS, KICKS, KICKS, only for Hiromu to block the last one!
Hiromu also blocks the fastball to DRAGON SCREW! Kushida writhes but Hiromu gets the legs, MAXIMUM THE HOLDING!! Kushida flails, reaches out, drags Hiromu along, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Hiromu holds on. The ref counts so Hiromu lets go at 4. Hiromu grows frustrated but the fans continue to rally. Hiromu drags Kushida up, fireman’s carries, but Kushida fights free! Kushida runs in, Hiromu BOOTS him, then Hiromu runs, only for Kushida to dodge! Kushida tilt-o-whirls, LA MYSTICA! Then he slips around to drag Hiromu into the HOVERBOARD!! Hiromu endures and the fans fire up more!
Kushida puts on the pressure as Hiromu fights around, but then Kushida headscissors Hiromu to keep him down! Hiromu flails, reaches out, and the fans rally as he fights the scissors. Hiromu rises, clasps hands behind his back, but Kushida puts on more pressure! They go around and around, but Kushida fires elbows! Hiromu CLUBS away on Kushida in return! The armlock is undone, but Kushida fires Kawada Kicks! And it’s back to the HOVERBOARD! But Hiromu fireman’s carries free! He throws Kushida into a dragon sleeper, makes it a facelock, suplexes, only for Kushida to fight free! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Kushida KICKS a leg!
Kushida KICKS Hiromu’s leg again and again, and Hiromu falls! Kushida runs, but into a HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Hiromu and Kushida slowly rise, and Hiromu fireman’s carries! But Kushida hits a crucifix takedown! TWO, and Kushida steps over for LA MAGISTROL! But Hiromu stuffs it to his own cover, TWO! Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Hiromu wrenches and tucks, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL, but Kushida rocks it back! JAPANESE LEG ROLL CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Kushida ducks a shot, spins Hiromu, and ROLLING ELBOWS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Kushida PELES!
Kushida runs, but Hiromu follows! Kushida dodges, they both run, but Hiromu hits a CODE BREAKER! Shoutout to Bushi before the MAXIMUM THE HOLDING!! Hiromu steps over to make it MTH 2.0!! Kushida endures, reaches out, but Hiromu turns it back over, and makes it a BACKBREAKER! Then back to MTH 2.0!!! Kushida endures, but he TAPS!! Hiromu wins!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kushida earns 0)
The Ticking Timebomb’s arsenal continues to evolve, and he manages to make one of the best Junior Heavyweight technical wrestlers tap out! Is this a sign that Hiromu can make his way back to the top of this division? Is there still time for Kushida to do the same?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Titan!
The Rogue Luchador finally won a BOSJ trophy with last year’s tournament, but now he wants to go back to back! Will Desperado start strong with this main event? Or will El Inmortal bring down THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
Titan offers a handshake, Desperado takes it, and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. Despy gets Chiba even more fired up, then he ties up with Titan. They go around, Despy waistlocks, but Titan spins to facelock. Despy wrenches out, Titan rolls, then Titan kips up, bridges, and handsprings. Titan wrenches, WRINGS Despy, then covers, ONE! Despy trips Titan to cover, ONE! The two stand off and the fans cheer. Titan and Despy reset, circle, and feel things out. They knuckle lock, but then Titan trips Despy. Things speed up, Titan ducks ‘n’ dodges, but he avoids Despy’s hurdle to dropkick the legs out and DOUBLE STOMP!
The fans fire up and Titan watches Despy rise. Titan runs but Despy puts him on the apron. Titan blocks a shot to CHOP, then he springboards to CROSSBODY! Titan keeps moving and he DROPKICKS Despy out of the ring! The fans fire up and Titan builds speed, but Despy avoids the slide! Despy comes back, Titan dodges and returns to tilt-o-whirl, but Despy blocks the DDT! Despy suplexes Titan to the floor! The fans rally and Despy stretches out his back. Despy drags Titan up, brings him around the way, and CHOPS him! Titan leans against the railing and the fans rally up. Despy paces, then he brings Titan around, only for Titan to CHOP!
Despy eggs Titan on and CHOPS in return! And CHOPS again! Titan snarls while he and Despy go around the way. Despy CHOPS again and Titan falls to his knees. Despy puts Titan in the ring, the fans applaud, and Despy storms in so he can hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Titan is tougher than that and the fans applaud, but Despy clamps onto Titan with a chinlock. Titan pries at the hold but Despy shifts into a modified motorcycle stretch. Despy leans on Titan and folds him up. Titan endures, and Red Shoes notices Despy pulling at the mask strings. Despy stops that and whips Titan to a corner. Despy runs in and LARIATS!
Titan tumbles and sits up while the fans rally. Despy looms over Titan, eggs him on, and then stands him up. Titan CHOPS! Despy eggs Titan on so Titan CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Despy KNEES low, runs, but Titan follows! Titan trips Despy, goes to the apron, and then GAMANGIRIS! Despy staggers away, Titan springboards in, FLYING RANA! Despy tumbles out, Titan DIVES and Despy is sent into the Young Lions! Titan rolls back into the ring and fires up! The fans rally with Titan and he builds speed, but Despy moves! Titan just changes course to DIVE again! Down goes Despy and the fans fire up!
Titan rises and the fans cheer. Titan drags Despy up, puts him in, and kicks him down. Titan then fireman’s carries Despy for a DEATH VALLEY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Despy toughs it out but Titan steps through, only for Despy to cradle! TWO, and Titan SUPERKICKS! Despy stumbles into the corner and Titan fires up again. The fans rally up, Titan runs corner to corner, FRAME OUT LARIAT! Despy falls and Titan goes up! Titan aims for DIVING- NO, Despy avoids the stomps! Titan comes back, but into a SPINEBUSTER! High stack, TWO, but into the STRETCH MUFFLER! Titan endures, fights around, but Despy wants that arm!
Titan pushes up to have both legs and RANA Despy away! Despy goes back outside but Titan FLIES! Down goes Despy but it’s a hard landing for both! Even commentary is stunned seeing that! The fans fire up even more and Red Shoes checks on both men. Titan rises, drags Despy up, SMACKS him off the apron then pushes him in the ring. Despy sputters his way to center, and Titan rises up! The fans fire up for the springboard, DIVING BODY PRESS! Titan bounces off but crawls back to the cover, TWO! Despy survives and the fans fire up more! Titan roars and the fans rally behind him again as he grabs a leg.
Titan steps through, but Despy kicks and kicks and kicks! Titan lets go, but he comes back to CLUB Despy! Titan stands Despy up but Despy fires body shots and CHOPS! Titan ducks the haymaker to fire off a strike fest! But the LOCO MONO finds him! Despy runs, but Titan goes Matrix to then CALF KCIK! Titan roars and reels Despy in, but Despy suplexes first! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally and Despy rises. Despy drags Titan up, reels him in and underhooks the arms, but Titan fights the lift! Despy still tries, but then he KNEES Titan low! Despy roars, the fans fire up, and Despy whips, but Titan reverses!
TORNADO- NO, Despy stops the DDT again! Despy suplexes, Titan slips free and shoves, TORNADO DDT! Then Titan suplexes for the GOURD BUSTER, and SUPER- NO, Despy blocks and rolls Titan up! STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Titan fights, Despy wants the other arm, but Titan uses his core to sit up! DESTROY- NO, Despy blocks the rolling piledriver, and he tucks Titan in! DUDEBUSTER!! Cover, TWO!! Titan survives and the fans fire up again! Titan rolls away to one corner, Despy crawls to the other, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Despy aims as Titan rises. Despy runs in, but Titan SOBATS, KICKS, and fires off strikes! WHEEL KICK!
The fans fire up as Titan now skins the cat to the top rope! Titan aims, and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Direct hit, but Titan clutches his foot! Titan crawls to the cover, TWO!!! The delay saves Despy and the fans fire up again! Titan drags Despy around, has the leg, and rolls to have LLAVE IN- NO, Despy pushes through to turn Titan over! STRETCH MUFFLER! NUMERO DOS!! Titan fights around, Despy grabs the other arm, NUMERO DOS PLUS!!! Titan QUITS, Despy wins!!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
While Titan won against Desperado last year, and even the year before that, third time is the charm as Desperado has avenged himself! But with this only being round one, is there still a chance Titan will make this his tournament?
As for Desperado, he grabs the mic to tell Titan in Espanol that this was their third BOSJ battle. Despy knows he won today, but that is just one out of three. “I can’t let that go. I don’t know when, but next time, I’ll even the score. I want to face you more. Perhaps you can come to Japan more? Alright. When can we fight for this title? Where can it be? Arena Mexico? Korakuen Hall? Tokyo Dome?” Titan jokes they could do it here in Chiba. Despy thanks Titan, and says he’ll now address the fans.
The fans applaud, and Despy apologizes for the side conversation. He admits he doesn’t have the best long-term memory. But he’s pretty sure he tapped out to Titan the last two times, even in last year’s opener. That much he does remember, so he’s glad he won today. He explains how that makes him and Titan 2-1 and that Despy wants to make the score even. He also explains how he wants to face Titan for the title even. The fans like the sound of that, and Despy also explains about asking where to do it, and how Titan was down for doing it here. The fans applaud, and Despy says Titan sure is cool, huh?
Despy says that in a tournament like this, whether you’re a champion or a Young Lion, you’ve got an equal chance of winning. There are no real byes here. It doesn’t matter where you come from or how long you’ve been in the business, “that’s what’s so interesting. A Young Lion might beat me. Or someone from another promotion might beat the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. That’s what makes the Super Juniors exciting. But it doesn’t matter if you’re young, a masked man, or whatever, I’m still the champion. It doesn’t matter that I won last year and could repeat this year. Hiromu won three times in a row, four total.
“One time isn’t enough. That guy is always ahead of me. Even if we’re not fighting, I’m always competing with my rival.” The fans applaud that! Despy then says, “It’s too early to talk about how emotional and cool this series is. Doesn’t matter how dirty or clean you do it. It’s about the man raising the trophy at the end! And it’ll be me!” The fans cheer as Despy drops the mic to hold up the title. Will he still be the Best of the Super Juniors after another grueling gauntlet of a tournament?
Here are the A Block standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 1-0, 2 points
Dragon Dia: 1-0, 2 points
Kosei Fujita: 1-0, 2 points
KUSHIDA: 0-1, 0 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 0-1, 0 points
Francesco Akira: 0-1, 0 points
Here are the B Block standings!
El Desperado: 1-0, 2 points
Nick Wayne: 1-0, 2 points
Titan: 0-1, 0 points
SHO: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great opening to the BOSJ this year, but rather surprising to see a mixed bag of matches. I suppose part of it was the various schedules needing to be accommodated, what with Clark Connors still in California last night for Resurgence. Good stuff with both House of Torture guys losing, giving Nick Wayne and Dragon Dia great wins to start their runs. Sho pranking Nick was pretty clever, too, made me think of Edge & Christian pulling stuff like that on Kurt Angle. Great stuff from Fujita VS Akira, carrying from their rivalry when United Empire and TMDK were fighting over the Junior Heavyweight Tag titles. It really feels like these two can make a singles feud out of it, too.
Hiromu VS Kushida was great, especially with how fast it got going. Great win for Hiromu, he’s always a frontrunner in the block so I expect big stuff for his run. And similarly great stuff from Despy VS Titan, with a great win for Despy. Just as his promo after said, he finally got one on Titan, and it would be great if Titan could spend more time in NJPW but he is still more a CMLL talent than anything. There is still potential for them meeting again in the semifinals, but it really depends on the plans they have for everyone else. And a lot of Despy’s promo did kinda nod to how Nick Wayne is in the block, being the youngest in this tournament while also from AEW. Despy VS Nick could really steal the show, whenever it’s set to happen. Actually, is it the next round?
My Score: 8.8/10
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The storied rival has its final chapter!
For the last time, John Cena and Randy Orton battle over the WWE Championship! This time, it is on Backlash, in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest; Fatu wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch; Lyra wins and retains the title.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA; Dominik wins and retains the title.
- GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee; Gunther wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton; Cena wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WWE Backlash Countdown Show!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action on this highly anticipated night!
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
Byron Saxton is with The Morrigan and asks how she is feeling tonight. She looked up to Becky Lynch for so long, only for her to stab her in the back. And at the same time, Lyra has dedicated this match to Bayley. How is Lyra going to manage all her emotions? Lyra says there is so much going on in her head, but the way to deal with it is focusing on the main emotion: embarrassment. She gave herself “the ick” looking back and seeing how she ate everything Becky fed her. Becky would’ve had a friend for life in Lyra, but then Becky turned on her. And what did The Man expect? For Lyra to run home to Dublin and cry?
No! That shows Lyra that Becky underestimated her. Lyra meant it when she said she is the better wrestler now. Becky may still be the bigger star, but when that bell rings, Lyra will show that she was never a stepping stone. Becky becomes Lyra’s stepping stone, as well as the crowning name on the long list of opponents when Lyra retains the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lyra is locked in, but will the Luck of the Irish favor her in the end?
Vic Joseph joins the panel!
The Voice of NXT helps plug Battleground, but he also gives Lyra her props. From NXT UK to NXT USA, Vic has seen Lyra achieve her potential every step of the way. The NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra and Becky was all about someone from the NXT roster stepping up and proving herself, and Lyra did just that. Lyra took the NXT Women’s title off Becky, but will Lyra keep the Women’s Intercontinental title from Becky? Or is #BeckyHogan going to step on Lyra to get ahead?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
Cole & Barrett have to go prepare for calling Backlash, so Jackie and Peter join Big E in looking back on memory lane. John Cena VS Randy Orton as a rivalry predates the iPod, Wikipedia, and even the original Xbox! 25 years later, will this truly be the end of an era for WWE?
Pershard Owens sings the Star Spangled Banner.
Talkin’ ’bout a detonator…
The fuse is let, and tonight is about to be explosive. Egos, attitudes, grudges, ambitions, motivations, and glory, it’s overflowing! WrestleMania was historic, but now everyone will face the Backlash!
WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest!
The Samoan Werewolf only just took this title “for the family” at WrestleMania, and yet now the stakes are raised! The Scottish Warrior wants to fight a real fighter, the Mega Star wants to redeem himself from his loss, and the Archer of Infamy wants to kill two birds with one stone by avenging his own loss while putting gold back around his waist. Will one of these challengers get what they want? Or will Fatu dog walk all of ’em, YADADA MEAN!?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really all gas and no brakes with it!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as all four men look at each other. Knight talks some smack but St. Louis is loud for “FATU! FATU!” Knight runs up to throw hands on Fatu, Priest and Drew go after each other! Fatu fires back and they trade shots. Priest and Drew are on the outside while Knight throws hands “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Priest CLUBS Drew, Fatu TOSSES Knight, and then Fatu runs corner to corner. Knight dodges, Fatu hits buckles, and Knight hits a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Priest is back in the ring, but Knight gives him a BIG back suplex! Knight WRECKS Drew with a dropkick, then RAMS into Fatu!
Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TACKLE Fatu! Knight sunset flip BACKBREAKERS, then he dodges Drew to pop-up and POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as The Mega Star is unlocking that kavorka! Spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW- NO, Priest catches Knight, but Knight kicks free! DDT! Knight runs and DOUBLE ELBOW DROPS! Fatu shoves Knight, scoops, but Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Cover on Fatu, ONE!! Fatu is tougher than that, but Knight drags Fatu up. Fatu RAMS Knight into a corner, fires hands, then he ROCKS Priest! Knight ROCKS Fatu, Priest ROCKS Fatu, and Knight runs, they HIGH-LOW COMBO!
The fans fire up for that teamwork, and then Priest & Knight POST Fatu! Fatu flops out of the ring, but Priest avoids Knight’s cheap shot! BELL CLAP! Drew RAMS Knight into Priest, then OVERHEAD SUPELXES Knight! Priest runs up, but into a SPIENBUSTER! Drew has Knight again, NECKBREAKER! Then a NECKBREAKER for Priest! Fatu is back, but Drew gives him a NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew aims at Fatu. Drew runs up, but Knight LARIATS! Fatu SUPERKICKS Knight! Fatu kicks Knight out, ELBOWS Priest away, then goes up. Priest JUMP KICKS! Priest climbs up to the very top, SUPER STEINER!
Fatu flounders, Priest rises, and Priest clinches Knight for a FLATLINER! Priest goes out to run around the ring, and he FLYING AX HANDLES Fatu! Priest puts Fatu back in, then dodges a shot to ROUNDHOUSE Fatu! Priest knuckle locks Fatu, St. Louis wants tables, but Priest goes Old School to CROSSBODY Drew! Fatu runs up, Priest dodges, COMEBACKER LARIAT! Fatu flounders out, Priest runs to ELBOW Drew! And ELBOW Knight! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight swings, misses, and Priest DREAMCAST KICKS! The fans fire up and Priest goes back out. Priest runs in but Fatu POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Priest onto the barriers!
The fans fire up with Fatu, and then Fatu stares down with Drew. The fans fire up even more as these alpha males step into the ring. This is the match-up Drew wanted all along, and the two men step up. The hands start flying and the fans fire up! The fans are strongly on Fatu’s side, but the hands keep going faster and faster! Fatu gets the edge, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew runs, but Fatu BODY CHECKS him! Drew is right up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans are thunderous, and Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK on Drew! The fans fire up again, and Fatu drags Drew to the drop zone.
Fatu climbs the corner as St. Louis declares, “This is Awesome!” Fatu nods, reaches the top, but Drew is up to CLAW Fatu’s face! The ref reprimands but that’s all he can do! Drew goes up to the top, but Knight trips Drew up! Knight puts Drew in the Tree of Woe to stomp away, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner and back again, KNEE for Drew! Knight then climbs up, has Fatu on the very top, but Fatu HEADBUTTS Knight down! Fatu adjusts, but Drew sits up! SPIDER SUPLEX throws Fatu onto Knight! But Fatu’s right up to HIP ATTACK Drew!! And then he DIVES onto Priest!! Fatu is all fired up and the fans are thunderous!
Fatu goes up again, SEWANTON BOMB on Drew! Fatu geeks out, but gets B F T!! Priest has Knight, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Drew hits a CLAYMORE on Priest!!! Priest falls on Knight for a cover! DREW BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement now! Priest flops out of the ring, Fatu and Drew go to corners, and Knight finds his way to another. The fans rally, Fatu geeks out, and Fatu runs, into a FLYING HEADBUTT! And then a kick and FUTURE SHOCK!! Then Drew has Knight, but Knight wrenches out! B F- NO, Drew powers out, reels Knight in, FUTURE SHOCK!!
Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew calls his shot! Drew gives the countdown, “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAYMORE for Knight!! Cover, PRIEST yanks the ref!! Priest really does screw Drew this time! Drew is furious but Priest drags him out now! Priest and Drew throw hands and the fans fire up! Drew THROWS Priest and himself over the barriers! Fatu is up, he brings Knight around for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fatu has Knight down, goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULTÂ FLOPS!! Knight rises up, goes to the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP FLYING AX HANDLE! And then the BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP!! Cover, TWO!?!
Fatu survives and Knight is beside himself! Priest and Drew are brawling in the crowd! Priest SMACKS Drew off a road case! Priest makes Drew look into the camera, “He’s bored at work!” Priest ROCKS Drew, but Drew ROCKS Priest! They go up to some upper deck, and Priest ROCKS Drew again! They stand on road cases, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew reels Priest in, takes aim, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s face! Priest decides to do what Drew was planning, and with the straps down, SOUTH OF HEAVENÂ DOWN THROUGH THE TABLES!!! The fans go nuts with Priest and Drew down in the wreckage!!
Producers and medical hurry to check Drew and Priest, but that just means Knight and Fatu are the only two left! Knight RAMS Fatu into the apron, then POSTS him! Knight hobbles but he brings Fatu back up to SMACK him off the desk! Fatu is on the desk, and Knight uses a piece that fell off to SMACK Fatu! Knight keeps Fatu on the desk, and he looks for a perch. The fans fire up as Knight climbs the corner! “L! A! KNGIHT!” NO, Solo Sikoa gets Fatu clear! Knight is furious but Solo tells him it’s not going down like that. Knight storms up on Solo, but a LARIAT hits outta nowhere!! IS THAT JEFF COBB?!?
The fans go nuts as now the Imperial Unit is Solo’s new enforcer! Cobb THROWS Knight around, POSTS him, and then runs to SPLASH Knight against the post!! Cobb drags Knight up, puts him in the ring, and Fatu sees what’s going on. Fatu is not happy with Solo bringing in reinforcements when he didn’t want it, but Solo still serves Knight up on a silver platter. Fatu doesn’t look the gift horse in the mouth, and he gives Knight a HIP ATTACK!! Fatu puts Knight in the drop zone, goes up and up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Fatu wins!
Winner: Jacob Fatu, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The Samoan Werewolf may not like Solo bringing in a ringer, but he still keeps his gold. Will nothing stop “the family” now that they’ve reloaded the arsenal?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch!
When they say, “Never meet your heroes,” perhaps those people were talking about this scenario right here. The Morrigan & The Man were bonded by their Irish blood, and by how the younger followed in the footsteps of the elder. They’ve battled over the NXT Women’s Championship and even won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. But the moment they lost those titles, Becky showed her true colors and betrayed Lyra! Becky called Lyra “recycling,” or rather, “less offensive trash,” but will Becky be the one thrown out this time? Or will Becky take away a title just as Lyra did to her back in the day?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who the real Lass Kicker is around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Lyra and Becky circle, tie up, and they go around. Becky puts Lyra in the corner, the ref counts, and Becky lets off to talk trash. Becky shoves, Lyra shoves, and the two reset. They tie up, Lyra waistlocks, Becky switches, and Becky SLAMS Lyra down. Becky smothers Lyra into the mat, then waistlocks again. Lyra fights up, ELBOWS free, then runs. Becky dodges and RUNS Lyra over! Becky flexes, talks trash, then soaks up the heat. Things speed up, Lyra drops down then hurdles, but Becky hits an arm-drag, only for Lyra to ghost pin! TWO, and Becky arm-drags again!
The fans boo but Becky soaks it up. The two reset, tie up, and Lyra waistlocks. Becky elbows Lyra, whips her to ropes, but Lyra slides under! Lyra blocks a kick, trips Becky, and then turns Becky over with the REVERSE CRAB, to then go for the arms! MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Becky endures as Lyra swings her around! Lyra drops Becky, stands on the legs, and then hooks the legs up! Becky resists but Lyra still gets the arms to pull her back, into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky endures, Lyra rolls and pulls Becky back into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky still endures, but Lyra rolls her and pulls her back again! AÂ third ROMERO SPECIAL! Then a cover, TWO!
Becky escapes, but Lyra waistlocks. Becky switches, Lyra spins through and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Becky scrambles and Lyra says she told her she’s the better wrestler! Lyra then dodges to ENZIGIRI! Becky bails out, the fans “WHEW~” with Lyra, and she WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Lyra puts Becky in the ring. Lyra climbs, but Becky trips her up! Becky THROWS Lyra down, then snarls as she rains down fists! The fans boo but Becky seethes as she paces around. Becky signals that she will be champion! She CLOBBERS Lyra, smothers her into the mat again, then HAMMERS away on Lyra! Cover, ONE!!
Lyra is tougher than that, but so is Becky given she has a bloody cut on her elbow. Lyra ELBOWS Becky but Becky CLUBS Lyra! Becky stands Lyra up to SLAP her! And CHOP her! And CHOP again! Lyra falls into a corner but Becky soaks up the heat. Becky stands Lyra up, runs corner to corner, but Lyra dodges! Becky hits buckles, but then she dodges to JUMP KICK! And BECKSPLODER! Lyra writhes, Becky covers, ONE!! Becky argues the count with the ref, then goes back to Lyra. Becky talks trash on Lyra, CHOKES her on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Lyra goes to the corner but Becky brings her around to TOSS her out!
Lyra is on the floor, Becky builds speed, and Becky WRECKS Lyra with a dropkick! Becky THROWS Lyra into barriers, then SMACKS her off more barriers! “Is this your girl?” Becky tells Lyra’s fiancé to thank her! Lyra fires forearms off on Becky! Becky POSTS Lyra in return! Becky puts Lyra in the ring, covers, TWO! The fans rally for Lyra but Becky talks more trash. Becky SLAPS Lyra, pie faces her, but Lyra just stares defiantly! Then Lyra SLAPS Becky back! The SLAPS fly, Becky clinches, but Lyra cradle counters! Roll through, into a RUNNING FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Both women are down and the fans fire up!
Lyra feeds off that energy and she rises up! Lyra runs and LARIATS! And LARIATS! And SOBATS! KICKS! HEADBUTTS, KICKS again, then runs, cartwheel and ENZIGIRI! Becky staggers around, Lyra GUT WRENCH BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! Becky goes to the apron but Lyra drags her up. The fans rally m ore, but Becky ROCKS and ROUNDHOUSES Lyra! Becky climbs, but Lyra ROCKS her first! Lyra reaches the top, and fans actually duel as Lyra stalling SUPERPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives, reminding us why she’s a Grand Slam Champion!
The fans rally up and Lyra has Becky for a fireman’s carry! Becky fights free, waistlocks, but Lyra switches! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Becky has the O’Conner, but wants the rope! The ref stops that! The fans boo and Becky “apologizes,” but then she runs up on Lyra! Lyra scoops, Becky slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Becky is growing frustrated. The fans rally for Lyra more and Becky dares Lyra to get up. Lyra rises, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to shove Becky into buckles! Lyra runs up, Becky dodges, but Lyra stops the jump kick! Lyra DUMPS Becky out, takes aim, and PLANCHAS! Down goes Becky!
The fans fire up as Lyra hurries to put Becky back in. Lyra climbs the corner, takes aim, TURN OF FORTUNE!! Cover, TWO!!! Lyra is frustrated, but she hurries back up! MOONSAULTÂ onto knees! Becky turns that around on Lyra while the fans fire up! Becky crawls her way over to Lyra, both women stand, and the forearms fly! Becky ROCKS Lyra but Lyra ROCKS Becky right back! The shots pick up speed, Lyra gets the edge, but Becky KNEES low! UPPERCUTÂ into a hook! Becky fights the backslide, SLAMS Lyra down, ARMBAR!! Lyra clasps hands, rolls through, and she has the ARMBAR!!
Becky fights, rolls, high stacks, TWO! Becky steps over, DISARM-HER!! Lyra rolls Becky to a cover, TWO!! Becky clinches, MANHAND- ARM-DRAG! Cover, TWO!! MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives and Becky cannot believe it! St. Louis is thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Becky is freaking out trying to figure out what to do. Becky just HAMMERS away on Lyra! The fans boo but Becky goes to the outside. Becky grabs a chair! The fans boo but The Man is getting desperate! Becky brings the chair in, the ref stops her, and they tug-o-war over the chair! Becky give sit up to the ref, but that lets her untie a buckle pad!
Becky drags Lyra up, brings her around and whips, but Lyra reverses! Becky stops from hitting steel but Lyra GERMAN SUPLEXES! And HEEL KICKS! MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! The fans rally while Lyra now thinks on what she must do. Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky fights free! Becky shoves Lyra into a buckle! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives one thing after another and Becky is going berserk! Becky HAMMERS away on Lyra again, and even DRIBBLES Lyra head off the mat! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Becky stands Lyra up.
Becky aims but the ref sees the bare buckle! The ref stops that, goes to fix things, but Lyra fireman’s carries! NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! The ref is too busy with the buckle! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Becky survives thanks to her shenanigans and Lyra is completely frazzled! Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky still fights! Clinch and MAN- NO, wheelbarrow for the victory roll! TWO, and Becky SLAPS Lyra! Roll-up, high stack, TWO! Lyra has a victory roll, LYRA WINS!!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
Becky attacks Lyra! The Man is a sore loser! DISARM-HER!! The ref reprimands, pries at Becky’s grip, but Becky refuses to let go! More refs rush in, Becky still doesn’t stop, so producers are needed! Adam Pearce shouts right at Becky, and only now does Becky let go!! Lyra is down, potentially her arm and even her nose broken by the woman she once looked up to! Becky scowls, wants to go back for more, but the producers stand in her way. Did Becky still coset Lyra her title with all the damage she did? Or can The Morrigan rise up and keep her #ShinyShiny?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA!
Though it took a Fatal 4 Way to win it, and an Irish Ace in the hole to keep it, “Dirty Dom” thinks he is already the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, as well as the greatest Mysterio and the greatest luchador ever. But now, the Man with Zero Fear gets another shot, and hopefully it’ll be a fair one. Will Penta prove he is the greatest? Or will Dom have another dirty trick up his sleeve?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly El Campeon!
The bell rings and Dom circles with Penta. Dom talks trash but the fans rally behind Penta. Dom shoves Penta, so Penta DROPKCISK Dom! Penta runs up, Dom dodges and fires hands! Dom whips, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Dom tumbles, the fans fire up, and Penta runs in. Dom dodge the kick, comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans cheer because that was impressive, and Dom runs up again. Penta pops him up to SUPERKICK him upside-down! Then BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Dom stays in this and Penta nods respect. The fans rally for Penta while Dom goes to a corner.
Penta runs in, Dom pops him up to crotch him on the ropes! Dom then DROPKICKS Penta down to the floor! The fans cheer, Dom builds speed, and Dom DIVES to TORNADO DDT! Dom flexes and fans cheer because that was impressive, too! Dom refreshes the ring count then mocks Penta’s swagger. Dom stomps Penta, fans actually sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” Dom stands Penta up to CHOP, but Penta CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Dom dodges to SHOVE Penta into steel steps! Dom rolls into the ring and flexes. The fans cheer, Dom goes out to drag Penta up, and Dom puts Penta in.
Dom hears the fans dueling, tunes out the taunts, and he slingshots to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Dom argues the count. The ref defends it, so Dom just stomps away on Penta! Dom uses the Finn style jump stomps, then he rains down fists! Dom lets off to soak up cheers and jeers, then covers, ROPEBREAK! Dom is annoyed and he CLUBS Penta into the chinlock. Penta endures, claws at the hold, and fights up. Penta fires body shots, but Dom fires knees! Dom whips, Penta KICKS him, then Penta dodges to come back, SLING-DOG! The fans fire up and Dom bails out. Penta goes up, up, and from the post, SUPER CROSSBODIES!
The fans fire up as Dom and Penta crash down! The ring count starts, both men stir at 3 of 10, and Penta rises up. Penta pushes Dom into the ring, huffs ‘n’ puffs, and he climbs up the corner. Penta leaps, but into Dom’s kick! Dom snap suplexes, that’s Uno Amigo! Then another suplex, but Penta slips free! Penta shoves Dom, but Dom drop toeholds him onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Penta ducks the 619! Penta GAMANGIRIS, then slingshots to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and both men are down! The fans rally up and Dom DROPKICKS Penta! Dom runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!
Penta survives Liv’s move and Dom is furious! Dom runs up, Penta puts him on the corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta climbs, but Dom shoves him down! Penta CHOPS from the apron, then runs up, but Dom BOOTS him! Dom hops down, reels Penta in, but Penta fights the suplex! Penta ENZIGIRIS, then runs up, APRON DESTROYER!!! Both men are down and the fans go nuts! But wait, here comes Carlito! Judgment Day let Dom come out here alone, but Caribbean Cool isn’t gonna let this go down! But this is all so Finn & JD can get Penta up! Finn gets an idea and grabs a chair!
But the ref sees Finn! Finn’s improvising just cost him his chance! The ref EJECTS Judgment Day!! The fans fire up as now things are 1v1 again! Carlito can’t believe Finn messed this up! Penta FLIES onto Judgment Day! The fans fire up but wait, Finn avoided disaster! Where’d he go? Penta hobbles, rolls into the ring, and SUPERKICKS Dom down! Penta vows to finish this, but Finn returns! Finn distracts the ref now, and EL GRANDE AMERICANO is here! Grande HEADBUTTS Penta with that loaded mask!!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!!! Cover, DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
The Prince almost screwed things up, but then he managed to turn things around with help from the supposed other greatest luchador in history! Will Judgment Day owe Chad Gable- Er, uh, El Grande Americano big time for this?
GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee!
Once again, Der Ring General lost a championship, at WrestleMania, against someone he surely felt was beneath him. And while his ego was still hurting, he lashed out against Michael Cole in an attempt to intimidate and silence commentary. Pat stepped up for his friend, got beat up for it, but he isn’t going to back down just because Gunther is a bully. In fact, Pat has always believed in standing up to bullies, which is why he’s getting back in the ring! Will Pat win one for all the underdogs out there? Or will Gunther unleash all of his anger and silence Pat for good?
The bell rings and Pat throws his shirt to the crowd! The fans fire up as Pat and Gunther circle. They feel things out, Gunther smirks but Pat is stone cold serious. The fans taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther ignores that. He and Pat tie up, and Gunther shoves Pat to a corner. Pat sees what he’s dealing with now, but he still comes back to circle with Gunther again. They tie up, Gunther headlocks and THROWS Pat! The ref checks Pat but Pat stands back up. Pat and Gunther circle again, tie up, and Gunther grabs an arm! Gunther wrenches Pat, wrangles him down and steps over. Gunther pie faces Pat around and the fans boo.
Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, but Pat rolls, rolls, handsprings, and wrenches! But Gunther breaks free! Pat avoids the chop and the fans fire up! Pat and Gunther circle again, and Gunther is oddly amused. Pat and Gunther tie up, and Pat headlocks! Gunther powers Pat to ropes, Pat shifts to a facelock, but Gunther puts Pat on the apron! Pat holds on, the ref counts, and Pat lets go slowly. Gunther pats Pat on the head, and Pat says okay. Pat ROCKS Gunther! Pat slingshots, runs, and fires forearms! Pat runs, into a CHOP! Pat is right down and coughing for air! Gunther drags Pat up, just to CLUB him back down!
Gunther stomps and kicks Pat around, pushes Pat, but Pat comes back to JAB! JAB! HAYMAKER! Pat fires hands, and even CHOPS! Gunther eggs Pat on! Pat CHOPS, the fans fire up, but Gunther wants more! Pat CHOPS, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down again! The fans boo as Gunther glares at Michael Cole. Gunther stalks Pat to a corner, talks trash, “You wanna play with the big boys, huh?” Gunther CHOPS Pat in a corner, CHOPS again, then stomps a mudhole! Gunther stops and Pat puts up his dukes! The fans rally, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down! The fans boo and Cole tells Gunther fine, just pin and finish it!
Gunther decides not to do that, he wrenches and whips Pat instead. Gunther CLOBBERS Pat, but Pat avoids the elbow drop! Pat KICKS Gunther! That NFL punt wasn’t quite enough, and Gunther snapmares Pat! Gunther KICKS Pat now! Pat writhes, but he still rises up! The fans rally behind Pat and he stands again. Pat roars, Gunther eggs him on, and Pat spins to CHOP! Gunther CHOPS, but Pat stays up to CHOP! Gunther BOOTS Pat down now! Gunther glares at Cole, dares Cole to help Pat, but Wade Barrett tells Cole to just sit down. The fans still taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” as Gunther goes back to Pat.
Gunther talks trash on the fans, then he brings Pat up. Gunther dares Cole to keep cheering his guy on. Cole says stop toying with Pat then! Pat SLAPS Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Pat, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat sputters, Cole says just end it then! Gunther looms over Pat, eggs him on, and Pat still rises up! Gunther clamps onto Pat’s head, and then has the SLEEPER!! Pat is already red from everything else, but wait! Pat pries at the grip! Gunther is amused as Pat manages the ROPEBREAK, but then Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat flounders and Gunther paces. Gunther laughs as the fans boo, because Gunther knows only he can end this.
Gunther soaks up the boos and he stalks Pat to ropes. Pat sits up, Gunther clamps onto him again, and Gunther uses a facelock to put Pat in a corner. Gunther CLUBS Pat, reels him in, and hoists Pat up top! Gunther CLUBS Pat, then climbs up. The fans rally for Pat, and he holds on for dear life! Pat fires elbows and he knocks Gunther down! Pat adjusts, and manages to MOONSAULT! Gunther moves, Pat lands out, GERMAN SUPLEX! Pat lands out?! PUNT!! PUNT!! And then a PUNT!!! Cover, ONE?!?! Gunther takes all those shots and is just pissed!! Gunther eggs Pat on, so Pat SLAPS him! Gunther eggs Pat on more, so Pat SLAPS again!
Pat SLAPS, Gunther CHOPS, but Pat just feeds off that now! The CHOPS keep going, and then Pat ELBOWS Gunther! The forearms go back and forth, Pat fires fast hands, Gunther guards! Pat runs, and he BOOTS Gunther! Pat keeps moving, to SUPERKICK! Shoutout to the Panama City Playboy, but Gunther reels Pat in for a POWERBOMB!! Cole says fine, just end this match already! Gunther clamps on the BOSTON CRAB!! But Pat endures! Cole goes to the apron to tell Pat to keep fighting! But Gunther drags Pat back to rain down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans cheer on Cole, but Gunther grabs him through the ropes!!
The fans boo as Gunther drags Cole into the ring! The ref reprimands and Cole says Gunther should just pin Pat already! Gunther pushes Cole around, has him by his tie, then reels Cole in! But Pat BOOTS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Pat!! Gunther glares at Cole as Cole is on the outside again. Pat O’Conner Rolls! TWO!! Pat bails out, Cole coaches him, but Gunther is on Pat again! Gunther suplexes, but Cole trips Gunther!! Cole holds Gunther’s foot down as Pat covers, TWO!!! Gunther is pissed, but Pat puts on the SLEEPER!!! Gunther flails, powers out, and short arm LARIATS!! Gunther drags Pat back up, and he stares Cole down before putting on the SLEEPER!!!
Pat is down in the body scissors and he’s turning purple! The fans rally as Pat still fights, but Gunther traps his arms, too!! Pat is still fighting even now!! Pat rises up, throws elbows, and the fans are thunderous! Pat fires shot after shot but Gunther wrangles him back down!! Pat is caught again, and NOW he’s out! Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
Gunther pushes Pat away and Cole is distraught. Cole goes to Pat’s side, feeling just a bit responsible for letting it go this far. Der Ring General grins as he still returns to his winning ways. Pat manages to sit up again now that he can breathe, and Cole helps him stand. Gunther and Pat stare each other down, and Gunther shows Pat a nod of respect! Gunther leaves, but will he be just as ruthless as he heads back for the mountaintop?
Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton!
Both men have been here in the WWE for 25 years, never wrestling anywhere else, and never wanting to go anywhere else. And while he’s “gone Hollywood,” Cena still became the #NeverSeenSeventeen. The Viper is still only at 14, but he hopes to change that tonight as he now has the homefield advantage. Will the Legend Killer add one more name to that hit list? Or will Cena still be the Last Real Champion?
The fans obviously sing along with Voices as their hometown hero makes his entrance. Orton already seems to be getting chills hearing his hometown sing that for him. Then things turn to “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” even before the music plays. Then things turn to “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” with the music, even as Cena wears his St. Louis Blues inspired merchandise. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the greatest of their generation!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Cena and Orton circle. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. The two break, the fans applaud, and the two reset. Orton and Cena circle again, tie up again, and are in another deadlock. They break again and the fans again applaud. St. Louis rallies behind “RANDY! RANDY!” which annoys Cena, but then he offers a handshake. The fans boo and Orton smirks. Orton steps up, Cena still offers, and Orton accepts. But then Cena pokes Orton in the eyes! Cena fires hands, headlocks, but Orton powers up and out. Orton runs Cena over, then he pokes Cena in the eyes!
The fans cheer, Cena bails out, and Orton goes to the corner so he can look down at Cena. The fans cheer more and Cena slides in. The two tie up, go around, and Orton puts Cena in a corner. The ref counts, Orton lets off at 4, but he counters Cena’s punch! Orton ROCKS Cena, headlocks, and the fans duel, “You Can’t Wrestle!” “YES, HE CAN!” Cena powers up and out, ducks down, and hurdles over! Orton still runs Cena over again! The fans fire up as Orton headlocks, hits a takeover, but Cena keeps his shoulders up. Cena endures, fights up, and powers out. Orton runs Cena over yet again! Cena bails out and the fans boo.
Cena wants to walk!? The fans boo more but Cena doesn’t care. But Orton rushes out to CLUB Cena from behind! Orton ROCKS Cena, ROCKS him again, and they return to ringside. Orton ROCKS Cena, Cena rolls into the ring, and Cena comes back to LARIAT! Cena rains down fists, the fans boo, but Cena stops to catch his breath. Cena brings Orton up to bump him off buckles. Cena climbs up and fans boo more as Cena rains down fists! The fans still count along, and Cena goes to 7 before he hops down. But Orton kicks low! Orton bumps Cena off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count and Orton goes past TEN, to hit TWENTY!!
The fans fire up and Orton backs off. Cena staggers around, Orton reels him in, and UPPERCUTS Cena down! Cover, TWO! Orton drags Cena to center to stomp a leg! The fans cheer and Orton stomps Cena’s other leg! Cena clutches his ankle, but Orton stomps Cena’s hand! The fans cheer as Orton picks Cena apart, with a stomp to the other hand! Orton pushes Cena down and runs up, to KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cena stays in this but Orton stays focused. Cena goes to ropes, rises up, but Orton is on him with a kick down low! The fans cheer Orton and he whips, but Cena reverses. Cena clamps on a SLEEPER! And becomes a backpack!
Orton stays on his feet and Cena slips down. Orton powers up and out, and he catches Cena for a SLEEPER! Cena endures, but he drops to a knee. Cena fights up, powers out, and he grabs the SLEEPER again! The fans boo but Orton powers up and out. Orton has the SLEEPER! Cena powers out, to have the SLEEPER! Orton slips around to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally while both men are down. Orton and Cena stir, Cena goes to the ropes, and Orton is up. Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start up those SHOULDER TACKLES! And then the SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans boo but Cena smooths his hair. Cena smirks, raises his hand, and says the fans can’t see him!
Cena runs, and FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLES! Orton staggers, Cena fireman’s carries, but Orton slips free! Orton shoves Cena and LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Orton dodges then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up while Cena flounders to the apron! Orton storms over there, drags Cena through the ropes, but Cena slips through to roll Orton up! TWO, and Cena has a leg! Orton fights off the crossface, but Cena powers through! STFU!! Orton endures, reaches out, but Cena drags him from the ropes! Orton BOOTS Cena away and Cena goes back to the apron! Orton runs up, has Cena in the ropes, DRAPING DDT!
The fans fire up while Cena sputters, and Orton starts to hear those voices! Orton watches Cena rise up, R K- NO, Cena powers out, fireman’s carries, and ATTITUDE- RKO?!?! Orton turns that around at the last second and the fans are losing their minds! “This is Awesome!” while both men are down again! Both men slowly rise up, Cena has Orton, but Orton ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Orton! Orton kicks Cena low, but then Cena fires a body shot! Orton HEADBUTTS Cena, but Cena HEADBUTTS back! Orton ROCKS Cena again, but Cena ROCKS Orton again! Orton UPPERCUTS! Cena HAYMAKERS! Cena fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!
The fans fire up as Orton survives while Cena grows frustrated. Cena waits on Orton to rise up, the fans duel again, and Cena fireman’s carries! Orton grabs ropes, Cena pries him free, but Orton slips off the carry! Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start more shoulder tackles, but into an RKO!!! The fans fire up but Cena flounders away to a corner! Orton clutches his shoulder, the RKO continues to be a double-edged move when you get right down to it. But wait! Orton wants to go yard! But Cena avoids the Orton Punt! Fireman’s carry and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Orton survives again and Cena is beside himself!
The fans rally as hard as they can for Orton but Cena stalks Orton to a corner. Cena talks trash, and he mocks hearing those voices! Cena smirks as the fans boo, and then Cena decides to further copy Orton! Cena aims from a corner, runs up, but Orton dodges Cena’s kick! RK- NO, Cena shoves Orton into the ref!! The ref goes down, Cena has Orton again, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! But no ref means no pins! Cena smirks again, and he tells the fans, “Shh.” Cena goes outside, grabs the title belt, and Cole asks why he’s resorting to this. Cena says, “History.” Cena slips back into the ring with the belt, but Orton hits an RKO!!!
The ref stirs, Orton covers, and the ref counts! TWO!!!! The delay saves Cena and Orton is beside himself! Cena flops out of the ring, crawls off towards barriers, but Orton pursues. Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms up on Cena. The fans call BS, but Orton thinks this is a good a place as any. Orton clears the desk! The ref reprimands but then Cena RAMS Orton into the ref!! The ref hits steel steps! Cena POSTS Orton, and the fans are dueling again! Cena sees the desk, and then smirks again. Cena decides to use another of Orton’s ideas, and he fireman’s carries Orton. But Orton slips free and fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENTÂ onto the desk!!
Cena tumbles off the desk and to the floor! Then the desk breaks! They really made those sturdier than before. Orton mutters something while he clears space. Orton drags Cena up, SMACKS him off the pieces of the desk, then goes back to the ring. The fans fire up as Orton starts looking underneath the ring! Orton goes around the way, and tada! Orton brings out a TABLE! St. Louis fires up again as Orton sets the table up right where he found it, then he drags Cena over that way. Cena fires hands and SMACKS Orton off barriers! And off the steps! Cena fireman’s carries Orton, but Orton fights free! Orton fireman’s carries again!
Orton hits another ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, through the table!!! Once again, Orton gives Cena his move! Orton drinks some Prime Hydration, then goes back to Cena. Orton steps over Cena to drag him back up, and he puts Cena in the ring. “This is Awesome!” but the ref is still down! Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and he hears those voices again! Cena stirs, rises to his feet, and RKO!!! Cover, here comes a spare ref!! The count, TWO!??!?!? Another delay saves Cena and Orton is at a loss for words! The ref defends the count was fair, but Cena has the belt again! Cena aims, runs up, but Orton dodge! BELT SHOT on Eddie Durango! RKO AGAIN!!!!
Orton covers, he would’ve won ten times over! Nick Aldis and his producers hurry to ringside to finally check on both refs. Orton argues with Aldis, they need another official! Aldis says okay but there aren’t many left to work tonight! Orton is furious, so he just RKOS Aldis! And RKO for each and every producer! Even Jamie Noble!! The fans are thunderous as Orton unleashes that 2009 Viper! Orton looms over Cena, seethes, and goes with the last thing he has in his arsenal. Orton lines up a shot, Cena rises up, BUT R-TRUTH gets in the way! Truth pleads with Orton to spare his “childhood hero!” Orton just RKOS Truth!!
Cena is up, and he LOW BLOWS Orton!!! The fans boo, but Cena isn’t done there! He has the belt, and he CLOBBERS Orton with it!!! Cena puts the belt outside, the first ref returns, and he counts the cover! CENA WINS!!!
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Cena’s first defense of his 17th world title is certainly one for the history books! It took multiple referees, tables, distractions, and even a friend/fan biting the bullet for him, and Cena comes out the other side still the champion. Cena takes the mic, and he shouts to cut the damn music! Cena says he doesn’t need the music, he needs competition. And he sure as hell doesn’t need the fans. “Drink it in, St. Louis. Because this is what the Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title at the corner, but if this is what the Last Real Champion needs to survive the Viper, what more will it take for him to finish his Farewell Tour?
My Thoughts:
Despite the concerns from right after WrestleMania, this Backlash turned out amazing! It didn’t need a two hour preshow when there wasn’t gonna be a preshow match, but I get that they did so because this was the final Backlash for Cena, they needed time to talk about Cena becoming the 17 time world champion, and what facing Orton one more time meant to everyone. Cena VS Orton: The Final Time was definitely better than Cody VS Cena at Mania. There was a lot of talk of Cena “purposefully” giving a bad match at Mania and whether that saved it from actually being a bad match because of the meta, but I think they realized that this time, it had to be a legitimately good match.
And it was! It was great stuff from two icons of wrestling, no matter what anyone says. It’s that saying of “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” It didn’t flip the classic moment of Orton slapping the ref to get disqualified, but Cena did still took out two refs through the course of this. Great stuff with Aldis and all those producers, aka former/retired wrestlers, taking RKOs so Orton could unleash his anger. And while I figured R-Truth would play a part, I didn’t think we’d get him taking an RKO. Cena of course resorts to all the cheating ways to win, but this is Heel Cena after all, what else would he do? And now there is some real intrigue as to who is next for Cena as he continues his farewell tour.
To go back to the top, awesome move with the Fatal 4 Way opening tonight. All four guys got their stuff in, it was wild, and yet, Solo Sikoa still gets involved, just as they implied last night. Additionally, Solo brought in a new member to the team, also as they implied. Personally, I still wanted Hikuleo, just so that Solo would be leading the entire Guerrillas of Destiny, but maybe they want to wait until Tama and Loa are health. At the same time, I can’t fault them for going with Jeff Cobb because he’s Jeff Cobb. Cobb is sturdy, strong, athletic, and anyone who has watched NJPW, ROH and/AEW already knows what he’s capable of. You can tell already that this only ups the tension within the faction, and we might get Cobb VS Fatu very quickly.
Lyra VS Becky was great, with Becky really doing her best to Heel her way through this. I really thought she was going to pull off a cheap win thanks to the buckle or some other trick, but Lyra does prove herself the better wrestler tonight. Now, with Lyra holding her nose and then playing up the damage to the rest of her body, they could be setting up some injury angle where she has to take time off, maybe even vacate the title. Lyra’s fiancé was right there, this could be Lyra’s out so the two of them can have their wedding and honeymoon and all that while Becky goes for the vacated title. Bayley could even return to be a major roadblock to that title, and we get a great match from Bayley VS Becky to crown a new champion.
Dom VS Penta was great, and St. Louis seems to be a Dom friendly crowd. Naturally, Judgment Day had to help, but also a logical move for El Grande Americano to get involved because of how Penta superkick’d Gable. Penta will surely confront Gable and get a match with El Grande, this can lead us into something for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in June. As for Dom, things seem patched up in Judgment Day for now, but that could easily change at a drop of a hat. Honestly, Worlds Collide needs to be built starting this Monday, and maybe some AAA stars show up to call out “the greatest Intercontinental Champion/greatest Mysterio ever.”
And of course, for being a bit sudden, Gunther VS Pat was great stuff. It went about how I expected, with Pat just taking damage and getting back up. A little surprised Cole tried to help Pat cheat Gunther out of this, but it didn’t change the outcome. Gunther make Pat take a nap to get the win, but I did like the modicum of respect Gunther showed on his way out. Logan VS Jey is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event in a couple weeks, but much like Rollins, perhaps Gunther tries to change plans? Or maybe Gunther wants the Intercontinental Championship? Gunther should go for something, I’m just not sure what with all these other stories going on right now.
My Score: 9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
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