Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Live Results & Report! (6/18/19)
Will A Moment of Bliss be anything but?

It’s the last SmackDown before Stomping Grounds!
In an attempt to clear the air from the last few weeks, The Goddess again invites SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bayley, onto another Moment of Bliss. Will Bayley keep her cool when confront Alexa Bliss over her blatant lies? Or will things continue to play into Alexa’s plan?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Xavier Woods VS Dolph Ziggler; Ziggler wins.
- Heavy Machinery VS The B-Team; Heavy Machinery wins.
- Tag Team Elimination Match: Drew McIntyre & Elias VS The Awesome Truth; McIntyre & Elias win.
- WWE 24/7 Championship: R-Truth VS Drake Maverick; Maverick wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- 2 Out of 3 Falls Tag: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Seth Rollins & Kofi Kingston; Rollins & Kingston win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Awwwwww~ SmackDown! Don’t you dare be sour!
Feel~ the POWER~ as The New Day opens the show! They fling more flapjacks as they make their way to the ring! And even more when they’re in the ring. The New Day grab mics to welcome fans to the show, “BABYYYYYY~!” Everyone knows that Sunday is Stomping Grounds, and we will see Kofi Kingston (fans cheer) take on Dolph Ziggler (fans boo) in a Steel Cage (more cheers)! But only if Ziggler makes it through Xaiver Woods. To keep things fresh, Big E would like to make the last hour of SmackDown “the freaky hour.” It involves a Slip ‘n’ Slide, themselves, and- Dolph Ziggler comes out to interrupt the “typical New Day” antics that distract the fans. “All the smoke and mirrors in the world just to distract from what we all know from Super Showdown.” Kofi doesn’t deserve to be champion!
In fact, without The New Day, Kofi would be nothing! And on Sunday, the New Day won’t be able to save Kofi. Kofi is not able to stand on his own. The next time Kofi goes home to Ghana, that won’t be a celebration but an apology tour. Because Kofi will have to look at those people, from family to friends to fans, and tell them that when he was backed against the wall inside a Steel Cage all by himself, he failed! Fans boo and Kofi glares, but Ziggler grins. Fans rally behind Kofi but Ziggler tells them all to pay attention. At Stomping Grounds, Ziggler will slam Kofi into unforgiving steel, grind his face into the cage, and then kick ass and take names. #ItWILLbeZiggler!
Kofi wants Ziggler to back up. Ziggler’s talking like Kofi doesn’t know Steel Cage matches. Maybe he forgot where this journey began. It was in the Elimination Chamber! Kofi knows the brutalities of the confines of a cage, and he’s good with it. Because whether it’s a pin or an escape, or even a complete knockout that lets Kofi just walk out, it will happen. Kofi will win at Stomping Grounds! And he will remain THE, W, W, E, World, Heavy, Weight, CHAMPION~! But but but that’s Sunday. Ziggler should worry about tonight, because Kofi’s brethren in Woods is itching to “pop you in the mouth” all over again!
Ziggler tells Kofi to pay attention to that very match. “Don’t think for one second that I forgot what Woods did to me at Super Showdown.” It was Woods’ fault Ziggler lost. And after tonight, Woods will never be able to help Kofi again. And then on Sunday, “all the positivity, all the bad inside jokes, all the fun laughs, the colors the loudness.” All that pretending to be something Kofi’s not, “comes crumbling down” when he’s in that cage with Ziggler. Stomping Grounds will be where Kofi stops being WWE Champion. Because it should’ve been ZIGGLER! #ItShouldHaveBeenME, and #ItWILLBeMe! But will it be Ziggler against an angry Woods up next?
Xavier Woods VS Dolph Ziggler!
SmackDown returns with the bell and Ziggler circles with Woods. The go around and Woods manages to counter the takedown to a mount. Woods switches to a waistlock and makes it a cover, ONE! Ziggler gets Woods down for a cover, ONE! The two back off and Ziggler swipes at Kofi and Big E. He ties up with Woods again and Woods gets around to the waistlock. Ziggler goes around but Woods rolls him, ONE! Ziggler keeps on Woods to roll him, ONE! Woods and Ziggler back off and go again. Woods grabs the arm and wrenches, but Ziggler pushes him to ropes. The ref calls for the ropebreak but Ziggler gives a shove. Woods shoves back! Then drop toeholds Ziggler onto ropes! Dropkick bounces Ziggler off! Cover, TWO!
Woods keeps on Ziggler with a headlock. Ziggler holds the ropes so Woods has to let go. Ziggler kicks low at the knee! Woods scrambles but Ziggler is on him. Ziggler rakes Woods’ face on ropes! Then drops him with a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Ziggler keeps on Woods, going after the arm. He cranks Woods back in a chinlock but fans rally up. Woods fights out and throws body shots. Ziggler hits back and whips, but Woods reverses. Woods runs into the corner but into a boot! Ziggler bumps Woods on buckles then whips him corner to corner. Woods bounces off buckles but boots Ziggler back! Woods hits the Honor Roll! Fans fire up as Woods climbs up! Woods aims but out come Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn! They attack Big E and Kofi! Ziggler trips Woods up in the distraction!
The referee shouts at Kevin & Sami and EJECTS them! But Woods takes them out with a leaping crossbody! With those two taken care of, Woods gets back in, only to get the satellite DDT! Cover, TWO!! Woods survives as SmackDown goes picture in picture.
The referee checks on Woods but he’s okay. Wait, the New Day is also ejected!? Now Woods is all alone with Ziggler as Ziggler drags Woods up. Ziggler bumps Woods off buckles but Woods turns it around to bump him! But then Ziggler turns it around to kick out Woods’ leg. Ziggler walks around Woods, taunting him to get up. Woods drags himself up but Ziggler is waiting, with a big dropkick! Cover, TWO! Ziggler keeps his cool as he looms over Woods. Ziggler rakes Woods’ eyes with his fingers! The referee reprimands Ziggler while Woods scrambles away. Ziggler drags Woods up again with a headlock, and has Woods in a crossface chicken wing! Woods resists and arm-drags Ziggler off! But the misses in the corner! Ziggler covers, TWO!
Ziggler keeps his cool as he drags Woods up, again raking the eyes! The ref counts and Ziggler lets up at 4, to then grind Woods down with an armlock. Ziggler grinds his forearm into Woods’ face, too, but Woods endures. Woods starts to get to his feet, and he throws body shots on Ziggler. Ziggler turns Woods but Woods backslide counters! TWO, but Woods rallies with big forearms! Mule kick and front kick, and SmackDown returns to single picture as Ziggler reverse the whip. Woods dodges and slides to hit the roaring forearm! Woods flounders to a cover, TWO! Both men are down from exhaustion, but fans know “This is Awesome!”
Ziggler gets to ropes and Woods goes to the opposite end. Both men stand, and Woods runs into a boot! But then whips Ziggler out of the ring! Woods builds speed to wreck Ziggler with a dropkick! Ziggler hits the desk! Woods puts Ziggler back in, and trophy lifts Ziggler! For a BIG gut buster drop! Cover, TWO!! Woods keeps his focus as he grits his teeth. Ziggler rolls out to the apron but Woods follows. Woods drags Ziggler up, but Ziggler shoves him into a post. Then a SUPERKICK blasts Woods off the apron to the floor! Ziggler drags Woods up into the ring and wants him to stand again. Fans rally up for Woods but Ziggler stalks him, ZIGZAG! But Woods rolls just enough to avoid a cover.
Ziggler doesn’t want to end it here, anyway! He drags Woods up and puts him on the ropes, to pull the arms! Ziggler lets up at the ref’s count, to then SUPERKICK the defenseless Woods! Cover, Ziggler wins!
Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by pinfall
The Show-Off wins tonight, showing no mercy. With a Steel Cage match being No Disqualifications, will Ziggler show that same lack of remorse in order to take the title from Kofi? Will Kofi do the same just to avenge Woods?
Several SmackDown superstars line up outside Baron Corbin’s private locker room.
Shelton Benjamin and The B-Team know the risk of being Corbin’s special guest referee given Seth Rollins’ mood lately. But it’s all so Corbin can finally win a title. Benjamin plans on using Corbin right back. Matt Hardy comes out of the office! Senor Benjamin, you’re next. That’s Mr. Benjamin, Matt. But either way, Benjamin does take his turn “auditioning” for the part of guest referee. Will Corbin make a decision before the night is over? Will Rollins veto it with more chair shots?
It’s another SmackDown edition of A Moment of Bliss!
The last time The Goddess and her hit talk show were on SmackDown, it turned into a Triple Threat Contender’s Match for the SmackDown Women’s Championship. And though Alexa was the Wild Card from Raw, she won the match and now faces Bayley at Stomping Grounds! SmackDown returns as she, and “friend” Nikki Cross, make their entrance. Nikki will be in Alexa’s corner on Sunday because, well, Alexa has claimed Bayley is a bully. Alexa welcomes everyone to the show, but where is her coffee?! Bayley appears with it! And is drinking it. Yes, well… Why is Alexa not surprised? This is like what Alexa was telling nikki before. Bayley defends she’d never do that. She should say this now, but- But she’s the reason she cost them the women’s tag titles? No, that Alexa is using Nikki.
Hear that, Nikki? Is it time to do this? Bayley says she’s had enough of Alexa’s talking behind everyone’s back! If she has a problem, say it to her face! Alexa stands up and accepts that challenge. Alexa knows the real Bayley. When she started in NXT, she saw through Bayley. Everyone made Alexa feel like she didn’t belong. Alexa tried turning to the nice girl, Bayley, yet even she made Alexa feel little. It was Charlotte who was nice to Alexa! But then Bayley acts all nice dressing like she’s from Forever 21, saying she’s like the fans. In reality, she’s not a hugger, she’s a liar! Classic Alexa, making things up that never happened. She did this to Nia Jax, to Mickie James, and Bayley has never lied to them. Alexa just can’t handle the truth. And the truth is: Alexa isn’t a goddess, just a spoiled princess!
Alexa isn’t entitled, she’s just better. And she always have been! She has a natural gift for this! She doesn’t imitate legends and doesn’t wait for autographs, she’s not worthy? Bayley has never needed to manipulate like Alexa to become SmackDown Women’s Champion. Alexa says Bayley is just a placeholder. And she will always be a placeholder! Because she peaked in NXT! The one person that Bayley found so undeserving is the one living out the life she’s always wanted. Bayley hits Alexa! The brawl is on, and Nikki helps her new friend! Nikki still believes Alexa, despite what just happened. And then Alexa gets Bayley with that killer punch! The Goddess and Cross leave the champ down and out, but will it happen this way at Stomping Grounds?
Apollo Crews finds Zelina Vega backstage.
Can she help him with something? Well where she goes, Andrade goes, right? He has been looking for him. Is that true? Or is he just here to flirt with her? What? Just tell Almas Apollo is looking for him. Zelina “flirts” with him, to distract him from Almas’ blindside attack! Almas lays Apollo out by throwing him into trunks! And again, Chad Gable is taking notes? Firstly, will Apollo get payback on El Idolo in the ring? Secondly, what is Gable studying exactly?
Heavy Machinery VS The B-Team!
The literally biggest team on SmackDown gets a shot at those tag team titles on Sunday, which is exactly why “The Planet’s Tag Team Champions” are on commentary for this match. Daniel Bryan & Rowan gave a pep talk to Bo Dallas and Curt Axel, but will that be enough to survive the #BlueCollarSolid Tucker Knight & Otis Dozovic?
The teams sort out and Tucker starts against Axel. Bo distracts and that allows Axel to club away on Tucker. The ref backs Axel off but he knees Tucker back down. The B-Team chants as they stomp, tag, and stomp more. Fans echo the chant as the B-Team tags and mugs Tucker, then Bo feeds Tucker to Axel’s DDT! Cover, TWO! Axel keeps on Tucker with a half nelson and chinlock. Bryan says the problem with Heavy Machinery as that they joke around too much. Tucker endures and powers out with big hands. Axel knees then whips but Tucker manages to jump over Axel’s back! To then clobber him with a big lariat! Both men are down but fans rally as they crawl. Hot tags to Otis and Bo!
The Dozer rallies on the B-Team, then scoops and spins around with Bo! Otis slams BO down then clotheslines Axel out. Otis gives a grunt to Bryan, but turns around into a kick. But Otis powers up with it. Otis pops and locks and thrusts, to then scoop Bo for a BIG Fall Away Slam! Fans fire up with Otis as he puts Axel in, and sandwiches both men in the corner! Bo is down, and Otis grins as he pumps it up. Otis hits the Caterpillar elbow! Tag to Tucker, and Otis scoops BO, for the Compacter! Cover, Heavy Machinery wins!
Winners: Heavy Machinery, Tucker Knight pinning
And the contenders are rolling into Stomping Grounds! Bryan doesn’t think Tucker and Otis take this seriously, and therefore he doesn’t take them seriously. But will he see just how serious it is when he and Rowan actually face them in the ring?
But wait! Since the B-Team even so much as auditioned for the part of guest referee, Rollins is here to attack!! He SMACKS Axel, then jabs and SMACKS Bo! The Architect keeps that ultimatum from Raw going here on SmackDown as he just SMACKS away on the B-Team! He shows no mercy! And fans love it! Will Rollins continue to #BurnItDown all the way to Stomping Grounds?
Someone is arriving to SmackDown via limousine.
It’s Shane McMahon! The Best in the World looks to be all business after the attack on Raw. Sami & Kevin report Rollins’ attacks to Shane. Sami as the Wild Card is a guest, and there is no telling what Rollins will do next. Kevin agrees. Who attacks people form behind? Bad people, that’s who. Shane knows all about that. Something needs to be done about Rollins and even Kofi! Kofi is bad, too. Something needs to be done. Shane agrees. Tonight, Kevin & Sami VS Rollins & Kofi, in a very special 2 out of 3 Falls Tag. If you want to stop the bad people, take care of it yourself. Kevin and Sami aren’t really fans of that idea but they have no choice. Will the frenemies be able to do anything about the fired up Universal Champion and laser focused World Champion?
Aleister Black speaks.
“What does it take to change the essence of a man?” Aleister gets it. He understands why no one has knocked on his door, and why no one wants to pick a fight wit him. “Because I can hear your whispers as you passed by.” They know the Embodiment of the End was told he was “destined to fall from grace.” But this is not a “woe is me” story. No, this is a “woe, my opponents” story. Because someone will come knocking. Someone will pick a fight with him. And when they do, Aleister will change the essence of that man. Who will be daring enough to knock on Aleister’s door?
Shane McMahon heads out to the ring!
But he isn’t on SmackDown alone, he has The Drifter, Elias! Oh, and the Scottish Terminator, Drew McIntyre! The three walk down the ramp, all serious after the respective beatings they took from Raw last night. They take up mics and Shane lets Greg Hamilton take a week off on the introduction. And to last night, Roman Reigns and Shane had an “incident.” But Shane isn’t here about that. Shane is here to put the spotlight on the more deserving Drew McIntyre. This man will #KickAssandTakeNames at Stomping Grounds when he beats Roman once again. McIntyre tells Roman that he is praying for him. McIntyre did Roman a favor by not ending his career. But they’re better than Roman. SO when they were having that “private function” and Roman ambushed them, they weren’t prepared. That was a sucker punch to them.
But McIntyre is better than that. He wants The Big Dog at 100% and with no excuses. But before he can say more, here comes The Miz! The A-Lister uses the Wild Card to be here, and Shane is growing annoyed. Miz says this is important. They all need to watch this. The footage of Roman’s attack on Raw! The Revival, Drew McIntyre and Shane McMahon were all beat down in turn by Roman! Fans cheer but Shane is just annoyed. Is that funny to him? Sorry, that’s not funny. Well, not as funny as this. Slow-motion of Shane running from Roman. And slow-motion of the Superman Punch, too. Miz adds sound effects as the slow-motion Spear hits. Wow, Miz didn’t even know Shane could sweat so fast in slow-mo. But there’s more! Shane interrupts, and tells the production team they will lose their jobs over this,
Settle down, Junior, you’re the Boss’s Son. The kid that starts the game because Daddy’s the coach. And Miz hasn’t forgotten McIntyre. He’ll make sure to have a highlight reel of Roman knocking McIntyre out. Shane wonders where these daddy issues come from. It’s not Shane’s fault his dad is a billionaire and Miz’s is a potato. No, there is no shame, only guilt! Shane just sucks up all the air time to feed his ego and Miz is sick of it! W’ere all sick of it! Miz blames himself because it all started at World Cup. It was Miz’s first time being hurt and he let Shane “become Best int he World.” Miz created a monster and now we all have to suffer for it! Shane is Miz’s responsibility because Miz sent him on this ego trip, so Miz must be the one to end it!
Oof, such resentment. Miz didn’t get the job done, so Shane had to step in and do it himself. Shane earned being Best int he World because Miz wasn’t. But if Miz is all ready to fight, then have a fight. Miz will go up against McIntyre & Elias. Wow a handicap match? How original! Oh no, Miz, you can have whoever you want. So long as it happens in the next 10… 9… 8… but wait! From under the ring, it’s R-Truth!? The WWE 24/7 Champion is here, and Miz says his name. Well guess Truth is in by default! #AwesomeTruth reunited! Well okay. Then that match is happening next! But it will also be elimination! Get a ref and get this going, up next!
The Authors of Pain are now on SmackDown!
Akam and Rezar return, but they also encounter the IIconics. Billie Kay and Peyton Royce are impressed by the AoP’s physiques, but then they’re immediately upset seeing Paige and the Kabuki Warriors backstage. Maybe these two will try to plunder the gold! Because pirates, heh. How about an actual mage for the gold? Eeeeh no. They’d love to, but they’re busy with traveling. After all, they are the longest reigning and defending WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Well wonderful for you! But the funny thing is, everyone is going to the same places. So Paige asked and received confirmation that there is a match in WWE Tokyo! But-
No buts. You two listen to Paige’s Aussie accent. If these two, Kairi and Asuka, win, then they will get a WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match! And then they’ll win that, to become the NEW Tag Team Champions! And that will be… IICONIC! Paige, Kairi and Asuka strike the pose, which upsets Billie & Peyton even more. But will they be most upset when they lose to Asuka and Kairi in Asuka’s and Kairi’s home country?
Tag Team Elimination Match: Drew McIntyre & Elias VS The Awesome Truth!
Reunited and it feels so good! Or at least, hopefully it will. Can Miz and Truth use this sudden reunion to get even with Shane’s boys? Or will not even the truth help Miz conquer the Best Henchmen in the World?
SmackDown returns with the bell, and Miz starts against Eilas. Fans echo “WHAT’S UP!?” with Truth as Miz and Elias tie up. Elias pushes but Miz gets free, to tie up again. Miz headlocks but Elias pries his way out to his own headlock. Miz powers out but Elias runs him over. Elias speeds things up but Miz hits a kitchen sink knee! Those bad ribs still bother Elias so Miz keeps on him. Tag to Truth, they double whip and double hip toss Elias down! Elias gasps for air but he gets a basement boot to Truth’s funky leg drop! Cover, TWO! Truth keeps on Elias with a headlock but Elias powers out. Truth slips out of the scoop to shove Elias, then ducks under with the splits to calf kick Elias down! Fans fire up with Truth as he hits the splits again!
Elias tags McIntyre and now Truth dreads the Scottish Terminator. Truth throws hands but McIntyre shoves him. Truth kicks back but misses the scissors kick. McIntyre shoves then SUPLEXES Truth overhead! McIntyre stands Truth up to CHOP him into the corner! He throws furious forearms but the ref counts. McIntyre argues with the ref and Elias gets cheap shots in! Fans boo and Miz protests but Elias gets away with it. McIntyre drags Truth up for a snap suplex, then covers, TWO! McIntyre chokes Truth on the ropes and Elias tags in. Elias boots Truth down, then taunts him as he chokes him on the ropes. Elias whips Truth but Truth dodges to throw hands! They bump shoulders and Truth keeps on Elias with haymakers!
Truth whips but Elias reverses to a kick. Elias shoves but Truth dumps Elias out! Elias hits the floor but McIntyre helps him back in. Both Elias and Truth crawl, but Shane trips Miz! McIntyre distracts the ref from seeing that, and Elias hits Truth with a big knee! Cover, Elias ELIMINATES Truth! And now Miz is all alone! But wait, the floodgates open and Truth is now a target! The rest of the SmackDown roster, and even Cruiserweights from 205 Life, rush to the ring! Shelton Benjamin skips Truth to grab the belt! He runs as THE Brian Kendrick, Jack Gallagher, and the Singh Brothers all give chase! That’s not how the belt works! The referee explains that and they all stop to listen. You have to PIN Truth first! Truth snatches the belt back and runs away! And the chase is on again!
Shane, Elias and McIntyre are at a loss for words, but Miz was able to recover in that time. Miz realizes the situation he is in while SmackDown goes picture in picture.
Mcintyre tags in, but he has to wait for Miz. Miz takse his time returning, and then circles with McIntyre. They tie up but Miz thows hansd. McIntyre punches back but gets thrown out. Miz misses the dropkick to get run over! McIntyre drags Miz up for a snap suplex to the floor! Miz writhes and Shane cheers his team on. McIntyre puts Miz against the apron to CHOP! Then he puts Miz in to mock Miz about tagging a partner. A partner Miz no longer has. McIntyre stmops Miz’s hand then fish hooks his face! The ref counts and McIntyre lets up. McINtyre stomps Miz’s face then tags Elias in. He holds Miz up for Elias to kick. Elias covers, TWO! Miz lives but Elias wraps on a vicious chinlock.
Miz endures as Elias grinds him into the mat. SmackDown returns to single picture as fans rally up. Miz fights out but Elias knees low. Elias whips Miz out of the ring, and the ref keeps him back. Shane gets a cheap shot in! Fans boo as McIntyre runs at Miz, only for Miz to send him into the timekeeper’s area! But Elias shoves Miz into the barriers! Elias gets Miz back in the ring then climbs up top. He leaps but into a BOOT! Elias’ ribs are hurt all over again! Shane checks on McIntyre while fans rally for Miz. Miz counter punches Elias then throws haymakers from all sides! Miz gives Elias It Kicks in the corner, then runs corner to corner for double knees! And again! And then the A-List Lariat! Elias flounders while Miz goes out. Miz slides back in to roll Elias up, TWO!
Miz kicks low for the DDT! Cover, TWO! Miz keeps his cool, and fans rally for him as he aims at Elias. More It Kicks for Elias! But Elias blocks the buzzsaw into an Electric Chair lift! But Miz fights out, rolls Elias up, TWO! GLASGOW KISS! Elias tags to McIntyre and McIntyre is seething. He dares Miz to stand, and Miz does, to get a CLAYMORE! Cover, McIntyre & Elias win!
Winners: Drew McIntyre & Elias, McIntyre pinning
A sweep on the Awesome Truth, mostly because Shane was helping. But a win is a win and McIntyre is ready to win again at Stomping Grounds. But Shane isn’t done with Miz, he puts Miz in a corner, to feed to another CLAYMORE! That still isn’t enough for them, though. Shane drags Miz up again, for a third Claymore! The Scottish Terminator says this will be what Roman has in store come Sunday, but will he be the one stomped out at Stomping Grounds?
Ember Moon is backstage.
She spots Carmella hurrying by. Has Carmella seen Mandy Rose & Sonya Deville? No, but has Ember seen R-Truth? No. Well Carmella hopes Ember tells Fire & Desire they both have unfinished business with them. Ember continues the search and finds Mandy & Sonya enjoying donuts. Mandy can’t believe they bought them all. Sonya can’t believe they’ve eaten so many yet still look so great. Ember confronts them on their attitudes. Sonya apologizes for the Switch. Ember says she’s had to deal with bullies and snobs like them her whole life. She will not- Oh calm down, loner. They were just trying to give her healthier ways to bide her time. But go ahead, rot your brain. Donut? Ember slaps the donuts away, and the fight is on!!
Ember and Sonya scrap but referees come up to separate them. Sonya and Ember are still fired up, but Mandy keeps Sonya back. Fire & Desire have plenty of fire, but so does the War Goddess! When will forces collide in the ring to settle the score?
SmackDown presents a new episode of Firefly Fun House!
Well hey, there! Bray Wyatt is just gardening. Our minds are a lot like gardens. All anyone needs is some water, some sun, and then your ideas will grow! But some ideas are full of worms. Those are no good! There will be people who lie to you. Like people saying the Earth is round. Or that dinosaurs are extinct! What do any of them know? But Brya knows what it’s like to be different. That’s why he built this place! So that we could all be together forever! Him, Mercy, Abby, the again repaired Ramblin’ Rabbit, Ham, Devil Vince. Join them where the fun never has to end. Yes, join us. JOIN US!! “People worship what they fear. Fear is power. Follow the leader.” And do the muscle man dance! REMIX!
The Fiend?! He’s back!? “FOLLOW THE LEADER!!” And let him in.
R-Truth looks to get out of SmackDown!
He finds Carmella waving down a car, but wait that’s a referee? The Carmella he found wasn’t Carmella at all! It’s DRAKE MAVERICK! “Hi, Truth!” But Truth elbows Maverick away. Maverick rolls Truth and uses the car!! Maverick WINS!!
Winner: Drake Maverick, by pinfall; NEW WWE 24/7 Champion
Finally, the searching and the planning pays off! Maverick takes the title and the referee’s car, to make a run for it! “I’m getting marriiiiied~!” Wait, Carmella’s getting married?! Why wasn’t he invited?! Will Truth have to do what it sounds like he has to? Will he have to crash a wedding to take back the title?!
2 Out of 3 Falls Tag: Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn VS Seth Rollins & Kofi Kingston!
The best frenemies aren’t liking this deja vu from Raw. They just went through a similar match against Kofi Kingston and the New Day, with Baron Corbin as their partner. But now they’ll do it again, as just the two of them, against the two top champions in all the WWE today! Will they lose here like they did on Raw? Or will Kevin and Sami get themselves in line for both titles with a win tonight?
SmackDown returns as Kofi makes his entrance once again. He still has plenty of pancakes to give out! Next is Rollins, and he still has that chair, beat up as it is. And of course, Kevin makes his entrance, followed by Sami. And they take a “Pancake Power” fan sign to tear it up. They tell Rollins to put his chair down, and Rollins does. The teams sort out, and Kofi starts with Sami. The bell rings and Kofi hits Sami with TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Rollins hits Kevin and Kofi covers, Kofi and Rollins get the first fall!
Rollins-Kofi – 1; Kevin-Sami: 0
Fast and furious but Kevin is upset that the bell didn’t even ring! But it did, so that’s a valid fall. Kevin and Sami regroup as we SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns with the second fall, and the bell rings again. Kevin kicks Rollins and clubs away! Kevin throws knees then shoves Rollins to the corner. He trash talks the fans before going back at Rollins with haymakers. Kevin whips but Rollins ducks to Slingblade Kevin down! Rollins drags Kevin up and wrenches to tag Kofi in. Kofi climbs and drops ax handles on Kevin’s arm. Kofi keeps Kevin from Sami with another wrench of the arm. Tag to Rollins and now Rollins drops ax handles. Rollins whips Kevin corner to corner but is put on the apron. Rollins punches Kevin away then scares Sami off. But Kevin catches Rollins int he springboard to throw him down! Kevin hits Kofi for good measure before he DDT’s Rollins! Cover, TWO!
Kevin tries again, TWO! Again, TWO! Kevin grows furious and questions the ref’s credentials. But backstage, Paul Heyman watches this match closely! Kevin tags Sami and Sami stomps Rollins. Sami throws angry haymakers and keeps Rollins from his corner. Sami drags Rollins up for a backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Again, TWO! Sami also argues with the ref, but he goes back to Rollins with haymakers. Rollins hits back so Sami clubs and snapmares Rollins into a chinlock. Sami keeps Rollins down but fans rally up. Rollins endures and fights his way up but Sami puts him in a corner. Sami throws body shots then haymakers. Fans boo but Kevin applauds. Sami puts Rollins up top and climbs up to join him. Rollins resists the superplex, then headbutts Sami down!
Sami tags Kevin and Kevin clobbers Rollins. Rollins hits back then hits a blockbuster! Both men are down and fans rally up! Hot tags to Sami and Kofi! Kofi springboards and clubs Sami down! Kofi rallies with chops and a dropkick! He keeps moving to leap and lariat Sami down! Fans fire up as Kofi hits the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi aims from the corner and wants another Trouble in Paradise, but Sami boots him away. Sami runs but Kofi dodges and springboards for a crossbody! Cover, TWO!! Kofi keeps on Sami at the ropes but Sami holds on. Sami hits back and standing switches to a Blue Thunder Bomb! Cover, TWO!! Sami grows frustrated, but he goes to his corner to tag Kevin. Kevin drags Kofi up but gets a dropkick!
Kvin slumps out of the ring while Kofi goes to a corner. Sami runs in but is thrown back out! Hot tag to Rollins! Rollins DIVES onto Sami! Then he DIVES onto Kevin! Rollins puts Kevin in, springboards, flying clothesline! Fans fire up as Rollins stomps, “Burn It Down!” But Sami anchors a foot, so Kofi LEAPS to clothesline Sami down! Kevin rolls Rollins, TWO! SUPERKICK! Kevin whips, Pop-up but Rollins slips out, to mule kick! Rollins wants a Superkick but Kevin blocks that to roll Rollins,but Rollins rolls through! SUPERKICK! Rollins has Kevin, but Kevin back drops. Rollins lands on his feet to PELE! And then the CURB STOMP! Cover, Rollins & Kofi win!!
Winners: Seth Rollins & Kofi Kingston, Rollins by pinfall
That’s another 2-0 sweep for Kofi’s team over Kevin and Sami! Both champions are rolling into Stomping Grounds, but Heyman is still watching eagerly. Is this only ensuring a Beast in the Bank cash-in on Sunday? And will it still be on Rollins?
My Thoughts:
What a great SmackDown to lead into Stomping Grounds! At least, it sure felt better than Raw’s go-home did. The opening promos of Ziggler and The New Day were actually pretty great, and I was surprised Woods VS Ziggler was the opener. This was a great bit to tie things together, as Kevin and Sami attack New Day but then have to face the consequences, in a sense. A real shame for Kevin and Sami, but that 2 out of 3 Falls was still a lot of fun. Having Heyman watching backstage, I wonder if this is the way to switch targets from Rollins to Kofi. It would be quite a clever thing to do, to make a fool of Rollins over all his chair smashing. Then Rollins’ story becomes having to deal with all those he beat down over this Stomping Grounds stuff.
While I was critical on the SmackDown Women’s Championship overshadowing the Women’s Tag titles on Raw, the stuff we got tonight was great. The Moment of Bliss was great, and the use of the Heel Face dynamics is unique, with Bayley being Face, Alexa being Heel but Nikki thinking it’s the other way around. I could see Nikki costing Alexa somehow and that turns Alexa against her. Meanwhile, we finally get Kabuki Warriors back! I’d love to see WWE Tokyo on the Network, and I really hope the WWE Women’s Tag titles are on the line at Extreme Rules in a Women’s No DQ tag. Meanwhile, good to see some development of Fire & Desire VS Ember and hopefully Carmella. That should be good action, and Fire & Desire VS Kabuki Warriors as champions would be a great story for Summerslam.
They didn’t really make that big of a deal of Planet’s Tag Team Champions VS Heavy Machinery for the titles at Stomping Ground, but at least Heavy Machinery got to have some fun squashing B-Team. Pretty sure Bryan & Rowan retain, though. I still want to see a huge tag match with all the teams that brawled on Raw. It’d be great if the Planet’s Tag Team Champions became the top team on both brands in something like a Ladder Match. Miz tearing into Shane was a great voicing of the fans’ complaints, and it still works in story. Hopefully that’s not why we were getting so much Shane, though… Well that aside, Awesome Truth reuniting was fun, but obviously Shane’s boys stand tall to stay strong going into Stomping Grounds. I still think Shane screws Roman somehow.
And what really puts SmackDown over the night was that surprise with the 24/7 Championship! I did not see that coming, just like Truth didn’t. And it is so great that it was Maverick who pulled off the dethroning! With how much Maverick keeps plugging his own wedding, this has to mean Truth is going to “crash” it and take the title back to ruin Maverick’s special day. I really hope he does it in disguise as the officiator of the wedding. What better way to win is “I now pronounce you the former WWE 24/7 European Champion!”
My Score: 8.5/10
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Is it CLOBBERIN’ TIME?
Money in the Bank is this Saturday, and the last spots will be filled! But will it be CM Punk, AJ Styles, or Chad- Er, uh, El Grande Americano heading to LA?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Liv Morgan VS Ivy Nile VS Stephanie Vaquer; Vaquer wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- The War Raiders VS Finn Balor & JD McDonagh; Finn & JD win.
- Jey Uso & Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed; Jey & Sami win, by disqualification.
- Raquel Rodriguez w/ Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane; Kairi wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: CM Punk VS AJ Styles VS El Grande Americano; Grande wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Michael Cole lost his bet with Pat McAfee.
With the Indiana Pacers going to the NBA Finals, Michael Cole takes off his suit jacket and shirt to reveal he is wearing a Pacers tank top! Pat puts the Pacers over, saying they will do to Oklahoma City’s Thunder like they did the New York Knicks! A daring thing to say here in Tulsa.
CM Punk is here!
Well, we all knew he would with his MITB qualifier later tonight, but the Second City Saint comes out here to say, “It’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk goes to the ring, high-fiving fans along the way, then he gets himself a mic. The fans chant for Punk, and he says, “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma or what?” The fans cheer, and Punks says it is the summertime, it is MITB time, and he hears some thunder in the distance. Punk thinks we might be on pace to get a thunderstorm here! The fans cheer and then chant “O K C! O K C!” Punk smiles and says we can cheer whatever basketball team we want, just be sure to watch Monday Night Raw and Friday Night SmackDown, too.
Punk says it is summer, the Summer of Punk! MITB is around the corner, stop him if you’ve heard this, but you’re looking at a TWO-TIME MITB winner. TWO TIMES, Punk has cashed in and won the title. And he is looking forward to doing it a third time! The fans cheer that, and Punk says this IS the Summer of Punk! It is time Punk got some gold back around his waist! There are a lot of great champions, but a longer list of challengers. Two men stand atop the mountain. One is a good friend, he’s Jey Uso. The fans “YEET!” and Punk says that with all due respect, Jey, when Punk wins the briefcase and it comes down to them, it isn’t personal, it is just business.
The other name on top of the mountain might be a bit more personal. That man is “JOHN~! CENA!” Punk cut his teeth in this business coming to a place like this, hearing people go absolutely bananas (as he points to fans wearing banana hats) over Cena. But now the tables have turned. Cena is public enemy number one after selling his soul “to a bald fraud goof.” When Punk wins MITB and should he choose Cena, well, Punk’s always had Cena’s number. He is going to pick the bones, “you little b*tch.” Because they are live on a Monday night, and Punk isn’t just happy to be here. It is about the money, and it is time Punk became champion one more time! See you at MITB!
But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! Punk sings along with the song and he welcomes Sami to the ring. Sami gets a mic, the fans sing, and we do get some “We Want Truth!” chants. Punk says he is not mad about being interrupted this time. Sami says yes, he appreciates that. The fans cheer Sami on, and Sami says he appreciates the fans, too. Sami has to be honest, though. He’s out here because this is the first time since Punk’s return that Punk actually talked in no uncertain terms on what his plan is, and that is to become a WWE World Champion. Punk says, “This time?” Sami says it is no secret that Sami wants to become world champion.
Unfortunately for Sami, MITB is not the path. Thanks to Heyman, Rollins, Bronson, Breakker, that is not in the cards. But it is still for Punk. Sami is out here to look Punk in the eyes, to underscore and highlight the importance of this. Tonight, Punk MUST win. The fans cheer that, and Sami says tonight is the most must-win. Punk talked about Jey and Cena, Gunther, and so on, but Sami knows in the back of Punk’s head, he is worried about Rollins, Bronson, Breakker, and what they did to Punk and Sami. But Sami wants Punk to NOT think about any of that. Bronson, Breakker, Jey, Sami, that gets handled tonight.
Punk says okay, but he’ll have Sami’s back, too. Sami says no, no, he doesn’t need that. Punk needs to focus on the task at hand. Punk is thinking on Rollins, and trust Sami when he says Rollins is always thinking about Punk. Punk knows that, because Rollins has never beat Punk. Yes, and that is why Punk needs to be in the MITB. With Punk there, it changes the math. Listen, Sami is saying this: If Rollins wins MITB, this place is over. It runs into something very different, unrecognizable, something Sami and Punk will not like. So Sami is saying it now, Sami NEEDS Punk to win tonight. The WORLD needs Punk to win tonight!
The fans fire up with that! Sami says for what it is worth, he wants Punk to win, too. But he also wants Punk to know, that should Punk win the MITB, should he win a title… Sami and Punk will be face to face in this ring again. And they will have a very different conversation than the one they’re having right now. The fans are intrigued, and Punk says, “I look forward to it, Sami.” They shake hands on it and the fans cheer. Will Punk come through and qualify tonight? Or is that a tall task just on overcoming AJ Styles and El Grande Americano?
Raquel Rodriguez & Liv Morgan are backstage.
Big Mami Cool gives Liv a last minute pep talk, but then Roxanne Perez walks up. The Prodigy says sorry to interrupt, but she just wants to let them know that if Liv needs help again- Liv says Roxie is interrupting. And if Roxie sabotages another match like she did before, think again. Help by staying out of the way. Liv clinks belts with Raquel, heads to gorilla, but then encounters Iyo Sky. Liv tells Iyo that she’ll be two-time Miss Money in the Bank, and then cash-in to be two-time Women’s World Champion. Iyo says, in Japanese, that’s some incredible confidence Liv has. But it is not gonna happen. Liv says #WatchMe.
Liv continues on, but will MITB enter ObLIVion? Will the ladder match soon be American Made? Or will the newest recruit to Monday Night Raw prove she is still La Primera?
Women’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: Liv Morgan VS Ivy Nile VS Stephanie Vaquer!
Raw returns as Vaquer makes her entrance, and Tulsa fires up for the “Dark Angel!” The bell rings and the fans rally as the three circle. Vaquer is already popular, but Liv & Ivy both kick her out! Liv ROCKS Ivy, Ivy CLOBBERS Liv! Things speed up, Ivy rolls over the dropdown then bypasses Liv to waistlock. Liv gets loose, ELBOWS Ivy, but Vaquer HEADBUTTS Liv! Then Vaquer springboards to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Vaquer dodges Liv, sunset flips Ivy, but rewinds to send her into Liv’s KICK! Liv swings, but into Vaquer’s BIG back suplex! Vaquer then smiles as she wraps Liv up in the headscissors! DEVIL’S KISSES!
The fans “AH! AH! AH!” as Vaquer hits TEN of those, then she gets Ivy for a SAIDO! The fans fire up and Vaquer smiles again. Vaquer wraps Ivy up for DEVIL’S KISSES! Liv DROPKICKS it apart before ten and the fans boo! Liv drags Vaquer up, suplexes, and stands up for Una Amiga! Then she hits Dos Amigas! And then THREE AMIGAS, slamming Vaquer onto Ivy! The fans rally, Liv gives some Latina Heat, and she KICKS Ivy! Liv back ELBOWS Vaquer, back body blocks Ivy, and repeat! Liv just keeps going, but Vaquer dodges and Ivy DROPKICKS Liv! Vaquer dodges Ivy to METEORA Liv!
Ivy waistlocks, Vaquer switches, Ivy switches back. Vaquer ELBOWS free, Liv wheelbarrows but Vaquer waistlocks. Liv switches, Vaquer switches, Liv waistlocks to DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEX! Ivy stands tall, the fans are fired up, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Vaquer RAMS Liv into a corner to fire off hands! the fans fire up, Vaquer wrenches Liv and serves up SOLE FOOD! Vaquer LARITS Ivy in the corner, METEORAS Liv in the other, then riuns up on Ivy. Ivy BOOTS Vaquer, but Vaquer brushes that off. Vaquer blocks the next boot, DRAGON SCREWS, and covers, but Liv breaks it! The fans rally while all three women go to ropes. Vaquer rises, Liv fires a forearm, but Vaquer fires back! The shots go back and forth, Liv gets the edge, but the fans boo. Liv kicks low, KICKS again, but Vaquer ducks the enzigiri to ENZIGIRI back! Liv flounders away to a corner!
Vaquer runs in, blocks a kick, and gives her a- NO, Liv kicks free! Liv goes up, but Vaquer SHOTEIS! Vaquer climbs up after Liv, but Ivy joins in! TOWER OF DOOM! High stack off the powerbomb, TWO!! Vaquer survives, Liv flounders out of the ring, and Ivy seethes! “This is Awesome!” as Ivy scoops Vaquer and swings, but Vaquer slips through to roll her up! TWO, Ivy cradles, TWO! Vaquer has a cradle, TWO! Ivy and Vaquer move around, O’Conner Roll and BRIDGE! TWO!! Ivy escapes but her nose bothers her. Vaquer wrenches her, but Liv hits them with a DOUBLE CODE BREAKER!! Cover on them both, TWO!!!
Liv is beside herself but both Ivy and Vaquer are tougher than that! All three women are down but Liv crawls to Ivy. Liv slips Ivy, Ivy slaps back, and then Liv fires off kicks! OBLIV- SUPERKICK to the back! Vaquer has Liv in a backslide, TWO! Vaquer reels Liv in, tucks those arms, S V- NO, Liv slips free! And dodges to then CODE BREAKER! Vaquer wobbles, into OBLIVION!! Cover, but Ivy YANKS Liv out of the ring! Ivy snipes the cover, Liv breaks it in time!! Liv SHOVES Ivy out, goes after her, and SMACKS her off the apron again and again! Liv whips, Ivy reverses, Liv hits steel steps! Ivy hurries back into the ring and runs upon Vaquer!
Vaquer wrenches Ivy, underhooks, S V B!!! Cover, VAQUER WINS!
Winner: Stephanie Vaquer, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
And just like that, Vaquer goes from former NXT Women’s Champion to a MITB contender! But she’s going ot have a very busy Saturday. Will Vaquer win alongside Lola Vice against AAA’s Dalys y Chik Tormenta AND THEN become La Senorita en El Bank?
AJ Styles warms up backstage.
But then he notices Paul Heyman. The Wise Man smiles and offers a handshake, but Styles asks what can he do for Heyman. Heyman says well, Styles can accept his most profound wishes for a very happy birthday! And in fact, he has a gift! It has intrinsic value. It is not a watch, Styles could afford whatever he wants. But in this day and age, information is currency, and Heyman has the valuable wisdom to bestow upon Styles. We all see Dominik Mysterio is the Intercontinental Champion, running around with his Dirty Sanchez looking mustache, making a disgrace of that title. That title needs a phenomenal champion like Styles.
But MITB, you have to climb up, grab the briefcase, use the contract on a champion who is in trouble. You have to be prepared 24/7, get a ref, it is all too much. But tonight, Styles VS Punk VS El Grande, and despite how great that match is… Styles should just go for Dom and his title! Leave MITB to Seth Freakin’ Rollins. Styles asks if Heyman is tired. Tired? Yes, tired of chasing the meal ticket. He looks exhausted! Heyman probably thought this conversation was going with Styles buying what Heyman is selling. But don’t worry about Dirty Dom, Styles will get back to him soon enough.
But Heyman has known Styles long enough to know that Styles does not respond well to threats. And Styles knows Heyman well enough to know this is exactly what that was. So it doesn’t matter if it is Heyman, the Judgment Day, Bloodline, John Cena, you try and push Styles out and he will push back. Now, he has some advice for Heyman. Why not go back to tell Seth Rollins that Styles knows all about his plan. But we know that old saying, right? Everybody’s got a plan until they get punched in the mouth. Styles gives Heyman a hard smack on the shoulder before heading out. Will Styles make sure MITB is truly phenomenal?
Rusev speaks.
“Sheamus… My old friend… You looked disappointed in me last week. But how dare you. I am doing the good work. I am trying to fix the weak and prevent them from slipping into the abyss. Something you watched me do and did nothing! Last week, you ran out to help a stranger, but when I needed you back then, you let me vanish. So how dare you look at me disappointed. Do not mistake the man that I was for the force that I am, Sheamus. I am the Son of Thunder and you are the weak one now. But I was just like you. You have a body of granite and a neck of sand. And you’re challenging the one man who has the one move that could make it all go away, just like that!
“You are a true legend. And after everything we’ve been through, it would be my honor to take you off the field and send you home the hero that you are. But remember this, brother. I went down because you stabbed my back. Now stay out of the way or you will gonna go out because I stab yours.”
Sheamus talks with Alpha Academy.
The Fella is proud of Tozawa for standing up to a bully last week. Keep that spirit up, and your time will come. Now, there is something special, pure, and real about Alpha Academy. Natalya, Maxxine, the sooner you two realize that and become a tag team in your own right, the better. They have something not many have here, and that is heart. Natty appreciates that from Sheamus. And Maxxine has impressed her lately. Sheamus shakes hands with Tozawa and the team heads out. Cathy Kelley walks in and asks Sheamus if he could respond to Rusev’s comments. What made Sheamus get involved last week?
Sheamus says he and Rusev go way back. Rusev was a groomsman at Sheamus’ wedding. But there is only so long you can stand back and watch a so-called friend do something like that and do nothing. Rusev’s career imploded because of his own bad decisions. And his career outside of WWE, well… That lasted about as long as Rusev Day: 24 hours. As for Sheamus, he’s been putting on banger after banger, and now that Rusev is back, he’s just picking on guys half his size, making his name back the cowardly way? No, someone needs to put manners on Rusev, and that someone is Sheamus.
So here is a message from Celtic Warrior to his old friend. “I bully bullies.” Will Rusev reconsider his course of action before it’s too late? Or is it already too late for Sheamus to leave the past in the past?
The War Raiders VS Finn Balor & JD McDonagh!
While there are a lot of difference between these two teams, they both have something in common: They want those WWE World Tag Team Championships back! But will Erik & Ivar rampage right through The Prince & Irish Ace? Or will this be Judgment Day’s night to rise back up?
Raw returns as the Raiders make their entrance. The New Day are hanging out on commentary to watch this one, and Finn starts against Erik. They circle, feel things out, but Finn backs off to the ropes. The fans chant “We Want Truth!” while Finn and Erik reset. They tie up, Finn headlocks, but Erik blocks the takeover! Erik powers up, fights off another takeover, and he powers up and out! Erik RUNS Finn over, the fans chant “What’s Up?” “What’s Up!” but Finn RAMS Erik into the corner. JD tags in, he stomps Erik, and New Day says Finn can’t just come back to the tag division all because he isn’t in MITB.
JD digs his boots in on Erik, the ref counts, and JD soaks up heat. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Kofi says this is how dumb Oklahoma is! They can’t suck, they’re the champs! JD RAMS Erik again and again, then brings Erik around. JD KNEES Erik, RAMS him into the corner, then he CHOPS! The ref has JD back off, but that lets Finn CHOKE Erik! JD stomps Erik again, but Erik fires hands! He DECKS Finn, dodges JD, and hobbles his way over, hot tag to Ivar! The fans fire up as Ivar BACKDROPS JD! Ivar scoops and SIDEWALK SLAMS JD! Ivar runs but Finn KNEES him at the ropes! Ivar HANDSPRING KICKS Finn down!
JD is up, runs up, but Ivar TOSSES him out! JD tumbles to the desk! Woods jokes that JD might take himself out of the match again! Ivar scoops Finn to SLAM him onto JD! Erik says UP, the fans fire up with that, and Erik scoops Ivar to SLAM him onto JD! The New Day don’t like how close they are, but then Ivar teases throwing JD at them! The fans laugh at New Day for freaking out, and the Raiders put JD in the ring. New Day storm up but the ref sees them first! The ref says they’re not playing that game! Jessica Karr EJECTS The New Day! Tulsa chant “NEW DAY SUCKS! NEW DAY SUCKS!” Back-up comes and they eject the New Day. Erik & Ivar wave bye while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ivar endures a chinlock. The fans rally, Ivar fights up and fires body shots. JD KNEES low, snapmares, and he tags Finn. Finn slingshot STOMPS Ivar, tags JD and he ARABIAN PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Ivar survives but JD seethes. JD stomps Ivar, stays between him and Ivar, and stomps him more. Ivar huffs ‘n’ puffs and shakes his head. JD fires more shots but the fans rally with Ivar! JD CHOPS, Ivar roars! JD BOOTS Ivar, but Ivar still roars! JD runs, but into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Both men are down, Ivar crawls, and the fans rally! Hot tags to Finn and Erik! Erik CLOBBERS Finn! And CLOBBERS him again!
JD is back but Erik dodges to CLOBBER him, too! Erik clinches Finn for an EXPLODER! Erik wrenches JD, and gives him an EXPLODER! Erik LARIATS JD up and out! Finn runs up but Erik ELBOWS him! Erik runs, but Finn gets around! Dragon sleeper, but Erik powers out! Erik pops Finn up to HEADBUTT! And then Ace Ten Mao KNEE! Cover, TWO! Finn survives but he is dazed! Erik tags Ivar, they drag Finn up and pop0up for the- NO, JD drags Erik out! Finn turns Thor’s Hammer into the EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO! Ivar survives but JD is on the apron. Erik sweeps, JD dodges, PENALTY KICK! ASAI MOONSAULT!
Finn SHOTGUNS Ivar down! Finn goes up, up, and COUP DE- NO, Ivar moves! SEATED SENTON! Ivar cartwheels to dodge JD, and then HEEL KICKS him! The fans join in with a chant of “WAR! WAR! WAR!” BRONCO BUSTER! Ivar drags Finn to a drop zone, then goes up top! The fans are fired up but WAIT! Roxie is here?! She distracts Ivar and the ref, JD HOTSHOTS Ivar! Finn hurries up top again! COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Judgment Day wins!
Winner: Finn Balor & JD McDonagh, by pinfall
Roxie smiles as she at least helps someone out tonight. Finn also smiles, and now the Prodigy stands with Prince and Ace. Will Roxie prove herself to all of the Judgment Day soon enough?
Becky Lynch speaks.
“I have only been back for six weeks, and already Lyra has cost me the tag team championship, and she has cost me my chance at the Money in the Bank ladder match. And yet she talks about how I’m the one that takes all the opportunities. She has become an echo chamber for the ignorant and morally confused who do not understand what greatness is and what it takes, and therefore will never achieve it. She has forgotten everything that I have done for her. That every moment in her career with glimpses of greatness have been because of me. NXT, when she won the title, I raised her hand. When she became a double champ at WrestleMania, because of me.
“She had the greatest match of her career at Backlash because of me. But at MITB, Lyra is in a lose-lose situation. Because say in the off chance she does win and I can never challenge for the Intercontinental Championship again, well, that would be the worst thing that ever happened to her because I am the best thing that ever happened to her. But when I win, oh, when I win, she will have to hold up my hand. The same hand that is going to hold her down.” The Man has spoken, but will she break the Morrigan? Or is she only adding fuel to the fire?
Backstage interview with Stephanie Vaquer.
Cathy Kelley says massive congratulations are in order for La Primera. Not only is Vaquer on the Raw roster, but she’s on her way to MITB. How is she feeling? Vaquer says she feels great, thank you. Nevertheless, Vaquer is- interrupted by Rhea Ripley. Mami tells Vaquer welcome to Raw. And see you Saturday. They shake hands, will these two alone tear down the house in Los Angeles?
Lyra Valkyria is here!
The Man said her part, now the Morrigan looks to do the same as she heads to the ring. Lyra just says, “Wow, wow, wow. Such big, brave words from Becky Lynch all the way in her safe little hiding spot in the back. Becky, how ’bout you stop being such a coward and get out here so I can say what I have to say straight to your face!” The fans fire up for that! Becky makes her entrance, mic in hand, and she goes to the ring. Becky says she was going to be the bigger person here, but Lyra tells her to shut up! Becky has said her piece, and showed she is delusional to the point that it is just sad. Honestly, Becky’s downfall needs to be studied.
Becky made it all the way to the top by being a good person that never gave up, and then she only stayed on top because she gave up being a good person. But Becky was right about one thing, and Lyra will give her that. Ever since Becky has tried to ruin Lyra’s life, Lyra has changed. But y’know what that change is? It’s anger! Lyra needed to get angry! And no one in her entire life has hurt her the way Becky hurt her! It is so funny to Lyra that by trying to hold Lyra down, all Becky has done is unlock this side of Lyra that is capable of destroying Becky!
Lyra has beat Becky twice, beat her blind, and at MITB, she will beat the crap outta Becky and ensure Becky never gets to poison what it means to be Women’s Intercontinental Champion! The fans cheer, and Becky says the only thing poisoned here is Lyra’s perspective. Lyra says she has hurt Becky more than anyone else? That is emotional, despite the physical pain. But emotionally? No, Becky doesn’t believe that is true. What happened is, Lyra wanted an excuse to hate Becky! Any excuse, because Lyra wants to replace Becky! But she can’t do that! No one can! Becky didn’t want to hurt Lyra, she wanted to make Lyra better.
But that has all changed now. Now Becky knows the thing that’ll hurt Lyra the most is when she’ll have to raise Becky’s hand! Becky storms out and Lyra says wow. More big words. Why not put your money where your mouth is and give Tulsa a preview, and do this right now?! Becky says she doesn’t fight in Tulsa! See you at M ITB! But then Lyra rushes up the ramp to CLOBBER Becky! The fans fire up as Lyra fires hands and knees! Refs rush out here, the fans boo and chant, “LET THEM FIGHT! LET THEM FIGHT!” Becky runs away, Lyra says this all comes to an end at MITB! Will nothing stop The Morrigan from unleashing all of her anger on The Man?
Penta speaks.
“The biggest, most important ladder match in the world is MITB. The most dominant, the most dangerous ladder match wrestler in the world is Penta and Cero Miedo. I have been scratching and clawing for this moment. Nobody is as hungry as Penta!” He is the greatest ladder match luchador ever! The ladder match is his expertise, LA is his home, and at MITB, that is his destiny! Victory is inevitable! Because he is Penta, and he has CERO MIEDO! Will the man with no fear soon have it all within his grasp?
Jey and Sami meet up in the concourse.
The fans are there and they YEET it up already! Jey gives Sami his very own custom sunglasses, and Jey asks that they please hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the music plays, and now Jey & Sami head down to ringside! Tulsa is bouncing, but will they YEET the roof off this place? Or will Seth Rollins’ heavy hitting henchmen run right through the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and the Honorary Uce?
Jey Uso & Sami Zayn VS Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed w/ Paul Heyman!
Raw returns as the YEET continues. But “ladies and gentlemen,” Paul Heyman makes his way out and the fans boo. Bronson Reed makes his entrance, followed by Bron Breakker. The Wise Man walks with these behemoths, and the fans bark as Bron starts against Jey. They circle, tie up, and Bron waistlocks to SLAM Jey down! Bron lets Jey go to bring him up for haymakers. Bron RAMS Jey into a corner again and again, but stops as the ref counts 4. Bron brings Jey over but Jey fires body shots and haymakers! Jey puts Bron in a corner, back body blocks and PELES! Jey shoves Bron to a cover, TWO! Bron is tougher than that but Jey wrenches an arm.
Jey whips, Bron ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he builds speed to LARIAT Jey! The fans fire up with Bron and Heyman grins while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bronson is now in. Reed looms over Sami, drags him up, and Reed HEADBUTTS Sami! Reed CHOPS Sami in the corner, but Sami CHOPS back! Sami elbows Bron, CHOPS Reed, but Reed RAMS Sami into the corner! The ref counts, Reed steps back at 4, but that lets Bron pull Sami’s hair! The fans boo, Bron gets away with it, and Bron still gets some fans to bark. Bron tags in, he and Reed double whip Sami to a corner. Bron LARIATS, Reed SPLASHES, and then feed to Bron’s JUMP KNEE! Cover, TWO! Bron drags Sami up, tags Reed in, and they mug Sami. Reed taunts Jey, puts Sami in a corner and then puts him up top.
Reed ROCKS Sami, climbs up, and Sami fires hands! Sami knocks Reed down, BOOTS him away, then TORNADO DDTS! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Reed and Sami crawl, the fans rally up, hot tags to Bron and Jey! The fans fire up as Jey LARIATS Bron! And LARIATS again! And then he fires haymakers! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks ‘n’ puts some stank on the YEET! The fans fire up and Jey goes corner to corner, only to be put on the apron! Jey GAMANGIRIS Bron away, goes up the corner, and he CROSS- NO, Bron dodges! Bron fireman’s carries Jey, GUT BUSTER DROP! Cover, TWO!
Jey survives and Bron grows frustrated. The fans rally up but Bron brings down the straps. Bron builds speed again, but Jey SUPERKICKS! Bron goes down in a heap! Jey covers, TWO!! Bron survives and shocks Jey! The fans rally up more and Jey has a SLEEPER! Jey is sending a message to Gunther at the same time as he brings Bron down! But Reed SENTONS! Jey sputters, but Sami fires hands on Reed! Reed shoves Sami away, SPLASHES him in the corner, and then Reed puts Sami on the apron! APRON SPLASH FLOPS as Sami moves! The fans fire up as Sami aims, but Bron runs up! Sami TOSSES Bron out, and then gives them both a PLANCHA!
But both men catch Sami! So Jey adds his DIVE! Down go all four men! Tulsa is thunderous , but CURB STMOP from Rollins!!
Winners: Jey Uso & Sami Zayn, by disqualification
Rollins is dressed like an evil Neo from the Matrix as he stands over Jey. But Sami fires hands! Rollins gets loose, Reed HEADBUTTS Sami! Bron TOSSES Sami onto the desk! Rollins wants Sami to be taken out, so Bronson climbs a corner! Bron has Sami stuck, but PUNK SMACKS BRON WITH A CHAIR! And CHUCKS it at Bronson! The big men are down, and Punk has eyes locked on Rollins now! Rollins snarls, but he runs for it! Punk comes through for Sami as far as saving his life, but can Punk save the future of the WWE? Rollins has his guys stand down, because we all know where Punk will be later tonight. Rollins promises Punk he’s a dead man!
Will the Visionary and his juggernauts destroy Punk one way or another? Or can the Best in the World survive tonight to head for MITB this Saturday?
The Judgment Day regroups backstage.
Finn says this is what he was talking about! Roxie came through for them, they got their hands raised. But then Liv asks Finn if they can talk. Finn says sure, what’s up? Liv says it was Finn who brought Roxie in while she was gone. And Roxie’s been giving Dominik chicken nuggets, shoulder rubs, and helping out in matches. Liv knows Finn is up to something. Finn asks where all of this is coming from. Roxie is just being good help. Oh, so is Liv imagining things? Well, the imagination can play tricks on anyone. Finn just thinks Liv is frustrated. Things didn’t go Liv’s way last week, they didn’t go her way tonight…
But hey, Roxie got Finn & JD on track for the tag titles, and imagine this: Roxie wins MITB, then goes on to win THE Women’s World Championship! Everyone has gold in the clubhouse. Yeah, seems like Finn has it all figured out, huh? Hey, there is no plan! But he gets it. Roxie came on a little strong, what with the nuggies and shoulder rubs, but c’mon. You can trust Dom. It’s not Dom she doesn’t trust. Well, trust comes with time. Give Roxie a chance, okay? Don’t worry! Hey, maybe Liv and Finn make a plan! Let Roxie be out there for Raquel- No, no, no, how about this? If Finn wants Roxie around, he can babysit her while Liv is in Raquel’s corner, okay? Okay. Great!
Liv calls to Raquel, they head out, and Dom asks if everything is okay. Finn says yeah, just making plans with Liv. Right, okay. Dom also wants to apologize for last week with the chair mishap. Finn says no, no, water under the bridge. Finn pats Dom’s title, and they fist bump. But is everything (not) alright in Judgment Day?
Raquel Rodriguez w/ Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane!
As they alluded to, things didn’t go so well when Liv tried to battle the Pirate Princess, but in part because Raquel and Roxie argued over who was trying to help. But now, will Ricky Desperado sink Kairi’s ship as revenge? Or will Kairi keelhaul Raquel and leave with another golden ticket to the tag titles?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Raquel THROWS Kairi down, then deadlifts her to a Canadian Rack! Kairi slips free, waistlocks, but Raquel swings her around! Kairi holds on, rolls, but Raquel drags her up! Kairi ducks the lariat, waistlocks, but Raquel breaks free to whip! Kairi goes up and RANAS Raquel! Kairi then runs, wheelbarrows, and manages the STUNNER! The fans fire up with Kairi and she runs back in, SLIDING D! Raquel tumbles out, Kairi goes to the apron, FLYING- NO, Raquel stops the armbar takedown, to then SWING Kairi into the apron! Kairi flops down, Raquel leaves her behind, but Liv gets cheap shot in!
The fans boo but Liv scampers away. Raquel grins as she goes out to fetch Kairi. Raquel puts Kairi in the ring, covers, TWO! Kairi toughs it out but Raquel stands her up. Raquel talks trash, winds up, and LARIATS! Kairi grits her teeth but Raquel is on her again, for another LARIAT! Raquel mockingly asks if Kairi is okay, then swings. Kairi ducks, but the SOUTHPAW hits again! Cover, TWO! Kairi is still in this but Raquel drags her up. The fans rally, Raquel whips Kairi, and Kairi goes up and out and then slides under! Raquel blocks the sunset flip to YANK Kairi up! Raquel THROWS Kairi to the corner and SPLASHES!
Raquel fires elbow after elbow, then argues with the ref. Kairi sputters, Raquel drags her up, but Kairi fires body shots! Raquel reels Kairi in, Canadian Racks, and then RAMS her into the corner! Kairi sputters but Liv smiles as Raquel talks trash. Kairi SLAPS Raquel from the top rope! Raquel grabs Kairi, but Kairi HEADBUTTS! Kairi aims to FLYING KABUKI- NO, Raquel catches her, pops her up, but Kairi DDTS! Both women are down, Liv is upset, but the fans rally up. Liv coaches Raquel but Kairi rises first. The fans chant “What’s Up!” as Kairi throws hands! Raquel snarls and fires back! Kairi fires a flurry, but Raquel whips her away!
Kairi ducks ‘n’ dodges and redirects, to then roll and pick the leg! Raquel sputters, Kairi AX KICKS her down! Kairi CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Kairi has Raquel in a corner for MACHINE GUN CHOPS! The fans fire up, Kairi whips, but Raquel reverses. Kairi stops herself to dropkick the legs! BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up with Kairi again and she walks the plan. Kairi runs in, SLIDING D again! Kairi puts Raquel int he drop zone, but Liv distracts her! So here comes IYO! The fans fire up as the Genius and Liv brawl on the ramp! Iyo fires a flurry, SMACKS Liv off the apron, but Raquel grabs Iyo! Kairi BOOTS Raquel into the POST!
Kairi goes up, up, and fans fire up for the IN-SANE ELBOW!! Cover, Kairi wins!
Winner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall
Two weeks in a row, Kairi gets a pin off the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions! Could Liv & Raquel lose it all to the reunited Sky Pirates?
Sami is checked by medical.
They ice his shoulder, and in steps Karrion Kross. Kross wants a moment to talk with Sami. Is Sami alright? That looked rough out there. Sami asks Kross what his problem is. Seriously, what is his problem with Sami? Why is he hovering around like this? What is his obsession with Sami?! Kross says it’s because he thinks Sami is a LIAR! That is his problem! Sami lies to the fans, to his family, and worst of all, he lies to himself! Sami could’ve been a world champion ten times over, if he just did what he really had to do. We all know Sami is capable of doing very terrible things to get ahead.
Kross says, “Sami, you’re not a good guy. You’re a bad guy, just like the rest of us.” Sami says Kross is wrong. Kross chuckles and says he might be. But he might be right, too. Kross leaves Sami to think on that. Is Sami going to face a hard truth that there’s something dark deep down inside him? Will that darkness come to light?
BREAKING NEWS for Worlds Collide!
As if this event wasn’t already caliente, we’re getting another Six Man Tag! The LWO’s Dragon Lee, Cruz Del Toro y Joaquin Wilde will face AAA’s Aerostar, Octagon Jr. y Mr. Iguana! And then after defeating Alberto Del Rio, El Hijo de Vikingo is now the AAA Mega Champion! And now, he turns around and puts that title up against Chad Gable! Will that title stay with AAA? Or will it soon be American Made?
Gunther finds Jey backstage.
Der Ring General assures Jey that he just wants to talk. Gunther sits with Jey, and Gunther tells Jey, “The World Heavyweight Championship is personal to me. So I appreciate all the effort you put into being the champion. And I can see you’re really trying to be a great champion. But because you refuse to think with your head instead of your heart, that’s why I’m gonna take it. You’re a great guy, Jey. You’re selfless in a very selfish business. Sami needed you tonight, huh? What’s the result? One week out, not at 100%. I’m very sure if Punk gets in trouble tonight, you’ll be there for me.
“And two days before you defend the World Heavyweight Championship against me, you compete in a tag team match main event because it’s important to Cody. And everybody knows they can bet on their good friend, Jey. All of that is no business of the World Heavyweight Champion. So I wanna thank you. Because ever since that day I lost to you at WrestleMania, I knew I would avenge it. And right now, you’re making it very, very easy for me. Jey, in one week, the party is over.” Gunther stands up but Jey stops him from leaving. Jey tells Gunther, “Four letters, one word, TAP’D!” Gunther leaves, but will it all play according to his plan?
Men’s Money in the Bank Ladder Match Qualifier: CM Punk VS AJ Styles VS El Grande Americano!
The Best in the World said it himself earlier tonight that he wants to be a champion again, and this is his chance. And as Sami Zayn told him, he just has to focus on winning so that he can stop Seth Rollins from taking over the WWE. But can Punk once again become Mr. Money in the Bank? Will the Phenomenal One be the sixth man? Or will we all be saying “AH GRACIAS~!” to the so-called greatest luchador in history?
Raw returns and El Grande Americano makes his entrance. The fans already chant for Punk, and then fire up as Punk makes his entrance! It is still “CLOBBERIN’ TIME~!” as the fans sing along with Cult of Personality. Punk has the ref check El Grande, we all know he loads his mask. The mask is clean, as is the singlet, and the bell rings. But then Punk and Styles look to each other, and they mug Grande! The fans fire up as they punch away, and then they double whip “Chad” up and out of the ring! Punk and Styles circle, the fans rally up, and they tie up. Punk headlocks, Styles powers up and out, but then hurdles.
Punk jumps the dropdown but Styles DROPKICKS him down! Grande is back but Styles waistlocks, O’Conner Rolls, but Grande bucks that. Grande ducks ‘n’ dodges to FLYING HEADBUTT! The fans boo but Grande runs in, jumps up, and MONKEY FLIPS! Styles flounders away, Punk is back, but Grande wheelbarrows. Styles ioins in, but Grande RANAS Styles! Punk SHINING WIZARDS Grande out of the ring! Punk ROCKS Styles, whips him hard into a corner, and Styles hits post before he falls back! Punk whips the other way, runs in, but Styles OBOTS him! Styles goes up and out to then ROCK Punk, but Grande is there!
Grande trips Styles up during his springboard! The fans boo but Punk grabs that mask! Punk wants to rip it away and the fans fire up! Gable- Er, Grande HOTSHOTS Punk away! Then he aims to CANNONBALL! Down goes Punk, and Grande runs up on Styles! Grande CLOBBERS Styles against the desk! The fans boo but Grande soaks up that heat while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Grande has Punk up top! Styles joins in and he climbs up behind Grande! The fans rally as Styles hits a SUPER BACK SUPLEX on Grande! Punk is still up top, and he aims at Styles! MACHO ELBOW! All three men are down now and the fans fire up! Punk rises, “This is Awesome!” as Punk rallies on Grande! Wrench and NECKBREAKER! Punk hobbles a bit, but he still runs up to SHINING WIZARD in the corner! Then he runs to SHINING WIZARD Styles! Punk headlocks but Styles powers out of the bulldog, sending Punk into Grande’s FLYING HEADBUTT! Grande then waistlocks Styles to GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans rally as Grande hurries to cover Styles, but Punk breaks that. Grande goes to a corner, the fans duel, “He’s Chad Gable!” “NO, He’s Not!” Gable/Grande climbs, leaps, but Punk catches the crossbody and rolls through with it! Punk deadlifts Grande into a fireman’s carry! But Styles drags Grande down to dragon sleeper! He kicks Punk and add shim toa DOUBLE DDT! Cover on Punk, TWO! Cover on Grande, TWO! Styles huffs ‘n’ puffs and fans chant “We Want Truth!” Styles reels Grande in, lifts, but Grande fights the Clash to have to ANKLE LOCK! Styles endures, rolls, but that sends Grande to Punk! GO TO- ANKLE LOCK!!
Grande has Punk’s bad leg, but Punk fights up and rolls! Grande ends up in Styles’ grip, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, PUNK BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Punk and Styles throw hands back and forth! Punk gets the edge, but Styles blocks to fire the Phenomenal Blitz, only for Punk to turn that into a NECKBREAKER! Cover, Grande breaks it! The fans rally and duel, Punk rises and he has Grande. Punk hoists Grande up top, climbs up to get him, but Styles joins in again! Styles reels Punk into the position but Punk fights free! Punk fireman’s carries but Styles fights free! Punk trips Styles, jackknife bridge, a MOONSAULT from Grande breaks it!! Cover on STyles, TWO!!
The fans fire up but Grande hurries to another corner! MOONSAULT FLOPS as Punk moves! Fireman’s carry, and GO TO SLEEP!!! But Punk collapses! He crawls to the cover, BUT BRON BREAKKER DRAGS HIM OUT! The fans boo as Bron & Reed mug Punk, just as Rollins promised! But here come Sami & Jey! Gunther was also right! These four all brawl, but that causes them to CHOP BLOCK Styles! Styles falls, but then he gets up! Styles is pissed and he SUPER CROSSBODIES everyone down!! Everyone except El Grande Americano! The fans lose their minds as Styles roars, and wait, is Grande shoving something in his mask!?
The fans rally as Styles aims, PHENOMENAL FOREARM into the LOADED HEADBUTT!!! Cover, GRANDE WINS!!!
Winner: El Grande Americano, by pinfall (advances to MITB)
Grande says “AH GRACIAS!” and he should definitely be thanking Rollins’ team for helping out. Punk is pissed and he goes right after Bron! Rollins CLOBBERS Punk, and he puts Punk in the ring! The fans boo but Punk gets up to ROCK Rollins! They brawl, Heyman saunters out here as Punk fireman’s carries! But Bron is in! Bron SPEARS Punk down! But Sami CLOBBERS Bron! Reed CLOBBERS Sami! Bron & Reed mug Sami, then Rollins adds a CURB STOMP!! Sami is down, but then Rollins STOMPS Punk! Jey SUPERKICKS Reed, SUPERKICKS Bron, but Rollins has a SLEEPER on Jey! Bron SPEARS Jey down!!
The fans boo, CURB STOMP for Jey!! The Visionary is raging as he throws off his jacket! Rollins & Bron drag Jey into place, and Reed goes up! TSUNAMI! But Rollins wants Reed to do even more damage! Reed goes back up, TSUNAMI!! The fans boo as Rollins, Reed, Breakker & Heyman stand tall again. Will Jey not survive through the summer as World Heavyweight Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here as the go-home to the big Saturday that’s coming, with Worlds Collide and MITB all on the same day. We got great story integration along with that, such as Judgment Day’s continued dysfunction. Great tag match from Finn & JD VS War Raiders, and with Roxie helping Finn & JD win when Liv didn’t want the help. Which makes for great irony when Liv tries to help Raquel but that backfires because Iyo was here to help Kairi. A Women’s Tag Team Championship match of Liv & Raquel VS Iyo & Kairi would be great stuff, and could be set for the big Atlanta weekend in July.
Vaquer winning her MITB qualifier is great, and certainly justifies the fast track away from NXT to right here on Raw. Her interaction with Rhea was fun, too, that can and should be a 1v1 feud after MITB. More great integration with the Rollins faction takeover story, such as Heyman trying to make Styles an offer and all the fighting with Jey and Sami. Gunther makes a “good point” from the perspective of a Heel, but we know Jey isn’t selfish enough as to abandon his friends for his own well-being. But with that, that’s how Rollins got the drop on Jey & Sami during their tag match, and then it happened again during the Triple Threat.
Sami and Kross also have a great interaction where Kross makes a very similar argument to Gunther’s. If Sami wanted to, he could be selfish, but also be very violent and merciless, so that no one could stop him from becoming a champion. Kross has always been a force for these Heel turns, just look at New Day. If he gets Sami to turn for the next phase of this story, I would hope it is more Sami and Kross work together rather than Sami giving in and joining Rollins. Sami could easily be a Heel that still doesn’t go along with Rollins’ vision, though I suppose defying Rollins might actually keep him a Face in the eyes of the fans.
El Grande Americano benefiting from all this is really fun. Chad Gable has his AAA Mega Championship match with El Hijo Del Vikingo that afternoon for Worlds Collide, who knows how they play this. I don’t think Gable will win the title, and I don’t think Grande wins MITB, unless they want Gable to claim Grande gave him the briefcase, or there are hilarious mishaps of Gable hurrying to dress as Grande in time to go after a champion. It would certainly add some creativity to the MITB briefcase if they went with that latter idea. Plus, we need to get to the bottom of the Gable-Grande “mystery” and finally vindicate Michael Cole for telling the truth this whole time.
Very good promo from Penta to hype up his part of MITB, but maybe his role is to mostly stop Grande from winning. Very good promo from Rusev, and a good response from Sheamus. That feud will indeed be banger after banger, I can’t wait. And great promos from Becky and Lyra, and we of course got a brawl from them. Hard to say how the math felt on that, but I would think Becky wins. I thought she was winning at Backlash, and she’s certainly not losing a match that blocks her off from a title. Becky will win, make Lyra raise her hand, but maybe Lyra then decks her after that to set up a rematch for Evolution in July.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (6/1/25)
The finals are finally here!

This is a guaranteed sweet ‘n’ fresh Best of the Super Juniors!
Whether it is Kosei Fujita or Yoh, there will be a guaranteed NEW winner of Best of the Super Juniors tournament! Who hoists the trophy high and heads for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Robbie X VS Shoma Kato; Robbie X wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, Master Wato, KUSHIDA & Kevin Knight VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, YOSHI-HASHI & Tomoaki Honma VS The United Empire; The United Empire wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Shota Umino, El Phantasmo, MAO & Nick Wayne VS TMDK; Shota, ELP, Mao & Nick win.
- Titan & Yota Tsuji VS Taiji Ishimori & Clark Connors; Titan & Tsuji win.
- Gedo VS EVIL; Evil wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ninja Mack & Dragon Dia VS El Desperado, Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura; Tanahashi, Mack & Dia win.
- Hirooki Goto & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi; Takagi & Hiromu win.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 Finals: Kosei Fujita VS YOH; Fujita wins and will challenge for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship.
PLAY BY PLAY
Gedo VS EVIL!
While the War Dogs won the rights to the name, “Bullet Club,” it seems the war with the House of Torture is far from over! Will The Blacksmith show he’s still got it? Or will he fail to bring down the King of Darkness?
Wait, Evil is out here, but where is Dick Togo? Wait, someone is handcuffing someone else to the entryway’s frame! Gedo has cuffed Dick to the girder! The House of Torture’s trickery has backfired! The fans applaud and Evil hurries to save Dick! Gedo lures him backstage, and attacks him with a cookie sheet! Gedo SMACKS Evil, SMACKS him again, and even has a kendo stick on his hip! Gedo SMACKS Evil again and Evil almost topples the railing over! Evil scrambles away through the crowd but Gedo pursues for more SMACKS! The Young Lions help fans get out of the way as Gedo keeps after Evil. Gedo SMACKS Evil again and they end up at the exit ramp!
Gedo throws the cookie sheet away and starts using the kendo stick! Gedo SMACKS Evil, JAMS him up, and the fans cheer Gedo on. Evil stands, only for Gedo to SMACK him again! Evil takes a Young Lion hostage but Gedo shows no mercy! Gedo JAMS the Young Lion, then SMACKS Evil down! The fans rally as Gedo pursues Evil further along, and SMACKS him again! They go around behind commentary, and Evil takes English commentary’s Walker Stewart hostage! Gedo just SMACKS Evil in the shoulder! But now Evil takes Milano Collection AT hostage! Gedo just laughs, dares Evil to do something, so Evil shoves Milano! Gedo brushes Milano aside to SMACK Evil again!
Evil staggers away to ringside, and Gedo SMACKS him again! Gedo puts Evil in the ring, the bell finally sounds, and this is finally a match! Gedo JABS, JABS, and JABS! Then he eggs Evil on, and catches him into a FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Gedo has he looms over Evil. Gedo drags Evil up to DDT! Evil sputters, and he’s in the drop zone! Gedo goes up, but Evil shoves the ref into him! Gedo falls to the mat while Evil undoes one of the neutral corner pads. The Bullet Club Special is still in effect, even though Evil is no longer Bullet Club, and he whips Gedo hard into the steel! Gedo falls and the fans boo!
Evil laughs and he drags Gedo up, to then whip Gedo into the buckles again! The fans still rally for Gedo but Evil taunts them and Gedo. Evil drags Gedo up for a FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, but Evil lets up! Evil grins as he wants to make Gedo pay for all he did today. Evil puts one out, and CLAWS Gedo’s face! Evil runs, and he LARIATS Gedo inside-out! Cover, but again Evil lets up! The fans boo but Evil says shove it! Evil steps through to turn Gedo over for the SCORPION DEATHLOCK! Gedo TAPS, Evil wins!
Winner: Evil, by submission
The King of Evil withstands Gedo’s game plan, but now he calls out the rest of the House! Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Yujiro Takahashi, Sho, and even Sanada make their way out here, and Ren Narita helps Dick get free. They all stomp away on Gedo, and they have the steel chain dog collar! They put the collar on Gedo, stomp him, but the War Dogs are here! Robbie X & Taiji Ishimori fight, but that’s 7v2! The House beats Taiji & Robbie down, the fans boo, but none of the other dogs are coming! TORTURE TOOL for Taiji, PIMP CANE for Robbie! Evil tosses Gedo up and over and CHOKES him! Evil tries to HANG Gedo!!
The fans boo as Gedo sputters, but Evil lets go to let Gedo slump down to the floor. The House put one out together, will Evil put down the top dog when he and David Finlay battle in a Dog Collar Match at Dominion?
Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Ninja Mack & Dragon Dia VS El Desperado, Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura!
The Ace Final Road continues, and he teams up with the American Ninja and Infinite Carat Diamond for the first time, for the last time. But will the President of NJPW, the shinobi of Pro-Wrestling NOAH and the skater boy of Dragon Gate be able to bring down the Rogue Luchador, Blue Playmaker and Heat Storm?
Tanahashi shows off the abs and the fans cheer. The teams sort out and Yuya steps up to face The Ace! The bell rings and the fans rally as the two circle. They tie up, Yuya wrenches and wristlocks, but Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks back. Tanahashi headlocks, Yuya wrenches out, and the two fight for control. Yuya powers through to headlock Tanahashi, then he wrenches again to hammerlock. Tanahashi drop toeholds, headlocks, but Yuya pops out the back to hammerlock. The fans applaud this opening exchange while Tanahashi fights up. Yuya headlocks for the takeover, but Tanahashi headscissors.
Yuya kips free, and roles reverse as Tanahashi headlocks for the takeover but Yuya headscissors. Tanahashi kips free, roles reverse again so that Yuya headlock takeovers and Tanahashi headscissors. Yuya again kips free, then Tanahashi hits another takeover, and Yuya headscissors again! Tanahashi kips free once more, and the two stand off while the fans applaud. Yuya and Tanahashi nod and grin, and the fans rally up again. They even duel as the “YUYA! YUYA!” comes out to rival the “TANA-HASHI! TANA-HASHI!” Ninja Mack tags in, so now it is “NINJA! NINJA!” Yuya tags Desperado, and the fans cheer as THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion steps up.
Mack offers the handshake, but Despy wags his finger to say no. Mack asks, “Honto? <Really?>” Despy says, “Honto. <Really.>” Mack still offers, but Despy pie faces him! The fans boo Despy being a sore sport, but Mack offers a third time. Despy says okay, and he shakes Mack’s hand. And uses it to reel Mack into a headlock! Mack powers up and out, Despy RUNS Mack over, then Despy runs. Mack stays low, goes to hip toss but Despy turns that into a HIP TOSS, only for Mack to roll through! Mack then trips Despy, and goes for STRETCH MUFFLER!? Despy scrambles away, ROPEBREAK! Mack aims and PLANCHAS, but Despy moves!
Mack lands safe on the apron, but Despy grabs a leg! Despy THROWS Mack, but Mack handsprings through! The fans fire up and Despy is stunned! Then Mack SUPERKICKS Despy! The fans fire up as Mack goes up the aisle, and runs in, only for Despy to pop him up! Mack lands on the apron, Despy blocks the kick this time, and he trips Mack! STRETCH MUFFLER on the apron! Taka & Yuya BLAST Tanahashi & Dia while Despy thrashes Mack’s leg! The ref reprimands and counts, but Despy lets go at 4. The fans rally, Despy drags Mack up, and Despy POSTS him! Mack flounders away while the fans rally up.
Mack asks fans for help but Despy SMACKS Mack in the head! Despy drags Mack up and into the ring, then stalks him. Despy brings Mack around, whips him to the corner, and Mack hits buckles hard! Tag to Taka and he stomps Mack. Taka stomps Mack some more, then brings him up. Mack CHOPS Taka! And CHOPS again! Taka staggers but he powers up! Mack CLUSB Taka, but Taka fires up! And pokes Mack in the eyes! Taka whips Mack to a corner and SHINING WIZARDS! Taka snapmares, runs, and SHINING WIZARDS! Cover, TWO! Taka is annoyed but the fans cheer as Mack stays in this. Taka stands Mack up to UPPERCUT!
The fans rally for “NINJA! NINJA!” but Taka UPPERCUTS him again. Tag to Yuya and he CHOPS Mack! Mack CHOPS back! Yuya CHOPS, Mack CHOPS, repeat! Yuya CHOPS Mack down, has him in the corner, and the fans rally again. Yuya CHOPS Mack back down, and Mack crawls on his knees! Yuya drags Mack around to scoop, SLAM and ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Mack toughs it out but Yuya drags him up. Tag to Despy and they mug Mack. Despy brings Mack around, reels him in, and suplexes. Mack slips free, rolls Despy up, TWO! Despy KNEES low, whips Mack to a corner, but Mack goes up and over and handsprings away! Despy runs up, but into an UPPERCUT!
The fans fire up while both men crawl! Hot tag to Dia! The fans fire up as Dia runs and RANAS Despy! Despy tumbles, Taka is in but Dia dodges! Dia BLASTS Yuya, dodges Taka again and trips him up! Then SLINGSHOT TORNILLO! #DragonFlip! The fans fire up and Taka bails out. Dia runs corner to corner and ELBOWS Despy, to then SOBAT, SWEEP, and STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Despy stays in this and the fans rally for Dia. Dia climbs up, waits on Despy, but Despy scrambles away. Dia storms up to kick and whip, but Despy reverses to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again as Despy drags Dia back up.
Despy suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! The fans cheer as Dia stays in this, but Despy brings him up. Dia BODY SHOTS, then CHOPS! Despy eggs Dia on so Dia CHOPS, CHPOS, and CHOPS! Despy DECKS Dia with a forearm! Despy then gut wrenches for GUITARRA- NO, Dia slips free, shoves, and then 619s! Despy takes that shot to the gut, and Dia springboards in, but Despy makes it a SPINEBUSTER! Despy underhooks for PINCHE LO- NO, Dia lands out! HEEL KICK! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Dia crawls, Despy crawls, hot tags to Yuya and Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Yuya dodges to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP!
Yuya has Tanahashi in a corner and CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Yuya whips, Tanahashi reverses, but Yuya goes up and over. Tanahashi runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Yuya and he brings Tanahashi back up. Yuya clinches but Tanahashi fights the lift with elbows. Tanahashi fires up but Yuya reels him back in! BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Tanahashi is still in this, but Yuya hurries up top! The fans rally more as Yuya aims, Tanahashi stands, but Tanahashi avoids the crossbody! Yuya rolls through and comes back, but Tanahashi blocks his kick! So Yuya fires forearms!
Yuya free his leg, but Tanahashi ducks the chop to DRAGON PALM! Tanahashi fires up and runs, but Yuya DROPKICKS him again! Both men are down and the fans fire up. The fans rally as Yuya crawls, tag to Taka. Taka runs to BOOT Dia! Then he pokes Mack in the eyes! Taka runs up on Tanahashi, Tanahashi blocks, but Taka pokes him in the eyes! Taka SHOTEIS, then runs, redirects, redirects, and redirects again to BOOT! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi is tougher than that but Taka fires up! The fans are with Taka, but then Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS! Taka kicks, Tanahashi blocks, and DRAGON SCREWS!
Taka writhes but Tanahashi grabs the legs! Tanahashi ties Taka up in the TEXAS CLOVER HOLD! But Despy DRAGON PALMS Tanahashi! Dia runs in and tilt-o-whirl ARM-DRAGS! Despy bails out, Dia builds speed, but Yuya TOSSES Dia out! Dia lands on the apron, GAMANGIRIS Yuya, then he ASAI MOONSAULTS Despy! Mack is up top, and he leaps at Yuya! Yuya catches his arm, then CHOPS! Yuya whips, Mack reverses to ROCK and SUPERKICK! Yuya tumbles out, Mack builds speed, NINJA SPECIAL! Down goes Yuya from that hot one! Tanahashi SLINGBLADES Taka! Tanahashi fires up and the fans are with him now!
Tanahashi climbs right up top, takes aim, and HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Team Tanahashi wins!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
The Ace, the Ninja and the Diamond win the day! But Tanahashi knows he and Yuya are set to face off at Dominion, and the two get face to face again. Will Tanahashi’s Final Road really heat up going 1v1 with the Heat Storm?
As for Despy, he shows respect to the Junior Heavyweights by raising their hands in victory, but wait! Someone else is here! It’s JUN KASAI!! Despy’s hardcore rival is here, but is very business casual as he wears the tie and has a letter. Kasai has the mic to tell Despy, “In life, some things go well, and some do not. And perhaps our lives have not always gone according to plan. But I made it a point of mine today to come here and light a fire under yer ass! June 24th, it is set! I said before that I don’t want to face the Best of the Super Juniors winner, and I don’t want to face the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion. I want to face the man that IS El Desperado!”
The fans cheer, and Kasai tells Despy that all those Triple Threats, tag team matches or whatever else, none of those wins mean a single thing to warriors like them! Kasai won’t let Despy use frustration and think he can win. Kasai received a certain invitation before, and now he has a special invite for Despy. He calls it the “Death Pain Invitational.” That is to say, he is issuing his challenge. He offers the letter, Despy accepts, and the fans applaud. These two wild ones are going to run it back one more time! Who wins out in the Death Pain Invitational at the Name Undecided event in Korakuen Hall?
Hirooki Goto & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi!
The Fierce Warrior held onto the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship through Resurgence, but that means the Rampaging Dragon is next! Will the Funky Weapon help Goto make it through to Dominion? Or will the formerly Los Ingobernables de Japon still keep things tranquilo?
The teams sort out and Goto starts against Takagi for a preview of the world title match! The fans rally as Takagi and Goto stare down. They slowly circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Goto powers Takagi to the ropes, the ref calls break, and Goto pats Takagi on the shoulders as he backs off. Takagi storms right back up and the two tie up again. Takagi powers Goto to ropes now, the ref calls for the break, and Takagi pretends he doesn’t understand at first. Takagi says okay, clean break, and he backs off. But then he takes a swing! Goto ducks and headlocks Takagi, but Takagi powers up and out. Goto comes back to RAM Takagi!
Takagi rebounds and he RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds and RAMS Takagi, but neither man moves this time! The fans fire up while Takagi and Goto shake that off. Goto eggs Takagi on, so the forearms start flying! They go back and forth, but not Takagi eggs Goto on! Goto fires forearm after forearm, Takagi fires back, but Goto ROCKS and whips Takagi. Takagi counters hip toss with HIP TOSS, then he RUNS Goto over! The fans fire up while Takagi shakes that off, then Takagi tags Hiromu. Hiromu & Takagi double whip Goto to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans fire up while Takagi and Hiromu flex! Hiromu even gives the side chest!
Hiromu drags Goto up, CHOPS, and CHOPS, and then whips corner to corner. Hiromu LARIATS Goto in the corner, runs, but into an URA GTR! Goto RUNS Hiromu over, BLASTS Takagi, and the fans fire up again. Goto stomps Hiromu, then tags in Taguchi. The fans rally as Goto & Taguchi double whip and DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! The fans cheer while Taguchi sits Hiromu up for POINT-BLANK HIP! And POINT-BLANK HIP! Taguchi has Hiromu on the ropes for more POINT-BLANK HIPS! The fans rally, the ref reprimands, but Taguchi runs to HIP ATTACK! Hiromu flounders while the fans cheer, and Taguchi calls upon Strange Style!
Taguchi aims from the corner, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Hiromu rolls Taguchi up, TWO!! Taguchi escapes, goes to a corner, and Hiromu runs up. Taguchi BOOTS Hiromu, then he goes up for DEADLY BUTT SHADE! Taguchi kicks Hiromu away, runs, but he fakes Hiromu out! HIP- ATOMIC DROP! Hiromu says he’s too smart for that! Hiromu runs, but into a HIP ATTACK! Taguchi runs, but into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and the fans rally up! Taguchi and Hiromu crawl, hot tags to Goto and Takagi! Takagi dodges Goto to knee low and whip him to a corner. Takagi blocks a boot to LARIAT through!
The fans fire up with Takagi, but Goto turns things around to throw forearms! Goto fires up and the fans are with him, but then Takagi turns things around to fire forearms back! Takagi has the fans with him again, and he whips corner to corner. Goto reverses, runs up, MURAMASA! Then SAIDO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Goto drags Takagi up, but Takagi fights the fireman’s carry. Takagi CLUBS away on Goto but Goto shoves him. Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, feints, but then he stands Goto back up to JAB again! Takagi suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! Goto stays in this but Takagi fires up! “TOKI GA KITA!”
The fans fire up as Takagi’s time has come! They join in on “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi runs, PUMPING- NO, Goto LARIATS at the same time! And they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Goto swats a lariat, Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire again! Goto and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi BLASTS Hiromu, and now Taguchi says it is HIS TITITITITITIME! Taguchi runs in and HIP ATTACKS! And then HIP ATTACKS! And HIP ATTACKS! That’s three-ever, but Takagi CLOBBERS Taguchi before he can four-ever! Takagi winds up, runs, and- HIP ATTACK!
The fans rally while both men are down! Taguchi hurries to dropkick a leg out, then has OH MY GAH ANKLE! Goto BLASTS Hiromu off the apron, and Taguchi drops an ELBOW on Takagi’s leg! Hiromu fights past Goto to DROPKICK Taguchi! Goto LARIATS Hiromu! Takagi fires boxing elbows on Goto! Goto ROCKS Takagi back! Goto runs, but Takagi LARITS at the ropes! Takagi runs, Goto follows, but then Takagi redirects! PUMPING BOMBER! The fans fire up but Taguchi HIP ATTACKS Takagi! Taguchi runs in at the corner, Takagi dodges, and Hiromu LARIATS! Takagi LARIATS! Feed to the SUPERKICK, then PUMPING BOMBER!
The fans fire up with Takagi and he drags Taguchi up. Pump handle, torture rack, but Taguchi fights free! Taguchi shoves, HIP- NO, Takagi catches Taguchi and puts him in the ropes! Hiromu keeps Goto outside, so he can only watch as Takagi hits the DRAPING G T R!! Takagi then hauls Taguchi up, pump handle and torture rack, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, Takagi & Hiromu win!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall
The former LIJ is still as strong as when they were LIJ, and now Takagi has all the momentum. Takagi grabs the mic to say, “OI, GOTO! I haven’t had enough! Not nearly enough! There’s no holding back at in Osaka-Jo Hall on June 15th.” The fans applaud, but then Takagi says, “I forgot to mention something back in Fukuoka. Let me say it now.” Oh? Takagi tells Goto, “Compared to you… Yeah, I don’t have a belt. I don’t have a wife or children, either. And now, I don’t even have a faction. I’m unaffiliated. But that’s okay with me. I don’t need a family or a faction. What I want most in life is that IWGP World Heavyweight Championship!”
The fans cheer, and Takagi says he doesn’t need anything else. “At Osaka-Jo Hall, I’ll take your neck and end your Goto Revolution thing! That’s where the Takagi Revolution will begin! That’s all I have to say about that!” Takagi drops the mic, but then Goto picks it up! Goto tells Takagi, “You seem to be in a rush. You ought to try being tranquilo!” The fans cheer Goto throwing that line at Takagi. Goto continues by saying, “At Osaka-Jo Hall, just try and stop my Goto Revolution! That’s all I have to say about that.” In just two weeks, The Fierce Warrior and the Rampaging Dragon will battle, but whose revolution wins this Dominion?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 Finals: Kosei Fujita w/ TMDK VS YOH!
After nine rounds of wrestling, this is the moment of truth! The Japanese Young Punk made it through A Block while Direct Drive was able to seal the deal in B Block. They both want everything there is in the Junior Heavyweight Division, but only one can have it all! Who proves that they are the Best of the Super Juniors?
The bell rings and the fans rally up already. The “YO-OH! YO-OH!” and “FU-JI-TA! FU-JI-TA!” seem even as the two circle. They feel things out, clinch, then Fujita waistlocks. Yoh pries at the grip, wrenches free to wristlock, but Fujita rolls, handsprings, and wrenches to wristlock in return. Yoh rolls to trip Fujita and have the toehold. Fujita fights around to get an arm, but Yoh stacks Fujita! ONE, and Fujita keeps the arm. Yoh slips through to a lateral press but Fujita keeps his shoulders up. Yoh shifts to have the arm, then he wrenches to headlock and takeover. Fujita headscissors, Yoh kips free, and the fans cheer this opening exchange.
The two reset, circle, and the fans rally again. The two tie up, are in a deadlock at center, and Fujita digs his heels in to power Yoh to ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, Fujita lets off, but Yoh turns things around. Yoh lets off slowly, but then whips. Yoh drops down, bypasses, and drop toeholds! Fujita avoids the basement dropkick, Yoh avoids the Penalty Kick, then he ducks a heel kick! Fujita avoids the lariat, Yoh avoids the backhand, and Yoh ripcords, but Fujita dodges the Rainmaker! The fans cheer that Yoh would even attempt that! Yoh grins and he goes forehead to forehead with Fujita. Fujita eggs Yoh on, so the forearms start flying!
The fans rally and Fujita CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS again, then CHOPS again! Yoh goes to ropes, Fujita whips, but Yoh backs up to avoid the chop! Yoh calls for the break but Fujita isn’t even touching him! The fans rally for Yoh all the same, and Fujita storms up. Fujita blocks a kick to CHOP, but then Yoh throws Fujita down by his hair! “Y! O! H!” Shrug! The fans cheer as Yoh continues to reference his Chaos senpai. Yoh drags Fujita up, CLUBS him on the neck, then stalks him to a corner. Yoh wrenches and whips, runs up, and ELBOWS! Yoh then reels Fujita in but Fujita wrenches, drop toeholds, and wants the legs!
Yoh scrambles out of the ring and the fans cheer. Fujita storms up to the ropes, Yoh avoids the Plancha but Fujita is on the apron! Fujita then PENALTY KICKS Yoh, and ASAI MOONSAULTS! He didn’t even need to springboard for that! The fans fire up with Fujita and he drags Yoh back up. Fujita puts Yoh in the ring, slides in and storms up on Yoh in the corner. Fujita CHOPS, snapmares, and PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally again while Fujita paces. Fujita grabs a leg, and he turns Yoh over for the HALF CRAB! Yoh endures as Fujita pulls the leg back! The fans rally again and Yoh fights his way around.
Yoh crawls, reaches out, and has the ROPEBREAK! Fujita lets go and the fans applaud. Fujita eggs Yoh on, but Yoh kicks from below. Fujita still eggs Yoh on so Yoh fires a forearm. Fujita KNEES low, snapmares, and KICKS! Cover, TWO! Yoh is tougher than that but Fujita stays cool. Fujita drags Yoh up, reels him in, but Yoh fires forearms! Fujita CHOPS, runs, but Yoh dodges! Yoh BLOCKBUSTERS! Or rather, he used Yoshi-Hashi’s Headhunter! The shoutouts continue and the fans rally up. Yoh brings Fujita up, and wrenches for an ELBOW BREAKER! Yoh hammerlocks Fujita, and RAMS him into a corner! Fujita slumps against ropes but Yoh is on him again.
Yoh hammerlocks the arm and RAMS Fujita into another corner! Yoh then hammerlocks, and he RAMS Fujita backwards into a corner! Fujita writhes but Yoh doesn’t stop as he drags Fujita back up. Yoh wrenches for the ELBOW BREAKER again! Fujita clutches the arm but Yoh shakes his head. Yoh wrenches for his odd rhythm! “Y O H! Y O H! Y O O O, O O H!” Then he WRINGS Fujita out! Cover, TWO! Fujita is tougher than that but Yoh stays focused. The fans rally while Yoh scuffs Fujita and kicks him towards ropes. Fujita slumps to the floor and Yoh watches him stir. The fans rally up for Fujita while the ring count starts.
Yoh waits on Fujita, then PLANCHAS! Down goes Fujita, Yoh puts him back in, and Yoh turns Fujita for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! BUTTERFLY LOCK, another favorite of Hashi’s! Fujita endures, the fans rally, and Fujita fights toward ropes. Fujita makes it to the ROPEBREAK, and Yoh lets go. The fans rally more as Yoh brings Fujita up. Yoh fires a forearm, then whips Fujita. Fujita blocks by holding ropes! Yoh tries again, but Fujita still holds on! Yoh tries a third time but Fujita still holds on! Yoh ROCKS Fujita, whips, but Fujita reverses to GAMANGIRI! Both men are down and the fans fire back up!
Yoh bails out and Fujita goes up the corner! DOUBLE JUMP CANNONBALL! Direct hit and the fans fire up! Fujita shakes out his bad arm and fetches Yoh. Fujita drags Yoh into the ring, the fans rally again, and Fujita springboards to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Fujita deadlifts Yoh but Yoh fights with elbows! Fujita jumps onto Yoh with a HOVERBOARD! The fans fire up as Fujita shouts out both his TMDK training and his rival, Kushida! Yoh suplexes free but Fujita lands out to spin Yoh! HOVER- NO, Yoh slips through to have the ANACONDA VICE! Fujita fires body shots, wrenches out, and RANAS into a cover, TWO!!
Fujita has the HOVERBOARD again! Yoh endures the double wristlock but is free of the body scissors! Yoh reaches out, fights around, and powers up, but Fujita rolls him away! But Yoh suplexes first! FALCON ARROW! Both men are down and the fans fire up! TMDK coaches Fujita but the fans give Yoh strength. Both men stir and Yoh rolls away to the ropes. Yoh rises, fires up, and he tunes up! The fans rally, Yoh aims, but Fujita dodges the superkick! Yoh blocks a shot, Fujita blocks a shot, but Yoh ducks the chop! O’Conner Roll into the FIVE STAR GAZE- NO, Fujita blocks and shoves Yoh down into the deathlock!
Fujita SLAPS the arms and has them for the SURFBOARD, and then the NEMOS SPECIAL!! Yoh endures and the fans rally even harder! Yoh pries the grip open but he falls forward! Fujita shifts to have one arm trapped, and he pulls on the other other arm into the cording hold! Yoh endures, ZSJ coaches Fujita to grab that leg! CLARKY CAT, G1 TEKKERS EDITION!! The fans rally as hard as they can while Yoh endures! Yoh kicks with his free leg, his only chance, but Fujita puts on even more pressure!! Yoh kicks, kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!! The fans are thunderous while Fujita lets go in frustration!
TMDK coaches Fujita to stay focused. Fujita rises, he drags Yoh up by his pants, and the fans continue to rally. Fujita waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Fujita holds on to bring Yoh up again, GERMAN SUPLEX! And then he brings Yoh up again, even as Yoh reaches out! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as Fujita makes Ota into #SuplexCity! Fujita drags Yoh up but Yoh shoves him away. Fujita comes back, Yoh WRINGS the arm! Yoh goes to a corner, then comes back, but Fujita ROCKS him! Yoh fights off the torture rack with elbows! Fujita CHOPS! Yoh staggers, but he comes back. Fujita CHOPS again!
Yoh eggs Fujita on so Fujita CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again! Yoh just takes those shots, CHOP after CHOP, and he might even feed off them! Yoh runs, Fujita CHOPS, repeat! Repeat! And repeat! Yoh IS feeding off the chops, as he puts his arms back! Fujita CHOPS, and CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Yoh says I’LL BE BACK, to take a CHOP! Fujita runs, into a LARIAT!! The fans are thunderous again while both men are down! The dueling between “YO-OH! YO-OH!” and “FU-JI-TA!” continues as both men stir. Yoh sits up while Fujita crawls away to a corner. Yoh finally feels the stinging from the chops, but he brushes it off.
Yoh makes the pecs dance to show he’s stronger than those chops! Yoh steps to Fujita, stands him up, and then CHOPS, JABS, and repeat! A shoutout to Ishii!! Yoh makes Fujita stay up so he can JAB and CHOP again! Then a Too Sweet to CHOP?! That’s a Jay White thing! Yoh is referencing even those who betrayed Chaos! Red Shoes counts, Yoh stops at 4, and he brings Fujita up. Yoh hoists Fujita up top, and then he climbs up after him. Yoh calls his shot, perhaps another shoutout to Tenzan, but Fujita fires body shots! Fujita ROCKS Yoh and Yoh drops back. Yoh shakes out the stars, goes up top again, but again Fujita fights back.
Yoh still brings Fujita to the very top for a SUPERPLEX! The fans fire up and Yoh crawls to the cover, TWO! Yoh has the ANACONDA VICE! The fans rally and duel again as Fujita endures! Fujita fights around, stands back up, but Yoh holds him back, ANACONDA BUSTER! Fujita flails and kicks around as he again endures the hold! The fans rally as hard as they have all night, and Fujita rises again! TMDK coaches him on, but he’s fading! Yoh drags Fujita around for another ANACONDA BUSTER! But Fujita cradles it! TWO!! Yoh lets Fujita go in time, and he hurries to ripcord- CUTTER!! Fujita counters Yoh’s counterfeit Rainmaker!
The fans rally and duel even louder now while both men are down! Red Shoes checks and both men are able to continue. Fujita and Yoh crawl to each other, go forehead to forehead, then go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, and the two stand up. The shots go back and forth even more, and then DOUBLE FOREARMS knock both men down! The fans rally, both men roar, and they rise up again! The forearms are fast ‘n’ furious, then Yoh ROLLING ELBOWS! Fujita CHOPS and SNAP GERMANS! But Yoh is right up!? And he SNAP DRAGONS Fujita! Fujita roars, but Yoh SUPERKICKS!
Yoh reels Fujita in but Fujita is a ragdoll! The fans are electric, and Yoh brings Fujita back up! Point-blank LAR- NO, Fujita ducks to then waistlock and O’Conner Roll BRIDGE!! TWO!!! Yoh escapes at the last possible moment, but Fujita SHOTEIS! HEEL KICKS! And then he roars! The fans are electric again as Fujita drags Yoh back up! But Yoh fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! There’s the Goto shoutout! The fans are volcanic as both men go to corners. Fujita roars and runs corner to corner, but Yoh puts him in the ropes! DRAPING SHOTO!! Cover, TWO!?!? Fujita survives, is is NOT lights out just yet!
Yoh roars and he vows to end this! Yoh reels Fujita in, underhooks, DIRECT- NO, Fujita fights that, backdrops, but Yoh sunset flips! Fujita steps over to deadlift fisherman! THRILL- NO, Yoh sips out, ripcord and JUMP KNEE!! The fans are volcanic as Yoh roars again! Yoh ripcords, but Fujita scoops! ZACK DRIVER!! The fans fire up as Fujita gives tribute to the Front Man! And then he suplexes, ABANDON HOPE!!! Fujita has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!?!?! The nanoseconds of delay save Yoh, but Fujita vows to finish this once and for all! Fujita drags Yoh up, reels him back in, and fisherman to the THRILL RIDE!!! Cover, FUJITA WINS!!!
Winner: Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (Best of the Super Juniors 32 winner)
Yoh showed Fujita true Chaos, but not even that was able to make the mighty kneel! If fighting this hard only gets Yoh second place, how much harder must he fight to be the best?
As for Fujita, the banner is brought in as the official announcement is made. The trophy is presented by Tadahiro Sekiguchi, president of the BOSJ 32 sponsor, Sekichu. Fujita poses for the photo ops, then is presented with the banner by Sekichu director, Ken Dojima. They shake hands and pose for another photo op. Trophy and banner are put aside a moment while Fujita grabs the mic. The fans chant for Fujita while he catches his breath. Fujita then says, “Who’s talking about the future of NJPW?! Without a doubt, I’m at the center of the Juniors!” The fans cheer that!
Fujita continues by saying, “There’s always criticism when you try to do something new. However, don’t hesitate. Give me your true feelings. I’ll even take the negative feedback. But most of all, I’m asking you all to come pack the buildings.” The fans cheer that, too. Fujita says he might be repeating himself, but he’ll take both hope and hate. How about it? Isn’t the NJPW Junior Division awesome? The fans do cheer that, too. Fujita says he’ll take us all to even higher peaks. Please, leave it to him! He just become the youngest ever Super Juniors winner! He was able to endure because he could feel everyone behind him, so he thanks the fans for that.
The fans applaud, and Fujita says, “Don’t you dare take your eyes off me.” Mic drop and the streamers fly as Fujita stands with his trophy and banner. TMDK celebrates with their Japanese Young Punk, getting their own photo op with it. Next stop: The IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship! If The Mighty Don’t Kneel, will the only thing left be for them to reign?
My Thoughts:
A great finale to BOSJ 32, but also some great builds towards Dominion in a couple weeks. While I skimmed, I did like the fun everyone had in the 8 Man Tag, including ELP and Nick Wayne doing a photo op where they traded belts. Gedo VS Evil was great stuff for everything Gedo did beforehand, but I had a feeling Evil would find a way to win. The main thing was that the House of Torture beat down Gedo and the other War Dogs, and clearly sent a message with the dog collar to Finlay. Finlay VS Evil in a Dog Collar Match will be great stuff, but I sadly anticipate the House just getting involved again. Kinda defeats the purpose of the dog cage match, but I guess that was just about the literal title of Bullet Club, not a real blowoff…
Great Six Man Tag, great win for Tanahashi’s team, and great surprise appearance by Jun Kasai. Their “Death Pin Invitational” will be a wild match, we all know it. And as it stands, I like how the name for that event is “Name Undecided.” A part of me hopes they keep it that way for the fun of it. Great tag of Takagi & Hiromu VS Goto & Taguchi, but I figured Taguchi would take the loss. Takagi has momentum going into the title match, but that makes me think Goto finds a way to retain. I just don’t know what Takagi could do when he’s been world champion before and, as he put it, has no faction. Lone wolves are rare in NJPW so I don’t see such a wrestler being their top champ.
And awesome main event, Yoh bringing out the Chaos moves was a nice touch. But a great move making it Fujita. Fujita has been going strong for a long time, and also Yoh has the tag title so he and Wato can focus on that while Fujita focuses on Despy. There was tease of ZSJ wanting the NJPW World TV Championship back, maybe TMDK start getting the midcard titles, and then the G1 helps figure out a contender for the world title.
My Score: 9/10
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