Coverage

Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: Destruction in Kagoshima!

The 2019 Destruction Tour continues!

Published

6 years ago

October 2, 2019

Steven Mitchell

The tour continues in Kagoshima!

Kota Ibushi defends his Wrestle Kingdom title match contract against KENTA! Will the NEVER Openweight Champion line up another title for himself?

Coverage for Destruction in Kagoshima 2019 will be as broadcast by AXS TV

OFFICIAL RESULTS

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo VS Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles; Ishimori & Phantasmo win and retain the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships.
Wrestle Kingdom 14 IWGP Heavyweight Championship Contract Match: Kota Ibushi VS KENTA; Ibushi wins and retains the WK14 contract.

PLAY BY PLAY

NJPW and AXS set the scene for tonight’s continued Destruction!

The right to challenge for THE IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 14 is on the line! The Golden Star won the G1 Climax to earn his shot, but that doesn’t stop others from going after him. #FangRevive beat Ibushi in their G1 Climax match up, went on a hot streak until facing Kazuchika Okada himself, but then rebounded by joining the Bullet Club! He also went on to win the NEVER Openweight Championship off of Tomohiro Ishii thanks to his new friends, but one is never enough. Kenta wants to repeat that first round win tonight and take away what Ibushi fought so hard to obtain! Will Ibushi make it through his first defense of this precious prize? Or will the takeover continue for Kenta?

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Taiji Ishimori & El Phantasmo VS Will Ospreay & Robbie Eagles!

Bone Soldier Reborn and The Headbanga represent Bullet Club against Chaos’ “Birds of Prey” in the continued feud between factions. Will Ospreay go up to two belts? Or will Bullet Club stay Too Sweet on this Destruction tour?

NJPW on AXS skips ahead in the action to Ospreay tossing ELP out. Eagles and Ishimori meet, but Ishimori denies Sliced Bread to duck a roundhouse to POISON-RANA! But both men are down from exhaustion. Meanwhile, ELP and Ospreay have wiped out on the outside so everyone is down! Kagoshima rallies up as both men go to their corners, only to find no one there. Ishimori and Eagles brawl with forearms back and forth. Eagles gives two, Ishimori gives three. Ishimori runs but Ospreay runs in to trip Ishimori up! Eagles follows them both to the apron, and Ospreay stretches Ishimori’s leg out for Eagles to flying double stomp it! Ospreay hops up to leap off and clothesline ELP down! Eagles aims at Ishimori in the ring, springboards, and dropkicks the legs out! Eagles has the legs for the “Ron Miller Special,” the trailer hitch! And it is in deep!

Ishimori endures while Eagles pull son those legs and stomps his back. But Ishimori drags himself forward, so Eagles lets up to bring him away. Eagles spins but Ishimori kicks at him, but Ospreay springboard 450 splashes down! And Eagles puts Ishimori back in the Ron Miller Special! Ospreay intercepts ELP but ELP shoves him away. ELP gets up but Ospreay hops on for an Octopus! Dual submissions from Chaos to Bullet Club! That looks familiar… But ELP powers up to get Ospreay up into a fireman’s carry, and he Death Valley slams Ospreay on Eagles! Everyone is down again and fans rally up. Bullet Club regroups and ELP tags in. ELP toys with Eagles, and slaps him around. Eagles grabs ELP by the face and puts him in the corner for a SLAP! Eagles CHOPS and forearms and CHOPS and forearms, then stomps away with fury! Fans are loving it!

Eagles fires up with “Robbie, Robbie, Robbie! OI OI OI!” He whips ELP corner to corner, runs in, but ELP dodges to also dropkick Ospreay back out! ELP keeps moving, springboard crossbody, to a LIONSAULT! Then he DIVES onto Ospreay to wipe him out again! ELP climbs the ropes, and SUPER ASAIS to wipe Ospreay out again! ELP almost wipes himself out in the front row of the crowd, but he comes back to still springboard splash, onto knees! Eagles and ELP slowly rise and fans are fired up. Eagles roundhouses then back kicks, but ELP stays up. ELP glares but Eagles enziguris! ELP flounders to a corner, Eagles comes over, neckbreaker but wait, inverted Sliced Bread DDT!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and Eagles can’t believe it! Fans fire up for Eagles and he drags ELP to a drop zone. Eagles climbs, ELP rolls further away, but Eagles grins as he 450 splashes anyway! And on ELP’s legs! Because ELP wants the Ron Miller again! But ELP shoves him away, and Ishimori uses a title belt to SMASH Eagles! ELP covers, TWO!! Eagles lives and shocks Bullet Club!

Bullet Club regroups as ELP brings Eagles up in a torture rack. Ishimori leaps up for a big kick to Eagles’ head, and ELP spins and spins for a BIG Cyclone Crash! Cover, but Ospreay breaks it! Fans are thunderous as the Birds of Prey still live. Ospreay dodges ELP to springboard, but the Oscutter is caught! And ELP inverted suplexes Ospreay for Ishimori to have in the gut wrench! ELP adds on some force for the Bloody Cross! Then Bullet Club takes aim at Eagles as he flounders over. DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Then ELP feeds Eagles to another Bloody Cross, and then underhooks, for the CR2!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!

Winners: Bullet Club, El Phantasmo pinning; still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions

The Rev-Pro British Cruiserweight Champion keeps his other belt alongside Ishimori, and Bullet Club keeps these two belts, too. Will Bullet Club continue to climb back up to golden glory? ELP even tells Ospreay a “dumb little mark” via commentary, and wants him to soak in this picture. ELP vows that in Ryogoku, at King of Pro-Wrestling 2019, he completes the trifecta! He wants that IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship, but will ELP really be the best Junior Heavyweight in the world?

Wrestle Kingdom 14 IWGP Heavyweight Championship Contract Match: Kota Ibushi VS KENTA!

The Golden Star repeated in the G1 Climax Finals, and won G1 Climax 29 to earn the contract for a shot at the top title in NJPW. But it won’t mean anything in the long run if Ibushi doesn’t make it all the way to Wrestle Kingdom 14 with this contract. #FangRevive was the first to take a bite out of Ibushi during G1 this year, and he even got the NEVER Openweight Championship on the side. Will Ibushi make it through “the true Kenta” to stay close to the IWGP Heavyweight Championship?

The introductions are made, but Red Shoes doesn’t get to raise the briefcase because Kenta strikes! He boots Ibushi down then holds the briefcase up, to SMASH Ibushi in the head with it! Kenta fetches the briefcase after it goes flying, and he opens it up to look at the contract itself. He puts that aside so he can stomp the briefcase with his foot! Kenta then demands a mic, and he is given one. Kenta speaks to “all you Kagoshima a**holes” in the crowd, saying “This Right to Challenge belongs to me now.” And as such, he doesn’t want this lame looking briefcase, he wants a custom Bullet Club case. Kenta throws the case down on the ground but Red Shoes wants him to wait. The match still has to happen for Kenta to actually own those rights. Kenta covers but the bell hasn’t even rung, so it won’t count. Red Shoes calls for medics while we go to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Red Shoes keeps Kenta in a corner. Ibushi is coming to, but Kenta wants the bell to ring. Red Shoes checks on Ibushi, and Ibushi is still pretty woozy. Kagoshima cheers their hometown hero on as medics check him. Kenta grows further impatient but Red Shoes keeps him back. Ibushi sits up and goes through the check, but he also wants to have this match. Fans cheer as Ibushi stands, and the match begins! But Kenta hits the Psycho Knee right away! Cover, TWO!! Kenta is shocked and furious that he didn’t win right there! But he drags Ibushi up to throw him out of the ring. Ibushi flounders right into railing, and Kenta goes out to fetch him. Kenta drags Ibushi up to whip him into more railing! Then he whips him into even more railing! Kenta won’t stop there, he whips Ibushi into a third corner of railing!

Ibushi flops to the floor and fans boo Kenta right to his face. Kenta eggs it on as he goes back to Ibushi. Kenta just whips Ibushi into the fourth corner of railing! Kenta goes back into the ring while fans rally to help their hero. Red Shoes begins the 20 count and it climbs to 10 before Ibushi rises. Kenta sits on the top rope to mockingly applaud, but Ibushi is up and in at 17. Kenta goes right at him to throw him right back out! Then Kenta drags Ibushi up to whip Ibushi into railing for a fifth time! And then he BOOTS Ibushi over! Kenta goes out to drag Ibushi up, right in front of those die hard fans. And he drops Ibushi to the floor with a DDT! Kenta just lets the boos and jeers rain down, pretending not to understand it. Red Shoes goes out to check on Ibushi while Kenta mockingly cheers. Kenta goes back to the ring while Ibushi somehow rises up.

Ibushi crawls up the aisle as the 20 count begins again. The count again passes 10, and Ibushi still has quite a long way to go. Ibushi makes it to ringside at 15, and in at 17. Kenta kicks him to the apron then drags him up. Kenta brings him through the ropes, draping DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer Ibushi’s toughness, and Kenta mocks their cheers. Kenta stomps away on Ibushi but Ibushi slowly grows angry. Kenta kicks Ibushi hard in the chest, then grinds his boot into Ibushi’s chest. Kenta lets up at Red Shoes’ count but he toys with Ibushi. Ibushi eggs Kenta on! Ibushi feeds off those kicks! Fans cheer as Ibushi stands to fire off forearms! Kenta mule kicks then kicks Ibushi in the chest. Kenta whips Ibushi and then runs him over with an elbow. Cover, TWO! Kenta drags Ibushi up and wraps on a chinlock. Ibushi endures as Kagoshima rallies for him. Ibushi fights up and out, but Kenta throws him down by his hair. Kenta brushes off his hands while he walks around.

Kenta drops knees on Ibushi’s head, then hops over, to scrape Ibushi’s face. Kenta soaks up the boos before going back to Ibushi. Ibushi sits up but Kenta toys with him more. Ibushi just gets angry as he stands up! Kenta keeps kicking, but Ibushi fires back! Kenta knees low, runs, but into Ibushi’s dropkick! Both men are down but Kagoshima is fired up for their hometown hero. Kenta goes to a corner, but Ibushi stands up. Ibushi runs in but into a boot! Kenta runs out, but into the spinning powerslam! Ibushi hops up, second rope moonsault! Cover, TWO! Ibushi won’t let that deter him while NJPW goes to break.

NJPW on AXS returns as Kenta bails out of the ring. Ibushi doesn’t let him get away as he slingshots out onto Kenta! Both men are down but Ibushi gets up first. Ibushi drags Kenta up and into the ring. Ibushi waistlocks but Kenta standing switches. Ibushi elbows free but runs into the kitchen sink knee! Kenta kicks Ibushi swift on the back, but Ibushi just powers up! Ibushi kicks, snapmares and KICKS Kenta in his back! Kenta gets up and throws a forearm, but Ibushi gives it back. They go back and forth with forearms, with Kagoshima firmly on Ibushi’s side. Ibushi kicks first, but Kenta kicks back. Ibushi mule kicks but so does Kenta! Ibushi swings a right but Kenta ducks, only for both men to come back with left palm strikes, and roundhouses! Both men fall at the same time, and Kagoshima is fired up!

Ibushi and Kenta roll to opposite corners. Ibushi and Kenta stand, but Kenta runs in. Ibushi goes up and over to huricanrana Kenta out! Fans are fired up and Ibushi runs, to go up, only for Kenta to trip him up! No Golden Triangle this time! The legs also get caught up in the crossbars. Kenta goes after those legs, swinging one into the post! And again! Ibushi flops out of the ring, clutching his bad leg. Kenta drags Ibushi up and laces the leg through railing! To then kick the knee! Ibushi falls back again as he clutches the knee. Kenta goes looking under the ring, and brings out a chair! Red Shoes stops him, that would be a disqualification. Kenta drags Ibushi up to lace the leg again, and has the chair. Red Shoes again reprimands Kenta, but Kenta shoves Red Shoes away. Kenta raises the chair, to SMACK railing! This won’t disqualify him, but the vibrations will aggravate Ibushi’s leg. Kenta walks the line while he stomps Ibushi’s head more.

Kenta drags Ibushi up and over to commentary. He has the leg, for a SHIN BREAKER to the desk! Kenta throws up the Too Sweet while Red Shoes checks on Ibushi. Kenta returns to drag Ibushi off commentary to then put him back in the ring. Kenta keeps on that bad leg as he grinds his foot in, then smashes the knee into the mat! Kagoshima still cheers Ibushi on but Kenta mocks them again. The fans boo and Kenta pretends not to understand why. IBushi sits up to throw body shots but they don’t do much to Kenta. Kenta dares Ibushi to hit him, so Ibushi does. Ibushi gives slapping palm strikes but Kenta just takes them. Kenta then takes the bad leg and Dragon Screws it! And then Kenta sits down for a heel hook and knee wrench! Ibushi endures and Kagoshima gives him energy to reach for ropes. Ibushi drags himself and Kenta over to get the ropebreak! Kenta lets go after a few counts, then drags Ibushi back up.

Ibushi fires forearms! But Kenta dropkicks the leg! Ibushi staggers but Kenta just kicks away on the leg! Then he gives it another Dragon Screw! And back to the heel hook! Ibushi drags himself over again and glares at Kenta as Kenta pulls on the leg. Ibushi endures, reaches, and has another ropebreak! Kenta reluctantly lets go a second time, but brings Ibushi up again. Ibushi fires off more forearms but Kenta just kicks the leg again. Ibushi ends up in a corner, Kenta runs corner to corner, and gives Ibushi a helluva boot! Kenta runs again, but Ibushi follows! And now Ibushi gives Kenta that helluva kick! Ibushi fires forearms off on Kenta until he sits down, and then keeps going! Ibushi backs off to go across the ring, and Kagoshima fires up. Ibushi runs back in, soaring Shibata dropkick! But Kenta catches it for a heel hook!! Ibushi is writhing, but he gets a ropebreak for a third time!

Kenta is growing annoyed with Ibushi as he has him in the corner. Kenta throws forearms on Ibushi’s face over and over until Ibushi sits down. Kenta goes to the opposite corner, and shows Ibushi how the basement dropkick is done! Kenta puts Ibushi in the drop zone then climbs up top, for flying double stomps! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi survives the coup de grace and Kenta grows frustrated. Kenta slashes the throat to say this is over. He fireman’s carries but Ibushi resists. Ibushi elbows away, but Kenta Dragon Screws the bad leg yet again! Kenta steps through for a Figure Four leg lock now! Ibushi endures this legendary lock but Kagoshima refuses to give up on him. Ibushi refuses to give up, too, but Kenta puts a lot of pressure on the bad leg. Even so, Ibushi crawls for ropes. Kenta drags Ibushi away and Ibushi falls back from the pain! Red Shoes checks on Ibushi but Ibushi refuses to give in!

Ibushi turns the hold slightly, putting some pressure on Kenta, and then gets a fourth ropebreak! Fans cheer as Red Shoes helps separate Ibushi and Kenta. Kenta gets back up and stalks Ibushi at the ropes. Kenta runs in to knee Ibushi in the back! Ibushi flounders, Kenta runs, but into a boot! Kenta stays standing to clothesline, but Ibushi stays up to power up. Kenta kicks the bad leg, then spins, but into Ibushi’s LARIAT! Both men are down and Kagoshima is thunderous yet again! Ibushi sits up as the fans rally. He stands, drags Kenta around, and wants a bomb. He gets Kenta up, sit-out powerbomb! Cover, TWO!! Kenta survives and shocks Ibushi. But Ibushi goes to a corner, and calls upon the King of Strong Style. But Kenta tackles Red Shoes, because here come the Guerrillas of Destiny! They helped Kenta win the NEVER Openweight title, now they’ll help him here!

But Ibushi is ready, DOUBLE PELE for GoD! Kenta returns, to get a ROUNDHOUSE! Red Shoes revives, Ibushi hits a running knee! Cover, but GoD drag Red Shoes out!! And they attack Ibushi! They get Ibushi up, Guerrilla Warfare!! Kagoshima boos but there’s nothing the fans can do about GoD beating down Ibushi. Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa coordinate at the corner. Suplex lifts Ibushi, but here comes Chaos’ Tomohiro Ishii and Yoshi-Hashi! They just went through this with GoD at Beppu, they’re not going to let it happen here! Ishii grabs Loa to anchor him on the top rope while Hashi brawls with Tama! Ishii climbs to SUPERPLEX Loa! Hashi reverses Tama’s whip to AX BOMBER! Hashi drags Tama out while Ishii has Loa! Chaos keeps GoD away, and that leaves Kenta and Ibushi alone in the ring.

Kagoshima hits a fever pitch as Kenta and Ibushi brawl on their knees with more forearms. They go back and forth, then slowly rise as Red Shoes returns. Ibushi hits, Kenta hits, repeat. Kenta gets Ibushi with a counter right hook! Then a Penalty Kick! Cover, TWO!! Ibushi still lives!! Kenta is growing tired of this, and looks to end it with Ibushi’s own move! KAMIGOYE!! Cover, TWO!?! Ibushi survives his most powerful move?! Kenta drags Ibushi up to use his move now. Fireman’s carry, GO TO- NO!! Ibushi blocks the GTS to hit a V-Trigger!! Then, KAMIGOYE!!! Cover, TWO!?! Now KENTA survives!? But Ibushi just roars with rage now, as he drags Kenta up again, KAMIGOYE AGAIN! Ibushi wins!!

Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall; still owner of the Right to Challenge contract

Though Kenta attacked before the bell, though Kenta had help from the Bullet Club, and though Kenta both stole and survived the Kamigoye, Kagoshima’s Golden Star is victorious! The briefcase is busted, but the contract is in tact, and Ibushi is indestructible! Will Ibushi hold on to his golden dream for Wrestle Kingdom as 2019 still has more to give?

NJPW on AXS returns to Ibushi celebrating.

But before he can get the mic, someone is on the stage! It’s EVIL! The King of Darkness was the other man to defeat Ibushi during the G1 Climax, and is clearly lined up for his own match for the Wrestle Kingdom contract. Evil joins Ibushi in the ring and takes up the mic. “Oi, Ibushi. I’m gonna take that Right to Challenge, and cover the Tokyo Dome main event in darkness. Mark my words!” Ibushi just goes forehead to forehead with Evil before showing him the contract to his face. Evil takes his leave and now Ibushi can have his turn with the mic.

“Thank you very much,” Kagoshima. First, he wants to say something to the fans. “I’m home.” He vowed to bring a G1 winner to Kagoshima, and fans cheer because he has kept that promise. Ibushi has made it through his first defense, so this is the first time he’s said this: “I’m making you all another promise.” They surely know what it is: to have both the IWGP Heavyweight AND Intercontinental Championships when he returns home again! Kagoshima loves that! Ibushi makes this promise, and hopes they help him stay true to his word.

NJPW Media Backstage Interview

Ibushi sits with his Right to Challenge contract, and after resting, says, “Things got really bad out there for a moment.” But somehow, he kept his Right to Challenge. Ibushi worked hard to hold onto it, with the help of the fans. But this isn’t over yet. He has much more work to do. He’ll do what he has to, he’ll defend the contract as many times has he has to, but he does need to put it in a new case. He wants a white, blue, silver and gold case, to match his attire. “That’s all I need.” Kenta destroying the old case is unbelievable, and it is unbelievable the Bullet Club would do something like that to Ibushi in his hometown. But he at least survived to tell the tale. Ibushi can feel the long road ahead of him, can he make it to the finish line that is the Wrestle Kingdom 14 main event?

My Thoughts:

A great hour for AXS here for Kagoshima! And considering this aired the same night as AXS’s Beppu coverage, a much more exciting second hour. We still only got part of a tag title match, but The Birds of Prey and the team of Ishimori & Phantasmo are genuinely better than Yoshi-Hashi, so it flowed much better for all of those near finishes to happen as they did. But in the end, Bullet Club wins with shenanigans and retain the titles. That works as Phantasmo, winner of the Super J Cup, gets his shot at Ospreay’s IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship. However, I doubt ELP becomes a triple belt champion at Ospreay’s expense. Ospreay surely retains at King of Pro-Wrestling, and he might even get a chance at the Rev-Pro British Cruiserweight title if he wants it.

Ibushi VS Kenta was definitely a great match, the Bullet Club shenanigans and Chaos making the save included. Just on Kenta attacking before the bell, there was great story in this match. But adding GoD and Ishii-Hashi was pretty fun. Hashi still needs work before he comes off a believable match for Tama. Kenta got to look really strong here, surviving a Kamigoye once, but in the end, it made a lot of sense for Ibushi to win. NJPW wouldn’t just take away Ibushi’s G1 Climax win like that, for one. And Kenta has the NEVER Openweight Championship, he will certainly find a contender come King of Pro-Wrestling. But to follow ZSJ’s example from Beppu, Ibushi is ready to become the next NJPW Triple Crown Champion by checking off the IWGP Heavyweight Championship, but he still wants to be Intercontinental Champion at the same time to essentially make Tetsuya Naito’s destiny his own. Ibushi can at least achieve Triple Crown in a year’s time, but it’d mean a lot if NJPW let him accomplish his dream for Kagoshima.

My Score: 9/10

About Chairshot Radio Network

Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Up Next

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (10/2/19)

Don't Miss

Mitchell’s NJPW AXS TV Results: Destruction in Beppu!

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (4/15/25)

Who will Stand & Deliver?

Published

5 minutes ago

April 15, 2025

Steven Mitchell

Time to defy the odds!

A tag team gauntlet and a Fatal 4 Way determine contenders that will challenge for NXT gold this Saturday at Stand & Deliver: Las Vegas!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

NXT Tag Team Championships #1 Contenders Gauntlet: ??? wins and will challenge Fraxiom for the titles at Stand & Deliver.
NXT North American Championship #1 Contender’s Fatal 4 Way: Eddy Thorpe VS Lexis King VS Wes Lee VS Ethan Page; wins and will challenge Ricky Saints for the title at Stand & Deliver.

PLAY BY PLAY

[Due to the scheduling choices of KVIA2 CW (El Paso & Las Cruces), coverage of NXT will not begin until 9PM Eastern]

About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)

WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)

THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)

FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)

SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast

SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast

CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5

Classic POD is WAR

Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!

All Shows On Demand

Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Coverage

Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/14/25)

Run-up to Mania starts now!

Published

1 day ago

April 14, 2025

Steven Mitchell

It’s a truly star-studded Raw!

Ahead of their WrestleMania 41 Night 1 Main Event, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, CM Punk & Paul Heyman are all here on Monday Night Raw!

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez; Bayley wins.
Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made; Rey wins.
AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Styles wins.
PENTA VS Finn Balor; Finn wins, by disqualification.

PLAY BY PLAY

Gunther is here!

Sacramento boos Der Ring General as he storms to the ring. Michael Cole was going to interview the World Heavyweight Champion later tonight, but it seems Gunther wants to get to it. Gunther and Cole meet in the ring, Cole says two weeks ago, he left Jimmy Uso bloodied in this ring. That caused Jey Uso to march out here last week- Gunther cuts Cole off to says that last week, Jey walked out here, looked Gunther in the eyes, and claimed he’s not afraid anymore. The fans boo as Gunther says this week, he is here to look us all in the eyes to tell us that Jey Uso is full of crap! Cole understands the fans are upset, but speaking of that, it seems Gunther is also upset.

We saw last year at WrestleMania, when… The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and Gunther says screw the questions! Screw Jey Uso! Screw everything Jey stands for! And screw everybody who stands with Jey! The fans boo more, and Gunther says ever since he stepped for in the WWE, he is the greatest gift this company has ever received! For 80% of his time in the WWE, he has been a champion! And now, he is the GREATEST World Heavyweight Champion of all time! The fans boo more, but Gunther says he refuses to let somebody like Jey Uso ruin that for him. The fans “YEET!” more and he says fine, do it as much as you want!

Gunther tells Jey to puff his chest out, walk into WrestleMania with the most confidence he’s ever had, because it won’t matter! In the end, the bell has to ring! And when that happens, Jey still can’t lace Gunther’s boots! Gunther will put Jey down for a FOURTRH time! These last two weeks, Gunther has been accused, told he went too far, that he lost control. Jey, trust one thing: In 37 years of LIFE, Gunther has never lost control! The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” Gunther says two weeks ago, when he took a bath in Jimmy’s blood, Gunther was in full control, and he LOVED it!

And Jey, go pray to the Lord, thank Him for how Gunther was in control, or else he would’ve drowned them both in Jimmy’s blood! Gunther looks forward to next week, calling his mother and telling her how much he enjoyed beating the living hell out of Jey, and is STILL World Heavyweight Champion! Gunther storms off, having done his part for tonight. Will nothing and no one stop Der Ring General from destroying Jey?

Bianca Belair speaks.

“I’ll be the first to admit that lately, I’ve been in my head. Everything that’s happened with Jade and Naomi, it really messed me up. And now, this whole situation with Iyo and Rhea has brought out a different version of me. But different isn’t wrong. My Road to WrestleMania has filled with nothing but blood, sweat and tears. Not no complaining, no whining, no excuses. No, just straight facts. I’ve been doing nothing but standing up for myself and speaking the truth, something that anybody would do. Something I would hope people are teaching their kids to do. And you don’t have to like the truth, but you can’t deny it.

“Just like I can’t deny now it’s a Triple Threat. Yeah, I’ve been through a lot. But I’m still the best. So I’ma use the bit of everything that I’ve been through to be the Bianca I know I can be. I’m the Bianca that won Elimination Chamber, I’m the Bianca that’s never been pinned at WrestleMania, and I’m the strongest, the fastest, the roughest, the toughest, the quickest, the greatest, the best Bianca that you have ever seen. So it doesn’t matter if it’s a Triple Threat, because there’s nothing that Rhea or Iyo can do to stop me from getting my flowers and walking out of WrestleMania as champion. Because you cannot spell WrestleMania without E S T.”

Bayley w/ Lyra Valkyria VS Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez!

The Role Model and the Morrigan ran the table on Friday Night SmackDown’s tag team gauntlet, and now they’re going to WrestleMania! Will they have even more momentum going into that WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match? Or will the leading ladies of Judgment Day refuse to give up the spotlight even now?

Raw returns and Bayley has made her entrance, Lyra by her side. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Bayley circles with Liv. They approach, and Liv SLAPS Bayley! Liv laughs, but Bayley smirks. Liv apologizes, then runs away! Bayley chases Liv around the outside, but then they slip into the ring. Liv stomps away on Bayley, the fans are torn but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, and Liv bumps Bayley off buckles. Liv stomps a mudhole, but again stops at 4. Liv then stomps another mudhole in, and shouts, “OKAAAY~!” as she lets off. The fans are torn, Liv stands Bayley up, but Bayley fires forearms! The fans fire up, Liv swings, but into a fireman’s carry!

Liv fights free, ducks ‘n’ dodges Bayley, but Bayley hits a THESZ PRESS! The fans fire up and Bayley hits a NECK SNAPPER, then a SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley stomps Liv around, glares at Raquel, but Liv kicks from below. Bayley rains down fists on Liv, the fans rally behind her, and Bayley whips. Liv reverses, then avoids the up ‘n’ over to DROPKICK Bayley! Liv runs corner to corner, and BACK BODY BLOCKS! Liv rolls, but Bayley follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up again and Bayley looms over Liv. Bayley glares at Raquel, then bumps Liv off buckles. Bayley ELBOWS Liv, then ELBOWS her again.

Bayley brings Liv around, the fans cheer her on as she bumps Liv off buckles. The fans duel, Bayley brings Liv in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! Liv is tougher than that but Bayley stays on her. Bayley brings Liv over but Liv stops the buckle bump to give a buckle bump! Liv runs up, but Bayley ELBOWS her! Bayley goes up to FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then she gest around to SAIDO! Liv bails out, Raquel checks on her, but Bayley smiles. Bayley aims, builds speed, and DIVES, but into a forearm! Liv drags Bayley out to snap suplex to the floor! That’s just Una Amiga as Liv gets Bayley up again! Dos Amigas to the floor!

Liv drags Bayley up again, but Bayley stops that to wrench and KNEE low! Bayley RAMS Liv into steel steps! The fans fire up, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley hits steps, then Liv STMOPS Bayley’s hands! Liv drags Bayley up, THREE AMIGAS to the floor, from OFF the steps! Liv gives some Latina Heat while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Liv has Bayley in the ring. Liv grinds Bayley down with a chinlock but the fans rally up. Bayley fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Liv staggers, comes back, but Bayley blocks to fire forearms! Bayley fires forearm after forearm, but Liv KICKS in return! Liv kicks again, but Bayley KNEES her down! Liv flounders, Bayley runs up, but Liv dodges! Bayley is sent into the buckles! The ref checks Bayley and she’s still in this, so Liv basement ENZIGIRIS! Cover, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Liv gives her cheap hammer fists. Bayley hits back but Liv stomps her down.

Liv goes up the corner, waits on Bayley to rise, and FLYING- NO, Bayley grabs Liv’s legs! Liv fights the turnover, pops Bayley into the sunset flip, TWO! Bayley runs up, Liv ducks the knee to roll her up, TWO! KNEE!! Liv flounders around again, Bayley runs in, SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! The fans fire up as Bayley drags Liv to a cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Lyra coaches Bayley. Raquel coaches Liv while Liv crawls away. The fans duel and Liv stands. Bayley grabs a leg but Liv kicks at her! Liv BOOTS Bayley away, but Bayley comes back and slides out! But Liv gets her for a CODE BREAKER! Bayley flops down, and Liv snarls as she rises up.

Liv aims and MISSILE DROPKICKS to the floor! A little double-edged given that landing, but Liv hurries to get Bayley up and into the ring. Liv crawls to the cover, TWO! Bayley survives and Lyra is relieved. Liv snarls again and waits on Bayley. Bayley goes to the ropes, Liv runs up, OBLIV- NO, Bayley puts her on the apron! Bayley ROCKS Liv, has her in the ropes, but Liv denies the hotshot! GAMANGIRI! Liv storms in, gets moving, she goes up, up, and FLYING- STUNNER! Bayley turns things around on Liv, and hits a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley crawls to the cover, Raquel gives Liv the ROPEBREAK!

The fans boo, they all saw Raquel do it! Lyra goes after Raquel, Raquel fights her off and BOOTS her down! The fans boo, but Bayley DECKS Raquel, and hits the HOTSHOT in the ropes! The fans fire up but Liv hits Bayley with a BACKSTABBER!! And then OBLIV- NO, Lyra anchors Bayley’s feet! Bayley jackknife bridges, AND WINS!

Winner: Bayley, by pinfall

A huge bit of teamwork leads to a huge win over one-half of the tag champions! Liv is livid, will she and Raquel get their revenge at WrestleMania?

Paul Heyman waits backstage.

And like usual, he’s waiting on The Tribal Chief. Will Roman Reigns even bother with The Wise Man knowing he’ll be in CM Punk’s corner at WrestleMania?

Rhea Ripley speaks.

“Bianca, I can see right through you. You said you were just out there to watch, and then you said you were just out there to call it down the middle. But I can see your true intentions now: You thrive on playing with my emotions, winding me up like I’m some sort of toy to you so you can get what you want and make it seem like I’m the bad guy. The thing that you failed to understand is that when I lose something that I love, I wills top at nothing to get it back. And Iyo, I never had to give you a championship match. But watching you pout and moan, it really pulled on the heartstrings that I had left. So I pulled a page out of your book, and I got what I wanted, too.

“So Iyo, I advise you to cherish every single moment you have with the Women’s World Championship. And Bianca, I can’t wait to make you feel what it’s like when I’m the bad guy. Because at WrestleMania 41, I get back what belongs to me.”

Rey Mysterio w/ The LWO VS Julius Creed w/ Team American Made!

Before going up against the supposed greatest luchador of a generation, El Grande Americano, the King of Lucha will take on one of the Creed Brothers. But is this going to be far more than just a tune-up? Or will Rey speed-dial the 619 here in Sacramento?

Raw returns and American Made has made their entrance. The bell rings, Rey and Julius circle, then Rey waistlocks. Julius backs Rey into a corner, the ref counts, and Rey lets go. Julius elbows Rey down! The fans boo but Julius pushes Rey around. Julius wrenches Rey, wristlocks, but Rey endures. Julius uses a straight arm lever to lift Rey! Then he drops Rey, grinds the arm down, but Rey fires forearms! Rey uses the ropes to flip through, then he KICKS, KICKS, and KICKS! Julius wrenches, hammerlocks, but Rey reaches back! Rey jumps up, FLYING-MARE! Julius runs back up to CLOBBER Rey!

Julius talks trash, American Made soaks up the heat, and Julius whips Rey. Rey reverses, then blows past to tilt-o-whirl and RANA! The fans fire up as Julius tumbles to a corner! Rey fires up, but Julius comes back to CLOBBER him again! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey but Julius clamps on a chinlock. Rey endures, the fans rally up more, and Rey fights up. Rey throws body shots, runs, but Julius kitchen sink knees him down! Julius stands Rey up, whisp him to ropes, but Rey KICKS back! Rey dropkicks the legs and Julius ends up on ropes! Rey dials it up, but Julius dumps Rey out! Rey RAMS into Julius, ROCKS him, then climbs up!

The fans fire up, but Brutus distracts the ref! This lets Gable trip Rey up! The fans boo but Julius is right up top! So now Wilde distracts, and that lets Dragon Lee trip Julius! Turnabout is fair play, but now both teams are protesting! So the ref EJECTS everybody! Things will truly be 1v1, after the break!

Raw returns again and Julius has a neck wrench on Rey. Julius whips Rey hard to a corner, runs up, but Rey ELBOWS him! And BOOTS him! Rey goes up, up, but Julius Electric Chair Lifts! Rey fires hands, then spins to MYSTERIO RANA! Both men fall out of the ring pretty hard, but Rey gets back inside! Rey WRECKS Julius with a dropkick, the fans fire up, and Rey builds speed to SLIDING- NO, Julius stuffs Rey into a deadlift suplex! Julius marches with Rey, and then goes up the steel steps! Julius has Rey at the ropes, but Rey fights free! Julius BOOTS Rey back! Julius runs up, Rey moves, Julius POSTS himself!

The fans fire up while Julius flops into the ring. Rey hurries back up, climbs the corner, and FLYING RANAS! Julius ends up in a corner, Julius climbs up again, and he rains down fists! The fans count all the way to TEN! Rey fires up, the fans are with him, and Rey whips Julius corner to corner. Julius springs right up, goes over, but then Rey QUEBRADAS! But Julius catches him! Rey swings through to DDT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as Rey rises, and he brings Julius around. Julius blocks the whip, shakes his head, and he whips Rey. Rey slides under, comes back, but Julius KNEES Rey down!

Julius brings down the straps, runs up, but Rey DUMPS Julius out tot he floor! Wait, El Grande Americano is here! Rey runs up, grabs him by his mask, but then Julius rolls Rey up! TWO!! Julius gets up, swings, but Rey shoves Julius into El Grande! Rey dropkicks Julius onto the ropes! Dial it up, 619!! Slingshot, DROP THE DIME! Cover, Rey wins!

Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall

But then El Grande CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, the LWO returns, but Julius holds them off! Grande CLOBBERS Cruz, but Dragon Lee fires off forearms! Dragon Lee whips, but Grande FLYING HEADBUTTS! The fans boo, but now Grande goes up top! DIVING HEADBUTT onto Rey! “UH GRACIAS~!” That mask is definitely loaded like last week, but will Rey be able to overcome that tactic and win for the honor of true lucha libre?

The War Raiders speak.

Ivar says, “Xavier, Kofi, you run your mouths about how the New Day is the greatest tag team of all time.” Erik says, “The fact of the matter is, the War Raiders have blazed a path of world domination for more than a decade. We’ve won gold on multiple continents.” “And last week, we had you beat, dead to rights.” The New Day took the cowardly way out because they knew they couldn’t beat the Raiders. The New Day says this is about the titles, but it has gotten much more personal. Kofi & Woods took this to a whole new level. They didn’t come for these titles, they came for Erik’s neck! They tried to put Erik on the shelf! They tried to end his career!

So at WrestleMania, this won’t be a match! It’ll barely be a fight! This is WAR!

The New Day is backstage.

They’re busy playing the Clash of Clans WWE crossover game, not that they’re in it. But Jackie Redmond walks over to talk with them. The New Day says that is rude, they’re busy playing a game. This lack of respect is audacious. Jackie does apologize, but she brings up the War Raiders saying that this match at Mania is now a war. War? New Day’s been in war from how they’ve been treated this whole time! The whole time! But the warpath stops when they take back what belongs to them, and that’s their WWE World Tag Team Championships! The entire world will see that ya bois, the NEW DAY~, are the best team on the face of Planet Earth!

Last week was just a taste of what they’re willing to do to get those titles back. And after Mania, Erik will wish they took his head off so that he and Ivar wouldn’t have to catch the beating they’re getting this weekend. At WrestleMania, every irrelevant and immature member of the WWE Universe will have no choice but to drop to their knees and THANK GOD for the New Day! Woods & Kofi head out, but will they survive this WrestleMania weekend?

AJ Styles VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!

Before taking on The Maverick, Logan Paul, at WrestleMania, the Phenomenal One is going to prove to Mr. & Mrs. Doomsday that this AJ Styles IS the AJ Styles that can get the job done! Does that mean Raw is going to be Too Sweet? Or will Kross be disappointed?

Raw returns as Kross makes his entrance, his femme fatale by his side. Kross is really taking this mirroring stuff to another level, wearing tights very similar to what Styles would wear. Kross still wants Styles to understand, Styles has to be like the Styles of the past in order to finally humble Logan Paul and save professional wrestling. Styles gets mad, but Kross shoves him! Styles RAMS Kross into the corner, RAMS him again and again, but lets off as the ref counts. Styles storms back up, whips corner to corner, but Kross reverses. Kross runs up, but Styles BOOTS him away. Kross comes back to BOOT Styles down!

The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles around. Kross talks trash, but Styles KICKS Kross! And CHOPS! Kross YANKS Styles into ropes, then CHOKES him! The ref counts, Kross says it doesn’t have to be this way, but he lets off as the ref pulls him back. Scarlett CLAWS at Styles’ face in the distraction! The fans boo but Kross stomps Styles. Kross drags Styles up, but Styles JAWBREAKERS back! Styles runs up, but into a SAIDO! The fans boo, Kross stalks Styles to a corner, then he stomps away. Kross whips corner to corner hard, and Styles clutches his ribs as he falls. Kross laughs at Styles’ pain, then stomps him more.

Kross drags Styles up, but Styles DRPOKICKS Kross down! The fans cheer, Kross bails out, and Styles slides to DROPKICK! Kross hits barriers, then Styles PLANCHAS! Kross moves, Styles lands safe on the apron, but Kross sweeps the legs! Kross then whips Styles hard into barriers! Styles almost falls onto that guy cosplaying the Prime bottle. Kross whips Styles hard into more barriers, and Styles falls into the timekeeper’s area! Scarlett kisses Kross’ hand while he soaks up heat, and Raw goes to break.

Raw returns Kross has a chinlock. Styles fights up, fires body shots, but Kross KNEES low! Kross scoops and hits a BACKBREAKER! Kross scoops again, but Styles slips free! Styles goes for a leg but Kross stifles that and shoves Styles to a cover, TWO! Kross drags Styles up, reels him in, but Styles fights the bomb! Kross stops the rana, fireman’s carries, FINAL PRAYER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives but Kross asks if Styles is sandbagging. Kross looms over Styles, the fans rally up, and Kross smirks as Styles rises. Kross swings, but Styles counter punches! And counter punches! And CHOPS, CHOPS, KICKS!

Styles KICKS Kross again, then whips. Kross hobbles then falls over, clutching his knee! The fans boo, thinking this is an act. Scarlett checks Kross as he clutches the ankle. Styles asks the ref about this, but then Kross sucker punches Styles! It WAS an act, and the fans boo that Kross got away with it! Kross shimmies and shuffles, then taunts Styles. Styles runs up to CLOBBER Kross! Styles fires off the PHENOMENAL BLITZ! SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up, Styles runs in at the corner to LARIAT Kross! Fireman’s carry, but Kross slips free! Kick and DDT! Kross vows to end it, and the fans boo as Kross throws off his elbow pad.

Styles rises as Kross winds the hands of time. KROSS- NO, Styles ducks the hammer and fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Kross hobbles, Styles runs up, but Kross puts him on the apron! Styles HOTSHOTS Kross, then DECKS him! The fans fire up, Kross rises, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!

Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall

Kross put Styles to the test, and that was definitely Styles acing that test! But then Logan Paul appears! Sacramento boos Logan as he walks out with mic in hand. Logan asks what’s up with the hostility. Chill, he’s here to congratulate Styles. No, seriously, good win! He did it! In front of Sacramento, “a bunch of people who weren’t cool enough to live in Los Angeles, or work smart enough to live in San Francisco.” But Styles showed these “generic California losers” why Styles VS Logan is gonna cook! But hey, why not show them why it’ll make money? Here is what Styles is up against. Please enjoy this piece of cinema.

Logan has his own hype video package, “I accomplish more in one weekend than you all will in your entire lives. I didn’t join the WWE to take part, I joined to take over.” Styles grabs a mic to say that’s a cute video, smartass. But let’s start Mania earlier! Get your ass to the ring right now! The fans fire up for that! Logan says okay, and he steps closer. But Kross runs up on Styles! Styles ROCKS Kross, ROCKS Logan, repeat! Styles DECKS Logan, ROCKS him again, btu Kross scoops! Styles slips free, REVERSE DDT! Styles snarls at Kross, but Logan is up! ONE LUCKY RIGHT!! Then the PAUL-VERIZER!! The Maverick is feeling so “humble,” but will he be humbled at Mania?

Paul Heyman is still waiting…

Will he be waiting all night at this rate?

Jey Uso is here!

The fans fire up as Main Event Jey pops right through the curtain to walk down the bleachers. Sacramento bounces for him and they “YEET!” along with the song, but Jey is once again very serious. Jey goes to the ground level, but then stands on the desk for everyone to see him. Jey grabs the mic while the bouncing continues, and the fans cheer as the song dies down. Jey takes a breath, fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” and chant “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey says okay, and the song starts up again! The bouncing starts up again, and then Jey paces as he waits for the music to die down.

“Aight, check it. I said what I had to say to Gunther last week.” “YEET!” “But I really wanted to come out here and holler at y’all.” “YEET!” Jey says what up, Sac Town! Mama out here somewhere in the crowd. But everyone keeps on asking Jey, “Jey, where your mind at?” Is he crashing out? HELL YEAH he’s crashing out! But he’s locked in! Locked in for him! For his family! And for y’all! Check it out, though. Listen to Gunther out here talking. Y’know what that made Jey feel like? He mad. Nah nah nah… Gunther’s afraid! Yeah, Gunther’s afraid! Afraid that Jey will whoop that ass in front of 60 THOUSAND and the world! See you Saturday, Uce!

Jey says one time for the one time… Hey, Uce, please, PLEASE hit his music! UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up as the bouncing starts up yet again! Jey has all the confidence, all the fire, all the momentum. But will he have it all when it’s all said and done in Las Vegas?

Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.

Cathy Kelley is with the Badass WWE Intercontinental Champion and brings up this Sunday, the Fatal 4 Way that stacks the odds against him. How is he handling what could be the biggest defense of his career? Bron says obviously, this is the biggest match of his career. And- JUDGMENT DAY ATTACKS! Finn Balor, Dominik Mysterio & Carlito mug Bron! They stomp him around, then THROW him onto a road case! They still rain down fists, and Finn says the dog’s bark is worse than his bite! They CHUCK Bron into more road cases! Adam Pearce and producers storm in and stop The Judgment Day, but will Bron be alright in just 6 days?

As for Finn, he has a match to get to! Will The Prince be ready for #CeroMiedo?

PENTA VS Finn Balor!

Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, only for Penta to DROPKICK him off the apron! Penta then FLIES and takes Finn down! Penta strikes first since Finn did that to Bron, and the fans love it! Penta puts Finn in the ring, then storms in after him. The bell rings, the fans fire up as Penta runs up, but Finn puts him on the apron. Penta GAMANGIRIS, then goes up, up, and CROSSBODIES! Cover, TWO! Finn kicks Penta low, then brings Penta around. Penta WRINGS free, then traps that arm! But Finn trips Penta! Penta BOOTS Finn away, then pump handles! Finn pops free, dragon sleepers, but Penta drops to KICK from below!

Penta runs up to ENZIGIRI in the corner, then he headstands and SWINGING DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Finn stays in this, the fans cheer for “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta nods and storms up on Finn to KICK the leg out! Finn flounders, stands back up, but Penta KICKS the leg again! Penta stalks Finn, and KICKS Finn’s leg out again! The fans fire up while Finn flounders around more. Penta has Finn on the ropes, hushes the fans, and he CHOPS! Finn is stinging as he staggers away, and the fans fire up as they want even more of that! Penta whips, Finn reverses, but Penta sunset flips. Finn rolls through to basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!

Finn keeps Penta down with an ELBOW, then a chinlock. Finn grinds Penta down, Penta endures, and the fans rally. Penta fights up, but Finn yanks the mask! Finn has Penta down, and he soaks up the heat. Finn drags Penta, then jumps stomps! Finn soaks up more heat, jump stomps again, then argues with the ref. Finn taunts Sacramento, stomps Penta again and again and again! The ref counts, Finn stops, but he soaks up more heat. Finn goes back to Penta and says “Just Too Sweet!” They go to the apron, and Penta scoops! Finn slips free, and APRON EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Both men are down on the outside while Raw goes to break.

Raw returns again and Finn has Penta up top! And then the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Cover, TWO!! Penta stays in this and the fans fire up! Finn grows frustrated, but he clamps onto an arm for a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! The fans rally up, Penta fights to his feet, and Penta fires hands. Penta arm-drags free, then ducks ‘n ‘dodges, for a RANA! Finn flounders up, Penta LARIATS! And LARIATS! The fans fire up again as Penta then SUPERKICKS Finn! Finn wobbles, Penta whips, but Finn reverses, only for Penta to go up and over! BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Finn survives and Penta is frustrated, but the fans fire back up.

Penta stalks Finn, the fans sing, “OLE~ OLE OLE OLE~! CERO~! MIEDO~!” Penta has Finn in the corner, he puts Finn up top, and then he CHOPS! Penta calls his shot and the fans cheer that. Penta climbs up and he goes to the very top! But Finn fires body shots! Penta hops down to the apron and CHOPS again! Then he jumps up to FLYING RANA! Finn staggers back up, Penta BOOTS him! Penta then runs to SLING-DOG! Penta keeps moving, but Finn SLINGBLADES! The fans rally, both men stand, and Finn aims from a corner! SHOT- NO, scoop and BACKBREAKER! Penta has the arm, traps it, and then pulls on the other! “CERO! MIEDO!” SACRIFICE!!

The fans fire up while Finn writhes! Penta stalks Finn, clamps onto him again, “This is Awesome!” as the PENTA- NO, Finn victory rolls the driver! TWO!! DOUBLE LARITS collide! Penta fires body shots, a SOBAT, a KICK, then a SUPERKICK! Finn flops down, but Penta goes to a corner. But then Carlito & Dom rush out here! Penta glares at them, they back off, but Finn rolls Penta up! TWO!! Penta escapes, Finn ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, SHOTGUN! Penta hits buckles, then ends up in the drop zone, but HERE COMES BRON! You can’t keep a good dog down! Carlito fears for his life after last week…!

Carlito runs away, so Bron runs in and CLOBBERS Finn!! But that lets Finn win!

Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification

Bron keeps beating up on Finn, so Dom runs in and TACKLES Bron! Carlito joins in now that they have the advantage! They mug Bron 2v1, but Bron fights back! Bron dodges, and he DOUBLE SPEARS!! Sacramento barks for Bron as he aims at Penta! Bron roars, runs up, but Penta KICKS first! And mule kicks! And SUPERKICKS! And then tilt-o-whirl RANA! Bron tumbles out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed to go up, up, and SUPER CROSSBODY! Penta wipes out Bron, Dom & Carlito, but where’d Finn go? Finn is already up the ramp! The Prince got handed the win tonight, but will Penta take it all with his #CeroMiedo?

Iyo Sky speaks.

“This message is for Bianca Belair and Rhea Ripley. You keep forgetting that I’M the Women’s World Champion. You push me out of the way of your petty squabbles like I mean nothing. But I’m the whole reason you’re fighting in the first place, aren’t I? Because I have the one thing you both want: The Women’s World Championship! So, I’m done being ignored. I’m done being forgotten. Because you have to go through ME to get this title, and I’m not afraid to take you both on to defend it. I’ve beaten both of you before, and I’ll beat you again! At WrestleMania, you will never forget the name Iyo Sky, Women’s World Champion.”

Paul Heyman is still waiting, but CM Punk joins him!

Punk sits down with a coffee and says he’s never seen The Wise Man so stressed. Look in his eyes, what do you see? The Cult of Personality? No, a real friend. A friend who would never do anything to put Heyman in harm’s way. But then a car is pulling up. It’s ROMAN! Roman sees Punk and Heyman being buddy-buddy, and he storms off! Heyman tries to catch up to his Tribal Chief, but Roman won’t even look at him. Will this favor cause the break-up of Roman and Heyman?

Roman goes to the ring!

The fans cheer and put the ones up as The OTC makes his entrance, Wise Man trailing behind. What will happen with Roman, Heyman, Punk, and Seth Rollins, all in the building this close to WrestleMania? We find out, after the break.

Raw returns rather quickly, and Roman is now in the ring. He raises his finger up for the pyro and the fans cheer. Heyman has the mic while the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Heyman tentatively holds it out for Roman, but Roman doesn’t take it! Roman gets a mic for himself, leaving Heyman a bit dismayed, but the cheering continues. Roman tells, “Sacramento…! ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” The fans cheer and put up the ones as they cheer on “O T C! O T C!” Roman says, “The whole world can feel that. The whole world can hear that you love and acknowledge your Tribal Chief. And now the whole world understands that you would never betray your Tribal Chief.

“But not everybody’s like you. Some people would betray me. Sacramento, you got any guesses on who that might be?” Obviously it’s Heyman that Roman is referring to, but Roman asks The Wise Man, “How could you betray me?” The fans tell Heyman he messed up. Roman says Heyman can’t hear that well, say it louder. The fans get louder with it, and Heyman is a bit surly about that. Heyman goes to talk, but he reconsiders. Roman still asks him why, and Heyman is at a loss for words. The fans boo, but some do chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Roman smirks as Heyman finally says, “My Tribal Chief… It was not a betrayal. I paid back a favor that I owed.”

Roman doesn’t seem to like that answer, but he still smirks. Sacramento, maybe Roman’s a little confused here, but the way favors work is, you usually pay it back yourself, correct? The fans say yes. Roman says it feels the only one getting screwed here is him! And if there’s one thing about Roman Reigns, if there’s one thing about The Tribal Chief, it’s that he’d never ask for a favor. No, Roman takes what he wants! So Roman doesn’t owe a favor, because he never asked for any help, for anyone to join him at WarGames, so how is he supposed to cover the tab for Heyman’s dumbass favor? But now, “BURN IT DOWN!”

Seth Rollins makes his way out, and Roman is no longer in any good mood as the fans sing “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins struts out in a leather vest and black pants that both have a lot of pockets. Rollins steps into the ring, grabs himself a mic, and the fans continue to sing, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins tells Sacramento, “Let’s give it up for Your Tribal Chief! Because after over a decade, you’re finally getting it, man! You’re finally putting the pieces together all by yourself! You’re almost there, you’re just missing one little piece, and it’s a real shame it’s too little, it’s too late, cuz I still gotta end you at WrestleMania.”

Rollins says it is for the same reason that it always has been: It’s the right thing to do! This Triple Threat at WrestleMania is the BIGGEST, most IMPORTANT one in the history of Mania, of the WWE, of professional wrestling! Because the winner of this match will define the future of this industry. And it can’t be Roman, it can’t be Punk. Because this business is filled with people like Roman, people who show up when it is convenient, expecting everyone else to do all the work. That’s how this business dies! Roman finally sees it can’t be Punk, either.

This business is filled with too many “little Punks” running around who wanna pick up their ball and go home when it gets tough, only to come back and leech off the profits of other people’s success, and that’s how this business dies! The fans chant for Punk but Rollins says okay, they want this business to die? Rollins doesn’t! If there are more people in this business like Rollins, who always sacrifices physical and mental well-being to do what is best for business, then the business not only lives, but it thrives! There can be only one, and it’s gotta be Rollins.

As for that one little piece that Roman hasn’t quite figured out… “Favors don’t happen by chance, Roman. Favors are a choice. I chose not to put Paul Heyman in the hospital last week, and now Paul Heyman can choose whether or not he pays that debt to me. But your Wise Man, he is dishonorable as they come, he is a scumbag, and I expect nothing from him.” The fans boo and Heyman frowns, but Rollins says Heyman is not in CM Punk’s corner by chance. Heyman has made a choice. It isn’t just a betrayal, Roman. What Roman needs to ask himself, what that final piece is, Heyman isn’t just returning a favor, he’s choosing. So why is Heyman choosing Punk over Roman?

Heyman tells Roman he’s not doing that, but Roman seems to be thinking Rollins has a point. Roman tells The Wise Man that Rollins is right, Heyman made his choice. But Roman has made his. LARIAT FOR ROLLINS! The fans fire up as Roman then POSTS Rollins! Rollins flops out of the ring, Heyman is very pleased, and he says he acknowledges his Tribal Chief! Roman nods, but then he PIE FACES Heyman!? Heyman is stunned, but here comes CM Punk! The fans fire up as Punk runs down to the ring, and he dodges Roman to fire hands! The fans fire up as they brawl, and then Punk LARIATS Roman up and out!

The fans are torn as Punk helps Heyman up. Heyman is distraught, but Roman is back! SPEAR for Punk!! Roman HAMMERS away on Punk! Roman shouts at Punk, HEADBUTTS him, but then Rollins returns! And with a chair! SMACK to the back of Roman Reigns, just like the night it all started! Sacramento is all fired up, and Rollins hits a CURB STOMP on Punk! And then CURB STOMP on Roman! Heyman is freaking out as both his guys are down! Rollins stares Heyman down, is Rollins’ favor going to come into play after all?

My Thoughts:

A great Raw, especially for the go-home to WrestleMania. Great promo from Gunther with how he “doesn’t wait” for the proper interview with Michael Cole, and very good response promo from Jey. Gunther definitely sounds a bit on edge, and considering he might lose two WrestleManias in a row as the start of his WrestleMania career, I suppose I would be, too. And very good promos from Bianca, Rhea & Iyo to hype up their match, though I can’t say that changes anything for the go-home math. Iyo stood tall last time, so there’s a chance Rhea or Bianca take the other out to get the win. Rhea and Bianca talking about who’s the bad guy in this, could we see Bianca go Heel?

Good promo from War Raiders and New Day, but unless they add a stipulation, I don’t necessarily see this being “a war” of a match. Well, maybe they can break something like ringside barriers. But I feel like New Day is going to win so that this Heel turn has actual results. Very good match from Bayley VS Liv, but Bayley winning here surely indicates Liv & Raquel retain. Rey VS Julius was really good, but the LWO and American Made all being ejected, that of course meant El Grande Americano would show up. Rey wins here, but then El Grande stands tall, so I would think Rey wins at Mania to expose Grande as Gable.

Very good match from Styles VS Kross, and naturally Styles won. That along with Logan & Kross getting the better of Styles after, this has to mean Styles wins at Mania. I don’t think it’s possible to get anything Bullet Club related, but WWE works with TNA pretty closely now so maybe they can use one of Styles’ themes from TNA to really bring us back to “the Styles that can beat Logan Paul.” Very good stuff with the Men’s Intercontinental Championship build, with Bron being jumped by Judgment Day, then Judgment Day trying to cost Penta, only for Bron to actually cost Penta and give Finn the win. Penta standing tall now sadly might cross him off, but I personally do think Dom pinning Finn or Finn pinning Dom is the better route going forward.

And of course, great stuff with the Punk-Rollins-Reigns story. Heyman finding himself stuck between Roman and Punk, with Roman starting to distance himself from Heyman, that’s also very good stuff going forward. Rollins stands tall again, so not sure if that means he takes the loss or is just not in the decision. No matter who wins, Heyman no longer being Roman’s manager is the best move. Roman needs to do things on his own again, and Heyman can reunite with Punk and perhaps help Punk towards a title. Punk did say that he’d be coming for THE WWE Championship at some point, Heyman by his side for that like 10 years ago would be something.