Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW AXS Results: Dominion 2019 Part 2!
Another round for the Ibushi-Naito saga!
NJPW continues in Osaka!
The Golden Star and the Uncontrollable Charisma have one of the fiercest rivalries in NJPW today! But who comes out the IWGP Intercontinental Champion after this G1 Supercard rematch?
Coverage of Dominion in Osaka-Jo Hall will be as broadcast by AXS TV.
Gifs can be found on https://frentique.tumblr.com/
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr VS Jushin Thunder Liger & Yoshi-Hashi; Liger & Yoshi-Hashi win.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Taichi VS Tomohiro Ishii; Ishii wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Guerrillas of Destiny VS EVIL & SANADA; Guerrillas of Destiny win and retain the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
- IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Kota Ibushi VS Tetsuya Naito; Naito wins and becomes the new IWGP Intercontinental Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW and AXS TV set the scene for Dominion Part 2!
Los Ingobernables de Japon goes for gold! First, the rivals of the Golden Star and Uncontrollable Charisma meet again in their third match-up this year! Kota Ibushi took the first in the New Japan Cup, then the second in an IWGP Intercontinental Championship match at G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden! Despite Naito’s love-hate relationship with the belt, he wants it back here in Osaka-Jo. However, this arena hasn’t been kind to him, as he’s lost the last three times he’s been here. Will Ibushi go a full 3-0 in 2019? Or will Naito break through to reclaim his Destino?
Meanwhile, the IWGP Heavyweight Championships are on the line again as the Guerrillas of Destiny and the combo of Evil & Sanada fight again. The GoD are joint IWGP and ROH World Tag Team Champions after G1 Supercard, but will Darkness Fall to make LIJ three-time champions? Or will Tama Tonga & Tonga Loa still rule over two tag team divisions? And before all of this, the NEVER Openweight Championship has been a bit of a hot potato. Taichi has won, lost and won back the title. And in a bold move, he called out Tomohiro Ishii as his new challenger! Will the Sliest Wrestler in the World have something in store for the Stone Pitbull? Or will Ishii become a historic five-time Openweight Champion?
Minoru Suzuki & Zack Sabre Jr VS Jushin Thunder Liger & Yoshi-Hashi!
The Meanest Man in the World and his Submission Master protege look to ruin the road to retirement for the living legend of Junior Heavyweight wrestling, and just the general well-being of the Head Hunter. Can Liger and Hashi survive the sadistic duo?
Well it might be hard with Suzuki and ZSJ attacking from behind! ZSJ throws Hashi out while Suzuki goes after Liger. The bell rings anyway but Suzuki whips Liger into barriers. Hashi and ZSJ brawl on the other side, and Hashi actually backs ZSJ down. Suzuki has Liger in front of the crowd while Hashi CHOPS ZSJ in front of commentary. Liger CHOPS but Suzuki eggs him on. Suzuki then SLAPS Liger down and rips railing apart to throw it onto him! Meanwhile, Hashi and ZSJ get in the ring. Hashi whips but ZSJ reverses to tweak the arm! ZSJ drags Hashi around for a Boston Crab, and with a knee in Hashi’s head. ZSJ shifts around to a modified STF, then a cover, TWO!
Hashi sits up but ZSJ tags Suzuki. They mug Hashi in their corner, then Suzuki snapmares and kicks Hashi. Suzuki taunts Liger and the ref keeps Liger from getting in. But this allows Suzuki-Gun to put Hashi in double team submissions! Armlocks and leglocks, but the referee finally catches them. ZSJ leaves but Suzuki toys with Hashi. Hashi hits back but Suzuki just eggs him on. Hashi keeps throwing forearms and even chops, but Suzuki’s one forearm ROCKS Hashi to an open corner! Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ taunts Hashi. ZSJ takes Hashi’s KT tape and throws it at him. ZSJ kicks at Hashi, and so does Suzuki. They both toy with Hashi but Hashi starts powering up. Hashi throws big forearms on ZSJ, only to get a Pele to the arm!
Tag to Suzuki, and Suzuki-Gun mugs Hashi more. Suzuki whips Hashi corner to corner for a boot! Then a snapmare to Penalty Kick! Cover, TWO! And Liger gets in to kick Hashi awake?! Fans like that, but Suzuki doesn’t, and Suzuki punches Liger. That only fires Liger up, and fans rally behind Hashi. Hashi throws forearms on Suzuki, but Suzuki whips. Hashi reverses and CHOPS him! Suzuki slows but goes after Hashi, only to get a spin back kick! Hashi hurries and tags Liger in! Liger rallies with SHOTEI for Suzuki, and SHOTEI for ZSJ! Liger runs in but misses in the corner. Suzuki grabs Liger by his mask, but now it’s a CHOP fight! Suzuki headlocks but Liger powers out, only for Suzuki to hold the hair and headbutt Liger down! Now Suzuki rains down rights before wrapping on a cross arm-breaker!
Liger flails and gets up, but Suzuki wrangles him down! Liger reaches and gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer as Suzuki lets go, but Suzuki’s right on Liger again. Suzuki snarls as he kicks Liger. Liger drags himself up but Suzuki throws big forearms. Suzuki wraps on the sleeper hold! Liger flails but fades, and Suzuki spins him around! Gotch hold but Liger resists the lift! Suzuki knees low but Liger headbutts back! Suzuki falls but Liger drags him up, suplex to brainbuster! Both men are down but fans fire up. Suzuki and Liger crawl as fans rally up. Hot tags to SJ and Hashi! Hashi CHOPS then whips but ZSJ reverses. Hashi dodges for a blockbuster! The Head Hunter hits his mark, but he keeps going with a running CHOP!
Hashi suplexes ZSJ onto the ropes, then runs to dropkick him down! Cover, TWO! Hashi keeps on ZSJ but ZSJ slips out to a kimura! Then a cross arm-breaker! Hashi holds on but ZSJ goes after the grip. ZSJ gets the extension! Liger breaks that up then intercepts Suzuki! Suzuki reverses the whip to an abdominal stretch! ZSJ gets on on Hashi! Side-by-side cobra twists! Hashi endures as the legal man but Liger endures just as much. Hashi powers his way to a ropebreak! ZSJ lets go and Suzuki drags Liger to the outside. Suzuki stomps Liger out in front of commentary, then whips, but Liger reverses to send Suzuki into railing! Meanwhile, Hashi elbows ZSJ’s knee, but ZSJ kicks and runs, into Hashi’s lariat!
Hashi fires up and drags ZSJ to his feet. Pump handle but ZSJ slips out to a facelock. ZSJ has the arm, but Hashi suplexes. ZSJ slips out to a sleeper, then a full nelson, but Hashi arm-drags out. Hashi spins into a roundhouse but still CHOPS! ZSJ slaps and uppercuts but Hashi backslides! Hashi rolls ZSJ to a cradle, and Liger anchors Suzuki on the outside! Hashi and Liger win!!
Winners: Yoshi-Hashi & Jushin Thunder Liger, Hashi pinning
What a shock! ZSJ and Suzuki won’t stand for this, they wreak havoc! ZSJ brawls with Hashi while Suzuki throws whatever and whoever he can. But Hashi clobbers ZSJ with a lariat! Suzuki continues to be furious, but that’s because Hashi is no longer a joke! Will the Head Hunter make the Submission Master’s Revolution Pro British Heavyweight Championship his prey?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Taichi VS Tomohiro Ishii!
The Holy Emperor and the Stone Pitbull joined NJPW at the same time, and have been rivals for it ever since. But will Taichi regret challenging his rival to be his first challenger after just getting this belt? Or will Taichi finally prove to Ishii, the world, and himself that he is truly championship material?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised after Taichi tosses it at Ishii, and the match begins!
Fans cheer for Ishii as he stares at Taichi. Taichi smirks as he and Ishii circle. But then Taichi slithers out to walk with Miho Abe around the ring. Ishii waits patiently for Taichi to return. Taichi takes his time, so Ishii lies down on the mat. Ishii says Taichi has an easy target now. Taichi still takes his time returning, and knows better than to cover Ishii. He stomps Ishii, but Ishii doesn’t flinch. Taichi keeps stomping, then kicks Ishii while he sits up. Ishii keeps his cool as Taichi toys with him. Ishii stands up and stares Taichi down. Taichi pushes Ishiia round, but Ishii DECKS him with one forearm! Now Ishii returns those toying kicks, then drags Taichi up for a CHOP! Ishii CHOPS more but Taichi rakes his eyes! So Ishii rakes Taichi’s eyes back!
The referee reprimands both men, but the eye raking continues. Ishii lets Taichi go to then whip corner to corner. Taichi reverses and boots Ishii, then runs only to get run over! Ishii kicks Taichi sharp on the back, and looms over him as he writhes. Ishii grabs Taichi’s mic stand and knapsack. He says all this is junk, and tosses the mic away! Ishii also tosses the bag, then goes back to kick at Taichi. Taichi grows annoyed and the two go forehead to forehead. Taichi kicks Ishii in the leg, so Ishii chops Taichi. Neither backs down as the kicks and CHOPS go back and forth. They pick up speed! Kick, chop, repeat, as they go around in a circle! Ishii staggers and Taichi kicks more. Ishii chops then slaps, so Taichi SLAPS! Fans respect that toughness!
Taichi goes at Ishii in the corner, and kicks him while he’s down. Ishii gets to ropes but Taichi drags him up to put him in the corner. Taichi kicks Ishii more, and still toys with Ishii. Ishii rolls away but Taichi keeps on him with a sharp kick! Ishii reels back but Taichi drags him up. Taichi snapmares and kicks again! Ishii writhes while Taichi scowls. Taichi grabs Ishii in a waistlock but Ishii resists the saido suplex with elbows. Ishii headbutts away on Taichi, but Taichi back kicks. Taichi runs but into a powerslam! Fans cheer while both men are down, and we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns, and Ishii looms over Taichi. Ishii kicks him to a corner, then stands him up for CHOPS and forearms! Chop, forearm, repeat, then Ishii whips Taichi corner to corner. Taichi boots Ishii away, but Ishii keeps coming. Taichi dodges to enziguri Ishii down! Fans cheer but Taichi mocks the Ishii fans. Off come the pants! Taichi powers up but Ishii dodges the kick. Ishii waistlocks but Taichi elbows back. Taichi swings but Ishii spins him and suplexes. Taichi escapes and spins Ishii for a kick, only for Ishii to dump him down! Ishii throws forearms, Taichi enziguris again! Both men are down and fans cheer. Miho rallies the fans up, and Taichi stands first.
Taichi runs but Ishii blocks the clothesline to give one. Ishii runs but into a roundhouse! Taichi runs to clobber Ishii then enziguri a third time! Both men are down again but Miho shouts for Taichi to stand. Taichi does stand, and he drags Ishii up off the mat. Taichi saido suplexes Ishii down hard! Cover, TWO!! Ishii just survives! Fans cheer while Taichi keeps his focus. Taichi drags Ishii up again, but Ishii gives Taichi a saido! Both men are down but fans rally up. They stand and Taichi boots Ishii. But Ishii stays up, and eggs him on! Taichi kicks him over and over but Ishii still eggs him on. Taichi goes up but gets blocked and caught into a German Suplex! Ishii wants Taichi to stand, then runs, but Taichi dodges the lariat. Taichi uses the ref as a shield!
The ref goes down, but Ishii blocks the low blow! And headbutts Taichi back! Taichi blocks a kick but again Ishii blocks the low blow! For another headbutt! Taichi is down but Ishii only fires up. Ishii wants Taichi to get back up, and he waits as Taichi slowly stirs. Ishii runs, but into a boot. He still lariats on the other end! Taichi gets up for another lariat! Cover, TWO!! Taichi lives but Ishii grits his teeth. Ishii sits Taichi up, runs, but Taichi dodges the sliding lariat to enziguri Ishii down! Taichi runs for a sliding lariat of his own! Then the Gedo Clutch! TWO!! Ishii narrowly escapes! Fans fire up again as both men are down. Miho grows concerned for Taichi as he and Ishii slowly sit up.
Taichi is the first to stand, and he runs at Ishii. Ishii dodges, but so does Taichi. They both run for clotheslines! Taichi takes Ishii down! Then he drags Ishii up into a dragon sleeper! He stretches Ishii sideways! Ishii endures the stretch and twist, even as Taichi goes a full 90 degrees! The ref checks on Ishii as he starts to fade. Ishii’s arm goes down once, and Taichi cranks. It goes down again, but Taichi drags Ishii to his feet. Ishii revives to enziguri, but Taichi blocks it! Taichi hits the buzzsaw! Taichi looms over Ishii and says this will end it! Alabama lift, tuck, but Ishii slips out! Ishii powerbomb lifts but Taichi slips out to ROUNDHOUSE! Then, powerbomb lift, Last Ride!! Cover, TWO?! The Stone Pitbull is superhuman!
Fans are thunderous as Taichi crawls to a corner. Ishii slowly stirs as Taichi fires up. Taichi aims, thrusts, but misses! Ishii swings but Taichi deflects. Taichi tries again, but Ishii catches the kick to give an enziguri! Ishii rolls away to a corner and he fires up. Ishii aims at Taichi as he stands, but runs into a back kick! He blocks Taichi’s roundhouse to throw elbows from all sides! But Taichi still enziguris! But Ishii stays up to LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!? Now Taichi shows his heart, but Ishii won’t just give up. Ishii suplexes Taichi, but Taichi slips out to throw elbows of his own! Taichi Alabama lifts, but Ishii counters with a powerbomb lift! Powerbomb and SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!?! Ishii doesn’t care how, he just keeps going, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall; NEW NEVER Openweight Champion
Once again, the Stone Pitbull is champion! He is the first five-time champion of this belt! But with all it took in this match, is this rivalry of NJPW Black Sheep far from over?
NJPW Media backstage interview
Ishii sits down with his newly won belt to say, “It was just like I said. Okayama all over again.” Ishii says that is his style. Taichi wishes he could wrestle like Ishii does. But Taichi’s style is “half-assed.” What’s the point of the mic stand and the iron glove or any of that stuff? If you win that way, the question still remains. But what Taichi does from here is up to him. If Taichi can admit he lost, there may be hope for him yet. As for NJPW, they’re gonna need to patch up this belt. Will Ishii hold onto the title long enough for that renewed belt? Or will this title stay a hot potato through the summer?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Guerrillas of Destiny VS EVIL & SANADA!
After G1 Supercard, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa reign over both the ROH and NJPW tag team divisions! But a Fatal 4 Way doesn’t really prove much as far as they’re concerned. They took care of Jay & Mark Briscoe in a rematch for the ROH World Tag Team Championships, but can they do the same to their NJPW rivals? Or will The King of Darkness and the Cold Skull win those belts for a third time?
The introductions are made, and Jado hits the poor ring announcer! Then he threatens commentary! Jado’s actions aside, the IWGP belts are raised, and we begin this epic rematch!
Teams sort out, and Tama starts against Sanada. Fans rally behind LIJ, and Sanada takes a moment to climb up and hear the fans. Sanada offers Tama the same courtesy, so Tama climbs up, to hear more of a mixed reaction. Tama just grins as he offers Sanada a second go. Sanada climbs up again and Osaka cheers loud and proud. Tama is upset by that, and rushes at Sanada! Sanada jumps over, then over again, and things speed up. Tama hip tosses but Sanada lands on his feet! Sanada ducks the punch to speed up again. Tama copies Sanada’s hurdles, but Sanada sees the second one coming, and spins Tama to a takedown! Sanada goes for Paradise, but Tama pushes him away! Tama backs off to his corner while fans cheer.
Sanada waits for Tama, but Evil and Tonga Loa tag in. Evil circles with Loa as the powerhouses of their teams. Evil hits low then headlocks. Loa powers out but they collide shoulders. Neither man falls so Loa dares Evil to go again. Evil does, and they collide again. Now Evil eggs Loa on. Loa tells Evil, “I’m a f*cking champion! You gotta bring it, bro!” Loa runs, they collide and Evil staggers back! Tama laughs as Loa eggs Evil on again. Evil runs, dodges and hits Tama! Then he sends Loa into Tama, to then run Loa over! Fans cheer as Evil nods. Evil stomps Loa’s legs then clubs him on the back. He drags Loa up and CHOPS! Evil CHOPS m ore but Loa just fires up. Evil CHOPS Loa again, and off his feet! Cover, ONE!
Evil keeps on Loa to kick and run, but Jado and that damn kendo stick block Evil’s path! Loa runs but into a waistlock. Loa standing switches but so does Evil, and Evil lifts. Tama distracts the ref as Jado SMACKS Evil in the back! Fans boo the Master Heater and Sanada protests. Tama kicks the rope to indirectly low blow Sanada! Loa stomps Evil out then pushes him to the outside. Tama and Loa both go out to keep on LIJ. Tama sends Sanada into railing while Loa holds Evil for Jado. The ref sees that, and so Jado backs off. Loa bumps Evil on the apron, then plays innocent. This distracts the ref so that Jado can jab Evil in the ribs! Tama comes over to club Evil down while Loa apologizes to the ref. Loa gets in the ring while Tama rams Evil into railing!
The ref reprimands Tama and starts a count. Evil sits up at 7/20, while Tama and Jado taunt him. Tama puts Evil in at 11/20, and Loa goes at Evil with headbutts. Evil staggers to a corner but Loa fires off forearms. Loa whips corner to corner then hits Evil with a clothesline. Loa keeps moving, BIG shotgun knee takes Evil down! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps his cool as he drags Evil up. Tag to Tama, and Loa scoop slams Evil down. Tama adds the slingshot senton, then swaggers about. Evil grits his teeth while Tama throws down hands. Tama drives elbows in but Evil keeps sitting up. Tama drags Evil up for a snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Tama grows annoyed, but he brings Evil over to tag in Loa. Tama and Loa whip and double dropkick Evil down! Cover, TWO!
Fans rally for Evil as Sanada returns to the corner. Loa taunts Evil then blasts Sanada down. Loa drags Evil back to the GoD corner to throw big body shots and forearms. Tag to Tama and he throws hands and a dropkick! Evil flops down but fans keep cheering. Tama tags Loa back in, and the GoD have Evil down for another slingshot senton! Cover, TWO! Loa keeps his cool as he drags Evil up. He puts Evil in an open corner for stomps and forearms. Loa mocks the fans cheering for Evil as he whips Evil corner to corner. Evil reverses but Loa reverses back. Evil hits buckles hard and falls to the mat. Loa drags Evil up for forearms then a scoop. Evil slips out to shove Loa. Evil blocks the kick, hands it to the ref, and mule kicks Loa down low!
Fans rally up as both men crawl for their corners. Hot tag to Sanada! Tama just comes in to intercept and elbow Sanada. Tama whips Sanada to a corner, then Loa runs in. Sanada dodges Loa to dropkick Tama’s legs out! Sanada goes back at Loa to block the boot. And he puts Loa in Paradise! Tama attacks Sanada and whips, but Sanada reverses. Sanada shows Tama how the hurdles are done, then dropkicks him down! Tama bails out but Sanada slingshots to take him out! Then Sanada slingshots onto Jado! Fans fire up behind Cold Skull as he returns to the ring. Sanada still has one target left, and he dropkicks Loa out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Sanada keeps his cool as he stalks Loa.
Sanada drags Loa up, but Loa blocks the back suplex. Loa runs but into headscissors. But Loa blocks it to a sit-out bomb! Cover, TWO! Tama tags in and takes out Evil. Loa rams Sanada in the open corner, then Tama hits a big splash! GoD mock the fans cheering Sanada on, but the fans do cheer. It bothers Tama, and he goes after Sanada. He whips corner to corner but Sanada tumbles out and springboards back in with a missile dropkick! Tag to Evil and Evil hits Loa! LIJ whip Tama corner to corner, back elbow and clothesline! Evil suplexes Tama up top then climbs up to join him. Evil stands Tama up, and SUPERPLEXES him down! Sanada hits a standing moonsault on top! Evil has Tama in the Sharpshooter!
Tama endures while Evil sits deep. Sanada tries but can’t stop Loa, Loa barrels in and breaks the hold. Loa throws hands on both Evil and Sanada, then throws double dirty birds. Loa runs, but into Evil’s mule kick! Sanada front kicks and Evil LARIATS Loa down! Tama runs in, but into a boot, then mule kick, then saido suplex! Fans fire up behind LIJ as they vow to end this. Evil drags Tama up and Sanada props him up. But Loa intercepts! Tama powers Evil to a corner, Loa German Suplexes Sanada! But Sanada lands on his feet to spin Loa around, Salida into the dragon sleeper! Evil beats Tama down then hits Jado. Tama grabs Evil but Evil spins through to trip Tama up. Sharpshooter side-by-side with the dragon sleeper! Sanada drops back for full Skull End!
GoD endure submissions as Evil sits deep. Tama powers up and reaches, but Evil drags him away from ropes! Loa fades while Tama endures! Jada drags the referee out just before Tama taps!! LIJ think they’ve won, but Jado attacks with his kendo stick! Jado gets in the ring as fans boo, and he SMACKS Evil! Jado doesn’t give a damn that his stick is broken, he aims at Evil again. But wait, LJI has reinforcements! Bushi runs in, grabs the stick, and sprays Jado with the mist!! To then SMACK Jado down! Fans fire up as Bushi ruins and DIVES into Jado! He also gets the ref in the ring for Evil and Sanada as they vow to finish it! They grab Tama, lift, but Tama kicks Sanada away! Tama rolls Evil, and holds tights!! GoD win!!
Winners: Guerrillas of Destiny, by pinfall; still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions
It took the Master Heater and a tight grip on the tights, but the Bullet Club’s top tag team still reigns over both ROH and NJPW! Not even evening the numbers was enough to defeat them, will Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa continue being double champions through the summer?
NJPW Media backstage interview
Tama Tonga tells LIJ that when they asked for a rematch, GoD granted it. And they still won! “Who else wants a rematch?!” Oh, the Briscoes do, just because they were losers the first two times. Do they think third time’s the charm? They’ll lose again. GoD wants new blood! “When we say this is an open invite, it’s an open challenge. An open invitation to anybody and everybody, including their mother, their mother’s daughter, their daughter’s cousin’s best friend’s dog’s pet. Insects, whatever the hell y’all got! It’s open!” If you want it, come get it! Usos, The Revival, come get some! Don’t let fences block you in. Just come out and play. Who will answer this most open of open challenges to test the Guerrillas?
IWGP Intercontinental Championship: Kota Ibushi VS Tetsuya Naito!
The Golden Star is 2-0 in 2019 alone, beating the Uncontrollable Charisma in both the New Japan Cup and at G1 Supercard in Madison Square Garden. And now, Ibushi calls NJPW his true wrestling home! But a 3-0 sweep is incredibly difficult by any standard, let alone in NJPW. Will Ibushi stay golden with yet another win? Or will Naito defy history and finally get a win in Dominion?
Introductions are made and fans are already thunderous for these two fan favorites. The belt is raised, and Ibushi is patient as Naito takes off his elaborate entrance gear. The bell rings, and we begin the third chapter of this rivalry!
Ibushi and Naito hear the fans fire up again as the two stare down. Naito and Ibushi slowly circle, then tie up fast! Ibushi headlocks but Naito pries out. Ibushi keeps him in but Naito punches back. Naito powers out and things speed up. Ibushi dodges, hurdles, but Naito sunset flips. Ibushi rolls through but Naito dodges the Penalty Kick. Naito arm-drags but Ibushi rolls him to headscissors. Naito pops out but into Ibushi’s kick! Fans cheer this already fast and furious match!
Ibushi watches Naito writhe his way to a corner. Ibushi stomps Naito then drags him up for an arm wrench. He whips corner to corner but Naito elbows back. Naito runs out but into Ibushi’s kick. Ibushi runs but into a hip toss, Naito basement dropkicks him in the back then poses. Naito has a mixed reaction until he poses again. Then he spits at the haters. Naito stomps Ibushi then drags Ibushi up to a dragon sleeper for a neckbreaker. He wraps Ibushi up in a modified leg full nelson. Ibushi endures even as Naito hammers his head with fists. Ibushi powers up to turn around, and kicks his way to a ropebreak. Naito holds on until Red Shoes counts, but Naito says he has a hard time letting go. Fans boo, but Naito lets go at 3.
Ibushi crawls but Naito drags him up for forearms. Ibushi hits back but there’s not much there. He keeps trying, but Naito spits on him! Naito stomps Ibushi as fans boo. Naito grinds Ibushi’s head into the corner, then stands up to pose on the ropes. Fans are still mixed as Naito stomps Ibushi again. Naito drags Ibushi up and whips him corner to corner. He runs in, jump kicks and sweeps for a fake out, to then basement dropkick Ibushi! And then tranquilo! Naito kneels on Ibushi for a cover, ONE. Naito actually covers, TWO! So Naito spits at Red Shoes. Red Shoes wipes it off on Naito as Naito stands. Naito kicks Ibushi but Ibushi eggs him on. Naito keeps kicking and now Ibushi gets up. Ibushi fires back with forearm and he starts getting his strength back. But then Naito fakes him out to rake the eyes.
Fans boo again but Naito doesn’t care. He drags Ibushi up, whips, but Ibushi reverses. Naito reverses back to atomic drop Ibushi, then runs, only to get double stomps! Ibushi and Naito are both down while fans cheer. Ibushi fires himself up as he goes to Naito. He stands Naito up but Naito swings. Ibushi ducks it to fire off a strike fest! Naito staggers away after the back kick, but Ibushi whips him corner to corner. Naito reverses that, then run sin only for Ibushi to go up and over. Ibushi gets Naito with a huricanrana! Fans rally up as Ibushi takes aim. Ibushi slingshots for a corkscrew splash! Ibushi clips the apron and is a little dazed himself. But he shakes it off to get Naito back and in. Cover, TWO!
Ibushi keeps his cool as he drags Naito back up. Naito resists the waistlock lift and elbows free. Naito switches but Ibushi resists now. Ibushi breaks free but gets an enziguri! Naito whips but Ibushi reverses, and catches the flying forearm into a Half ‘n’ Half Suplex! Naito is up and spins around to tornado DDT Ibushi down! Both men are down but Osaka is fired up as we go to break.
NJPW on AXS returns, and both men are down on the ground. Osaka duels and Naito gets himself to a corner. Ibushi stirs and Naito runs in, shotgun dropkick! Cover, TWO! Ibushi survives but Naito keeps his cool. He drags Ibushi back up to throw big forearms and elbows in the corner. Naito hoists Ibushi up top, then climbs up to join him, but Ibushi resists. Naito clubs away until Ibushi lets go, and then still clubs him more. But Ibushi slips under to PELE Naito down! Naito hits ropes then tumbles to the apron. Ibushi climbs up the ropes and drags Naito back up. Ibushi waistlocks but Naito fights out. Naito throws uppercut after uppercut, then drags Ibushi over in a gut wrench! But Ibushi saves himself with flailing!
Ibushi joins Naito on the apron and waistlocks Naito. Naito holds on to deny the German Suplex, and elbows Ibushi off him. Naito clubs Ibushi more, then gets some space. Ibushi runs at Naito but gets a boot! Naito now waistlocks Ibushi with a dangerous idea in mind! Ibushi holds on to deny the German Suplex! Naito clubs away on Ibushi’s back again, and grins as he gets the waistlock back. Naito German Suplexes Ibushi to the apron!! Dear God, Ibushi’s head and neck!! Red Shoes checks on Ibushi but somehow, by a miracle, Ibushi is okay. Naito gets in the ring and a 20 count begins. The count passes 10 but Ibushi does not stir. The count passes 15, then 17, but Ibushi revives at 19 and gets in at 19.9!! It’s hard to even believe Ibushi is conscious.
Naito shows no mercy and he drags Ibushi up to bump him off buckles. Naito hoists Ibushi up backwards, and climbs up behind him. He wants to end this, SUPER REVERSE STEINER!! Cover, TWO!? Ibushi lives!? Naito doesn’t hesitate to drag Ibushi up again. Wring and tilt-o-whirl, but Ibushi blocks it! Ibushi tucks Naito in, Package Tombstone! But he can’t make the cover! Both men are down and a standing count begins. Osaka practically pleads with both men to stand as the count passes 5. Ibushi and Naito sit up at 8, and the match continues. Ibushi throws a forearm at Naito, and eggs Naito on. Naito hits Ibushi back, so Ibushi gives him another. Naito grins as he throws another forearm at Ibushi.
The two slowly stand as they continue to throw forearms. Ibushi hits, Naito hits, and they pick up the pace! Naito gets an edge, but Ibushi comes back with just as many! Naito headbutts! Ibushi falls to his knees, but Naito stands him up for more headbutts. And more headbutts! But Ibushi just comes back with a kick! Naito headbutts again, but Ibushi CHOPS Naito off his feet! Then LARIATS him inside-out! Ibushi slumps over and both men are down again. Osaka gives Ibushi power to get up and shout out the King of Strong Style! Ibushi runs at Naito, but Naito dodges to Dragon Suplex! Ibushi staggers onto his feet, Naito runs in for DESTINO!! Cover, TWO?!? Ibushi survives again?! Naito is too stunned to be frustrated!
Naito drags Ibushi up again, wrings the arm and tries again, but Ibushi denies Destino to a gut buster! Ibushi drags Naito up now, powerbomb lift, and LAST RIDE! Cover, TWO!! Now Naito shocks Ibushi! Both men are down again but Osaka cheers them on. Ibushi drags Naito up in the double wristlock, but Naito leaps up for a satellite DDT! Both men are down again, but crawling to opposite ends. Osaka hits a fever pitch as Naito and Ibushi sit up. Ibushi aims at Naito then runs in, but into a boot and enziguri! Naito hops up, grabs Ibushi with a dragon sleeper, inverted tornado DDT! Cover, TWO! Ibushi still has life but Naito does, too! Naito drags Ibushi up, tilt-o-whirl, but another block! Fireman’s carry, but Naito pops up! REVERSE-RANA!
But Naito’s not done, he scoops Ibushi for Valentia, the Northern Lights Driver! Cover, TWO!!! Ibushi STILL lives!! Naito is at a loss for words, but he still wants it. Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!! Cover, Naito wins!!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall; NEW IWGP Intercontinental Champion
And finally, Naito takes the title back! He and Ibushi still hold hands until the medics help them with ice packs. Somehow both men survived, and Naito has the belt he doesn’t really like back. Naito adds insult to injury as he stands on Ibushi’s head while posing. Will both Naito and Ibushi move on from this rivalry of there? Will Naito continue to chase his dream of being dual Intercontinental and Heavyweight Champion? Can Ibushi recover from the devastation to his body?
NJPW Media backstage interview
Naito tosses the chair aside, he doesn’t want to sit down. “I still don’t really understand the value of this belt. But there’s no doubt that this belt is the one I want most right now.” Naito has the Intercontinental Championship back, but he doesn’t feel any closer to his goal of holding two belts at once. Perhaps he’s back to square one. Naito will hold onto this title while chasing THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship, via the G1 Climax! Because winning that means winning a shot at the Heavyweight Championship. And then nobody can stop him. A nice little shortcut, really. The Intercontinental title came back to Naito at just the right time. It must have missed him. Naito is back where he started, and has a goal in sight.
Oh, and as for Ibushi… “I don’t like him as a person, but I love him as a wrestler.” Things are always interesting with him around. Ibushi doesn’t want to have a match with Naito again, but if he changes his mind, Naito welcomes another rematch. He looks forward to it with his usual answer: “Tranquilo, chilllll out.” Adios!
My Thoughts:
A pretty strong conclusion to AXS’s coverage of Dominion 2019. The tag match of Suzuki-Gun VS Liger & Yoshi-Hashi was good, and Hashi getting the pin was a surprise. I really wonder if we’ll get ZSJ VS Hashi for the Rev-Pro British Heavyweight title at a NJPW event, that’d be a lot of fun. I doubt Hashi would win, though. Suzuki VS Liger sounds like a lot of fun, too, with these two legends and their opposite styles. Liger is retiring one way or another this year, from what he’s said, but if it isn’t his actual last match, I could see Liger finding a way to win. That’d make for good story. Taichi VS Ishii had great story, too, given their history. And it made sense for Ishii to win, he’s just a great talent for NJPW.
The IWGP Heavyweight Tag title match was another classic, but that makes sense with GoD and LIJ. I really thought LIJ was gonna get it after Bushi helped take out Jado, but nope. It was a good move for GoD to win with Heel tactics and just last second like that. This keeps both teams strong for another try down the line, but also for whatever is planned via GoD’s “Open Challenge” promo backstage. While old news by now, mentioning the WWE’s Usos and Revival, two great teams in their own right (and for a time, two teams that looked to be leaving WWE) was bold of GoD. I would love to see any and all of those combinations, but we all know Vince McMahon would never let a crossover happen, and would probably never let those teams out.
Then comes the really rough one to call, in more ways than one. There is always the need to escalate in a rivalry, but there is also a fine line when it comes to how much is too much. I feel like this third time around in 2019 stepped over the line with that apron German suplex spot. Again, this is old news by now, and WhatCulture probably said it best in one of their videos. I’ll simply summarize all of that by saying there had to have been a way to escalate this rivalry without such a move. At the same time, Ibushi was somehow able to continue, so he may have known what he was doing. I just hope and pray this really is the last of Naito VS Ibushi for some time, especially since they’re in different blocks for the G1 this year.
My Score: 8.5/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Time to defy the odds!
A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; Ethan wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice; Lola wins and advances to Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: ??? wins and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
- NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: ???
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page!
The Absolute holds what many want, but only one gets their shot. Will the Alpha Wolf be one step closer to his “birthright?” Will the Drama King look to go for another crown? Will the Wes Side return to former glory? Or will it be All Ego that meets Saints in Sin City?
But speaking of Saints, Ricky makes his entrance after everyone else is already in the ring! The fans fire up as the champion decides to join commentary. The bell rings and Eddy kicks at Ethan but Ethan blocks, only for Lexis to DECK Ethan! Wes then rolls Eddy up, but Lexis shoves Wes away! Lexis basement SUPERKICKS Eddy! Wes and Lexis stare down, things speed up, and Lexis hurdles, but Wes leaps over. Wes dodges Lexis, but Lexis steps on Wes’s dropdown! The fans are torn, but Eddy is up. Lexis wants Eddy to calm down, but then Ethan is also up. Lexis tells them both to calm down, but now Wes is up.
Lexis finds himself surrounded, and Wes feeds Lexis to Eddy’s KICK, and Ethan’s HAYMAKER! Wes adds a HAYMAKER, then Eddy KIKS again! Ethan HAYMAKERS, Wes ENZIGIRIS, and Lexis wobbles. Eddy TOSSES Lexis, the fans fire up, but then Ethan DECKS Wes! Eddy ROCKS and KICKS, KICKS, and SOBATS on Ethan! Wes runs up, Eddy gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Wes tumbles to a corner, Eddy BOOTS Ethan! Eddy runs and BOOTS Wes! Lexis is back, but Eddy dodges to BUSAIKU KNEE! Cover, Ethan breaks it! Ethan ROCKS Eddy, but Wes ROCKS Ethan! Eddy spins Wes, but Wes BODY BLOWS!
Wes KICKS, KICKS, and ENZIGIRIS Eddy, to then DOUBLE STOMP him down! Wes runs to ELBOW Ethan in a corner, mule kick, and AX KICKS! Wes then runs at Lexis, but Lexis dodges! Lexis dodges Eddy so Eddy runs into Wes! Lexis dodges Ethan, Ethan runs into Wes & Eddy! Lexis then SUPERKICKS Ethan into them both! Lexis runs corner to corner, but everyone clears out! Lexis POSTS himself! Wes BOOTS Ethan, Eddy kicks Wes, then Eddy reels Wes in. Wes wrenches out, slips around, but Eddy elbows free. Eddy runs, Wes dodges, and Ethan holds the ropes down! Eddy tumbles up and out and to the floor!
Wes runs up, Ethan puts him on the apron, but Wes RAMS into Ethan! Eddy grabs at Wes, Wes kicks him away, but Ethan ROCKS Wes! Wes is stuck in the ropes, so Ethan hits a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives, Ethan drags Wes up, but then he sees Lexis climbing a corner. Ethan pushes Wes aside to ROCK Lexis! Ethan then climbs up to join Lexis, reels him in, but they both fire body shots! Lexis CLUBS Ethan, Eddy UPPERCUTS Lexis! Eddy climbs up to work with Ethan, but then Wes throws hands on the legs! Wes gets under all of this, and the fans fire up for the TOWER OF DOOM!!
All four men are down while the fans cheer on “NXT! NXT!” for making this the opener! Lexis flops out of the ring, Ethan and Eddy flounder, but Wes runs, SHOOTING STAR on Ethan! Cover, Eddy breaks it! The fans fire up as Wes and Eddy stand to trade forearms! Wes fires a body shot then a forearm, but Eddy fires a forearm, an UPPERCUT, and a KICK! Eddy snarls, but Ethan waistlocks! Eddy fires elbows to get free, but Wes BOOTS Eddy! Ethan DUMPS Eddy out, Wes DECKS Ethan! Wes builds speed and he DIVES into Lexis! Ethan let Lexis take that shot while he grabs Eddy. Eddy blocks the apron bump to elbow Ethan!
Eddy runs up, Ethan dodges, and Eddy almost hits Ricky! Ricky says watch it, but then Ethan SHOVES Eddy into Ricky! The fans go nuts, Ricky is pissed, and he THROWS Eddy aside to get at Ethan! The ref tries to stop this, but Ricky is too heated, so the ref EJECTS Ricky from ringside! The fans boo but Ethan just mockingly waves bye-bye. Ricky warns Ethan, the fans chant, “Ref, You Suck!” but NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Lexis ROCKS Wes. Lexis reels Wes in, but Ethan BOOTS Lexis down! Ethan then scoops Wes to SLAM him onto Lexis! Ethan then THROWS Lexis into Eddy! Ethan drags Lexis up, but Lexis slips free of the Canadian Rack! Lexis grabs the arms, crosses them, then reels Ethan in, but Ethan trips Lexis up! Ethan turns Lexis over, BOSTON CRAB! The fans are torn as Lexis endures, and Lexis claws at the mat! Lexis crawls forward, but Ethan drags him back from the ropes! Wes runs up, Ethan ducks the lariat, but then Eddy YANKS Wes outta the ring! Eddy clamps onto Lexis with a CROSSFACE!!
Lexis endures double submissions, but then Wes STOPS Lexis from tapping!! The fans are thunderous, but Eddy is furious! Eddy lets go of Lexis to STOMP Wes down! Eddy then BOOTS Ethan down! Eddy goes up a corner as the fans duel, and Lexis UPPERCUTS Eddy! Lexis climbs, fires forearms on Eddy, and Eddy falls to the apron! Ethan CLUBS Lexis! Ethan has an Electric Chair, then he has Eddy in a facelock! But Wes goes up, up, and CANNONBALLS onto a DOOMSDAY DDT COMBO!! The fans are going nuts all over again while all four men are down! But then Ethan crawls to cover Eddy while Wes crawls to cover Lexis! Double covers, TWO!!
The fans fire up while Wes and Ethan grow frustrated. They stare down, then they throw hands! Wes fires a flurry, but Ethan ROCKS Wes with one! Wes PELES in return! Wes hurries to go up a corner! But Lexis SHOVES him down! Wes hits apron, Lexis climbs, SWANTON BOMB on Ethan! But Eddy is up top! He MACHO ELBOWS the cover apart! Eddy then drags Lexis up, but Wes rises! METEORA for Eddy!! Cover, Lexis YANKS Wes up! CORONATION!! But Ethan has Lexis! TWISTED GRIN!! Cover, ETHAN WINS!
Winner: Ethan Page, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT North American Championship)
Ethan smirks as he takes advantage of this golden opportunity. Ethan grabs a mic to say, “Well, I guess that makes me the man then, huh?” The fans are torn but Ethan says he is the #1 contender. Ethan knows he isn’t the guy Ricky wanted to win, and he has every right to believe that. Because everyone remembers their first. And the first championship in WWE for Ricky was ruined by Ethan Page! At Stand & Deliver, Ricky’s first title defense will also be ruined by- RICKY SPEARS ETHAN!! No more ringside ban, and the champ gets some payback! But will Las Vegas be absolute? Or will All Ego’s ego only expand exponentially this Saturday?
Jordynne Grace speaks.
“What you see today as The Juggernaut, multiple time TNA Knockouts Champion, this wasn’t how I started. I wasn’t scouted, I never had ‘star power,’ never really been a beauty queen. If it were possible to have negative aura, that is who I was. I was just a little girl wrestling in half-empty gyms, trying to find a place to fit in a world that didn’t seem built for me. I knew what people saw, or really rather what they didn’t see. But something I did have that not a lot of people in wrestling do, is self-awareness. So I finally stopped wishing that I had what I was supposed to have, and started building what I could become.
“I turned insecurity into intensity, doubt into discipline, and that was the day The Juggernaut was born. I fell in love with getting stronger. I became laser focused into building my body into an atomic bomb. Waking up at 3AM to train, jumping into a car to drive 8 hours to wrestle, hit another gym session after that, then sleep two hours and do it all over again the next day. And as hard as that was, I was obsessed with it. It was a way that I could stand out against all the other women. And to me, it was the only way. I wanted the WWE Universe to say, ‘Yeah, the WWE women are killing it, but have you seen Jordynne Grace over in TNA? That’s Jordynne Grace!?’
“I’ve put in the work so that no one could ignore me. I forced my way into the conversation and made people believe in The Juggernaut the way I believed in myself. Now, the biggest hurdle of my career is right in front of me this Saturday, when I have the opportunity to become NXT Women’s Champion. And just like I’ve been my entire career, I’m aware of exactly what I’m gonna have to do to leave Vegas with my first WWE championship.” Jordynne is ready, but will Grace survive in Sin City?
The NXT Women’s Division holds another watch party.
Sol Ruca asks Zaria who she thinks will take the last two spots in the Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match. Zaria isn’t sure, but it won’t matter when the outcome will be the same. Sol agrees there, because it’ll be one of them as the champ. Oh, really? Doesn’t Sol mean Zaria? Kelani Jordan hears this and takes offense. She thought #ZaRuca was fine. Uh, they are. New shirts and everything, thanks for asking. Well, it won’t be either of them, because Kelani’s going to be a TWO-TIME Women’s North American Champion. And she’ll show everyone why no one can do it like Lan- Izzi Dame interjects.
Izzi says good one, idiots. But y’know who Izzi misses these days? The old Kelani. She was way more likeable. Old Kelani, new Kelani, it won’t matter when Izzi’s the one on top of the ladder, holding the title, and bringing it home to The Culling. Keep dreaming, Izzi, it’ll never happen. Those two both head out, and Sol says it’s just like she said, either her or Zaria will walk out as champion. Zaria says sure, something like that. But to the point, who will get the remaining spots and fill out the six pack?
NXT Women’s North American Championship Ladder Match Qualifier: Tatum Paxley w/ Gigi Dolin VS Lola Vice!
The weird girls are hungry for some gold, but so is the MMA Mamacita! Will Tatum take over? Or will there be a Vice in Sin City?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Tatum rolls Lola, TWO, and Tatum narrowly avoids the roundhouse! The fans rally as the two reset and tie up. Tatum waistlocks, Lola switches, and Lola SLAMS Tatum down. Lola holds on as Tatum fights around, and Gigi coaches Tatum up. Tatum pries free, backflips up and over to then Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Lola has Tatum in a modified CROSSFACE! Tatum endures, fights to stack Lola, TWO! Lola runs up but Tatum kicks her away. Tatum wrenches, UPPERCUTS, then CLUBS the arm. Tatum grinds Lola down, the fans duel, and Lola endures. Tatum hits a BRIDGING FUJIWARA!
The fans rally, Lola fights around and reels Tatum into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tatum high stacks, TWO! Lola lets Tatum go, but then BODY BLOWS! Tatum drops to her knees, Lola clamps on with a headlock, and Lola hits a takeover. Tatum fights around, but Lola puts on the pressure. Tatum fights up, Lola thrashes, but Tatum powers up and out. Lola ducks ‘n’ dodges to then whip Tatum, and Lola catches Tatum to a SLEEPER! The fans rally, Tatum powers out fast, but then Lola hits a SPINEBUSTER! Tatum bails out, Lola rushes after her! Tatum crawls under the ring? Lola grabs at Tatum but Tatum kicks her away!
Tatum scurries under the ring, Gigi taunts Lola, but Lola tells Gigi she’s estupida. Lola goes looking for Tatum, but Tatum YANKS her into the ring frame! Tatum laughs, Gigi says that’s what Lola gets, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Tatum taunts Lola, brings her up and into the ring, then drags Lola up to KNEE the arm again and again! Tatum wrenches and WRINGS the arm, then JUMPING ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Tatum grabs Lola’s arm, stomps it, then twists the wrist! Lola endures, but Tatum SLAMS the arm off the mat! Tatum bends the fingers, mockingly high-fives the hand, but Lola kicks her away! Tatum comes back and wrenches again, but Lola wrenches and WRINGS it in return! Lola SOBATS Tatum, whips and KNEES her low, and Tatum is in the ropes. Lola goes to the apron to AX KICK Tatum down! Tatum flounders into the ring but Lola pursues.
Lola whips and KICKS Tatum, then drags her up to reel her in. Lola snap suplexes! That’s Una Amiga as Lola gets up, for Dos Amigas! Lola drags Tatum up again, gives some Latina Heat, and hits THREE AMIGAS! Cover, TWO! Tatum stays in this and Lola grows frustrated. Lola stalks Tatum to the ropes, stands her up, and whips her to KNEE- NO, Tatum rolls Lola up! TWO, and Lola KICKS Tatum back down! Lola drags Tatum around, then clamps on with a chinlock. Tatum endures, even as Lola thrashes her around. Tatum fights up, RAMS Lola into a corner, but Lola holds on! Tatum RAMS Lola into another corner, but Lola clamps on again!
Tatum pries at the hold, RAMS Lola into the corner again, and now she’s free. Only to run up into headscissors! Tatum brings Lola off the corner to POWERBOMB! NXT returns to single picture as both women rise. Tatum dodges a kick, and she CLOBBERS Lola! And CLOBBERS her again! And ENZIGIRIS! Tatum wrenches Lola for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Tatum runs corner to corner and CROSSBODIES Lola in the corner! Tatum whips corner to corner to CROSSBODY again! Tatum goes for a third, but Lola KNEES the crossbody down! The fans rally, Gigi coaches Tatum, but Lola AX KICKS again!
Lola fires LIGHTNING KICKS and she backs Tatum up into the corner! The fans fire up for Lola as she reminds us, “I’m a Latina~!” HIP ATTACK! Lola drags Tatum out of the corner, covers, TWO!! Tatum survives and the fans fire up! Lola drags Tatum up, lifts her up, but Tatum sunset flips! TWO, and Tatum hurries to a corner. Lola runs in, but Tatum dodges! Lola gets stuck in ropes, Tatum CROSSBODIES again! Tatum brings Lola around to hoist her up top, and the fans duel even harder! Tatum climbs, Lola fires body shots, and Lola shoves Tatum down! Tatum comes back to GAMANGIRI! Tatum then climbs up, brings Lola up, and SUPERPLEXES!
The fans fire up, Tatum crawls to the cover, TWO!! Lola survives, but Tatum doesn’t stop! She hooks Lola up, but Lola pops free! SLEEPER!! Lola drags Tatum down, but Tatum rolls back to a cover! TWO!! Lola lets go in time, but Tatum throat chops! Tatum goes up the ropes, springboards, but into a SUPERKICK! And then the BUENAS NOCHES BACKHAND!! Cover, Lola wins!
Winner: Lola Vice, by pinfall (advances to Stand & Deliver)
Lola got the knockout, and now she’s punched her ticket to Las Vegas! Will everything come up LV this Saturday?
Giulia speaks.
“For the past few weeks, I watched Stephanie bask in the glory of being a double champion. I waited and waited for her to give me a rematch, but it never happened. Friendships only go so far when it comes to the NXT Women’s Championship. Last week, I reminded Stephanie of what Beautiful Madness is. Jaida Parker? I don’t know her, but I can tell she is very confident. She likes to dish out punishment, but she doesn’t like to take it. Jordynne Grace is strong, but on Saturday, I will introduce her to Strong Style. Jordynne and Jaida are obstacles in my way to Stephanie. My goal was to win the NXT Women’s Championship. Losing it only made me more dangerous.
“Last year at Stand & Deliver, I introduced myself. This year, I leave as the NXT Women’s Champion.” Giulia is ready, will all succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
A car pulls up real fast.
And out steps Trick Williams! #CrashOutTrick looks ready for a fight, will he find one this close to his NXT Championship Triple Threat?
Ava Raine is arguing with The Fatal Influence and Meta Four!
The NXT General Manager is trying to get Fallon Henley, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson to all listen to her, but then Gigi & Tatum stumble in. Gigi brings up this other opportunity Ava talked about last week, and Ava says yes, that’s what this is about. But Jacy says it won’t be an opportunity for Gigi & Tatum. Ava says hold on, hold on. Everyone will get their opportunity at Stand & Deliver. There will be a Triple Threat Tag Team match, and after talking it over with Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis, the winners will get a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match for the NXT after WrestleMania.
Tatum & Gigi are fired up, as are the Meta Girls and Fatal Influence, but then Roxie storms in and says she just knew Ava would do this. Every single woman is going to be on Stand & Deliver except for Roxie, the woman who made this division the best Women’s Division in the WORLD! Ava says yes, hi, how are you, Roxie? Good job losing to Tiffany on SmackDown last Friday. But clearly she didn’t get enough because she’s back here bothering Ava. But hey, if Roxie can charm herself a tag partner, then Ava will happily make this a Fatal 4 Way. The others chuckle and Roxie says Ava has always had it out for her,
Roxie storms off and the others sarcastically wish her luck. Will Roxie be able to salvage one of the many bridges she’s burned around here? Or will the Prodigy be out of luck this close to Stand & Deliver?
NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet!
Speaking of luck, the luck of the draw is going to be tested, and the team that survives the odds will battle Nathan Frazer & Axiom for the titles! But who do we have first? It’s Hank ‘n’ Tank! The Street Profits told them to just be themselves and it’ll be alright, but will Hank ‘n’ Tank be able to run the table?
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
It’s a truly star-studded Raw!
Ahead of their WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Main Event, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Paul Heyman are all here on Monday Night Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Bayley wins.
- Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made; Rey wins.
- AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
- PENTA VS Finn Balor; Finn wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
Gunther is here!
Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he storms to the ring. Michael Cole was going to interview the World Heavyweight Champion later tonight, but it seems Gunther wants to get to it. Gunther and Cole meet in the ring, Cole says two weeks ago, he left Jimmy Uso bloodied in this ring. That caused Jey Uso to march out here last week- Gunther cuts Cole off to says that last week, Jey walked out here, looked Gunther in the eyes, and claimed he’s not afraid anymore. The fans boo as Gunther says this week, he is here to look us all in the eyes to tell us that Jey Uso is full of crap! Cole understands the fans are upset, but speaking of that, it seems Gunther is also upset.
We saw last year at WrestleMania, when… The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Gunther says screw the questions! Screw Jey Uso! Screw everything Jey stands for! And screw everybody who stands with Jey! The fans boo more, and Gunther says ever since he stepped for in the WWE, he is the greatest gift this company has ever received! For 80% of his time in the WWE, he has been a champion! And now, he is the GREATEST World Heavyweight Champion of all time! The fans boo more, but Gunther says he refuses to let somebody like Jey Uso ruin that for him. The fans “YEET!” more and he says fine, do it as much as you want!
Gunther tells Jey to puff his chest out, walk into WrestleMania with the most confidence he’s ever had, because it won’t matter! In the end, the bell has to ring! And when that happens, Jey still can’t lace Gunther’s boots! Gunther will put Jey down for a FOURTRH time! These last two weeks, Gunther has been accused, told he went too far, that he lost control. Jey, trust one thing: In 37 years of LIFE, Gunther has never lost control! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gunther says two weeks ago, when he took a bath in Jimmy’s blood, Gunther was in full control, and he LOVED it!
And Jey, go pray to the Lord, thank Him for how Gunther was in control, or else he would’ve drowned them both in Jimmy’s blood! Gunther looks forward to next week, calling his mother and telling her how much he enjoyed beating the living hell out of Jey, and is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther storms off, having done his part for tonight. Will nothing and no one stop Der Ring General from destroying Jey?
Bianca Belair speaks.
“I’ll be the first to admit that lately, I’ve been in my head. Everything that’s happened with Jade and Naomi, it really messed me up. And now, this whole situation with Iyo and Rhea has brought out a different version of me. But different isn’t wrong. My Road to WrestleMania has filled with nothing but blood, sweat and tears. Not no complaining, no whining, no excuses. No, just straight facts. I’ve been doing nothing but standing up for myself and speaking the truth, something that anybody would do. Something I would hope people are teaching their kids to do. And you don’t have to like the truth, but you can’t deny it.
“Just like I can’t deny now it’s a Triple Threat. Yeah, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still the best. So I’ma use the bit of everything that I’ve been through to be the Bianca I know I can be. I’m the Bianca that won Elimination Chamber, I’m the Bianca that’s never been pinned at WrestleMania, and I’m the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best Bianca that you have ever seen. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a Triple Threat, because there’s nothing that Rhea or Iyo can do to stop me from getting my flowers and walking out of WrestleMania as champion. Because you cannot spell WrestleMania without E S T.”
Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!
The Role Model and the Morrigan ran the table on Friday Night SmackDown’s tag team gauntlet, and now they’re going to WrestleMania! Will they have even more momentum going into that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match? Or will the leading ladies of Judgment Day refuse to give up the spotlight even now?
Raw returns and Bayley has made her entrance, Lyra by her side. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Bayley circles with Liv. They approach, and Liv SLAPS Bayley! Liv laughs, but Bayley smirks. Liv apologizes, then runs away! Bayley chases Liv around the outside, but then they slip into the ring. Liv stomps away on Bayley, the fans are torn but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, and Liv bumps Bayley off buckles. Liv stomps a mudhole, but again stops at 4. Liv then stomps another mudhole in, and shouts, “OKAAAY~!” as she lets off. The fans are torn, Liv stands Bayley up, but Bayley fires forearms! The fans fire up, Liv swings, but into a fireman’s carry!
Liv fights free, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bayley, but Bayley hits a THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up and Bayley hits a NECK SNAPPER, then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Liv around, glares at Raquel, but Liv kicks from below. Bayley rains down fists on Liv, the fans rally behind her, and Bayley whips. Liv reverses, then avoids the up ‘n’ over to DROPKICK Bayley! Liv runs corner to corner, and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv rolls, but Bayley follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Bayley looms over Liv. Bayley glares at Raquel, then bumps Liv off buckles. Bayley ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again.
Bayley brings Liv around, the fans cheer her on as she bumps Liv off buckles. The fans duel, Bayley brings Liv in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Bayley stays on her. Bayley brings Liv over but Liv stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! Liv runs up, but Bayley ELBOWS her! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then she gest around to SAIDO! Liv bails out, Raquel checks on her, but Bayley smiles. Bayley aims, builds speed, and DIVES, but into a forearm! Liv drags Bayley out to snap suplex to the floor! That’s just Una Amiga as Liv gets Bayley up again! Dos Amigas to the floor!
Liv drags Bayley up again, but Bayley stops that to wrench and KNEE low! Bayley RAMS Liv into steel steps! The fans fire up, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley hits steps, then Liv STMOPS Bayley’s hands! Liv drags Bayley up, THREE AMIGAS to the floor, from OFF the steps! Liv gives some Latina Heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv has Bayley in the ring. Liv grinds Bayley down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Bayley fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Liv staggers, comes back, but Bayley blocks to fire forearms! Bayley fires forearm after forearm, but Liv KICKS in return! Liv kicks again, but Bayley KNEES her down! Liv flounders, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley is sent into the buckles! The ref checks Bayley and she’s still in this, so Liv basement ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Liv gives her cheap hammer fists. Bayley hits back but Liv stomps her down.
Liv goes up the corner, waits on Bayley to rise, and FLYING- NO, Bayley grabs Liv’s legs! Liv fights the turnover, pops Bayley into the sunset flip, TWO! Bayley runs up, Liv ducks the knee to roll her up, TWO! KNEE!! Liv flounders around again, Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! The fans fire up as Bayley drags Liv to a cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Lyra coaches Bayley. Raquel coaches Liv while Liv crawls away. The fans duel and Liv stands. Bayley grabs a leg but Liv kicks at her! Liv BOOTS Bayley away, but Bayley comes back and slides out! But Liv gets her for a CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops down, and Liv snarls as she rises up.
Liv aims and MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! A little double-edged given that landing, but Liv hurries to get Bayley up and into the ring. Liv crawls to the cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Lyra is relieved. Liv snarls again and waits on Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes, Liv runs up, OBLIV- NO, Bayley puts her on the apron! Bayley ROCKS Liv, has her in the ropes, but Liv denies the hotshot! GAMANGIRI! Liv storms in, gets moving, she goes up, up, and FLYING- STUNNER! Bayley turns things around on Liv, and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley crawls to the cover, Raquel gives Liv the ROPEBREAK!
The fans boo, they all saw Raquel do it! Lyra goes after Raquel, Raquel fights her off and BOOTS her down! The fans boo, but Bayley DECKS Raquel, and hits the HOTSHOT in the ropes! The fans fire up but Liv hits Bayley with a BACKSTABBER!! And then OBLIV- NO, Lyra anchors Bayley’s feet! Bayley jackknife bridges, AND WINS!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall
A huge bit of teamwork leads to a huge win over one-half of the tag champions! Liv is livid, will she and Raquel get their revenge at WrestleMania?
Paul Heyman waits backstage.
And like usual, he’s waiting on The Tribal Chief. Will Roman Reigns even bother with The Wise Man knowing he’ll be in CM Punk’s corner at WrestleMania?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Bianca, I can see right through you. You said you were just out there to watch, and then you said you were just out there to call it down the middle. But I can see your true intentions now: You thrive on playing with my emotions, winding me up like I’m some sort of toy to you so you can get what you want and make it seem like I’m the bad guy. The thing that you failed to understand is that when I lose something that I love, I wills top at nothing to get it back. And Iyo, I never had to give you a championship match. But watching you pout and moan, it really pulled on the heartstrings that I had left. So I pulled a page out of your book, and I got what I wanted, too.
“So Iyo, I advise you to cherish every single moment you have with the Women’s World Championship. And Bianca, I can’t wait to make you feel what it’s like when I’m the bad guy. Because at WrestleMania 41, I get back what belongs to me.”
Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made!
Before going up against the supposed greatest luchador of a generation, El Grande Americano, the King of Lucha will take on one of the Creed Brothers. But is this going to be far more than just a tune-up? Or will Rey speed-dial the 619 here in Sacramento?
Raw returns and American Made has made their entrance. The bell rings, Rey and Julius circle, then Rey waistlocks. Julius backs Rey into a corner, the ref counts, and Rey lets go. Julius elbows Rey down! The fans boo but Julius pushes Rey around. Julius wrenches Rey, wristlocks, but Rey endures. Julius uses a straight arm lever to lift Rey! Then he drops Rey, grinds the arm down, but Rey fires forearms! Rey uses the ropes to flip through, then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Julius wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rey reaches back! Rey jumps up, FLYING-MARE! Julius runs back up to CLOBBER Rey!
Julius talks trash, American Made soaks up the heat, and Julius whips Rey. Rey reverses, then blows past to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up as Julius tumbles to a corner! Rey fires up, but Julius comes back to CLOBBER him again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Julius clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, the fans rally up more, and Rey fights up. Rey throws body shots, runs, but Julius kitchen sink knees him down! Julius stands Rey up, whisp him to ropes, but Rey KICKS back! Rey dropkicks the legs and Julius ends up on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Julius dumps Rey out! Rey RAMS into Julius, ROCKS him, then climbs up!
The fans fire up, but Brutus distracts the ref! This lets Gable trip Rey up! The fans boo but Julius is right up top! So now Wilde distracts, and that lets Dragon Lee trip Julius! Turnabout is fair play, but now both teams are protesting! So the ref EJECTS everybody! Things will truly be 1v1, after the break!
Raw returns again and Julius has a neck wrench on Rey. Julius whips Rey hard to a corner, runs up, but Rey ELBOWS him! And BOOTS him! Rey goes up, up, but Julius Electric Chair Lifts! Rey fires hands, then spins to MYSTERIO RANA! Both men fall out of the ring pretty hard, but Rey gets back inside! Rey WRECKS Julius with a dropkick, the fans fire up, and Rey builds speed to SLIDING- NO, Julius stuffs Rey into a deadlift suplex! Julius marches with Rey, and then goes up the steel steps! Julius has Rey at the ropes, but Rey fights free! Julius BOOTS Rey back! Julius runs up, Rey moves, Julius POSTS himself!
The fans fire up while Julius flops into the ring. Rey hurries back up, climbs the corner, and FLYING RANAS! Julius ends up in a corner, Julius climbs up again, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN! Rey fires up, the fans are with him, and Rey whips Julius corner to corner. Julius springs right up, goes over, but then Rey QUEBRADAS! But Julius catches him! Rey swings through to DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Rey rises, and he brings Julius around. Julius blocks the whip, shakes his head, and he whips Rey. Rey slides under, comes back, but Julius KNEES Rey down!
Julius brings down the straps, runs up, but Rey DUMPS Julius out tot he floor! Wait, El Grande Americano is here! Rey runs up, grabs him by his mask, but then Julius rolls Rey up! TWO!! Julius gets up, swings, but Rey shoves Julius into El Grande! Rey dropkicks Julius onto the ropes! Dial it up, 619!! Slingshot, DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But then El Grande CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, the LWO returns, but Julius holds them off! Grande CLOBBERS Cruz, but Dragon Lee fires off forearms! Dragon Lee whips, but Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo, but now Grande goes up top! DIVING HEADBUTT onto Rey! “UH GRACIAS~!” That mask is definitely loaded like last week, but will Rey be able to overcome that tactic and win for the honor of true lucha libre?
The War Raiders speak.
Ivar says, “Xavier, Kofi, you run your mouths about how the New Day is the greatest tag team of all time.” Erik says, “The fact of the matter is, the War Raiders have blazed a path of world domination for more than a decade. We’ve won gold on multiple continents.” “And last week, we had you beat, dead to rights.” The New Day took the cowardly way out because they knew they couldn’t beat the Raiders. The New Day says this is about the titles, but it has gotten much more personal. Kofi & Woods took this to a whole new level. They didn’t come for these titles, they came for Erik’s neck! They tried to put Erik on the shelf! They tried to end his career!
So at WrestleMania, this won’t be a match! It’ll barely be a fight! This is WAR!
The New Day is backstage.
They’re busy playing the Clash of Clans WWE crossover game, not that they’re in it. But Jackie Redmond walks over to talk with them. The New Day says that is rude, they’re busy playing a game. This lack of respect is audacious. Jackie does apologize, but she brings up the War Raiders saying that this match at Mania is now a war. War? New Day’s been in war from how they’ve been treated this whole time! The whole time! But the warpath stops when they take back what belongs to them, and that’s their WWE World Tag Team Championships! The entire world will see that ya bois, the NEW DAY~, are the best team on the face of Planet Earth!
Last week was just a taste of what they’re willing to do to get those titles back. And after Mania, Erik will wish they took his head off so that he and Ivar wouldn’t have to catch the beating they’re getting this weekend. At WrestleMania, every irrelevant and immature member of the WWE Universe will have no choice but to drop to their knees and THANK GOD for the New Day! Woods & Kofi head out, but will they survive this WrestleMania weekend?
AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
Before taking on The Maverick, Logan Paul, at WrestleMania, the Phenomenal One is going to prove to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday that this AJ Styles IS the AJ Styles that can get the job done! Does that mean Raw is going to be Too Sweet? Or will Kross be disappointed?
Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance, his femme fatale by his side. Kross is really taking this mirroring stuff to another level, wearing tights very similar to what Styles would wear. Kross still wants Styles to understand, Styles has to be like the Styles of the past in order to finally humble Logan Paul and save professional wrestling. Styles gets mad, but Kross shoves him! Styles RAMS Kross into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Kross reverses. Kross runs up, but Styles BOOTS him away. Kross comes back to BOOT Styles down!
The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles around. Kross talks trash, but Styles KICKS Kross! And CHOPS! Kross YANKS Styles into ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Kross says it doesn’t have to be this way, but he lets off as the ref pulls him back. Scarlett CLAWS at Styles’ face in the distraction! The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles. Kross drags Styles up, but Styles JAWBREAKERS back! Styles runs up, but into a SAIDO! The fans boo, Kross stalks Styles to a corner, then he stomps away. Kross whips corner to corner hard, and Styles clutches his ribs as he falls. Kross laughs at Styles’ pain, then stomps him more.
Kross drags Styles up, but Styles DRPOKICKS Kross down! The fans cheer, Kross bails out, and Styles slides to DROPKICK! Kross hits barriers, then Styles PLANCHAS! Kross moves, Styles lands safe on the apron, but Kross sweeps the legs! Kross then whips Styles hard into barriers! Styles almost falls onto that guy cosplaying the Prime bottle. Kross whips Styles hard into more barriers, and Styles falls into the timekeeper’s area! Scarlett kisses Kross’ hand while he soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns Kross has a chinlock. Styles fights up, fires body shots, but Kross KNEES low! Kross scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kross scoops again, but Styles slips free! Styles goes for a leg but Kross stifles that and shoves Styles to a cover, TWO! Kross drags Styles up, reels him in, but Styles fights the bomb! Kross stops the rana, fireman’s carries, FINAL PRAYER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Kross asks if Styles is sandbagging. Kross looms over Styles, the fans rally up, and Kross smirks as Styles rises. Kross swings, but Styles counter punches! And counter punches! And CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS!
Styles KICKS Kross again, then whips. Kross hobbles then falls over, clutching his knee! The fans boo, thinking this is an act. Scarlett checks Kross as he clutches the ankle. Styles asks the ref about this, but then Kross sucker punches Styles! It WAS an act, and the fans boo that Kross got away with it! Kross shimmies and shuffles, then taunts Styles. Styles runs up to CLOBBER Kross! Styles fires off the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up, Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT Kross! Fireman’s carry, but Kross slips free! Kick and DDT! Kross vows to end it, and the fans boo as Kross throws off his elbow pad.
Styles rises as Kross winds the hands of time. KROSS- NO, Styles ducks the hammer and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Kross hobbles, Styles runs up, but Kross puts him on the apron! Styles HOTSHOTS Kross, then DECKS him! The fans fire up, Kross rises, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Kross put Styles to the test, and that was definitely Styles acing that test! But then Logan Paul appears! Sacramento boos Logan as he walks out with mic in hand. Logan asks what’s up with the hostility. Chill, he’s here to congratulate Styles. No, seriously, good win! He did it! In front of Sacramento, “a bunch of people who weren’t cool enough to live in Los Angeles, or work smart enough to live in San Francisco.” But Styles showed these “generic California losers” why Styles VS Logan is gonna cook! But hey, why not show them why it’ll make money? Here is what Styles is up against. Please enjoy this piece of cinema.
Logan has his own hype video package, “I accomplish more in one weekend than you all will in your entire lives. I didn’t join the WWE to take part, I joined to take over.” Styles grabs a mic to say that’s a cute video, smartass. But let’s start Mania earlier! Get your ass to the ring right now! The fans fire up for that! Logan says okay, and he steps closer. But Kross runs up on Styles! Styles ROCKS Kross, ROCKS Logan, repeat! Styles DECKS Logan, ROCKS him again, btu Kross scoops! Styles slips free, REVERSE DDT! Styles snarls at Kross, but Logan is up! ONE LUCKY RIGHT!! Then the PAUL-VERIZER!! The Maverick is feeling so “humble,” but will he be humbled at Mania?
Paul Heyman is still waiting…
Will he be waiting all night at this rate?
Jey Uso is here!
The fans fire up as Main Event Jey pops right through the curtain to walk down the bleachers. Sacramento bounces for him and they “YEET!” along with the song, but Jey is once again very serious. Jey goes to the ground level, but then stands on the desk for everyone to see him. Jey grabs the mic while the bouncing continues, and the fans cheer as the song dies down. Jey takes a breath, fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and chant “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says okay, and the song starts up again! The bouncing starts up again, and then Jey paces as he waits for the music to die down.
“Aight, check it. I said what I had to say to Gunther last week.” “YEET!” “But I really wanted to come out here and holler at y’all.” “YEET!” Jey says what up, Sac Town! Mama out here somewhere in the crowd. But everyone keeps on asking Jey, “Jey, where your mind at?” Is he crashing out? HELL YEAH he’s crashing out! But he’s locked in! Locked in for him! For his family! And for y’all! Check it out, though. Listen to Gunther out here talking. Y’know what that made Jey feel like? He mad. Nah nah nah… Gunther’s afraid! Yeah, Gunther’s afraid! Afraid that Jey will whoop that ass in front of 60 THOUSAND and the world! See you Saturday, Uce!
Jey says one time for the one time… Hey, Uce, please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the bouncing starts up yet again! Jey has all the confidence, all the fire, all the momentum. But will he have it all when it’s all said and done in Las Vegas?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy Kelley is with the Badass WWE Intercontinental Champion and brings up this Sunday, the Fatal 4 Way that stacks the odds against him. How is he handling what could be the biggest defense of his career? Bron says obviously, this is the biggest match of his career. And- JUDGMENT DAY ATTACKS! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & Carlito mug Bron! They stomp him around, then THROW him onto a road case! They still rain down fists, and Finn says the dog’s bark is worse than his bite! They CHUCK Bron into more road cases! Adam Pearce and producers storm in and stop The Judgment Day, but will Bron be alright in just 6 days?
As for Finn, he has a match to get to! Will The Prince be ready for #CeroMiedo?
PENTA VS Finn Balor!
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, only for Penta to DROPKICK him off the apron! Penta then FLIES and takes Finn down! Penta strikes first since Finn did that to Bron, and the fans love it! Penta puts Finn in the ring, then storms in after him. The bell rings, the fans fire up as Penta runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron. Penta GAMANGIRIS, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Finn kicks Penta low, then brings Penta around. Penta WRINGS free, then traps that arm! But Finn trips Penta! Penta BOOTS Finn away, then pump handles! Finn pops free, dragon sleepers, but Penta drops to KICK from below!
Penta runs up to ENZIGIRI in the corner, then he headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this, the fans cheer for “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta nods and storms up on Finn to KICK the leg out! Finn flounders, stands back up, but Penta KICKS the leg again! Penta stalks Finn, and KICKS Finn’s leg out again! The fans fire up while Finn flounders around more. Penta has Finn on the ropes, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Finn is stinging as he staggers away, and the fans fire up as they want even more of that! Penta whips, Finn reverses, but Penta sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!
Finn keeps Penta down with an ELBOW, then a chinlock. Finn grinds Penta down, Penta endures, and the fans rally. Penta fights up, but Finn yanks the mask! Finn has Penta down, and he soaks up the heat. Finn drags Penta, then jumps stomps! Finn soaks up more heat, jump stomps again, then argues with the ref. Finn taunts Sacramento, stomps Penta again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but he soaks up more heat. Finn goes back to Penta and says “Just Too Sweet!” They go to the apron, and Penta scoops! Finn slips free, and APRON EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down on the outside while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn has Penta up top! And then the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Penta stays in this and the fans fire up! Finn grows frustrated, but he clamps onto an arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally up, Penta fights to his feet, and Penta fires hands. Penta arm-drags free, then ducks ‘n ‘dodges, for a RANA! Finn flounders up, Penta LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Penta then SUPERKICKS Finn! Finn wobbles, Penta whips, but Finn reverses, only for Penta to go up and over! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives and Penta is frustrated, but the fans fire back up.
Penta stalks Finn, the fans sing, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~! MIEDO~!” Penta has Finn in the corner, he puts Finn up top, and then he CHOPS! Penta calls his shot and the fans cheer that. Penta climbs up and he goes to the very top! But Finn fires body shots! Penta hops down to the apron and CHOPS again! Then he jumps up to FLYING RANA! Finn staggers back up, Penta BOOTS him! Penta then runs to SLING-DOG! Penta keeps moving, but Finn SLINGBLADES! The fans rally, both men stand, and Finn aims from a corner! SHOT- NO, scoop and BACKBREAKER! Penta has the arm, traps it, and then pulls on the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!!
The fans fire up while Finn writhes! Penta stalks Finn, clamps onto him again, “This is Awesome!” as the PENTA- NO, Finn victory rolls the driver! TWO!! DOUBLE LARITS collide! Penta fires body shots, a SOBAT, a KICK, then a SUPERKICK! Finn flops down, but Penta goes to a corner. But then Carlito & Dom rush out here! Penta glares at them, they back off, but Finn rolls Penta up! TWO!! Penta escapes, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Penta hits buckles, then ends up in the drop zone, but HERE COMES BRON! You can’t keep a good dog down! Carlito fears for his life after last week…!
Carlito runs away, so Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Finn!! But that lets Finn win!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
Bron keeps beating up on Finn, so Dom runs in and TACKLES Bron! Carlito joins in now that they have the advantage! They mug Bron 2v1, but Bron fights back! Bron dodges, and he DOUBLE SPEARS!! Sacramento barks for Bron as he aims at Penta! Bron roars, runs up, but Penta KICKS first! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bron tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed to go up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODY! Penta wipes out Bron, Dom & Carlito, but where’d Finn go? Finn is already up the ramp! The Prince got handed the win tonight, but will Penta take it all with his #CeroMiedo?
Iyo Sky speaks.
“This message is for Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. You keep forgetting that I’M the Women’s World Champion. You push me out of the way of your petty squabbles like I mean nothing. But I’m the whole reason you’re fighting in the first place, aren’t I? Because I have the one thing you both want: The Women’s World Championship! So, I’m done being ignored. I’m done being forgotten. Because you have to go through ME to get this title, and I’m not afraid to take you both on to defend it. I’ve beaten both of you before, and I’ll beat you again! At WrestleMania, you will never forget the name Iyo Sky, Women’s World Champion.”
Paul Heyman is still waiting, but CM Punk joins him!
Punk sits down with a coffee and says he’s never seen The Wise Man so stressed. Look in his eyes, what do you see? The Cult of Personality? No, a real friend. A friend who would never do anything to put Heyman in harm’s way. But then a car is pulling up. It’s ROMAN! Roman sees Punk and Heyman being buddy-buddy, and he storms off! Heyman tries to catch up to his Tribal Chief, but Roman won’t even look at him. Will this favor cause the break-up of Roman and Heyman?
Roman goes to the ring!
The fans cheer and put the ones up as The OTC makes his entrance, Wise Man trailing behind. What will happen with Roman, Heyman, Punk, and Seth Rollins, all in the building this close to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns rather quickly, and Roman is now in the ring. He raises his finger up for the pyro and the fans cheer. Heyman has the mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman tentatively holds it out for Roman, but Roman doesn’t take it! Roman gets a mic for himself, leaving Heyman a bit dismayed, but the cheering continues. Roman tells, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and put up the ones as they cheer on “O T C! O T C!” Roman says, “The whole world can feel that. The whole world can hear that you love and acknowledge your Tribal Chief. And now the whole world understands that you would never betray your Tribal Chief.
“But not everybody’s like you. Some people would betray me. Sacramento, you got any guesses on who that might be?” Obviously it’s Heyman that Roman is referring to, but Roman asks The Wise Man, “How could you betray me?” The fans tell Heyman he messed up. Roman says Heyman can’t hear that well, say it louder. The fans get louder with it, and Heyman is a bit surly about that. Heyman goes to talk, but he reconsiders. Roman still asks him why, and Heyman is at a loss for words. The fans boo, but some do chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Roman smirks as Heyman finally says, “My Tribal Chief… It was not a betrayal. I paid back a favor that I owed.”
Roman doesn’t seem to like that answer, but he still smirks. Sacramento, maybe Roman’s a little confused here, but the way favors work is, you usually pay it back yourself, correct? The fans say yes. Roman says it feels the only one getting screwed here is him! And if there’s one thing about Roman Reigns, if there’s one thing about The Tribal Chief, it’s that he’d never ask for a favor. No, Roman takes what he wants! So Roman doesn’t owe a favor, because he never asked for any help, for anyone to join him at WarGames, so how is he supposed to cover the tab for Heyman’s dumbass favor? But now, “BURN IT DOWN!”
Seth Rollins makes his way out, and Roman is no longer in any good mood as the fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in a leather vest and black pants that both have a lot of pockets. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Sacramento, “Let’s give it up for Your Tribal Chief! Because after over a decade, you’re finally getting it, man! You’re finally putting the pieces together all by yourself! You’re almost there, you’re just missing one little piece, and it’s a real shame it’s too little, it’s too late, cuz I still gotta end you at WrestleMania.”
Rollins says it is for the same reason that it always has been: It’s the right thing to do! This Triple Threat at WrestleMania is the BIGGEST, most IMPORTANT one in the history of Mania, of the WWE, of professional wrestling! Because the winner of this match will define the future of this industry. And it can’t be Roman, it can’t be Punk. Because this business is filled with people like Roman, people who show up when it is convenient, expecting everyone else to do all the work. That’s how this business dies! Roman finally sees it can’t be Punk, either.
This business is filled with too many “little Punks” running around who wanna pick up their ball and go home when it gets tough, only to come back and leech off the profits of other people’s success, and that’s how this business dies! The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says okay, they want this business to die? Rollins doesn’t! If there are more people in this business like Rollins, who always sacrifices physical and mental well-being to do what is best for business, then the business not only lives, but it thrives! There can be only one, and it’s gotta be Rollins.
As for that one little piece that Roman hasn’t quite figured out… “Favors don’t happen by chance, Roman. Favors are a choice. I chose not to put Paul Heyman in the hospital last week, and now Paul Heyman can choose whether or not he pays that debt to me. But your Wise Man, he is dishonorable as they come, he is a scumbag, and I expect nothing from him.” The fans boo and Heyman frowns, but Rollins says Heyman is not in CM Punk’s corner by chance. Heyman has made a choice. It isn’t just a betrayal, Roman. What Roman needs to ask himself, what that final piece is, Heyman isn’t just returning a favor, he’s choosing. So why is Heyman choosing Punk over Roman?
Heyman tells Roman he’s not doing that, but Roman seems to be thinking Rollins has a point. Roman tells The Wise Man that Rollins is right, Heyman made his choice. But Roman has made his. LARIAT FOR ROLLINS! The fans fire up as Roman then POSTS Rollins! Rollins flops out of the ring, Heyman is very pleased, and he says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief! Roman nods, but then he PIE FACES Heyman!? Heyman is stunned, but here comes CM Punk! The fans fire up as Punk runs down to the ring, and he dodges Roman to fire hands! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Punk LARIATS Roman up and out!
The fans are torn as Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman is distraught, but Roman is back! SPEAR for Punk!! Roman HAMMERS away on Punk! Roman shouts at Punk, HEADBUTTS him, but then Rollins returns! And with a chair! SMACK to the back of Roman Reigns, just like the night it all started! Sacramento is all fired up, and Rollins hits a CURB STOMP on Punk! And then CURB STOMP on Roman! Heyman is freaking out as both his guys are down! Rollins stares Heyman down, is Rollins’ favor going to come into play after all?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, especially for the go-home to WrestleMania. Great promo from Gunther with how he “doesn’t wait” for the proper interview with Michael Cole, and very good response promo from Jey. Gunther definitely sounds a bit on edge, and considering he might lose two WrestleManias in a row as the start of his WrestleMania career, I suppose I would be, too. And very good promos from Bianca, Rhea & Iyo to hype up their match, though I can’t say that changes anything for the go-home math. Iyo stood tall last time, so there’s a chance Rhea or Bianca take the other out to get the win. Rhea and Bianca talking about who’s the bad guy in this, could we see Bianca go Heel?
Good promo from War Raiders and New Day, but unless they add a stipulation, I don’t necessarily see this being “a war” of a match. Well, maybe they can break something like ringside barriers. But I feel like New Day is going to win so that this Heel turn has actual results. Very good match from Bayley VS Liv, but Bayley winning here surely indicates Liv & Raquel retain. Rey VS Julius was really good, but the LWO and American Made all being ejected, that of course meant El Grande Americano would show up. Rey wins here, but then El Grande stands tall, so I would think Rey wins at Mania to expose Grande as Gable.
Very good match from Styles VS Kross, and naturally Styles won. That along with Logan & Kross getting the better of Styles after, this has to mean Styles wins at Mania. I don’t think it’s possible to get anything Bullet Club related, but WWE works with TNA pretty closely now so maybe they can use one of Styles’ themes from TNA to really bring us back to “the Styles that can beat Logan Paul.” Very good stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship build, with Bron being jumped by Judgment Day, then Judgment Day trying to cost Penta, only for Bron to actually cost Penta and give Finn the win. Penta standing tall now sadly might cross him off, but I personally do think Dom pinning Finn or Finn pinning Dom is the better route going forward.
And of course, great stuff with the Punk-Rollins-Reigns story. Heyman finding himself stuck between Roman and Punk, with Roman starting to distance himself from Heyman, that’s also very good stuff going forward. Rollins stands tall again, so not sure if that means he takes the loss or is just not in the decision. No matter who wins, Heyman no longer being Roman’s manager is the best move. Roman needs to do things on his own again, and Heyman can reunite with Punk and perhaps help Punk towards a title. Punk did say that he’d be coming for THE WWE Championship at some point, Heyman by his side for that like 10 years ago would be something.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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Classic POD is WAR
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