Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT UK Results & Report! (12/26/19)
The Best of NXT UK 2019!
Relive the highlights of NXT UK’s big first year!
To close out the year, NXT UK looks back on the best moments, matches and superstars of their huge run these last 12 months! Did your favorites make the highlight reel?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- N/A
PLAY BY PLAY
Tom Philips and Nigel McGuinness welcome us to the show!
Happy Holidays, Happy Boxing Day, and a Happy New Year while we’re at it. Nigel says it has been great to have Thomas with him after Victor (Vic Joseph) left to be part of Raw. And while Tom jumped in late, he has been honored to watch the brand that’s making waves. And above all, we must thank the NXT UK roster for showing they all belong in the WWE Universe.
“2019 was one for the books,” with debuts of both individuals and factions, and yet we’re still only getting started as TakeOver: Blackpool II is only two weeks away! January 12, 2020 will be one year to the day of NXT UK’s first ever TakeOver! All the titles will be on the line that night, as Joe Coffey challenges Walter for the WWE United Kingdom Championship, the NXT UK Tag Team Championships hang high overhead in a Fatal 4 Way Ladder match, and the NXT UK Women’s Championship is on the line in a Triple Threat! So much could change, who takes the gold in the first big event of the New Year?
Speaking of that first TakeOver: Blackpool, that was the night Rhea Ripley, the inaugural NXT UK Women’s Champion, defended her belt against the Lightning from Down Under, Toni Storm!
TakeOver: Blackpool I – NXT UK Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Toni Storm!
Fans are strongly behind Toni’s side as they sing for her. Toni and Rhea slowly circle, then rush each other! Toni dodges and throws haymakers and clubbing forearms. Rhea gets loose but Toni is right back on her with forearms! Rhea shoves Toni again then flapjacks Toni! Now the two scrap on the mat! Rhea gets away but Toni gives chase. Rhea gets back in the ring and pushes Toni away. Toni keeps chasing her, then DIVES! Direct hit topples the champ! Toni stomps Rhea at the corner, then throws forearms. She chops Rhea then puts her back in the ring. Rhea gets Toni’s hair at the ropes, then kicks her back down. Toni staggers up but Rhea kicks her into the barriers! Flashbacks to their first match, but Toni’s back holds up.
Rhea puts Toni back in and bumps her off buckles. Fans duel as Rhea stomps a mudhole into Toni! Rhea drags Toni up to ram shoulders into her, but lets up at 4. Rhea checks her jaw, and she’s even angrier now. She stomps another mudhole into Toni but stops at 4. Rhea drags Toni to cover, TWO! Rhea drags Toni up as fans build to a rally. She puts on a body scissor and squeezes tight on Toni’s back. Toni sits up and pries at the hold, then pushes back for a cover. TWO and Rhea clubs Toni. Rhea grabs Toni’s hair and trash talks her. Toni pushes back again, TWO, and Rhea clubs Toni more. Toni turns around to throw forearms on Rhea! She breaks free but Rhea pushes her away. Rhea gives Toni clubbing forearms, then lifts in a stalling suplex! She drops Toni down, covers, TWO!
Rhea grows frustrated as fans rally up. Rhea drags Toni up for a scoop slam, then another. She’s clearly after the back, and covers, TWO! Rhea grins now, perhaps amused by Toni’s resilience. Rhea stands over Toni to put on the inverted cloverleaf, but Toni pushes her all the way to a post! Fans keep dueling as Toni runs in. Toni misses, and Rhea dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO! Toni narrowly escapes so Rhea kicks her in the back. Rhea grinds Toni’s face into the mat, then flips her over to drop the leg! And then another leg drop, cover, TWO! Rhea grows further frustrated as she picks Toni up again. Rhea tosses Toni then again! Toni keeps getting up so Rhea toys with her. Toni slaps Rhea so Rhea clubs and boots Toni. Rhea runs, but into Toni’s headbutt! Both women fall but fans are loving this!
A standing count begins as both women stir. The count passes 5 as they both sit up. Toni goes over to throw a forearm. Rhea hits back, and they stand up. Toni hits, Rhea hits, repeat. Then they pick up speed and the fans erupt for this! Toni and Rhea slow down, but then get a second wind! Toni gets the edge, and German Suplexes Rhea! She holds on, for another! Toni brings Rhea up again, but Rhea fights out with elbows. Rhea swings but runs into the underhook! She slips out to pump handle, but Toni makes it a crossbody! TWO! Toni can’t believe it, but she won’t slow down. She drags Rhea back up for another underhook, but Rhea back drops! Toni sunset flips, TWO! Rhea sits, TWO, sunset flip, TWO! Rhea grabs the legs, and lifts for the inverted cloverleaf! Toni endures as she hangs off the mat.
Fans rally as Toni claws her way over. Toni reaches but Rhea drags her away! So Toni rolls to get Rhea in an ankle lock! Rhea endures as she reaches, and gets the ropebreak. Toni lets go and Rhea gets in the corner. Toni runs in, big hip attack! And then that third German Suplex! Bridging cover, TWO! Toni is shocked but fans are loving this. Toni slaps Rhea around and then drags her back up. She brings Rhea up for furious forearms and palm strikes. She back kicks but Rhea throws her down by her hair. Rhea covers but Toni gets out before a count. Rhea pump handles, Riptide!! Cover, TWO!? Rhea cannot believe her best move failed!
Fans reach a fever pitch as Rhea drags Toni up again. Rhea reels Toni in for a big lariat, but brings her back up again. Rhea lariats again, but shows no mercy. She drags Toni up a third time, but Toni ducks and headbutts! Double underhook, STORM ZERO!! Cover, TWO!? Now Toni is the one shocked! Blackpool still loves it, and they duel again. Toni and Rhea slowly sit up but they’ve already given so much. Rhea and Toni lean on each other to stand, and Toni throws forearms! Rhea throws one back and rocks Toni. Pump handle, But Toni slips out to grab Rhea’s hair! Underhooks, STORM ZERO AGAIN! Cover, Toni storm wins!!
Winner: Toni Storm, by pinfall; NEW NXT UK Women’s Champion
Don’t call it a comeback, Toni’s been here for years! And finally, it’s #ToniTime!
The Storm took over, and knew she would be a target because of the #ShinyShiny. Toni speaks on the year she had. “2019 has been a massive year for me.” January, she became champion, and it changed her life. A lot of stuff has happened, which brings her back to Blackpool. She vows to win again and become two-time NXT UK Women’s Champion. However, she’ll have to do so against two former friends, one being the lethal lass that betrayed her over the summer.
Back in June, during the Download Festival, Kay Lee Ray won a Women’s Battle Royal to become #1 contender, and vowed to make everyone remember her name. She chose the time and the place to challenge Toni, and that would be NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff!
TakeOver: Cardiff – NXT UK Women’s Championship: Toni Storm VS Kay Lee Ray!
Toni rushes KLR but KLR bails out. KLR won’t let Toni do things her way, but Toni watches KLR closely as they go around the ring. Fans sing, “F her up, Toni, F her up!” but KLR stays away. KLR toys with Toni as she goes in only to slide out. So Toni DIVES to take KLR out! Toni and KLR scrap and club away. Toni throws furious forearms off on KLR as the ring count climbs. Then she throws KLR into barriers! Toni puts KLR in and drags KLR up for underhooks. KLR slips out to SLAP! Toni just fires off back! Toni has KLR in the corner but backs off when the ref counts. KLR boots but Toni whips her to DECK her! Toni kicks away on KLR now, being more vicious than she’s been since joining NXT UK. The ref backs Toni off and KLR gets to the apron.
KLR shoulders then kicks Toni down. KLR stomps Toni around but fans continue to cheer for Toni. KLR chokes Toni on the ropes but lets up at the ref’s count. Toni gets to a corner but KLR bumps her off buckles. KLR CHOPS Toni, and follows her as she staggers away. KLR snapmares Toni to a seated stretch and neck wrench. Fans rally and Toni fights, but KLR throws her down. KLR kicks Toni around then drags her up. KLR suplexes for a gourd buster! Cover, TWO! KLR grows upset already, but she keeps on Toni with SLAPS! Fans boo as KLR slaps Toni all around the head. Toni sobs, but then she bobs ‘n’ weaves to hit back! Toni turns that sadness into fury and she rains down hands!
KLR kicks but Toni yanks her into a waistlock. KLR fights out and springboards but Toni saw that coming. Toni gets under, SUPERKICK to clothesline! Waistlock, BIG German Suplex! Toni runs to LARIAT! Fans fire up with Toni as she drags KLR off the mat. Toni underhooks, but KLR drops down and hits the legs. KLR slips around to chicken wing, but Toni makes it a DESTROYER! Cover, TWO! KLR survives but this is definitely not as easy as KLR thought it would be. Toni stands up and fans fire up with her again. But KLR cradle counters, TWO! KLR kicks Toni but Toni headbutts back! Toni underhooks, STORM ZERO! Cover, TWO!? KLR survives Toni’s best move and she can’t believe it! Cardiff is stunned silent themselves for a moment.
Toni kicks KLR and stands back up. Toni drags KLR up but KLR shoves her away. KLR SUPERKICKS! Then SUPERKICKS! Then GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Now Toni survives KLR’s best! KLR is furious, but Cardiff rallies back up for Toni. KLR hobbles back over and drags Toni up. KLR hoists Toni to the top rope and then SLAPS her. KLR climbs, clubs Toni on the back, then goes for those underhooks. Toni fights back, and now she has KLR in underhooks! But KLR resists and fights Toni into a back drop! But Toni lands on her feet, And gets KLR with a SUPER GERMAN! Cover, ROPEBREAK! Toni can’t believe she didn’t account for that.
Toni kicks KLR in frustration until she’s out of the ring. Then Toni DIVES! The Lightning strikes, but she’s not done with KLR! Toni puts KLR in but KLR knees her back out! KLR goes to the corner, climbs up, and LEAPS! The cannonball takes both women out, but KLR still gets up first. The fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” as KLR puts Toni in. Toni staggers but headbutts back. KLR mule kicks then chicken wings, for a Gory Hotshot! Then another chicken wing, GORY BOMB! Cover, KLR WINS!
Winner: Kay Lee Ray, by pinfall; NEW NXT UK Women’s Champion
The fans are shocked, but it seems even KLR surprised herself! #ToniTime ends in Wales as the K L eRa begins.
But we mustn’t forget the third woman in this Triple Threat. Piper Niven made her NXT UK debut in March, and she immediately made an impact as she went after Rhea Ripley. Piper always felt she’d be famous for something, and that something turned out to be pro-wrestling. Her family is supportive but worried, and are proud of her no matter what. Piper went back and forth and even teamed with Rhea, and has the inaugural champion’s seal of approval. But in a battle of former friends turned fierce enemies, who comes out on top as THE NXT UK Women’s Champion?
TakeOver: Blackpool II is also the anniversary of another great story.
After not being able to settle their differences at the first TakeOver, Travis Banks made sure to get after Jordan Devlin the following months, culminating in a Falls Count Anywhere in February (though it didn’t air until March). The Kiwi Buzzsaw and the Irish Ace used that stipulation to the fullest, including a dangerous diving crossbody from the upper deck! Devlin would survive that dive bomb and go on to win, but Banks still set the bar for daredevil stunts.
NXT UK had a GRIZZLED Summer!
Zack Gibson and James Drake were the inaugural NXT UK Tag Team Champions from TakeOver: Blackpool I, and reigned through the year into the Download Festival. Liverpool’s Number One and Mr. Mayhem were disgusted that they had to be near the mud and the muck, and the fans. The “locker room leaders” were also disgusted they had to defend their titles in front of the “sweaty goffs” in the crowd. The Download Festival was just a bunch of noise and nonsense, but GYV would retain their titles against Moustache Mountain the following episode. But let’s relive the match that started this tag team saga!
TakeOver: Blackpool I – NXT UK Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals: Mustache Mountain VS Grizzled Young Veterans!
The teams sort out as fans chant for the “Big Strong Boys!” Bate starts against Gibson at the bell and fans only get hotter. Gibson tunes the fans out as they boo him and sing for Bate. Bate grins as he and Gibson circle. They tie up and are even in power. Gibson gets a chinbar to bring Bate to the mat. Gibson goes after the wrist but Bate kips up. Bate tries to get Gibson down, but Gibson uses the wristlock to bring him back down. Gibson wrenches as fans boo. Bate kips up and gets the headscissor takedown. Fans say “If you hate Gibson, shoes off!”
Gibson pops out and has the wrist but Bate brings him back down into the headscissors. Bate squeezes but Gibson moves around. Gibson pops out and covers, TWO as Bate gets one shoulder up. Gibson tries the other, TWO. He tries both, but Bate bridges! Bate manages to power up and stand, but Gibson drives him back down. TWO with another bridge, and the Big Strong Boy rolls it up and over into a straitjacket! Gibson arm-drags Bate off but Bate lands on his feet! Fans applaud but Gibson talks strategy with Drake. Gibson and Bate tie up and go around. Bate gets the wristlock but Gibson powers him to the corner. Drake tags in but Bate gets away! Gibson backs off and Drake waits as Seven tags in. Mr. Mayhem and the artful dodger circle and fans sing “Trent Seven Army!”
Seven and Drake tie up and push each other around. Drake puts Seven on the ropes then turns him around for clubbing forearms. Drake wrenches and brings Seven over but Seven breaks free. Seven chops away on Drake! That third one knocks Drake off his feet! Cover, ONE, so Seven drags Drake over. Tag to Bate and Bate climbs. Wasteland slam to knee-board senton! Bate brings Drake up for European Uppercuts. Bate whips Drake but Gibson bails Drake out. Fans boo as GYV regroups. Drake runs in but Bop goes up. He won’t let Bang hit, so Bate baits him with a test of strength. Drake falls for it, so Bate goes up, over, around and under to roll Drake up. TWO, and a dropkick drops Drake!
Bate handsprings and brings Drake back over. Drake breaks free and gets a headlock. Bate powers out but Gibson tags in. Bate sees Gibson coming and huricanranas! Seven tags in and gets the hand-off. Gibson throws forearms and goes after Seven’s arm. Seven powers out but Gibson runs him over. Things speed up and Seven hits a crossbody! Cover, TWO! Seven goes right after Gibson’s arm! Fans rally but Gibson whips out. Gibson swings but Seven ducks to scoop. Gibson slips out and tags Drake. Seven CHOPS away on both Grizzled Young Veterans! Seven hip tosses Drake down, then gets him in a waistlock. Gibson tags back in as Seven rolls Drake. Seven rocks Gibson with a right, then DIVES onto Drake! Drake backs away as Seven pursues. Drake suckers Seven into Gibson’s throat chop!
Gibson drags Seven up and into the ring to ground ‘n’ pound. Fans boo but Gibson tags in Drake. The GYV stomp Seven down, then Drake throws hands. Seven crawls but can’t get the tag. Fans rally up but Drake gives Seven a backbreaker. Cover, TWO! Drake wraps on a half nelson and chinbar. Seven endures and feeds off the fans’ energy. Seven fights his way up but Drake wrangles him back down. Fans sing again and Seven stands. Drake throws him out hard then tags Gibson. Gibson drags Seven up, and GYV combine for the slingshot stomp backbreaker! Bate comes over to check on Seven but Gibson tells him to back off. Gibson puts Seven in the ring and drags him back over. Drake tags in and Gibson feeds Seven to Drake’s forearm! Cover, TWO! Seven continues to survive but his arm and back are problems.
Drake drags Seven up but Seven fights back. Drake puts Seven in the corner but Seven fights out! GYV mug Seven, but Seven throws Drake at Gibson! Seven scrambles but Drake drags him back. Gibson tags in and he stomps Seven out. Seven has blood from his head, that’s from Drake’s sharp elbow. Fans sing “If you hate Gibson, stand up~!” but Gibson suplexes Seven and floats to a cover. TWO, but Gibson is right on Seven with a cobra clutch. Seven endures and gets his second wind, but Drake tags in. Drake slingshots but Seven bumps Gibson into him. Drake goes down and Gibson lets go since he’s no longer legal. Gibson throws Seven out and Drake goes after him. But Seven CHOPS Drake back! Drake forearms, Seven CHOPS! They go back and forth, but there’s also the ring count.
Drake forearms and Seven chops again. Seven chops and chops then gets back in at 7! Drake scrambles after to stop Seven from tagging Bate! Gibson tags in and the GYV isolate Seven all over again. Gibson brings Seven up for a forearm, but Seven hits Drake and boots Gibson! Seven runs but Gibson catches him, Bate still tags in! Bate fires off with haymakers and keeps Gibson from running away! Drake comes in but Bate whips and back drops him! Gibson runs but into Bate’s knee! Bate hops up, flying uppercut! Fans fire up with Bate as he grabs Drake for the airplane spin! Around and around he goes, but then he throws him at Gibson. Bate then suplexes Drake onto Gibson’s shoulders, and then lifts them both! Bate does a double spin!
Drake slips off but Bate keeps spinning Gibson until he’s too dizzy. Bate goes at Gibson on the apron but Drake gets him first. But Bate brings Drake out to join him. They brawl on the apron, and Bate exploders Drake at Gibson! Bate kips up as fans reach a fever pitch, then shooting star tackles both Gibson and Drake! Bate puts Gibson in, double underhooks, but Gibson resists. Gibson back drops but Bate lands on his feet. Bop up, BANG hits! Seven tags in and scoops Gibson for a running powerslam! Bate adds a headbutt! Seven covers, TWO!! Mustache Mountain can’t believe their tribute to The British Bulldogs didn’t get it done! Bate DIVES onto Drake! Seven brings Gibson up, Burning Hammer!! Cover, but Drake breaks it just in time!
Fans rally up as Gibson and Seven crawl. Seven hammers Gibson but Gibson kicks Seven. Fans know “This is Awesome!” as Seven grabs Gibson’s foot. Gibson kicks Seven’s bad leg, hot tags to Drake and Bate! Drake tries to roll but Bate sits on it. ONE, Drake sunset flips, ONE, Bate high stacks, ONE! Drake sunset flips again, TWO! Rolling kick from Bate! Bate tags Seven again and Seven picks Drake up. Bate runs and rebounds, but Gibson hits a code breaker! Seven chops Gibson, but Gibson puts him in a corner, and Drake makes Seven #GritYourTeeth! Gibson hits Helter Skelter and Drake adds a 450!! Cover, TWO!? Gibson and Drake can’t believe it, but fans are thunderous! The Grizzled Young Veterans regroup, and Gibson tags back in.
Gibson drags Seven up and feeds him to Drake’s scoop. Seven slips out to throw Drake at Gibson. Seven chops everyone, but gets caught into the enziguri and Shankly Gates! Gibson hammers away and sinks it in deep! Seven endures but Bate is slowly returning. Drake intercepts with a facelock, but Bate powers up. Drake puts Bate in his own Shankly Gates! Mustache Mountain reach for each other as they endure the holds. Bate powers up again, to lift Drake and Death Valley Drive him onto Gibson!! All four men are down but the Empress Ballroom is all but exploding! They chant “UK! Woop Woop!” for “British Wrestling!” Both teams regroup, and tags to Bate and Drake. Bate fires off a strike fest! Bate gives some to Gibson! Drake hits a forearm, but Bate hits a DOUBLE rolling kick!
Seven’s back and tags in again. Mustache Mountain want it, Rebound Snap Dragon! Cover, TWO!?! Drake survives, but Mustache Mountain has one more thing to try. Seven drags Drake up as fans hope they “Fight Forever!” Gibson lurks, and anchors Bate! Seven lifts Drake but Drake slips out. Drake shoves Seven into Bate, and Bate’s in an electric chair. Seven Star Lariat misses, Drake DIVES to Doomsday Bate! Fans lose their minds over that one. Seven is furious, he DIVES but into Drake’s shotgun kick! Gibson drags Seven up and in, and GYV coordinate. Drake scoops, Ticket to MAYHEM!! Cover, Grizzled Young Veterans win!!
Winners: Grizzled Young Veterans, James Drake pinning; INAUGURAL NXT UK Tag Team Champions
Whether they were really “locker room leaders,” GYV would go on a run with these titles that truly set the bar for the NXT UK Tag Division. But standing tall with golden targets on their backs, Gibson and Drake would be hunted by Gallus’ Mark Coffey & Wolfgang, as well as the South Wales Subculture, Mark Andrews and Flash Morgan Webster. Each team made their case and earned their way into this tag title match, and TakeOver: Cardiff would hold a Triple Threat Tag Team Championship match!
TakeOver: Cardiff – NXT UK Tag Team Championship Triple Threat: The Grizzled Young Veterans VS Gallus VS Mark Andrews & Flash Morgan Webster!
Gibson tells Andrews to tune out the crowd and focus on him. Andrews is focused, even as fans taunt Gibson with song. The two tie up as fans take shoes off. Gibson wrenches one way then the other to arm-drag Andrews to the mat. Gibson gets both hands for a wristlock cover, TWO! Gibson powers Andrews back down, but Andrews bridges. Andrews monkey flips up to a sunset flip, TWO! Andrews wheelbarrows to arm-drag, but Gibson reverses right there! Gibson hammerlocks, wrenches and tags in Drake. Andrews gets free and arm-drags Drake once. Drake blocks, but gets the arm-drag on the other end. Andrews mule kicks then tags in the Modfather. SWSC double drag Drake, then hit a moonsault senton combo! FMW covers, ONE, but he keeps on Drake with a wrench and whip. He hits a forearm in the corner, tag to Andrews.
SWSC combine for a basement dropkick. Cover, TWO! Andrews keeps on Drake but Drake shoves him to the Gallus corner. Wolfgang tags in and goes after Drake while Coffey drags Andrews out! Wolfgang whips but Gibson saves Drake. Fans boo as Gibson has Wolfgang stay back. Everyone regroups and Drake returns to circle with Wolfgang. But then Drake tags out to FMW! FMW fires off on Gallus but Wolfgang hits back. Wolfgang shoves FMW but FMW comes back with a knee! FMW tilt-o-whirls to a sunset flip but Wolfgang sits on it. GYV shoves Wolfgang off and now all six men are in the ring! Fans are fired up as Coffey keeps Wolfgang calm. SWSC and GYV cool off, too, and Coffey tags in. Coffey waistlocks and slams FMW to then swing on Drake and Gibson! FMW comes back and huricanranas Coffey into GYV’s corner! Gibson tags in but FMW dropkicks him out!
Andrews hits Wolfgang, and Wales’ team has the ring! Andrews fakes out Coffey and Gibson, to then hop and boot Coffey! FMW comes around the corner, both he and Andrews wipe out Gibson and Coffey! FMW puts Gibson in and hits a moonsault! Cover, but Wolfgang breaks it. The ref reprimands Wolfgang but this is only proves to distract the ref. FMW hits Coffey but the GYV tag. Gibson and Drake work together, Mayhem in Motion! Gibson gives a stomp on the way out before Drake drags FMW up for haymakers. Drake rocks FMW out of the ring then tags back to Gibson. Gibson has FMW up, slingshot splash backbreaker combo! The Grizzled Young Veterans soak up the heat before putting FMW back in. Gibson scoop slams FMW hard then covers, TWO!
Gibson smothers FMW into a chinlock, and then shifts to a seated cobra clutch. Fans rally up for FMW as he fights up. But Drake tags in, and Gibson reels FMW out for Drake’s forearm! Drake stares down with Gallus while Cardiff calls him “Ass Face!” Drake scoops FMW up for another backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Drake drags FMW around to drive his knee in. Drake puts on another cobra clutch but FMW fights up as fans sing. Jawbreaker! Coffey tags in and Wolfgang drags Drake out! Coffey forearms then suplexes, but FMW escapes! FMW boost then enziguris! He crawls and shoves Mark away. Gibson tags in and throws Mark out. Gibson drags FMW away to throw EuroUppers. Wolfgang talks trash, and FMW goes up and over! Hot tag to Andrews! Andrews fires off on Gibson! Then on Drake! Gibson swings, misses, enziguri from Andrews! Andrews runs, victory rolls Gibson, but tornado DDT’s Drake! But Gallus wrecks everyone!
Wolfgang feeds Andrews but Andrews double PELES! SWSC FLIES onto Gallus! Then they get back in to FLY onto GYV! Cardiff is thunderous as Andrews puts Gibson in. FMW knee triggers Coffey away! Then he helps Andrews 450! Cover but Drake breaks it! Drake throws FMW out then stomps Andrews. But FMW returns to Rude Boy Block the GYV! Gallus returns and Coffey tags off Gibson. Drake gets a double attack but Andrews gets run over. Coffey full nelson slams FMW, then double CHOPS Andrews! Tag to Wolfgang and Gallus gang up on Andrews. Catapult fireman’s carry, Samoan Drop! Wolfgang covers, TWO! Andrews survives but Gallus is still on him. They feed Andrews to a scoop, but FMW FLIES in! FMW takes out Coffey then boots Wolfgang. Andrews runs but is caught, but pops up, knee-trigger POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Toast to 3 AM didn’t do it, but Cardiff is still cheering their boys and “NXT! NXT!”
Andrews goes up while FMW DIVES to take out Drake! But Coffey is saving Wolfgang while Gibson trips up and tags off Andrews. But Coffey is right on Gibson with a trip and a right hand. Coffey climbs up after Andrews while Wolfgang brawls with Gibson. Andrews resists and fights back. Andrews headbutts Coffey onto Gibson! Then he LEAPS onto everyone with a SHOOTING STAR! Cardiff is thunderous again for that insane dive! Andrews revives and drags Gibson up. Andrews puts Gibson in, and Gibson flounders. Drake anchors Andrews and Gibson clotheslines Andrews down! Gibson brings Andrews up, suplex, STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRE! FMW is up top, SWANTON!! Cover, TWO!! Gibson survives and shocks SWSC! But “WALES~! WALES~!” still echoes out.
Drake drags FMW out, Gibson has Andrews by the tights, TWO! Wheelbarrow, but into a corner, GRIT YOUR TEETH! The dropkick rocks Andrews and Drake goes up, Helter Skelter to a 450!! Cover, TWO!?! Cardiff is reaching a fever pitch for their hometown heroes! The Grizzled Young Veterans are shocked, but they have more to try. Drake returns to the corner to officially tag in. Gibson grabs Andrews and feeds him to Drake. Knee trigger stops Gibson! Drake rocks FMW, but a 2-for-1 headbutt takes the champs out! Those four men are down, but the two left are Gallus! Wolfgang sentons on FMW then feeds Drake to Coffey. Coffey tags before he CHOKE SLAMS Drake! Wolfgang wipes out Gibson then slingshot SPEARS Andrew! Gallus fires up, Coffey runs and Wolfgang TOSSES him onto everyone else! Wolfgang howls and even Cardiff has to admit that was great. Coffey puts Andrews in, feeds him to Wolfgang, pop-up, enziguri power slam!
FMW crawls in but is stomped down. Coffey covers, but FMW breaks free to break it! Cardiff is loving the heart but Gallus clobbers FMW down. They hit Gibson and Drake out but now a brawl breaks out. It’s a lot like NXT UK from Wednesday as the chaos ensues! Gibson, Drake, FMW and Andrews beat down Gallus! But Gallus explodes out! Catapult, DESTROYER!? FMW takes Coffey out! GYV wipe Wolfgang out with an Electric Chair DIVE! A tope suicida Doomsday!? Fans lose their minds over that one! “This is Awesome!” but far from over. SWSC and the Grizzled Young Veterans are the only two teams still standing. And the hometown heroes dare the champs to do something! Gibson and Drake slowly return as “WALES~! WALES~!” echoes out again.
Drake tags in off Coffey, and the GYV step through the ropes. They stand face to face with Andrews and FMW, and fans fire up! The brawl is on!! Gibson throws FMW out and Drake suplexes, DOUBLE STUN-DOG! FMW tags back in and Drake is down! FMW is up, 630!! Cover, but Gibson drags out the ref!! Gibson begs this not disqualify the match, but Andrews slingshots out! Gibson throat chops Andrews down! FMW clobbers Gibson, dodges Drake and hits a EuroUpper. But Gibson tags in, and Drake counters the tilt-o-whirl, throat chop, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! But they don’t cover yet, Drake has to DIVE and take out Gallus! But Andrews Falls to Pieces to take out Gibson! Andrews puts FMW on Gibson, CARDIFF WINS!!
Winners: South Wales Subculture, Webster pinning; NEW NXT UK Tag Team Champions
History has been made! The first ever Welsh champions in WWE history and it happens IN Wales!
But even SWSC couldn’t keep the titles forever, and Gallus has their gold! The tag team division would get more and more heated, and that leads us to the instant classic that will be this year’s Fatal 4 Way Ladder match! Andrews and Webster speak, saying they had an incredible 2019, with that tag title win being the number one highlight. It can’t be described how great it felt to win in their hometown. But they vow to become the first-ever two-time NXT UK Tag Team Champions in Blackpool!
2019 was literally huge for the Iron King and Bomber from Black Country!
Joe Coffey and Dave Mastiff went to war on the way to Cardiff. They fought strike for strike, throw for throw, and all the way to a double count out! This would then bring about a massive Last Man Standing at TakeOver: Cardiff. It would go Coffey’s way, but Mastiff speaks. “2019 was a massive year for me.” He threw hands with Coffey, and will be the first to say “he clubs with the best of them.” In 2020, Mastiff has goals to reach a proper British heavyweight on NXT UK!
Never bet against the Ace on Halloween.
Because even though Jordan Devlin was up against said Bomber, he was able to trump the bigger and stronger Dave Mastiff. Devlin was able to survive big move after big move, even going Into the Void! But it was thanks to an opportune moment when Mastiff was on the top rope that Devlin would pull off a SUPER Devlinside suplex! Devlin himself speaks on that amazing match. Devlin is proud of himself for a great match, and gives credit to Dave. But when it comes to the NXT UK MVP of 2019, “you can’t look any further than the Irish Ace.” He started the year at Blackpool I, “pushing Finn Balor to his limits,” and hasn’t looked back since. “This entire roster is in awe of me,” putting on the best matches of the year. Tyler Bate knows his time is over, so some advice before Blackpool II: put your money on the Irish Ace. 2020 will be the year of Devlin.
Another big star to join NXT UK is the Moscow Madman, Ilja Dragunov!
The raging Russian made a huge impression since debuting in May for his intensity and skill. But the Swiss Cyborg had been watching and wanted a fight in Wales. And he certainly got one from Dragunov! Cesaro would win out, but would also commend Dragunov for being the opponent he had hoped for, and for even going above expectations. “You saw that match, you know what he did.” Keep an eye on Dragunov, because Cesaro sure will.
NXT UK 10/24/19 – Trent Seven VS Noam Dar!
The first time these two faced off, the Man from Moustache Mountain was pushed into a rage by the Scottish Supernova’s taunting. Seven lost because he got disqualified, and Dar would keep rubbing it in. Dar taunts Seven even now by having the towel he stole around his neck, and the letters “RIP BSS” written on it in marker. Will Seven get back at Mr. Supernova 11 for everything he’s said and done up to date?
Seven wants to do his signature slow roll into the ring, but Dar dropkicks him out! Fans boo as Dar throws the towel and his jacket off. Dar goes out to throw Seven into steel steps! Fans boo harder but Dar drags Seven up to put on the apron for clubbing forearms! Dar uses the towel to tie Seven up to a post! The ref reprimands Dar, but Dark basement dropkicks the arm against the post! Seven slumps off the apron while Dar goes into the ring. Dar soaks up the heat while the ref checks on Seven. Seven gets up and throws off his jacket, too angry to let this rematch pass him by. The ref double checks but Seven says go, so the bell rings! Dar runs at Seven from the corner, into Seven’s LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! Dar survives his own ego, and he eggs Seven on.
Seven goes after Dar with furious hands, but he lest up before the count. Dar runs in but into a hip toss! And then a scoop slam! Seven runs to drop the leg, brother! Cover, TWO!! Dar rolls away but Seven is back on his feet. Seven whips Dar but Dar holds ropes then side steps. But Seven knows about the table top and he stomps Dar down! Fans cheer as Seven loom over Dar. Seven torture racks Dar, but Dar rakes the eyes! Dar escapes to the apron, blocks the chop, and hotshots the bad arm! Fans boo but Dar gets in to take aim again. Dar runs in, but runs into an URENAGE! Seven has the fans firing up as he climbs to the top. But Dar sweeps the legs and Seven crashes to the mat! The ref wants Dar to stay back, but Dar refuses! Dar drags Seven up, fisherman suplex! Cover, TWO! Now Seven survives and frustrates Dar.
Dar stomps Seven down as fans boo and jeer. Seven refuses to let the ref end this, but Dar stomps him more. The ref backs Dar off, Dar says he knows how a five count works. Seven hits back but Dar snapmares Seven into ropes! Cover, TWO! Fans troll Dar with songs of Alicia Fox. Dar goes for legs, Seven kicks back, but he gets caught into an STF! Dar wants after the left arm! Dar shouts, “I love you, Pete!” as he goes after Seven’s fingers! Seven endures, so Dar lets up to stomp him out. Fans boo and jeer but Dar drags Seven back up. Seven throws big body shots back, and then uppercuts! Dar ducks to back suplex and crotch Seven on the ropes! Seven falls off and hits the apron on the way down! Fans rally up for Seven while Dar lets the ring count climbs. Seven gets to his feet at 4, and crawls in at 7. Dar dropkicks Seven in the head!
Dar drags Seven up and bumps him off buckles, then reels him in. “I love you, Tyler!” Dar goes to underhook but Seven falls down. Dar brings him back up, but Dar is no Big Strong Boy. Seven slips out to CHOP! And then back drop! And CHOP again! Fans fire up with Seven as he fakes Dar out. But Dar slips out the DDT to sweep the legs! Dar has the ankle lock! But Seven rolls to throw Dar off. Dar runs back in, into a Snap Dragon Suplex! Dar flounders around and out of the ring. Fans rally up, Seine runs and DIVES! The Lowpe blasts Dar into barriers! Seven gets up and puts Dar back in. Seven climbs up top again, but needs a moment. He gets his legs working, corkscrew senton FLOPS! Dar drags Seven up, underhooks and spins him around and around and around, but Seven scoop slams Dar first! Cover, TWO!!
Fans rally up for Seven again as he and Dar are both down. Seven rises and he looms over Dar. Seven clubs Dar before wrapping on the wristlock. Seven reels Dar out but Dar kicks the lariat away. So Seven SLAPS Dar! Seven winds up, but swings into a Complete Shot! Cover, TWO!! Dar has the ankle lock and grapevine! Seven gets the ropebreak, and Dar takes his time letting go. The ref has Dar back off, but Dar and Seven stay on the apron. Dar drags Seven up but Seven CHOPS! Dar boots and boots and boots, but Seven blocks the fourth! Seven fakes Dar out again, DDT to the apron!! Fans are loving this as Seven gets back in. Seven covers, TWO! Dar still lives but Seven shouts, “NO!” Seven grimaces as he clutches his bad leg. Seven fights through the pain and hobbles over to Dar. He drags Dar up and wristlocks, “This is for Tyler!”
Seven reels Dar out but Dar ducks the lariat. Dar wristlock ripcords Seven now! But Seven ducks to Snap German Suplex! And then he CHOPS back, to the SEVEN STAR LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!? Dar survives and Seven can’t believe it! But fans are loving “NXT! NXT!” for this one. Seven and Dar stir, and Seven gives Dar kicks from the mat. Dar dares Seven to bring it, and they start brawling on their knees. Seven throws a forearm, Dar gives it back. Dar taunts, “Let’s go, Strong Style!” Seven and Dar stand to throw more hands. Dar gets the edge, and pulls on the beard! But Seven pulls Dar’s hair to DECK him! Seven is seething, but misses at the ropes! Dar sweeps the legs and then climbs up top, double stomps to the knee!! But he runs into a SUPERKICK! SEVEN STAR- NO! Ankle lock and grapevine!!
Seven flails inside the Champagne Super Kneebar, but Dar stomps and kicks away! Seven shouts “NO!” and hammers Dar’s legs! Seven flails, reaches, grits his teeth and gets the ropebreak! Dar lets go at 4 but is frustrated that he hasn’t finished Seven yet. Fans are at a fever pitch as Dar goes back for the towel. Dar puts the towel around his shoulders to drag Seven up. Fans rally up for Seven as he rolls Dar up! TWO, but Dar BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO!! Seven survives and shocks the Supernova! Fans have not stopped cheering and singing, but Dar drags Seven around. “All your crones have left you, old man!” Seven grabs Dar’s pinkie! Bop up, BANG! Finger SNAP! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, Seven wins!!
Winner: Trent Seven, by pinfall
British Strong Style still lives through the silver-haired superman from Moustache Mountain! Seven gets even with Dar, and gets his towel back, as well, but is this just the beginning for a resurgence?
But even what led to TakeOver: Blackpool I was historic.
It was the first NXT UK of this year that brought us the culmination of Pete Dunne defending against Joe Coffey with their contract signing. The Iron King claimed he was going to claim his throne, but the Bruiserweight would counter with a snap of the fingers. Not his fingers, but Coffey’s fingers! And in the end, the contract was signed, and Coffey POWERBOMBED Dunne through the table! Dunne would not let that go unpunished, and he would win at TakeOver: Blackpool to retain the WWE United Kingdom Championship and continue his incredibly dominant reign. But that would also be the night WALTER made his NXT UK debut! Walter would leave his mark on Joe Coffey’s face, as Coffey has noted many times, but Walter would leave his mark on the roster with his in-ring debut at the end of January.
NXT UK 1/30/19 – Walter VS Jack Starz!
The Ring General finally gets some action in NXT UK, and it would seem Johnny Saint has found a lamb for the slaughter. Will Starz be able to stand after facing the almighty Austrian?
Fans sing along with Walter’s theme, the New World Symphony, and then chant his name at the bell. They also let Starz know, “Walter’s gonna kill~ you~!” Starz hits first and fast, but it does nothing to Walter. Starz chops Walter, but then Walter CHOPS Starz! Fans love that! Walter stalks Starz on the outside to then club him down hard! Walter gives Starz a back suplex on the apron! Starz writhes as fans sing again.
Walter puts Starz back in and dares Starz to put up a fight. Walter toys with Starz, who already has a red chest. Starz flails and staggers, but he does throw hands. His forearm is loud but Watler doesn’t flinch. Walter knees Starz hard, then whips him to ropes. Starz slides but gets caught and put in a corner. Starz elbows and dropkicks Walter, but Walter dropkicks Starz! Walter drags Starz up as fans fire up. Walter Bomb! Cover, Walter wins!
Winner: Walter, by pinfall
The Ring General has his first victory in NXT UK, and he made it look easy. Perhaps it was too easy. Will Walter dominate all the way to the throne of the Bruiserweight?
The Walter Chop is scary and unsettling for Tom, but imagine what it is to take one? Nigel wants Tom to see if he can take even a single chop. Tom doesn’t want to, but Nigel doesn’t give him much of a choice!
Imperium has invaded!
Walter has become the indomitable leader of a fierce faction motivated by their philosophy that “the mat is sacred!” And in their rise to power, The Ring General was next up to go after the Bruiseweight, and it culminated at WrestleMania Weekend, as part of TakeOver: New York!
NXT TakeOver: New York – WWE United Kingdom Championships: Pete Dunne VS WALTER!
Walter and Dunne stare down as fans cheer. They slowly start circling as fans cheer for the “UK! UK!” Dunne and Walter tie up, and Walter puts Dunne on the ropes. Walter lets up on the count of 4, then backs off to let Dunne return. They circle again and tie up. Dunne drops to go for a leg but Walter sprawls and catches him! Walter has Dunne in a modified crab but Dunne barrels through. Dunne has a toehold and he stands on a hand of Walter. Walter uses the free leg to push Dunne away, then gets in Dunne’s face to show he’s not afraid. Dunne doesn’t back down, and he circles with Walter. They tie up again and Dunne gets fingers but Walter gets the chin. Dunne bends the fingers while Walter pulls Dunne’s head.
Walter shoves Dunne off but Dunne avoids that infamous chop! Dunne shrugs as he and Walter circle again. They tie up and Walter throws Dunne! Walter eggs Dunne on but Dunne keeps his cool. They tie up but Walter throws Dunne again, then is on him immediately! Dunne narrowly avoids that chop again! Fans duel as Walter and Dunne tie up once more. Walter wrenches Dunne’s arm to a one-arm suplex and slam! Walter keeps on Dunne with a mounted armlock. Dunne pries his way out then nips up to a ropebreak. Walter lets up but Dunne forearms him back! Walter CHOPS Dunne off his feet! Now Dunne knows what that feels like. Walter toys with Dunne then drags him up for another CHOP! Fans fire up from the echo as Walter looms over Dunne again.
Walter rams his knees in but Dunne resists the cover. Walter floats over to a headlock, but Dunne works his way up. Dunne powers out of the hold and things speed up. Dunne manages to hurdle Walter, but the clothesline does nothing! Walter hurdles and BOOTS Dunne! Walter drags Dunne up and puts him on the top rope for a CHOP! Then he climbs up to stand on Dunne! The ref counts but Walter lets up at 1 and Dunne tumbles down. Walter fetches Dunne up for a back suplex onto the apron! Fans duel as Walter fires himself up. Walter returns to the ring and Dunne kicks back, but it doesn’t do enough. Walter stomps Dunne then goes after his foot with a toehold. Fans rally as Dunne endures.
Dunne pulls at Walter’s fingers while avoiding the cover. Dunne drop toeholds into a kneebar with heel hook! Walter endures and CHOPS, but Dunne holds onto the hold. Dunne kicks but Walter CHOPS him off! Walter brings Dunne around for a Boston Crab! And he sits in deep! Dunne endures and powers up to crawl for ropes. Ropebreak and Walter legs to. Dunne gets to the apron but Walter is on for clubbing forearms. Walter stands Dunne up for another, but Dunne catches the arm! Dunne has the fingers, bends them around, but Walter breaks free to BOOT Dunne down! Dunne falls to the floor while Walter checks his hand. Walter waits for Dunne as he crawls back in. Dunne gets in but gets knees from Walter. Walter grinds his boot in but backs off at 4. Dunne grits his teeth even as Walter kicks him against the ropes.
Walter dares Dunne to stand and Dunne does. Walter forearms but Dunne explodes with strikes! Dunne whips but Walter reverses, Dunne goes up and over to enziguri! Dunne waistlocks but Walter standing switches and German Suplexes! But Dunne lands on his feet to buzzsaw Walter! Walter bails out but Dunne goes to the apron, for a MOONSAULT! Direct hit take Walter out! Both men are down and a ring count begins. The count reaches 5 before Walter stands and gets in. Dunne stands at 8 and takes to the top rope. Walter intercepts him with throat chops! Walter climbs up to join Dunne, but Dunne holds on. Dunne grabs the fingers! He bends Walter’s arm around, then sunset flips! Dunne somehow gets Walter for a walking powerbomb! Cover, TWO!!
Walter rolls out of the ring but Dunne is also down. Dunne drags himself back to the corner, climbs back up and leaps for DOUBLE STOMPS! Walter writhes and screams from the damage done to his chest! The ring count begins again and reaches 4 before Dunne stands. Dunne puts dead weight Walter in at 5. Dunne runs in but Walter dodges. Walter sees Dunne going up and over and shotgun dropkicks him down! Walter drags Dunne up for a sleeper hold! Dunne grabs ropes but Walter CHOPS him on the back! Then German Suplex! Then WALTER BOMB! High stack cover, TWO!! Dunne survives and Walter is in disbelief. Dunne grits his teeth as he glares at Walter from the mat. Walter drags Dunne back up and clubs him on the back.
Walter stands Dunne up for another CHOP! He stands Dunne up again but Dunne SLAPS Walter! Walter CHOPS Dunne then stomps him out! Dunne somehow sits back up but Walter prepares another. Walter aims but it’s Dunne who chops and jabs back! Walter still CHOPS back and stuns Dunne. He drags Dunne up once more, but Dunne has the fingers! Walter and Dunne end up in a test of strength. Dunne bridges but Walter STOMPS! Walter lifts but Dunne slips out of the bomb to enziguri! Both men are down but Brooklyn is fired up! Fans continue to duel while both men slowly stir. Dunne stands on Walter’s hands, and stomps! Then buzzsaws! Then Dunne climbs up top, but Walter chop blocks a leg out! Walter climbs up behind Dunne, and waistlocks. Dunne holds on for dear life but Walter goes for a sleeper.
Dunne smacks Walter’s hands on the post! Walter clubs Dunne back and drags Dunne up, SUPER SLEEPER SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO!? Dunne survives but Walter keeps his focus. Walter stalks Dunne to the ropes, but Dunne catches the chop! Dunne SNAPS the fingers! Then SNAPS the other fingers! Walter runs but into a rebound German! Dunne keeps going, rolling crucifix! Cover, TWO!! Walter survives now and rolls away. Dunne stalks Walter while fans duel. Dunne drags Walter up for Danielson stomps! But Walter kicks back all the same! Dunne stomps Walter back! Walter reels Dunne into a sleeper! Dunne rolls through to give more stomps, then rolls Walter into a finger-bending Rings of Saturn! Walter endures as Dunne traps both arms and pulls the fingers past their limits! But Walter turns and gets the ropebreak with his long legs! Dunne lets go, because he’s also exhausted.
Walter gets under the ropes while Dunne crawls after him. Dunne climbs up high and drags Walter up to join him. Walter SLAPS Dunne back, then CLUBS Dunne right off the top! Dunne tumbles into a drop zone, and Walter climbs?! Walter leaps, but into a triangle!! Walter flails as Dunne struggles to put it on. Dunne ends up on top, and he wants the fingers, but Walter blocks and chops back! Walter stands to stomp Dunne out again! Walter goes back to Dunne but Dunne gets those fingers. But Walter stomps Dunne more. Dunne keeps those fingers in his grip, and stands up. Dunne ducks a boot, pump handles, but Walter CLOTHESLINES his way out of the Bitter End! Walter runs but into Dunne’s clotheslines! Dunne pump handles, BITTER END!! Cover, TWO?!? Walter survives Dunne’s best move?!
Dunne is beside himself but he glares at Walter as they both slowly stand up. Fans duel again as Dunne and Walter stare down from opposite ends. Dunne and Walter approach, and the brawl is on! Dunne forearms but Walter CHOPS, and repeat! Walter eggs Dunne on and Dunne gives it. Walter continues to give CHOPS but Dunne continues to forearm back. Dunne eggs Walter on now and things pick up speed! Dunne fires off palm strikes and haymakers! The ref has to back Dunne off, Walter BOOTS him! Dunne looks out cold but Walter doesn’t cover?! Walter climbs up top?! Dunne’s back and SNAPS the fingers again! Dunne climbs up but Walter resists. Walter blocks the triangle takedown, to CHOP away! Walter lifts Dunne back up, SUPER WALTER BOMB!! Fans are losing their minds for that one! Walter leaps, WALTER SPLASH!! Cover, Walter wins!!
Winner: WALTER, by pinfall; NEW WWE United Kingdom Champion
The Bruiserweight’s reign finally ends! And the new reign is that of the Ring General!
Imperium would make this reign a reign of terror, and they would brutalize Dunne’s British Strong Style compatriots in Moustache Mountain. Alexander Wolfe would shock the world when he appeared in NXT UK and joined their forces, making them even stronger and more menacing than before! But the Big Strong Boy would not stand by as Walter imposed his will, and that led us to the epic encounter in Cardiff!
NXT UK TakeOver: Cardiff – WWE United Kingdom Championship: WALTER VS Tyler Bate!
Bate and Walter stare down as fans sing for Bate. Walter and Bate circle and feel out the grapple. They tie up and Walter powers Bate to the ropes. Then he swings a big hand, but Bate gets clear! Bate kicks then backs off. Fans chant for “Big Strong Boy!” as he circles with Walter more. They approach and lock up, but Bate rolls back to get the wristlock. Walter grabs Bate’s head but Bate gets to ropes. Bate gets free to kick at the leg more. The singing gets stronger as Bate and Walter tie up again. The two go shoulder to shoulder in a test of strength. But Walter brings the wristlocks up to lean on Bate. Fans still cheer and Bate bridges as Walter pushes him back. Cover, ONE! Walter drops on Bate, TWO as Bate bridges again! Walter struggles to keep Bate down as the cheering continues!
Walter backs Bate up but Bate turns things around to have Walter on the ropes. Bate gives Walter an elbow grind before backing off. Fans want Bate to “F him up, Tyler, F him up!” But Walter gets Bate and throws a forearm! But Bate gives big hands back! Bate kicks the leg but Walter headlocks to a takeover! Fans rally as Bate endures the grind. Walter cranks back but Bate fights his way up to his feet. Fans sing to troll Walter but Walter throws Bate down again. Walter cranks Bate’s head more, but Bate fights back up. Bate endures more grinding as he crotch lifts Walter! Walter fights that off but Bate throws body shots. Bate powers out but gets run over! Walter has Bate up fast, but Bate slips out of the bomb! Walter back drops out of the driver but Bate lands on his feet. Bate rams his shoulder in, then runs. Walter hurdles Bate, but Bate scoops Walter! To slam him down!
Bate rams his shoulder in and Walter is on the outside! Cardiff is thunderous while Walter is reeling! Bate strikes a pose, brother! Walter gathers himself before getting back in. Bate dropkicks Walter a few times, but Walter swats the last one away. Walter scoops but Bate holds on! Walter rams Bate into buckles, then scoops him up. But Bate slips out to huricanrana Walter out! Bate runs and DIVES! But Walter catches him, pops him off and CHOPS him with those monstrous hands! And then apron WALTER BOMBS Bate! Flashbacks to the Download Festival! Walter leaves Bate for dead while he rests in the ring. A ring count begins and climbs to 5, but Bate is up. Bate climbs in but Walter BOOTS him back out! Walter follows after but Bate throws hands. Walter swats Bate then throws him into barriers. Walter runs in to BOOT Bate almost over! Walter has Bate again, POST BOMB! Bate is wrecked all over again and Walter wants to leave him behind.
The referee checks on Bate but Walter cares more about the count. A medic checks on Bate as fans rally up. Bate says he doesn’t want to lose like this, and fans cheer him on. Bate rises to his feet and this match continues. Fans say “F you, Walter!” as the ring count begins. Bate stands at 5, but has to drag himself in at 7. Bate kicks from the mat but Walter just stomps him back. Walter kicks Bate around but fans rally and sing again. Walter drags Bate up for another scoop slam. The fans still sing as Walter kicks Bate hard in the back. Fans now boo and jeer, but Walter just ignores them as he drags Bate up. Bate can’t stand but he does kick from the mat. Walter stomps Bate more, egging Bate on. Walter drags Bate up and Bate throws body shots! Bate throws hands but Walter kicks him back down. Walter drags Bate up and clamps his hands on for a neck wrench. Bate endures but fans rally again.
Bate feeds off the energy, even as Walter thrashes Bate around. Walter smothers Bate with his weight but fans give Bate the strength to stand, only for Walter to kick him back down! Walter looms over Bate as fans sing both ways. Walter sits Bate up for clubbing forearms, and then wraps on a sleeper hold! Bate endures and gets to the ropes! But Walter breaks the break, only for Bate to get behind him! Bate clobbers Walter with a big left hand! Bate tries to fireman’s carry, but that bad back gives out! Walter falls on top of Bate and clubs away! Then Walter puts on a massive crossface hold! Fans rally yet again and Bate gets the ropebreak! Walter just puts Bate on the ropes to stretch him out and club his chest! And again, and again!
Bate flops out of the ring and to the floor, but Walter just waits in the ring. Fans boo Walter while Bate hears the count. The count passes 5 as Bate forces himself up. Bate stands at 7 and drags himself in just before 8. But Walter is right on him, stretching those arms out and stepping on Bate’s back! The fans cheer for “Big Strong Boy!” and Bate sits up. Walter grinds his knee in now, but Bate keeps standing up. Bate works against the stretch, but Walter headbutts him down to stop the turn. Bate keeps trying, and the fans are still with him. He goes to turn the hold again, and has it, only for Walter to turn it back. So Bate flips and kicks Walter away! But Walter comes back to fall on Bate! Cover, TWO! Bate still lives and it annoys Walter. Walter watches Bate sit up just to boot him back down. Walter drags Bate up for a CHOP! Bate crawls to a corner but Walter looms over him.
Walter drags Bate up to CHOP him down again! Bate still glares defiantly, so Walter stomps Bate in the corner. Walter eggs Bate on, so Bate CHOPS back! Walter still wants more so Bate CHOPS him again! But Walter CLUBS Bate down, then drags him up to ram him into buckles! Walter has Bate on the top rope and he CLUBS Bate! Walter climbs up to stand on Bate! Bate flops out to the apron and Walter goes out to join him. Walter grabs Bate and brings him up. He brings him in, but Bate holds ropes to save his life! Walter clubs Bate but fans chant again. Walter stands Bate up for forearms. Bate catches Walter, for an EXPLODER off the apron! Fans lose their minds as both men crash down! A new ring counts as both men start stirring. Bate is up first, and he goes after Walter again.
Bate rams Walter into the barriers, then the apron. He puts Walter in at 7, then drops on Walter’s back! And then again, and again! Bate headbutts Walter from the mat, then drags him up again. Bate throws EuroUppers, and fans fire up with him. Bate runs into the corner with an uppercut, and keeps Walter there. Walter blocks the whip to reverse it. But Bate boots and knees back. Bate hops up, to leap into a CHOP! Walter puts on a Boston Crab on Bate’s bad back! Bate endures as Walter sits deep, and powers his way up! But Walter puts a knee into Bate’s neck, then shifts to a crossface! Bate endures all this stretching and pulling, and still manages to crawl for ropes. Walter elbows Bate down, then makes the hold a Chancery! Bate still fights, slips out and gets the ropebreak! Walter lets go in frustration, but Bate keeps kicking from the mat.
Walter stands and looms over Bate. Walter stands Bate up to CHOP him down again. Fans have not given up on Bate, even as Walter circles Bate. Walter drags Bate up and goes to suplex, but Bate resists. Bate somehow holds Walter off, and the two start throwing body shots. Bate tries to suplex Walter, but that’s so much to lift! Walter spins out to CHOP Bate again! Walter suplexes Bate but Bate knees free. Bate tries again, and gets Walter up and over! Fans are on their feet for the Big Strong Boy’s big strong heart! The singing begins again and Bate stands. Walter follows but Bate is on him with hands. Bate EuroUppers and Walter staggers about. Bate runs, clotheslines, but Walter stays up! Bate tries again, still not enough. A third time, not yet! Bate tries a fourth, but gets rocked! Only to come back with the rolling kick!
Bate waistlocks, but Walter swings an elbow, only to end up in another EXPLODER! Bate somehow kips up!? And hits a standing shooting star! Cover, TWO!! Walter survives and Bate cannot believe it. “This is Awesome!” but far from over. Bate drags Walter up and wants the underhooks! But Walter resists, spins out and gives a EuroUpper. Bate gives one back, then turns Walter’s retaliation into a backslide! That he just flips over to underhooks! But Walter back drops out to deny the driver. Walter runs in, Bate goes up and over, but Walter dropkicks Bate in the back! Bate rebounds off buckles, into Walter’s powerbomb lift, only to make it a DESTROYER!! Cover, TWO!?! Walter almost lost for the first time in NXT UK! Fans cheer for “NXT! NXT!” again as Bate crawls his way to the apron.
Bate heads for a corner as fans declare “This is Wrestling!” Bate slowly climbs while Walter is still down. Bate reaches the top but Walter crawls to the apron. Fans boo but Bate just adjusts and stares down with Walter. They brawl, and Bate clubs Walter. Walter throws body shots and climbs up. Bate clubs him back, and sees where they are. Fans anticipate what’s coming, but Walter does, too. Walter fights and clubs back, then gets back to the apron. Walter CHOPS Bate off the top rope! Bate is in the drop zone and now Walter climbs up top. But Bate jumps up to headbutt! Bate fires up with the fans as he climbs up again. But Walter goes to chop, only for Bate to shout out the Bruiserweight! SNAP goes the fingers! SUPER EXPLODER!! Bate crawls to the cover, TWO!?! Walter still lives and Cardiff can’t believe it! Both men are down but fans are singing for Bate.
Walter sits up but Bate follows. Bate throws hands from the mat, showing that boxing training. Walter kicks Bate over but Bate kicks back. Walter CHOPS Bate, but Bate kicks a leg out! Bate tweaks the ankle, but Walter still stands. Walter throws a BIG forearm and Bate falls. But Bate is up again to throw hands! Walter CHOPS Bate, but Bate still rises! Bate throws more hands but takes another CHOP! How is Bate getting up again!? Walter doesn’t care, he welcomes Bate rising again. Walter CHOPS, but Bate grits hits teeth. Walter CHOPS and CHOPS, but Bate dodges. Walter sees through Bop to CHOP! But he still gets BANG! But then Walter falls on Bate’s body! It’s not a pin but Walter looks out cold! Bate gets free, and both men are down again.
Fans give another rally, and Bate feels his chest stinging. Bate and Walter can barely move, but they refuse to stop. Walter slaps Bate down but Bate kicks Walter. Walter forearms down but Bate drops a short elbow. Walter clubs, Bate CHOPS, and fans are still singing. The two men find the power to stand but Walter gives sumo palm strike! Bate fires off kicks on the leg, then dodges to rebound, into Walter’s Exploder! Cover, TWO!! Walter has had enough of Bate, powerbomb lift but scorpion kick! Bate tries, and somehow fireman’s carries Walter, for the AIRPLANE SPIN! They go around and around, but Walter grabs ropes to stop it. Walter climbs off but Bate kicks the legs! Bate has Walter stuck and just clubs away. Bate then brings Walter out on a torture rack, for a shout out to Trent Seven, with that BURNING HAMMER!! But Bate can’t cover, he’s too exhausted!
Bate crawls but Walter crawls to retreat! The fans hope they “Fight Forever!” at this point. Walter flounders about on the outside until he just topples over. Walter gets up again but so does Bate. Fans rally as Bate kicks Walter down! Bate runs, DIVES, and topples Walter over again! Bate staggers back into the ring and tries once more, and FLIES! Another direct hit, and Bate puts Walter back in. Walter is crawling and Bate is on him. Bate waistlocks, and dead lifts Walter for a German Suplex!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Bate won’t stop to wonder how Walter survives, he underhooks. But Walter back drops to a cover, TWO!? Underhooks, TYLER DRIVER ’97!!! TWO!?! No one knows what to make of this! Bate hurries up top, leaps, corkscrew senton! Cover, TWO?!? “This is Awesome” all over again, but what will it take to finish it?
Bate just forces himself to sit up while Walter stirs. The wrist tape comes off, and Bate wants Walter to stand. Bate starts throwing those hands! He has Walter reeling again, and in a corner. The referee reprimands Bate but Bate just fires off! The ref backs Bate off, Walter SLAPS and CHOPS and BOOTS! And into a sleeper hold with body scissors! Walter even rolls onto Bate’s back to smother him. But Bate again shows his Herculean heart as he stands up with Walter on his back! For a BACKPACK SENTON! But Walter rises like the dead to wrap back on! Bate is caught by the Austrian anaconda, but fights back up again. Cardiff gives Bate everything they have, and Bate uses the ropes to climb up, only for Walter to shove him out. Walter drags Bate up to club away, then put on a sleeper! But Bate drags Walter over with him!
Walter still has Bate in the hold, but Bate elbows free. Walter CHOPS Bate on the back! Sleeper Suplex to the apron!! The referee checks but Walter drags Bate in as fans lose their minds once again. Walter climbs up, LEAPING SPLASH! Cover, TWO!?!?!? This is insane! Walter sleeper holds, another suplex! Cover, TWO!! Walter just SLAPS Bate around, then hits the WALTER BOMB! High stack, ONE?!?! Just what is Tyler Bate?! Walter is in utter shock as Bate drags himself up, but then he CHOPS Bate again. Fans are going to lose their voices cheering for Bate. Walter runs to Clothesline from Hell! Cover, Walter wins!
Winner: WALTER, by pinfall; still WWE United Kingdom Champion
Walter has the toughest match in his NXT UK career, in this title’s history, and perhaps all of WWE 2019! And still, he reigns atop the UK brand. If Bate couldn’t dethrone him after all this, will anyone ever end the reign of the Ring General?
Joe Coffey vows to. “We saw Tyler Bate go up against Walter in a potential Match of the Year candidate.” It was phenomenal for sure, and Walter retained. But now, Walter faces “a totally different challenge.” When Coffey grabbed that title, he could see it in Walter’s eye that he feared losing hold of it. In Blackpool, “it’s gonna be a very, very different story.” Coffey will write his own legacy. A lot of people left TakeOver: Blackpool I with a nice little souvenir, but Coffey left with a bitter taste in his mouth. This year, Coffey vows to give Walter a souvenir in a mark on his face like what Walter left on his. And then Coffey leaves with the best souvenir of all: the WWE UK Championship. That will finally prove that this is Gallus’ kingdom! A career-defining match will start 2020, but whose career rises to new levels?
But 2020 starts off with an extreme main event!
To cash in on the deal made between Gallus and Imperium, Ilja Dragunov must face Alexander Wolfe in a No Disqualifications match! Will the Moscow “mercenary” survive the Ax Man? Or is this only going to be a sign of what’s to come in Blackpool?
My Thoughts:
I should preface that NXT UK did not air all these matches in their entirety. But since I’ve literally watched all the matches shown tonight, I figured we should go ahead and have the entire thing here for our readers! You’re welcome. But even with some matches in full, others in part, great choices all around. All the original material was great, such as the promos from the superstars. Also, I figured many of the Cardiff matches would be referenced because of just how big that event was. Probably still the best singular event all year just for coming out of nowhere, and I can’t wait to see how amazing Blackpool II will be since they made sure it would be on the exact same date as last year for a true anniversary.
My Score: 8/10
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Will the landscape change again?
Eddy Thorpe keeps prodding and provoking Oba Femi, so he gets his last chance at the NXT Championship! Will Eddy truly be the alpha of NXT?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland; Tony wins and retains the title.
- Dion Lennox VS Wes Lee w/ Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe; Wes wins.
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey; King wins and retains the title.
- Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Jaida Parker; Karmen wins.
- Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance VS Luca Crusifino & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo; win.
- NXT Championship: Oba Femi VS Eddy Thorpe; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT North American Championship: Tony D’Angelo w/ The D’Angelo Family VS Ridge Holland!
A golden NXT begins with The Don stepping to the man who tried to ruin Christmas! Will NXT still belong to Tony D? Or will Ridge The Fridge put him on ice?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really got grit!
The two tie up with the bell, then go around the ring. They end up on ropes, in a corner, back on ropes, then they break. The fans rally, Tony and Ridge tie up again, then Ridge waistlocks, spins Tony, and UPPERCUTS! Tony fires back and the fans fire up! The shots go back and forth, but then Ridge kicks low. Ridge headlocks, Tony powers up and out, but Ridge RUNS Tony over! The fans boo and Tony gets up in a huff. They tie up again, Ridge headlocks, but fans taunt him with “No One Likes You!” Tony powers up and out, drops down, but Ridge ducks ‘n’ dodges. But then Tony hip tosses Ridge, and RUNS him over!
The fans fire up with Tony, and he dodges a haymaker to hit a headlock takeover! Ridge fights around, fights up, and he powers up and puts Tony on ropes. The fans rally for Tony while the ref counts. Ridge lets off, and Tony throws hands! Ridge ROCKS Tony in return, has him in a corner, and then fires body shots. Ridge whips, Tony reverses, then he dodges to FLYING PUNCH! Tony whips Ridge to a corner, then BACKDROPS Ridge on the rebound! The fans cheer while Tony paces. Ridge slowly rises, but wait, Shawn Spears is here? The fans boo The Chair Man but he tells Tony to focus on Ridge. Tony has The Family watch Spears closely while NXT goes picture in picture.
Tony glares at Spears before he goes back to Ridge. But Ridge takes a swing! Tony dodges, and then Tony LARIATS Ridge up and out! Tony hurries to go after Ridge, then SMACKS him off the apron! But then Ridge RAMS Tony into a post! And then Ridge just POSTS Tony! Tony slumps against the steel, but Ridge pulls his arm through the corner. Ridge SLAMS the arm against the post! Ridge pushes Tony into the ring, storms in after him, but Tony fires haymakers! Ridge kicks low, then he RAMS Tony into the buckles! Spears is amused while Ridge drops a KNEE onto Tony’s arm! Tony writhes but Ridge stands him up.
Ridge UPPERCUTS the arm, RAMS the shoulder, then CHOPS! Ridge RAMS Tony again, but Tony rolls Ridge up! TWO, and Ridge kicks Tony in the shin! Ridge then WRINGS the arm out! Tony writhes more, but Ridge then clamps on for an armlock. Ridge stands over Tony as he puts the pressure on, but the fans and The Family coach Tony up. Tony fights up, fires haymakers again, but Ridge wrenches to WRING the arm again! Ridge drops KNEES on the arm again, then clamps onto Tony with the armlock. Tony endures, the fans rally, and Spears continues to be amused as NXT returns to single picture.
Tony fights up, fires haymakers, but Ridge wrenches again. Tony still fires haymakers! Tony ROCKS Ridge, goes to a corner, but Ridge runs in! Tony dodges to DECK Ridge! And DECK him again! Tony whips, then runs, to FLYING PUNCH again! Then he clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up and Tony reels Ridge in! FISHERMAN SUPLEX, and a float to the cover! TWO!! Ridge survives, but the fans are all behind Tony. Spears looks worried now, but Tony clinches. Ridge KNEES free of the spinebuster! But then Tony ROCKS Ridge! Ridge ROCKS Tony! They go back and forth, but then Tony FLYING PUNCHES! Ridge BOOTS back!
Ridge has the half nelson, HALF ‘N’ HALF PLEX! Cover, TWO! Tony survives and Spears looks annoyed. The fans fire up but Ridge roars! Tony rises, Ridge runs up, but Tony dodges the lariat, and the Southpaw! SPEAR!! But then speaking of Spears, he gets on the apron! The fans boo, but Tony DECKS Spears! The Family storms up but then Niko Vance & Brooks Jensen attack! The ref calls for reinforcements, but Tony goes back to Ridge. Ridge body shots, but wait! IZZI DAME!? She BOOTS Ridge! SPINEBUSTER from Tony! Tony high stacks, and WINS!
Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
The irony here is sweet! Spears has been trying to recruit The It Girl to his team, but she made sure things went the other way! She says they’re even, so will Spears have to just FOGEDABOUTIT?
Dion Lennox and others talk backstage.
But then in steps Wes Lee, Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe. Wes tells Dion that he’s a funny guy. Why is that? Because what he said to Oba last week, how Dion is championship material and could actually beat him one day. Dion says that’s not Wes, so why not Dion? Uh, because there’s a very drastic difference between a superstar with “potential” like Dion, and one who is a decorated superstar like Wes. Dion wants Wes to hold on. Maybe he can prove his “potential” by beating a former champion like Wes. Wes says Dion will realize he has a long, long way to go before that. So Wes will see Dion around.
Wait, Trick Williams just walked in! And Wes says look at that! Another former champion! Tricky Willy is back! From the penthouse to the outhouse! It must stink knowing that Eddy Thorpe’s getting another shot while- TRICK SLAPS WES!! Wes falls right over, and Trick stares everyone else down. No one steps to Trick, so who will Trick step to now that he’s back?
Bayley is here!
The Role Model is back again because after last week’s brawl, a certain Prodigy has been following her to both SmackDown and Raw. The fans again chant “Welcome Back!” “Welcome Home!” and Bayley says yeah, this IS her home! And that’s why last week, she came out here to talk with Roxanne Perez. Bayley cares about Roxie, about the legacy she is building, and everything Roxie has done for NXT. But all that got Bayley was a big ol’ slap in the face. The fans boo that, but Bayley continues to bring up how Roxie said Bayley was just acting like CM Punk and Natalya. To Bayley, that’s a compliment!
People like Punk and Natty built the foundation they’re all walking on. Natty showed Bayley how to give back and how to help. So Bayley isn’t here because NXT owes her something. NXT doesn’t even owe Roxie! If anything, Bayley owes NXT to get rid of “entitled little idiots like Roxanne Perez!” Fans cheer, “I LOVE YOU, BAYLEY~!” a la Jacob Fatu. Bayley says she loves them, too. And maybe deep down, Roxie “loves” Bayley, because Roxie talked crap to Bayley during a title match with Tiffany Stratton, then showed up to Raw last night to try and put her hands on Bayley during her match with Nia Jax. Rox, c’mon!
Maybe Bayley gave Roxie too much credit, because that’s all really lame. She thought Roxie would have a better plan than that. That’s like small ball. That doesn’t prove Roxie is ready for Raw and SmackDown. That doesn’t even prove Roxie is ready to be a leader of the youngest locker room in WWE right now! There’s Jaida Parker, Kelani Jordan, Lola Vice, all of these girls are eager to prove themselves worthy of an opportunity. And with a champion like Giulia, then sky’s the limit! Wait, speaking of Giulia, here she comes! The fans fire up again as the NEW NXT Women’s Champion is here to meet Bayley face to face!
The Beautiful Madness has the mic to tell Bayley, “Coming from Japan and seeing part of, I wanted you. I wanted to be in NXT!” The fans cheer that. Giulia joins Bayley in the ring, and Giulia says Roxie may not look up to Bayley, but Giulia does. The fans also cheer that! Giulia says she hopes to hold this title with as much honor and love for NXT as Bayley did. Bayley thanks Giulia for that, that means a lot, because she has so much respect for Giulia. Bayley’s also a big fan of hers. When Giulia won the title, Bayley was so happy. And Bayley knows Giulia will make historic moments of her own, because this title changes your career, your life, and means everything to all of us here.
That title changed the landscape of the Women’s Division, not just in NXT but in WWE. Before Bayley can say more, Roxie makes her way out here, Cora Jade by her side. And Roxie of course has a mic, to say this is “boring~!” Roxie is surprised Bayley is showing her face after two embarrassing losses. Roxie is so happy she was in the front row to see those. But seriously, drop the act, stop acting innocent, because if Bayley actually cared about the WWE’s future, Bayley wouldn’t have punched Roxie in the face last night! And Roxie isn’t the only one who sees through Bayley. Cora does, too! Right, Cora? Can you actually believe this was their role model?
Roxie & Cora laugh but Bayley says it is hard to hear them because the fans are booing so loud. Roxie tells the fans to shut up, but they just boo harder. And Bayley asks what Cora’s even doing here! Cora says she is here because she was once a “naive” Bayley fan, too! But Roxie is right, Cora sees it! Bayley is not a role model! Role models aren’t part of NXT “when it’s cool.” Role models build this place up when people like Bayley choose to leave it. As far as they’re concerned, Giulia might as well hand the title back to Roxie here and now, because no one can carry it the way Roxie did. No one loves NXT like Roxie & Cora! And they didn’t need to compete overseas to see it.
Roxie & Cora have been holding it together since day one! Roxie again tells the fans to shut up, because she has something important to say! The fans keep booing, so Roxie says fine! She’ll just talk to Bayley, not the idiot fans. Roxie will not take anything away from what Bayley has done. Bayley’s done it all in WWE. She’s the 2024 Royal Rumble Winner, won championships at WrestleMania, and most importantly, she inspired little girls like Roxie & Cora. But thank you for your service because it is no longer required. Bye-bye~! The fans continue to boo and Bayley smiles. Roxie says everyone should be booing Bayley!
And why? Because Bayley’s been looking at the NXT Women’s Championship! Bayley wants to be the number one woman in the number one women’s division. Because deep, deep down, it has succeeded even the Four Horsewomen. So Bayley should tell her new friend, Giulia, the truth! Tell her why you’re here, Bayley! Fans tell Roxie to “Shut The Hell Up!” Bayley & Giulia look to each other, and they agree on something. They go after Cora & Roxie! The fans fir e up for the brawl! Bayley ash Cora, Giulia has Roxie, but then Cora gets free of a clinch! Roxie gets free of one, too, and the two regroup as they retreat!
The fans cheer as Role Model and Beautiful Madness stand tall, will they look to put the mean girls in their place?
The rest of the Women’s Division watches.
Jaida Parker loves what she sees! Bayley mentioning her two weeks in a row, everyone heard it! Kelani Jordan says yeah, but she’s not the only one. Bayley mentioned Kelani, too. Jaida says okay, this “attitude” Kelani is trying on ain’t it, so go back to the drawing board, because the only real one is right here looking at you. Kelani says being rude doesn’t make you “real,” Jaida. Well, being pretty doesn’t mean you have to be rude, Kelani. JAIDA is the one being rude! Karmen Petrovic says it doesn’t matter, because love is in the air! Karmen loves Kelani for being so sweet, and Jaida- Jaida says she dares her to say something.
Kelani is about to go off because Jaida brushed her aside, but Sol Ruca & Zaria keep her back. Karmen asks why Jaida’s coming at her, and Jaida asks why Karmen’s always up in people’s business. Oh, is it cuz she finally got a kiss from a guy who’s gonna dump her in a few months anyway? Don’t interrupt. Oh, wow, “finally got a kiss?” Karmen kissed Adonis. So watch how you talk about her and her man. Wow, “her man?” Yeah, and if Karmen interrupts Jaida again, what’s she gonna do? Jaida pushes Karmen back and says that’s Nikkita’s man, get it right. Dani Palmer and Brinley Reece now step in to keep the peace.
WAIT! The brawl at the ring started up again!? Bayley & Giulia are again throwing hands with Cora & Roxie! The fans cheer “NXT! NXT!” but then Cora POSTS Giulia! Bayley THROWS Roxie into barriers, and NXT goes picture in picture!
Security finally rushes out there to try and stop this, but then Bayley helps Giulia against Cora in the ring! Security hurries to stop that but the mugging is 3v2! Giulia HEADBUTTS Cora outta the ring, but then Roxie CLOBBERS Bayley! Roxie and Giulia brawl, Bayley is back up, and Cora returns, too! The refs and security separate the four, but then Bayley breaks loose to JUMP at Roxie & Cora! Giulia follows after, it’s a lot of wild fists and black leather pants! Roxie & Cora stand down again, but then Bayley & Giulia run back up! Roxie and Bayley scrap to the mat, Giulia and Cora aren’t far behind! Bayley TOSSES Roxie, then TOSSES Cora!
The brawling finally stops, or rather stops again, and refs usher Cora & Roxie away. Ava Raine is there, but then Giulia & Bayley storm in! The brawling is happening right in front of the NXT General Manager! She shouts for this to stop but that’s easier said than done! Dion Lennox does his best to get by, his match with Wes is next! Will Dion level up taking on the former NXT North American Champion?
Dion Lennox VS Wes Lee w/ Tyson Dupont & Tyriek Igwe!
The bell rings and Wes throws his jacket! Dion gets blinded and Wes HANDSPRING KICKS him down! The fans boo, Wes stomps away, but then Wes lets off as the ref counts. Dion bails out, Wes builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Dion and the fans boo more. Wes puts Dion, storm sin, but Dion FLAPJACKS Wes high! Dion fires up, and he rallies on Wes with ELBOW after ELBOW! #GameMode has activated, and Dion TACKLES Wes! Dion rains down forearms and fists, but Wes scrambles away to ropes. Dion ROCKS Wes with a haymaker! Dion whips, but Wes KICKS him back! Dion shakes that off, and he scoops Wes!
Wes fights free, mule kicks a leg out, then runs, but into a SHOULDER TACKLE! Dion fires up while Wes goes to a corner. Ty & Ty coach Wes up while Dion runs in, and Wes BOOTS him! Wes ROUNDHOUSES Dion, then runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Wes survives but Dion drags him right up. Dion suplexes, but Wes knees free! Wes wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Then HEEL KICKS! Dion wobbles, so Wes ENZIGIRIS! Wes handsprings, CARDIAC KICK! Cover, Wes wins!
Winner: Wes Lee, by pinfall
The Cardiac Kid was on the defensive against the former linebacker, but he found a way to score the win. Wes says so much for championship material. That takes care of Dion, so TRICK! You think you’re that man? Walking into the locker room and slapping Wes in the face!? Wes will take care of Trick next week in Atlanta! And if you think you- Well, here comes trick now! Ty & Ty run up but Trick DECKS Tyson! Trick storms in and ROCKS Wes again and again! Wes flounders out, and Trick says if Wes wants it in Atlanta next week, then he’s got it! Trick storms out, pushes past Dion, ready for a fight. Will Trick be a house of fire until he takes back his title?
Sarah Schreiber gives us BREAKING NEWS!
After the confrontation earlier tonight, NXT GM Ava has made a match: Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance VS Luca Crusifino & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo! But now, welcome her guest at this time, Stephanie Vaquer! La Primera steps onto the set, and Sarah says that Stephanie did win the #1 contender’s spot for the Women’s North American Championship, but then Shotzi Blackheart pinned Fallon Henley directly. Then Shotzi beat- Vaquer stops Sarah there, and says yes, she is still THE #1 Contender. Fatal Influence is already doing everything they can to stop her.
But Vaquer arrived in NXT, and she is not going to stop just because Fallon is playing games. Or because Shotzi benefitted from the situation. Vaquer adds in Spanish, then translates, that if Shotzi becomes champion, she will meet Hell. And Fallon, you can run, but you can’t hide from La Diabla. The Dark Angel is ready to destroy whoever is champion, so who will have a date with Vaquer for Vengeance Day?
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS Charlie Dempsey w/ No Quarter Catch Crew!
It takes time to turn over a new leaf, but perhaps The Drama King has truly done that. He chose to win honorably, owned up to mistakes and controversy, and is even willing to clear the air once and for all. Will King keep the throne after going a few more rounds? Or will the No Quarter Catch Crew soon have the cup back in their possession?
NXT returns as NQCC enters all together. The introductions are made, the cup is raised, and one way or another, we put an end to this chapter!
The bell rings on round one, and King offers a handshake. Dempsey kicks it away, not in the mood for it. The fans boo but Dempsey waistlocks. King switches, SLAMS Dempsey, then facelocks. They roll, King holds on, but Dempsey trips King up. Dempsey has the toehold, but King uses leg with leg for leverage! King throws Dempsey away but Dempsey cartwheels through! The fans cheer so King throws his headband away. The two tie up, Dempsey waistlocks, then spins King to a facelock. But King wrenches out to WRING Dempsey! Dempsey gets up, but King DROPKICKS him! The fans cheer, and King arm-drags Dempsey down!
Dempsey endures the armlock, fights up, but King wrenches to a wristlock, Dempsey rolls, snapmares, but King holds onto the wristlock! Dempsey rolls, wrenches, breaks, and snapmares! Dempsey headlocks, King slips out to wrench the arm again. Dempsey spins, snapmares, and headlocks, but King slips out the back to hammerlock! King KNEES the arm in the back, KNEES him again, then traps it under his knee. King flexes, the fans cheer, but Dempsey BOPS King in the face! Dempsey runs, King drops down, but Dempsey turns hip toss into wrench and backslide, with bridge! TWO!! King has a sunset flip, TWO!
King headlocks, Dempsey powers up and out, but King RUNS Dempsey over! Dempsey hurries up, then drops down as King runs. King avoids the hurdle, not wanting a repeat of the controversial “nutcracker” from last time. We reach a minute left in this round, and King wants the handshake again. Dempsey decides to take it this time, but then he UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! King wobbles, Dempsy whips, but King reverses to drop toehold, body scissor, Gedo Clutch, but King tries to get fancy, TWO! Dempsey has the REAR NAKED CHOKE! King fights around but Dempsey holds on tight!
King snapmares free, Dempsey rolls him up, TWO! Twenty seconds left and King goes for a leg. Dempsey gut wrenches King to a backslide, TWO! King escapes but we hit ten seconds! Dempsey wants the chicken wing! King fights around, he’s caught, but time’s up!
King: 0; Dempsey: 0
The fans cheer this first round coming to a close, but while Dempsey has NQCC to refresh him, King has no one. Wait, what’s a pair of brass knuckles doing in King’s bucket? Did a certain gentlemanly villain put those there? King shakes his head, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Round two begins and the two storm up to tie up. Dempsey wrenches to hammerlock but King standing switches to headlock. King hits the takeover, Dempsey fights to a headscissor but King shrugs that off. Dempsey rolls King to a cover, TWO! King holds on, but Dempsey manages a cravat from that position. Dempsey wrangles King to a cover, TWO! Dempsey now has a top wristlock and grinds King down. King endures, fights around, and he arm-drags free! King then grabs Dempsey’s arm for a knuckle lock cover, TWO as Dempsey gets an arm up! King pushes that arm down, TWO as Dempsey gets the other arm up!
King pushes that arm down, TWO as Dempsey bridges! Dempsey then kips up, powers King back, and MONKEY FLIPS him! Dempsey rolls back to cover, TWO! King sunset flips again, TWO! Both men stand, and Dempsey KNEES low! Dempsey headlocks and squeezes tight. Dempsey then ripcords King for a GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! We’re already under 90 seconds as Dempsey KNEES King in the back! Dempsey clamps on a chinlock and he grinds King down again. King still endures, fights back up, but Dempsey ripcords to ROCK him! But King reels Dempsey in for a BACKDROP!
King clamps onto an arm and he grinds the shoulder. Dempsey rolls to stand, but King rolls to wrench! Dempsey wrenches, King wrenches, repeat! Dempsey rolls, spins, wrenches, and hammerlocks. But King gets under to BACKDROP again! Dempsey sunset flips it! King sits on the cover, AND SCORES!
King: 1; Dempsey: 0
With 26 seconds to spare, King snatches the crucial first fall! Will King wrap this before halftime? Or can Dempsey push it into the late rounds?
NXT returns to single picture during the refresher, the round begins, and the two storm up to each other again. Dempsey KNEES King low, CLUBS him on the back, then UPPERCUTS! King CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Dempsey wrenches to KNEE King hard! King goes to a corner, Dempsey is on him to whip, but King reverses. Dempsey goes up but King stays back! King arm-drags Dempsey, then grinds the armlock! The fans rally, Dempsey fights around, then rolls back. Dempsey stands, fights the armlock, and fans duel as Dempsey puts King on ropes. The ref counts, Dempsey HOTSHOTS King down!
The NQCC cheers, and Dempsey drags King up to fire off in the corner! We’re at two minutes, Dempsey whips to send King right into the buckles! Dempsey stomps King, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! King survives but Dempsey looms over him. Dempsey stomps King around, then clamps onto an arm. Dempsey traps that arm, and he steps on it to bend it back! King endures as Dempsey also has a headlock added on! King fights, Dempsey traps the arm with a leg, and then he throws down palm strikes to the forehead! King manages to roll to a cover, TWO! SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!!
Dempsey survives and we go under a minute here! King storms after Dempsey, brings him around to whip, but Dempsey reverses. King goes up and over the corner, then half nelsons, but Dempsey standing switches! Dempsey has the nelson, King fights it, but Dempsey KNEES him! BUTTERFLY PLEX, with a bridge! Dempsey scores!!
King: 1; Dempsey: 1
And with that, we’re all tied up going into the second half! King goes back to his corner, and he looks at those brass knuckles. King holds them in his hand but then shakes his head and puts them down. Round four begins, and Dempsey runs up! King dodges and then KICKS! KICKS! And KICKS! Dempsey blocks to DRAGON SCREW! King ends up in the corner, Dempsey hauls him for a HALF HATCH! FACELOCK GUILLOTINE! King endures, fights up, but Dempsey pulls on the head more! King powers up to suplex free! The fans fire up as both men rise! King blocks a shot to CHPO, CHOP, and UPPERCUT!
King whips, Dempsey reverses, but King CLOBBERS him! And LARIATS! King whips, runs up and LARIATS again! King CHOPS, then brings Dempsey in! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! King hurries to a corner to climb! Dempsey stands, into the CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO! King is frustrated, but he aims again, SUPER- NO, Dempsey blocks the kick, spins King around, LEG TRAP GERMAN! King sputters, then crawls to his corner! Is he still thinking about the knuckles? Dempsey has the chicken wing! But King runs to the ropes, and he TOSSES Dempsey out onto NQCC! King builds speed, and he FLIES! Down goes NQCC!
The fans are all fired up as King stands tall! We’re under a minute in the round but King puts Dempsey in the ring. Myles storms up but King DECKS him for it! King storms in, Dempsey snatches him to a cradle! TWO!! Dempsey rolls King up again, TWO!! Thirty seconds left as Dempsey waistlocks King! They crowd the ref in the corner! MULE KICK LOW BLOW!! Was that on purpose?! King reels Dempsey in, CORONATION!! Cover, King wins!!
Winner: Lexis King, by pinfall (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
King does Dempsey dirty, and that seemed a lot more blatant than that noggin knocker last time! A win is a win, but does the apple really not fall far from the tree? Will King stay the champion while also being his father’s son?
Bianca Belair & Naomi speak.
The EST tells Lash Legend & Jakara, “Y’all putting in that work to become #1 contenders, because of course y’all want a shot at our titles.” The Glow says The Bougie Bully is bringing the size and power, while Miss Jackson if ya nasty, she has the athleticism. But they might’ve forgotten just who The Glow & EST are. Because nobody does those things better than them. So bring all that and more to Atlanta if you wanna take these titles off the champs. Will Meta Four be the ones next week? Or will they just feel the StrongEST Glow ever?
Hank ‘n’ Tank talk with Andre Chase.
The big belly boys are a bit worried about Mr. Chase. They’re not even mad about him walking out on them, they just want to know how they can help. Chase says they should just break up as a team now. All tag teams end in heartbreak anyway. Kelani Jordan walks past as Chase says everyone is better off just looking out for themselves. Hank ‘n’ Tank say not this team. Chase says forget he even said it then. Chase heads out, but he finds other superstars watching a highlight reel of Chase’s best rage moments. Kale Dixon tells Mr. Chase he was so badass! Chase says yeah, he was…
But Chase U is dead. Chase leaves and Kale says it doesn’t have to be! Can Kale find a way to revive Chase’s school spirit?
Karmen Petrovic w/ Ashante THEE Adonis VS Jaida Parker!
Love is in the air, but when it’s NXT, there’s also a lot of tension. The Blackbelt Beauty was just trying to keep the peace, but Miss Parker is always ready for a fight. Will Karmen kick ass on the road to Vengeance Day? Or will Jaida make sure the lovebirds don’t make it #OutTheMud?
NXT returns and Jaida makes her entrance. She didn’t bring her boys, Nima & Price, so she’s annoyed to see Adonis ringside. The bell rings, the two tie up, and Karmen waistlocks. Jaida THROWS Karmen away and the fans duel. Karmen gets up, Jaida mocks the crane stance, but then Kamren starts throwing kicks! Jaida hurries to a corner, and the two reset. Karmen dodges Jaida’s haymaker to then slip under and UP KICK! Jaida comes back into a LEG SWEEP! Karmen mocks the high steps and now Jaida’s mad. Jaida runs up but Karmen wrangles her to a FUJIWARA ARMBAR! Jaida rolls Karmen, ONE!
Karmen keeps on the arm, but Jaida fights up to pull hair. Jaida puts Karmen in the corner, the ref counts, but Jaida knees low! Jaida whips Karmen corner to corner but Karmen SOBATS! And BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! Jaida gets up but Karmen KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Jaida blocks a kick, but Karmen SOBATS again! Karmen whips, Jaida reverses, but Karmen goes up. Jaida blocks that kick then gets under with an Electric Chair Lift! Karmen fires hands, but Jaida still SLAMS Karmen down! Jaida snarls as she drags Karmen up, and she RAMS Karmen into a corner! Jaida RAMS into Karmen again and again, but stops as the ref counts.
Jaida drags Karmen out to then put her in the ropes. Jaida CHOPS Karmen, then runs to TEARDROP in the corner! Jaida says that’s how it’s done! Jaida drags Karmen up, then shoves her onto ropes. Jaida traps Karmen’s arms and pulls! The ref counts, Jaida CLUBS Karmen while she lets off, then she bumps Karmen off buckles. Jaida eggs Karmen on, but Karmen blocks the bump to ELBOW back! Karmen goes up to ENZIGIRI! Karmen runs up, but Jaida wrenches to hook and FISHERMAN SCREW! Cover, TWO! Jaida is frustrated but the fans rally up. Jaida brings Karmen around, neckbreaker stretch!
Karmen endures as Jaida keeps her off the ground! Karmen kicks the legs, but Jaida suplexes! Karmen cradle counters, TWO! Both women hurry to their feet, and Jaida KNEES low! Jaida whips, runs up, but Karmen dodges! Karmen runs in, but Jaida dodges! Karmen hits buckles, and Jaida hoists her up again! But Karmen manages to victory roll, TWO! Jaida escapes, swings, but Karmen dodges! Karmen ROCKS Jaida with a forearm! And ROCKS her again! Then DISCUS LARIAT! The fans fire up as Karmen aims, runs, and dodges Jaida to then SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Jaida survives the #Shingblade, but Karmen aims!
Jaida ducks the roundhouse, then she BACK ELBOWS Karmen down! Jaida drags Karmen up to GOURD BUSTER! Then Jaida builds speed for the- WAIT, Kelani is here! She stands in Jaida’s way, and Karmen rolls Jaida up! KARMEN WINS!
Winner: Karmen Petrovic, by pinfall
Karmen celebrates with her man Adonis, and Jaida is pissed at Kelani! Will Kelani not stand for the disrespect? Or will she get knocked out for it?
Meta Four meet backstage.
Jakara and Lash heard what Naomi & Bianca had to say, but then wait! Sol & Zaria, Jakara can guess what you want: The first opportunity at the NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Sol asks if they understand how big their match is next week. Uh, duh! Zaria doesn’t think so. Not only do they have the chance to become WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, but they can bring those titles back to NXT, the best women’s division in the world. Uh, wow, Sol, you have a point. This IS the biggest match of their career. And Lash gets to go back to her hometown to do it! She can compete in front of her friends and family!
And Meta Four gets to step into the ring with two former WWE Women’s Champions. And even if Naomi & Bianca are two of the most accomplished women in WWE history, the Bougie Bully & Miss Jackson will bring that action. Because when they do, everyone here can get a shot at the champs. Tatum Paxley & Gigi Dolin walk in. Did Gigi hear that? Oh, she sure did, Tatum. They like the sound of it. So then it’s agreed: Meta Four better bring those titles home. Oh, they will! Let’s do it, girls~! Fatal Influence also eyes this from the background. Will the line be out the door should Naomi & Bianca lose to Meta Four?
Brooks Jensen & Niko Vance w/ Shawn Spears VS Luca Crusifino & Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo!
It’s been very obvious The Chair Man has been after the North American Championship, and with that, Tony D’Angelo. Spears has even done his best to gather “lost souls” to his side so that they can all take over NXT together. Will that start here as Brooks & Niko take on Luca & Stacks? Or will Tony’s Consigliere and Underboss handle business?
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Time to burn it down!
Ahead of entering the Royal Rumble, Seth Rollins and Drew McIntyre go one more round in a rematch from WrestleMania 40!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio; Rey wins.
- Bayley VS Nia Jax; Nia wins.
- PENTA VS Pete Dunne; Penta wins.
- Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective; DMG CTRL wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Nia Jax ambushes Rhea Ripley!
The Irresistible Force is here on Raw to face Bayley, but she’s getting her payback on Mami for last week! She dribbles Rhea into the steel chain link fencing again and again, even as security and Adam Pearce rush in! They get Nia to stop, but Rhea is pissed! Will Nia regret riling up Rhea Bloody Ripley?
Jey Uso is here!
Dallas fires up and bounces along as it’s time to YEET! Michael Cole does his best to keep up with the beat as Main Event Jey makes his way down the bleachers. Wade Barrett is subbing in for Pat McAfee (the NCAA College Football Championship is also tonight), and Wade says Maggle looks like a “drunk grandpa” doing the YEET. Jey makes it to ringside, he high fives Maggle, then goes to the ring. But the YEET doesn’t slow down, it just keeps going! Jey grabs a mic and tells Dallas, “Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaaaaa~!” The fans cheer and join in with a “YEET!” Jey says this weekend, “YEET!” Saturday Night’s Main Event, “YEET!” Jey takes home the big one!
But then before Jey can continue, GUNTHER makes his way out here! Der Ring General, World Heavyweight Championship around his waist, makes his way right to the ring. Gunther grabs himself a mic while the fans boo. Jey paces but Gunther tells him, “Lemme guess, the next thing you were about to say is you were going to win the World Heavyweight title.” Jey confirms, he is gonna beat Gunther, then hang the title up in his room. Gunther says Jey really is “a funny little man.” But let’s not act like we both know it won’t happen. Last week, Jey was right here in front of Gunther, and he said every morning, he looks in the mirror and bets on himself.
The thing is, Gunther believes Jey. Gunther was looking forward to Saturday to square off with Main Event Jey Uso. Until today, when he saw Jey walking in here acting like that conversation last week never happened. Not after seeing Jey act like a complete DORK! Like he’s the company mascot for the fans! At this point, Gunther doesn’t even care. He could jsut as well get challenged by Jimmy Uso. Jey tells Gunther to not say something about his brother. Gunther says it doesn’t matter what Jey says, he never follows up with his actions! The fans are the only ones naive enough to believe everything Jey says. Gunther does not.
Bet on yourself? Until when? Until Roman Reigns whistles for him? Until Sami Zayn needs him? Until Jimmy needs him? Even Cody needed Jey and Jey showed up! All that makes Jey is a useful idiot, and Jey doesn’t even see it! Jey, your words and your actions do not align. Gunther’s always do! So on Saturday, when the bell rings, Gunther exposes Jey for the flash in the pan that has NO business being even this close to the World Heavyweight Championship. The fans boo but Gunther tells Jey to go. The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but Jey says Gunther’s right again. Everything Gunther just said is true again.
Jey is the mascot of the WWE. And the fans here are his team. The fans are his squad. They ride with him! “YEET!” Slide with him! “YEET!” And they will be with him when he beats Gunther for the world championship! “YEET!” Jey reminds us he respects Gunther. But Gunther will respect Jey, too. Because only one of them in this ring main-evented a WrestleMania, and it ain’t Gunther. But then Gunther DECKS Jey! Gunther stomps Jey, the fans boo, but then Gunther DECKS Jey again! Gunther stands Jey up, but Jey TACKLES Gunther! Jey rains down fists and teh fans fire up! Gunther gets up, but Jey fires more hands!
Jey has Gunther’s shirt over his head for a hockey scrum! Gunther gets free, but Jey SUPERKICKS him down! The fans all “YEET!” while Der Ring General retreats! Jey has the belt and he dares Gunther to come get it! Jey drops it at the ropes, Gunther storms up to the apron, but Gunther stays back. Gunther leaves Dallas with the belt tonight, but will Jey leave San Antonio with it this Saturday?
The New Day walks the halls.
And then they spot someone. “Finally, somebody who understands!” JBL is here! They all shake hands, and JBL loves seeing them. Kofi Kingston says JBL is not just a champion and a Hall of Famer, but he’ll be on commentary tonight for The New Day’s match with that “hypocrite of a locker room leader,” Rey Mysterio. JBL should let New Day know they are the victims of a disgusting smear campaign! Kofi even sweetens the deal with a whole $2. Kofi says JBL understands being in a tag team but having to cut the deadweight to get ahead. And when he did, what happened? He had the greatest success of his career!
Not as great as The New Day, but please, be an acolyte for ya bois! JBL says yes, he does “get it.” Big E, all the muscles and charisma and personality, everywhere they go, the fans love Big E. Everyone chants for New Day, for Big E. You get rid of him, the fans have to pay attention to Kofi & Woods! Wow, okay. Backhanded compliments? Be that way. The New Day heads out, JBL asks if he can keep the two bucks. Will Kofi & Woods finally see who’s really in the wrong? Or will they continue to have a bad day here on Raw?
Backstage interview with Bayley.
Cathy Kelley is with the “busiest superstar” in WWE right now, as Bayley was on Raw, NXT and SmackDown all last week. And she has an announcement to make, so for those who ahven’t heard, could she share? Yes, cat is out of the bag, Bayley is back on Raw officially via the Transfer Window! She started here after her NXT call-up, so it just feels right. But also, she is declaring for the 2025 Women’s Royal Rumble! And if you remember, she won the 2024 Rumble, so going back to back sounds really good. She could choose Tiffany Stratton, she could choose Rhea Ripley, or- Nia Jax interrupts.
Nia says Bayley can have Rhea, Nia gets Tiffy. Also, Nia is going to win the Women’s Rumble, not Bayley. Oh, yeah, Bayley did see what Nia did to Rhea earlier. If Nia wants to try that, Bayley dares her. Nia says she’ll see Bayley out there. Nia leaves, but will the Irresistible Force rough Bayley up the same way she did Rhea? Or will Bayley continue to be the Role Model, even after changing brands?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Rey Mysterio!
Raw returns and JBL is out there with Wade and Maggle already. The New Day makes their entrance, and they hate their song! They have it turn off, they get the tron to stop, and Woods says they already told the idiots in production that they’re no longer using that stuff! It’s ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~, and Dallas is starting to piss Kofi off! They have been doing this for too long and too well to be disrespected like this. They are walking Hall of Famers, unlike this FRAUD, JBL! JBL, give him that money back! Kofi snatches it out of JBL’s lapel pocket. Woods says Rey’s getting the brakes beat off him by the one and only Kofi Kingston~! BECAUSE NEW! DAY- “SUCKS!”
The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” and the bell rings. Kofi and Rey circle, feel things out, and Kofi waistlocks to then headlock, waistlock, and he shoves Rey to a corner. The fans boo but Kofi soaks up that heat. JBL says this is the only time he’ll cheer a “deadbeat dad” like Rey. Rey and Kofi tie up, Rey waistlocks but Kofi switches to SLAM Rey down! Kofi slaps Rey around, and the fans boo as Kofi & Woods soak up the heat. Kofi taunts Rey, Rey and Kofi reset, and they tie up. Rey wrenches, hammerlocks, but Kofi wrenches out. Kofi wristlocks, Rey rolls and kips up, then Rey wrenches to headlock.
Kofi powers up and out, drops down then CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo but Kofi keeps moving. Rey drops down, blows past Kofi, then tilt-o-whirls to RANA! Kofi staggers up, Rey dropkicks the legs out! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up, but Kofi ducks the 619! Rey then PLANCHAS, but Kofi moves! Rey is on the apron, Kofi YANKS him down! The fans tell Kofi off but he drags Rey up and into the ring. Kofi then fires UPPERCUTS on Kofi, CHOKES him in the corner, then stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Kofi steps off, and then Kofi whips corner to corner. Rey reverses, runs up, but Kofi SWING KICKS! Rey GAMANGIRIS in return!
Rey RAMS Kofi, slingshots and SUNSET- NO, Kofi holds on, and he CLUBS Rey down! The fans boo but Kofi brings Rey in! Woods says watch this, “Hall of Famer!” Kofi lifts Rey, Rey pops free, but Kofi stomps away on him! Kofi glares at JBL, then he drags Rey up. The fans boo but Kofi SMACKS Rey off the apron. Kofi then reels Rey in, but Rey RANAS Kofi into the steel steps! The fans fire up as Rey rises, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Kofi has Rey down with an armlock. Rey fights to his feet, the fans fire up, and the forearms go back and forth! Kofi ROCKS Rey, Rey ROCKS Kofi, but then Kofi kicks low! Kofi whips, Rey ducks ‘n’ dodges, then Rey leaps to FLYING FOREARM! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Woods coaches Kofi while Rey goes to the apron. Rey then goes to the corner, but Kofi hurries over that way. Kofi fires body shots, then he climbs up after Rey. Kofi brings Rey up but Rey fires body shots in return! Rey BENDS Kofi’s fingers, then he HEADBUTTS Kofi! Kofi staggers up, Rey hits the SEATED SENTON!
Rey gets moving, but Kofi ducks the springboard crossbody! Kofi sunset flip, but Rey rolls through, basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Kofi goes to a corner, Rey CLUBS him, and the fans rally. The ref gets between them, but Kofi pokes Rey in the eyes! Kofi leaps, CROSSBODY SPLASH to the back! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Rey as he stays in this. The fans chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods argues with a fan, Kofi aims, TROUBLE IN- NO, Rey dodges, then comes back to RANA! Kofi is on ropes, Rey dials it up! But Woods trips Rey! The ref saw that clear as day! Woods argues with the ref, but the ref EJECTS Woods!
The fans fire up while Woods throws a fit! Rey DECKS Woods! But Kofi CLOBBERS Rey! The fans boo, but Kofi hauls Rey up! Rey victory rolls Kofi onto ropes! Rey redials, 619!! And then the springboard, but onto knees! Kofi covers, TWO!! Rey survives, the fans fire up, but Kofi seethes. Kofi hauls Rey up, clinches, S O- NO! Rey makes the SOS a cover, REY WINS!
Winner: Rey Mysterio, by pinfall
But Woods CLBOBERS Rey from behind! The New Day mugs Rey, the fans boo more, but here comes the LWO! Joaquin Wilde & Cruz Del Toro run The New Day off! The fans boo, Cruz & Wilde check Rey, but then the New Day sneak back in! They drag Wilde out to POST him! Cruz hurries but now New Day retreats for real! Insult to injury here, but will Kofi & Woods continue to be blinded by their own arrogance?
Backstage interview with Team American Made.
Cathy Kelley waits as Chad Gable is arguing with his own people, then says okay, sorry, he was inspiring the team. But yeah, he’s the talk of the whole freakin’ wrestling world the past week, but he is man enough to admit he has a problem. And it all started with losing to Penta last week! It was Dragon Lee before that, and Rey Mysterio before that. Gable asks, “What’re we gonna do her?” But he’s figured it out! He found a man who knows a thing or two about lucha libre, and that man is intelligent with a mustache to match. That man is Dominik Mysterio! While Dom helps Gable with his lucha problem, the team has their marching order.
Ivy Nile says there’s a Women’s Intercontinental Championship with her name all over it. Brutus says those tag titles should’ve already had their names on them, HAHA~! Julius mocks how War Raiders cry about “One more injury~ and we’re done forever~!” Like that’s something to be proud of? No more asking, they’re just taking! They’ll take those tag titles from a team near the end of their career and put them on a team that’s entering their prime. Gable says this team that bleeds red, white ‘n’ blue will have waists wrapped in gold, and it will be glorious. Team American Made heads out, but can Dirty Dom really help Gable clean up his act?
Sami Zayn is here!
Dallas sings his song, and the Underdog from the Underground goes right to the ring. He grabs a mic and thanks Dallas for that, that never gets old. But he wont’ beat around the bush, he’ll just get right to business. Sami spoke with Adam Pearce, and Sami is now officially entered into the 2025 Men’s Royal Rumble match! The fans like the sound of that! Sami says Rollins told him he’s already helped a lot of others, so time to help himself. Well, Sami thought about that, and thought about what he wants. When he thought about that, it opened a whole bunch of thoughts. Sami pictured what 14-year-old Sami wanted.
Sami thought about what the millions around the world who dream of becoming pro-wrestlers, and the thousands who actually live the dream and get to do it. And then the even smaller group lucky enough to call themselves WWE Superstars. And then the smallest group of all, the hardest to crack into at all, is the upper echelon, the top tier, and that is where Sami is now! The fans cheer, and Sami firmly believes he is as good as everyone else in that group. That group is all in the Royal Rumble, and the only difference between Sami and the others, aka Roman, McIntyre, Rollins, and so on, is that they all have a world title to their name… and Sami doesn’t.
Sami has said it before, he’ll say it again, he’s had a great life, a great career. He doesn’t need the world title to complete him. The fans have supported Sami throughout the years, and believe it or not, that support means more to him than any world title could ever mean! So no, Sami does not need that world title, but DAMMIT, he WANTS it!! The fans love that! Sami says 14-year-old Sami wants that title, and he’s still with Sami! That kid sets foot in this ring every time Sami does. So Sami doesn’t need it, he wants it, so he will TAKE IT! WAIT, Kevin Owens is here!? The fans boo and Sami is certainly stunned seeing SmackDown’s Prizefighter back on Raw.
Kevin, who is still carrying the “Winged Eagle” title, while wearing a Bret Hart merchandise jacket, makes his way to the ring. Kevin grabs the mic, and while fans boo, he looks to Sami. Sami says he knew it was a matter of time before Kevin showed up. How does Kevin wanna do this? Kevin asks what Sami means. Sami knows Kevin. We all saw what Kevin did to Cody over teaming with Roman, so how’s this going down? Aw, is that why Sami thinks Kevin is here? No, Kevin admits, he was upset at first. But he realizes now that Sami teaming with Roman isn’t the same as Cody teaming with Roman.
Sami and Roman had a lot of history, the same as Sami and Kevin. And Roman did terrible things to Sami that Sami overlooked, just as Kevin did to Sami that Sami has overlooked. Or rather, Sami forgave Kevin for those things. Same as him forgiving Roman! Because that is who Sami is: Sami is a good person. And Rollins is right, Sami does a lot for others, especially his friends. And well, Sami is still Kevin’s best friend. A brother even! Kevin is here to tell his brother that he whole heartedly believes Sami can and will win the Royal Rumble. Kevin knows that the Sami he’s known for 20 YEARS will win the Royal Rumble!
And why? Because Sami deserves it! Sami deserves to go to WrestleMania and fight for the WWE Championship, and Kevin knows Sami will do it! Then Kevin and Sami can accomplish one more thing together. Think of everything they’ve done and seen each other do in this business. They main-evented WrestleMania to become tag team champions. But there’s one more thing they haven’t done: main event WrestleMania for THE WWE Championship. And when Sami wins the Rumble, they can do that, so long as Kevin walks away THE WWE Champion. But Kevin knows both of those things are going to happen.
Kevin knows Sami will win the Rumble because Kevin has his back. He does. And Kevin knows he’ll be THE WWE Champion because just like Sami had Roman’s back, he’s got Kevin’s back. Right? Kevin just knows it. Sami is his best friend, his brother, and if Kevin needs him, Sami will be there. Kevin drops his mic and heads out, but Sami is rather confused. Is Kevin suggesting Sami do what it sounds like? What will Sami do on this Road to WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Sheamus.
Cathy is with The Fella and brings up his Intercontinental Championship match he has this Saturday against Bron Breakker. Why is this title so important to him? Sheamus says many would look at his career, and say he has the perfect backwards WWE career. He was only six months into his career, and he beat one of the biggest names this business has ever seen in John Cena to become WWE Champion. Ironically, the Intercontinental Champioship is what drew Sheamus to the WWE. That title has become an obsession for the past five years, but guess what? The stars are aligned! Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sheamus will bust Bron aside and fulfill destiny!
Sheamus will win the last championship he has yet to win! And for everyone who is watching, Let’s Go, Irish! A quick shoutout to Notre Dame, but then Sheamus spots Bron Breakker. Bron tells Sheamus that this title is Bron’s. This is as close as Sheamus will ever get to winning it. Because on Saturday, Bron beats him and BREAKS him like an old man! So just do us all a favor and retire. Sheamus shoves Bron, but Bron laughs it off and takes his leave. Will the Celtic Warrior finally have his WWE Bingo in another banger? Or will this title still belong to Bron Breakker?
Bayley VS Nia Jax!
The Role Model and the Irresistible Force were just on SmackDown but they’re bringing their beef over to Raw! Will Bayley make her official transfer back a successful one? Or will Nia be rolling towards the Royal Rumble?
Well, well, well, Roxanne Perez seems to be stalking Bayley. She was in the crowd for SmackDown last Friday, and now she’s here in the crowd tonight. The bell rings, Nia runs up, but Bayley dodges! Nia hits buckles, Bayley fires hands, then runs to ELBOW her! Bayley climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count, Bayley ges to 6 before Nia brings her off the corner! Bayley still fights, but Nia stops the rana! Nia brings Bayley up to a fireman’s carry, but Bayley kicks off ropes! TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Nia sits up but Bayley fires hands! Bayley runs, but into a POP-UP HEADBUTT! Bayley sputters, Nia covers, ONE!!
Bayley scrambles away but Nia stalks her. Nia puts Bayley on the ropes, CHOKES her, but the ref counts. Nia lets off at 4, she soaks up some heat, then she HEADBUTTS Bayley again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia digs her boot in, but the ref counts. Nia stops at 4, the fans boo some more, and Bayley crawls. Nia drags Bayley up, pushes her down, then runs, only for Bayley to avoid the elbow drop! Bayley fires forearms, then whips. Nia takes a swing but Bayley gets around to hit a back suplex! Cover, TWO! Nia is tougher than that but she’s also dazed. Bayley rises, runs in, but Nia URENAGES Bayley down! Now Nia climbs the corner!
The fans fire up as Bayley SHOVES Nia to the apron! Bayley BOOTS Nia to the floor, then builds speed! Bayley DIVES, down goes Nia! The fans fire up and Bayley gets in Roxie’s face! Roxie takes a swing, but Bayley blocks! Bayley DECKS Roxie! The fans go wild, security stops Roxie from getting at Bayley! Bayley mocks the little idiot, then goes back for Nia while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia drags Bayley up. Nia drops a LEG on the arm! Cover, TWO!! Bayley survives and Nia grows frustrated. Nia taunts Bayley, the fans boo Nia, and Bayley sits up. Nia drags Bayley by her hair, then runs, but Bayley avoids the leg drop! Bayley hurries to ELBOW Nia in the back! And then SLIDING LARIAT! Bayley keeps moving, and drops an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Nia survives the onslaught but the fans rally for Bayley. Both women slowly rise up, and Bayley runs up to KNEE Nia out to the apron! Bayley then drags Nia in through the ropes, but Nia HOTSHOTS the bad arm!
Bayley writhes, Nia taunts the fans, then Nia goes back to the apron. Nia stands on Bayley’s bad arm! But Bayley avoids another leg drop! Nia clutches her lower back while she and Bayley both rise up again. Bayley runs in to SUNSET FLIP BUCKLE BOMB! Nia flops to the floor and the fans fire up! Bayley leaves Nia behind for the count to handle this. Nia is still down at 5 of 10, and at 7! Nia springs up and in at 8! But Bayley goes up, up, and she hits a BANZAI DROP! Cover, TWO! Bayley didn’t quite A-Nia-Late Nia, but she goes up to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Nia survives again but if only barely!
The fans rally as Bayley brings Nia up. Nia shoves Bayley away, then scoops her, SHOULDER BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and the fans rally up again. Bayley goes to a corner, Nia runs in, and Nia SPLASHES Bayley! Bayley flounders against the ropes, then Nia runs in. Bayley TOSSES Nia to the apron, but Nia ROCKS Bayley! Nia drags Bayley up, and POSTS her! Bayley dangles in the ropes, and Nia snarls. Nia runs to HIP ATTACK Bayley against the post! Bayley flounders back in, the fans boo, and Nia climbs up! But Bayley is up to YANK Nia down! The fans fire up as Bayley runs, and she KNEES Nia down! Cover, TWO!!
Nia survives yet again but the fans continue to rally behind Bayley. Bayley goes up a corner, but now Nia is up! Nia ROCKS Bayley, then climbs up after her. Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley squirms around! SUPER SUNSET FLIP BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Nia survives that wild fall but Bayley goes right back up! MACHO ELBOW!! Cover, TWO!!! Nia survives again and Bayley is beside herself! Nia and Bayley rise, and the fans fire up again. Bayley reels Nia in, but the bad arm won’t let her clinch! Nia fireman’s carries, but Bayley fights free! Bayley runs, CHOP BLOCKS a leg, then hurries to run again. Nia POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS!!
Nia hurries to SENTON! Then she drags Bayley to a drop zone! Nia goes up, to A-NIA-LATE Bayley! Cover, Nia wins!!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
A powerful battle between two former champions, but the Irresistible Force crushes Bayley on her return to Raw! But wait! RHEA RIPLEY makes her way out here! Mami wants revenge, and Nia says bring it! They brawl in the ring, the fans fire up, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nia! Rhea RAMS Nia into the corner again and again, but here comes security! The fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” but the two are separated! But then Nia breaks free to SPLASH Rhea and whoever else was in the way! Nia CLUBS away on Rhea, producers and refs rush out here to stop this, but Rhea is up! She LEAPS at Nia for more!
The fans are thunderous as Rhea shoves everyone out of the way to ROUNDHOUSE Nia! Nia falls out of the ring, but rhea isn’t done! Rhea goes to the apron, but Nia trips her up! Nia DRIBBLES Rhea off the announce desk! Nia now clears the desk, and Adam Pearce is shouting that this is enough! Nia puts Rhea on the desk, but security swarms her! Wait, Rhea is back up! CANNONBALL!! Rhea takes Nia and the security guards out! The fans fire up but producers have to drag Rhea away from Nia! Dallas cheers on “MAMI! MAMI!” and she grabs a mic. Rhea gets on the desk to shout, “YOU! ME! SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT!!”
The fans are all fired up, because now things are going to get wild in San Antonio! But will the Queen of the Ring A-Nia-Late Rhea? Or will Nia get eradicated?
Judgment Day meets with American Made.
The others aren’t so sure about this, but Chad Gable says Dom said he could help with Gable’s luchador problem. Does he have some info? C’mon! Help him out! Okay, okay. Dom has someone who can help Gable. Dom hands him a piece of paper, and Gable asks, “This is the guy?” Dom says it sure is. Gable tells Judgment Day and “JD McDouche” that he’s off to master the dark arts of lucha libre. The others ask Dom what this is all about. Dom says it’s a long story but he and Gable go way back. Okay, fine, but how does this help Judgment Day? Next week is the tag title rematch but Finn is still out of action from last week’s Street Fight!
Liv Morgan says listening to Finn hasn’t really helped them win, has it? C’mon, Liv, this is serious. They’re gonna have to forfeit! Dom says maybe he could sub in. Finn shouldn’t care so long as they get the titles back, right? JD says yeah, that’s a good point. They’ll get this. Liv says yeah, Finn should be fine. And Dom is quite the mastermind now, huh? Liv just hopes this plan goes better than the one he had for her match with Rhea. Hey, didn’t she say she was over that? Yes, she did. Can Dom not take a joke? Okay, okay. Dom does have a plan for Liv, though. And even though she’s not mad, he’ll make it up to her, okay? Oh, he will. Now, let’s go.
Liv & Dom head out, Raquel tells Carlito to stop staring. Will Judgment Day (not) keep it together?
Lyra Valkyria speaks.
“Last week, I walked into Raw ready to become a history maker. And that meant spreading my wings and shedding any dead feathers that made me doubt the heights I knew I was capable of reaching. I took fear, I took doubt, and I used them to become something more. And now that I have this, it’s about what comes next. And what comes next is building a legacy as a valiant, fighting Women’s Intercontinental Champion.” The Morrigan is ready for more, just how high will she soar?
WWE celebrates Martin Luther King Jr.
He had a dream, and that dream lives on in us. May we keep that dream alive so that it may come true every day.
Seth Rollins warms up backstage.
Sami checks with him and knows the match with McIntyre is coming up. But Sami just wants Rollins to know that as a friend, he appreciated the talk they had last week. Rollins knows, and he heard Sami out there. Rollins respects Sami’s choice. It’s about time we got that Sami back. And Sami is almost rooting for that Sami. But push comes to shove int he Rumble, Rollins will throw Sami right over the top rope. Sami says, “Not if I throw you out first.” Sami again wishes Rollins luck, then heads out. Rollins finishes his preparations, but Karrion Kross is watching from afar! Could Mr. Doomsday have his next target in mind?
PENTA VS Pete Dunne!
#CeroMiedo made its debut in the WWE just last week, and it was a massive hit! But now he’s up against a man who feels disrespected left, right, front and back! Will the Bruiserweight take out all his frustrations on the new kid in class? Or will Penta continue to blow the roof off the arenas?
The bell rings and the fans already chant, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta tells Dunne to listen, but Dunne grabs the hand! Penta KICKS Dunne, but Dunne CHOPS! Penta CHOPS, Dunne CHOPS, then the forearms start flying! Dunne headlocks, Penta fires body shots, and Penta powers out. Penta hurdles then mule kicks Dunne, and Dunne sputters away. Penta swaggers, but Dunne CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Dunne grabs an arm. Dunne hammerlocks that arm, pulls on the other, and he bends the fingers back! Dunne STOMPS Penta’s arm! The fans tell Dunne off while Penta writhes, but Dunne drags Penta up again.
Dunne wrenches and whips, but Penta reverses. Then Penta runs up to GAMANGIRI! Penta whips again, Dunne reverses and he GAMANGIRIS! Penta sputters, Dunne brings him up, and Dunne whips. Penta reverses. Dunne goes up and flips and SUPERKICK from Penta! Penta hits Dunne outta the sky and Dunne bails out of the ring! The fans fire up and Penta says, “CERO! MIEDO!” Penta runs and DIVES into a forearm! Dunne gives back that anti-air, then he reels Penta in. APRON X-PLEX! Penta writhes again while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Dunne runs up to SLIDING FOREARM Penta down! The fans boo while Penta sputters, but Dunne runs up to SLIDINGN FOREARM again! Dunne paces, the fans chant, “Butch Sucks!” but Dunne just runs up on Penta. Penta dodges, mule kicks, and he runs to SLING-DOG! Dunne flounders to a corner, Penta runs and headstands on the corner! SWINGING DROPKICK! Dunne sputters more but Penta fireman’s carries. The fans fire up for the SWINGINGN DEATH VALLEY! Cover, TWO! Penta is frustrated, but the fans rally up again. Penta and Dunne rise up, and Penta goes after Dunne. Dunne ENZIGIRIS first!
Dunne STMOPS the hands, then he BUZZSAWS! Penta goes to a corner, Dunne runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS! Penta runs up, DESTROYER!! Dunne tumbles out of the ring! The fans fire up with Penta and he builds speed again! Penta FLIES and down goes Dunne! The fans are thunderous while both men are out at the ramp! Penta and Dunne stir, the ring count climbs, and Dunne is in at 5 of 10. Penta rises at 6, and he slaps some sense into himself. Penta is back in at 7, DES- NO, Dunne stops the second shot and tucks Penta in! CRUNCHY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and the fans fire up!
Penta shakes out the bad arm, but he and Dunne sit up. They go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! Dunne CHOPS, but Penta CHOPS! The fans cheer Penta on and he tells Dunne to listen! “CERO! MIEDO!” But Dunne bends the fingers, SNAPS them, then wraps Penta into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Penta endures, fights up, and he deadlifts Dunne, for a POWER BREAKER!! Dunne writhes, Penta grabs Dunne’s arm and traps it! Penta CLUBS Dunne, then grabs the other arm, SACRIFICE!! Dunne writhes in even more pain, but Penta brings him around. Pump handle, PENTA DRIVER!! Cover, Penta wins!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
The luchador proved he could do power on top of punishing submissions, and he is 2-0 here on Raw! Will the Penta Era take over the WWE?
Logan Paul speaks.
“Man, it must suck to be a Logan Paul hater. For years, all of you have wanted me to fail. But you know why it’s never happened, and it never will? Because when I do something, I become the best at it. I became the King of the Internet. I was the only man in history to beat Floyd Mayweather. So what makes you think the WWE will be any different? Look around, dummies. This is my life now. And I will eat, sleep and breathe wrestling until I become the greatest superstar to step into that ring. You can quote me on that. You’re looking at the GOAT, ladies and gentlemen.” The Maverick makes his return next week in Atlanta, will he receive a “warm welcome?”
CM Punk is here!
The Voice of the Voiceless, the Second City Saint, the Best in the World, takes a page out of Jey Uso’s playbook by entering through the concourse and then the bleachers! Dallas fires up as he joins Jackie Redmond in the perch for an interview. Jackie says the fans love chanting Punk’s name, and thanks him for coming out here for this in-arena interview. Punk says before any questions, he has a question for us: “Is it great to be alive on a Monday night in Dallas, Texas or what?!” The fans cheer that, and Jackie says of course it is.
But to the question: There are only so many ways to get to the main event of WrestleMania, something Punk wants to do for the first time in his career. The Royal Rumble is certainly one way, but that is a match he’s never won. And it is shaping to become one of the most stacked fields ever. Punk, Roman, John Cena, Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre, Sami Zayn, and more. So, the question is, what makes this Rumble different for Punk? Punk says, “History.” And he is a maker of history! Just three weeks ago, he main-evented the first Raw live on Netflix, and he beat Rollins, a man favored to win this year’s Rumble.
This business is a fickle one, constantly asking, “What have you down for me lately?” Punk says he makes history! And he’ll do it in two weeks when he walks in, throws 29 other superstars over the top rope. The stakes are much too high, the lights are much too bright, and the pressure is on! And that is when Punk feels alive and when he thrives. No one can beat Punk when he’s at his best and with the people behind him. Jackie brought up Cena, but Punk can’t see Cena throwing him out. Roman Reigns? Roman needed Punk’s help to settle family business at WarGames. And in the Rumble, there are no friends!
Punk has put McIntyre in the dirt, and don’t ask him about Sami. You put HOGAN in the rumble, Punk will throw his old ass out and kill Hulkamania once and for all! February 1st, 60 THOUSAND strong, on the Peacock, live and in living color, Indianapolis, Indiana, Punk will settle scores and cash in debts. He’ll even call in a favor or two if he needs to. On that night, 29 other men are going night-night, and ONE MAN gets his hand raised. One name, three syllables: C, M, PUNK! “CM” might stand for “Confident Man” right about now, but will Punk be unstoppable on this road not just to WrestleMania, but also the road to his dream?
Damage CTRL VS Pure Fusion Collective!
This rivalry went back and forth all over 2024, and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down just because it is a New Year. Will Dakota Kai & Iyo Sky finally kick PFC to the curb for what they did to Kairi Sane? Or will Sonya Deville, Shayna Baszler & Zoey Stark put them on the shelf right beside the Pirate Princess?
The teams sort out, the bell rings, and Kai starts against Shayna. Shayna opens with a KICK to the leg, but Kai walks that off. Shayna KCIKS again, Kai gets mad, and the two go again. Kai blocks one kick but not the second KCIK! Shayna runs up, fakes Kai out, then trips her up! Shayna scuffs Kai, then soaks up the heat. Shayna runs back in, but Kai goes up and over to roll her up! TWO, and Kai slips past Shayna to DROPKICK her down! The fans fire up for Kai, but Shayna stops the arm-drag! Shayna whips, Kai stops herself and BOOTS Shayna away. Kai runs up, Zoey tags in before the flying mare!
Things speed up, Shayna drops down and Zoey springboards to MISSILE DORPKICK Kai down! Sonya wants everyone to take notes! Zoey clamps onto Kai with a chinlock and she grinds Kai down. The fans rally, Kai fights up, and Kai fires body shots. Zoey CLUBS Kai, CLUBS her again and again, then soaks up heat. Zoey puts Kai in the corner, tags Shayna back in, and then Zoey whips Shayna in for a KNEE! Shayna scoops Kai, BACKBREAKER and LARIAT! Shayna covers, TWO! Kai stays in this, but Sonya says her team’s got this. Kai crawls, but Shayna clamps onto the leg for a toehold.
Kai endures, kicks at Shayna with her free leg, but Shayna still bends the trapped leg! The fans rally, Kai kicks and kicks, but Shayna drops an ELBOW on the leg! Shayna tells Dallas to shut it, then she drags Kai around to bend the leg in another direction! Kai endures, reaches out for Iyo, but Shayna pulls the leg. Kai kicks at Shayna again, then BOOTS her away! Kai and Shayna crawl, hot tag to Zoey! Zoey brings Kai up but Kai ENZIGIRIS! Shayna runs back in, but Kai TOSSES her out! Hot tag to Iyo! The Genius of the Sky fires SHOTEI after SHOTEI on Zoey! Iyo ROCKS Shayna, then runs! PFC avoids the handsprings, but Iyo blocks a kick!
Iyo sends the foot at Zoey, but she ducks! Iyo SHOTEIS Zoey again! Then she dodges Shayna to GERMAN SUPLEX her away! The fans fire up as Iyo whips Zoey. Zoey reverses but Iyo uses that to DIVE onto Shayna! Iyo hurries up, blocks a shot, then ROUDNHOUSES Zoey! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, and Iyo MISSILE DROPKICKS Zoey! Iyo handsprings up and the fans are thunderous! Iyo aims from the corner, runs in and SHINKANSEN! Iyo drags Zoey to a cover, TWO! Zoey survives but Iyo goes up. Sonya storms up, but Kai YANKS Sonya down! The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, but Shayna LARIATS Kai!
Zoey YANKS Iyo down, SUPERKICKS her, and then reels her in! ATAXIA!! Cover, TWO!! Zoey is furious, but she tags in Shayna. PFC gets Iyo up, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY, then a SLIDING KNEE! Cover, Kai breaks it! The fans fire up but Zoey TOSSES Kai! Zoey then PLANCHAS, but Kai dodges! Kai goes up to the apron to PENALTY KICK Zoey! Shayna BOOTS Kai, then dodges Iyo! KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Iyo flails, but she runs to the ropes! HOTSHOT and Shayna falls back! Iyo hurries up top, the fans fire up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, DMG CTRL wins!
Winners: Damage CTRL, by pinfall
PFC tried to use the numbers, but Iyo & Kai just used their skills! Will DMG CTRL still take control of Raw? Or will Sonya, Shayna & Zoey figure out a winning formula?
Seth Rollins VS Drew McIntyre!
With the Royal Rumble just down the road, it is this WrestleMania 40 rematch that could determine how WrestleMania 41 looks. The Visionary and the Scottish Terminator look to run it back, but who will be in pole position for Indianapolis?
Raw returns and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings, the fans fire up, and the two stare down. The fans sing Rollins’ song, and Rollins says he’s got two good knees now. No Bloodline, no CM Punk, just them! The two circle, tie up, and McIntyre pushes Rollins to the corner. The ref counts but McIntyre talks smack as he lets off. Rollins shoves McIntyre, McIntyre shoves Rollins! They stare down again, Rollins talks a bit more smack, and McIntyre grins. McIntyre CHOPS, and Rollins likes that! Rollins CHOPS, McIntyre CHOPS, repeat! The fans “WOO~” but then McIntyre headlocks. Rollins powers up and out, but McIntyre runs him over!
McIntyre looms over Rollins, then brings him up. But Rollins CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! McIntyre headlocks, Rollins powers up and out, drops down, hurdles over, then redirects McIntyre to SHOULDER TACKLE! McIntyre rebounds to SHOULDER TACKLE Rollins! The fans fire up again while Rollins goes to ropes. McIntyre stomps Rollins, ROCKS him, then stalks him to ropes. McIntyre CHOPS Rollins against the ropes, then whips. Rollins ducks ‘n’ dodges, to then SLINGBLADE! Rollins keeps moving, and he LARAITS McIntyre up and out! The fans fire up as Rollins builds speed, to WRECK McIntyre with a dropkick!
McIntyre is at the desk. Rollins builds sped, and Rollins DIVES! McIntyre hits desk, but Rollins keeps going! Rollins DIVES again, but McIntyre stops that to TOSS Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins is down between the armchairs and McIntyre snarls, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and both men slowly rise in the ring. McIntyre looms over Rollins, saying Rollins is still too damn selfish. But Rollins fires hands! McIntyre hits back, they go back and forth! McIntyre kicks low, whips Rollins toa corner, but Rollins BOOTS him away! McIntyre returns, and he pushes through the boot to ELBOW Rollins! McIntyre has Rollins in the Inverted Alabama Lift, ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! Rollins goes back to the corner, and he BOOTS McIntyre again! The fans fire up while both men are down! Rollins feeds off that energy and rises up. Rollins ROCKS McIntyre, then counter punches him!
Rollins CHOPS and ROCKS McIntyre again and again, then CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! The fans fire up, the ref counts as they’re on ropes, but Rollins roars! Rollins whips, McIntyre reveres, Rollins leaps, but into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre pops Rollins up, but Rollins slips out of the suplex to then POST McIntyre! McIntyre staggers back, so Rollins POSTS him again! McIntyre sputters, Rollins brings him around and POSTS him a third time! McIntyre is stuck in the corner now, but Rollins SLAMS the arm against the post! Rollins aims as McIntyre staggers away. Springboard, FLYING KNEE! McIntyre says up, Rollins hits a RUNNING KNEE! Cover, TWO!
Rollins takes a breath as the fans rally up. McIntyre is down so Rollins goes to the apron. Springboard SWANTON! Cover, TWO! McIntyre survives but Rollins snarls. Rollins stalks McIntyre, grabs the arm, and he goes to wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre rolls free, fireman’s carries, but Rollins fights free! Rollins goes to a corner again, puts McIntyre on the apron, but McIntyre ROCKS Rollins! McIntyre climbs, but Rollins springs up to join him! SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through, but MCINTYRE hits the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! The fans fire up as both men are down! “This is Awesome!” as McIntyre kips up!
McIntyre still wobbles a bit, but he makes his way to a corner. McIntyre tells Rollins to get up. Rollins rises, McIntyre runs in, but Rollins ducks the Claymore! Now Rollins aims, and he runs up, but McIntyre hits a SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife bridge, TWO! Rollins survives, but McIntyre brings him in! Deadlift and- RANA! Rollins then SUPERKICKS McIntyre, runs, tilt-o-whirls, and FALCON ARROWS! The fans fire up as Rollins manages a cover, TWO!! The pin wasn’t much but neither was that kick-out, both men are running on fumes. The fans sing Rollins’ song, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!”
Rollins runs, CURB- NO, McIntyre avoids the stomp! Underhooks and FUTURE- NO, Rollins fights the DDT to underhook! PED- NO, McIntyre wrenches out to short arm LARIAT! McIntyre rolls away to go to the apron, then he drags himself up the corner. McIntyre reaches the top, Rollins stands, FLYING- NO, Rollins blocks the lariat to try and wrangle McIntyre. McIntyre scoops Rollins, Rollins slips free, and Rollins still wants the arm! McIntyre fights the takedown again so Rollins CLUBS away on the arm! Rollins brings McIntyre down, into a CROSSFACE!! McIntyre endures, reaches out, but Rollins pulls him back!
McIntyre fights, claws his way over, and he manages the ROPEBREAK! Rollins holds until the ref counts 4, and now Rollins tells McIntyre to get up and fight. “You question me? You question my integrity!?” Rollins gets in McIntyre’s face, the ref backs him off, but now McIntyre CLAWS Rollins’ face! Rollins staggers, McIntyre reels him in, underhook and FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO?!? Rollins survives and now McIntyre is pissed. McIntyre rises, and he tells Rollins that his words and actions don’t line up. Short arm LARIAT! McIntyre drags Rollins up again, short arm LARIAT! The fans rally and McIntyre shakes his head.
McIntyre tells Rollins to get up, and Rollins sputters as he slowly sits up. McIntyre reels Rollins in for a short arm- NO, Rollins slips up and around, and a jackknife bridge! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins snatches this one away, and McIntyre CLOBBERS Rollins for it! The fans boo but McIntyre scares the ref off. But Rollins fires hands in return! McIntyre CLAYMORES outta nowhere!! McIntyre is still seething, and he drags Rollins over to the corner. McIntyre pulls Rollins’ hair to put him up against the post! The fans boo, the ref says don’t, but SAMI ZAYN to the rescue! Sami fires hands, then he POSTS McIntyre! Sami makes sure Rollins is alright, and then Sami goes back for Drew. But he gets a GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT for it! McIntyre stands Sami up to THROW him into barriers!
McIntyre snarls as he looks to Rollins again. McIntyre gets in the ring, and he tells Rollins they should be on the same team, but Rollins is just so selfish! But here comes Sami! McIntyre moves, HELLUVA KICK to Rollins!! The fans can’t believe it and neither can Sami! Sami apologizes to Rollins, but McIntyre grins, this all worked out for the better! Will McIntyre use everyone else against each other to ensure he is the one going to WrestleMania?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode coming in at just two hours and 35 minutes or so. I don’t mind things “ending early” compared to the usual three hour run, but I am curious as to how they’re only using two-and-a-half hours. I suppose they have their plan and just go with it. That way, if things go long, they have breathing room for it. But they really could’ve added like one more thing to this and it would’ve been fine, I think. That said, good go-home stuff for Saturday Night’s Main Event, such as a good promo from Jey and Gunther. Though, they didn’t really add more to what last week had, other than that brawl. Jey stood tall, go-home math would suggest he loses.
Sheamus and Bron had a good promo to put the final touches on their build, but as I said last week, this is a rather interesting one. Sheamus really should win that Intercontinental Championship already, but I don’t know if Saturday Night’s Main Event is a “big enough stage” for such a moment. Great stuff with Bayley, Nia and Rhea tonight, especially that match. It seems the Transfer Window is finally putting some actual transfers in, what with Wyatt Sick6 on SmackDown and now Bayley on Raw. Rhea VS Nia on Saturday Night’s Main Event is going to be an awesome title match, but it feels like Rhea will retain to solidify her as champion past the Royal Rumble.
And speaking of the Rumble, Bayley is certainly a top choice to win. For one, it’d be historic for Bayley to not just win back-to-back, but to also be the first woman to have won two Rumbles at all. Very good promo from Punk to hype himself up for the Rumble, and he did mention a favor… Though, it’d be rather Heel of Punk to use a favor from Heyman to basically rig the Rumble or give him protection during it, but it’d also be great continuity as The Shield was to shield Punk. Sami of course declared for the Rumble, but Kevin showing up was a great surprise. And Kevin clearly implies that if Sami helps Kevin cheat the ladder match, Kevin will help Sami cheat the Rumble. Or rather, if Kevin does help Sami win the Rumble, Sami better help Kevin win the ladder match.
Sami also had a good promo with Rollins backstage, with the real fun part being Kross watching from the background. Kross needs a new feud with the Wyatts going to SmackDown, and moving on to names like Rollins and Sami would be some big stuff for him and The Final Testament. Rollins VS McIntyre was a great main event, and classic move having the quick pin win this so that McIntyre is still strong even in defeat. Sami making the save was also a nice touch, as was the Helluva Kick accidentally hitting Rollins. The Rumble has a lot of feuds crossing over, and Kross can add onto what happened here, we’ll get some really good chaos in that match.
Great promo between New Day and JBL to where even JBL, notorious as one of the meanest, most obnoxious Heels of his time, is on Big E’s side. And we finally got New Day back in the ring, but it’s a little disappointing that it wasn’t a tag match. Dragon Lee hasn’t gotten to do much, and he’s doing even less now. It was still a great match from Kofi VS Rey, with Rey getting his own quick pin win. New Day beating Rey up of course brought out the LWO, and I’m sure we’ll get New Day VS Cruz & Wilde next. We can only hope for Dragon Lee’s sake that he gets to be part of the blowoff for this feud. Actually, better yet would be him in the Intercontinental Championship scene.
Penta might also make a great choice for the Intercontinental Championship scene. Penta had another awesome match, as Pete Dunne is always a great opponent. Maybe Penta gets in on the Rumble so he can check that off his bucket list. He doesn’t need to win, he can just have a great showing, and rivalries can spark from those interactions. Lyra had a very good promo but I was hoping for a little more after her winning the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. DMG CTRL VS PFC was a great tag match, and a great win for DMG CTRL. Dakota and Iyo could each make a case for a match with Lyra, but clearly Ivy will be up first. She would make a solid first defense for Lyra, and then Lyra can have rematches from the tournament with Kai and Iyo.
At the same time, PFC might already be thinking about changing up the team with Zoey taking the loss. Good stuff with Judgment Day. Dom and Liv plotting and scheming while being passive aggressive is a fun phase for them. They’re probably plotting on how Liv can win the Women’s Rumble, but it’ll likely backfire and that’ll push the Liv x Dom break-up. Also, you can bet Finn won’t like Dom taking his spot against the War Raiders, especially if they win. That said, I don’t see them winning, Erik & Ivar should definitely be able to handle Dom & JD. It certainly feels more likely the Creeds can take the tag titles than Judgment Day.
I do wonder who Dom recommended to Gable, though. It’d be cool if WWE brought in some other lucha legends, as WWE seems to be expanding their partnerships. WWE is working more closely with TNA now, and I believe TNA still has a working relationship with AAA, especially after AEW moved over to working with CMLL because of the relationship with NJPW. Also a super crossover like NXTNAAA would be a lot of fun to see for WrestleMania weekend.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Bandwagon Nerds #271: Jack Quaid aka Jack Paid
The Nerds review 2024 and reveal their choices for the best of the year in categories such as best series,...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (1/11/25)
Setting the Brackets!
Bandwagon Nerds #270: Deathgrass & Rainbows
The Nerds return to the Trailer Park, address some rumors about Half-Life 3 and the MCU, and discuss Jason Mamoa...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (12/31/24)
History comes full circle!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (1/21/25)
NXT stacks the gold!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (1/20/25)
WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!
Andrew’s TNA Genesis Results & Match Ratings: 1.19.25
Does TNA Believe in Joe Hendry more than Mokuba Nemeth believes in his big brother?
Classic POD is WAR: Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice… Goldberg
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (1/18/25)
The carnage continues!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: RAW, TNA & AEW
We've got a little bit of everything this week. With DJ out on assignment, Rob and Jason bring you ALL...
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (1/17/25)
Will Tiffy Time be cut short?
DWI Podcast #459: RIP Mr. Baseball Bob Uecker
DP and PC run down a plethora of topics from RAW and SmackDown as we head towards the Royal Rumble.
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 1.16.25
The Go Home for Genesis this Sunday! Let's see what happens!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (1/16/25)
Stir it up!
