Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW 49th Anniversary Results & Report! (3/4/21)
Will there still be a Double Champion?
NJPW’s Anniversary kicks off the New Japan Cup!
After the year we wish never was, NJPW triumphantly celebrates their 49th anniversary! And to spice things up, there will be New Japan Cup matches, too! Who takes an early first step towards what is still the IWGP Heavyweight Championship?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 10 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taguchi Japan; Bullet Club wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Chaos; Chaos wins.
- 2021 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Jeff Cobb VS Satoshi Kojima; Cobb wins and advances.
- 2021 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins and advances.
- IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Double Championship: Kota Ibushi VS El Desperado; Ibushi wins and retains the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS Taguchi Japan!
Jay White leads his faction into battle, feeling pumped up after having dealt with the Stone Pitbull! But will #KingSwitch, the Bone Soldier, Crown Jewel, Fang Revived and King of Darkness be able to trump the Funky Weapon, FinJuice and HenarACE?
The Bullet Club Low Sweet, while Taguchi Japan low fist bumps. Fans cheer as the teams sort out, and Henare starts against White. They circle, fans rally up already, and then White asks Bullet Club if Henare is serious. Henare fires up, he and White tie up and Henare powers White to a corner. The ref calls for the break, Henare lets off but White pokes him in the eye! White kicks and throws haymakers then stomps Henare in the corner. White CHOPS, whips but Henare reverses. White slides out, plays a cat ‘n’ mouse, then tags in Kenta. Henare wants White to man up but White hides behind the other Bullet Club members.
Henare tags out to Juice and fans rally as Juice flips Kenta off. They circle, tie up, and Juice powers Kenta to ropes. The ref calls for the break Kenta turns things around and he pulls on Juice’s hair! The ref counts, Kenta lets off but he headlocks. Juice powers out, but Kenta pulls hair to reel him back in! Juice gets mad, throws body shots, and powers out. Things speed up, Juice hurdles but Kenta kicks him! And KICKS, and KICKS! Juice blocks the third kick to unleash “JUICE!” Jabs! Kenta throat chops before the Left Hand, but he runs into Juice’s atomic drop! Russian Leg Sweep and BIG senton! Cover, TWO!
Juice sees Dick creeping and spits at him. They talk trash, Tanahashi and Taguchi get in and they scoop slam Kenta! Taguchi Japan stomps away on Kenta! The ref reprimands, Bullet Club protests, and Tanahashi stays in and drags Kenta up. Tanahashi fires off strikes but runs into a cheap shot from White! Taguchi and Henare want in but the ref keeps them back. Kenta and White mug Tanahashi, and now Bullet Club stomps away on Tanahashi! The teams back off again, Kenta tags White in and White stomps Tanahashi’s legs. White stomps the left, then the right, then tags Evil. Evil drags Tanahashi up, reels him in and has the cobra twist! Bullet Club makes the chain to the railing!
Taguchi Japan protests as Tanahashi endures but Bullet Club gets away with it all! Evil lets Tanahashi go to cover him, TWO! Bullet Club protests the count but fans cheer. Chase tags in, fans rally with “LET’S GO, ACE!” but Chase YANKS Tanahashi’s leg! Tag to Ishimori and Bullet Club mugs Tanahashi more. Ishimori stomps Tanahashi, digs his boots in, but Tanahashi fires forearms back! Tanahashi hits every member of Bullet Club but Ishimori kicks low! Ishimori whips, Tanahashi reverses but Ishimori handsprings, but into Tanahashi’s waistlock! Ishimori fights free with elbows, kicks a leg, then runs but misses the dropkick! Tanahashi gets a leg for a GROUND DRAGON SCREW!
Both men are down and fans rally up, hot tags to Chase and David Finlay! Finlay rallies, Chase reverses the whip but Finlay uppercuts him down! Finlay blasts the Bullet Club corner then runs in at Chase to uppercut! Chase staggers, Finlay hops up and hits a flying uppercut! Cover, TWO! Fans rally again and Finlay drags Chase up. Chase fights off the Side Effect but Finlay dodges the knee! Chase bucks off the O’Conner to JEWEL TRIGGER! Tag to Evil, he drags Finlay up, but Finlay kicks. Evil blocks, hands the kick to the ref, but then Finlay blocks Evil’s kick! Finlay throws the foot down to hit a neckbreaker!
Fans fire up, hot tag to Taguchi and he unleashes his team! They go after the rest of Bullet Club as Taguchi climbs and leaps! But Evil catches him to EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, BULLET CLUB WINS!!
Winners: Bullet Club, by pinfall
Taguchi snatches defeat from the jaws of victory! White rubs it in that Evil wins, but will Bullet Club make such easy work of things in the New Japan Cup?
Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Chaos!
Sanada, Bushi and Shingo Takagi take on Kazuchika Okada, Sho and Tomohiro Ishii before they all jump into the New Japan Cup! Will LIJ get in the way of the Rainmaker rising back up? Or will Okada, High Voltage and the Stone Pitbull be leading the charge into the opening round?
The trios sort out, and Okada starts with the Dragon as a preview of their NJCUP match! Fans rally, “O-KA-DA!” “TA-KA-GI!” Okada and Takagi circle, tie up, and Okada manages to power Takagi to ropes. The ref calls for the ropebreak, Okada lets off, and fakes the chop to pat Takagi’s shoulder. Takagi forearms back! Takagi CLUBS Okada and stomps him down! Takagi drags Okada, CHOPS him, but Okada blocks the boot to give a boot! Okada bumps Takagi off buckles, throws elbows, then tags Ishii in. Takagi gets clear, and Ishii wants the Cold Skull! Takagi tags Sanada and fans rally with “SA-NA-DA!” “I-SHI-I!” They tie up, Sanada wrenches to a wristlock but Ishii throws body shots.
Ishii wrenches to a wristlock, Sanada wrenches back but Ishii throws a forearm! Ishii deflects the boot, swings a clothesline but Sanada gets to a waistlock. Ishii elbows out, swings into another waistlock, but Ishii switches, only for Sanada to elbow out. Sanada whips Ishii to a corner, runs in but Ishii dodges. Ishii runs back in but Sanada dodges! Sanada runs in but into a boot, only to boot back! Sanada swings into a waistlock, Ishii ducks the elbow to ROCK Sanada! Ishii runs, but Sanada hurdles, hurdles and dropkicks! Fans fire up and Sanada encourages them to get louder. Fans clap “SA-NA-DA!” as he brings Ishii up and uppercuts him.
Sho runs in, Sanada boots him, then boots him again! Sanada whips but Sho CLOBBERS Sanada! Bushi runs in, boots Sho but Sho elbows back. Sho runs, Bushi dodges and RANAS! Okada DECKS Bushi, Takagi runs Okada over! Takagi and Ishii ram each other over and over then go forehead to forehead. They throw forearms, Ishii whips but Takagi reverses. Bushi trips Ishii and Sanada basement dropkicks! LIJ goes after Chaos on the outside while Sanada stomps Ishii. Fans rally as Ishii eggs Sanada on. Sanada stomps him more but Ishii dares him to keep going. Sanada does keep going, tags Bushi, and Bushi takes his shirt off to choke Ishii with it!
The ref counts, Bushi hits a neckbreaker! Cover but Okada breaks it! Takagi throws Okada back out, Bushi tags Sanada. Bushi DECKS Sho, Sanada drags Ishii up and hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans still rally as Sanada drags Ishii up to a fireman’s carry. Ishii slips off, shoves Sanada but Sanada elbows back. Sanada Quebrada but Ishii gets under, only to run into the fireman’s carry! Sanada slings Ishii into a dragon suplex, but Ishii slips free! Ishii catches Sanada to a spin and suplex, but Sanada slips out to dragon sleeper! Ishii spins through to hit the suplex! Fans fire up as both men are down! Hot tags to Takagi and Okada!
Okada dodges to fire off forearms, whip but Takagi reverses, only for Okada to elbow him down! Okada fires up and he whips Takagi corner to corner. Okada elbows Takagi, kicks low and DDT’s! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, “O-KA-DA!” “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi and Okada throw forearms back and forth, faster and faster! Okada ROCKS Takagi, EuroUppers, and whips Takagi corner to corner. Takagi reverses, runs in but blocks the boot. Takagi eggs Okada on to push harder, but then he CLOBBERS Okada! Takagi whips corner to corner, hits another clothesline, then runs, into Okada’s catch! Okada has the MONEY CLIP!
Takagi slips free, arm-drags and elbows Okada to JAB and power up! Okada BOOTS Takagi down! Fans fire up as both men head for their corners again! Hot tag to Sho! Sho runs in at Takagi to clothesline! Sho whips, Takagi reverses but Sho reverses back to kick and kick and kick! But Takagi blocks to elbow the leg! Sho forearms, runs but Takagi clotheslines at ropes! Takagi runs and runs Sho over! Fans fire up, Takagi tags Bushi and he climbs up to missile dropkick! Bushirooni! Bushi dropkicks a leg, and SPIKES Sho with a DDT! Cover, TWO! Fans rally, Bushi drags Sho back up and reels him in to wrench and hook Sho up.
Sho resists the lift and Ishii runs in to run Bushi over! Sanada dropkicks Ishii, Okada BOOTS Sanada! Takagi blocks a boot to JAB and LARIAT! Fans rally up with “OI! OI! OI!” and LIJ whips Sho. Sho SPEARS Takagi down! Bushi clubs Sho, Sho avoids the Fisherman Screw and the enziguri to dead lift GERMAN SUPLEX! Fans fire up with Sho as he waits for Bushi to stand. Sho runs to LARIAT! Sho drags Bushi up, Okada is after Takagi on the outside, and Sho hits the SHOCK ARROW! Cover, Chaos wins!
Winners: Chaos, by pinfall
High Voltage is building up power! Will this help him build up towards the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship? Will Okada be ready for the Dragon in the first round?
Speaking of coming match-ups, Ishii and Sanada stare down, then start brawling with forearms and CHOPS! The ref breaks this up and the two part ways, for now. Will either of them be able to walk away from their coming confrontation in the Cup?
2021 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Jeff Cobb VS Satoshi Kojima!
The United Empire was shocked to have been beaten by the King of Cozy Style and Hiroyoshi Tenzan at Castle Attack! But the Hawaiian Hulk has a chance at redemption while also going for the gold! Will Cobb take Kojima on a Tour of the Islands before kicking him out of the tournament?
The bell rings and fans rally as Kojima and Cobb stare down. They slowly approach, tie up, and Cobb gets around to a waistlock. Kojima pries free, wrenches, but Cobb facelocks and cranks on the head! Kojima gets to ropes, Cobb lets off clean, but then gives Kojima a shove. Fans cheer as the two circle and tie up. Kojima headlocks, Cobb powers out but Kojima rams him with a shoulder. Cobb stays up so Kojima runs and rams him again. Cobb still stays up, and Kojima tries a third time. Kojima still can’t knock Cobb over, and Cobb kicks low to run. Kojima dodges, and finally runs Cobb over! But Cobb is right up to run Kojima over!
Cobb drags Kojima up, CLUBS him, and has Kojima in a corner. Cobb rams his shoulder, whips Kojima corner to corner then runs in but Kojima dodges! Kojima CHOPS, CHOPS, then fires off the machine gun CHOPS! Fans fire up, Kojima tops it off with one last CHOP, then whips Cobb again. Kojima runs in to forearm Cobb and throw him down! Kojima climbs up but Cobb clubs him first! Cobb lifts Kojima but Kojima slips off, only for Cobb to RAM him into the other corner! Cobb rams again and again, then reels Kojima in for a LARIAT! Fans rally for “KO-JI-MA!” as Cobb drags him back up. Cobb headbutts Kojima and Kojima flops down!
Cobb toys with Kojima, drags him back up, and DROPKICKS him down! Cobb takes his time with the cover, TWO! Fans rally up again but Cobb brings Kojima up to throw forearms. Kojima forearms back, Cobb returns the forearm, then knees low. Cobb whips, elbows Kojima down and covers, ONE! He covers again, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Cobb is angry with the ref but the ref says his count was fair. Cobb kicks Kojima to a corner, slaps him around, then CHOPS him! And CHOPS! Cobb unleashes his own machine gun CHOPS! Cobb pushes Kojima around, whips him corner to corner, then runs in to forearm smash!
Cobb rolls Kojima and heads up top!? But Kojima CLUBS him first! Kojima climbs up to join Cobb, fans rally up, but Cobb resists the superplex. Cobb throws body shots, Kojima headbutts him back! Kojima CLUBS Cobb, brings him up, and hits a SUPERPLEX! Fans fire up even more as Cobb writhes and Kojima rises! Kojima SHINING WIZARDS Cobb out of the ring! Fans fire up as Kojima takes aim and PLANCHAS?! But Cobb catches him, and KNEES him in the ribs over and over, to then SLAM him down! Fans fire up as Cobb gets back on the apron. Kojima sweeps the legs! Cobb hits the apron, Kojima gets up and fires up as he reels Cobb in! APRON DDT!
Cobb is stuck upside-down but then flops to the floor. The ref starts the ring count, but Kojima drags Cobb up at 6 of 20, and puts him in at 10 of 20! Kojima climbs up top, and hits the MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Cobb survives but Kojima just focuses his power. Kojima drags Cobb up to fire off forearms and a ROLLING ELBOW! Kick and DDT! Fans rally more as Kojima brings Cobb in for a cravat. Cobb powers out to thrash Kojima around and hit a GERMAN SUPLEX! Cobb and Kojima go to opposite corners, and Cobb runs in corner to corner, to hit the leaping back elbow! Kojima staggers into a scoop, and Cobb RAMS him into a corner!
Kojima avoids Oklahoma Stampede to COZY CUTTER! Fans fire up as Cobb slowly rises. Kojima is on him and brings him up to suplex! COZY BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Cobb still lives but Kojima isn’t done yet! Cobb blocks him from taking off the armband! Kojima throws haymakers, whips Cobb, but Cobb reverses to reel Kojima in, ATHLETIC PLEX! Gut wrench and POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Kojima survives and fans fire up again! Cobb grits his teeth, drags Kojima up and whips him, to scoop and TOUR- NO! Kojima slips out but his lariat is blocked! Cobb runs, into the LEFT LARIAT! Cover, TWO!
Kojima keeps his cool and he throws off the armband! Kojima runs but into a SUPERKICK! Kojima stays up but Cobb JABS him, and copies the armband toss, only to run into the COZY LARIAT! Fans are thunderous as Kojima powers up and runs, but into a TOUR OF THE ISLANDS!! Cover, Cobb wins!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
There was nothing cozy about that, but it was snug! Will Cobb continue on from here to conquer the Cup on behalf of the United Empire?
2021 New Japan Cup Opening Round: Tetsuya Naito VS Great-O-Khan!
The Uncontrollable Charisma couldn’t take back the IWGP Intercontinental Championship, and the Dominator couldn’t take the NEVER Openweight Championship for the glory of the United Empire! But will one of these two redeem themselves and head for the coming IWGP world title?
Khan is patient as Naito takes off his elaborate entrance attire, so Naito takes his time. Naito then mocks Khan’s pose and the bell rings. Fans rally as Naito and Khan slowly circle. Khan sits down to use a leg guard against Naito, but Naito keeps his distance. Khan corners Naito, but lets off as Red Shoes calls for the ropebreak. Khan whips Naito, Naito grabs ropes and boots Khan. Naito throws Khan out, builds speed, but then rolls and mocks Khan’s pose again! Fans cheer that and even Khan laughs at Naito’s bravado. Khan returns, Naito rushes him and kicks him low! Naito clubs Khan, snapmares and wraps on a chinlock.
Khan endures, Naito grinds him down more, and then pulls back on the chinlock. Khan fights up, Naito grinds harder, but Khan throws body shots. Naito grinds further still but Khan pulls hair! Naito CLUBS Khan and stomps him for that! Naito pulls Khan’s ponytail, CLUBS him, then runs, into a hip toss! Khan wants the katagatami! Naito scrambles around and gets the ropebreak with a foot! Red Shoes counts, Khan holds on until 4. Fans rally as Naito bails out but Khan pursues. Khan drags Naito up, SLAPS him on the back, then pursues him around the way. Khan CLUBS Naito and whips him HARD into railing! Naito flops over and Khan grins as he walks over.
Khan stands on Naito’s head, mockingly asks what’s wrong, then stomps Naito. Khan puts Naito in, covers, ONE! Fans rally up but Khan drags Naito around to a gut wrench. Khan suplexes Naito hard, then covers, TWO! Fans rally up, Khan taunts Naito and follows him to ropes, then drags him up. Khan puts Naito in the corner to CLUB him on the back, then Khan sits on Naito’s head! Khan laughs but Red Shoes counts. Khan stands up at 3, to pull Naito’s arms back! Red Shoes counts again, Khan hops off at 3 and brings Naito out of the corner. Khan taunts Naito and kicks him, then he talks trash to Naito’s fans. Fans rally up, Khan digs Naito’s face into his boot!
Naito fights up, throws body shots, but Khan knees low. Khan runs but into Naito’s shotgun boot! Both men are down but fans fire up! Naito rises first, brings Khan up by his ponytail and whips him to ropes. Naito elbows Khan down then basement dropkicks him! Naito whips Khan to a corner now, rocket kick and sweep, COMBINACION CABRON! Fans fire up as Naito does his pose, then mocks Khan’s pose! Khan gets up but Naito has his ponytail again. Naito brings Khan around but Khan fights out of the neckbreaker. Khan swings but into a spin for the neckbreaker! Cover, TWO! Fans rally as Naito drags Khan back up.
Naito cravats and cranks Khan’s neck, but Khan gets to a corner. Red Shoes calls for the break, Naito lets off to throw elbow after elbow in! Naito gets the cravat neck wrench again, but Khan throws body shots. Khan whips and BOOTS Naito inside-out! Both men are down again and fans rally! Khan slowly rises, Naito crawls, but Khan drags Naito up for Mongolian Chops! And more Mongolian Chops! Khan whips Naito to ropes, Naito leaps but is caught to a bearhug! Naito fights free, Khan knees low and whips, but Naito reverses to tornado, only for Khan to turn the DDT into a TOSS! Naito clutches his bad knee and Khan storms over.
Khan grabs the leg to stomp away on it, then YANK the leg! Naito crawls to a corner, fans rally up and Khan stalks Naito again. Khan drags Naito to the corner and ties up the legs around the post! Red Shoes reprimands and counts and Khan lets go at 4. Khan goes around the way to look under the ring, and he brings out a chair! Red Shoes tells Khan no but Khan pushes Red Shoes away, to SMACK Naito’s leg against the post! Naito flops down and Khan taunts the fans. Khan has the chair again, sits Naito up and brings him around to the ramp. Naito fights back but Khan clubs and kicks him down! Khan has the chair again, sits it up, and has Red Shoes move aside.
Khan laughs at Naito as he drags him over, has the leg, and gives him a SHIN BREAKER to the chair! Naito clutches the leg and Khan paces around as fans rally up. Khan pretends he can’t hear the fans so they get louder. Khan leaves Naito behind and waits as Red Shoes checks on Naito. Naito is okay to continue so the ring count starts. The count is 10 of 20 before Naito sits up with the bad leg. Naito still doesn’t get up until 15 of 20! Naito hobbles, but gets in at 19.99!! Khan is right after the bad legs with a modified deathlock! Naito grabs at Khan but Khan clamps harder with the iron claw on the bad knee! Khan drags Naito up for an IRON CLAW SLAM! Cover, TWO!!
Naito survives but Khan drags him around by the leg, for a CALF KILLER! Naito endures, fans rally but Khan thrashes the leg around! Naito powers up but Khan pulls back as far as he can! Naito starts to fade but Khan lets him go to clamp onto the knee with the claw. Khan drags Naito back up but Naito turns that into a SATELLITE DDT! Fans fire up as both men are down! Naito slowly rises, Khan drags himself up in the corner, but Naito manages to run in. Naito blocks Khan’s boot to throw back elbows! Naito stands Khan up with his ponytail to throw more elbows! Khan flops over, fans cheer, but Naito isn’t done there.
Naito drags Khan up by his ponytail again for more back elbows! And more back elbows! Naito hops up, reels Khan in, for ESPARANZA! Cover, TWO!! Fans rally up as Naito drags Khan back up. Naito reels Khan in for a hammerlock but Khan resists Gloria! Naito CLUBS Khan, pulls him up by the ponytail, then hammerlocks again. Khan still resists, clubs Naito in return, but Naito throws those back elbows again! Khan catches one for an atomic FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up as both men are down again. Khan drags Naito up and reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but he clutches his leg again. Khan grits his teeth as he gets up again.
Khan strikes his pose and clamps his claw onto Naito’s face! Khan drags Naito up but Naito throws back elbows. Khan claws Naito’s eyes! ELIMI- NO! Naito fights out but Khan kicks his legs out! Khan clamps on again, but still no Eliminator! Naito comes back to DESTINO!! Both men are down, fans are thunderous, and Naito rises! Naito drags Khan up, wrenches, but Khan elbows him. Naito throws more elbows back, wrenches, but Khan still elbows free. Khan kick the bad leg but Naito ENZIGURIS! Tilt-o-whirl but Khan blocks and throws Naito off! Naito elbows, Khan dodges the enziguri and LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but Khan gets the leg for a STANDING KNEEBAR!
Khan claws Naito’s face to keep him down but fans rally as Naito reaches for ropes! Khan shifts to get a TRUE KNEEBAR! Naito endures as Khan shouts at him! Khan clubs and CHOPS Naito, pulls the leg, but Naito refuses to quit! Naito grabs at Red Shoes but Khan gets the other leg and gator rolls around! FIGURE FOUR KNEEBAR!! Naito fights towards ropes as Khan thrashes about! Naito grabs Red Shoes, reaches again, but Khan keeps pulling on the legs! Naito rolls and rolls but Khan still holds on! Naito reaches, flails, fans are rallying as hard as they can, but Naito can only grab at Red Shoes! Red Shoes calls it, Khan wins!!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by referee stoppage (advances to the next round)
He’s won, but Khan won’t let go! Young Lions run in to pry Khan off Naito, but then Khan attacks the Young Lions! Khan STOMPS Naito’s bad leg, and mocks Naito’s pose! Khan talks trash right to Naito’s face then gives the bad leg one last stomp! Will Khan brutalize all of his opponents on the way to the finals?
IWGP Heavyweight & Intercontinental Double Championship: Kota Ibushi VS El Desperado!
Speaking of the coming IWGP world title, the Golden Star God could be the first man to hold that new belt. But that’s only if he gets past the Junior Heavyweight Double Champion! Will Ibushi ascend to a new level in NJPW history? Or will it be the Rogue Luchador holding more gold than any wrestler in the world today?
The introductions are made, Ibushi’s belts are raised, and a rematch from almost eight YEARS ago happens for even greater stakes!
Fans rally as Ibushi and Desperado stare down. They circle, feel out the grapple, and tie up. Desperado gets around to a waistlock but Ibushi backs into ropes. They honor the break, and fans cheer as the two reset. Fans rally for “I-BU-SHI!” as he and Desperado tie up. Ibushi gets a leg, brings Desperado down but Desperado facelocks. Ibushi slips to a waistlock, Desperado switches, but Ibushi has his arm. Desperado tries to get free but Ibushi rolls and wrenches to a wristlock. Desperado reaches for ropes but Ibushi keeps him away. Desperado rolls, spins and wrenches back, and fans cheer the technical exchange. Ibushi rolls, trips Desperado and gets a toehold.
Desperado tries to hold him off with forearms, but Ibushi shifts inside the leg guard. Ibushi goes for a lateral press but Desperado slips right out to facelock and snapmare. Ibushi avoids the lateral press, Desperado still facelocks then waistlocks. Ibushi pries free, wrenches, wristlocks then hammerlocks. Desperado works on his reversal, he drops and rolls and gets the wristlock back. Fans cheer this exchange as Desperado hammerlocks. Ibushi elbows then drop toeholds, then floats to a chinlock. Desperado rolls to slip out the back and get the hammerlock back. Ibushi stands, slips out to hammerlock, but Desperado steps through the ropes then back in to wrap Ibushi’s arm on the ropes.
Red Shoes reprimands and counts, Desperado kicks the rope to jam the arm! Ibushi fires forearms back, then eggs Desperado on. Desperado roars and shows haymaker but stomps Ibushi’s foot! Desperado runs but into a KICK! Ibushi sees Desperado bail out and fans rally up. Ibushi goes out after Desperado, drags him up and whips him into railing! Desperado sputters as he slumps down, but Ibushi brings him back up. Ibushi puts Desperado in, but Desperado goes to scoop him! Ibushi CLUBS Desperado down, scoops him and SLAMS him down! Cover, ONE!! Ibushi keeps on Desperado with another chinlock.
Fans rally, Desperado endures, throws clubbing shots up at Ibushi but Ibushi shifts to a headscissor necklock. Desperado endures, moves around, kicks his way around but Ibushi gets the leg for a cover! TWO, and Desperado scrambles to ropes. Ibushi stands on Desperado at the ropes, Yoshinobu Kanemaru & Taichi are there to protest on Desperado’s behalf, so Ibushi lets off. Desperado glares up at Ibushi defiantly so Ibushi stands him up to forearm! Desperado forearms back but Ibushi eggs him on. Desperado throws more and more forearms but Ibushi says he needs ot hit harder! Desperado does, but Ibushi BOOTS him right down! Cover, ONE!!
Fans rally as Ibushi KICKS and KICKS and KICKS Desperado around! Desperado ends up in a corner, fans rally and he comes back with forearms! Ibushi still eggs Desperado on, so Desperado keeps hitting him! Desperado forearms over and over, but Ibushi BOOTS him again! Desperado comes back with forearms, Ibushi just leans into them! Ibushi backs Desperado down that way then BOOTS him to the corner! Ibushi drags Desperado up, whips him corner to corner, but Desperado reverses and runs in. Desperado blocks Ibushi’s boot, puts it on the ropes, then dropkicks the other leg! Fans cheer as Desperado gets the leg for a DRAGON SCREW! Ibushi falls over and fans rally up again.
Ibushi grits his teeth as he crawls but Desperado is after the bad leg! STRETCH MUFFLER! Ibushi gets the ropebreak, Red Shoes counts as Desperado thrashes, but Desperado still lets go at 3. Fans rally as Ibushi clutches the leg. Desperado stomps the leg, but Ibushi glares back at him! Desperado stomps the leg, reels Ibushi in, but no Guitarra as Ibushi gets free! Ibushi’s leg jams, Desperado runs, but into the POWERSLAM! Ibushi somersaults to the corner but Desperado dropkicks him out! Ibushi hits the floor and fans fire up! Desperado watches Ibushi on the outside, takes aim and builds speed, to DIVE! The somersault tope hits!
Fans fire up more as Desperado drags Ibushi up and into the ring! Desperado reels Ibushi in, GUITARRA DE ANGEL! Cover, TWO! Ibushi survives and Desperado grows frustrated but the fans fire up again. Desperado stands, stomps Ibushi’s bad leg, but Ibushi eggs him on. Desperado grabs the legs, Ibushi kicks him but Desperado stomps the leg again. Desperado drops knees on the knee! Desperado grabs the leg, steps through but Ibushi BOOTS him away! Ibushi slowly rises, and avoids Desperado’s basement dropkick to DOUBLE STOMP him down! Fans fire up while both men are down! Ibushi gets up and kicks Desperado.
Desperado sits up so Ibushi gives him toying kicks and fast palm strikes! Desperado wobbles but he forearms back. Ibushi forearms, Desperado rolls him up, to get the STRETCH MUFFLER! Fans fire up as Ibushi endures again! Desperado gets the arm for NUMERO DOS! Ibushi reaches with his free arm, moves around but Desperado drags him away from ropes! Desperado pulls as hard as he can on the hold but Ibushi fights his way around to the ropebreak! Desperado lets go mostly out of his own exhaustion and fans rally again. Desperado looms over Ibushi, drags him up, and reels him in to underhook the arms. Ibushi resists the lift, powers up and has Desperado tucked in!
Desperado fights desperately and avoid the Bastard Driver! Fans fire up as Ibushi hobbles up and Desperado runs in, but into another DOUBLE STOMPS! Ibushi still counters Desperado but the damage to his leg makes that a little more double-edged! Ibushi rises and he kicks at Desperado again. Desperado talks trash as he gets up but Ibushi kicks him. Desperado CHOPS, Ibushi forearms, repeat! CHOP, forearm, but then Desperado kicks the bad leg! Ibushi ROCKS Desperado, KICKS him in the chest, but Desperado eggs him on! Ibushi KICKS again! Desperado gets forehead to forehead with Ibushi but Ibushi fires off a strike fest!
Desperado blocks the kick to GUITARRA DE LA MUERTE! Cover, TWO! Desperado hurries right to a corner and climbs up! FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Kanemaru & Taichi coach Desperado and fans are thunderous! Desperado drags Ibushi up, underhooks the arms, but again Ibushi blocks! Ibushi powers against the underhooks but Desperado knees low. Ibushi back kicks, dodges Desperado’s straight right to SHOTEI! And V-TRIGGER! KENNY~! But then ROUNDHOUSE meets LOCO MONO!! Fans are thunderous as both men go down!! Ibushi stirs but Desperado stands first. Desperado fires up, the fans respond and he drags Ibushi up. Underhooks for PINCHE-
NO! Ibushi fights out to wrench and LARIAT! Ibushi fires up and fans respond in kind! Ibushi gets Desperado up, reels him in, and lifts, for a LAST RIDE!! Cover, TWO!! Desperado lives but Ibushi vows to end it! Ibushi grits his teeth, gets Desperado’s wrists and sits him up. Desperado wrenches through to ES EL CULERO! Cover, TWO!!! ROUNDHOUSE from Ibushi hits clean! Ibushi sits Desperado up again, KAMI- NO! ROLL UP, but to the STRETCH MUFFLER!! And he puts it on tight! Then gets NUMERO DOS SUPREME! Ibushi endures but he is caught! Desperado holds on as hard as he can but Ibushi refuses to give in!
Ibushi pries an arm free, reaches, but Desperado rolls him from ropes! Ibushi make sit a cover, TWO!! KAMIGOYE!!! Cover, TWO!??!?! Ibushi can’t believe Desperado still lives! Ibushi gets the wrists again, for ANOTHER KAMIGOYE!!! Cover, Ibushi wins!!
Winner: Kota Ibushi, by pinfall (still IWGP Double Champion)
Desperado showed Ibushi he is a “different animal” from eight years ago, but it wasn’t enough to end the Golden Star God’s run! Can anyone stop Ibushi from being THE champion in NJPW?! But Ibushi is a gracious champion, and he shows respect to the Rogue Luchador. Desperado shows it back and they shake hands! Will Desperado at least continue on to define the Junior Heavyweight Division?
After catching his breath and having both belts presented back to him, Ibushi gets the mic. “This wasn’t about proving who’s the strongest between heavyweights and junior heavyweights. Desperado, oi. Thank you.” Fans cheer the respect Ibushi shows, but Ibushi says there are so many great wrestlers in the Junior Heavyweight Division. Ibushi is up for taking on any challenger and he truly means that. Ibushi won’t change his mind. “When these two titles are unified, I’ll show what awaits.” And then he asks Hiroshi Tanahshi and Jushin Liger for their blessing.
Ibushi will truly take on any challenge from anyone. When these titles are unified, he will take them “to the highest global stage.” Fans cheer that idea as Ibushi again says he will never betray them, never quit and never lose. Ibushi thanks the fans, and drops as he drops to his knees as he drops the mic. Will Ibushi help NJPW reach the world once he is truly THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great event right here, especially to kick off the New Japan Cup. Apologies to Suzuki-Gun fans, I seem to keep skipping their matches because they’re always beating up Young Lions. However, I am surprised, Suzuki-Gun lost and Douki takes the pin from Hirooki Goto. Though, I’m not surprised that Douki lost it for them, that is his role. The 10 Man was ridiculous because Taguchi gets in just to lose it for his team. I have a feeling that will feed right into Evil’s first match in the NJCUP, since he has a bye into the next round starting on 3/11/21. The Six Man was a lot of fun, too, and it was big for Sho to get the win since he’s not in the tournament. He can move up and challenge Desperado for the Junior Heavyweight Championship while Hiromu is hurt.
Speaking of the tournament, the first matches tonight were both great stuff. It just seemed natural for Cobb to beat Kojima, but it was quite the surprise for Khan to win. Naito’s struggles as of late would’ve made it seem like he was going to overcome, but now he’s on a different path. We could end up with Empire VS Empire but it’s likely Evil beats Cobb next round to take Khan on in the round after that.
Then we get an incredible match out of Ibushi VS Desperado. Of course Ibushi wins, Desperado can’t have five belts on him right now (he holds onto Kanemaru’s tag belt just cuz) and Ibushi really could lead NJPW into a new era where Heavyweight & Intercontinental titles fuse their lineage into the new IWGP WHC. With bonds building between NJPW, AEW and other companies, it would work out so amazingly well if Ibushi was top champion and Kenny Omega is still AEW World Champion for them to clash as truly two of the best in the world.
My Score: 9.2/10
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!
Is La Mera Mera still the best luchadora?
Thunder Rosa already whooped “Thunder Harley” on Dia de Los Muertos, but will she feel the wrath of “Harley-gram?”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS Katsuyori Shibata, Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada 2.0; win(s).
- The Beast Mortos VS Serpentico; wins.
- Hechicero VS Komander; wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Harley Cameron; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
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 battlelines have been drawn!
To defy Solo Sikoa’s tyranny, Paul Heyman returned to bring Roman Reigns a wild card: C M PUNK! Will WarGames end the Bloodline Civil War?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae; Rhea, Bianca, Naomi, Iyo & Bayley win.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser; Bron wins and retains the title.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest; Gunther wins and retains the title.
- Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed; Roman, Jey, Jimmy, Sami & Punk win.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Countdown to Survivor Series!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action that’s about to heat up chilly Vancouver, British Columbia!
Backstage interview with Imperium.
Cathy Kelley is with both Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser ahead of their title matches tonight. Many are wondering where Der Ring General’s confidence is at going into this match with Damian Priest. Gunther says, “Confidence. Well, it’s up to me to deal with him.” As for Kaiser, he’s in the Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship! That is just what Gunther was talking about in having to do better. Yes, well, Cathy says Gunther has given Kaiser quite a few pep talks. How will that help him tonight? Kaiser says tonight is a special night for them both, but especially for the Intercontinental Championship.
Ever since Gunther lost the title, that title lost all its prestige they worked hard for! And there is only one man who can restore the honor and the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship, and that is Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther says enough said. Imperium heads out, will they both soon reign over Monday Night Raw?
Sheamus arrives backstage.
“Vancouver, are you ready for a banger?!”
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Jackie Redmond is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew as he sports a Scott Steiner shirt, and brings up the Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat. He could lose the title without losing the match. Yes, an interesting match to be sure. Bron has had a whole week to reflect the job in front of him. He has to respect Kaiser for going out and making a name on his own. And he respects Sheamus, who doesn’t? A former world champion, a future Hall of Famer to be sure. But Bron is not the champion that we should be trying to have an experimental thing like seeing if you can do this on your own or without a tag team.
Anyone else would be a better choice. Kaiser’s game plan is obvious: he’ll sewer rat around to steal the title. And Sheamus, wow… He’s feeding into some false hope because he reads the internet like a nerd! Sheamus hasn’t won the IC title so that’s just a given? Bron played for the Ravens, they didn’t win a Super Bowl while he was there, but after he left, should he get one for participation? NO! Take it back to retirement home, old man! This isn’t Saturday Night Bingo, this is Bron at Survivor Series! The dogs are barking in Vancouver! Bron is fired up, will he need to be even more badass than usual when facing two opponents?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
The second longest-running premium event for WWE behind only WrestleMania, and Jackie is so glad to finally have this one in Vancouver. And now, we flashback to 1987, when WWE told cable operators that if they wanted WrestleMania back, they needed to air the first-ever Survivor Series, and NOT Starrcade. Such a cutthroat business is only matched by cutthroat wrestling families. Be ready for Bloodline: Civil War here in British Columbia!
Backstage interview with William Regal.
Cathy is with the Gentleman Villain, and says there is a lot of history of them talking about WarGames. Can he say what is so special about tonight? Regal says he was in WarGames 1993, but he never really got in the match. He always wanted to be because it is the ultimate form of combat. The victors leave and look back knowing they accomplished the greatest thing they could, and that is completely tear apart another team that stood in front of them. And yes, there is history of them in NXT with WarGames, great to see her again. Cathy agrees, it is a brutal match, and we’re just minutes away. Could Regal do the honors?
Regal works up the energy for it, it has been a minute. Cue him up. We’re here for Survivor Series… “WARGAMES!!” Cathy loves to hear it. But who will be the victors that dominate their enemies inside the double cage?
Singing the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada is Vancouver’s own, Elizabeth Irving!
Tonight, step into a world where nothing is as it seems.
A funkadelic cover of War Pigs plays as armies gather in death’s construction. Because “ladies and gentlemen…! There’s no way to do WarGames 4 versus 5.” No holds barred, no telling what will happen. Tonight, surviving is just the beginning. This is Survivor Series WARGAMES!
Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae!
Common enemies make for unlikely allies, and now its time for WAR! Will Mami, The EST, The Glow, The Evil Genius and late addition Role Model eradicate the opposition? Or will the team stacked with gold be stacking bodies for the holidays?
After everyone on “Team Rhea” makes their entrance, the team sorts out. Bayley says she’s got this, and she heads to the ring while the others stay in the shark cage. Then everyone for “Team Liv” makes their entrance, and Nia steps up, perhaps wanting payback for Bayley helping Bianca on Monday. The bell rings and Nia DECKS Bayley! We’re on the clock with five minutes before reinforcements can be sent. Nia soaks up heat, shoves Bayley, but Bayley dodges! Bayley bobs ‘n’ weaves, RAMS Nia, then fires off hands! Bayley whips, Nia blocks, and Nia whips Bayley. Bayley ducks ‘n’ dodges to ROCK Nia!
Bayley keeps moving and hse ROCKS Nia again! Bayley runs but Nia scoops! Bayley slips free, BOOTS Nia from a corner, then storms back up. But Nia grabs Bayley with both hands! Bayley breaks free, headlocks, but Nia powers out. Bayley stops from hitting cage, but Nia backdrops! Bayley sunset flips, avoids stomps, but Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley to a corner. Nia runs up but Bayley dodges! Bayley is in the gap, and she eggs Nia on! Nia steps in but Bayley catches her for a HOTSHOT STUNNER! The fans fire up and Bayley storms up on Nia. Bayley fires hands, then gets space. But Nia DUMPS her to the second ring!
Bayley hops back in and she RAMS Nia into the post! Nia pushes back, ELBOWS Bayley, and Bayley falls into the second ring. Nia storms in, her team cheering her on but Vancouver solidly behind Bayley. Nia is annoyed, and she whips Bayley to a corner. Bayley goes up and up, but Nia yanks her back down! Bayley fights the fireman’s carry and HAMMERs away! The fans fire up, and Bayley ROCKS Nia! Bayley knuckle locks, then goes up and up again! Bayley uses the cage to balance, and she FLYING RANAS Nia away! The fans fire up and Bayley undoes her arm, well, armor. Bayley uses it to LASH Nia! And again! And again!
Nia blocks the next shot and she SLINGS Bayley away! Nia LASHES Bayley with her own attire! The fans boo but Nia LASHES Bayley again! Bayley hauls Nia up, TOSSES her to the gap, an then she rubs the armband on her booty! Nia then runs up to HIP ATTACK Bayley! Bayley flounders but she still has to wait one more minute before help arrives. Nia storms in, and she whips Bayley, only for Bayley to reverse! Nia hits steel, and then Bayley KNEES her down! Bayley keeps moving, but Nia BODY CHECKS her! The fans boo but Nia soaks it up. Thirty seconds left and Nia stands Bayley up. Nia TOSSES Bayley into the wall!
Bayley sputters but Nia runs in, HIP ATTACK against the steel!! Ten seconds and the fans count down! Team Rhea sends Naomi! Naomi has a party hat but she’s ready to fight! And she brings out goodies from under the ring! Is that a toilet seat? And also a brightly colored kendo stick! Naomi SMACKS away on Nia, treating her like a pinata! But this pinata can hit back! But Naomi hops around for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Naomi into buckles! Nia runs back in, Naomi goes up and she stomps away on Nia’s back! Naomi leaps, then kicks low! Naomi whips but Nia reverses. Naomi slides under, then mule kicks!
The fans fire up as Naomi runs, FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Naomi calls to Bayley. Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Fans cheer “Happy Birthday!” for Naomi but we have 90 seconds until Nia gets reinforcements. Bayley & Naomi DROPKICK SANDWICH Nia! And then Naomi has the kendo stick! But Nia blocks! Nia has the stick and she SMACKS away on Naomi and Bayley both! The fans boo, but Nia finds that toilet seat! Nia grins and puts the seat around Naomi’s neck! Nia gets space, but Bayley SMACKS her with the stick! The fans fire up as Naomi JAMS Nia with the seat! And whips her into the corner!
Bayley hands the seat over, Naomi puts that around Nia, and she gives Nia a STINK FACE! Then a mule kick! Bayley & Naomi drag Nia up, but Nia DOUBLE HEADBUTTS them! Nia runs, ten seconds left, and Nia breaks the double lariat, only to run into a DOUBLE BACKDROP! Here comes- Candice?! She shoves Tiff aside to hurry down to the ring! The Poison Pixie grabs chairs and slides them in for Nia. This is Candice kissing up to the Queen of the Ring, and Nia appreciates it. Nia SMACKS Bayley, SMACKS Naomi, repeat! Candice steps in, picks up a chair for herself, and they swing! Naomi & Bayley dodge!
Naomi & Bayley fire forearms on Nia and Candice, then they wedge Nia into a corner with one! Candice runs up to CLOBBER Bayley! And she ROCKS Naomi! Nia RAMS Naomi with the chair! The fans boo as Candice sits a chair up. Another 90 seconds left on the clock as Candice uses the chair to go up, CODE BREAKER SENTON COMBO! Candice tosses the chairs aside into the second ring, and Nia TOSSES Naomi over to join her. Candice sets the chairs up together while Nia thrashes Bayley around. Candice CLUBS Naomi, then brings her to the chair bridge. Naomi SMACKS Candice off her own contraption!
Bayley RAMS Nia into a corner, then makes sure the chairs are in place. Naomi brings Candice over, but Nia CLOBBERS Bayley! Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner, and now Nia scoops Bayley! Nia sets Bayley in the chair structure, and Candice LIONSAULTS! The countdown is back, and Rhea’s team sends Bianca! The fans fire up as The EST runs down and looks for something to bring to the party. She finds a trash can! And she CHUCKS it at Nia! Nia falls, Candice runs up, but Bianca SLAMS the door on her! Bianca then brings up a fire extinguisher! Bianca puts that in, but she wants more!
Vancouver wants it and Bianca finds it, it’s a TABLE! Bianca powers that table into the cage, Naomi helping her, and Bianca goes for more. Wait, Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner using the table! Bianca has a chair to SMACK Candice! Bianca whips Candice into a corner, runs up, but Candice ELBOWS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca catches her! And fights the poison-rana! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM! Candice hits buckles and falls back! Nia grabs Bianca’s Cahir, puts Bianca in a corner, but Bianca elbows free! Bianca goes up, and BACKFLIPS with the chair! Pass to Nia, DROPKICK into the chair!
Nia staggers back, Bianca kips up, and the fans fire up! Bianca and Naomi hurry to have Nia in a corner, and they mug Nia with fists! The fans count along, Naomi adds kicks, and they go to 12! Nia sits down, Bayley keeps on Candice, and Bayley has Candice in the second ring. Bianca has a chair and wedges it into Nia. The countdown is back, Naomi DROPKICKS the chair into Nia! Bayley drops elbows on Candice, but here comes Tiffany! It’s her time, and she makes sure to get her own trash can, and its lid! Tiffy puts those in the ring, Bianca notices, and she backflips over Tiff! Tiff still SMACKS Bianca with the lid!
LID SHOT for Naomi, and then a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Tiff says it’s her time, and she handsprings to ELBOW Bianca in the corner! Bayley runs up but Tiff trips her! CATAPULT into Nia’s LARIAT! Nia & Tiff high-five, and the fans are torn about Tiff turning the tide. They send Bianca and Naomi into each other while Candice beats up on Bayley. Tiff hooks Naomi, backslides, and Nia adds a LEG DROP!! Nia hauls Bianca up, fireman’s carries, and Tiff goes up. ROLLING NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP! Naomi crawls to the gap but Nia puts her in the second ring. Bayley swings, Tiff blocks, and Tiff takes the chair to SMACK Bayley!
Nia runs up on Naomi but Naomi dodges! Naomi takes the chair to SMACK Nia! And SMACK her again! Tiff hits Bayley’s leg, Candice and Bianca brawl, but Bianca scoops! Candice slips free to THROW Bianca down! There’s 20 seconds left as Naomi keeps on Nia. Bayley puts Tiff in ropes to HOTSHOT STUNNER! The countdown is back, Rhea’s team sends Iyo Sky! The most experienced woman when it comes to WarGames, the Evil Genius looks around for something particular. Yes, she finds a trash can! It’s even color coded to match! Wait, it also has strings? Oh, so she can properly carry it on her shoulder as she climbs!
The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, looking to do this same tactic a third time! But Candice hurries to intercept! The fans boo but Iyo SMACKS Candice! Candice hits back, and she drags Iyo over! The fans freak out a bit as Iyo has to fight off a superplex! Candice goes to the top rope, Iyo SUNSET FLIPS! Candice holds on, so Iyo SHOTEIS Candice’s hips! Iyo ELBOWS Candice off the top rope! Iyo adjusts, and she MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo kips up and the fans fire up! But Tiff whips Iyo! Iyo stops from hitting steel and ELBOWS Tiff! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tiff, then handsprings! Tiff dodges but Iyo wags her finger now! Tiff runs up, Iyo drops, but Tiff handsprings!
The fans cheer and Tiff shrugs. She can do it, too! Iyo waistlocks, O’Conner, but Tiff bucks that! Iyo avoids the Tiffy Stomps to SMACK Tiff with a chair! Iyo stomps Candice, SMACKS her, then fires up again! Iyo runs up, SHINKANSEN for Tiff! SHINKANSEN for Candice! Nia CLOBBERS Iyo! The countdown is back, Bayley SMACKS Nia! Team Liv sends Raquel Rodriguez, and Ricky Desperado is ready to rumble! She looks under the ring, and she thinks about it. She says why not. TABLE! The fans fire up as Raquel sets that aside and goes into the ring. Raquel scoops Iyo to FALL AWAY SLAM her into steel!
Then Raquel scoops Naomi to LAWN DART her into steel! Bayley saves Bianca and they mug Raquel! The fans cheer but Nia makes the save. Nia and Raquel, the biggest in this match, beat down Bianca and Bayley. They haul the two up, and TOSS them into the steel! And then they do it again the other direction! Nia and Raquel high-five, and they soak up the heat. Naomi kicks Raquel, Raquel ROCKS Naomi! Nia hauls Iyo up, as does Raquel with Naomi! They BOMB them into the steel, then they copy AOP’s SUPER COLLIDER, BOMBING Iyo & Naomi onto Bayley & Bianca! The fans boo but Nia and Raquel alone are dominating!
Tiff & Candice regroup with Nia & Raquel, but the countdown is back! The fans cheer as here comes Mami! And Mami’s a monster in her spooky custom face mask! Rhea sees the giants waiting for her, so she grabs that table Raquel left behind! She and Raquel tug-o-war, and then Rhea SEESWAS the table into Raquel! Rhea runs up to DROPKICK Nia !Raquel ROCKS Rhea, kicks her low, and the two scrap! Rhea waistlocks but Tiff SMACKS Rhea down with the lid! The rest of the team rushes back in and Bayley beats down Tiff! Iyo and Candice scrap, Nia & Raquel TOSS Naomi, but she rebounds to DOUBLE REAR VIEW!!
The fans fire up as Liv realizes this is her last 90 seconds of safety. Rhea helps Bianca up, “This is Awesome!” as Rhea’s team regroups! Rhea has the toilet seat, and she SMAKCS Raquel with it! IT BREAKS! The fans fire up as Bianca’s hair becomes a weapon! Tiff tries but Iyo SMACKS Tiff down! Candice SMACKS Iyo! Bianca WHIPLASHES Candice!! Raquel LARITS Bianca! Naomi BULLDOGS Raquel onto the toilet seat! Nia CLOBBERS Naomi! Rhea is up to HEADBUTT Nia! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT again! The fans are loving this as we have our final countdown! And Liv realizes what this means a little too late.
Liv sees the door open, and she doesn’t wanna go. The fans cheer Rhea on, the refs say Liv has to go, and Liv says okay! But then Liv runs away to the back!? The fans boo, but the match won’t end until Liv gets in the ring. Oh wait, Liv has a BASEBALL BAT! She just needed her equalizer. Rhea says she ain’t afraid of that bat or of Liv! Liv steps into the ring, the bell rings, “And now, let the WARGAMES BEGIN!!” Liv laughs, but so does Rhea. Bianca POSTS Raquel, ruining Liv’s back-up plan. And then Rhea takes off the mask to reveal she’s all Furiosa! Rhea KICKS Liv, CLUBS away, and the fans are thunderous!
Rhea pump handles Liv, but Nia CLOBBERS Rhea! The fans boo as Rhea gets mugged by Liv’s team! They sit Rhea up, Liv has the bat, BAT TO THE RIBS! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN! Then to the BACK! And again! The fans boo but Candice drags Rhea to a corner. Liv shows she has handcuffs! Nia keeps Rhea trapped, and Liv goes for Rhea’s hands! But Rhea’s team fights off Liv’s team! Bayley fires forearms on Nia, Rhea stomps Tiff, and Iyo SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICKS NIA! The fans fire up but TIFFY STOMPS for Iyo! BOOT for Tiff! FLYING DDT for Rhea! Bianca TOSSES Candice into steel!
Raquel picks Bianca up to SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Naomi KICKS and FACEBUSTERS Raquel! Liv is up top, FLYING CODE BREAKER on Naomi! But Bayley SUNSET BUCKLE BOMBS Liv! Nia fireman’s carries Bayley, SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!!! Bayley survives and the fans fire up! Nia is shocked but wait. Iyo and Tiff have climbed up the cage on opposite ends! Iyo is going back for her trash can! Tiff is looking to copy the Evil Genius, but Iyo still has that trash can armor! SWANTON BOMB from Tiff, TRASH CAN MOONSAULT from Iyo!!! Vancouver is absolutely erupting over that!
Iyo grins and Tiff manages to stand. Tiff brings out goodies from within her trash can, but she doesn’t want any of it. She wants her BRIEFCASE!! The fans fire up, is Liv cashing in on Nia or on Liv? The ref asks if that’s true, but Raquel says Tiff better not go for Liv! Iyo FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLASTS everyone!!! Iyo puts out the fire, and Rhea cuffs Raquel!! Rhea BEATS on Raquel! Nia BODIES Rhea! And DECKS Iyo! Nia looks for tables and she has her minions set those up. Naomi tries to stop them but Candice beats her down! Tiff & Candice bring a table to the second ring to set it up, and Vancouver likes where this is going!
Nia sets up a table in the first ring, and Candice has Bianca up top. Candice rains down fists, but Bianca hoists her up! ALLEY-OOP off buckle! Naomi KNEES Tiff down! Nia BODIES Naomi, hoists Bianca up, SAMOAN DROP! LEG DROP, brother! Cover, Iyo AND Bayley break it! Which surprises each of them given their Damage CTRL history. The two stare down, argue a little, but Nina DOUBLE LARIATS them both! The fans boo but Nia soaks it all up. Nia LASHES Bianca with her own braid! And then she puts Bianca on the table! Nia climbs, grins, but Bianca CLUBS her first! Naomi KICKS Nai from below!
Bianca & Naomi hoist Nia up to DOUBLE POWERBOMB her through the table!!! Naomi covers, LIV BREAKS IT WITH THE BAT!! Liv SMACKS Iyo, but Bianca blocks! Bianca takes the bat, Liv panics, but Bianca grabs a chair! They go to the other run, and Raquel manages to BOOT Bianca! Bayley fires off, but Liv gives Raquel a chair! SMACK to Bayley, then FULL METAL OBLIVION!! Cover, Rhea YANKS Liv up! HEADBUTT! Pump handle! Raquel reaches out to save Liv! Rhea BOOTS Raquel! Liv FULL METAL CODE BREAKERS!! Liv puts Rhea on the table, goes up the corner, but Rhea CHOPS!
Rhea climbs up, she and Liv brawl up top! Liv stomps away on Rhea, but Rhea blocks the Oblivion! Rhea fires more elbows, then she HEADBUTTS Liv! Pump handle! SUPER RIPTIDE down through the TABLE!!! Cover, TEAM RHEA WINS!!!
Winners: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley, by pinfall
Eclectic as this unit was, it was their combined experience that won the day! And with Rhea pinning the Women’s World Champion, will she and Iyo both be after Liv for the gold?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
The Mega Star shines bright and talks loud, and that was apparently all the reason this darker side of Nakamura targeted him. Will the darkness grow stronger with the luster of championship gold? Or will this Knight deny the King of Strong Style his throne?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if bravado can best bushido!
The bell rings and the fans rally up while Knight stares Nakamura down. They circle slowly, then Knight avoids a kick. Knight mocks Nakamura with a quick crane stance, and then the two tie up. They go around, Nakamura puts Knight in the corner, but the ref counts. Nakamura lets off, to then uppercutr! Nakamura fires knees and elbows, then he snapmares Knight for a KICK! Knight staggers to a corner but Nakamura fires hands! Nakamura whips corner ot corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight rains down fists on Nakamura and the fans fire up! Knight hauls Nakamura up to suplex high and hard!
Knight drops an ELBOW, then covers, ONE!! Knight keeps after Nakamura in the corner, stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner but Nakamura bails out. Knight runs to WRECK Nakamura with a dropkick! Knight goes out to smack Nakamura off barriers, but Nakamura fires knees! Nakamura sends Knight into barriers, then into more barriers! Knight blocks a third and he SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up and SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again! Knight puts Nakamura in but Nakamura ROCKS Knight! Nakamura whips, Knight grabs ropes and BOOTS back!
Knight suplexes Nakamura, hoists him out to dry, and then goes up, ELBOW DROP! Nakamura flops down and the fans fire up! Knight waits on Nakamura, then scoops, but Nakamura slips free. Nakamura waistlocks, Knight switches, but Nakamura runs to HOTSHOT Knight! Knight kicks back but Nakamura OVERHEAD ELBOW! AX KICK! Basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Nakamura drags Knight up, fires forearms on Knight in the corner, then hoists him up onto the top rope. Nakamura goes corner to corner and back again, TOP SHELF KNEE! Knight flops to the apron then the floor while fans rally up.
Knight drags himself up, rolls into the ring, but Nakamura kicks him around! Nakamura kicks and scuffs Knight at the ropes, but the ref has him back off. Nakamura waits, then runs up, but into a HOTSHOT off the ropes! Nakamura falls, Knight flounders, and the fans rally. Nakamura grabs at Knight but Knight kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Knight whips Nakamura, sets up, but Nakamura KICKS him! But Knight ducks a roundhouse! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Knight brings him up. The fans rally but Nakamura RAMS Knight into the corner! Nakamura runs up but into an ELBOW!
Knight puts Nakamura up top, climbs up after him, but Nakamura fires forearms! Nakamura CLUBS Knight down, but Knight springs right up! But Nakamura slips under and trips Knight up! Nakamura climbs up behind Knight now as fans rally. Knight fires elbows and Nakamura falls back! Only for Nakamura to ENZIGIRI! Knight sits down, Nakamura goes right up! Nakamura hauls Knight up, for a SUPER INVERTED EXPLODER!! The fans fire up and Nakamura covers, TWO!! Knight survives but only just so! Nakamura aims from a corner, Knight sits up, KIN-NO, Knight silps aroudn to SIDE EFFECT!
Knight hurries to the corner, climbs up, and he spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Knight fires back up and the fans are with him! Knight waits on Nakamura, Nakamura rises slowly, but then he flops to the gap between rings. The ref checks Nakamura, Knight goes after him, but Nakamura fires a body shot! Knight fights the suplex, but so does Nakamura! Nakamura CLAWS the eyes! REVERSE DDT on the steel!! The ref reprimands but Nakamura crawls into the ring. Nakamura watches Knight rise, and BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!!! Cover, NAKAMURA WINS!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
On day 120 of Knight’s reign, it comes to an end! Nakamura is now a THREE-TIME United States Champion, will nothing stop his darkness from shining?
The Alpha Academy is getting dressed backstage.
Akira Tozawa checks on Otis. Otis doesn’t wanna come out, and it doesn’t sound good. Maxxine says there is a lot of pressure and drama during the holidays. But see, these True Classic shirts are just the right fit. Loose on the stomach, tight on the arms, and incredibly comfortable. Tozawa hands this shirt to Otis and Otis tries it on. Maxxine is sure this will work. “Ohhh~ yeeeah~!” Otis walks out, and Maxxine was right. When he looks good, he feels good. But uh, now we need some pants… Will you be a True Classic this holiday, just like Otis?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew knows all about the 33-and-a-one-third chance of winning in a Triple Threat, and it might take those odds to stop him from winning this time. Will the Fella make this the banger to end all bangers? Will the Impeccable German make Der Ring General proud? Or will Bron defy the odds and keep the dogs barking here in Vancouver?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how the math plays out!
The bell rings and the three watch each other. Then Kaiser finds he’s the common denominator. Kaiser bails out and the fans boo, but Bron ROCKS Sheamus! Bron RAMS into Sheamus again and again, but Sheamus fights back with haymakers! Sheamus whips, Bron reverses but Sheamus KCIKS Bron back! Sheamus runs, but into a clinch and EXPLODER! Sheamus bails out but Kaiser brings out a chair! Kaiser storms in but Bron blows past him to then CLOBBER him! The fans fire up but Sheamus is back. Sheamus and Bron circle again, tie up, and Bron powers Sheamus to a corner. Sheamus CLUBS and KNEES Bron in return!
Sheamus lifts Bron for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus hits another IRISH CURSE! And then he tries to lift Bron again, but Kaiser KICKS Sheamus’ legs out! Kaiser puts Bron in the corner and then upside-down in the ropes to run and DROPKICK! The fans boo but Kaiser goes out and fetches his chair. Kaiser storms back in, wedges that chair in a corner, but Bron AND Sheamus storm up on him! Kaiser finds he’s cornered, so he fires hands! Bron & Sheamus hit him first! They pinball Kaiser around, then whip him corner to corner, Sheamus runs up to LARIAT! Then he and Bron whip Kaiser back!
Kaiser stops from hitting the chair, so Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser! Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser to the apron, and the fans fire up! But Bron says no Bodhrain, he CLOBBERS Sheamus! The fans boo but Bron just steps out to then line up a shot. Bron runs in around the way, but Kaiser WRECKS Bron with a dropkick! Then Kaiser runs to DROPKICK Sheamus into the steps! Kaiser RAMS Sheamus into the desk! But then Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser!! The fans bark it up as Bron then hauls Kaiser up, for an EXPLODER to the floor! All three men are on the outside and the fans rally up. Bron stands, and he stalks Sheamus.
Bron stands Sheamus up to SMACK him off the desk! Bron SMOTHERS Sheamus, CLUBS him, but the fans rally behind the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus fires hands on Bron, but Bron CLOBBERS Sheamus! Bron rains down fists and talks trash. Kaiser crawls away so Bron focuses on Sheamus. Born pushes Sheamus into the ring, then he stomps Sheamus in the corner. And stomps him again! The fans bark for Bron while he stalks Sheamus to another corner. Sheamus fires an elbow! And a boot! Sheamus fires haymakers again, but Bron KNEES Sheamus low! Bron whips, then kitchen sink knees Sheamus down!
Bron pushes Sheamus to a cover, TWO! But Bron does pushups to show off! Bron stalks Sheamus, slaps him around, and talks trash. Bron shows little respect, but Sheamus fires body shots in return! The fans fire up but Bron knee slow! Bron runs, but Sheamus scoops! POWERSLAM! The fans fire up, Sheamus covers, but Kaiser breaks it! The fans boo but Kaiser SLAPS Sheamus! Sheamus and Kaiser brawl and then they fall outta the ring! The shots keep going, Sheamus SMACKS Kaiser off teh desk, then hoists Kaiser up! Kaiser fights free of the bomb, but Bron LEAPS from the apron!! DOUBLE LARAIT over the desk!!
If fans aren’t losing their minds, they’re barking for Bron! Bron drags Sheamus up and leaves Kaiser behind, just to DUMP Sheamus into the crowd! Bron stands Kaiser up, military presses him, but Kaiser CLAWS eyes! Kaiser slips down and he RAMS Bron into steps! Kaiser grins, but Sheamus rises up! Sheamus has Kaiser for the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans fire up and count along, Sheamus goes all the way to TEN! Then to ELEVEN! Bron runs up, but Sheamus catches him! Another round of TEN! The fans fire up with Sheamus and he goes up the barriers to FLYING DOUBLE LARIAT! Sheamus roars and Vancouver is with him!
Sheamus puts Kaiser in the ring, then storms up on him. Kaiser bails out the side, but “This is Awesome!” Wait, Kaiser grabs Sheamus’ shillelagh! He dares Sheamus to come get him! Sheamus does, and he blocks the shillelagh to SMACK Kaiser! SHILLELAGH LARIAT!! The fans fire up again and now Sheamus eyes Bron in the ring. Bron dares “Old Man” Sheamus to bring it! Sheamus puts the shillelagh down and steps in. They throw hands! The fans fire up for this brawl, and Sheamus gets the edge! Bron JUMP KNEES Sheamus! Bron climbs up, but Sheamus trips him up! Bron is stuck on the top rope, and now Sheamus brings him out with the crucifix!
CELTIC CROSS!! The fans fire up as Sheamus covers, TWO?!? Bron survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus drags Bron up, fireman’s carries, and then he goes up a corner! But Bron slips free and CLUBS Sheamus! Sheamus BOOTS Bron, but Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans bark it up again and the straps are down! Bron runs up, but Sheamus sends Spear into chair!! Then BROGUE!!! Cover, KAISER DRAGS THE REF OUT! The fans are thunderously BOOING but Kaiser grins, knowing he screwed Sheamus from that guaranteed win! Sheamus goes out after Kaiser, but Kaiser SHILLELAGH SMACKS him!!
Kaiser fires off on Sheamus with the wooden club, and he BEATS Sheamus to the floor!! The fans boo but Kaiser isn’t done as he puts Sheamus back in. Kaiser storms in, shillelagh in hand. KNEECAPPER from Sheamus!!! Cover, TWO!?! Kaiser survives and Sheamus is beside himself!! “This is Awesome!” as all three men are down! Sheamus rises while Bron is in a corner and Kaiser flounders at center. Sheamus goes to a corner, he takes aim, and runs up, but the body won’t let him! KAISER ROLL!! Kaiser roars and the fans boo, but Kaiser just brings Sheamus back up. Clinch and- NO, Sheamus fireman’s carries!
Kaiser CLUBS the ribs! Clinch and SIDEWINDER!! Kaiser roars, but Bron SPEARS!!! The fans bark it up as Bron takes out Kaiser, and now he aims at Sheamus! Sheamus rises, Bron runs up, SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
This was perhaps the closest Sheamus has ever come to being Intercontinental Champion, but it was because of Triple Threat rules that he fell short. But that’s not to say that Bron survived as he was the one who put both men down in the end. Will it take far steeper odds to bring down this second generation superstar?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest!
Der Ring General took this title from The Punisher at SummerSlam, but that was because The Prince’s jealousy made him betray his brother in the Judgment Day. However, since that moment, Priest’s confidence has grown while it seems Gunther’s has waned. Will the King of the Ring lose to the King of the Streets? Or will Gunther find a way to reignite that “killer aura” Priest says has gone away?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the rightful World Heavyweight Champion!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Priest smirks as he and Gunther circle. Gunther keeps his distance but Priest dares him to bring it. They tie up, Gunther goes for a head ‘n’ arm, but Priest pries free. Gunther headlocks for a takeover but Priest headscissors. Gunther kips free, roles reverse, Priest arm-drags but Gunther headscissors. Priest kips free and arm-drags again, and Priest keeps on the armlock. Gunther endures, fights up, and arm-drags, but Priest arm-drags Gunther right back down! Gunther goes to the ropebreak, Priest lets go, and Priest avoids the lariat! Gunther avoids the roundhouse and bails out!
The fans boo Gunther but Priest dares Gunther to come back. The ref starts the ring count and Gunther paces. Gunther works to fire himself back up, and he storms into the ring. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther backs away to a corner. The fans boo and Priest is annoyed, but Gunther seems to still have some hesitation. They go again and Gunther kicks low! Gunther CLUBS Priest on the back, CLUBS him in the chest, then whips corner to corner. Priest comes back and he CLOBBERS Gunther! The fans fire up while Priest shakes out his arm. Priest may have hit Gunther so hard, he hurt himself.
Gunther is back on the outside, and now he grins because he sees a target. Priest says whatever, just get in. Gunther storms back in and the fans rally up. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther wants that left arm. Priest KICKS Gunther, KICKS, and KICKS! Gunther blocks a kick but Priest avoids the chop to BELL CLAP! Gunther goes to a corner and Priest whips him corner to corner. Priest runs up but into a BOOT! Gunther runs but Priest FLAPJACKS him! Priest still falls back because of the bad arm. The ref checks but Priest says no, he won’t stop because of this. Gunther storms up but the ref has him stay back.
The ref goes back to Priest, but Gunther slips around to KICK the bad arm! Priest bails out but Gunther goes after him! Gunther POSTS Priest, then whips him hard into barriers! The fans are torn but Priest stands back up. Gunther storms up on Priest to wrench and SLAM the arm into the post! Priest shouts in pain but Gunther leaves Priest behind. Gunther refreshes the ring count, returns to Priest, but Priest ROCKS him! Priest stalks Gunther now, but Gunther wrenches the arm to UPPERCUT it! Priest rolls into the ring but Gunther is after him again. Gunther HIP DROPS the bad arm! Priest writhes, fans boo, but Gunther soaks up the heat.
Gunther gets cocky, this is that Gunther that beat so many before. Gunther KICKS Priest down, drags him by the bad arm, and stomps him! Priest gets mad but Gunther stands Priest up. Priest fires body shots! Priest ROCKS Gunther in the corner! The fans fire up but Gunther wrenches and hammerlocks! Gunther wrangles Priest to the mat to KNEE the arm! Gunther pushes down on the arm, KNEES the shoulder again, but the ref has Gunther back off. Priest refuses to let the ref call this, but Gunther stands him up. Gunther wrenches Priest, RAMS him, and then drops a KNEE on the elbow! Gunther looms over Priest while fans rally.
Gunther stands Priest up, wrenches the arm, and he CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” and Gunther kneels on Priest’s arm! Gunther pulls the arm back, and even has the other! DOUBLE ARMBAR!! Priest endures as he’s being bent back! The fans rally, and Priest powers up! Priest rises to his feet! Priest ROCKS Gunther! And ROCKS him again! But Gunther CHOPS! Gunther wrenches but Priest ROCKS Gunther! Gunther still wants the arm! Priest CLUBS Gunther, Gunther wrenches the arm! Gunther RAMS the shoulder, then CHOPS! Priest ROCKS Gunther again and again! Priest breaks free, CHOP KICK AT THE SAME TIME!!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Priest rises and the fans fire up! Priest ROCKS Gunther again, and again, but Gunther grabs the bad arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Priest roars to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Priest winds up, and he DECKS Gunther! The fans fire up and Priest grits his teeth. Priest runs to ELBOW in the corner! Then a clinch and FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he pumps up the good arm. The fans rally as Gunther rises, and Priest runs to COME- NO, Gunther ducks under! CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE! Priest fights it so Gunther CLUBS him! Gunther lifts Priest, Priest fights the bomb!
Priest kicks Gunther low, hoists Gunther up, but the bad arm wont’ let him! Gunther grinds the arm, but Priest reels Gunther down into SNAKE BITE!! Gunther endures, fights around, looks to stack, TWO! Priest lets Gunther go and he SUPERKICKS! Gunther wobbles, Priest kicks low! Priest reels Gunther in, roars, and he lifts! Crucifix, but Gunther fights off Razor’s Edge! CHOP to Priest’s back, and then a SLEEPER! Gunther spins Priest around, GENERAL BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Gunther is beside himself! The fans rally up, but Gunther goes to a corner! Gunther climbs, but Priest hurries to ROCK Gunther first!
Priest ROCKS Gunther again, but Gunther has the SLEEPER! Priest CLUBS Gunther, climbs up after him, and goes to the very top! SUPER STEINER!! Priest hurries to bring Gunther up! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest crawls to the cover, TWO!! Gunther survives because of the delay! The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Priest rises. Priest brings down the straps and waits on Gunther. Choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO, Gunther fights and the bad arm hurts! Gunther CHOPS! Priest CHOPS! Choke grip, SOUTH- NO, Gunther is free again! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK TAKEDOWN!! KIMURA!!! Priest endures but he’s caught!
Gunther has the headscissors, he STOMPS away on Priest’s head! Priest refuses to give up but he’s turning red! He’s fading! Priest gets a second wind and fights free of the headscissors! The fans are thunderous as Priest crawls over, ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go but he isn’t sure what more to do. The fans rally and duel, Gunther starts shouting trash talk. Priest sits up, Gunther drags him up by the bad arm, and then short arm LARIATS! Gunther says he IS the best, and the fans continue to duel. Gunther short arm LARIATS again! Gunther paces while Priest reaches out. Gunther stands Priest up, but Priest ducks! LARIAT!!
The fans fire up as Priest grits his teeth. Priest waits on Gunther, then runs, COMEBACKER LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Priest grows frustrated. Priest storms around and the fans fire up again. Priest goes up a corner! Gunther hits ropes to trip Priest up! The ref reprimands but Gunther CHOPS Priest! Gunther climbs up, but Priest choke grips! Gunther SLAPS Priest, brings him up to the very top, but Priest holds it off with his one good hand! Priest SHOVES Gunther, but both men fall! Gunther hits the mat, Priest hits the floor! The ref checks, Priest needs a second to know if his arm is really bad
OH NO, FINN BALOR IS HERE!! DIVING DOUBLE STOMP OFF THE STEPS!! The Prince just made sure Priest is screwed over again! But then Gunther BOOTS Finn down!! Gunther doesn’t want controversy, and he hurries to haul Priest up! GENERAL BOMB! Flop over, HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! SLEEPER!!! Priest is furious but he’s also fading out!! PRIEST IS OUT, GUNTHER WINS!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Finn repeats himself by screwing Priest over! Will the Prince never let The Punisher possess this title before him? Will anyone ever stop Gunther now that he’s made it past one of his toughest challengers?
Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed!
The OTC has reunited with his OG Bloodline, even the Honorary Uce, but when they couldn’t find a fifth man, their Wise Man came through with quite the wild card! Will the Second City Saint make good on the deal he struck and help Roman humble Solo? Or is there no stopping the “Undisputed’ Tribal Chief and his Bloodline from taking over the WWE?
Solo’s Bloodline makes their entrance first, and all together. And it seems it is already decided that Solo’s Right Hand Man, the Good Bad Guy, makes his way to the ring. Tama climbs the cage like a spider, both creeping Michael Cole out but also making him chuckle. Then the OG Bloodline makes their way out, and Vancouver of course loves Sami. Punk decides to poke the bears, and that has Fatu all up on the bars! Surprisingly, Roman Reigns does not come out last, he is fourth. He still gets his pyro, though. That means with Main Event Jey make his entrance last, coming in from the crowd! The fans fire up and bounce along, “YEET! YEET! YEET!”
Jey being last out, that also means he’s first in. Jey even climbs up onto the cage so everyone can see him to bounce along. The bell rings and we have five minutes until Solo’s Bloodline sends their first man. Tama is perched on a corner and he watches Jey as Jey steps closer. Jey joins Tama in the second ring, and Tama has a wild grin. Tama hops down, stares Jey down and the two circle. The fans cheer for “O T C! O T C!” Jey dares Tama to bring it, but Tama just stays back as a stall tactic. The fans now chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Tama and Jey circle more, the fans sing for Sami, and now the hands fly!
The fans fire up as Jey and Tama go back and forth! “BOO! YEET! BOO! YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips Tama, Tama reverses, but Jey goes up and over! UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Jey gets everyone to “YEET!” Jey runs up, LARIAT and GAMANGIRI! Tama staggers, but he blocks another kick. Tama also avoids the Dragon Whip to SLIDING LARIAT! The fans boo but Tama just says, “Yeh yeh yeh yeh!” Tama CLUBS away on Jey, gator rolls, and FALCON ARROW! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline & CM Punk but Tama rains down fists on Jey! Tama paces, then he slides to NO Man’s Land for a SLINGSHOT SENTON!
The fans fire up with “YEH YEH YEH!” and Tama HEADBUTTS Jey. Tama fires hands, but Jey ROCKS Tama back! “YEET! YEET!” YEET!” Tama staggers but Jey runs up to whip. Tama reverses again and Jey hits buckles hard! Tama mocks the “YEET!” then he SPLASHES! Tama covers out of instinct and then remembers this match can’t end until all ten men are in. Tama throws down hands but the fans taunt him for messing up. Tama ignores that, and he slithers around Jey. Tama runs to SLIDING- NO, Jey dodges! Tama blocks the kick again but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey then powers up with “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK in the corner!
The countdown is here and Solo’s Bloodline sends out… BRONSON REED! Talk about escalating things! The Colossal Aussie storms down to the ring, looks under, and he brings out chair after chair! Bronson puts those in, that’s about half a dozen! Bronson storms in but Jey CHUCKS a chair at him! And another! And another! Bronson SWATS that one!? Jey dodges, fires hands, and Bronson wobbles. Jey runs but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson says this is HIS ring now! Bronson shakes the cage and grabs a chair. Bronson JAMS Jey up, and he calls Tama over. Tama makes his way to the first ring while Bronson JAMS Jey up again!
Bronson SAMCKS Jey with a chair! Tama gets a boost, BIG SENTON! Then BIGGER SENTON from Bronson! The fans boo but Bronson soaks up the heat while Tama hushes the fans. Bronson stalks Jey to the second ring, HEADBUTTS him, and Tama adds stomps. Jey still has to suffer another minute of this, but Tama CHOKES Jey with boots in the corner! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline but Bronson stands on Jey’s chest! Bronson steps off, then he whips Tama in, STINGER SPLASH! Tama sets Jey up for Bronson’s SPLASH! The countdown returns and Bronson is waiting. The OG Bloodline sends out #BigJim!
Jimmy runs up to the ring, and he just goes right in! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Tama, GAMANGIRIS Bronson, then runs up. Jimmy dodges to CHOP Bronson again and again! The Usos set up, double mule kick! Then double pop ‘n’ lock, DOUBLE UPPERCUT! The Usos CHOP Bronson but Tama UPPERCUTS Jey! Bronson whips Jimmy but Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Tama, then goes up to WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up, no one knew he could do that! The Usos stand together again, and they aim at Bronson. Jimmy RAMS Bronson, Jey forearm SMASHES! They aim at Tama now, and JimmY CHOPS!
Jimmy RAMS Tama, Jey forearm SMASHES! The fans rally but 90 seconds left until Solo’s side can send another. The Usos send Tama into the wall, then they have a man each in the corners. The Usos rain down fists in stereo, and the fans count all the way to TEN! Jimmy & Jey then aim, DOUBLE UPPERCUTS for Bronson! The fans fire up as The Usos coordinate. The Usos whip Bronson into the wall! The fans declare, “This is Ucey!” but here comes the countdown! Solo’s side sends out… Wait, no, Solo tells Loa to stand down. Jacob Fatu is sent instead! The Samoan Werewolf storms down to the ring, but The Usos are ready!
Jacob steps up and in, and the fight is on! Jacob knocks Jey over, then TOSSES Jimmy into steel! Jacob stomps away, but Jey SAMOAN DROPS Jacob! Jacob kips up!? Jacob swings, Jey dodges, but Jacob BODY CHECKS Jey! HIP ATTACK on Jimmy against the steel! Jacob THROWS Jimmy into the steel! “I love you, Solo!” Jacob CLOBBERS Jey, then THROWS Jimmy again! Jacob stomps Jey, the fans tell off Solo but Solo soaks it up. Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy, then runs, HANDSPRING KICK into a HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Tama and Bronson join in and keep the Usos down.
Jacob and Bronson hoist Jey up for Tama to run, PENDULUM BOMB! Bronson HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel! Jacob HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel!” I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” The countdown is back, The OG Bloodline send CM- No, Roman stops Punk, and tells The Honorary Uce to go. Sami heads out, leaving Punk and Roman alone together. Sami storms his way down as the fans fire up! Sami runs up to fire hands on Tama! Sami whips, Tama reverses but Sami goes up and over to then LARIAT! Sami kicks Bronson, fires hands, but Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips Sami to a corner but Sami dodges!
Sami climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans sing and count all the way to TEN then Sami goes way past it! Bronson falls and Sami is all fired up! The fans are with Sami as he then stomps away on Bronson in the gap! Sami goes up to CROSSBODY, but Jacob catches him! But Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jacob down! Sami and Jimmy do the secret handshake! The fans cheer as they’re dawgs again! They stomp away on Jacob, then Jey joins in so they can mug Bronson. The fans cheer “UCEY! UCEY!” Sami goes back to the other ring to bring Tama up, and he THROWS Tama into the steel! But Bronson HEADBUTTS Jimmy!
Bronson rains down fists on Jimmy but Sami CLUBS Bronson. Jacob CLOBBERS Sami! Bronson HEADBUTTS Jey! Jacob has Jimmy for the IMPALER DDT! The countdown is back, and now Loa is sent out. The Silverback storms to the ring, and he goes looking underneath. He brings out a TABLE! The fans don’t mind that, but that door won’t stay open. Loa holds it open, Jacob helps bring the table in, and Loa goes for more! Tama fires hands on Sami while Loa brings out another table! Jacob says time to do some damage, and that table is put in the second ring. The Guerillas ATOMIC DROP and LARIAT Jey!
Jacob starts putting chairs here and there while The Guerillas hit Sami with a POWERSLAM! The fans rally for Punk while Bronson BOOTS Jey out of a chair! Jimmy ROCKS Jacob! But Jacob THROWS Jimmy into steel! Loa rains down fists on Sami, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Sami flounders on the ropes, Loa runs up to SPLASH Sami against steel! Jacob tells the cameraman to move, and he MOONSAULTS onto Jey! Tama lines up a shot, and he tells Jey to watch this. Basement DROPKICK with a chair into Jimmy! Loa THROWS Jey against steel! But the countdown is back! Roman steps forward, but Punk pushes right past him!!
The fans are torn as Punk punks out The OTC and goes right to the ring! Punk stares down Jacob, Bronson and the Guerrillas. Punk then looks to Roman and Roman shakes his head. Punk turns around to step down!? The fans boo, but then Punk brings out a TOOLBOX!! Punk wasn’t backing off, he was just grabbing what he needs! TOOLBOX SMASH for Jacob, for Tama, for Bronson and for Loa! Punk SLAMS the toolbox onto Loa again and again! Punk does not stop, he makes sure Loa is down! Punk then sets the box down, and he SHINING WIZARDS Bronson! And SHINING WIZARD for both Tama & Jacob in the same corner!
Punk runs back in to SHINING WIZARD Jacob, and BULLDOG onto the box!! Wait, Jacob is back up?!? Punk doesn’t see it until he turns around! UPPERCUT! POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! The fans are torn as Jacob stands tall! Maybe he really is a werewolf! Jimmy ROCKS Bronson, Sami and Jey storm up, but Solo’s Bloodline takes the fight to them! It is a brawl all over, and Bronson ELBOWS Sami against steel! Then THROWS him into the steel! The countdown is back while Loa CHOPS Jey! Bronson adds on, and here comes Solo! The fans boo the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief, especially as he stares Roman down.
Solo tells Roman he’s gonna see what a real Tribal Chief is like. Solo goes to the ring, and he SLAMS the door shut on Sami! Solo tells his guys to bring someone else over, and now he SLAMS the door on Jey! And now SLAMS the door on Jimmy! Solo grabs the chain that locks the cage?! Solo closes the door behind him, and he URENAGES Sami right down! Then Jimmy is brought up, Guerillas of Destiny give him the TONGAN TWIST! Solo says hurry up and get Jey up! Jey is set up into the TONGAN TWIST! Solo tells Jacob to bulldoze them now! They gotta hurry, the countdown is still going! The Usos are stacked, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!!
Bronson goes up and Sami is in the drop zone! TSUNAMI!! The fans boo but Solo grins as his Bloodline is dominating! Punk fights back, but he gets mugged and beat down! The fans boo more but Solo soaks it all up. And Solo still has that chain, because he’s locking the door! Solo says Roman’s not getting in here! Solo laughs as the countdown is back, but the beating on the OG Bloodline continues! The OTC is unleashed, but how is he to get in this match? Roman pulls at the lock and chain but it isn’t giving way. Roman looks at the cage, tries to find a weak spot, but there isn’t one. So Roman will just have to do what Iyo Sky does, and climb!
The fans fire up as yes, roman climbs the cage! The Guerrillas hurry after him, but he DECKS Tama! And DECKS Loa! Roman is on the top, but Bronson is after him! Roman SMACKS Bronson off the steel, and Bronson falls onto his Auszilla! Jacob tries, Roman kicks him away. Solo tries but Roman SMACKS him off the steel! And again! Solo falls, and Roman is in! The match has officially started with the SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans are thunderous as Roman UPPERCUTS again and again and again! But Solo TOSSES Roman! Roman comes back to UPPERCUT! Roman rejoins his side in the first ring and helps them to their feet.
The fans cheer, Roman tells Punk he can get himself up. Punk does stand up, and he stares down with Roman. Wait, someone else is coming out here? Paul Heyman is here! The Wise Man tells his Tribal Chief and the Best in the World that they just have to bring the best out in each other, because this is WARGAMES!! The announcement is official, and both Roman and Punk put their differences aside. The fans fire up as the two sides stare down. They step up to the center, and THE BRAWL IS ON!! The fans fire up as Roman ROCKS Solo, Punk ROCKS Jacob, and then Sami & The Usos have Bronson and the Guerrillas!
The fists fly, Sami goes up and up to TORNADO DDT Bronson! Loa CLUBS Sami, ROCKS him, then HEADBUTTS him! Loa & Tama haul Sami up, but The Usos DOUBLE SUPERKICK The Guerrillas! Then the Usos go up corners! STEREO USO SPLASHES!! But Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy and Solo stomps Jey! Those two already knocked Roman and Punk down, and now Solo TOSSES Jey into steel! Jacob CHOKES Jimmy, and now Solo and Jacob go back to Roman and Punk. Roman and Punk fight back with haymakers! Roman has Jacob this time, Solo UPPERCUTS Punk! And UPPERCUTS Roman!
Jacob RAMS into Punk, then brings him around. Solo & Jacob prepare their best moves, but Roman ducks the Samoan Spike! Punk fireman’s carries Jacob, but Solo dodges Roman! SPEAR HITS PUNK!! SAMOAN SPIKE on Roman!! Cover, TWO?!?! The miscommunication almost costs the team! Solo says whatever, just get Punk up! Bronson fireman’s carries Punk, for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Jacob puts Punk in a corner, BEST MOONSAULT- NO, his leg gives out! Bronson SENTONS Punk! Cover, Sami breaks it! Tama goes after Sami, but Sami THROWS Tama into steel! Loa attacks Sami, Bronson checks Jacob.
Jimmy UPPERCUTS and CHOPS Loa, whips, but Loa THROWS Jimmy into steel! Solo & Bronson set the table up, and Jacob somehow hobbles back up. But Roman LOW BLOWS Jacob!! And SPEARS Solo!! The OTC doesn’t care about honor right now, but Bronson SUPERKIKCS him down! Bronson puts Roman on the table! Bronson goes up, and up, and UP!? The fans freak out that Bronson is on the very top of the cage! SUPER DUPER TSUNAMI but Punk saves Roman!!! The fans are thunderous as Bronson obliterates the table!! Roman is just as shocked that Punk got him to safety, and the fans cheer Punk for it!
Roman is maybe not humbled, but he is grateful, and he offers Punk a hand. Punk takes it and the two stand together! Only for Jacob to CLOBBER them both!! Jacob SUPERKICKS Punk, hauls him up, IMPALE- SUPERMAN PUNCH! SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo isn’t done with Roman, and he SAMOAN SPIKES again!! Cover, DOUBLE SUPERKICK from the Usos! The fans fire up but Jacob TOSSES Jimmy! Jacob hobbles after the Usos, but Jey SUPERKICKS! Jimmy SUPERKICKS! Jacob staggers, swings, but they DOUBLE LARIAT! And then they whip Jacob into a ONE D!!! The fans are thunderous, and now the Usos hurry to set up a table!
The fans love it as Jimmy climbs and Jey positions things just right. Jey hauls Jacob up and onto the table, abut Loa runs up! Jey dodges Loa to SPEAR Loa! Tama fires off on Jey, and he sends Jey into steel! Sami gets Tama for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Jimmy is finally clear, and he says hold on. If Big Bronson can do it, then #BigJim can do it! Jimmy goes up for a SUPER DUPER USO SPLASH!! But Jimmy bounces off, he can’t cover!! The fans are losing their minds but Heyman sure loves what he sees! Sami staggers over, helps Jimmy to his feet, and then he helps Jey. “This is Awesome!” as they go to the second ring.
Sami helps Punk, The Usos help Roman. Together, they all surround Solo! Solo sees he is in trouble, the fans tell him how screwed he is, and Roman makes sure Solo understands that. Roman says Solo wanted peace, so Solo needs to acknowledge Roman. Solo says HE is still chief! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! DOUBLE SUPERKICK!! Sami gives Solo a HELLUVA KICK!! And then feed to Punk! GO TO SLEEP!! And then “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!!! Cover, OG BLOODLINE WINS!
Winners: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk, by pinfall
The OTC hugs it out with the OG Bloodline, but the OG Bloodline does accept Punk with handshakes and hugs. Punk and Roman stare down, but Sami reminds Roman, they won thanks to Punk. Roman offers a handshake, and Punk takes it! The fans cheer as these two Paul Heyman guys find respect on the battlefield. The OG Bloodline hold up their ones, Punk does his night-night pose, and the pyro goes off. But while WarGames is over, this may have simply been one battle in the real Bloodline Civil War. Will Roman be able to take back the ula fala and title of TRUE Tribal Chief from Solo? And just what is the promised favor Heyman owes Punk?
My Thoughts:
A great, almost awesome WarGames, but no countdown/kickoff show ever needs to be two hours when there aren’t matches of any kind. And there weren’t even those super exclusive sit-down interviews. Well, I’m actually okay with that, but still, there was nothing really that big going on. Though, I did appreciate there were some New Day centric UpUpDownDown segments sprinkled throughout. Perhaps they were trying to give us some last tastes of New Day before it all falls apart on Monday night.
Opening with Women’s WarGames is basically tradition by now, and they did really well, but with maybe some wrinkles that needed ironing out. I like that Rhea actually customized her mask. Busted faces as angles are rare, but aside from maybe Cody Rhodes running with the “Dashing Dashed” Cody story from years ago, no one has ever really tried to use the mask to their advantage. And I like that Iyo went so far as to have a prepared trash can because she knew she’d do another drop-in spot. At the same time, smart of them to not just use that up, and instead coordinate a double high spot with Iyo and Tiff.
Tiff almost cashing in was good, but of course she is again intimidated into not doing it because Raquel was there to protect Liv. I kinda wish Tiff still got to cash in on Liv, because that little bit we got of Tiff and Iyo going handspring for handspring shows we could get an exciting title match from them. After all, Iyo is still owed her shot on Liv that she won in the battle royal weeks ago. Rhea’s team winning out despite the go-home math from last night was quite the surprise, as was Rhea pinning Liv. Maybe we get a Triple Threat of Liv, Rhea and Iyo, making it that much easier for Tiff to cash in and take the title from them all.
Another defiance of go-home math was Nakamura winning, even though he stood tall last night. At the same time, Nakamura’s return push meant he needed to win, and I’m glad they went through with that. Nakamura at least bends rules and takes advantage of the environment with the DDT to the metal plate covering the gap between rings. Maybe this helps give Knight a bit more dimension. Not that fans don’t love Knight for just being “Kavorka! With everybody saying L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BUT if Knight has to think things through, understand that Nakamura is that sinister and crafty, maybe Knight can find something beyond that.
The Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship was most definitely a banger, even though they really got us with how Kaiser kept Sheamus from winning. While there can still be a way for Sheamus to get back to the IC title, like maybe by WrestleMania, it felt like this could’ve been such a great chance for Sheamus. But for now, Bron can move on to just about anyone. Gunther VS Priest was really good, though I’m not sure Gunther’s crisis of confidence was as well-executed as it could have been. I do appreciate the spark was that he saw Priest’s arm was hurting, and they made that the story of the match.
I just don’t know why Finn had to interfere again. Is Finn suddenly going to be back in the world title hunt? Well, I suppose why not? He can’t keep complaining about Priest if he’s not also going to try for that title himself, but there’s also the world tag titles to consider. This already feels like a Heel version of the Fraxiom story in NXT, where a tag champ wants more, even if it means potentially losing what he already has. Perhaps if not for Crown Jewel needing Champion VS Champion, we would’ve gotten past this by now. Maybe we get one final match of Finn and Priest, Loser Leaves Raw so that there will never be a revisit of this until some WWE Draft down the line.
Though as I say that, Priest would have to lose and be moved to SmackDown. Which isn’t so bad, could be a fresh start for Priest. He could challenge for the US Championship, and maybe eventually build up to be a WWE Championship contender. And another great WarGames match with the Bloodline Civil War, though there were also some oddities like in the women’s. The OG Bloodline all having independent intros was fine, but that then created some interesting choices in order. I would’ve thought Roman would make himself last out, because duh, he’s Roman. But Jey being the one sent in, he wanted to do his crowd entrance and then go right to the ring, so that’s fine.
The Men’s WarGames still followed the math, though. Solo’s side had advantage and stood tall on the go-home, so of course The OG Bloodline won. Really good stuff, with Roman being passive aggressive to Punk and Solo calling audibles to send his meanest guys first. Punk teasing a betrayal only to bring out a toolbox for a weapon was also clever, but Roman’s entrance into the cage was a bit overpowered. He fought everyone off to start and he helps his side up, but I suppose it was needed so that Heyman came out to smooth things over between Punk and Roman. There was that scary part with Jacob’s failed moonsault, but he kept going so I guess his leg wasn’t broken or anything.
Great bit to finish with Solo taking everything from everyone, and I liked the GTS into the Spear. Now with OG Bloodline winning, you can bet we get Roman VS Solo for the ula fala, and Punk will have Heyman do something for him. As I said last night for SmackDown, this could be a case where Heyman advocates for Punk in a World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther for Royal Rumble, and Roman has to figure things out all on his own if he wants a title shot. Another thing I said last night was that Roman is still too cocky. He may be treating Sami & The Usos nicer, but he was still expecting Punk to play along, and still acting like he deserves Tribal Chief treatment. Roman needs to be humbled before he can really be Tribal Chief again, and Heyman choosing Punk over him might be the thing that gets through to Roman.
My Score: 9/10
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