Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/11/20)
Will Johnny’s curse be broken?
Will Johnny Wrestling still be NXT North American Champion?
The first ever TWO-TIME NXT North American Champion might only be that for a short time. Can Johnny Gargano break his curse of short reigns?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano VS ???; Leon Ruff wins and becomes the new NXT North American Champion.
- NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Jake Atlas; Escobar wins and retains the title.
- Xia Li VS Raquel Gonzalez; No Contest.
- Candice LeRae VS Toni Storm; LeRae wins.
- Timothy Thatcher VS Dexter Lumis; Thatcher wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Breezango; Lorcan & Burch win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE and NXT honor the American armed forces on Veterans Day.
“Today in America, we honor our veterans. We celebrate the boldness of your convictions, and for the future you made possible. We will never forget it was you who stepped forward when we needed you most. We are humbled by your service, and we are forever grateful for your courage.” To these sons, daughters, fathers and mothers. To the brave men and women of the Army, the Navy, the Marines, the Air Force, the Coast Guard, and now Space Force, we remember and say, “Thank you.”
NXT North American Championship: Johnny Gargano VS ???
Johnny Wrestling is already in the ring as he welcomes us to the show! And he welcomes us to Gargano’s Wheel of Challengers! Lalala~! Fans chant “Your Wheel Sucks!” but Gargano says they shouldn’t talk about his wheel like that. Gargano says to respect the wheel! At Halloween Havoc, he made history by becoming the first-ever TWO-TIME North American Champion! The first time, he held the title until his first defense, and lost. That was just bad luck. But the same thing happened with the NXT Championship: “First defense, title go bye-bye. That’s not bad luck, that’s a curse! I’m cursed, I tell ya!”
But tonight, Gargano says with help from a very special friend in the wheel, he will reverse the curse! “With one spin, someone will get the opportunity of a lifetime! And I show the world, where there’s a wheel, there’s a way.” Let’s spin! The! WHEEL~! Gargano tries to get fans to chant that but they’re not really up for that. Gargano spins the wheel, it goes past “Roddy,” Thatcher, Kushida, Kyle, Dream, Cole, Escobar, Ciampa, Priest, Grimes, Bronson, Lumis and Pete, to teeter totter onto Leon Ruff! The wheel is weighted!! “Totally unpredictable!” Gargano is “amazed” that Ruff gets a shot! “Leon Ruff, c’mooooon down~!” Ruff definitely has the opportunity of a lifetime, he’s not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. But will Ruff be used to break the curse?
The bell rings, the fans are on Ruff’s side, but then Gargano fakes Ruff out on the approach. Ruff falls, but Gargano lets him have time to fix his knee pad. But then Gargano KICKS Ruff and throws haymakers instead! Gargano stomps away on Ruff in the corner, lets off at the ref’s count, and then finally takes off his shirt. Gargano drags Ruff up, fireman’s carries, and TOSSES him down! Gargano double guns and mockingly hits a home run. It helps that Ruff is one of the few wrestlers smaller than Gargano… Gargano puts Ruff in a corner, CHOPS him, then mocks the fans rallying for Ruff. Gargano whips corner to corner, Ruff goes up and out to forearm back! Ruff springboards and hops around the corner as he evades Gargano, to then slide under and dropkick back!
Fans fire up with Ruff as he runs corner to corner to hit a big lariat! Ruff springboards but Gargano catches him this time to TOSS him at the steel steps! Ruff clutches a knee as he writhes on the ground but Gargano grins as he goes out to fetch Ruff. Gargano drags Ruff up by his ear, then whips him into the boards! Gargano taunts Ruff, but Damian Priest is glaring at Gargano through the Plexiglas. Gargano puts Ruff in the ring and taunts Priest with the archery stuff. But Priest comes around the barriers and Gargano freaks! Gargano gets in the ring, Ruff rolls him up! TWO!! Gargano gets up to CLOBBER Ruff!
Gargano is angry now, and he drags Ruff to a corner. Gargano tells Priest to watch this as he scoops Ruff, for a LAWN DART! Gargano says that was “So easy!” Ruff flounders as Gargano powers up, but the fans chanting upset him. He runs at Ruff but into a crucifix takedown! Cover, RUFF WINS?!?!
Winner: Leon Ruff, by pinfall (NEW NXT North American Champion)
WHAT?! Ruff wins his first title in the WWE!! Even he is shocked! Priest is laughing at Gargano because the curse is still a thing! Priest helps Ruff put the belt on, but it’s a little too big for him… Well they can worry about that later. Will the unlikeliest of underdog champions reach new heights as the new champion?
NXT returns with the backstage celebration for Leon Ruff!
GM William Regal is there to congratulate Ruff. Ruff feels so good! Priest says this is great and all, but he warns Ruff that “Little Johnny” is gonna barge in all pissed and kick Ruff’s ass. So Priest gives Ruff the keys to his Challenger so he can make a getaway! Ruff hurries off and Gargano does barge in. Gargano says this is Priest’s fault, but Regal and refs keep this from turning into a fight. Priest says Gargano IS cursed, because the way he just choked was incredible! Gargano is only angrier now, but Regal warns Gargano to cool off. Gargano tells Regal to do his job! Whose idea was that out there? Priest tells Gargano, “It was YOURS, you idiot!” Gargano says everyone knows he hates wheels! Gargano is in denial, and there was no contract so this has to be reversed! But will the only way to take the title back is to take it back in a match?
NXT Cruiserweight Championship: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Jake Atlas!
From one title to another, the Leader of Leader is willing to give his opponent a chance at revenge to also avenge Atlas going after El Legado in the parking lot! And not just last week, but again today, Atlas had a pipe as he jumped Escobar, Joaquin Wilde and Raul Mendoza! But will Escobar have more tricks up his proverbial sleeves to screw Atlas over again?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this increasingly intense feud fires off again!
Atlas says he got Escobar’s henchmen, now it’s his turn. Escobar says he’s already beaten Atlas once, this is just to make a point. Atlas rushes in, Escobar knees and SLAPS him! Escobar waistlocks, Atlas standing switches but Escobar bucks him off. Atlas dodges, things speed up and Atlas dropkicks Escobar down! Escobar bails out but Atlas won’t let off, he goes out to put Escobar right back in! Escobar enziguris right back! Escobar clubs away on Atlas, Atlas hits back but Escobar facelocks. They scrap, Escobar knees then snapmares to hit Atlas with a unique leap frog attack. Atlas holds his neck, that move was as much insult as it was injury, and Escobar kicks Atlas to a corner.
Atlas CHOPS, Escobar CHOPS, and repeat! Escobar clubs Atlas, snapmares him and KICKS him again! Atlas writhes, Escobar drags Atlas up to wrench and kick again. Russian Leg Sweep to a Pluma Blanca! Atlas endures, moves around, Escobar talks trash and throws clubbing forearms. Escobar makes it part crossface but Atlas still endures. Fans rally, Atlas moves around, Escobar clubs him more. Escobar drags Atlas up, CHOPS him again, but Atlas shoves him away. Escobar SLAPS Atlas, whips him to ropes but Atlas tilt-o-whirls, only for Escobar to SLAM him down! Escobar kicks Atlas while he’s down, then kicks him against ropes. “Are you ready for the best?”
Fans rally as Escobar brings Atlas up. Atlas throws body shots but Escobar clubs him to a corner. Escobar throws more forearms, then more kicks. The ref backs Escobar off but Escobar comes back with more stomps and kicks! Fans boo but Escobar stomps Atlas down. Escobar drags Atlas up, Atlas hits back! Escobar clubs Atlas, grins as he looms over Atlas, and then hooks up the arm for a modified chinlock. Atlas endures, fans rally up but Escobar drags Atlas up to throw hands. Atlas counter punches, CHOPS, and more forearms! Atlas fires off in the corner, bumps Escobar off buckles then CHOPS and haymakers more! Atlas CHOPS, puts him in a corner, then fires off more hands! Atlas snapmares Escobar then DECKS him with a right!
Fans fire up with Atlas as he runs, but Escobar puts him on the apron. Atlas bumps Escobar off buckles but Mendoza has a pipe of his own! Atlas jumps the sweep and the ref reprimands, but Atlas MULE KICKS Mendoza, then PENALTY KICKS Atlas! Atlas JAMS Mendoza with the pipe, then SMACKS Wilde with it! They’re not part of the match so that’s okay! But the ref tells Atlas to ditch the pipe before getting back in the ring. Mendoza grabs the pipe and tug-o-wars with Atlas, but Atlas BOOTS him down! Atlas enziguris Escobar, then springboards for a BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Escobar survives and scrambles out of the ring! El Legado regroups as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and the ref EJECTS Wilde and Mendoza! They’re furious but Escobar stomps his frustrations out on Atlas! The ref counts as Escobar digs his boot into Atlas’ neck and chest, the ref has to pull him away. Escobar stomps Atlas and digs his boot in again but he lets off again. Atlas gets up, Escobar KICKS his leg out! Escobar stomps away, the ref counts and Escobar stops at 4 again. Escobar runs in to KNEE Atlas! And then whips him corner to corner, to KNEE him again! Escobar puts Atlas up top, climbs up to join him, then SUPER STEINERS! Escobar keeps going, goes up top again, and FROG SPLASHES! Cover, TWO!! Atlas survives and Escobar is stunned!
Escobar SLAPS Atlas, drags him up and whips him to ropes. Atlas ducks and dodges to huricanrana! Escobar flounders into a dropkick! Fans fire up with Atlas as he throws uppercuts and a GERMAN SUPLEX! Atlas aims and ROUNDHOUSES! Cover, TWO! Escobar is still in this but Atlas is still on him with ground ‘n’ pound! Atlas then brings Escobar up, CHOPS him, and CHOPS him again, then goes up the corner! Escobar shoves Atlas down! Atlas narrowly avoids hitting announce desk as he hits the floor! Escobar watches Atlas rise, then builds speed, but Atlas still isn’t up. Escobar slides out instead of dives, and Atlas ROCKS him with a right! Was Atlas suckering him in?!
Atlas CHOPS Escobar but Escobar throws him into steps! Escobar stomps Atlas, lets the ring count climb a little, then drags Atlas up and bumps him off steps again! Escobar goes in at 5 of 10 and lets the climb continue. Atlas gets up and in at 8, but Escobar is after him. Atlas HOTSHOTS Escobar away! Atlas gets right back in as Escobar bails out the far side, and DIVES! Not the best take off but he still makes contact with Escobar! Atlas fires himself up to get Escobar back in the ring. Escobar gets up, Atlas victory rolls him, TWO!! Atlas and Escobar stand, Atlas cradles, TWO! Escobar wants Atlas to have mercy, but he suckers Atlas in now and throws him into the ropes!
Atlas staggers, Escobar fireman’s carries, but Atlas fights out! Atlas shoves but Escobar dodges to CALF KICK! Cover, TWO!? Atlas survives and Escobar is furious! Fans are fired up as Escobar says he’ll end this! But Atlas fireman’s carries to ROLLIGN SENTON! And PENALTY KICK! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Escobar survives the onslaught but Atlas won’t give up! Atlas goes up top, has Escobar near ropes, cartwheel but no DDT! Escobar underhooks, LEGADO FACEBUSTER! Cover, Escobar wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall (still NXT Cruiserweight Champion)
The legacy of Fantasma continues on with the gold, but that was as close as anyone has come to taking the title from him! Will the Leader of Leaders continue to find ways to survive?
Dexter Lumis is drawing a new piece of art.
In a rather cartoony interpretation of the Haunted House of Terror match, Lumis has drawn Cameron Grimes running away from the zombie referee. Pictures are worth a thousand words, but will Grimes have something to say should he see this masterpiece for himself?
Shotzi Blackheart finally responds to Candice LeRae’s actions.
“Candice didn’t just destroy my tank. She destroyed a piece of me. That tank represents who I am. It represents every challenge that I have overcome in life.” It wasn’t just some cool thing she rode to the ring. That tank represents freedom, as well as family she has in the military right now. Family means the world to Shotzi. If not for her family, Shotzi would not be here right now. And Candice wants to say that they’re even? “We’re way past even.” If Candice wants to send her a message, Shotzi fires one right back! “I’m not looking for payback. I’m not looking for revenge. Candice, I’m looking to kick your ass!!” Will Shotzi have a chance to take her shot at the Poisoned Pixie soon enough?
Xia Li VS Raquel Gonzalez!
The Spicy has been rather sour lately. Her letters as delivered by Boa have been from her family, but the exact contents are personal and therefore secret. But what isn’t a secret as that she’s grown desperate to compete and even more desperate to win. But is she trying too desperately going after “Big Mami Cool,” #RickyDesperado?
Wait, speaking of Boa, he comes out instead of Xia. He apologizes and says Xia isn’t here tonight. They can’t have the match. But she’s the one who called Raquel out! Boa apologizes again, but Raquel BOOTS him down! Raquel is the one upset now and she throws Boa right into boards! Boa keeps apologizing but Raquel keeps clubbing and kicking him down! Raquel throws him into MORE boards! Raquel dares him to get up, and Boa manages to get into the ring. Boa crawls but she stalks up behind him, and then BOOTS him back down! Fans are fired up as Raquel says he’s getting what Xia asked for! FISHERMAN BOMB! “Everybody better keep my name out of their mouths!” Raquel storms off, will everyone understand to stay on her good side?
Boa writhes, but something is going on with the lights! A dragon flies around the screen? Boa flounders out of the ring and looks to the ramp. Who is this coming down the ramp? Boa bows to this man but he has a letter for him. He hands the letter over, but then uses black paint to write something on Boa’s hand. And it’s as if Boa can’t open his hand! What does all of this mean?!
Backstage interview with August Grey.
Last week, he went after Timothy Thatcher during Thatch As Thatch Can, but can he expound on why? Absolutely. He did what he did because of what- Thatcher attacks Grey from behind! Thatcher shouts, “Wanna be a big man, huh?!” Grey uses a facelock to drag Grey around but Grey hits back! They brawl near Lumis’ artwork! Thatcher has the guillotine again! He lets Grey go and the refs try to back him off, but Thatcher drags Grey up and throws him into Lumis’ picture! Now Thatcher has Lumis glaring at him! Thatcher says he has no problem with the Tortured Artist, but Lumis might just have a problem with him! Will Thatcher be the one learning a lesson in pain?
Candice LeRae VS Toni Storm!
The Poisoned Pixie may have crushed a part of Shotzi’s heart, but the Lightning From Down Under did win because of that distraction. Will Toni “thank” Candice by getting a win off her, too?
The bell rings and Candice circles with Toni. Fans rally for Toni as she and Candice tie up. Candice headlocks, Toni tries to power out but Candice holds on. Toni tries again and gets free to headlock back. Toni hits a takeover, Candice pushes back but Toni cranks on the hold. Candice rolls to a cover, TWO and Toni still holds on. Candice gets up, Toni shifts to wrench the wrist but Candice rolls. Toni wrangles Candice down, has a grounded armlock but Candice fights up. Toni wrenches Candice again, Candice reaches for ropes but Toni keeps her away. Candice keeps trying, they run around and around and Toni throws Candice down! Candice is furious but fans rally up.
Toni wrenches again, Candice spins through to wrench back. Candice laughs at Toni but Toni spins through to wrench and wrench and wrangle Candice down! Candice is again frustrated but she fights her way up. Toni has the arm but Candice jawbreakers then wrenches to a wristlock! Toni spins through, bridges back and handsprings around but Candice throws her down by her hair! Cover, ONE, but Candice clubs away on Toni’s back! Candice looms over Toni, brings her up to a headlock and then hits a takeover. Fans rally as Toni works her way up. Candice clubs Toni again but Toni blocks the suplex. Toni snap suplexes Candice instead! Toni runs, sees the back drop coming so she changes direct to dropkick Candice down!
Candice gets up into an atomic drop and CHOP! Toni brings Candice up, Candice shoves her away but Toni BOOTS Candice down! Candice bails out so Toni pursues. Fans rally as Toni runs in, but her hip attack only gets steel steps! Candice gets away into the ring as NXT goes picture in picture.
The ring count climbs but Candice goes out to fetch Toni. Candice puts Toni back in, has her in a corner, and stomps away! The ref counts, Candice lets off in annoyance, but she smirks as she comes back to ram into Toni! Candice goes corner to corner to back body block Toni down! Toni crawls at ropes, Candice SLAPS her, but that just makes her mad! Candice bumps Toni off buckles then goes corner to corner again, but Toni dodges and CLOBBERS Candice! Cover, TWO! Toni goes after Candice but Candice elbows her down! Cover, TWO! Candice keeps on Toni with a chinlock and digs a knee into Toni’s back.
Toni endures, Candice traps an arm but Toni fights her way up. Candice throws Toni down by the chinbar, then covers, TWO! Candice grows annoyed as she stalks Toni to ropes. Candice kicks Toni, stomps her, then chokes her on the ropes! The ref counts, Candice lets off, then stalks Toni to a corner. Candice snapmares Toni and neck snaps her down! Cover, TWO! Candice drags Toni back into the chinlock with the knee in the back. Toni endures, fights up, and throws elbows! Toni is free, she scoops Candice to slam her down! Cover, TWO! Toni drags Candice up but Candice jawbreakers back! And it’s back to the chinlock!
Toni endures again as NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally, Toni fights up but Candice hits a BACKSTABBER! Candice hurries to ropes for a LIONSAULT but she FLOPS as Toni moves! Toni HEADBUTTS Candice but they both go down! Fans fire up as a standing count begins. Both women slowly stir, they sit up at 5 but stand at 7! Candice heads after Toni but Toni ROCKS her first! Toni blocks a kick to spin Candice for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Candice ends up in a corner, Toni runs in to HIP ATTACK! Toni keeps moving, SLIDING D at the ropes! And then a sliding LARIAT right after! Fisherman, PERFECT PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Candice survives and Toni grows frustrated.
Fans rally and Toni goes to a corner. Toni climbs up top, Candice trips her up and SLAPS her! Candice climbs up to join Toni, but Toni denies Ms. LeRae’s Wild Ride! To then LEG DROP, but misses as Candice moves! Basement BOOT! Cover, TWO!! Candice is losing her cool while fans fire up more! Candice glares at Toni, grabs the legs but Toni boots her away! Toni runs in at the corner again but is sent into buckles! Roll up, but her feet are on the ropes! Candice wins!!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
Toni isn’t letting that stand and she goes after Candice with clubbing forearms! But wait, Ghost Face returns! They brawl with Toni and it’s 2v1! They stomp Toni down, but Shotzi is here! She tackles Candice down! Ghost Face goes after Shotzi but gets a KNEE for it! Shotzi goes after Candice but Ghost Face BOOTS Shotzi down! Candice tells Ghost Face to bring Shotzi up. WICKED STEP SISTER! And Ghost Face takes off HER mask because it’s been INDI HARTWELL all along! The Impressive Indi is following #TheJohnnyGarganoWay! Will Shotzi now have to get even with her on top of Candice to avenge her tank?
Breezango speaks.
“Five years, man.” It took Fandango and Tyler Breeze five years, but they finally became champions in WWE. And they worked way too hard to have it stolen by Pat McAfee! He’s not even really part of NXT! McAfee isn’t a wrestler, he doesn’t understand what they do. Tonight won’t be the fun loving Breezango. They did it once, they’ll do it again. The rematch will make them the two-time NXT Tag Team Champions! Will Prince Pretty and the Lord of the Dance dethrone the new Kings of NXT?
Timothy Thatcher VS Dexter Lumis!
The encounter earlier tonight is exactly why this match is happening! Will the Professor of Pain pay for ruining the Tortured Artist’s portrait of Cameron Grimes? Or will Lumis learn the art of Thatch As Thatch Can?
The bell rings and Lumis rushes Thatcher for a Thesz Press! Lumis rains down fast hands but Thatcher gets free, only for Lumis to DECK him with an uppercut! Thatcher bails out to refocus but Lumis just waits for him to return. The ring count climbs, Thatcher gets in but Lumis avoids the shoot after the leg. Thatcher tries again, he does get a leg but Lumis steps over to get a chinlock! Thatcher slips out the back, ends up in a clinch with Lumis, but Thatcher throws a EuroUpper of his own! Thatcher gets a leg, trips Lumis but Lumis boots him away. The two stand off and fans fire up.
Lumis and Thatcher circle, tie up, and Lumis waistlocks to drag Thatcher down. Thatcher throws Lumis over his shoulder to lateral press then get a leg. Lumis tries to grab Thatcher’s chin but Thatcher twists the ankle! Lumis endures, Thatcher shifts to throw knees into ribs! Thatcher facelocks but fans rally for Lumis. Lumis fights up, throws body shots but Thatcher comes back to clinch and belly2belly! Lumis just slithers right back at Thatcher! Thatcher shakes off his fear to facelock Lumis! Lumis endures, throws body shots,and powers Thatcher to ropes. Thatcher lets off long enough to EuroUpper again!
Thatcher knees low and hard then goes after the ankle again! Lumis endures as Thatcher uses his own leg as a point of torque and twist! Thatcher wants a Calf Crusher but Lumis reaches back to grab Thatcher in a chinlock! Thatcher slips out the back to then get the legs for a lace, Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Lumis endures being stretched, and he pries free by pulling a finger! Lumis throws forearms then fish hooks Thatcher to give him crossface forearms! Thatcher scrambles away but Lumis stalks behind him. Lumis stomps and uppercuts in the corner, then headlocks to bring Thatcher out. Lumis shoves Thatcher and SPINE BUSTERS back! Lumis clutches his own arm, he may have suffered double-edged damage somewhere in there.
Fans rally as Lumis shakes his arm out. Thatcher gets up but Lumis dropkicks him down! Lumis brings Thatcher up, both men grab at each other’s ears! Lumis knees low, whips Thatcher up and out of the ring, and takes a moment to shake out the bad arm. Thatcher crawls on the outside but Lumis goes out after him. Thatcher kicks low and throws another EuroUpper! The ring count is 6 as Thatcher throws a forearm. Thatcher goes into the ring just to refresh the count, and he CLUBS Lumis down from behind! Thatcher throws another EuroUpper but Lumis knees and clubs and uppercuts in return! But Thatcher POSTS Lumis to stop him! Lumis holds the bad arm as Thatcher stalks him now. The proverbial tables may have turned as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Thatcher is after Lumis’ bad arm. Lumis endures and fans rally up as he clasps his hands. Lumis fights up, but Thatcher shifts to throw another EuroUpper! BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Lumis is still in this but Thatcher covers again, TWO! Another cover, ONE! Thatcher goes after the bad arm again and with a double wristlock! Thatcher digs his knee into Lumis’ head and he cranks on the arm! Lumis endures, moves around, but Thatcher shifts to a hammerlock then gets the other arm. Thatcher shoots the half, TWO, but he still holds onto the arms! Thatcher KNEES Lumis in the ribs! Lumis pushes Thatcher but Thatcher SLAMS the bad arm! Lumis punches but Thatcher stomps him down!
Thatcher looms over Lumis, drags him up and underhooks again. Lumis resists the suplex, slips out and knees low! Lumis back suplexes high and hard! Then kips up! To jump and drop a leg! Fans fire up as Lumis gets his bad arm working. Lumis throws haymaker after haymaker and uppercut! Thatcher goes to a corner but Lumis corner clotheslines and bulldogs! Lumis goes to the top rope while Thatcher is dazed. Thatcher gets up to hit Lumis first! Thatcher climbs up, Lumis fights back, Thatcher clubs Lumis but Lumis resists. Lumis throws body shots, sends Thatcher down, but Thatcher is right back up! Into the ARM TRIANGLE! Thatcher fights out of Silence but is again sent down! Lumis adjusts and leaps, for a SWANTON!
Lumis tears off his shirt as fans fire up! Lumis stalks Thatcher, catches him for the clinch again, but Thatcher endures. Lumis sees CAMERON GRIMES coming, and shoves Thatcher into him! Down goes Grimes, Lumis catches Thatcher, but Thatcher turns it around into a FUJIWARA! Then a chicken wing to ghost pin, Thatcher wins!
Winner: Timothy Thatcher, by pinfall
Grimes still costs Lumis after all! And then goes after him! Grimes rains down right hands and thrashes about. Grimes throws his vest off but Lumis sits up! Lumis ROCKS Grimes with an uppercut then throws him to the apron. Grimes hotshots the bad arm! And then CLOBBERS Lumis! Grimes has a burlap sack and puts it around Lumis’ head! “Now whatta ya gonna do?!” Grimes throws Lumis out, Lumis can’t see what’s going on, and Grimes BOOTS him down! Grimes dares Lumis to look him in the eyes now, then throws big forearm shots! Lumis grabs a chair and takes a wild swing! Grimes avoids that and BOOTS Lumis down again!
Grimes takes the chair, sits it up, and makes Lumis take a seat. Grimes then runs to CAVE-IN Lumis off the chair!! Grimes says he ain’t scare of Lumis anymore. But that’s easy to say when dealing with someone who’s already been through a fight. Will Grimes still have courage when he has to face his fear head on?
Backstage interview with Johnny Gargano.
Gargano is hesitant outside of William Regal’s office. Gargano says he has cooled off, so now he is here to calmly talk with Mr. Regal about what happened. He knocks on the door, Regal answers, and Gargano says he is calm and cool. Gargano wants Regal to know that the match with Ruff should be thrown out, even reversed. It’s the right thing to do. But it was Gargano’s idea to have that match, so Regal has to let it stand. “Are you freakin’ kidding me?!” So much for calm and cool. Gargano admits he RIGGED the wheel! “It was a joke! A goof! I’m still the North American Champion! Everybody knows that!” No, the decision stands. The curse lives on and Ruff is the champion. Gargano loses what was left of his cool, but will he have no choice but to accept the consequences of his actions?
Tommaso Ciampa speaks.
“I am approaching 16 years in this industry. And over that time, I’ve come across some tough guys. Hell, I still remember early in my career training with guys like Killer Kowalski and Harley Race.” But if you want to talk about tough men, the funny thing about Killer and Harley was that they never told you how tough they were. “They didn’t have to. You just knew. But times have certainly changed.” Ciampa looks around and apparently, everyone’s tough. Don’t believe him? Just ask them. Everyone here has no problem telling you how tough they are. But maybe that’s just the world we live in. “Complain, and get rewarded. Bark loud enough for long enough and people being to fear your bite. Actions, without consequence.”
Maybe Ciampa’s just old school. He never thought he’d be the last of a dying breed. But he told us a couple week sago and he’ll tell us again now. “This culture, this 2020 locker room,” it’s going to change. Ciampa will be that change.
NXT presents Prime Target: Shirai VS Ripley!
“Walking into Raymond James Stadium feels like a lifetime ago” for the Aussie Nightmare. She was genuinely excited, going into WrestleMania at just 23 years old and as THE NXT Women’s Champion. It was supposed to be the biggest night of her life with 80+ THOUSAND people. But then we all know what happened: pandemic means lockdown, and that means no crowd, no energy, no emotion. And in the end, no title. Charlotte Flair took the title from her and was Queen of NXT once more.
Two months later, NXT was In Your House, and Io Shirai was our champion! “When you are a disciplined champion, you do not have emotions. You do not have setbacks. You do not have failure.” Shirai does not look back. “Every challenger has learned. Every opponent has realized.” Shirai stops momentum cold. She beats the best because she IS the best. Rhea, it took you some time to recover from WrestleMania. But Shirai isn’t afraid of nightmares.
“Everyone thought that that loss would define me. Everyone thought that I was a quitter. Rhea Ripley doesn’t quit!” She took out Mercedes Martinez, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez, but now it’s time for Shirai. Shirai thinks Rhea is emotional but who cares what she thinks? Rhea’s trainers now she is more determined and focused and even more confident. Shirai is a special talent, but when the lights are on and it’s time to perform, “there ain’t nobody ****ing better” than Rhea. Shirai says Rhea will hit that “same emotional low again when I defeat you!” But Rhea says in one week, she takes that title back, whether Shirai likes it or not! We finally see Evil Genius VS Mosh Pit Kid 1v1 next week!
Pat McAfee and the Kings of NXT are here!
He and Pete Dunne accompany Danny Burch and Oney Lorcan to the ring in preparation for the tag title main event! Undisputed Era fans boo the hardest but these four shrug that off, especially after what they did to Killian Dain last week. McAfee says “that was absolutely gorgeous to relive. And for the past two weeks, I think it should be recognized that Pete Dunne has been an absolutely TERROR to this brand!” Chair to the back of Kyle O’Reilly! Front door to “big hairy Irish bastard’s face!” This is the best four man group in the history of pro-wrestling!
As McAfee was in his private jet, flying down to the “hell hole” that is Orlando, Florida, getting tweets from Tom Brady while learning McAfee’s business is now worth $150 MILLION, he almost died because they’re in the middle of a Tropical Storm. Dat sum bish turned sideways but he made it! So what was he going to tell “the dumbest community on the internet, the wrestling community,” tonight? It’s that they don’t deserve to watch “the greatest tag team on the planet” beat the hell out of Breezango while McAfee dominates commentary next to “stupid Slim Reaper,” Vic Joseph, and Bad News Barrett! “This is the greatest night in NXT history because we’re here!” McAfee does as he says, and the main event goes down after the break.
NXT Media catches up with Cameron Grimes.
Grimes seems he got the upper hand on Lumis. Yes, that’s right! He figured it out! “Listen. I ain’t afraid o’ no ghosts, or ghouls, or zombies. But I tell you what, I am man enough to say I was afraid of Dexter Lumis.” It’s those dark, creepy eyes. But then Grimes covered those eyes up and he caved him in! Now you know what’s gonna happen. Grimes has got to get going, TO~ THE~ MOON~!
Finn Balor will return!
Next week, the Prince is back to let us all know how his recovery is going! Will Balor still be our NXT Champion?
NXT Tag Team Championships: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Breezango!
NXT returns once again, and just as Fandango and Breeze said, they are all business! And no, that doesn’t mean they’re Fashion Stock Brokers or Fashion Salesmen. No, they are simply two men who want payback on the One Two who sold out to side with Pat McAfee! Will the BritAm Brawlers learn they’re not the only ones have fought long and hard to finally be at the top?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and what could be the last chance for Breeze and Fandango starts now!
The teams sort out and Lorcan and Burch rush Breezango! The brawl is on, Burch stomps Breeze down and Lorcan goes after Dango! The brawling continues outside, Lorcan throws EuroUppers and Burch throws haymakers! Lorcan CHOPS Fandango, Burch keeps on Breeze. Fandango back drops out of the powerbomb! Breeze gets some space to then trip Burch and catapult him into boards! Breeze and Fandango have turned things around and they put Burch in the ring. Fandango keeps on Burch with haymakers and CHOPS! Fandango throws more haymakers, more CHOPS, and then jabs away in the corner! Fandango clubs Burch down, tags Breeze, and Breezango mug Burch in the corner.
Breeze stomps a fashionable mudhole but lets off as the ref counts. Breeze keeps on Burch with a snap suplex! Cover, ONE, but Breeze clinches only for Burch to knee low. Burch headlocks and brings Breeze to the corner, tag to Lorcan. They mug Breeze, Lorcan throws EuroUppers but Breeze blocks a suplex to ram Lorcan into the corner! Tag to Fandango and he clobbers Lorcan! Fandango throws a EuroUpper of his own, then whips Lorcan to ropes to elbow him down! Fandango drags Lorcan to a corner and suplexes, but Lorcan blocks to knee low. Lorcan elbows, tags Burch and they mug Fandango. Burch throws EuroUpper, but Fandango blocks bump to give haymakers and CHOPS!
Fandango brings Burch, hoists him onto the ropes to hang him out to dry, and tags Breeze in. BOOT SANDWICH! Down goes Burch and McAfee grows frustrated. McAfee asks the ref what the heck, but Breeze is after Burch on the outside. Burch scrambles away, Breeze pursues but Lorcan runs in. Breeze avoids Lorcan’s elbow but it hits Fandango! Breeze SUPER MODEL KICKS Lorcan down, then throws Burch at the feet of McAfee! Dunne steps up but the ref keeps him back as NXT goes picture in picture!
McAfee checks his teeth even though he really only came close to toppling over in his chair. Burch slowly gets up but Breeze is on him first. Breeze puts Burch in the ring, but then Dunne swipes while the ref is checking on Burch! Burch CLOBBERS Breeze then bumps him off buckles! Burch stomps a furious mudhole in, then tags Lorcan. They drag Breeze up, double wrench and double CHOP, and McAfee has gotten off commentary to be in his guys’ corner with Dunne. Lorcan brings Breeze up and around to scoop and backbreaker! Cover, TWO! Lorcan drags Breeze away, whips him to a corner hard, then tags in Burch. Burch paces around Breeze, then slaps Breeze around. Burch brings Breeze up to DECK him!
Burch sucker punches Fandango but the ref has to keep Fandango back! Burch bring Breeze up, snap suplexes him down, then drops knees! Tag to Lorcan, Lorcan brings Breeze around to a Boston Crab! Breeze endures as Lorcan sits deep! Breeze fights his way towards ropes and gets the ropebreak! The ref counts, Lorcan lets go at 4 and tags in Burch. Fans rally as NXT returns to single picture and Burch drags Breeze up. Breeze trips Burch and catapults him into buckles! Breeze crawls to the corner, hot tags to Fandango and Lorcan! Fandango dodges Lorcan, rocks Burch and rallies on Lorcan! Fandango hip tosses Burch to a neckbreaker! And then CHOPS away on Lorcan!
Fandango whips but Lorcan reverses, only for Fandango to knee smash! Lorcan dodges one lariat but not the second! FALCON ARROW! Cover, Burch breaks it! Breeze SUPER MODEL KICKS Burch down! Then he PLANCHAS, but Dunne saves Burch! McAfee laughs at “STUPID!” Breeze but Fandango FLIES to take out Burch and Dunne! Fans are fired up and McAfee is shocked! Fandango gets back in, climbs up top, but Lorcan trips him up! Lorcan climbs up top, brings Fandango up, but Fandango resists the superplex! Fandango clubs Lorcan, adjusts and sunset flips, but McAfee gets on the apron! McAfee mocks the Fandango dance, but that just distracts the ref from seeing Drake Maverick run in and ENZIGURI Lorcan! He avenges Dain as Fandango BOMBS Lorcan!
The ref sees Maverick, McAfee runs over but Maverick CANNONBALLS onto him!! Fandango is up top, FLYING LEG DROP!! Cover, TWO!! Lorcan survives and Dunne CLOBBERS Maverick! The Bruiserweight looms over Maverick while Breezango and the One Two regroup. Dunne throws McAfee into the ring as another distraction to the ref! Dunne CLOBBERS Breeze!! Hot tag to Burch, Fandango CHOPS Lorcan but Burch HEADBUTTS Fandango! Then, LONDON BRIDGE! Cover, Lorcan and Burch win!!
Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The Kings of NXT use their numbers to keep the gold! But Maverick returns to LEAP in and clobber Burch! But now he’s still outnumbered! They mug him 3v1 because McAfee is just directing things! They throw Maverick out and he bounces off the announce desk. But then Dunn X-PLEXES Maverick onto it! But Fandango LEAPS and takes down Lorcan! Dunne and Burch go after him, then Lorcan returns for another 3v1 mugging! Dunne throws Fandango across the desk! Breeze returns and leaps in! That’s still a 3v1 situation! The Kings of NXT bring Breeze up to toss him onto the desk! “That’s what we do!”
The referee tries to stop this but Dunne, Lorcan and Burch set Breeze up, for McAfee’s FIELD GOAL! “It’s good!” Fans boo but McAfee gives the champions their belts. Only McAfee applauds what his group is doing. “You’re looking at the greatest four man group in wresting history! We’ll do this forever if we want to!” They’re great, everyone else sucks, cheers.
My Thoughts:
A great NXT here, and studded with gold! Opening with the NXT North American Championship was great, but I will say, I was expecting something a bit different. Perhaps Ghost Face would be the one given the match, and then they parody Finger Poke of Doom and Gargano gets the easy win. Plus, Ghost Face would reveal themselves and it’d be like Austin Theory or something. Instead, a rigged wheel, a cocky Gargano getting what he deserves and Leon Ruff officially going down as a champion in NXT was a way better move. I didn’t think they’d do that when it was Ruff, but that’s what makes it even better. Gargano is great as this current Heel iteration, certainly his best work from a comedic standpoint, and I have a feeling he’ll have to get through Priest to get at Ruff.
Meanwhile, it seems NXT did go through with Indi Hartwell being Ghost Face as far as Candice’s side of things works. Shotzi had a very strong promo, Candice VS Toni was a strong match, and Candice winning with cheating surely means Toni continues to have a part in this story. I still think there were two different people posing as Ghost Face for Halloween Havoc as a nod to Scream, but many times in wrestling, ideas are scrapped for reasons we may never truly know. Candice and Indi VS Toni and Shotzi is going to be a lot of fun, but it’d mean even more if WWE would put those WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships on all shows, regardless of who is holding them.
We didn’t get Raquel VS Xia, and I suppose it really is for story reasons or else various dirt sheets and news groups would be talking about COVID concerns returning. This thing with the dragon and the mysterious old man is an interesting move. It was also fun to see Raquel beating up Boa all around ringside. Prime Target was pretty good, but not quite on the usual level. It’s also odd that they’d do one for something that isn’t TakeOver. Shirai VS Ripley next week is going to be amazing, and could again be very indicative of someone possibly going to Raw or SmackDown. And if that’s true, I feel like things lean more towards Shirai retaining. Rhea has already done so much between both NXT and NXT UK, I think Rhea needs to start blazing her trail on Raw to give Asuka some fresh competition.
The Cruiserweight Championship match caught me by surprise but it was a pretty good one. A much better match, and clearly it shows that Atlas is getting better in all parts of pro-wrestling. It is still early for him so he wasn’t going to win, and at least it wasn’t another dirty win for Escobar. I’m still hoping it’s Escobar VS Devlin to crown an undisputed Cruiserweight Champion, because I don’t see anyone else in the current division stepping up and dethroning either man. Good to hear that we’ll be hearing from Balor, I hope it’s good news. Ciampa has a good promo about toughness, so I wonder if we’re getting Balor VS Ciampa sooner rather than later.
Thatcher going after Grey only to end up in a match with Lumis was good, and their match was great, even with Grimes getting involved. Grimes’ logic of essentially blindfolding Lumis was pretty good, too. I wonder if they use that as part of the rematch from Halloween Havoc. Breezango have a good promo, and their match with Lorcan and Burch was a great main event. I’m glad Maverick got to join in as an attempt at revenge for what they did to Dain. I actually would’ve thought it’d be great if it did help Breezango win, but I suppose the comeuppance for “The Kings of NXT” has to come solely at the hands of the Undisputed Era. But a Six Man of Dunne, Lorcan & Burch VS Maverick & Breezango definitely has to happen, along with Dain coming back for revenge. That foursome can hold their own for a moment, but then we can see the triumphant return of the UE, and that is how we get to McAfee shouting, “WarGames?!”
My Score: 9/10
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The Hollywood A-Lister’s got his own nightmare before Christmas!
Christmas is just a few days away, but things aren’t merry and bright for Raw! The Miz must face his fears as he faces Dexter Lumis 1v1!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky; Iyo wins and advances to the next round.
- Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy; Gable wins.
- Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Damian Priest wins, by disqualification.
- The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; Lumis wins, by disqualification.
- Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre walks to gorilla.
The Scottish Terminator makes his way through the curtain and to the stage, and the fans have a mixed reaction as he goes to the ring. McIntyre grabs a mic, and he says, “After Hell in a Cell, I’ve never been so beat up in my entire life. 16 staples in my head, my back almost broken from landing on the steel steps. And I went home to Scotland. The reason I went home, and I haven’t really talked about it publicly, is because a very close family member passed away. Some people probably feeling sympathy right now. Some guys in the back are probably talking to each other, saying, ‘I didn’t know.’ Maybe if you cared enough, you would’ve asked.
“Over these past two months, guess how many people phoned me to check. Not how I was doing mentally but how I was doing physically after Hell in a Cell. ONE PERSON! These past 17 years, I’ve been led to believe we’re all a big happy family in the back. We’re brothers and sisters, we travel the world together, we spend more time with each other than with our actual families, but it’s all BS! My brother, John, in Scotland wouldn’t stab me in the back to take my spot, but people like Jimmy, Jey and Sami 100% would.” The fans boo that, then chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” McIntyre says that proves his point.
After watching everything The Bloodline did, Jey says he is a changed man. He does a cute hand sign, he says a made-up word, and the fans just forget about it and move on. That’s the other thing McIntyre realized: He has given and given and given all this time, and the fans turned on him for a guy who was gone for years and has told the WWE fans to go screw themselves! McIntyre was fighting for the fans, he thought they believed in him, so he believed in the fans! McIntyre bled out in the cell, and while he was gone, the fans instantly forgot him! The fans boo, that’s not true! But McIntyre says from now on, he gives no more for anybody!
McIntyre will take and take and he will tell the truth! The real villains are Roman Reigns and CM Punk! And if you choose to prop them up, as he already said, Jey, Jimmy & Sami, the things Roman did to you… Roman took a vacation, then simply snapped his fingers and they were by his side again! McIntyre suggests everyone who ever wronged McIntyre should sleep with one eye open. But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer and sing for Sami but Sami says hey, McIntyre is angry, he doesn’t have to believe Sami in place of believing everyone has ulterior motives. Sami doesn’t blame him.
But personally, man to man, Sami did not know what happened with McIntyre’s family. They figured he was recovering from one of the most vicious matches of all time. Sami thought that, all the guys ‘n’ girls in the back thought, and that’s all the fans thought. Believe that or not, fine, but Sami wants to level with McIntyre. Talk about 17 years, Sami has 22 years in this game. Sami’s been through what McIntyre’s been through. Sami’s had losses. Trust him. He has had losses he had to put on the side and go to work that week. The same sacrifices, from birthdays to weddings to funerals that he should’ve been at? Sami’s done it all.
Sami has put unnecessary stress on his wife, on his kid, and why? Because this is the life that they both chose! They are WWE SUPERSTARS! The fans cheer that! And as such, they are LUCKY to be WWE Superstars! And you think this is just your story or Sami’s story? Y’know who else has stories like this? Every single person sitting in the stands. Every single person at home! The kids who struggle at school, the adults who struggle at work, who struggle economically, physically, and they have their losses and sacrifices, but they still get up every day to do what they gotta do to soldier on, without pointing a finger at everyone else!
The fans fire up for that passion. Sami says McIntyre dares pointing a finger at the fans for forgetting him?! They didn’t forget, brother! They MADE McIntyre! And McIntyre still thinks the world revolves around him just because once upon a time, someone told him he was “The Chosen One.” But newsflash, just because you’re mad doesn’t make you special. And now McIntyre thinks everyone else is somehow tied to him? What Jimmy does has nothing to do with McIntyre. What Jey does has nothing to do with McIntyre! What SAMI does has nothing to do with McIntyre!
But McIntyre, if you want to still walk around all angry and pointing fingers at the fans, at Sami, at Jey, at Jimmy, at Punk, at Roman, and still be mad about The Bloodline, fine. No one is stopping McIntyre. But Sami has no problem being McIntyre’s problem and facing him in this ring right now! McIntyre says if Sami wants to know the truth… IT isn’t just anger. McIntyre’s anger comes from pain, and he doesn’t doubt what Sami just said. There was so much truth and passion, but it’s never the whole truth, is it? Sami has a way of spinning things. Because Sami can fly back home every week to his family. McIntyre is halfway across the world from his!
And no one here in Boston ever leaves Boston, they’re with their families 24/7! McIntyre doesn’t have that luxury! The fans boo that veiled insult, but McIntyre says he will remain calm and ask Sami why he wants this fight. They both know the result, we saw it time and time again, Sami has NEVER beaten McIntyre. So McIntyre suggests, given Sami isn’t 100%, and Sami’s wife and kid are here tonight… Sami should just walk back there, take their hands, and leave this arena. Of all those in the Bloodline, Sami is the least of McIntyre’s worries.
Sami says McIntyre is right about a couple things. When it comes to win-loss records, McIntyre has Sami’s number. And Sami is not 100%. Haven’t been since Saturday Night’s Main Event. And yes, the smart thing would be to just go home, celebrate and get healthy over the holidays. But Sami would so much rather do this. Sami fires hands! The fans fire up but McIntyre shoves Sami away. McIntyre swings, but gets caught! Sami lifts but McIntyre fights free, then GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! McIntyre takes aim, but here comes JEY USO! The fans fire up as Jey runs down the ramp, slides in, and then dodges McIntyre to SUPERKICK!
The fans fire up as Jey & Sami DOUBLE LARIAT McIntyre up and outta the ring! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with Jey & Sami Uso! Will the Scottish Terminator’s mission be ended when Sami and/or Jey shut him down?
Adam Pearce is met by Pure Fusion Collective.
The Raw General Manager asks Sonya Deville what he can do for her and she says not much. She knows how stressful this job can be since she once had it. She’s just here to make things easier. And how’s that? Well, Kairi Sane is not cleared to compete, there is an opening in the tournament, and Sonya wants it. Oh, is that so? Y’know, Sonya, that is a terrible idea. They caused this scenario so he’s just gonna reward them? Are they outta their minds? And zip it! Plus, he already filled that vacancy with Iyo Sky. Happy Holidays! PFC is upset by that since Iyo just lost to Liv Morgan, but will there be nothing to stop the Evil Genius now?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky!
Just as Pearce said, PFC taking out the Pirate Princess will not mean they get away with murder! The Queen of Harts and the Fire Keeper must now figure out how to handle this change to the program. Will Iyo redeem herself for losing Saturday Night’s Main Event by moving on to the next round?
Raw returns and Alba makes her entrance, Isla Dawn seeing her to the ramp, and then Natalya makes her entrance. The bell rings and Alba kicks Natty then ELBOWS Iyo! Alba whips but Natty reverses and Alba tumbles out of the ring! Iyo rolls Natty, TWO! Iyo whips, Natty dodges in the corner and gets Iyo up! REBOUND SIT-DOWN, and then Natty steps on Iyo, only for Alba to trip Natty up! Alba brings Natty out to send into steel steps! But then Iyo DIVES onto Alba! The fans fire up with Iyo and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Natty brawls with Abla. Alba knees low, but Iyo CROSBODIES them both down! The fans fire up and Iyo SHOTEIS Alba! And SHOTEIS her again! And then DROPKICKS her down! Iyo brings Alba around, whips, but Alba reverses. Iyo goes up and out, then blocks a shot to ROCK Alba! The fans fire up, Iyo spirnboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo handsprings up and the fans fire up again! Iyo gets the fans going, but Alba wrenches and facelocks, TORNADO DDT! Alba gets Iyo up again to GOURD BUSTER her onto Natty! Alba then rearranges them into the drop zone!
Alba goes up, the fans are torn, but Alba grins as she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover on Iyo, TWO! Cover on Natty, TWO! But into a KOJI KLUTCH! Natty endures, flails, fights around, but Alba holds on tight! Natty pushes, stacks Alba, TWO!! Natty has the legs! Alba flails now, but Iyo runs up! Natty trips Iyo onto Alba, and she has them both! Natty turns them both over, DOUBLE SHARPSHOOTER!! Iyo and Alba both flail, both claw at the mat, and Alba gets the ROPEBREAK! No disqualifications so Natty can hold on! But now Iyo drags herself under the ropes, and there’s no room left, so Natty has to let go!
Natty rises up and she stalks Iyo to the apron. Natty drags Iyo up but Iyo HOTSHOTS Natty! Natty staggers, rebounds, but Iyo jumps the baseball slide! Natty hits Alba down, and then Iyo PENALTY KICKS Natty! Iyo fires up and springboards, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on both targets and the fans fire up! Iyo hurries to get Natty up and into the ring, then she drags Natty into the drop zone. Iyo climbs, but Alba CLUBS Iyo first! Alba snarls as she climbs up, but Iyo holds onto ropes! Natty CLUBS Alba and she adds on! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX on Alba! But Iyo stays up top to go OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Iyo wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The Genius of the Sky moves on, ready to fly against The Morrigan! Will Iyo be able to get past Lyra Valkyria and head for the title?
Judgment Day sulks in the clubhouse.
Finn Balor tells JD McDonagh that he can’t believe this. This was supposed to be a Merry Christmas, Finn was supposed to be celebrating with two titles, and now he has none! Liv Morgan tells Raquel Rodriguez to tell Finn that the reason she suggested he stay away from Damian Priest is because she knew this would happen. Raquel starts to relay the message, but Finn has JD tell Liv that she’s got her own problems to worry about and to stay off his back. But then Liv tells Raquel to tell Finn that the reason she’s “on his back” is because he lost the tag titles. JD, tell Liv that Christmas is-
Dominik speaks up to stop the arguing. Christmas IS around the corner, and now they’re not even talking to each other? Dom says he’s gonna go talk with Pearce and get a match with Priest! Dom’s gonna step up for this family. Oh, Dom thinks he’s better than Finn? No, it’s not even like that. Dom has a plan. He’ll talk with Pearce then fill everyone in later. Dom heads out, JD prays for one week of no drama while it’s Christmas. Will Dirty Dom make sure The Punisher pays for screwing Finn & JD over? Or will Priest be given the gift of sending Dom South of Heaven?
Sami and Jey regroup backstage.
Sami can’t believe Jey didn’t text or call about the comeback. Jey says, “My bad.” But Sami says it’s fine, he’s happy Jey is back. And thanks for having his back out there tonight and every night, Sami appreciates Jey. Jey thanks Sami for that, and says you know he had to come back for payback. Jey is gonna handle business! Actually, Sami was kinda hoping he could handle McIntyre. Sami talked a big game, he’s gotta back it up. But Sami, you’re not even 100% tonight. Sami knows, but he started something so he has to finish it. Jey says alright. He’s got next! They secret handshake and Jey wishes Sami luck. Will Sami finally get a win on McIntyre in a Christmas miracle?
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy!
As “Master” Gable said last week, it was about time he settled things with his past. Will Gable prove to the world that he was always the reason the Alpha Academy was relevant? Or will he find out he can’t keep up with the Stamina Monster?
Raw returns and the #AlphaBabes make their entrance, showing off that new merch while they’re at it. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tozawa and Gable tie up, Gable wrenches and talks trash right to Tozawa’s face! Gable CHOPS Tozawa down, stands him up, CHOPS him down again, repeat! Gable whips and CLOBBERS Tozawa, then raises the fist. The fans boo more but Gable talks smack on Otis. Gable drags Tozawa up, suplexes, but Tozawa slips free! Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, and SPIN KCIKS! Gable goes to a corner and Tozawa puts him up! But Gable gets Tozawa for a HANGING ARMBAR!
Otis protests, the ref counts, and Gable lets off at 4. Gable says he didn’t break a rule, and Otis never learns. Gable SLAPS Otis, slides into the ring, but Tozawa victory rolls! TWO, but Tozawa SUPERKICKS Gable down! Tozawa rips the shirt off, goes up top, and SUPER SENTRONS onto knees! Gable saves himself and hauls Tozawa up to GERMAN SUPELX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES again! But he isn’t done, Gable spins Tozawa around, and POWERBOMBS him! ANKLE LOCK!! Tozawa flails but he’s so far from the ropes! Tozawa TAPS, Gable wins!
Winner: Chad Gable, by submission
But Gable won’t let go! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Gable just drops into a GRAPEVINE! So Otis storms in and he drags Gable off the leg! Otis TOSSES Gable! The fans are thunderous, but Team American Made steps up to support Gable. Gable says Otis never learns! But Otis’ hips are moving! He’s shaking, quaking, and the fans fire up, but American Made backs off. Will Gable finally fight Otis and put this beef to rest?
The New Day talks backstage.
They still don’t understand how everyone here doesn’t see things their way. But then Dirty Dom walks over, clapping with “New! Day Rocks!” Finally, someone who understands! Dom says he never liked Big E, but uh, no, what they did was crazy. Well, whatever, Broke Ass Tom Selleck! Dom says Tom Selleck wishes! Dirty Dom heads for gorilla, ready to fight for the Judgment Day. But will Dom go from “Broke Ass Tom Selleck” to just broken?
Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest!
Judgment Day’s history has always been a rocky one, but it has never been rockier than right now. Betraying Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest probably has a lot to do with it, but will Dom be able to smooth things over by taking Damian down? Or will Priest finally beat some sense into #LatinoCheat?
The bell rings and Dom bails right out! Dom dares Priest to come get him, but Priest says Dom needs to get back in the ring. Priest will even give him a free shot! Dom storms up to the apron, steps in, and takes that swing, but Priest blocks it! Then Priest BELL CLAPS Dom, DECKS him, then DECKS him again! Dom staggers around, Priest picks him up to SLAM DUNK! Dom staggers back up, into a torture rack! Priest bends Dom with the Argentine Backbreaker! Priest then THROWS Dom down and the fans fire up. Priest paces around, powers up his arm, and Dom rises. The fans rally and Priest runs, but Dom ducks a lariat!
Dom kicks, CLUBS and KICKS again! SUPERKICK! Then DROPKCIK! Priest staggers but Dom hurries to stalk behind him. Priest sits up first and glares at Dom. Dom panics, but he DUMPS Priest out! Dom builds speed to DIVE, but into Priest’s hands! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up and Priest drags Dom up to then POST him! Dom falls in a heap, but Priest puts Dom in the ring. Priest then notices a very suspicious Santa Claus. Priest snatches the beard away, and tada! It’s JD! Priest TOSSES JD and the fans cheer! JD wants mercy but Priest SLIDES him across the desk! The fans fire up as Wade narrowly avoids getting hit!
Priest then has a Spider Sense moment, and he looks under the ring! Carlito spits out his apple in surprise! Priest drags Carlito up and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! But then Finn attacks!
Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification
Finn fires hands, but Priest blocks the desk bump! Priest body shots and SMACKS Finn off the desk! And again, and again! Priest puts Finn in the ring, Dom runs up, but Priest DECKS him! Priest fires more hands on Finn, but the Judgment Day regroups! They mug Priest 4v1 as usual, and JD even drops elbows! The fans boo but the Judgment Day stand Priest up. WAIT! Here comes the War Raiders! Erik & Ivar fire hands on Dom & Carlito, and Priest TOSSES JD! Finn realizes he’s alone, and Priest SUPERKICKS him down! Priest stomps a mudhole into Finn, the Raiders put Carlito and Dom in the ring!
Ivar KNEES Carlito, then feeds him to Erik’s KNEE! The fans cheer, JD gets up, but Priest LARIATS him inside-out! Dom is fed to the WAR MACHINE!! Finn staggers up, but Priest grabs him! And Finn goes SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! The Judgment Day just got further embarrassed, and that’s not even considering JD’s Santa costume. Will the War Raiders be some unlikely allies for Priest in this ongoing war with the Judgment Day?
Sit-down interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond thanks The Visionary for taking this time to talk with her, and he says it is his pleasure. Jackie talked with CM Punk and heard what he had to say, what Punk believes, when it comes to Rollins’ hatred for Punk. And we have heard from Rollins, as well, but Jackie’s still just curious. What is the root cause, the driving force, of this disdain he clearly feels for CM Punk? Rollins says the thing is, he has tried to explain how he feels many times over the years, and it sort of… Well, he won’t say he’s talking into the wind, but Rollins just feels Punk has needed the WWE more than the WWE needed him.
And so that hypocrisy from Punk is what just eats at Rollins. It is hard for Rollins to let that go. Jackie mentions how Rollins has talked about getting rid of it by “cutting it out” and fighting through it, and how this fight with Punk has to happen as a catharsis. What does “cutting” Punk out look like? What should we expect from, not even so much a match, that doesn’t feel like the right word now. Rollins says it’ll be fight. That’s what we’re getting, no question. It is the biggest fight in their sport right now, and Rollins needs it now. After Survivor Series, seeing Punk hand-in-hand with Roman Reigns… Roman’s finger in the air, Punk doing the stupid Go To Sleep thing…
Rollins just wanted to throw the remote through his TV, he was so viscerally, internally destroyed. Rollins felt that was it, no more waiting. The world needs to see it. This is perfect. The Netflix debut, the world will be watching. But to answer the question, he doesn’t know what it’ll look like. You might see a side of Rollins that no one’s ever seen. No pun intended, it will be raw, visceral, violent. Rollins needs to exorcise this demon from his soul, he has to cut the cancer out of his brain, or he is going down. Then the only way to process the betrayal is to go through a fight, and we get that on January 6th, Raw in LA for Netflix.
Jackie thanks Rollins for the time and his honesty. Rollins says yeah, he can’t wait. Will Rollins truly #BurnItDown when it comes to fight CM Punk?
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis!
The Hollywood A-Lister has his own history with the man now turned buzzard, and things are only worse now that this is about the Final Testament and the Wyatt Sick6. Will Miz manage to bury the past once and for all? Or will he get no mercy from Lumis?
Raw returns as Miz waits. A message flashes, “I OPENED THE DOOR,” and then the lights go down. And from that mysterious door to the other side, out steps Lumis. He takes off the Mercy the Buzzard mask, then rushes the ring! Miz scrambles right out as Lumis slithers along the mat! The fans cheer Lumis on while Miz tentatively returns to the ring. The bell rings, Miz wants Lumis to hold on, but Lumis swings hands! Miz bobs ‘n’ weaves, then throws a punch! Lumis just glares at Miz! Miz runs away, Lumis gives chase, and they go around the outside, then back inside! Lumis drags Miz out of the ring to ROCK him!
Miz staggers, Lumis THROWS him into barriers! The fans cheer, Lumis ROCKS Miz again, and then Lumis SMACKS Miz off the apron! Lumis pushes Miz into the ring, Miz bails out, but Lumis goes out to the apron. CANNONBALL! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up. Lumis CLUBS Miz, stalks him, then puts him in the ring. Miz again asks for mercy, but then he tries a cheap kick! Lumis blocks and UPPERCUTS! Lumis scoops, Miz slips free and Miz BOOTS Lumis! Miz runs, but into a THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fast hands, then runs to AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up.
Miz breaks free to throat chop! The ref reprimands but Miz runs, only for Lumis to catch him! URENAGE! Lumis storms around, then goes looks to the corner. Lumis climbs, but wait, the Authors of Pain are here! So Lumis CANNONBALLS onto them! The fans fire up but Kross attacks!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by disqualification
The Final Testament beats Lumis up and puts him in the ring. Miz stands, confident now that he has reinforcements. Kross says they’ve got Lumis where they want him, but Lumis looks to the sky. Seems it’s the other way around! The lights go down, and when they come up, the rest of the Wyatts are here! They brawl with Final Testament and then send them running! Nikki wants uppies, and Erik Rowan pops her up to POWERBOMB her out onto The Final Testament! Nikki is all fired up as the Wyatts stand together! Will The Final Testament be the one buried and forgotten after all is said and done?
The War Raiders regroup backstage.
Erik & Ivar are fired up after getting the better of Judgment Day, and then Priest walks in. He says what’s up, and they give him some pushes and shoves of excitement. Priest says okay, okay, settle down. But that was good, and he appreciates the save. Ivar says hey, they’ve all known each other a long time. And while they haven’t always seen eye to eye, there has always been honor here. They may not be friends, but Priest had their backs in a big way last week and they don’t forget that. They owed him, they got him. Priest respects that. If the War Raiders are at war with the Judgment Day, then he’ll go to war with them.
They all fist bump, and Erik & Ivar say they like the sound of that. Could these three finally tear down Judgment Day once and for all?
The zero symbol returns…
And now it’s joined by a pentagram? What could these clues be leading to?
The New Day barges out to ringside.
And Kofi Kingston tells Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett on commentary that no no no no! You do not get to speak about them like that! Woods asks what is going on around here? What happened to unbiased journalism? How long has Tessitore even been with the WWE? Not that long, right? Certainly not long enough to know that his job is not to have an opinion but to tell the TRUTH like they have! But it seems in 2024, no one wants the truth! Certainly not these fans. Wade was sympathizing with E as well! Well that’s fine, because Wade and Big E have something in common. They’re not man enough to lace up their boots again and get in the ring!
The fans boo now but Kofi says speaking of getting back int he ring, allow the New Day to do that and continue to tell everyone what they were trying to tell people before. They did NOT put hands on Big E. They could have, laid him out here in the ring, stretchered out of the building again, but they didn’t! So why is everyone so upset!? The fans keep booing but Kofi says this was supposed to be a homecoming for Kofi, and for the woman he bought a plane ticket for to come all the way here to Boston from Ghana, and that is Kofi’s mom! Kofi’s mom is in the front row! Miss Elizabeth Kingston is here, but she doesn’t seem very amused.
Kofi says his mom sat in the middle seat for 20 HOURS, just to see Kofi, and the fans are ruining her experience! This is his mother! The woman who taught him how to be the man that he is today! She does not deserve to see her son get booed out of his own hometown! Woods says they gave the fans ten of the best years of their LIVES…! Kofi steps back outside to apologize to his mom for the fans. She does not deserve this. Kofi doesn’t understand why they’re doing this. Kofi wants a hug. Miss Elizabeth stands up, but she pushes Kofi! She’s upset with HIM, not the fans! Miss Elizabeth takes her coat and leaves! Kofi is confused, what’s this about?
Kofi calls after his mom but she tunes him out. Though, it might be hard to hear over the fans. Will it ever get through to the New Day that they are in the wrong?
The New Day regroups backstage.
And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Woods asks if he’s gonna pile on. Rey says no, it’s not like that. Rey thought about what they said last week, being a locker room leader and all. Rey definitely could’ve handled things better, so he’ll apologize to them. Rey just has the responsibility to help everyone as much as he can. So hey, what New Day did was out of pocket, all foul. And if they want to start fixing things, they can start by apologizing. Whoa, hold up. Them? Apologize to Rey and the locker room? No, they aren’t apologizing, because they didn’t do anything wrong! This is ridiculous!
Rey is just as bad as Big E and everyone else! Why not let Woods pop that mask off again so he can hear them better. New Day did nothing wrong. Rey says okay, fine, que pasa nada. Just don’t say he didn’t try. From this point on, New Day is on their own. And oh, get used to hearing this. “New! Day SUCKS!” With that, Rey takes his leave. After hearing that, will Kofi & Woods have anything but a Merry Christmas?
Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!
The Honorary Uce may have just lost to the Scottish Terminator at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but he isn’t going to give up the fight. Will Sami finally get a win over McIntyre as a Christmas miracle? Or will McIntyre ruin the holidays with a Claymore?
Raw returns and Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings and McIntyre kicks low! McIntyre fires hands, then CHOPS Sami in a corner! McIntyre ROCKS Sami, stands him up, and then CHOPS again! The fans are torn but McIntyre paces while Sami sits down. Sami rises up, and he avoids a chop to fire hands! The fans fire up as Sami CHOPS and fires more punches! The ref backs Sami off, but Sami comes back to stomp and punch! The fans rally behind “SAMI USO!” and Sami whips Mcintyre corner to corner. McIntyre reverses, Sami goes up, but McIntyre KICKS him out of the air!
McIntyre snarls and then he deadlift suplexes Sami! Sami writhes and clutches his back, but McIntyre storms over to him. McIntyre STMOPS Sami’s hands! Then he ROCKS Sami with a right! Sami goes to ropes but McIntyre CHOPS him again! The fans “WOO~!” as that chop echoes out! The fans rally for Sami but McIntyre grins. McIntyre whips but Sami KICKS him in return! Mcintyre comes back but Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but then Mcintyre moves so Sami Arabian Presses to land back inside. Sami smiles as he gets the better of McIntyre, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami is in the corner. McIntyre storms up to stomp away on him again! The ref backs McIntyre off but then McIntyre storms back up. McIntyre drag’s Sami up to the apron, and he suplexes Sami up and into the ring! Sami flounders to the ropes and the ref checks him. Sami says he’s still in this, so McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami CHOPS McIntyre! And CHOSP! And fires forearms! Sami whips, McIntyre reverses but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for McIntyre to tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and McIntyre grows annoyed. The fans rally up but Sami writhes form all the damage.
McIntyre stalks Sami to the ropes, eggs him on, and then whips him to ropes. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges again, and this time Sami tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sami and McIntyre both rise up, and McIntyre bails out. Sami storms up to ropes, grits his teeth, and he PLANCHAS! But McIntyre catches him! And then he aims for the desk! Sami fights free, and he DRIBBLES McIntyre off the desk! Sami backs off as the ring count climbs, but Sami goes back for McIntyre. McIntyre stops the step bump to SMACK Sami off the steps! McIntyre refreshes the ring count because he wants to do more damage!
McIntyre stalks Sami up the steps, then lifts him for an APRON BACKBREAKER!! Sami falls and writhes, and McIntyre has a manic look on his face as he watches Sami suffer, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Mcintyre has Sami in the Inverted Alabama Lift! INVERTED ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! McIntyre escapes and runs up, but Sami dodges! McIntyre POSTS himself! The fans fire up as McIntyre flops back, and Sami hurries to the corner! Sami climbs, but his back slows him down! McIntyre ROCKS Sami first! And then CHOPS him! McIntyre climbs up after Sami, fires some shots, then fireman’s carries Sami! SUPER WHITE NOISE! A shoutout to Sheamus and McIntyre covers, TWO!! The fans fire up while McIntyre grows frustrated. Sami stirs but McIntyre watches him closely.
The fans rally and McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami cradle counters! TWO! McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Sami falls and McIntyre snarls. McIntyre goes to a corner, and he takes aim at Sami. Here comes the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Sami LARIATS McIntyre! And then a clinch, EXPLODER into the corner! Sami goes to the other side and the fans fire up! Sami aims as McIntyre rises, but that back tightens up. Sami fights through the pain, gets running, but CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
That was perhaps the closest Sami’s come, but he was still so far away from victory over McIntyre. 3-0 in 2024, 10-0 overall, and McIntyre stands over Sami to rub it in. Sami is already dazed, but McIntyre rains down fists! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but McIntyre shoves the ref away to HAMMER Sami down! But here comes Jey, just like earlier tonight! Jey runs in, dodges again, and this time, SPEAR!! Jey has Mcintyre down, but now he goes up! But wait! TAMA TONGA SHOVES JEY OFF THE TOP!! Solo Sikoa & The Bloodline are here! McIntyre is just as surprised, but given the truce they called on Friday, McIntyre takes his leave.
The Bloodline beat down Sami & Jey, which McIntyre loves to see. Tama Tonga rains down fists on Main Event Jey in a corner, but the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Instead, Jacob Fatu gets running! But Jey dodges the hip attack! SUPERKICK for Tama! Jey fires haymakers on Jacob! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Solo steps in to swing, but Jey dodges! Jey ROCKS Solo! Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! The fans boo as the Samoan Werewolf gets all geeked up! Solo adds his SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo throws off his jacket, sits Jey back up, but Sami gets in! Sami fires hands, but Tama TACKLES Sami! Tama beats Sami down and fans boo again.
Solo tells Tama to set Sami up, and Tama stomps Sami into the corner. Jacob runs in, to HIP ATTACK! Jacob isn’t done, he puts Sami in the drop zone to go up, up and BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans boo but Solo adds on another SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo roars, then he and his Bloodline stand over the OGs. Jacob adorns Solo with the ula fala, will not even Roman Reigns be able to stop the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief? Will all of the WWE have no choice but to acknowledge Solo Sikoa?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here to build both the last Raw of 2024 and the first Raw of 2025, aka the Netflix debut. Rollins had a very good interview promo to add just a little more to things, but I feel like there’s little left that they need to say. Very good stuff with Judgment Day, such as the classic “X, can you tell Y…” gag from Finn and Liv. Dom thinking their plan to screw Priest over would work is hilarious, as was how it all fell apart. Priest gets the win from disqualification, but then great save from the War Raiders. Good promo from Priest and War Raiders, love the reference to ROH by saying “honor” there, and that’s a solid Six Man Tag right there.
Fun little bit from Pearce with Pure Fusion Collective, and of course Sonya thought she’d get a second chance, and of course Pearce uses real logic to say no way. Iyo Sky replacing Kairi Sane was announced last week on social media, so I guess Sonya didn’t check between shows. Great Triple Threat from Iyo, Alba and Natty, and of course Iyo won or else why put her in there? Iyo VS Lyra next round will be great stuff, as will Dakota Kai VS Zoey Stark, and whatever combination we get for the title match is going to be great. I don’t think we’ll get DMG CTRL VS DMG CTRL, so if Dakota wins, Iyo loses, and then vice-versa.
Great stuff with American Made and Alpha Academy, but of course Tozawa takes the loss. Otis standing up to Gable & The Creeds was a great moment, and I really hope we get Gable VS Otis for the big Netflix debut. Win or lose, Otis should definitely have a moment where he rallies through Gable and both Creeds, really get the crowd hot before the finish. Miz VS Lumis was good but could’ve been better. With only two hours, I guess they had to trim things down to the basics. Another disqualification finish tonight is a bit much, but I guess it keeps things going until we can come up with some kind of new 8 Man Tag, or even a really wild Mixed 10 Person match so Nikki and Scarlett can get involved legally.
Great stuff with New Day, from their interaction with Dom, then their “interrupting” the show to try and get their point across. It was great to have Mama Kingston there, and I just knew she would be disappointed in Kofi. Good promo with Rey, too, as Rey now leaves New Day out in the cold. I feel like we need a big tag team match to not only have Heel New Day show their stuff against like LWO, Alpha Academy, etcetera, and then they earn their way to a match with the War Raiders to revisit their feud, just with flipped Heel and Face dynamics. That could be some really good stuff as Raw on Netflix paves the road to WrestleMania 41.
And great stuff with McIntyre and the extended Bloodline. He and Sami had a great promo to again bring up family and sacrifice, but also how Roman’s OG Bloodline came back together without Roman ever changing a thing. Great brawls, great saves by Jey, and of course McIntyre won the match. Jey will of course get next, probably also for the Netflix debut, but good stuff with Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline showing up. They beat down Jey & Sami to send a message to Roman, who was obviously not going to be here tonight. There will surely be a response in part on SmackDown, but maybe more verbal than physical.
I feel like the “Transfer Window” will need to put all Bloodline members, old and new, on one brand so the story can be told all on one show. It’d just be easier while Jimmy’s foot is healing, because what can Roman do without backup against Solo, Tama & Jacob? And honestly, still waiting on when and where Hikuleo is going to show up. This is a good time to bring him in with Tonga Loa also hurt, so Solo can get the numbers edge on Roman again.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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