Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Money in the Bank Results & Report! (5/10/20)
Prepare to climb the corporate ladder!
Money in the Bank: In Your Office!
Six men and six women prepare to climb to corporate ladder! Who reaches the roof, takes down the briefcase, and becomes 2020 Mr. & Ms. MITB?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Jeff Hardy VS Cesaro; Hardy wins.
- SmackDown Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS Lucha House Party VS The Forgotten Sons VS The Miz & John Morrison; The New Day wins and retains the SmackDown Tag Team Championships.
- MVP VS R-Truth; changed to…
- Bobby Lashley VS R-Truth; Lashley wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Tamina; Bayley wins and retains the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
- WWE Universal Championship: Braun Strowman VS Bray Wyatt; Strowman wins and retains the WWE Universal Champion.
- WWE World Championship: Drew McIntyre VS Seth Rollins; McIntyre wins and retains the WWE World Championship.
- Money in the Bank Corporate Ladder Match: Otis becomes Mr. MITB, Asuka becomes Ms. MITB.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Money in the Bank Kickoff Show!
Join Scott Stanford and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting everything that’s about to happen on the most unique Money in the Bank PPV we’ve ever had!
Renee Young, Booker T and JBL join the show via video!
What are the predictions for the Women’s MITB winner? Booker gives JBL a quick shout out as the soon to be Hall of Famer. That ring is in the mail! But when it comes to these women, Shayna Baszler is a wrecking ball, and she is going to be the one to win that contract. JBL says it is an honor to be with King Bookah and Renee the Queen of Canada. To his pick, JBL was in Japan back in the day, got himself a traditional symbol of honor that is a samurai sword. He is using that as his way of saying Asuka is winning! Renee thinks Lacey Evans is winning because she is hungry for another shot at the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
Backstage interview with The New Day!
The odds may not be in their favor in tonight’s Fatal 4 Way, and the Forgotten Sons could come out of nowhere to win this. Big E says there are more people in this match than Earl Thomas’ Air BNB. The Forgotten Sons may be here but they ain’t scaring Big E and Kofi. This isn’t Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the Nightmare on Elm Street, or Up! Wait, Disney Pixar’s Up? Big E doesn’t like balloons. But what is before us is a challenge, and The New Day don’t run! Whether it’s a regular, a Triple Threat, a Fatal 4 or a Pancake on a Pole, ya bois always gonna come out on top. And why is that? BECAUSE~! New! Day Rocks!
WWE shares Tamina’s video.
The Samoan steamroller has a reputation of “being mean.” But that’s not the case at all. She’s just misunderstood. Tamina tries to play nice but it never seems to work out. Like that time Lana was her manager, or all those other times she beat up someone. Come this Money in the Bank, Tamina is breaking the mold, and Bayley’s jaw, to become the NEW SmackDown Women’s Champion. If you don’t like that, you can go f*BEEEP* But just so you know, there’s nobody meana than Tamina.
Kickoff Show – Jeff Hardy VS Cesaro!
The Charismatic Enigma restarts the comeback, but the Swiss Cyborg wants to stop it before it begins. Will Cesaro end the “good run” before Sheamus even gets a chance to?
The bell rings and Hardy ties up with Cesaro. They go around, Cesaro headlocks but Hardy powers out. Cesaro runs Hardy over and covers, TWO! Cesaro drags Hardy up, headlocks again, but Hardy pries at the hold. Hardy can’t get away before Cesaro drags him down and digs in on the chin. Hardy reverses the headlock to his own, but Cesaro powers up and out. Hardy runs Cesaro over but things speed up. Cesaro goes to hip toss but Hardy reverses with one of his own. Hardy hits a BIG atomic drop, then a full nelson spin to snapmare and neck snap! Cesaro bails out but Hardy goes out the other side. Hardy lines up a shot, runs and uses the steps, to fly! Into Cesaro’s arms! Cesaro TOSSES Hardy into the barriers, then dumps him over! Cesaro leaves Hardy behind and goes to the ring. The ring count climbs past 5 but Hardy gets up. Hardy drags himself up and over the barriers, and gets in the ring at 9.5! But Cesaro stomps away on him at the ropes!
Cesaro digs his heel into Hardy’s head! The ref backs Cesaro off but he drags Hardy up to choke him on the ropes! The ref counts again and Cesaro lets off, to run and body slide! Hardy is down and Cesaro goes up the ropes. Cesaro leaps to elbow Hardy back down! Cover, TWO! Cesaro wraps Hardy up in a half straitjacket, and uses a free hand to smudge the face paint. Hardy endures as Cesaro leans on him, but fights his way up. Cesaro knees Hardy down then whips him corner to corner. Hardy reverses hard and hits a clothesline! Hardy kicks but Cesaro blocks, only to get the spinning back heel! Cesaro staggers about, Hardy dropkicks him off the apron! Hardy pursues, whips, but Cesaro reverses HARD! Hardy goes right into the LED aprons chest first! Cesaro whips Hardy back into the LED to go after those ribs! He puts Hardy back in the ring and climbs up the ropes. Cesaro drops a leg and covers, TWO! Hardy toughs it out but Cesaro looms over him. Cesaro STOMPS Hardy right in the ribs!
Cesaro drags Hardy up and hits a neck snap of his own. Cover, TWO! Cesaro drags Hardy up and throws European Uppercuts. Hardy rebounds to forearm back, but Cesaro gives more EuroUppers! Cesaro drags Hardy up, whips him to ropes, and catches him into a cobra twist! Cesaro stretches Hardy and clubs away on the ribs. He unzips Hardy’s mesh shirt to club him harder. Hardy endures, and hip tosses free! Both men are down but Cesaro is up first to CLOBBER Hardy! Cesaro hammers away with elbows and forearms, then covers, TWO! Hardy refuses to lose, but Cesaro keeps his eyes on Hardy. Hardy flounders but Cesaro drags Hardy up to his feet. Cesaro suplexes high and hard, then covers, TWO! Cesaro grows annoyed with Hardy, and he clamps on with a smothering chinlock. He cranks on Hardy’s neck and adds an arm into the hold.
Hardy endures this modified clutch, fights his way up and fights back with elbows and body shots. Jawbreaker! Cesaro staggers back but Hardy is down. Cesaro comes back with hands but Hardy counter punches! They brawl and Hardy whips. Cesaro reverses but Hardy runs him over! Hardy hits an atomic drop to the leg splitting leg drop! Basement dropkick added on, cover, TWO! Hardy’s back and legs are slowing him down but he gets to his feet. He kicks Cesaro low but no Twist yet! Cesaro shoves free, but walks into an elbow. Hardy goes up, but Cesaro trips him! Cesaro climbs up behind Hardy, clubs him on the back, then brings him into a gut wrench! Hardy resists and elbows free, and down goes Cesaro! Cesaro gets up for WHISPER IN THE WIND! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro survives but both men are down. Cesaro clutches a knee while he sits up. Hardy is on him but Cesaro throws a EuroUpper! And another! And another, but into the backslide! Cover, ONE, and the two roll.
Cesaro gets up, spins Hardy around, but Hardy dodges! Kick, TWIST OF FATE! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro survives again and Hardy can’t believe it! Hardy stands up again, drags Cesaro back up and scoops. Powerslam! Hardy heads to the corner, climbs up top, but Cesaro UPPERCUTS first! Cesaro climbs, SUPER GUT WRENCH SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!?! Hardy still lives and Cesaro is furious. Cesaro drags Hardy up and reels him in. But no Neutralizer as Hardy back drops out! Cesaro LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Hardy rolls away to the apron and staggers to the ramp. Cesaro goes out the side and runs in, to EuroUpper Hardy against barriers! Cesaro whips, Hardy reverses, and Cesaro smashes into steel steps! The knee takes the hit, and Hardy tight rope walks the barriers. Hardy leaps to body check Cesaro! Hardy puts Cesaro in, climbs up top, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, Hardy wins!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall
The comeback has begun! But that was a hard fought victory for Hardy! Will it only get harder from here knowing the Celtic Warrior will want his turn?
Booker, Renee and JBL return!
How do they see the Corporate Ladder match working out? Well they’ve all been to the WWE HQ and seen all the great features of the “shrine to this business.” JBL won’t give anything away, but he will say Titan Towers is very secure. Seems the locks will be left off tonight. And it’s a bit of a maze, so maybe there should be a map. But JBL’s choice is Aleister Black as Mr. MITB. Booker’s favorite moment at HQ was JBL giving that “weather report” during the blizzard. But as a fan of Bruce Lee and the Game of Death, going floor by floor, who knows how this MITB match will feel. Booker is ready to see AJ Styles turn it up and win. Renee agrees, Styles could be a favorite for being back so soon. But who wouldn’t want to see Otis do the Caterpillar on a ladder? Not JBL or Booker. Baron Corbin might also have an edge, but no previous experience really applies. Expect the unexpected, like what Macho Man used to say. JBL does agree with Booker’s idea of The Game of Death, this could be wild.
The most unique Money in the Bank EVER.
The risk is worth the reward. “Welcome to WWE Global Headquarters.” Proceed to the elevator. Going up to ultimate chaos. Incredible odds, unpredictable opponents, and never-before-seen obstacles. This ride and this building will force you to ride through every floor, go through every opponent, and put everything on the line. The climb up the corporate ladder starts now. Who is going up? And who is going down?
SmackDown Tag Team Championship Fatal 4 Way: The New Day VS Lucha House Party VS The Forgotten Sons VS The Miz & John Morrison!
AWWWW~ people at home~! The EIGHT-TIME champs are already risking a lot in this eight man, four team title match! Will they beat the odds and beat three teams in one night?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, every team takes a corner. Two men must start, so we start with Kofi and Gran Metalik. Metalik and Kofi tie up, Metalik waistlocks but Kofi standing switches. Metalik headlocks then wrenches to a wristlock. Kofi rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. Kofi sweeps then splashes down, cover, ONE! Metalik is up and circles with Kofi again. They tie up, Kofi wristlocks and wrenches but Metalik handsprings and wrenches back. Metalik arm-drags then kips up to show off. Miz and Morrison talk trash but Metalik headlocks Kofi. Kofi powers out and things speed up. Kofi hurdles and elbows Metalik down! Metalik gets up but Kofi is right on him. Kofi whips but Metalik huricanranas back! Kofi rushes in and Metalik kicks back. Metalik runs but into a mule kick! Kofi runs but Wesley Blake tags in!
Blake throws Kofi out, sucker punches Big E then sucker punches Lince Dorado! Blake drags Metalik up to throw uppercuts then tags in Cutler. The Sons drag Metalik up to double backbreaker! Then they go after Miz & Morrison, but those two get clear. The Sons whip Metalik but he springboards to below them both down! Morrison tags in and kicks Metalik in the ribs! Morrison drags Metalik up and whips but Metalik reverses. Metalik dropkicks Morrison down in the corner, then climbs up top. Miz runs over but gets a boot. Morrison rocks Metalik first and brings him up, for a SUPER SPANISH FLY ONTO EVERYONE ELSE!! All eight men are down, but Jaxson Ryker checks on his guys. Metalik puts Morrison in, and springboards for a splash! Cover, TWO! Metalik almost had this one, but it’s not Lucha Time yet.
Morrison ROCKS Metalik, Cutler tags in, and Metalik leap frogs over Morrison, Metalik rocks Cutler then mule kicks Morrison, but Ryker trips Metalik up! Cutler stomps away and then BOOTS Metalik down! Cutler drags Metalik up, whips and elbows him down. Cover, TWO! Cutler stomps Metalik then drags him up. Tag to Blake, and Blake runs for Cutler to hip toss him onto Metalik! Cover, TWO! Blake kicks Metalik around and brings him up, just to elbow and dropkick him down! Cover, TWO! Blake and Big E talk smack but Blake clamps onto Metalik. Blake thrashes Metalik around in the chinlock but Metalik endures. Metalik fights up, throws body shots, but Blake elbows and elbows away. Tag to Cutler and the Sons both sucker punch The New Day! Cutler hurries up top and Blake lifts Metalik. Metalik huricanranas Blake out, then boots Cutler! Metalik hops up to tornado DDT! Morrison tags in off Cutler, but Metalik hot tags Lince! The Golden Lynx springboards to hit Morrison, then knocks Miz off the apron!
Lince keeps moving and QUEBRADAS! Cover but Miz drags Lince off. DROPSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Morrison flounders but puts Lince on the apron. Lince kicks back then springboards to DRAGON-RANA!! Cover, Blake breaks it! Kofi tags in to clobber Blake! FLYING CHUCK from Morrison! Morrison tags in Miz and they drag Kofi up. They double back suplex but Kofi lands on his feet, to DOUBLE STOMP! Cover on Miz, TWO! Kofi keeps moving and Penalty Kicks Miz down! Then he hits the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi claps up but Ryker glares at him. Miz blocks Trouble in Paradise but Kofi denies the figure four! Cutler tags in, but so does Big E! cutler clotheslines Kofi out and goes right at Big E in the corner! He drags Big E up for a rain of rights, but Kofi tags back in! Kofi kicks Cutler, Big E has Cutler up, DOUBLE STOMP BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Cutler survives and Kofi can’t believe it!
Kofi tags Big E back in, and Big E scoops Cutler. Morrison shoves Kofi down! Blake tags in and they have Big E, but then Miz tags in! MEMORY REMAINS!! But Morrison hits a shining wizard! FINALE for Blake! Morrison tags in, STARSHIP PAIN!! Cover, Lucha House Party breaks it! Miz goes after Lince then Metalik. Metalik enziguris back, Lince SUPERKICKS! Morrison kicks Lince low then whips. Lince handsprings, GOLDEN REWIND! Metalik tags in off Morrison, but Morrison boots Lince. Metalik hits a SUPER STEINER! Big E stirs but Metalik is on him. Big E shoves, Lince tags in. Metalik escapes the big ending and Lince enziguris! Double enziguri! Big E is down, Metalik tags back in. BIG SPLASH from Lince, springboard MACHO ELBOW from Metalik! Cover, the Forgotten Sons break it! Cutler and Blake throw Metalik out hard then go back to Big E. The Sons drag Big E up, double whip, but Big E holds ropes. Big E dumps both Sons out then gives Kofi the BOOST! Kofi takes out Blake but Cutler POSTS Kofi!
Big E clobbers Cutler then builds speed. But Ryker dumps Big E out! No disqualifications in a Fatal 4, but the ref EJECTS Ryker! The Sons are furious but LHP DOUBLE SPRINGBOARD and take out the Sons, Miz and Morrison! Metalik crawls back to the ring just as Big E enters. Metalik springboards, but Big E rolls the crossbody over! Kofi gives Lince TROUBLE IN PARADISE! BIG ENDING!! Cover, The New Day win!!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (still SmackDown Tag Team Champions)
Chaos opens the night, but the gold stays with Kofi and Big E! Will any team find a way to end the eighth reign?
Lacey Evans speaks.
“Now this may be my first Money in the Bank Ladder match, but it is just the match I was made to win.” Lacey is US made, and by the US Marine Corps. That is where she learned the key to victory is proper preparation and a well-laid plan. She has studied the weaknesses of her opponents, and has memorized the WWE HQ layout. She is ready to fight her way up to the roof, climb the ladder, and become Ms. Money in the Bank. So Bayley, that means the Woman’s Right is ready any time Lacey wants. But will it even be Bayley that has the belt by the end of tonight?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!
The world champion gives a big Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers of the world. And tonight is his first WWE Championship title defense since WrestleMania. McIntyre beat Brock Lesnar (and Big Show), but now must face a man that has defeated Lesnar: Seth Rollins. Many think McIntyre is an underdog champion, but McIntyre doesn’t see it. He knows that at first glance, he is Goliath. And everyone knows Rollins is one of the most talented and decorated of all time. But here’s the thing: there’s this thing called heard. There’s also passion and desire. McIntyre has worked his life to get the title. Rollins’ biggest problem is his mouth. So McIntyre is going to close that mouth in Claymore Country, by breaking that jaw.
MVP VS R-Truth!
Montel Vontavius Porter returns to MITB but not the way he’d hoped. But even so, he hopes to be THE MVP very soon. Will Truth show him #WhatsUp tonight?
Before the match, Truth asks the WWE Universe at home to make some noise! Yeah, that’s what he’s talking about. What’s up?! Well Truth has always been a bit loopy. Will that hold him back or help him out tonight? MVP makes his entrance and gets a mic. He doesn’t like that Truth tried to do the pose with him. Truth isn’t going to teach MVP how to ball. MVP taught the WWE about ballin’ so what can Truth teach him? Truth can teach MVP how to be BALLIN~! Two points right there. Then, BALLIN~! Three points! Truth says he can score six in one! BALLIN~! If Truth don’t get his fake Young Thug, offset Future wannabe mug out of MVP’s face… Truth is trying to help MVP help him help MVP. MVP says he’ll help Truth, alright.
But wait, Bobby Lashley comes out to the ring? He’s not scheduled here, because he also missed out on a spot in the MITB match. Lashley gets in the ring and takes a mic from MVP. “I’ve got this one.” That’s what’s up. MVP tags out, so to speak, and now Truth has a Rocky Mountain to climb!
Bobby Lashley VS R-Truth!
The bell rings and Truth doesn’t understand why only MVP gets the night off. Truth accidentally slaps Lashley as he turns to show “the whole big world” to him. Lashley glares and Truth apologizes. Truth dodges and wants Lashley to cool off. He hasn’t even taken his jacket off! Truth throws the jacket off, then tries to oldest trick in the book. But Lashley catches Truth and fires off in the corner! Lashley RAMS Truth over and over, then digs his forearms in. Lashley runs to RAM again! Truth flops down and Lashley is seething. Lashley drags Truth up to TOSS him across the ring! Truth writhes but Lashley watches him get to a corner. Lashley runs corner to corner, but runs into boots! Truth runs into Lashley’s SPINE BUSTER! Lashley toys with Truth, drags him up, and suplexes him. Lashley holds Truth up but Truth slips out! Truth kicks low, runs and misses the scissor kick. SPEAR!! Cover, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
MVP’s substitute just taught Truth a lesson in self-awareness. Will Truth think twice before crossing paths with Lashley?
Baron Corbin speaks.
“WWE Universe, it feels good to be your king.” Look at all the amazing things he’s accomplished! He rid the world of Elias, beat the crap out of Drew Gulak, and handled the “desperate and needy” Daniel Bryan. Corbin’s team won on SmackDown, and he stood tall on the ladder. But the best is yet to come, because tonight he claims his second MITB victory. Now this year’s match is like no other before it, because it happens at WWE HQ, and the contract is on the roof! Even someone as brilliant as Corbin isn’t sure what to expect. But what he does know is that the risk IS worth the reward of having everyone now refer to him as King Money in the Bank. Corbin puts on his crown, but will he really have the treasure to go with it?
Backstage interview with Bayley and Sasha Banks.
Just as the “role models” are headed to gorilla, Kayla asks them about that coming match. Obviously they want to talk about how dominant Tamina is, but Bayley has business to take care of. Kayla brings up how Sasha’s failure to stop Lacey Evans allowed Tamina to pin Bayley. Does Bayley blame Sasha for the loss? NO! Bayley does NOT blame Sasha. Bayley is going to still win because she is SmackDown’s most dominant champion ever! So they’ve got to go. The strange thing is, Sasha didn’t actually speak for herself there. Will actions speak louder than words in mere moments?
SmackDown Women’s Championship: Bayley w/ Sasha Banks VS Tamina!
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this intense encounter begins!
The two circle and Bayley wants Tamina to pay attention to her. Bayley slaps and pushes Tamina around, wanting to see angry Tamina. Nice won’t win titles! Bayley throws body shots and punches, but Tamina blocks the whip! Tamina whips Bayley and clobbers her from behind! Bayley staggers up to a corner but Tamina stomps her down. Tamina whips corner to corner but Bayley goes up and hops on for a sleeper hold! Tamina rams Bayley into buckles until she’s free. She suplexes Bayley hard, then covers, TWO! Sasha coaches Bayley and Bayley complains Tamina had the tights. Tamina catches Bayley and clubs her on the back. She puts Bayley up top and pie faces in return. Tamina dares Bayley to be cocky now. Bayley stays up top and Tamina backs off. Tamina dares Bayley to come back for more and Bayley slowly climbs down. Bayley and Tamina approach, but Tamina kicks low to scoop slam hard! Bayley bails out and Tamina waits for her to return. Sasha distracts Tamina and Bayley trips Tamina up!
Bayley drags Tamina to a corner and SLAMS a leg against the post! Sasha taunts Tamina as Bayley SLAMS the leg again! The ref tells Sasha to stay back but Bayley gets in the ring. Bayley stomps Tamina down then throws forearms. Bayley tells commentary to call her a role model, as she dropkicks the leg against the apron! Then Bayley smashes the leg on the apron edge! Sasha applauds as Bayley goes back in and covers. TWO, but Bayley looms over Tamina. Bayley grabs the bad leg and stomps it! Tamina clutches her knee but Bayley knees her in the back. Bayley starts going after the arms now, and then drops an elbow. Cover, TWO! Sasha is annoyed with the ref and Bayley looms over Tamina again. Bayley drags Tamina up but Tamina throws hands! Tamina uppercuts and Bayley falls back! Bayley staggers into a headbutt! Bayley goes to a corner, Tamina runs in and corner splashes!
Tamina hobbles but fires up! She comes back, to HIP ATTACK! Bayley is in a daze as she staggers up. Tamina SUPERKICKS, but into a KNEEBAR! Bayley knew it was coming and she has Tamina’s leg! Tamina endures, rolls, and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts and Bayley lets go at 4. Bayley drags Tamina by the bad leg and stomps again. She throws forearms on Tamina at the ropes, but Tamina pushes her down. Tamina hobbles, into a KNEE! Fireman’s carry, but Tamina’s weight topples Bayley over! Both women are down and Sasha is panicking. Bayley crawls towards a corner but Tamina goes after her foot. Bayley kicks Tamina until she lets go. Bayley bails out and regroups with Sasha before going after Tamina with fury! She slams Tamina on the apron then clubs her across the neck. “Ten years my ass!” Oh but Happy Mother’s Day. Bayley SLAPS Tamina, then asks for water. Sasha takes Corey Graves’ bottle, and Bayley sips. Then she SPLASHES Tamina with water!
Tamina is enraged! Tamina grabs Bayley by her head, and throws her into the ropes, to then LARIAT! Sasha is freaking out as Bayley flounders up. Tamina throws her into the ladders at ringside! Tamina drags Bayley up to throw into the ring then stalks up behind her. Fireman’s carry but Bayley flails and gets to the apron. SUPERKICK sends Bayley down! Tamina catches her breath before fetching Bayley. Tamina’s rage is still burning, and she TOSSES Bayley over the announce desk! The ring count climbs but Tamina drags Bayley up. Tamina throws Bayley into more barriers, then puts her in the ring. Tamina climbs up to the top rope, SUPER- No! She saw Bayley’s boots coming and uses those to throw Bayley up. SUPERKICK, SAMOAN DROP!! But Sasha slides in! The ref stops her short and Tamina glares at her. Sasha slides back out, but Tamina pursues! Tamina chases Sasha around the way, grabs a foot, but Bayley runs in! Tamina scoops Bayley but Bayley hits the crucifix! Cover, Bayley wins!!
Winner: Bayley, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
But Tamina doesn’t care! She has the fireman’s carry again! But Sasha chop blocks and KNEES Tamina down! The Boss has courage now that the match is over, and she gets the belt for her best friend. Will Sasha continue to watch Bayley’s back now, then and forever?
Seth Rollins speaks.
“Drew McIntyre knows who I am. Drew McIntyre knows what I am capable of. And most importantly, deep down in his heart, Drew McIntyre understands that it is MY destiny to defeat him tonight to become the WWE Champion.” In spite of all that, McIntyre is still willing to step into the fire with Rollins. Rollins admires that courage. So much so, Rollins will do McIntyre the favor of his life. Rollins will unburden McIntyre. This is not McIntyre’s industry, company or show to lead into the future. That duty is Rollins’ and his alone. So when Rollins beats McIntyre tonight, it will not be just for McIntyre’s good, but it will be for the greater good. The WWE Universe needs Rollins as champion, and Rollins needs to be the Monday Night Messiah. Will Rollins burn down Claymore Country to rebuild his own legacy?
WWE Universal Championship: Braun Strowman VS Bray Wyatt!
The Monster Among Men must revisit his past with the Eater of Worlds. Bray wants to rewrite the story between him and The Black Sheep, just as he did with John Cena. But will he get the happy ending he’s always wanted? Or will Braun refuse to play his games?
The introductions are made and this is indeed Firefly Fun House Bray that takes on Braun tonight. The belt is raised, and this horror story turned fantasy finally comes full circle!
Bray laughs but Braun just stares him down. Bray wants Braun to take it easy, but Braun shoves him to a corner! The time for talk is over. “Well someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” The two tie up and Braun backs Bray down to ROCK him with that right. Braun whips and runs Bray over but Bray just laughs as he goes back to a corner. Bray forgot how strong Braun is. Braun says he’s not the boy he was when they met. The two circle and tie up again. Bray kicks low, uppercuts and headlocks. Braun powers out and runs Bray over again! Bray winces as he bails out. Braun shows no mercy as he goes out and throws BIG hands! Braun bumps Bray off the steel steps and Bray is dazed, but still laughing. But then Braun POSTS Bray hard! Braun looms over Bray as the ring count climbs. Braun drags Bray up and puts him in the ring at 6. He follows and runs corner to corner, for a big corner splash!
Braun roars as Bray flops and flounders back out of the ring. Bray crawls but Braun goes back out. The Strowman Express is on the tracks, but Bray sends him crashing over the announce desk! Bray used Strowman’s strength against him! Bray goes back to the ring to refresh the count and catch his breath. Braun drags himself up and back to ringside but Bray is watching with a big smile on his face. Wait, Huskis the pig boy is here?! Huskis is cheering Bray on as Bray gives Braun a DDT to the floor! Bray drags Braun up and into the ring, and runs to LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bray drops a back senton fast! Braun flounders out of the ring now and Bray smiles again. Bray pursues Braun now and hammers him at the timekeeper’s area. Bray RAMS Braun into steel steps! Braun is in a daze and Bray is emotional. “Look what you made me do!” Bray doesn’t want to hurt Braun but he puts him in the ring. “I’m sorry.” The spider walk returns! Bray drags Bruan up but Braun CHOPS him!
Braun runs into a boot and Bray hops up. Bray reels Braun in, for a tornado DDT! He drags Braun up fast, for SISTER ABIGAIL! Cover, TWO!?! Braun survives and Bray is stunned! But Bray also manages to smile and laugh in disbelief. Braun gasps and Bray shouts, “I know!” Bray watches Braun stand up, and he has an evil glare on his face. A kiss good night, but Braun clamps on! CHOKE SLAM!! Bray is writhing again and Braun is floundering about. Bray gets to a corner and Braun runs in for a big corner splash! Braun keeps moving, and hits another splash! THen he throws Bray out of the ring! The Strowman Express is on the tracks again, and he RAMS Bray into barriers! Braun is furious as he drags Bray up again. Braun puts Bray in the ring, but Bray BOOTS Braun back out! Both men are down but it’s Braun on the outside. Champion’s Advantage means this count will only help Braun.
But Braun has put on the black sheep mask?! Bray is so happy to see THIS Braun is back! “I told them!” Bray asks if Braun understands what this means. Braun tears off his shirt, and Bray says this time will be “perfect.” Braun kneels beside Bray and they both praise the buzzards. Bray stands, laughing all the way. “I told them, Braun. I told them.” Braun stands with Bray, and they hug it out. Mercy, Abby and the other puppets show themselves. But wait, Braun takes off the mask?! Did he not fall for the trick? Braun STOMPS the mask, scoops Bray up, and hits the MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Braun wins!!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall (still WWE Universal Champion)
Braun says he told Bray that he wasn’t getting in Braun’s head! Bray didn’t create Braun, Braun did this all on his own! After defying his inner demons, will the Monster Among Men ever be slain? Unless… Will Bray give “him” a turn in these dark mind games?
The Messenger speaks!
“You want to know who I am? I am everywhere. I see everyone. I hear everything.” He is the truth, and no one is safe. He’s in. Every video camera in the WWE Universe acts as his eyes, but we will soon hear the truth.
WWE World Championship: Drew McIntyre VS Seth Rollins!
We have heard from both the Scottish Stud and the Monday Night Messiah tonight. But now, their actions will decide the fate of Monday Night Raw, and by extension, the WWE itself! Will Claymore Country lead the resistance against Rollins’ delusions? Or is destiny becoming reality before our very eyes?
The introductions are made, Rollins has a far more grandiose entrance theme now, and the belt is raised. The bell rings, and the fight for Raw’s future begins!
McIntyre and Rollins circle and tie up. McIntyre powers Rollins to a corner but lets up as the ref calls for the break. He lets Rollins come out and the two go again. Rollins waistlocks but McIntyre hooks a leg. Rollins shifts ot a headlock but McIntyre lifts him up. Rollins holds on but McIntyre powers out the second try. McIntyre runs Rollins over and Rollins bails out. Rollins takes his time pacing around the ring before returning. The two circle and tie up again, and Rollins goes for a leg. McIntyre blocks the takedown and facelocks. Rollins works on the hold and reverses to a wrench. Rollins hammerlocks but McIntyre steps through to wrench and headlock. Rollins powers out but McIntyre runs him over! And again! And then clotheslines Rollins out! Rollins gets up but McIntyre is waiting. McIntyre says he’s even going to let Rollins have a breather, because he’s enjoying this. Rollins comes back and circles with McIntyre again.
The two tie up, McIntyre powers Rollins back again but Rollins uses that to put McIntyre in the corner. Rollins throws a cheap shot then more, and a CHOP! He whips but McIntyre reverses. McIntyre stays clear of Rollins going up and over, to CHOP him down! McIntyre throws hands then whips corner to corner hard! And then even harder the other way! Rollins tumbles up and back into a CHOP! McIntyre won’t let up, he dead lift suplexes! Cover, ONE, surprisingly. McIntyre rocks Rollins with a right then CHOPS Him in a corner! Rollins staggers but McIntyre scoops him. Rollins slips out an dropkicks a leg out! McIntyre shoves Rollins but Rollins dodges to dropkick the leg again! Rollins throws McIntyre into a post! McIntyre flops out to the floor and Rollins takes aim. Rollins builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and McIntyre goes down just in front of the desk! Rollins drags McIntyre up and into the ring, then grabs a leg. Rollins wants to turn McIntyre but McIntyre powers him away. But Rollins comes back with a SLINGBLADE! Cover, ONE!
Rollins goes after the bad leg again, and turns McIntyre for a Half Crab! McIntyre endures as Rollins sits on the hold! McIntyre claws his way towards ropes, but Rollins shifts to an STF! Rollins cranks on the crossface but McIntyre endures that and the leg lock. McIntyre powers up, reaches, but Rollins shifts to a full crossface! Rollins cranks back on the neck but McIntyre refuses to stop crawling! He gets the ropebreak! Rollins holds on all the way to 4, cranking with each moment! McIntyre is on the apron so Rollins scrapes him off. Rollins aims again and builds speed, to DIVE! Another direct hit! McIntyre is down again and Rollins goes to the apron. Rollins says this isn’t about McIntyre, but he’ll still end him. McIntyre stands, Rollins leaps, FLYING KNEE! Rollins refreshes the count again as McIntyre flounders about. Rollins goes back to the barriers but McIntyre staggers away. Rollins springboards off the barriers, for ANOTHER flying knee! Again Rollins refreshes the count, and he clears off the announce desk!
Rollins stands on the desk, saying this is HIS kingdom. He leaps for yet another flying knee! McIntyre is down in a heap but Rollins goes back in the ring. The ref reprimands Rollins for bending the rule this far, and demands he let this get back in the ring. Rollins allows it, shouting that this is not about McIntyre. This is about Rollins and his duty. Rollins builds speed again, and DIVES, into McIntyre’s arms! McIntyre TOSSES Rollins up and over the desk! Rollins screams in pain, perhaps remembering his bad times out here from WrestleMania. McIntyre and Rollins both stagger up and towards the ring. They both get in at 3, and Rollins hurries over. McIntyre powers Rollins into a corner, then overhead suplexes him again! McIntyre whips and throws Rollins a third time! Rollins gets up, runs but into a BOOT! McIntyre hobbles but still goes up top. Rollins stands and McIntyre flying ax handles him down! And still manages a kip up!!
McIntyre dares Rollins to stand, but Rollins just runs to the apron! McIntyre grabs him but Rollins hotshots back! Rollins enziguris then springboards, but McIntyre dodges. SPINE BUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO! McIntyre grits his teeth, not through with Rollins yet. McIntyre looms over Rollins and dares him to stand. Rollins slowly stirs, and McIntyre underhooks. Rollins slips out to kick the bad leg! And throw forearms! McIntyre swings but Rollins dodges to PELE! And SUPERKICK! Cover, ONE!? Even after all that, McIntyre is up at one?! Rollins hurries up top and frog splashes! Cover, TWO!! Rollins can’t believe McIntyre survived! But this is a battle of two men that slayed The Beast, Brock Lesnar, so it shouldn’t be a surprise. Rollins goes to the apron and seethes as he hobbles over to the timekeeper’s area. He takes a chair and brings it to the ring! The ref tells Rollins to leave it behind, and Rollins throws it aside. Rollins runs, but no stomp as he gets the GLASGOW KISS!
Rollins still sends McIntyre to the apron, but McIntyre goes up top. Rollins trips him up! McIntyre hits buckles and Rollins climbs up. Rollins drags McIntyre up but McIntyre headbutts Rollins down! McIntyre adjusts but Rollins is right back on him! SUPERPLEX! And roll through, to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre still lives but Rollins is too tired to be angry. Both men slowly get up and Rollins aims from a corner. Rollins runs, but misses the stomp again! McIntyre spins him around, for FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, TWO!?! Rollins survives and shocks McIntyre now. McIntyre beats some life into his bad leg, and he gets himself up. He stalks after Rollins and brings him up in a corner. McIntyre puts Rollins up top and CHOPS! McIntyre climbs up and hammers away with haymakers. Then from the very top, McIntyre lifts Rollins. Rollins trips McIntyre up and haymakers McIntyre into the Tree of Woe! Rollins stands on the bad leg, but McIntyre STILL sits up to SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX Rollins away!!
Rollins flounders to the other end, and the countdown begins. SUPERKICK! CURB STOMP!! Cover, TWO!?!? Rollins can’t believe it! Rollins denied the Claymore but could not finish it with his best move! McIntyre is in a daze as he fights his way up. Rollins says it’s time to end this. CURB- NO! GLASGOW KISS! SUPERKICK! CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall (still WWE World Champion)
Incredible! McIntyre denies Rollins his “destiny,” proving that it wasn’t destiny at all! Will Claymore Country continue to conquer every contender?
Wait, Rollins sits up. McIntyre returns to him, to offer him a handshake out of respect. Rollins stands, and McIntyre says that if Rollins is worthy to be a leader, he’ll shake hands. Rollins does shake hands, very surprisingly. Does this mean Rollins will allow McIntyre to be Raw’s leader?
Backstage interview with R-Truth.
After his loss to Bobby Lashley instead of MVP, Truth… still thinks he beat MVP. MVP lost a lot of weight, from what Truth remembers. Truth should be on Cloud 9, but he has no one to celebrate with. Because his “Baby,” the WWE 24/7 Championship, isn’t here. Truth says that if he doesn’t want to be lonely, then he’s going to do something about it. He’s getting his baby back, baby! So it doesn’t matter where he took the WWE 24/7, 48-7, 7/11, I-95 South, 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue, Championship, Truth is gonna sack you, TOM BRADY! He means Gronk, right?
Money in the Bank Corporate Ladder Match!
Six women and six men are going to battle up all the floors of Titan Towers at the same time! Who makes it all the way to the roof to become Mr. and Ms. Money in the Bank?
The women start in the lobby by the elevators while the men start in the company gym. But wait, where is Asuka? Did she get lost on the way to HQ? But then, she’s already up on the balcony! She’s getting a head start, that’s not fair! But the bell rings and all hell breaks loose in the gym! Otis is on Styles, Mysterio goes after Aleister and Bryan brawls with Corbin! And of course Asuka LEAPS onto all five other women! Things are much more even in the lobby after that, but Asuka is laughing her way back up to her feet. Asuka dances and gets the elevator started. Hurry, hurry, hurry! The Empress of Tomorrow presses the buttons and the door closes just in time! Asuka’s head start is growing with every second, but the others hurry to the stairs.
Meanwhile, Aleister scrapes Mysterio’s face off the bars of a stair master. Mysterio boots back and then elbows. You can hear the others brawling as Aleister kicks Mysterio out of the air! Corbin knees Bryan low and throws big haymakers. Bryan swings on the chin-up bar to dropkick Corbin. Corbin grabs a loose weight and THROWS It! Bryan gets clear and the weight smashes the mirror! That’s bad luck. Otis haymakers Styles as Styles throws trash at him. Bryan clobbers Corbin and sits him down in a chair. Styles throat chops Otis and clubs him on the back. Aleister kicks Mysterio but Mysterio headscissors him into equipment! Styles goes to bump Otis off the paper towel dispenser, but Otis blocks to bump him first! Otis is pumped up as he’s ready to pump some iron. He brings the bar and sets it down on Styles! Styles is stuck and Otis heads off to the next floor. Styles begs Mysterio help him, but Mysterio says, “That’s loco.” The others get a head start on the Phenomenal One as they run down the hall!
Mysterio hears someone in the bathroom, and it’s Brother Love! “I looove~ you!” Bryan is in the lead but Corbin and Aleister are fast behind. Corbin catches up while Aleister boots Otis back. They brawl in the hall and Aleister BOOTS! Corbin wants the elevator to get going but Bryan bumps him off the wall. Aleister ROUNDHOUSES Bryan and a door opens! Otis and Bryan get inside but Aleister joins in. They brawl inside the elevator! Mysterio catches up but they’re already gone.
Back to the women, Carmella trips Shayna but then Lacey blows past them both. Mella catches up at the door, and the two have made it to the second floor. They and Shayna brawl to catch the elevator, but that’s the men coming in! The brawl gets even crazier now, and Asuka just hides in the corner of the elevator. Shayna throws Lacey into a wall and Asuka sneaks past. Shayna sees her and hurries after. The men still brawl and stomp each other, Aleister keeping Otis down. But as Bryan and Corbin are still busy with each other in the ropes, Aleister moves on. Otis cheers Bryan’s YES Kicks on, but then Bryan kicks Otis! And kicks and kicks and kicks! Bryan leaves Dozer and the Wolf King down to hurry after Aleister. Wait, is that Doink? Or Doink Junior perhaps? Dana Brooke has caught up to the others and argues with Shayna about where Asuka went. Mella wipes both Dana and Shayna out, but then Nia appears! Mella SLAPS Nia, but Nia picks her up to RAM her into a boardroom!
Nia headbutts Mella while Shayna bumps Dana off the door. Shayna throws Dana over the table but then Nia stares Shayna down. Shayna fires off forearms but Nia barely flinches. Nia ROCKS Shayna back, but then Dana uses a CHAIR! The chair shot takes Nia out, and Dana spots a briefcase. No, Dana, that’s just a prop. Dana thinks she’s won THE MITB briefcase, but Stephanie McMahon appears to set her straight. They’re destroying the conference room. Does Dana NOT remember that they have to go to the roof? And please clean Nia up, she’s drooling on the carpet. Gross. Dana feels like a fool, but then Mella uses a framed picture of her MITB win to SMASH Dana! Mella moonwalks her way out of the boardroom and heads into the WOMAN’S RIGHT! “Ya nasty.” Lacey heads off to catch up to Asuka.
Styles frees himself from the weight trap and dares Mysterio to show himself. Instead, Styles finds a big poster of Mysterio’s (Marvel) Mysterio entrance. Styles vows to find “Rey Rey” and punch him like he does the poster. He walks the halls and looks around every corner. Styles finds more locked doors than anything. But then, a poster of the Undertaker spooks him. The Boneyard still haunts Styles, so he hurries off to find Rey. A door finally opens, but… it’s Taker’s room!? Styles flashbacks to that night. And then Aleister ROUNDHOUSES him into the room! And locks him inside! Will Styles survive his living nightmare?
Paul Heyman is having a feast all to himself? Only for the superstars all to barge in. The men and the women end up in each other’s way and they argue. Heyman introduces himself, but Dana bumps into him! A sandwich goes flying into Otis, and he blows a gasket! “FOOD FIGHT!!” And he starts by hitting Heyman with the macaroni platter! Everyone is stunned silent, but then the food starts flying! Chips, salad, dip, whatever is near! Shayna puts Mysterio in the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! And then Mysterio ends up the middle of a Nia-Otis SANDWICH! The King of Lucha goes down while Aleister and Bryan brawl in the background. Dana and Mella smack Lacey around, and Heyman is just shielding himself with his plate. Dana knocks Mella into Nia and Nia turns her wrath on Dana. Nia grabs Dana and throws her up against the soda machine! Mella FABULOUS Kicks Nia once, but then gets caught for a POWERBOMB through the buffet table!!
The Irresistible Force stares down Dozer. The literally biggest superstars in this match leave it at this, and head for the next floor. Otis is in the kitchen now, and he digs into whatever is out. Oh, pie! But then, Johnny Laurinitis wheels up? “People power.” Nah, PIE power! Down goes Johnny Ace! And off goes Otis, looking for stairs. A janitor is cleaning up the break room as Asuka runs in. Asuka asks him where to go in Japanese but he doesn’t understand. The other women show up and Asuka throws the mop at them! Then Dana comes in and SLIPS on the wet floor. That’s gonna hurt for awhile. Asuka ROUNDHOUSES Shayna and Lacey ROCKS her with a right! Nia shoves Lacey then tosses Shayna! Asuka just worries about getting to more stairs. Nia is right after her but Lacey crawls her way up.
Meanwhile, Bryan and Aleister are brawling their way down the halls. Aleister whips Bryan into a wall but Styles returns to ROCK him! Bryan throws hands on Styles and Styles bumps him off a desk. Bryan throws Styles through a doorway and Styles flounders up. They brawl more, but wait, wait, wait! This is VINCE MCMAHON’s office! And he’s here right now!! Vince shouts at them to get out. They blame each other but both Bryan and Styles make sure to set the chairs back where they were. Styles and Bryan leave and shut the door. Vince sanitizes his hands just to be safe. Styles tells Bryan he was a wimp, but Bryan points out Styles put the chairs back. Styles throws hands! Bryan throws hands back and their brawl returns to the hall. Corbin returns to RAM his scepter into Bryan! And into Styles! Aleister hits Corbin but Corbin ROCKS Aleister! Corbin drags Bryan up to throw him over a boardroom table, but Styles comes back with haymakers. Corbin bounces Styles off counters and throws him into framed PPV posters! “I’m going to the roof!”
Finally, the superstars have reached the very top of Titan Towers. Now the true ladder match can begin. Nia shoves Asuka down and then puts her in the ring. Nia drags Asuka up but Asuka back kicks. Lacey runs in to LARIAT Asuka, but Nia headbutts Lacey down! Nia scoops Lacey and trophy lifts her up, for the drop! Then she throws Lacey out of the ring before fetching a ladder. Nia puts the ladder in the ring and stands it up. She climbs up the ladder, but Asuka gets in and stops her! Asuka drags Nia down to fire off palm strikes! Nia blocks the back hand to BASH Asuka off the ladder! WOMAN’S RIGHT!! Lacey adjusts the ladder and climbs, but Asuka returns to stop her, too! Lacey lands hard on the mat and now Asuka has a clear path. Asuka sees Nia getting up so she shoves the ladder down onto her! Asuka resets the ladder and begins her climb, but Lacey gets up. Lacey bumps Asuka off the ladder over and over again! Lacey throws Asuka aside and climbs up.
But Asuka returns again! Lacey kicks Asuka away but Asuka won’t stop. Asuka clubs Lacey and then climbs again. Lacey returns to drag Asuka down, but she still goes up! Nia rises, Lacey falls onto her!! Asuka flounders down a couple rungs but she stays up. Asuka climbs again, but here comes Corbin! Corbin climbs up but they’re confused as to which briefcase is which! Asuka SLAPS and BOOTS Corbin down and grabs at the white briefcase. She takes it off the hook, and is MS MONEY IN THE BANK!!
Winner: Asuka; becomes Miss Money in the Bank
But of course this is only half of this Corporate Ladder match! The men are still competing, even if Corbin got slapped by the Empress. Otis appears and has a clear path! Otis remembers the structural difficulties of the ladders on SmackDown, and it seems they still apply here. Corbin returns and clobbers Otis! He throws hands on Otis in a corner of the ring, then brings the ladder over. Corbin RAMS Otis with the ladder then drops it down. Corbin runs in but Otis dodges! Down goes Corbin, and here comes the CATERPILLAR! The elbow flattens Corbin but BLACK MASS rocks Otis!! Aleister has the ladder, but Mysterio catches up to springboard seated senton Otis! Mysterio and Aleister fight over the ladder, but then decide to climb it at the same time. They fight up top and Styles returns! Styles tips the ladder over and both Mysterio and Aleister crash down!
Corbin drags Mysterio up, and throws him OFF THE ROOF?! Then Corbin does the same to Aleister! But, from the sound of it, they actually fell on something just below. Back in the ring, Styles has the ladder set up but Bryan pursues! Corbin drags Bryan down and Otis grabs at Styles. Styles reaches for the briefcase while Corbin POSTS Bryan! Otis gets Styles down but Styles PELES! Styles runs but is put on the apron. He forearms Otis away then springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM take Otis down! Styles goes back to the ladder and climbs up again. Corbin climbs up on the other end, and stops Styles from grabbing the briefcase. Styles hits Corbin but Corbin hits Styles. The two grab at the briefcase at the same time, and Styles takes it off the clip! They both have it, but it’s about who comes off the ladder! Wait, is that Elias?! He uses his guitar to SMASH Corbin! Corbin falls, Styles fumbles the briefcase, and Otis catches it!! OTIS WINS!?!
Winner: Otis Dozovic; becomes Mr. Money in the Bank
What luck! Otis wasn’t up top on the ladder, but he was in the right place at the right time! And his celebration causes the ladder to fall over and send Styles flying! “Yo, Mandy! I did it!” Otis has a guaranteed shot at the WWE Universal Champion, but will Strowman ever see him COMIIIIN~?
My Thoughts:
What a wild MITB! Yet, the status quo was kept when it came to the titles. But I’m not as upset about that since the matches were all great. I predicted the SmackDown Tag and Women’s titles were staying with the champions, but that Fatal 4 Way was hectic in a good way, and I liked the tease of Tamina almost pulling it off. Sasha helped Bayley retain and get away from Tamina in one piece, but I’m thinking “The Messenger” is ready to expose that friendship for what it is. Meanwhile, I have no idea what’s going to happen with the SmackDown Tag Division, unless Forgotten Sons are getting a 2v2 opportunity for Backlash. By the way, very disappointed that Backlash is next and not Extreme Rules. I was hoping many stories, namely from SmackDown, were going to get Extreme Rules based payoffs but maybe that happens in July this year.
The kickoff match of Hardy VS Cesaro was pretty good for Hardy’s first match in this newest return. I was a bit worried Cesaro legitimately got hurt from that Whisper in the Winds, but he’s just a great seller. I’m surprised Sheamus didn’t come out to ruin Hardy’s celebration, and maybe even tease The Bar reuniting since it seems like The Artist Collective isn’t really getting to do much right now. Maybe Sheamus just joins the Collective or even hijacks it from Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin. Lashley subbing in for MVP is an interesting turn in both their stories. I was hoping MVP recruited Ricochet and Cedric Alexander, but MVP working with Lashley could be great for both of them. Truth’s promo about getting the 24/7 title back was hilarious, but Truth is always amazing at comedy. I can’t wait for that first social media match in Tampa.
Strowman VS Wyatt and McIntyre VS Rollins were both great world title matches. Braun and Bray had such great story elements in their match, such as the puppets and the black sheep mask appearing. I almost thought Braun had become Bray’s human puppet, but it was pretty great for Braun to have shrugged that off. And watching Bray at the end of that match, clearly the next step is to see if Braun can beat The Fiend at Backlash. Rollins and McIntyre put on the better pure match, but I do like that they made a story beat out of the tope suicida hat trick. Rollins didn’t just spam it, he made points of using them, only for it to fail right at the end. McIntyre wins and who knows what that handshake at the end means for Raw going forward.
Last but certainly not least, the Corporate Ladder match. It didn’t start how I pictured in my mind, but then it went above my expectations while still meeting some plot points I was hoping to see. Though it did paint Dana as a bit forgetful. They were told for weeks that this would be a match that ends on the roof. Why would she think the briefcase was in that random conference room? Also she did that wet floor spot so well I thought she might’ve legit cracked her head on the floor. The food fight chaos was pretty great. Shayna gets some points for getting Mysterio in her signature submission and almost choking him out. Shayna gets a bit of a raw deal being left behind with Dana and Mella, though. But in the end, I knew Asuka was getting that briefcase. Shayna doesn’t need a shortcut, it works better for her if she takes the long route to the title this time. While Becky Lynch has been advertised for wanting to confront Ms. MITB, I think Asuka will choose to take her time with her cash-in. Becky and Nia should finally have a feud to revisit the origins of “The Man.” That would be pretty good for Backlash, and then Asuka can just bide her time.
On the men’s side of things, I like that Vince got to have a part to play. They also got all the cameos from legends like Brother Love, John Laurinitis and “Doink the Clown.” And they also had the only people thrown off the roof! I’m pretty sure Mysterio and Aleister will return tomorrow on Raw, but I’m sure for kayfabe’s sake they’ll have bandaged something. I did not think they were going to modify the WrestleMania SmackDown Tag Team Championship ending. But what a great surprise that Otis actually won! This keeps the math on Corbin accurate since he jinxed himself on SmackDown. The only question is now, will Otis really pull off a cash-in? They do have a whole year to figure it out, but I just hope they don’t Mr. Kennedy this and have someone like Ziggler goad Otis into putting the briefcase on the line.
My Score: 8.5/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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