Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW WTL x BOSJ Results & Report! (11/29/20)
Best of the Super Juniors returns again!

Who will rock round six of the BOSJ?
As the round robin continues, three men stand at 4-1! Will Time Bomb, Bone Soldier or Grandmaster be leading the block after tonight?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yuya Uemura; Taguchi wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: El Desperado VS DOUKI; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: Master Wato VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: BUSHI VS Taiji Ishimori; Ishimori wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 27: Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Best of the Super Juniors 27 standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-1
Taiji Ishimori: 4-1
Master Wato: 4-1
El Desperado: 3-2
BUSHI: 3-2
SHO: 3-2
Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-3
Robbie Eagles: 2-3
DOUKI: 0-5
Yuya Uemura: 0-5
Ryusuke Taguchi VS Yuya Uemura!
The Funky Weapon is on the low end of the block now, but the Young Lion is still worse off. Will that change as the BSOJ enters the second half?
The fans cheer as Taguchi and Uemura show respect. The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Uemura gets a waistlock. Taguchi gets to ropes, the ref calls for the break, but Taguchi turns things around on Uemura. Taguchi shows haymaker, but he lets off. Uemura tackles him, goes after an arm, but Taguchi uses his legs to get free. Taguchi gets the ropes and Uemura lets go. Taguchi bails out and takes a moment to refocus. Taguchi returns, gets Uemura’s leg, but Uemura flips around to get the leg for a takedown. Uemura covers, ONE, but he keeps on an arm. Taguchi again uses his legs against Uemura and turns him to a cover, ONE.
Uemura flips Taguchi over and has the arms, but Taguchi fights free of that to get legs. High stack cover, but Uemura keeps a shoulder up. Taguchi wants the ankle but Uemura gets one of Taguchi’s. Taguchi goes right up to chicken wing but Uemura turns it over. They both end up in ropes and fans cheer as the two break. Fans rally as Taguchi and Uemura reset. Uemura gets a leg, drags Taguchi down but Taguchi scrambles away to the ropes. Uemura drags Taguchi from ropes, has the leg, passes through the guard and goes after an arm. Taguchi moves around but Uemura adds a headlock. Taguchi makes it a cover, TWO and Uemura stays on the headlock.
Uemura grinds, Taguchi powers up and pries free to a wristlock. Taguchi goes to hook a leg but Uemura stays up. Taguchi manages the takedown, and gets OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Uemura gets ropes while fans cheer, and Taguchi lets go at 3. Taguchi rubs the Funky Weapon in Uemura’s face, and even takes a breather as he sits on Uemura. Taguchi runs to hip attack at the ropes! And again! But Uemura dropkicks Taguchi down on the third! Fans cheer as both men are down! Taguchi gets to a corner, Uemura hurries over and stomps away. Uemura throws forearms, then whips Taguchi corner to corner for a back elbow! Uemura keeps going, corner to corner again for a dropkick! Taguchi flops down, Uemura stack covers, TWO!
Fans rally as Uemura fires up. Uemura gets the legs but Taguchi scrambles to the ropebreak! Uemura lets go to stomp away! Fans rally, Uemura drags Taguchi up, Taguchi CHOPS back! Taguchi dropkicks the leg out, OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Uemura scrambles, Taguchi drags him back but Uemura reverses to an ANKLE LOCK! Taguchi rolls, but into the BOSTON CRAB! Fans cheer as Uemura sits back deep! Taguchi endures, powers up, crawls, but Uemura drags him away! Taguchi tries again and gets the ropebreak! Uemura lets go fast to catch his breath. Fans rally as Uemura drags Taguchi up in a waistlock. Taguchi fights out with elbows then switches, but Uemura switches. Taguchi switches and hits a reverse DDT! Cover, TWO!
Taguchi drags Uemura up, suplexes, uno amigo! Dos amigos! THREE AMIGOS! Cover, TWO! Fans rally and Taguchi manages a kip up! Taguchi goes to a corner, powers up and takes aim, “ORAYO!” But Uemura rolls the Bumaye up to a cover! TWO!! Taguchi kicks low but runs into Uemura’s arm-drag! Taguchi headscissors to drag Uemura down, OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Uemura reaches as fans rally, but Taguchi cranks harder on the ankle! Taguchi drags Uemura away but Uemura hits an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Taguchi rolls and makes it a cover, TWO!! Uemura still has the arm but Taguchi gets another ropebreak!
Uemura lets go, fires up and drags Taguchi up to wrench. Uemura clamps on an arm but Taguchi throws forearms. Uemura throws a forearm, Taguchi gives it back! Uemura throws another forearm, Taguchi again gives it back. They go back and forth, fans build up to a rally as they pick up speed! Taguchi gets the edge, Uemura fires up to give it all back! Uemura roars and runs, but Taguchi follows, only for the hip attack to be caught! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Uemura keeps on Taguchi as he traps the arms. Taguchi rolls to get OH MY ANKLE LOCK! Uemura scrambles, reaches, but Taguchi drags him back!
Uemura still moves around, but Taguchi reels him in to chicken wing! DODON- No, victory roll! TWO! Taguchi has the cover, TWO!! OH MY ANKLE! Uemura scrambles, reaches, Taguchi drags him to drop an elbow on the leg! Taguchi ties up Uemura’s legs, OH MY GOD ANKLE DEATHLOCK!! Uemura taps, Taguchi wins!
Winner: Ryusuke Taguchi, by submission; now 3-3, Uemura is now 0-6
Needless to say, the Young Lion is out of the running. But will the Funky Weapon still have what it takes to take the block?
El Desperado VS DOUKI!
Suzuki-Gun VS Suzuki-Gun? How will this go when Desperado still has an outside shot at the finals?
Desperado and Douki stare down even before the bell, and fans rally up with the bell. Desperado and Douki circle, tie up, and Douki waistlocks. Desperado switches, slams Douki then flips him but Douki arm-drags back. Desperado sweeps, covers, ONE! Douki moves around but Desperado facelocks. Desperado flips Douki around again but Douki arm-drags again. Desperado sunset filps, pops it to a prawn hold, TWO! Desperado keeps Douki down with floating and rear mount, then he gets an arm. Douki avoids the chinlock but Desperado headlocks. Douki pushes on the mask and facelocks but Desperado slips out to wrench the arm.
Desperado has the wristlock to knuckle lock, and he whips to wring Douki out. They ram shoulders, things speed up, and Douki hurdles to arm-drag! Fans cheer as Douki dropkicks Desperado out! Douki runs and fakes Desperado out with a handspring! Fans cheer as Desperado realizes what happened. Desperado kicks railing in frustration and then he talks some trash on Douki. Douki waits in the ring but Desperado dares him to try that again. Douki rushes outside and the two start brawling! The ref reprimands and tells them to get in the ring but Douki gets the edge. Desperado pokes Douki in the eye! Desperado has Douki’s pipe, shoves the ref aside, but Douki kicks low!
Douki has the pipe now and Desperado tells him no! Douki SMACKS Desperado with the pipe! Fans cheer as Douki chokes Desperado with the pipe! The ref returns and reprimands, and Douki lets go of the pipe. Douki stalks Desperado and stomps him! Douki wrenches and whips Desperado into railing! Fans cheer while Desperado goes down in a heap. A ring count starts and Douki stalks Desperado. Douki drags Desperado up at 10 of 20, puts him in at 14, and fans cheer as this continues in the ring. Douki stomps Desperado, talks trash back, but Desperado throws forearms! Douki rakes Desperado’s eyes! Fans cheer as Douki looms over Desperado.
Douki stands on Desperado’s head and taunts him! The ref counts, Douki lets off at 3, then drags Desperado up. Douki whips Desperado to ropes, elbows him down then covers, ONE! Douki keeps his cool as he drags Desperado back up. Douki reels Desperado in, suplexes, but Desperado fights it off. Douki keeps trying but Desperado keeps resisting. Douki rakes Desperado’s eyes again! But Desperado suplexes Douki! Fans fire up as both men go to opposite corners. Desperado runs in corner to corner, blocks a boot and puts the leg on the ropes, to dropkick the other leg! Desperado grabs the other leg, for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW!
Douki hobbles and falls, Desperado gets the leg for a STRETCH MUFFLER! Douki flails and reaches to get the ropebreak! Desperado cranks harder but lets go at the ref’s order. Fans rally up but Desperado stands on Douki’s head to scrape his face. Desperado reels Douki in, Guitarra, but Douki slips out! Desperado CHOPS Douki, talks trash, but Douki CHOPS back! Fans cheer but Desperado throws a forearm. Douki throws the forearm back! They go back and forth and fans rally up! Douki gets the edge, Desperado kicks the bad leg! Douki uppercuts and doubles Desperado over! Douki runs but Desperado SPINEBUSTERS! To the STRETCH MUFFLER!
Desperado gets the arm for NUMERO DOS! And he leans HARD on the hold! Douki endures, moves around, reaches, and gets the ropebreak! The fans cheer as Douki survives, but Desperado doesn’t let up. Desperadop drops knees on the leg, then drags him away for another knee drop. Douki clutches the knee, fans rally up, but Desperado splashes down on the leg! Stretch Muffler, but Douki rolls to a cradle, TWO!! Desperado kicks the bad leg, but Douki jumps the dropkick! ITALIAN STRETCH #32! Desperado endures while fans rally up and Douki pulls on the arms! Desperado gets to his feet, Douki drags him back down to put the Italian Stretch on again!
Desperado endures but Douki has him down on the mat. Desperado fights his way up, and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Douki lets go at 4, and fans rally up. Douki stalks Desperado and slashes the throat. Douki goes to the apron, aims as Desperado rises, and slingshots for DAY- NO! Desperado holds Douki up to then put him back on the apron! Desperado rushes in but Douki dumps him to the apron! They both sand, Douki ENZIGURIS! Desperado wobbles, holding onto the ropes. Douki hits an APRON MONKEY FLIP! Desperado crashes down and the fans fire up!
The ref checks and Desperado is okay to continue, but Douki climbs up the corner?! Douki LEAPS, DOUKI BOMB!! Both men are down and fans fire up! The ring count begins and reaches 5 of 20 before either stirs. The count is 10 of 20 as Douki gets up and Douki drags himself in at 14. Desperado hears 15 and gets up, hurries over and is in at 18! Douki goes back to the apron to aim again. Slingshot for DAYBREAK! Cover, TWO!! Desperado survives and fans fire up again! Douki fires up and he reels Desperado into the wheelbarrow. Full nelson but Desperado victory rolls, to STRETCH MUFFLER! And NUMERO DOS! Douki flails, reaches, but Desperado rolls him away to get BOTH arms! Douki verbally quits, Desperado wins!
Winner: El Desperado, by submission; now 4-2, Douki is now 0-6
Douki is eliminated from the running while Desperado is moving up! Will he be able to break away from the pack and be THE Best of the Super Juniors?
Master Wato w/ Hiroyoshi Tenzan VS SHO!
The two young, bright stars of the Junior Heavyweight Division finally face off, and at a very pivotal moment in this round robin! Will the Way of the Grandmaster be the one to shock High Voltage?
The bell rings and Sho circles with Wato. Wato tests the waters with kicks, but Sho stays back. Sho tries kicks of his own but Wato evades. Sho shoots in, uses a leg guard while going for a leg but Wato avoids the takedown. Fans cheer as the two reset. Wato deflects a boot, Sho ducks a kick, they each block a kick. Wato avoids the sweep and Sho avoids the Dreamcast Kick! Fans cheer as the two reset again and circle. Sho blocks a kick to waistlock but Wato elbows free. Wato runs, Sho ducks down and things speed up. Wato hurdles, back elbows and back hands, to KICK Sho down! Sho bails out, Wato runs but Sho gets away.
Wato redirects, slingshots but lands on the apron when Sho slides in. Wato kicks Sho away, springboards but Sho gets under! Sho is in the corner, he puts Wato on the apron to sweep the leg! Sho runs side to side to dropkick Wato down! Fans fire up, Sho goes to the apron and he Penalty Kicks Wato’s arm! Sho lets things cool off before he fetches Wato. Sho wristlocks and wrenches Wato to put him in the ring. Fans cheer as Sho stomps Wato down then brings him up to whip to ropes and elbow him down! Sho KICKS Wato in the back, then drags him up to wrench the arm again. Sho hammerlocks, then throws Wato down to keylock the arm into the mat. Sho stands on the arm to then stomp it!
Fans rally up and Sho drags Wato back into an armlock and wrench. Sho has the cording hold but Wato throws hands. Sho wrenches that arm to have the arm pretzel and STO! Cover, TWO! Sho still has the arm for a double wristlock! Wato endures and fans rally up but Sho keeps cranking the Kimura! Wato gets a ropebreak with a leg and Sho lets off fast. Sho taunts Wato and Wato CHOPS! Sho eggs him on, Wato CHOPS more! Wato throws forearms but Sho KICKS the bad arm! Sho drags Wato up, suplexes but Wato slips out to waistloick. Sho blocks another kick then whips Wato to the corner. Wato boots Sho, runs and huricanranas!
Sho bails out and fans fire up as Wato builds speed. Wato TORNILLO! Fans fire up as they crash down at railing! Wato gets up and fans rally behind him. The ring count starts but Wato gets in Sho in at 5 of 20. Wato aims, springboards and flying uppercuts! Cover, TWO! Wato drags Sho up and wrenches to hook him up, but Sho powers out of the Mouse Trap! Wato sunset flips, Sho slips out to kick but Wato ducks! Wato rolls Sho to KICK him down! Wato runs and things speed up, Sho goes the other way to SPEAR Wato down! Fans rally up as both men stir. Sho gets up first and he drags Wato around to wrench, kick, kick and KICK!
Wato blocks the next kick but Sho drags him down to an ARMBAR! Wato endures, moves around, and gets the ropebreak with a leg. Sho lets go, drags Wato up, and hits an elbow breaker! Then another! And another! Sho KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Wato from all sides, but Wato glares at him to egg him on. Sho KICKS the bad arm but Wato grits his teeth. Wato blocks another kick, elbows the leg then fires off KICKS of his own! Wato boots Sho to ropes, then runs, but into a LARIAT! Sho runs but Wato DYNAMIC DROPKICKS! Fans fire up as Wato wrenches Sho and reels him in, but Sho pops Wato into the ARMBAR! Wato rolls to cover, TWO, DISARMER!
Wato endures the inverted armbar, moves around and gets the ropebreak again! Sho drags Wato up, crossarm but Wato huricanranas out! Cover, TWO! Sho runs but Wato dodges the knee, DREAMCAST KICK! Wato drags Sho up, wrenches and reels him in, MOUSE TRAP DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Sho survives and fans fire up but Wato puts Sho in a drop zone. Wato climbs up, aims, R P P FLOPS! Sho gets to the corner while fans rally up. Sho goes back to Wato, throws forearms but Wato throws forearms back. Sho forearms, Wato wobbles but forearms back. They go back and forth more as they stand up. Wato fires off more forearms, but Sho gives forearms from all sides! Fans fire up as Wato wobbles again!
Sho drags Wato up but Wato BACK HANDS! Wato runs, into Sho’s JUMPING KNEE! Sho runs, into a ROUNDHOUSE! But he comes back, only to get another ROUNDHOUSE! Sho goes down, Wato wobbles but fans fire up! Wato reels Sho in, scoops, TENZAN TOMB- NO! Sho slips out and shoves to CLOBBER Wato from behind! Sho runs, but Wato boots his lariat away. Wato dodges the next lariat, but not the THIRD LARIAT! Sho fires up and drags Wato around to reel him in! POWER BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Wato survives but Sho takes aim with the bow! Sho drags Wato back up, reels him back in and double pump handles, for SHOCK ARROW!! Cover, Sho wins!!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall; now 4-2, Wato is now 4-2
Water loses to electricity! Sho brings Wato down and they’re both 4-2, will this tiebreaker come into play down the line?
BUSHI VS Taiji Ishimori!
The Death Mask goes up against THE IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, still poised for a run at the top of the block! But will Bone Soldier Reborn make sure Bushi’s chances die right here?
Taiji takes aim at Bushi, and Bushi dropkicks Taiji down! Fans fire up as Bushi builds speed, the bell rings, but Taiji intercepts the dive with a kick! Bushi tumbles down, Taiji finally takes off his entrance gear, and he stomps Bushi down. Taiji drags Bushi up by his mask, wraps his arm around the railing and pulls! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Taiji lets go to BOOT the arm! Bushi tumbles down while fans cheer and Taiji stalks over. Taiji drags Bushi up, wrenches the bad arm then POSTS the shoulder! The ring count starts, Taiji goes back to Bushi and drags him up at 9 of 20. Taiji puts Bushi in at 14 and fans cheer that this continues in the ring. Cover but Red Shoes refuses because he saw everything.
Taiji stomps Bushi, pulls his shirt off and chokes him with it! That’s usually Bushi’s move! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Taiji stops at 3. Taiji uses the shirt in the armbar but Red Shoes counts, so Taiji lets go at 3. Taiji clubs Bushi then wrenches to snapmare, and ground wring out! Bushi clutches the elbow while fans cheer the creativity. Taiji traps the arm, and drops a knee on the elbow! And another! Taiji pulls on the arm, fans rally up and Bushi endures. Bushi moves around, Taiji pulls harder on the arm but Bushi refuses to quit. Bushi reaches, Taiji drops another knee, then stalks Bushi to ropes.
Taiji throws elbows, brings Bushi up in a cravat, then hooks a leg before he throws in shoulder after shoulder! Taiji snapmares Bushi and NECK TWISTS! Bushi writhes, Taiji covers, TWO! Bushi gets to a corner, Taiji drags him back up and rams him into the buckle pad! And again! And again! Bushi falls but Taiji covers, TWO! Fans rally up as Taiji looms over Bushi. Taiji drags Bushi up to whip but Bushi sunset flips! Taiji pops him up and around to a sunset flip, TWO! Taiji gets the crucifix pin, TWO! Taiji’s right on Bushi’s bad arm as fans rally up, and Taiji YANKS back on the arm! Bushi writhes but fans rally up again.
Taiji drags Bushi up but Bushi throws body shots. Taiji CHOPS Bushi to the corner and CHOPS again! Bushi flounders on the ropes but Bushi whips him corner to corner. Taiji runs in but Bushi boots him away! Bushi huricanranas Taiji down and fans fire up! Bushi drags Taiji up and throws fast forearms! Taiji throws one back then wrenches the bad arm to an elbow breaker! Bushi staggers to a corner, Taiji runs in but Bushi slips out to swing kick! Bushi goes up top and leaps, missile dropkick! And a Bushirooni, too! Taiji bails out, Bushi DIVES! Direct hit into railing! Fans fire up as Bushi rises.
Bushi drags Taiji up, puts him in and then takes aim from the corner. Bushi dropkicks a leg out, hits a DDT then covers, TWO! Fans rally as Bushi keeps his cool. Bushi drags Taiji up, puts him in the ropes and DRAPING BACKSTABBERS! Bushi aims from the corner again as Taiji rises, but Taiji denies the Code Breaker to roll Bushi to a YES LOCK! Bushi gets the ropebreak with a leg, Taiji lets off fast and fans rally up. Taiji drags Bushi back up, gut wrenches and hits the shoulder breaker! Then Taiji rolls Bushi back into the YES LOCK! Bushi endures as Taiji cranks on the hold! Fans rally up, Bushi crawls and reaches, little by little, and gets the ropebreak!
Taiji lets go but grows frustrated. Taiji takes aim, says BANG, then drags Bushi up. Bushi resists the half hatch to backslide, but Taiji slips out. Bushi dodges the knee, kicks and whips but Taiji handsprings for the NEURALIZER! Fans fire up as both men are down again! Bushi goes to one corner, Taiji goes to the other. Taiji runs corner to corner but Bushi puts him up on the rope! Bushi CHOPS and CHOPS and hops up, to then SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Both men are down but fans fire up again. Bushi sits up first and he drags Taiji up. Taiji spins out of the fisherman screw to knee low. Taiji runs, Bushi dropkicks him at the ropes!
Bushi goes to the apron and drags Taiji through, APRON DDT! Fans fire up as Bushi goes in and drags Taiji up. Bushi fireman’s carries but Taiji fights free. Bushi resists the suplex but the forearms start flying! Taiji forearms, Bushi forearms, faster and faster! Fans rally as they keep going, Bushi gets the edge and runs, into a BOOT! Taiji runs into an enziguri! Taiji returns but Bushi gets around him for a back suplex! Fans fire up for Bushi as he drags Taiji up, DESTROYER! Cover, TWO!! Taiji survives and fans rally again! Bushi goes to the corner, climbs up, and takes aim, but Taiji blocks MX! Taiji fireman’s, gut wrenches, CIPHER UTAKI!
Both men are down and fans fire up again! Taiji and Bushi stir, Taiji fires himself up as he brings Bushi in. Bushi denies Bloody Cross to another backslide, but Taiji denies the bridge! BONE LOCK!! Bushi moves around, drags himself and Taiji over but Taiji rolls him away! BONE LOCK is back on! Bushi endures, fans rally, but Bushi taps! Taiji wins!
Winner: Taiji Ishimori, by submission; now 5-1, Bushi is now 3-3
The Bone Soldier wins again! But that one loss is still hanging over his head. Will he win it all to cancel out his “debt” to Hiromu?
Robbie Eagles VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The Sniper of the Sky’s window for taking this tournament is closing! Will he be able to take down the Ticking Timebomb to keep that window open a little longer? Or will it be slammed shut by the man who’s already pinned the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion?
Hiromu mocks Eagles’ scope while Eagles takes off the vest. Fans rally up even before the bell rings. The clapping fits “HI-RO-MU!” as he circles with Eagles. Hiromu and Eagles approach, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Hiromu manages to power Eagles back but Eagles turns things around on the ropes. Red Shoes calls for the break and Eagles lets go cleanly. Eagles then swings on Hiromu but Hiromu ducks the chop! Hiromu whips but Eagles reverses to go up and around and arm-drag, only for Hiromu to block and roll Eagles! Eagles slips out, avoids the dropkick but Hiromu avoids the same. Things speed up, Eagles hurdles and rolls, but into a wheelbarrow!
Eagles victory rolls but Hiromu kicks the Ron Miller Special away! Hiromu bails out and fans cheer! Eagles waits in the ring while Hiromu walks around outside. Hiromu has Eagles stay back before he gets in. Eagles runs into a kick and a chop. Hiromu whips but Eagles blocks, only for Hiromu to CHOP! Eagles goes up and around again to arm-drag Hiromu this time! Eagles then dodges Hiromu to huricanrana Hiromu down! Hiromu bails out again but fans rally as Eagles builds speed. Hiromu gets in, Eagles dodges and windmill kicks! Hiromu bails out a third time, Eagles DIVES! Dirett hit with the tope somersault but they both crash into railing!
Red Shoes checks on them but they’re both okay to continue. Eagles gets in the ring and a ring count starts. Hiromu stirs at 4 of 20, sits up at 6, Eagles mocks Hiromu with cat paws. Eagles goes out and CHOPS Hiromu! Fans cheer as Eagles puts Hiromu in and covers, TWO! Eagles keeps on Hiromu with stomps to the leg! Hiromu kicks Eagles out to sunset flip, and APRON BOMB! Hiromu was very considerate, knowing the railing were too close for a bomb to the floor. Fans rally and clap, “HI-RO-MU!” as Hiromu stretches out the arms and fetches Eagles. Hiromu CHOPS Eagles again, then puts him in the ring.
Hiromu stomps Eagles around, drags him back out, and then whips him into railing! And then into more railing! Fans rally as Hiromu gets a lot of space. Hiromu runs back at Eagles for a shotgun dropkick through the gate! Fans fire up while Eagles tumbles! Hiromu waves to the camera, puts Eagles back in the ring and covers, TWO! Hiromu has the legs, for the Cloverleaf BACKBREAKER! Eagles writhes but Hiromu is after him with a Camel Clutch! Fans rally as Eagles endures, but then Hiromu mocks “Robbie Robbie Robbie! OI OI OI!” as he hits Eagles in the head! And then it’s back to the Camel Clutch for real!
Eagles endures, reaches, but Hiromu keeps the arms trapped. Eagles still uses his legs and powers his way to the ropebreak! Hiromu gets the legs for a ROPE GUILLOTINE! Eagles sputters while fans cheer. Fans rally up and Hiromu dares Eagles to get up. Hiromu stomps Eagles but Eagles CHOPS back! Hiromu stands Eagles up to CHOP him off his feet! Hiromu continues to mock, “Robbie Robbie Robbie! OI OI OI!” Eagles gets mad and SLAPS Hiromu! Fans cheer as Eagles throws forearms but Hiromu eggs him on. Eagles forearms again but Hiromu CHOPS him off his feet again! Hiromu CHOPS Eagles to a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Eagles reverses!
Eagles runs in, Hiromu puts him on the apron, then Hiromu counter punches! Hiromu runs, Eagles enziguris back! Eagles springboards to missile dropkick the leg out! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! Hiromu is on ropes, Eagles hits a 6-1-9! Springboard ELBOW DROP! Fans fire up as both men are down! Hiromu and Eagles both sit up, but Eagles is first to stand. Eagles kicks, kicks and kicks, to run and KICK! Cover, TWO! Eagles keeps his cool as Hiromu gets to a corner. Eagles runs in corner to corner, to double knee! Hiromu sits down, Eagles returns with METEORA! Cover, TWO! Eagles stands over Hiromu as fans rally up again.
Eagles drags Hiromu up to club him down, then brings him back up again. Eagles cravats but no Sliced Bread! Hiromu dodges to clothesline, roll Eagles and basement dropkick! Eagles bails out and staggers around but fans fire up. Hiromu aims from the apron and runs in, to FLYING SHOTGUN! Eagles hits railings again and Hiromu fires up! Hiromu drags Eagles up and into the ring, brings him up and hits a FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Eagles survives but Hiromu keeps cool. Fans rally up again and Hiromu drags Eagles back up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Eagles slips out to shove him to a corner. Hiromu boots Eagles away, avoids the Sweep-1-9, but Eagles blocks the superkick!
Eagles hits fast, hooks Hiromu up, but Hiromu resists the backpack! Hiromu waistlocks, Eagles resists the lift and gets the other leg! DRAGON SCREW TOEHOLD?! Eagles hits another toehold and then a mule kick! Fans fire up with Eagles as he goes to the top rope! WARP 4.5! Direct hit but perhaps double-edged for Eagles! Hiromu clutches the leg but Eagles clutches his sides. Eagles crawls over to Hiromu as fans rally up. Eagles gets the leg, spins through but Hiromu kicks him away again. Hiromu gets up but Eagles is after his leg again. Hiromu clubs Eagles away, but Eagles comes back to KICK the leg! Hiromu throws a forearm! Eagles KICKS the leg!
Hiromu forearms! Eagles KICKS! Hiromu fires up and the forearms fly, but Eagles KICKS again! Fans cheer as both men stay up and keep going. Hiromu ROCKS Eagles with a forearm, and then another, and another! Eagles flounders, Hiromu runs but Eagles elbows back. Hiromu tries again, Eagles dodges to dropkick Hiromu down! Fans rally up as Eagles watches Hiromu go to a corner. Eagles runs corner to corner but Hiromu OVERHEAD SUPLEXES him into buckles! Fans rally again as “HI-RO-MU!” rises and Eagles stir. Hiromu drags Eagles back up, fireman’s carries, DYNAMITE PLUNGER! Cover, TWO!
Hiromu grows frustrated as he and Eagles sit up again. Hiromu gets the bad leg moving, gets Eagles up in the fireman’s carry, CORNER DEATH VALLEY! Hiromu brings Eagles up again, spins him, but Eagles sunset flips and jackknifes, TWO!! Hiromu escapes but Eagles is right after him with a CHOP BLOCK! Eagles runs, into a SUPERKICK! But he stays up, only for Hiromu to SUPERKICK him again! Fans fire up as both men are down! Hiromu crawls over, drags Eagles back up and fireman’s carries, but Eagles fights out to the apron. Hiromu SUPERKICKS Eagles again! Eagles holds onto ropes to stay up, but Hiromu runs and sunset flips!
But the bad leg hurts on the landing! Hiromu lets Eagles go but fans rally up. Hiromu hobbles back to the apron and he goes after Eagles. Eagles mule kicks the bad leg! Eagles gets an idea and he reels Hiromu in. Cravat, but Hiromu blocks the Sliced Bread! Hiromu drags Eagles back to the apron and now they brawl with forearms! Hiromu gets the edge but Eagles BOOTS him! Fans rally as Hiromu fires up, but he superkicks into the APRON TURBO BACKPACK!! Both men crash down and fans fire up! Red Shoes checks and somehow they’re both okay to continue! The ring count is 7 of 20 before Eagles stands, and Eagles is in at 9. Hiromu crawls over at 12 but doesn’t stand until 17! Hiromu flops back down, hurries back up and is in at 19.9!
Eagles can’t believe it but he just drags Hiromu to a drop zone. Eagles climbs up top as fans rally. Hiromu intercepts with a haymaker! Eagles ends up backwards on the top rope as Hiromu climbs. Eagles elbows Hiromu away but Hiromu clubs him down! Hiromu climbs back up, Eagles resists the German! Eagles clubs and cravats, to SUPER SLICED BREAD!! Cover, TWO!?! Hiromu survives and fans are thunderous! Eagles hurries to the top rope again, WARP 4.5 to Hiromu’s back! Cover, TWO!! Eagles drags Hiromu but Hiromu cradle counters, TWO! Fans fire up as Eagles PENALTY KICKS the leg! Then rolls Hiromu to the RON MILLER SPECIAL!
Hiromu endures the modified deathlock as he drags himself and Eagles over. Eagles cranks harder on the legs, then drags Hiromu away from ropes! Fans rally as Hiromu endures more! Hiromu refuses to quit as he keeps crawling! Eagles pulls as hard as he can but Hiromu tells Red Shoes to stop asking! Hiromu claws at the mat, and gets the ropebreak! Eagles lets go and fans fire up again! Eagles takes aim and drags Hiromu back up. Eagles reels Hiromu in, turns him, and uses the corner, but Hiromu escapes the inverted Shiranui! Hiromu fireman’s carries and heads for a corner, but his bad leg gives out! Eagles escapes the fireman’s carry while Hiromu falls!
Fans rally up harder as Eagles dares Hiromu to stand. Hiromu does and Eagles back kicks, front kicks and dropkicks the leg! Eagles runs, into a LARIAT! But Eagles roars as he gets up! Hiromu roars, too, and the fans are thunderous again! Hiromu runs through the pain to LARIAT again! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally as hard as ever as both men are down. Hiromu grits his teeth as he gets up and gets the bad leg to move. Hiromu drags Eagles up and fireman’s carries, but Eagles slips out to dragon sleeper! Hiromu slips around, suplexes, but Eagles fights against it.
Hiromu shifts to a fireman’s carry, throws Eagles into a dragon sleeper, and inverted suplexes, but Eagles slips out of that to waistlock! Hiromu elbows but Eagles ROUNDHOUSES, HEEL KICKS and PELES! Eagles runs, into a pop-up, tries to huricanrana out of the bomb, but Hiromu double clutches. Eagles still fights back, but Hiromu powers through to VICTORIA! Fans fire up with Hiromu as he brings Eagles in, inverted suplex, TIME BOMB 2!! Cover, Hiromu wins!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall; now 5-1, Eagles is now 2-4
Eagles’ chances have just been blown to bits as the Timebomb keeps pace with the Bone Soldier! Hiromu gets the mic to say, “Robbie Robibe Robbie! OI! OI! OI!” This time it’s out of respect, not mocking. He means it when he says, “That was awesome. Thank you, Robbie.” Fans cheer for that, and Hiromu says his leg sure hurts! And his arm! And he chipped a tooth, his back hurts, and he’s just mentally worn out. But Hiromu says that the more it hurts, the more power it gives him! Because that is the “Hiromu-chan Style!” And in just four more matches, Hiromu will take the Best of the Super Juniors! He’ll make it more, more, more, MORE, MORE FUN for everyone! Hiromu’s spirit is strong, but will his body last until the very end?
Here are the NEW Best of the Super Juniors 27 standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-1
Taiji Ishimori: 5-1
El Desperado: 4-2
Master Wato: 4-2
SHO: 4-2
BUSHI: 3-3
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-3
Robbie Eagles: 2-4 [ELIMINATED]
DOUKI: 0-6 [ELIMINATED]
Yuya Uemura: 0-6 [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A really good round for BOSJ. Uemura again gets to look strong even in losing to Taguchi. Desperado VS Douki was great because it was both Heel VS Heel, and Suzuki-Gun VS Suzuki-Gun. Unlike Bullet Club, Suzuki-Gun facing itself only seems to make the members stronger, and there wasn’t any real hint of tension since Suzuki-Gun is always brutal. After six rounds, I can’t be sure either Uemura or Douki will be spoilers for anyone, but perhaps the match of Uemura VS Douki will be used as a big moment for the Young Lion. Wato VS Sho was really good, as I expected, and Sho winning makes sense, as Wato can’t be top of the block with Hiromu and Ishimori just yet.
Eagles VS Hiromu was great stuff, and naturally Hiromu wins to keep his run going. With Hiromu’s leg constantly being a target, the real question for his run will be, “What state is the leg come the finals?” It can add a lot of great character and story elements to the finals, because at this rate, I’m pretty sure Hiromu doesn’t drop out of the top two spots.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Who has WrestleMania hangover here in Vegas?
There are so many new champions in the WWE, but none bigger than JOHN CENA as the SEVENTEEN TIME WWE Champion! What will happen now that he is back on top?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez; Liv & Raquel win and become the new WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions.
- Iyo Sky VS Stephanie Vaquer; Iyo Sky, by disqualification.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day VS PENTA; Dom wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
A car pulls into the parking lot.
Out steps The Wise Man, Paul Heyman, and The Visionary, Seth Rollins. What will be next for the new Paul Heyman Guy?
JOHN CENA is here!
Las Vegas is still just as torn as they were last night, but we sure hear a lot of “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” as the NEW Undisputed WWE Champion, the SEVENTEEN TIME world champion, walks down the ramp. Cena drapes the towel over his head and he wears the title backwards, but he doesn’t care what the fans think as he steps into the ring. Cena has his music fade out, and he points to someone. Cena tells them to come closer, and it’s the ring announcer. Cena has Mark Nash join him in the ring while the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” Cena hands something to Nash for him to read to the fans.
Nash says, “My sincerest apologies. I have been informed that my announcement has been deemed disrespectful. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the Greatest Of All Time, the Never Seen Seventeen, gracing Las Vegas with his presence for the final time… The Last Real Champion, JOHN CENAAA~!” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title. Cena then has Nash hand over his mic, and says, “Winners write history. You (fans) are not worthy. You think that on Friday, you can bully me? And then I step in a ring with gold around my waist, and just because you cheer, I’m supposed to forgive you?” Fans cheer in hopes of that.
Cena says that is not how a functional relationship works! Does this man up front think that’s how it works with his wife? Well, it’s not. Cena asks if the parents treat their children like that. No, because that’s not how it works. The fans might show up in a good mood, Cena will still tell them to go straight to Hell. Every damn one of them owes Cena an apology, but they don’t have the guts to do it! And yeah, go ahead, make the noise. This is always the night fans hijack Monday Night Raw, right? All of WrestleMania, and this is a sacred ticket where the fans can take control, right? They have gotten soft.
Wait, some fans chant “We Are Sorry!” And others say, “NO, WE’RE NOT!” Cena explains that it’s “We Aren’t Sorry.” He does a quick once over, and yeah, this is an arena full of the sorriest lowlifes he’s ever seen! Each and every one of them ARE sorry! And here’s the best part: They don’t mean anything to Cena. The fans tell Cena off and Cena just soaks it in. Cena say she may be an anus, but they’re all idiots. For 25 YEARS, they have called him so much worse. He has taken their best shots, and has always gotten back up. What makes them think THIS is the crowd that’ll crack him? Go ahead! You mean NOTHING to him! The noise means NOTHING!
“The only thing that means to all of our lives… is that!” The number on screen says “36 dates.” Cena says he told us at the beginning of the year, 36 shows, and he’s gone. Time passes so quickly! Let’s countdown the time we’ve already lost. Netflix debut, Indianapolis, Toronto, London, Brussels, Glasgow, Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Las Vegas! That leaves us with 27 dates. Not matches, but appearances. The fans boo but Cena says yeah! You say he can’t wrestle? He doesn’t have to! He can just show up and do this! “When that hits zero, the professional wrestling timeline stops cold. I am not stupid like you. I know there will be another Monday Night Raw. I know you will ‘decide’ another champion.
“But the title held by Bruno Sammartino, the title held by Roman Reigns for over 1000 days, the title taken from me in Chicago by CM Punk, the title held by Triple H ‘The Game,’ by ‘Heartbreak Kid’ Shawn Michaels, and ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin comes home with ME! I am the Last Real Undisputed Champion of the WWE!” The fans boo but Cena says getting the title was the hard part. The rest is a cake walk. He can just keep playing us like the puppets we are. The best chance the fans had was Cody Rhodes. The fans boo and Cena says, “You heartless bastards. You boo him on Friday, and then you cheer him on Friday, and then you boo him on Sunday. And I say his name?
“And the man we all put on our shoulders last year because he finished his story now disgusts you? That’s what’s wrong with this! And that’s why last night, Cody Rhodes was outshined, outclassed, outwrestled and flat-out destroyed. It’s time for you to take a bold look in the mirror, and here’s the truth: There is NO ONE in the WWE with the strength, the speed, the wisdom, or the ruthless aggression… of John Cena! But unlike you, I have a heart. And I would like to do something nice for you right now. Get out your cameras, please, you’re gonna wanna remember this moment.” Cena waits, and then says make sure to get a great picture. Because the Last Real Champ is here.
AND RANDY ORTON IS, TOO!! Cena turns around and R K O!! The fans are thunderous as The Viper strikes Cena down! Orton then looks at the title. Orton picks it up, smirks, and then holds it up. The fans like the look of that! But is this a vision of the future? Is Cena bout to face some serious backlash for what he’s done?
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Lyra Valkyria & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez!
The NEW champions just won these titles last night, but the former champions are cashing in their rematch! Will Liv & Raquel redeem themselves just 24 hours later? Or will The Morrigan & The Man be 2-0 already?
Raw returns and we see Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley watching from the crowd. They’re set to challenge for these titles tomorrow night as part of NXT, but just who will they be facing? Moving on, Lyra & Becky make their entrance together, and the fans sing along with Becky’s “Whoa Oh, Oh Oh, Oh-oh Oh!” The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who holds the gold!
The teams sort out, and Liv goes right after Becky! The fans are torn as Liv fires hands! The ref counts, Liv stomps away, but then she shrieks at the ref to back off. Liv runs in, back body blocks, then SHINING WIZARDS! Snapmare, SHINING WIZARD again! Cover, TWO! Becky stays in this but Liv stays on her by pulling hair and CLUBBING Becky in the side! Liv KICKS Becky, brings her up, but Becky ROCKS Liv! Liv ROCKS Becky, the shots keep going, and the fans fire up! Becky fires off a strike fest, then brings Liv up to whip. Liv reverses, Lyra tags in, and Becky BOOTS Liv! Lyra & Becky double whip to DOUBLE HIP TOSS!
Lyra CROSSBODIES Liv down, then brings her around. Lyra whips Liv to a corner hard, and Liv slumps down. Lyra stomps a mudhole, then brings Liv out. Liv breaks fee but Lyra SOBATS, KICKS, RAMS, and ENZIGIRIS! Raquel runs up, Lyra headlocks her first. Raquel whips, Lyra springboards to CROSSBODY Liv! Then WHEEL KICK for Raquel! The fans fire up with Lyra, she calls to Becky, and they both WRECK Liv & Raquel with dropkicks! The fans fire up for the lass kickers as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Raquel has Lyra in an Argentine Backbreaker! Lyra endures, fights free, and then ROCKS Raquel! Raquel trips Lyra, but Lyra flips to her feet! ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire back up! Lyra and Raquel crawl, the fans rally up, but Raquel grabs at a foot. Lyra kicks free, hot tags to Becky and Liv! Becky rallies on Liv, CALF KICKS her down, then runs at the corner to ROCK Liv with a forearm! Raquel runs up but is sent into Liv! JUMP KICK for Raquel! JUMP KICK for Liv! Then BECKSPLODER for Liv! Cover, TWO! Liv stays in this but Becky stays focused. Becky dares Liv to get up, the fans rally, and Becky clinches!
Liv wheelbarrows to victory roll! ONE and Becky has it! TWO and Becky BLASTS Raquel! But Liv hits a CODE BREAKER! Then OBLIV- NO, Becky blocks to MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, RAQUEL BREAKS IT! The fans fire up as Raquel drags Liv away to the corner. Liv tags Raquel and Raquel drags Becky up. But Becky JAWBREAKERS! Becky runs up, Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel goes up, but Becky CLUBS her first! Becky fires shots, climbs up after Raquel, but Raquel fights the lift! Lyra climbs up, tags in, and then joins in! But Raquel still fights it! Liv flips in, SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMB for Becky!
Lyra hops up, SUPER STEIN- NO! Raquel blocks, and she brings Lyra up! SUPER POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Lyra survives and the fans can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” while all four women are down. Lyra and Raquel rise, Raquel lifts, but Lyra slips free! Raquel tries again but Lyra DROPKICKS her away! Lyra hobbles and stumbles but she makes it to Raquel. Lyra tries to fireman’s carry, but Raquel pushes her away. Lyra goes up, TORNADO DDT! Lyra then drags Raquel back up, fireman’s carries again, NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Cover, Liv gives Raquel the ropebreak!! The fans boo but here comes Becky!
Becky hits a THESZ PRES and rains down fast hands! Liv gets free, fights off the urenage and POSTS Becky! Lyra WRECKS Liv with a dropkick! Liv climbs up, Raquel rises, TURN OF FOR- NO, Raquel dodges and BOOTS Lyra down! Cover, TWO!! Raquel is furious but Liv calls to her. Liv runs in, Raquel pops her up, POWERBOMB SENTON onto knees!! Lyra saves herself and takes out Liv in one go! Raquel freaks out, runs up, but her boot gets stuck on the ropes! Lyra DUMPS Raquel, but turns into OBLIV- NO, Lyra grabs ropes! Liv falls, Lyra ENZIGIRIS! Fireman’s carry, but Raquel saves Live!
Becky goes after Raquel, Raquel kicks her away! Lyra BLASTS Raquel onto Becky!! OBLIVION!!! Cover, LIV & RAQUEL WIN!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall (NEW WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions)
FOUR TIMES, Liv & Raquel are tag team champions! Becky regroups with Lyra, both of them a bit stunned this happened. But then Becky DECKS Lyra?!? Becky blames Lyra for this failure and Lyra is absolutely devastated! The Man storms off, only to come back and attack Lyra with a rain of forearms! The fans boo as Becky dribbles Lyra off the mat! Becky stops, Lyra is in shock, but Becky comes back again!? Lyra pleads for mercy but Becky just MANHANDLE SLAMS her!! Becky hits another MANHANDLE SLAM!! And A THIRD MANHANDLE SLAM!!! The Man is acting more like a monster, what is going on with her?
The New Day walks around backstage.
They admire their newly won WWE World Tag Team Championships, but then they cross paths with Karrion Kross. Mr. Doomsday smiles, perhaps proud of his handiwork? Either way, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods are headed to gorilla. Just how will this New Day celebrate their reign?
The New Day heads to the ring.
Las Vegas wasn’t happy during WrestleMania and they aren’t happy now that Kofi & Woods have the titles back in their possession. Kofi & Woods bring those belts to the ring, rubbing it all in our faces. Kofi has a mic to say, “We are your new W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Championssss…!” Woods says, “So get down on your knees before us! Raise your hands to the sky! And scream out in unison, ‘THANK GAWWWWD~! FOR THE NEW DAAAAY~!” The fans boo instead. Kofi says, “There is no tag team alive or dead that is better than ya bois, the NEW~ DAY~!” The fans chant, “New! Day Sucks!” This annoys Woods & Kofi.
The fans felt the New Day couldn’t beat The War Raiders, but they did! Wait, is that The Alpha Academy? Maxxine Dupri has the mic and asks, “Hold on, hold on, hold on. Did I just hear you say that The New Day is the greatest tag team ever? I mean, you might be. But the last time you faced Otise & Tozawa, they beat you in 60 sweet seconds! And now here we are at the Raw after WrestleMania, in Las Vegas, Nevada! And by the sound of it, I think we would all love to watch you two put your money where your mouth is, and put those shiny tag titles on the line right here, right now!” Woods asks if that’s what Vegas wants. “YES!” Then the answer is NO!
Oh, are the “minutemen” scared? M-Minutemen!? The fans chant that at Woods & Kofi, and Kofi says if they wanna do it right now, let’s do it right now! Get a ref right now! The fans fire up, and we have another tag title match already! Except the lights change… And then… RUSEV IS HERE!! Vegas goes nuts because it is now Rusev Day! The Bulgarian Brute, the Redeemer, has returned to the WWE, and he storms right into the ring! New Day bail out, no title match after all. Rusev DECKS Otis! And he CLOBBERS Tozawa! The fans fire up as Rusev glare at The New Day. Tozawa gets up, climbs up, and he leaps, but Ruzez catches him! FALL AWAY SLAM!
Otis rises, the fans fire up, and now we get some “MEAT! MEAT! MEAT!” ROUNDHOUSE from Rusev! Then MACHKA KICK! The fans fire up as Rusev roars, “RUSEV! CRUSH!!” Rusev stomps away on Otis, and clamps on the ACCOLADE!! Otis taps but it won’t change anything! Rusev thrashes Otis around, and lets go as the fans chant “RUSEV DAY! RUSEV DAY!” Maxxine is freaking out, but will this show now become Rusev Day Raw?
The Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’re all excited over Liv & Raquel becoming FOUR-TIME Women’s Tag Team Champions! And Dom is the NEW Intercontinental Champion, and they toast with a title clink. Dom says this was the greatest weekend of his life! That deadbeat dad missed Mania, and now both Dom & Liv have gold again! But then in steps Finn Balor… The Prince looks at the belt on Dom’s shoulder, and Liv says hey, a win for one is a win for all. As long as someone in Judgment Day has the title, that’s all that matters. Finn says what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. They fist bump and Finn says he’ll be out there with Dom tonight against Penta.
Finn turns around, Carlito is there, and Carlito says even though they don’t have titles, it feels like they have titles, right? Oh, Carlito has to go see the doc, he’s still sore. Carlito hobbles off, but Finn gives a bit of a scowl behind Dom’s back. Is everything (not) fine in Judgment Day?
Iyo Sky is here!
The fans cheer as the Evil Genius makes her way to the ring, still WWE Women’s World Champion! But what will she have to say about that WrestleMania victory? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Iyo has the mic. The fans cheer Iyo on, even get some “You Deserve It!” in there, and Iyo says last night was the best night of her career! The fans cheer, and Iyo says she is over the moon! She beat the best there is, which means SHE is the best! The fans cheer that! Rhea Ripley tried to forget Iyo, and Bianca Belair tried to forget Iyo. But now, ALL OF YOU will never forget her! The fans cheer that, too! Iyo adds in Japanese, and then translates to English that she is The Genius of the Sky, and she is the Women’s World Champiooon~! The fans cheer more, but wait! Is that Stephanie Vaquer?! The NXT Women’s Champion is headed to the ring!
The fans cheer as we get La Primera and Genius in the same ring! Vaquer congratulates Iyo in three languages, and then wishes to properly introduce herself. She is THE NXT Women’s Champion, La Primera, Stephanie Vaquer. The fans cheer, and Vaquer says she wants to come out here to show Iyo respect. The fans chant for “LA PRIMERA!” Vaquer tells Iyo that she is amazing. Vaquer says Iyo is right that Iyo is the best. But Vaquer is also the best. And Vaquer wants to fight the best of the best! Iyo says if Vaquer wants to face her, then challenge accepted! And what about right here, right now?! The fans cheer as this dream match is made!
Well, hold on, Adam Pearce makes his way out here, and he wants everyone else to hold on. The fans boo the Raw General Manager for ruining the fun. But Pearce double checks, does Vegas want the match? “YES!” Then so doe she! Sky VS Vaquer, and it’s RIGHT NOW! NOW the dream match is official! But who between these two champions will prove they are THE best?
Iyo Sky VS Stephanie Vaquer!
The bell rings and the two shake hands. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Iyo waistlocks. Vaquer switches, SLAMS Iyo down, but Iyo fights up. The fans duel as Iyo fires body shots. Iyo wrenches and wristlocks, but Vaquer shifts around to roll, trip, and she has the toehold. Iyo stands, wrenches, and wristlocks, but Vaquer rolls, handsprings, and wrenches back to arm-drag! The fans fire up, Iyo runs up, Vaquer sweeps and covers, ONE! Iyo sweeps and covers, ONE! The two stand off again and the fans fire up! Iyo and Vaquer go again, and Iyo whips. Vaquer tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through!
Iyo wags her finger, Vaquer smirks, and things speed up. They clinch, Vaquer waistlocks, but denies Iyo’s escape! Iyo CLUBS Vaquer, wrenches and reels her in, but Vaquer switches. Vaquer goes to ropes, Iyo bucks the O’Conner this time, and the fans cheer the standoff. Things get going again, each woman dodges, and then Vaquer avoids the handspring, only for Iyo to DROPKICK! Vaquer bails out, Iyo builds speed, and Iyo DIVES! Direct hit and the fans fire up with the Women’s World Champion! Iyo drags Vaquer up, whips, but Vaquer tiger feint kicks back! Vaquer runs up, Iyo puts her in the timekeeper’s area, but Vaquer goes up! CROSSBODY to the floor!
The fans fire up as now the NXT Women’s Champion stands tall! Vaquer has Iyo on the defense, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Vaquer is up top, but Iyo SHOTEIS first! Iyo then climbs up after Vaquer, throws hands, and the fans rally. Vaquer fires body shots, HEADBUTTS, and Iyo falls back! Vaquer adjusts, Iyo runs back up, and SUPER ARM-DRAGS! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! The fans rally, Iyo stands, and she runs up to SHOTEI! And SHOTEI! And DROPKICK! Iyo drags Vaquer up, whips her, but Vaquer reverses. Iyo goes up, out, and ROCKS Vaquer! Iyo then climbs the corner to MISSILE DROPKICK! Vaquer tumbles away, Iyo kips up, and the fans fire up! Vaquer is in the corner, Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN!
Iyo drags Vaquer to a cover, TWO! Vaquer stays in this, but Iyo drags her into the drop zone. Iyo steps on Vaquer as she goes to the corner. Iyo goes up, up, and OVER THE- NO, Iyo has to land out as Vaquer moves! Vaquer then dodges again, comes back, and she blocks the boot for a DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Vaquer runs, and she METEORAS! Vaquer drags Iyo to a cover, TWO! Iyo is tougher than that but Vaquer stays calm. The fans rally up, Vaquer reels Iyo in, but Iyo flips free of the backbreaker! Vaquer ducks a kick, Iyo ducks a kick! Iyo wheelbarrows, victory roll, STOMP 182! Cover, TWO!
Iyo is a bit frustrated but the fans rally back up. Iyo drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” as Vaquer JAWBREAKERS, and SUPERKICKS! And BIG back suplex! Vaquer sits Iyo up, wraps on the headscissors, and she turns Iyo over for the DEVIL’S KISS! The fans echo Booker T’s sentiments, “Yeeeeeeeeah!” Cover, TWO! Iyo survives and the fans chant, “One More Time!” Vaquer smiles, and she drags Iyo up to tuck her in. Iyo wrenches out, kicks and sunset flips, ONE! Vaquer runs, tilt-o-whirl, RANA feint to roll up! TWO!! Iyo is surprised she got free, and she has Vaquer with underhooks! TIGER BACKBREAKAR! Cover, TWO!!
The fans rally while Iyo isn’t sure what to do. “This is Awesome!” as Iyo drags Vaquer into a waistlock. Vaquer fires elbows, gets free, and runs. Iyo ELBOWS Vaquer first! Iyo runs, but Vaquer ROCKS her! Vaquer runs, but Iyo dodges, waistlocks, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Iyo drags Vaquer back up, but Vaquer reels Iyo in! GERMAN SUPLEX! Both women are down and the fans are thunderous! Now fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” Vaquer goes up a corner, but Iyo rises to SHORYUKEN! Iyo climbs up after Vaquer, fires hands, then clinches. SUPER SPANISH FLY!! The fans are thunderous while both women are down again!
The fans rally and duel as both women stir. Iyo goes to ropes, Vaquer goes to a corner. Both women stand, but here comes ROXANNE PEREZ! She CLOBBERS Iyo!
Winner: Iyo Sky
The Prodigy grins at Vaquer, who she’s set to face for the title just tomorrow night! And Vaquer is pissed about it, only for GIULIA to attack Vaquer?!? The Beautiful Madness and The Prodigy then beat up on the champions! The fans boo, but here comes RHEA RIPLEY!! Roxie panics as Mami is here on Monday Night Raw! Rhea slides in, and she picks Roxie up to THROW her away! Then HEADBUTT her down! Giulia almost sneaks up, but she backs off as Rhea stares her down. Rhea and Giulia circle, and Rhea warns her. Giulia backs off, but is it only a matter of time before she’s back for more?
As for Rhea, she looks at Iyo while she’s down. Rhea picks up the title, and Iyo sits up to see this. Rhea hands the title over to Iyo and the fans cheer. Rhea says something to the effect of Iyo better be ready for when Rhea comes back for the belt. The Genius nods, and she’ll surely be ready for whoever wants a shot at her.
Jey Uso is here!
The NEW WWE World Heavy-YEET Champion makes his way in from the concourse and sports his new merch! The fans fire up and bounce along as Jey makes his way down the bleachers and to ringside. Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole, then goes to the ring to keep the bouncing going! The fans chant “You Deserve It!” as Jey grabs a mic. Jey nods, and fans “YEET!” some more, then they chant, “One More Time!” Jey hears that, and he sets the mic and belt down to say okay! The song starts up again and fans sing along, “DAY ONE ISH!” Jey then picks the mic and belt up again, and he says, “The World Heavyweight Champion is now in your citaaaay~!”
The fans cheer more, and Jey says he is here, “YEET!” He’s been wanting it. “YEET!” Since he was a kid. “YEET!” He is here now. “YEET!” Jey says it was a long, hard road. It was not easy. WrestleMania, Jey gave it all he had to beat Gunther. And Jey made him TAP! The fans cheer that! But Jey will be the first one to say that he is very grateful that he has this world title. He will show up every week, every day, and put in the work like he always has. And if you’re excited to have Jey Uso as your World Heavyweight Champion, then dammit, lemme hear ya say, “YEET!” “YEET!!” Wait! Sami Zayn is here! The fans cheer as the Underdog from the Underground returns!
Sami waves to the fans, high-fives a few in the front row, then goes to the ring to join Jey. The fans sing along with Sami’s song, and then Sami grabs himself a mic. Sami smiles as he looks at Jey, and then they hug it out! The fans cheer, and then they chant, “UCEY! UCEY!” “SAMI USO! SAMI USO!” Sami smiles again, and says he has so much he wants to say, he isn’t sure where to begin. First of all, not being here the last eight weeks or so, not being here while Jey was going through what he was going through with Gunther, Sami wants to know how hard that was for him. Sami wishes he could’ve been here.
And missing WrestleMania this year, that was also very hard on Sami. Sami and Jey aren’t that different. They’re gameday players. To be honest, Sami almost didn’t come to Vegas at all. But Sami had to, because he had to make sure that he was the first one to stand in this ring across from Jey, look him in the eyes, with that title on Jey’s shoulders, and say how proud he is of Jey Uso. The fans cheer, Jey thanks Sami, and Sami says Jey is his brother, his dawg, his Uce, he loves him, is proud of him, and knows Jey deserves that title! Sami knows it, Jey knows it, and everyone in this arena knows Jey deserves it!
The fans cheer and chant “You Deserve It!” Sami says it’s the Raw After Mania, not to get sentimental, but we are here to celebrate! So hit Jey’s music! “DAY ONE ISH!” The fans cheer, Sami and Jey hug it out again, and then they both go to the corners. The fans YEET with Jey & Sami, and it’s time to bounce! Sami hops off his corner first, and he looks at Jey. Jey hops down, they hug it out again, and the fans cheer. But wait, is that Jimmy? The fans fire up as #BigJim joins in! The three do the secret handshake, and then they group hug! Jimmy & Sami raise Jey’s hands in victory, and the fans fire up for this feel good moment!
Jey is on top of the world now that he’s World Heavyweight Champion, but how long will it last? Who will be the first one to step up to Main Event Jey Uso?
Backstage interview with Logan Paul.
After WrestleMania last night, Cathy Kelley congratulated him on the big win against AJ Styles, but does he feel he could’ve still done it without his friend and manager, Jeff, or the help from Karrion Kross? Logan asks what was that. What’s she implying? He still won, didn’t he? And we’re talking about what if’s? That’s irrelevant. He won. Next question. Then what is next for Logan? Whatever he wants, that’s what. Because this company knows he is the best and he is the future. He’ll face anyone anywhere. Anyone that he faces becomes a victim. He will continue his WrestleMania win streak. Logan is always confident, but will that ever change?
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
In present, Jackie Redmond is with the Phenomenal One, and she says just 24 hours after his loss to Logan Paul, where is he after that? Styles says he won’t lie, it is a hard pill to swallow. But Logan plays his games, gets his lackeys involved, and Styles was prepared for that. But the truth is, Styles took an L. But he’ll move on, he’ll be okay. Because part of being phenomenal is being able to bounce back and- Karrion Kross interrupts! Kross asks if Styles said “bounce back.” Yeah, good bounce back from getting pinned by Logan Paul! Styles is literally the best of us, meaning Logan winning is so much more painful, because now, Styles has legitimized him!
Oh, really? Kross is the one who said Styles is the best of us, so does Kross expect Styles to go back a year ago and be that guy? Why is Kross so adamant about this? Styles hated who he was then. He’s never going back. Kross does not understand. If Styles used the brass knuckles to beat Logan, it would’ve meant nothing! If Kross wants to be angry at the world, fine. Don’t drag Styles down with you! In fact, go solve that problem yourself! Styles storms off, Scarlett calms Kross down, and Kross says, “Maybe I will.” What will Mr. Doomsday do if he’s to “save” WWE?
Raw returns and…
Gunther is berating Pat & Cole on commentary! The fans taunt Gunther, “YOU TAPPED OUT!” Gunther dares Cole to say something to his face. Cole asks why Gunther is so upset, Cole is just doing his job. Gunther storms up around the way, yanks Cole’s headset off, and Pat tries to stop this. But Gunther SHOVES Pat, then drags Cole into a SLEEPER! So Pat fires hands! The fans fire up as Pat stands up for Cole, and now refs, security, and producers rush out here! Adam Pearce tells Gunther to stand down, but Gunther just busts through to grab Pat! SLEEPER!! Gunther drags Pat down while security is now busy with Pat’s friends/entourage!!
The fans go nuts as Pat’s friends are only making this worse for Pat! Pearce tells Gunther to let Pat go, but Pat is already red in the face and out cold on the floor! Gunther refuses to let go, even as producers claw at the beefy arms wrapped around Pat’s neck! The fans tell Gunther off as he finally lets Pat go. Gunther paces, then he finally leaves through the crowd side. Fans boo, refs and security follow Gunther while the others check Pat. Pat coughs and sputters as he wakes up, and Pearce is chewing Gunther out. Fans remind Gunther, “You Tapped Out!” while Cole helps Pat to his feet. The fans cheer Pat while he’s helped to the back.
Pat needs a second as they make it to the ramp, coughing and gasping, but he gets back to his feet and keeps walking. The fans cheer his resilience, Pearce calls for more medical help just to be safe, and Pat takes another moment to catch his breath. What consequences will there be for Der Ring General after he lashed out against innocent commentary?
Raw returns again and…
Pat is still gasping for air, but he does get a drink of water to help with his throat. Cole and Pearce help Pat to the trainer’s room, and then Pat, his entourage, and refs go inside. Pearce tells Cole that Joe Tessitore can cover for Cole, Cole should get himself checked out. Cole tells Pearce, “How can we do our jobs when we’re not allowed to have an opinion? We’re not allowed to talk about this stuff? We’re not allowed to have fun? You gotta do something.” Pearce knows, he will handle this. Cole should just take the rest of the night off. Cole says no, he is not going to let Gunther bully him. Cole heads back for commentary and Pearce says good for Cole.
Cole returns to ringside and the fans cheer. Tessitore commends Cole for this, and they’ll do their best with the rest of the show from here.
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio w/ Judgment Day VS PENTA!
Twenty years ago, he was just a little boy whose loving and loyal father was fighting with Uncle Eddie for his future. And now, “Dirty Dom” is an Intercontinental Champion, just like both Rey Mysterio & Eddie Guerrero. But will Dom’s first defense also be his last? Or will Dom not care about #CeroMiedo?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has more Latino Heat!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Dom talks a bit of trash, then he kicks Penta low! Dom CLUBS Penta, whips, hurdles, but Penta KICKS Dom out of the handspring! Penta fires up, but Dom fires back with hands! Dom stomps Penta in a corner, lets off as the ref counts, then whips corner to corner. Penta goes up and over, keeps moving, and he ducks’ n’ dodges. Penta RANAS Dom out of the ring and the fans fire up! Penta builds speed, but Dom is back to DROPKICK! Dom storms up but Penta bails out and the ref holds him back. But then Finn creeps up! The ref sees Finn and has him back off. Dom builds speed, but Penta GAMANGIRIS!
Dom staggers back, Penta climbs up, and Penta CROSSBODIES! Dom flounders back out, Penta builds speed again, and Penta FLIES! Down goes Dom and the fans fire up! Finn coaches Dom but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Penta SLING-DOGS Dom! Then GAMANGIRIS in the corner! Dom sits down, Penta runs and headstands, to DROPKICK! Penta drags Dom, covers, TWO! Dom stays in this but Penta stays calm. Finn coaches Dom but Penta drags Dom up! PENTA- NO, Dom slips free of the driver to shove, scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up while Dom and Penta go to corners. Dom runs up, but Penta SUPERKICKS, mule kicks, and then goes up! Penta calls his shot, jumps, but into a kick! Dom hits a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Dom drags Penta to a drop zone, then goes up while fans actually cheer.
But Penta is up to GAMANGIRI! Dom wobbles, Penta climbs, but Dom fires body shots! Penta hops down to CHOP Dom! Penta then runs, jumps, and RANAS Dom away! The fans fire up, Penta runs in, DESTROYER! Dom flops down and the fans fire up again! Penta reaches out, but Dom rolls away to the outside! Dom stays safe and the fans rally up again. “CERO! MIEDO!” “DIRTY DOM!” Finn coaches Dom, Dom says look out! Penta RANAS Finn into Dom! The fans fire up and Penta drags Dom up. Penta puts Dom in, then he climbs up the corner again. But Carlito distracts the ref! JD MCDONAGH IS HERE!? JD SHOVES Penta down!!
Dom DROPKICSK Penta onto ropes, then dials it up to 619!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Just when it looked like Penta had the hot hand, Judgment Day pulls out the Irish Ace! Even Finn is surprised that his guy is back, and now this title stays with Judgment Day! Judgment Day celebrates on stage, and Finn feels like the odd man out for a moment. Will Judgment Day (not) smooth out the problems now that they’re back to full strength?
El Grande Americano has a new video.
“Rejoice! Despite insurmountable opposition from his jealous, desperate, rule-breaking foes, El Grande Americano has emerged victorious on the Grandest Stage of Them All! The children sang of his honesty and humility. The world stands in awe of his talent and honor! He has reclaimed his throne as the king of lucha libre. Today, we celebrate the legend, the icon, the hero, El Grande Americano!” Given the obvious AI art, photoshopped pictures and cheesy sepia film reel filter, this propaganda is not convincing anyone. But when and where will El Grande Americano face justice for what he did to Rey Fenix?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
We saw him arrive at the start of the night, and now Las Vegas sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” as The Visionary and his Wise Man make their way down the ramp. Rollins certainly did #BurnItDown when he got Heyman to burn the bridges with CM Punk and Roman Reigns on WrestleMania Saturday. Rollins revels in the singing as he struts around in his canary yellow suit. Heyman fetches a mic, the fans continue to sing, and Rollins continues to soak it all in. Some fans even chant, “Thank You, Seth! Thank You, Seth!” Others come back with “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” and “O T C! O T C!” but Heyman hands his mic to Rollins, like he used to do for The Tribal Chief.
Fans now chant “F YOU, HEYMAN!” but Heyman is merely amused by it. Rollins takes his time turning around to face the main camera, and he takes his sunglasses off to say, “I am a Visionary. I am a Revolutionary. I took a Wise Man from Roman Reigns. I stole CM Punk’s best friend. I am the winner of the main event of WrestleMania. I. Am.” CM PUNK IS HERE! The fans go nuts for Cult of Personality while Rollins gets ready for a fight! Punk has his hands taped up for one, too, and the brawl is on! The fans fire up as haymakers fly fast ‘n’ furious! Punk puts Rollins in a corner to fire hands from all sides!
Punk stomps a mudhole into Rollins, but Heyman creeps up. Punk stops stomping just in time to turn around and see Heyman. Heyman tells Punk that Heyman didn’t betray Punk, Punk ruined things for him and Roman! Punk storms up and shoves Heyman into a corner! But Rollins runs up and CLAWS Punk’s eyes! Rollins THROWS Punk down, the fans boo, but Rollins hits the CURB STOMP! Punk is down and Rollins stands over him, but now fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Heyman picks the mic back up while fans chant, “We Want Roman!”
Heyman sighs, and says, “We are going to conclude the weekend of WrestleMania 41… by propelling the news all the way to WrestleMania 42! There is a NEW reigning, defending, undisputed number one top star in this entire industry! Ladies and gentlemen, Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins!” Heyman holds up Rollins’ hand in victory, then tosses the mic aside. BUT NOW ROMAN SHOWS UP!! Rollins is pissed off again, and he hurries to TOSS Punk out of the ring! Rollins prepares for round two, and Roman is making his way out here after all! Heyman steps back as Rollins stares Roman down, and here comes another brawl! No, wait, Roman dodges to SPEAR Rollins!!
The fans are thunderous and Heyman is in shock! Roman now runs up to SUPERMAN PUNCH Heyman!! Down goes The Wise Man and the fans fire up! Roman throws off the shirt, gets the fans even more fired up, and he aims again! “OOOAH~!” SPEAR FROM BRON BREAKER?!?! The Badass just took out the Tribal Chief! And then he stares down Rollins! The fans are going nuts, but Bron SPEARS PUNK!! Punk was back up only to get knocked back down, and Rollins grins as he pats Bron on the shoulder! “That’s my boy!” The Visionary has an attack dog with him now, and the fans are losing their minds!
Rollisn points out that Roman is up on the outside. Bron goes out there, but Roman UPPERCUTS Bron first! Bron staggers, but he stays on his feet! Bron then builds speed around the way, and uses that lap to SPEAR ROMAN THROUGH BARRIERS!!! The fans go nuts all over again, and Rollins says to get Roman’s ass back in the ring! Bron obeys and he drags Roman into the ring. Bron sets Roman up for Rollins, and Rollins tells Roman to watch what’s gonna happen to him! CURB STOMP for Punk again!! Rollins tells Roman to learn that the future of this business runs through him! CURB STOMP for Roman!!
The fans are torn, but Heyman now stands over his former best friends to embrace his new guys! Will these three soon take over the WWE together?
My Thoughts:
After a great WrestleMania Weekend, this Raw After Mania ended up being perhaps one of the best. My only gripe might be how they handled the Women’s Tag Team Championships. Bayley being “taken out” and Becky taking her place was fine. But then doing the tag title rematch here seemed random when we had NXT to look forward to. And then, Liv & Raquel win the belts back already, and Becky snaps on Lyra. I suppose if you look at this for Judgment Day, the title change needed to be tonight to coincide with what happened in the main event with Dom VS Penta. But now we don’t get the fun interaction of Tatum, Lyra and Becky I was hoping for.
What would it have hurt if Becky & Lyra didn’t defend the belts tonight, went to NXT and had a really fun match with Tatum & Gigi? Becky & Lyra, Liv & Raquel, neither team is losing to Tatum & Gigi. At least, I would think that’s the case… And then you can give Liv & Raquel their rematch later, and they still win like they did tonight, and then Becky snaps because “Lyra let her down.” But I suppose we’re fast-tracking to Becky VS Lyra for the Intercontinental Championship. And they kinda have to, given Backlash is May 10, just 20 days away. Maybe Becky wins that to reestablish herself and also juice up that title.
Great promo from John Cena, and honestly, I can’t help but agree with Cena on a lot of his points towards the fans. Also, I like how he explained he has 27 remaining dates/appearances, not matches. And of course Orton was next for Cena, the signs were all there: Backlash is in St. Louis, Orton’s hometown; Cena teased it with saying “Ruthless Aggression,” the era both men rose to fame in; and Cena and Orton have faced each other so many times, they gotta get one last one in. And on top of that, Orton is a fan favorite that won’t be hurt by a loss to Cena because Orton’s been around just as long, this will be a good one.
Great stuff with New Day, including passing by Karrion Kross. Alpha Academy coming out and wanting a title match, that was already a bit fishy right from the start. RUSEV returning to annihilate Alpha Academy and “cancel” the world tag title match was quite the way to return, mostly because of how big and beefy Otis is. Rusev VS Otis will be a good match to help get Rusev back into WWE action, and then Rusev can go for whatever title he wants. I’m thinking it should be the World Heavyweight Championship, though that might be a tough choice given Jey Uso only just got the belt. Speaking of Jey, good promo but much better moment between him, Sami and Jimmy. Though, I did appreciate the tiniest tease they gave of Sami going Heel in the absence of Kevin Owens.
Great promo from Iyo, and what a great surprise to see Vaquer. They had an awesome match, but given they’re both champions and they’re both so awesome, it had to be “ruined” by Roxie showing up. But at the same time, what a surprise that Giulia also showed up. Roxie VS Vaquer for tomorrow night is an interesting move, and Giulia got to beat up on Iyo a bit more. I’m thinking both Roxie and Giulia are just one step away from being called up to main roster, and probably to Raw for the Women’s World Championship. Great save from Rhea, and maybe we get some Rhea & Iyo VS Giulia & Roxie before shaking out a title story.
Good promo from Logan Paul to dismiss the interference on his match, as a Heel would/should. And good response from Styles, only for Kross to interrupt. I don’t know if we get another Styles VS Kross match, or maybe Kross goes wild and goes after other people, but there’s still some intrigue here. Also, Kross had quite the rant as part of the WrestleMania post show, so I hope WWE uses that to push him forward towards things like title feuds. Gunther going after Cole and Pat was certainly a wild direction to take his story. I’m not sure what kind of meta commentary they’re making, it has actually been a long time since a WWE commentator got into it with a wrestler, other than perhaps when Drew McIntyre and Wade Barrett got physical.
And as for Gunther and Pat specifically, maybe Pat is gonna get into ring shape so he and Gunther can have it out over the summer. In the meantime, I think Gunther is kayfabe suspended, that’ll let him stay home with wife and newborn child for a bit, so good for him. Hilarious El Grande Americano vignette, all the elements make it such an obvious troll but you can bet someone out there will still get mad. Hopefully we can still get El Grande VS Rey Mysterio, though I’m not sure if Backlash is too soon. Maybe Grande faces Dragon Lee or some other luchador on Rey’s behalf, and then we can arrange El Grande VS Rey Mysterio for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in Los Angeles for June, all commemorating WWE acquiring AAA.
Great stuff with Dom VS Penta for the Intercontinental Championship, but something felt like Finn was going to try and screw Dom out of the title. JD McDonagh showing up was a great surprise, especially given how he got hurt hitting that desk SO hard. Finn himself seemed so surprised (in kayfabe), and we have some more intrigue in this Judgment Day dysfunction. And then a great closing segment with Rollins & Heyman making their debut as the new duo. Punk of course interrupted and we got a great brawl there. And then great stuff with Roman showing up right as the credits were showing up. It has been a minute since HHH has done something like this, and this actually ended up the longest episode of Netflix Raw because of it.
Bron Breakker helping Rollins fight off Roman and Punk was some wild stuff, mostly because I never thought Bron would ever join someone else. I could see a tag match of Punk & Roman VS Rollins & Bron, but maybe not for some time as Roman still isn’t really known for doing matches that often. That is to say, not sure Backlash is big enough, but perhaps MITB or SummerSlam are. And already, there are ideas about what kind of faction Rollins is going to make, perhaps as a second try at what he had with Buddy Murphy and Austin Theory, but just no “Monday Night Messiah” gimmick.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/19/25)
Parting is such sweet sorrow…

There are more goodbyes than just The Ace’s Final Road.
NJPW already knows Hiroshi Tanahashi will retire with this year, but his final match with Jeff Cobb will also be Jeff Cobb’s farewell to NJPW! Will The Ace never tire out? Or will he take a Tour of the Islands?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Hiroyoshi Tenzan, Satoshi Kojima, Yuji Nagata & Tiger Mask VS Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma, Katsuya Murashima & Daiki Nagai; Tenza, Kojima, Nagata & Tiger Mask win.
- 8 Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, YOH & Master Wato VS TMDK; Yano, Oleg, Yoh & Wato win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Tanahashi wins.
- Six Man Tag: Bullet Club War Dogs VS House of Torture; House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, El Desperado & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Callum Newman, Templario & Jakob Austin Young; Goto, Desperado & Taguchi win.
- 10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!
The Ace’s Final Road continues on, but it would seem the Imperial Unit has hit the end of his run in NJPW. Will the President give Cobb a proper sendoff? Or is there one last Tour of the Islands planned?
The bell rings and the fans rally up for “COBBU! COBBU!” Tanahashi nods, and Cobb is emotional hearing that. Cobb and Tanahashi circle, tie up, and Tanahashi waistlocks. But Cobb’s a bit too big to lift even for The Ace. Cobb walks over to the ROPEBREAK, and Tanahashi lets go. The fans applaud and the two reset. They tie up, Tanahashi wrenches and wristlocks, but Cobb powers through, wrenches and wristlocks in return, then hammerlocks to headlock. Tanahashi puts Cobb on the ropes, the ref counts, and Tanahashi lets go cleanly again. The fans applaud the continued sportsmanship, and the two reset again.
Cobb runs up, and he SLINGBLADES?! Cover, TWO!! The “Cobby Cat” strikes again but Tanahashi survives his own move. Cobb whips Tanahashi, Tanahashi grabs ropes, but Cobb runs up. Tanahashi BOOTS Cobb, runs up, but Cobb scoops! Cobb SLAMS Tanahashi, and then air guitars before the GACHIMUCHI- NO, Tanahashi avoids the moonsault! Then Tanahashi sets up, to MOONSAULT!? But Cobb moves so Tanahashi belly flops on the floor! The fans fire up while both men are pulling out all the stops. Cobb steps on Tanahashi, pretends he didn’t see Tanahashi there, and then brings Tanahashi up.
Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi with a forearm, then headlocks. Cobb brings Tanahashi to the ropes to show everyone as he messes with Tanahashi’s hair. Cobb then CLUBS Tanahashi, brings him around, and suplexes. Cobb holds Tanahashi up, the fans cheer as Cobb marches around with him, and then Cobb pops Tanahashi for a POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this but Cobb stays on him with a GROUND COBRA! Cobb uses Tanahashi as the guitar, then CLUBS him in the ribs and chest! Cobb eggs Tanahashi on, and Tanahashi growls and rises up. Tanahashi fires body shots and forearms, but Cobb just HEADBUTTS back!
Tanahashi staggers away to a corner, and Cobb runs up, only for Tanahashi to dodge! Tanahashi dropkicks Cobb’s legs! Tanahashi then grabs one, and Cobb asks for mercy! Cobb apologizes, but Tanahashi says bye-bye! DRAGON SCREW! The fans cheer while Cobb clutches his leg. Tanahashi storms up on Cobb to fire more fast hands! Tanahashi then says, “MY POWER!” And he SCOOP SLAMS Cobb! The fans fire up as Tanahashi climbs the corner. Tanahashi hits the SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Cobb is tougher than that but Tanahashi gets moving. But Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi! Cobb winds up, he runs, but Tanahashi dodges the slingblade!
Tanahashi waistlocks, Cobb switches, but Tanahashi throws elbows. Cobb picks Tanahashi up to SLAM him down, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO! Tanahashi stays in this, but the GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives the double impact, but Cobb looms over him. Cobb drags Tanahashi up, fires his own fast hand combo, then scoops to SLAM Tanahashi! Cobb grins as he looks to the corner. The fans fire up as Cobb hops up, air guitar and the pose, SUNSET FLOP as Tanahashi moves! Tanahashi runs, but Cobb grabs tights! Cobb reels Tanahashi in, but Tanahashi elbows free!
Cobb SHOTEIS! Tanahashi SHOTEIS! Tanahashi hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up as Tanahashi goes up the corner! But Cobb stands! Tanahashi HIGH FLY ATTACKS, but Cobb catches him! Cobb pops Tanahashi up, shifts around, and ATHLETIC- SLINGBLADE?!? Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi rises, the fans fire up, and Tanahashi runs to SLING- NO, Cobb gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! But Tanahashi rises again! SLING- NO, Cobb scoops Tanahashi, but then pops him around again! TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cobb roars, but he’s not done!! Cobb ripcords Tanahashi for the RIPCORD- CRADLE COUNTER!! TANAHASHI WINS!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Cobb got cocky and it to cost him! Tanahashi still tells Cobb he’s proud of him and of Cobb’s time here in NJPW. The two shake hands and hug it out while the fans cheer. Tanahashi’s Final Road rolls on, and The United Empire is here to say farewell to their friend. Cobb is handed a mic, and Chris Charleton is there to interpret. Cobb says he was not expecting to lose tonight. But first and foremost, he wants to thank the people that don’t even get seen by the fans. The NJPW staff, the music team, the NJPW World techs, the boys ‘n’ girls in the back, and all the wrestlers Cobb calls “family.” The fans applaud and Cobb says Chris’s Japanese is good.
Cobb takes a moment before he says he had a speech ready, but he’s kinda blanking out from the pressure. Online, there has been an outpouring of love, #ThankYouCobb. But really, he should be thanking each and every one of the fans. Cobb gets emotional again while Chris translates for him. Cobb knows it’s a bit of a crappy situation, but he wants Callum Newman to know, he’s got the ball, so run with it. Cobb lets Chris translate now, and then Cobb wraps by thanking the Empire members here, from Khan, to Templario, to “Jakob Change Your Name,” to Akira and to Callum.
And lastly, Cobb says this is not goodbye, but more see you later. Thank you, NJPW. Thank you, fans. Domo arigato gozaimasu! The fans cheer for Cobb one more time, and he bows deeply to them all. When and where will we see Cobb in the ring, any ring, again?
10 Man Elimination Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Yuya Uemura, Shota Umino, Taichi, Taka Michinoku & YOSHI-HASHI!
Well, not only is The Ace on his Final Road, but it would seem Tetsuya Naito and Bushi are on their own way out of NJPW. Then will they and their amigos start their Road to Wrestling Dontaku with a celebration? Or will the Heat Storm, Roughneck, Holy Emperor, Blue Playmaker and Headhunter make this anything but tranquilo?
The teams sort out and there’s a lot of entrance attire to put aside. Once Naito is done putting the pants away, LIJ fist bumps while Just4Guys/Hontai shake hands. Yuya steps up against Naito and the fans fire up already. Naito and Yuya stare down while the fans cheer “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Naito and Yuya step up, but then Naito tags to Bushi. The fans cheer Bushi on now, he circles with Yuya, but then Bushi tags out to Yota. The fans rally as Yuya and Yota feel things out, giving us a taste of their IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship match. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and Yuya wrenches Yota to a wristlock.
Yota slips around, full nelsons, but Yuya breaks that to hammerlock. Yota reaches back to facelock, then he wrenches again. Yuya rolls, wrenches, and arm-drags Yota down. But Yota headscissors! Yuya kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff. Yota and Yuya reset, tie up, and Yota headlocks. Yuya powers up and out, drops down, then hurdles over to arm-drag again! The fans cheer as Yuya has the armlock. Yota fights up, fights around, but Yuya brings him over and Taka tags in. Taka kicks Yota, CLUBS him, then stomps him. Taka knees low, runs, but Yota dropkicks a leg out! LIJ rushes in and BLASTS Hontai! Then they bring Taka to the ropes!
Hontai rushes in to save Taka! The fans fire up as everyone fights at the ropes, and Taka lands safe on the apron! Taka scurries around the way and back into the ring! The fans cheer, but then Takagi & Yota split the wishbone! Hiromu tags in, he brings Taka up and CHOPS! Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs up and LARIATS! Hiromu snapmares and runs to basement dropkick! The fans fire up and Hiromu brings Naito in. They double whip to TENDEDERO! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up as Hiromu bumps Taka off buckles, then he tags Takagi. Takagi RAMS into Taka again and again, but Taka fires body shots.
Takagi HEADBUTTS Taka down, then suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi sits Taka up, runs to BLAST Shota, and the fans cheer! Takagi drags Taka up to HEADBUTT the arm, then wrench it. Tag to Bushi and he CLUBS the arm. Bushi CLUBS Taka down, stomps him, then has the legs. Bushi stands on Taka’s groin! Red Shoes reprimands, Bushi steps off at 4, then stomps Taka around. Tag to Naito and the fans rally as he brings Taka up. Naito cravats Taka, then Hiromu sits in the ropes. Hiromu claims Hontai is up to something, Red Shoes looks over, and Naito SMACKS Taka off Hiromu’s boots!
Taichi protests, but Naito throws hands on Taka. Taka tries to hit back but there’s not much there. Naito CLUBS Taka, but Taka fires a flurry! Naito just ROCKS Taka! Naito runs, but Taka goes the other way to BOOT Naito down! The fans rally up, hot tag to Taichi! Taichi runs at Naito in the corner and BOOTS him! Yota gets in, kicks Taichi then whips, but Taichi BOOTS Yota! Takagi runs up, Taichi dodges to wrench and HOOK KICK! Hiromu gets up but Taichi BLASTS him! Bushi backs off, but Naito CLUBS Taichi. Naito whips, but Taichi reverses to RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up while Naito crawls.
Taichi paces, waits on Naito to sit up, but Naito ducks the buzzsaw! Naito shoves Taichi, Bushi trips him up! Bushi tags in and stomps Taichi around. Bushi ROCKS Taichi, whips, but Taichi grabs ropes. Bushi runs up again but Taichi BOOTS him down! Taichi tags Hashi and Hashi drags Bushi up. Hashi ROCKS and CLUBS Bushi, whips him, but Bushi reveres. Hashi dodges to ELBOW Bushi, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! LIJ blasts Hontai’s corner again! Hashi rolls out under the bottom rope, Bushi BLASTS him off the apron, then Bushi builds speed. But Hashi gets back in to CLOBBER Bushi!
Hashi drags Bushi up, hooks a leg, but Bushi fights free! Hashi blocks a kick, ducks the enzigiri, but the REWIND HEEL hits! Bushi runs in from the corner, but Hashi stops the Code Breaker! Taka joins in, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives, but Hashi clamps on the BUTTERFLY LOCK! Bushi endures, fights around, and Naito gets on the apron, only for Taichi to BOOT him down! Taichi intercepts Hiromu, and Bushi TAPS! Hashi ELIMINATES Bushi! Takagi CLOBBERS Hashi, then drops ELBOW after ELBOW! Takagi SENTONS but misses as Hashi moves! Shota storms in and stomps Takagi!
Shota drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT, and Hashi CHOPS! Hashi & Shota double whip, then Hashi runs up, only to be put on the apron! Takagi CLOBBERS Shota, then runs up on Hashi! Hashi RAMS Takagi, they trade forearms, but then Takagi HOTSHOTS Hashi! Hashi holds onto the ropes, then ROCKS Takagi! Takagi staggers, Shota runs up, but Takagi throws him into Hashi! Hashi falls to the floor, Takagi ELIMINATES Hashi! The teams are even again after that friendly fire, and Takagi rolls Shota! TWO, and things speed up! Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Takagi fires up, “TOKI GA KITA!”
The fans rally as Takagi runs up, but he blocks a boot to then LARIAT! JAB, CHOP, repeat, then Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, and CHOPS! Takagi brings Shota up, suplexes, but Shota fights it so Takagi hits the TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Cover, TWO! Shota stays in this but Takagi stays focused. The fans join in with “OI! OI! OI!” and Takagi storms up on Shota. Takagi pump handles but Shota fights the lift. Shota switches, Takagi fires elbows, but Shota ducks! Shota wrenches and SWINGING NECKBREAKERS! The fans are torn but Shota drags Takagi up. Shota CHOPS Takagi in the corner, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS!
Shota reels Takagi in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect, but Shota clamps on an STF! Takagi endures, fights around, and he drags Shota along towards the ropes! ROPEBREAK, the fans cheer, and Shota lets go. Shota brings Takagi up, but Takagi denies the tornado DDT! Shota fires forearms to ROCK Takagi again and again, but Takagi just headbutts the buckles to fire up! The fans fire up and Shota fires another forearm, only for Takagi to fire back! Shota headbutts the buckles to fire up! The forearms start flying again, but then Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi ROCKS Shota, but Shota fires boxing elbows now!
Shota ROCKS Takagi, then runs, but Takagi follows! LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, Shota follows, LARIAT at the ropes! Shota runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! Shota roars, but Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- SHOTA LARIATS! But Takagi’s up to PUMPING BOMBER! Shota is in a daze but he manages to stand, and he swats a lariat to ENZIGIRI! Takagi rebounds to SLIDING LARIAT! Shota staggers back up, but Takagi whips him. Shota reverses and reels Takagi in, TORNADO DDT! But Takagi’s right up, and he PUMPING BOMBERS Shota and himself up and out! DOULBE ELIMINATION!!
The fans go nuts as we go to 3v3 now. Yuya and Yota step back in and the fans rally. Yota grins, runs up, but Yuya dodges to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! Yuya whips, Yota reverses, but Yuya goes up and over. Yuya arm-drags, then DROPKICKS! Yuya roars and the fans fire up again! Yuya reels Yota in but Yota fights the saido. Yuya still hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yuya drags Yota back up, clinches, but Yota fires elbow after elbow to get free. Then he SUPER- NO, Yuya blocks! Yuya swings, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But he avoids the stomp! Yuya CHOPS then runs, but Yota SUPERKICKS himdown!
LIJ BLASTS Hontai’s corner again, and Yota looms over Yuya. Yota drags Yuya up, bumps him off buckles, then hoists him up top. Yota CHOPS, then he fires up before climbing up. The fans rally up, and Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls back, stands up, and he avoids Yuya’s leap! Yuya comes back, into the GENE TRIGGER! Yota TOSSES Yuya, but Yuya lands on the apron! Hiromu lets Yota know that, so Yota goes up the corner! Yota aims for an APRON MARLOWE- NO, Yuya dodges! Yuya CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Yota ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya fires up! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS!
Yota SLAPS Yuya! And then swings, but into the cording hold! Yuya grabs the other arm but Yota resists! Yota HEADBUTTS again and again, then DOUBLE HEADBUTTS hit! Both men fall, another DOUBLE ELIMINATION!! Now it’s just TakaTaichi VS Naito & Hiromu! The fans rally up as the four stare down. Hiromu runs up, but into TENDEDERO! Naito dodges but then Taichi BOOTS him down! TakaTaichi double whip to DOUBLE BOOT! Taka has Hiromu but Hiromu fires forearms! Taka pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to a corner, but Hiromu blocks the shining wizard!
Hiromu runs, RANA, but Taka SHOVES it down! JUST FACELOCK!! Taka CLUBS away on Hiromu, but Naito stomps Taka down! Taichi runs up but Naito kicks him and throws him out! Naito kicks Taka, he and Hiromu double whip, but Taka redirects! And redirects! But then Naito & Hiromu undo Tendedero to let Taka pass! Taka comes back, ducks Tendedero, and he waistlocks Naito. Naito switches, shoves Taka at Hiromu and Hiromu wrenches. Pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN ROLL! Cover, Hiromu ELIMINATES Taka! And that leaves it 2v1, Hiromu & Naito against Taichi! Taichi paces as he considers his options.
Taichi rushes in, but into TENDEDERO! Naito & Hiromu double whip Taichi to a corner, and Hiromu runs to LARIAT! Naito ROCKS Taichi, ENZIGIRIS, and Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Hiromu gives Naito the boost for the TOR- Well, no, the tornado fails but the DDT still hits! Hiromu brings Taichi up, suplexes, but Taichi fights it! Taichi suplexes, but Hiromu fights it! They end up by the ropes! Hiromu is on the apron, Naito runs up, but Taichi dodges and Naito BLASTS Hiromu! Hiromu falls and is ELIMINATED! Friendly fire in return for before, and the fans fire up as it is Taichi and Naito 1v1!
Taichi and Naito reset, and the fans cheer for “NA-I-TO!” as hard as they can. Naito fires a forearm, but Taichi fires back! Naito fires another, so Taichi fires back! Naito and Taichi both smirk as the shots keep going back and forth! Taichi then KCIKS, but Naito still throws forearms! KICK, forearm, repeat, but then Naito ROCKS Taichi again and again! Naito SLAPS Taichi! Taichi SOBATS! Naito fires the heavy elbow, but Taichi URAKENS! Naito runs, Taichi BOOTS him down, then Taichi drags Naito back up, just so he can AX- NO, Naito lifts Taichi, but Taichi fights off the atomic drop! Taichi shoves Naito to then AX BOMBER! Cover, TWO!
Naito survives but Taichi runs, and SLIDING AX BOMBERS! Taichi fires up, the fans are torn, but Taichi suplexes! Naito fights free to kick low! Naito uses the ropes to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Naito drags Taichi up. Naito fires those heavy elbows again and again! Naito has Taichi down in the corner, then climbs up. Naito reels Taichi in, but Taichi sneaks the pants off! GAMANGIRI! Naito falls off the corner, but he holds onto the ropes! Naito dangles off the apron but his feet do not touch the floor! Taichi fires shots, Naito ROCKS him in return! Taichi runs up, Naito slides under! Naito DUMPS Taichi over!
Taichi is on the apron but Naito fires a flurry! HOTSHOT! Taichi wobbles, but he ROCKS Naito! Naito ROCKS Taichi, HOTSHOTS again, then ROLLING KICKS! Taichi falls, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by ring out
It came down to the leaders as the last men, but the Uncontrollable Charisma found a way to win for the team! LIJ regroups and Naito is given the mic. “Buenas tardes, Korakuen Hall!” The fans cheer, and Naito says, “First and foremost… Bushi, why don’t you say something to the fans?” The fans applaud and Bushi takes a quick drink of water before he takes up the mic. “Now that I have this time, I’ll say this. As previously announced by NJPW, my departure was a decision made after a lot of thought. I have no regrets.” The fans applaud that, and Bushi continues, “My feelings haven’t changed since I spoke here 10 years ago. It’s been a deeply fulfilling experience.”
The fans applaud that, too, and Bushi says, “This Dontaku tour is only getting started. When I step into this ring, I’ll show my gratitude in my own way. Thank you.” The fans applaud again, and Bushi hands the mic back to Naito. Naito also notes that the Road to Wrestling Dontaku has just begun. He and Bushi will be leaving NJPW after May 4th. “Whether Bushi and I will compete in this ring again or not, you already know, don’t you? Yes, the answer is of course, TRANQUILO! Assen na yo!” The fans applaud Naito being Naito even now. Naito then asks if they want to do the roll call, and the fans cheer!
Naito notes they haven’t had one at all this year, so this will be the first roll call of 2025. Are you ready? The fans cheer, so Naito says that the only way to close out tonight in Korakuen Hall is naturally with… “Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRRRNABLEEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!!” The fans cheer the first LIJ roll call of 2025, but will we get more of them before May 4th? Will we get one on May 4th?
My Thoughts:
A great night to kick off the Road to Wrestling Dontaku, though of course it had to be on one of the busiest weekends of the year. Great goodbye match for Cobb with Tanahashi. It was a big awkward because while Tanahashi is still going to retire this year, Cobb was leaving, and so Cobb leaving NJPW trumps Tanahashi retiring, meaning Cobb had to lose. It’s the unwritten tradition of pro-wrestling. Very good farewell promo from Cobb, too, and I can’t wait to see where he goes next. Word is, it isn’t AEW, and perhaps the WWE rumors have still been true all along, they just leaked out way too soon.
And then very good 10 Man Elimination Tag in the main event, and it works out that LIJ won. Naito & Bushi needed a chance to address the fans about their own departure from NJPW, and so giving them the win so they can do a main event promo was fitting. In my estimation, I don’t see Naito going to any other company, even if it’s another Japanese based company. He’s done plenty in his career, he’s pushed his body pretty hard, so he needs to enjoy retirement, or at least make a lateral movement to be working with Young Lions in the NJPW Dojo as a teacher. Bushi, could probably keep going a little longer, or he could also call it a day on the other hand, only Bushi really knows how his body feels.
My Score: 8.8/10
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