Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (4/23/19)
What is the fate of The Big Dog?

SmackDown landed The Big Dog in the Superstar Shake-Up, but will he be gone already? What will Vince McMahon have to say about Roman Reigns’ actions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Finn Balor VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega; Finn wins.
- Kairi Sane w/ Asuka & Paige VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay; Sane wins.
- Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers VS Chad Gable; No Contest.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Charlotte Flair VS Bayley; Flair wins and will challenge Becky Lynch for the title in the future.
- Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rusev & Lana; Kingston wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Shane McMahon returns to SmackDown!
He shuffles his way to the ring but cuts his music because there’s not a lot of time and he’s not in the best of moods. Hamilton, you’ve got one shot so make it count. “Ladies and gentlemen, introducing: the Best in the Wooooooorld~! SHAAANE! McMAAAAAHON!” Shane approves, but this isn’t about him. Tonight is about Roman Reigns. Specifically, what Roman did to Vince McMahon last week. Shane shares footage, and warns us that it might make viewers sick to their stomachs. The footage shows Vince McMahon introduce the greatest acquisition for SmackDown ever: Elias! But the Big Dog came out to prove Vince was wrong with a SUPERMAN PUNCH! And Roman claims SmackDown is now HIS Yard!
Shane feels that was awful. What type of man hits another man’s father like that? Shane’s father is one of the greatest to ever live! A national treasure, even! And when Roman Reigns punched Vince, it was like disgracing the American flag or defacing Mount Rushmore. Shane is of course ignoring what he did to Miz’s own father. But can anyone believe Roman’s audacity? He didn’t just hit Vince, he hit the Chairman of a billion dollar company! And more than that, he hit Shane’s dad. There are going to be repercussions. But what is most fitting? A huge fine? A long suspension? Or a complete termination, aka “fire him”? No, Shane’s emotions are getting the best of him. This will be settled here and now in the ring! Roman, you better listen. Get your butt out here and that’s an order!
Shane waits, and Roman’s music hits! And the Big Dog arrives! Roman stares down with Shane as he heads down the ramp. Roman enters the ring and has a mic as he stands before Shane. Nebraska is on Roman’s side in this one. Roman tells Shane nothing, because he tosses the mic aside. Shane puts his mic aside, and starts to warm himself up. But here comes Elias! Elias gets an uppercut but Shane gets cheap shots in! Shane punches and stomps and knees Roman to a corner but Roman powers out and boots! Roman uppercuts but Elias saves Shane. Elias throws hands and knees into Roman and Shane piles on. The two mug Shane as fans boo and jeer. Shane holds Roman as Elias throws hands and stomps but Roman powers up and out! Only for Shane to tackle him back down.
The Cornhuskers do not approve as Shane drags Roman up for Elias. Elias gives Roman the Drift Away! Shane O’Mac and The Drifter leave Roman down and out, but this looks far from over. Will the Big Dog take a bite out of Elias next time they meet?
Shane and Elias celebrate backstage.
They both feel really good about what they just did to Roman. Shane made his dad proud and Elias taught the Big Dog a lesson. There is more to come, of course, but when and where will The Drifter man up to The Big Dog?
Backstage interview with Kofi Kingston!
He still likes being introduced as the WWE Champion. But his first singles match since Wrestlemania is against Shinsuke Nakamura. But that love and magic of Kofimania is still in his heart. It is growing stronger every day as all is right with the world! He is THE WWE Champion! Xavier Woods jumps in and wants Kofi to say it again! Kofi is our W! W! E! World, Heavyweight, CHAMPION~! Everything is right with the world. But there is another big change. Big E is recovering and will be back soon, but in his place, the honorary member of The New~ Day~. It’s Kevin Owens, aka Big O! Big leap in, too!
Kevin adds that tonight is a big night. Is he ready for Nakamura? Yes, he is. Kevin knows Kofi will win, “becaaause~! New, Day Rocks!” Kevin gets the hips swiveling, but will Kofi keep winning against the King of Strong Style?
Finn Balor VS Andrade Almas w/ Zelina Vega!
The Extraordinary Man and El Idolo met in the ring on Raw during the Superstar Shake-Up, and now they’re both on SmackDown for a rematch! Will Finn make up for that loss? Or will Almas quickly go 2-0 on the Too Sweet Intercontinental Champion?
Before their entrance, Almas & Vega accuse Finn of running away during the Shake-Up. El Idolo’s legacy will grow. Almas wants that title, and he wants to destroy “the myth of Finn Balor”. He and La Muneca make their entrance, and we begin this rematch!
Almas and Finn circle and tie up. Almas powers Finn to a corner and fires off stomps and knees and elbows! Finn turns it around to give it all back! Nebraska fires up as Finn stomps away on Almas then drags him over. Vega grabs on but gets pulled in with him! Almas uses the distraction to kick Finn away! He kicks Finn out, then runs to the corner for a triangle corkscrew splash! El Idolo fires up while we go picture in picture!
Almas drags Finn up and in, then covers, TWO! Finn gasps for air while Almas glares. Almas kicks Finn down then forearms him. Finn hits back but Almas knees low. Almas whips and knees Finn in the corner! Cover, TWO! Almas puts Finn in an armlock and leans on him. Vega coaches Almas while Finn endures. Finn powers his way up but Almas wrangles him back down. Finn endures and fights back. Almas knees low again then punches Finn to ropes. Almas CHOPS Finn and Finn staggers away. Finn reverses the whip, Almas sunset flips but Finn slips through to dropkick him down! Vega grows concerned as Finn throws Almas out. Finn speed sup but runs into an elbow! cover, TWO!
Almas keeps his cool but Vega is heated. Almas puts Finn back in the armlock, but Finn endures the grind. Finn fights up again but Almas knees low. Almas throws forearms then reels Finn in for a powerbomb. Finn fights his way out to sunset flip! TWO, and Almas boots Finn to a corner. Almas stomps away but backs off at 4. Vega is relieved to see Almas in control as he uppercuts Finn down. Almas goes back to the armlock as we return to single picture.
Fans rally for Finn and Finn fights his way back up. Almas knees low yet again, but Finn still counters the powerbomb, into a DDT! Finn crawls to a corner and boots Almas away. Finn trips Almas to double stomps! Nebraska fires up as Finn swing kicks Almas to a drop zone! Finn climbs up top but Almas trips him up! Almas sits Finn up to throw forearms then climbs up to join Finn. He stands up, SUPER STEINER sunset flip! TWO! Almas runs but is tossed out! Finn builds speed to FLY! Direct hit takes El Idolo down! Finn puts Almas back in then goes for Slingblade. Almas denies it, boot feint to elbow! Finn is down, and gets CIEN KNEES! Cover, TWO!! Finn lives and both Almas and Vega are furious!
Fans rally up for Finn again as Vega keeps Almas focused. Almas drags Vega up but Finn counters to an elbow drop DDT! Vega climbs up top!? The referee doesn’t see this before she leaps! Finn dodges and Almas catches, but then Finn shotgun dropkicks Almas down! Finn up quick, COUP DE GRACE! Cover, Finn wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
And the series is all tied up! The Extraordinary Man is Too Sweet for Tranquilo, but will there be a tiebreaker in the near future?
Elias sings a song.
“Money’s all around. SmackDown is mine. And speaking of money, I’ve got a little song on my mind. Roman, I gotta little proposition for you. Face me 1v1 and learn the universal truth.” At Money in the Bank, Elias promises to be Money in the bank. Shane loves it! But let’s get going. Elias VS Roman, MITB PPV, perfect idea. Shane and his new pal ride off into the night, but will Elias end up bankrupt against Roman instead?
SmackDown shares exclusive footage from earlier today.
Fire & Desire, Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville, confronted Paige over this misunderstanding in the Women’s Tag Division. They think Paige realized Absolution was way out of her league. When Kairi & Asuka fail, don’t call on them to help her out. It will be too late. Are Mandy & Sonya serving up harsh truth? Or just their own delusions?
Kairi Sane w/ Asuka & Paige VS Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay!
The Glampire brought the Pirate Princess to SmackDown and had her join forces with the Empress of Tomorrow in hopes of them taking over the Women’s Tag Team Division. Kairi sets sail in her SmackDown solo debut, but will she earn #JoshiRoyalty a shot at the IIconics’ titles?
SmackDown returns as the IIconics make their entrance. Billie tells Paige that last week, they got her confused with Nick Fury. “Avengers, Assemble!” But instead of Thor and Captain America, it’s Asuka and “Kerry Sane”? They’re not superheroes, they’re super lame. But last week, “Kerry”- no, it’s Kay Iry? That InSane Elbow was a fluke. Peyton wasn’t warmed up and wasn’t hydrated, on top of the whole element of surprise. But tonight, Peyton drank a whole gallon of water! Really? Yes. And now Peyton will give Kairi her first loss on SmackDown. Remember that they are the future, and the future is… IICONIC! Pose. The trash talk stops so that we can begin this match.
Peyton teases Kairi but Kairi grabs her hand to wrench it to a hammerlock. Peyton elbows out and bumps Kairi on a buckle to stomp away! She backs off at the ref’s count because she knows she has until 5. Peyton then grinds her boot into Kairi until 4. She kicks Kairi at the ropes but Kairi blocks to a dragon screw! Kairi ax kicks and blockbusters Peyton down! Kairi whips but Peyton reverses, only to get the Interceptor Spear! Fans fire up as Kairi marches the plank. Sliding D! Kairi climbs and gives Peyton that InSANE Elbow! Cover, Kairi wins!
Winner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall
The Pirate Princess herself is 2-0 quickly on Peyton, and her team is quickly climbing up on the IIconics. Will Kairi and Asuka take those WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships even sooner than Paige expected?
But wait, here come Fire & Desire. They mockingly applaud the win but Paige dares them to put up or shut up. Wait, is that Jinder Mahal? The Modern Day Maharaja and the Singh Brothers are on SmackDown now, and have a match after the break.
Aleister Black speaks.
“You know who I am.” But do you know what he is? The name and persona are not the same thing, nor should the aesthetic provoke any judgmental reactions. But it does, doesn’t it? These last remaining seconds are not enough for him to explain the complexity of his tragic self. But give it time, and surely the world you know will have him condemned. What does the Embodiment of the End mean by all this?
Jinder Mahal w/ The Singh Brothers VS Chad Gable!
Raw’s newly renamed Robert Roode called Gable a load of dead weight. But will Gable prove to Roode, Mahal and the WWE Universe that he’s anything but?
But as Gable makes his entrance, LARS SULLIVAN attacks! The Leviathan clobbers Gable from behind then drags him up to ram him into a post!
No Contest
The referee reprimands Lars but Lars just laughs, then eyes Mahal and the Singh Brothers! Lars gets in the ring and stares down with Mahal. Mahal stares back, but then runs away! Lars gets Samir and then Sunil, FREAK ACCIDENT! But the Mile High Monster isn’t done, he goes to the other Singh Brother to give him the running powerbomb! Lars roars but here comes R-Truth! Truth wants payback for what Lars did last week, and throws hands with the Leviathan! Fans fire up with Truth, but he leaps into a powerbomb! Lars glares down at Truth before he drags him up, for a second running powerbomb! Fans boo but Lars simply grins at his own destructive power. Will any superstar hope to survive when The Leviathan decides to target them?
Backstage interview with Roman Reigns.
Does he accept Elias’ challenge? Elias better hope those punches were worth it, because Roman’s gonna break his jaw. Roman accepts the MITB PPV challenge! Simple as that, but will Shane help Elias out in return for earlier tonight?
Charlotte Flair heads to the ring!
The Queen grabs a mic to note how at Wrestlemania 35, in the historic Winner Take All main event, “three of the very best”. Not just the best women, but the best in the business went 1v1v1. The Baddest Woman on the Planet, The Man and The Queen battled, and Becky pinned Ronda. Becky now has both the Raw and SmackDown Women’s Championships. But she pinned Ronda, not Charlotte. Charlotte didn’t get pinned, she didn’t get submitted. Ronda lost Charlotte’s belt for her. Becky did not beat Charlotte for one of those titles, so Charlotte wants #BeckyTwoBelts to explain why she’s the rightful owner of that other belt “when she did NOT beat me”. And so here comes Becky!
The Champ-Champ has both belts, and already has Lacey Evans on Raw targeting the red belt. Becky responds to Charlotte wanting an explanation. It was Winner Takes All, does Charlotte not understand what that means? Becky didn’t pin Charlotte, because she was too busy beating the woman no one else, not even Charlotte, could beat! Charlotte was in that match, but Becky had beaten her so many times, she’s lost count. Becky wanted to beat Ronda because she already knew she could beat Charlotte. And in the end, Becky left with both belts and there wasn’t a thing either woman could do about it.
Charlotte says the only injustice here is Becky holding both belts without beating both women. Charlotte is the one in Becky’s head, because every time that Lacey Evans knocks her out, all Becky can see is Charlotte. It’s all Becky can tweet about! Charlotte in Becky’s head? Since this began, Becky has owned Charlotte time and again! Becky fights off the odds while Charlotte is on her worst streak yet. Charlotte admits she is on a bad streak, but she feels Becky is scared. Becky has everything to lose but Charlotte has nothing left. After Lacey at MITB, Charlotte’s next and taking her belt back. How is Charlotte next? Shut up, ya dope and let Becky say what she wants. What Becky wants is for Charlotte to clear out for the sake of Bayley, Ember Moon and Mickie James! Charlotte is the web management won’t remove! Charlotte’s Web! Clever!
But Becky continues to say that if Charlotte wants to work her way up from the back of the lien, go ahead. Charlotte’s done it 8, she’ll do it a 9th! But speaking of Bayley, here she comes! The Superstar Shake-Up is about fresh starts, but all Bayley sees is a rerun. Bayley thanks Becky for that shout-out. Becky may have lost count on how many times she’s beaten Charlotte, but we can all count how many times Becky’s beaten Bayley: ZERO! Charlotte suggests Bayley ignore Becky, but get int he back of the line. SmackDown is still Charlotte’s show. Bayley pushes Charlotte away to tell her to stop acting like she’s owed stuff and start earning stuff. They both want a shot, so let’s see who deserves on via a match!
Charlotte has no time for Bayley but Bayley is gonna make her make time! What happens between the NXT Horsewomen after the break?!
SmackDown Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Charlotte Flair VS Bayley!
SmackDown returns, and we have our match! Who will earn a future title match against Becky Lynch?
The bell rings and the two tie up. They’re even in power, but Charlotte uses leverage to stay put. Bayley still gets her to a corner but Charlotte turns it around. Charlotte grinds forearms then shoves Bayley. Bayley shoves back and knocks Charlotte off her feet! Charlotte gets up but Bayley headlocks. Charlotte knees low then scoops but Bayley slips out to fire off forearms. Bayley whips but Charlotte tumbles to the apron. Charlotte shoulders in but into a stunner! Bayley dives through the corner to dropkick Charlotte! Bayley puts Charlotte back in and speeds things up to crossbody Charlotte! Cover, TWO!
Bayley keeps on Charlotte with a low elbow and sliding lariat! Charlotte throws Bayley into ropes then spins Bayley for a neckbreaker! She throws Bayley down by her ponytail then stalks Bayley to ropes. Charlotte stomps away on Bayley but lets up at 4. Fans “WOO~” as Charlotte pulls Bayley into ropes. Charlotte lets up at 4, but brings Bayley to a buckle for bumps. She bumps Bayley off other buckles, then SLAPS her. Bayley slaps back but Charlotte rocks her with a right. Charlotte stands Bayley up to whip, but Bayley goes up and over to roll up. TWO, but Bayley goes up again to springboard crossbody! Cover, TWO! Bayley runs in and hits a knee! She keeps going to ram in her shoulder, then wacky waving back elbow!
Bayley runs for another but misses. She boots Charlotte back but Charlotte elbows back. Charlotte drops a knee on Bayley’s knee! And then drags Bayley around for more knees into the leg! The Queen is in control as we go picture in picture.
Charlotte stalks Bayley and wraps her leg on the bottom rope. The ref counts and Charlotte lets go at 4 to stomp Bayley instead. Charlotte drags Bayley up and sweeps the good leg to then springboard sit-down on the bad leg! Charlotte circles Bayley like a shark before putting the rope back on the ropes. She drops down on the leg again, then stalks Bayley to the ropes. Charlotte keeps on the leg by wrapping it on the second rope then kicking it down. Bayley catches the newest springboard into a roll-up! TWO and Charlotte CHOPS Bayley. Bayley forearms back but Charlotte CHOPS! They repeat, but Bayley falls over. Charlotte chop blocks the bad leg out! Cover, TWO! Bayley still lives but Charlotte keeps her focus. We return to single picture as Charlotte wants the Figure Four.
Bayley punches Charlotte away to deny the leg lock, but Charlotte stomps the leg out again. Charlotte whips but Byaley reverses to throw Charlotte out. Charlotte slingshot roll-ups but Bayley rolls through to knee Charlotte in the head! Both women are down and Bayley catches her breath while clutching her leg. Nebraska rallies up for Bayley as she runs in, but Charlotte knees her back. Charlotte runs into a lariat! Cover, TWO!! Bayley drags Charlotte up to club away on her back. Bayley’s all fired up and Nebraska is, too! She drags Charlotte up to whip, but Charlotte boots. Bayley dodges and back suplexes but Charlotte slips out. Charlotte BOOTS Bayley this time, covers, TWO!! And Charlotte can’t believe it!
Charlotte works on what she could do next, but fans are rallying for Bayley. Fans duel as Charlotte drags Bayley over to a drop zone. Charlotte climbs but Bayley avoids the moonsault! Bayley gives Charlotte a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO!! Bayley is so close and yet so far away! Charlotte crawls to ropes but Bayley pursues. Bayley drags Charlotte up but Charlotte powers her to a corner. Charlotte goes for another knee but Bayley yanks her out of the air! Bayley runs to sunset flip Charlotte into buckles! Cover, TWO!? Charlotte survives and Bayley is beside herself. But Bayley grits her teeth and heads up top. Charlotte gets up and trips Bayley up! Figure Four, but cradle counter! TWO!? SPEAR! Cover, Charlotte wins!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by pinfall; NEW #1 Contender to the SmackDown Women’s Championship
The Queen proves she deserves another shot because she earned her shot!
Becky Lynch watches backstage, and again has to cross paths with her arch-nemesis. But why is she accepting another challenger on top of Lacey Evans? Having both belts means having to do double duty, and Becky promises to make Lacey tap before she gets those fancy gloves off. Is Becky underestimating her competition? No but she’s betting on herself. Becky will defend both titles in one night, and still be the Champ-Champ. The Man takes on a huge challenge, but will she prove she’s worthy of being #BeckyTwoBelts after Money in the Bank?
Welcome to Firefly Fun House~!
Who is that in the red sweater? Iiiiiit’s BRAY~! Brat Wyatt has missed us. But he knew we’d all be back together some day. He saw it in his dreams. Bray Wyatt promises we’ll all have fun. All the fireflies will feel safe here. And he can’t wait to show us what he’s learned. Tada~! Here are his very special friends! Mercy the Buzzard! Abby the Witch! “You are going to love them.” Now, Bray admits he used to be a very bad man. Boo~! Yes, he deserves that. But Bray has been punished for that, so that part of him is dead.
However, he has a reminder so that he won’t ever go back to being that “pathetic slob loser.” Bray shows a cardboard cut-out of himself, and CUTS IT UP! YAY~! The fun is just getting started. So remember, fireflies: Bray will light the way, all you have to do is let him in. See you next week!
Wat?
Kofi Kingston w/ The New Day VS Shinsuke Nakamura w/ Rusev & Lana!
Awwww~ Nebraska! Clap for your world famous five-time champs, for Big O, and the WWE Champion, and feel~ the power~! The Prizefighter again joins Xavier Woods and Kofi in slinging pancakes and bringing the power of positivity to the ring! But will Kofimania continue to run wild against the King of Strong Style?
SmackDown returns again, and the bell rings. Nakamura and Kofi circle while Kevin and Xavier are on their own commentary table. Kofi headlocks but Nakamura wrenches out, only for Kofi to get the headlock again. Nakamura powers Kofi to ropes and brings back the ab rest. He then kicks Kofi low to bring Kofi into a headlock. Nakamura grinds Kofi down but Kofi fights out. Nebraska cheers Kofi as he powers out, only for Nakamura to ram him down. Nakamura swings kicks but Kofi avoids them. Kofi whips Nakamura and things speed up. Kofi hurdles, hurdles and elbows Nakamura down! Then he dropkicks Nakamura out of the ring. Kofi builds speed to fake Nakamura out!
Kevin and Xavier talk the target on the top champion’s back as Kofi dances. Nakamura gets back in and ties up with Kofi. Nakamura wrenches and kicks away on Kofi in a corner. He puts Kofi in a corner for Bad Vibrations! Nakamura snapmares Kofi to drop a knee, but Kofi dodges! Kofi knees Nakamura down! Kofi then rebound springboards to splash! Cover, TWO! Kofi keeps on Nakamura as he wrenches the arm. Nakamura endures as Kofi leans on him. Kofi puts Nakamura on the mat to knee drop the arm. Kevin likes Kofi’s style, but Nakamura standing switches to a sleeper hold! He shifts to an armbar but Kofi blocks! Nakamura drags Kofi into a triangle but Kofi resists. Fans rally up for Kofi while Rusev and Lana cheer Nakamura. Kofi makes it a cover, TWO!
Kofi gets to a corner then slips out to kick Nakamura back. He climbs up while Nakamura staggers. Kofi leaps and crossbodies Nakamura’s back! Cover, TWO!! Kofi keeps his cool while Nakamura crawls to the apron. Nakamura shoulders in but Kofi kicks him back. Kofi dropkicks Nakamura all the way down, then builds up speed, only for Nakamura to get him with a kick! Nakamura drags Kofi around for an apron knee drop! Kofimania is in trouble while we go to one more break!
SmackDown returns once more as Nakamura has Kofi in a facelock. Kofi endures and fights his way up as Kevin and Xavier talk on commentary. They cheer Kofi on and Kofi pushes for ropes. Nakamura keeps Kofi down on the mat but fans rally up. Kofi feeds off that energy to fight out with body shots. But Nakamura rams his knee into Kofi! Kofi gets to ropes but Nakamura is on him with more knees. Nakamura drags Kofi up to kick him right in the chest! Nakamura then toys with Kofi as Kofi ends up on the apron. Kofi slowly stands but gets another kick to a corner. Nakmaura keeps on Kofi with knees then tosses him back out. Nakamura whips Kofi at steel steps but Kofi goes up and over to come back with flying ax handles! But Nakamura dodges, then sliding dropkicks Kofi in the back!
Nakamura puts Kofi back in and Rusev cheers Nakamura on. Cover, TWO! Nakamura keeps his cool while Xavier says this is Kofi’s time to shine. Kofi takes kicks to the chest and eggs Nakamura on. Nakamura keeps giving kicks but Kofi blocks. Nakamura monkey flips but Kofi lands on his feet! Fans fire up with Kofi as he tells Nakamura, “C’MON!” Kofi rallies on Nakamura with ax handles and a dropkick. Nakamura gets to a corner but dodges Kofi to kick. Kofi’s boots are deflected, Nakamura runs for the Sliding German Suplex! Nakamura takes his time getting to a corner. He takes aim at Kofi, but runs into double stomps! Nebraska fires up as Kofi takes aim from a corner. Kofi spins but Nakamura ducks. Nakamura swings but Kofi ducks, SOS! Cover, but Rusev attacks!
Winner: Kofi Kingston, by disqualification
The Bulgarian Brute keeps on the champ but Xavier jumps in! Rusev fights Xavier off, too, so here comes Kevin! Big O fires off on Rusev then throws him out! The New Day throw Nakamura out, but then Xavier builds speed and Big O launches him onto Rusev! But KINSHASA for Xavier! Nakamura runs in, but Kofi gets Kevin clear to give Nakamura Trouble in Paradise! Kevin SUPERKICKS Kofi!? Well of course, this is how Kevin always operates. He was their friend, and now he’s there enemy. Kevin tears off the New Day shirt to reveal his own merchandise, then he stomps away on Kofi! But he’s not done there, he throws Kofi out of the ring and then throws him into barriers! Kevin drags Kofi up again to throw him into a post!
Fans boo and jeer as Kevin puts Kofi back in the ring. Kevin grabs the WWE Championship belt, and brings it to the ring. The Prizefighter holds the greatest prize in the WWE up over Kofi’s head as he stands on Kofi’s head! “You think this is yours?! I hope your kids had a good time! Because I’m coming for this!” But Kofi fires off hands! Kevin clubs and clobbers and stomps Kofi down in a corner, then drags him up to toss him out again. Kevin seethes as he stands Kofi up, but here comes Woods with a wrecking ball dropkick! So Kevin CLOBBERS Xavier! Kevin drags Xavier up to give him the APRON POWERBOMB!! Same old Kevin, same old brutality. Kevin may have just broken Xavier’s back, and he’s broken the WWE Universe’s heart yet again. Will he break Kofi’s dreams by ending his title reign?
My Thoughts:
What a great episode! And that’s even with the Superstar Shake-Up supposedly continuing into a second week to make up for the changes brought on by Vince’s indecision and apparently Fox’s request to have a stronger Latino base for when SmackDown goes to them. That’s all fine but perhaps they should’ve given Vince a call before making the decision in the first place. Who knows, the brand split might end (again) in 2019. But at least we got a rematch of Finn VS Almas here for another great match, with Finn winning. I would hope we get a tiebreaker soon, maybe at MITB, title more than likely on the line. And naturally Shane has to have back-up against Roman, and naturally it’s Elias. Shane had great Heel hypocrisy in his promo and Elias gets the best of Roman now, but pretty sure Roman wins at MITB PPV.
You’ve gotta feel for Chad Gable. He no longer has a dedicated tag team and then he’s just fodder for Lars. I started feeling bad for Mahal, too, because he almost ended up the same. Lars dominates Truth again, and this must be the feud they’re going with, but there isn’t much more to Lars as a character right now than smash, roar, smash again, leave. Of course, this is all Vince booking things, and he’s done the same to the War Viking Raider Experience. Hopefully Lars can get a promo in before they have an actual match. Speaking of, Aleister’s promo was vague, but that’s fine per his character from NXT. And we get the same Firefly Fun House from last night, so I wonder if he’ll be on both shows for a minute to see what stories we can get between both rosters.
As entertaining as the IIconics are, I feel like Vince only gave them the belts so they’ll put over another team that wasn’t Bayley & Sasha. Vince took away the fun of Boss & Hug VS Sky Pirates in NXT just so Vince could do something here. It’s still involving Kairi, at least, and she did great tonight. But it also looks like they may have to go through Mandy & Sonya before earning their title shot. That should be fun, in that Paige can laugh at them while her new team moves on. And as many hoped, Becky’s pulling a double header at MITB. She made a great point about Charlotte needing to move aside, but sadly, Vince says otherwise. Bayley VS Charlotte was amazing, but Vince chooses Becky to take on two blondes in one night. Lacey’s doubtful but Charlotte might be able to win against a tired Becky.
And everyone saw it coming but to think Kevin Owens would turn on The New Day here and now. Kofi VS Nakamura was an incredible match, Kevin and Xavier were incredible on commentary, and that was a wicked beating for Kofi and Xavier from Kevin. I was imagining that, with Big E out on injury, something would happen to Xavier and that leaves Kofi all alone. Kofi and Kevin will obviously fight for the title at MITB PPV, but I would hope Kofi wins to keep Kofimania going. Of course, as with this title, Rollins’ Universal Championship and either of Becky’s titles, Mr. & Ms. Money in the Bank could easily go after them in the same night as winning the briefcases. A cash-in might be the one way fans can even remotely accept one of the big three losing a title because cash-ins are all about sniping anyway.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/19/25)
Parting is such sweet sorrow…

There are more goodbyes than just The Ace’s Final Road.
NJPW already knows Hiroshi Tanahashi will retire with this year, but his final match with Jeff Cobb will also be Jeff Cobb’s farewell to NJPW! Will The Ace never tire out? Or will he take a Tour of the Islands?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai; Tenza, Kojima, Nagata & Tiger Mask win.
- 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, YOH & Master Wato VS TMDK; Yano, Oleg, Yoh & Wato win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Callum Newman, Templario & Jakob Austin Young; Goto, Desperado & Taguchi win.
- 10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!
The Ace’s Final Road continues on, but it would seem the Imperial Unit has hit the end of his run in NJPW. Will the President give Cobb a proper sendoff? Or is there one last Tour of the Islands planned?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “COBBU! COBBU!” Tanahashi nods, and Cobb is emotional hearing that. Cobb and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. But Cobb’s a bit too big to lift even for The Ace. Cobb walks over to the ROPEBREAK, and Tanahashi lets go. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up, Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks, but Cobb powers through, wrenches and wristlocks in return, then hammerlocks to headlock. Tanahashi puts Cobb on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tanahashi lets go cleanly again. The fans applaud the continued sportsmanship, and the two reset again.
Cobb runs up, and he SLINGBLADES?! Cover, TWO!! The “Cobby Cat” strikes again but Tanahashi survives his own move. Cobb whips Tanahashi, Tanahashi grabs ropes, but Cobb runs up. Tanahashi BOOTS Cobb, runs up, but Cobb scoops! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi, and then air guitars before the GACHIMUCHI- NO, Tanahashi avoids the moonsault! Then Tanahashi sets up, to MOONSAULT!? But Cobb moves so Tanahashi belly flops on the floor! The fans fire up while both men are pulling out all the stops. Cobb steps on Tanahashi, pretends he didn’t see Tanahashi there, and then brings Tanahashi up.
Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm, then headlocks. Cobb brings Tanahashi to the ropes to show everyone as he messes with Tanahashi’s hair. Cobb then CLUBS Tanahashi, brings him around, and suplexes. Cobb holds Tanahashi up, the fans cheer as Cobb marches around with him, and then Cobb pops Tanahashi for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this but Cobb stays on him with a GROUND COBRA! Cobb uses Tanahashi as the guitar, then CLUBS him in the ribs and chest! Cobb eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi growls and rises up. Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms, but Cobb just HEADBUTTS back!
Tanahashi staggers away to a corner, and Cobb runs up, only for Tanahashi to dodge! Tanahashi dropkicks Cobb’s legs! Tanahashi then grabs one, and Cobb asks for mercy! Cobb apologizes, but Tanahashi says bye-bye! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while Cobb clutches his leg. Tanahashi storms up on Cobb to fire more fast hands! Tanahashi then says, “MY POWER!” And he SCOOP SLAMS Cobb! The fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs the corner. Tanahashi hits the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi gets moving. But Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi! Cobb winds up, he runs, but Tanahashi dodges the slingblade!
Tanahashi waistlocks, Cobb switches, but Tanahashi throws elbows. Cobb picks Tanahashi up to SLAM him down, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this, but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives the double impact, but Cobb looms over him. Cobb drags Tanahashi up, fires his own fast hand combo, then scoops to SLAM Tanahashi! Cobb grins as he looks to the corner. The fans fire up as Cobb hops up, air guitar and the pose, SUNSET FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi runs, but Cobb grabs tights! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi elbows free!
Cobb SHOTEIS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi goes up the corner! But Cobb stands! Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS, but Cobb catches him! Cobb pops Tanahashi up, shifts around, and ATHLETIC- SLINGBLADE?!? Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi rises, the fans fire up, and Tanahashi runs to SLING- NO, Cobb gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises again! SLING- NO, Cobb scoops Tanahashi, but then pops him around again! TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb roars, but he’s not done!! Cobb ripcords Tanahashi for the RIPCORD- CRADLE COUNTER!! TANAHASHI WINS!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Cobb got cocky and it to cost him! Tanahashi still tells Cobb he’s proud of him and of Cobb’s time here in NJPW. The two shake hands and hug it out while the fans cheer. Tanahashi’s Final Road rolls on, and The United Empire is here to say farewell to their friend. Cobb is handed a mic, and Chris Charleton is there to interpret. Cobb says he was not expecting to lose tonight. But first and foremost, he wants to thank the people that don’t even get seen by the fans. The NJPW staff, the music team, the NJPW World techs, the boys ‘n’ girls in the back, and all the wrestlers Cobb calls “family.” The fans applaud and Cobb says Chris’s Japanese is good.
Cobb takes a moment before he says he had a speech ready, but he’s kinda blanking out from the pressure. Online, there has been an outpouring of love, #ThankYouCobb. But really, he should be thanking each and every one of the fans. Cobb gets emotional again while Chris translates for him. Cobb knows it’s a bit of a crappy situation, but he wants Callum Newman to know, he’s got the ball, so run with it. Cobb lets Chris translate now, and then Cobb wraps by thanking the Empire members here, from Khan, to Templario, to “Jakob Change Your Name,” to Akira and to Callum.
And lastly, Cobb says this is not goodbye, but more see you later. Thank you, NJPW. Thank you, fans. Domo arigato gozaimasu! The fans cheer for Cobb one more time, and he bows deeply to them all. When and where will we see Cobb in the ring, any ring, again?
10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI!
Well, not only is The Ace on his Final Road, but it would seem Tetsuya Naito and Bushi are on their own way out of NJPW. Then will they and their amigos start their Road to Wrestling Dontaku with a celebration? Or will the Heat Storm, Roughneck, Holy Emperor, Blue Playmaker and Headhunter make this anything but tranquilo?
The teams sort out and there’s a lot of entrance attire to put aside. Once Naito is done putting the pants away, LIJ fist bumps while Just4Guys/Hontai shake hands. Yuya steps up against Naito and the fans fire up already. Naito and Yuya stare down while the fans cheer “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Naito and Yuya step up, but then Naito tags to Bushi. The fans cheer Bushi on now, he circles with Yuya, but then Bushi tags out to Yota. The fans rally as Yuya and Yota feel things out, giving us a taste of their IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Yuya wrenches Yota to a wristlock.
Yota slips around, full nelsons, but Yuya breaks that to hammerlock. Yota reaches back to facelock, then he wrenches again. Yuya rolls, wrenches, and arm-drags Yota down. But Yota headscissors! Yuya kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Yota and Yuya reset, tie up, and Yota headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over to arm-drag again! The fans cheer as Yuya has the armlock. Yota fights up, fights around, but Yuya brings him over and Taka tags in. Taka kicks Yota, CLUBS him, then stomps him. Taka knees low, runs, but Yota dropkicks a leg out! LIJ rushes in and BLASTS Hontai! Then they bring Taka to the ropes!
Hontai rushes in to save Taka! The fans fire up as everyone fights at the ropes, and Taka lands safe on the apron! Taka scurries around the way and back into the ring! The fans cheer, but then Takagi & Yota split the wishbone! Hiromu tags in, he brings Taka up and CHOPS! Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS! Hiromu snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! The fans fire up and Hiromu brings Naito in. They double whip to TENDEDERO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Hiromu bumps Taka off buckles, then he tags Takagi. Takagi RAMS into Taka again and again, but Taka fires body shots.
Takagi HEADBUTTS Taka down, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi sits Taka up, runs to BLAST Shota, and the fans cheer! Takagi drags Taka up to HEADBUTT the arm, then wrench it. Tag to Bushi and he CLUBS the arm. Bushi CLUBS Taka down, stomps him, then has the legs. Bushi stands on Taka’s groin! Red Shoes reprimands, Bushi steps off at 4, then stomps Taka around. Tag to Naito and the fans rally as he brings Taka up. Naito cravats Taka, then Hiromu sits in the ropes. Hiromu claims Hontai is up to something, Red Shoes looks over, and Naito SMACKS Taka off Hiromu’s boots!
Taichi protests, but Naito throws hands on Taka. Taka tries to hit back but there’s not much there. Naito CLUBS Taka, but Taka fires a flurry! Naito just ROCKS Taka! Naito runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT Naito down! The fans rally up, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi runs at Naito in the corner and BOOTS him! Yota gets in, kicks Taichi then whips, but Taichi BOOTS Yota! Takagi runs up, Taichi dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Hiromu gets up but Taichi BLASTS him! Bushi backs off, but Naito CLUBS Taichi. Naito whips, but Taichi reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Naito crawls.
Taichi paces, waits on Naito to sit up, but Naito ducks the buzzsaw! Naito shoves Taichi, Bushi trips him up! Bushi tags in and stomps Taichi around. Bushi ROCKS Taichi, whips, but Taichi grabs ropes. Bushi runs up again but Taichi BOOTS him down! Taichi tags Hashi and Hashi drags Bushi up. Hashi ROCKS and CLUBS Bushi, whips him, but Bushi reveres. Hashi dodges to ELBOW Bushi, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! LIJ blasts Hontai’s corner again! Hashi rolls out under the bottom rope, Bushi BLASTS him off the apron, then Bushi builds speed. But Hashi gets back in to CLOBBER Bushi!
Hashi drags Bushi up, hooks a leg, but Bushi fights free! Hashi blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri, but the REWIND HEEL hits! Bushi runs in from the corner, but Hashi stops the Code Breaker! Taka joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives, but Hashi clamps on the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Bushi endures, fights around, and Naito gets on the apron, only for Taichi to BOOT him down! Taichi intercepts Hiromu, and Bushi TAPS! Hashi ELIMINATES Bushi! Takagi CLOBBERS Hashi, then drops ELBOW after ELBOW! Takagi SENTONS but misses as Hashi moves! Shota storms in and stomps Takagi!
Shota drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT, and Hashi CHOPS! Hashi & Shota double whip, then Hashi runs up, only to be put on the apron! Takagi CLOBBERS Shota, then runs up on Hashi! Hashi RAMS Takagi, they trade forearms, but then Takagi HOTSHOTS Hashi! Hashi holds onto the ropes, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi staggers, Shota runs up, but Takagi throws him into Hashi! Hashi falls to the floor, Takagi ELIMINATES Hashi! The teams are even again after that friendly fire, and Takagi rolls Shota! TWO, and things speed up! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Takagi fires up, “TOKI GA KITA!”
The fans rally as Takagi runs up, but he blocks a boot to then LARIAT! JAB, CHOP, repeat, then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Takagi brings Shota up, suplexes, but Shota fights it so Takagi hits the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays focused. The fans join in with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi storms up on Shota. Takagi pump handles but Shota fights the lift. Shota switches, Takagi fires elbows, but Shota ducks! Shota wrenches and SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! The fans are torn but Shota drags Takagi up. Shota CHOPS Takagi in the corner, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS!
Shota reels Takagi in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota clamps on an STF! Takagi endures, fights around, and he drags Shota along towards the ropes! ROPEBREAK, the fans cheer, and Shota lets go. Shota brings Takagi up, but Takagi denies the tornado DDT! Shota fires forearms to ROCK Takagi again and again, but Takagi just headbutts the buckles to fire up! The fans fire up and Shota fires another forearm, only for Takagi to fire back! Shota headbutts the buckles to fire up! The forearms start flying again, but then Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Shota, but Shota fires boxing elbows now!
Shota ROCKS Takagi, then runs, but Takagi follows! LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, Shota follows, LARIAT at the ropes! Shota runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Shota roars, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- SHOTA LARIATS! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER! Shota is in a daze but he manages to stand, and he swats a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! Shota staggers back up, but Takagi whips him. Shota reverses and reels Takagi in, TORNADO DDT! But Takagi’s right up, and he PUMPING BOMBERS Shota and himself up and out! DOULBE ELIMINATION!!
The fans go nuts as we go to 3v3 now. Yuya and Yota step back in and the fans rally. Yota grins, runs up, but Yuya dodges to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Yuya whips, Yota reverses, but Yuya goes up and over. Yuya arm-drags, then DROPKICKS! Yuya roars and the fans fire up again! Yuya reels Yota in but Yota fights the saido. Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yuya drags Yota back up, clinches, but Yota fires elbow after elbow to get free. Then he SUPER- NO, Yuya blocks! Yuya swings, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But he avoids the stomp! Yuya CHOPS then runs, but Yota SUPERKICKS himdown!
LIJ BLASTS Hontai’s corner again, and Yota looms over Yuya. Yota drags Yuya up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him up top. Yota CHOPS, then he fires up before climbing up. The fans rally up, and Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls back, stands up, and he avoids Yuya’s leap! Yuya comes back, into the GENE TRIGGER! Yota TOSSES Yuya, but Yuya lands on the apron! Hiromu lets Yota know that, so Yota goes up the corner! Yota aims for an APRON MARLOWE- NO, Yuya dodges! Yuya CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Yota ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya fires up! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!
Yota SLAPS Yuya! And then swings, but into the cording hold! Yuya grabs the other arm but Yota resists! Yota HEADBUTTS again and again, then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS hit! Both men fall, another DOUBLE ELIMINATION!! Now it’s just TakaTaichi VS Naito & Hiromu! The fans rally up as the four stare down. Hiromu runs up, but into TENDEDERO! Naito dodges but then Taichi BOOTS him down! TakaTaichi double whip to DOUBLE BOOT! Taka has Hiromu but Hiromu fires forearms! Taka pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to a corner, but Hiromu blocks the shining wizard!
Hiromu runs, RANA, but Taka SHOVES it down! JUST FACELOCK!! Taka CLUBS away on Hiromu, but Naito stomps Taka down! Taichi runs up but Naito kicks him and throws him out! Naito kicks Taka, he and Hiromu double whip, but Taka redirects! And redirects! But then Naito & Hiromu undo Tendedero to let Taka pass! Taka comes back, ducks Tendedero, and he waistlocks Naito. Naito switches, shoves Taka at Hiromu and Hiromu wrenches. Pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! Cover, Hiromu ELIMINATES Taka! And that leaves it 2v1, Hiromu & Naito against Taichi! Taichi paces as he considers his options.
Taichi rushes in, but into TENDEDERO! Naito & Hiromu double whip Taichi to a corner, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT! Naito ROCKS Taichi, ENZIGIRIS, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu gives Naito the boost for the TOR- Well, no, the tornado fails but the DDT still hits! Hiromu brings Taichi up, suplexes, but Taichi fights it! Taichi suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! They end up by the ropes! Hiromu is on the apron, Naito runs up, but Taichi dodges and Naito BLASTS Hiromu! Hiromu falls and is ELIMINATED! Friendly fire in return for before, and the fans fire up as it is Taichi and Naito 1v1!
Taichi and Naito reset, and the fans cheer for “NA-I-TO!” as hard as they can. Naito fires a forearm, but Taichi fires back! Naito fires another, so Taichi fires back! Naito and Taichi both smirk as the shots keep going back and forth! Taichi then KCIKS, but Naito still throws forearms! KICK, forearm, repeat, but then Naito ROCKS Taichi again and again! Naito SLAPS Taichi! Taichi SOBATS! Naito fires the heavy elbow, but Taichi URAKENS! Naito runs, Taichi BOOTS him down, then Taichi drags Naito back up, just so he can AX- NO, Naito lifts Taichi, but Taichi fights off the atomic drop! Taichi shoves Naito to then AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!
Naito survives but Taichi runs, and SLIDING AX BOMBERS! Taichi fires up, the fans are torn, but Taichi suplexes! Naito fights free to kick low! Naito uses the ropes to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Naito drags Taichi up. Naito fires those heavy elbows again and again! Naito has Taichi down in the corner, then climbs up. Naito reels Taichi in, but Taichi sneaks the pants off! GAMANGIRI! Naito falls off the corner, but he holds onto the ropes! Naito dangles off the apron but his feet do not touch the floor! Taichi fires shots, Naito ROCKS him in return! Taichi runs up, Naito slides under! Naito DUMPS Taichi over!
Taichi is on the apron but Naito fires a flurry! HOTSHOT! Taichi wobbles, but he ROCKS Naito! Naito ROCKS Taichi, HOTSHOTS again, then ROLLING KICKS! Taichi falls, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by ring out
It came down to the leaders as the last men, but the Uncontrollable Charisma found a way to win for the team! LIJ regroups and Naito is given the mic. “Buenas tardes, Korakuen Hall!” The fans cheer, and Naito says, “First and foremost… Bushi, why don’t you say something to the fans?” The fans applaud and Bushi takes a quick drink of water before he takes up the mic. “Now that I have this time, I’ll say this. As previously announced by NJPW, my departure was a decision made after a lot of thought. I have no regrets.” The fans applaud that, and Bushi continues, “My feelings haven’t changed since I spoke here 10 years ago. It’s been a deeply fulfilling experience.”
The fans applaud that, too, and Bushi says, “This Dontaku tour is only getting started. When I step into this ring, I’ll show my gratitude in my own way. Thank you.” The fans applaud again, and Bushi hands the mic back to Naito. Naito also notes that the Road to Wrestling Dontaku has just begun. He and Bushi will be leaving NJPW after May 4th. “Whether Bushi and I will compete in this ring again or not, you already know, don’t you? Yes, the answer is of course, TRANQUILO! Assen na yo!” The fans applaud Naito being Naito even now. Naito then asks if they want to do the roll call, and the fans cheer!
Naito notes they haven’t had one at all this year, so this will be the first roll call of 2025. Are you ready? The fans cheer, so Naito says that the only way to close out tonight in Korakuen Hall is naturally with… “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer the first LIJ roll call of 2025, but will we get more of them before May 4th? Will we get one on May 4th?
My Thoughts:
A great night to kick off the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, though of course it had to be on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Great goodbye match for Cobb with Tanahashi. It was a big awkward because while Tanahashi is still going to retire this year, Cobb was leaving, and so Cobb leaving NJPW trumps Tanahashi retiring, meaning Cobb had to lose. It’s the unwritten tradition of pro-wrestling. Very good farewell promo from Cobb, too, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. Word is, it isn’t AEW, and perhaps the WWE rumors have still been true all along, they just leaked out way too soon.
And then very good 10 Man Elimination Tag in the main event, and it works out that LIJ won. Naito & Bushi needed a chance to address the fans about their own departure from NJPW, and so giving them the win so they can do a main event promo was fitting. In my estimation, I don’t see Naito going to any other company, even if it’s another Japanese based company. He’s done plenty in his career, he’s pushed his body pretty hard, so he needs to enjoy retirement, or at least make a lateral movement to be working with Young Lions in the NJPW Dojo as a teacher. Bushi, could probably keep going a little longer, or he could also call it a day on the other hand, only Bushi really knows how his body feels.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE WrestleMania 41 Results & Report! (4/20/25)
This is more than just a gamble!

Will this be a historic finale to WrestleMania?
John Cena has said he is retiring after 2025, but he wants to take the Undisputed WWE Championship with him! Will his 17th be everyone’s last reign? Or can Cody Rhodes save the future?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s World Championship Triple Threat: Iyo Sky VS Bianca Belair VS Rhea Ripley; Iyo wins and retains the title.
- Sin City Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way: Bron Breakker VS Penta VS Finn Balor VS Dominik Mysterio; Dom wins and becomes the new WWE Intercontinental Champion.
- Open Challenge: Randy Orton VS Joe Hendry; Orton wins.
- AJ Styles VS Logan Paul; Logan wins.
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch; Lyra & Becky win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS John Cena; Cena wins and becomes the new Undisputed WWE Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WrestleMania Night 2 Countdown Show!
Once again, join Michael Cole, Pat McAfee, Wade Barrett, Big E and more in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action set for the big finale!
Ava Max sings the United States of America National Anthem.
Stephanie McMahon is in the ring!
The Billion Dollar Queen of WWE is here and says, “The last time WrestleMania was in Las Vegas was WrestleMania 9 at Caesar’s Palace, and I was 16 years old. Here we are today, at Allegiant Stadium for WrestleMania 41, and my middle daughter is 16 years old. WWE has always been a part of my life, which includes all of you. You are a part of my family because WWE IS family. And I am so incredibly proud to say, welcome home. And welcome to NIGHT TWO of WrestleMania!” The pyro goes off and the fans cheer! Will Mania hit the jackpot all over again with this finale?
WWE Women’s World Championship Triple Threat: Iyo Sky VS Bianca Belair VS Rhea Ripley!
The Evil Genius won this title off of The Eradicator, but perhaps only because The EST, who had won the Elimination Chamber match, ended up a bit of a distraction. After weeks of these three all getting after each other verbally and physically, it finally comes down to the three of them having it out once and for all. Who opens Night 2 with a victory that defies the odds?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who wins the title, and the respect that comes with it!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as the three stare down. Bianca and Rhea talk trash on each other again, and Iyo steps up, not wanting to be ignored again. Iyo stops the double pie faces! And she SHOTEIS Rhea! Bianca shove Iyo at Rhea, Rhea ROCKS Iyo! Bianca ROCKS Rhea! Iyo RAN- NO, Bianca brings Iyo up, throws her at Rhea, but Iyo RANAS Rhea! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges Bianca, Bianca avoids the handspring, but the SHOTGUN hits! But then Rhea DROPKICKS Iyo! Iyo bails out, Bianca is in a corner, and Rhea stares down her rival. They tie up, Rhea waistlocks, and Rhea SLAMS Bianca down.
Bianca fights up, switches, and SLAMS Rhea! Rhea fights up, fights the lift, and elbows free! Bianca runs up to DROPKICK Rhea to a corner! Bianca kips up, the fans are torn, but Bianca says kiss this. Bianca RAMS into Rhea, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, but Iyo returns! Bianca backflips, Iyo runs into Rhea! Bianca RAMS them both! Bianca climbs up and starts again! The fans count and Bianca goes all the way to TEN, then keeps going! But Iyo gets free and grabs the braid! Bianca uses that to whip Iyo to the corner. Rhea shoves Bianca, Iyo dodges! Bianca BOOTS Rhea, Iyo goes up, DOUBLE BLOCKBUSTER!
Iyo double high stacks, TWO! DOUBLE SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Iyo runs at Bianca, only to be put on the apron. Bianca SMACKS Iyo off the buckles! But Rhea BOOTS Bianca out! Rhea goes to the apron, runs and CANNONBALLS Bianca down! The fans fire up but then Iyo goes up! ASAI MOONSAULT and down goes Rhea! The fans fire up with Iyo and she puts Rhea in. Iyo wheelbarrows, victory rolls, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Rhea stays in this but Iyo runs, only to dodge Bianca! Bianca LARIATS Rhea up and out, talks more trash, but Iyo sunset flips Bianca! TWO! Bianca gets up to CLOBBER Iyo!
The fans are torn and Bianca is annoyed. Bianca runs, but she handsprings over Iyo’s drop down. Bianca again says kiss this, then she wrenches Iyo to snap suplex! Roll through, snap suplex! Roll through again, and stalling suplex! Bianca hits her own Three Amigas and then swaggers. Bianca runs, handsprings, but Rhea trips her up! Rhea drags Bianca out to CLUB away! Iyo goes to the apron, and she leaps, FLYING RAN- NO! Bianca stops Iyo, and SWINGS her into the barriers! Then swings her at Rhea! Rhea catches Iyo, the two decide to THROW Iyo into the barriers! Rhea then kicks Bianca, puts her in the ring, and gets around to kick low.
Rhea reels Bianca in, suplexes, but Bianca slips free. Bianca waistlocks, Rhea ELBOWS free, but Iyo leaps in! Rhea dodges, comes back and kicks low. Rhea gets Iyo up, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto Bianca! A shoutout to both Priest and Hall, then a cover on Iyo, TWO! Rhea is annoyed but she hauls Iyo up. Iyo fights the lift, victory rolls, but Rhea trips her up! Rhea has the legs, ties them up, and has Iyo in the PRISM TRAP! But Bianca grabs Rhea! Torture rack and KISS OF- NO, Rhea lands out to arm-drag! They both run Bianca dodges the boot, but then they both return! DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS take both women down!
The fans are thunderous as all three women are on the mat, and they all go to corners. “This is Awesome!” as Iyo rises first. SHINKANSEN for Rhea! SHINKANSEN for Bianca! Another for Rhea! Iyo drags Rhea to the drop zone, then goes up, up, and OVER THE- NO, Rhea goes up to stop Iyo! Bianca runs up to CLUB Rhea! Bianca has Rhea, Rhea has Iyo, DOUBLE SUPER BACK SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous again as all three women are down! Bianca finds Rhea and drags her up. Rhea breaks free to ROCK Bianca, but Bianca ROCKS her back! Bianca slips around, shoves, but Rhea ducks ‘n’ dodges. Bianca hurdles, but then Rhea BOOTS her!
Iyo springboards to MISSILE DROPKCIK Rhea! Kip up and a handspring, the fans are going nuts for the Evil Genius! But Bianca POUNCES Iyo!! The fans boo but all three women are down again. Bianca crawls to the apron, climbs a corner, and goes up to 450 SPLASH on Iyo! Cover, but Rhea BOOTS Bianca away! Rhea pump handles, RIPTIDE!! Cover, TWO!?!? Bianca survives, proving she’s the toughEST, and that absolutely shocks Rhea! Rhea pleads with the ref, but no, the count was two. Rhea storms over to Iyo, drags her up and pump handles her now! RIP- DDT!! Iyo turns things around just in time! And then SHIN- EDDY GORDO KICK!
Iyo flops against the ropes, Rhea goes up the corner, and Rhea drags Iyo up the corner! Rhea pump handles again, for a SUPER RIP- ARM-DRAG!! Iyo roars and goes up! The fans fire up for the OVER THE MOONSAULT into BOOTS! And then the torture rack! KISS OF DEATH!!! Cover, RHEA BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric while all three women are down again! Bianca is freaking out, and she storms up on Rhea. Rhea sits up, Bianca SLAPS her, and then talks trash! Bianca shouts she works harder and deserves this more than Rhea! But Rhea SLAPS Bianca! Bianca DECKS Rhea! Bianca storms up, but Rhea BOOTS her!
Rhea gives the trash talk back, then DUMPS Bianca out! Rhea ROCKS Bianca, SMACKS her off the apron, then goes up the corner. The fans fire up and Rhea drags Bianca up the corner! Bianca fights back with body shots, but Rhea CLUBS Bianca! They brawl with big shots, then Rhea HEADBUTTS Bianca! Bianca falls to the floor, but Iyo SHORYUKENS! Iyo goes up to get Rhea, SUPER POISON- NO!! Rhea blocks with just one hand on the ropes! Rhea SWINGS Iyo into the post!! But Bianca torture racks Rhea!! KISS OF- RHEA LANDS OUT! The brawl is on again with big haymakers! And a HEADBUTT! And a RIP- NO, Bianca slips free!
Bianca WHIPLASHES with the braid!!! Then KISS OF DEATH!!! Cover, OVER THE MOONSAULT!!! Iyo covers Bianca, IYO WINS!!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s World Champion)
The Evil Genius snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, and maybe now the others will respect her! Who will be next to put Iyo to the test as a champion?
Sin City Street Fight: Damian Priest VS Drew McIntyre!
The Archer of Infamy has had enough of the Scottish Terminator blaming him for all his shortcomings since last WrestleMania. Now, they throw the rulebook out the window and fight like there’s no tomorrow. Will Priest send McIntyre South of Heaven? Or will McIntyre be guilty as sin in Sin City?
Fittingly, Drew McIntyre comes out as “Doomslayer,” from Doom: The Dark Ages. But just as fittingly, Priest has THE Kerry King of Slayer here to play his theme song live. Priest puts his new jacket aside, and Drew attacks! The bell rings, the fans fire up, and Drew fires off on Priest at the ropes. Priest shoves Drew, then dodges to LARIAT Drew up and out! Drew stagger sup, Priest FLYING ELBOWS off the apron! Priest then ROCKS Drew with a right! Drew staggers away, Priest SMACKS him off barriers, and Drew staggers away again. Priest SUPERKICKS Drew, then RAMS him into barriers! But Drew ROCKS Priest!
Drew reels Priest in and suplexes him to the LED ramp! The fans rally up while Drew leaves Priest behind. Drew pulls the steel steps apart, brings the base steps into the ring, then goes back for the other piece. But Priest CHUCKS it into Drew’s head! The fans fire up as Drew falls! Priest drags Drew up, and whips him hard into barriers! Drew falls behind the Hydration Station, but Priest brings out a TABLE! Vegas cheers as Priest puts that table in the ring. Drew returns to ROCK Priest! Drew SMACKS Priest off steel steps! And then off the English desk! Drew then POSTS Priest, goes back for more steel steps, and pulls those apart.
Drew has the smaller piece and he RAMS Priest! And RAMS him again! And then SLAMS it down on Priest’s back! Drew drops the steps, the fans fire up, and the ref checks on Priest. Priest sits up but Drew brings the steps back over, to SMASH Priest again! Drew borrows a fan’s phone? That’s his brother! Drew uses the phone to take a selfie and post it! Just like last year! Drew runs up to KICK Priest down, then pushes Priest in the ring. Drew goes looking under the ring, and he brings out a chair! Drew JAMS Priest in the ear! Drew then brings out TWO TABLES! Drew sets one up at ringside, then sets the other one up next to it.
Drew smiles as he pats the tables. Drew goes to the apron, but Priest ROCKS him! Drew wobbles, Priest ROCKS him again! Priest winds up, but Drew GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS first! Drew runs and he LARIATS Priest up and out the other side! Drew thinks about it now, and he builds speed! Drew FLIES and down goes Priest! The fans fire up and Drew stands tall. Drew drags Priest back up, puts him back in the ring, then storms in. Drew soaks up the cheers and the jeers, then he goes to a corner. Priest flounders, Drew has the countdown! “THREE! TWO!” CHAIR TO THE FACE!! But Drew rebounds and CLAYMORES anyway!! Cover, TWO?!?
Priest survives, but it’s just as surprising that Drew didn’t fall from that chairshot. Drew grabs that very chair Priest threw, and he takes aim. Drew SMACKS Priest on the back! And SMACKS him again! Drew then puts the chair around Priest’s head! The ref says don’t do this, but that’s all the ref can do as Drew takes aim! Drew runs up, but Priest grabs Drew first! CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Drew survives because Priest couldn’t do the sit-out! Priest crawls back and stands back up. Priest grabs another chair, takes aim, and he SMACKS Drew on the back! Drew writhes, but Priest sits him up, just to SMACK him down again!
Drew writhes and Priest paces. The fans rally, Priest takes aim again, and he SMACKS Drew down! Drew writhes while Priest goes to a corner. Priest rips away the padding on the crossbars, and then wedges the chair in. But Drew hits a SPINEBUSTER! Drew grabs that table Priest brought out, and now Drew stands it up. Drew drags Priest up, puts him on the top rope, and then CHOPS! Drew climbs up, fireman’s carries, and then tucks, but Priest slips free! Priest CLUBS Drew, and now he looks to the table! Crucifix lift, RAZOR’S EDGE through the table!! Cover, TWO!?! Drew survives and Priest is shocked!
Priest drags himself up, goes to the base steps, and he brings those around. Priest brings down the straps and the fans fire up. Priest waits on Drew as Drew hobbles around. Priest clamps on with the grip, but Drew CLAWS Priest’s eyes! Drew goes up the steps, reels Priest in, FULL METAL FUTURE SHOCK!!! Cover, TWO!??! Priest survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as both men writhe and crawl. Drew seethes, and he watches Priest rise up. Priest glares at Drew, but Drew SLAPS Priest! Priest SLAPS back, and now the haymakers start flying! It is fast ‘n’ furious and the fans are loving it!
Drew CHOPS! CHOPS! And CHOPS! Priest CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Drew HEADBUTTS, Priest LARIATS! Drew is down and the fans fire up! Priest drags Drew up by his hair, but Drew pushes Priest away. Priest comes back, knuckle locks, and he goes up the corner. The fans fire up as Priest goes Old School, but Drew SHOVES HIM OFF! PRIEST FALLS THROUGH THE TABLES ON THE OUTSIDE!!! The fans are losing their minds over that crash landing, and Drew manages to smile. Drew hobbles his way over while Priest flounders in the wreckage. Drew drags Priest up and into the ring, and pushes him against the chair Priest put in the corner!
Drew hobbles corner to corner, runs back in, FULL METAL CLAYMORE!!!! Cover, DREW WINS!!!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Doom McIntyre just slayed the Archer of Infamy! Drew tells the ref to stop caring about Priest, and he makes the ref raise his hand in victory! Will Drew finally get over this grudge and go back for gold?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way: Bron Breakker VS Penta VS Finn Balor VS Dominik Mysterio!
The Badass Booty Nephew has been a dominate champion, and he’s had the dogs barking all over the world. But with this title comes a target, and now he’s in the biggest title defense he’s had yet! Will Bron make the most of the Steiner Math he worked out the other day? Will that 129.2% be trumped by #CeroMiedo? Or will this title soon belong to the Judgment Day?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the numbers spell disaster at WrestleMania!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Bron runs up! Dom dodges, but then Penta storms up. Bron DECKS Penta, stomps him, but Finn & Dom go after Bron! The fans boo as the Judgment Day boys mug Bron, then TOSS him out. Finn & Dom soak up the heat, but Penta GAMANGIRIS Finn! Penta goes up to CROSSBODY Dom! Penta then baits Finn in and RANAS him out! Dom runs up but Penta TOSSES him! Penta then builds speed and FLIES! Down goes both Finn & Dom and the fans fire up! But Bron LEAPS in from outta nowhere! Down goes Penta! The fans bark for Bron as he stands tall. Bron puts Penta in the ring, then builds speed, but Penta SUPERKICKS!
Penta shouts, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs, springboards, but into a POWERSLAM! Bron catches Finn, military presses him, and BREAKKER SLAMS him! Dom is back, but Bron SPEARS Dom! Cover, Finn breaks it! Finn does it more for his own chances, but now he regrets it as Bron storms up. Bron RAMS Finn into the corner again and again. Penta runs up, Bron ELBOWS him back, and then Bron RAMS Penta into the corner again and again. Finn runs up to SLINGBLADE! Penta SLING-DOGS Finn! Penta GAMANGIRIS Dom, sits him down, and then Penta drop toeholds Finn into Dom! Penta goes up, headstand and DROPKICK!
The fans fire up as Penta covers Finn, TWO! Penta traps one arm, grabs the other, and he makes Finn SACRIFICE! Penta pump handles Finn, lifts, but Bron waistlocks Penta! GERMAN SUPLEX HALF NELSON SUPLEX COMBO!! Bron kips up and Vegas barks even louder! Bron aims from a corner, runs in, but Penta dodges! Bron POSTS himself! Dom rushes in to THROW Penta down by his mask! Slingshot SENTON! Dom stomps a mudhole into Bron! Dom runs side to side and DROPKICKS Bron out! The fans are torn for Dom as he hits a suplex! Uno Amigo! Dom drags Penta up, DOS AMIGO! Then some Latino Heat, but Penta blocks!
Finn CLUBS Penta, he and Dom work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Carlito cheers his guys on as Finn & Dom mug Bron. They reel Bron in, but Bron fights the double suplex to DOUBLE SUPLEX them! Bron kips up, brings down the straps, and he catches Finn to OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Then an OVERHEAD for Dom! Bron LARIATS Finn in the corner, then he hoists Finn up top. Bron LARIATS Dom back down, then he goes up after Finn, SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives and the fans fire up! Bron seethes as he rises up, and “This is Awesome!” as Bron goes back to a corner. Bron takes aim again, but Finn KICKS him first!
Penta SUPERKICKS Bron! Dom DROPKICKS Penta! Finn LARIATS Bron out of the ring! And now Dom aims at Finn! The fans wanna see it, and Dom DROPKICKS Finn onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Finn blocks the 619! Dom apologizes, but Finn KICKS the leg out, and stomps a mudhole into Dom! Penta hooks Finn up, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, BRON BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as now Bron and Penta stare down. They rise up and fire shots back and forth! The fans rally, and Penta CHOPS! Bron JUMP KNEES! Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta roars, runs, but has to dodge Bron! Carlito DUMPS Bron out!
The fans boo but Dom rolls Penta up, TWO!! Penta escapes, SUPERKICKS, then mule kicks! Penta runs, and hits a DESTROYER!! Cover, CARILTO DRAGS PENTA OUT! The fans boo but Carlito SMACKS Penta off the desk! Carlito clears the desk, tells Pat and Maggle and Wade to back off, then he drags Penta up. but Bron is on the other desk!? Bron jumps off the Spanish desk to SPEAR Carlito through the English desk!! The fans go nuts as Bron and Carlito are down in the wreckage! Penta leaves that mess behind and Bron manages to get in the ring. Bron powers up again, and he runs at Penta, SPEAR!!! But Dom slides in!
Dom DROPKICKS Bron onto ropes! Dom redials, 619 connects!! Dom goes up the corner, but Finn trips Dom up! The Prince aims at Bron while the fans boo, and Finn SLINGBLADES! Then he takes aim, SHOTGUN! Bron is down in the drop zone! Finn climbs and takes aim, COUP DE GRACE!!! Cover, but Dom FROG SPLASHES onto it all!! Cover on Finn, DOM WINS!!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Lie, cheat and steal, Dom learned a lot from Uncle Eddie! And now just like Uncle Eddie, he checks off the Intercontinental Championship! But what does this mean for Judgment Day?
Open Challenge: Randy Orton VS ???
The Viper wanted to settle scores with The Prizefighter, but Kevin Owens needed major neck surgery, and now we don’t even know if Kevin will ever return to the ring. In the meantime, Orton still wants a match for his 20th, so he put it out there that anyone can step to him. Orton grabs a mic and he tells the fans, “Tonight marks my 20th WrestleMania! Ladies and gents, I said that I would be here at WrestleMania 41 ready to go. The only question now is, who is gonna come through that curtain? I’ll tell you one thing, whoever it is, they’re gonna get their WrestleMania Moment, and it’s gonna be courtesy of the three most dangerous letters in all of sports entertainment: R K O!”
Orton throws down the mic, paces inside the ring, and who answers the call? “Say his name and he appears… I believe in Joe Hendry!” That’s right! The TNA World Heavyweight Champion is making his WrestleMania debut, and everyone sings along with his song like they did with Voices! Orton isn’t quite sure what to make of this, but the fans are loving it! The bell rings, the fans chant “WE BELIEVE! WE BELIEVE!” as Orton and Hendry step up. Then R K- NO, Hendry rolls Orton up! TWO, and then Hendry… TURNS! Hendry smiles and Orton is again unsure what to do with that. The two reset and circle again.
Orton kicks Hendry low, then runs, but Hendry blows past him to CLOBBER Orton! The fans fire up and Hendry brings Orton up. But Orton kicks low! Orton takes a swing, Hendry dodges and hits a NECKBREAKER! Then Hendry gets the fans to join in on We Will Rock You! Hendry grabs Orton by the neck, but Orton sees he’s taller. Orton pokes Hendry in the eye! And then LARIAT! LARIAT! Dodge and SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Orton brings Hendry up again. Orton puts Hendry in the ropes, drags him out, and DRAPING DDT! The fans fire up and Orton smirks, because Orton hears those voices in his head!
Orton watches Hendry rise up, but Hendry powers out of the RKO! Hendry scoops Orton to FALL AWAY SLAM! Hendry kips up, the fans fire up, and Hendry… TURNS! The fans cheer that big smile, RKO OUTTA NOWHERE!! Cover, Orton wins!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
The Viper strikes, the Viper wins, and that’s a great way to cap off 20 years! But Orton does show Hendry respect by helping him stand back up. The fans cheer, Orton tells Hendry that all these people believe in him, and Hendry thanks Orton. Orton raises Hendry’s hand in respect, the fans cheer more, and then Orton RKOS!! Thanks for coming, Hendry! And then Orton… TURNS! Orton does his pose and the fans cheer. Will Orton only hit a new level of excellence on the other side of 20 years?
AJ Styles VS Logan Paul!
The Phenomenal One is just the newest of a long list of people that don’t like The Maverick. It isn’t Logan’s ability in the ring, it’s the fact Logan Paul is brash, obnoxious, and just downright arrogant, and that’s being nice. But will Styles use his own talent and ability to finally humble Logan? Or will Logan go from annoying to insufferable in the blink of an eye?
Logan of course vlogs his entrance with a selfie video, soaking up all the heat as he goes. Then things go multiscreen just so we can see Logan from all angles. One Logan Paul is bad enough, but imagine nine of him… Finally, Styles makes his entrance, and he knows he only needs to be the one and only. The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally for Styles, he and Logan tie up, and they’re in a deadlock. Styles powers Logan back, put shim in a corner, but the ref counts. Logan turns things around, the ref counts more, and Logan lets off to talk trash. Logan shoves Styles, eggs Styles on, but Styles just laughs that off.
The fans rally as Styles and Logan circle. They tie up, Styles slips around and headlocks. Logan fires body shots, then powers his way to a headlock. Styles endures, lifts, and puts Logan on ropes. Styles powers out, hurdles, then drops down. Logan stops himself, Styles runs up, but Logan puts him on the apron. Styles RAMS Logan, slides in and whips, but Logan reverses, only for Styles to run him over! Styles talks smack, runs, but now Logan hurdles. Styles DROPKICKS Logan down! Styles covers, ONE, but Styles goes to the outside. Styles drags Logan out, slaps him around, but Logan kicks Styles away.
Styles bumps into the desk, Logan PLANCHAS, but Styles catches him in the apron skirt! Styles goes all Fit Finlay on Logan Paul! Styles then CHOPS Logan, the fans “WOO~!” and Styles throws up the Too Sweet. The fans cheer, and Styles goes back to SLIDING KNEE Logan from the apron! Logan falls down, Styles steps inside, and the ring count climbs. The fans cheer Styles while he waits on Logan. Logan crawls around on the floor, Styles goes out the side, but Logan RAMS Styles into barriers! Logan brings Styles around to UPPERCUT! Logan whips Styles, Styles reverses and Logan hits barriers hard! The fans fire up while Styles stands tall.
Styles stalks Logan, drags him up, and SMACKS him off the apron. The fans rally behind Styles while he pushes Logan into the ring. Styles goes to the apron, but Logan avoids the shoulder to KICK Styles, POST him, and then whip him into the other POST! Styles falls to the floor and Logan slaps some sense into himself. Logan wants the count to get going but we’re only at 3 of 10. Styles rises at 5, but Logan PLANCHAS! Direct hit this time and Logan fires up! The fans boo even harder, but Logan stalks Styles around the way. Logan SMACKS Styles off the Spanish desk, mockingly says, “AJ Who!?” And he SMACKS Styles off the apron.
Logan refreshes the ring count, then goes to his Hydration Station. Logan grabs his camera and taunts Styles. Logan lets the drone fly, and Logan uses the apron skirt to CHOKE Styles! We have a birds eye view as Logan HOTSHOTS Styles, and then goes up the corner! Logan watches his drone, then hits the #PAULFROMGRACE! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives that splash and the fans cheer. Logan reels Styles in, whips him to a corner, then whips corner to corner hard! Styles falls back, Logan paces, and the fans boo. Logan reels Styles in, hoists him up, OVER BOMB! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Styles survives but Logan just smiles.
Logan brings out the Hogan “I can’t hear you,” and fans boo more. Logan whips Styles, BOOTS him down, and then hits the pose. LOGAN LEG DROP, BROTHER! Cover, ONE!! Styles survives and Logan is annoyed. Logan winds up, he JABS, JABS, and JABS! But Styles RAMS Logan into the corner! Styles fires haymakers and the fans fire up! Styles stops as the ref counts, then runs up. Logan ELBOWS Styles, QUEBRADA! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally, Logan drags Styles up, and Logan fires body shots and UPPERCUTS! Logan UPPERCUTS again and again until Styles falls! The fans boo while Logan flexes. Logan then goes back to the corner and climbs up.
Logan soaks up more heat, then goes back for Styles. Logan drags Styles up, whips him to a corner, but Styles stops short! Styles is getting fired up as Logan doesn’t even realize it! Logan turns around, into a LARIAT! LARIAT! PHENOMENAL BLITZ! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! SLIDING FOREARM! Styles runs and LARIATS in the corner! Styles suplexes, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Logan is tougher than that, and he sits up smirking though a bit dazed. Styles reels Logan back in, but Logan slips free of the Clash! Logan kicks low, back suplex, but Styles lands out! Logan runs up, but Styles BOOTS him!
Styles goes out, springboards in, but Logan catches Styles to a fireman’s carry! Logan roars, ROLLING SENTONS, then LIONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives, even as Logan gets impressive air. The fans rally up, Logan brings Styles to a corner and puts him up top. Logan climbs up, talks trash, but Styles fires elbows! Logan staggers back, but he returns to CLUB Styles! Styles ELBOWS Logan again, rolls off Logan’s back, and lifts him up! Logan grabs ropes, and he kicks while upside-down! Styles KICKS Logan while he’s upside-down! Logan flips to the apron, and he SMACKS Styles off buckles! Styles staggers away and Logan takes aim!
Logan slingshots, BUCKSHOT! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives because Logan isn’t about that #CowboySh*t. Even so, Logan fires hands on Styles in the corner! Logan winds up, runs up, ONE LUCKY- NO, Styles ducks the punch, slips under Logan and torture racks! TOWER HACKER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Logan survives, even as Styles busts out a classic. The fans still rally for Styles and he goes to a corner. Styles steps outside, takes aim, and he springboards to 450 SPLASH onto knees!! Logan drags Styles up, reels him in, and he calls for Styles’ move?! STYLES CLASH!!! But Styles rolls through the cover to have Logan up! STYLES CLASH!!!
Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! But wait! Logan’s friend, Jeff, sneaks over the barriers! And he’s got the brass knuckles! The fans boo but WAIT! KARRION KROSS IS HERE! Kross has Jeff’s arm, and he snatches the knuckles away. Styles drags Jeff and THROWS him! Kross nods to Styles, and holds up the knuckle dusters… Kross promises he isn’t gonna do anything, he just wants Styles to use the knuckles to take out Logan. Logan puts them on, to DECK Kross! Styles then goes back to the apron, he ROCKS Logan with a forearm, and then springboards! Logan ducks the forearm, to hit ONE LUCKY RIGHT!!
Logan lifts Styles for the PAUL-VERIZER!!! Cover, LOGAN WINS!!!
Winner: Logan Paul, by pinfall
Styles did things the right way, but he also took his eye off the ball. Logan picks up the fumble and runs it all the way back to the house to win it all. Will WWE soon belong to Logan Paul?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Lyra Valkyria & ???
This was meant to be the Judgment Day’s leading ladies against The Morrigan & The Role Model. However, someone, or a couple someones, took Bayley out of action with a backstage attack. Bayley doesn’t know who, Liv & Raquel swear it wasn’t them, but the bottom line is that Lyra needs back-up. Who stepped up to have their WrestleMania Moment? IT’S THE MAN, BECKY LYNCH!! Does that mean it’s time to kick some major lass here in Las Vegas?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if teaming with one Horsewoman is as good as another!
The teams sort out and the fans fire up as Becky steps to Liv. They circle, but then Liv tags out to Raquel. Big Mami Cool says Becks is gonna regret coming back. Becky ROCKS Raquel, chases after Liv, but Raquel grabs Becky’s hair! Raquel scoops, Becky slips free, and she has a SLEEPER! Raquel fights up with Becky as a backpack. Lyra tags in before Raquel THROWS Becky down! Becky ROCKS Raquel, Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, and then Becky SOBATS! Lyra RAMS Raquel, runs, but handsprings through the hip toss to ENZIGIRI! The fans fire up and Lyra runs, springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up for Lyra, “WOO~! WOO~!”
Lyra builds speed and WRECKS Raquel with a dropkick! Lyra then drags Raquel up, puts her back in the ring, and she climbs a corner. Liv runs up, Lyra BOOTS her, but Becky protesting only distracts the ref so Liv can get back up. Liv SHOVES Lyra down for Raquel to BOOT her down! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives, Becky coaches her up, but Raquel drags Lyra away. Raquel runs up to ELBOW Lyra, tags Liv, and Liv stomps away on Lyra! Tag back to Raquel, and Raquel drags Lyra up to fire ELBOWS! The ref reprimands and counts, but Raquel brings Lyra up. Tag to Liv, Raquel RAMS Lyra back in and Liv stomps Lyra some more.
Liv shrieks at the ref for counting, then snap suplexes Lyra! Una Amiga a la Dom, then Dos Amigas! Liv drags Lyra up for THREE AMIGAS! Liv gives some heat, then DECKS Becky! ENZIGIRI for Lyra! Cover, TWO! Becky storms in but the ref stops her, and that lets Liv & Raquel mug Lyra! Tag to Raquel, she drags Lyra up and suplexes to then SLINGSHOT JACKHAMMER! Cover, TWO! Raquel drags Lyra up, tags Liv, and they mug Lyra more. Liv drags Lyra up to snap suplex again, then tags Raquel. Raquel SLAMS Lyra down, then grabs at legs, but Lyra kicks her away. Lyra crawls, Raquel grabs legs again! But Lyra avoids th eelbow drop!
Lyra crawls, Liv rushes in to drag Lyra back! Lyra ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up as Lyra crawls, but Liv YANKS Becky down! The fans boo but now Liv regrets that. Becky chases Liv, they go inside, and Raquel BOOTS Becky! Raquel TOSSES Becky, then goes back for Lyra. Raquel reels Lyra in for a scoop and SWINGING SLAM! Cover, TWO! Tag to Liv and The Judgment Day drags Lyra up. They double whip, but Lyra KICKS Liv! Lyra then BOOTS Raquel from the corner, ELBOWS Liv, and dodges Raquel! Raquel POSTS herself, hot tag to Becky! Liv is scared and the fans are fired up! Becky LARIATS again and again, then dodges to FLYING FOREARM!
The fans fire up but Raquel returns! Becky dodges her to then ENZIGIRI! Raquel goes to a corner, Becky runs to forearm! Becky runs and forearms Liv! Then back to Raquel, but she puts Becky on the apron! Becky DECKS Raquel, goes up, and MOLLY-GO-ROUND! Then she catches Liv, BECKSPLODER! The fans are all fired up and Becky builds speed to WRECK Liv on the outside! Becky then aims to FLYING FOREARM! Becky puts Liv back in the ring, kicks her low, reels her in, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX, into the ARMBAR! Liv rolls to stack, TWO! Becky turns Liv over, DISARM HER!!! Liv flails, kicks, but Raquel is in!
Raquel BOOTS Becky down, then she BOOTS Lyra! Raquel runs up but Becky DUMPS her out! Liv runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, LYRA BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Lyra drags Liv up. Lyra whips, Liv grabs ropes and KICKS in return! Liv runs now, but Lyra dodges Oblivion to DIVE onto Raquel! TORNADO DDT to the floor! Liv WRECKS Lyra with a dropkick! Becky clinches, MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, the lasses win!!
Winners: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
Talk about a turn of fortunes! Bayley went down, Becky stepped up, and with Becky’s help, Lyra is now a DOUBLE CHAMPION! But now Lyra & Becky are going to visit NXT this Tuesday to defend these belts against Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin! Will it be quite the homecoming for The Morrigan & The Man?
Stone Cold Steve Austin is here!
Vegas goes nuts as the glass shatters, and The Texas Rattlesnake rides out on a four-wheeler! He goes down the ramp, goes around the ring a couple times, but then rams into the barrier! Whoops! Maybe Austin had a couple Steveweisers before coming out. Austin grabs a mic to say, “If you’re havin’ a great time at WrestleMania, gimme a ‘Hell Yeah!'” “HELL YEAH!” Austin says, “Some o’ ya heard me, some o’ ya didn’t. If you’re having a great time at WrestleMania, gimme a ‘Hell Yeah!'” “HELL YEAH!!” Austin says he is out here to announce tonight’s attendance. It is officially 63,226! And Austin’s been in a lot of buildings just like this, and it just feels like way more than 63,226!
The fans cheer, and Austin demands a recount! Sometimes when you want a job done right, you gotta do it yourself. Everyone sit down and stay still so he can count. Austin actually starts counting! And every time, we get “WHAT?” Wait, are we gonna get 63,000 what’s?! Austin says nah, enough of that BS. 63,226 tonight, so the weekend total is 124,693 “solid ass cats!” Austin hopes everyone makes it home safely, and hopes everyone comes back for next year’s WrestleMania. “And that’s the bottom line, cuz Stone Cold said so!” The pyro goes off, and now Austin gets to have some Steveweisers! The fans cheer the beer bath, and Austin reloads for even more!
Austin goes back out to apologize to the fans behind the spot in the barriers he hit, then he chooses to walk back up the ramp. When and where will we see Stone Cold again?
Undisputed WWE Championship: Cody Rhodes VS John Cena!
It’s the moment of truth. The Rock wanted The American Nightmare to “sell his soul” so he could be living the easy life as The Final Boss’s Champion. Cody rejected the offer in the most direct way possible, only for the sixteen-time world champion to show his true colors. And now, seven weeks later, after both verbal battles and physical confrontations, these two will finally put it to the test: Will Cody Rhodes do the “right thing?” Or will he do what it takes to win? The Last Time is Now, but will it also be Cena’s SEVENTEENTH time as world champion?
For Cena’s entrance, his tron is boiled down to just black and white, and his name up in lights. His final WrestleMania, and Cena won’t give the fans the satisfaction of a flashy, over the top spectacle of an entrance. As for Cody’s entrance, there’s a lot of smoke, and then there are Motocross dirt bike riders going across the stage! Then, as they stop and stand in line, and as the smoke clears, Cody Rhodes is there, a brand new skull helmet on his head. It opens up like Ironman’s helmet! The fans sing along with Cody’s song, “WHOA~ OH~!” The pyro goes off and Cody continues down the ramp, looking out at the sea of people here in Las Vegas.
Cody stands on the corner for the second “WHOA~ OH~!” and pyro, then he gets a hug and kiss from wife, daughter, and mother. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and time to learn the difference between the first and the last!
The fans are already thunderous with their dueling, “LET’S GO, CENA!” “CENA SUCKS!” The bell rings, the fans fire up more, and the two circle. Cena and Cody take a moment to hear all of that energy from the WWE Universe. The two then tie up, go around, and Cody headlocks. Cena endures as Cody grinds the hold, then he powers up and out. Cody runs Cena over! Cena bails out, the fans are torn, and Cody asks if this is supposed to be #BigMatchJohn. Cena cools off while the fans continue to duel. Cena steps back into the ring, Cody eggs him on, and the two reset. Cena seems just annoyed by the fans at this point.
Cody and Cena tie up. Cody headlocks, then shifts, and hammerlocks. Cena goes to the ropes, the ref counts the break, and Cody lets go. Cena steps outside in a huff, and he wants Cody to back off. Cody backs up, Cena steps back in, and the fans just get fired up again. Cody and Cena tie up. Cody waistlocks, Cena ELBOWS free, then he headlocks. Cena hits a headlock takeover, as if to show he can wrestle. Cody headscissors, and he holds Cena down with the squeeze. Cena powers free, but Cody DROPKICKS him! Cena bails out again and is just frustrated now. Cody builds speed and DIVES! No more escaping the action for Cena!
Cody puts Cena in, storms up, but Cena DECKS Cody! Cena then headlocks, but Cody powers him to a corner. The ref reprimands and counts, but Cena sucker punches Cody! The fans are torn as Cena stomps away on Cody! Cena bumps Cody off buckles, then whips him to ropes. Cena BOOTS Cody down, a rare thing for Cena even when he was in his prime. Cena does a mocking bow, then he DECKS Cody again! Cena stomps Cody, drags him up and reels him in, but the fans seem to be fighting about something of their own. Cody pops free to fire hands! Cena stomps Cody’s foot! Cena then KNEES Cody in the head!
Cena seethes while Cody crawls to a corner. Cena stalks Cody, drags him up, and Cena whips corner to corner. Cody hits buckles hard, then falls to the mat. Cody crawls under the bottom rope, but Cena grabs the legs! ROPE GUILLOTINE! Cena talks trash on Cody while he tumbles to the floor, then Cena goes out after Cody. Cena puts Cody in the ring, stalks him again, and runs up to BOOT Cody down! Cena then takes aim, runs up, and LARIATS! And then he LARIATS again! Cover, ONE!! Cody shows he’s tougher than that, but Cena clamps on a chinlock. Cody endures as Cena squeezes tight.
The fans rally as Cody fights the hold, but Cena leans on him. Cody fights up, stands, and he fires body shots! Cena lets go, and Cody ROCKS him with haymakers! Cody backs Cena down, has him on the ropes then whips, only for Cena to reverse, scoop, and SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Cena goes to a corner, hops up, and waits on Cody to stand. Cena leaps to AX HANDLE! Cena brings out more classic pro-wrestling moves, and he bumps Cody off buckles! Cena hops up again, to AX HANDLE again! Cena climbs up again, Cody stands back up, and Cena AX- NO, Cody kicks low! Cody ROCKS Cena with more rights!
Cena pokes Cody in the eyes! And then Cena CLUBS and HAMMERS away on Cody! Cover, TWO! Cody stays in this, even as Cena resorts to some new lows. But Cena grins as he literally kicks Cody’s butt! Cena hears the fans duel even harder as he stands Cody up. Cena whips, Cody reverses, then Cody runs up, but into a BOOT! Cena goes up, to TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Cody survives as Cena turns it up a notch. Cena taunts the fans, taunts Cody, and then runs to get the SHOULDER TACKLES going! Now Cena brings out his classic move, but then he stops with just one. Cena dares Cody to get up, and then he runs to SHOULDER TACKLE again!
Cena grins as he’s basically toying with Cody now. Cody staggers up, Cena reels Cody in, and hits the SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans know what’s next in the “five moves of doom,” and Cena knows we know. Cena shakes out his hand, holds it up, and says- EYE POKE from Cody! Cena staggers, runs up on Cody anyway, but Cody goes up and over to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans are torn as Cody powers up! DISASTER KICK! Cody pounds the mat, the fans rally and duel, and Cody runs to springboard and CODY CUTTER! Cover, TWO! Cena survives but Cody stays focused. Cody waits on Cena, to JAB! JAB! JAB!
Cody flips, flops, flies, but Cena drop toeholds! Cody fights off the STF, but Cena fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?! Cody survives, and Cena is actually amused! Cena decides to get back on track, and he tells the fans that “You Can’t See Me!” FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! Then fireman’s carry, but Cody sunset flips! TWO! Cody is up, he counter punches Cena! Cody whips, Cena reverses, but Cody goes up and out, then ROCKS Cena! Cody goes up, up, but Cena hits the ropes! That trips Cody up onto his crossroads! Cena climbs, and he fireman’s carries Cody for a SUPER A A!!! Cover, TWO?!?!
Cody survives the Avalanche Attitude Adjustment, aka the Triple A, and Cena is honestly surprised. Cena decides to pull out all the stops and he climbs up the corner. Cody rises, Cena aims, SUPER FAM- POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Cody’s counter did not finish this, but he and Cena both rise up. Cody looms over Cena, then he runs to go up the corner! SUPER CODY CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Cena survives and now Cody is rather surprised! Cody huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up. The fans are torn as Cody shouts for Cena to get up. Cena rises, Cody dragon sleepers! But Cena wrenches free, fireman’s carry, A A!!! And then the S T F U!!
Cody endures, crawls, drags Cena with him, reaches out, but Cena drags Cody back! S T F U!! Cody endures again, crawls again, drags Cena along again, and reaches out again, only for Cena to drag him back again! And even further! But Cody turns over and BOOTS Cena, into the ref!! Cena fireman’s carries, Cody slips free to dragon sleeper! CROSS RHODES!!! But no ref to count this cover! Cody would’ve won twice over! Maybe even three times over! Cody realizes what happened, and he goes to check the ref while Cena crawls away. Cena rips a buckle pad away! The fans can’t believe he’s going this far! Cena goes back for Cody, but Cody ROCKS Cena!
Cody ROCKS Cena again and again, backing Cena down, But then Cena sends Cody into the bare steel! And then back in again! Fireman’s carry, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Cody survives and no one can believe this! Cena is beside himself, not sure what Cody is made of! WAIT! Is that Travis Scott?! Time to FE!N with the (honorary) Hardcore Champion! Cena grins as The Rock’s other guy makes his way out here! Scott is taking his time but Cena is happy to see him. Cena helps Scott to the apron, raises his hand in victory already, and then says one minute. Cena goes to fetch Cody, and Scott wants to take a shot!
The fans boo, but Cody elbows free! Cody chases Scott off, then he catches Cena! CROSS RHODES!! Cover, but Scott YANKS the ref out!! Cody is furious because the fix is in! Cody says he still owes Scott a receipt, and Scott says bet! Scott storms into the ring, talks some smack, and Cody dares Scott to take a shot. Scott tries, but Cody blocks it! CROSS RHODES for Travis Scott!! Cody pushes Scott out of the ring, but he’s a lot of deadweight. But wait! Cena has Cody’s belt! Cena winds up, BELT- NO, Cody blocks it! Cody says not today! They tug-o-war over the belt, Cody takes the belt away, and now Cena wants mercy!?
Cena wants Cody to remember: Is he going to do what’s right? Or is he going to do what it takes? Cody does hesitate, unsure which is which, and Cena LOW BLOWS him!! The fans are going nuts but Cena picks the belt back up. Cody rises to his feet, only to take the BELT SHOT!! Just like Elimination Chamber! Cena shouts to the ref, drags Cody to a cover, and the ref is in! The count begins, and CENA WINS!!!
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (NEW Undisputed WWE Champion)
And there is history made! Cena did everything he had to, and even needed help from The Rock, but Cena now stands alone as THE historic 17-time WWE Champion! Scott celebrates with Cena, holding their belts high overhead. The pyro goes off as the number 17 is big and bright on the tron. The GOAT is truly THE GOAT, and Cody is living a nightmare. Will The Final Boss be pleased with what his champions did here tonight? Will Cena hold onto this title until he retires at the end of this year? Or can someone, anyone, prevent further tragedy on this twisted farewell tour?
My Thoughts:
Another great night for WrestleMania 41, especially when it had to follow that first great night. Opening with the Women’s World Championship is a good parallel to the World Heavyweight Championship opening yesterday, and that Triple Threat was awesome. All three women are obviously incredible, but they looked even more incredible than that in the match. I’m a little surprised Iyo won instead of Bianca, but that was a great sequence to give Iyo the win. Perhaps Bianca and Rhea split off to have their own feud on the road to Backlash, and who knows who Iyo faces in the meantime, but this is good stuff.
Priest VS McIntyre was an awesome Street Fight, though I’m surprised they didn’t go into the crowd. Maybe that’s for the better, we got that last night with Punk and Rollins in the Triple Threat. But as I figured, Drew wins because he kinda needs it most. Not sure where he goes from here, given where the championships have all ended up, but maybe Face-Heel dynamics won’t matter to Drew. And speaking of championships, great Fatal 4 Intercontinental Championship match. Of course Dom and Finn end up going after each other, but it is a touch surprising Dom turned on Finn. Granted, Finn was throwing that passive aggressive shade, so this is more like Dom standing up to Finn. Great sequence to finish and Dom winning is awesome stuff for him. I would think Dom VS Finn is an obvious feud going towards Backlash and another title match.
Joe Hendry being Randy Orton’s opponent was oddly not on the radar given all the speculation of Aleister Black, Rusev, and a few other possibilities, but it’s great for Hendry to make a WrestleMania debut. I did not think the match would be so quick, but when this is an obvious substitute for the planned Orton VS Kevin match, it does make some sense. Great win for Orton in that way, and of course he RKO’d Hendry a second time just for fun. Backlash being in St. Louis, it should be a given that Orton headlines that, maybe even for the Undisputed WWE Championship.
AJ Styles VS Logan Paul was good, but could’ve been better. Given both guys are so athletic, I’m surprised we didn’t try to make this more about who can fly higher, but it seemed to be more about combining the tech with the high spots. Well, that and testing if Styles can still bust out that aggression. Kross showing up to tempt Styles and Styles resisting was a fine beat, but a bit disappointing that that had to cost Styles for Logan to win. I fear that with Jey Uso as a new Face champion, Logan as the obvious Heel will challenge him for the next stretch.
Great women’s tag title match, and it makes a lot of sense for Becky to be the new tag partner. As I said yesterday, there’s great story for how NXT is going to go, with Lyra being friend to both Tatum and Becky and Tatum can be jealous of Becky. As for Liv & Raquel, they might want a rematch, they might have to deal with Bayley thinking it was them in the attack, who knows. This can also add to the Judgment Day story where Dom is now the only champion in the group, and he has to do his best to lead the group through encouraging Liv & Raquel.
That Stone Cold Steve Austin moment was fun, but then really awkward when he hit the barrier. I can kinda tell he maybe underestimated that turn in front of the desk. He was having fun, saying hey to commentary, and that essentially distracted him and caused the crash. Hopefully the fans there were okay. Seems rather silly they did that much just so Austin could announce the numbers for tonight and then give a “total” that isn’t accurate. Because duh, I would think the majority of the 61,461 or whatever it was came back for night two. So at best, they added another 2,000 people from last night.
And of course, the main event. As a match goes, it was purposefully not good, because of Cena’s line from weeks ago, how he’s going to “ruin wrestling.” I did like that Cena kinda tried to wrestle to stick it to the haters, but then he just resorted to a very Hulk Hogan “big muscular brawler” style. Travis Scott showing up is fitting, but a little disappointing The Rock didn’t make an appearance of any kind. But maybe that’s because fans wanted/expected that, and Cena’s also been about denying fans what they want… But ironically, plenty of fans wanted him to win 17 just for the intrigue, and here we are. Cody’s moment of hesitation costs him, Cena is champion again, and tomorrow night’s Raw is going to be a lot of fun.
My Score: 9.3/10
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