Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/28/20)
The LAST Raw of 2020!
Raw could be starting something as 2020 is ending!
2020 has been no less than awful, but it’s almost over! Will Raw bring the fireworks a few days early as Keith Lee will want answers out of Sheamus?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Keith Lee VS Sheamus; wins and will challenge Drew McIntyre for the title next week on Raw.
- The Miz w/ John Morrison VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado; Metalik wins.
- Dana Brooke w/ Mandy Rose VS Shayna Baszler; Baszler wins.
- AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker; Styles wins.
- Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution; Ali wins.
- Charlotte Flair w/ Asuka VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler; Charlotte wins, by disqualification.
- 8 Man Tag: The Hurt Business VS The New Day, Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle; The Hurt Business wins.
- Randy Orton VS Alexa Bliss?
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE and Raw mourn the loss of Jun Huber, aka Luke Harper.
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!
The Scottish Warrior is feeling good, even though he knows his two friends, Keith Lee and Sheamus, are going to be battling tonight! McIntyre opens by saying, “It’s Monday, you know what that means. Yeah, yeah, yeah, it’s time for Monday Night Raw! The last Raw of 2020!” A crazy year for McIntyre. He started by winning the Royal Rumble, then beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania, only to lose the title and regain it from Randy Orton. And McIntyre just wants to say thanks to all the fans for rallying behind him and motivating him. “There was a time in my career where I was the Chosen One of the powers at be.” But the fans were the ones who chose him and so he means it when he says thank you.
But now to the future! And it turns out, McIntyre will defend the World Championship on “Legend’s Raw” to start 2021. Legends like Hulk Hogan and Shawn Michaels are going to be here to watch McIntyre face either Sheamus or Keith Lee. And wouldn’t you know, here comes the Celtic Warrior! Sheamus joins McIntyre and apologizes for interrupting. McIntyre says it’s fine, people always interrupt. But he knows where Sheamus is going with this. Last week, McIntyre told Sheamus not to pull BS during the match. And he didn’t! He kept his word and didn’t do anything to Keith. 1-2-3, they won, and then it was fair game. McIntyre should’ve known better. Yes, he should have!
These two came up together, and are living the dreams together! Sheamus is a former world champion, McIntyre is the current. But we’re one week away from making a dream a reality! They’ve got goosebumps at the possible dream match between them. The highest of highs, the lowest of lows, and they’ll make the rest of the roster uncomfortable watching the physicality. After Sheamus mows through Keith with another Brogue kick, they’ll be kicking off the new year the right way! But speaking of, here comes Keith Lee! Keith says “this is real cute. Two best friends, one a former WWE Champion, one current,” and McIntyre looks proud of his old friend.
Yes, Sheamus is a clever boy. He waited until after the match, and kicked Keith in the face. McIntyre vouched for Sheamus, “You can trust him!” But there is ZERO trust now. McIntyre’s word is no better than Sheamus’. McIntyre tries to reason with Keith but Keith tells Sheamus that “every fiber” in his being wants to beat Sheamus’ face in right now. But they have to wait until the bell rings, and then Keith will FORCE an apology out of the Fella. And McIntyre, as a friend, you should consider your friends better, because Sheamus might do the same to him. Oh is Keith wondering why Sheamus kicked his head off? It’s because of Keith’s mouth! Keith keeps thinking Sheamus is going to betray McIntyre!
McIntyre shouts over the shouting, and says Raw should start right. McIntyre understands both men, so why wait and just have the match now? But a message to them both: it doesn’t matter who it is, next week will be the same as always, with McIntyre STILL WWE Champion! Keith gets riled up but Sheamus gets another BROGUE in! McIntyre can’t believe The Fella would do that, but it’s too late to reprimand him! This heated contender’s match begins after the break!
WWE World Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Keith Lee VS Sheamus!
Raw returns and McIntyre has joined commentary for this match. Saying that was all tense is an understatement. The bell rings and Sheamus fires off but Keith pushes him away! Sheamus comes back with more but Keith shoves him down again. Keith clinches and throws big knees and a BIG clubbing forearm! Keith throws big body shots and forearms in the corner, then brings Sheamus up. Keith reels Sheamus in, Sheamus fights back with knees and forearms of his own! Sheamus clamps onto an arm, CLUBS Keith on the back, then goes after the arm. Sheamus also fish hooks Keith’s face, but stops as the ref reprimands.
Keith fights up and throws Sheamus off! Keith kicks Sheamus to a corner, throws more body shots, and Sheamus staggers away to another corner. Sheamus kicks back, CLUBS away more, then straddles the arm to pull on it. Keith endures as Sheamus goes after the fingers, and he throws Sheamus off again! Sheamus kicks from the mat and gets Keith in the face! Sheamus stomps Keith, stands on the arm he’s been after, and even digs his heel into Keith’s face! The ref reprimands, Sheamus steps off to get the arm for a keylock. Keith endures as Sheamus grinds the arm and leans on the shoulder. McIntyre says Sheamus hits hard, but not harder than McIntyre.
Keith fights up, powers off the keylock and throws body shots as fans clap on their screens. Keith reels Sheamus in but Sheamus fights back with forearms! Keith staggers but he catches Sheamus to TOSS him up and out of the ring! Sheamus tumbles, gets up, but Keith pursues. Keith throws Sheamus into the LED apron! And then POSTS him! Keith stalks Sheamus near the announce desk, puts Sheamus in the ring at the count of 6, and gets in at 8. Sheamus kicks Keith between the ropes! Then bicycle KNEES Keith down! The ref reprimands as Keith tumbles down but Sheamus goes up! Sheamus LEAPS for a SUPER FLYING CLOTHESLINE! Keith is sent into the desk as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Sheamus cranks on Keith’s arm with a keylock! Sheamus throws knees to keep Keith down but Keith still fights up! Keith throws body shots, then knees of his own, and he lifts Sheamus with a gorilla press! But Sheamus slips off and ROCKS Keith back! Keith DECKS Sheamus! Sheamus goes to the apron, Keith stalks up behind him, and Keith drags Sheamus up by his head! Sheamus hotshots free, and gets Keith for the Bodhrain! Sheamus gives Keith about five beats then hotshots him again! Keith flounders, Sheamus climbs up and leaps again, into a POUNCE!! Keith clobbers Sheamus out of the air and McIntyre is enjoying this! “This is what Monday Night Raw is all about!”
Keith seethes as he runs Sheamus over! And again! Sheamus staggers, Keith splashes him in the corner! And then TOSSES him across the way! Sheamus staggers up into a ONE HAND SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Keith glares down at Sheamus as he drags him up by his beard. Keith reels Sheamus in, Sheamus fights out and shoves Keith. Sheamus throws big forearms and puts Keith in a corner. Sheamus whips, Keith reverses, and then Keith hits another corner splash! Keith runs and takes Sheamus down with an STO! Cover, TWO! Keith keeps his cool as he keeps on Sheamus. Keith reels Sheamus in, but Sheamus drops! Sheamus dropkicks the leg!
Sheamus runs to dropkick the legs out from behind! Keith falls, but he kicks Sheamus off the Cloverleaf! Sheamus comes back but Keith avoids the Brogue! CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!! Sheamus survives the “Cross Buick” but Keith is just seething again. Keith drags Sheamus back up, puts him in a corner and runs in, but Sheamus sends the splash into buckles! Sheamus manages to lift and hit WHITE NOISE! Cover, TWO!! Keith survives and Sheamus is losing his cool! Sheamus slaps Keith around, “Who do you think you are?!” Sheamus clamps Keith’s face but Keith powers out!
Keith brings Sheamus up but Sheamus throws headbutts! Keith just glares, headbutts and GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! POP-UP SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Keith wins!!
Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall (NEW #1 contender to the WWE World Championship)
McIntyre has it right, that was one hell of a fight! Keith goes out to look his “friend” in the eye as he says he’s coming for the belt. McIntyre welcomes the challenge, but will he #BaskInHisGlory in the new year?
Elias warms up backstage.
Jaxson Ryker is there with him as there’s noise by the door. Elias says Ryker can just ignore that. Elias keeps playing, and Ryker chills out. Will the Drifter and his bodyguard be uninterrupted tonight?
The Miz w/ John Morrison VS Gran Metalik w/ Lince Dorado!
The Hollywood A-Lister still wants his Money in the Bank contract back, but perhaps he can earn a new opportunity in the meantime! Will Miz be ready for a Lucha House Party against the King of the Ropes?
Raw returns and LHP make their entrance. The bell rings and Metalik dodges Miz to roll him up! TWO, and Metalik tries an Oklahoma Roll! TWO, Victory Roll, TWO! Miz scrambles to the corner and Metalik says it was that close! Miz cools off, gives Metalik some applause, but then kicks low and throws haymakers! Miz brings Metalik up, whips him to ropes, but Metalik ranas in return! Miz flounders out of the ring, Metalik dropkicks him off the apron! Lince taunts Miz as Metalik goes up, and Metalik ASAI MOONSAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Miz! Metalik puts Miz in but Morrison lurks. Metalik is distracted, he springboards into a BOOT!
Miz seethes as he goes after Metalik with a rain of forearms! Miz drags Metalik up, puts him on the ropes and chokes him! The ref reprimands, Miz lets off at 3 to run and straddle attack! Miz still seethes as he argues with the ref. He shouts that he wants the MITB contract because he’s still Mr. MITB! Miz runs, and BOOTS Metalik down again! Miz keeps shouting “I AM Money in the Bank!” Miz goes after the mask, then wraps on a chinlock! Metalik endures, but Miz drags him into a deeper sleeper. Metalik fights out but Miz knees low! Miz back suplexes, Metalik lands on his feet and then boots back! SLING-DOG!
Lince fires up as Metalik runs up the corner and hits a missile dropkick! Metalik keeps moving, roll into the sunset flip! Cover, Metalik wins!!
Winner: Gran Metalik, by pinfall
The King of the Ropes pins Miz, a Grand Slam Champion! Does this mean Metalik is destined for something awesome in the new year?
Elias keeps jamming out.
Someone is pounding on the door! Ryker answer sit, and it’s Jordan Omogbehin! AJ Styles says they’re trying to listen to Mozart while Styles rights the wrong from TLC! They can’t hear nothing because Elias is playing whatever. Elias isn’t Johnny Cash, he’s Johnny TRASH! Omos laughs but Ryker gets riled up. And what’s Ryker gonna do about it? Elias keeps things from turning into a fight, and says they need to bring it down a bit. Ryker, thanks for standing up for Elias. But Styles is upset for good reason. He couldn’t get the job done at TLC. And at this point in Styles’ career, he doesn’t have many chances left.
Oh really? How about Elias fight Styles and Styles can end Elias’ career prematurely by breaking his fingers? Then no one will hear Elias’ stupid music ever again! BOOM! Styles and Omos head out, but will The Drifter accept that phenomenal challenge?
Dana Brooke w/ Mandy Rose VS Shayna Baszler!
The #SexyMuscleFriends are getting back on track, but they could end up derailed all over again! Will Dana keep the Queen of Spades from making her #TapNapOrSnap?
Raw returns as Shayna makes her entrance. The bell rings and Dana circles with Shayna. Shayna gives testing kicks but Dana doesn’t shy away. Dana blocks the kick to SLAP Shayna on the face! Then Dana dodges, and runs Shayna over! Mandy taunts Shayna while Dana rams her into the corner! Dana rams in more, the ref counts, but Dana lets off at 4. Dana snapmares Shayna, runs and handspring splashes onto knees! Shayna storms over to Dana and has the arm! Mandy protests, Shayna stomps but misses! Dana tries to roll Shayna up but Shayna holds ropes to block! Shayna brings the arm to the apron and twists it from wrist to elbow, to then SLAM on the edge!
The ref reprimands, starts a ring count, but Shayna gets in. Shayna grabs Dana’s arm, hooks it with a leg to drop down, then covers, TWO! Dana shakes out the arm, but Shayna is after it again! Shayna has it in a torturous keylock, then shifts around to bend the wrist way back! Dana endures as Shayna shifts back to a keylock and leans on the hold. Shayna stares Mandy down to get in her head, but Mandy rallies for Dana. Dana endures, fights up, and jawbreakers free! Shayna runs into an elbow, then a boot! Dana runs and rallies on Shayna with the good arm! Then a scoop slam!
Shayna flounders out of the ring, Dana runs and slides, but the kick is caught! Shayna spins Dana for a Kirafuda Klutch! The ref counts as they’re in the ropes, Shayna drags Dana out and drops her at the ring count of 6! Dana sputters, Shayna refreshes the count to then throw Mandy aside! The count starts again, Shayna has Mandy’s arm! Shayna has it on the steps but Mandy gets away! Dana Electric Chair SLAMS Shayna on the apron! They get in at 8 of 10, fireman’s carry, but Shayna slips out! Dana turns the Kirafuda into a roll-up, TWO! RUNNING NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Shayna shocks Dana!
Dana hurries up to the top rope, aims and leaps, but Shayna avoids the splash! Step-up KNEE! KIRAFUDA! Dana taps, Shayna wins!
Winner: Shayna Baszler, by submission
The Queen of Spades could not be stopped! The Flex Appeal suffered, but now it’s Mandy’s turn! Shayna puts Mandy in the Kirafuda, Mandy taps but it doesn’t matter! Shayna lets go when she is satisfied! Is this a sign that it’s only a matter of time before Shayna and Nia Jax take the Women’s Tag Team Championships back?
Raw returns with Alexa’s Playground.
“Do you like my playground?” Alexa says “he” built this for her, and she can’t wait to show it to him when he gets back. But we haven’t seen him since the Inferno match, where things got a little heated. Maybe he’s waiting for Legend’s Night! He’d love to meet his hero, Hulk Hogan! Alexa says he’s been taking his vitamins and saying his prayers. But not even Alexa wants to know who or what he prays to. Or maybe he’s waiting for Orton to return to the playground! Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, that’s it! So Orton, come on down~! And the Viper makes his way to the ring.
Wait, why did the music cut out? Did Alexa do that wrong? Maybe Randy doesn’t want us to find “him.” That can’t be it! Alexa tries again! Randy Orton, come on down~! The music plays again, but still no Viper. Maybe Orton doesn’t want to play anymore. “I swear, you light someone on fire one time, and it goes straight to their head.” How rude of Randy. Wait, is that the Firefly Fun House? The door opens, and Randy’s there?! Orton “appreciates” the invite but he wanted to take advantage of how the Fun House would be empty, since Alexa’s in the ring and the Fiend was burnt to a crisp. So Orton wanted to see what was going on.
Oh hey, Huskis! BOOT! He’s a little heavier than he thought. Huskis needs to work on that diet. So on his way here, Orton thought about what Alexa said. She thinks The Fiend is coming back. Does she really think that? After what happened, does she really think? Orton doesn’t, but let’s say he does. Also Orton throws Mercy into Abby and they both fall down. Orton says IF The Fiend comes back, there will be nothing left but Alexa! So Orton will show us all how sick and demented he truly is, by making sure The Fiend has NOTHING to come back to.
Alexa is afraid as Orton takes Ramblin’ Rabbit and says before dealing with him, he did notice the fine piece of artwork on the wall. Orton makes sure the picture is nice and straight, before he rips Ramblin’s head off! Alexa begs Orton to stop! Orton laughs but Alexa challenges Orton to a match! Oh? Well okay. Is this where he is supposed to return, is that it? Challenge accepted! Does the Twisted Bliss know what she’s getting herself into?
Backstage interview with Charlotte Flair!
The Queen knows well how dangerous Nia Jax is, so is she ready for this 1v1? Six months ago, Nia injured Charlotte. But Charlotte returned, beat Nia and Shayna alongside Asuka. Is she ready? Absolutely. Is Nia to be feared? Absolutely. Is Nia a great competitor? Absolutely! But there is one person Charlotte always bets on, and it’s herself. Charlotte is ending 2020 as a champion, how is she going to start 2021? Any resolutions? The same one as every year: climb to the top, and stay there. Asuka joins in and says Nia is NOT ready for Charlotte! Happy new year! At least, will it be for the #QueensofTomorrow?
AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Elias w/ Jaxson Ryker!
The Phenomenal One and his enormous associate don’t want to #WalkWithElias, nor do they want to hear from Elias! Styles is still angry after The Miz cashed in and screwed him out of the world title, will he take it all out on Elias’ ten friends on his hands?
Raw returns and Elias makes his entrance. The bell rings and Styles circles with Elias. They tie up, Elias powers Styles to ropes then headlocks. Elias hits a takeover, Styles headscissors back but Elias pops out. Styles victory rolls fast, TWO! Elias keeps his cool as he and Styles go again. They tie up, Styles headlocks and hits the takeover but Elias headscissors. Styles pops out but Elias knees low! Elias throws haymakers and body shots in the corner, the ref counts but Elias lets off at 4. Elias stomps Styles, drags him up and CHOPS him off his feet! Elias brings Styles up, whips and back drops Styles high and hard! Cover, ONE! Elias looms over Styles and kicks him in the back.
Elias drags Styles around, then hooks the arm to drop knees! Elias brings Styles up, wrenches, and rams shoulder to shoulder! Elias lifts Styles by that arm, then drops him down to dig a knee into the shoulder. Styles endures, fights up, but Elias pulls hair. The ref counts, Elias lifts Styles again but Styles sunset flips! TWO, and Styles drop toeholds Elias onto ropes! Elias goes to a corner, Styles fires off fast hands! The ref counts, Styles backs off but he bumps Elias off buckles. Styles whips, Elias reverses but Styles slips up and over to dropkick Elias away!
Elias bails out, Styles slingshots but Elias moves! Styles lands on the apron, Elias drags him into a fireman’s carry, and he gives Styles SNAKE EYES the apron! Elias POSTS Styles shoulder first! Styles writhes as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Styles fires off on Elias in a corner. Styles whips, Elias reverses but Styles goes up and over and rolls, but Elias KNEES him down! Cover, TWO! Styles survives being blindsided but Elias drags him back up. Elias bumps Styles off buckles, wrenches the arm and goes up the corner. Elias starts his cover of Old School, then hits the METEORA! Cover, TWO! Styles survives his Walk With Elias, but Elias just talks trash to him and Omos. Elias clamps on a chinlock and then shifts to a cobra clutch. Styles endures, fights his way up, throws elbows low and puts Elias on ropes. Elias ROCKS Styles with a right then throws Styles out!
Elias catches his breath, those elbows were very low. Ryker creeps over but Omos scares him off! The ref reprimands both bodyguards and they both stand down. Elias goes out to fetch Styles, but he is wary of Omos. Elias puts Styles in, keeps his eyes on Omos, then goes after Styles in the ring. Elias wrenches an arm, Styles throws big haymakers! Elias cranks on the wrist more but Styles throws more haymakers! Styles is free, he ducks a haymaker from Elias to give off the Phenomenal Blitz! SLIDING FOREARM! Omos rallies and Styles fires up! Styles has Elias in a corner and he hits a leaping clothesline! Styles fireman’s carries for USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!
Styles keeps his cool as Elias survives. Styles drags Elias up, reels him in, but Elias slips out of the Clash. Styles rocks Elias, runs but misses in the corner, only to boot back! Styles is on the outside, springboards, but Elias fireman’s carries! Styles slips off, Elias standing switches to hit DRIFT AWAY!! Cover, TWO!?! Omos rallies for Styles but Ryker says Elias has this! Elias goes up top, but Styles trips him up first! Styles gets space, runs back but into a boot! Styles hits back with a PELE! Elias tumbles down, Omos coaches Styles and Ryker grows worried for Elias. Elias and Styles slowly rise and Elias fireman’s carries for a TKO! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives again!
Elias tries to figure out what to do, and he grits his teeth as he drags Styles back up. “You are no longer Phenomenal!” Elias brings Styles up, but Styles slips out of the fisherman to kick, kick and enziguri! Elias staggers around to a corner, Styles runs in but is put on the apron! Styles forearms Elias away, adjusts and springboards, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Omos says, “That’s what I’m talking about!” Ryker helps Elias get out of the ring, will Elias learn to be more considerate?
Ricochet VS Mustafa Ali w/ Retribution!
The One and Only finds himself between a rock and a hard place. He will not give in and join Retribution, but he doesn’t want to be beaten down and stepped over anymore. Something has to give! Will Ricochet finally break through or break down?
Raw returns as Retribution makes their entrance, and their leader steps into the ring. The bell rings and Mustafa holds his arms open. But Ricochet throws haymakers, then tackles Ali for ground ‘n’ pound! Ali gets away but Ricochet runs at him to CHOP, throw punches then CHOP again! Ricochet throws EuroUppers, whips Ali corner to corner, then runs in to CHOP again! Ricochet scoops and slams Ali, then runs to drop an elbow! Cover, ONE! Ali crawls but Ricochet drags him up. Ali elbows free, runs but Ricochet dodges and handsprings to headscissor! And a dropkick! Cover, ONE!
Ricochet keeps on Ali by pulling some hair. The ref reprimands but Ali pulls Ricochet’s ears! Ali whips, Ricochet reverses and back drops Ali! Ricochet stalks Ali to a corner and Ali wants mercy. But Ali just tricks Ricochet into getting closer and he yanks Ricochet into buckles! Ali fires off haymakers and CHOPS as Retribution taunts Ricochet. Ali whips Ricochet corner to corner, Ricochet bounces off buckles into Ali’s neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Ali keeps his cool as he watches Ricochet get to another corner. Ali runs in but is put on the apron! Ricochet elbows Ali back then slips out to grab at him. Ali ROCKS Ricochet back and climbs up the corner!
Ali drags Ricochet up, Ricochet ROCKS Ali back! Ricochet goes up top but Slapjack distracts! As does Reckoning! T-Bar and Mace TOSS Ricochet off the top and onto barriers! Ricochet crashes down, Ali adjusts, SUPER SPLASH!! Ricochet sputters and gasps as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ali is after Ricochet in a corner. Ricochet throws punches back and backs Ali down! Ricochet whips, Ali reverses and blocks boots to spin him around, for a DRAPING BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Ali glares at Ricochet as he stomps him down. Ali wraps on a chinlock but Ricochet endures. Retribution tells Ricochet to give up but fans clap on their screens to rally behind him. Ricochet fights up, throws body shots but Ali knees low. Ali drags Ricochet up to scoop slam and elbow drop! Cover, TWO! Ali wraps on the chinlock again and leans on Ricochet. Ricochet still endures, even as Ali says he stands no chance!
Ricochet fights up again, throws more body shots but Ali CLUBS him down! Ali brings Ricochet up and around to suplex, but Ricochet slips out to shove Ali into buckles! Ricochet catches his breath before running in but Ali goes up and over. Ali turns around into an elbow and mule kick, then Ricochet flips up and over to GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down and Retribution is freaking out! Ali and Ricochet stir, slowly rise, and they start throwing hands. Ricochet gets the edge and DISCUS LARIATS Ali down! Ricochet fires himself up, drags Ali up and fireman’s carries. The back gives out and Ali gets away.
Ali comes back but Ricochet fireman’s carries again, for the KICK BACK! The falling kick hits, Ricochet covers, but Mace drags Ali out of the ring! The ref reprimands, but now Retribution flanks the ring! Ricochet doesn’t care that he’s surrounded, he goes to the corner, and triangle jumps to get T-Bar with an APRON DDT!! Slapjack comes around into a dropkick! Mace runs in, Ricochet dodges and sees Ali! Ricochet goes out to the apron to SHOTGUN DROPKICK Ali into a post! Ricochet avoids Mace again to roll back and TORNADO DDT Mace to the floor! Ricochet is the One and Only One Man Wrecking Crew!
The ring count is 8, Ricochet puts Ali in and is back up top! SHOOTING STAR onto knees!! KOJI KLUTCH!! #LightsOut! Ricochet IS out, Ali wins!!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by submission
The King of Flight has been grounded! Retribution wins again with another stacked deck, but Ali gets the mic to tell Ricochet, “When are you gonna learn that you have no chance?!” Ali gives Ricochet one last chance to erase all his regrets and have a new outlook! It will be a new beginning. “Join Retribution. What is your decision?” Ali holds the mic out to Ricochet, who takes it from him. “Ali, I’ve made a decision. I will… NOT join Retribution!” RECOIL!! Ricochet bails out and leaves Retribution alone with their rage! The One and Only will be defiant until the end! But how will this end for Ricochet and Ali?
Backstage interview with Nia Jax!
With Shayna Baszler by her side, Nia says she heard what Charlotte said. Charlotte is smart to be afraid, and that fear warms Nia’s heart. Nia does have a few New Year’s Resolutions, though. One: end Charlotte’s rise to the top before even making to the first rung. Two: get the tag team titles back. And three: enter the Women’s Royal Rumble, throw everyone else out, and when Nia wins, face the Raw Women’s Champion, whoever that might be. Shayna likes that idea. Will the Irresistible Force and Queen of Spades look to win big in 2021?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!
The Scottish Warrior knows he is facing Keith Lee for the title, does he have anything to say about that? McIntyre is just excited all the way. It will be Legend’s Night, and McIntyre wants to give them a match that’s legendary. Keith may not like what has happened the last few weeks, but McIntyre sees the spark Keith needs to be on top. They’re going to beat the hell out of each other, and McIntyre is happy for Keith. Keith can prove to the world he can do it. Keith can beat just about anyone in the WWE, except for McIntyre. Will that legendary battle end the way McIntyre thinks it will?
Charlotte Flair w/ Asuka VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler!
This 1v1 match has been a long time coming! The Queen owes Nia a receipt for that arm injury half a year ago! Will Charlotte ruin Nia’s new year before it’s even begun?
Raw returns and Nia makes her entrance. The bell rings and the two stare down. They slowly approach, then quickly tie up! They’re in a deadlock but Nia powers Charlotte back, only for Charlotte to put her on the ropes. The ref counts, the break is honored, and Nia taunts Charlotte, “How’s the arm?” They tie up again, Nia gets around but Charlotte is after Nia’s arm. Charlotte pulls but Nia clubs Charlotte away. Charlotte and Nia reset, go again, and Charlotte gets around to headlock. Nia tries to power out but Charlotte holds tight! Asuka cheers as Charlotte grinds the headlock, but Nia powers her to a corner. Nia rams into Charlotte but the ref counts and Nia stops at 4.
Nia reels Charlotte in to ram shoulders again and again, and Charlotte drops to a knee. Nia taunts the Queen, wrenches and wrings the arm out! Charlotte holds the shoulder but Nia drags her up again. Nia whips Charlotte to a corner, but Charlotte tumbles out to the apron to shoulder and boot back in! Charlotte BOOTS again and Nia falls to her knees! Charlotte dropkicks Nia out of the ring! Nia is on her feet again but Charlotte eggs her on. Nia takes a moment to cool off, gets back on the apron, and Charlotte lets her get in. Then Charlotte spins past the ref to fire off forearms!
Nia is on the ropes but Charlotte pushes her against them! The ref counts, Nia shoves Charlotte away. Charlotte comes back and dropkicks Nia again! And then Charlotte hits a wrecking ball dropkick to send Nia into the announce desk! The ring count starts, Shayna creeps over but Asuka is there to BACK HAND Shayna down! Nia runs at Charlotte but is sent into steel steps! Charlotte puts Nia back in, drags Nia by a leg, and spins through, but Nia throws Charlotte into buckles! Charlotte clutches her head and Nia glares as she runs in, CORNER SPLASH! Charlotte flops down, Nia covers, TWO! The Queen is still in this as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Nia has Charlotte down in a cobra clutch! Charlotte endures, fights her way up and elbows free! Charlotte kicks low, gets around and hits a neckbreaker! Nia staggers into CHOPS! Charlotte CHOPS Nia to a corner, CHOPS more, and blocks a boot to SLAP Nia! Charlotte puts the leg on ropes but Nia avoids the knee drop! Nia scoops, Charlotte slips out and throws Nia down! Charlotte drags Nia to a drop zone, climbs up the corner, but Nia gets up to trip Charlotte up! Fireman’s carry but Charlotte sunset flips to high stack, TWO! Charlotte runs, into a pop-up POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!!
Asuka rallies behind Charlotte but Nia drags Charlotte around. Nia runs but misses the leg drop! Charlotte gets up and staggers, but she gets the legs to trip Nia, steps through, but Nia boots her away! Shayna distracts, Asuka runs in but is sent OVER the desk! Charlotte BOOTS Shayna, avoids Nia and rolls Nia up! TWO, but Charlotte gets the legs! Figure Four! Nia fights and Shayna gets in to KIRAFUDA!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by disqualification
The Queen is caught by the Queen of Spades, and Nia stomps Charlotte’s leg! Asuka runs back in to run off Nia and Shayna, and the winner is STILL Charlotte! Nothing was settled between Nia and Charlotte, will it take the tag team championships to do that?
The Hurt Business arrives.
MVP says it was a championship Christmas for them, and they’ve got big plans for 2021. But they ask someone on his phone to move out of the way. When he looks up, he’s startled by who he’s surrounded by, and falls right over! MVP, Lashley, Alexander and Benjamin are ready to rule the new year, but will their battle with old foes ruin those plans?
Angel Garza walks around backstage.
He finds a poster with the newspaper headline, “GREAT GARZA.” This is of course in reference to Matt Garza, the MLB baseball player. But then Charly Caruso comes by to interview Garza and asks how he feels his first year on Raw was. “Just like everyone else, my year had ups, downs. I’ve loved, swiped left, right, and met you.” But this new year is almost here, and with it comes new beginnings. Who knows? Maybe Garza will introduce himself into one of the legendary female superstars next week. Yes, he surely will. But Charly is curious who this rose is for. A gentleman never tells, but R-Truth runs into Garza! The 24/7 Championship chase runs through and Garza has no idea what that was about. But sadly, the rose has been trampled. He gives it to Charly and says, “It’s the thought that counts.”
The New Day and Hardy Bros talk backstage.
Riddle and Hardy tell Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to congratulate Big E on their behalf for becoming the NEW WWE Intercontinental Champion! It’s about damn time! And please believe that once the New Day get their titles back, they will take a triple champion picture together, and gently touch their tips together for the IG. Riddle says that is dope indeed. But they have a huge task ahead. They need a sweet new name of the quadro! And Riddle is thinking that they’re all bros and stallions, so what about The Little Bronies? No, that’s technically taken, copyright issues and all.
Okay, what about… The Positively Hard Bros? Umm… Well the match is next so we’ll talk about it later. Wait, what about the pancakes? Wait! RAIN-BROS! Yes!! But nicknames aside, will this quartet be a hit in the huge 4v4 after the break?
8 Man Tag: The Hurt Business VS The New Day, Jeff Hardy & Matt Riddle!
Raw returns as Riddle makes his entrance and joins his RainBros in the ring. Then the Hurt Business makes their entrance, and MVP has a mic. “Before we destroy what’s left of the New Day, Jeff Hardy and Riddle, the Chief Hurt Officer, the United States Champion, the All Mighty, would like to make an exclusive business forecast for our 2021 operations.” Pay close attention. Lashley declares for the Men’s Royal Rumble match, meaning he will main event this year’s WrestleMania! It’s official. Done deal. With that news, will the Rocky Mountain Machine roll into the Rumble with massive momentum?
The teams sort out, and Riddle starts with “Prime” Alexander. Alexander knees low and clubs away on Riddle but Riddle forearms back! Riddle spins Alexander but Alexander bocks the Pele to roll Riddle for a dropkick! Alexander is fired up, but Riddle gets him for a gut wrench suplex! Alexander scrambles away to Lashley! Lashley and Riddle circle, tie up, and Riddle headlocks. Lashley powers out then runs him over! Lashley runs, catches Riddle’s leap, but Riddle goes for a guillotine! Only for Lashley power out and suplex SLAM Riddle down! Lashley puts Riddle in the corner, stomps him, then tags in MVP. MVP fires off forearms and stomps of his own!
The ref backs MVP off, the Hurt Business get some shots in, and MVP stomps Riddle more. Tag to Shelton Benjamin and they mug Riddle, to then snap suplex! Cover, TWO! Benjamin keeps Riddle from the corner and rams him into an open corner. Benjamin rams his shoulder in more, lets off at the ref’s count of 4, then brings Riddle back up. Riddle hits back with body shots but Benjamin throws forearms. Benjamin ROCKS Riddle, scoops but Riddle slips out. Riddle shoves Benjamin at the corner and KICKS him down! Tag to Hardy, BROETRY in Motion! Tag to Woods and Woods stomps away on Benjamin! Tag to Kofi and the stomping stampede begins!
Tag to Riddle, he gets to be a stallion in the stampede! Tag to Hardy and he adds on! Hardy hits the HARDYAC dropkick! Riddle intercepts MVP, Kofi intercepts Alexander, and Woods mule kicks Lashley! Kofi kicks, Riddle dropkicks and Hardy clotheslines Lashley out! Lashley is furious, because he went up and over the top rope a la the Rumble! MVP cools Lashley off but that’s hard to do in itself, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Riddle is fighting MVP off, but MVP throws Riddle’s foot down on the mat! Then MVP STOMPS the foot! Alexander taunts Riddle that this is why they wear boots! MVP covers, ONE, but he throws forearms to put Riddle in the corner. MVP rams his shoulder in, Lashley tags in and Lashley runs to RAM into Riddle! Lashley drags Riddle up, clinches, and hits a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives but Lashley glares at Hardy and the New Day. Tag to Benjamin, he and Lashley mug Riddle, and stomp his bare feet again! Riddle throws body shots, Benjamin throws haymakers, then Benjamin drags Riddle away.
Benjamin kicks the leg, then drags Riddle around into a Half Crab! Riddle endures but Benjamin sits deep! Riddle crawls, gets the ropebreak, and Benjamin lets go fast. Benjamin drags Riddle up, Riddle throws hands but Benjamin throws Riddle out! MVP goes out to mockingly ask how Riddle feels. The ref counts, MVP backs off and the count is to 6. Benjamin is on Riddle, Alexander tags in before Lashley can, which confuses MVP a bit. Alexander hits a back suplex, covers, TWO! Alexander keeps Riddle down with a knee in the back and a chinlock on tight. Riddle endures, fights up and the fans clap on their screens.
Riddle fights back, Alexander elbows him down and tags in Benjamin. They mug Riddle, Benjamin puts Riddle on ropes then tags in Lashley. Lashley throws crossface forearms while he has Riddle on the ropes! Tag to Alexander and Alexander brings Riddle up. Riddle throws body shots, then a ROUNDHOUSE! Alexander is dazed, hot tag to Kofi! Kofi springboards and ax handles Alexander! Kofi hits the Hurt Business, chops Alexander down then dropkicks! Kofi keeps moving, leaping lariat! Kofi runs for the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop! Kofi claps it up but Benjamin grabs at him! Kofi DECKS Benjamin but MVP distracts, Alexander attacks!
Alexander back suplex, Kofi slips out and Woods tags in! Kofi DIVES onto Benjamin and Lashley! Alexander runs but Woods trips him up! Woods slingshots to elbow drop! MVP runs in to throw Woods but Woods throws MVP! Alexander runs into a drop toehold onto ropes! Woods runs to slide Alexander and wreck MVP! Woods gives Alexander a rope GUILLOTINE! Hardy is up top and he LEAPS out onto MVP! Woods powers up for a DISCUS! YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, YEAH~! Tag to Hardy, he goes back up, SWANTON BOMB!! Cover, but Lashley breaks it! Lashley throws Woods into a corner, but runs in to POST himself!
Woods sees MVP and MVP CLOBBERS him! Kofi leaps but MVP dodges to BOOT Kofi down! Riddle ROUNDHOUSES MVP down, Benjamin throws Riddle. Riddle is on the apron, Benjamin KNEES him down! Hardy gives Benjamin a TWIST OF FATE! Lashley tags in, but he runs into a kick! And the spinning mule kick! Lashley still charges, but into a clinch. But the jawbreaker is turned into a HURT LOCK!! Hardy flails, but he taps! The Hurt Business wins!
Winners: The Hurt Business, by submission
Despite the hard fight Hardy and friends put up, the US Champion is too mighty! And then the rest of the Hurt Business goes after New Day! But Woods shoves Alexander into the apron, Kofi slips off Benjamin’s scoop to mule kick him down! Riddle sneaks up on Lashley to spin him around, FINAL FLASH!! The Hurt Business is left behind, and are no longer in a good mood after that win! Will Lashley look to make Riddle a ragdoll in the new year?
Miz and Morrison sulk backstage.
Morrison tells Miz that they can get past this. John Cena lost that one match to Kevin Federline, right? Kevin Feder…?! MIZ IS MR. MITB!! Well, was. Adam Pearce finds them and says they look as miserable as the Cleveland Browns did. Pearce has the briefcase? Going to throw that in his face now? As much as Pearce would love to throw it in his face literally, and very hard, no. Pearce is here to return it to Miz. What? Well, the loophole was correct, and Miz is the only one who can officially cash this in. Morrison did it at TLC but he’s not Mr. MITB. So once again, this briefcase is back in Miz’s “grubby little hands.” Happy holidays.
Miz and Morrison are PUMPED! And they dance all up and down the stairs rather awkwardly… Will they use this second chance to properly cash-in and take the world title?
Alexa Bliss heads back to the ring!
But she’s not dressed to compete. She made a challenge to Randy Orton, but apparently she didn’t mean a match. Plus, WWE doesn’t usually do co-ed competition. Even so, Alexa still dares Orton to come out, and Orton walks out to join her. Orton has a mic and says, “Where is he?” Alexa says this is not about him. This is about her! Alexa walks out of the ring, goes over to the timekeeper’s area, and grabs… a present? She brings the gift box back to the ring and tears away the wrapping paper. There is a very normal cardboard box inside, and she opens that up… to bring out a gas can and matches?!
Alexa carries the gas can and matches over to Orton, and sets them down at his feet. She then takes a few steps back, kicks the box out of the ring, and challenges Orton to do to her what she did to The Fiend!?! She wants to be set on fire?!? Alexa lies down and waits, but Orton doesn’t take her seriously. Alexa gets up, walks back over to him, takes the gas can back, then pours some gas out from the center and back to Orton. Then she stands on the puddle of gas and dares him. “I just did the job for you. So go ahead. Light the match and do to me what you did to him!” Alexa lies down on the puddle, and shouts for Orton to do it!
Orton still isn’t so sure, and she gets even more upset. Alexa storms back over, takes the gas can back a second time, and brings it back over to make an even bigger puddle of gas! A ring of it, actually. Is he not going to do it? Maybe he doesn’t have the guts! Just look at him. Orton says he’s sick, twisted, demented. But he’s not. Because if he was, he’d light the match! But he’s nothing! “Nothing but a little bitch!!” Alexa DRENCHES herself with the gasoline!! She glares at Orton through her soaked hair, and Orton looks down at the matches.
Orton says, “You think that I won’t do it?” Orton bends down to pick up the matches, keeping his eyes on her just in case. “You think that I’m not capable? I want to do it. But I know that it’s what you want me to do, so right now I’m trying to process the whole thing.” Orton knows he enjoys watches pain and suffering, and that is what he wants to do here, but this is what she wants, too! Do you think Fiend went to hell and you want to join him? FINE! Maybe Orton will set her on fire! Or, maybe he won’t. But then the lights start going down. Orton may have been right all along.
But wait. Instead of the Fiend’s lights, the MATCH is lit! Orton drops the match, but then the rest of the lights go out!! What happens?! Does he set Alexa on fire or not?!? We won’t know until the new year!!!
My Thoughts:
Well that was a wild Raw to end the year on. That cliffhanger just now did not work the way they’d hoped, as far as I’m concerned. Obviously no one was really getting set on fire, but couldn’t they have hinted at it by showing the match touch gasoline and just some fire erupting before cutting away? But up until that moment, Orton and Alexa were going an amazing job tonight. Alexa recycled a bit of her lines from the previous playground promo, but Orton returning the mind games by finding and vandalizing the Fun House was a good touch. This all still has to lead to a Firefly Fun House match, but Orton should’ve either left to leave Alexa frustrated, or the Fiend should’ve returned to debut whatever new form he’ll be taking. Anything more than a cliffhanger that falls flat.
Opening with the world championship story was a good move, to give Keith VS Sheamus time to breathe. It was a great set-up to the match, a great match, and a great result. McIntyre VS Keith for “Legend’s Night” is fine, but I would think McIntyre retains. His story with Sheamus still has a lot to it, and I think this means Sheamus is the one to challenge at the Royal Rumble. Of course, and perhaps rather disappointingly, Miz gets the MITB contract back without any real struggle, and though the victory dance he and Morrison was hilarious, this just seems too soon and too dumb. And yet the detail is so specific, it is clear they were going to do this right from the moment on TLC. Metalik got a big win off Miz, but it means very little now because Miz gets what he wants anyway.
Poor #SexyMuscleFriends. They looked to have a triumphant moment where they’d finally get even with Shayna, but nope, Shayna solos them. Charlotte and Nia have a great match, even with Shayna “ruining” the end, but at least Asuka was there to save Charlotte. Clearly on the Raw end of things, Nia and Shayna are going to be in line for a rematch before the Rumble. And it has to be before because Nia, and clearly Shayna, will be in the Women’s Rumble match. Asuka VS Charlotte is going to be built simply by Charlotte again bringing up how she said she returned as a favor, and so Asuka will return the favor by giving Charlotte a match. Win or lose, the Queens of Tomorrow will surely stick together for their tag title run, but it could be used to create dysfunction.
I actually liked how Styles VS Elias was set up through Styles and Omos being upset about the noise, aka Elias’ music. Styles VS Elias was a really good match, but naturally Styles wins. It wasn’t quite full Heel VS Heel, and I’m thinking Styles and Omos turn Face through this. To be fair, it works because Styles is great no matter what, and Omos is definitely showing enough personality now to be a Face. Ricochet VS Ali was a really good match, too, especially with Ricochet fighting off the henchmen by himself. Ricochet loses to mostly set up that swerve on his decision, but I still feel like he needs to find allies of his own to finally fight back.
Garza continues to have cringey segments, but I like that his attempts at being suave were ruined by the 24/7 Championship chase. And I almost feel like Garza should get involved with that so it can be used to comically ruin more of his attempts. The 8 Man Tag was a great main-event match, and Riddle’s promo beforehand felt a bit more like himself rather than what WWE was writing him to be like last week. The Hurt Business still wins because they deserve to be a very strong unit, and Lashley VS Riddle is still being built. That title match should certainly happen on the way to the Rumble, or even on the Rumble PPV, and it should be on the same level as what we got out of Keith VS Sheamus tonight.
One thing I also need to add is that with this being the first wrestling program since Jon Huber, aka Luke Harper, aka Brodie Lee, sadly passed away, I loved every little thing the superstars did to pay tribute to him. McIntyre opened the show with the phrase Huber loved to use on social media, “It’s [day of the week], you know what that means.” And a few times, “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah,” was said, which Huber as Harper did very often during his matches. Plus, the use of the discus lariat, especially when Woods did it with the little hand gesture Harper would do before, was such a great way of showing how much Huber meant to everyone he worked with here in WWE. Needless to say, Huber will be missed by so many.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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