Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/8/21)
Time to settle some scores!
Monday Night Raw brings on the grudge matches!
Though he will address Sheamus’ actions from last week’s Raw, Drew McIntyre will take on Randy Orton in one last grudge match!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles w/ Omos; Styles wins.
- The New Day VS Retribution; The New Day wins.
- Charlotte Flair VS Lacey Evans w/ Ric Flair; Evans wins, by disqualification.
- Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny VS Angel Garza w/ The Miz & John Morrison; Priest wins.
- Matt Riddle VS Keith Lee; Lee wins.
- Tables Match: Lana VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler; Lana wins.
- Naomi w/ Lana VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax; Naomi wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton; Orton wins, by disqualification.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE and Raw mourn the loss of “The Natural,” Butch Reed.
Adam Pearce opens Raw in the ring.
Scrap Daddy welcomes us back to the show, and welcomes back SHANE MCMAHON!! What a shock to see Shane O’Mac back on Raw and in the ThunderDome! Shane goes to the ring, fist bumps Pearce and says it is great to be back during the Road to WrestleMania. They’re crossing the double yellow line into the Elimination Chamber! Shane and Pearce have a “blockbuster” announcement for the PPV’s main event: Drew McIntyre will defend the WWE World Championship IN the Chamber match! Six superstars enter, only one will remain, and that one will be THE WWE Champion!
Shane knows McIntyre is in by default but who are the other five? Even bigger news! All the opponents will be FORMER world champions, starting with Randy Orton! Then, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, The Miz and lastly, Sheamus, complete the field! Shane says it is a pleasure being out here with Pearce and says this blockbuster card is amazing. Shane thanks Pearce for the hard work and then takes his leave. But on his way out is AJ Styles! The Phenomenal One and Omos say hey to Shane before continuing on to the ring. Styles wants to talk with Pearce. Pearce IS doing an amazing job! The Chamber match, if it’s Pearce’s idea, is great!
But hold on. Styles wants to make sure he has this right: McIntyre has to defend the WWE Championship inside the Chamber? That’s genius! The chances of McIntyre losing that title are, pun intended, phenomenal! And at a perfect time, too, because we’re on the Road to WrestleMania! Perfect time for Styles to come out a THREE-TIME world champion! And not to let this out to the world, but uh, Styles always thought Pearce was a dumbass. But that’s neither here nor there. Omos and the “future” champion are giving Pearce just a snippet tonight. So please, get out of the ring.
With that said, Jeff Hardy is headed out! The Charismatic Enigma and Styles are going to give us that Chamber appetizer to open Raw! Who takes a big first step towards the six man mayhem coming down the Road to WrestleMania?
Drew McIntyre talks with Shane backstage.
The champ couldn’t help but overhear that announcement. They go a way’s back so he thought Shane had it as just be McIntyre and Sheamus 1v1. Well yes but then they thought it’d be even bigger by putting them in the Chamber. If McIntyre wants to test his mettle, there is no better way to do it. Shane wishes McIntyre good luck then heads out.
Jeff Hardy VS AJ Styles w/ Omos!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Hardy and Styles circle, tie up and Hardy wrenches to club away on Styles’ arm. Styles gets the ropes, Hardy lets off, and the two reset. They tie up, Styles gets around to waistlock but Hardy switches. Hardy headlocks, Styles tries to power out but Hardy holds on tight. Hardy grinds Styles down, Styles gets up and powers out. Hardy runs Styles over! Hardy rallies the fans and circles with Styles again. They approach but Styles kicks low! Styles throws haymakers to put Hardy in a corner, then he runs in to ROCK Hardy with more fists! The ref has Styles back off, he runs back in but Hardy dodges!
Hardy kicks Styles, puts him in a corner and rams his shoulder in! Hardy snapmares, basement dropkicks, then covers, ONE! Hardy drags Styles up to wrench the arm. Styles pulls Hardy’s hair and puts him in a corner. Styles rams into Hardy, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to RAM him again! Styles brings Hardy back up, whips him again, but Hardy reverses and back drops Styles hard! Hardy drops ax handles, covers, TWO! Hardy drags Styles up, bumps him off buckles, then bumps him off more buckles! Then a third corner, and then the fourth for a complete set! Hardy drops a leg then covers, TWO!
Hardy keeps on Styles at the ropes, whips him, but Styles kicks back! Hardy blocks the kick and throws Styles down! Hardy goes after Styles in a corner and throws haymakers! The ref counts, Hardy lets off and whips but Styles reverses. Hardy goes up but his leg jams! Hardy hobbles out of the ring, Styles steadies himself and waits as the ring count climbs. Styles goes out and CHOP BLOCKS the bad leg! Styles refreshes the count, brings Hardy up, and gives him a SHIN BREAKER, then SWINGS him legs first into the post! The ref reprimands Styles while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Styles goes after Hardy’s bad leg. Hardy clubs Styles but Styles drops knees on the knee! Styles stomps the leg, stalks Hardy as he crawls to ropes, then KICKS the leg! Hardy falls back over, Styles drags him by that leg and hits a leg DDT! Omos likes what he sees as Styles stalks a hobbling Hardy. Styles has the leg again, Hardy clubs then enziguris him away! Hardy hobbles over but into a roll, CALF CRUSHER! Styles pulls back on the leg, Hardy endures, Hardy fights up to throw elbows but Styles pulls the leg harder! Hardy reaches and gets a ropebreak! Styles keeps his cool as he stalks Hardy more.
Styles brings Hardy up, Hardy throws haymakers, but Styles whips. Hardy falls over because of the bad leg! The ref checks on Hardy but Hardy refuses to let this end the match. Hardy gets to a corner, drags himself to his feet, and Styles runs in only to be put on the apron. Hardy hobbles into position, though, but he trips up Styles’ springboard! Styles flops to the apron and Hardy has time to rest. Hardy holds his leg as he rolls away but Styles gets back in. Fans rally on their ThunderDome screens, Styles hurries over to Hardy but gets a jawbreaker! Hardy manages an atomic drop, leg splitting leg drop, and the basement dropkick! Splash down, cover, TWO!
Hardy and Styles are both down but Hardy forces himself to stand again. Styles stands, Hardy kicks but Styles blocks, only to get the spinning back kick! Hardy kicks again, but no Twist, he uses a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hardy grows frustrated and works to get his bad leg moving. Hardy gets up, drags Styles up but Styles KICKS the bad leg! Styles drags Hardy around, reels him in, but no Clash! Hardy slips out to hit TWIST OF FATE! Hardy crawls to a corner, drags himself up the corner, but the Swanton FLOPS as Styles moves! Styles gets the leg, for the CALF CRUSHER!! Hardy endures, scrambles around, elbows Styles but Styles thrashes harder! Hardy taps, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by submission
The Phenomenal One beat the Charismatic Enigma all by himself this time! And he’ll have to do that four more times in the Chamber since Omos can’t be inside with him! Will Styles make a phenomenal return to glory thanks to the Elimination Chamber?
Matt Riddle finds Keith Lee backstage.
The Bro is still sporting the black eye from his battle with Bobby Lashley. But laughter is the best medicine, and Riddle got cozy to binge watch the Air Bud franchise. Keith wonders if Lashley knocked a “screw loose” in Riddle. Does Riddle really want to still go after the Hurt Business after what they’ve done to him? Well people though tit was ridiculous for a dog to play basketball, but it didn’t matter, Air Bud kept playing. And Riddle will keep going after the US Championship until he takes it!
Keith thinks maybe someone new should try. Keith has what it takes to beat Lashley, and what it takes to beat Riddle tonight. Is that so? Well, may the better man win, bro! But will it be the Bro or the Limitless One that heads for the Rocky Mountain Machine’s gold next?
Sheamus finds Pearce backstage.
Didn’t McIntyre promise a 1v1 title match? But now Pearce and Shane are throwing in four others?! Pearce understands- HOW COULD HE?! Is Sheamus not a draw? No, they’re just trying to make the biggest match for the Chamber. Oh “they,” huh? Didn’t Shane say this was all Pearce’s idea? WWE officials like Pearce come and go, with their empty suits and yes men mentalities, full of broken promises just like McIntyre. They’re refusing to give Sheamus the respect he deserves! But Sheamus gets it. McIntyre is the shiny new toy, but he would be NOTHING without Sheamus!
You want to put them in the Chamber, stack the odds? Fine. But remember, tis is Pearce’s idea. And when Sheamus unleashes brutality on every WWE superstar in there, remember that this is on Pearce’s hands.
The New Day VS Retribution!
Kofi Kingston is back in the ring, and now he’s helping Xavier Woods against Retribution! But which to members of Mustafa Ali’s faction are they taking on? We’ll see after the break!
Raw returns and Retribution makes their entrance. The two members stepping up against the ten-time tag team champions are T-Bar and Slapjack! Mustafa Ali and Mace join commentary as Slapjack starts with Woods. They circle, tie up and Slapjack drags Woods down. Slapjack waistlocks, Woods fights up and pries free to hit a headlock takeover. Woods grinds Slapjack down, Slapjack fights his way up, and Slapjack powers out. Woods runs Slapjack over, covers, ONE! Woods hits another headlock takeover and he grinds Slapjack down. Slapjack fights up, slips out and gets the arm to wrench.
Slapjack yanks the arm, Woods wrenches free to CHOP! Slapjack CHOPS! Woods dodges, tags Kofi, and tilt-o-whirls Slapjack for Kofi’s dropkick! Cover, TWO! Woods says that dropkick and leg sweep is new. Kofi CHOPS, whips, but Slapjack reverses to elbow Kofi down! Tag to T-bar and T-Bar CLOBBERS Kofi! T-Bar swings on Woods, but catches Kofi’s flip! T-Bar choke grips Kofi, Kofi breaks free and throws hands, but T-Bar doesn’t flinch. Kofi runs, leaps but into T-Bar’s arms! T-Bar pops Kofi up to a fireman’s carry, but Kofi slips out to shove T-Bar away! T-Bar goes up and over, keeps moving, Kofi hurdles but then leaps into a torture rack!
Kofi scrambles to sunset flip but T-Bar drags him back up, to SLAM him down! Ali wants T-Bar to show the world what Retribution is about! They need to hurt the New Day the way the WWE hurts them! T-Bar runs in but Kofi dumps him out! Slapjack runs over, is also put on the apron, and Woods BOOTS Slapjack! Kofi runs and FLIES to take Retribution down! The New Day is fired up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and T-Bar throws hands on Woods. Woods hits back, CHOPS, but T-Bar smothers him into the corner! T-Bar throws elbow after elbow but lets off as the ref counts 4. T-Bar stomps Woods, stands on him, then walks over to tag Slapjack. T-Bar scoop slams Woods, Slapjack stomps him down! Slapjack kicks away on Woods but Woods throws hands back! Slapjack DECKS Woods, and wraps on a chinlock! Woods endures, fights up, Slapjack shifts and clamps on with a neck wrench. Woods fights up to jawbreaker free! T-Bar tags in, Slapjack anchors Woods and T-Bar BOOTS Kofi! Slapjack whips Woods and T-Bar LARIATS! Cover, TWO!
Woods gasps and sputters but Ali tells T-Bar to keep on him. T-Bar choke grips and drags Woods up, to tag in Slapjack. They combine for a CHOKE SLAM BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Woods still lives and Retribution is furious! Ali says tonight is Retribution’s night to eat! They’re hungry, so they’re going to eat! Slapjack suplexes but Woods slips out to roll him up! TWO, Woods tags in Kofi! Kofi climbs up and hits a flying ax handle! Kofi knocks T-Bar off the apron, fires off CHOPS and a dropkick on Slapjack, then hits T-Bar again! Ali is furious as Kofi dodges Slapjack to ax handle him down! Kofi fires up, and hits the NEW~ DAY~ Boom Drop!
Kofi claps and laughs at Ali as he aims from a corner. T-Bar runs in but gets the TROUBLE IN PARADISE! But Slapjack gets Kofi for a back suplex! Kofi lands on his feet, elbows Slapjack away then tag sin Woods! Woods enziguris Slapjack, tags in Kofi, and together they hit DAYBREAK! Cover, The New Day wins!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall
Ali throws a fit and Mace rushes the ring. Woods and Kofi get away, and Woods shouts, “GIVE ME RECKONING!” Ali is furious with his team’s failure. Will Ali crush the Power of Positivity with his rage?
Bad Bunny and Damian Priest talk backstage.
They’re enjoying the reactions to last week, when Bad Bunny clowned John Morrison while Priest beat Miz. Bunny’s in Priest’s corner this week, and they go back to rewatching the footage of the “mic drop.” Will they do the same again to Angel Garza?
Lacey Evans and Ric Flair go to the ring!
The Queen is upset with the Sassy Southern Belle for creeping on her father, and is upset with her father for taking Lacey’s side! Will Charlotte make Lacey #BowDown and finally leave the Nature Boy alone?
Raw returns and Ric has a mic. “Seems to be there are some people out there who want an explanation at why Ric Flair wants to be back main-lining.” The reason why is that he doesn’t take orders from any woman, not even his daughter! He’s not staying at home! And Ric is really tired about hearing how great Charlotte is! Yes, she’s the Queen! Yes, she’s got 13 title reigns! Yes, she doesn’t need Ric! But Ric needs Ric! And Ric says he has found someone with the looks, the skills and the drive to be a star! She just needs motivation, knowledge and wisdom!
Charlotte may be the greatest today, but Ric is going to train Lacey. This is completely casual! If Lacey falls for his charm, that’s just how it is. But this is a warning to Asuka! Lacey will be the next Raw Woman’s Champion! And all you nasties who think you know, you don’t. Lacey respects Ric and gives him the respect he deserves as “the living legend he is,” unlike the ungrateful daughter he has. Charlotte is a fool to turn away the best of all time, “bless her heart.” The way Charlotte speaks to Ric is not how Lacey would ever speak to her father! Yet Lacey’s the villain? But here comes Charlotte! Lacey won’t even let Ric hold the ropes open for Charlotte!
Charlotte has a mic to respond. “First of all, Lacey, if you really wanted to learn, you’d take yourself to Orlando and work your ass off in the Performance Center.” But Lacey is just using Ric, using Charlotte, and waring their robes to ride their coattails. And then for Ric, what does Charlotte need to do? Validate her? Charlotte never said Ric wasn’t proud of her or that she never wanted his help. But what Charlotte has been doing the last seven years is protect and add on to the legacy! Ric has yes people but Charlotte is honest! Charlotte doesn’t care who he manages, just don’t bring him down with her!
Lacey tells “Char-Char” she is just here to listen and learn. Why are they enemies? Why can’t they be a team? Lacey would’ve been a way better tag partner than that “feral animal,” Asuka. Charlotte didn’t come this far just to come this far. Charlotte’s been trying to prove to Ric, to the fans and to everyone in the locker room that she can do this on her own. And Asuka IS Charlotte’s tag partner, okay? Well Lacey doesn’t feel the same way. Lacey’s sights are on the Raw Women’s title. Well hopefully Ric takes Lacey right to that title. Well Ric has heard from management that if Lacey beats Charlotte tonight, she’s next in line to face Asuka.
Oh is that so? Ric thinks Charlotte hasn’t been listening but she has. Let’s go now! Lacey hides behind Ric to then sucker punch Charlotte! And then she goes out to whip Charlotte hard into steel steps! Lacey accepts the match, which was happening anyway, but now it’s moved up to after the break!
The Miz and John Morrison talk with Angel Garza.
They know Bad Bunny has Damian Priest’s back, so they promise to have Garza’s. Morrison and Garza start doing some Spanish rapping, and Miz joins in. Is the duo going to become a trio of sorts?
Charlotte Flair VS Lacey Evans w/ Ric Flair!
Raw returns and the bell rings, and Charlotte RAMS Lacey right to a corner! Charlotte RAMS into Lacey more, lets off as the ref counts, and then ROCKS Lacey with a right! Lacey is in the ropes but Charlotte is after her. Lacey hotshots the arm, wrenches and kicks it, then wrenches to an elbow drop! Lacey knuckle locks, Charlotte, handsprings through and wrenches to drag Lacey down. Charlotte is after Lacey’s shoulder but Lacey fights to the ropebreak. The ref counts, Charlotte lets go, and Lacey kicks low! Lacey wrenches the bad arm again, whips Charlotte, but Charlotte goes up and out to ram into Lacey! Charlotte slingshots and rolls Lacey and BOOTS her down!
Charlotte runs at a corner, Lacey dodges and wrings Charlotte out, but Charlotte dropkicks Lacey down! Ric helps Lacey on the outside, Charlotte storms over but Lacey hotshots Charlotte again! Lacey sweeps the legs, slingshots up and over, to drop the elbow! Lacey rains down furious fists but lets off as the ref reprimands. Lacey kicks Charlotte, goes after the arm again, and wrenches to an elbow breaker. Lacey kicks the arm, reels Charlotte in, but Charlotte slips out to CLOBBER Lacey! Charlotte gets the leg but Lacey scrambles away! Lacey gets the ropebreak, Charlotte holds on until the ref counts, and Lacey kicks the legs!
Charlotte hobbles, wrenches Lacey again, but Lacey slips through to yank the arm! Lacey wrenches, wristlocks, and throws Charlotte down hard! But Charlotte kips right up to egg Lacey on! Lacey throws her down, Charlotte kips back up, but Lacey wrenches and whips. Charlotte reverses, Lacey holds ropes, and Lacey styles and profiles just to anger Charlotte. Charlotte ROCKS Lacey, scoops her and hits an EXPLODER! Lacey bails out, Ric is there, but Charlotte shows Lacey how it’s done! Ric is flustered, Charlotte slingshots, but Lacey uses Ric as a shield! Lacey trips Charlotte up hard! Charlotte clutches her bad arm as Raw goes back to break!
Raw returns again and Lacey has Charlotte’s arm wrapped on ropes. Lacey uses a leg to hook Charlotte’s head as she pulls on the arm! The ref counts, Lacey lets off, Charlotte CLUBS Lacey back! Lacey drop toeholds Charlotte but Charlotte stays up to throw more hands! Charlotte drags Lacey up but Lacey jawbreakers! Lacey throws Charlotte down by her hair and pulls on the arm! Lacey uses legs to keep Charlotte down but Charlotte fights up! Charlotte moves around, Lacey drags her down by hair, but the ref reprimands again. Charlotte fights up, stomps Lacey, but Lacey drags Charlotte down with a hammerlock! Charlotte rolls but Lacey drops knees on the arm!
Lacey whips Charlotte to a corner, Charlotte stops herself and elbows Lacey away! But Lacey comes back to CLOBBER Charlotte! Cover, TWO! Lacey is on the bad arm, and uses it to turn Charlotte for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Lacey scowls as she stalks Charlotte. Lacey pushes Charlotte down into a drop zone, then climbs up, for the SASSIEST MOONSAULT onto boots!! Charlotte waits for Lacey to stand and she CHOPS away! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Lacey falls over, Ric is upset. Charlotte runs at Lacey but Lacey SLAPS her away! Lacey runs but into a BOOT! Charlotte covers, TWO!
Lacey bails out, Ric is there, but Charlotte dares dad to do something. Ric says he won’t do anything, but Lacey is sneaking up again! Lacey WRINGS the arm! The ring count is climbing, Lacey puts Charlotte in at 8! Lacey covers, TWO! Ric says for Lacey to use the Figure Four but she doesn’t know how that works! Charlotte BOOTS Lacey then SPEARS her! Charlotte stares down at Ric and says, “You want to humiliate me, do it on your own time! Watch this!” Charlotte fires off furious forearms on Lacey! The ref backs her off but she shoves him away! Charlotte fires off on Lacey more but the ref rings the bell!!
Winner: Lacey Evans, by disqualification
Ric gets in and Charlotte dares him to do something! But he doesn’t, and Charlotte says this ring is hers now. Will the Queen be a gatekeeper of the Raw Women’s Championship on the Road to WrestleMania?
WWE celebrates Black History Month.
“Memories of our deeds and our lives will live on in others.” – Rosa Parks
Edge is back again!
The Rated R Superstar has made it through one week as the Men’s Royal Rumble Winner, now he starts week two! Edge says it was one hell of a week, but an amazing one, because it started with winning the Rumble. He still has the massive decision to make. It seems simple on the surface, but Edge digs deeper. That’s why Edge was on Raw last week. He wanted a lay of the land, but he also settled things with Randy Orton. Edge went to NXT, went to SmackDown, met their champions, and was so close to making a decision. But now things have changed because of the Elimination Chamber having a match of all former champions!
Edge knows Roman is Universal Champion. He knows Finn Balor is NXT Champion. He also knows the Chamber is one of the most brutal matches in WWE. But what he doesn’t know is who will walk out of the Chamber as champion. Edge likes his odds against every single one of them! To be realistic, though, he doesn’t like McIntyre’s odds. Edge likes and respects McIntyre but he knows how hard it is to get out of the Chamber. Edge will wait for the dust to settle, and then he’ll- Wait, here comes The Miz and John Morrison, and even Garza, first. Miz says, “Wow, what a great speech! Epic speech! Dare I say, it reeked of awesomeness!” Edge has such a big decision to make!
But we all know Edge is the ultimate opportunist. And Miz knows Edge is waiting for the perfect chance to strike. Miz is more of a strategist, so let’s strategize! Even if Edge’s comeback leads to winning a WWE World or Universal Championship, Miz will be there with his Money in the Bank contract! Miz will cash in on Edge and leave WrestleMania as a champion! Oh and welcome back. Edge asks if Miz knows who he’ stalking to. Edge put that MITB briefcase on the map! He knows at Mania, as soon as Edge raises a title, he’ll need eyes on the back of his head. But thanks for reminding him.
Edge is the master manipulator keeping three champions on alert but Miz just gave his plan away? Miz needs to worry about the Chamber, about Priest, and hell, even Bad Bunny! Edge is playing poker, Miz is playing Old Maid. There are fundamental differences in how they think. Miz is okay being awesome, Edge did that 20 years ago! edge NEEDS to see his story through, and he NEEDS to be champion. Notice a difference? Think about it! Edge leaves, Miz keeps Morrison and Garza back, but will these two battle things out soon enough?
Damian Priest w/ Bad Bunny VS Angel Garza w/ The Miz & John Morrison!
The Archer of Infamy became fast friends with the chart-topping Reggaeton star because of their distaste for the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *look off into distance*. Now they might have to add the Lethal Lothario to that mix since he’s hanging with MC M I Z and Johnny Drip Drip. Will Priest #LiveForever at Garza’s expense?
The bell rings and Garza talks some trash, but Priest BOOTS him down! Priest is after Garza in the corner with hand sand kicks, then he ROCKS Garza with an uppercut! Garza checks his chin, Priest whips Garza tor opes but Graza kicks back! Garza runs into the windmill kick! Cover, ONE, but Priest stalks Garza to ropes. Miz and Morrison are there to protest and distract, Garza throat chops Priest! Garza runs, shoulders and clotheslines then dropkciks Priest down! Cover, ONE, but Garza basement dropkicks Priest for good measure. Priest flounders, Garza chokes Priest on ropes but lets off as the ref counts. Miz gets a cheap shot in!
Bunny protests, Garza throws off the pants and throws them at Bunny! Garza hooks up Priest’s legs for an inverted deathlock! Garza slaps Priest around but Priest just gets pissed! Priest throws big hands to get free, but Garza comes around, only for Priest to block a punch with a punch! Priest fires off forearms, then aims to kick, kick and KICK! Priest drags Garza up to ROCK him, then DECK him with a lariat! Bunny cheers with the fans as Priest aims from a corner. Priest tunes up with stomps, takes aim with the bow, and runs corner to corner for a LEAPING back elbow! Morrison and Miz get on the apron but Priest runs them off! Garza runs in to clothesline Priest out!
Morrison and Miz mug Priest while the ref backs Garza off. Bunny snatches the MITB briefcase! Bunny slides that in, Morrison goes after it, and the ref sees that! The ref EJECTS Miz and Morrison! Bunny gets the better of them, just as Edge figured he would. Bunny then shrugs to Garza, and Garza turns around into Priest’s BELL CLAP! And the RECKONING! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
Bunny has Priest’s back and together, they’re rolling on the Road to WrestleMania! Will Priest find himself heading for a big target come the Showcase of the Immortals?
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre!
An interesting night already with the announcement about the Elimination Chamber world title match. His reaction? Simple: It’s WrestleMania season, expect the unexpected. Much like what Sheamus did. McIntyre heard what Sheamus has to say but it boils down to this: why end a 20 year friendship if you just wanted a title shot? But while Sheamus has his reasons and McIntyre has his theories, McIntyre has to focus on Orton. The Viper will break bones or tear muscles if it means keeping McIntyre from the Chamber. But Mania Season makes the target on a champion’s back even bigger.
But let’s take a lay of the land: The Chamber, Orton tonight, Miz’s MITB shot, Edge still hasn’t chosen, Sheamus, Styles, Hardy, things are crazy! McIntyre is cornered! Will he crack under the pressure? No. Backed in a corner, McIntyre is a wild animal! McIntyre dares you to come at him so he can rip your damn face off! Will the Claymores be flying come time for the Elimination Chamber?
BREAKING NEWS!
Because Lacey technically did win, she DOES have a match against Asuka for the Raw Women’s Championship! Will the Sassy Southern Belle make the best of Charlotte’s rage costing her?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair!
The Women’s Royal Rumble winner is here on Raw to react to the news of Asuka VS Lacey. It’s been a wild week but the honeymoon is over. Bianca proved she is the EST of WWE, this is her time! And yes, people are wondering what she’ll do. But as the smartEST woman in the WWE, it could be Sasha Banks, but it could also be Asuka. Asuka isn’t just the Empress of Tomorrow, but the Empress of All Day. Lacey could be champion, but only a fool underestimates Asuka. Bianca wants to beat the best, and Asuka comes over to say congratulations! Bianca won, she did it! But that does not mean Bianca is ready for Asuka!
Girl, uh-uh! Bianca IS ready. But y’know who isn’t? LACEY~! These two are in agreement now, but Bianca says if Asuka hands business, they might be seeing each other more often. What will the women’s title scene look like after the Elimination Chamber PPV in two weeks?
Matt Riddle VS Keith Lee!
The Limitless Bros are facing off against each other 1v1 for the first time in WWE! They both want a shot at the WWE United States Champion, but Riddle’s had his turns. Will Keith win here to prove it’s his turn against Bobby Lashley?
Raw returns and Keith makes his entrance. MVP is on commentary to represent the Hurt Business’ interests in this match. MVP says Keith may be a kaiju, but Lashley is the king of kaiju. The bell rings and Riddle circles with Keith. They fist bump out of respect, then circle more. Riddle goes for an armbar takedown but Keith uses size and strength to stay up, then dead lift Riddle! Riddle tries to bring Keith down but Keith wags his finger! Keith brings Riddle up, Riddle lets go and gets away. The two nod and circle again. MVP says Lashley would’ve done much better, but Keith holds off Riddle’s leg takedown to then toss Riddle aside!
Riddle and Keith reset, circle again, and feel out a grapple. Riddle shoots in again, gets around and gets a sleeper! Keith stays up, reaches for ropes, but Riddle adds body scissors and squeezes tight! Keith scowls as he pries free and throws Riddle off! Riddle gets out of the ring to cool off and sort himself out, then he gets back in. Keith and Riddle circle again, tie up with knuckle locks, but Riddle shifts, only for Keith to block the throw. Riddle avoids Keith’s clothesline to fire off strikes, then he ROCKS Keith into a corner! Riddle goes side to side but gets caught! Keith holds tight but Riddle breaks free to fire off KICKS!
The ref counts, Riddle lets off at 4 and goes corner to corner. Keith POUNCES Riddle across the ring! Even MVP has to admit that was good. Cover, TWO! Keith keeps his cool and watches Riddle gets to a corner. Keith throws body shots now, but Riddle throws forearms back! Riddle CHOPS, Keith Lee GRIZZLY MAGNUMS! Keith hauls Riddle up, wrenches and whips corner to corner hard, and Riddle bounces off buckles! Keith stands and watches Riddle, but Riddle gets up to throw body shots. Riddle fires off haymakers and CHOPS, but Keith grabs Riddle by the head to DECK him with a left! Riddle grits his teeth as he gets back up to throw more hands on KEith!
Riddle CHOPS, forearms, but Keith blocks a kick to elbow and ROCK Riddle with a forearm! GERMAN SUPLEX, but Riddle land son his feet! Riddle spins Keith for the PELE! Keith wobbles but stays up in a corner., Riddle runs in to throw a forearm, runs side to side for another forearm! Riddle brings Keith up but Keith fights off the Brosploder. Keith shoves and GRIZZLY MAGNUMS again! Keith brings Riddle up, pops him up, but Riddle fights the Spirit Bomb off! Riddle goes up, FLYING KNEE! Keith falls over, Riddle covers, ONE?!? Riddle keeps moving and PENALTY KICKS! Riddle hurries to a corner, climbs up and leaps, FLOATING BRO!! Cover, TWO!?!?
MVP admits he is impressed by Keith Lee, and even Riddle’s resilience, but they’re still not Lashley. BROTON and then another BROTON, and then a third BROTON! Riddle is firing up and demands Keith get up! MVP doesn’t understand that logic. Keith blocks Final Flash to pop Riddle up again! Riddle still fights and gets the TRIANGLE HOLD! Keith stays standing, lifts Riddle but Riddle drags Keith down all the same! Keith powers up to short-bomb, but Riddle holds on! Riddle pulls harder, Keith powers up and MVP likes what he sees as Keith BUCKLE BOMBS Riddle! Riddle runs back in to FINAL FLASH again! Riddle runs again, but into the SPIRIT BOMB!! Cover, Keith wins!!
Winner: Keith Lee, by pinfall
MVP says he was entertained, and he looks forward to the fight that’s coming, but he knows Lashley will still win. Keith helps Riddle up, proving they’re still pals. But here comes Lashley to CLOBBER them both!! Riddle goes down but Keith stays up! And Keith is just as mad as Lashley is now. But Keith runs into the MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER!! MVP says THAT is power! The Chief Hurt Officer gets Riddle in another HURT LOCK!! Riddle is a rag doll all over again! Lashley throws Riddle away but Keith gets back up. Lashley RAMS Keith off the apron, then runs around the way to CLOBBER him! Lashley keeps on Keith and POSTS him!
Lashley tears steel steps apart and aims at Keith! BATTERING RAM!! Keith falls over the announce desk! MVP grins as Lashley stands on the desk. Lashley holds up the US Championship, but will he only come to regret what he just did?
Randy Orton speaks.
“Unfinished business. That’s what stands between you and I, Drew.” It is a fact McIntyre took the title from Orton, but it is a fact that at Elimination Chamber, Orton will take it back. Orton has done what he has to in order to get what he wants. The title means everything to him. Whether it is kicking legend sin the skull or RKO’ing anyone in his way, or even setting someone on fire, Orton alone lives with those actions! But those actions always end the unfinished business. Tonight, McIntyre will be reintroduced to the Legend Killer, and destiny will come calling again as Orton walks into WrestleMania THE WWE World Champion.
Tables Match: Lana w/ Naomi VS Nia Jax w/ Shayna Baszler!
Speaking of settling unfinished business by any means necessary, the Ravishing Russian looks to finally get payback against the Irresistible Force in the most poetic way possible! Will Lana finally be the one putting Nia through a table tonight?
Raw returns as Lana makes her entrance, Naomi by her side. The bell rings, Lana rushes at Nia but Nia shoves her away! Nia drags Lana up just to elbow her back down! Nia kicks Lana around and says Lana doesn’t understand the repercussions of her decisions. Nia brings Lana up for a LAST RIDE POWERBOMB! Nia grins at Naomi and taunts that this is going to be her tag partner for their eventual tag title match. Nia drags Lana up for another BOMB! Nia kicks Lana around for being an “idiot,” and then taunts Naomi for coming back just to team with Lana. Nia grabs Lana’s leg and drags her up for a STRETCH MUFFLER!
Lana can only endure as Nia thrashes her around, then SWINGS her into buckles!! Lana is dazed, Naomi tries to coach her up, but Nia grins as she watches Lana slowly sit up. Nia kicks Lana at the ropes, pushes her into the ropes, then drags her up and scoops her. Lana fights the lawn dart off, but Nia just gives her snake eyes instead! Nia drags Lana into position, runs, but Lana avoids the elbow drop! Lana BOOTS Nia back, ROUNDHOUSES her, then dodges in the corner! Nia hits buckles, and walks into the SWITCH KICK! Lana fires up with anger and she runs at Nia, only for Nia to run her over.
Nia talks more trash and she drags Lana up. “King Kong ain’t got s*** on me!” Nia drags Lana up, but Lana fights the bomb off with elbows! She uses the LANA RANA to throw Nia onto the apron! Naomi cheers Lana as she ROUNDHOUSES Nia again! And again! And again! Nia wobbles, Lana pries at the fingers! Lana gets one hand free but Nia uses the other to grab Lana for a HEADBUTT! Nia drags Lana to the apron and stands on her head! “This is what you wanted! Nia backs up, takes aim, but Lana avoids the apron leg drop! Nia clutches her tailbone, but she shoves the table over in anger. Lana runs out and RAMS Nia through a table!! LANA WINS!!
Winner: Lana
Naomi celebrates with Lana! Justice has been served! But then Shayna attacks Lana! So Naomi kicks and FLYING KICKS Shayna in return! The Glow has the Ravishing Russian’s back and now the bullies can’t get away with things! Will Naomi and Lana make the Queen of Spades #FeelTheGlow?
Naomi w/ Lana VS Shayna Baszler!
The Glow and the Queen of Spades throw down now on behalf of what happened to their tag partners! The bell rings, Naomi slides under the roundhouse, and then comes back to elbow Shayna! Naomi throws forearms, Shayna shoves Naomi but Naomi wrenches to get both arms for a double Sole Food! Shayna runs back in but Naomi hurdles, only for Shayna to get a leg. Shayna trips Naomi, and she PENALTY KICKS an arm out! Shayna hammerlocks that arm on the mat, but Naomi kips up to avoid the stomp! Shayna sweeps the legs, gets the arm, and STOMPS it after all! Lana looks on at Shayna twists Naomi’s wrist and drags her to the mat.
Shayna bends the arm around, but Naomi endures, so Shayna uses a foot to YANKS on the arm! Shayna keylocks the arm, Naomi endures again, and she kicks Shayna away! Naomi gets up, Shayna runs back over but the kick misses! Naomi dodges Shayna again to send her into buckles, then she rallies with dropkicks! Naomi dodges a clothesline to run and RANA! Shayna staggers into a corner, but she kicks Naomi away. Naomi SLAPS Shayna, then hits a RUNNIGN JAWBREAKER! Shayna is rocked, Lana cheers but Shayna reverse the whip. Naomi boots Shayna away, wheelbarrows, but into the KIRAFUDA! Naomi is caught, but she’s rolling around! ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts, Shayna glares at Lana but she lets go at 4. Naomi gasps, Lana coaches her up, but Shayna goes out to KICK Lana’s leg and KNEE her down! “Mind your own business and learn your place!” Shayna whips Lana into barriers! The ref counts but Shayna is back in at 7 of 10. But Naomi cradles her, to win!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall
Shayna got distracted by the wrong challenger and now the tag team champions have lost in a sweep! Will this be how it goes when it’s 2v2 for the Women’s Tag Team titles?
MORE BREAKING NEWS!
The United States Championship will be on the line at the Elimination Chamber PPV, but in a TRIPLE THREAT! Riddle and Keith both get their shots, but will either of them be able to stop the Rocky Mountain Machine?
Drew McIntyre VS Randy Orton!
The Scottish Warrior has four other foes to worry about in the Chamber, but right now he’s going to focus 100% of his body and mind on The Viper. The Viper has won Chambers, and has won titles, and looks to do both at the same time this year! Is tonight’s “unfinished business” only going to be the beginning of Orton’s return to glory? Or will one more Claymore derail those plans?
Raw returns once again, and McIntyre makes his entrance. The bell rings and these two circle. They tie up, go around on the ropes, in corners, and out of corners, but then back into a corner. McIntyre has control but Orton pushes him back and then tries for an RKO! McIntyre fights that off, but Orton bails out of the ring to avoid the Claymore! McIntyre tells Orton it was that close, but Orton takes his time returning. Orton gets in but McIntyre kicks him in the ropes! McIntyre drags Orton out along the ropes, but Orton avoids the draping DDT being stolen! Orton whips McIntyre to a corner but McIntyre bounces off buckles to CLOBBER Orton!
But here comes Sheamus! He runs right up to the ring, but stays out so that Orton can CLOBBER McIntyre! Orton has McIntyre on the apron and he POSTS him! And then POSTS him the other way! McIntyre falls to the floor and is furious that he let the Fella get the drop on him like that. Orton grins and Sheamus watches closely as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more as Orton clinches McIntyre but McIntyre fights free. McIntyre CHOPS Orton but Orton pokes McIntyre in the eye! Orton throws McIntyre out of the ring hard, and Orton bounces him off the announce desk. Orton then gives McIntyre the BACK SUPLEX to the desk! The ref counts, Orton puts McIntyre in and covers, TWO! Orton keeps on McIntyre with a chinlock and he grinds McIntyre down. McIntyre endures and fans rally on their ThunderDome screens. McIntyre fights his way up, pries the hold open, but Orton knees low! McIntyre kicks back, Orton throws haymakers but McIntyre returns them. They brawl, Orton goes to a corner and kicks again.
Orton throws EuroUppers, haymakers, but McIntyre turns them. Orton kicks, whips, but McIntyre reverses, only for Orton to kick him away. McIntyre dodges the clothesline to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre puts Orton in a corner to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly him again! Sheamus watches intensely as McIntyre stalks Orton for a leaping neckbreaker! McIntyre kips up and fires up! McIntyre kicks Orton, reels him in, but no Future Shock! Orton trips and jackknife bridges, TWO! Orton runs into a SPINEBUSTER! McIntyre jackknifes, TWO! McIntyre grows frustrated as he couldn’t get the right footing there. But McIntyre decides to go to a corner and go up top!
Orton throws hands to stop McIntyre, then he throws another EuroUpper! Orton throws more hands, climbs up to join McIntyre now, and hits a SUPERPLEX! Both men are down, Orton crawls to a cover, TWO! Orton grows frustrated now and he staggers up. Orton brings McIntyre up but McIntyre HEADBUTTS! The Glasgow Kiss rocks Orton but he throws McIntyre into ropes again. Orton kicks McIntyre, drags him out, DRAPING DDT! Both men are down again, but Orton rises first. Orton paces about, and he hears the voices in his head! McIntyre rises, but he shoves the RKO away to spin Orton around, FUTURE SHOCK!
Orton hurries to get away but McIntyre keeps his eyes locked on The Viper! Orton slowly rises, McIntyre grits his teeth, but in comes Sheamus! McIntyre senses it, the BROGUE hits Orton!!
Winner: Randy Orton, by disqualification
And McIntyre CLAYMORES Sheamus!! The Celtic Warrior may have handed the win to the Viper with that boot, but the Scottish Warrior gets even for last week! Will McIntyre stand tall above not only Orton and Sheamus, but Hardy, Styles and The Miz?
My Thoughts:
A very good episode of Raw, though not on the same level as last week’s. Raw opening with the Elimination Chamber announcement is a very subtle way of tying in what Paul Heyman told Adam Pearce on Talking Smack. I’m not entirely sure this is what Heyman wanted, though, but the possibility of facing five other opponents has only made Edge want to take more time to consider his options. I’m sure Heyman will give Pearce an earful about it on SmackDown. Pearce is being used to tie the stories together very well, and I wonder if Pearce will choose to stay only on Raw and let Sonya Deville handle Heyman on SmackDown because of all the pressure Heyman keeps putting on him.
It was good to see Edge and Bianca Belair on the show, but already something feels repetitive about it. Bianca said a lot of what she’s already been saying since winning the Women’s Rumble, but her bit with Asuka was really fun. Edge’s promo started off as a recap of the week and that was a bit boring, but I like that Miz came out and Edge tore into him about constantly overplaying his hand and giving things away. Titles or no titles, I almost want to see if a program of Edge VS Miz could help bring Miz back up from this comedy act he and Morrison have become. Speaking of, Morrison and Miz backing Angel Garza up was logical, but of course Priest wins again because he’s still building momentum. I wonder if Garza will stick with Miz and Morrison, though, since his ladies man gimmick is getting old.
Hardy VS Styles was a really good match, and Styles wins to build his momentum. I almost wonder if Hardy’s leg is played up and someone replaces him, but perhaps not. It’d be almost hilarious if Kofi Kingston gets to replace Hardy again and Ali just goes nuts over it. The tag match of New Day VS T-Bar & Slapjack was pretty good, and of course New Day wins. I like that Woods is continuing what he said on Raw Talk about wanting a co-ed match with “Reckoning” Mia Yim, but chances are, we’ll only get New Day VS Ali & Mace next, winners go after Raw Tag Team Championships. Either way it’d be a rematch as Hurt Business beat Retribution and then beat New Day.
Charlotte VS Lacey wasn’t a great match but there was a lot of good story progression. Ric is upset with Charlotte, Charlotte is upset with Ric, and Lacey is still the one benefitting, despite Charlotte not wanting that to happen. Asuka VS Lacey with Ric ringside will be better than without him ringside, but I would think Asuka still wins. I’m glad to see we saw the Tables match we should’ve seen at TLC with Lana and Nia, and Lana shoving Nia into a propped up table was a great way to end it. Naomi VS Shayna was a good match, even with Shayna going after Lana only to get caught as the ending. The tag title match will be pretty fun, but I am also pretty sure Shayna and Nia win.
Keith VS Riddle was a great match, definitely worthy of being seen as a contender’s match. Keith wins, but the irony is, what Lashley did to him and Riddle only puts him in a Triple Threat situation. Having Riddle or Keith get the win off the other and not Lashley would help Lashley stay strong in a loss, and then Fastlane or WrestleMania is the 1v1 rematch. In fact, I feel like that has to be how it goes or Lashley comes off almost too strong. McIntyre VS Orton was a very good match, and the context of the Chamber news makes it work out as more than just throwing them back together by default. It was also clever to use Sheamus to dirty up the finish and keep things even in the math.
Similarly to how the US Championship scene can go, I bet there is a way where McIntyre and Sheamus still have their 1v1 match at Fastlane, winner goes on to WrestleMania. Of course, Edge will have surely made a decision by then, so maybe by then we’ll know if it’ll be Edge VS McIntyre or Edge VS Roman, and something else will have been arranged for the champion Edge doesn’t choose.
My Score: 8.4/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The Hollywood A-Lister’s got his own nightmare before Christmas!
Christmas is just a few days away, but things aren’t merry and bright for Raw! The Miz must face his fears as he faces Dexter Lumis 1v1!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky; Iyo wins and advances to the next round.
- Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy; Gable wins.
- Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Damian Priest wins, by disqualification.
- The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; Lumis wins, by disqualification.
- Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre walks to gorilla.
The Scottish Terminator makes his way through the curtain and to the stage, and the fans have a mixed reaction as he goes to the ring. McIntyre grabs a mic, and he says, “After Hell in a Cell, I’ve never been so beat up in my entire life. 16 staples in my head, my back almost broken from landing on the steel steps. And I went home to Scotland. The reason I went home, and I haven’t really talked about it publicly, is because a very close family member passed away. Some people probably feeling sympathy right now. Some guys in the back are probably talking to each other, saying, ‘I didn’t know.’ Maybe if you cared enough, you would’ve asked.
“Over these past two months, guess how many people phoned me to check. Not how I was doing mentally but how I was doing physically after Hell in a Cell. ONE PERSON! These past 17 years, I’ve been led to believe we’re all a big happy family in the back. We’re brothers and sisters, we travel the world together, we spend more time with each other than with our actual families, but it’s all BS! My brother, John, in Scotland wouldn’t stab me in the back to take my spot, but people like Jimmy, Jey and Sami 100% would.” The fans boo that, then chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” McIntyre says that proves his point.
After watching everything The Bloodline did, Jey says he is a changed man. He does a cute hand sign, he says a made-up word, and the fans just forget about it and move on. That’s the other thing McIntyre realized: He has given and given and given all this time, and the fans turned on him for a guy who was gone for years and has told the WWE fans to go screw themselves! McIntyre was fighting for the fans, he thought they believed in him, so he believed in the fans! McIntyre bled out in the cell, and while he was gone, the fans instantly forgot him! The fans boo, that’s not true! But McIntyre says from now on, he gives no more for anybody!
McIntyre will take and take and he will tell the truth! The real villains are Roman Reigns and CM Punk! And if you choose to prop them up, as he already said, Jey, Jimmy & Sami, the things Roman did to you… Roman took a vacation, then simply snapped his fingers and they were by his side again! McIntyre suggests everyone who ever wronged McIntyre should sleep with one eye open. But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer and sing for Sami but Sami says hey, McIntyre is angry, he doesn’t have to believe Sami in place of believing everyone has ulterior motives. Sami doesn’t blame him.
But personally, man to man, Sami did not know what happened with McIntyre’s family. They figured he was recovering from one of the most vicious matches of all time. Sami thought that, all the guys ‘n’ girls in the back thought, and that’s all the fans thought. Believe that or not, fine, but Sami wants to level with McIntyre. Talk about 17 years, Sami has 22 years in this game. Sami’s been through what McIntyre’s been through. Sami’s had losses. Trust him. He has had losses he had to put on the side and go to work that week. The same sacrifices, from birthdays to weddings to funerals that he should’ve been at? Sami’s done it all.
Sami has put unnecessary stress on his wife, on his kid, and why? Because this is the life that they both chose! They are WWE SUPERSTARS! The fans cheer that! And as such, they are LUCKY to be WWE Superstars! And you think this is just your story or Sami’s story? Y’know who else has stories like this? Every single person sitting in the stands. Every single person at home! The kids who struggle at school, the adults who struggle at work, who struggle economically, physically, and they have their losses and sacrifices, but they still get up every day to do what they gotta do to soldier on, without pointing a finger at everyone else!
The fans fire up for that passion. Sami says McIntyre dares pointing a finger at the fans for forgetting him?! They didn’t forget, brother! They MADE McIntyre! And McIntyre still thinks the world revolves around him just because once upon a time, someone told him he was “The Chosen One.” But newsflash, just because you’re mad doesn’t make you special. And now McIntyre thinks everyone else is somehow tied to him? What Jimmy does has nothing to do with McIntyre. What Jey does has nothing to do with McIntyre! What SAMI does has nothing to do with McIntyre!
But McIntyre, if you want to still walk around all angry and pointing fingers at the fans, at Sami, at Jey, at Jimmy, at Punk, at Roman, and still be mad about The Bloodline, fine. No one is stopping McIntyre. But Sami has no problem being McIntyre’s problem and facing him in this ring right now! McIntyre says if Sami wants to know the truth… IT isn’t just anger. McIntyre’s anger comes from pain, and he doesn’t doubt what Sami just said. There was so much truth and passion, but it’s never the whole truth, is it? Sami has a way of spinning things. Because Sami can fly back home every week to his family. McIntyre is halfway across the world from his!
And no one here in Boston ever leaves Boston, they’re with their families 24/7! McIntyre doesn’t have that luxury! The fans boo that veiled insult, but McIntyre says he will remain calm and ask Sami why he wants this fight. They both know the result, we saw it time and time again, Sami has NEVER beaten McIntyre. So McIntyre suggests, given Sami isn’t 100%, and Sami’s wife and kid are here tonight… Sami should just walk back there, take their hands, and leave this arena. Of all those in the Bloodline, Sami is the least of McIntyre’s worries.
Sami says McIntyre is right about a couple things. When it comes to win-loss records, McIntyre has Sami’s number. And Sami is not 100%. Haven’t been since Saturday Night’s Main Event. And yes, the smart thing would be to just go home, celebrate and get healthy over the holidays. But Sami would so much rather do this. Sami fires hands! The fans fire up but McIntyre shoves Sami away. McIntyre swings, but gets caught! Sami lifts but McIntyre fights free, then GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! McIntyre takes aim, but here comes JEY USO! The fans fire up as Jey runs down the ramp, slides in, and then dodges McIntyre to SUPERKICK!
The fans fire up as Jey & Sami DOUBLE LARIAT McIntyre up and outta the ring! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with Jey & Sami Uso! Will the Scottish Terminator’s mission be ended when Sami and/or Jey shut him down?
Adam Pearce is met by Pure Fusion Collective.
The Raw General Manager asks Sonya Deville what he can do for her and she says not much. She knows how stressful this job can be since she once had it. She’s just here to make things easier. And how’s that? Well, Kairi Sane is not cleared to compete, there is an opening in the tournament, and Sonya wants it. Oh, is that so? Y’know, Sonya, that is a terrible idea. They caused this scenario so he’s just gonna reward them? Are they outta their minds? And zip it! Plus, he already filled that vacancy with Iyo Sky. Happy Holidays! PFC is upset by that since Iyo just lost to Liv Morgan, but will there be nothing to stop the Evil Genius now?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky!
Just as Pearce said, PFC taking out the Pirate Princess will not mean they get away with murder! The Queen of Harts and the Fire Keeper must now figure out how to handle this change to the program. Will Iyo redeem herself for losing Saturday Night’s Main Event by moving on to the next round?
Raw returns and Alba makes her entrance, Isla Dawn seeing her to the ramp, and then Natalya makes her entrance. The bell rings and Alba kicks Natty then ELBOWS Iyo! Alba whips but Natty reverses and Alba tumbles out of the ring! Iyo rolls Natty, TWO! Iyo whips, Natty dodges in the corner and gets Iyo up! REBOUND SIT-DOWN, and then Natty steps on Iyo, only for Alba to trip Natty up! Alba brings Natty out to send into steel steps! But then Iyo DIVES onto Alba! The fans fire up with Iyo and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Natty brawls with Abla. Alba knees low, but Iyo CROSBODIES them both down! The fans fire up and Iyo SHOTEIS Alba! And SHOTEIS her again! And then DROPKICKS her down! Iyo brings Alba around, whips, but Alba reverses. Iyo goes up and out, then blocks a shot to ROCK Alba! The fans fire up, Iyo spirnboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo handsprings up and the fans fire up again! Iyo gets the fans going, but Alba wrenches and facelocks, TORNADO DDT! Alba gets Iyo up again to GOURD BUSTER her onto Natty! Alba then rearranges them into the drop zone!
Alba goes up, the fans are torn, but Alba grins as she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover on Iyo, TWO! Cover on Natty, TWO! But into a KOJI KLUTCH! Natty endures, flails, fights around, but Alba holds on tight! Natty pushes, stacks Alba, TWO!! Natty has the legs! Alba flails now, but Iyo runs up! Natty trips Iyo onto Alba, and she has them both! Natty turns them both over, DOUBLE SHARPSHOOTER!! Iyo and Alba both flail, both claw at the mat, and Alba gets the ROPEBREAK! No disqualifications so Natty can hold on! But now Iyo drags herself under the ropes, and there’s no room left, so Natty has to let go!
Natty rises up and she stalks Iyo to the apron. Natty drags Iyo up but Iyo HOTSHOTS Natty! Natty staggers, rebounds, but Iyo jumps the baseball slide! Natty hits Alba down, and then Iyo PENALTY KICKS Natty! Iyo fires up and springboards, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on both targets and the fans fire up! Iyo hurries to get Natty up and into the ring, then she drags Natty into the drop zone. Iyo climbs, but Alba CLUBS Iyo first! Alba snarls as she climbs up, but Iyo holds onto ropes! Natty CLUBS Alba and she adds on! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX on Alba! But Iyo stays up top to go OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Iyo wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The Genius of the Sky moves on, ready to fly against The Morrigan! Will Iyo be able to get past Lyra Valkyria and head for the title?
Judgment Day sulks in the clubhouse.
Finn Balor tells JD McDonagh that he can’t believe this. This was supposed to be a Merry Christmas, Finn was supposed to be celebrating with two titles, and now he has none! Liv Morgan tells Raquel Rodriguez to tell Finn that the reason she suggested he stay away from Damian Priest is because she knew this would happen. Raquel starts to relay the message, but Finn has JD tell Liv that she’s got her own problems to worry about and to stay off his back. But then Liv tells Raquel to tell Finn that the reason she’s “on his back” is because he lost the tag titles. JD, tell Liv that Christmas is-
Dominik speaks up to stop the arguing. Christmas IS around the corner, and now they’re not even talking to each other? Dom says he’s gonna go talk with Pearce and get a match with Priest! Dom’s gonna step up for this family. Oh, Dom thinks he’s better than Finn? No, it’s not even like that. Dom has a plan. He’ll talk with Pearce then fill everyone in later. Dom heads out, JD prays for one week of no drama while it’s Christmas. Will Dirty Dom make sure The Punisher pays for screwing Finn & JD over? Or will Priest be given the gift of sending Dom South of Heaven?
Sami and Jey regroup backstage.
Sami can’t believe Jey didn’t text or call about the comeback. Jey says, “My bad.” But Sami says it’s fine, he’s happy Jey is back. And thanks for having his back out there tonight and every night, Sami appreciates Jey. Jey thanks Sami for that, and says you know he had to come back for payback. Jey is gonna handle business! Actually, Sami was kinda hoping he could handle McIntyre. Sami talked a big game, he’s gotta back it up. But Sami, you’re not even 100% tonight. Sami knows, but he started something so he has to finish it. Jey says alright. He’s got next! They secret handshake and Jey wishes Sami luck. Will Sami finally get a win on McIntyre in a Christmas miracle?
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy!
As “Master” Gable said last week, it was about time he settled things with his past. Will Gable prove to the world that he was always the reason the Alpha Academy was relevant? Or will he find out he can’t keep up with the Stamina Monster?
Raw returns and the #AlphaBabes make their entrance, showing off that new merch while they’re at it. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tozawa and Gable tie up, Gable wrenches and talks trash right to Tozawa’s face! Gable CHOPS Tozawa down, stands him up, CHOPS him down again, repeat! Gable whips and CLOBBERS Tozawa, then raises the fist. The fans boo more but Gable talks smack on Otis. Gable drags Tozawa up, suplexes, but Tozawa slips free! Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, and SPIN KCIKS! Gable goes to a corner and Tozawa puts him up! But Gable gets Tozawa for a HANGING ARMBAR!
Otis protests, the ref counts, and Gable lets off at 4. Gable says he didn’t break a rule, and Otis never learns. Gable SLAPS Otis, slides into the ring, but Tozawa victory rolls! TWO, but Tozawa SUPERKICKS Gable down! Tozawa rips the shirt off, goes up top, and SUPER SENTRONS onto knees! Gable saves himself and hauls Tozawa up to GERMAN SUPELX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES again! But he isn’t done, Gable spins Tozawa around, and POWERBOMBS him! ANKLE LOCK!! Tozawa flails but he’s so far from the ropes! Tozawa TAPS, Gable wins!
Winner: Chad Gable, by submission
But Gable won’t let go! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Gable just drops into a GRAPEVINE! So Otis storms in and he drags Gable off the leg! Otis TOSSES Gable! The fans are thunderous, but Team American Made steps up to support Gable. Gable says Otis never learns! But Otis’ hips are moving! He’s shaking, quaking, and the fans fire up, but American Made backs off. Will Gable finally fight Otis and put this beef to rest?
The New Day talks backstage.
They still don’t understand how everyone here doesn’t see things their way. But then Dirty Dom walks over, clapping with “New! Day Rocks!” Finally, someone who understands! Dom says he never liked Big E, but uh, no, what they did was crazy. Well, whatever, Broke Ass Tom Selleck! Dom says Tom Selleck wishes! Dirty Dom heads for gorilla, ready to fight for the Judgment Day. But will Dom go from “Broke Ass Tom Selleck” to just broken?
Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest!
Judgment Day’s history has always been a rocky one, but it has never been rockier than right now. Betraying Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest probably has a lot to do with it, but will Dom be able to smooth things over by taking Damian down? Or will Priest finally beat some sense into #LatinoCheat?
The bell rings and Dom bails right out! Dom dares Priest to come get him, but Priest says Dom needs to get back in the ring. Priest will even give him a free shot! Dom storms up to the apron, steps in, and takes that swing, but Priest blocks it! Then Priest BELL CLAPS Dom, DECKS him, then DECKS him again! Dom staggers around, Priest picks him up to SLAM DUNK! Dom staggers back up, into a torture rack! Priest bends Dom with the Argentine Backbreaker! Priest then THROWS Dom down and the fans fire up. Priest paces around, powers up his arm, and Dom rises. The fans rally and Priest runs, but Dom ducks a lariat!
Dom kicks, CLUBS and KICKS again! SUPERKICK! Then DROPKCIK! Priest staggers but Dom hurries to stalk behind him. Priest sits up first and glares at Dom. Dom panics, but he DUMPS Priest out! Dom builds speed to DIVE, but into Priest’s hands! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up and Priest drags Dom up to then POST him! Dom falls in a heap, but Priest puts Dom in the ring. Priest then notices a very suspicious Santa Claus. Priest snatches the beard away, and tada! It’s JD! Priest TOSSES JD and the fans cheer! JD wants mercy but Priest SLIDES him across the desk! The fans fire up as Wade narrowly avoids getting hit!
Priest then has a Spider Sense moment, and he looks under the ring! Carlito spits out his apple in surprise! Priest drags Carlito up and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! But then Finn attacks!
Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification
Finn fires hands, but Priest blocks the desk bump! Priest body shots and SMACKS Finn off the desk! And again, and again! Priest puts Finn in the ring, Dom runs up, but Priest DECKS him! Priest fires more hands on Finn, but the Judgment Day regroups! They mug Priest 4v1 as usual, and JD even drops elbows! The fans boo but the Judgment Day stand Priest up. WAIT! Here comes the War Raiders! Erik & Ivar fire hands on Dom & Carlito, and Priest TOSSES JD! Finn realizes he’s alone, and Priest SUPERKICKS him down! Priest stomps a mudhole into Finn, the Raiders put Carlito and Dom in the ring!
Ivar KNEES Carlito, then feeds him to Erik’s KNEE! The fans cheer, JD gets up, but Priest LARIATS him inside-out! Dom is fed to the WAR MACHINE!! Finn staggers up, but Priest grabs him! And Finn goes SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! The Judgment Day just got further embarrassed, and that’s not even considering JD’s Santa costume. Will the War Raiders be some unlikely allies for Priest in this ongoing war with the Judgment Day?
Sit-down interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond thanks The Visionary for taking this time to talk with her, and he says it is his pleasure. Jackie talked with CM Punk and heard what he had to say, what Punk believes, when it comes to Rollins’ hatred for Punk. And we have heard from Rollins, as well, but Jackie’s still just curious. What is the root cause, the driving force, of this disdain he clearly feels for CM Punk? Rollins says the thing is, he has tried to explain how he feels many times over the years, and it sort of… Well, he won’t say he’s talking into the wind, but Rollins just feels Punk has needed the WWE more than the WWE needed him.
And so that hypocrisy from Punk is what just eats at Rollins. It is hard for Rollins to let that go. Jackie mentions how Rollins has talked about getting rid of it by “cutting it out” and fighting through it, and how this fight with Punk has to happen as a catharsis. What does “cutting” Punk out look like? What should we expect from, not even so much a match, that doesn’t feel like the right word now. Rollins says it’ll be fight. That’s what we’re getting, no question. It is the biggest fight in their sport right now, and Rollins needs it now. After Survivor Series, seeing Punk hand-in-hand with Roman Reigns… Roman’s finger in the air, Punk doing the stupid Go To Sleep thing…
Rollins just wanted to throw the remote through his TV, he was so viscerally, internally destroyed. Rollins felt that was it, no more waiting. The world needs to see it. This is perfect. The Netflix debut, the world will be watching. But to answer the question, he doesn’t know what it’ll look like. You might see a side of Rollins that no one’s ever seen. No pun intended, it will be raw, visceral, violent. Rollins needs to exorcise this demon from his soul, he has to cut the cancer out of his brain, or he is going down. Then the only way to process the betrayal is to go through a fight, and we get that on January 6th, Raw in LA for Netflix.
Jackie thanks Rollins for the time and his honesty. Rollins says yeah, he can’t wait. Will Rollins truly #BurnItDown when it comes to fight CM Punk?
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis!
The Hollywood A-Lister has his own history with the man now turned buzzard, and things are only worse now that this is about the Final Testament and the Wyatt Sick6. Will Miz manage to bury the past once and for all? Or will he get no mercy from Lumis?
Raw returns as Miz waits. A message flashes, “I OPENED THE DOOR,” and then the lights go down. And from that mysterious door to the other side, out steps Lumis. He takes off the Mercy the Buzzard mask, then rushes the ring! Miz scrambles right out as Lumis slithers along the mat! The fans cheer Lumis on while Miz tentatively returns to the ring. The bell rings, Miz wants Lumis to hold on, but Lumis swings hands! Miz bobs ‘n’ weaves, then throws a punch! Lumis just glares at Miz! Miz runs away, Lumis gives chase, and they go around the outside, then back inside! Lumis drags Miz out of the ring to ROCK him!
Miz staggers, Lumis THROWS him into barriers! The fans cheer, Lumis ROCKS Miz again, and then Lumis SMACKS Miz off the apron! Lumis pushes Miz into the ring, Miz bails out, but Lumis goes out to the apron. CANNONBALL! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up. Lumis CLUBS Miz, stalks him, then puts him in the ring. Miz again asks for mercy, but then he tries a cheap kick! Lumis blocks and UPPERCUTS! Lumis scoops, Miz slips free and Miz BOOTS Lumis! Miz runs, but into a THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fast hands, then runs to AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up.
Miz breaks free to throat chop! The ref reprimands but Miz runs, only for Lumis to catch him! URENAGE! Lumis storms around, then goes looks to the corner. Lumis climbs, but wait, the Authors of Pain are here! So Lumis CANNONBALLS onto them! The fans fire up but Kross attacks!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by disqualification
The Final Testament beats Lumis up and puts him in the ring. Miz stands, confident now that he has reinforcements. Kross says they’ve got Lumis where they want him, but Lumis looks to the sky. Seems it’s the other way around! The lights go down, and when they come up, the rest of the Wyatts are here! They brawl with Final Testament and then send them running! Nikki wants uppies, and Erik Rowan pops her up to POWERBOMB her out onto The Final Testament! Nikki is all fired up as the Wyatts stand together! Will The Final Testament be the one buried and forgotten after all is said and done?
The War Raiders regroup backstage.
Erik & Ivar are fired up after getting the better of Judgment Day, and then Priest walks in. He says what’s up, and they give him some pushes and shoves of excitement. Priest says okay, okay, settle down. But that was good, and he appreciates the save. Ivar says hey, they’ve all known each other a long time. And while they haven’t always seen eye to eye, there has always been honor here. They may not be friends, but Priest had their backs in a big way last week and they don’t forget that. They owed him, they got him. Priest respects that. If the War Raiders are at war with the Judgment Day, then he’ll go to war with them.
They all fist bump, and Erik & Ivar say they like the sound of that. Could these three finally tear down Judgment Day once and for all?
The zero symbol returns…
And now it’s joined by a pentagram? What could these clues be leading to?
The New Day barges out to ringside.
And Kofi Kingston tells Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett on commentary that no no no no! You do not get to speak about them like that! Woods asks what is going on around here? What happened to unbiased journalism? How long has Tessitore even been with the WWE? Not that long, right? Certainly not long enough to know that his job is not to have an opinion but to tell the TRUTH like they have! But it seems in 2024, no one wants the truth! Certainly not these fans. Wade was sympathizing with E as well! Well that’s fine, because Wade and Big E have something in common. They’re not man enough to lace up their boots again and get in the ring!
The fans boo now but Kofi says speaking of getting back int he ring, allow the New Day to do that and continue to tell everyone what they were trying to tell people before. They did NOT put hands on Big E. They could have, laid him out here in the ring, stretchered out of the building again, but they didn’t! So why is everyone so upset!? The fans keep booing but Kofi says this was supposed to be a homecoming for Kofi, and for the woman he bought a plane ticket for to come all the way here to Boston from Ghana, and that is Kofi’s mom! Kofi’s mom is in the front row! Miss Elizabeth Kingston is here, but she doesn’t seem very amused.
Kofi says his mom sat in the middle seat for 20 HOURS, just to see Kofi, and the fans are ruining her experience! This is his mother! The woman who taught him how to be the man that he is today! She does not deserve to see her son get booed out of his own hometown! Woods says they gave the fans ten of the best years of their LIVES…! Kofi steps back outside to apologize to his mom for the fans. She does not deserve this. Kofi doesn’t understand why they’re doing this. Kofi wants a hug. Miss Elizabeth stands up, but she pushes Kofi! She’s upset with HIM, not the fans! Miss Elizabeth takes her coat and leaves! Kofi is confused, what’s this about?
Kofi calls after his mom but she tunes him out. Though, it might be hard to hear over the fans. Will it ever get through to the New Day that they are in the wrong?
The New Day regroups backstage.
And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Woods asks if he’s gonna pile on. Rey says no, it’s not like that. Rey thought about what they said last week, being a locker room leader and all. Rey definitely could’ve handled things better, so he’ll apologize to them. Rey just has the responsibility to help everyone as much as he can. So hey, what New Day did was out of pocket, all foul. And if they want to start fixing things, they can start by apologizing. Whoa, hold up. Them? Apologize to Rey and the locker room? No, they aren’t apologizing, because they didn’t do anything wrong! This is ridiculous!
Rey is just as bad as Big E and everyone else! Why not let Woods pop that mask off again so he can hear them better. New Day did nothing wrong. Rey says okay, fine, que pasa nada. Just don’t say he didn’t try. From this point on, New Day is on their own. And oh, get used to hearing this. “New! Day SUCKS!” With that, Rey takes his leave. After hearing that, will Kofi & Woods have anything but a Merry Christmas?
Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!
The Honorary Uce may have just lost to the Scottish Terminator at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but he isn’t going to give up the fight. Will Sami finally get a win over McIntyre as a Christmas miracle? Or will McIntyre ruin the holidays with a Claymore?
Raw returns and Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings and McIntyre kicks low! McIntyre fires hands, then CHOPS Sami in a corner! McIntyre ROCKS Sami, stands him up, and then CHOPS again! The fans are torn but McIntyre paces while Sami sits down. Sami rises up, and he avoids a chop to fire hands! The fans fire up as Sami CHOPS and fires more punches! The ref backs Sami off, but Sami comes back to stomp and punch! The fans rally behind “SAMI USO!” and Sami whips Mcintyre corner to corner. McIntyre reverses, Sami goes up, but McIntyre KICKS him out of the air!
McIntyre snarls and then he deadlift suplexes Sami! Sami writhes and clutches his back, but McIntyre storms over to him. McIntyre STMOPS Sami’s hands! Then he ROCKS Sami with a right! Sami goes to ropes but McIntyre CHOPS him again! The fans “WOO~!” as that chop echoes out! The fans rally for Sami but McIntyre grins. McIntyre whips but Sami KICKS him in return! Mcintyre comes back but Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but then Mcintyre moves so Sami Arabian Presses to land back inside. Sami smiles as he gets the better of McIntyre, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami is in the corner. McIntyre storms up to stomp away on him again! The ref backs McIntyre off but then McIntyre storms back up. McIntyre drag’s Sami up to the apron, and he suplexes Sami up and into the ring! Sami flounders to the ropes and the ref checks him. Sami says he’s still in this, so McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami CHOPS McIntyre! And CHOSP! And fires forearms! Sami whips, McIntyre reverses but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for McIntyre to tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and McIntyre grows annoyed. The fans rally up but Sami writhes form all the damage.
McIntyre stalks Sami to the ropes, eggs him on, and then whips him to ropes. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges again, and this time Sami tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sami and McIntyre both rise up, and McIntyre bails out. Sami storms up to ropes, grits his teeth, and he PLANCHAS! But McIntyre catches him! And then he aims for the desk! Sami fights free, and he DRIBBLES McIntyre off the desk! Sami backs off as the ring count climbs, but Sami goes back for McIntyre. McIntyre stops the step bump to SMACK Sami off the steps! McIntyre refreshes the ring count because he wants to do more damage!
McIntyre stalks Sami up the steps, then lifts him for an APRON BACKBREAKER!! Sami falls and writhes, and McIntyre has a manic look on his face as he watches Sami suffer, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Mcintyre has Sami in the Inverted Alabama Lift! INVERTED ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! McIntyre escapes and runs up, but Sami dodges! McIntyre POSTS himself! The fans fire up as McIntyre flops back, and Sami hurries to the corner! Sami climbs, but his back slows him down! McIntyre ROCKS Sami first! And then CHOPS him! McIntyre climbs up after Sami, fires some shots, then fireman’s carries Sami! SUPER WHITE NOISE! A shoutout to Sheamus and McIntyre covers, TWO!! The fans fire up while McIntyre grows frustrated. Sami stirs but McIntyre watches him closely.
The fans rally and McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami cradle counters! TWO! McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Sami falls and McIntyre snarls. McIntyre goes to a corner, and he takes aim at Sami. Here comes the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Sami LARIATS McIntyre! And then a clinch, EXPLODER into the corner! Sami goes to the other side and the fans fire up! Sami aims as McIntyre rises, but that back tightens up. Sami fights through the pain, gets running, but CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
That was perhaps the closest Sami’s come, but he was still so far away from victory over McIntyre. 3-0 in 2024, 10-0 overall, and McIntyre stands over Sami to rub it in. Sami is already dazed, but McIntyre rains down fists! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but McIntyre shoves the ref away to HAMMER Sami down! But here comes Jey, just like earlier tonight! Jey runs in, dodges again, and this time, SPEAR!! Jey has Mcintyre down, but now he goes up! But wait! TAMA TONGA SHOVES JEY OFF THE TOP!! Solo Sikoa & The Bloodline are here! McIntyre is just as surprised, but given the truce they called on Friday, McIntyre takes his leave.
The Bloodline beat down Sami & Jey, which McIntyre loves to see. Tama Tonga rains down fists on Main Event Jey in a corner, but the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Instead, Jacob Fatu gets running! But Jey dodges the hip attack! SUPERKICK for Tama! Jey fires haymakers on Jacob! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Solo steps in to swing, but Jey dodges! Jey ROCKS Solo! Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! The fans boo as the Samoan Werewolf gets all geeked up! Solo adds his SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo throws off his jacket, sits Jey back up, but Sami gets in! Sami fires hands, but Tama TACKLES Sami! Tama beats Sami down and fans boo again.
Solo tells Tama to set Sami up, and Tama stomps Sami into the corner. Jacob runs in, to HIP ATTACK! Jacob isn’t done, he puts Sami in the drop zone to go up, up and BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans boo but Solo adds on another SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo roars, then he and his Bloodline stand over the OGs. Jacob adorns Solo with the ula fala, will not even Roman Reigns be able to stop the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief? Will all of the WWE have no choice but to acknowledge Solo Sikoa?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here to build both the last Raw of 2024 and the first Raw of 2025, aka the Netflix debut. Rollins had a very good interview promo to add just a little more to things, but I feel like there’s little left that they need to say. Very good stuff with Judgment Day, such as the classic “X, can you tell Y…” gag from Finn and Liv. Dom thinking their plan to screw Priest over would work is hilarious, as was how it all fell apart. Priest gets the win from disqualification, but then great save from the War Raiders. Good promo from Priest and War Raiders, love the reference to ROH by saying “honor” there, and that’s a solid Six Man Tag right there.
Fun little bit from Pearce with Pure Fusion Collective, and of course Sonya thought she’d get a second chance, and of course Pearce uses real logic to say no way. Iyo Sky replacing Kairi Sane was announced last week on social media, so I guess Sonya didn’t check between shows. Great Triple Threat from Iyo, Alba and Natty, and of course Iyo won or else why put her in there? Iyo VS Lyra next round will be great stuff, as will Dakota Kai VS Zoey Stark, and whatever combination we get for the title match is going to be great. I don’t think we’ll get DMG CTRL VS DMG CTRL, so if Dakota wins, Iyo loses, and then vice-versa.
Great stuff with American Made and Alpha Academy, but of course Tozawa takes the loss. Otis standing up to Gable & The Creeds was a great moment, and I really hope we get Gable VS Otis for the big Netflix debut. Win or lose, Otis should definitely have a moment where he rallies through Gable and both Creeds, really get the crowd hot before the finish. Miz VS Lumis was good but could’ve been better. With only two hours, I guess they had to trim things down to the basics. Another disqualification finish tonight is a bit much, but I guess it keeps things going until we can come up with some kind of new 8 Man Tag, or even a really wild Mixed 10 Person match so Nikki and Scarlett can get involved legally.
Great stuff with New Day, from their interaction with Dom, then their “interrupting” the show to try and get their point across. It was great to have Mama Kingston there, and I just knew she would be disappointed in Kofi. Good promo with Rey, too, as Rey now leaves New Day out in the cold. I feel like we need a big tag team match to not only have Heel New Day show their stuff against like LWO, Alpha Academy, etcetera, and then they earn their way to a match with the War Raiders to revisit their feud, just with flipped Heel and Face dynamics. That could be some really good stuff as Raw on Netflix paves the road to WrestleMania 41.
And great stuff with McIntyre and the extended Bloodline. He and Sami had a great promo to again bring up family and sacrifice, but also how Roman’s OG Bloodline came back together without Roman ever changing a thing. Great brawls, great saves by Jey, and of course McIntyre won the match. Jey will of course get next, probably also for the Netflix debut, but good stuff with Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline showing up. They beat down Jey & Sami to send a message to Roman, who was obviously not going to be here tonight. There will surely be a response in part on SmackDown, but maybe more verbal than physical.
I feel like the “Transfer Window” will need to put all Bloodline members, old and new, on one brand so the story can be told all on one show. It’d just be easier while Jimmy’s foot is healing, because what can Roman do without backup against Solo, Tama & Jacob? And honestly, still waiting on when and where Hikuleo is going to show up. This is a good time to bring him in with Tonga Loa also hurt, so Solo can get the numbers edge on Roman again.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Hockey Talk- Winter (Classic) Is Coming [121724]
Hockey Talk looks at Alex Ovechkin's recovery and when he might be back. Plus, the Winter Classic fast approaches. Is...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Are Those Chiefs Uprights Regulation Size Or What?!
Jump on board as Andrew and PC run down the entire slate of action for week 15 in the NFL!
Hockey Talk- Igor Gets Paid! [121024]
Hockey Talk looks at a coaching change in Chicago, the Four Nations Tournament, and Igor Shesterkin laughing all the way...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Famous Jameis
As we head into the last week of byes on the NFL schedule, the gents run down their picks for...
Hockey Talk- A Bruins Loss, A Blues Gain [120324]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame, 16 years after his last game and...
Bandwagon Nerds #268: Seasons Geekings
Your favorite Nerds invite you to the greatest Holiday Party in the Nerdosphere! That plus a review of the first...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (12/18/24)
Majora speaks.
Bandwagon Nerds #267: I’ve Had 16 Holes Already!
The Nerds convene for an extended trip to the Trailer Park and discuss big casting decisions affecting the MCU and...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (12/12/24)
Dinner is served.
Bandwagon Nerds #266: Silver Age Supermen
The Nerds conclude their review of Game 7, plus the latest trailers and the official launch of the new DCU!
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/23/24)
The Raw Before Christmas!
Mitchell’s NJPW Road to Tokyo Dome Results & Report! (12/22/24)
Empire VS Emperor!
#TheOddity 023: Just Use A Baby Sock
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (12/21/24)
Merry Collision!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: The Saturday Night Wrasslin Show!
With Saturday Night's Main Event in our rear view mirror, we talk about the MAIN event.
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Brody King is on a Rampage!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Who's dreaming of a gold Christmas?
Mitchell’s ROH Final Battle Results & Report! (12/20/24)
Is this the end of the Forever Reign?
DWI Podcast Classic: Scrooge McBitch
As the snow falls, enjoy this holiday classic from 4 years ago!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (12/19/24)
One last stop before Final Battle!
