Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (10/12/20)
The WWE Draft continues!
Raw is on the verge of a new era!
The 2020 WWE Draft takes Seth Rollins away from Raw! The Monday Night Messiah is leaving, but who will fill that void in Raw’s locker room? Perhaps Mustafa Ali, as he speaks to his role in Retribution!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- No Disqualifications: Kevin Owens VS Aleister Black; Kevin wins.
- Triple Threat: Jeff Hardy VS Seth Rollins VS AJ Styles; Styles wins.
- Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose VS Natalya & Lana; Brooke & Rose win.
- Angel Garza VS Andrade Almas; Garza wins.
- Raw Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode; The New Day wins and retains the Raw Tag Team Championships.
- Ricochet VS Cedric Alexander w/ The Hurt Business; Ricochet wins and the Hurt Business must stop assaulting him.
- Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender Battle Royal: Lana wins and will challenge Asuka for the title next week.
PLAY BY PLAY
Randy Orton opens Raw!
The Viper wants that WWE World Championship back and is willing to go through hell to do it! He and Drew McIntyre step inside Hell in a Cell to finally put this rivalry to rest! Orton takes his time before taking to the mic. “Regardless of whether or not I get moved to SmackDown, of if I stay on Monday Night Raw, one thing remains the same. And that one thing is a fact, that in less than two weeks, I will be locked inside Hell in a Cell with Drew McIntyre, and I am going to TAKE his WWE Championship from him.” 2020 has been one hell of a year to say the least, but one thing is that it has bee the Year of McIntyre. McIntyre main evented WrestleMania, beat Brock Lesnar, became WWE Champion and became one of the main faces of the WWE.
Orton didn’t realize this until a few days ago, but last week he beat McIntyre with an RKO and became the first man to beat him via pinfall in almost one entire year! If that’s not a sign of things to come, then what is? Orton talks to McIntyre directly as he says, “In less than two weeks at Hell in a Cell, I’m going to pin you again. I’m going to beat you 1-2-3 in the middle of that cell, I am going to end your legacy, and I am going to take the WWE Championship from you!” And he’ll do all of that with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K- Wait! McIntyre is here! McIntyre knows he is staying on Raw with Friday’s first round, and he tells Orton, “I guess I got to congratulate you, Randy.” Randy is right because he is the first person to pin McIntyre in over a year. Nothing less from the Viper.
The part he didn’t expect was that McIntyre was prone for a kick to the head, and Orton decided to gloat. That’s where Orton messed up, because McIntyre got back up. McIntyre wants Orton to know that when he kicked Orton in the head, that was for everyone Orton screwed over. But at HIAC, all the pain, all the suffering McIntyre causes Orton will be for his sake. But the thing is, Orton might be drafted. McIntyre promised that every single time these two are in the same building together, he’d kick the crap out of Orton. So he isn’t going to break that promise. McIntyre tears off his shirt and heads to the ring! He throws haymakers on Orton and stomps him in a corner! Orton flounders around but McIntyre keeps after him! McIntyre won’t let Orton get away but Orton kicks back, McIntyre just throws more haymakers!
Orton kicks low and bails out! McIntyre pursues but Orton RAMS him into the apron! Orton throws haymakers and European Uppercuts. Orton whips but McIntyre reverses to send him into barriers! And then POSTS him! And bounces him off the desk! And CHOPS him onto the desk! McIntyre drags Orton up by his ears, for a BACK SUPLEXE to the desk! McIntyre uses Orton’s own ideas against him! McIntyre puts Orton in the ring but Orton bails out the far side! Orton retreats but McIntyre is grinning! McIntyre says they still have three hours, and a whole bunch of fun ahead of them! Will McIntyre catch Orton again before the night is over?
Stephanie McMahon is here to continue the 2020 WWE Draft!
She welcomes us to the final night of this year’s draft, and says it is her privilege to preside over this career-altering event. So to get started with round six, Raw’s first pick is… THE FIEND, BRAY WYATT!! The nightmare comes to Monday nights!! SmackDown’s pick is… the SmackDown Women’s Champion, BAYLEY! An obvious and brilliant choice, of course. Raw keeps the Viper, RANDY ORTON! Now he can’t get away from McIntyre no matter what he does! SmackDown selects the Raw Tag Team Champions, the STREET PROFITS! Well, Raw has the New Day, so it’s only fair. And to close the round, Raw keeps THE QUEEN, CHARLOTTE FLAIR! Charlotte is still recovering, but now she can return to reclaim her throne on Mondays!
No Disqualifications: Kevin Owens VS Aleister Black!
The Prizefighter put up a hell of a fight against The Fiend on Friday, but it wasn’t enough to win. Does Kevin have anything left to fight off the Embodiment of the End? Or will he Fade to Black before learning his fate in the Draft?
Both men are moving with purpose, the bell barely rings in time before this fires off! Fists fly fast and furious but Kevin gets the edge! Aleister bails out, Kevin pursues and CLUBS Aleister at the ramp! They brawl, Aleister BOOTS and then throws Kevin into the LED apron! Aleister drags Kevin up, in and stalks him. Kevin ducks Black Mass but the stunner is denied! Kevin tackles Aleister to rain down furious fists! Aleister kicks him away, bails out again but Kevin pursues. Kevin throws hands, brings Aleister around and bumps him off steel steps! Aleister falls back, Kevin taunts, “Where’s that fight?!” Aleister hits back and KICKS back as they near the desk! Aleister stalks Kevin and KICKS him at the desk!
Aleister drags Kevin up, whips him but Kevin reverses, sending Aleister into barriers! Kevin runs in to CANNONBALL! Direct hit into barriers! Kevin grimaces while fans clap on their ThunderDome screens. Kevin goes looking under the ring, and brings out a TABLE! Also it seems there are no count outs, so this is more of a No Holds Barred match than anything. Kevin drags Aleister up and over, reels him in, but Aleister resists the bomb! Aleister clubs the legs, throws EuroUppers, but Kevin BOOTS back! Kevin climbs up onto the barriers, but Aleister intercepts! Aleister throws Kevin through the announce desk!! Kevin writhes as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Aleister has a chair in the ring! He tries to suplex Kevin but Kevin blocks! Kevin fights back, throws a big EuroUpper, and then fireman’s carries. His back gives out! Aleister throws forearms but Kevin headbutts! Kevin runs into a sweep, and he SMACKS off the chair! Cover, TWO!! Kevin survives but Aleister only grows angrier. Aleister takes a seat in the chair while Kevin rises. Aleister throws haymakers, Kevin gives them back, but Aleister rocks, stomps and drops a knee on him in return! Aleister goes out, looks under the ring, and brings out more chairs! Aleister slowly returns to the ring but Kevin grabs for a chair. Aleister stomps the chair down but Kevin throws body shots on Aleister! Kevin fights up but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Aleister grimaces as he leans on ropes. He demands Kevin rise, and he runs in, but Kevin shields himself with a chair! Aleister’s knee hits steel, then steel hits Aleister’s back! Kevin gives Aleister a DDT to the chair! Cover, TWO! Aleister still lives but Kevin keeps his focus. Kevin holds onto a chair, rises even with his back bothering him, and he goes after Aleister. Kevin JAMS Aleister with the chair, then starts setting chairs up together. Kevin has a chair square and then goes to the corner. He drags Aleister up to the top rope, fans anticipate what’s coming but Aleister does, too! Aleister fights back, brawls with Kevin, and Aleister’s elbow sends Kevin down! Aleister gets up, METEORA to the chairs!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kevin survives and shocks Aleister!
Kevin gets to a corner, Aleister wants more! Aleister fetches Kevin’s table and brings it into the ring! He sets it back up but Kevil rolls out to the apron. The table is ready, Aleister fetches Kevin, but Kevin kicks! Aleister denies the stunner as he POSTS Kevin! But Kevin ducks and BLACK MASS HITS POST!! Aleister just did damage to himself! Aleister gets back in, Kevin follows, STUNNER! Kevin isn’t done there, he drags Aleister up and POWERBOMBS him through the table!! Cover, Kevin wins!!
Winner: Kevin Owens, by pinfall
Kevin was able to #JustKeepFighting, and now he’s won! But as he deals with one dark foe, he knows another has come to Raw. Will Bray Wyatt make sure his “friend” knows he’s here?
Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose talk backstage.
These two are both certified Monday Night Raw thanks to Friday’s round of draft picks, but they’re about to be guests to Raw’s newest additions. Miz TV returns to Raw, what will Miz and Morrison ask the Flex Appeal and Golden Goddess?
Raw returns as Stephanie McMahon returns to the podium!
Time for more draft picks! Raw opens round seven with… THE MONSTER, BRAUN STROWMAN! He and Keith Lee destroyed part of the stage, what more damage can he deal? SmackDown keeps… DANIEL BRYAN! YES, YES, YES! The fans definitely love that pick. Raw continues and takes… The Bro, MATT RIDDLE! Will Riddle still be ready to #BroDown even though he’s no longer on SmackDown? SmackDown takes… KEVIN OWENS! It seems Kevin won’t have to worry about The Fiend if he’s going back to Fridays. And Raw close this out by taking… JEFF HARDY! The Charismatic Enigma follows Riddle, maybe Mondays will continue to have #BROetryInMotion?
Raw presents Miz TV!
The Miz and John Morrison welcome us back to the Most Must-See Talk Show in WWE history, and introduce each other. They are the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *look off into distance* and are now THE greatest acquisition in the WWE Draft! Raw hit the jackpot getting these two! Monday Night Miz and the Monday Night Delight! People coming, going, splitting up! Like the New Day! Well, it’s a new new day. The newest day! And even Heavy Machinery got split up. How di that happen? Someone must have great connections with The USA Network. Miz is the Face of USA. He uses his connections for the greater good. Morrison, you can’t use that! That’s Rollins’ line. Well he’s going to SmackDown so whatever.
But moving on to their guests, two of the freshest faces on Raw. They’re strong, they’re blonde, they got it goin’ on! It’s Dana Brooke and Mandy Rose! And they’ve already got a team intro! Dana and Mandy strut their stuff down to the ring, showing off the guns. Mandy and Dana take their seats, as do Miz and Morrison. First off, Miz won’t make this entirely about Mandy thanking him for this. Of course he goes there. But moving Mandy to Raw wasn’t generous, it was petty. We all know that! He did it to mess with Otis! What is wrong with him? He’s ruining people’s lives! Ruining? Miz asks Mandy, “Are you happy?” She looks happy. New partner, new music, new hair. And she won! She SHOULD be thanking Miz. Be like, “Thanks, Miz! Thanks, John!” Try it. She’s rather slap them.
Well let’s get serious then! Dana, are you certain you want Mandy as a tag partner? Mandy and Sonya were best friends for years, and then Mandy met Otis and Sonya was kicked to the curb. Dana is certain she and Mandy are friends, and with no jealously like Sonya had. They’re making the most of this opportunity. Speaking of opportunities, they’re claiming to go for the WWE Women’s Tag team Championships, but tonight they’re in the dual branded battle royal where only one can win to face Asuka for her Raw Women’s Championship. That’s awkward~! The only thing awkward is them all being on the same brand. As far as that battle royal goes, “may the best woman win.” That guitar riff can only mean one thing. YEP! Natalya and Lana are crashing the show!
The Ravishing Russian says, “Excuse me, I’m actually really, really confused.” Why is Miz interviewing those two blondes when this blonde, the Queen of Harts, is the winningest female in WWE history plus the Best of All Time, #BOAT? And Lana herself is the savviest social media influencer. And if you want drama, Lana is the one you talk to. Two ex-husbands and one ex-girlfriend trumps jealous ex-bestie, so spill the tea and let’s talk. Miz and Morrison move aside as Natty and Lana get in the ring. Natty says she and Lana are also in the battle royal, but nobody wanted to interview them. And the Draft could mean this is their last night on Raw together.
Dana mockingly says, “Aww, maybe to commemorate that, you two should do a TikTok dance dancer or something?” Mandy says that if these two spent less time on TikTok and more time training, maybe Natty could win another match. Natty throws hands and it’s a brawl! Lana tries to get away but Mandy tackles her! Dana rams into Natty over and over but Natty turns it around. Mandy and Dana get Natty together, Dana reels Natty in for a clothesline! Dana and Mandy hold the ring, but will these four fire off again in that battle royal?
Raw returns with MORE Miz TV.
Miz and Morrison admit things got “out of hand” before the break. But Miz has a plan B for the “season premiere” of Miz TV on Raw! While the previous four get ready for a tag team match instead of the battle royal, Miz’s back-up guest is… The Mayor of Slam Town, JOHN MORRISON! That’s right! Tonight Plan B is just a little bit better than Plan A. But it is an honor to sit with Miz on his show and talk about all the amazing things these two plan on bringing to Raw. There’s a lot of speculation on when The Dirt Sheet makes its Raw debut, but- OH NO! Is that Lars Sullivan?! The Freak has followed these two to Raw! Miz and Morrison prepare for a fight given what we saw on Friday!
Lars storms down to the ring, but Miz bails out! Morrison BOOTS Lars but Lars comes back to LARIAT! Lars drags Morrison up and tosses him to a corner, for a corner clothesline! Miz drags Morrison but can’t get him out in time! Lars drags Morrison up for a TOSS! Miz is frozen in place with fear as Lars paces Morrison. Lars dead lifts and gives Morrison a FREAK ACCIDENT! The Freak just freakin’ finished off the foursome he wanted to maul on Friday! Who will feel the monstrous might of the Mile High Monster?
Adam Pearce has the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champions meet.
The New Day are SmackDown Tag Team Champions once again, but got drafted to Raw. And the Street Profits are still the Raw Tag Team Champions, but they got drafted to SmackDown. So an easy and logical solution is to simply swap the titles. Wait, is it, though? Montez and Dawkins talked about this. Dawkins knows, and he asks Kofi to treat “Patricia” right. Clown the Clippers each and every night. Yeah alright, alright. The exchange is official, and things go as planned. Pearce heads off, and Kofi wants the Profits to let Big E know something, but Dolph Ziggler and Robert Roode step in. How convenient is this! The Profits get to run away to SmackDown before the Glorious Show-Offs get what they’re owed!
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Don’t you know how drafts work? Yes, but they also know that they pinned the Raw Tag Team Champions in that Six Man Tag, and deserve a shot at the titles. Well okay! If they want have a go at the NEW W, W, E, Raw, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~, they can have it! If it is a molly whopping thou wants, then they shall placeth their boots firmly between thine cheeks! Roode and Ziggler are ready to fight, see you out there! But the New Day and Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke!! Will the New Day make sure their tenth tag title reign’s subtle beginnings doesn’t have a GLORIOUS ending?
Raw returns with more draft picks!
Stephanie announces that the Raw Tag Team Championship match IS happening! And to start round 8, Raw takes… RETRIBUTION! The rebels and their new leader, MUSTAFA ALI, are staying right on Monday nights! SmackDown takes THE FREAK, LARS SULLIVAN! He mauled the four men leaving SmackDown, will he just move on to more unsuspecting targets? Raw takes… THE LIMITLESS, KEITH LEE! Now he and Braun can continue their battle for dominance! SmackDown takes… KING BARON CORBIN! The Wolf King still “rules” over Fridays, will there be an uprising in response? Raw finishes the round with… ALEXA BLISS! The Goddess, the Five Foot Fury, and The Fiend’s bewitched beauty, is joining him on Raw!
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
As he said on Friday after being drafted to SmackDown, it was never about the name, it was always about the mission. Monday Night Messiah no more, Seth Rollins might just become SmackDown’s Savior now. Rollins takes to the mic and says, “I just want to soak it all in for a minute, because tonight is the end of an era.” While he is thrilled to be going to Fridays, he must acknowledge how difficult this must be for fans of Monday Night Raw. This is the last night Rollins steps into the ring as a member of the Raw roster. “And you guys are losing a lot. You’re losing a champion. You’re losing a man who has slain beasts, who has conquered monsters! You are losing a purveyor of the greater good! And most importantly, and most glaringly, you guys are losing the greatest leader in the history of Monday Night Raw.”
As he looks to the current Raw roster, “Is there anyone who can fill my shoes? Is there anyone who can fill the void that I am leaving behind?” Sadly, the answer is no. Who will step up? Who will fill the shoes? He’ll tell us who it won’t be: Dominik and Rey Mysterio. Unfortunately, they’re also going to SmackDown… While this is a sad, sad moment for all of us, Rollins doesn’t want to end his run- Jeff Hardy interrupts! The Charismatic Enigma heads to the ring, adorned in face paint! Rollins smiles and says he appreciates Hardy’s enthusiasm, but he is certainly not the next leader. Please, get the hell out of his ring. Hardy gets a mic to say that Rollins is on SmackDown, he’s here on Raw. This is like mirroring.
Oh okay, Rollins gets it. Hardy wants to say good-bye to him, too. Again, appreciated, but Hardy should really be focusing on his match this Friday with The Freak. “Good luck, pal. You’re gonna need it.” Rollins waves and takes his leave, but look who is coming out first! The PHENOMENAL AJ Styles is here! Styles asks if Hardy stumbled down to the ring like it’s last call. But keep going, Rollins, this was never his night. If Rollins thinks Styles cares about filling anyone’s shoes, he’s out of his mind. He is the footprint! But Rollins storms back to get in Styles’ face. Hardy wrecks them both with a dropkick and brawls with Styles! And then throws Styles into steps! Hardy gets space and uses Styles to give Rollins POETRY IN MOTION! Hardy goes back up fast to LEAP onto Styles!
Hardy gets back in the ring and says, “Oh man, AJ, you and me still got business.” But before Rollins leaves, Hardy is going to show him Raw is in good hands. How about a TRIPLE THREAT, right now?! Raw has to go to break first, but what a way to say good-bye and hello at the same time!
Triple Threat: Jeff Hardy VS Seth Rollins VS AJ Styles!
Raw returns and this match begins! Styles and Hardy brawl, Hardy hits Rollins, too! Hardy kicks Styles, clubs Rollins then goes back after Styles. Rollins clubs Hardy, throws haymakers and whips. Hardy kicks back, runs and clotheslines Rollins out! Styles ROCKS Hardy, kicks him to a corner and CHOPS! Styles elbows Hardy, bumps him off buckles, then rams into him! Styles whips, Hardy reverses and sends Styles to a corner, but runs into a boot! Styles runs at Hardy but gets a SLING BLADE! These two are down but Hardy covers Styles, ONE! Hardy bumps Styles of buckles, drags him up and bumps him again. Hardy rams into Styles and digs his shoulder in. Hardy runs but Rollins trips him up!
Rollins glares at Hardy as he climbs up onto the apron. Rollins and Styles go after Hardy together, corner clothesline and corner forearm! Hardy flops down and the two start stomping him! Then Styles rolls Rollins, TWO! ENZIGURI! Rollins wobbles into a fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Rollins bails out so Styles goes after Hardy again. Styles puts Hardy on the ropes to choke but there’s no disqualifications! Styles still lets up to let Hardy flop to the mat. Styles snapmares Hardy, sets him down and stomps his face! Styles runs to drop a knee! Cover, TWO! Styles grows annoyed and Rollins returns but Styles kicks Rollins down. Styles goes after Hardy in a corner and brings him up. Styles wants to suplex but Hardy fights back with body shots and haymakers!
Hardy rams Styles into a corner and rams his shoulder in, but Styles turns it around to throw haymakers. Styles whips Hardy to a corner, but Hardy elbows him away. Hardy goes up but Rollins shove shim down! Hardy tumbles to the floor, Rollins rams into Styles then springboards! Styles gets under but comes back into a SLING BLADE! SUPERKICK! Rollins DIVES onto Hardy! Rollins keeps moving and drags Styles up, but Styles slips out of the bomb for the Phenomenal Blitz! But Rollins ducks the clothesline to ENZIGURI! Styles tumbles out to join Hardy, Rollins builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit on both men, the Architect stands tall as we go to break!
Raw returns and Hardy fights against Rollins’ cobra clutch. Fans clap and rally as Hardy fights free, only for Rollins to club him down and even stomp him! Rollins boots Styles out of the ring and shouts for him, “You don’t run this house! I run this house, until I say different!” Rollins stalks Hardy, drags him up and brings him around to bump off buckles. Rollins whips Hardy corner to corner, runs in but Hardy elbows him back. Styles runs in but into a haymaker! Hardy goes up, WHISPSER IN THE WIND! Two-for-one special, but double-edged given the bad leg! Fans clap and rally and Hardy gives Styles an atomic drop to leg splitting leg drop! And basement dropkick! Rollins runs in but misses, he gets an atomic drop to full nelson, then snapmare to neck snapper!
Styles kicks Hardy, suplexes, but Hardy fights that off to GOURD BUSTER! Hardy crawls to the cover, TWO! Rollins drags Hardy up, fireman’s carry but Hardy slips out to Russian Leg Sweep! Leg clutch cover, Styles breaks it! Fans clap and give thumbs both up and down. Styles drags Hardy up, suplexes to a dragon sleeper, REVERSE DDT! Cover, TWO! Styles is a bit surprised but he brings Hardy back up. Styles reels Hardy in and calls his shot, but Rollins FLYING KNEE stops that! Rollins DECKS Hardy with an elbow, then spins Styles for the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! All three men are down and fans are excited on their screens! Hardy goes to a corner while Rollins sits up. Styles stirs and Rollins seethes, but Rollins goes to another corner. Rollins aims at Styles, runs out but Hardy leaps in, POETRY IN DDT! Cover, TWO!!
Hardy goes to the apron while Rollins is in a drop zone. Styles trips hardy up and climbs up to join him! Styles brings Hardy up, Rollins adds on, Styles rolls out of the Electric Chair to get the Calf Crusher! Rollins flails, reaches, but Hardy SWANTON BOMBS! Styles pushes Hardy away to cover Rollins, TWO!! The Monday Night Messiah still lives and shocks the Phenomenal One! Rollins flops out of the ring so Styles is after Hardy! Hardy resists the Clash, spins out to kick! TWIST OF FATE! SMASH!! Elias?! Elias hits Hardy with the guitar!! When did the Drifter get back!? Does he still blame Hardy for that alleged hit and run?! But that was Sheamus!! Elias watches as Styles covers Hardy, Styles wins!!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
The Phenomenal One gets a phenomenal assist from Elias! Will Hardy try to talk reason to Elias? Or is it already too late for that?
Stephanie checks the next round of draft picks.
She seems really excited to see what Raw and SmackDown have done for round 9, and in some cases surprised. We’ll learn why after the break!
Raw returns with Stephanie at the podium.
With the first pick, Raw takes… ELIAS! We just saw what he did to Hardy, who else will be part of his next smash hit? SmackDown takes… WWE Intercontinental Champion, SAMI ZAYN! The Great Liberator will continue to be part of Friday nights, so who on the blue brand will step up to challenge him next? Raw takes… The Sassy Southern Bell, LACEY EVANS! The Woman’s Right comes back to Monday nights, will she aim for the title once more? SmackDown takes… The Swiss Cyborg AND the King of Strong Style, CESARO & SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! With the Street Profits in possession of the SmackDown Tag Team Champions, will Cesaro and Nakamura look to kill two birds with one stone? Raw closes the round by taking… The Celtic Warrior, SHEAMUS! The Fella lost that Street Fight with Big E, but now he can move on to some new challengers!
Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose VS Natalya & Lana!
The brawl that broke out on Miz TV is now a full on tag match! Will the #SexyMuscleFriends (Asuka’s nickname for Dana and Mandy) take that next step towards the Women’s Tag Team Championships? Or will they be sunk by the #BOAT and her “influential” friend?
Dana and Natty start, and Natty kicks Dana right at the bell! Natty throws haymakers, whips, but Dana handsprings and headscissors! Tag to Mandy, Mandy runs and back checks into Natty for an arm-drag! Cover, TWO! Mandy waistlocks Natty, brings her over and tags in Dana. Mandy snapmares, both handspring and basement dropkick! Cover, TOW! Natty tries to reach Lana but Dana O’Conner rolls! TWO, Dana swings on Lana, but Natty gets her for a rebound atomic sit-down! Tag to Lana, she runs for the sliding KICK! Cover, TWO, but Lana is on Dana with a suplex! Lana has Dana in the corner, stomps a mudhole and tags in Natty. Natty gets in and she stomps a mudhole in! The ref counts, Natty SLAPS Dana then tags Lana.
Lana and Natty have Dana on the ropes, Lana runs for double knees to the back! Cover, TWO! Lana keeps Dana down and bounces her head off the mat. Lana gives Dana more stomps, then drags her up into a chinbar and armlock. Dana endures, reaches for ropes but Lana gets a rear mount. Fans clap with Mandy to rally up, and Dana fights up and throws body shots. Lana throws Dana down by her hair! Lana talks trash on Mandy then SLAPS her! Dana rolls Lana up! TWO! Mandy tags in and she rallies on Lana! And DECKS Natty for good measure! Mandy dodges Lana, throws forearms and elbows and even stomps and knees! Mandy reels Lana in for a suplex! And kips up! Mandy fires up as she somersault CLOTHESLINES!
Mandy goes to the apron, shoulders into Lana then slides under to roll her! Tag to Dana before the KNEE FROM A ROSE! Dana has Lana in the drop zone and she climbs up onto Mandy’s shoulders! Assisted SENTON! Cover, Dana and Mandy win!
WInners: Mandy Rose & Dana Brooke, by pinfall
Friends who flex together win together! Will their unique combination of strength, speed and agility bring them tag team gold? As for Natty, she asks Lana, “Are you really that stupid?” This isn’t working out anymore, Natty is DONE with Lana. Lana has no husband, no girlfriend and no best friend. What is the Ravishing Russian to do on Raw?
The Hurt Business has a meeting backstage.
MVP knows that they and Retribution are staying on Raw thanks to the Draft. But Retribution isn’t here, because they knew what’d happen after last week. But wait, Ricochet is here. The One and Only must be a glutton for punishment. Maybe, because he’s here for one last match. As in his retirement? Yes, he’s retiring this. Alexander made a choice, and Apollo might get drafted to SmackDown, leaving Ricochet all alone. He has a proposition for the businessmen. It doesn’t do anything for them to be going after him, and it doesn’t do anything for him. Ricochet takes anybody. If he wins, this ends and they go their separate ways. But if they win, he’s in. Whoa, really? Alexander steps up because he would love nothing more! Bet? Bet. Is Ricochet going to win the gamble he put forward?
Angel Garza VS Andrade Almas!
The Lethal Lothario is back after an injury that cost him and Andrade Almas the Raw Tag Team Championships. But he and El Idolo will settle things between each other, with Zelina Vega watching on commentary! Which way does this break-up break, after the break?
Raw returns as Almas makes his entrance. Vega has already arrived on commentary and tells Garza to stop looking at him. Garza lounges on the ropes while waiting on Almas. The bell rings and Garza takes off the pants to throw at Almas! They start shoving and then throwing CHOPS! Almas headlocks, Garza gets ropes and the ref calls for the break. Vega talks smack on “Alexa Quinn” mixing up reality and fantasy, the real world and movies. Garza gets a headlock but Almas endures the grind. Almas lifts to back suplex Garza down! Then stomp and throws forearms! Garza grabs at ropes but Almas kicks the bad leg! Vega says this isn’t difficult to watch, because she wishes she could do this to both of them right now. This, as in Almas wrapping Garza’s bad leg around ropes and pulling!
The ref counts, Almas gets stomps in before he lets off at 4. Almas drags Garza up to kick the leg again. Almas stomps Garza’s back then lets off to waistlock and drag Garza around. Vega says these are two of the best, and she is still contractually obligated to be their manager, until the end of tonight. Garza fights up and throws elbows, then he bucks Almas off to SUPERKICK him! Cover, ONE!! Garza drags Almas up, underhooks, but Almas slips out of the Wing Clipper to HIP TOSS Garza into buckles! The bad leg takes damage again as Almas soaks up the heat. Almas drags Garza up but Garza grabs ropes. Vega loves watching this as Almas tries to hammerlock Garza. Garza gets ropes, Almas lets up to boot feint and ELBOW Garza out!
Almas follows Garza and tells Vega, “This is for you!” Almas brings Garza up, Garza throws him into the apron! Garza drags up and puts him in, then brings him up to underhook. WING CLIPPER!! Cover, Garza wins!!
Winner: Angel Garza, by pinfall
Vega does feel bad, despite how hard she’s trying not to care about either. Garza leaves her and Almas behind, is he going to fly higher without them?
Vega goes to check on Almas, but wait! Lights are going down! And when they come back, ALEXA BLISS is in the corner doing the spider walk!! Vega said her name too many times on commentary! And the FIEND is here, too!! They each get Almas and Garza in position, for DOUBLE SISTER ABIGAILS!! The Fiend and the Fallen Goddess have just made a statement their first night on Raw! Who else will let them in?!
Raw returns with another round of draft picks!
Stephanie goes right to the picks, Raw takes… NIKKI CROSS! The Twisted Sister will follow her former best friend, Alexa! Will she be able to save Alexa from the Fiend? SmackDown takes… ZIGGLER & ROODE! Well, will they end up winning the Raw Tag Team Championships and bring them to SmackDown anyway? Raw takes… The 24/7 Champion, R-TRUTH! The 42-time 24/7, 7/11, 747, European ThunderDome 2020 Television Champion will continue on Monday nights! SmackDown takes… APOLLO CREWS! Ricochet’s sixth sense was right and now he IS all alone! Raw finishes the round with… Raw Underground’s DABBA-KATO! If and when Raw Underground returns, will the big man continue to build momentum through those brutal brawls?
Raw Tag Team Championships: The New Day VS Dolph Ziggler & Robert Roode!
Big E not opening with “AWWWW” doesn’t feel right. But either way, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods keep that positive energy flowing now that they’re on a new day. But will these titles be absolutely GLORIOUS and heading to SmackDown after all?
The introductions are made, the titles are raised, and this match to determine the fate of those belts begins!
Woods and Ziggler start, they circle, and Woods shoots it but Ziggler blocks and facelocks. Ziggler rolls Woods to a cover, TWO! They reset and go again fast, Woods gets a takedown to cover, ONE! Woods facelocks but Ziggler pops out to facelock and Oklahoma roll, TWO! Woods shoves Ziggler up and over to get a headlock, cover, ONE! Ziggler facelocks, Woods wrenches free to get the wristlock. Ziggler reaches for Roode but stomps Woods’ foot. Ziggler wrenches Woods to a wristlock, hammerlocks him but Woods spins to hammerlock back. Woods headlocks, wrenches, tags Kofi, and Kofi goes up to drop ax handles! Kofi shoots the half, covers, ONE! Ziggler gets up, around, facelocks to waistlock, and brings Kofi back to tag in Roode.
Roode stomps Kofi, headlocks and grinds, but Kofi fights up. Kofi powers Roode to ropes and then powers out, but Roode runs him over! Roode runs, Kofi stays down to then jump up and up and elbow Roode down! Cover, TWO! Kofi brings Roode up, wrenches, but Roode pulls hair to put Kofi on ropes. Roode rams into Kofi, then throws hands on Woods! Kofi rolls Roode, TWO! Roode ducks Trouble in Paradise to FULL NELSON SLAM! Tag to Ziggler and the two work together, ALLEY-OOP FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO!! The Glorious Show-Offs are shocked but in control as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Ziggler chokes Kofi on ropes! The ref counts, Ziggler lets up and Roode gets in a choke! The ref misses it and Ziggler tags Roode. Ziggler whips Roode for Roode to whip Ziggler and Ziggler hits a corner splash on Kofi! Ziggler feeds Kofi to Roode’s neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Kofi toughs it out and that frustrates Roode. Roode glares at Woods before he brings Kofi up. Kofi throws hands, Roode throws haymakers then stomps Kofi at the ropes. Roode chokes Kofi, lets up at 4, and Ziggler gets a cheap shot in! Roode drags Kofi up, suplexes high and hard, then hops up to ropes for a flying knee drop! Cover, TWO! Roode grows frustrated but fans rally up for Kofi. Roode jams a knee in and wraps on a chinlock. Kofi endures, fights up, Roode RAMS him into a corner!
Roode rams over an dover, lets up at 4 and then runs back in, into Kofi’s DOUBLE STOMPS! Both men are down, crawl for their corners, and hot tags to Ziggler and Woods! Woods dodges Ziggler to deck Roode and then dodges Ziggler again! Tilt-o-whirl heasdcissors! Woods mule kicks Ziggler, but Roode whips him to a corner! Woods boots Roode and hits the HONOR ROLL! Ziggler gets thrown out of the ring, Woods drop toeholds Roode! Woods run to slide off Roode and hit Ziggler with a dropkick! Woods puts Ziggler in, GET OVER HERE! Cover, TWO!! Ziggler survives but Woods grins. Woods brings Ziggler up, trophy lifts to show off his own strength, and then drops him, but Ziggler blocks the gutbuster! SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO!! Woods lives and Ziggler is shocked!
Ziggler tags Roode, Ziggler whips Roode for Roode to whip Ziggler, but Kofi helps Woods avoid the splash! Roode DECKS Kofi for it, but Woods rolls Roode! TWO, Woods boots Roode from the corner., Woods tries another Honor Roll into a SPINE BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Woods writhes while Roode seethes! Roode drags Woods up, but Woods ENZIGURIS! Both men are down again, Kofi is back on the corner, but Ziggler trips Kofi and whips him at steps! Kofi goes up and over to come back, LEAPING LARIAT for Ziggler! Roode grabs Woods but Kofi tags in! Roode still rolls Woods but Woods kicks out, and Roode goes into Kofi’s enziguri! Kofi goes up top, Woods scoops Roode, UP UP DOWN DOWN!! Cover, the New Day wins!!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (still Raw Tag Team Champions)
Surely Big E is celebrating as he watches this at home! Why? BECAAAAUSE~! New! Day Rocks!
Backsatge interview with Elias.
Charly Caruso welcomes him back but notes the first thing he does is smash Hardy with a guitar. Well she’s a reporter, so here’s the headline: “Elias’ new single off the album, Payback, headed Jeff Hardy’s way.” Payback for what? Well, it seems that everyone else has forgiven and forgotten Hardy, but NOT Elias! Elias won’t forget about the hit ‘n’ run that sidelined him! But we still don’t really know who was responsible for that frame job! Maybe it was Sheamus, maybe it was someone else. Elias gets it. “The mystery man with red hair.” You don’t think he knows who did it? Elias won’t forgive Hardy for trying to send Elias to the big stage in the sky. And as much as “the man upstairs” would love a private concert with The Drifter, cars can’t stop Elias.
Call him a legend, call him a rockstar, call him whatever, he IS Elias. Being the great musician he is, he searched his soul and wrote his magnum opus. Put this down in the calendars: October 26th, the night after HIAC, the new album, “Universal Truth” drops. But next week, we celebrate Elias’ return with something people have needed: a concert. It will be unforgettable, especially for Hardy.
Ricochet VS Cedric Alexander w/ The Hurt Business!
The One and Only knows he’s alone, and he’s willing to put his future here on Raw on the line! If he wins, he stays the One and Only, and the Hurt Business leaves him alone. If he loses, he joins up. Will Ricochet secure his future with his own two hands?
Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ricochet and Alexander rush in and ROCK each other with simultaneous forearms! Ricochet comes back to throw body shots and forearms then a CHOP! Ricochet throws more forearms and CHOPS in the corner and whips corner to corner. Alexander reverses but Ricochet comes back to CLOBBER him! Cover, ONE! Ricochet comes back to CHOP Alexander more, but Alexander waistlocks and SLAMS Ricochet to basement dropkick! And then tackles Ricochet for furious fists! The Hurt Business loves this! Ricochet flounders, Alexander CHOPS him in the corner! Alexander stomps Ricochet at the corner, but lets him up as the ref counts. Alexander snap suplexes HARD, then covers, TWO! He tries again, TWO!
Alexander keeps Ricochet down with a chinlock and he grinds Ricochet down. Ricochet endures, fights up and fights back. Ricochet throws forearms, whips but Alexander reverses to then ROCK Ricochet at the ropes! Ricochet flops down and MVP says to capitalize! Alexander is all over Ricochet with grinding forearms, then shoots the half to a cover, TOW! Alexander still has Ricochet trapped, and rolls him from the ropes! Ricochet endures, fights his way back towards ropes but Alexander drags him away. Ricochet throws body shots but Alexander clubs him down. Alexander drags Ricochet up by an ear, DECKS him with a forearm, then talks trash just as MVP talks trash. MVP tells Alexander to slap Ricochet, so Alexander SLAPS Ricochet! Ricochet SLAPS back!
Alexander fires off on Ricochet in the corner, the ref counts and Alexander lets off. Alexander rolls Ricochet, Ricochet cradles Alexander, TWO! Ricochet ducks the clothesline to HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!! Alexander survives and Ricochet is furious! The Hurt Business isn’t much happier as they coach Alexander up. Ricochet goes to the corner, climbs up top, and 450s but has to bail out. Alexander runs into a fireman’s carry but slips off to forearm and CHOP! But he runs into the dropkick-flip and ROUNDHOUSE, to ENZIGURI! Ricochet runs into the SCOOP MICHNIOKU! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives again but the ref is part of collateral! So MVP gets a chair into the ring! But Ricochet gets said chair!
Ricochet glares but sees he’s surrounded on all sides. So he SMACKS the mat, and hands the chair to Alexander! Ricochet pulls a classic Eddie Guerrero move! The ref disqualifies Alexander!!
Winner: Ricochet, by disqualification; does NOT have to join the Hurt Business
Ricochet bails out, having outsmarted them all! The Hurt Business MUST leave Ricochet alone, or else they go back on their word. Will Ricochet be able to hold this over their heads for the rest of their careers?
Raw Talk gets Phenomenal!
Tonight’s WWE Draft edition of Raw Talk will not only have AJ Styles, but the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions, the New Day, and the winner of tonight’s #1 contender battle royal! Oh, and of course, one final round of draft picks.
Raw announces MASSIVE things for the Season Premiere!
After breaking part of the stage, and now that both men are on Mondays, Braun Strowman and Keith Lee will have a rematch from last week’s exhibition! Who wins and who stays standing now that things ARE on the record?
Stephanie McMahon returns with one more round of draft picks.
With the first pick of this 10th round, Raw takes… TITUS O’NEIL! The Real Deal stays Raw, will he rise back up to some gold? SmackDown takes… The Untouchable, CARMELLA! New look, new attitude, but still fabulous on Fridays! Raw takes… PEYTON ROYCE! No longer part of a duo, will the Venus Flytrap build her strength as a singles competitor? SmackDown takes… ALEISTER BLACK! The darkness follows, will he still go after Kevin Owens on Fridays? Raw finishes this round with… AKIRA TOZAWA! R-Truth still has his rivals here on Raw, will Tozawa get the 24/7 Championship back?
Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender Battle Royal!
Superstars from both Raw and SmackDown are allowed to participate in this match, as it could turn out that yet undrafted talent ends up on Monday nights. Asuka joins commentary to watch as Peyton, Alexa, Zelina, Billie Kay, and even the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler, battle for a shot at her title! Will this battle royal prove someone is finally ready for Asuka?
Raw returns as Mandy, Dana, Natty, Lana, Bianca Belair, Lacey Evans, Tamina and the Riott Squad have made their entrances. Before the bell, Nia grabs a mic to say, “The battle royal’s obviously gonna be won by Shayna, or more likely me.” So to save the other girls time, pain and humiliation, just jump over and out of the ring so you don’t have to get thrown out. Nia says, “You’re welcome,” but the bell rings and the champs get jumped by everyone else! Asuka loves this! That’s what they get! Nia and Shayna power out but then Lana ROUNDHOUSES Nia! And again! But then Tamina clobbers Lana! Family watches out for family, right? Tamina and Nia drag Lana up for DOUBLE HEADBUTTS! Asuka likes that! The family goes to hug, but then Nia throws Tamina out and ELIMINATES her! So much for family…
Billie goes after a leg but Nia is too big for her. Nia picks Billie up and puts her on the apron, and then corners her, as it were. Billie rams into Nia but hurts herself! Nia HEADBUTTS Billie and down she goes, Nia ELIMINATES Billie! Asuka cheers on Mandy and Dana, the #SexyMuscleFriends. But Shayna fights them off, scoops Dana and puts her on the ropes. Mandy goes after Shayna and saves Dana, but then Shayna puts Mandy out there with Dana! Dana and Mandy go to bring Shayna up but Nia rams and ELIMINATES them both! Nia says that’s four, but then the rest go after her! Asuka likes that as they all pick Nia up! Shayna is even part of it! Everyone ELIMINATES Nia!! Nia can’t believe it! But it’s not like they’re pals, right? Nia throws a tanturm and tears up the desk!
Bianca fights off Lacey and Nikki, Nia grabs Lana! Nia SAMOAN DROPS Lana through the desk!! Asuka does like that, though. Nia’s rage subsides for now, but wait, what’s going on backstage?! McIntyre found Orton!! McIntyre’s keeping his promise as he looks to beat the hell out of the Viper! Orton hits back, clubs and whips McIntyre into a garage door! McIntyre throws Orton into the garage door, too! “This is every Monday night! I’m gonna rename you, ‘Drew McIntyre’s B*TCH!!'” Orton rakes McIntyre’s eyes to then club away! There’s chaotic brawling everywhere and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Bianca tries to get Lacey up and over the ropes. The Squad goes after Shayna, Nikki goes after Lacey and Natty goes after Bianca. Lacey whips Nikki to a corner, but Nikki elbows back. Nikki hops up, reels Lacey in, TORNADO HOTSHOT! But the apron’s a bad place to be, Lacey uses a WOMAN’S RIGHT to ELIMINATE Nikki! Natty clubs Bianca while Lacey insults the “nasty.” Shayna KNEES Ruby, drags her up and Lacey goes after Liv. Liv kicks Lacey away to go save Ruby! But then Bianca chicken wings Liv for the GLAM SLAM onto Ruby! But Shayna gets Bianca in the KIRAFUDA! Bianca flails and pushes back to roll out! She drags Shayna up in chicken wings, and throws her at the ropes! Bianca ELIMINATES Shayna!! The EST makes sure the tag champions don’t have a shot!
Natty clobbers Bianca! And hoists her up top! Bianca fights back as Natty tries to push her out. The Squad regroups as Bianca clubs Natty and throws forearms. The Squad work together to dropkick and ELIMINATE Bianca! Well, Bianca’s heading to SmackDown anyhow, so she’ll have to focus on the SmackDown Women’s Championship. And we have a final four: Natalya, Lacey Evans, Ruby Riott and Liv Morgan. Natty and Lacey join forces against the Squad in a big brawl! Ruby has Natty, Liv has Lacey! The Squad whips Queen and Lady at each other but Lacey and Natty reverse. Liv leaps over Ruby, only for each of them to be put up and over onto the apron! Natty and Lacey run but into shoulders! But then a DISCUS and WOMAN’S RIGHT ELIMINATE Ruby and Liv at the same time!! Lacey and Natty are the final two!!
Fans are upset, because it’s not like either of these two are very likeable. Natty and Lacey circle, Lacey kicks and bumps Natty off buckles. And then more buckles! Lacey runs in but is put up and over! Natty throws hands but Lacey holds on! Lacey shoulders in, slingshot sup and over to waistlock. Natty fights the lift, elbows back and turns it around , but Lacey denies the atomic drop to then knee! Natty SLAPS Lacey! Natty clubs Lacey, SLAPS her again, then SLAPS her more! Lacey pushes back, Asuka now watches backstage as the two brawl. Natty suplexes Lacey up and over, but Lacey stays on the apron. Lacey drags Natty up and over onto the apron! They fight for control, Natty POSTS Lacey! Lacey sits down but keeps her feet up! Natty glare and runs in, into a BOOT! Natty holds onto the ropes! Lacey kicks the feet, Natty gets her feet back on the apron to save herself!
Natty gets up, but runs into Lacey’s headscissors! Natty keeps herself and Lacey up to swing and POST Lacey! Lacey hits the ground, Natty WINS! But wait, Lana is in!? She wasn’t eliminated!? She BOOTS Natty down and WINS!!
Winner: Lana (NEW #1 Contender to the Raw Women’s Championship)
The Ravishing Russian actually got lucky Nia decimated her earlier! She comes away with the biggest win of her career, and heads for the biggest match of her career! But if she only won this by luck, does she stand any chance against Asuka?
Whoa! Randy and McIntyre are brawling at ringside! McIntyre dumps Orton over barriers then stalks after. Orton kicks McIntyre, throws EuroUppers, then kicks him more! Orton brings McIntyre to the apron but McIntyre throws him into it! McIntyre CHOPS Orton, stalks him and clubs him, but Orton hits back! They keep brawling, McIntyre clubs and clubs and whips. Orton reverse and sends McIntyre into barriers! Orton brings McIntyre to the ramp for more haymakers! McIntyre hits back, referees and security hurry to stop this! These two have to make it to Hell in a Cell, but they don’t want to wait! Orton seethes and McIntyre shouts at him, but the referees and officials have brought them away. McIntyre vows he’ll see Orton next Monday, and then END him at HIAC! But will either man even survive to go through hell?
My Thoughts:
What a wild Raw! Now, a lot of the draft picks tonight were predictable yet logical. I am a little disappointed Kevin isn’t sticking around on Raw now that The Fiend and Alexa are here, there was so much potential there. Kevin VS Aleister was a great No Disqualification match, but now it seems wasted if they’re both going to SmackDown. Zelina Vega hasn’t been announced yet but I expect Raw Talk to handle that. She and Aleister are married IRL, so they are going to stick together on SmackDown. That will be great for both of them, as Zelina can A) continue her feud with Bianca, who is also on SmackDown, and B) be a fresh face to shake things up on Fridays. Keith Lee and Braun Strowman both being on Raw is great, they’re having a match next week which will be awesome, and it’s even of note that Dabba-Kato was a televised pick. Will Dabba get involved given his Raw Underground “match” with Braun? Three big behemoths brawling is better than two.
It makes sense for the Profits to go to SmackDown as Montez Ford and Bianca Belair are married, and because the New Day are here on Raw. I’m a little disappointed that the tag titles were literally just traded so that the champs have the proper belts. I would’ve preferred things to build to the double tag team champions, but I suppose WWE hasn’t completely given up on their Raw and SmackDown tag divisions. It’s just that they got bored with many of the teams that were still in it. But this technically means the New Day are TEN TIME champions, as this will be their third Raw title reign. And the Profits technically become triple crown in tag titles alone. They’ve been NXT, Raw and now SmackDown tag champs, a great accomplishment they’re definitely deserving of. I just wish it was with an epic match against New Day.
Garza VS Almas was great, and it was great for Garza to win. It’s another shame that Kevin and Aleister aren’t sticking on Raw, because Fiend and Alexa attacking Almas and Vega was great! Maybe we get a Mixed Tag that acts as a farewell to Vega. Almas is staying on Raw because last I checked, he and Charlotte Flair are engaged, and Charlotte is staying on Raw. Maybe Charlotte subs in for Vega to bring her relationship with Almas into kayfabe? Actually, I’m hoping not because we saw how that was for Rollins and Becky and that got awkward. Speaking of Rollins, his “good-bye speech” turning into that phenomenal Triple Threat was the best good-bye he could’ve had. Commentary said it was PPV worthy, and I actually agree. That could’ve easily be considered a contender’s match for the world championship, taking on the winner of McIntyre VS Orton.
Speaking of which, Orton and McIntyre both staying on Raw is the obvious move. It keeps the match at HIAC in HIAC for the WWE World Championship unpredictable. Their brawling tonight was really good too, especially to close the show. While McIntyre will surely want after Orton again next week, I hope that means they put a special stipulation on the world title HIAC match. Universal Championship match added I Quit on top of theirs, why not add Last Man Standing onto McIntyre VS Orton? Then Lana going from losing the tag match for her team, having Natty dump her as a friend and tag partner, getting Samoan Dropped through the announce desk a fourth time, and STILL winning the battle royal was an incredible arc for her in one night.
But there’s no way in hell she’s winning that title, even if it’s in a normal match next week for the “season premiere.” Asuka is Asuka, Asuka is awesome, Asuka will probably battle someone far more serious a threat at HIAC, and that person might even make themselves known next week. Probably “Alexa Quinn,” as Vega mocked her. One thing that wasn’t part of tonight was Retribution, despite Ali being advertised. Perhaps a last minute rewrite? Ricochet betting Hurt Business like that did come out of nowhere, so maybe Retribution just wasn’t ready for tonight and they adlibbed this part. Still good for the story, but I would’ve liked if Retribution made Ricochet an offer to join. Either way, it would’ve worked for one of those groups to get a fifth man, as I feel like Survivor Series could give us Retribution VS Hurt Business.
My score: 8.8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW New Beginning Osaka Results & Report! (2/11/25)
Who is the mightiest of them all?
Will this truly be a New Beginning?
Hirooki Goto won the New Japan Ranbo to have this shot at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, can he finally reach that mountaintop? Or will Zack Sabre Jr. prove he is the mightiest of them all?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – El Desperado & Katsuya Murashima VS Francesco Akira & Jeff Cobb; Akira & Cobb win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Togi Makabe; Tanahashi wins.
- Shingo Takagi VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Drilla wins.
- Shota Umino VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
- Taichi VS SANADA; Sanada wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Rocky Romero & YOH; Eagles & Fujita win and retain the titles.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd; Double Down Draw, Yota retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. VS Hirooki Goto; Goto wins and becomes the new IWGP World Heavyweight Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
Shingo Takagi VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Rampaging Dragon is big and bad, but 44 Caliber ain’t too shabby, either. Will Shingo avoid a Drilla Killa? Or will this “Super Junior” slay the dragon?
The bell rings and the two run right up! Drilla dodges, Takagi blocks to kick low and HEADBUTT! Takagi whips, Drilla grabs ropes and BOOTS back! Drilla runs, RAMS Takagi, but Takagi RAMS him back! Drilla RAMS Takagi again, neither man falls, and the fans fire up! Drilla fires a forearm, but Takagi fires back! Drilla fires another, but so does Takagi! Fans bark with Drilla as he fires another, but then fans “OI! OI! OI!” with Takagi! The forearms go back and forth, “BARK! OI!” and repeat! Takagi gets the edge, “OI! OI! OI!” Drilla fires back, “BARK! BARK! BARK!” Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint, but Drilla slips out of the DDT!
Takagi avoids the double stomps, knees low, but then things speed up. Drilla hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS! But Takagi stays up to RUN Drilla over! The fans fire up again and Takagi storms up on Drilla. Takagi drags Drilla up to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Drilla is still in this, but Takagi fires Osaka up. But Drilla SUPERKICKS Takagi before he can even say “Toki!” Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Drilla stands. Drilla fires the fans up now and the barking returns. Drilla storms up to CHOP Takagi! Drilla whips, Takagi reverses, and Takagi blocks a boot to LARIAT through!
Takagi fires the fans up as he JABS and CHOPS on repeat! Then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Drilla pushes Takagi and eggs him on! The fans like that, and Takagi obliges, only for Drilla to block the shot! Drilla ROCKS Takagi, but Takagi ducks the enzigiri to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! But Drilla’s right up to SAIDO! Both men stand, Takagi runs up, and DOUBLE LARIATS hit! Drilla ripcords to CHOP, then he runs, only for Takagi to follow and LARIAT! Takagi runs, but into a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up while both men are down. Takagi rolls out of the ring but Drilla pursues.
The fans rally both ways, and Drilla stalks Takagi. Drilla drags Takagi up, then whips him into railing! Takagi slumps down, but Drilla brings Takagi around to throw him into chairs! The fans bark for Drilla and he drags Takagi up. Drilla ROCKS Takagi, then brings him around and whips him hard into more railing! The fans are torn, Drilla glares at Young Lions, and Drilla goes to Takagi. Drilla wrenches Takagi, puts him in the ring, and then throws up the Too Sweet. Drilla brings Takagi up, but Takagi backdrops free! Drilla goes to a corner, Takagi runs up, but Drilla dodges to GAMANGIRI! Drilla reels Takagi in, hoists him up, but Takagi arm-drags free!
The fans fire up as Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feints, but then Takagi stands Drilla up to JAB and YUKON LARIAT! The fans fire up while Drilla sputters. Takagi drags Drilla up, hoists him to the top rope, and then he ROCKS Drilla! Takagi climbs, and he brings Drilla up for a SUPER DUPER PLEX! The fans fire up while both men are down again! The fans join in on “OI! OI! OI!” as Takagi rises. Takagi drags Drilla up, slashes his throat and then Canadian Racks! But Drilla slips out, and pump handles! Takagi arm-drags free of that, then catches Drilla for some knees. Drilla powers up, runs, and GORES! Cover, TWO!!
Takagi survives, the fans fire up, and Drilla grows frustrated. Drilla slashes his throat, brings Takagi in, and Canadian Racks! Takagi slips free to Gory Especial and NOSHIGAMI! The fans fire up, Takagi crawls over to Drilla, and Takagi stands Drilla up to LARIAT! Drilla stays on his feet so Takagi eggs him on. Drilla BOOTS, SUPERKICKS, then he SUPERKICKS again! Takagi comes back, but into MADE IN JAPAN!? Cover, TWO!!! Takagi survives and the fans are thunderous! Drilla is frustrated that he couldn’t beat Takagi with his own move. Drilla drags Takagi up but Takagi fights the lift to then ALABAMA SLAM!
Takagi CATAPULTS Drilla to a corner, and then LARIATS! Takagi hurries to pump handle, MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO?!? Drilla survives taking Takagi’s move and Takagi is shocked! The fans fire up with more “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi brings Drilla up. Takagi fires boxing elbows, but Drilla roars! JAB from Takagi, then a HEADBUTT! SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, ONE?!? WHAT?! Drilla staggers, but into a PUMPING BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous again as Takagi hauls Drilla up for the torture rack! But Drilla slips free, to inverted suplex, and then he pops Takagi around?! DRILLA KILLA!!! Cover, DRILLA WINS!!!!
Winner: “Drilla” Dan Moloney, by pinfall
HOLY SMOKES! 44 Caliber just shot down the Rampaging Dragon! Is this a sign that Drilla is ready for bigger and better than the Junior Heavyweight Division?
Shota Umino VS Great-O-Khan!
As if losing on the Road to New Beginning wasn’t bad enough, The Roughneck suffered humiliation as The Dominator cut off a lock of his hair! Will Shota defy the United Empire once more? Or will he fail to bring about a Paradigm Shift?
As Khan makes his entrance, he shows off the electric clippers! Is he planning on doing more follicle based damage to Shota should he win tonight? Shota steps into the ring, and SHOTGUNS Khan right down! Khan goes to ropes, but Shota slingshots to APRON DDT! The fans fire up while Shota puts his jacket aside. Shota drags Khan up, puts him back in the ring, and the bell rings! The fans rally for Khan as he scrambles away from the underhooks! Khan gets out of the ring again and Shota goes out after him. Shota drags Khan up, but Khan grabs railing. Shota CLUBS Khan down, UPPERCUTS, then UPPERCUTS again!
Shota whips Khan, but Khan reverses, sending Shota into railing! But Shota comes back to SHOTGUN again! The fans are torn but Shota drags Khan up. Shota brings Khan to the ramp, he clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Khan knees low, then he underhooks Shota! Khan BUTTERFLY SUPLEXES Shota into railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! The ref checks on them, Khan rises up, and Khan pulls some railing from the rest. Khan SLAMS it onto Shota! Shota writhes, the ref reprimands, but Khan drags Shota up. Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops again! And he Mongolian Chops again!
Shota falls back over, the fans rally and duel, and Khan drags Shota up. Khan brings Shota around, picks him up, and then he APRON SPINEBUSTERS! Shota writhes, Khan slides in and covers, TWO! Shota stays in this but Khan stays on him. Khan wrenches to fireman’s carry takeover! Then he wristlocks to MONKEY FLIP! And then SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO! The fans rally, Khan stands over Shota, and then Khan clamps onto Shota with the IRON CLAW! Khan drags Shota up, Shota breaks free, but Khan gut wrenches! GUT BUSTER, then GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans fire up while Shota flounders away to the corner.
Khan waits on Shota, then runs in, but Shota BOOTS him! Khan comes back, but into more BOOTS! Shota runs up, but Khan ROCKS him first! Khan runs, but Shota clinches him! EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans are torn again. Khan and Shota slowly sit up, Shota rallies the fans, and he gets moving. IGNITION! Cover, TWO! Khan stays in this but Shota drags Khan up. Shota underhooks, but Khan wrenches free. Khan slips around, IRON CLAW, then the Bow ‘n’ Arrow rack, only for Shota to slip free! Shota blocks the Mongolian Chop to ROCK and ENZIGIRI! Khan wobbles, the fans duel, and Shota powers up!
Shota aims from a corner, runs up on Khan, but into a LARIAT! IRON CLAW, then ELIMI- SATELLITE DDT!! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up. Shota rises, goes back to a corner, and then powers up, to BLAZE BLADE! But Khan’s right up! Khan swings, but into underhooks! PARADIGM SHIFT! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives but Shota hurries to bring him around. Underhooks, but Khan slips out to RABBIT PUNCH! Shota goes down in a heap, but Khan rains down more forearms! The ref warns Khan, he has to check Shota! Khan SHOVES the ref down to rain more shots down on Shota!
The ref reprimands, Khan stops with the forearms, just to grab Shota’s hair. The ref stops Khan and checks on Shota. Khan comes back, drags Shota to his feet, REVERSE S T O! Cover, TWO!! Shota still has something to give, but Khan’s Monster Rage boils over! Khan clamps on the IRON CLAW, hauls Shota back up, and he ELIMIN- NO, Shota slips free! Khan runs up, Shota dodges, and uses the ropes in a TORNADO DDT! Shota hurries to bring Khan up, underhook, but Khan NORTHERN LIGHTS free! Khan then drags Shota up with wristlocks, into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Shota endures, flails, but Khan swings him around! Shota slips free to spin Khan, and ROLLING ELBOW! Then ROLLING- IRON RIGHT from Khan!!
The fans fire up while Shota staggers around. Khan clamps onto Shota with the FLATLINER, and then IRON CLAW! ELIMINATOR!! Cover, KHAN WINS!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall
The Roughneck was running hot, but Khan just cooled him down! Khan stands tall over Shota, but then he grabs the clippers! Khan has them, and even some scissors, but Young Lions stop him! Khan just kicks one and throws him into the other! Khan now has Shota all to himself! Khan turns on the clippers, but Shota stops him! Shota has power enough to take the trimmers from Khan! But then Shota stares at them, and starts shaving his head anyway?! Fans are shocked to see Shota doing Khan’s work for him, cutting away at the fiery red locks! Khan grins, and Shota flops over, having only down a runway down the center.
Khan leaves Shota behind for Shota to wallow in his humiliation and defeat. What and who will Khan look to conquer next in the name of the United Empire?
Taichi w/ Taka Michinoku VS SANADA w/ Taiji Ishimori!
When Just4Guys became Just5Guys, it was because the Holy Emperor reached out to a man he respected in the Cold Skull. And while Sanada reigned as world champion for a time, it would seem his losses made him Cold Blooded. Sanada would betray Taichi, all to join The Rebel that beat him, and there’s no more respect here. Will Taichi make Sanada pay for his betrayal? Or will Sanada destroy what’s left of Just4Guys?
As if to mock Taichi’s operatic entrance, Sanada has a leather jacket with big speakers on the jacket, and a guitar in hand. But speaking of that entrance, the moment Taichi is ringside, Sanada PLANCHAS onto him! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, only for Sanada to push Taichi into the ring. Sanada then grabs his guitar! The ref reprimands, the fans cheer on Taichi, but Sanada takes aim! Taichi avoids the Smash Hit to then kick low! Taichi whips, Sanada reverses, but Taichi BOOTS him down! The fans fire up while Taichi seethes. Taichi then grabs the guitar? The ref says don’t do it, as does Taka, and Taichi throws the guitar aside.
The fans cheer as Taichi storms back out after Sanada. The ref reprimands, this isn’t even a match yet! Taichi whips but Sanada reverses! Taichi hits railing, but he comes back to BOOT Sanada! Taichi then whips Sanada into railing after all! Sanada hobbles away while the fans rally behind Taichi. The bell rings now, but Taichi has a chair! The ref stops Taichi, only for Taichi to shove him aside! Taichi JAMS Sanada up with a chair! Then SMACKS him on the back! The fans cheer while Sanada falls in a heap! Taichi stalks Sanada, daring him to get back up. The ref keeps Taiji from getting involved, and Taka has Taichi calm down.
Taka takes the chair from Taichi, and Taichi finally takes off his coat. Taichi drags Sanada up, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. But Sanada grabs at the ref so Taiji can anchor Taichi! Taichi tries to kick free, but Sanada KICKS the ropes! Taichi gets jammed up low, Taka goes after Taiji, but Taiji CLAWS Taka’s face! Sanada drags Taichi up to then suplex and MAGIC SCREW! The fans boo Sanada, Sanada complains about the chair, but nothing the ref can do about it now. Sanada rains down fists on Taichi, the ref reprimands, but Sanada lets off. Sanada paces, then he sits Taichi up to throw a haymaker!
The ref reprimands about closed fists, but Sanada just throws another! Taichi eggs Sanada on, so Sanada fires more haymakers! Taichi gets in Sanada’s face, so Sanada dropkicks the leg! Taichi hobbles back, Sanada whips him to ropes, but Taichi grabs ropes to BOOT back! Taichi then whips, but Sanada reverses, only for Taichi to reverse back, and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi sits up, and he watches Sanada go to the corner. Taichi paces while he wants on Sanada to stand. Taichi runs up to BOOT Sanada! Taichi runs, Sanada dodges, but then Taichi dodges! Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally up more as Taichi paces around. Taichi kicks Sanada, kicks him again, then KICKS him again! The fans cheer, but now Sanada eggs Taichi on. Taichi KICKS Sanada again, and he definitely felt that one! Taichi sits Sanada up, and KICKS, but Sanada blocks! Sanada CLUBS the leg, fireman’s carries, but Taichi slips free! Only for Sanada to dropkick the leg again! And then he DROPKICKS Taichi to a corner! Sanada runs up, but Taichi dodges to GAMANGIRI! Sanada slumps down and the fans fire up! Taichi fires up now, and the fans fire up even more as OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Sanada, TENSHO- NO, Sanada dodges!
Sanada goes up, out, springboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! But Taichi’s right up! ROUNDHOUSE, and then DANGEROUS- NO, Sanada grabs the ref to stop the saido! LOW BLOW MULE KICK!! The fans boo as Sanada gets away with it! SHINING WIZARD! Sanada isn’t done, he puts Taichi in the drop zone! Sanada goes up, up and ROUNDING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO!! Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Sanada is frustrated but he drags Taichi up. Sanada encourages the fans to cheer Taichi, as he clinches for SIDE- NO, Taichi slips free and ROCKS Sanada! BLINDSIDE AX BOMBER, then GAMANGIRI!
The fans fire up while both men are down again! Taiji coaches Sanada, Taka coaches Taichi, and Osaka rallies again. Taichi rises first, goes to a corner, and he roars! The fans are with him as he takes aim again. Sanada stirs, Taichi powers up, TENSHO- NO, Sanada pulls the ref in! Taichi pushes the ref aside, BUZZ- NO, Sanada blocks that kick! Taichi shouts to the ref to see the FAKE LOW BLOW! Sanada won’t get away with this one as Taka also vouches for Taichi! Sanada gets pissed at the ref and says it’s so obvious! But then Taka argues with the ref, and Taichi LOW BLOWS Sanada!! And then GEDO CLUTCH!! TWO!!!
Sanada escapes, Taiji shouts to the ref, and Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! Taka YANKS Taiji down and the fans are thunderous for Taichi! Taichi drags Sanada up, DANGEROUS SAIDO BRIDGE!! TWO!?!? Sanada escapes but the fans are thunderous again! Taichi roars, he drags Sanada up, and Taichi Alabama Lifts! Sanada grabs the ref again! Taichi drops Sanada, the ref falls, Sanada hits the POP-UP LOW BLOW! DEADFALL!! Cover, SANADA WINS!!
Winner: Sanada, by pinfall
Another cheap tactic, another cheap win for Sanada! He gives thumbs up and Too Sweet to Taiji, and then he rains down fists on Taichi! Taka and Young Lions get in there, and Taka SLAPS Sanada! And he SLAPS Taiji! But Taiji LOW BLOWS Taka and hits BLOODY CROSS! The War Dogs keep on winning, but they’re not done with Taichi! Taiji drags Taichi up while Sanada grabs his guitar. Taiji says to end Taichi, and Sanada nods. Sanada winds up, BUT WAIT! YUYA UEMURA is back?! He throws off his suit jacket to then arm-drag Sanada, and DROPKICK him! The fans are thunderous as he arm-drags Taiji, then CHOPS him down!
The fans are all fired up now that Heat Storm is back! Yuya clamps onto Sanada with one cording hold, then goes for the other, but Sanada scrambles free! Sanada takes a moment to catch his breath, and the fans now rally for Yuya. Yuya grabs the mic to tell Sanada that he’s back, and that he’s ready anytime, anywhere to get his revenge! Sanada will become Yuya’s stepping stone! Sanada looks to camera and shakes his head like, “He did not just say that.” The fans cheer Yuya on more, but the War Dogs take their leave. Yuya continues with “YOSH! Taka-san, Taichi-san, and everyone here in Osaka, Uemura is back, and he’s ready to blow!”
Yuya adds that from now on, HE will be the one to heat up everyone’s hearts! Mic drop and the fans are already fired up! But when and where will the Heat Storm get to burn the Cold Blooded Sanada?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita VS Rocky Romero & YOH!
From winning the Super Junior Tag League to then winning these titles in a huge Fatal 4 Way, the Ichiban Sweet Boys have been riding high. However, the revival of a classic threatens their reign. Will “Roppongi ReVICE” write a new chapter with this gold? Or will they find that no matter what, The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who punctuates this story!
The teams sort out and after he assures Yoh it’s fine, Azucar starts against the Sniper of the Skies. The bell rings, the fans rally up, and Eagles circles with Rocky. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Rocky finds a point of leverage to push Eagles back. They go to ropes, the ref counts, and Rocky lets off to give some Azucar Heat. The fans cheer and Eagles is amused. But then he trips Rocky, goes for the leg, but Rocky kicks him away. Things speed up, Rocky hurdles but Eagles leaps over. Eagles sidesteps, arm-drags, but Rocky arm-drags back. Rocky avoids Eagles’ next arm-drag, then calls him a “konoyaro” before he UPPERCUTS!
Eagles flounders away while the fans fire up, and the fans rally behind Rocky. Rocky whips Eagles, Fujita sneaks a tag. TMDK double elbow Rocky down, then split the wishbone! Eagles knocks Yoh down for good measure, and Fujita brings Rocky up. Fujita whips and wrenches Rocky to a corner, then CHOPS! The fans cheer and Fujita runs Rocky to ropes. Fujita CHOPS Rocky again, then snapmares for a KICK! Cover, ONE, and the fans cheer more. Fujita is on Rocky with a facelock, and Eagles tags in. The Sweet Boys mug Rocky, but then Rocky CHOPS Eagles! Eagles eggs Rocky on so Rocky CHOPS again! Eagles CHOPS Rocky off his feet!
The fans rally and duel, Eagles bumps Rocky off buckles, then Fujita tags in. Fujita stomps Rocky, brings him around, and CHOPS again! Rocky shoves Fujita, they go forehead to forehead, then Fujita CHOPS Rocky down again! The fans fire up and Fujita whips. Rocky grabs ropes, BOOTS Fujita, and Yoh tags in! Rocky whips Fujita and Yoh bypasses him. Drop toehold, basement dropkick, and then Eagles runs in! Eagles takes DOUBLE DROPKICKS and the fans cheer RPG ReVice! Yoh storms up to Fujita, CHOPS him in the corner, then wrenches and whips. Yoh runs up, ELBOWS Fujita, then scoops to SLAM him!
Yoh soaks up the cheers, drops an elbow, then cover, TWO! Knee drop! Cover, TWO! SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Fujita stays in this and the fans cheer, but Yoh keeps his cool. Yoh brings Fujita up, but Fujita fires forearms! Yoh kicks low, CHOPS Fujita, then reels him in. Yoh suplexes but Fujita fights free! Fujita wrenches, but Yoh ducks the chop! Fujita drop toeholds Yoh and ties up the legs! Fujita pulls Yoh back into the NEMESIS HOLD! Rocky runs in, but Eagles catches him with a wheelbarrow and victory roll! Eagles steps through on the legs, but Rocky KICKS him into Yoh and Fujita! Yoh is saved, though maybe in a rather rough manor.
The fans rally up as all four men rise up. Eagles runs up, Rocky DUMPS him out, but Fujita CHOPS Rocky! Fujita whips Rocky, Rocky ducks the chop to DIVE onto Eagles! Fujita dodges Yoh, CHOPS him, but Yoh says I’LL BE BACK! Yoh CHOPS, but Fujita rebounds to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while Yoh tumbles out, and now Fujita aims! Fujita slingshots to feint the plancha, then he ASAI MOONSAULTS, only for RPG ReVICE to catch him! The fans fire up as Yoh & Rocky now DOUBLE SUPLEX Fujita to the floor! Eagles is up, but Yoh scoops and SLAMS him! Rocky goes to the apron, to DIVING DOUBLE STOMP to the floor!
Eagles coughs and sputters while the fans fire up! Yoh drags Fujita back up and puts him in the ring. Rocky is there, RPG ReVICE tunes up and the fans join in. Fujita rises slowly, into a shove and 3- NO! Fujita RANAS Yoh away! Rocky spins Fujita to UPPERCUT, then he calls to Yoh again. Yoh is back, he aims while Rocky whips, but Fujita reverses! SUPERKICK for Rocky! Fujita then waistlocks Yoh to roll him and O’Conner BRIDGE! TWO!! Yoh escapes just in time! Fujita CHOPS him, roars, then runs, into a 3K!! Cover, EAGLES BREAKS IT! The fans are thunderous, but Rocky kicks Eagles! Rocky tells Yoh to get up!
Yoh rises, reloads, and Rocky whips Eagles, only for Eagles to reverse! But Rocky stops himself from having a repeat, and he again whips Eagles! Yoh SUPERKICKS Eagles! Finally, the right target gets hit! Eagles tumbles out, Rocky goes to the corner, and Yoh tags Rocky in. RPG ReVICE hauls Fujita up, BACKSTABBER and feed to the suplex! Rocky joins in, FALCON ARROW BOMB!! Rocky high stacks, TWO!! Fujita survives again, but Rocky calls for the next one! Yoh hauls Fujita up and Alabama Lifts! Rocky climbs up top, but Eagles springboards up to get him! SUPER STEINER! And Fujita SUNSET FLIP BOMBS Yoh!
The fans fire up again as all four men are down! The teams regroup, then they all go to corners. The fans rally as all four men stand, and then Rocky runs at Eagles! Eagles BOOTS Rocky, Yoh UPPERCUTS Fujita! Eagles ducks Yoh’s superkick to then CHOP! TMDK double whip, but Yoh crisscrosses them, only to get a ENZIGIRI HEEL KICK COMBO! The fans fire up with TMDK and they get Rocky up. Double wrench, lift, and MAX- NO, Rocky slips free and DOUBLE RANAS! TMDK go to opposite ends, so Rocky winds up, LARIAT for Eagles! LARIAT for Fujita! THREE-EVER for Eagles, but Fujita ducks Four-ever!
TMDK catch Rocky again, but Rocky slips out of the double back suplex! Only to run into the MAXY BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Rocky survives and the fans cheer again! Fujita crawls to tag Eagles! Eagles fires up, scoops Rocky, and Fujita adds on, SWEET BUSTER!! Cover, YOH BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, Fujita kicks Yoh but Yoh TOSSES Fujita out! Eagles blocks a kick to ROUNDHOUSE! YOH’LL BE- NO, Eagles dropkicks Yoh! Fujita tags back in, and then Eagles DIVES onto Yoh! They both hit railing! Eagles gets his leg tweaked in there, Hartley Jackson hurries to make sure Eagles is okay. Fujita springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK on Rocky!
The fans fire up with the Japanese Young Punk as he gets Rocky! Suplex and- NO, Rocky cradle counters! TWO!! Fujita escapes, runs up again, but Rocky pops him up to an Alabama Lift, and then a tuck! DUDE BUSTER!! Cover, TWO!!! Rocky’s shoutout to #JustTrent doesn’t finish this, but Rocky roars! The fans fire up as Rocky cravats Fujita, but no Sliced Bread here! Fujita then slips around Rocky to O’Conner, and CHAOS- NO, Rocky fights that, but Eagles is back! GAMANGIRI into the GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous and Fujita holds onto Rocky! Fujita hauls Rocky up, spins him, ABANDON HOPE!! Cover, TMDK wins!
Winners: Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
It got scary there for a second, but the Ichiban Sweet Boys pull off the win! Will the Junior Heavyweight Division continue to be Mighty? Wait, wait, Taiji is making his way back out here. Taiji grabs a mic and he congratulates Fujita & Eagles for making it through. But yes, he wants next! Fujita & Eagles say okay, but who will his partner be? Taiji says yes, he knows. Taiji will be teaming with Robbie! No, not Eagles. Robbie “Extreme,” aka Robbie X! Taiji promises he and Mr. X will be the next champions, so they better be ready! The Bone Soldier leaves, having delivered his message. But will TMDK be ready for Taiji and his X-Factor?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!
The Alpha of the Don Callis Family, the DOUBLE CHAMPION, puts up just one of his belts against the former NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Team Champion. Josh Barnett promised to make him a singles champion, will Boltin soon become “Gold Bars?” Or will he see what it means to be All Elite?
The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who NEVER backs down!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as these two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock as they’re both big and strong, and Konosuke headlocks. Oleg powers up and out, Konosuke RAMS him, but Oleg stands his ground! Oleg runs, RAMS Konosuke now, but Konosuke runs. They RAM shoulders again, then Oleg runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke comes back to RAM Oleg, Oleg comes back to RAM Konosuke! Oleg runs, but into a BOOT! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, Konosuke RAMS him, but Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans are thunderous already as Konosuke tumbles out of the ring!
The fans rally behind Oleg, he eggs on Konosuke, but Konosuke eggs on Oleg. Oleg slides out, and the two tie up on the outside!? They’re in a deadlock all the same, until Oleg POSTS Konosuke! The fans fire up and Oleg opens the gate. Oleg runs up, but Konosuke moves, Oleg POSTS himself! Oleg goes down in a heap, but Konosuke drags him up. Konosuke brings Oleg to the apron, then hammerlocks the bad arm, to POST it again! Oleg falls to the floor, the ref checks on him, but Konosuke drags Oleg back up. Konosuke wrenches the arm while the fans rally, but Konosuke puts Oleg in the ring. Konosuke then drags Oleg back up by the bad arm.
Konosuke fires a forearm into the bad arm, but Oleg hits back! Oleg fires another shot, and another shot, but Konosuke CLUBS the bad arm! Oleg staggers back, but Konosuke is on him with a whip. Oleg reverses, but the TAKESHITA LINE takes Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg writhes, and Konosuke brings Oleg back up. Konosuke hoists Oleg up to the top rope, then climbs up to join him. The fans rally as Konosuke goes to the very top! SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Oleg tumbles, Konosuke hurries to cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke steps on the bad arm, digs his heel in, but the ref reprimands.
Konosuke steps off, and he smirks as he eggs Oleg on. Konosuke stomps Oleg, drags him up again, but Oleg DROPKICKS Konosuke away! Both men rise and go to corners. Oleg runs up, but Konosuke BOOTS him away! Konosuke runs up, but into a scoop!? Oleg THROWS Konosuke away, then runs to SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Konosuke is tougher than that but Oleg still gut wrenches him! But Konosuke wrenches the bad arm to an ELBOW BREAKER! Konosuke throws a back elbow into the arm, but Oleg picks Konosuke up! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Oleg roars and the fans fire up with him!
Konosuke pounds the mat in frustration, but the fans rally as both men stand. Oleg runs up, he and Konosuke DOUBLE LARIAT! They stagger back, run back up, and DOUBLE LARIAT! Again, they stagger back, and they run back up, DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg CHOPS Konosuke, then he gut wrenches! Shake, Rattle and THROW! Konosuke tumbles away and the fans are thunderous! Oleg rises, Konosuke goes to a corner, and Oleg runs in! SPLASH! And then a scoop, for a SLAM! Oleg runs to go up, up, and VADER BOMB! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Oleg stays on Konosuke with a deadlift scoop!
Oleg pops Konosuke to the fireman’s carry, but Konosuke slips fere! BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Oleg survives and the fans fire up again! Konosuke snarls as he crawls over to the ropes. Konosuke and Oleg rise as the fans rally again. The two stare down, then they step up. They wristlock to then fire forearm after forearm! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth between these titans! Oleg DECKS Konosuke!! But Oleg says that’s not all! Oleg stands Konosuke up to DECK him again! Oleg wants more, and he stands Konosuke up, but the ALPHA ELBOW hits! So Oleg ROCKS Konosuke! ALPHA ELBOW AGAIN!!
Konosuke flops onto Oleg, but Oleg’s on his stomach! And then Oleg fireman’s carries Konosuke from the mat?! POINT BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and Osaka is erupting! Oleg waistlocks to GERMAN- NO, Konosuke fights and throws elbows! Oleg shoves Konosuke, but Konosuke ducks the lariat! Oleg ducks a lariat, but then Konsouke LARAITS on the return! Cover, ONE?!?!?! HOW?!?! Konosuke doesn’t ask how, he just POWER DRIVE KNEES!! Cover, TWO!?!? Okay, now HOW?!? ALPHA ELBOW!!! Konosuke has the GUILLOTINE FACELOCK!!! Oleg is fading but then he SPINEBUSTERS!!
But Konosuke holds on!? So Oleg powers up again! But Konosuke CRANKS the hold!! Oleg is fading on his feet! Oleg drops to a knee, the fans are thunderous, but the hand drops once! The hand drops twice! The hand- KONOSUKE won’t let it drop!? And then he hits RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
Konosuke didn’t take the easy win, he punctuated it! And while he’s still the Double Champion, Konosuke shakes Oleg’s hand to show him the respect he earned. But if Oleg got this close at this early in his career, is his rise to the top inevitable? As for Konosuke, he not only stays the Double Champion, but he builds momentum towards AEW Grand Slam: Australia this Saturday! Wait, wait, wait, here comes Ryohei Oiwa! The Mighty Mullet stares down the Double Champion, and he has the mic to say, “Takeshita-san, your style, going worldwide, and my style, Japanese-made, if we mix that, it’ll be electric.” Fans cheer that.
Oiwa says he is challenging Takeshita for the NEVER Openweight Championship! NJPW’s Konosuke Takeshita? NO, OIWA is NJPW! The fans cheer that, and Oiwa drops the mic. Oiwa then heads out, but Konosuke takes the mic. “Oiwa, hold on. Worldwide Takeshita is damn tough.” The fans like the sound of that. When and where will Oiwa took to get a grip on the NEVER title?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: The Young Bucks VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!
Matthew & Nicholas Jackson made their return to NJPW by calling out then-champions, Great-O-Khan & Henare. But as Khan & Henare battled Los Ingobernables de Japon, the Face of Fury would go down with an injury. A Triple Threat was made, and it was won by the AEW EVPs. However, NJPW says the 2024 World Tag League winners deserve their 2v2 title shot. Will LIJ finally have these titles once again? Or will The Bucks throw a Superkick Party for Osaka?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if tranquilo beats The Elite, the the Elite!
As always, Naito takes his time with his entrance attire. The Bucks get impatient, but then the teams sort out, only for The Bucks to fake a sneak attack! The Bucks then mockingly tell LIJ to relax. Matt and Hiromu shake hands, which the fans applaud. But then Hiromu uses that handshake to DOUBLE AX HANDLE Nick! The bell rings, Matt dodges double ax handles, only for LIJ to come back on the rebound! LIJ double whip, and DOUBLE AX HANDLE, then DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! They kick and whip Nick, he gets around to send Naito into Hiromu, but Hiromu & Naito dosido! They kick Nick, and Hiromu gives Naito the boost into the RANA!
Nick tumbles out, Matt storms up, but Hiromu CROSSBODIES Matt down! The fans fire up as Hiromu keeps moving, and he CROSSBODIES Nick! The Bucks bail out, Hiromu slides out to keep going! CROSSBODY for Nick! Hiromu keeps going, and Naito holds Matt up, but Matt SUPERKICKS first! Matt then elbows Naito, and he sets up LIJ for Nick! Nick FLIES and wipes out LIJ! The fans fire up as Nick lands on his feet! Nick asks the cameraman if he saw that. Unbelievable, right? The fans duel, Nick puts Naito in, and Nick finally takes off his shirt. Nick kicks Naito to a corner, then whips him to the Bucks’ corner.
Nick runs up, he blocks boots, and he puts Naito int he ropes! Tag to Matt, NECKBREAKER and DRAPING SLINGSHOT SENTON! Matt keeps going and he BLASTS Hiromu off the apron! Matt runs in, he and Nick LARIAT ENZIGIRI combo on Naito! Matt keeps moving, and he slides out to SUPERKICK Hiromu! Nick slides out, Matt slides in, and they coordinate, CANNONBALL ENZIGIRI COMBO! The fans fire up with The Bucks, then Matt brings Naito up. Matt bumps Naito off buckles, then CLAWS Naito’s back! The ref reprimands, Nick tags in, and Nick CLAWS Naito’s back! Nick facelocks and he grinds Naito down.
Naito endures, and he manages to CLAW Nick’s back! Nick lets go, Naito CLAWS him again! The ref reprimands but Naito SPITS at Nick! Naito runs, but Matt trips him! Matt drags Naito out and sets him up for Nick. Nick runs from the apron, but then Naito ducks! PENALTY KICK hits Matt! Nick panics, then springboards at Naito, but into a MANHATTAN DROP! A little double-edged given Naito’s bad knees, but he and Nick crawl. Hot tags to Matt and Hiromu! The fans fire up as Hiromu fires forearms on Matt! Hiromu whips, Matt reverses, but Hiromu RANAS! Nick is back and he kicks Hiromu!
Nick CLAWS Hiromu, then he coordinates with Matt. They double whip Hiromu, but Hiromu ducks the double ax handle to send Matt into Nick! Then Hiromu lifts Matt to make him RANA Nick! The fans fire up, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT Matt in a corner! Hiromu snapmares Matt, runs and basement DROPKICKS him out! Hiromu goes out and he CROSSBODIES Nick like before! And then he finally CROSSBODIES Matt! The fans fire up as Hiromu says he’s going another round! CROSSBODY for Nick! CROSSBODY for Matt! The fans fire up and Hiromu puts Matt in the ring. Hiromu drags Matt up, fireman’s carries, but Matt slips free!
Matt clinches to NORTHERN LIGHTS! And roll through, NORTHERN LIGHTS! The Polar Express gets going as Matt NORTHERN LIGHTS again! Then he has the legs, Nick tags in, CATAPULT GAMANGIRI! Hiromu falls back, Nick goes up, DOUBLE STMOP BACKBREAKER COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up! Nick argues the count but the ref defends it. Nick whips, Naito tags in, and Hiromu reverses! DOUBLE AX HANDLE on Nick! LIJ then whip Nick to a corner, but Nick reverses! Naito is sent in, Nick kicks Hiromu. Nick runs at Naito, but gets BOOTS! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Nick into the ESPERANZA!
Nick sputters and flounders, Naito takes aim, but Matt SUPERKICKS Naito! Hiromu is up, he blocks Nick’s kick, then sends it at Matt! Matt ducks, Nick keeps the spin going so he can sweep the legs on Hiromu! Hiromu sits up into basement DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Naito stands, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Nick climbs, Matt puts Naito in the ropes, DRAPING SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives and the fans fire up! Nick tags Matt and Matt drags Naito up. Nick goes to the apron, Matt scoops Naito, but Hiromu SUNSET FLIPS Nick! Nick fights off the bomb, but Naito fights the driver! Victory roll, TWO!!
Hiromu has Nick anchored on the outside, but Matt schoolboys Naito! TWO, but Nick kicks free of Hiromu! Matt has Naito’s wrist, Nick grabs the other! E V P- NO, Naito ducks so the knees hit together! CORRIENDO SHIKI DESTI- NO, Matt stops the Destino in time! Nick gets the other arm, E V P TRIGGER!! Cover, HIROMU BREAKS IT! The fans fire up again as Hiromu CHOPS Nick, then CHOPS Matt! And CHOPS Nick! And CHOPS Matt! Hiromu runs, into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Matt tags Nick and they soak up the cheers and jeers. The Bucks aim at Hiromu first, but he blows past the kicks! CROSSBODY caught!
Matt has Hiromu while Nick goes back to the apron. But Naito anchors Nick this time! Hiromu fights the gut wrench while Nick kicks free! Nick goes up the corner, but Naito anchors him there! Hiromu turns things around on Matt, and now Naito SHOVES Nick! INVOLUNTARY TK DRIVER on Matt!! Naito storms in, Hiromu laughs as he gives Nick TIMEBOMB 1.5! Naito & Hiromu work together now, ASSISTED- NO, Nick slips out of the DDT! Nick shoves Naito at Hiromu, but they dosido again for the DOUBLE AX HANDLE! The fans fire up as NOW we get the ASSISTED TORNADO DDT!!
Naito waits on Nick to stagger up, then he wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, DESTINO!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!!
Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The Bucks’ reign ends at just over five weeks! The Bucks thank Japan, and they promise that they’ll be back again some day. Meanwhile, Hiromu has his first reign as a heavyweight champion, and he wants Captain Naito to stand up with him. Naito asks for help but he kinda sandbags on it. Hiromu gives up and simply fetches Naito’s hat for him. They eventually do stand together, but will this New Beginning be LIJ’s best chapter yet?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd!
The Gene Blast took down the “Boss Dog,” David Finlay, and took this title from him at WrestleKingdom. But now the second in command is looking to avenge The Rebel! Will this Mad Man become a double champion? Or will Yota keep everything tranquilo?
As Yota makes his entrance, he tosses his coat away to reveal he went with SHORT tights tonight! Gabe smirks, this is clearly Yota’s answer to Gabe wanting NJPW to return to tradition. The introductions are made, the white strap is raised, and we see who takes NJPW global!
The bell rings and Gabe steps to Yota and vice versa. The fans fire up for this stare down, and the crowd sounds pretty torn. Gabe SLAPS Yota, so Yota SLAPS back! Gabe grins, the two back up, and then they tie up! They’re in a deadlock, but then the forearms start flying! They tie up again, are still in a deadlock, but Gabe pulls hair! Yota turns things around to put Gabe on ropes, but Gabe turns that back around. Red Shoes calls the break, Gabe lets off slowly, then he fires forearms! Red Shoes reprimands, Gabe eggs Yota on, but Yota headlocks. Gabe powers up and out, Yota RAMS him, but Gabe rebounds to RUN Yota over!
The fans fire up and duel again. Yota reaches up at Gabe, Gabe stomps him, then things speed up. Gabe hurdles, Yota hurdles, then Yota bypasses Gabe to RANA! But Gabe handsprings through!? Only for Yota to arm-drag! Gabe headscissors, Yota kips free, and then Gabe scoops to SLAM Yota! The fans fire up, Gabe covers, TWO! Gabe stays cool, that was just a heat check. Gabe drags Yota up, tells him this is NJPW, and he CHOPS! The fans fire up, Gabe gets in Yota’s face, and Gabe eggs Yota on. Yota CHOPS, Gabe wants more, so Yota CHOPS again. And CHOPS again! Gabe UPPERCUTS Yota, then UPPERCUTS again!
Yota falls, sputters, and the fans fire up. Gabe kicks Yota out of the ring, then brings him around to whip him hard into the railing! Gabe opens the gate, grabs a chair, but then puts it aside as he sees Yota stirring. Gabe drags Yota up, whips him, and Yota hits railing hard! But he comes back, only for Gabe to clinch! Yota fights the clinch with elbows, but Gabe still hits the T-BONE to the floor! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Gabe then sits up cross-legged a la Shibata. Gabe shakes his head, then he storms up on Yota. The fans rally and duel, Gabe encourages them to get louder, then he CHOPS Yota!
Yota staggers away, Gabe storms up, and Gabe CHOPS again! Yota huffs ‘n’ puffs as he staggers away. Gabe storms up to CHOP him again! Gabe eggs Yota on, so Yota CHOPS in return! Gabe felt that one! Yota stands Gabe up to CHOP again, and CHOP again! Gabe SUPERKICKS!? Yota staggers back as Gabe shows he’s been working on his arsenal. Gabe fires up, the fans fire up with him, and Gabe brings Yota up. Gabe puts Yota in, covers, but Red Shoes says no, too many shenanigans on the outside. Gabe scuffs Yota to egg him on, and the fans rally up. Gabe scuffs Yota more, then KICKS him in the back!
Yota rises up, Gabe pushes him around, and talks trash. Yota DECKS Gabe! The fans rally again, Gabe stands back up, and he ROCKS Yota! Yota shakes that off to ROCK Gabe! The forearms go back and forth again and again, and then Gabe ROCKS Yota! Gabe eggs Yota on as he wobbles! Yota roars, CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Yota fires more CHOPS, then he brings Gabe around to CHOP again! Gabe drops to his knees but Yota says he’s not done! Yota stands Gabe up, but Gabe CHOPS! Yota doesn’t back down, so Gabe CHOPS again! Yota CHOPS back, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS keep going and the fans rally up!
Gabe CHOPS, he gets the edge, and he eggs Yota on to show him NJPW’s spirit! Yota fires a flurry of forearms, and he ROCKS Gabe! Gabe leans against ropes, seethes but also grins. “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” Gabe comes back to CHOP! The fans fire up and Yota grits his teeth. Yota CHOPS and Gabe drops to his knees! The fans are thunderous as Yota looks at his own hand. Gabe seethes, rises up, and though he’s stinging, he says F you, Yota! CHOP! Yota grits his teeth, both men storm up, and Gabe CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS Yota against the ropes again and again, but Red Shoes counts.
Gabe LARIATS, runs, but into a BOOT! Gabe UPERCUTS! Yota ROCKS! Gabe CHOPS! Yota SUPERKICKS! Gabe roars so Yota SUPERKICKS again!! The fans are thunderous, Yota covers, TWO! Gabe stays in this and the fans fire up more. Yota rises, goes to ropes, and he fires up again! The fans join him and Yota grabs Gabe’s legs. Gabe kicks at Yota, but Yota works to turn Gabe! Gabe resists, but Yota still has the BOSTON CRAB! Yota wants to use the “Young Lion” hold to humble Gabe! Gabe powers up, fights forward, but Yota sits down deep on the hold! Gabe endures, the fans rally, and Gabe powers up again! Gabe claws at the mat, but Yota drags him from the ropes!
The fans rally as hard as they can as Gabe endures! Gabe powers up one more time, and he makes it to the ROPEBREAK! Yota lets go, barely holding on as it was, but both men are down as they catch their breath. Yota rises, Gabe goes to a corner, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Gabe bites the rope as he drags himself up. Yota runs in, KNEE! Gabe slumps down, Yota pushes him, and Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Gabe gets under! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men wobble, but Yota drops to a knee! Gabe runs, but Yota blocks the knee! POP-UP KNEE, and then a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Gabe survives, Yota roars, and Osaka is thunderous again!
Yota aims from a corner, Gabe slowly rises, GENE- COBRA TWIST!! Gabe catches Yota into the iconic Inoki hold! Yota endures, even as Gabe puts on the pressure! Yota reaches for ropes, but Gabe shifts to a BIG back suplex! Yota almost lands on his head! Both men are down and the fans rally up again. Gabe rises and the fans fire up! But then Yota also rises in the other corner. Gabe hobbles his way over, then runs up to LARIAT! Yota drops to his knees, and Gabe goes up? Gabe shouts, “SAEKO DA! <I’M AWESOME!>” Gabe drags Yota up with a facelock, bringing him up the corner. Yota endures the guillotine and fires body shots.
Yota fires forearms, Gabe fires back, and they brawl on the corner. Gabe HEADBUTTS Yota! Yota holds onto ropes, and he RISING HEADBUTTS in return! Gabe sputters, Yota roars, and Yota goes to the very top! The fans fire up already as Yota has Gabe in the clinch, but Gab says F YOU! SUPER LARIAT!!! Yota has a crash landing but Gabe roars! Gabe runs, to LARIAT Yota again!! Cover, TWO!?!? Yota survives being turned inside-out, but Gabe roars again! Osaka is ready to erupt again, but Yota suplexes first! X-PLEX even! Gabe sputters, Yota KNEES him down!! Osaka is electric as both men are down again!
Yota grits his teeth as he crawls away to a corner. Yota drags himself up with the ropes while Gabe is in a daze. Yota staggers back over to Gabe, drags him up, but Gabe’s a ragdoll. Red Shoes checks Gabe but Gabe is somehow still in this. Yota eggs Gabe on, and he wants Gabe to show that NJPW spirit! Gabe rises, leaning against Yota. Yota then SLAPS Gabe! Gabe staggers, but that slap woke him up! Gabe comes back to PALM STRIKE! Gabe grins, but so does Yota! Gabe tells Yota, “Who you think you are, I AM!” Yota gets up, and he SLAPS Gabe! Gabe SLAPS Yota, Yota SLAPS!! Gabe wobbles but the SLAPS keep going!
The fans fire up as the SLAPS come in from all directions, back and forth! Yota fires a flurry, but Gabe gives it back! STRAIGHT RIGHT! Gabe runs, Yota dodges, and Yota LARIATS Gabe!! Yota hurries to haul Gabe up, POWERBOMB! A very Finlay looking one at that! Then CURB STOMP! Yota roars as he aims from the corner! Gabe rises, into the GENE- PILEDRIVER?!?! Gabe turns things around in an instant and Osaka is erupting again! Yota and Gabe stir, Gabe finds the cover, TWO!! Yota is still in this, but so is Gabe. The fans rally as hard as they ever have, and Gabe rolls away to the ropes.
Gabe rises and Osaka roars again! Gabe snarls, he drags Yota up by his hair, and he reels Yota in. The barking echoes through the stadium, but Yota fights the lift! Wrench and HEADBUTT! Gabe stays up, but a GENE TRIGGER hits! COMEBACKER from Gabe!! The Mad Man is going nuts, and he brings down the kneepad and even the wrap! ONI- GENE BLASTER!!! But Gabe tumbles away, Yota can’t make the cover! Time is running out on this match as Gabe sputters and Yota crawls his way over! Yota claws at Gabe, Gabe turns over, and Red Shoes begins a double down count! The fans rally as both men have until 10!
Gabe sputters, grits his teeth, and he grabs the ropes. But we’re already at 5! And then 7! 8! Yota stands at 9, but he flops back down! TEN, IT’S A DRAW!!
Double Down Draw; Yota retains the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship
These two men fought so hard, neither man could keep going! Or maybe they can? They both sit up and give junkyard dog headbutts, but there’s no point now! They both flop back down, the fans cheer again, and Red Shoes tells them both to stop. The fans chant for NJPW, clearly feeling these two epitomize the truth spirit of Strong Style. Gabe and Yota stare down, then nod. Gabe DECKS Yota! In a roundabout way, that is how these two show respect. Yota keeps the title, but will he and Gabe look to run this back?
WAIT, THE HOUSE OF TORTURE ATTACKS!! The fans boo as Sho, Kanemaru, Yujiro and Narita all stomp away on Yota! Is this because not a single one of these rejects got on the card? Wait, Narita stomps Gabe, too?! And then the lights go out! WAIT! EVIL is here! The King of Darkness said he wasn’t coming home after losing back at Battle in the Valley! And yet he’s returned with New Beginning? Then he STOPS The House from beating up on Yota?! What’s going on with The King of Darkness? He and Dick Togo have the guys back off, and Evil helps Yota to his feet? Oh, just so he can hit EVERYTHING IS EVIL on him!
The fans boo as Evil tricked us into thinking he had a change of heart. Or a heart at all. The fans tell The House of Torture to just go home, but now they want to help Gabe up? Evil & Dick help Gabe stand, only to set him up!? PUSHUP BAR ATTACK?!? Narita then hits Gabe with the DOUBLE CROSSER!! What happened to House of Torture being Bullet Club? Hold on, Evil grabs a mic to speak. “Oi, Tsuji, you thought I was here to help you? TOO BAD, SUCKER! HAHAHA!” The fans boo more, but Evil says Yota’s head is foggy from all that damage. This is your present and future. And as for “Gabe-chan,” Evil is here to speak to him.
Evil tells Gabe, “You’re in my way, pieces of crap like you. Tell this to Finlay, as well. From now on, the War Dogs are no longer part of Bullet Club!” What!? Does Evil have the authority to say that? But he says, “Your crew of losers aren’t needed in Bullet Club anymore! Got it? Remember that!” The House has declared war, but will this be anything but civil?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Zack Sabre Jr. w/ TMDK VS Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi!
The Front Man really shook things up when he used the G1 Climax golden ticket to win this title in Ryogoku rather than the Tokyo Dome, but now the Fierce Warrior looks to do the same in Osaka! Goto has been fighting for decades, will this finally be his moment? Or will he #JustTapOut?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if there is truly a New Beginning in Osaka!
The bell rings and the fans are already strong for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” ZSJ doesn’t let that bother him as the two circle. They feel things out, tie up, and ZSJ wrenches an arm. ZSJ then waistlocks, but Goto wrenches free. ZSJ spins around, slips through, and he wrangles Goto by an arm. Goto fights up but ZSJ top wristlocks. ZSJ wrangles Goto after all, but Goto keeps his shoulders up. Goto slips around, goes for a leg, but ZSJ slips away, and the fans cheer this opening exchange. The two reset, tie up, and ZSJ headlocks. Goto powers up and out, ZSJ RAMS him, but Goto returns to RUN ZSJ over!
ZSJ avoids the elbow drop but Goto avoids the Penalty Kick! ZSJ avoids a lariat, Goto avoids as roundhouse, then Goto kicks and whips. ZSJ reverses but Goto RUNS him over again! The fans fire up while ZSJ shakes out the stars. Goto CLUBS ZSJ to a corner, whups him corner to corner, then runs up to LARIAT! Goto HIP- NO, ZSJ THROWS Goto down, the NECK TWISTS! The fans rally and ZSJ brings Goto up. ZSJ cravats for the neck wrench, then shifts to a headlocks. Goto endures the grind, fights up, and powers out. ZSJ RUNS Goto over! Things keep moving, but ZSJ catches the dropdown into a NECK TWIST!
Goto writhes and goes to the apron. ZSJ goes out to NECK TWIST even out there! Goto falls, Hashi protests, but ZSJ just shakes out his arms. ZSJ drags Goto up, UPPERCUTS him, and Goto staggers up the ramp. ZSJ pursues to UPPERCUT, but Goto CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and Goto falls! ZSJ goes to the ring, which fans applaud, and Goto crawls his way over. The fans rally as Goto reaches the ring by 5 of 20. Goto rolls in, ZSJ drags him by a leg, and ZSJ has a toehold. ZSJ turns Goto over and ties up the legs, while also adding a headscissor! Goto endures this modified deathlock, but then ZSJ focuses on just the headscissors!
Goto fights around, the fans rally, but ZSJ rolls Goto away from the ropes. ZSJ has Goto at the center of the ring, grabs an arm, but Goto kicks around! ROPEBREAK right as ZSJ goes for the armbar! ZSJ lets go, and the fans rally for “GO-TO-O!” even more. ZSJ paces, drags Goto up to cravat, but Goto again endures the neck wrench. Goto fires body shots, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto staggers to a corner, ZSJ whips him corner to corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up, but into a BOOT! ZSJ runs, but Goto follows! ZSJ BOOTS the lariat, but Goto avoids the Pele! ZSJ
avoid the buzzsaw, RAMS low, then whips.
Goto reverses, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up! ZSJ goes to a corner, Goto runs up, and Goto LARIATS! Goto whips corner to corner, then runs to MURAMASA! And SAIDO! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but Goto stays on him. Goto fireman’s carries again, but ZSJ kicks his way to the apron! ZSJ has Goto in the ropes, HANGING ARMBAR! Red Shoes reprimands, then counts, but ZSJ lets go at 4. ZSJ stumbles a bit, but goes back for Goto in the ring. ZSJ knees on Goto’s face, then grabs an arm. ZSJ SNAPS fingers! And then he digs his elbow into Goto’s ribs, to then isolate an arm, and STOMP it!
The fans duel while Goto clutches that elbow. ZSJ drags Goto around, digs an elbow into Goto’s shoulder, then pulls on the bad arm. ZSJ twists it around, and STOMPS it again! Goto writhes more but ZSJ looms over him. ZSJ stands Goto up, reels him in, but Goto fights the scoop! Goto CLUBS with the good arm, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS the bad arm! And again! And again! ZSJ brings Goto around to scoop, but Goto slips free! Goto waistlocks, ZSJ elbows free, and ZSJ runs up. Goto dodges to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then roll into the GOTO SAN SHIKI! TWO, and ZSJ body scissors, JAPANESE ROLLING CLUTCH! TWO!!
The fans fire up as both men escape the other! ZSJ BOOTS Goto to a corner, then runs up. Goto dodges to put ZSJ right in the ropes! Draping dragon sleeper, for DRAPING SHOTO! Cover, ROPEBREAK! ZSJ survives but Goto roars! Goto dragon sleepers, but ZSJ slips around to scoop and ZACK DRIVER! But ZSJ can’t make the cover! The fans fire up again while ZSJ sits back up. ZSJ grabs Goto by the hair and drags him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Goto wobbles, and the fans rally. ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, Goto staggers, but ZSJ has him again. ZSJ UPPERCUTS, but Goto just gets mad! Goto fires forearm after forearm!
ZSJ UPPERCUTS again, but Goto just roars! The fans fire up as Goto LARIATS! ZSJ stays up and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! ZSJ comes back, but Goto spins him around, URA G T R! Goto roars, runs, but ZSJ ROUNDHOUSEES the lariat, then scoops! SABRE DRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! But into an ARMBAR!! Goto flails, reaches out, but ZSJ pulls on the arm! Goto fights around, but ends up in a TRIANGLE HOLD! Goto keeps moving, tries to stack ZSJ, but ZSJ keeps his shoulders up! So Goto deadlifts, but ZSJ wrangles him into an omoplata! ZSJ grabs the other arm, Goto resists, but ZSJ powers it into a roll and CLARKY CAT!
Goto keeps fighting and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto refuses to get caught, but ZSJ grabs the leg! CLARKY CAT, BAD BALLOON MIX! Goto still fights, even with just the one free leg! Goto kicks and his arm slips free, ROPEBREAK!! Even ZSJ is surprised, but he lets go of Goto. The fans continue to rally for Goto as he slowly rises. ZSJ KICKS him in the chest and Goto falls over! ZSJ paces, Hashi coaches Goto, and Goto rises up. ZSJ KICKS him in the chest again! ZSJ eggs Goto on, then KCIKS, KICKS, KICKS! Goto blocks one! Goto stands, and he fires forearm after forearm! ZSJ rebounds, but Goto DECKS him!
The fans are thunderous and Goto roars! Goto runs, but into a SLEEPER! ZSJ squeezes tight as Goto reaches out, and Goto is fading! Red Shoes checks on Goto, but he drops to his knees! ZSJ sits Goto down, but the fans rally even harder! ZSJ lets go to run and PENALTY KCIK! But Goto’s right up!? LARIAT!! Goto knows Shibata well, so he knew how to fight that combo! The fans are thunderous again as Goto rises! Goto roars, then takes aim, BUZZSAW! ZSJ falls right down! Goto drags him right up! Fireman’s carry and G T W!! Cover, TWO!!! ZSJ survives, the damage he did to Goto’s arms being what weakened that attack!
Goto still dragon sleepers, but ZSJ fires shots! Goto grabs that arm, but ZSJ grabs Goto’s arm! They fight for control, so Goto ripcords and HEADBUTTS ZSJ! The fans fire up as ZSJ drops back! But Goto holds onto ZSJ’s wrist! Goto drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ SLAPS him! And SLAPS him again! And again! Goto just stands ZSJ up, so ZSJ fires a flurry of SLAPS! Goto HEADBUTTS again! Goto snarls, the fans are thunderous, and Goto HEADBUTTS ZSJ again! But Goto isn’t done! He HEADBUTTS AGAIN AND AGAIN! Goto roars, winds up, and LARIATS!! The fans are thunderous once more as Goto suplexes, for SHOUTEN KAI!!
The fans erupt as Goto brings out one of the classics! And then Goto hauls ZSJ up, dragon sleepers, but ZSJ victory rolls! EURO CLUTCH, TWO!?!?! Goto escapes, but ZSJ snatches an arm! ZSJ wrenches to PELE the arm, but Goto LARIATS with the other! Goto leans on the ropes, Osaka erupts once again, and Goto drags ZSJ up! Dragon sleeper, but ZSJ hooks the arms! Goto fights the backslide, dragon sleepers, G T R!!! But Goto doesn’t cover?!? Goto wants to end this, and he straitjackets ZSJ’s arms, for ULTIMATE G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (NEW IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
Osaka is practically lifting off into space as finally, after 22 YEARS of hard work, of blood, sweat and tears, of always being the proverbial bridesmaid but never the bride, the Fierce Warrior has his world title breakthrough!! It was a generational battle to be sure, and while The Mighty Don’t Kneel, ZSJ could not #GetBackUp! Will TMDK have to take a page out of Chaos’ book and find a way to #TurnItAllAround?
As for Goto, it finally sinks in with the official announcement! “Perennial Challenger” no longer, Hirooki Goto is FINALLY the top champion in NJPW! Goto finally gets to hold this belt, and Hashi is there by his side to help put it on. After Goto catches his breath and gathers himself, he grabs the mic. “I know my dad was watching, and this is for him.” Goto points to the sky and the fans cheer. Goto stands, and he says, “A lot of you probably know this, but I’m an idiot. I’ve been an idiot as I’ve pursued this pro-wrestling life. But this idiot stuck with it, and now this idiot is a champion.” The fans cheer that, and they cheer as Goto tells his dad, “I DID IT!”
Goto now thanks everyone for coming and packing the house. “Actually, my son and daughter are here, as well.” The fans cheer, knowing the little Gotos are here. Goto asks if it’s okay to invite them into the ring. The fans cheer more, and Goto calls to them. After all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime moment. Goto’s son and daughter hurry from their seats, take off their shoes, and then step into the ring to stand alongside their father. The fans cheer, and Goto says they’re doing well in school. And his girl is doing well in her dance class. The fans cheer, Goto says he wants them to get a good look at this sight. “This is what Papa’s been working for.” The fans cheer that, too!
Goto says thanks to his kids, he was able to do this. And of course, “Yo-chan” for always being in his corner. And most of all, it is thanks to the people here today! The fans applaud again, and Goto says that he’s been at this for 22 YEARS, so he is thankful to his own body for making it this far. “The Goto Revolution has just begun.” The fans like that! Goto hopes they’ll be part of it until the end. “And finally… It’s about Goto’s G! Do you know what the G stands for?” Do the kids know? His son and daughter are excited. It is for the G in IWGP! That’s right! Now, here goes! The fans fire up with Goto, and he says the G in IWGP now stands for GOTO!
Goto hugs his kids, and the confetti flies! It may be decades into his career, but this is truly Goto’s New Beginning! Will there be no stopping the Fierce Warrior that overcame The Mighty Front Man?
My Thoughts:
An awesome New Beginning event, and fittingly, we got a lot of new stuff going on from this point. Drilla beating Takagi was wild, I did not think that’d happen. Khan beating Shota was also wild, and so was Shota voluntarily shaving his own head. As I’ve said before, Shota is the one out of the Reiwa Three Musketeers that isn’t working as far as crowd reaction. Fans love Yota as a Face, they love to hate Narita as a Heel, but they haven’t quite accepted Shota as a Face. Maybe shaving his head and ditching this Roughneck hero character could help Shota. Sanada beating Taichi with more cheating made sense, it just adds more Heel heat on him.
Roppongi ReVICE looked great against the Ichiban Sweet Boys, but I figured Eagles & Fujita would win. Taiji making the challenge on behalf of himself and Robbie X, that’ll be a great feud. And then holy crap, Konosuke VS Oleg was awesome. Not only does it show how great Konosuke is, but it shows how awesome Oleg already is for being this early in his career. But I feel like it’s a shame the KOPW Championship is gone, because I felt like the NEVER Openweight title was the one Oleg could get at this point. Oiwa challenging Konosuke is cool, can’t wait to see how that one goes.
LIJ VS The Bucks was great stuff, and I’m actually a little surprised LIJ won. I suppose The Bucks could (and maybe should) go back to AEW now, maybe do something about the Death Riders or whatever. But this is big for LIJ, and they have quite the lineup to defend these titles against. Yota VS Gabe was also awesome, and it was brilliant to have it end in a draw. But then, are we seriously getting Bullet Club: Civil War now? With House of Torture VS David Finlay & The War Dogs? Well, it isn’t about the quality of the wrestlers, since the War Dogs are all good, but it’s more we could’ve gotten even better stuff when it was Jay White’s Bullet Club.
And then, the main event was amazing, especially because of the story going into it. ZSJ has fought hard to become top champion, but Goto has fought hard and long for the same thing, to where maybe people were thinking it’d never happen. This is an inspirational story on top of an awesome match, because it shows if you keep at it, your dream will come true, and/or people will see your dedication, and they will appreciate and maybe even reward it. You deserve it, Goto, and what a great moment for him and his kids. I can’t wait to see where this is going, especially with the Anniversary Show in under a month.
My Score: 9.3/10
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Will The King keep his Cup?
Lexis King gave in to his Loose Cannon nature, but at least he’s Heritage Cup Champion. Unless… TNA’s JDC (formerly Fandango) takes it away from him!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bayley VS Cora Jade; Cora wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura VS Myles Borne & Tavion Heights VS Hank ‘n’ Tank; Briggs & Inamura win.
- NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS JDC; King wins and retains the title.
- Zaria w/ Sol Ruca VS Nikkita Lyons; Zaria wins.
- NXT North American Championship Steel Cage Match: Tony D’Angelo VS Ridge Holland; Tony wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bayley VS Cora Jade!
The Role Model has been busy since the Royal Rumble but also focused. She qualified for the Women’s Elimination Chamber match in March, and she’ll be in the NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat this Saturday. But first, she looks to settle things with the Generation of Jade, who just couldn’t help but use that kendo stick on Bayley outta nowhere. Will Cora look to ruin Bayley’s Road to WrestleMania? Or will Bayley humble her before going for gold?
Speaking of that kendo stick, Cora takes a swing the moment she’s in the ring! Bayley dodges, then she TACKLES Cora! The bell rings as Bayley rains down fists! The fans rally up as Bayley DECKS Cora, DECKS her again, and Cora bails out! The fans boo but Cora soaks it up. Bayley storms out after Cora, and fires forearms! The fans fire up as Bayley bumps Cora off barriers! Bayley CHOPS Cora, then she grabs Cora’s kendo stick. Bayley tosses that aside to put Cora in the ring. Cora scrambles away again, and the fans boo. Cora wags her finger, but Bayley goes out the side. Bayley runs in, DAREDEVIL DROPKICK!
Cora staggers, Bayley stalks her, and Bayley SMACKS Cora off the desk! Bayley puts Cora back in the ring, covers, TWO! Cora stays in this but the fans chant, “HUG ME, BAYLEY!” Bayley wrenches and snap suplexes while Giulia watches from backstage. Cover, TWO! Bayley keeps cool while the fans fire up. Cora RAMS into Bayley, RAMS her again, then she throws Bayley by her hair! The fans boo Cora but she drags Bayley back up. Cora ROCKS Bayley with a forearm, then whips and ROCKS her again! Cora whips and ROCKS Bayley again, then puts Bayley on ropes. Cora runs in but Bayley avoids the elbow!
Bayley elbows Cora down, then runs to ELBOW Cora in the back! And SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Bayley is annoyed but the fans chant “NBA ALL-STAR!” Bayley blocks a kick, KNEES Cora, then snapmares her. Bayley hooks Cora up but Cora rolls Bayley, TWO! Bayley KNEES Cora back down! Cora bails out, Bayley shoots her shot and fans say “SWISH!” Bayley DIVES and down goes Cora! The fans fire up, Bayley brings Cora up, but Cora RAMS Bayley into the apron! Cora SMACKS Bayley off the apron, puts her in, but Bayley ROCKS Cora! Bayley has Cora in the ropes, but Cora HOTSHOTS her first!
Cora fires knees on Bayley in the ropes, then bumps Bayley off buckles. The fans boo Cora, but she KNEES Bayley down! Cora mocks Bayley while NXT goes picture in picture.
Cora steps in and covers, TWO! Bayley is tougher than that but Cora stomps her down. Cora SMACKS Bayley off the mat, then stalks her to the ropes. Cora CHOKES Bayley on the ropes, then runs to ELBOW Bayley in the back! Cover, TWO! Cora stalks Bayley, stomps her more, then bumps her off buckles. Cora stomps away, digs her boot in, but stops as the ref counts 4. Cora storms back up to whip Bayley corner to corner. Bayley goes up an dover, then rolls Cora up, TWO! Cora hurries to her feet and she LARIATS Bayley down! Cora soaks up more heat, then she drags Bayley into a chinlock. Bayley endures while Cora squeezes tight.
Bayley fights up and JAWBREAKERS free! But Cora RAMS Bayley into a corner, and SHINING WIZARDS! Bayley falls, Cora stomps her, then Cora soaks up heat. Cora runs to IMPLODER DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Bayley stays in this and Cora grows frustrated. Cora clamps on with another chinlock, but Bayley endures again. Bayley fights up, arm-drags, but Cora holds on! Cora squeezes Bayley tighter but Bayley still endures. Bayley fights up, and now she arm-drags free! NXT returns to single picture, Cora runs back in, but Bayley FLAPJACKS her off buckles! Bayley then puts Cora in the ropes for a HOTSHOT!
Cora flops down and the fans rally up. Bayley brings Cora up, counter punches, then counter punches again! Bayley fires a flurry, but Cora knees low! Cora runs, but Bayley clinches! BAYLEY2BELLY! Cover, TWO!! Cora survives, but Bayley slowly rises back up. Cora staggers up, Bayley LARIATS! And LARIATS! Bayley bumps Cora off buckles, puts her in the ropes, and she CHOPS Cora! Bayley goes up for the STOCK DROP! Shoutout to The Boss, then a SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Cora survives, Bayley runs to sunset flip, but Cora sits on it! TWO!! Cora goes up to IMPLODER DOUBLE STOMP again! Cora hauls Bayley up for a GUT WRENCH PELX! Cover, TWO!
Cora grows frustrated but the fans rally up. Cora drags Bayley up and underhooks, but Bayley wrenches free! Clinch and- NO, Cora THRWOS Bayley into buckles! SHINING- NO, Bayley gets under, fireman’s carries, and swings for the SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Bayley hurries to put Cora in a drop zone, and Bayley hurries to climb up! Wait, Bayley’s old music plays? Because Roxanne Perez is cosplaying Hugger Bayley! Bayley is annoyed, but she still ROCKS Cora first! Bayley hits the MACHO ELBOW to a standing Cora! Cover, TWO!! Cora survives and Hugger Roxie is high-fiving fans. Bayley goes out to CLOBBER Roxie!
The fans fire up, Cora runs out there, but Bayley ROCKS her! Roxie scurries away, Cora gets Bayley with FUTURE SHOCK to the floor!! The fans boo but Cora puts Bayley in the ring, FUTURE SHOCK again! Cover, Cora wins!
Winner: Cora Jade, by pinfall
Roxie meant to screw over Bayley, but it seems like she only now realizes what that means: Cora got a win over a WWE Women’s Grand Slam Champion! Giulia and Ava Raine seem to talk something over, and then Ava makes her way out here! The NXT General Manager congratulates Cora on the biggest win of her career thus far. But all of this is getting settled on Saturday. Because now all three of them have a chance to become the NEW NXT Women’s Champion. That’s right, the Triple Threat is now a FATAL 4 WAY! Good luck, ladies. Cora says that’s right! Roxie says yeah, good for her. Cora can tell Roxie isn’t really happy for her, but then Bayley CLOBBERS them both!
Cora tumbles out, Roxie staggers up, into a BAYLEY2BELLY!! Bayley knocks both upstarts down, but will she be able to put them in their place this Saturday? Or will everyone succumb to the Beautiful Madness?
Sol Ruca talks with Zaria backstage.
They go over their win from last week’s tag match, and Sol says it worked because they did things her way. And maybe, they can keep this going. They’ll be facing Lash & Jakara next week, so Sol was thinking, they could do a training session together at the beach. Zaria says fine, but… That’ll be done her way. Zaria then hears Nikkita Lyons laughing and muttering to herself, and asks her what’s so funny. Nikkita says these two at the beach is a joke. But just imagine Nikkita at the beach. No, they’re good. Then how about they touch grass instead of sand. One win does not make you a tag team. Also, Sol is holding Zaria back.
Zaria says no, Sol is the most athletic woman in the division, and they just won here. Which is more than Nikkita can say. Oh, okay. Then how about Zaria steps in the ring with “Big Cat Kita” and find out. Nikkita leaves, Sol asks who the hell she thinks she is. Will the Agent of Change make sure Nikkita knows what’s up?
Oba Femi is here!
The fans cheer The Ruler as he struts to the ring, NXT Championship around his waist. “The date is set. This Saturday at Vengeance Day, Oba Femi will be defending his NXT Championship against Grayson Waller & Austin Theory, in a Triple Threat match. But let’s be real, that’s a Handicap Match, because it’s going to be Oba Femi VS A-Town Down Under. Because in their minds, they’re going to gang up and get rid of The Ruler. But then what? Then after that, I’ll tell you what. Their egos will become their greatest downfall. Because don’t get it messed up, after everything’s said and done, it’s only one man for themselves when it comes to this NXT Championship.”
But wouldn’t you know? Here comes A-Town Down Under! Theory & Waller have mics, and Waller tells “Oba-rated,” it’s too late. Oba is starting to feel the pressure facing some real stars. But trying to turn them against each other? They thought so much better of Oba. Honestly, this is pathetic. Does Oba not realize that he has to face Grayson Waller? A man who has not received his flowers here in NXT. Fans boo, but Theory says listen to this! Waller’s jumped off ladders! He has hit elbows through tables! He nearly risked his career every time he’s been in the ring. And who gets all the credit? Carmelo Hayes, Tony D’Angelo, and Bron Breakker.
All three of those guys and everyone else forgets that Waller is the pillar that helped shape NXT into what it is today! The fans boo more, but Theory says with that same help, Waller helps Theory become NXT Champion. Uh… Waller says yeah, and Oba’s fighting Austin Theory! He’s wanted to be a WWE superstar his whole life, and he did it easily! In NXT, he rode shotgun with little midget Johnny Gargano. And on Saturday, Theory rides shotgun again with the NEW NXT Champion, Grayson Waller. Oba says hold on, hold on. What they’re telling him is that they’ll both become NXT Champion? Hmm…
Waller says that title means a lot of him. You know how sick he gets hearing Bron Breakker’s name, hearing Carmelo Hayes’ name, hearing Trick Williams’ name, all because they had that, when Waller gave everything to have it and he was this close!? Waller will do whatever it takes, and that includes- Theory asks includes what. Theory’s never had that title, either. He’s been US Champion- And Theory beat John Cena! We get it! Waller is so sick of hearing that story. Guess what? No one cares. Fans, and Oba, like how heated this is getting, and Waller even mocks the You Can’t See Me!
Theory says, “Lemme tell you something, Grayson. That accomplishment is a very rare accomplishment. But I get someone like you not understanding, because you’ve never had a singles title of your own anyway.” Oof…! Waller says that’s not wrong. But Waller also remembers WrestleMania 40, when he was standing on top of the ladder, holding the WWE Tag Team Championships, and Theory was on the bottom rung like a cheerleader! Theory should be saying, “Thank You, Grayson! You saved my career!” Saved?! Theory doesn’t need to be saved, he’s just getting started! And in this Triple Threat, Theory will do whatever it takes to become NXT Champion!
Oh really? Like what? Theory says we start with this big dummy, and they put him through the announce table! Waller says they can hit him with chairs! Theory says they can throw everything they can on top of Oba, and then the desk on top of that! Waller says then he and Theory can decide who the champ will be, which is A-Town Down Under! Waller knows Oba came in with a plan, but it didn’t work. But on Saturday, there is nothing and no one who will stop Waller from getting that title. Nobody. Waller turns to go, but Theory turns him back around! Theory is mad, but Waller shoves him first!
Oba likes where this is going, but then Theory shoves Waller! Theory dares Waller to swing, so Waller swings! Theory ducks, and the shot hits Oba! Waller fires off on Oba, but Theory backs him off. Now ATDU mugs Oba together! The fans boo as this might’ve been the plan all along. ATDU then hold Oba up, DOUBLE ROLLING ELBOW! Theory lifts Oba to a fireman’s carry, A-TOWN DOWN, and then Waller somersaults for the DOWN UNDER STUNNER! The fans boo but then Waller holds up the belt. Theory steps over and grabs the belt, too. It still has to come down to one winner, but will ATDU make sure it’s one of them?
Eddy Thorpe speaks.
“Trick Williams, the face of NXT. Continuously handed opportunity after opportunity. All I wanted was once chance to prove myself, and I tried to do things the right way. But time after time, I was disregarded. By Ava, by Shawn Michaels, even by the WWE Universe. So Trick, you think you’ve been screwed over? Those people chant your name while they scoff at mine. Vengeance is the only thing that I seek now. For me, for my people, I’ll leave my mark one way or another. So what do you say, Trick? At Vengeance Day, if you’re man enough to accept the challenge, I’ll finish what I started here… in a STRAP MATCH!” Will Trick take on the Alpha Wolf in his own game?
NXT hears from Je’Von Evans’ physician.
Dr. David Cohen says that after extensive examination of Je’Von’s jaw, following reconstructive surgery and weeks of recovery, the jaw is healing on schedule. However, understanding the timeline Je’Von wants to have a match this Saturday, the team has expedited the process. Dr. Cohen says that yes, he will be cleared for the match at Vengeance Day. However, Dr. Cohen did express his great concern for re-injury if Je’Von takes any severe damage to the jaw. Another fracture could sideline Je’Von for a minimum of six months, and he would be medically disqualified from ever stepping into the ring again.
As of now, it is Je’Von’s decision on what he does, but Dr. Cohen reiterates, he is still cleared to face Ethan Page.
Je’Von meets with Ava.
The Young OG hopes she saw that statement from Dr. Cohen. He gets his match with Ethan now, right? Ava wants to make sure Je’Von paid attention to what Dr. Cohen said. He risks extensive and career-ending injury! Je’Von says he ain’t about that. Ethan won’t even have a chance to touch Je’Von! Well, Ava’s still worried. Then that’s a risk Je’Von is willing to take. Then Ava has no choice. He needs to sign this contract. If he insists on competing at Vengeance Day, the WWE cannot be held liable for anything that happens. Just think about it, oaky? Je’Von says yeah, he will. Done. He signs the contract! Je’Von is ready to go all or nothing, will he get vengeance on All Ego?
Triple Threat Tag: Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura VS Myles Borne & Tavion Heights VS Hank ‘n’ Tank!
In pursuing Fraxiom and the NXT Tag Team Championships, the Bullhead City Brawler and Pro-Wrestling Noah’s Great Rush ended up in a rather Fraxiom style situation. While Inamura asked No Quarter Catch Crew to a match, Briggs did the same with the Blue Collar Belly Boys. Will Briggs & Inamura be able to overcome both the NQCC and BCBB? Or will another team prove themselves worthy of the next tag team title shot?
NXT returns as the NQCC makes their entrance, complete with Charlie Dempsey & Wren Sinclair. Then, last but not least, the two men who put this fight together in Briggs & Inamura. The teams sort out, and in this form of a Triple Threat, two teams are legal. Inamura steps up to Tank Ledger, and they RAM into each other at the bell! They RAM again, Inamura fires sumo palm strikes, then he CHOPS Tank! Hank runs up, but Inamura gives him sumo palm strikes and a CHOP, too! Inamura then sees Myles coming, and he SUMO POUNCES him! Inamura fires up, he blocks Tank’s punch to CHOP!
Inamura hits the three point stance, but Tank avoids the sumo attack! Inamura hits buckles, Tank runs, and Hank tags in! Tank RAMS Inamura, Hank LARIATS and BULLDOGS! Hank whips but Heights tags in. Inamura dodges Hank, Heights LARIATS Hank! Roll into the fireman’s carry, then tag to Myles. ASSISTED GUTBUSTER, and then a DOUBLE GUT WRENCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Hank stays in this but Myles ROCKS him! Myles UPPERCUTS Hank, then he jumps up and rains down fists! Hank pops Myles into a HOTSHOT, then tags Tank. Tank runs up to scoop Myles, but Myles slips free into a SLEEPER!
Tank backs Myles up, Inamura tags in and he CHOPS Tank! Then he JABS Myles! And repeat! Briggs tags in, he BOOTS Heights, Inamura fires off more shots! Briggs tells Inamura to keep that up, and he SPLASHES Hank! Then he SPLASHES Heights! SHOTGUN for Hank! SHOTGUN for Heights! Inamura fires off more shots, then he and Briggs whip Tank. Tank cartwheels through!? And he DOUBLE CROSSBODIES! The fans fire up with Tank, then he runs up to SPLASH Briggs! Myles tags in, Tank whips Briggs, Briggs dodges Tank but Myles dodges Briggs! Tank dodges Myles, then Tank dodges Briggs!
Myles UPPERCUTS Briggs, Tank goes up and up to FLYING CROSSBODY! Myles whips Tank, tags Heights, but Tank DUMPS Myles! Tank BOOTS Heights, tags Hank! Tank gives Hank the boost, SEATED SENTON onto Heights! The fans fire up with the “HONK! HONK!” But Briggs & Inamura drag Hank ‘n’ Tank out! They brawl, Briggs FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES Myles! Hank ‘n’ Tank coordinate, then they “HONK HONK!” Hank ‘n’ Tank BIG BELLY SANDWICH Myles on the outside! The fans fire up as Hank runs at Heights, but into an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Hank survives and the fans fire up!
Wait, we can see Fraxiom in the perch! They’re enjoying the show as Heights HAMMERS Hank. Cover, TWO! Hank stays in this, and NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and NQCC has Tank! But Tank JAWBREAKERS Myles! Tank crawls for his corner, but Heights YANKS Hank down! Tank dodges Myles, and he hot tags Inamura! Inamura rallies on Myles, then short arm LARIATS! Inamura whips Myles to a corner, then scoop shim on the rebound, SPINNIIIIIING POWERSLAM! The fans fire up and Inamura hauls Myles up. Inamura whips Myles to the corner, SPLASHES, and Briggs tags in. Inamura bumps Myles off buckles, then runs to BLAST Heights off the apron! Briggs BOOTS Hank, then he whips Inamura in to SPLASH Myles! Briggs then BOOTS Myles!
Heights is back, but he gets a SIDEWALK SLAM and SPLASH! The fans fire up for Briggs, he runs, but Hank sneaks a tag! Myles DROPKICKS Briggs, Hank runs up! Myles hits the ORTON POWERSLAM! Tag to Heights, Tank runs up, they each dodge, but then they DOUBLE CROSSBODY, and they fall on Hank! Hank catching strays! Heights covers, Inamura & Briggs break it! The fans fire up for “NXT! NXT!” Dempsey & Wren coach their guys up, and Heights fires hands with Hank. They go back and forth, the fans rally and duel, and Hank windmills away on Heights! Heights ROCKS Hank, but Hank BOOTS Heights!
Briggs tags off Heights before Heights LARIATS Hank! Briggs steps in, Heights dodges Hank and Briggs BOOTS Hank! Then he runs but now Hank dodges, Briggs BOOTS Heights! Hank BOOTS Briggs, Heights LARIATS Hank! Briggs SHOTGUNS Heights! Briggs BOOTS Hank into a corner! The fans are fired up as Briggs pumps up, choke grips Hank, and MAYHEM BOMB!! Cover, HEIGHTS & MYLES BREAK IT! They mug Briggs, Tank DIVES onto them all! The fans are thunderous, and Hank goes up?! “HONK HONK” CROSSBODY! Hank wipes out everyone, then he puts Briggs in! Wheelbarrow and BUBBA BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?
The fans can’t believe it and neither can Hank! “This is Awesome!” as Briggs finds a way to survive. Hank goes to the apron, then he goes back up a corner. Briggs sputters, staggers, but he manages to ROCK Hank first. Briggs climbs up, he choke grips Hank, but Hank fires elbows! Hank SHOVES Briggs down, adjusts, and he LEAPS! Briggs dodges, tag to Inamura! CLOTHESLINE FROM HELL, and then Briggs BLASTS NQCC off the apron! Inamura fires himself up for the GREAT RUSH FROG SPLASH!! Cover, Briggs & Inamura win!
Winners: Josh Briggs & Yoshiki Inamura, by pinfall
A big win for the newest duo, and Nathan Frazer has a mic to say alright! That’s what he’s talking about, lads! Congrats! Axiom says yeah, Briggs is one of the most underrated guys in NXT, legitimately. And Inamura, they can see what the hype was about. But after tonight, they deserve their chance at these tag titles. They wanted it, and the problem is, they’ve got it. So see you at VENGEANCE DAY! Saturday got that much bigger, but will Fraxiom be able to #NeverSlowDown when they take on Briggs & Inamura? Or are they about to run into a couple of brick rules?
The D’Angelo Family talks backstage.
Tony D is with Stacks, Luca, Rizzo… and Izzi Dame… Luca says it’ll be another big night for The Don, and Rizzo says yeah, The Don always steps up. Stacks says he and Tony have been on different pages these days, and he wants to apologize. He’s just been stuck in his own head, thinking about how to handle things on his own, like Tony said. Tony doesn’t wanna do things without the family, but- Tony says relax, Stacks. They’re good. He meant what he said, though. It is a cage match, so he has to do this alone. But hey, Luca knows, Rizzo knows, and even Izzi knows. We’re all good. But what do they always say? FOGEDABOUTIT~!
Stacks says yeah, okay, it’ll be good. Tony heads out to prepare, but will the cage be the least of his worries when he’s stuck in there with Ridge the Fridge?
NXT Heritage Cup Championship: Lexis King VS JDC!
The Drama King claims he never really turned over that new leaf, and now he is fully embracing being his father’s son. But will that help him when he’s thrown away the Heritage Cup rules to do this first fall to a finish? Or will Johnny “Dango” Curtis take this NXT trophy with him to TNA?
The introductions are made, the cup is raised, and we see if The King succeeds doing things his way!
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, go around, and JDC arm-drags King. King gets up in a huff, and the two reset. They feel things out, King waistlocks, and he SLAMS JDC down. King facelocks, and he rolls with JDC as JDC tries to roll free. JDC fights up, King wrenches, but JDC wrenches to WRING King! King gets up but JDC arm-drags! JDC has the cording hold, but King scrambles around. King fights up, but JDC cranks the hold. King puts JDC in a corner, the ref counts, but King fakes a punch! JDC flinches, King tosses his hair to taunt JDC, but JDC CHOPS! and CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
King goes to a corner, JDC CHOPS again! JDC whips, King reverses, but JDC goes up and sunset flips! TWO! King swings, but into a wrench and backslide, ONE! King KNEES JDC! JDC flops out of the ring, the fans boo, but King goes back to his corner. King mocks the Heritage Cup rules by “refreshing” himself, dabbing away the sweat, but JDC rolls him up! TWO! JDC LARIATS King up and out, then he PLANCHAS! Direct hit and the fans fire up! JDC touches the Cup, the fans are behind him and TNA, but NXT goes picture in picture.
JDC uses a towel to dab sweat from his brow now, then he CHOPS King! King staggers and sputters, JDC ROCKS him again. JDC puts King in the ring, but King slips out the side. JDC follows, but King RAMS him into the apron! And then he hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX! JDC hobbles and falls, but King is right on him. King puts JDC in the ring, hurries after him, and KNEES him in the side! King rains down fists, then knuckle lock covers, TWO! King holds onto the hands and he drags JDC up for a back suplex BACKBREAKER! JDC writhes, King mocks the Dango dance, then he slaps JDC around.
King pie faces JDC, JDC SLAPS King! King KNEES low, CLUBS JDC, then CHOPS! JDC goes to a corner, King brings him around and bumps him off buckles. King digs his boots in, but stops as the ref counts. King soaks up heat, but JDC CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! King ROCKS JDC, whips, then kitchen sink knees! King KICKS JDC in the back! King then runs to CROWNING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! King is still on JDC with a wristlock, then he scrapes his sole off JDC’s face. King hauls JDC up to whip him corner to corner, then he LARIATS! And CHOPS! King then scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!
JDC toughs it out, but King clamps onto him with a motorcycle stretch. JDC endures, fights up, and he turns things around, only for King to turn it back around! King CLUBS JDC, put shim in a corner, and then whips corner to corner. NXT returns to single picture as the fans still rally for JDC. King soaks up the heat, then CHOPS! King whips JDC corner to corner, but JDC ELBOWS him away! JDC goes up, but King avoids the missile dropkick! King grabs a leg, works to turn JDC, but JDC KICKS free! JDC CHOPS, and CHOPS, and whips. King reverses, then he rolls JDC into the HALF CRAB! JDC endures, crawls, reaches out, but King drags him back!
King stomps away on JDC, KICKS him, then lets go to throw a forearm down! Cover, TWO! King grows frustrated with JDC, but the fans rally up. King stands JDC up, whips him to ropes, then ROCKS him in the back! The fans boo King, but King just soaks it up. King stands JDC up again, but JDC LARIATS him down! King and JDC go to corners, then JDC runs up! UPPERCUT! JDC runs again to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT! RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! The fans rally up, JDC brings King around, suplex and FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! King survives and bails out to the apron! JDC builds speed to FLY! Direct hit on King!
The fans fire up as JDC gets King up and into the ring! JDC climbs a corner, and he SUPER LEG DROPS! Cover, TWO?!? King survives and the fans argue, “That Was Three!” JDC climbs again, but King hits the ropes! That trips JDC up, and King drags him along the ropes! SUPER CORONATION!! Cover, King wins!
Winner: Lexis King, by pinfall (still NXT Heritage Cup Champion)
King may have thrown out the Heritage Cup rules, but he didn’t throw away his book of dirty tricks! But a win is a win as far as he’s concerned. Will the Drama King ever be humbled?
Bayley talks with Ava backstage.
Bayley says Ava’s doing a great job. Bayley is now going to get her hands on Cora at Vengeance Day, too. But now Roxie storms in so she can complain about how her chances just went down in that match! Ava says Roxie should’ve thought about that before she went out there. Bayley says yes, she really should have. Is this all Roxie does? Just whine and complain? Roxie says regardless, she’ll become a record-breaking THREE-TIME Women’s Champion! Bayley says good luck with that. Also, she kinda likes Roxie in the Hugger gear. Best she’s looked, “you ugly little idiot.” Bayley leaves, and Cora steps in.
Cora asks Roxie what was she just saying, and Roxie says it was nothing. Just that there will be a new champion on Saturday. Yeah, Cora agrees. And it’ll be Cora. Roxie said it herself, it is finally Cora’s turn to win the NXT Women’s Championship, and Roxie gets to be right there to see it. Cora leaves, Roxie says, “Yeah right. Over my dead body.” Ava raises an eyebrow at that, but then looks away before Roxie sees. Will that be what it takes to stop The Prodigy from taking the title back? Or will NXT truly enter the Generation of Jade?
Fatal Influence walks ‘n’ talks backstage.
They know Stephanie Vaquer is good, but there’s also strength in numbers. And none of them thinks Vaquer has any friends. Well, maybe Giulia, but she’s got her hands full that night, too. Kelani Jordan walks in and she knew she’d find them here. If Fallon keeps the Women’s North American Championship past Saturday, Kelani wants next. Fallon says yeah, nice try, but she already had her rematch, remember? Well, Fallon didn’t face this Kelani? Jacy says Kelani should be more worried about Jaida Parker. And speaking of, Miss Parker steps in. And Jaida says she appreciates that, cuz that’s facts. Kelani stays thinking about Jaida 24/7.
Kelani says no, not really. Jaida says don’t lie to yourself, baby girl. Because unfortunately for Miss Thang, Jaida doesn’t have any time to be focused on her. She is focused on the Women’s North American Championship, though, so best believe Jaida has next. Ashante THEE Adonis walks in, says pause and rewind. His girl, Karmen, beat Jaida and Kelani. So the only woman deserving the shot is the “Gold Blooded Queen,” Karmen Petrovic. Kelani and Jaida both scoff at that, and Fallon says she won’t deal with this crap. They can figure that out themselves. Fatal Influence leaves, but will it even be Fallon’s gold after Vaquer’s through with her?
Zaria w/ Sol Ruca VS Nikkita Lyons!
The Agent of Change and the Sol Surfer are ready to turn the tide and ride the wave of momentum as a team, but the prideful Lyons thinks otherwise. Will Nikkita get herself going again with a win here tonight? Or will Zaria be the one teaching Lyons a lesson?
NXT returns as Zaria makes her entrance, Sol by her side. The bell rings, Zaria steps to Lyons, and Lyons fires the first forearm! Zaria comes back with a forearm, they go back and forth, faster and faster, then Zaria BOOTS and DISCUS LARIATS! And LARITS! And BOOTS! Lyons staggers, Zaria waistlocks, but Lyons fights the lift. Lyons hip checks free then GERMAN SUPLEXES Zaria! Lyons goes up, up, but Zaria stops her! Zaria CLUBS Lyons, gets under her, and Lyons holds onto ropes, but not for long! Lyons hurries to RANA free! Lyons gets up but Zaria ducks the kick! GERMAN SUPLEX! Lyons flounders and the fans fire up!
Lyons goes to ropes, Zaria goes to the other side. Both women rise up, the fans duel, and both women roar! They run up to DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither falls, so they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Lyons then dodges to THRUST KICK! Cover, TWO! Zaria survives, but Lyons clamps onto her for a CAMEL CLUTCH! Zaria endures as Lyons pulls her back! And does the splits! Sheik never did it like that…! But Zaria still fights up, carries Lyons as a backpack, and she hits a BACKPACK SENTON! The fans fire up while Zaria goes to a corner. Zaria runs up, but Lyons KNEES her down! Lyons goes up, up, and VADER BOMB FLOPS!
Zaria reloads, and she runs up, SPEAR!! Then the fireman’s carry! DELTA FORCE 5! Cover, Zaria wins!
Winner: Zaria, by pinfall
Sol celebrates alongside her teammate as she brings down the Big Cat! Will these two become even stronger as a duo until they’re the ones with the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships?
Ethan Page speaks.
“I’ve been told Je’Von Evans is medically cleared for our match this Saturday at Vengeance Day. I can’t say I’m surprised. You’re pretty resilient. But you lead with your heart, and not your head. You have a long career ahead of you. Multiple championship title reigns. Potential of being the Face of NXT. Maybe even all of WWE. But you can’t help yourself, can you, Je’Von? You’re willing to risk it all just to get your hands on me. Kid, you’ve got a million dollar smile, and a ten cent brain. What’s about to happen to you is not my fault. You’ve got a giant bull’s eye on your jaw, and this time, I’m not gonna break it, Je’Von, I’m gonna shatter it.
“You thought Lowell, Mass was bad? This Saturday, it’ll be ten times worse. Je’Von, you’re looking for vengeance? After Saturday, the only thing you’ll be looking for is a new career. Because I plan to end yours.” All Ego is going All Psycho again, but will Je’Von be the hero that brings down this villain?
There’s a Roadblock up ahead!
On Tuesday, March 11th, NXT goes to The Theater in Madison Square Garden! It’ll be the last chance to change course before Stand & Deliver on WrestleMania Weekend, who will be the champions after NXT hits the Big Apple?
Trick Williams is here!
Sarah Schreiber interviews the former NXT Champion up in the perch, and says Eddy challenged him to the Strap Match. It’s his call, so what’s his response? Trick tells Eddy, if he wants the Strap Match, then he’s got it! Eddy cost Trick the NXT Championship! Eddy’s out here, running his mouth, and that’s fine. But here’s what they’ll do about it. Trick and Eddy are gonna have that Strap Match! Eddy will have to look Trick eye to eye, man to man, and then Trick will whoop dat ass. Will Trick have his vengeance on Eddy this Saturday?
RICKY STARKS IS HERE?!
“Ohh~ this feels right!” The Absolute surprises everyone by sneaking in from the back!! The former AEW star, the DEFY Wrestling Champion, is now in NXT!! The fans are going nuts, and Starks says they obviously know who he is. And if NXT is the future of pro-wrestling, then guess what? You need an absolute star of the future! And if this is the hottest brand, then you need the hottest free agent, baby. The fans cheer that! Starks says do not let the handsome face and expensive fragrance fool you, he is here to turn this place upside-down! And everybody’s been begging him the question, “When will the revolution be televised again?”
Well, he’s here, ain’t he? Starks poses, the fans cheer more, and the future is now absolute! But how quickly can Starks rise to the top here in not just NXT, but ALL of WWE?
Giulia talks with Stephanie Vaquer.
The NXT Women’s Champion wishes Vaquer good luck for Saturday, and Vaquer thanks her friend, and says good luck back. After Vaquer wins the North American title, there is only one place left to go. Giulia nods, and then Ridge walks by. He nods to the ladies, then makes his way to gorilla. Will La Primera be just as golden as The Beautiful Madness after Saturday? Will Ridge be golden after the main event tonight? We find out, after the break!
Andre Chase walks the halls.
He still seems rather disheveled, but Kale Dixon finds him again and brings it in for a handshake. How’s it going, man? Chase says he’s fine, but asks what’s going on here. Kale says this is pregame, because it is about to get lit. But wait, Chase needs to meet Uriah. Uriah Connors, meet Mr. Chase! Connors is honored to meet Mr. Chase, and says it sounds like Chase knows how to have fun. Wanna come out with them? Chase thanks them for the invite, but says he can’t, not on a school night. Wait, school? Didn’t Chase U die? Kale says don’t say that, man! Chase says Connors is right, though. Chase U is dead. Just… Old habits die hard.
Chase leaves, and both Kale & Connors feel bad now. But then Connors says they’ll see about that. Could that school spirit be revived?
NXT North American Championship Steel Cage Match: Tony D’Angelo VS Ridge Holland!
The D’Angelo Family became the new target of Yorkshire Grit, all because of the gold around The Don’s waist. And for whatever reason, Izzi Dame helped Tony retain once, only to suggest this very stipulation for the rematch! Will Tony survive the It Girl raising the stakes? Or will he be put on ice by Ridge the Fridge?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the cage door is locked because there’s NO escape! Time to see who survives the steel to hold the gold!
The bell rings and both men run up! They both ROCK each other with forearms, then run back up to ROCK each other again! Ridge throws a haymaker, Tony fires back, and repeat! Ridge kicks Tony’s bad leg, CLUBS him on the back, then runs him at the wall, only for Tony to stop himself from hitting steel! Tony fires body shots, then he pushes Ridge at the wall, only for Ridge to stop himself. Ridge fires body shots in return, but Tony fires haymakers! Tony fires body shots, then whips, only for Ridge to reverse. Tony comes back to CLOBBER Ridge! The fans fire up and Tony brings Ridge up. Tony fires up, and he fires body shots!
The fans cheer the hockey scrum, and then Tony hits a HALF HATCH PLEX! Cover, TWO! Ridge goes to ropes but Tony storms up after him. Tony brings Ridge around, fires more body shots, but Ridge wrenches and KNEES low! The fans boo but Ridge UPPERCUTS Tony! Ridge stalks Tony but Tony fires haymakers! Tony whips, Ridge bounces off buckles, and Tony LARIATS him down! The fans cheer and Tony stands Ridge up. Ridge fights the bearhug with a THUMB to the eye! The fans boo, but Ridge KICKS Tony to ropes. Ridge runs in, but Tony TOSSES him at the steel! Ridge rises but Tony runs in, only for Ridge to dodge! Now Tony crashes into steel!
The fans boo and the ref checks Tony, but Ridge grins. Tony is okay, but stuck between ropes and steel, while NXT goes picture in picture.
Ridge drags himself up, and then he stomps away on Tony! Ridge drags Tony up, then turns him around, to UPPERCUT Tony in the back! Tony is sent into the steel, but Ridge pulls him back. Ridge UPPERCUTS Tony again, and again! Tony flops down, Ridge drags him to a cover, TWO! Tony is still in this but Ridge stays calm. Ridge stretches out his back, then drags Tony up to TOSS him into the steel! Ridge then drags Tony up to TOSS him into more steel! Tony stagger sup, but Ridge DECKS him! Ridge drops a Regal Knee, then he drags Tony up again. Ridge scoops Tony, takes aim, but Tony slips free! Tony SHOVES Ridge into steel, then rolls him up, TWO!
Tony hurries to fire hands and kicks on Ridge! Tony whips, Ridge reverses, and Ridge pops Tony up to a fireman’s carry! SNAKE EYES! Tony flops back, Ridge huffs ‘n’ puffs, and he storms back over to Tony. Ridge drags Tony up to OVERHEAD SUPLEX again! Tony flounders, Ridge paces, and then Ridge drops onto the cover. TWO, but Ridge looms over Tony. Ridge makes sure the Family is watching as he fires crossface forearms and then an ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Tony toughs it out, but Ridge clamps on a cobra clutch as NXT returns to single picture. The fans rally up for Tony, the Family coaches Tony, but Ridge ripcords and CLOBBERS Tony!
Ridge clamps back onto Tony with the cobra clutch. The fans rally again while Tony endures. Ridge thrashes Tony around, but Tony fights up to JAWBREAKER free! But Ridge returns to LARIAT Tony down! Cover, TWO! Ridge rains down fists on Tony, no room to breathe! The fans boo but Ridge paces around. Ridge goes up the corner, but the ref explains there are no escapes in this match. Tony springs up after Ridge, but Ridge SHOVES Tony down! Ridge adjusts position, takes a breath, and then DIVING HEADBUTT FLOPS! The fans fire up as Tony avoids disaster! Tony storms up on Ridge to then TOSS him into steel!
Tony TOSSES Ridge into another wall, and another wall, and then the fourth wall! Tony clinches for a BELLY2BELLY! The fans fire up, and Tony clinches again, BELLY2BELLY! Tony hauls Ridge up again, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Ridge survives but the Family coaches Tony up again. Tony waits on Ridge as Ridge slowly gets up. Ridge stands, Tony runs up, but into a BOOT! The fans boo but Ridge scoops, NORTHERN GRIT!! Cover, TWO?!? Tony survives and Ridge can’t believe it! The fans rally for Tony more, but Ridge is right on him. Tony fires a haymaker, Ridge fires it back!
The shots go back and forth, then Ridge HEADBUTTS! Tony wobbles, Ridge winds up, but Tony almost slips through! Tony at least muffled the damage, then kicks low! Tony reels Ridge in, gets him up, BOMB INTO THE STEEL!! Ridge scrapes the steel, and then staggers up, into a SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!!! Ridge survives and Tony is shocked! Wait, Izzi is suddenly ringside again, and she brings out the crowbar! Well, no disqualifications in this kind of match, but Stacks tells Izzi to stop that! Izzi says she’s just trying to help! Stacks says yeah, good point, and he slips the crowbar in after all.
Izzi rolls her eyes at Stacks, he could’ve just let her do it. But Tony does see the bar, only for Ridge to also see it! Both men grab the crowbar, and they tug-o-war! Ridge HEADBUTTS Tony, then CROWBAR BODY SHOTS! Then Ridge CRACKS Tony in the back with the crowbar! Ridge puts the crowbar in his armband, CROWBAR LARIAT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Tony survives and no one can believe it!! Ridge is furious, but he has the bar again! Ridge tells Tony to look to his Family and tell them he’s failed! But Tony CLAWS Ridge’s eyes!! The fans cheer as Tony gets even, CROWBAR CRACK! SPINEBUSTER!! Cover, TONY WINS!!
Winner: Tony D’Angelo, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
The Family and the NXT fans all cheer that The Don just survived one hell of a fight! The cage door is opened so they can go inside to join Tony, but Ridge CLOBBERS Stacks & Luca! Then he DOUBLE LARIATS! They brawl 2v1, Stacks & Luca chase Ridge backstage! Izzi & Rizzo help Tony up, but wait! Shawn Spears and his crew have shown up! Izzi grabs the crowbar while Rizzo shuts the door! Rizzo tells Spears, Jensen & Vance to leave them alone! But then Izzi CRACKS Tony with the crowbar!! Rizzo is shocked, but then she lets go of the door! Spears, Jensen & Vance get in, and they shut the door! Izzi hits Rizzo with the VOLLEYBALL SPIKE CHOKE SLAM!!
The Chair Man and The It Girl smile, as their plan has succeeded! Spears has his chair, but Jensen & Vance mug Tony first! The fans boo but Spears has his men stand back. Then Spears SMACKS away on Tony with the chair! Spears gives Jensen the chair to set it down, and Spears climbs up. Vance hauls Tony up to put on Spears’ shoulders! But wait, Stacks & Luca return! Only for Jensen to SMACK Stacks off the steel using the chair! Vance BLASTS Luca, too! And then Spears grins as it’s back to what he has planned. Luca shouts don’t do it, but too late! SUPER FULL METAL C4!!!! The fans boo as hard as they can, but the damage is done!
Spears and his squad stand over The Don, and their target is clear. Will they not only take the NXT North American Championship, but tear down the D’Angelo Family once and for all?
Vengeance rules the day.
But as the hype package finishes up, we get more glimpses at those mysterious four from last week. Various skull masks, but that’s all we get. Who are they? And what do they have planned for NXT?
My Thoughts:
A great, maybe even awesome NXT, especially for a go-home. Granted, a lot of expected story developments, but all done in very exciting ways. Bayley VS Cora was a very good opening match, and it was incredibly clever for Roxie to taunt Bayley with her original gimmick. I guess Roxie just thought she and Bayley would brawl to give Bayley the win by disqualification, but then Cora wins and tada, Fatal 4 Way. That part was clear when Cora threw a fit last week, and the Women’s Championship match will be even greater now. I still feel like Giulia finds a way to win, because she can pit Roxie and Cora against each other, and Bayley’s a main roster star, she doesn’t need this title.
Good promo from Fatal Influence with Kelani, Jaida and Adonis on Karmen’s behalf. Kelani VS Jaida VS Karmen will be a really good Triple Threat, but c’mon, it has to be for Vaquer’s first challenger, not Fallon’s next. I would really hope Vaquer wins on Saturday, but between Fatal Influence and perhaps even Lola Vice going after her, there is a small chance Vaquer loses. Then after a very good steel cage match, I figured we’d get the reveal of Izzi’s true allegiance. I do appreciate this was a No Escape Cage Match. Bringing in the crowbar was a good touch, and you could just feel Izzi was going to hit Tony when she hung back. We’ll definitely get Six Man Tag, Mixed Six, maybe even a Mixed 8 Person, all to lead up to Tony VS Spears for the title.
Awesome Triple Threat Tag, and of course Briggs & Inamura won. Fraxiom giving them the tag title match for Vengeance Day is a little surprising, but why not? The tag title match can be a hot opener to get the fans going, as is the NXT standard formula. Maybe Briggs & Inamura win, and maybe they give Fraxiom a rematch at Roadblock since that’s coming back again. Also c’mon, that show is gonna have to be bordering on PLE status, it’ll be in The Theater at MSG, NYC. And very good promos from Eddy and Trick to set up a Strap Match, that thing could be a show stealer for how violent it’ll get.
Je’Von of course gets “medically cleared” for Vengeance Day, but we didn’t quite get the Unsanctioned match. A “Hold Harmless” contract is good stuff, but I would think Je’Von wins out to get revenge on Ethan. Too bad they released Cedric Alexander, or else he could be part of things on Saturday, such as distracting Ethan and celebrating with Je’Von. Well, I suppose Dante Chen could take that role since he was another of Ethan’s victims. And either way, Je’Von winning against Ethan should send Je’Von towards a title match. Of course, at this point, the Heritage Cup Championship is probably the one.
Lexis VS JDC was a great match, but I’m a little disappointed they went through with making it standard rules. Maybe that’s just while Lexis reigns, and someone restores the Heritage Cup Division rules after they beat Lexis. Very good promo segment from Oba with A-Town Down Under. I liked the trash talk Theory and Waller gave each other, but I suppose it also works that they mostly held it together as a team for tonight. The Triple Threat will be the real test, and I’m pretty sure Oba still retains, using Theory and Waller against each other.
Good promo from Zaria and Sol with Lyons to set up that match, and very good match from Zaria VS Lyons. Good win for Zaria, but I’m still not sure how this story between Zaria and Sol is supposed to go. The Chase U revival story is gaining some ground now that Kale brought in his friend, Uriah Connors. I’m still confused as to why they haven’t gotten the former Chase U members going. Sadly, they released Duke Hudson, despite him being good in the ring and fairly charismatic. There’s still hope for Thea Hail and maybe even Riley Osborne, if they’d just get them going again.
And then holy crap, it is happening! Ricky Starks was let out of his AEW contract, so he’s now here in NXT! A little odd he didn’t say his name, or that commentary and WWE social media have been coy about who he is, because it’s his legal name, “Richard Starks.” But maybe they just wanted to finalize some things before they formally introduced him as Ricky Starks full stop. Honestly, Ricky could and should jump right to the top title like Ethan Page did. The North American title is preoccupied in the Tony VS Spears thing, and the Heritage Cup is not good enough for Starks. Starks VS Oba would be some great stuff, really, maybe even Stand & Deliver worthy.
My Score: 8.9/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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