Is Der Ring General about to get a YEET Down?!

King & Queen of the Ring is this Saturday in Saudi Arabia, and Main Event Jey Uso takes on GUNTHER for Raw’s side of the semifinals! Who’s about to get this work?

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Sami Zayn VS Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy; Gable wins.
• Bron Breakker VS Kale Dixon; Bron wins, by referee stoppage.
• Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Iyo Sky VS Lyra Valkyria; Lyra wins and advances to King & Queen of the Ring.
• WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; The Awesome Truth wins and retains the titles.
• WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile VS Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai; Shayna & Zoey win and will challenge for the titles.
• King of the Ring Semifinals: Jey Uso VS GUNTHER; Gunther wins and advances to King & Queen of the Ring.

PLAY BY PLAY

Sami Zayn is here!

The WWE Intercontinental Champion has a big Triple Threat this Saturday, colossal even. But first, he has to settle things with the taskmaster of the Alpha Academy 1v1! Will Sami get even for that ambush German Suplex weeks ago? Or will Gable SHOOOOSH everyone this close to the King & Queen of the Ring event?

Sami gets a mic as the fans cheer him on. “I think that’s as good a way to kick it off as any. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Raw! We are five days away. Five days away from King & Queen of the Ring live from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. I find myself in a Triple Threat match versus Bronson Reed… and Chad Gable… for my Intercontinental Championship. And it’s funny, I was asked in an interview today, ‘Sami, why would you put your championship up in a Triple Threat? Everybody knows the champion has a disadvantage, you don’t even need to be pinned or submitted to lose your title.”

Sami tried to explain because he has two very different issues on his hands, and he wants to deal with them both at the same time. One is a very personal issue with Chad Gable, because you don’t German Suplex a man out of his wife’s arms, in his hometown, in front of his 78 year old father and expect nothing to happen! Gable’s got an ass kicking coming his way! The fans cheer that! Sami then says the other issue is with Bronson Reed. That’s not personal with Bronson. Bronson doesn’t care about Sami, his family, or Gable’s, just the championship. So the way Sami sees it, this is interesting. It is the find of the mind, body and soul.

The mind is Chad Gable, one of the most manipulative and crafty wrestlers of all time. The body is the unmatched brute force of Bronson Reed. And the soul is Sami Zayn! And if Sami’s putting his money on a fight between those, he bets on soul every single time! That soul, that heart, that passion is why Sami IS champion! It’s why he was able to beat the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time at WrestleMania. And it is why at KQOTR, Sami will walk out of there STILL Intercontinental Champion! But then speaking of, here comes Gable! The Alpha Academy follows as Gable says hold on there, Sami. Did he hear Sami call him “Manipulative?”

Gable? Manipulative? Gable’s manipulative? Did Gable manipulate Sami into beating Gunther? No, he coached Sami, and selflessly, into winning. But that’s the problem! Gable’s just too damn nice. He’s been too nice to Sami, and way too nice to the three clowns standing behind him. Take Maxxine for example! Saturday, she should be in Saudi Arabia and competing for the crown in the QOTR finals, but she’s not, is she? No, and why is that? She blew her opportunity! FAILURE! The fans boo but Gable then goes to Tozawa. Tozawa did exactly ZERO percent of the damage he was asked against Bronson Reed. FAILURE!

Which brings Gable to Otis. The fans cheer Otis on but Gable says last week, against Sami Zayn, Otis proved once again why, by far and away, he is the biggest disappointment on the planet. Sami says enough of that. We’ve heard enough out of Gable. In fact, Sami has a question. Not for Gable, but for The Academy. “How much longer are you guys gonna deal with this guy’s crap?!” The fans cheer but Gable says Sami can’t talk to them, he talks to them! Gable sees what Sami is doing! Sami said it himself, Gable’s the brains. Gable sees Sami trying to drive a wedge. But luckily for Gable, the Academy rededicated themselves to Gable and his mission to reestablish respect!

Oh, and Gable will say this. He is sick and tired of Sami talk about his heart and his soul. It’s PATHETIC! In Saudi Arabia, Gable doesn’t have to pin Sami, but he will pin Sami! The fans chant “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but Gable ignores them. He isn’t just taking Sami’s title, he’s taking Sami’s soul. Sami says that’s all well and good, but last he checked, Saudi Arabia isn’t for another five days. And we’re here in Greensboro, North Carolina. Last Sami checked, they’re scheduled for a 1v1 match! Sami’s ready, Gable’s ready, so let’s do it here and now! The fans like that, and Gable steps up. Is Gable ready to give Sami an example of what he means?

Sami Zayn VS Chad Gable w/ The Alpha Academy!

The bell rings, the two tie up, and they go around. They end up on ropes, then in a corner. The ref counts, Gable lets off, but Sami blocks the counter punch to fire off hands! Sami whips, then LARIATS Gable down! The fans fire up and Sami storms up on Gable. Sami bumps Gable off buckles, then climbs up as Gable staggers away. Sami hits a FLYING AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Sami stalks Gable. Sami stands Gable up to CHOP! Sami whips, Gable holds ropes, but Sami clotheslines Gable up and out! The fans fire up, The Academy helps Gable up, but he gets mad at them! Gable doesn’t want their help! The fans boo but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Gable has Sami down, and throws down crossface forearms! The fans boo but Gable snap suplexes Sami down. Gable paces, goes to the corner and climbs, then DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! Sami avoids disaster and the fans fire up! The Academy worries, but Sami storms up to fire hands on Gable! Sami whips, Gable reverses but Sami goes up and over to LARIAT! Sami then gets around Gable, but Gable fights with punches to the head! Gable goes to run but Sami reel shim in! Gable slips free and clinches, EXPLODER! The fans rally for Sami but Gable storms up and CHOKES Sami on ropes!

The fans boo, Gable lets off, and Maxxine is conflicted on taking a cheap shot! Gable is upset with her, but the others console her. Gable says Maxxine never listens! Gable storms up on Sami but Sami ELBOWS him away! And BOOTS him! Sami then runs up but Gable THROAT CHOPS! The fans boo but Gable drags Sami up, whips, but Sami reverses! Sami then fires off on Gable! Sami climbs up, rains down fists, and the fans count all the way to nine but Gable falls! The fans boo about not getting ten, but Sami goes out after Gable. Gable uses Maxxine as a shield! The fans boo the cowardice, but Sami slides back in.

Gable stomps Sami down! Gable CHOKES Sami on ropes, the ref counts, and Gable lets off. Now Tozawa steps up, but he’s also conflicted! The fans say “NO! NO! NO!” and Tozawa can’t do it! Gable is mad at Tozawa now! Gable tells Maxxine and Tozawa they’re just failures! Gable tells them to LEAVE! Tozawa and Maxxine leave, but Sami yanks Gable into a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives and Sami is a bit surprised. Gable goes to the apron then the floor, at the feet of Otis! What’s Otis gonna do? The fans want Otis to leave Gable high and dry, we get a QR Code, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and both men are down in the ring! Sami and Gable rise, Gable waistlocks and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Then GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Sami fights the hattrick with elbows, then switches to GERMAN SUPLEX in return! And GERMAN SUPLEXES again! The fans fire up but Gable fights the hattrick now! Gable throws elbows, Sami ducks one to scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! Gable hangs in there and he goes to a corner. The fans fire up with Sami as he hurries to the other end! Sami runs corner to corner, but Gable rolls and picks the leg! ANKLE LOCK! The fans boo but Sami endures!

Gable leans on the hold, Sami flails and reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Gable lets go in frustration, but he drags Sami up. Gable calls to Otis and throws Sami out to him. Otis is conflicted now, just like the others before! The fans want Otis to do the right thing but he inches closer to Sami. Otis winds back, but then backs away! Gable is frustrated, he gets Sami in the ring and he asks what the hell is wrong with Otis!? Otis has never done what Gable’s asked! Gable SLAPS Otis, then grabs Sami’s title belt! Gable says this is what it takes, and he runs up on Sami! But Sami clinches for a CORNER EXPLODER!

The fans are thunderous as Sami marches to the other end! But then Otis gets up to CLOBBER Sami!! The fans boo but Gable grins! Gable runs up to waistlock and CHAOS THEORY!! Bridging cover, Gable wins!

Winner: Chad Gable, by pinfall

Otis does what Gable wanted, and now Gable has the win! But will Gable get what he wants and finally have a singles title in the WWE? Or will it be a lot harder to screw over Sami and Bronson at the same time?

Iyo Sky speaks.

“Since I arrived, I have dominated everyone in my way. I’ve been a champion of the world, but now… I’m ready for my crown! Damage CTRL took over SmackDown, and once I’m Queen, everyone on Raw will have no choice but to bow down! Especially Lyra Valkyria. Lyra, you’re soaring now, but you’ve flown too close to the sun. You’re in my domain, and you will fall, because I am the Genius of the Sky. And soon, I will be Queen of the Ring!” Will Iyo make Lyra crash and burn just like Icarus? Or will the Evil Genius have no solution to The Morrigan?

Backstage interview with The Alpha Academy.

Jackie Redmond is with Gable and the others, and she congratulates him on the win. She does have to ask about Otis’ involvement, though? Is this part of the master plan to- Whoa, what’s going on back there? Someone calls them over, and LWO has found Cruz Del Toro down, clutching his already injured arm! Adam Pearce is on the scene, tells the cameras to give them space. It’s pretty obvious who would want to hurt LWO, but then what consequences will Carlito & The Judgment Day face for it?

Bron Breakker VS Kale Dixon!

The Big Bad Booty Nephew wasn’t part of this year’s King of the Ring, but it would seem Adam Pearce convinced him to be patient. Will Bron still make quick work of this NXT prospect? Or will Kale prove he’s ready to do more than just Level Up?

The bell rings and Bron sighs. He wants more than this for competition, and this? This is just pissing him off! SPEAR!! Kale sputters and sits up in a daze, but the fans want more! Bron TOSSES Kale up and out of the ring! Bron then goes out the other side, then stalks from around the way. TURBO SPEAR!! The straps come down, the fans bark it up, but then Bron simmers down a bit. Bron drags Kale up, SMACKS him off the apron, then drags him into the ring by his hair! The ref reprimands, but Bron drags Kale around. The ref has Bron back off, checks on Kale, and he calls it! Bron wins by stoppage!

Winner: Bron Breakker, by referee stoppage

Bron isn’t satisfied with this, and the fans want more, too! So Bron runs and runs and builds up speed to SPEAR again!! Clearly Kale isn’t satisfying enough for this hungry dog! Bron scrapes Kale out of the ring, then separates the steel steps! Producers rush out to stand in his way! The fans boo but Bron drops the steps. Bron paces while the refs help Kale up. But then Bron grabs a chair! The fans are just as bloodthirsty! CON-CHAIR-TO with the steps!! Greensboro loses its mind over the savagery, and Pearce is furious! But Bron smirks at Pearce, and says to give him something better next time.

Bron leaves, a stretcher is brought out for Kale, will nothing short of golden opportunities satiate Bron’s monstrous appetite?

Raw returns from break and…

Kiana James asks Pearce if she can help. Pearce says he appreciates the offer but not right now. Kale is loaded into an ambulance, and Pearce shouts at Bron. Pearce knows Bron’s not that good at math but make this make sense!  Bron grins again, and says you can’t control him. Pearce didn’t put Bron in KOTR, this is on him. Bron leaves, will this rabid dog stop at nothing until he gets what he wants?

Lyra Valkyria is at gorilla.

Becky Lynch finds her and says she’s come a long way from home for this. Lyra sacrificed a lot for this! Becky knows how good Lyra is at this, so go show her what this is all about! Lyra tells Becky, “I got this.” Becky nods and Lyra heads out, will The Morrigan get that golden ticket to Saudi Arabia?

Queen of the Ring Semifinals: Iyo Sky VS Lyra Valkyria!

The bell rings and the two tie up. They go around, Iyo puts Lyra on ropes, and the ref counts. Iyo arm-drags Lyra, runs up, but Lyra sidesteps. Iyo ducks a lariat then handsprings to show off. The fans cheer, the two reset, and they circle. Iyo kicks low, then headlocks. Lyra powers up and out, then drops, but Iyo handsprings, only for Lyra to trip her! Lyra Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! Lyra headlocks, Iyo powers up and out, but Lyra stops from hitting buckles. Lyra goes up and over, handsprings and eggs Iyo on. Iyo falls for the bait and Lyra rolls her up! TWO, and the two stand off again. Iyo swings, Lyra dodges, then goes up and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO!

The fans cheer this exchange and Lyra says it was that close. Lyra says she’s gonna be queen, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns and Lyra waistlocks Iyo. Iyo runs to ropes to HOTSHOT Lyra down! Lyra sputters, Iyo runs up to DRIVE- NO, Lyra avoids the drive-by dropkick! Lyra drags Iyo up, but Iyo HOTSHOTS her again! Iyo grits her teeth, storms back in, and she CLUBS away on Lyra! The fans duel, but Iyo SMACKS Lyra off the mat! Cover, TWO! Iyo keeps on Lyra with a chinlock, even digging a knee into Lyra’s back. Lyra moves around but Iyo bumps her off buckles. The fans rally as Iyo stomps a mudhole. Iyo then lets off, to dig her boots in! The ref counts, Iyo swings to DOUBLE KNEE! Lyra sputters, Iyo covers, TWO!

Lyra is still in this but Iyo stalks her. Iyo CHOKES Lyra on the ropes, taunts her, but the ref counts. Iyo lets off at 4, then waits on Lyra. Iyo brings Lyra up, waistlocks, but Lyra fights the lift. Lyra swings, Iyo ducks, and Iyo knees low! Iyo underhooks, to TIGER BACKBREAKER! Lyra writhes, Iyo pushes her to a cover, TWO! The fans rally while Iyo is frustrated. Iyo pushes Lyra down to then clamp on a straitjacket stretch! Lyra endures, even as Iyo bends her back! The fans rally, Iyo SLAMS Lyra down! Then Iyo clamps on, pushes to a cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third, TWO! Iyo tries a fourth cover, ONE!!

Lyra is not making this easy but Iyo gets mad at the ref for his counts. Iyo kicks Lyra around, taunts her, but Lyra grits her teeth. Lyra grabs the leg but Iyo SLAPS her around! Lyra blocks the kick, SLAPS back, then LEG CAPTURE GERMAN!! Iyo flops around and the fans fire up! Lyra snarls as she rises up, and then runs up on Iyo! LARIAT! LARIAT! SOBAT! KICK! HEADBUTT! KICK! ENZIGIRI! Iyo flops out of the ring and the fans fire up! Lyra builds speed and WRECKS Iyo with a dropkick! Iyo tumbles, Lyra hurries to fetch her into the ring. Lyra goes up, takes aim, CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Lyra now hooks Iyo up, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!

Iyo toughs it out, but Lyra brings her up to a fireman’s carry. But Iyo fights free! Iyo throws Lyra down by her hair! The ref reprimands but Iyo METEORAS! Cover, TWO! Lyra survives but Iyo drags her back up. Iyo waistlocks but Lyra fights it. Lyra switches, Iyo reaches out, they go to ropes again. Lyra holds on this time to O’Conner Roll! TWO, but Lyra gets the legs! She turns Iyo over, for a deep SURFBOARD!! Iyo endures as Lyra lifts her up! Lyra rocks Iyo in the hammock, then rolls to a EURO CLUTCH! TWO, Iyo gets Lyra into the CROSSFACE!! Lyra endures, reaches out, rolls to a cover, TWO! Iyo lets Lyra go to SHOTEI!

Lyra goes to a corner, Iyo to the other. Iyo has a bloody nose but that just pisses her off! Iyo runs up, but is put on the apron! Iyo blocks to ROCK Lyra again! Iyo then springboards, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Lyra is on ropes, Iyo DOUBLE KNEES her in the back! Iyo steps on Lyra, goes up the corner, but Lyra YANKS her down! The fans are thunderous as Lyra reels Iyo in! TORNADO- NO, Iyo HOTSHOTS Lyra again! Iyo goes to the apron, PENALTY KICKS, then ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! The Evil Genius is in control as Raw goes back to break!

Raw returns again and Iyo throws forearms with Lyra. The fans rally up, Iyo ROCKS Lyra, and Lyra ROCKS Iyo! They keep going back and forth, but then Lyra gest the edge! Lyra windmills away then fires off kicks! But Iyo kicks the leg! Lyra blocks the next kick, but Iyo elbows free! Wheelbarrow, somersault and STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Iyo fires up as she goes to a corner, then sees Lyra in the other. Iyo runs in, SHINKAN- NO, Lyra avoids the knee! TORNADO DDT! Lyra then drags Iyo up, fisherman and BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Lyra is frustrated, but she drags Iyo up to a fireman’s carry! But Iyo fights free again!

Iyo waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Lyra flounders, Iyo fires up! Iyo runs corner to corner for SHINKANSEN! Lyra is put in the drop zone, Iyo goes up and up and OVER- NO, Lyra anchors a foot! Lyra drags Iyo down, CLUBS her, then climbs up after her! Lyra brings Iyo up to a fireman’s carry! But Iyo kicks and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! But Iyo is too tired to cover! The fans are thunderous, Iyo gets Lyra back into the drop zone, and goes back up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but she has to land out! Lyra fireman’s carries, but Iyo still sunset flips! But Lyra sit son it! LYRA WINS!!

Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the finals)

Iyo is stunned and Greensboro erupts! Lyra Valkyria is in the Queen of the Ring tournament finals!! Will the new girl on Raw soon become Queen of the Ring?

Jackie Redmond interviews Lyra in the ring, and feels this is deja vu! Lyra has- Iyo snatches the mic to tell Lyra off in Japanese! Iyo shoves Lyra aside, then storms off. Well, emotions are running high. But this is Lyra’s moment, so could she have imagined this just three weeks ago when she was drafted/ No, not at all! She couldn’t imagine standing here today, berating a former WWE Women’s Champion! But the trick is, you don’t always know how you’re gonna get the job done, as long as you believe that you can! And she is now just ONE win away from becoming Queen of the Ring! The fans fire up, but who will it be from SmackDown that meets her in Saudi Arabia?

R-Truth talks with New Catch Republic.

He tells Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate that the “losification” can be a prognosis as well. Stick your left arm in, you take your left arm out. Stick your left arm in, then you shake it all about. The Miz walks over and asks if Truth’s ready. Yeah, he’s good. Bate has to keep Dunne from going after Truth… Bate thanks truth for the chat, hopes to see them down the line, maybe even for the titles. Truth says Pete’s a good guy. Miz says yes, but focus. Judgment Day uses numbers, and now with Carlito on their side, Awesome Truth really needs to be careful. Truth says he got that taken care of. He talked to Andre the Giant! Andre will have their back tonight.

Miz isn’t sure how to tell Truth this, but Andre passed away 30 years ago. Passed what away? Uh… Miz isn’t sure what else to say but Truth says he’s got this. Truth heads out, Miz does hope Andre will be with them in spirit. Truth asks who Miz is talking to. N-No one! Miz is gonna go get ready. And they say Truth is crazy. Will The Awesome Truth need all the help they can get knowing The Prince & The Ace are coming for their gold?

Backstage interview with Ilja Dragunov.

Kayla Braxton is with The Mad Dragon and says last week, Jey Uso defeated him in order to face Gunther here tonight. Who does Dragunov think wins the whole King of the Ring Tournament? Dragunov says that he is frustrated, but he knows there is no shame losing to The Main Event. This is the kind of fighter that sets the bar, where you really need to break yourself to beat this man. But talking about a man who broke Dragunov several times, Gunther…! Jey… Well, Ricochet steps in first. Don’t get it twisted, homeboy. Ricochet and Dragunov set the bar pretty high.

So before saying anyone else’s name, know this: Just because you got the best of Ricochet one time, does not mean that this is over. Not by a long shot. But then Bron SPEARS Ricochet!!! The King of Flight is left grounded, refs and producers rush in, is Bron about to break everyone on the roster?

Raw returns and…

Medics are checking Ricochet. Dragunov is fuming and Pearce is frustrated. Bron is #MeanerThanEvil but will someone step up to stop his rampage?

Gunther speaks.

It was before the show as Der Ring General walked down the bleachers that he said, “Well, I have to admit. Just some months ago, I made fun of Jey Uso, and I told him, ‘Simple gestures for simple people.’ And quite frankly, I was wrong. Because he turned himself into the hottest thing going on Monday Night Raw. And tonight, when Jey Uso will make his way tot he ring, all these seats will be filled with thousands of people, throwing their hands int he air, chanting his name, and filling this room with hope and delusion. Well, the bad news is, I’m in the business of taking hope away, and dragging people back down on the ground of reality.

“Because tonight. when Main Event Jey Uso takes on Der Ring General, Gunther, int the semifinals of the KOTR tournament, it’s not about who’s the more exciting act on its way to the ring. It’s about who is the better wrestler in that ring. And Jey, I’m sorry to say it, you might be the most exciting showman in this company today, but in that ring, I am superior to you. And after the final bell, all those people are going to embrace me. Already the General of this sacred ring. Soon to be the King of the Ring.” Will Gunther make good on his promise tonight? Or will Main Event Jey win another main event?

The Judgment Day is in the clubhouse.

Damian Priest walks over to his “favorite Irish lads.” Are they ready to go out there and bring those titles home? Oh yeah, they’ll bring the titles back where they belong. Right here, int he clubhouse! Priest likes it. Oy, Carlito, Priest heard what Carlito did to Cruz. Turns out that guy’s gonna be out for awhile. But Priest hopes Carlito knows that means LWO is gonna be pissed and looking for him. Carlito says yeah, he knows. So he struck first. Now he’ll lay low until the heat dies down? Oh, really? Did Priest miss the sign that says they’re the APA? They’re not Carlito’s protection. Dom says Carlito came through for the boys, though.

Yes, that’s why Carlito’s welcome here this week. He just has to keep earning his keep. Priest tells Finn & JD to do their thing and go get it. Dom & JD head out, but Finn hangs back to talk with Priest. Finn can’t help but think that it could’ve been him and Priest again. But Finn gets it. Priest is top champ, so Finn will get those belts for them. They fist bump and Finn heads out, leaving Priest alone with Carlito. Carlito asks if Priest saw the Knicks game. Tough break, huh? Priest asks what’s wrong with him. Priest leaves but Carlito asks if they’re still cool.

Zoey Stark and Shayna Baszler prepare backstage.

They’re both quiet, though, until in walks Sonya Deville! Sonya says hi to Zoey, Zoey shakes her hand, and Sonya says there’s something she wants to talk with them about. Zoey is fine but Shayna says no, whatever Sonya’s selling, they’re not buying. The tag team head out, but what is Miss Deville plotting now that she’s back?

WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS Finn Balor & JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!

Whether or not Andre the Giant’s spirit will be with them, Miz & Truth have to be careful knowing The Prince & The Ace are not only dangerous on their own, but that they have Dirty Dom in their corner. Will Judgment Day have all the gold again? Or will they not be able to handle the Awesome Truth?

Raw returns and Judgment Day makes their entrance. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if the Raw Tag Division stays awesome!

The teams sort out and Finn starts against Miz. They tie up, go around, Finn wrenches and wristlocks. Miz rolls, cartwheels, and wrenches back. Miz keeps Finn from JD but Finn kicks low. Finn throws Miz to the corner, fires hands, then tags JD. They both stomp away, then JD keeps on Miz. The ref counts, JD lets off to talk trash, then he whips. Miz reverses to kitchen sink knee! Miz tags Truth, the fans rally, and Miz sits JD up to BASEMENT BOOT! Truth runs to spin and LEG DROP! JD flounders to a corner, Truth asks, “WHAT’S UP?!” then does the splits! Truth runs to do the SPLASH on JD!

Truth brings JD over, tags Miz, and Miz KICKS JD down! Miz runs to KICK JD again, then KICKS again, and again and again! The fans chant “MIZ! MIZ! MIZ!” Miz goes corner to corner to A-LIST LRIAT! JD goes down, Finn runs up, but Miz BOOTS him! Miz slides under JD to sunset flip, TWO! Miz full nelsons but JD arm-drags free! Miz BOOTS JD, but Dom distracts the ref! Finn CLOBBERS Miz! Finn puts Miz in the corner for JD to RAM into! The Judgment Day soak up the heat and Finn says the titles are coming home, but Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn stomps Miz. Tag to JD, ARABIAN PRESS! Cover, TWO! JD argues with the ref but the count was fair. JD drags Miz to a facelock and grinds him down. The fans rally, Miz fights up, and Miz stomps JD’s feet! Miz reaches out but JD keeps him from Truth! Miz throws hands, JD still holds him back! JD whips Miz but Miz BLASTS Finn! Miz BOOTS JD, runs up, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans fire up as JD and Miz stir! They crawl, hot tags to Finn and Truth! The fans fire up as Truth ducks ‘n’ dodges to get the SHOULDER TACKLES going! Then the SPIN OUT BOMB!

Truth raises the hand and the fans fire up! YOU CAN’T- KICK! Finn says no shuffle, but Truth drop toeholds! STF! Finn flails, JD breaks it! Miz gets in to whip but JD reverses! Miz is sent out, but Truth does the splits to dodge JD! Truth TOSSES JD, Finn rolls up Truth! TWO, but SLINGBLADE takes Truth down! Finn tags JD in, they get Truth up, and they double whip. Truth KICKS Finn, gets around JD, SPIN OUT BOMB! Miz gets Finn for a SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans fire up again as Awesome Truth say “YOU CAN’T SEE ME!” They both run, DOUBLE FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLE! But Carlito runs out here!

Miz DECKS Carlito, then PLANCHAS onto Finn! Truth fireman’s carries JD, but JD slips free, rolls him up, TWO! Truth dodges JD to then hits the LIE DETECTOR! Cover, but Carlito gives JD the ropebreak!! The fans boo and Truth can’t believe it! JD flops out of the ring, Carlito helps him up, and Dom distracts the ref. But here comes BRAUN!! The Monster Among Men storms his way out here, Carlito swings on him, but it does nothing! Bruan TOSSES Carlito away! Braun chases JD! The fans fire up as JD runs back into the ring, and back into an ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Cover, Awesome Truth wins!!

Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)

Wait, could Truth have meant this giant? Braun flexes with the power of North Carolina, and he celebrates with the Awesome Truth! Will Braun be more than enough to even the odds against Judgment Day’s number games?

Becky celebrates with Lyra backstage.

The Man tells The Morrigan she’s going to the finals, she’s got this! Becky heads out, but then Lyra crosses paths with Liv Morgan. Liv congratulates Lyra, which surprises Lyra. Liv says she’s surprised Becky didn’t come out to help her like she did last week. Oh, speak of the devil. Lyra turns around, thinking Becky did come back, but then Liv SUCKER PUNCHES her! Liv laughs and runs away, will The Morrigan have her first target once she’s Queen of the Ring?

Bronson Reed finds Sami Zayn backstage.

Bronson chuckles and says Sami doesn’t need to worry about Gable’s mind games. Because that’s all they are: games. Sami, look into Bronson’s eyes! Bronson is soulless! All he cares about is business, and violence is how he makes his money. Saturday, Bronson will use his body as a weapon, and get his biggest payday yet. Bronson chuckles again then leaves. Sami turns around and Otis is there! Oh look who it is! The guy who cost Sami the match. Sami expected better out of Otis. He expects that crap from Gable but not Otis. Maybe Sami was wrong about Otis. Is Otis proud of himself? Because he shouldn’t be.

Sami turns to go but Otis stops him. Sami asks what Otis wants. Otis apologizes. Sami sighs, and he knows Otis means that, because he is a good guy. Otis is, but Gable isn’t. Otis may think Gable is his friend or something, but Sami’s been in Otis’ shoes. The sooner Otis stops listening to Gable and starts listening to the fans, the better. Sami pats Otis on the shoulder then leaves. Will Otis listen to his heart and not Gable’s words?

Becky Lynch heads to the ring!

Greensboro fires up for the WWE Women’s World Champion as she holds up the title. Becky gets the mic and she says The Man has come around to Greensboro, North Carolina! The fans fire up for that, and Becky says that in five days, she will defend her title against Liv Morgan at KQOTR. Now, she and Liv have a lot of history. They’ve fought side by side, fought in honor, in bad blood, but in those many times, Liv’s never once beat Becky. But now we’re dealing with a very different Liv. Liv is hellbent on revenge, hitting people from behind, bailing on fights, and thinks that this strategy is what it takes to beat Becky.

Well, when Becky first came- Wait, Liv interrupts now. Liv says whoa now, wow. Cut the music, please. The way Becky is gaslighting the WWE Universe is literally insane. Becky punched Liv in the face last week, Liv retaliated, and now Liv’s the bad guy? DMG CTRL attacks Becky, Liv leaves because it has nothing to do with her, and she’s scared to fight. Becky might be confused. Liv doesn’t care about the other women, she barely cares about Becky. She only cares about her purpose: The Liv Morgan Revenge Tour! Becky laughs and says that’s right! After being here for nearly ten YEARS, Liv finally figured out what she’s doing here!

Becky can’t relate to that. Becky has known her purpose since she was 15 and she first walked into a gym. She wrote a New York Times best selling book about her purpose! Becky wanted equality, to change the game, to break down barriers, break through the glass ceilings, and main event WrestleManias. After 22 years, the purpose remains the same. When she leaves this place, she wants to leave it better than she found it. But Liv? Revenge? Okay, okay. So if Liv gets it, what next? Liv says okay, Becky’s really, really delusional. It’s insane. The fact that Becky comes out here and says, “Oh~ I break barriers, I break glass ceilings!”

The fact Becky thinks that about herself, Liv is embarrassed. Becky’s the most selfish person in this entire company! Yeah, she doesn’t care about the fans! Or this place! All Becky’s ever cared about is Becky! What/ What? Can’t hear her? Here’s why! Cuz they have their heads so far up Becky’s arse right now, they can’t hear Liv! But thanks so much for not making everything about yourself, Becky. What’s next after Liv’s revenge tour? After ten LONG HARD YEARS in the WWE, Liv will finally sit where she belongs, which is at the top as your NEW Women’s World Champion! The fans boo but Becky says Liv brings them into it. These people know Liv is lying!

One thing Becky knows about the people is that you can’t fool them. They know Becky does everything for the fans! She gives her best for them! They know she always puts her body on the line for them! And them is here, Liv is here, and Becky is here! Becky is looking for a fight, so if Liv thinks she’s worthy of being a champion, then why not put money where mouth is and fight!? Liv asks if Becky wants to go! Then okay! Liv storms up to the ring, but then backs right off. Liv laughs at Becky, and wishes Becky could see how dumb she looks! Liv’s gonna do the smart thing, which is wait. Because on Saturday, they have their title match.

Then on Saturday, Liv will fight Becky, and become the NEW Women’s World Champion. #CryAboutIt. Liv leaves, but will she return stateside with the title?

The Judgment Day regroups.

Priest is disappointed. Does someone wanna explain what happened? Carlito, didn’t Priest just tell you to earn your keep? Dom brings up JD was supposed to handle Braun. JD says yeah, he warned Braun but JD was in a match this week. What’s he supposed to do? Priest has them settle down. The easy fix is JD goes to Pearce and asks for a match against Strowman. As for everyone else, real talk? Priest doesn’t even recognize the group anymore. Priest heads out, Finn sighs, and says Priest is right. The wheels are falling off, time to get back on track. Finn agrees that JD needs to talk with Pearce right now.

Finn heads out to find Priest, and JD is upset. Will The Necessary Evil end up more like a sacrificial lamb?

The New Day are in the trainer’s room.

The medic checks Xavier Woods’ knee, and says he’s good to go. The New Day is all fired up! Kofi says now they can get back to doing what they do in the tag division. In fact, Kofi’s gonna go talk to Pearce right now! Woods likes that! They shake hands, “NEW~ DAY~” and Kofi heads out. But then Kross & Scarlett walk in. So Woods is cleared? Good. They want to lend him their support, he’s been through a rough stretch. But there’s always more time to turn things around. The Final Testament has issued a veiled threat, how will The New Day respond?

WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Fatal 4 Way: Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark VS Kayden Carter & Katana Chance VS Maxxine Dupri & Ivy Nile VS Kairi Sane & Dakota Kai!

Regardless of what happens on Saturday, the strongEST duo, Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair, will still have the tag titles and will still need challengers. But will it be The Queen of Spades & Hunter? The life of the party? The Alpha Queen & Diamond Pitbull? Or The Pirate Princess and #CobraKai?

Raw returns as Shayna & Zoey make their entrance together. Next are Maxxine & Ivy, and then KC Squared. In this Fatal 4 Way, only two teams are legal at a time, so we start with Ivy and Kairi. The fans rally as the two circle, but then Shayna & Zoey snatch Ivy and tag in! They mug Ivy, but KC Squared tag in off Kairi! It gets a bit chaotic now, and Dakota jumps in! She ROUNDHOUSES Zoey, but Shayna KNEES Dakota! Maxxine kicks Shayna, reels her in, but Kairi runs up to CLOBBER Maxxine into giving Shayna a DDT! Ivy kicks Kairi, suplexes, and holds her up! The fans cheer the show of strength, but then KC Squared DOUBLE SUPERKICK them both down!

The fans fire up as all the others gather outside. Kayden helps Katana go up top, for the SUPER KEG STAND! The cluster is taken down, the fans fire up, and Kayden puts Zoey in! Cover, ONE!! Kayden is a bit surprised but this is still anyone’s match as Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Dakota covers Ivy, but Kayden breaks it! Dakota kicks Ivy around, drags her up, then DECKS her! The fans rally as Dakota taunts Ivy. Dakota reels Ivy in but Ivy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Dakota gets folded up hard! The fans fire up as both women crawl, hot tags to Kairi and Maxxine! Maxxine clinches for knee after knee, then whips Kairi to ropes. Maxxine KNEES Kari down, then BOOTS! Maxxine reels Kairi in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! And a kip up so smooth, “A THANK YEW~!” Maxxine gets Kairi up, whips her to the corner, but Kayden tags in before the BULLDOG! Kayden SHOTGUNS Maxxine!

Katana BLASTS Shayna & Zoey but Maxxine TOSSES her! Maxxine kicks, Kayden blocks, then ducks the enzigiri! But Maxxine slides under! Kairi gets around, hammerlock and COMPLETE SHOT! Kayden brings Maxxine up while Katana climbs, for the AFTER PARTY!! But Dakota tags in and drags Katana right out! Kayden whips, Dakota TOSSES her, then covers, Shayna & Zoey break it! They fight with DMG CTRL and Kayden! DMG CTRL puts Shayna up top, Kayden puts Zoey on the apron! DMG CTRL climbs, they have Shayna but Zoey grabs Kayden by the hair! Kayden fights back and Katana joins in! Ivy gets in this, TOWER OF DOOM!!

The fans fire up as Kayden & Katana now get Zoey in position, for a SUPER DUPER STEINER onto Shayna!! The baddest duo tumble away, but Ivy DROPKICKS Katana! Kayden SUPERKICKS Ivy! Maxxine drags Kayden out to send her into barriers! The fans fire up and even Maxxine is impressed with her power. Maxxine hurries inside, swivels them hips, and she gets the REVERSE WORM going, for the ELBOW DROP! Cover on Dakota, TWO!! Dakota is still in this, but is now in an ANKLE LOCK!! Kairi climbs as Maxxine grapevines the leg! InSANE ELBOW!! Kairi fires up and tags in! But she gets mugged by Shayna & Zoey!

Zoey stags in, runs up, but Maxxine rolls her up! TWO!! SUPERKICK! ALLEY-OOP into the KNEE!! Cover, Zoey & Shayna win!!

Winners: Zoey Stark & Shayna Baszler, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contenders to the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships)

One #AlleyOOF and now Shayna & Zoey are headed after Jade & Bianca! Will The Queen of Spades & The Hunter be able to weather the strongEST storm and come away champions?

Backstage interview with Ludwig Kaiser.

Kayla is with the Impeccable German and says earlier tonight, Gunther’s confidence seems unwavering. Does Kaiser think Der Ring General is overlooking the threat posed by Jey Uso? Kaiser repeats, “Overlooking?” Der Ring General has proved several times that he is superior to anyone out there. Let’s just hope Jey takes this loss better than Sheamus did. Remember? The guy who used to love to fight, to let his fists do the talking. Last time Sheamus used his fists, it was pounding down the keyboard to complain online! Sheamus the Celtic Warrior is really just Sheamus the Keyboard Warrior.

Kaiser will tell us the truth about Sheamus! Sheamus’ career is going two ways: Either he stays home to protect his legacy; or he actually dares to come back just for Kaiser to put him down for good! Kaiser leaves, and in steps Drew McIntyre. She’s probably wondering what he’s doing here, right? So is he. Pearce decided not to use one of his biggest stars on the show tonight, but still wanted McIntyre live, after medically disqualifying him from the KOTR just so McIntyre can now watch Jey use McIntyre’s spot. And McIntyre doesn’t even get time to speaks his mind! Well screw that and screw Pearce, the people want McIntyre so he’ll give them that.

Let’s first talk the “paper champion,” Damian Priest. Priest thought he got one over on McIntyre. Nobody gets one over on McIntyre unless he lets them. He said what he needed to say, got what he wanted, and that is a rematch for the World Heavyweight Championship. McIntyre is playing chess while Priest is playing with guyliner. Priest is also spreading himself too thin. It’s like Rollins all over again! LWO, tag titles, Braun, Carlito. Mate, here’s free advice: stop it and focus on the title. They’re gonna have a match soon. McIntyre beat a real champion at Mania, and he’s gonna beat Priest, too. As you were.

McIntyre heads out, but when and where will this clash happen?

Chad Gable talks with The Creed Brothers backstage.

Gable tells Julius & Brutus this story about a wild time he took someone down with a lat drop. But in walks Otis. Otis wants to talk so Gable tells the Creeds they’ll talk more later, just think about what he said. Gable says Otis, his number one guy, where’s he been? He went to apologize to Sami. Apologize? For what? Why? Oh…! Gable sees what Otis is doing. Otis was tugging at the heart strings, softening him up emotionally for Saudi. That’s why Otis is Gable’s number one! Now, Gable has the ticket, the documents, Otis can go to Saudi. They are gonna win Gable’s Intercontinental Championship together, right? Right? R-Right…

No, Otis. Gable wants to hear Otis say it. “No matter what.” Gable breathes it in and it feels good. See you on the flight. Business class! But will Gable be returning back first class with the title? We also see Sonya talking with Zoey & Shayna again. Now that Zoey & Shayna are contenders, are they more open to Sonya’s idea?

King of the Ring Semifinals: Jey Uso VS GUNTHER!

Main Event Jey speaks backstage, saying “Tonight is the night. There is no tomorrow. It’s the semifinals for the King of the Ring tournament, Main Event Jey Uso VS The Ring General, Gunther. Last time we met, Uce, I almost had you. We got unfinished business right here, Uce. Tonight, I finish the job. You gonna catch a YEET down, and I’m gonna catch a crown. It’s main event time, Uce!” Jey knocks on the garage door, it opens for him, and he walks in saying, “Y’all know what it is! Main Event Jey Uso is now in your damn city, Greensboro!” Jey makes his way from the parking lot to gorilla, and then on stage! “Dat boi look good! I stay drippin’! Yo, Uce. Please hit my music. And uh, YEET!”

The fans fire up as Jey makes his entrance, but will Jey bring this energy all the way to Jeddah? Or will Gunther make his prediction come true with his own two hands?

Raw returns, the bell rings, and the fans fire up as the two stare down. Then Jey runs up and the two tie up! They go around, Gunther puts Jey on ropes, but Jey turns things around. Gunther turns it back, they end up in a corner, and the ref counts. Gunther lets off, to CHOP! And CHOP again! Gunther won’t stop, he CHOPS again! Gunther stalks Jey, but Jey ROCKS Gunther with a forearm! And another! And another! Then an UPPERCUT! Jey goes up a corner, and the fans fire up as Jey rains down fists! Gunther shoves Jey away, but Jey counter punches! And punches again! Fans “YEET!” with each hit! Jey then pops ‘n’ locks ‘n’ bounces, puts some stank and he DECKS Gunther!

The fans fire up again as Gunther bails out. Jey gets the fans fired up more, and then he DIVES onto Gunther! Down goes Der Ring General and the fans rally behind Jey. Jey stands, but he and Gunther are both banged up from that impact. Jey drags Gunther up, puts him in the ring, and then he goes up a corner. But Gunther rises to get under the leap! Jey runs back in, but Gunther sidesteps and POSTS him! Gunther then SLAMS Jey’s bad arm against the post! Gunther goes out, hammerlocks Jey, and RAMS him into steel steps! Jey falls in a heap, Gunther talks trash and looms over him. Gunther then hauls Jey up, hammerlocks the arm, and RAMS Jey into barriers!

Gunther leaves Jey behind for a moment to refresh the count. Then Gunther hauls Jey up to POST him again! Jey slumps down, Gunther refreshes the count again, and he scoops Jey for SNAKE EYES off barriers! Jey sputters, Gunther dumps him into the timekeeper’s aera! Jey is down, Gunther stands tall, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again, Gunther grinds Jey down with an armlock, but Jey endures as the fans rally up. Jey fights to his feet, but Gunther RAMS shoulders! Jey drops to a knee, Gunther stands him up to wrench, but Jey ROCKS Gunther with a forearm! Jey ROCKS Gunther again, but Gunther UPPERCUTS the arm! Gunther then steps over to HIP DROP the arm! Jey writhes, Gunther looms over him, then goes to a corner. Gunther runs to KICK Jey in the side! Jey grits his teeth but Gunther stomps him around! Gunther clamps onto one arm and traps it to then pull on the other! Jey endures, but Gunther KNEE DROPS the arm!

The fans rally while Jey writhes, but Gunther stomps him around! Gunther drags Jey to a drop zone then goes up the corner. The fans boo, but Jey rises first! Jey UPPERCUTS Gunther, but that’s the bad arm! Gunther wobbles, Jey storms up to HEADBUTT! Jey climbs, brings Gunther up, but Gunther fires body shots in return! Gunther then has a DOUBLE WRISTLOCK up top! Jey endures, fights with his good arm, and he clinches Gunther for a fireman’s carry! SUPER SAMOAN DROP!! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! The fans rally with “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Jey crawls to a corner. Jey goes up the corner, but Gunther stands!

Jey still leaps to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! Jey’s arm hurts too much for him to be frustrated, he and Gunther both slowly sit up. The fans rally, Jey and Gunther lock eyes as they stand. Gunther CHOPS, then he pie faces Jey. Jey grits his teeth, but Gunther CHOPS! Jey fires a forearm! And another! Gunther CHOPS and Jey falls! Jey gets right up, eggs Gunther on, so Gunther CHOPS! Jey fires a forearm! And another! And then a kick! Gunther blocks, but the DRAGON WHIP comes back around! The fans fire up and Jey huffs and puffs and aims from a corner! Jey runs up, but the superkick is blocked! CHOP!

Gunther runs, but Jey SUPERKICKS! Gunther falls, Jey covers, TWO! Gunther is still in this, he isn’t the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion for nothing! Jey rises as the fans rally up and he goes to a corner. Jey aims, runs up, SUPERKICK! Gunther flounders to a corner and the fans fire up more! Jey stomps Gunther again and again, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey stops as the ref counts, and he grits his teeth to fight the pain. But Gunther SHOTGUNS Jey down! Gunther hauls Jey up, for the GENERAL BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives that, but Gunther has a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Jey endures, even as Gunther pulls on the arm!

Jey reaches out, the fans rally, and he rolls free! Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a KICK! Gunther CHOPS Jey on tthe back! Then SLEEPER! But Jey rolls back to a cover, TWO!! Gunther BOOTS Jey, then GERMAN SUPLEXES! Gunther won’t stop there, he goes up top! GENERAL SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives but Gunther is right back on him! Gunther drags Jey up to short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Jey survives again and Gunther is a little surprised! Gunther stands, he eggs Jey on, and the fans rally up. Gunther brings Jey up, talks some trash, then CHOPS! Jey drops to his knees but Gunther eggs him on again!

Gunther stands Jey back up, for another CHOP! Jey falls back, but that’s not enough for Gunther. Gunther stands Jey up again, talks some more trash, but Jey SLAPS Gunther! Gunther CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Gunther fires off on Jey with CHOPS, even as the ref counts! Gunther pushes Jey down, argues with the ref, and Jey rises. Jey runs up to SPEAR Gunther into the ref!! The fans fire up and Jey hurries to the top! USO SPLASH!! But he can’t make the cover because of the bad arm! Jey crawls, the ref is still recovering, but now the count! TWO!!! Gunther is saved by the delay! The fans are all fired up!

Gunther grabs Jey, and CLUBS away on him! KEYLOCK SLEEPER!! Body scissors squeeze Jey, Jey is caught!! Jey is fading out, he’s DONE! Gunther wins!!

Winner: Gunther, by submission (advances to the finals)

Jey gave him another incredible fight, but it would seem Der Ring General keeps adding to his arsenal. Gunther now waits on Randy Orton and Tama Tonga this Friday, who joins him in the fight for the throne?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw here, with some honestly surprising results tonight. An awesome match from Iyo VS Lyra, and I really did not expect Lyra to win this one. I really thought it was Iyo VS Bianca for the QOTR finals to revisit that story, but maybe WWE is over revisiting that story and is letting everyone move on. Lyra still had her part to play in the story of Becky and Liv tonight, with a good promo segment from Becky and Liv. Liv is getting there, but she’s still not as sharp of a promo talker as Becky yet. And with Liv leaving Becky wanting more, I’m pretty sure Becky wins to retain the title, despite Liv wanting her revenge tour to continue.

Very good promos from Gunther and Jey, especially with Jey getting that tracking shot for his entrance. And then just an awesome match from them in the main event, and while a part of me thought Jey would get it to signal we were getting Tama over Orton, it seems it still isn’t Jey’s time to truly shine as a singles guy. Now Orton VS Tama is up in the air, and I think star power alone is reason enough for us to get Gunther VS Orton. From there, hard to say, but it really depends on what the plan for The King is after. Kaiser, however, is just setting himself up for a Brogue by Sheamus, which will be a great match.

Great opening segment, both promo and match, from Sami and Gable. I am glad Sami’s the one to ask The Academy if they’re gonna stop following Gable, and they played up the internal conflicts perfectly for each of the members. I almost thought Otis was going to break away here by attacking Gable, which would still give Gable the win, but it seems we’ll have to wait a little longer. After seeing Otis apologize to Sami and then Gable hanging out with the Creeds, it could be this Saturday in the Triple Threat. Otis will cost Gable, allowing Sami to retain, and then Gable dumps the Academy entirely to start fresh with Julius & Brutus.

Really good Fatal 4 Way Tag, and nice surprise return by Sonya. Sounds like Sonya wants to at least manage Shayna & Zoey, and of course now she would even more because they won that match. Sonya could be a deciding factor against Bianca & Jade, but I am pretty sure Bianca & Jade will still retain. Naomi can even join back in since she still has kayfabe beef with Sonya. Good little promo with New Day to show Woods is back, and for Kross to play mind games again. AOP VS New Day perhaps? Kross could probably get to some good singles matches with Kofi and Woods, but it’d be more satisfying for it to be a tag feud.

Great little promo from Awesome Truth with New Catch Republic, and good stuff from Judgment Day. A lot is going on with Carlito feuding with LWO but wanting to stick with Judgment Day. Really good tag title match, and great appearance by Braun to turn the tide. Braun is definitely going to eat McDonagh alive next week, though. McIntyre also got a promo in to call out Priest, building this up so that the Clash at the Castle match is gonna be some great stuff. I almost hope that with Gallus back in action as we’ve seen on NXT, that they get their call-up to help McIntyre to go faction to faction with Judgment Day.

The wildest stuff was Bron Breakker bringing out that real intensity, “that dog in him” as you might say. He took a squash match win over a guy and ramped it up into a brutal beatdown, then still had aggression to spare to go after Ricochet just outta nowhere. Ricochet’s been trying to call out Dragunov but now he and Dragunov have beef with Bron. And with how Bron’s been going, is there a chance he takes the Speed Championship off Ricochet even through Ricochet just won it? A match between those two really would be fast and furious, I’m just not sure Bron’s first singles title on main roster would be a social media gimmick title.

Honestly, I was hoping he’d push the hydration station over to get a jab at Logan Paul. Maybe Bron will move up to the Intercontinental Championship and really put Sami’s own passion and intensity to the test. Same for Dragunov, he’d be an awesome opponent for Sami. At the same time, I still want to see Bronson Reed get something, he’s also been putting in solid work since coming back to WWE.

My Score: 8.8/10

We’ve reached the halfway point!

As Best of the Super Juniors 31 hits round five, it’s time to see who stays alive in the blocks, and whose windows get slammed shut!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS Kosei Fujita; Bushi wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS Dragon Dia; Douki wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Kevin Knight VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kanemaru wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori; Kushida wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Titan VS Clark Connors; Connors wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Ninja Mack; Hiromu wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: TJP VS HAYATA; TJP wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO; Eagles wins.
• Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Desperado VS Blake Christian; Desperado wins.

PLAY BY PLAY

Here are the current A Block standings!

Blake Christian: 4-0, 8 points
Titan: 3-1, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-1, 6 points
El Desperado: 2-2, 4 points
Kosei Fujita: 2-2, 4 points
Clark Connors: 2-2, 4 points
HAYATA: 2-2, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 1-3, 2 points
BUSHI: 1-3, 2 points
TJP: 0-4, 0 points

Here are the current B Block standings!

KUSHIDA: 3-1, 6 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-1, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 2-2, 4 points
SHO: 2-2, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-2, 4 points
Robbie Eagles: 2-2, 4 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 2-2, 4 points
DOUKI: 2-2, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-2, 4 points
Dragon Dia: 0-4, 0 points

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!

The Nova Fireball burned the Bone Soldier while the 44 Caliber crushed the Infinity Carat Diamond with overwhelming strength! But this match here is personal given how Drilla betrayed The United Empire. Will Akira finally put this War Dog down? Or will it be another Drilla Killa from the Abunai Gaijin?

The bell rings and Drilla dropkicks Akira’s legs! Drilla stomps Akira at the ropes, the ref counts and reprimands, and Drilla finally lets off at 4. The fans boo while Akira clutches his knee, but the ref keeps Drilla back. Akira gets up so Drilla kicks out the leg, stomps it, then digs his boot into it! The ref counts again as they’re in the ropes, and Drilla lets off to get in the ref’s face. Akira gets up to fire a forearm, but there’s no base behind it with the bad leg. Drilla eggs Akira on, Akira throws more forearms, but Drilla trips him. Akira kicks Drilla away with the good leg, but Drilla’s right back! Drilla trips Akira, then DDTS the leg! Then HEEL HOOK!

Akira endures, the fans rally, but Drilla pulls on the leg! Akira crawls along and drags Drilla with him, for the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Drilla lets go, but then drags Akira back from ropes! HEEL HOOK! Akira scrambles and has the ROPEBREAK! Drilla lets go at 4, and this time Akira gets away to the outside. The ref checks Akira while Drilla taunts the Fireball. Akira pounds the mat in frustration, hobbles back into the ring, and the fans rally behind him. Drilla stands Akira up to CHOP him! Drilla runs up but Akira ELBOWS from the corner. And ELBOWS again! Akira then tilt-o-whirls to DDT!

The fans fire up while both men are down, then rally up as Akira shakes out the leg. Drilla stands first, though, but Akira blocks the kick! Akira fires forearms and a CHPO! Drilla takes a swing but Akira ducks to fire forearms and a CHOP! The fans cheer while Drilla sputters. Akira tries to run but the bad leg won’t let him take a step! Akira gets frustrated, but then Drilla KICKS the legs out! Drilla taunts Akira, then tells the ref to back up. But Akira catches Drilla to a cradle! TWO, and Drilla ENZIGIRIS Akira down! Drilla kicks Akira around, brings him up, and laughs at his pain. Drilla SLAPS Akira on the back, but Akira trips him! JACKKNIFE BRIDGE! TWO!!

Drilla escapes, Akira hobbles up, but Drilla again kicks the leg! HEEL HOOK!! Akira endures while the fans rally up! Akira TAPS, Drilla wins!

Winner: “Drilla” Moloney, by submission (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)

Drilla won but he won’t let go! He’s like a dog with a bone! Young Lions get involved, so Drilla lets go, only to THROW the Young Lions out! Then he goes back for Akira for HEEL HOOK!! Akira suffers, the ref reprimands, and Drilla finally lets Akira go. The fans boo but Drilla laughs. Will nothing stop the Abunai Gaijin from tearing through the rest of the block? Will Akira even be able to fight in the BOSJ’s second half?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: BUSHI VS Kosei Fujita!

The Black Mask escaped being last place at TJP’s expense, but the Ichiban Young Punk is riding high after taking down 100 Proof. Will Bushi make round 5 tranquilo? Or will is it still true that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?

But as Bushi gets on the apron, Fujita BLASTS him down! Fujita then builds speed to FLY! Direct hit and the fans fire up! The fans rally behind “FU-JI-TA!” as he snatches Bushi’s mask cover and throws it down. Fujita puts Bushi in, the bell rings and Fujita sits Bushi up for the PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer, Fujita drags Bushi up, and Fujita suplexes, but Bushi fights it! Fujita tries again, Bushi still fights! Bushi then slips free to waistlock, but Fujita elbows free. Fujita whips, Bushi reverses and Bushi dropkicks the legs out! Bushi sits Fujita up to KICK him in the back! Bushi then bumps Fujita off buckles and CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!

Bushi puts Fujita’s leg in ropes to pull! The ref counts, so Bushi DROPKICKS the leg. The fans rally, Bushi stomps the bad leg, then he ties Fujita up into a TRAILER HITCH! Fujita endures and the fans rally up. Fujita crawls forward, bringing Bushi with him, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Bushi holds on until the ref counts, and then Bushi looms over Fujita. Bushi brings Fujita up, reels him in, but Fujita fights the lift! Fujita CLUBS away on Bushi, but Bushi kicks low. Bushi whips, Fujita reverses and GAMANGIRIS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita goes to a corner, Bushi goes to the other.

Fujita runs corner to corner to CHOP! Fujita shoves Bushi down, then goes up and out, to springboard in and MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fujita sits Bushi up to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Fujita waistlocks to deadlift! Bushi fights with elbows but Fujita ducks under and hits a GUILLOTINE! Fujita brings Bushi down, they roll, and end up in the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets off and the fans cheer. Fujita then storms up to Bushi, brings him up, and ducks the enzigiri! Deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Fujita as he drags Bushi back up and in.

Fujita suplexes, but Bushi fights that, to FISHERMAN SCREW! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Fujita goes to a corner, hobbles up and finds Bushi. Fujita brings Bushi up to fire forearms. Bushi wobbles, Fujita runs, but Bushi ROCKS him back! Bushi runs but Fujita CHOPS! Fujita roars, runs, but Bushi DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up and Bushi goes to a corner. Fujita stands, Bushi runs up, CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again and Bushi rises. Bushi roars, climbs, and he takes aim. Fujita rises, turns around, MX!! Cover, Bushi wins!

Winner: Bushi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)

Maybe The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but they do fall! Fujita is now dragged down the ranks, will he be able to climb back up? Will the Black Mask be a dark horse in this race?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: DOUKI VS Dragon Dia!

Japones Del Mal has had a roller coaster ride in this round robin, but the Infinity Carat Diamond has only been going one direction: down. Will this finally be Dia’s chance to shine? Or will Douki have back to back wins?

The bell rings, Dia runs up but Douki dodges! Douki wags his fingers, whips, but Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides to then tilt-o-whirl arm-drag! And DROPKICK! The fans fire up, Dia stalks Douki, and Dia whips corner to corner. Douki reverses, runs up, but Dia trips him into the buckles! Then Dia hops on for a sunset flip! Douki rolls through but Dia KICKS him! STANDING SHOOTING STAR! TWO! Douki is still in this but Dia fires right up! Dia climbs a corner, the fans rally, and Douki rises. D D D D- NO!! Douki stops the 4DT to SAHAWARI SUPLEX! Briding cover, TWO!! Dia escapes and the fans fire up again!

Douki keeps his cool and he drags Dia up. Dia breaks free, CHOPS, but Douki eggs him on. Dia CHOPS again, and CHOPS again! Douki HELL STABS! Dia SOBATS! Dia runs up, Douki does the splits! Dia tumbles out, Douki slingshots, but Dia tiger feints the legs out! Then Dia ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Dia storms up on Douki, brings him up, and puts him in the ring. The fans rally, Dia brings Douki up for the leg hook, and END OVER! Cover, TWO!! Douki survives but Dia aims from the corner. The fans rally, Dia runs up, rolls, but into a Gory Especial! But Dia slips free to arm-drag!

Douki stands, BOOTS and goes ot the apron! But Dia avoids Daybreak! Dia is on the apron, he trips Douki, then CORKSCREW SPLASHES! Into ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Douki has Dia caught, pulls on the arms, but Dia fights his way around! Douki rolls Dia from ropes, but Dia jackknifes it! TWO!! Dia ghost pins, TWO!! Douki escapes again but Dia wheelbarrows. Douki stops the somersault to full nelson! SUPLEX DE- NO, Dia fights free! Douki dodges an elbow to LARIAT! The fans fire up and Douki drags Dia up! The fans rally as Douki fireman’s carries, and swings, but Dia slips around to REPTILIAN KAI! Ghost pin cover, TWO!!

The fans are thunderous as Douki survives! Dia grits his teeth, rises back up, and he goes to a corner! Douki rises and the fans rally up. D D D D- NO! Douki gets around! Dia switches, Douki elbows free, but Dia keeps him from running. Douki kicks free but Dia ducks the enzigiri to ENZIGIRI back! Douki swings, Dia dodges and rolls, REPTILIAN- NO, Douki pops him around, Electric Chair into Wheelbarrow! Full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, DOUKI WINS!

Winner: Douki, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Dia earns 0)

A fast and furious fight from the start, but Dia’s determination to hit that DDDDT may have been his undoing! Will Dia ever get points on the board at this rate? Will Douki prove he’s ready to be the Best of the Super Juniors?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Kevin Knight VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!

The Jet is flying high, eyeing that top spot, but the Heel Master is looking to reroute him. Will Kanemaru be sipping his whiskey in first class? Or will Knight drop him back in coach?

Of course Kanemaru attacks while Knight’s being introduced! Kanemaru KICKS and CLUBS Knight, the bell rings and Kanemaru whips, but Knight reverses! Knight hurdles, hurdles then DROPKICKS! Kanemaru bails out, Knight kips up and takes his coat off, to then build speed! Kanemaru hurries away but Knight slides out and goes to the corner! Knight PLANCHAS but Kanemaru gets away again! Knight lands on his feet, Kanemaru runs up to dropkick the legs out! Knight writhes, Kanemaru storms up on him, and SMASHES the knee on the floor! The fans boo and Knight flounders away, but Kanemaru goes around the other way.

Kanemaru watches Knight slide in so he slides in. Kanemaru drags Knight up, to SHIN BREAKER! Kanemaru holds on, trips Knight, and ties up the legs into a FIGURE FOUR! Knight endures, reaches out, ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Kanemaru claims he needs help, so the ref undoes the leglock. Knight clutches his knee, but Kanemaru drags him from ropes. Kanemaru YANKS the bad leg, then he stomps it. Knight hobbles away to ropes but Kanemaru kicks the bad leg more. Kanemaru brings Knight around to whip, then he dropkicks the leg out again! Kanemaru stalks Knight, grabs the leg, and drops an elbow on the knee!

Kanemaru has the leg in a toehold, but Knight endures. Kanemaru pulls on the bad leg, but Knight fights around to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Kanemaru lets off, but he drags Knight from ropes again, to SMASH the knee! Knight writhes, goes to a corner, but Kanemaru stands on the bad knee! The ref counts, Kanemaru lets off, and Kanemaru pushes past the ref. Kanemaru stomps Knight’s leg, stomps him more, then stalks him to a corner. Knight stands, Kanemaru puts the leg in ropes, but the ref counts. Kanemaru pulls until 4, then he stomps Knight down. Kanemaru drags Knight out of the corner, but Knight throws body shots!

Kanemaru kicks the bad leg again. Knight fights the shin breaker this time, but Kanemaru kicks the leg again! SHIN- SUNSET FLIP! TWO! Kanemaru gets up, the fans rally, but Kanemaru kicks Knight. Kanemaru whips, Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight fights through the pain to rally on Kanemaru! Knight whips, Kanemaru reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Knight then jukes Kanemaru for a SKY 2 HIGH! But he can’t cover from the pain in his leg! The fans fire up as Knight runs and JET SPLASHES! Cover, TWO! Kanemaru is still in this but the fans are behind Knight. Knight drags Kanemaru up and fireman’s carries.

Knight throws Kanemaru but Kanemaru lands on his feet! Kanemaru dropkicks the bad leg! The fans rally, Kanemaru gets the legs and steps through, but Knight cradles! TWO! Kanemaru escapes, Knight goes to a corner. Kanemaru runs up, but into a BOOT! Knight goes up and leaps, FLYING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Knight is a little frustrated but the fans rally up as he goes to the corner. Kanemaru rises, Knight runs in, but Kanemaru uses the ref as a shield! Then as a weapon as he shoves the ref into Knight! Kanemaru ENZIGIRIS Knight, then goes to his whiskey! Kanemaru takes a swig, but Knight SATELLITE-

NO, Kanemaru slips under, kicks the bad leg, but Knight still pops Kanemaru up! WHISKEY MIST!! Kanemaru then trips Knight, into the FIGURE FOUR! The fans boo and Knight tries, but Knight taps! Kanemaru wins!

Winner: Yoshinobu Kanemaru, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)

The Heel Master grounds The Jet with a bad wheel, but Knight isn’t out of the running just yet. Will Knight be able to course correct and head for the top? Will Kanemaru continue to mess up plans with these underhanded tricks?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: KUSHIDA VS Taiji Ishimori!

The Timesplitter and Bone Soldier both suffered their first losses last round, but they’re still holding the top spots. Who gets put on the bubble while the other gets a little more breathing room?

The bell rings and the fans rally up for “KU-SHI-DA!” as he and Taiji circle. They feel things out, Taiji goes for a leg but Kushida does the same. Taiji facelocks, rolls with Kushida, then rolls Kushida, but Kushida slips free. The fans cheer that fast opening exchange and the two reset. Kushida and Taiji feel things out again, tie up, and Kushida wrenches to then snapmare. Kushida gets both arms for a motorcycle stretch, but Taiji rolls over, kicks free, wrenches back, steps over then arm-drags! Kushida kips up to arm-drag! Taiji ghost pins, ONE, and Kushida wants an arm. Taiji throws Kushida down, floats to a lateral press, ONE!

Taiji clamps onto the arm but Kushida slips around to waistlock. Taiji fights but Kushida full nelsons. Taiji fights but Kushida spins him back into the full nelson. Kushida spins Taiji to arm-drag, then hammerlocks. Taiji rolls, headscissors but Kushida kips free. Kushida goes for the legs but Taiji jumps over! Kushida jumps on to body scissor, but Taiji keeps an arm back. Kushida still wants to knuckle lock? Taiji obliges, but then Kushida wants the kimura! Taiji gets free of the body scissors to waistlock but Kushida switches. Kushida then spins to get the arm! Taiji fights off the double wristlock and the fans rally up.

Kushida throws elbows then wrenches Taiji’s arm. Taiji uses ropes to flip through, then he wrenches back. Taiji hammerlocks, spins and wrangles Kushida, but Kushida headscissors! Kushida grabs Taiji’s leg to stop the kip up, and now it’s a modified cradle! KUSHIDA WINS!!!

Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)

Taiji is absolutely stunned! He got caught by a rather simple move, and now Kushida’s the top of the block! Will Kushida be able to win this whole thing in the blink of an eye? Will the Bone Soldier just have to be quicker on the draw from now on?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: Titan VS Clark Connors!

El Inmortal could not stop All Heat from firing up, but 100 Proof knows what that’s like. However, will Connors add on to the misery with No Chaser? Or will Titan overcome defeat by keeping the faith?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two run in! They RAM shoulders, then fire forearms back and forth! Connors ROCKS Titan, whips, but Titan reverses, TORNADO- NO, Connors stops the DDT, then runs Titan over! The fans applaud the show of strength, but then Connors drags Titan up and TOSSES him out. Connors goes out to bring Titan up and CLUB him. Connors says hey to Drilla on English commentary, then he brings Titan up. Connors says watch this, and he brings Titan to the back of the crowd! Then he goes up the bleachers! But Titan throws body shots and brings Connors back down!

The fans cheer as the two return to floor level, Titan knees low and he brings Connors to the ring. Connors throws body shots now, and he SMACKS Titan off the apron! Then Connors throws a Young Lion into Titan! Shoma Kato sure has seen a lot action for not even being in this tournament. The ref reprimands but Connors drags Titan up. Connors goes after the mask! The ring count climbs, the fans boo, but Connors wrenches Titan’s neck! Connors stands Titan up to POST him! Titan falls, we’re past 10 of 20, and Connors leaves Titan behind. Connors mocks Titan’s pose and even prayer, but Titan slides in at 15!

Connors drags Titan up but Titan fights the suplex. Connors knees low, snapmares Titan, then stomps him! Connors runs up to JUMP ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! The fans applaud but Connors goes after the mask! The ref reprimands, the fans boo, and Connors lets off of the laces. Connors stalks Titan, tells fans to shut up, then he brings Titan up. Titan CHOPS! Connors CHOPS back! Titan drops to his knees but Connors stands him up and whips. Titan holds ropes to avoid the powerslam, then BOOTS back! Connors ELBOWS Titan, reels him in, but Titan hangs Connors out to dry! Connors slips to the apron, and he ducks Titan’s punch!

Connors throws Titan down by his mask, but Titan kips up to PELE! Titan then builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit on Connors and the fans fire up! Titan rises, the fans fire up more, and Titan KICKS Connors in the side! Titan brings Connors up to CLUB him, puts him in the ring and covers, TWO! Titan is frustrated but he CLUBS Connors. Connors ROCKS Titan with a forearm! Titan ROCKS Connors in return! Connors ROCKS Titan, Titan ROCKS Connors, and they both stand. Connors fires another forearm but so does Titan! The fans rally as they pick up speed, going back and forth, forearm for forearm!

Connors gets the edge, winds up, but Titan bobs ‘n’ weaves to fire off a strike fest! SOBAT! Titan runs, but Connors goes the other way, JEEP FLIPPER!! The hangtime on that one! Titan flounders around, Connors seethes, and Connors takes aim from a corner. Connors barks, runs in, but Titan BOOTS back! And SOBATS! KICKS! PALM STRIKE! WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Titan roars! Titan hurries to get Connors up into a fireman’s carry. Connors fights free and waistlocks but Titan switches. Titan shoves, follows, and TORNADO DDTS! The fans rally up more as Connors flounders to a corner.

Titan aims, throws off an armband and runs, LOCO LARIAT! Titan hurries back up top, aims, and DIVING- NO, Connors dodges the stomps! Connors runs in, Titan dodges, and Connors stops from tackling the ref! Connors runs up again but Titan goes Matrix! CALF KICK! The fans fire up and Titan roars! Titan grabs Connors’ leg, steps through, but Connors SNATCHES the mask!! The fans boo, Connors loses grip of the mask and Titan gets it back! Even Connors isn’t sure what happened, but then he runs up to SPEAR!! Connors drags Titan up, for NO CHASER!! Cover, Connors wins!

Winner: Clark Connors, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)

Connors messing with the mask was just enough to mess up Titan’s flow, and that’s all Connors needed to snatch this win. Connors also Too Sweets Drilla, will nothing stop these War Dogs from running the whole tournament? Will Titan be able to get past this defeat and be tranquilo again?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Hiromu Takahashi VS Ninja Mack!

The Ticking Timebomb and American Shinobi are both 2-2, trying to keep up with the top of the block. Hiromu got a big win over Sho just last night, will he get another big win here? Or will the Ninja from Noah turn the tides?

Hiromu taunts Drilla on his way to handing Milano Collection AT-san tonight’s framed picture. The fans rally up already, and Mack makes sure Hiromu notices the “NINJA! NINJA!” chant. The bell rings, the “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” comes through. But then “NINJA! NINJA!” returns. Hiromu waits on Mack but Mack still kneels in his corner. Then Mack somersaults forward, and offers a handshake. Hiromu is a little wary, but he does kneel. The fans cheer as Hiromu shakes Mack’s hand, and Mack puts up his dukes while still kneeling. Hiromu is confused, but they still tie up. They go back and forth while kneeling and the fans rally up!

Mack headlocks, then he grinds Hiromu down. Hiromu headscissors, Mack kips free, but then returns to his knees! The fans cheer, the two tie up again, and Mack waistlocks. Hiromu wrenches free, hammerlocks, but Mack drags him down to a cover. ONE, Hiromu headscissors but Mack kips free again, and they stay on their knees! The fans cheer this unique low style match. They tie up, and Mack arm-drags Hiromu to an armlock! Mack arm-drags free, and it’s back to the knees! They tie up again, Mack fireman’s carries for the takeover, then has the arm. Hiromu arm-drags free again, but Mack’s still on his knees!

Hiromu runs up, Mack trips him, but Hiromu kicks him away. Hiromu headlocks,  and now we’re standing as Mack powers up and out. Hiromu RANAS but Mack handsprings through! The fans cheer and the two reset. Hiromu runs up, Mack dodges, but Hiromu RANAS again! Mack still handsprings through! The fans cheer for “NINJA! NINJA!” but Hiromu kicks him. Hiromu whips, Mack reverses, but Hiromu RANAS again, only for Mack to handspring and flip! The fans cheer but Hiromu gets frustrated! Hiromu runs up, but Mack dumps him out! Mack then builds speed, but Hiromu slides in to ELBOW him down!

The fans rally while Mack checks his chin. Mack goes to a corner, Hiromu storms up and CHOPS! Mack scrambles away but Hiromu follows on his knees. Mack turns around, Hiromu CHOPS! Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs, and clotheslines! Hiromu snapmares to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Hiromu walks over to Mack on his knees. Mack CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS back! Mack CHOPS again, Hiromu CHOPS him down! Mack sits up, Hiromu stands him up, and then Hiromu scoops to SLAM! Hiromu clamps on a headscissor squeeze! Mack flails and fights around while fans rally.

Mack reaches out, moves around, and has the ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go quickly, then mocks the “NINJA! NINJA!” But Mack throws body shots back! Hiromu CHOPS Mack, whips him to ropes, but Mack reverses. Hiromu holds ropes, then runs up to RANA! Mack still handsprings through! Mack says no ranas today, but then Hiromu dropkicks Mack’s leg out! Hiromu smirks and wags his finger, then goes to Mack. Mack KICKS Hiromu away! Mack kips up and SCREW KICKS! Hiromu tumbles out of the ring, Mack builds speed, and SASUKE- NO, Hiromu slides in! Then he SUNSET FLIP- NO, Mack blocks the bomb and flips free!

Mack runs back up, Hiromu TOSSES Mack into the ring, but Mack just rolls and handsprings to SASUKE SPECIAL SUNSET FLIP, and then APRON POWERBOMB!! The fans are thunderous while Hiromu writhes and flounders around. Mack hobbles over to bring Hiromu up and into the ring. The fans rally as Mack goes up the corner and takes aim. DIVING HEADBUTT! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives but Mack covers again, TWO!! Hiromu is still in this but the fans fire up as Mack drags him to a drop zone. Mack CHOPS Hiromu, goes up the corner again, and fans cheer “NINJA! NINJA!” for the NINJA BOMB onto knees!

Hiromu fireman’s carries and rolls to bring Mack up! TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO! Mack survives the 1.5 but Hiromu still has more in his arsenal! The fans are thunderous as Hiromu runs, but Mack ducks the lariat to backslide! TWO! Mack cradles, TWO! Hiromu wrenches and hooks Mack but Mack slips free! Hiromu RANAS, but again Mack handsprings and flips through! But Hiromu jumps on for TRIANGLE D!! The fans duel as Mack endures, and Mack TAPS!! Hiromu wins!!

Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by submission (gains 2 points; Mack earns 0)

The American Shinobi may be spring loaded, but he couldn’t bounce back when caught like that! Will the Mack attack just have to fight harder in the second half of this tournament? Will Hiromu blow up the top of the block and return to the finals?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: TJP VS HAYATA!

The Public Enemy is feeling like anything but a leader right now given he’s dead last in the block. But could this halfway point be a turning point for TJP? Or will he be further lost in the Silence of Darkness?

The bell rings and the fans rally as the two stare down. The two circle, feel things out, and tie up. TJP wrenches, hammerlocks, but Hayata switches that onto TJP. TJP sits down, rolls, and trips Hayata to a toehold. Hayata tries to chinlock but TJP fights it off. TJP pulls on the leg, but Hayata uses his other one to hook TJP for an ARMBAR! TJP sits up quick and turns Hayata over to then float up to a chinlock. Hayata endures so TJP traps an arm, floats and turns Hayata in one motion, and covers, TWO! TJP facelocks Hayata, brings him up to wrench and wristlock, but Hayata slips in to wrench and wristlock in return.

TJP fights up, rolls, spins, cartwheels then drops to TWIST SCISSORS! But Hayata headscissors back! TJP headstands, the fans cheer, and TJP turns Hayata over. TJP rolls back to tie up the legs, BOW ‘N’ ARROW! The fans cheer, but Hayata pops free to cover, ONE! TJP sweeps and covers, ONE! Hayata arm-drags, TJP arm-drags, and both men handspring up! The fans fire up while the two stand off. Hayata and TJP reset, TJP offers a handshake, but Hayata leaves him hanging. TJP and Hayata circle, tie up, and Hayata powers TJP to a corner. The ref counts the break, Hayata lets off slowly, but then he forearms TJP!

TJP puts Hayata in the corner to UPPERCUT! TJP whips corner to corner, Hayata reverses but TJP goes up and over. Things speed up, TJP Spider-Mans to the apron but Hayata HANDSPRING KICKS him down! Hayata then PLANCHAS and down goes TJP! The fans fire up while Hayata stands up. Hayata brings TJP up, then POSTS him! The fans rally for TJP while he crawls, but Hayata drags TJP up, to POST him again! TJP falls back, checks his nose, but Hayata brings him up again. Hayata puts TJP in, the fans applaud, and Hayata stomps TJP around. Hayata clamps on a chinlock and he grinds TJP down.

TJP endures, the fans rally up, and TJP stands. TJP powers up and out, but Hayata runs him over! Things keep moving, TJP hurdles but into an atomic drop! Hayata flips TJP for a cover, ONE! The fans cheer but Hayata keeps calm. Hayata stands TJP up to ROCK him, then has him at ropes. Hayata ROCKS TJP, whips him, but TJP holds ropes. TJP BOOTS back, runs up but Hayata ducks! TJP BOOTS Hayata’s lariat away, then drags him down! TJP traps one arm, has the other, DARK SACRIFICE! The fans fire up with TJP and he watches Hayata rise. TJP SOBATS, SNAP HALF HATCHES, then stands back up!

SNAP HALF HATCH! TJP has two, he gets Hayata up, THREE HATCH AMIGOS! Or maybe Three Kaibigan so it’s Tagalog. The fans rally up as TJP aims from the corner. Hayata stands, TJP runs up to back elbow in the corner! TJP then sits Hayata down so he can scrub Hayata’s face! The fans cheer and TJP goes side to side, to BOOT WASH! The fans cheer more and they want it again! TJP obliges and he scrubs Hayata’s face some more! TJP runs side to side again, for the BOOT WASH! The fans fire up, TJP throws up the crown, and then he stands Hayata up. TJP puts Hayata up in the Tree of Woe, then he goes up the corner.

The fans fire up as TJP aims, WOE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Hayata is still in this but the fans rally behind TJP. TJP pounds the mat and fans clap along, “T! J P! T! J P!” TJP aims, runs up, but Hayata gets around him to roll him up! TWO! Hayata takes a swing but TJP catches it to spin and FINAL CUT! Cover, TWO! Not so final but the fans rally behind TJP. TJP goes for the corner and climbs up. But Hayata trips him up first! Hayata CLUBS TJP, climbs up, then brings TJP to the top! TJP fights the superplex! TJP throws body shots, but Hayata crosses the arms! TJP fights that and shoves Hayata down! MAMBA- NO, TJP has to bail out as Hayata moves!

TJP whips, Hayata reverses and PELES TJP down! TJP flounders to a corner, Hayata goes to the other. Hayata runs up to SHOTGUN TJP down! Hayata then scoops to SLAM TJP into the drop zone! SECOND-ROPE SAULT! Cover, TWO! TJP stays in this and the fans fire up again but Hayata says he’ll end it now! Hayata crosses TJP’s arms, reels him in again, but TJP fights the lift! Hayata kicks him, kicks again, then reels TJP in. But TJP RAMS Hayata into the corner! TJP staggers back, runs up, but Hayata dodges! TORNADO- NO, TJP stops the DDT to SUPERKICK! Hayata SUPERKICKS! Hayata runs, into a WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!

TJP and Hayata stir, sit up, and head for each other. TJP fires a forearm, but Hayata gives it back. TJP fires another forearm, so Hayata gives it back! They stand, the forearms keep going and the fans rally up! TJP gets the edge, then runs, but Hayata atomic drops! Hayata runs to BULLDOG! Hayata then hauls TJP up, crosses the arms, but TJP NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Hayata still has TJP’s arms! TJP reels Hayata in! STRAITJACKET DDT!! TJP aims, runs up, ONE BY ONE!! Cover, TWO!! Hayata survives and TJP is stunned! The fans are thunderous as TJP pounds the mat and goes back to a corner.

TJP climbs, MAMBA SPLASH onto knees! Hayata crosses those arms, STRAITJACKET DDT! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and Hayata is furious! The fans are thunderous as Hayata gets TJP up! 403- CRADLE!! TJP WINS!!

Winner: TJP, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Hayata earns 0)

TJP snatches victory from the jaws of defeat, and he lives for another round! Will the United Empire’s new leader pull off one of the biggest comebacks in the BOSJ? Will the Silence of Darkness still find a way to shine?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 B Block: Robbie Eagles VS SHO!

The Sniper of the Skies is neck and neck with the Murder Machine in this race to the top. Will the Soul of PWA Champion get one over on the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion? Or will Sho continue to lie, cheat and steal until he’s won it all?

For whatever reason, Sho tries to pester Kosei Fujita by leaning on him, even pushing his shoulder into Fujita’s chest and stomach. Fujita gets annoyed and he shoves Sho away, and Sho pretends like he just got hurt by Fujita! The fans either cheer because that’s what he deserves or boo because they know it’s a farce. The ref argues with Fujita, Eagles defends Fujita’s innocence, but Sho sneaks up behind Eagles. Eagles blocks the low blow! Sho panics, Eagles says shake hands, and they do. And then Eagles bends fingers! The bell rings, Eagles gets up and around to arm-drag! Eagles keeps moving, he hurdles Sho to then RANA! Sho staggers up, into a WHEEL KICK!

Eagles kips up and the fans fire up. Sho bails out, Eagles builds speed, but then he flips off the ropes as Sho moves. The fans cheer while Sho is upset. Sho still wants Fujita removed from ringside, then he snatches Eagles’ belt! And a chair! Sho wants to smash Eagles’ belt! The ref and Eagles say don’t do it! And then Yujiro shows up! The ref stops Tokyo Pimp where he is, but Sho JAMS Eagles with a chair! Eagles sputters and staggers away, Yujiro keeps the ref distracted, and Sho JAMS Eagles again! Sho puts Eagles’ belt next to the Junior Heavyweight belt, and he brings Eagles into the crowd! Sho has fans move aside, but then decides to go to a different section.

Sho keeps having fans clear out, but then he goes to the merch section! Sho SMACKS Eagles off a table! Eagles falls over, Sho steps on Eagles’ neck, but the ref reprimands. Sho leaves Eagles behind and returns to ringside. The fans boo but Eagles stands back up. The ref is busy arguing with Sho about the chair, the count hasn’t started so Eagles makes it back to ringside. But then Sho kicks Eagles, and suplexes him onto the chair! Eagles writhes and Sho leaves him behind again, and now the ring count begins! Eagles pounds the floor in frustration while he’s down at 5 of 20. Eagles stands at 8 and slides in at 9, but Sho stomps him down!

Sho drags Eagles up, whips him to ropes, and Sho kitchen sink knees him down! Sho grins, he stands on Eagles’ stomach and stomps him more! Sho then has the arms so he can DRAGON STOMP the abs! Eagles endures, and Sho shifts into a half straitjacket clutch! Eagles endures, even as Sho digs a knee into the stomach! Eagles pries at the hold, fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Sho stands on Eagles’ chest! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Sho steps away. Sho then stomps Eagles and insults Australia. Sho storms up on Eagles in a corner, slaps him around, then stomps him more.

Sho digs his boots in, the ref reprimands and counts, but Sho lets off at 4. Sho grins while he looms over Eagles. Sho talks trash, kicks Eagles, but Eagles throws body shots. Eagles CHOPS, and CHOPS, but Sho kicks low! Sho reels Eagles in to hang him out to dry! Then Sho gut wrenches Eagles off the ropes, for a GUT BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Eagles stays in this and the fans rally up but Sho is annoyed. Sho grabs the Soul of PWA belt again, but the ref reprimands. Sho sets the belt down, but then steps on it! The fans boo, Eagles grabs at the belt, but Sho asks what’s wrong. Eagles fires forearms and backs Sho down!

The fans rally but Sho kicks low. Sho whips Eagles to a corner hard, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Sho comes back, but Eagles drops low to get under for the sunset! TWO, but Eagles steps through, only for Sho to kick him in the stomach! Sho then fireman’s carries Eagles, puts him on the top rope, and CLUBS away on Eagles’ side! Sho runs corner to corner and back again, TOP SHELF KNEE! Sho drags Eagles down, covers, TWO! Sho is frustrated but the fans rally up. Sho slashes his throat and vows to end this one. Sho drags Eagles up, reels him in and tucks the arms, STRAITJACKET- NO, Eagles wrenches free and slips around, schoolboy bridge! TWO!

Sho gets up, but Eagles dropkicks the legs out! The fans rally up, Eagles grits his teeth and KICKS Sho in the chest! And KICKS! And KICKS! Eagles’ stomach hurts, but he runs, only for Yujiro to trip him up! Sho distracts the ref, Yujiro CLAWS Eagles’ eyes! The fans boo but Yujiro holds Eagles in place! Sho runs up, but Eagles ducks and Sho BLASTS Yujiro! Eagles gest around Sho, CHOP BLOCKS then runs, BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Sho tumbles out, the fans fire up and Eagles builds speed. Eagles DIVES and takes out both Sho & Yujiro! The fans fire up while everyone is down, and the ring count starts. Eagles roars and rises at 6 of 20!

Eagles drags Sho up at 10, puts him in at 11, and the fans fire up with Eagles. Eagles springboards in, to MISSILE DROPKICK the legs! The fans fire up, Eagles runs, LEG LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Sho is still in this, but he flounders away to a corner. Eagles runs up to DOUBLE KNEE! Eagles then rolls, returns, basement 619! Eagles snarls, runs back in, METEORA! The fans fire up as Eagles stacks Sho, TWO! Sho survives but Eagles drags Sho from ropes. The fans fire up and Eagles steps through, but Sho pulls on Eagles’ scarf! The ref reprimands, Sho lets go, and Eagles SPINNING TOEHOLDS the leg!

The fans fire up while Sho writhes, and Eagles goes up and out. Eagles rallies the fans and he climbs the corner. 450 SPLASH but Eagles has to roll through as Sho moves! Sho runs up, Eagles blocks a kick, but Sho fights the backpack and bends the fingers! Eagles breaks free, SOBATS, then runs, but the ref is a shield! Sho SPEARS Eagles down! The fans rally while Sho has a wild grin on his face. Sho drags Eagles up, tucks the arms, STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Sho is furious with the ref but the count was fair. Sho aims his bow, drags Eagles up and reels him back in. Sho pump handles, lifts, but Eagles slips free!

Eagles steps over, ROUNDHOUSES, SUPERKICKS and PELES! Sho wobbles and the fans fire up! Eagles cravats, but Sho powers out! Yujiro is there but Eagles BOOTS him! Eagles dodges Sho, waistlocks, but Sho switches. Eagles fights the lift, to cravat and ASAI DDT! Cover, TWO! But into the RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Sho endures, but Yujiro gest on the apron! Fujita drags him down! Sho crawls for ropes , but Eagles drags him away! Eagles puts on the pressure, but Sho grabs at the ref! Yujiro’s up to something, HE RINGS THE BELL! Eagles thinks he’s won but no, it was a fake out! The fans boo as Eagles is confused!

Sho laughs at Eagles for falling for it, but Eagles just gets the leg again! Sho BOOTS Eagles into the ref! And Yujiro goes after Fujita! Then Yujiro joins Sho in the ring and they beat down Eagles! The fans boo more but Yujiro bumps Eagles off buckles. Yujiro whips corner to corner, then runs in to BOOT! Sho runs in to clothesline! Sho snapmares Eagles and sets him up for Yujiro’s FALLING HEAD- BOOTS! Eagles kicks Yujiro, he kicks Sho, and the fans fire up! Eagles fires off forearms on Yujiro and Sho! Eagles fires a flurry on Sho, but Yujiro kicks low! Yujiro grabs his cane! The fans boo but Eagles dodges! Fujita springboards in to MISSILE DROPKICK Yujiro!

The fans are thunderous, but Sho has his Torture Tool! Fujita blocks the wrench attack, and then Eagles wrenches Sho’s arm! They lift Sho up for a MAXXY BOMB!! And then Fujita PLANCHAS Yujiro! The fans are thunderous as Eagles reloads and aims at Sho! HYPERION!! Cover, Eagles wins!

Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Sho earns 0)

Eagles pulls the trigger and he shoots down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! This on top of their wins over the War Dogs, will TMDK look to grab up all the Junior Heavyweight gold? Will Sho have to really rethink his game plan to avoid giving out more golden tickets?

Best of the Super Juniors 31 A Block: El Desperado VS Blake Christian!

The Rogue Luchador could not ground The Jet, and now he’s facing the near unstoppable All Heat! Will Desperado get burned again? Or will he bring down THE GCW Champion on his way back to the top?

The bell rings and the fans rally up as the two circle. Blake taunts the fans calling for “DESPE~!” The two tie up with knuckle locks, then Despe rolls to wrangle Blake and wrench to a wristlock. Blake rolls, cartwheels, slips through and wrenches to then clap with Despe’s hand. Blake wristlocks, hammerlocks, but Despe rolls to wrench and wristlock back. Blake fights up, powers through and waistlocks to then spin, snapmare, body scissor and roll to a cover, TWO! The fans applaud and even Despe claps. Blake mocks Despe clapping for him, and the two reset. They tie up, Despe wrenches and wristlocks but Blake wrenches back.

Despe wrenches, Blake wrenches, repeat, but then Blake CLAWS Despe’s eyes! Blake mocks Despe, whips him to a corner, but Despe reverses. Blake BOOTS back, goes up, but Despe YANKS him down! The fans cheer while Blake writhes. Despe SPLASHES down, covers, ONE! Despe stands on Blake’s leg, Blake reaches for ropes, but Despe stomps the leg! The fans rally as Despe stalks Blake, gets a leg, and he drops an elbow on the knee! Blake tries to fight back, he pulls at the mask, but Despe pulls on the leg! Despe stands up to stomp the leg, but Blake kicks free with the good leg! Despe storms back up but Blake wrenches, hammerlocks and RAMS Despe into buckles!

Blake brings Despe into the ropes, grabs the bad arm, and then turns Despe so that he can stand on the arm and bend it back! Red Shoes reprimands, the fans boo, but Blake STOMPS the arm! Despe flounders away, the fans rally up, but Blake drops down, springboards in, and FLYING LARIATS! Blake mocks the applause then flips everyone off. The fans boo but Blake goes back to Despe. Blake drops KNEES on the elbow! Despe goes to ropes, Blake follows and pulls the arm around the ropes! Red Shoes counts, Blake lets off at 3, then mocks the fans cheering “DESPE~!” Despe throws body shots, then whips, but Blake handsprings and wheelbarrows! Somersault and KNEE DROP!

The fans are torn over the agility, but Blake flips them all off anyway. Despe flops out of the ring while clutching his elbow, but Blake pursues. Blake drags Despe around for a MOUNTED ARMBAR! Blake adds a double wristlock variation, but lets off as Red Shoes reprimands. Red Shoes wants this in the ring, but Blake drags Despe to the corner and wraps the bad arm around the post! Then Blake YANKS Despe into the post! Red Shoes reprimands again, but Blake goes looking for things. Blake brings out chairs! He lets one go to bring the other over, but Red Shoes says don’t do it. Blake lets Red Shoes have that chair, to get the other! Blake JAMS the bad arm!!

The fans boo but Blake sits in the chair to mockingly applaud. Blake then puts Despe’s arm through that chair to bend it! Blake mocks the booing now, but Despe gets free. Blake has the bad arm, he brings Despe around to snapmare, then he steps over for an ARM TWIST! Despe writhes but Blake kicks him around. Despe throws hands but Blake ROCKS him! Blake pulls on the bad arm, claps with Despe’s hand, then clamps on a double wristlock! Despe fights but Blake CLUBS him, brings him along, and body shots him in front of the bleachers. Blake gets space, and comes back with railing! Blake CHUCKS it into Despe!

The fans boo, Red Shoes reprimands, but then Blake wraps Despe’s arms around the railing! Blake ROCKS Despe, wrenches, and UPPERCUTS the arm! The fans boo, Blake gets more space, and he mockingly claps. Blake runs all the way back in, and FLIES over the railing to take out Despe! The fans are again torn because that was still impressive. Blake again mocks the fans cheering on “DESPE~!” and brings Despe up. Blake UPPERCUTS the arm but Despe CLUBS Blake with the other! Blake hits an ELBOW BREAKER on the bad arm! Blake leaves Despe behind to get in the ring, and argues for the count to start.

Red Shoes does start the count, but Despe rises up. Despe reaches the ring at 6, rolls in at 8, and the fans cheer. Blake smirks and storms back up on Despe. Blake wraps the arm around ropes, then YANKS it as he lets off. Blake drags Despe up, then HALF ‘N’ HALF SUPLEXES! Blake slashes his throat, vowing to end it now. Blake aims from a corner, runs up, and STEP UP- NO, Despe avoids the stomp! Blake’s leg jams a bit, but he still kicks first. Blake whips, Despe reverses and scoops for a BIG back suplex! The fans fire up while both men are down! Despe and Blake go to corners, and Despe drags himself up with one good arm.

The fans rally, Despe runs corner to corner, and he ELBOWS Blake! Then Despe reels Blake in to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Despe SPLASHES Blake’s leg! Then GROUND DRAGON SCREWS! Now Blake writhes and the fans fire up! Despe nods as the fans rally up behind him. Despe gets the bad leg, YANKS it, then puts on the STRETCH MUFFLER! Blake endures, reaches out, but Despe grabs the arm, NUMERO DOS! Blake flails with his one free arm but Despe drags him back! Blake still fights forward, to the ROPEBREAK! Despe lets go, but “Oops!” he drops knees on the knee! Blake crawls away and Despe shakes the bad arm.

Despe storms up on Blake, whips, but Blake holds ropes! Despe KICKS Blake’s leg and Blake goes to a corner. Despe runs in, Blake dodges and BOOTS! Blake then goes up and out, springboards back in, and he DOUBLE STOMPS the bad arm! Blake wrenches but Despe fights the takedown! Despe scoops, Blake slips free, and Blake staggers to ropes. Despe runs up but Blake dumps him out! Despe is on the apron, Blake blocks his punch to GAMANGIRI! Despe falls to the floor, Blake builds speed, and Blake FLIES! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down, Red Shoes checks them both, and they’re both okay to continue.

The fans rally as Blake and Despe stir. The ring count starts, Blake rolls closer at 3 of 20. Both men are still down at 5, but Blake drags himself up and in at 9. Despe sits up at 12, hurries over, but the bad arm holds him back! We’re past 15! Despe rises, Blake wants it faster! Despe slides in at 19! Blake springboards in to 450 SPLASH on the back!! Cover, TWO!! Despe survives, but ends up in a FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Blake thrashes the arm, puts on as much pressure as he can, but the fans are rallying behind Despe as he fights around! Despe reaches out, claws at the mat, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Blake BITES Despe’s hand!

Red Shoes reprimands and the fans boo but Blake lets Despe go. The match passes 15 minutes, one of the longer matches tonight, and the halfway point of the time limit. Blake goes back to Despe, he throws a forearm, but Despe scowls. Despe fires forearm after forearm, but Blake ROCKS him in return! Blake stands, Despe growls, and Despe throws more forearms! Blake ROCKS him again! Despe glares at Blake, Blake eggs him on, so Despe fires another flurry! Blake UPPERCUTS! Despe KICKS the leg! Blake KICKS the arm! Blake hobbles, wrenches and WRINGS the bad arm out! Blake goes to a corner, slashes his throat, and runs up to STEP UP- SPINEBUSTER!

The fans fire up as both men are down again! Despe roars, he drags Blake up and underhooks, PINCHE- NO, Blake fights it to wrench and PELE the arm! But Despe CHOPS! Blake kips up to SUPERKICK! Despe wobbles, Blake fires up, but Despe ROCKS him! And ROCKS him again! Blake rebounds to JUMP KNEE!! Blake fires up, runs, but Despe DECKS him!! Despe underhooks for TIGER DRIVER!! Despe then drags Blake back up for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, Despe wins!!

Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Blake earns 0)

All Heat finally runs out of steam, but Despe still needs the ice for his arm! It was a fiery main event to be sure, but will this first loss take the air out of Blake’s sails? Or can he get hot again in the next round?

As for Desperado, he gets the mic, and he promises someone will translate this for Blake later. When they faced off in America, Desperado thought there’d be more to follow. Desperado waited so long for this, but it was worth the wait! Thanks for the great match! The fans cheer that! Desperado says he was waiting so long, he could’ve made it to the finals twice and lost twice. Whether or not anyone else has waited for this, he’s waited so long to get this! And if we have to wait any longer, even Despe will get bored of himself! So watch closely, because he’s gonna win the whole thing! The fans cheer that! Will the Rogue Luchador, even with a bad arm, claw his way to the top?

Here are the NEW A Block standings!

Blake Christian: 4-1, 8 points
El Desperado: 3-2, 6 points
Clark Connors: 3-2, 6 points
Titan: 3-2, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-2, 6 points
HAYATA: 2-3, 4 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 2-3, 4 points
BUSHI: 2-3, 4 points
Kosei Fujita: 2-3, 4 points
TJP: 1-4, 2 points

Here are the NEW B Block standings!

KUSHIDA: 4-1, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 3-2, 6 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 3-2, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-2, 6 points
“Drilla” Moloney: 3-2, 6 points
DOUKI: 3-2, 6 points
SHO: 2-3, 4 points
Francesco Akira: 2-3, 4 points
Ninja Mack: 2-3, 4 points
Dragon Dia: 0-5, 0 points

My Thoughts:

Another awesome round for the BOSJ here, though the results weren’t quite so shocking this time. I will say, it seems like Dia is gonna keep riding the bottom of the block until he has to spoil someone’s run. TJP meanwhile gets a great first win in taking down Hayata. If nothing else, maybe there could be a NJPW VS Noah story where TJP challenges for the GHC National Championship. Great match from Kushida and Taiji for the top spot in B Block, and a very fun match from Hiromu and Mack. Hiromu and Kushida each winning is fitting, they’re both great choices for semifinalists. But with a win over Hiromu and Taiji already, Kushida has all but locked in a spot in the semifinals.

Awesome win for Eagles over Sho, and Sho might have to give a lot of people title matches for the Summer. Awesome main event for Desperado and Blake, and a great win for Desperado here. No more undefeateds in this run, and a win over the A Block leader could be a sign that Desperado is going to the semifinals one way or another. However, in more unfortunate news is that Akira did end up legitimately injured during his match, as confirmed by NJPW themselves. Here’s hoping Akira can still compete in the tournament, he was doing great for being 2-3. If not, points by forfeit would go to Hiromu, Douki, Eagles and Sho. B Block is really strong with a lot of 3-2 records right now, free points would really help Hiromu, Douki and Eagles move past Taiji, who lost to Akira anyway.

My Score: 9/10