Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (12/23/20)
NXT Presents: A Very Gargano Christmas!

Who will have NXT gold for Christmas?
Given the animosity between them, Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch are willing to deal with Killian Dain and Drake Maverick in time for the holidays! Who will be our very merry NXT Tag Team Champions?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- NXT Tag Team Championships Street Fight: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Lorcan & Burch win and retain the titles.
- Isaish “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas; Swerve wins.
- Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai; Ripley wins.
- Bronson Reed VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis; Reed wins.
- Timothy Thatcher VS Leon Ruff; Ruff wins.
- Ariya Daivari VS Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens; Rust wins.
- Adam Cole VS Velveteen Dream; Cole wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NXT Tag Team Championships Street Fight: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
No need to wait on this one! Pat McAfee’s One Two are ready to throw down with Big Damo and Rockstar Spud! But so are Dain and Drake, as they run up and CLOBBER the champions from behind! The bell rings and the brawl is on, who gives out seasons beatings to kick off the night?
Dain CLUBS away on Oney, Drake rains down rights on Burch, then they switch! Dain throws Burch into boards, Drake rakes Oney’s face and throws him into the giant X-tron! Dain throws Burch into steel steps, Drake kicks Oney down the ramp, and Dain gets a table! Drake gets a chair and he JAMS Oney in the ribs! Drake brings out more chairs, puts them in the ring, Dain drags a second table around. Drake puts a chair in a corner, then helps Dain arrange the furniture. Oney CLUBS and ROCKS Drake then helps Burch with Dain! The fans boo as Oney and Burch mug Dain then bring him up, to whip into boards!
Drake crawls over but Burch stomps him down. Burch and Oney put Dain in the ribs, Oney DECKS Drake, then the champs fire off on Dain in a corner! Burch digs his boots into Dain, ROCKS Dain again, and actually tags Oney! Oney digs his boots into Dain, drags him up but then throws a EuroUpper! Tag to Burch, Burch CHOPS Dain then throws more forearms. Oney sets up the chairs next to each other, and he helps Burch bring Dain over. Dain fights out and back drops Oney onto the chairs! Dain CLOBBERS Burch, fans fire up and Maverick is in his corner! Dain throws the chair down on Burch’s back before he tags Drake in.
Drake and Dain double whip Burch, Dain uses Drake to trip Burch up, then he drops the back senton! Dain scoops Burch, slams him, then Drake runs to be the human weapon, scoop slam senton! Drake wants a high-five, but he’s just used as a weapon again! Fireman’s carry, and the boots DECK Oney! Dain whips Oney to a corner, tags Drake and Dain whips him in to body block Oney in the corner! Dain runs in to elbow, then he puts Drake on the outside, BOOT ENZIGURI COMBO! Fans fire up, Drake covers Oney, TWO! Drake keeps his cool, but Burch headbutts low! Dain stomps Oney from the apron while Burch throws uppercuts on Drake.
Dain RAMS Oney into boards, Drake stops from hitting the steel chair but so does Burch. Burch dodges Drake to LARIAT! Both men are down inside, Oney dodges Dain to send him into the apron! And he hits a BLOCKBUSTER! Everyone is down and fans rally up! Burch stirs, as does Drake, and Burch sits a chair up. Burch whips Drake to drop toehold him into the chair! Burch then helps Oney mug Dain, and they bring up a table to set it against the boards. Dain mule kicks Burch, slugs Oney then throws Burch over the barriers! Dain glares at Oney, Oney blocks being bumped into the table, to bump Dain into it! The table is bent but Oney wants to break it!
Dain blocks the suplex to suplex back, but Oney slips out and CHOPS! Dain shoves Oney, Oney avoids the other tables but the BOOT rocks him! Dain runs in but Oney dodges, Dain crashes through the table! The champions have control again as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Oney drags Drake around. Oney takes Drake’s belt off him and taunts him as he crawls to ropes. Oney LASHES Drake with the leather! Burch tells Oney to do more, so Oney stands Drake up to LASH him across the chest! Tag to Burch and he gets a turn with the belt, he LASHES Drake down! Burch puts Drake on the ropes, and mockingly asks, “Please, sir? May I have another?” LASH! Tag to Oney, the champs drag Drake up to double whip into a corner! The back is stinging as it hits buckles, and the champs mockingly ask where Dain went! Fans rally but Oney rakes Drake’s face!
Oney and Burch double wrench to double CHOP Drake! They double whip Drake back in, soak up the heat, but Dain is back! Dain officially tags back in, and he rallies on the champs! Dain OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Burch, then OVERHEAD SUPLEXES Oney! Burch ends up in the corner with the chair, Dain runs and SPLASHES him for a chair sandwich! Dain runs corner to corner to SPLASH Oney! And then back to Burch! Dain shoves Burch into Oney to SANDWICH SPLASH the champs! Dain throws hands on Oney, Burch comes back but gets a mule kick! Dain hoists Burch up for a POWERBOMB! And LEAPING ELBOW!
Dain tags Drake back in, Dain drags Oney up but Burch gets passed Drake to save Oney! The One Two shove Dain down onto the tables! Those tables from earlier don’t break but bend, making things a different kind of rough for Dain’s landing! Oney and Burch now have Drake all alone, and they taunt him as they pace like sharks with blood in the water. The leather belt is back, and Oney LASHES Drake again! Drake drags himself up and LOW BLOWS Oney! All’s legal in a Street Fight! Burch waistlocks Drake but Drake LOW BLOWS him, too! Drake has his belt back and he LASHES Burch! And LASHES Oney! And Burch, then Oney, then Burch, and repeat!
Fans are thunderous as Drake fires off more painful lashes to Burch! Drake LASHES Oney in the head! Drake tosses the belt aside but Oney LOW BLOWS back! Oney and Burch regroup, and Burch has his cricket bat! Burch SMACKS Drake, then he and Oney coordinate, LONDON BRIDGE! Cover, Oney and Burch win!
Winners: Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
The Kings of NXT are still on their thrones! The Gov’nah declares, “There ain’t a team that can touch us!” Will that be true even in the new year?
The Way shares A Very Gargano Christmas.
The tree is up and decorated. The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and Gargano is playing O Christmas Tree on piano in an ugly Christmas tuxedo. “Forget Elf on the Shelf. You’ve got Gargano on a Piano.” Candice, Doggo Gargano, and “the kids” come in. Austin and Indi wanna open presents. Alright, Gargano will get the camcorder! Wait he still has a camcorder? But the Gargano home movies are being made, Johnny is here with “the love of his life,” and he lingers on the North American Championship before saying, “Candice.” What does she have to say? She’s just so happy they can all be together for the holidays.
Indi admits, this is #Impressive. She can’t believe they found a way to put this all together. Candice says they always find a way. Did they really think their first family Christmas together would be disappointing? Austin says NO WAY, JOSE! No, you do NOT mention that name in this house! That guy had no way, it was in his name, and stop eating cookies. Stop. It’s okay, but it’s just not time for cookies. But it is his turn to open a present! Which one is his? The one with his name on it… Don’t shake it, though! Oh, sorry. Austin opens it up, and it’s… Protein powder! Not just that, it’s the Gargano Whey! “Holy *jingle bell censor*!” Yep, Johnny’s own personal mix. “Whipped it up myself.”
So Austin can get as big and strong as Johnny? Yes, he’ll be #AustinTakeOver in no time! So, all dynamic and deadly like Johnny? Oh yes. Indi sees what Austin did there! Dynamic And Deadly, a DAD- DUDE! Austin, do you know how to spell? But whatever, surely there will be more Gargano home movies to be shared down the line.
Finn Balor and Kyle O’Reilly both watch back their TakeOver: 31 match.
To prepare for their rematch at New Year’s Evil, 1/6/21, they both look back to see what we all saw that night. Kyle says, “Finn, you are good, man.” It’s funny, sometimes you come across an opponent that you feel you were born to wrestle. Is Finn Balor the Johnny Gargano to Kyle’s Adam Cole? Remains to be seen, but Kyle has a feeling they’ll be doing this for a long time. As for Finn, he says, “There’s a lot of bluffers in this business. When the bell rings, there’s nowhere to hide.” Once you tie up, you tell everything about them. If they’re nervous, if they’re excited, if they’re scared. That alone chews someone up, but Kyle was calm, controlled and confident. It made Finn come alive.
Nothing came easy in that match. It was all a struggle. But now it’s the moment of truth. The liver shot kick. Kyle felt every ounce of hope leave him. It pisses him off seeing it again. Finn says it wasn’t a lucky shot, he knew what he was doing. That was the most excruciating pain Kyle has ever felt in his 15 years. Finn is a shark with blood in the water, and he made Kyle pay. Kyle can’t blame Finn. He would’ve done the same thing right back. Coming back was going to be extremely difficult, but that wasn’t going to stop Kyle from trying. Then there’s “the moment that stole the show,” the jaw breaking knee. It makes people forget who won the match. Finn is still champion, but all people remember is that Kyle broke Finn’s jaw.
So here we go again. Balor VS O’Reilly 2 will be very different. Finn says Kyle got his lucky break, but there won’t be a trilogy. Kyle shattered Finn’s jaw, and this time he vows to shatter the legacy. But will Finn be the one putting the end on Kyle’s Cinderella story?
Backstage interview with Tyler Rust and Malcolm Bivens.
McKenzie Mitchell talks about the very impressive debut against Tommaso Ciampa, but Bivens immediately corrects her by saying it was one of the best NXT debuts ever! Besides Rust, who else has taken a former NXT Champion like Ciampa to the limit on the debut? No one! So tonight, Rust with Bivens by his side will show he isn’t a rookie, just a #DiamondintheRust. Let’s go out there and make some money! The two fist bump, will this manager-superstar combo take over NXT?
Isaish “Swerve” Scott VS Jake Atlas!
Frustrations got the better of Swerve after he lost to Atlas, that is the only reason he didn’t shake hands. But will Swerve start to show his true colors if he loses again?
The bell rings and Swerve circles with Atlas. They approach, feel out the grapple and tie up. Atlas puts Swerve in the corner, pushes him as he lets off, but Swerve keeps his cool. They circle again, knuckle lock but Swerve facelocks and drags Atlas down to get around and ghost pin, ONE! Atlas gets up and Swerve smirks, but Atlas gives him a shove. Swerve says he likes the fire, and the two circle again. They tie up, go around, Atlas gets the arm to wrench but then bobs ‘n’ weaves, and SLAPS Swerve! Atlas wants Swerve to take him serious, and Swerve grabs Atlas by the face to put him in a corner! The ref counts as Swerve fires off furious fists, but he has to back Swerve off!
Swerve comes back, Atlas shoves him and then boots! Swerve eggs Atlas on, then trips him up to grind his forearms into Atlas’ face. Atlas tries to get free but Swerve clinches. Atlas throws forearms, trips Swerve back and then gets a facelock. The two scrap, Swerve knees low then whips, but Atlas reverses. Swerve stops himself, stomps but Atlas avoids, then Atlas blocks the next stomp to kip up and DRAGON SCREW! Swerve ends up hitting ropes and gets out as he sputters. Atlas rushes over but Swerve sweeps the legs! Atlas kicks Swerve away, goes to the corner, TRIANGLE ENZIGURI! Swerve staggers, gets pissed and goes for a chair, but reconsiders. Swerve works to stay cool as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns as Swerve has Atlas down and wrenches his arm. Atlas hits back but Swerve shifts to some ground ‘n’ pound with heavy forearms. Swerve floats to get a leg but Atlas gets up to fire forearms back. Swerve throws haymakers, Atlas hits back and uses a corner for support as he boots! Atlas runs at Swerve, and comes in from the side for the SUNSET BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Swerve survives that unique takedown, but the two men stand up. Atlas goes Matrix to avoid the lariat, and hits a CUTTER! Atlas hurries up as Swerve staggers, but Swerve SUPERKICKS the cartwheel away! Atlas tumbles down, Swerve is on the apron and he BOOTS Atlas!
Swerve puts Atlas back in, brings him back up and whips, tilt-o-whirl SLAM! Then a dead lift to a BRAIN BUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Atlas survives and Swerve starts to seethe. But Swerve smiles as he gives toying kicks to Atlas. Swerve drags Atlas up, bumps him off buckles, climbs up and claws at Atlas’ face. Swerve then hoists Atlas up top backwards, climbs up behind him, and goes to full nelson! Atlas resists, elbows Swerve away then hops to the apron to BOOT Swerve! Atlas climbs back up, and hits a SUPER POISON RANA! But Swerve lands on his feet?! Fans are thunderous as Swerve grins and eggs Atlas on!
Atlas ROUNDHOUSES, Swerve ROUNDHOUSES back! Atlas HEEL KICKS, but Swerve sweeps the legs to HOUSE CALL! Oklahoma Roll, ONE and Atlas makes it his own cover! ONE, Swerve has it, ONE! Atlas and Swerve get up, Swerve waistlocks but Atlas switches! Swerve holds ropes to deny the O’Conner, then he back HEADBUTTS! Swerve hoists Atlas up to hit the CONFIDENCE BOOST! Cover, Swerve wins!
Winner: Isaiah “Swerve” Scott, by pinfall
Swerve is all pumped up and he tells Atlas to Suck It! He was a sore loser last time, and not a very gracious winner this time. And now he offers Atlas a handshake? Atlas of course refuses, and Swerve mocks him for it. Will Swerve go from swagger to bragger in the new year?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Era.
McKenzie asks Adam Cole and Roderick Strong that while Kyle is preparing for his rematch with Finn Balor, what do they think his chances are this time? Cole says since TakeOver 31, Kyle has improved a lot. That night didn’t go Kyle’s way, but Kyle’s strategy is completely changed. Next time will be very different. Strong agrees. As if it wasn’t clear already, “Cool Kyle” made it CRYSTAL clear when he beat “that dork, Peter Dune.” And at New Year’s Evil, Kyle will-
The Velveteen Dream returns?! And he says it’s so funny how “the mighty have fallen.” Because here Dream is, thinking “The Great Adam Cole” is the leader, but no, that’s not it at all. Kyle O’Reilly is the real head of the snake. These two, but mostly Cole, are just cheerleaders. Cole SLAPS Dream! And Cole makes this clear to him: there is no “leader” in the Undisputed Era. How about Cole run Dream into the ground and show him why the UE are still the top dogs around here. What a great rematch from a TakeOver we just got outta nowhere! Will Dream regret running his mouth against a very different Adam Cole?
Timothy Thatcher speaks.
“Tommaso Ciampa wanted to fight me. I guess I should be grateful he came to my face to say it. Good for you, sir, that doesn’t happen around here too often.” And at TakeOver, Ciampa tried to take Thatcher’s ear while Thatcher tried to take Ciampa’s neck. But as an educator, Thatcher knows the lesson was not complete, and tried to do Ciampa the courtesy of coming down ringside and asking Ciampa man-to-man for a rematch. And what did Ciampa do? Ciampa walks away from him! Thatcher gets kicked out like he doesn’t belong! Ciampa doesn’t like men who talk a lot, act like they’re tough guys. Well Thatcher’s gonna talk as a tough guy right now, and take some liberties with Leon Ruff! If Ciampa is the man he says he is, then he’ll stop it! Why? Because Thatcher wants to fight Ciampa!
Rhea Ripley VS Dakota Kai!
The Nightmare may want after #BigMamiCool, but she’ll settle for settling scores with #CobraKai first. Will the Riptide shred through Dakota on its way to #RickyDesperado?
The bell rings and Rhea taunts Dakota that her “little helper” isn’t here. That’s because after some taunting on Twitter, Raquel said Dakota could handle this on her own and Regal can ban her from ringside to make it official. Regal did, and here we are. Rhea and Dakota tie up, go around, and Rhea puts Dakota in the corner. Dakota slips out and pie faces Rhea, and then laughs at Rhea’s hair being greasy. Rhea and Dakota circle, approach and Dakota deflects to KICK Rhea’s leg. Dakota bobs ‘n’ weaves, grabs a leg, but Rhea drags her up to swing her around! Then Rhea TOSSES her!
Dakota gets up, Rhea is after her in a corner, and whips her corner to corner hard! Dakota bails out, Rhea goes out after her, but Dakota gets to the apron! Rhea blocks the kick, Electric Chair lifts, and tosses Dakota, but Dakota clings to ropes like a spider! Dakota hops over the sweep to kick Rhea back! Dakota gets Rhea’s arm to STOMP it down onto the apron! The ref reprimands but Dakota goes after Rhea more, as she hammerlocks the arm and POSTS it! Rhea shouts in anger and pain while Dakota goes into the ring, and the ref checks on Rhea as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dakota grins as she watches Rhea shake out the arm. Rhea gets up, goes in but Dakota stomps her down! Dakota drags Rhea by a leg, covers, TWO! Rhea shakes out the bad arm, Dakota gets the arm again, and she wrenches it for a keylock. Rhea endures, fights her way up, but Dakota trips Rhea and has her down again! Dakota leans on the arm, Rhea keeps her shoulders up and rolls back, but Dakota wrenches and throws Rhea back down! Cover, TWO! Dakota is annoyed and talks some smack but she hammerlocks Rhea to RAM her into buckles! Dakota wraps the bad arm around ropes and pulls! Dakota digs her boots in but the ref counts and she lets off.
Dakota walks into body shots but she CLUBS Rhea back down! Dakota wrenches the bad arm to WRING it out! Rhea writhes, Dakota covers, TWO! Dakota pushes Rhea around but Rhea kicks back. Dakota stomps the bad shoulder, and AX KICKS the bad arm! Rhea is seething as she clutches her arm but Dakota is after her again! Dakota digs a knee into the arm, pushes Rhea around, but Rhea endures, even as Dakota drops the knee! Dakota wrenches Rhea again, gets the keylock back on, but Rhea still fights up. Rhea rolls Dakota up, TWO! Dakota BOOTS Rhea back down! Cover, TWO! Now Dakota’s frustrated.
Dakota grabs the arm for a short arm scissor but Rhea moves around. Rhea fights up as the fans rally, but Dakota cranks on the hold harder. NXT returns to single picture as Rhea keeps moving around. Dakota stretches the arm for a full armbar, but Rhea dead lifts to POWERBOMB Dakota down! Fans fire up as both women stir on the mat. Dakota gets to ropes but Rhea goes to the other end. Rhea runs and rallies with clotheslines! Rhea spins Dakota, manages to cravat and throw knees, to then snapmare and basement dropkick! Fans fire up with Rhea but that bad arm still bothers her. Dakota runs, Rhea dodges the boot to dropkick Dakota down!
Rhea hauls Dakota up for a hook kick! And an atomic SLAM! Cover, TWO! Dakota survives and Rhea grows frustrated. Fans rally for Rhea as she gets up and looms over Dakota. Rhea drags Dakota up, Dakota throws forearms on the bad arm! Rhea hits back, Dakota HEADBUTTS, Rhea uppercuts! SCORPION KICK from Dakota! Dakota runs Around the World but misses the boot! Rhea Electric Chair lifts again, for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Rhea is furious! Rhea bites a finger and shakes out the bad arm to try and get any feeling. Rhea runs at Dakota but Dakota drop toeholds her into buckles! Dakota goes side to side, BOOT WASH!
Dakota drags Rhea out of the corner, but Rhea shoves! Dakota dodges, redirects and wheelbarrows, but Rhea gets the legs! PRISM TRAP!! Rhea holds on with the bad arm as best she can, but Raquel appears on the stage! That’s not ringside so she’s not in violation of anything! Rhea sees Raquel and tortures Dakota just to egg Raquel on! Dakota claws her way over, for a ropebreak! The ref counts, Rhea lets go at 4, but she stares Raquel down. Rhea drags Dakota back up, CLUBS Dakota, and taunts Raquel with the fact she’s beating up her friend. Rhea hoists Dakota up top, ROCKS her, then climbs up to join her. Rhea stares Raquel down but Dakota fights the superplex off!
Dakota shoves Rhea down, BOOTS her, then adjusts to run and KAI-ROPRACTOR! Cover, TWO!?! Rhea survives and Dakota is beside herself! Rhea is in a daze, though, and Raquel is seething. Dakota gives Rhea Kowata Kicks over and over, then brings her up to kick, into the pump handle! But Dakota counters the Riptide to a GUILLOTINE! But Rhea says no no, she TOSSES Dakota off! And then hauls her back up, for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
The Mosh Pit Kid still stares down with Big Mami Cool, and dares her to come closer now that the match is over. Raquel starts to head down the ramp but referees hurry out to stop this from turning into a fight. Raquel just pushes past them and Rhea dares her to step inside the ropes. Raquel does get in, and she moves the last ref aside, and tells him not to move from the corner. Rhea and Raquel circle and the fans are thunderous! Rhea tells Raquel she doesn’t want this ass whooping, but Raquel tells her the same thing back. Referees tries to get them to cool off, but they just fire off instead!! The brawl breaks lose, referees rush in, but they get loose and fire off again! And again!
Rhea tackles Raquel to a corner but Raquel hits back! They go around and now officials and producers get in to stop this! Rhea and Raquel just egg each other on, and Rhea gets lose to LEAP at Raquel! They won’t stop brawling but the refs pull them apart. Raquel gets loose now and she gets at Rhea! They fall to the mat and continue to scrap, but the producers manage to get in and finally separate the female titans! How long will we all have to wait for Rhea and Raquel to settle this score?
NXT returns to The Way’s Very Gargano Christmas.
It’s Indi’s turn to open a present! She has a big one! And it’s… A PS5! “No *jingle jangle* way!” Austin, language! Indi is so hyped to play this! And so is Doggo Gargano! #AllDay! Stop getting you stuff in, man. Wait, is there nothing in here? Well, yeah, the PS5 is Johnny’s. The box was for dramatic effect. Because the real gift is WAY better than a PS5. Wait, how? Indi has proven herself loyal and worthy, so she should take on “the family nickname.” Wait, you don’t mean…? Yep. Johnny officially christens her #IndiWrestling! That IS better! Candice and Johnny support Indi Wrestling. Austin is so touched. And he has that cookie now.
Backstage interview with Toni Storm!
Last week, she beat Rhea Ripley, so what is next for her? “What’s next? What’s next? Last week, I called my shot, I said I was gonna beat Rhea, and I did, McKenzie. It’s amazing what you can do when you start putting yourself first for once.” Toni beat Rhea, was on the winning team at WarGames, so what’s next? Well what’s next is Toni Storm takes the NXT Women’s Championship from Io Shirai. There’s a reason Shirai is terrified when Toni suggests anything about the championship, and that is because Shirai knows that Toni is the one woman on the roster she simply can’t beat.
Remember back to the Mae Young Classic, when Toni beat Shirai. Shirai can go on and say all she likes about how the title is her only problem, but no. Her other problem’s name is Toni Storm. Will the Lightning From Down Under strike Shirai twice under the bright lights?
The brutal training is far from over.
Shifu watches as Xia Li is now the one beating up the wood dummy. “Enough!” And now, Boa wants more from the kendo stick strikes! It isn’t enough for him yet! Xia again kicks Boa, and the two seem to be egging each other on. Shifu says it is enough! And even the training in the water is no longer overwhelming. Boa and Xia have become hardened weapons, but how will “she” choose to use them?
Bronson Reed VS Ashante “Thee” Adonis!
The Colossal One is back in time for Christmas! Will the #BattleTested Auszilla trample all over Adonis’ happy holidays?
The bell rings and and Adonis avoids Bronson’s grip to get a headlock. Bronson back suplexes but Adonis lands on his feet and talks some smack. Adonis’ kick is caught and Bronson uses it to reel him in and LARIAT! Bronson stalks Adonis to a corner, brings him up and whips him corner to corner. Adonis BOOTS back, kicks and forearms, but Adonis runs into the BODY CHECK! Bronson drags Adonis around to stomp him, then drop a senton! Bronson goes to a corner, climbs up top, and fans fire up to see the TSUNAMI SPLASH! Cover, Bronson wins!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
What a way to make a return! Will the Colossal One crush the competition in the new year?
Backstage interview with Io Shirai!
The Evil Genius heard what Toni Storm said earlier, and she tells the production guys to hit her music! Shirai is heading to the ring!? And she not only gets a mic, but she gets a chair! Shirai storms into the ring, takes a seat, and dares Toni to get down here! Shirai waits, and Toni makes her entrance! Actually, it’s just her music, as MERCEDES MARTINEZ attacks from behind! She gets Shirai in a sleeper and thrashes her around! Mercedes throws Shirai out, then RAMS her into a girder! Mercedes fireman’s carries Shirai to TOSS her into the boards! And then throws her into barriers! Mercedes wants Shirai to fight, and she POSTS Shirai!
Mercedes puts Shirai in the ring but Shirai kicks back! Shirai goes out but Mercedes SPEARS her into the apron! Mercedes THROWS Shirai so hard into the announce desk, Shirai almost goes through it! Toni may want the title, but will she have to get in line?
NXT returns with more of A Very Gargano Christmas.
Last but not least, the love of Johnny’s life, Candice. Austin passes the gift over, and Johnny says he “went out of my way” to get this for her. She opens it up and… It’s a crushed tire off of Shotzi’s first tank? Everyone knows Johnny Gargano hates wheels, but hey, it’s Christmas. Candice loves it! Yes, Gargano spent 17 hours in a junkyard, digging through rubble, to find the last remnant of Shotzi’s old tank. All for their general. Merry Christmas. But there’s only one way to end the festivities: family photo! Austin is having some of the Gargano Whey straight out of the jar?! Merry Christmas! Austin!! Welp, that’s the Christmas card now… But will The Way still have their way into the new year?
Timothy Thatcher VS Leon Ruff!
The Professor of Pain told us all how he’s going to rough Leon up, but he mostly wants Ciampa to man up! Will Ruff last long enough for Ciampa to show up?
The bell rings and Ruff circles with Thatcher. They tie up, Thatcher SLAPS Ruff on the head then pushes him. Ruff comes back, gets a leg, but Thatcher sprawls and floats to get a chinlock. Thatcher pulls back but Ruff endures, so Thatcher claws at his face! The ref counts, Thatcher lets off and drags Ruff up to EuroUpper him back down! Fans rally for Ruff more but Thatcher CLUBS Ruff down hard! Thatcher drags Ruff back up, Ruff headlocks, but Thatcher powers out. Ruff slides under, headlocks again, but Thatcher back suplexes. Ruff lands on his feet and leaps to get a headlock again! Thatcher powers out to CLOBBER him!
Thatcher drags Ruff up, Half Hatch Suplex! Ruff flounders to a corner, Thatcher drags him up but Ruff throws elbows. Thatcher knees low, knees him down, then shouts, “Ciampa! Where are you, Ciampa?!” Thatcher smothers Ruff, covers, TWO! Thatcher KNEES Ruff in the ribs, and Ruff shouts in pain! Ruff tires to chop back but Thatcher hammerlocks an arm to hit a rough body blow! And then a rougher Belly2Belly! Thatcher doesn’t cover, he goes looking and finds a chair! Thatcher sets a seat for Ciampa and dares him to show up. Thatcher goes back in, Ruff cradles! TWO!! Thatcher runs into a dropkick, and another!
Ruff fires off haymakers, Thatcher whips him but Ruff rebounds to LARIAT! Thatcher stays up, Ruff headlocks but Thatcher shoves him away. Ruff goes up, up and leaps, into a EUROUPPER! Thatcher seethes as he drags Ruff up and underhooks, BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Thatcher is still waiting on Ciampa, and he KICKS Ruff in the side! Thatcher gets a leg, picks Ruff up by just that leg, but Ruff cradles again! RUFF WINS!!
Winner: Leon Ruff, by pinfall
And the ultimate underdog gets another shocker! Ruff has two amazing wins in 2020, but Thatcher CLOBBERS Ruff to make him pay for it! Thatcher stomps away, the ref reprimands him but Thatcher doesn’t care. Thatcher drags Ruff up and shouts for Ciampa. SO here’s Ciampa! Ciampa gets Thatcher in the ropes, WILLOW’S BELL!! “You wanted an answer? You want a fight? I’ll see you in the Fight Pit!” Ciampa gives Thatcher a little kiss on the forehead then takes a seat to pat himself on the back. Only the second-ever NXT Fight Pit Match, and it’s with Thatcher and yet another hard as nails opponent! Who comes out of the Fight Pit in one piece?
Damian Priest speaks.
“I sent a simple message, Kross: step to me like a man. But you chose to blindside me. So I ask, where’s this badass everybody keeps talking about? I haven’t seen him. In fact, I’m still standing.” Behind all that mystique, Kross needs to look in the mirror and ask himself, “Am I just not as bad as I think I am?” New Year’s Evil, Priest will answer that question when he punks Kross out in front of the whole world. Will the Archer of Infamy #LiveForever when he shoots down the apocalypse?
NXT visits Dexter Lumis’ art studio.
His previous works, such as his ode to Great American Bash, are hanging on the wall, but he’s busy working on a new piece. Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Gonzalez, New Year’s Evil… LAST WOMAN STANDING! You “heard” it here first from the host! Who will prove they are the baddest of them all on the first NXT of 2021?
Ariya Daivari VS Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens!
Daivari Dinero knows a lot about money, but is Bivens Enterprises about to make a fortune with the #DiamondintheRust?
The bell rings and Rust circles with Daivari. They feel out the grapple, tie up, and Rust waistlocks to a full nelson, to then spin Daivari to a headlock takeover. Rust traps an arm, cranks on the head, but Daivari keeps his shoulders up. Rust brings Daivari up, pulls on the arm to knuckle lock, then spins to wrangle Daivari back down. Daivari endures as Rust cranks on the arm, and Daivari gets up to slip through and wrench back. Rust moves around, slips through and wrenches to then trap an arm! Rust has the other arm, Daivari manages to get to ropes, and the ref calls for the break. Rust lets go, Bivens boasts how impressive Rust already is, and Daivari circles with Rust again.
Daivari and Rust tie up, Rust spins through to get the arms, wrench to another wristlock, then wrenches to hoist Daivari up like a backpack! BACKPACK AIRPLANE SPIN, then a toss! Daivari staggers up, he blocks a kick but Rust hits a takedown to go after the arm! Daivari resists, gets the ropebreak with legs, but Rust lets go fast. Rust drags Daivari up, Bivens says Rust is the best, and Rust yanks on the bad arm! Rust throws an uppercut to the arm, whips him corner to corner, and runs in, but Daivari dodges to ROUNDHOUSE! Rust goes down, Daivari drags him up to put him through ropes, HOTSHOT NECKBREAKER! Rust is on the apron, Daivari runs to dropkick him off hard!
Bivens complains as Daivari fetches Rust and puts him in. Daivari rains down rights, then talks trash to Bivens. Bivens says Daivari hasn’t seen anything yet! Daivari calls Rust trash and garbage, which are the same, but Rust reaches up and drags Daivari into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Daivari gets a ropebreak, Rust lets go at 4, and then ROCKS him with a EuroUpper! Rust KICKS away on Daivari’s arms, then has him staggering. Daivari blocks a kick, throat chops back, then hammerlocks! Rust ducks the lariat to KICK the arm! Rust throws a EuroUpper, then a BOOT! Rust cravats, for the FLIPPING MARE SLAM! And then an omoplata, leg hook on the other arm, Daivari QUITS! Rust wins!!
Winner: Tyler Rust, by pinfall
Bivens says he was right about Rust, and this win over a 205 Live OG proves it! Rust goes from an impressive loss to an impressive win, and he soaks in the moment of having his hand raised! Will this be just the first of many times that happens for Rust?
Backstage interview with Leon Ruff.
Ruff is leaving William Regal’s office and thanks him, but what is it about? Ruff is feeling like a kid on Christmas after his win over Thatcher, but that’s not the only gift he’s got. Regal is giving Ruff a rematch for the North American Championship! Johnny better be having a Very Merry Gargano Christmas, because the curse is real. Next week, Ruff is going to be there to make sure Johnny doesn’t break it. Happy Holidays! Will Ruff be having the best new year ever?
Karrion Kross responds.
“Mr. Priest… You fancy yourself as the life of the party. The kind of guy that goes out there looking for trouble, just so you can find your way out of it.” Well this time, he dug himself a hole he can’t get out of. To question Kross’ manhood, make smartass remarks to Scarlett, those were the biggest mistakes of his life. It is inevitable that Kross will take back what he truly never lost. But as for Priest… He is an intriguing roadblock that Kross can’t take his eyes off of. But just like everyone else, the bell will toll for him, too. Scarlett says doomsday is coming. Tick-tock.
The NXT Year Awards are coming!
Voting is now open on WWE’s official website, make sure your choices win!
Adam Cole w/ Roderick Strong VS Velveteen Dream!
A rematch from TakeOver: In Your House, but both men have changed much in just six months. Does that mean the result here tonight will be very different? Or will NXT still be Undisputed?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach but Dream remembers he’s wearing sunglasses. Dream backs off to take the sunglasses off and put them in the corner. Cole and Dream circle and tie up, go around, and Cole headlocks. Dream tries to power out but Cole holds on tight. Cole gets a takedown then makes it a cover, ONE! Dream pries out, Cole reels him back in and hits another takeover. Dream fights up, Cole puts him in a corner, and Cole lets off. Dream swipes but Cole avoids it, only to come back! The ref backs Cole down and Dream gets a sucker punch in! Dream knees low, ROCKS Cole against ropes, then soaks up the heat.
Dream whips, Cole kicks him back! Cole clobbers Dream, and fans fire up while Dream flounders around. Cole drags Dream up to DECK him with a right, then does it again! Dream flounders more, mocks the “BAYBAY” and Cole BOOTS him down! Cole drags Dream up and Strong dares Dream to run his mouth now. Cole whips Dream to a corner, runs in, but Dream BOOTS him back! Cole spins Dream for a neckbreaker! Fans fire up while Dream flounders again. Cole brings Dream up, fireman’s carries, but Dream slips out to the apron. Dream slingshots but into a BOOT! Dream tumbles down and Cole goes out to put him back in.
Cole runs into a fireman’s carry but slips out to shove Dream into buckles, but Dream comes back, and heads collide! Strong rallies for Cole but PETE DUNNE rushes down and RAMS Strong into the apron! Then throws him into steel steps! Strong tumbles up and over, but Dunne is there to STOMP him down! Dunne takes Strong around the way, for a BITTER END to the apron! Cole sees this, referees rush down to stop Dunne, but Dream uses his own shirt to CLOTHESLINE Cole down! Dream covers, TWO!! Dream clamps back onto Cole with a choke as NXT goes picture in picture!
The ref reprimands, Dream rains down rights on Cole, then digs his knee into Cole’s neck! The ref counts, Dream lets off and he kicks Cole while he’s down. Dream grins and soaks up the heat while Cole gets to a corner. Dream drops a fist, but Cole blocks it! Dream stomps a mudhole, but lets off to CLUB Cole on the back! Cole hobbles but Dream throws body shots in a corner! And then another corner! Dream CLUBS Cole, Cole ROCKS Dream but Dream whips corner to corner. Cole reverses and Dream hits buckles hard! Dream bounces right off the buckles but Cole brings him up, only for Dream to jawbreaker in return! Dream chokes Cole on ropes again, and stops at the count, to run and STRADDLE ATTACK!
Dream poses in the ropes, then mockingly pretends he can’t hear the fans. Dream says they love him, but that’s clearly not the case. Dream kicks Cole while he’s down, gets the legs, but Cole kicks him and kicks him until Dream staggers away! Cole brings Dream around to throw big forearms, Dream rebounds off ropes to throat chop! Dream keeps on Cole as NXT returns to single picture, but Cole hits back! Dream scoops and SLAMS Cole, then heads to the corner. Dream climbs up, aims, but Cole avoids the Purple Rain Maker! Both men are down but Cole gets to a corner and fans are fired up! Cole brings Dream up to throw haymaker, but Dream SLAPS Cole!
Cole and Dream brawl, body shots and haymakers, Dream whips and runs but Cole CLOBBERS him! Cole rallies, BOOTS, and fireman’s carries for the USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO! Dream survives but Cole keeps his cool. Cole drags Dream up to a waistlock but Dream grabs at ropes. The ref calls for the break, but Dream can’t hold on! Dream switches but Cole PELES, and GERMANS! Cover, TWO! Dream slithers out but Cole grabs him by his hair! Cole drags Dream in, but Dream FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Cole back! The ref checks on Cole and Dream drags Cole up for a neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Dream grows frustrated as Cole survives!
Fans rally as Dream drags Cole up. But Cole fireman’s carries! Dream slips out, throws haymakers in the corner, and dares fans to cheer for Cole now! The ref pulls Dream away, Cole gets around but Dream elbows hard! Dream goes up but Cole SUPERKICKS the legs out! Dream falls down, clutches his leg as he writhes, but Cole spins through. Dream kicks the Figure Four away and POSTS Cole at the same time! Cole tumbles, Dream hobbles to a corner and climbs, for a FLYING- SUPERKICK!! The superkick intercepts the ax handles! Fans are fired up as Cole gets in the ring at 5, but just to refresh the count.
Cole drags Dream up from the ramp, but Dream is dead weight. The ref checks on Dream as Cole goes to the ring. Cole waits as Dream flounders back in, and Cole SUPERKICKS him down! Then the FIGURE FOUR! Dream flails, shouts, thrashes about, and finally starts to drag himself to the ropebreak! Cole lets go at 4, and Dream clutches his knee again. The ref checks on Dream, Cole SUPER- No, Dream moves, the ref avoids getting hit and Dream rolls Cole up! TWO, KICK to SIDEWINDER! Dream hits the DreamDT, and heads back to the corner! Dream is up top, PURPLE RAIN MAKER!! Cover, TWO?!? Cole survives and shocks Dream!
Dream gets up, Cole SLAPS him! Dream reels Cole in but Cole hits the LAST SHOT BRAINBUSTER! Cole goes to the corner, goes up, but leaps into a SUPERKICK from Dream! Dream hurries back up, PURPLE- SUPERKICK!! Cole lets the knee pad down, LAST SHOT SHINING WIZARD! Cover, Cole wins!!
Winner: Adam Cole, by pinfall
This may be a different Dream, and this may be a different Cole, but Cole still beats Dream! “And at New Year’s Evil, the NXT Championship comes back to the Undisputed Era!” Cole is fully supporting Kyle, but will the Golden Prophecy truly have a second coming in 2021?
My Thoughts:
A great episode for NXT! First off, how great for NXT to respond to Raw’s Tag Team Street Fight by having one of their own and for the tag team championships. Now, NXT’s still had the same problem I had with the one on Raw, in that they still needed to tag in and out. If there’s no penalty for being in at the same time, why not just fight at the same time all the time? But it felt like NXT’s referee didn’t make as much of a fuss as Raw’s referee, because obviously HHH allowed the wiggle room while Vince didn’t. And as for the match itself, Dain and Drake looked great, even in losing. Drake took some serious shots from the leather belt and he gave some shots, but in the end he was the one to take the pin as the smallest guy in the match.
Bronson Reed quite literally squashes Ashante “Thee” Adonis, a very WWE style return. The rematch of Swerve VS Atlas was as good, if not better, than last week’s. Clearly Swerve is turning Heel, because not only did he have an attitude change with how he rubbed the victory in, but his entrance gear was rather supervillain-esque. The tiebreaker will be even better, and could act as a way of moving the winner on towards a title program. We didn’t get anything about the Cruiserweight Division this week, as far as the title, so I suppose they are trying to wait on Escobar VS Stallion until they can also involved Devlin. Maybe my idea for Worlds Collide II having a Cruiserweight Championship Winner Takes All Triple Threat is going to be NXT’s move.
Finn and Kyle giving commentary on their previous match was a good segment, and their rematch is definitely going to be a TakeOver worthy match. Cole VS Dream wasn’t quite TakeOver worthy, but it was a great surprise main event. I almost thought Dream was joining the Kings of NXT since Dream has beef with the Undisputed Era similarly to Dunne and McAfee. Dunne attacking Strong is a good way to branch off of Cole VS Dream, and Dunne VS Strong is going to be a great match. Kross and Priest have good promos to call each other out, and as I said before, this is going to be a very good match to help Kross really get back into the groove. Granted, Kross is a very simple “menacing and powerful” wrestler in terms of fighting style, but maybe Priest can get a good brawl out of him.
Shirai calling out Toni, only for Mercedes Martinez to return and attack, was a great segment. Again, it isn’t just kayfabe to say the NXT Women’s Division is the best Women’s Division right now, and perhaps it is becoming one of the best divisions period. Mercedes, Toni, Ember all moving up towards the title. We’ve got Xia Li becoming even more badass with these training promos, then Karen Q has something big going already with this character she’s putting on. Rhea VS Dakota was a great match, we got a great brawl of Rhea and Raquel, and how great for Lumis to use art to introduce the LAST WOMAN STANDING match! That match will be awesome, but that has to be Raquel’s win. Rhea had her title shot and lost, but Raquel finished off Shirai to win WarGames, so it just makes sense.
Tyler Rust looked incredible again, and him looking up at his raised hand after winning was a great character detail. It really made you feel that he’s really worked hard to finally get a win somewhere big like NXT. I like that there was story overlap as Ruff gets a win over Thatcher because Thatcher was distracting himself worrying about Ciampa. Fight Pit II: Thatcher VS Ciampa, is going to be incredible, and it bumps New Year’s Evil up to borderline TakeOver levels. And Ruff getting his rematch with Gargano because of the win is great continuity and logic. Gargano VS Ruff for the title is going to be a lot of fun, especially with The Way hovering. I feel like that will be the only way for Gargano to break the title defense curse.
And of course, the multiple segments of A Very Gargano Christmas were all incredible. I love that we’re getting that sitcom vibe, with Austin Theory pulling off the dense character so well, the use of “way,” the whey/way pun, and even how they referenced No Way Jose. I’m now hoping No Way Jose returns just because of that line. Johnny’s gifts to Indi and Candice were also perfect, especially Indi’s. Indi Wrestling better start being used to poke fun at indie wrestling, but Indi might want to work on the essentials before she tries her first “… DIVE!” attempt.
My Score: 9.2/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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