Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (2/24/21)
We will learn #WhyColeWhy!
Will Santos Escobar be stripped of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship?
NXT Cruiserweight, Santos Escobar, must face his doom! Karrion Kross and Escobar battle in a NO DISQUALIFICATION match! That is, if Escobar shows up!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ The Way; Lumis wins.
- Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Leon Ruff; No Contest.
- Io Shirai VS Zoey Stark; Shirai wins.
- Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter; Xia wins, by referee stoppage.
- Grizzled Young Veterans VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick; Grizzled Young Veterans win.
- No Disqualification: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux; Kross wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Dexter Lumis VS Johnny Gargano w/ The Way!
The Tortured Artist snatched Austin Theory away just as Johnny Freakin’ TakeOver was about to take on Kushida on Vengeance Day! But then surprisingly, Lumis gave Theory back without much of a fight. Will Johnny Gargano make sure Lumis doesn’t get away with that unpunished?
Speaking of, The Way pumps up back stage with “That’s The Way we uh-huh, uh-huh, we like it!” Theory says that should be a song! Um… Is Theory okay? Yes, of course! Well alright, but he doesn’t have to push himself if he doesn’t want to. Theory says he’s fine, Indi keeps her eyes on Theory as they all make their way out to the ring. And they make sure Theory stays away from Lumis. The no-look high-five doesn’t really work out this time, but that’s something minor. Will the North American Champion come away with a win over Lumis tonight?
The fans taunt Gargano with “Johnny Sucks!” as the bell rings. Lumis stares Gargano down but Gargano is unsettled by the fans cheering Lumis on. Gargano tries the “what’s that?!” trick but Lumis doesn’t even look away as Gargano rushes in! Lumis shows fist, Gargano falls over and scrambles away! Lumis slithers after him and that creeps Gargano out more! Gargano bails of the ring, Lumis slides to the apron but Gargano hammers away on him! Gargano gets back in, slingshots but into an UPPERCUT! Lumis stares at Theory, Theory gets antsy, Lumis builds speed but Gargano slingshots in! Lumis slides under and Gargano’s spear FLOPS! Lumis then goes under the ring?!
Gargano looks for Lumis and The Way look for him, too. Theory says he’s found Lumis! He’s behind Gargano! What?! Gargano turns around into Lumis’ UPPERCUT! And another! Lumis ROCKS Gargano with haymakers, then throws body shots in the corner! Lumis whips Gargano corner to corner, runs in but Gargano boots him away! Gargano runs, but into the THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fists, runs and drops an ax handle! Cover, ONE! Fans rally and duel, Lumis reels Gargano in but he stares at Theory. Lumis suplexes and holds Gargano up for a count of 10, even as Gargano kicks and flails! Gargano can’t escape, Lumis SLAMS him down!
Gargano rolls away and regroups with The Way, but Lumis keeps his eyes locked on Gargano. Lumis goes out after Gargano but Gargano RAMS him into the apron! Gargano throws Lumis down on the ramp, then rains down left hands! The ref starts the ring count, Gargano refreshes it, and Gargano “apologizes” to the ref. Gargano lines up a shot, but Lumis ducks the Penalty Kick to kip up and TOSS Gargano into the apron! Fans fire up, Lumis drags Gargano up and ROCKS him with another uppercut! Lumis whips Gargano into the ring, but The Way lurks close! Theory says he was just trying to call Indi over, and Indi rushes up on Lumis, only for Lumis to stare her down!
Indi has a nervous smile as she backs away into a post, and nervously says, “Call me.” LeRae steps up, leaps, but the rana is blocked! Lumis pops Candice to the apron, but Gargano baseball slides under her to hit Lumis! Gargano builds speed and DIVES! Direct hit and Lumis goes down as NXT goes picture in picture!
Gargano takes his time checking his chin while Lumis is down. The ref wants this to get back in the ring, Gargano checks with Theory but Theory says it worked out, didn’t it? Gargano bumps Lumis off the apron, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Gargano puts Lumis back in, aims but Lumis ROCKS him with a haymaker! Gargano still SLINGSHOT SPEARS in! Gargano fires off fists, storms around the ring, then brings Lumis up for haymakers. Candice snaps at Indi to get her to pay attention. Does the Way have to worry about both kids now? Gargano climbs up in the corner to rain down more fists on Lumis’ head!
Lumis keeps fighting Gargano so Gargano snapmares him and basement dropkicks him in the back! Cover, TWO! Lumis gets to ropes, Gargano chokes him! The ref counts, Gargano lets off at 4, and Lumis drags himself up. Gargano is on Lumis but Lumis throws forearms back! Lumis backs Gargano down to a corner, stomps away (I swear I’ll stop), but Gargano turns it around to fire off forearms in return! The ref counts, Gargano stops at 4, and pushes Lumis around. Gargano clubs Lumis on the back, brings him up and hits a Russian Leg Sweep! Cover, TWO! Gargano grows annoyed and he drags Lumis up to put back on ropes for choking!
The ref counts, Gargano backs off (see? no way pun!), and The Way taunts Lumis up close. Gargano brings Lumis up, scoops him and slams him! Cover, TWO! Gargano gets the arm, drags Lumis around and reels him into a Camel Clutch! Lumis endures, NXT returns to single picture, and again Candice has to snap Indi out of whatever trance she’s in. Lumis still endures as fans rally, and Lumis fights up. Gargano tries to hold on with a sleeper hold, but Lumis RAMS Gargano into buckles! Lumis is free but Gargano hops right back on! Gargano elbows Lumis, hooks him up, but Lumis powers out to a BACKBREAKER!
Fans fire up, Lumis and Gargano stagger up, and Gargano walks into a BIG right hand! Lumis rallies with haymakers and uppercuts! Gargano is in a corner, Lumis runs in and clotheslines, to a BULLDOG! Lumis suplexes Gargano to rebound him off the ropes! Gargano staggers up into a BIG back suplex! Lumis kips up and drops a LEG! Cover, TWO!! Gargano survives and Candice is frustrated. Indi and Theory are the only ones not upset about this as Lumis hauls Gargano up. Gargano slips out of the scoop, ends up in a corner, and goes up and over Lumis to school boy! Lumis ducks the kick and stares down Gargano! Gargano gets the arm!
Johnny almost has GargaNO Escape, only for Lumis to roll over into the SILENCE!! Gargano scrambles around, ghost pins, TWO! Lumis sits up into a BUZZSAW! Gargano runs, into an UPPERCUT! Gargano rebounds, spins, but into a SPINEBUSTER! Lumis covers, TWO!! Gargano’s Wolverine-esque superhuman heart helps him survive! Lumis goes to a corner and climbs up and The Way moves away. Gargano runs in, Lumis punches him back, and Gargano falls to a drop zone! Lumis leaps, but he has to roll out of his double stomps as Gargano moves! Gargano kicks but Lumis gets under to get the clinch!
Gargano elbows out of that, runs, but into a pop-up UPPERCUT! Gargano SUPERKICKS on the rebound! Cover, TWO!! Lumis shocks Gargano with that and fans rally up! Candice distracts, Gargano tells the kids to get something for him. Theory goes to get a chair and he brings it over. Theory slides it in but Lumis stomps the chair down! The ref sees this and reprimands Gargano. Lumis uppercuts Gargano, Gargano ENZIGURIS! Gargano fakes his knee jamming, and he signals to Theory! Candice coaches Theory through getting on the apron and aiming at Lumis! Theory hesitates, Lumis stares Theory down, and Theory says, “My bad!”
Theory tries to explain, Gargano runs in, Lumis dodges and Gargano DECKS Theory!! Lumis drags Gargano into the URENAGE, and THE SILENCE!!! Gargano flails, reaches, fades, he is OUT! Lumis wins!!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by submission
Lumis pats Gargano’s head, and Candice reprimands Theory! The Way couldn’t stay out of their own way, and now Lumis has a win over the North American Champion! Between Theory thinking of Lumis as a buddy, and Indi oddly infatuated, is Lumis going to cause The Way to go by the wayside?
William Regal waits for Santos Escobar.
If El Legado doesn’t arrive, Escobar will be STRIPPED of the NXT Cruiserweight Championship! Will Regal have to pull the trigger on his ultimatum?
NXT shares exclusive footage and interviews with MSK.
Wes Lee and Nash Carter look back on the night they won the 2021 Men’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic. Lee had a strange calm come over him, but Carter was so nervous. “It was one of those moments where everything you’ve every done flashes in your head.” From opponents to tag partners and best friends, these two have put in the grind for years. They’re the same two kids from Dayton, Ohio as they always have been. And to get the win, they were so emotional, crying happy tears. Everything they’ve worked for paid off. Finally, being here, establishing themselves as a force in the Tag Division, and all the praise and congratulations from family and friends, it made that worth it, too.
The reason Carter got into wrestling was his dad. They’d watch Raw every week on Monday. But when Carter was a freshman in high school, his dad passed. It only ignited Carter’s passion for the business even more. He said he’d be in the WWE one day, and this is the first time in a long time that he felt his dad’s pride and admiration. “The Legacy Lives On” is tattooed on Carter’s chest, and this feeling will be unforgettable for them both. Their names are etched forever on the plaque, but this is only the beginning. They’ve been hungry, they’re ready to eat! That’s why these two are the #MustSeeKids!
Backstage interview with MSK!
Next week, Lee & Carter get to cash in their NXT Tag Team Championship opportunity, as they earned from winning the Dusty Cup. But then GRIZZLED YOUNG VETERANS jump them!! James Drake punches away on Carter’s head while Zack Gibson puts Lee’s arm in a chair like a vice!! Referees rush in to get GYV to stop, and Lee clutches his hand! Did GYV just sideline MSK and delay their title shot?
Tyler Rust w/ Malcolm Bivens VS Leon Ruff!
Bivens Enterprise’s #DiamondintheRust took Kushida to the limit, but was about to be broken if not for Bivens throwing in the towel, so to speak. However, Bivens made sure to personally arrange this match for Rust, asking Ruff right after he was medically cleared for the damage done by Isaiah “Swerve” Scott. Bivens has a mic now to say, “Success is taking advantage of every key opportunity that is put forth in front of you!” And when it comes to success, you think about Ruff!
But when Bivens thinks of Ruff, he just thinks of “the son that I didn’t have, and never wanted.” Ruff, you hold a very special place in Biven’s heart, and has a special opportunity tonight! He will go 1v1 with Rust! And Rust will prove to us why he IS the diamond in the Rust! Will the former North American Champion simply be used to sharpen Rust’s edge?
Wait, as Ruff makes his entrance, SWERVE BOOTS Ruff off the apron!! Swerve goes after Ruff with clubbing forearms, still upset about Ruff getting opportunities handed to him! Swerve slams Ruff into the announce desk and vents to commentary. “Swerve is gonna start getting opportunities, and less hand-outs for this guy right here!” Swerve fireman’s carries Ruff to DEATH VALLEY DRIVE him into the apron!! The ref tells Swerve to leave but Swerve says he told Ruff this wouldn’t be that easy! Swerve does leave, and he might have just done Bivens another favor! Bivens claims Rust wins by forfeit, but will NXT management really count it that way?
No Contest
NXT shares footage from the WWE Performance Center.
It was yesterday that William Regal was talking with one of the newest signees, Zoey Stark, about an “opportunity” that was presented. He offered Stark a non-title match with NXT Women’s Champion, Io Shirai. Stark isn’t sure she heard that right, but Regal says after her great debut, there’s no one better he’d like to see face Shirai than Stark. Stark accepts that, how could she not?
Backstage interview with Zoey Stark!
We’re just moments away from only her second singles match in NXT and it is with THE NXT Women’s Champion. How is she feeling? Stark has so many emotions, her heart is pounding, but she is ready to get out there. But then she gets cut-off by technical difficulties! Will that be a bad omen on her opportunity with The Evil Genius?
NXT shares footage from earlier today.
Someone was reliving a classic Ted DeBiase moment. The Million Dollar Man challenges a little boy to dribble a basketball 10 times in a row for big money, only for DeBiase to mess the kid up! Oh, the one watching is Cameron Grimes! He’s seen enough, because time is money, after all! But that DeBiase, he was one smart guy! “With enough money, you can humiliate anyone!” Grimes has a lot of money, too, so he does a recreation of that basketball challenge! He has $1000 for 10 dribbles! The guy is up for that, and at 10… Grimes is confused! He didn’t watch the whole moment!! Grimes is the one suckered by his own scam! Grimes thinks DeBiase is to blame! Just proves money can’t fix stupid…
Io Shirai VS Zoey Stark!
Alright, the technical difficulties have been sorted out, and now it’s time for the Evil Genius to shine! But will Stark make this match a stark contrast from all Shirai’s other matches?
The bell rings and Stark circles with Shirai. They tie up, Stark powers Shirai to ropes, Shirai kicks free and the two go again. Shirai avoids Stark’s pick of the leg, they tie up, and Shirai throws Stark down, but the collar ‘n’ elbow stays on! Stark gets up, throws Shirai in return, but the grapple stays on again. Shirai gets up, Stark gets around to a waistlock, but Shirai wrenches an arm. Shirai has the wristlock, Stark rolls and handsprings and wrenches back! Stark hammerlocks, Shirai reaches back and throws elbows, then gets the headlock. Stark powers out, Shirai counters hip toss with arm-drag, and Stark staggers up. Stark avoids Shirai and manages a small back drop!
Shirai gets up, she spins Stark around, wrenches and kicks to whip. Stark reverses, Shirai reverses and hooks Stark up in an IRON OCTOPUS! Shirai digs her elbow in, Stark powers up but Shirai sunset flips! TWO, Shirai runs and basement dropkicks Stark down! Shirai stomps Stark to a corner, kicks at her, but Stark kicks back. Shirai CHOPS and CHOPS then sweeps the legs, to dig her boots in! SWINGING METEORA! Stark crawls along the ropes, Shirai runs in and 619’s, but Stark blocks to BOOT Shirai down! Stark builds speed but runs into BOOTS! Shirai swings to dropkick Stark back, then goes to a corner.
Shirai is slow to climb up, Stark intercepts with a GAMANGIRI! Shirai tumbles down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Stark has Shirai in a facelock. Shirai throws body shots to get free, then throws forearms to back Stark down. Stark dodges to mule kick, front kick, kick a leg out, and then runs, but into a takedown! Shirai wants the arm but Stark holds on! Stark rolls, Shirai kicks low, but Stark ducks the buzzsaw to trip Shirai up! Stark runs again, to basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! Stark thought she had Shirai but she keeps her focus. Stark goes to a corner, hops up fast, and leaps for a 450! She has to roll through as Shirai moves, both women run to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! Both women are down and fans fire up!
The ref checks, both women are okay to continue, and Shirai sits up first. Stark follows and ghost pins! TWO, Stark hits a HALF ‘N’ HALF! Cover, TWO!! Shirai survives but Stark can’t believe how close she was! Starks wraps Shirai up in a chinlock and makes it a sleeper! Shirai endures so Stark KNEES her in the back! Stark kicks but Shirai blocks to elbow the leg, and SHOTEI! Shirai starts to rally with shoulder tackles, then a FLAPJACK! Stark goes to ropes, Shirai 619’s! Shirai climbs up top, takes aim and leaps to missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Stark survives and Shirai gets annoyed. Shirai drags Stark up, reels her in and underhooks, but Stark back drops out!
Stark gets back to a corner, hops up again, but Shirai SHOTEIS again! Shirai climbs up to join Stark and club away on her back! Shirai stands up on the very top, to SUPER STEINER! Stark staggers up into Shirai’s double underhooks, for the TIGER BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Stark survives and Shirai is frustrated! Shirai stomps away on Stark, drags her up, but Stark gets around to a waistlock, for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Stark is shocked but she’s seeing why Shirai is a champion! Stark drags Shirai up again, Shirai resists the German to victory roll Stark into buckles! SHINKANSEN!! Shirai goes up, OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Shirai wins!
Winner: Io Shirai, by pinfall
Stark may not have won but she showed she’s one to watch! Will Shirai be keeping her eye on Stark from now on? But speaking of someone to watch out for, here comes Toni Storm! “Oh, Io, Io, Io.” Look at her! “Willing to fight literally anyone in this division, besides me.” But Storm is no Stark or whatever he name is. She IS Toni Storm, and she kicked Shirai’s head off, and Shirai couldn’t do a thing about it! There’s a reason Shirai pinned Mercedes Martinez and not Storm: Shirai can’t beat her. Shirai gets a mic to respond! “I will fight you, any time, any place, anywhere!”
But will she? Because if Shirai thought she could beat Storm, surely by now she would’ve asked Regal for it! But Shirai hasn’t done that, because she’s scared. Storm knows it, but she dares Shirai to prove her wrong. “Go find Regal, make the match happen.” Shirai says Storm’s on! Will Regal only need to see this to make it happen?
Backstage interview with The Way.
Even though they’re on their way out, McKenzie asks for a moment of their time. Gargano says not now! They need to get out of here before “that psycho” Lumis comes back for them. Gargano says all Theory had to do was hit Lumis with a chair! How was that so hard?! Theory says the chair was unnecessary, and Lumis doesn’t deserve that. Lumis is just misunderstood. What?! He kidnapped Theory! Chloroform, white van! And Theory isn’t even the first person Lumis did that to! Lumis isn’t misunderstood, he’s PSYCHO! Is Gargano taking crazy pills? Candice, back Johnny up! Candice agrees, Lumis should be in jail. THANK YOU! Indi, you, too! Indi says she finds Lumis “kinda hot…”
WHAT THE… Gargano keeps Candice from cursing so he can see “HELL?!” What is going on here?! What is happening!? No, no, whatever this is with Indi, and Theory’s Stockholm Syndrome, get them down. They will fix this! Theory is going to therapy! Seriously? Yes! And not another word! It is happening! Will therapy be enough to undo whatever Lumis may or may not have done to Theory?
Grimes is back with the basketball scam!
He made sure to watch the entire DeBiase moment, and he’ll get the better of someone this time. Grimes is sure these people know him for his money. He has a handful of green and explains his basketball challenge. Maybe not this guy, but how about the little lady over here? If she can bounce the basketball 10 times, she’ll get $1000 of his money! Like the Million Dollar Man back in the day? Uh, n-no… Just dribble the ball! It ain’t rocket science! Maybe her friend over here would like to try instead? No, the lady he asked first takes the challenge on. And when she stands up, Grimes realizes she’s not so little… Well still, she has to dribble! “Let’s see what you got, honey!”
The young lady dribbles, Grimes counts, but she gets tricky with it and he misses! That’s more than 10! “Gimme my money, honey.” Grimes is out $2000 total now. Don’t hate the player, hate the game. CURSE YOU, DEBIASE! This ain’t over!!
Xia Li w/ Tian Sha VS Kacy Catanzaro w/ Kayden Carter!
The friendship of Spicy and KC Squared may be all but gone after the harsh training Xia was put through by “her.” Can Kacy save whatever is left of the old Xia? Or will she be “purged” to only make Xia stronger?
The bell rings and Xia rushes Kacy! Kacy dodges, fires off on Xia, but Xia shoves her away! Xia rushes in again but Kacy waistlocks. Xia reaches under but Kacy leap frogs over and around. Kacy handsprings, headscissors and fires up! Kacy is after Xia with a facelock, whips her, but Xia reverses. Kacy goes up and over but gets caught! Xia hotshots Kacy, then takes her fighting stance! Xia powers up, storms over again, and bumps Kacy off buckles! Kacy shoves Xia but Xia stomps Kacy down in the corner! The ref counts, Xia adds on a springboard stomp to top it off! Xia drags Kacy back up, snap suplexes, covers, TWO!
Xia keeps on Kacy with a chinlock then makes it a cobra clutch. Kayden and the fans rally as Kacy fights up, and Kacy slips out the back! Xia BOOTS Kacy down, drags her up and reels her in, but Kacy slips out of the Gory Especial to sunset flip! TWO, and Xia back kicks Kacy hard! Cover, TWO! Xia wraps Kacy up in the cobra clutch again, but Kacy fights up. Kacy throws Xia off, gets to a corner, and elbows her away! Xia runs back in but into a boot! Xia returns, but Kacy trips her into the corner! Kacy fires off stomps, furious fists, but Xia shoves her away! Kacy comes back with more fire, the ref counts but Xia shoves her, only for Kacy to SHOTGUN Xia back!
Kacy runs, hits an A-List Lariat, then hits a FLIPPING AX KICK! Cover, TWO! Xia bails out, Kacy grits her teeth and goes to the apron to leap! Xia catches her, moves her around, but Kacy slips out to a waistlock. Xia standing switches to RAM Kacy into the barriers! Tian Sha tells Xia to finish this, and Xia looms over Kacy. The ring count is climbing, Kacy’s leg is on steel steps and Xia STOMPS IT!! Xia may have just broken Kacy’s leg! The ref checks on Kacy as she writhes and cries in pain, but Xia doesn’t even show emotion on her face! Xia goes up the steps, and drags Kacy up by her hair! Xia brings Kacy to the apron and makes sure Tian Sha sees this!
The ref reprimands, Xia shows no mercy as she drags Kacy in. More referees come out to check on Kacy, the refs call this!
Winner: Xia Li, by referee stoppage
Kayden wants after Xia but the refs keep her back. Kayden shields Kacy, but then glares at Tian Sha. Kayden storms over and asks what their problem is! Boa blocks Kayden’s path, Xia goes after Kacy with a HEEL KICK!! Kayden rushes back to Kacy and Xia slips away to leave with Boa and Tian Sha. Xia warns Kayden that she is next. Will what Xia did to Kacy pale in comparison to what she’ll do to Kayden?
Regal is still waiting for Escobar.
Still no sign of El Legado, but the clock is ticking. Will Escobar have the courage to face Karrion Kross? Or will he have to sacrifice his Cruiserweight title reign?
NXT profiles next week’s WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match.
After making history by winning the inaugural Women’s Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic, Dakota Kai & Raquel Gonzalez are poised to take on the Irresistible Force & Shayna Baszler! The Queen of Spades says, “The Women’s Division now is all the scraps left over from when I left.” And when it comes to Raquel telling them, “You don’t run this place anymore… we do!” Well, that’s a joke to Nia. Nia says Raquel can talk about dominating all she wants, but when she runs into Nia, it’ll be a different story.
Raquel says Nia is the one kidding herself. Nia needs to wake up. Dakota says she and Raquel will be bringing those WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships to NXT. Shayna says Dakota is only confident because she has Raquel. That’s perfect, because now there’s someone who can carry her to the hospital. Dakota said it before, she is NOT the scared little girl from Shayna’s reign of terror. Dakota will kick Shayna’s head off once and for all! Will the alumni come back to humiliate this generation? Or will Raquel and Dakota turn the whole Women’s Division upside-down?
Cameron Grimes wants one more try!
No one gets over on Cameron Grimes! He challenges a random guy in the parking lot! Dribble the ball 10 times, win $1000! Like that DeBiase- YES LIKE THAT!! Just do it!! Why is it so difficult?! He gonna do it or what? Yeah, sure, The guy starts dribbling, and Grimes DECKS him!! Grimes tells DeBiase to #KissMahGrits! Money CAN by happiness! Wait, he still throws like, $1500 into the air. Will that guy wake up and still get Grimes’ money?
Grizzled Young Veterans VS Killian Dain & Drake Maverick!
Zack Gibson & James Drake ambushed MSK because, well, they’re sore losers. But will the Belfast Beast and Rockstar Spud SSSOOON avenge Lee & Carter?
Maverick comes out wearing a shirt with Dain’s face on it, and Dain does not approve! Dain pulls that shirt off Maverick and smacks him on the back with it before throwing it away. GYV make their entrance, Gibson has a mic, and he says, “I’m sorry to interrupt this little dance party, but we have some breaking news! Wes Lee of MSK fame has unfortunately broken his hand.” James Drake mockingly “sheds a tear,” but says that the main headline now is that Regal has given GYV a hefty fine! They were just saving the NXT Universe! Imagine a few weeks without MSK “joking around like little children!”
Gibson says in the finals of the Dusty Cup, “the better team lost! Let’s make no mistakes: there’s only one team destined for tag title glory, and it’s NOT MSK. And it’s certainly not Shrek ‘n’ Donkey! It’s the Grizzled Young Veterans, SSSSSSOON to be recognized as NXT Tag Team Champions!” Gibson and Drake get in with Shrek- er, Dain & Maverick, and teams sort out. Of course Dain wants to start, and he runs right at James Drake to SHOTGUN DROPKICK him down! Dain drags Drake up to throw BIG EuroUppers! Tag to Maverick, Dain & Maverick double whip, Dain uses Maverick to trip Drake up, and then Dain drops a back senton! Maverick is the human weapon again, scoop slam senton! Cover, TWO!
Maverick keeps on Drake with an armlock, then wrenches to a wristlock. Maverick hammerlocks, Drake endures and fights up to elbow free. Drake headlocks, tags Gibson, Maverick powers out but GYV leap frog to CLOBBER Maverick! Gibson sucker punches Dain, but he doesn’t fall! The ref is busy keeping Dain back, and Gibson scoops Maverick to an Electric Chair! Mr. Mayhem goes up top but Dain gets Maverick away from Liverpool’s Number One, to then choke grip Gibson! Drake leaps into a choke grip, and Dain SHOVES GYV out of the ring! Fans fire up as Maverick shakes Dain’s hand. Then Dain TOSSES Maverick out onto GYV! GYV goes down as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Gibson keeps Maverick from Dain! Maverick throws forearms, Gibson whips Maverick to the corner and tags in Drake. Drake rolls and run sin but Maverick knees him down! Gibson keeps Maverick cornered, until Maverick slips under! Hot tag to Dain! Dain rallies on GYV, then clinches Drake for an OVERHEAD SUPLEX! Dain RAMS Gibson into Drake then CLOBBERS Gibson! Gibson begs for mercy but Drake jumps on with a sleeper! Dain just shifts Drake to a fireman’s carry, scoops Gibson, SAMOAN DROP FALL AWAY SLAM COMBO! Big Damo pops Drake back up for the WASTELAND, and SENTON! Cover, Gibson breaks it!
The ref reprimands as Gibson hammers Dain and helps Drake up. GYV coordinate, but it’s Dain who DOUBLE SUPLEXES them! Hot tag to Maverick! Maverick climbs up, leaps and CROSSBODIES Drake! Maverick dropkicks Gibson down, fires up and throws strikes on Drake! Punch, kick, repeat, but Drake shoves him! Maverick gets under to dropkick the legs out then basement dropkicks Drake in the head! Maverick fires up, hits a forearm smash in the corner, but Gibson tags in before the bulldog attempt! GYV coordinate, MISSILE DROPKICK COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Dain breaks it! Dain goes after Drake and CLOBBERS him! Gibson throws Dain out, but Dain drags him out with him!
Dain has Gibson’s ear, Drake DIVES to take Dain out! Gibson gets in but Maverick runs in to forearm smash and BULLDOG! Maverick hurries up a corner, but Drake goes after him! Maverick kicks him away but Gibson YANKS Maverick down! Tag to Drake, they coordinate again, TICKET TO MAYHEM!! Cover, GYV wins!
Winners: The Grizzled Young Veterans, by pinfall
The teamwork makes the dream work, and GYV are one step closer to their dastardly dream of being the first team to have held both NXT UK and NXT prime Tag Team Championships!
BREAKING NEWS!
William Regal DID see the confrontation earlier, and has made a match! In two weeks it will be Io Shirai VS Toni Storm, for the NXT Women’s Champion!
Finally El Legado arrives!
And just in time to make Regal’s deadline! Joaquin Wilde & Raul Mendoza stand guard as Escobar stays in the SUV. Will Escobar go through with the match tonight? Or is he just here to turn over the title?
NXT returns as Dain is still carrying Maverick around.
He doesn’t want NXT Media to bother them, he sets Maverick down. But then Alexander Wolfe and Imperium walk by. What is this? Wolfe says Dain used to be a monster. That shake of his head shows Wolfe is disappointed, but Dain asks for medics to check on Maverick. Will Dain let the Hatchet Man get in his head about his… well not friendship, but partnership with Maverick?
No Disqualification: Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma VS Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux!
Mr. Doomsday and his femme fatale make their way to the ring, and we see that Escobar has yet to even exit the vehicle. Wait! Kross attacks Wilde & Mendoza!! He got the drop on Legado this time! Kross TOSSES Mendoza into a garage door, but Escobar attacks! He’s going through with the match his way, but will he be made to #FallAndPray all the same?
Kross picks Escobar up to RAM him into the side of a truck! Escobar kicks back, they brawl again, and Kross CLUBS and ROCKS Escobar! Escobar goes to the back of the moving truck, Kross is after him again with haymakers, and then he tosses him into the truck’s trailer. But Escobar SLAMS the door on Kross! Kross writhes and Escobar talks trash in Spanish now that he has the advantage. Escobar kicks and forearms but Kros TOSSES him back into the side of the truck! Escobar kicks again, Kross throws more forearms, but Escobar dodges and a forearm shot hits the truck! Kross shakes that arm while Escobar gets into the truck cab!
Escobar closes the door to protect himself, but Kross rips off the side mirror! Kross finds a PICKAXE under the truck!? What’s that doing there?! Kross uses it to TEAR into the door!! Escobar has to bail out the other side and he throws hands on Kross! Wilde returns to throw hands but Kross TOSSES Wilde onto the hood! Wilde tumbles, Mendoza runs in but he gets THROWN into the grill! Escobar SMASHES Kross with a trash can! Escobar talks more trash and then SMACKS Kross again! El Legado has the 3v1 advantage now and they mug Kross! They bump Kross off the truck, hammer him more, and then RAM him into the side of the trailer!
Escobar wants another one, and they set Kross up again. They tell “the dog” this is what he gets for messing with them! They RAM him into the side again, and then Escobar has Wilde and Mendoza drag Kross into the arena. They go to the special stage area and beat Kross up at the steps! Fans boo but Escobar says to bring Kross around. Kross DECKS Wilde, BOOTS Mendoza, and then takes them both to throw them into the PLEXIGLAS! They go crashing through and Escobar is shocked! Kross glares at Escobar and Scarlett laughs at Escobar’s false bravado! Kross ROCKS Escobar and Escobar goes into the ring!
Escobar runs but Kross BOOTS him down! Cover, ONE!! Kross keeps on Escobar and CLUBS him out of the ring! Kross stalks Escobar, but Mendoza returns! Kross just TOSSES him into other barriers! Escobar SMACKS Kross with a chair! And SMACKS him again! Escobar stomps Kross down, rips Kross’ shirt off, and tosses it aside like trash. Escobar drags Kross up, hammerlocks the bad arm and POSTS him! And then RAMS Kross into steel steps! Escobar grins and soaks up the heat as NXT goes picture in picture.
Escobar takes his time regrouping with El Legado, and they drag Kross back up. Kross rakes Escobar’s eyes! But Legado has the steel steps and RAMS Kross with them! Kross clutches the bad arm, Escobar KICKS it! Escobar stomps the bad arm, drags Kross up and clubs away on the shoulder! Escobar puts Kross in the ring, throws more forearms, then covers, ONE!! Escobar clamps onto the bad arm, stomps away on it, then wrenches the arm. Escobar puts Kross in a corner, wraps the arm around ropes and SCRAPES it along the rope! Kross pushes Escobar away but Wilde HOTSHOTS the arm for him!
Escobar drags Kross up, has the arm, and gives it a CODE BREAKER! Kross scrambles to a corner but Escobar CHOPS him! Escobar puts the arm around ropes and pulls on it again! Kross can only clutch the elbow as Escobar runs in to forearm smash! Escobar cravats Kross, jams him with a shoulder, then headbutts Kross’ shoulder! Escobar fires off forearms, but Kross hits back with his good arm! They brawl, Escobar shoves Kross and runs in to shotgun dropkick! NXT returns to single picture as Legado trips Kross up for Escobar’s basement dropkick! Scarlett is furious and shouts for Kross to get up! Escobar shoves Kross out and goes back for the chair!
Escobar jams the bad arm, then slips the chair around it! Escobar aims and POSTS the arm!! Kross grabs at Escobar with the good arm but Escobar SLAPS him down! Escobar sits the chair up and stomps Kross down. Escobar drags Kross up and over, for a DDT to the chair! Escobar drags Kross up and into the ring, covers, TWO! Legado is frustrated but Escobar dropkicks Kross down! Escobar throws Kross out, pursues, but Kross hits back with is good arm! So Legado swarms him! Kross fights them off, but Escobar DIVES! The Arrow from Hell takes Kross down into barriers!! Scarlett is furious again but can only watch on as Escobar stands on Kross’ bad arm.
Escobar stomps Kross, and stomps and stomps! Escobar kicks the bad arm, wrenches it and clamps onto the shoulder! Escobar puts Kross in, covers, TWO! Escobar drops elbows on Kross’ bad arm, then clamps on with a short arm scissor. Kross endures, tries to use his good arm but Escobar shrugs that off. Kross sits up, Escobar puts him in a corner, and then runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! SNAP SUPLEX! Uno amigo, and Escobar drags Kross up, only for Kross to block! Kross gets around to use the good arm for an EXPLODER! Kross sees Wilde and DECKS him! Escobar leaps into a catch, for another EXPLODER!
Escobar bails out, Kross shakes the bad arm and pursues. Escobar POSTS Kross again! Escobar brings the bad arm around the post, but Kross YANKS Escobar into it instead! Kross bounces Escobar’s head off steel steps! Mendoza runs in with a chair but Kross BOOTS him down! Kross takes the chair for his own now and has a wild grin! Escobar is a fish in a barrel but Wilde saves him from a full metal Con-Chair-To! Kross glares at Wilde, aims with the chair, and he JAMS Escobar in the ribs! Kross puts Escobar in the ring, but Mendoza LEAPS, into an EXPLODER! Wilde leaps, but the rana is blocked! BARRIER BOMB!!
Kross gets in, Escobar is in a corner, Kross hits a corner clothesline! And BOOT! Escobar flops back out, Kross follows, and they’re by the other steps! Kross brings Escobar up and around, DOOMSDAY SAIDO through the announce desk!! Fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” and Scarlett seems euphoric now! Kross puts Escobar in the ring, hauls him up, and hits a DOOMSDAY SAIDO!! Kross aims from a corner, and winds up the hour hand. “TICK TOCK! TIME’S UP!!” BLINDSIDE FOREARM!! Cover, Kross wins!!
Winner: Karrion Kross, by pinfall
Escobar tried every trick in the book, but nothing can stop the sands of time! He still has the title, but will Escobar be in any shape to defend his Cruiserweight Championship? And will the clock start ticking on another champion’s reign?
NXT hears from LA Knight.
“Let me talk to ya. The question burning in everyone’s mind since TakeOver is, ‘Man, when’s LA Knight gonna debut?'” He’ll put it this way: the one thing that he asked is, “Whose game is it?” It’s HIS game. That means when he debuts, it’s on his time, his terms and done his way. What that means is Knight could debut next week, the week after that, or three months from now, because it doesn’t make a difference! In the end, everyone’s favorites, the ones that hold the gold, are just holding golden tickets to getting stomped out by LA Knight! That’s not an insult, that’s just a fact of life! But who will Knight go for first whenever it is he makes his in-ring debut?
Adam Cole is here!
After tweeting out that he will give us his explanation, Cole is finally here to do as he said! Cole goes to the ring, fans boo, and they don’t even feel like saying “BOOM” with him anymore. Cole takes a moment to watch a replay of last week, where Cole betrayed and booted Kyle O’Reilly to then give him a brainbuster to Kyle O’Reilly. Kyle has a herniated disc, not likely to return for several weeks, and fans chant, “You Suck!” for it. Cole gets a mic to say, “I… I had every intention of coming out here and explaining why I did what I did to Kyle, but… God, man, after watching that footage, I feel sick to my stomach.”
Everyone knows the NXT Championship is very important to Cole, especially the guys in the Undisputed Era. But Cole does not like the person he has become lately. At first, Cole was pissed off, because Kyle was getting opportunity after opportunity at the title, and he continued to fail. But that does not excuse Cole’s actions. After seeing it back, Cole is ashamed of himself. “Kyle, I know you’re sitting at home right now and you’re watching this. And I wish so, so badly that we could be having this conversation face to face, man to man, but we can’t.” They can’t, because of Cole.
Cole and Kyle know each other than anybody, and that means Kyle knows Cole hates admitting he’s wrong. Cole is telling us now that he was dead wrong. Kyle should be here in this ring, right here and now, but instead Cole made a stupid mistake and hates himself for it! Cole paces as he works on the words to say. “Kyle… Kyle, I am so, so sorry.” Cole will do whatever he can to fix this. Even if he can’t, he’ll try. “Wow, Adam. Really?” Roderick Strong confronts Cole! Now Cole feels bad?! Only now? For the past 10 days Cole didn’t feel bad for not letting Strong know what was going on? For what Cole did to Kyle, and to THE TEAM!?
“Adam, everything’s changed now. This whole thing, this Undisputed Era… This was built on trust! Love! A brotherhood!” The UE Boys would do whatever it took to have each other’s backs! And just like that, Cole “shattered that trust!” Strong wants Cole to look at him and understand this: Kyle IS going to heal up. They both know Kyle. But when Kyle does heal, Strong doesn’t know if he can save Cole from what Kyle’s gonna do to him! But wait, here comes Finn Balor! Strong tries to stop him but Balor pushes him aside and tackles Cole! Balor rains down fists, Strong gets in to pull him away from Cole, but Balor and Strong tumble out of the ring!
Balor kicks and stomps away on Strong but Cole RAMS Balor into barriers! And SUPERKICKS him down! Strong gets in the ring, Cole goes in to apologize, but Strong CLOBBERS Cole! And Strong is just as torn up as Cole was! Cole apologizes and he just wants things to go back to normal. Cole says this was his fault. Strong shouts, “What is happening?!” Cole starts to cry, but Strong sits with him. Strong says he’s sorry for hitting Cole. They’re brothers and they love each other! They hug it out and fans cheer! Cole keeps apologizing, he and Strong pat each other on the back, and then they shake hands. But Cole LOW BLOWS Strong?!?! That wasn’t a mistake!!
Cole tells Strong he is so STUPID! Cole says Strong is dead to him, and he takes the UE dog tag away from him! Then SUPERKICKS him down!! Was Cole just pretending to have regrets? Is there nothing undisputed anymore?!
My Thoughts:
Wow, this episode! And that’s meant in a good way, there was a lot of great, wild stuff. We had a really good match in Gargano VS Lumis, and some really crazy developments in that story. Theory thinking Lumis isn’t so bad is an alright choice, but I have no idea where this “Indi <3’s Lumis” is coming from. I get there’s a cliché of “daughter falls for bad boy” in sitcoms and family stories, but this still seems a bit out of nowhere. The pacing is what feels off, really. I still wish there were “Theory is hostage” antics but of course this is all leading to Gargano VS Lumis rematch for the North American Championship. I just don’t like the idea that it might come down to the loyalties of Theory and Indi, not that Lumis actually beats Gargano on his own merits.
The way (no pun intended this time, I swear) we learned about Rust VS Ruff getting on the card was arranged oddly. There was entrance, then a “earlier today” video, then Bivens has his promo to put Rust over and bury Ruff. We should’ve gotten the video first, then everything else. Swerve attacking Ruff was a good touch, though, and I guess any match being offered/given to Ruff is too much for Swerve. We got really good video packages for MSK and the coming Women’s Tag Title match, but what a twist for GYV to attack MSK and basically delay the NXT Tag Team Championship match. GYV VS Dain & Maverick was a good match, but of course GYV wins.
It seems Imperium and Wolfe are going to be the next feud for Dain & Maverick, and there could even be a chance of Dain being recruited/converted to Imperium! I don’t know if I want to see the dysfunctional duo break up, but Dain and Wolfe reuniting from their SAnitY days through Imperium would be an interesting story. Plus, one day we will be able to have NXT and NXT UK swap people around smoothly again, so with the North American Championship, NXT UK Heritage Cup, and another pair of tag titles out there, there could come a time when Imperium reigns from top to bottom.
Shirai VS Stark was very good, especially for Stark being new to NXT. But naturally, we’re getting Shirai VS Storm 1v1 now, but it does seem a little sudden for the long-awaited rematch from the second Mae Young Classic. The match itself will surely make up for that, though, and honestly could go either way, if Heel Toni decides to bend the rules or something. Then with Xia Li VS Kacy, it was obvious it would be brutal, but I didn’t think it’d be that brutal! Xia “breaking” Kacy’s leg, and threatening to do the same to Kayden, that is some serious Heel heat. I am still waiting for when Tian Sha/Mei Ling (Karen Q) gets back into action and tears up the Women’s Tag Division with Xia Li.
Grimes trying to recreate the Ted DeBiase basketball challenge, and messing up multiple times, was pretty hilarious. I have a feeling he’s not only going to waste his money on things but also on these silly bets until he’s basically back to where he was before #GameStonks. The story of Escobar waiting until the very last minute was pretty good, as was Kross going after him so he wouldn’t have a choice. Naturally Legado worked together for the entirety of the No DQ match, and I think the No DQ, brawling nature of the match made this work in Kross’ favor, as he felt much stronger than if this were a standard match. Kross wins so he can stay strong in his own path back to the NXT Championship, and I’m curious to see how this impacts Escobar’s title reign, if at all.
And speaking of, the NXT Championship scene is also attached to the #WhyColeWhy story. Cole taking the approach of, “It was impulsive and I regret it” was an interesting start, but from how he betrays Strong at the very last moment makes it seem it was an act. The anger Cole mentioned about Kyle getting his two opportunities might also be attached to jealousy, maybe some bitterness. Cole VS Kyle is definitely happening, but I think we’ll get a great Cole VS Strong first, maybe even Cole VS Balor, title optional. Heck, the title could be put up, but Kyle screws Cole over to set their own match up. The UE is basically all but over unless Fish returns and Cole is the one kicked out of the group. This could even be the long road to opening the door to Cole going to Raw/SmackDown, as much of a shame it’d be to see him finally move over.
My Score: 9.4/10
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Pick and choose, sit and lose, all you different crews…
Night two of the WWE Draft continues here on Monday Night Raw, even as The Judgment Day take on Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade! Will Main Event Jey’s team put a YEET Down on Damian, Finn & JD?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Gunther wins.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed; Sami wins, by disqualification, and retains the title.
- Maxxine Dupri VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell; Candice wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax; Liv wins.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy; The Awesome Truth wins and retains the title.
- Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade; Jey, Ricochet & Andrade win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Logan Paul arrives!
The Maverick United States Champion rolls up, also with IShowSpeed, and they’re greeted by Patrick Mahomes! And Judgment Day, too! Damian Priest says hey to Logan, congratulates Mahomes on his success, and from champion to champion, Priest wants to say that Logan looks good with the title. Logan appreciates that. Nick Aldis invited Logan to Raw to help with the WWE Draft, make some picks, and hang out with the greatest QB in the NFL. But hey, Judgment Day’s been crushing it. They run Raw! Logan’s guess is that at Backlash, they’re gonna destroy the “ugly Uso,” Jey. Let’s get it! This clique rolls in, will things all go well for them this close to the big night?
Becky Lynch is here!
The fans fire up for the NEW Women’s World Champion as she makes her way to the ring, gold back in her hands! Becky gets a mic in her hand now, and she says, “The Man has come around to Kansas City!” The fans cheer that! And man, we’ve got history here, right? Yeah, yeah! Lots of people say KC is where The Man was born. Nearly six years ago, right up on those steps, face bloodied, and she let everyone know that this is HER show now! And here she stands, your new Women’s World Champion, and she’s still saying the same damn thing! The fans cheer on “BECKY! BECKY!” Becky says we are on night two of the Draft, and the times, they are a changing!
There’s a whole new division waiting in the wings. It has taken Becky two YEARS to work back to holding a world championship. And the fans chant, “You Deserve It!” She thanks them for that and loves them for it. But now that Becky is holding this title, her instinct is to hold it tight, never let it go, but titles aren’t meant for just holding. They are meant for defending! Fans like the sound of that, too! So Kansas City, let’s find ourselves a new #1 contender! And Becky wants to fight the best, because you only get better fighting the best. And with that, here comes Liv Morgan! Liv has a smile and a mic as she goes to the ring to tell Becky if she’s looking for a contender, here she is!
The fans are torn but the “MAMI! MAMI!” chants come out. Liv says now, the very last thing she wanted was for Becky to just hand her a title match. But for some reason, Liv can’t help but feel like Becky owes her one. The fans boo but Liv says hold on, hold on. The truth here is, the only reason Becky has the World Championship is because Liv did what Becky couldn’t, and that was take out Rhea Ripley. The fans boo because Liv hurt Rhea. Liv continues to say that this is still the Liv Morgan Revenge Tour, after all. And she thinks they both know that the endgame here was always going to be Liv. So Liv won’t stop until she has everything that she wants.
Becky tells Liv she’s right. Becky would not be holding this title if not for what Liv did to Rhea. But the interesting thing is, Liv would be holding this title if not for what Becky did to Liv. Funny how that works, huh? But then here comes Nia Jax! The Irresistible Force was drafted to SmackDown, but rosters don’t lock in until after Backlash! And Nia says this is all just them being rude. She doesn’t know about any of the fans here, but Nia says Kansas City is very rude for not welcoming her. They are lucky she even showed up tonight. Liv can’t hear Nia over the boos! Nia says she dominated them both last week! SHE should be champion right now!
And the only reason she’s not is because Liv and Becky teamed up to make sure she wouldn’t be. But lucky for her, she’s now on the superior show, SmackDown! It’s why she’s wearing blue, if you can’t tell, you idiots. But like Bayley, Naomi & Tiffany saw, Nia will soon be champion. So tonight is her last night on Raw. Fans cheer that! Well, if Nia is leaving, she’s taking one of them with her. So- LIV SHOTGUNS NIA! The fans fire up and Liv says if Nia’s gonna make a challenge, SHE accepts! Will Liv survive a battle with Nia to then go after Becky and the title?
Stephanie McMahon is here!
The fans fire up as the Billion Dollar Queen walk out on stage! She goes to the podium because she has the first round of picks! And she says it feels great to be back here in Kansas City! She welcomes us to night two of the 2024 WWE Draft, and says with the first pick, Raw selects… DER RING GENERAL, Gunther, and Ludwig Kaiser, Imperium! And yes, it’s just them after they expelled Giovanni Vinci from the group. With the second pick, SmackDown selects… JADE CARGILL! The Storm is staying on Friday nights, much to Damage CTRL’s chagrin. And with the third pick, Raw selects… DAMAGE CTRL! Well, never mind!
The fans are torn as Iyo Sky, Dakota Kai, Asuka & Kairi Sane now move to the red brand! And with the final pick of this opening round, SmackDown selects… KEVIN OWENS! The Prizefighter stays on Fridays, which is fitting as he wants after The Bloodline! Who else will be chosen? We’ve still got FIVE rounds to go tonight!
Gunther w/ Ludwig Kaiser VS Xavier Woods VS Kofi Kingston!
Speaking of Imperium, they’re ready to commemorate staying on Raw and dumping Giovanni Vinci by sanctifying the ring. However, will the reigning, defending, W, W, E, King, of, the RING~ prove to Der Ring General that he isn’t ready to wear the crown?
The bell rings, Gunther and Woods slowly circle. The fans rally up for “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” The two approach, Gunther kicks low, then CLUBS Woods. Woods goes to a corner, Gunther clinches and grinds forearms, but the ref counts. Gunther lets off, Woods dodges the chop to CHOP! Woods dodges another chop to headlock! Gunther powers up but Woods holds on tight, Gunther powers out on the second try, but Woods ducks ‘n’ dodges ‘n’ slides under to ROLLING ELBOW! Gunther fumes, runs up, but Woods dumps him out! Woods runs, but Gunther avoids the wrecking ball dropkick to CHOP Woods down!
Woods writhes, Gunther hauls him up and hits an APRON BACK SUPLEX, and then Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Woods is down in the ring. Gunther paces, Kaiser tries to get fans to cheer him but they boo instead. Gunther brings Woods up to UPPERCUTS! Woods goes to a corner, kicks low, then UPPERCUTS back! Woods fires more UPPERCUTS, but Gunther scoops to SLAM him down! Gunther paces while Woods writhes and fans boo. Gunther goes back to Woods, eggs him on, then stands him back up. Gunther HIP DROPS, then he talks trash. Gunther scuffs Woods, but the fans rally with “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Secret glitch happens, but Woods fires CHOPS on Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Woods down!
Woods still gets up! Woods CHOPS and CHOPS, but Gunther pushes him to a corner, to CHOP again! And CHOP again! And then short arm LARIAT! Fans boo but Gunther grins while talking smack on Kofi. Kofi coaches Woods, Woods rises, and Kofi tells Gunther not to worry about him. Woods stands and ROCKS Gunther, JAWBREAKERS, then CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Woods again! Then reels him in, hoists him up, but Woods slips free! Woods mule kicks and the fans fire up! Woods runs corner to corner, but is put on the apron! Gunther CHOPS, Woods wobbles, and Gunther climbs!
Gunther drags Woods up, but Woods fires body shots! Woods throws hands and he CHOPS Gunther! And CHOPS him off the ropes! The fans fire up as Woods climbs, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Gunther is still in this but even Kaiser looks a little worried. Gunther sits up, Woods is on him and brings him in. Woods goes to suplex but Gunther fights out! Gunther CHOPS Woods down again! Woods goes to the apron, Gunther runs in but Woods RAMs him! Only for Gunther to SHOVE Woods down! Woods’ leg gets caught in the ropes! The ref hurries to help Woods but Gunther stomps away! The fans boo but the ref backs Gunther off.
Gunther goes outside, to CHOP the leg! The ref frees Woods, Woods flops to the floor, and the ref reprimands. Gunther grins as he still has control, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Gunther drops a knee on Woods’ bad leg! And then another knee drop! Woods flounders to a corner, drags himself up, and Gunther again talks trash to Kofi. Gunther goes back to Woods, but Woods throws body shots and chops! Gunther kicks the bad leg! Woods CHOPS, but Gunther scoops him to SLAM him into ropes! Woods grits his teeth, clutches the leg, but the fans boo as Gunther mocks Woods. Gunther drags Woods up, puts him on the top rope, and CHOPS him on the back! Woods falls back into the Tree of Woe, and Gunther CHOPS the knee! And CHOPS! And CHOPS it again! The fans boo but Gunther BOOTS the knee!
The ref backs Gunther off, gets Woods out of the Tree, but Gunther grins as he watches Woods writhe. Kofi coaches Woods, the fans rally up, but Gunther eggs Woods on. Woods crawls after Gunther, rises up, only for Gunther to CHOP him down! Gunther goes out to the apron, taunts Kofi some more, then goes up the corner! GUNTHER SPLASH onto knees!! A double-edged tactic but it still saves him! Woods slaps the leg, gets it moving, and the fans rally up harder! Woods rises, to kick, but Gunther blocks! Gunther CHOPS Woods down, then has the leg for a HALF CRAB! Woods endures, flails, reaches out, and Kofi coaches him, only for Gunther to drag Woods back!
Gunther sits deep on the leg, and Kofi thinks about the towel! Kofi grabs the towel, but Woods tells him no! Woods doesn’t wanna lose like that! He knows he can do it! Kofi hears Woods out, and throws the towel away! The fans fire up as Woods powers up! Woods crawls forward, reaches out, but Gunther turns him over! Woods kicks with his free leg, but Gunther drags him way back! STF, with HAMMERING ELBOWS on top! INVERTED GRIP!! Woods endures, but he just can’t! He taps, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
A gutsy move by Woods, but Gunther has no mercy for anyone. Der Ring General stands tall over the king and “takes his crown” for his own. Will this also happen during the King of the Ring tournament as we enter the money of May?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is with Main Event Jey, Raw’s first pick from Night One. A great honor for Jey, but is there any pressure being Raw’s first pick while also heading into Backlash’s World Heavyweight Championship match? Jey appreciates the praise, but says there’s no pressure. Put that on his back, watch him work, and Priest is about to catch this YEET down! Then one more question: Logan Paul- Jey stops her there. Jey is glad WWE signed a Paul brother. He just wishes it was the one with a winning record. YEET. Jey heads out, will he and his team get a big win over Judgment Day?
Wait in the background, is that Liv? And is… is that Dom following her?! What’s going on with Mami’s Latino Heat while she’s away?
Logan Paul & IShowSpeed head to the ring.
The fans boo as The Maverick and his pal walk out to the podium. Logan says what’s up, Kansas City? It’s so beautiful. But real quick before they get started, you all know there’s a special guest in the house. Samantha Irvin, do an introduction for Mahomes! The fans cheer as Samantha introduces the TWO-TIME NFL MVP, the THREE-TIME Super Bowl Champion, and the starting quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, Patrick Mahomes! The fans cheer again, and Speed snipes the first pick of the second round. Raw selects… The Voice of the Voiceless, C! M! PUNK! The fans fire up for that one, and even chant his name!
Logan takes the pick for SmackDown, and they select… THE PRIDE! Bobby Lashley, Montez Ford, Angelo Dawkins & B-Fab are all sticking together, and they’re all staying right on Friday nights to go after A-Town Down Under. Speed says for the third pick, Raw selects… THE MONSTER OF ALL MONSTERS, Braun Strowman!! Raw is keeping the 6’8″, 385 pound superheavyweight right here on Mondays! And SmackDown wraps up this round, they select… Tiffany Stratton! The Center of the Universe is still on Fridays, will it be #TiffyTime for the Summer?
Logan continues to the ring to say it’s time to get real. He came to KC to help picks, celebrate with Mahomes, but then what happened? Jey is running his mouth just because he pointed out the truth? The truth is, stupid, Damian Priest will beat Jey Uso! And here’s why: Because Jey made a mistake leaving The Bloodline. Jey Uso is incapable of becoming a champion on his own! Something Logan has become a master of. So look, KC, let him give you a play by play of what happens this Saturday at Backlash. But wait! Here comes Jey! The fans fire up as Jey goes right to the ring, the fans bouncing along with the beat!
Jey stares Logan down, and even looks at the US Championship. The “YEET!” echoes out as Jey gets a mic. Jey says Logan’s got predictions. But Kansas City, what you got to say? You thnik Jey can beat Priest? “YEET!” You think Jey can be world champ? “YEET!” You think Jey needs to knock the YEET outta Logan for running his mouth? “YEET!” Logan asks if Jey thinks he can out YEET him. For all his little gangstas, Logan’s been yeetin’ since 2017! Lil’ Jey trying to roast Logan? Jey ain’t good when he’s alone. It’s why he got kicked outta the Bloodline. The difference between Jey and Logan, is Logan and his bloodline nis tight.
And here come JD McDonagh & Finn Balor! Logan says well, well, well. Jey’s all alone again. Can’t fend for himself then, can’t fend for himself now, and always behind with those two braincells in his head. Jey’s vocabulary consists of two words: YEET, and UCE. But Jey says YEET and he fires haymakers on JD & Finn! Only to get mugged 2v1! Logan says well, well, well. Logan leaves it to Judgment Day as he says KC has something they might like. Logan goes to Mahomes, and Mahomes gives Logan all his Super Bowl rings to be brass knuckles!! The Judgment Day gets Jey on his feet, Logan swings, but Jey ducks! The Irish Ace takes all three rings to the face!!
Jey then walks back up and even he’s like, DAMN! JD got the knocked the YEET out! Finn swings, Jey TACKLES him! Logan drags Jey off Finn and throws down those rings! But BRAUN is here?!? Logan didn’t realize the Monster Among Men was actually going to be in KC! Braun storms in, Finn goes after him, but Braun SHOVES him down! And then grabs him for a MONSTER CHOKE SLAM!! Braun glares right at Logan, and Logan goes running! Braun pursues right into the crowd but Logan’s too fast. Braun tells him he better run! Braun then looks at Mahomes, who gave Logan the ammo in the first place.
The fans fire up as Mahomes has his linemen step up. Jey has Braun calm down, those guys are WWE’s guests. Braun leaves it at that, and KC fires up as Braun roars! Will nothing stop this Monster Among Men from making Mondays his night?
R-Truth finishes talking with Chad Gable backstage.
Gable says Truth drives a hard bargain, but he won’t regret it. On behalf of The Alpha Academy, it has been a pleasure doing business with him. The Miz walks in and says they just negotiated a title match tonight. Yeah, with Gable. Good businessman here. Gable said they get one now, and two later! W-What? Y’know, like Now & Laters, the candies. But dog, it’s the Draft! And the WWE World Tag Team Champions could be drafted into the NFL and be players for the Chiefs! Miz asks if Truth knows that this is the WWE Draft, not the NFL Draft. Truth knows now. Who does he talk to? Patrick Mahomes is here. The insurance guy?
Truth is ready to bundle his home and auto! It’s two-for-ones all day! Let’s roll! Truth heads out, Gable says that’s quite the negotiator. Miz just replies with, “Really? Really?” Miz heads out, and Sami BOOTS Gable down!! The fans cheer as Sami gets some revenge before heading out for his own title match! Will everything start falling apart for The Alpha Academy this close to Backlash?
Backstage interview with Booker T.
Cathy says Booker is lending his knowledge to Raw as a draft analyst, so what does he think of it so far? Jade Cargill for SmackDown is a game changer. And while Priest is locked in for Raw, what about the rest of Judgment Day? But then CM Punk, what a big break for Raw. That’s huge. But then in walks Drew McIntyre. Book says hey, what’s up? McIntyre says, “Tell me you didn’t just say that. You think this is 2010, Book?” Punk gets hurt after one match, and then he still gets drafted ahead of the guy who took him out, and who literally won the world title?! The title you don’t have right now?
Drew seethes and tells Booker to not be like the others. Booker saw what happened just like everyone else did. Booker asks Drew if he saw what happened like everyone else did. McIntyre asks if this is backwards world or something! He was with Booker back in the day! He knows how Book really felt about Punk! But Booker’s changed. McIntyre storms off, but just what is going on with McIntyre?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Sami Zayn VS Bronson Reed!
The Great Liberator just got a semblance of payback on Chad Gable, and now he’s looking to take a BIG bite out of Auszilla! Will Sami avenge himself of all the cheap shots and blindside attacks? Or will there be a tectonic shift in the championship landscape tonight?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and this is a massive moment for both men!
The bell rings, the two circle, and they feel things out. The fans rally for Sami as the two circle and tie up. Sami waistlocks, Bronson backs him down but Sami puts him in a corner! Sami CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! Bronson shoves Sami away, then CLOBBERS him! Bronson snarls, drags Sami up, and HEADBUTTS him! Sami flops against ropes but Bronson storms up on him. Bronson stands Sami up against ropes, to CHOP! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sami, HEADBUTTS him again, then eggs him on. Bronson CLUBS Sami, CLUBS him again, but the fans still rally for Sami. Bronson drags Sami up, whips him to ropes, but Sami holds ropes!
Sami dodges Bronson to send him outta the ring, then goes to the apron! Sami mule kicks, then ARABIAN PRESS SAULTS! Direct hit and down goes Bronson! The fans fire up with Sami as he stands tall! Sami puts Bronson in the ring, goes to a corner and climbs, to CROSSBODY, but Bronson catches him! And RAMS him into the corner! And then RUNNING POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! So Bronson SENTONS! Sami sputters and flounders while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bronson stands tall over Sami. Bronson brings Sami up, HEADBUTTS him, then fires forearms. The fans rally behind Sami as Bronson whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami LARIATS Bronson down! The fans fire up and Sami goes to a corner. Bronson stands, storms over, but Sami ELBOWS him away. Sami goes up and AX HANDLES, but into an URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Sami survives that slam but Bronson snarls. Bronson drags Sami back up, reels him in, and hoist shim up, to BUCKLE BOMB! Then he gets Sami back up, SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Sami survives and the fans fire up again!
Bronson is frustrated but he stalks Sami to the ropes. Bronson kicks Sami out of the ring, goes to the apron, and FLYING SHOULDER TACKLES! Sami goes down in a heap and Bronson looks to the title belt. Bronson puts Sami in the ring, then aims from a corner. But Sami HELLUVA KICKS outta nowhere!!! Cover, BUT GABLE GETS IN!? GERMAN SUPLEX!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by disqualification (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
Gable ruins Bronson’s match just to get back at Sami! Gable rains down fists on Sami, then CLUBS away on him with crossface forearms! Gable rolls up his sleeves to put on the ANKLE LOCK!! Sami endures, flails, but ends up int he GRAPEVINE! Refs rush out here to stop Gable and he lets Sami go. But then TSUNAMI!! Bronson gets his in, but perhaps on the wrong target! Gable grabs the gold, he holds it over Sami as he says Sami never deserved it in the first place! But then Bronson fireman’s carries Gable! DEATH VALLER DRIVER!! Bronson grabs the gold and stands over both men! Is Auszilla going to destroy anyone and everyone until he’s the alpha?
Ron Simmons & John “Bradshaw” Layfield are here!
The fans fire up as The APA is here to give the next round of picks! JBL starts by saying Raw’s first pick of the third round is… THE LATINO WORLD ORDER! Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, Zelina Vega, Cruz Del Toro, Joaquin Wilde, and… Carlito, are all on Raw! But what about the falling out from Friday? Ron says SmackDown selects… LEGADO DEL FANTASMA! Santos Escobar, Elektra Lopez, Angel Garza & Humberto Carrillo are staying on Fridays, them exposing Carlito’s dark secret their final act in the feud. JBL says Raw selects… THE SCOTTISH WARRIOR, DREW MCINTYRE! McIntyre might still have a way to complain about this…
And with the final pick of this third round, SmackDown selects… THE KING OF STRONG STYLE, SHINSUKE NAKAMURA! Shinsuke is moving over to Fridays, will he look to take aim at Cody Rhodes once again?
But speaking of McIntyre, he now makes his way out here, mic in hand! “Am I the only sane and logical person left around here? In what world does Drew McIntyre get drafted in Round Three?” If someone were to walk up to him and explain how it makes sense, he’d call that person a liar! McIntyre says the APA must’ve been doing a lot of drinking since Friday, that’s how stupid this is! But the fans chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Oh, yes, so anti-establishment to say his name. McIntyre says Punk is the furthest thing from that! Punk is now a corporate ass-kisser! Punk, congrats, you finally did something since returning: you hurt McIntyre!
McIntyre shows off his arm bandaged up, because Punk’s attack fractured McIntyre’s elbow! But unlike Punk, McIntyre is still here, working through the pain instead of staying home collecting paychecks! McIntyre just tapes it up, gets on with it, because he’s a real man! WAIT! Punk’s music hits! Is he here tonight!? McIntyre is storming around, waiting and looking, thinking this is a game. But then Punk says cut his music. Is it good to be alive in Kansas City or what? He’s up in a skybox! Punk is showing he’s not sitting at home, he’s right here, “Ya little b*tch!” Punk waves, McIntyre storms off, and the fans chant for Punk!
Ron looks to JBL, then looks around and says… “DAMN!!” The fans cheer the iconic line, but is McIntyre going to find his way up to Punk’s skybox to settle this once and for all?
The Alpha Academy prepares backstage.
Maxxine is so ready! But then Gable storms in and asks what’s going on. Maxxine says Otis & Tozawa are just firing her up for her match tonight! Didn’t you see her last week? Two eliminations in that battle royal! Finally, some momentum! Gable sarcastically says yeah, two eliminations, that’s great. But uh, can he see the title she won? She didn’t win… No, she didn’t, did she? So what? He’s to celebrate mediocrity? She wants a participation ribbon? It’s PATHETIC! And as for Otis & Tozawa, they better get it together. Tozawa, Gable swears to God, if he sees that stupid dance… Now go out there and win him those championships!!
Gable storms off, Maxxine is shook, but Ivy walks in to calm her down and help her prepare. Otis and Tozawa look to each other, are they going to win just so Gable isn’t disappointed? Or will they do this for themselves tonight?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Raw returns as Cathy is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew, and notes him being a top draft pick. What are his feelings being brought to Monday Night Raw? Bron says that Adam Pearce knows Bron is the best possible pick. He is here to take this place over. But then Sheamus apologizes for the interruption. What? Why’s he interrupting? Sheamus just wants Bron to save his breath to cool his porridge. Sheamus just wants to say he’s impressed by Bron. And this isn’t just Sheamus trying to figure out who the BAMF is, it’s just that Bron reminds Sheamus of a young and hungry Sheamus. Bron’s had banger after banger after banger.
But then McIntyre storms past them both, and Sheamus stops himself. Bron says sure, bangers. Bron heads out, is he going to break through sooner rather than later? As for Sheamus and McIntyre, can Celtic Warrior get through to Scottish Warrior before he does something he’ll regret?
Maxxine Dupri w/ Ivy Nile VS Candice LeRae w/ Indi Hartwell!
With the lingering grudge between these two, we’re bound to see fireworks go off tonight! Will Maxxine accomplish greatness by finally conquering her bully? Or will the Poison Pixie continue to be absolutely toxic?
The bell rings and Candice is already pushing Maxxine around! Maxxine TACKLES Candice for it! Maxxine dribbles Candice off the mat, then lets off to LEG LARIAT! The fans fire up as Maxxine brings Candice up to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! And a kip up! Maxxine runs, and BULLDOGS Candice down! Straps come down, and Maxine handsprings into the CATERPILLAR ELBOW! The fans fire up as Candice flounders and Maxxine says ‘A THANK YEW~!” Candice kicks, Maxxine blocks, and has an ANKLE LOCK!! Right outta Gable’s playbook! Indi coaches Candice, she crawls over, but Maxxine drags Candice back!
Candice keeps fighting around, but Maxxine keeps hold of that leg! Candice tries to go the other way, Ivy tells Maxxine to keep on the pressure! Indi POSTS Ivy!! Maxxine’s stunned, Candice rolls to send Maxxine into ropes! Maxxinen sputters, sits up, and Candice SUPERKICKS her down! Candice gets the arms, stretches Maxxine out, to WICKED STEPMOTHER!! Cover off the vicious stomp, Candice wins!
Winner: Candice LeRae, by pinfall
If Candice is a wicked stepmother, than is Indi her evil stepdaughter or something? They might be winners, but have they completely lost their way?
Backstage interview with The LWO.
Cathy is with Zelina, Rey, Dragon, Cruz & Joaquin, the newest additions to Raw. But Carlito is still coming along with them, so how are they feeling after his apparent betrayal? Rey says there are a lot of mixed emotions, but they are very happy to be here on Raw. As for Carlito… No idea why he did what he did, which means they still have unfinished business. But then Dom walks over to say hey to the “old geezer.” Dom tells LWO that Judgment Day runs Raw. So welcome back, Lollipop Guild. Rey tells Dom Judgment Day can’t run Raw if they haven’t even been drafted here. And wait… What is that on your lip, Dirty Sanchez?
Dom says Rey’s just lucky he’s not cleared! Dom runs off, Zelina says Dommy misses his Mami. But is this a sign that things are going to reignite in this father-son rivalry soon enough?
McIntyre finds the upperdeck.
He asks the fans which skybox is Punk’s but no one knows. McIntyre finds it, but Punk’s gone. Punk did leave a signed picture, though. McIntyre crumples that up, and then Punk’s making his way to the ring! Punk gets the better of McIntyre again, and says it’s CLOBBERIN’ TIME~! McIntyre now watches Punk from the skybox as Punk gets a mic. The fans chant for Punk while he looks up at McIntyre. “I love Kansas City and the people that inhabit it, so I don’t wanna waste your time like Drew McIntyre. So I’m gonna try and do this in less time than the last time you were World Champion, which means I’ve got five minutes and 46 seconds. Pat, time me!”
The fans cheer, and Punk says this would normally be where Punk asks if he has your attention now. But he can see clear as day just like everyone else, Punk’s had McIntyre’s attention for quite some time. He’s like an ex-girlfriend Punk can’t get rid of! And McIntyre says Punk hurt his elbow? GOOD! McIntyre prayed for Punk’s injury, but Punk did that to McIntyre. Punk thought McIntyre hurt his arm sitting around and tweeting. That is why Punk was drafted before McIntyre! Punk isn’t mad, isn’t out for revenge, McIntyre has given him purpose. The fans chant for Punk again, and Punk lets them.
Punk then says the reason Punk went ahead of McIntyre in the draft is simply economics! He is the Best int he World! In the ring, on the mic, even on commentary! No offense to Pat & Michael. Pat lets us know we’re 90 seconds in. Punk tells McIntyre that losers hope things happen. Losers pray for things to happen, but winners make it happen! And when Punk is cleared at 100%, he promises to make McIntyre’s life a living hell! Mic drop, and that’s just under two minutes! Will those other three minutes be used by McIntyre stewing over Punk?
Teddy Long and Alundra Blayze are here!
The Hall of Famers are here, Punk gets a hug from the former SmackDown GM, and even gives Alundra a polite hug and kiss on the cheek. Teddy starts off by saying Raw’s first pick of this fourth round, they select… JUDGMENT DAY! Finn Balor, JD McDonagh & Dom Mysterio are all staying put behind Damian Priest! Alundra says SmackDown selects… THE GLOW, NAOMI! Naomi’s challenging for the WWE Women’s Championship, so naturally SmackDown wants to keep it all on the blue brand. Teddy says Raw’s next pick, they select… NXT’s Mad Dragon, ILJA DRAGUNOV!! The Performance Center erupts as Raw is now UNBESIEGBAR!
Dragunov stands up, a standing ovation as he walks down to hug it out with HBK. Dragunov gets to put on the hat, will Mondays soon belong to The Czar? And then SmackDown closes this round with… CHELSEA GREEN & PIPER NIVEN! The Hot Mess & “Miss P” started liking Aldis better anyway, so hopefully they’ll be happy for once.
Liv Morgan VS Nia Jax!
As we saw earlier tonight, Liv wants her shot at the Women’s World Championship but is willing to earn her way to it. Will a huge win over the Irresistible Force be just the thing? Or will a crushing defeat be Nia’s parting gift before moving to SmackDown?
The bell rings and the two tie up! Nia THROWS Liv away, then eggs her on. Liv runs up, but Nia THROWS her again! Nia eggs Liv on more, then runs her over! Nia smiles, grabs a leg and SMASHES the knee! Liv flounders and hobbles away, but Nia SPLASHES her in the corner! Nia mocks Liv, “Look at that face.” Then she TOSSES Liv again! Nia soaks up the heat, but Liv JAWBREAKERS back! Liv KICKS, KICKS and KICKS! But Nia blocks one and spins Liv around, only for Liv to ENZIGIRI! Liv runs to SHOTGUN but Nia just drops to her knee! Liv SHOTGUNS Nia again, and Nia ends up on ropes! Liv DROPKICKS Nia in the back!
The fans rally up and Liv runs into the corner to back body block! Liv rolls, returns, and back body blocks again! Liv runs but Nia LARIATS her down! Nia drags Liv to a drop zone, stands on her, and Liv sputters as Nia lets off. Nia goes up and up, but Liv grabs a leg! Nia kicks Liv, but Liv sweeps the legs! Nia is stuck in ropes, Liv WOE STOMPS her down! Nia bails out, Liv builds speed, and Liv slides, but into Nia’s hands! Nia wheelbarrows Liv to SMACK her off the desk! Liv flops over and Nia soaks up the heat, but wait, Tiffany Stratton is here. Tiffy taunts Nia from the crowd, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Nia has Liv down with a cobra clutch! Liv endures, the fans rally up, but Tiffy doesn’t look that impressed. Liv fights up, but Nia thrashes her back down! Raw goes picture in picture to plug The Fall Guy, then comes back as Liv fights back up. Liv throws body shots, but Nia whips her to a corner. Nia runs in, but Liv dropkicks a leg out! Nia stumbles and POSTS herself! Liv runs to SHOTGUN Nia into the post! And then Liv DRIBBLES Nia off the post!! The fans fire up as Liv kicks Nia away and climbs up the corner. But Nia YANKS Liv off the corner, and hits a SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives and Nia is fuming!
Nia takes a moment to calm down, then she slaps Liv around. Nia drags Liv up, the fans rally behind Liv, but Nia whips her to a corner. Liv goes up and up, and wheelbarrows to victory roll Nia into buckles! Nia sputters, Liv runs up, goes up and up to DOUBLE STOMP Nia down! Liv pushes Nia to a cover, TWO! Nia is still in this but Tiff is still not impressed. Liv fires herself up, CLUBS away on Nia, then pushes her around. Liv runs, but Nia SPINEBUSTERS! Nia shrieks, the fans boo, and Nia drags Liv to a drop zone. Nia goes up and up, determined to end this! Nia grins as the fans boo, but Liv gets up and under Nia!
Liv YANKS Nia into the buckles again and again and again, then manages a POWERBOMB!! High stack, TWO!! Lia almost had Nia and that actually had Tiff on the edge of her seat! But then NAOMI ATTACKS TIFF! The fans fire up as Naomi throws Tiff all around, then DUMPS her over barriers! Naomi goes after Tiff but Tiff turns things around! NIa has Liv int he ropes, CLUBS her down, and Naomi sends Tiff into the desk! Then BULLDOGS her off the apron! And then PENALTY KICKS her down! Nia BLASTS Naomi for distracting her! Liv runs up, FLYING CODE BREAKER! Nia wobbles, into OBLIVION!! Cover, LIV WINS!!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
Nia took her eyes off the ball and Liv takes this one to the house! Liv is ready to go after Big Time Becks, will we #WatchHer become the new world champion?
Backstage interview with Booker T.
Cathy again joins draft analyst Booker, and says he’s had front row seats to many a new superstar’s beginnings. What does he think of this year’s prospects? Booker says it’s about who’s next in NXT! Trick Williams, Roxanne Perez, but congrats to Dragunov. He’ll do a hell of a job on Raw. Adam Pearce walks by, Cathy hopes to get a word on how this is all panning out. Pearce feels great about Raw, good foundation and some new wrinkles added in. But sometimes, it’s the picks you don’t make that can stick in your mind. His favorite so far is actually that he didn’t take Chelsea & Piper! He hopes Aldis prays a lot, because HALLELUJAH, Pearce is free of Chelsea!
And on that note, time to make some more picks in person! Pearce heads for gorilla, who did Raw and SmackDown take in the penultimate round?
The Dudley Boyz are here!
Bully Ray & D-Von Dudley are back again, and they set up their own table! They’re also here to give us the picks! Fans chant for “E C DUB! E C DUB!” and Bully says, “Kansas Citaaaay~! You guys wanna have some fun with the Dudley Boyz tonight? WASSAP~!?” But to business, D-Von! One, two, three, “GET THE TABLES!” “OH mah brotha, testify!” The fans cheer, and Bubba says with the first pick of the fifth round, Raw selects… THE NEW~ DAY~! Kofi & Woods are staying right here on Raw, which will let them settle things with Imperium. D-Von says SmackDown selects… PRETTY DEADLY! Elton Prince & Kit Wilson will stay on SmackDown, #YESBOY!
Bubba says Raw’s next pick is… NXT’s LYRA VALKYRIA! The Morrigan, the former NXT Women’s Champion, is joining her hero, Becky Lynch, on Monday nights! Lyra herself is surprised and even emotional as she gets the red hat and gets to hug HBK. And with the final pick of this round, SmackDown selects… THE WAY, Candice LeRae & Indi Hartwell! Will they start to poison the waters of the blue brand now?
WWE World Tag Team Championships: The Awesome Truth VS The Alpha Academy!
R-Truth may not really know “WHAT’S UP,” but he and Miz are still fired up to defend their titles tonight. Will they make good on the “deal” Truth made with Gable and hold onto their gold? Or will Otis & Tozawa finally make Gable proud?
Raw returns and the match is already underway! Truth fights up from a chinlock to hit a BIG back suplex on Tozawa! Both men are down, the fans fire up and so does The Miz! Truth and Tozawa crawl, hot tags to Otis and Miz! The fans fire up as Miz dodges Otis to KICK, KICK and KICK! Miz KICKS away in the corner, lets off as the ref counts, and then goes corner to corner for the A-LIST LARIAT! Miz sends Otis away, Tozawa runs up but Miz BOOTS him down! Miz RAMS into Otis, ROUNDHOUSES and HOTSHOTS him, then hurries back up! Miz springboards, into Otis’ arms! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!
Otis rips up the shirt, gets those hips moving, and he revs up for the CATERPILLAR… ELBOW! Tag to Tozawa and he goes up! Otis says for the Academy! SUPER SENTON onto knees! Miz powers up, reels Tozawa in, but Tozawa arm-drags free from the nelson! Truth sneaks a tag, Miz ELBOWS Tozawa and reels him in! Truth joins in, THE TRUTH CRUSHIGN FINALE!! Miz SHOTGUNS Otis while Truth covers, Awesome Truth wins!
Winners: The Awesome Truth, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Well, Gable’s not gonna like this. How badly will he tear into poor Otis & Tozawa over this one?
The Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
JD & Finn are still sore from Strowman steamrolling them, but Dom says it’s shocking they fell to the fourth round of night two! What is this? Priest asks Dom if he’s really surprised. Week after week, they’ve gotten involved in Priest’s business, then failed miserably, all because they didn’t talk to him about it. When it comes to Jey Uso, he appreciate sit, but he doesn’t need the help. Cool? Yeah… JD, you got it? JD takes the icepack away and WHOA, that swelled up something bad! This is what Priest is talking about! But tonight, just stick to the plan and get this done. Got it? Priest heads out, JD asks if it’s always been so bright in here. Dom thinks Finn needs a towel.
Judgment Day is definitely struggling without Mami to help them, but will they pull it together? Or will they all end up looking like JD’s lumpy head?
Liv returns backstage.
And Becky finds her to congratulate her on the win tonight. And also congrats, because Liv also gets her title shot. Liv smiles and moves on, but then in step Damage CTRL. Dakota Kai says hi to Becky, they’re all on Mondays now. Dakota leads Iyo Sky, Kairi Sane & Asuka away, Kairi tapping the title. Becky says don’t touch her belt! Is The Man going to get past Liv’s Revenge Tour just to have #CobraKai, The Evil Genius and the Kabuki Warriors coming after her?
Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis are on stage!
The Raw and SmackDown GMs finish the Draft in person, and Pearce says it’s been fun playing chess with him. Time to take it home! Pearce says that with the first pick of this final round in the 2024 WWE Draft, he and Raw select… THE FINAL TESTAMENT! Karrion Kross, Scarlett, Paul Ellering & The Authors of Pain are all coming to make Mondays into Doomsday! Aldis says with the second pick, he and SmackDown select… DIY! Tommaso Ciampa & Johnny Gargano are now making their way to Fridays! Pearce says the third pick from him and Raw, it’s… BIG BRONSON REED! The Colossal Aussie still wants that Intercontinental Championship, will he take it?
And Aldis says with THE final pick of THE final round, SmackDown takes NXT’s BLAIR DAVENPORT! The Performance Center goes wild as now the Ichiban Gaijin is moving on to the next level! She hugs it out with HBK and gets the blue hat, will all of Fridays now beware of Blair?
Six Man Tag: The Judgment Day VS Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade!
Raw made sure Priest, Finn, JD & Dom are sticking together through the Draft, but their dominance over Raw is seriously in question. Jey just turned their attempt at a beatdown into a YEET down, and we’ve seen both the King of Flight and El Idolo get the better of them time and again. Will they and Main Event Jey embarrass Judgment Day all over again? Or will they fall as #ALLRISE for the Judgment Day?
Raw returns as Ricochet makes his entrance, followed by Andrade’s. Then Judgment Day makes their entrance, JD still struggling with that welt on his head. The teams sort out and Andrade starts against Finn. They tie up, Finn fires body shots and backs Andrade into a corner. Finn RAMS into Andrade again and again, then CHOPS, throws more hands, then headlocks for a takeover. Andrade keeps his shoulders up, moves around, and he fights up to his feet. The fans rally, Andrade throws body shots and powers out. Andrade drops, hurdles, but Finn whips him away! Andrade goes Spider-Man in the ropes!
The fans cheer, Finn runs in but Andrade drops down to send him out! JD runs in, but Andrade dumps him out onto Finn! Tag to Ricochet, he and Andrade double clothseline Priest out! Then they DOUBLE DIVE onto Finn and JD! The fans fire up as Jey DIVES onto Priest, and Priest goes up and over the desk! The fans fire up with Team YEET as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Priest grinds Ricochet down with a motorcycle stretch. The fans rally as Ricochet endures, and Ricochet fights up to his feet. Ricochet breaks free but Priest BELL CLAPS him! Then Priest suplexes for a BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he eggs Ricochet on. Ricochet slowly rises, Priest winds up and KICKS! And KICKS! And KICKS, then ROLLIGN ELBOWS! Ricochet falls back, Priest soaks up the heat, then he ROUNDHOUSES Jey down! The fans boo the cheap shot, and the ref has to keep Andrade back, but that lets JD & Finn mug Ricochet! Priest then runs in to back elbow!
Tag to Finn, Priest snapmares Ricochet so Finn can slingshot STOMP! Tag to JD, he slingshots to ARABIAN PRESS SAULT! Tag back to Finn, he tags Priest. They get Ricochet up for the BACKBREAKER LEG DROP! Cover, Andrade breaks it! The fans cheer, Priest grabs Andrade to POST him! Priest storms back to his corner to tag JD, and JD flexes. The fans “YEET! YEET!” but JD has Ricochet. Ricochet hits a RECOIL! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ricochet crawls, reaches out, and JD goes to the neutral corner, he’s that dazed! Hot tags to Jey and Finn! Jey dodges Finn, ROCKS Priest, then ROCKS Finn!
Jey fires off on Finn again and again, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Pop, lock ‘n’ YEET! Finn flounders up, into a mule kick! Jey UPPERCUTS, kicks again but Finn blocks! But the DRAGON WHIP still hits! Finn ends up in a corner, Jey gets the fans joining in on “UCE! OH! UCE! OH!” Jey runs but Priest swings! Jey dodges to DECK Priest! Jey runs at Finn but Finn puts him on the apron. So Jey GAMANGIRIS back! Jey goes up to CROSSBODY! Cover, JD breaks it! But Andrade runs up, boot feint to BACK ELBOW! Priest gets up to ROUNDHOUSE Andrade! Ricochet leaps in, but into a FLATLINER! Priest drags Finn over and then tags himself in!
Priest aims at Jey and LARIATS him down! Priest brings down the straps while the fans boo, and he drags Jey up. Priest reels Jey in, lifts, Canadian Rack but Jey slips free to SAMOAN DROP! Both men are down but Jey rolls to a corner! Jey climbs, but Dom gets on the apron! The fans boo but Priest grabs Jey! JD hurries over to SHOVE Jey down! Priest asks what JD’s even doing! Priest had Jey himself! JD says it looked like he was gonna get hit! Priset runs up on Jey, Jey dodges and SUPERKICKS! Priest ends up knocking Finn off the apron! Jey dodges JD to SUPERKICK JD out! Finn is back, Jey dodges and SPEARS!!
The fans fire up and Jey goes back up! Finn is legal again as Jey hits the USO SPLASH!! Cover, Jey’s team wins!
Winner: Jey Uso, Ricochet & Andrade, by pinfall
And with that, Main Event Jey wins in the main event! Judgment Day is falling apart at the seams, but can Priest hold it together on his own? Or is Jey about to finally have his moment?
My Thoughts:
A mostly great Raw, but I feel like this year’s WWE Draft was the first real speedbump the HHH Era has hit. HHH himself explained on SmackDown that the brands would be using their picks to keep who they already have and that certainly happened. So many picks were just Raw and SmackDown “securing” many of the people they’ve had this whole time. I did like Pearce’s sense of relief that Chelsea Green & Piper Niven are no longer his problem, they’re Aldis’. But LWO leaving SmackDown right as things were getting interesting again in the feud with Legado seems disappointing. And the fact Carlito is going with them just seems like a messy handling of moving their story over to Raw just so they can also have more Rey VS Dom in the future.
DMG CTRL moving over probably gives away that Jade & Bianca are winning the women’s tag titles for Backlash. Yes, the women’s tag titles are meant to be “roaming” titles, but it feels so long since they’ve really done that. And with the entire The Way family moving to SmackDown, this makes me think Candice & Indi will try (and fail) to take the belts from Jade & Bianca. Final Testament moving to Raw seems rather surprising, but I suppose there’s something to it with them also being on NXT. Raw and NXT are still on USA Network together for now, it’d maybe help continuity for them to be back to back on Mondays and Tuesdays. Also, how strange that this is where they finally say “The Pride” for the team of Lashley, Profits & B-Fab after them being together for months…
I will say that we got great moments for the NXT call-ups. Dragunov going to Raw made sense with Imperium still being here, but I’m surprised Lyra is Raw rather than SmackDown. Maybe she’s meant to back Becky up against DMG CTRL? And Blair being called up period clearly caught her by surprise, that was a rather sweet moment for her villainous self, but she’ll make a solid part of the division on SmackDown. We also got good story crossover as Naomi and Tiffany were here tonight to brawl and cost Nia so Liv could get a great win. Becky VS Liv for some time after Backlash will be good stuff, but I’m thinking Becky retains. What’s more curious is Liv quite literally leading Dom along. Liv’s Revenge Tour really does seem to be about taking everything from Rhea…
Disappointing Draft aside, great action to build towards both Backlash and King of the Ring. Woods VS Gunther was an awesome match, but I figured Gunther would win. Hard to say if Gunther will be the new King of the Ring, but this was a good case for it. Great stuff in the Intercontinental Championship story as Sami gets that boot on Gable, was about to win against Bronson until Gable attacked, and then Bronson stands tall. So far, all three guys are staying on Raw, I sense a huge Triple Threat for this title, and that could really go either way to me. Sami can use Gable and Bronson against each other, one of them could be opportunistic, it’s going to be an awesome match.
Great story intertwining with the Academy, too, as Gable takes his anger out on his team, and that more or less affects all of their performances tonight. Maxxine tried to finally get even with Candice but Indi’s Heel turn is continuing so The Way wins on the way out from Raw. Otis & Tozawa have a fun match with Awesome Truth but end up losing, so Gable’s just gonna lose his mind with them. Good story intertwining for Judgment Day and Logan Paul. Great seeing Braun back, he looks better than ever right now. Now, while the champions are all staying put, I feel like Braun should’ve gone to SmackDown so he can continue to scare the Prime outta Logan over the US Championship. And they did a great cosmetics job with JD’s huge welt, that looked nasty!
The deterioration of Judgment Day continues in wild fashion. They get JD punched in the head, almost get Logan mauled by Strowman, and then they aren’t on the same page in the main event. They could end up messing Priest over at Backlash because of it, giving Jey the win, but it feels like Priest finds a way to win despite them messing up. Then perhaps in a twist, Priest doesn’t get kicked out of Judgment Day, he quits them and leaves them to flounder on their own.
Segment of the night goes to CM Punk making McIntyre look like a fool. He goads McIntyre into storming up to the VIP section only to circle around him and go to the ring. And I feel like Punk was even trying to fill for time since he said he had 5 minutes and 46 seconds, but he still cooked McIntyre in half that. McIntyre VS Punk is going to blow the roof off the place, wherever it takes place.
My Score: 8.7/10
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Who truly run the Junior Heavyweight Division?
With Best of the Super Juniors on the horizon, the IWGP Junior Heavyweight AND Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions must defend their gold! Will Sho and the War Dogs keep Bullet Club’s gold?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Boltin Oleg VS Katsuya Murashima; Oleg wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Togi Makabe & Tiger Mask VS Just5Guys; Just5Guys win.
- 8 Man Tag: TMDK VS The United Empire; TMDK wins.
- 10 Man Tag: The House of Torture VS Shota Umino, El Desperado, El Phantasmo, Hikuleo & Jado; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hirooki Goto, Yoshi-Hashi & Tomoaki Honma VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI; Connors & Moloney win and retain the titles.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI; Sho wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI!
The War Dogs took these titles back on the Road to New Beginning, and then kept them through Sakura Genesis. But the Timebomb and Black Mask are ready to take their shot ahead of the Best of the Super Juniors! Will Hiromu & Bushi be bringing these titles into the tournament? Or will 100 Proof & 44 Caliber empty the Full Clip to keep their gold?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who wins this shootout!
The teams sort out and Hiromu starts against Connors. They both run in and DOUBLE LARIAT! They stay up and DOUBLE LARIAT again! They still stay up, Hiromu dodges Connors and headlocks. Connors powers up and out and runs Hiromu over! Bu then Hiromu runs Connors over! They get in each other’s face, Hiromu shoves Connors, and then both Drilla and Bushi jump in. Hiromu kicks Drilla first, and Bushi kicks Connors! Hiromu CHOPS Drilla, he and Bushi whip the Dogs at each other, but the Dogs dosido to redirect themselves. Hiromu TOSSES Drilla while Bushi dodges Connors, then Hiromu runs in to clothesline Connors!
Hiromu snapmares Connors, he and Bushi DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Connors with a facelock and tags Bushi in. They mug Connors, then Bushi snapmares to stomp Connors. Bushi brings Connors up but Connors knees low. Connors barks and runs, but into a kick! Then Hiromu dropkicks the legs out and Bushi basement dropkicks Connors down! Hiromu barks at Drilla, Bushi covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally for Bushi, he brings Connors up and CLUBS him to the LIJ corner. Tag to Hiromu, he barks at Drilla while Bushi stomps Connors. Hiromu turns around, Connors UPPERCUTS him!
Connors hot tags Drilla, but LIJ mugs him first! They double whip, but Drilla ducks the clothesline to shove Bushi into Hiromu! Drilla then ripcords Bushi but Bushi ducks the chop to run and RANA! Drilla is right up, but Bushi DROPKICKS him back down! Drilla bails out, the fans fire up as Bushi builds speed, but Connors gets in to SNAP POWERSLAM! Connors runs at Hiromu but is put on the apron! Hiromu runs to FLYING SUNSET FLIP- NO, Connors holds ropes to deny the bomb! And then Drilla gets under to drag Hiromu out, for an APRON POWERBOMB! Hiromu slumps down while Connors growls!
Connors and Drilla go around the corners, coordinate, and run in to SPEAR GORE COMBO Hiromu on the outside!! Drilla roars, Connors throws up the Too Sweet and fans are torn. The ref checks on Hiromu, he’s somehow okay to continue, so the ring count starts. Connors goes out to fetch Hiromu, even as the fans rally up. Connors drags Hiromu through the gate to TOSS him into the crowd! The count passes 15 as Hiromu stirs! Hiromu crawls but we’re already at 18! Hiromu sprints and slides in, SAFE! Drilla chuckles, then he looms over Hiromu to rain down fists! The fans rally for Hiromu, even as Drilla hits him over and over!
The ref reprimands about closed fists so Drilla lets off. The ref checks Hiromu, he’s still conscious so Drilla drags him up by his hair. Connors barks at Hiromu, the fans rally, but the ref still wants to check Hiromu. Hiromu reaches out, shakes his head, and the fans rally as hard as they can. Drilla drags Hiromu back up, bumps him off Connors’ boot, then tags him in. They double whip, double ELBOW, then Connors DROPKICKS Bushi for good measure. Connors taunts the fans cheering on Hiromu, barks at him, then eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu sits up, flounders over, and he drags himself up using Connors’ pants.
Hiromu CHOPS, but Connors doesn’t flinch. Hiromu staggers, CHOPS and CHOPS, but Connors UPPERCUTS! Connors whips, ELBOWS Hiromu down, then covers, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors is annoyed. Connors scrapes his sole off Hiromu’s face! Tag to Drilla and he stomps Hiromu back down. Hiromu growls but Drilla stands him up. Drilla CHOPS, but Hiromu shakes his head. The fans rally up as Drilla eggs Hiromu on. Hiromu CHOPS, but Drilla CHOPS! Hiromu CHOPS, Drilla CHOPS Hiromu down! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Hiromu stays in this, but Drilla sits him up for a chinlock.
Hiromu endures, even as Drilla digs his knee into Hiromu’s neck. The fans rally, Hiromu fights around, fights to his feet, and throws elbows. Hiromu is free but Drilla RAMS him into the corner! Tag to Connors, then Drilla JABS Hiromu! Connors taunts Hiromu, stays out of range, then kicks Hiromu down. Connors reels Hiromu in to snap suplex, then he runs to drop a JUMPING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer but Connors CLUBS Hiromu. Connors sits Hiromu up for a NECK TWIST! Then he clamps on for a neck wrench! The fans rally as Hiromu endures again. Hiromu fights to his feet, throws elbows and CHOPS!
Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS but Connors HEADBUTTS! Connors runs, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! Both men are down, the fans fire up, and Hiromu crawls. But Connors grabs hair and pulls Hiromu back! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Hot tag to Bushi! Bushi fires off on Connors, whips, but Connors reverses, only for Bushi to RANA! Drilla gets in to throw hands, but the ref reprimands. Drilla whips Bushi to a corner, runs in, but is sent into the corner! Bushi BOOTS Connors, brings Drilla in, BULLDOG DROPKICK COMBO!
The fans fire up with Bushi, and he blocks a haymaker to spin and DDT Connors down! Cover, TWO! Bushi hurries to SMASH Connors’ knee! Bushi then ties the legs up, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR! Connors endures, scrambles, and grabs the ROPEBREAK! Bushi lets go at 4, the fans rally, and Bushi stomps Connors around. Bushi kicks at the leg, then blocks Connors’ leg to kick Connors. Bushi runs, Connors redirects to POUNCE! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Bushi and Connors crawl, hot tags to Drilla and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges Drilla to fire off forearms! Hiromu whips, ROCKS, and puts Drilla on ropes to KICK it!
Hiromu runs, Drilla dodges, but then Hiromu ELBOWS him! Hiromu whips Drilla to a corner, clotheslines him, snapmares and basement dropkicks! The fans fire up with Hiromu, “MOTO! MOTO!” Hiromu drags Drilla up to fireman’s carry, but Drilla slips free. Drilla shoves Hiromu to a corner, runs in but into a BOOT! Hiromu runs but fakes Drilla out to then wrench and facelock. But Drilla suplexes first! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up again while Drilla frowns. Drilla drags Hiromu up and reels him in, but Hiromu fights the lift! Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu, then reels him back in! Canadian Rack, but Hiromu slips free!
Hiromu shoves, wheelbarrows, but Drilla fights it! Hiromu powers through to COMPLETE SHOT after all! The fans fire up while both men are down! Hiromu staggers up, tag to Bushi! Bushi and Hiromu drag Drilla up, double whip and TU LO- NO, Drilla lands on his feet! Drilla gets around Bushi to waistlock, and RAMS Bushi into Hiromu and then them both into a corner! Schoolboy and DROPKICK for Bushi! All three are down and the fans rally again. Drilla crawls over, hot tag to Connors! Connors storms in and aims at Bushi. Bushi rises, into a LARIAT! Connors fires up, brings Bushi around and suplexes.
Bushi fights the lift, to dropkick the bad leg! Bushi dropkicks that leg again! Connors writhes, Bushi gets the legs, CLOVERLEAF KNEEBAR!! Connors flails, endures, reaches out, Hiromu intercepts Drilla into TRIANGLE D!! Connors continues to fight around, reaches for ropes, but Bushi steers him in the other direction! Drilla deadlifts Hiromu to POWERBOMB him onto Bushi!! All four men are down and the fans fire up again! Connors shakes out his bad leg while Bushi stirs. They rise up, and Bushi fires a forearm! And another! Connors fires back, but Bushi fires again! And again! And again! But Connors HEADBUTTS!
Connors wobbles, powers up, and runs, but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Hiromu then blocks Drilla’s superkick! Hiromu hands that to Bushi, but then Drilla blocks Hiromu’s superkick! Connors SUPERKICKS Hiromu! Drilla gets free to SUPERKICK Bushi! Connors and Drilla aim, SPEAR GORE COMBO on Bushi!! Connors runs in at Hiromu, into a CORNER BELLY2BELLY! Drilla and Hiromu fire forearms, Hriomu gets the edge but Drilla RLOCKS him! And ripcord CHOPS! Hiromu ROLLING ELBOWS, SUPERKICKS, then fireman’s carries! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Drilla tumbles out and the fans are thunderous!
Hiromu & Bushi get Connors up, double fireman’s carry, but Connors fights free! Connors ROCKS Bushi, Hiromu waistlocks and Bushi returns, SUNSET FLIP GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Cover, TWO!! Connors survives but Hiromu DROPKICKS Drilla! Bushi roars and goes up a corner! The fans fire up again as Bushi aims! Connors rises, into M- SPEAR!! Connors takes Bushi outta the sky! Drilla anchors Hiromu on the apron, for Connors to POUNCE!! Connors then drags Bushi back up, reels him in, and gives him NO- NO! Bushi turns the No Chaser into BUSHI ROLL!! Drilla drags Bushi right up!! And flips him into DRILLA KILLA!! Connors covers, HIROMU BREAKS IT!!!
The fans are thunderous but Drilla ENZIGIRIS Hiromu into NO CHASER!! The Dogs get Bushi up, and then Connors climbs! Drilla suplexes, for the FULL CLIP!! Cover, the Dogs win!
Winners: Clark Connors & “Drilla” Moloney, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The War Dogs redeem themselves for failing on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku and are now rolling right into the round robin! Will nothing stop Connors & Moloney from proving they’re the Best of the Super Juniors?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion: SHO VS DOUKI!
When it comes to the House of Torture, shenanigans and underhanded tactics are their bread and butter. And nobody’s been doing it better than the Murder Machine. He literally stole this belt from El Desperado before snatching a win by count-out, and then got really lucky against Yoh. However, he’s finally tasting some of his own medicine! Japones Del Mal took the belt, then suckered him into accepting a title match! With the gold finally on the line, who will prove to be the sneakiest of all?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and wait, Sho takes the mic to say something first. He doesn’t trust what’s going on with Taichi on commentary?! Saying that it’s an unfair advantage!? Sho says Douki should try and win this title fair and square! He’s one to talk! Douki wags his finger, and he brings out the contract he had Sho sign. Douki makes it clear to Sho that this is all by the book. Sho still tries to deny it, thinking this is just an exhibition or something. Then he snatches the contract and EATS it?! Sho, that’s not gonna stop anything! Douki then DECKS Sho, stomps away, and the bell rings!
Douki bumps Sho off buckles, stomps him more, then digs his boot in. The fans rally while Sho suffers, and then Red Shoes counts. Douki lets off, drags Sho up, but Sho claws Douki’s eyes! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo but Sho whips. Douki reverses and does the splits to get under. Then he rolls back to RANA Sho, and then arm-drag! Sho staggers up, into another arm-drag! Douki dodges Sho, arm-drags to then get a leg, and he SMASHES the knee! The fans fire up while Sho bails out. Douki pursues but Sho kicks him first. Sho whips but Douki reverses to send Sho into railing! The fans cheer and Douki storms up on Sho.
Douki stalks Sho around the way, RAMS him into more railing, then puts the bad leg around railing! Sho wants mercy but Douki BOOST the railing! Sho falls over and the fans rally up. Douki storms up on Sho, drags him up, and puts him in the ring. The fans cheer and Douki stomps Sho at the ropes. Douki stomps the bad leg, then puts the leg on ropes to stand on it! HIP DROP! Sho writhes, the fans cheer, and Douki brings Sho around. Douki drops an elbow on the knee! Douki pulls on a toehold, Sho pulls on Douki’s mask! Red Shoes reprimands, Sho lets go, and then Sho has the ROPEBREAK! Sho shouts about it and Douki lets go.
The fans rally up while Douki stalks Sho. Douki stomps Sho’s legs, drags him back up and whips, but Sho holds ropes to block. Douki tries again, Sho still holds on, so Douki kicks the bad leg! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki holds ropes! Sho runs in but Douki does the splits again, and Sho is sent tumbling out! Douki then goes to the apron, mule kicks Sho, but Sho sends a Young Lion into Douki! Douki falls and the fans boo! Red Shoes reprimands Sho, then checks Douki. Douki clutches his leg, but Sho drags him up and whips him into railing! Sho brings Douki out into the crowd now! And to the very back, to SLAM his leg into the wall!
Douki hobbles right in front of Section H while Sho grabs a chair. Sho digs that chair into the leg! Red Shoes reprimands and fans boo, but Sho lets off. Sho then stomps Douki’s bad leg, talks trash and leaves Douki behind. The fans rally for Douki while Sho gets in the ring. Sho smirks as he waits on the ring count. Douki sits up, shakes out the bad leg, and the fans rally up. The count reaches 10 of 20 before Douki stands. Douki hobbles his way to the aisle and hurries towards ringside. The count passes 15, then passes 17! Douki slides in safe at 19! Sho is upset with Red Shoes’ count, but then he grabs Douki’s bad leg to SMASH the knee!
Douki writhes, Sho wants Red Shoes to call this, but Red Shoes says no, Douki’s still okay. So Sho DDTs the leg! And DDTs it again! And again! Cover, TWO! Douki is still in this and the fans rally up again. Sho drags Douki up, wrenches, and kicks, KICKS and then stomps the leg! Then he kicks, KICKS and stomps the leg again! And again! Sho drags Douki up but Douki fires a forearm! Sho eggs Douki on, Douki throws more forearms, so Sho kicks the leg out! Sho drops into a KNEEBAR! Douki endures now, fights around, reaches out, but Sho uses his shirt for leverage on the leglock! The fans rally, Douki claws at the mat and drags Sho along to the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer while Sho lets go in frustration. But then Sho smirks as he looms over Douki, and he stomps the bad leg again. Douki shoves Sho away, fires up and fires off more forearms! Sho kicks the leg! Sho reels Douki in, but Douki fights the lift! Sho kicks the leg, reels Douki back in and hoists him up, but Douki slips free! Only for the bad leg to jam! Sho runs, but Douki dropkicks Sho’s bad leg! Both men are down while the fans rally back up. Sho makes his way to a corner, runs up, but Douki blocks to fire forearms again! Douki whips, Sho reverses, but Douki dropkicks the bad let! Sho scrambles to a corner!
Douki runs in to forearm smash! Douki then brings Sho up, ties up the legs, DOUBLE KNEE BREAKER! Douki runs to SHOTGUN Sho down! Cover, TWO! Sho stays in this but the fans rally behind Douki again. Douki slaps his bad leg into working, then he drags Sho up. Douki turns Sho, but Sho fights the Gory Especial! Douki still tries, but Sho wrenches an arm and bends fingers! Sho kicks and kicks, then he bends fingers again! Douki HELL STABS! Douki runs, Sho gets around to waistlock, but Douki fires elbows! Sho keeps Douki from getting away, but Douki kicks free. Sho blocks a kick, but so does Douki! Sho goes for the eyes!
Douki pulls Sho’s arm away, tucks it under the leg, and drops into a modified FIGURE FOUR LEGLOCK! Sho endures and fans rally, but wait! Yoshinobu Kanemaru shows up! The Heel Master distracts for just a moment, then he gets in Taichi’s face! Taichi stands up, only for DICK TOGO’S SPOILER CHOKER!! The House of Torture is going after the Holy Emperor! The fans boo as Dick chokes Taichi out! Douki still keeps on Sho but Sho drags Red Shoes down! Yoshinobu storms in to stomp away on Douki! The fans boo but Douki lets Sho go and Yoshinobu drags him up. But Douki suplexes first! Sho sees this and freaks out!
Wait Dick gets on commentary in Taichi’s place!? Sho THROWS Douki into Red shoes! Then LOW BLOWS!! Then he THROWS Douki back into Red Shoes!! Sho hurries away from Douki, and Dick jumps in the ring! Dick stomps away on Douki while fans boo! Sho laughs but here come the other guys! Taka Michinoku & Yuya Uemura run Dick off, but here comes the rest of the House! Evil & Yujiro attack Yuya & Taka! The fans boo and tell them to go home, but they don’t care. Evil & Dick open Yuya’s legs for Yujiro’s FALLING HEADBUTT! Then they get Taka up as Dick climbs, for the DICK CHOP!
The fans boo as Yuya and Taka are down, and then the House drags Douki up. They double whip Douki to a corner, then Dick runs in to elbow! Yujiro BOOTS! Evil clotheslines! They snapmare Douki down, then Dick climbs up! The fans boo, but Douki suffers a DICK CHOP! Sho laughs and waves to Red Shoes. Evil gets Red Shoes in to count the cover, TWO!!! Douki survives and the fans are thunderous! Sho vows to end it now, and he drags Douki back up. Sho reels Douki in, lifts, for the POWER BREAKER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Douki survives again and Sho is furious! Sho drags Douki back up while the fans rally as hard as they can!
Sho brings Douki in, tucks the arms, but Douki fights the lift! And he drops down for the ITALIAN STRETCH #32!! But Sho powers through, tucks the arms again, and STRAITJACKET PILEDRIVERS! Cover, TWO!?!? Douki survives again and the entire House is beside itself! Taichi rises, but he’s cuffed to railing! Sho drags Douki up, says he’s done now, and then pump handles! SHOCK- NO! ITALIAN STRETCH #32!!! Douki has Sho, but Sho fights for ropes! Douki pulls on the hold, Dick gets on the apron! But Taka is back and YANKS Dick down! Douki rolls Sho from ropes for ITALIAN STRETCH!!
Yujiro and Evil get up but Yuya anchors them both! Sho is fading! Sho is turning red!! Who rang the bell!?! Not this crap again!! It was all DICK!! Douki realizes he hasn’t won, and then Evil SHOVES Douki into Red Shoes!! Red Shoes takes a tumble right out of the ring, and the House stomps away on Douki again! The House taunt Douki, but Douki fights back! Evil CLAWS Douki’s eyes! But Taichi has a Young Lion free him! And he hurries to ringside! Evil & Yujiro double whip Douki, Douki grabs ropes, and Taichi runs in to DOUBLE AX BOMBER!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi tells his old friend to keep fighting!
Just5Guys turn the tides on the House by stomping away on Dick! They double whip Dick to a corner, then Taka clotheslines! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Taichi runs up to clothesline! Then Taka goes up! They get Dick in place for a HAWK CHOP! Dick flounders out, Taka & Yuya PLANCHA out onto Yujiro & Evil! The fans are thunderous as J5G drags the House to the back! Now it’s just Douki and Sho all alone as we hit 20 minutes! Sho crawls for his corner, he wants his Torture Tool! But Douki goes to his corner, and he brings out his PIPE! And Douki’s is bigger! Sho freaks out, wanting to tell Red Shoes about this!
Douki tells Sho to bring it, so Sho swings! Douki dodges, swings, but Sho dodges! Sho swings but Douki blocks, and Sho loses grip on his wrench! Douki JAMS Sho with the pipe, then CHOKES him, into a STEEL DODON NO JUTSU!! Douki gets the pipe outta there, and a spare ref hurries out here! The fans fire up as Douki roars, and he brings Sho back up! Douki reels Sho in, for the SAHARAWI SUPLEX!! Cover, TWO?!? Sho survives but the fans are electric for Douki! Douki pounds the mat, powers up, and he wheelbarrows Sho! Full nelson, SUPLEX DE LA LUNA!!! Bridging cover, YOSHINOBU YANKS THE REF!!
Kanemaru stomps away on Douki as fans boo! Kanemaru goes out, grabs his whiskey and takes a big swig! Kanemaru aims, but Douki HELL STABS! The whiskey mist flies into the air, then Douki DECKS Kanemaru! But wait! Ren Narita shows up! He was staying back just for this moment! Narita has the push-up bar and he slides into the ring! Narita SNATCHES the mask!! And as Douki covers up, Narita JAMS him with the bar!! Then he reels Douki in for DOUBLECROSSER!! The fans boo, but Narita at least puts Douki’s mask back on before he helps Sho cover. Narita gets the second ref, Kenta, into the ring, and tells him to count! The ref sees Sho, counts, and Sho wins!!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (still IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion)
The most powerful fight Douki’s ever put up is completely besmirched by the most disgusting game the House has ever rigged! Sho is in no shape to get the mic so Narita brings it over. Sho laughs and says he’s just too strong, it’s becoming a problem. The fans boo as Sho this is what Douki gets for making this more than just sparring. Sho leaves the ring with The House but he keeps on talking, saying he’s happy to be leaving Kagoshima anyway. And as for BOSJ up next, Sho’s confident it’ll be a piece of cake at this rate! Narita raises Sho’s hand in victory and the streamers fly! But will Sho really be able to stack the deck each and every round?
My Thoughts:
A really good Satsuma, even if it’s kinda wedged in right before Dontaku. The Junior Heavyweight title matches were both great stuff, made to feel very close, but in the end, I figured Bullet Club was retaining the gold going into the Best of the Super Juniors. Connors & Moloney are a tough team, they even won a big Triple Threat, so them winning here isn’t really a knock on Hiromu & Bushi. Plus, there could be a chance Hiromu gets a strong showing in BOSJ to go after the singles title again.
And boy, they really overbooked the main event there. I was hoping Douki was gonna find a way, but they did a great job making Narita the final card to play. He stayed back and I didn’t even think about him until he showed up, but of course he’s the deciding factor. Sho retains, and he’ll go into the tournament with the title, but I really hope someone gets their golden ticket off beating him in the round robin just to stick it to him.
My Score: 8.7/10
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