Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (3/29/21)
This is Raw’s brutality!
One Raw champion puts out a hit, another signs a contract!
Tonight, the Raw Women’s Champion, Asuka, and Nightmare, Rhea Ripley, sign a contract to make their WrestleMania match official!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Sheamus VS Matt Riddle; Sheamus wins.
- Braun Strowman VS Jaxson Ryker w/ Elias & Shane McMahon; Braun wins.
- Shelton Benjamin w/ Cedric Alexander VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP; Lashley wins.
- AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston; Woods wins, by disqualification.
- Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald VS Naomi w/ Lana; Naomi wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS Ricochet; McIntyre wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS Mustafa Ali; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Backstage interview with Drew McIntyre.
He surely knows the deal Bobby Lashley has offered the rest of the Raw roster. Yes, there’s a target on his back, and whoever can take McIntyre out before Mania, they get his spot against Lashley. So what will happen? Attacked by one person, two or three? But think before you jump him: One, is Lashley good for his offer? Two, you better be ready for an old fashion Scottish ass kicking if you try. Has McIntyre just put Lashley’s bounty hunters on notice?
Bobby Lashley and the Hurt Business head to the ring!
The All Mighty WWE World Champion has MVP, Cedric Alexander and Shelton Benjamin following behind. They stand together, mics in hand as MVP says this is an official announcement from the Hurt Business. “We are less than two weeks away from WrestleMania! A spectacular two-night event where the All Mighty WWE Champion, Bobby Lashley, will walk in and out as the champion.” Lashley is currently set to face McIntyre, but allow them to make crystal clear their business proposition: If anyone takes out McIntyre before Mania, they will be rewarded a title match at Mania against Lashley.
Don’t mistake Lashley’s generosity as weakness. They just felt that McIntyre has had his opportunities. They’re trying to give someone else a chance to step up and become a star against the All Mighty! This is the opportunity of a lifetime, so who wants to step up and accept that offer? No one arrives, so MVP says here is who will not be sharing the ring with Lashley. Footage of last week’s 2v1 Handicap replays, where McIntyre defeated Alexander and Benjamin to officially ban them from ringside for Mania! Alexander and Benjamin didn’t think MVP would play that but Lashley says they had the perfect opportunity against McIntyre and couldn’t get the job done!
Don’t even get Lashley started on the Raw Tag Team Championships. They’re tarnishing Lashley’s image, which is why they stepped outside “the family.” Lashley can’t count on them for anything! Lashley worked too long and too hard to get this title, and refuses to associate himself with incompetence! MVP agrees. 2v1 Handicap against McIntyre and they failed miserably. But here’s an opportunity to speak up. Alexander asks what this is about. They could’ve done this privately and yet- Benjamin interrupts and asks if is this just to embarrass them? Lashley wouldn’t be champion without them! They toed the line, had his back, and won’t let MVP talk to him like a child.
Benjamin shoves MVP, Lashley DECKS Alexander but Benjamin THROWS Lashley!! Lashley throws his jacket off and glares at Benjamin. They throw hands, Benjamin rakes eyes but Lashley throws knees! Lashley hits a COMPLETE SHOT! Alexander gets up on the apron but gets backed down by Lashley’s glare! Lashley throws Benjamin out and then picks up his belt. MVP says they should be ashamed. Lashley tells Alexander and Benjamin that as far as they’re concerned, the Hurt Business is OVER! But the hit is still out for McIntyre, and the bounty is still up for grabs! Who will pounce on this chance and look to replace the Scottish Warrior?
Backstage interview with Matt Riddle.
He faces Sheamus tonight for what happened last week, but why does Riddle think Sheamus hit him with the scooter? Riddle wanted to ask questions and maybe Sheamus was having a bad day or just doesn’t have a soul. But Sheamus upset Riddle and Riddle doesn’t like being upset. It’s like having these sweet, tasty Doritos that you’ve been wanting to have all day, and before you even take a bite, BOOM! They hit the floor. Riddle then spots Titus O’Neil and scooters on over to say hey! Riddle wants to ask a question: What if you roasted a pig in the center of the ring at WrestleMania? What? Is Riddle okay? What’s he talking about?
Isn’t Titus part of the WrestleMania roast? No, no, Titus is a WrestleMania co-host, with Hulk Hogan. OH… The co-host of the roast! Bring ice cream. No, that tears Titus’ stomach up. Okay what about Mac ‘n’ Cheese? Or shrimp? Titus heads off, and Sheamus CLOBBERS Riddle!! The Fella mockingly tells the Bro, “see you out there.” Will Riddle now get payback for two cheap shots tonight?
Alexander and Benjamin complain to Adam Pearce.
That ingrate, Lashley, threw these two away like nothing! But Lashley wouldn’t be champion without them! He’s nothing without all of them! Benjamin will take Lashley on tonight, and if there’s something left, give him to Alexander next week! Are they sure about that? Why is he asking stupid questions? Is he protecting Lashley the same way he was protecting McIntyre? Does he have to consult with Lashley the same way he does with Roman? Does he make matches or not?! Where is Pearce’s sack?! Make a match! Alexander and Benjamin storm off, will Scrap Daddy be pressured into another high stakes decision?
Samoa Joe is away but MVP is on commentary for tonight!
He says that if Benjamin and Alexander showed the aggression and initiative they’ve showed tonight against McIntyre, they wouldn’t be in this situation.
Sheamus VS Matt Riddle!
The Celtic Warrior already didn’t like The Bro before, but after the frustrating losses, Riddle is getting on Sheamus’ last nerve. Will Sheamus make sure to put the Bro in Brogue, or rather the other way around?
The bell rings and Sheamus goes right at Riddle in a corner! The ref counts, Sheamus headlocks but Riddle gets to a waistlock. Riddle puts Sheamus in a corner, Sheamus powers out and gets Riddle down to a cover, ONE. Riddle waistlocks, Sheamus fights up and throws Riddle down to get a chinlock. Riddle fights up, goes for a Triangle but Sheamus makes it a cover, TWO! Sheamus CLUBS Riddle, puts him in a corner and throws hard body shots, then stomps Riddle down. Sheamus throws Riddle with a headlock takeover, Riddle fights but Sheamus digs his fingers into Riddle’s face. Fans rally, Riddle fights up, and Riddle throws body shots.
Riddle powers out but Sheamus runs him over! Sheamus goes to run but Riddle anchors a foot. Sheamus stomps Riddle, runs but into a leap! Riddle gets around to a sleeper and body scissors! Sheamus rolls but he can’t throw Riddle off! Riddle squeezes tight, Sheamus fights up, and Sheamus puts Riddle in a corner. The ref counts for them to break, Sheamus gets a string of back elbows in! The ref backs Sheamus off, but Sheamus drags Riddle up to CLOBBER him! Sheamus stomps Riddle, stands him up, and CLUBS him back down. Sheamus CLUBS riddle again, Riddle hits back! They brawl back and forth, Sheamus ROCKS Riddle then whips him. Riddle kicks back! And kicks again!
Riddle hits a KNEE! Sheamus is in ropes, Riddle dropkicks him out to the floor! Riddle keeps moving, goes up and out and PENALTY KICKS from the apron! Then he SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BROS! Both men are down on the outside as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Sheamus has Riddle down with fish hooks in the mouth! Sheamus lets off and stomps Riddle down. Sheamus brings Riddle up to throw haymakers but Riddle gives them back! They brawl again, Riddle gets the edge with forearms and palm strikes! Riddle runs but Sheamus scoops for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sheamus is annoyed but he CLUBS Riddle back down! Sheamus drags Riddle up, reels him in to CLUB him in the back, then CLUB him down again! “You’re a disgrace to that title! You hear me?!” Sheamus fireman’s carries Riddle to the ropes but Riddle counters to a gut wrench! Sheamus fights the bomb off, turns around, and boots Riddle away!
Sheamus adjusts, Riddle comes back with a forearm and a CHOP! Riddle climbs up, brings Sheamus up, but Sheamus hits back and shoves him down! But Riddle is right back up! SUPER BELLY2BELLY!! Both men are down and MVP says that’s one of those moves where you can’t be sure who got the worst of it. Riddle and Sheamus slowly sit up, Sheamus stands first but Riddle eggs him on. Riddle fires off more fast hands, boots then spins Sheamus for the PELE! Sheamus staggers to a corner. Riddle kips up and runs in to forearm smash! Then side to side for another! BROSPLODER! Riddle aims and fires off Bro Kicks!
The ref has Riddle let off at the ropes, but Sheamus catches Riddle to Alabama lift! Riddle sunset flips, Sheamus rolls through, PENALTY KICK and BROTON! Cover, TWO!! TRIANGLE HOLD! Sheamus flails, make sit a cover, TWO, to a dead lift POWERBOMB! But Riddle still has the Triangle Hold! Sheamus reaches, drags himself over, ROPEBREAK! Riddle lets go at 4, heads over but Sheamus ROCKS him! Riddle kicks but Sheamus catches it to drag him up and over, APRON WHITE NOISE!! Cover, TWO!??! Sheamus can’t believe Riddle survived! Sheamus hurries to Alabama lift and ALABAMA SLAM! Cover, TWO?!!? Riddle is still in this and Sheamus is stunned!
Sheamus gets up, aims from a corner, pounds his chest but Riddle hits a FINAL FLASH! Inside cradle, TWO!! Sheamus blocks Riddle’s knee to KNEE him back! Cover, Sheamus wins!!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Fella just pinned the United States Champion! He gloats but Riddle dumps him out! Riddle is still furious, and vows Sheamus will get what’s coming to him! Will Riddle be watching for Sheamus after all the sucker punches and cheap shots?
Shane McMahon walks with Elias and Jaxson Ryker backstage.
Kevin Patrick comes by to ask Shane what he plans to reveal in his “exposé” of Braun Strowman tonight. No, but he appreciates Kevin being a good reporter. Know that we’re going to learn some very interesting things about Braun. Enlightening, even. Shane O’Mac, The Drifter and the follower head to the ring to reveal those very things!
Drew McIntyre encounters AJ Styles and Omos.
There’s not a chance he’s turning his back on these two. Lashley’s offer is not one they can refuse. Wow, Lashley’s gotten into McIntyre’s head. Unlike McIntyre, these two have bigger plans for Mania. They’re a lot more realistic. Styles would love to see Omos smack McIntyre off the ground, but these two will embarrass the New Day and become the NEW Raw, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~! Plus, Styles has to be ready for his match with Xavier Woods. But surely their paths will cross again. Fine. McIntyre shouts to the shadows to dare anyone to take Lashley up on that offer! Will there be any takers?
Shane, Elias and Ryker are in the ring.
Though he’ll face the Monster Among Men on Night One of WrestleMania, Shane is here to address the elephant in the room, and he doesn’t mean Braun. No, he means the accusations that given his amazing athletics last week, his leg injury was a lie. Now those who think that don’t know anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, or adrenaline. Adrenaline was what gave him the pain relief that helped him get away and not be further injured. Shane is now 100% and will defeat Braun in the middle of the ring at WrestleMania.
Now, Shane has been doing some homework, and something he’s discovered is something that goes way back. One thing was very interesting and it gave him insight into “young B-B-B-Braun.” Going back to Braun’s Fifth Grade report card, he got STRAIGHT D’S! From Social Studies to Math to English and even GYM! Though maybe that’s a bit harsh. The letter grade is one thing, but these teacher comments are another. Braun is disruptive, instigating fights, aka a bully. He has a lack of basic problem solving skills and looked to be held back. He fell behind his classmates and needed summer school. Doesn’t seem like Braun’s improved over any of these.
In summation, a picture is worth a thousand words. Therefore, the last image is Braun in a dunce cap, and “2+2 = 5 I’M NOT STUPID!” Elias starts to feel bad for Braun. Ryker get sit, though. It is cliché, but true: big guy, tiny brain. Shane knows he will outwit Braun, as will Ryker here tonight. But at the end, maybe what Braun needs is a “big ol’ warm hug from all of us.” They will give it to B-B-B-Braun. But BRAAAUN~ makes his entrance and Shane looks worried, because there’s a good chance someone’s gonna #GetTheseHands!
Braun Strowman VS Jaxson Ryker w/ Elias & Shane McMahon!
Raw returns, the bell rings and Braun shoves Ryker down, drags him up then TOSSES him across the way! And TOSSES him again! Braun goes out and starts the Strowman Express! Shane runs away, Braun goes into the ring, and he choke grips Ryker to power him to a corner! Braun fires off heavy hands, big elbows, and brings Ryker up to HEADBUTT him down! Elias distracts Braun, then Shane distracts the ref! Braun runs them both off but Ryker attacks! Ryker fires off hands, Braun puts him in a corner but Ryker boots back! Ryker runs and chop blocks a leg out! Ryker keeps going, BULLDOG!
Ryker fires up, goes up the corner and wants Braun to stand! Ryker leaps, ax handles Braun, but Braun comes back to BOOT him down! Ryker bails out, Braun goes out, and the Strowman Express starts down the track to CLOBBER Ryker! Braun puts Ryker in, storms after him and runs in to SPLASH! Braun shouts, “This is your fate, Shane! You made this bed, and you’re gonna lay in it at WrestleMania!” Scoop and MONSTER SLAM!! Cover, Braun wins!
Winner: Braun Strowman, by pinfall
And the chase is on again! Shane runs away, Elias hurries after Braun and KNEES Him down! Elias and Shane attack 2v1, stomping and dropping knees! Braun EXPLODES out! Shane runs away, but Braun gets a mic! “Where’re you running off to, Shane? You think I forgot? You accepted my challenge for a match at WrestleMania. Maybe you forgot you told me I could pick any match that I wanted.”
And Braun’s been thinking and has made up his mind. They’re going to have a match where the goons can’t get involved in, and where they’ll end these weeks and weeks of Shane running for his life! “There’s nowhere to run, there’s nowhere to hide. At WrestleMania, you’re gonna Get These Hands in a STEEL CAGE MATCH!” Shane’s bullying has finally come back to haunt him! Will Shane survive being inside the steel with the Monster?
Raw presents an all new Dirt Sheet!
The Miz and John Morrison are already in the ring, dressed for the red carpet that isn’t there, and give their introductions. If you’re wondering why Morrison’s hair is so high, it’s because it’s full of secrets. But it’s no secret that The Miz is the Most Must-See WWE Superstar. Tonight might be the most anticipated episode of the Dirt Sheet ever as #JohnnyDripDrip and MC M I Z have the world premiere of “Hey Hey, Hop Hop,” the hottest beat to drop since Despacito and Mo’ Money Mo’ Problems! Just call him Notorious M I Z. Is that the VMA’s calling?
“Hey, John, do you know who was nominated for a VMA last year?” “Bad Bunny.” “Correct. And do you know who didn’t win a VMA last year?” “Bad Bunny.” “Correct!” He won a Grammy, though. That’s not how this gag works. It goes, “Hey, John. Do you know who is going to lose to me at WrestleMania?” “Bad Bunny.” COOOOOORRECT. And speaking of, Miz will address last week. He thought he made it absolutely clear that Bunny doesn’t belong here when he smacked him with a guitar. Miz thought he solidified his stance when he challenged Bunny to this Mania match. But then Bunny accepts? And then has the cajones to return the favor and hit MIZ in the back?!
Miz gets it, it’s tit for tat, but Miz was trying to teach Bunny a lesson while Bunny was trying to hurt Miz! He’s got some bold cotton balls. This is far from over! Miz promises to pay back Bunny at Mania for every ounce of ridicule, every shred of disrespect and every splinter of wood that was in his back. Didn’t Bunny also call Miz- Yes, but let’s focus on the positives! Such as Miz being the only TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion in the WWE, and will still be the backbone of the WWE after Bunny’s 15 minutes of fame are over. Plus, they shot an absolutely awesome music video! They took a few days in San Juan, Puerto Rico, put the hop back in hip hop, and celebrated with Pina Coladas.
So without a moment further, here is the WORLD PREMIERE of Hey Hey, Hop Hop! Miz and Morrison start the video with the introduction they just gave, and away they go. Stock footage of fans, photoshopping themselves onto Madison Square Garden and Tokyo Square, and wearing bunny suits. Johnny Drip Drip and MC M I Z have sweet rhymes and nasty lucha. They also add in Miz hitting Bunny with the guitar several times. Miz and Morrison dance along with themselves in the present. They and the fake fans in the video are the only ones cheering. Miz gets emotional as he practices his acceptance speech for the Grammy’s.
But here come Bad Bunny and Damian Priest to respond! Congrats! They actually enjoyed that. It was really… How to say it? Entertaining? Sure. But Priest is glad Miz found time to relax and goof off. Because he won’t be laughing when Bunny handles him at Mania. Bunny won’t say anything else but that at Mania, Bunny says it in Spanish and Miz demands to know what it means in English. He’s going to make Miz his bitch!! Miz and Morrison storm out, but Priest is in the way. Feeling real bad behind your boy, huh, Bunny? Priest moves aside and Bunny ROCKS Miz with a right haymaker!
Priest and Bunny get in the ring and dare Miz to bring it! Morrison keeps Miz back, but Bunny throws the Dirt Sheet set out! Priest and Bunny dare the would-be rappers to bring it, then they take the poster for the music video and bend it up! Morrison says Bunny just signed his death warrant! Will Miz make this the Most Must-See crossover of all time?
Randy Orton speaks.
“I have been privileged throughout the course of my career to go toe-to-toe with some of the greatest talent that this industry has ever offered. Legends like Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair, legends like Shawn Michaels and Triple H, legends like The Undertaker, Kane, John Cena, it’s a very long list.” But none of those men compares to The Fiend. Just a few months ago, Orton did what he had to do to get rid of The Fiend once and for all. he chose to light the match, drop the match and watch the Fiend BURN! “No man could have survived that. But that’s the thing now, isn’t it?” Orton didn’t realize that The Fiend isn’t a man, but much, much more! The Fiend is sick and twisted, sadistic, and an abomination from HELL!
Orton thought Alexa Bliss’ premonition that The Fiend would return was an elaborate game. But the “match” at Fastlane wasn’t that at all! It was a trap! The entire time,. Alexa knew that she had The Fiend’s heartbeat in the palm of her hand and could bring him back. At least now, thank you, God, that Orton knows what he’s dealing with! So for the final time, at WrestleMania, Orton isn’t facing a man but a “sick and twisted, sadistic abomination!” Lucky for Orton, “we were both cut from the same cloth.” That means Orton will do what he has to do and knows how far as he must go to get The Fiend out of his life once and for all!
Shelton Benjamin w/ Cedric Alexander VS Bobby Lashley w/ MVP!
Adam Pearce made a match, and he is giving the Gold Standard his chance to show the Rocky Mountain Machine what he’s made of! Will Benjamin tear down the All Mighty World Champion and let Alexander handle the scraps next week? Or will Lashley simply steamroll one before he bulldozes the other?
Raw returns, the bell rings, and Benjamin fires off on Lashley with haymakers! Benjamin knees low, clubs Lashley, but Lashley shoves him away. Lashley scoops Benjamin but Benjamin slips off to waistlock. Lashley elbows free, Benjamin gets around and SLAMS Lashley down. Benjamin grinds Lashley but Lashley fights up. Benjamin throws Lashley down again, Alexander coaches him and Benjamin throws knees in! Benjamin clamps onto Lashley, waistlocks again, but Lashley pries free. Benjamin clubs Lashley, runs but Lashley follows to get Benjamin for the COMPLETE SHOT! Lashley rains down fists, paces, and drags Benjamin up to throw out of the ring.
Lashley paces, Alexander coaches Benjamin but Lashley goes out to get Benjamin. Lashley fireman’s carries Benjamin to POST him! Benjamin writhes, Alexander is furious but Lashley glares at them both. Lashley drags Benjamin up to throw him in and stalks him. Lashley runs corner to corner to RAM into Benjamin! Alexander swipes at Lashley, Lashley gives chase! Alexander goes up the ramp and MVP says that’s pretty funny given Alexander wanted a piece of Lashley. The ring count is past 5 of 10, Lashley returns but runs into PAYDIRT!! Cover, TWO!! Lashley survives and MVP says Alexander has only angered Lashley.
Lashley gets up, throws haymakers but Benjamin gives them back. Benjamin rams Lashley into the corner, fires off hands, then runs in to KNEE Lashley! Benjamin fire sup, runs corner to corner, and KNEES Lashley again! But Lashley hits an ALL MIGHTY SPINEBUSTER! Lashley drags Benjamin up to rain down more fists, then whips him for another ALL MIGHTY SPINEBUSTER! Lashley watches Benjamin slowly get up, and puts on the HURT LOCKER!! Benjamin is a rag doll, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
The Rocky Mountain Machine has a head of steam going towards WrestleMania Weekend! Will PRIMED Alexander only get the same next week? Or will he reconsider and withdraw his request?
AJ Styles and Omos encounter The New Day backstage.
Styles asks what this is all about. This is for the game they’re going to play tonight! Some icebreaker things to see if Styles and Omos are meshing as a team. No, Styles and Woods are going to fight. Is he scared? Is he chicken? BAWK BAWK! NO HE’S NOT! Let’s play your games! Styles and Omos will beat them at these games, then beat them in the ring! Yeah no. But first, game night! Let the games begin, BABYYYY~! Cards, charades, all sorts of stuff! Styles says that’s fine. He and Omos can make the New Day look even more ridiculous! But will game night be less than phenomenal for the challengers?
WrestleMania has MORE matches!
For Night One, Braun VS Shane is now officially a Steel Cage Match! And then on Night Two, Sheamus gets another match with Matt Riddle, for the WWE United States Championship!
The New Day present game night!
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the NEW~ DAY~ Game~ NIIIGHT~!” This is where team skills will be put to the test against some friends! Woods introduces the Phenomenal AJ Styles, “and his extremely large counterpart,” Omos! Boooo~! Boo. Styles and Omos make their way to the ring, Woods apologizes but says he loves the mauve shirt on Omos. Kofi wants Styles to calm down and says that we’re on the way to WrestleMania, so it is important for a tag team to be on the same page, a well-oiled machine. There is a line-up of games ready to prove who (who who who) is the better team.
Playing games is going to prove who is the better team? Well, Styles & Omos are already the better team in the ring, so they’ll play along. First up is charades! You get a clue, act it out silently, and hopefully your partner gets it. Kofi goes first and the New Day has 15 seconds. BEGIN! Kofi’s clue: A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton. The piano fingers and distance hands work out. Styles can’t believe it! Well Woods loves that song! Styles takes his turn, 15 seconds and… GO! Styles’ clue: The Lion King. He does cat paws and a crown, then waving. Omos isn’t sure. Time’s up! Lion King, man! Crown, cat! But he didn’t get it~!
That moves to round two! Pick another clue and use it for Pictionary! Woods will draw on the paper, Kofi will guess. Woods’ clue: Rocket Ship. He draws a box, triangle, circle, and a moon. ROCKET SHIP!! WOOOO~! Styles volunteers to draw, even though it’s Omos’ turn. But Omos just stays put so Styles goes again. Styles’ clue: The Sun. He draws a circle with lines, and Omos is still confused. It’s the sun! Is Omos not trying? Well it’s a clean SWEEP~! Get the brooms! Omos shouts, “ENOUGH!” He isn’t here for games! To be champions, all they have to do is win at WrestleMania! Omos will show them BOTH what he is capable! And Styles will show Woods what he’s capable of right now!
Woods says HE will show STYLES what he is capable of! But thank you for watching the first-ever New Day Game Night! Styles throws things around in a fit, but he’ll be looking to throw hands with Woods after the break!
AJ Styles w/ Omos VS Xavier Woods w/ Kofi Kingston!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Woods and Styles circle, tie up, and Woods wrenches to a wristlock but Styles ROCKS him with a right. Things speed up. Styles hurdles then drops to dropkick Woods down! Styles taunts Kofi, drags Woods up and whips him to ropes. Woods ducks, dodges and slides to ROLLING ELBOW! Omos is annoyed as Woods throws EuroUppers on Styles. Woods bumps Styles off buckles, CHOPS him, then has him in another corner for a bump and CHOP! Kofi has his play by play but Styles blocks the bump to bump Woods! Styles whips, Woods reverses but Styles reverses back! Styles runs in but misses and hits buckles! Woods CHOPS Styles off his feet! Cover, ONE!
Woods drags Styles up but Styles knees low. Styles whips, Woods reverses and sends Styles out! Woods DECKS Styles off the apron, Woods builds speed, but Omos stands in the way! Styles gets away and back in the ring to turn Woods around! Woods blocks to dropkick Styles out the other way! Woods builds speed to FLY and take Styles out at the ramp! Kofi and the fans are fired up while Woods slides in to mockingly wave at Omos, and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Woods throws haymakers on Styles. Woods whips, Styles reverses but Woods comes back with a leaping forearm! Woods rallies on Styles, ducks a clothesline to LEG LARIAT! Woods fires up, brings Styles around but Styles reverses to back suplex. Woods lands on his feet and pops Styles up for a back drop! Cover, TWO! Woods keeps his cool as he drags Styles up and pushes him into the corner. Woods hoists Styles up top, throws hands, then climbs up to join him. Woods clubs Styles, brings him up, but Styles slips under to trip Woods up! Styles fireman’s carries to an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Kofi coaches Woods but Styles is furious!
Styles drags Woods up, reels him in, and calls his shot! Woods RAMS Styles into the corner, reels him in, and hits a TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO!! Woods kicks Styles, drags him to a drop zone and goes to a corner. Woods climbs slowly, Omos drags Styles out of the ring to safety! Woods sees that, runs over but Omos blocks the kick to TOSS Woods into the ring!
Winner: Xavier Woods, by disqualification
Kofi leaps at Omos but Omos catches him! And military presses Kofi to TOSS him over the barrier!! Just like when he tossed Woods with that choke slam! Styles drags Woods up, bumps him off buckles and fires off hands! Omos runs in to back elbow Woods HARD! Styles says he and Omos will be champion, and they’ll “get it done!” Styles feeds Woods to Omos’ POP-UP SPINEBUSTER!! The gigantic Omos stands on Woods’ chest, and Styles “counts the pin.” Will we see this happen at WrestleMania in Omos’ massive debut match?
Raw returns to Alexa’s Playground.
She hums Pop Goes the Weasel, then says, “Don’t you just love Jack-in-the-Boxes?” This may look and sound like a normal one, but she’ll let us in on a secret: “it’s so much more. Did you know, centuries ago, these used to be called Devil in the Box?” They had spells written all over and there were weakened spirits inside. That’s what happened at TLC to him. Randy Orton burned The Fiend alive, and then believed he was gone forever. But he was wrong. The Fiend was just weakened and trapped. Trapped inside the Fiend in a Box. “But you can’t trap evil forever. All he needed was time. And now he’s just salivating at the idea of standing across from Randy Orton at WrestleMania.”
Orton’s biggest mistake used to be playing with fire. But now, Orton’s mistake is thinking he understands what’s next. He doesn’t. But Alexa will give us Fireflies a teeny, tiny little hint. “At WrestleMania, the Legend Killer dies.” The camera backs up, and The Fiend has been sitting beside Alexa this whole time! Will the Fiend chase the Viper around until it’s POP goes Randy Orton?
McIntyre storms into the locker room!
He’s done waiting for someone to step up! He’ll get them to step up now! No one wants to? That’s disappointing. A few years ago, a young McIntyre would’ve gone after him the second he got here! Anyone gonna tweet and get trending? Is that how you guys get something going today? McIntyre tells Braun he should’ve been a five-time world champion by now! Why isn’t he?! Step the hell up! Braun says McIntyre doesn’t have to worry. After he tears Shane apart, and if McIntyre gets the title back, Braun will be first to come find him.
Anyone else then? WrestleMania is here, dammit! McIntyre wants Humberto Carrillo to step up and do something! Anyone! Riddle says he’s stuffed after fighting Sheamus. Those matches are like full Thanksgiving meals. But Angel Garza gives it a try! He clubs McIntyre but McIntyre ROCKS him then throws him into a couch! McIntyre asks if anyone is taking this serious! Drew Gulak thinks about it, and McIntyre says he’s seen the posts, begging for replies. GLASGOW KISS!! Ricochet is there, and McIntyre knows he wants his opportunity. Take it.
Ricochet says Lashley’s word doesn’t mean a thing to him. They’ve known each other a long time. If McIntyre wants a fight, then alright. McIntyre respects that. See you in the ring, Ricochet. Will the One and Only still prove himself, Lashley’s bounty or not?
Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald VS Naomi w/ Lana!
With the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships without challengers for WrestleMania, the Queen of Spades takes on The Glow to see if she is worthy! Will Naomi take the fight to Shayna and earn a golden ticket for her and Lana?
Raw returns, Dana Brooke & Mandy Rose have joined commentary as Naomi makes her entrance. The bell rings, Shayna and Naomi circle then tie up. Naomi waistlocks, Shayna backs her down but the ref counts. Shayna lets off but ROCKS Naomi with an elbow! Naomi boots but is blocked so she comes back with an enziguri! Naomi whips, Shayna reverses but Naomi goes up only for Shayna to KICK her arms out! Nia cheers Shayna as Shayna wrenches the arm to hammerlock and STOMP the arm! Dana feels Naomi’s pain as Shayna fires forearms on Naomi. Shayna wristlocks, keylocks and grinds Naomi down. Naomi endures, fights up, and throws body shots to then enziguri again!
Naomi PENALTY KICKS, then NECK SNAPPERS! Shayna staggers up into a BUBBA BOMB! Rolling clutch, TWO! Naomi bridges, TWO! KIRAFUDA KTLUCH! Naomi rolls to a cover, Shayna slips out to go for an arm but Naomi hits a leg split leg drop! Cover, TWO! Naomi goes up, Reggie distracts her! Lana runs in, Reggie handsprings away from her! Shayna has Naomi in the Tree of Woe but Naomi fights free while Nia glares at Lana. Lana goes to slap but gets scooped! Nia wants the table, Lana slips off and shoves Nia into Mandy! Dana goes after Lana for that! Reggie panics as Dana fireman’s carries Lana around.
Lana kicks Dana away, is on the apron, Shayna BOOTS her down! Naomi rolls Shayna, and WINS!!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall
The Ravishing Glow took advantage of the chaos and got the win! Will they be the ones heading for Mania to shine in the spotlight?
Asuka and Riddle cross paths.
Is everything okay, Bro? Yeah, he’s just a bit sore and beat up. But at least he gets to fight Sheamus at Mania! And he’s got his scooter back! Nice! She likes? Yeah! Do people in Japan like scooters? Oh, yeah, they’d love it. Riddle spaces out, apologizes, and heads off again. Will Riddle get his head right before facing the Fella again? And speaking of title matches, Asuka heads for gorilla, because she has a contract signing to get to!
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
He officially introduces the Raw Women’s Championship match contract signing, and first introduces the challenger, Rhea Ripley! This time last year, Rhea was showing up on Raw as NXT Women’s Champion and getting Charlotte Flair to challenge her. Now, she is the challenger stepping up against the Empress of Tomorrow! And now, the Empress herself, Asuka, makes her entrance! Both women take their seats at the table and Rhea likes to point out that Asuka is the current Raw Women’s Champion. Asuka laughs at Rhea’s little joke, because she IS the Raw Women’s Champion. “And you are overconfident.”
Rhea admits she is overconfident, but on her first night to Raw, she was confident enough to step to Asuka for a match. Now, she’s confident enough to tell Asuka that she will WIN at Mania and take the title! Rhea signs her part, pushes the contract to Asuka, and Asuka signs her part. And then in Japanese then English, Asuka tells Rhea that her confidence is borrowed, not earned. Rhea has talent, but she has to learn that she is NOT READ- Rhea DUMPS the table onto Asuka! But wait, why are Nia and Shayna returning?!
Rhea stands over Asuka, grabs a mic, and as Nia says, “I don’t know what’s worse: Rhea Ripley having the audacity to request a championship at WrestleMania, or Asuka for accepting her challenge.” Shayna says both are bad. But Rhea’s new, Asuka’s the one who should be ashamed. After everything Shayna’s down to Asuka, she should know better. Shayna and Nia have dominated the ENTIRE Women’s Division for an entire YEAR! Where is THEIR Mania match? Shayna showed she could kick Asuka’s teeth out. And as for Rhea, Shayna can’t wait to give her a hard dose of reality. Rhea asks what’s stopping them?
Well if the Empress of Yesterday can pull herself together, how about she and Rhea step into the ring with Nia & Shayna next week? Then Nia can show Rhea what *stomp* brutality really is. Rhea answers on behalf of Asuka that they ACCEPT! Asuka is shocked, but Rhea just wants to fight! Will Rhea regret getting ahead of herself? Or is she going to earn that confidence she has?
MVP finds Ricochet backstage.
After all this time, MVP is glad to see Ricochet is thinking like a businessman and take Lashley up on the offer. Ricochet explains to MVP this isn’t about Lashley’s offer. At the end of the day, Lashley AND MVP are both full of it. Tonight is for Ricochet. Ricochet doesn’t know when he’ll get another opportunity, but he will beat McIntyre because he knows he can! See you around. Will the One and Only still do the Hurt Business’ dirty work for them?
Drew McIntyre VS Ricochet!
The Scottish Stud goes to the ring first, still looking around to see if anyone else wants to cash in. Will he be able to focus on the King of Flight if his head’s on a swivel?
Raw returns and Ricochet makes his entrance. The bell rings and Ricochet fires off hands but McIntyre tosses Ricochet! Ricochet boots McIntyre, runs and ducks, but still gets LAUNCHED with a back drop! McIntyre looms over Ricochet, brings him up, and CHOPS him! McIntyre keeps Ricochet from falling over to then OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Ricochet flops to the apron, McIntyre storms over and drags him back up. McIntyre ROCKS Ricochet with a right, Lashley watches backstage as McIntyre OVERHEAD- Wait, Ricochet lands on his feet! Ricochet dodges McIntyre, runs and tilt-o-whirls to headscissor McIntyre into buckles!
Ricochet fires off hands, then KNEES McIntyre down to a knee! Ricochet runs, goes up the corner, and leaps to ENZIGURI! Cover, ONE!?! McIntyre shocks Ricochet and shoves him away. Ricochet dumps McIntyre out, McIntyre gets to his feet and drags Ricochet out! McIntyre DECKS Ricochet, whips him but Ricochet goes up and up, to walk the barriers and come back with a DROPKICK! MVP actually cheers Ricochet on as he gets in the ring. McIntyre hurries in, Ricochet puts him in a drop zone. Ricochet hurries up top, but McIntyre avoids the 450! Ricochet rolls through and comes back, into a CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
The Scottish Warrior wasn’t taken out by Ricochet, and starts to dare anyone else to step up, and MUSTAFA ALI chop blocks from behind! Ali has no Retribution behind him but he stomps away on McIntyre! Ali fires off hands, the ref pulls him away but McIntyre throws Ali out! Ali flounders back up and McIntyre dares Ali to fight him! Will McIntyre have another match again?!
Drew McIntyre VS Mustafa Ali!
Raw returns, and he is! But it’s already underway and Ali SLAMS McIntyre’s leg against the post! And then dropkicks the leg into the post! Ali wants to do more damage but McIntyre kick shim away. McIntyre hobbles, Ali runs in and avoids the scoop to chop block again! Ali drops elbows on the leg, stomps it, then shouts, “This is what I deserve!” Ali KICKS McIntyre’s leg, Lashley is still watching, and McIntyre DECKS Ali. McIntyre gets in but Ali dropkicks the leg out! Lashley doesn’t look satisfied and he leaves. Ali is still after the leg, clubs McIntyre on the back and puts the leg in the ropes. Ali pulls but McIntyre CHOPS Ali away! McIntyre storms over but into another basement dropkick! Cover, ONE!!
Ali is still after the leg! McIntyre grabs for ropes, Ali holds on but McIntyre kicks him away. Ali skins the cat to get back up. Ali climbs to the top rope and SPLASHES the leg! McIntyre writhes, Ali covers, TWO!! Ali grows frustrated, and tells MVP he’s getting that opportunity! MVP loves the initiative. Ali throws haymakers on McIntyre and rains them down! Ali glares, runs, but into an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! McIntyre seethes and runs in to OVERHEAD Belly2Belly Ali again! McIntyre hobbles over, throws haymakers and CHOPS, then stomps Ali to bring him up, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly again! McIntyre demands Ali stand, but Ali kicks the bad leg! Ali goes up and leaps, into a GLASGOW KISS!
McIntyre counts down from the corner, and CLAYMORES! Cover, McIntyre wins again!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
That’s two in a row in one night, but then he dares anyone else to step up!? How about Lashley?! McIntyre demands a mic, gets one, and shouts, “C’mon, Lashley. I know you’re back there watching. Everybody tried, and everybody got their ass kicked by Drew McIntyre!” Lashley needs to man up, get out and finish McIntyre himself! McIntyre demands Lashley grow balls and show up! Lashley makes his entrance, MVP says this isn’t good. Will we get WrestleMania a couple weeks early?! We find out after the break!
Raw returns as Lashley and McIntyre stare down.
McIntyre says, “I guess it makes sense why you came out here. I was so focused on the match, I never even noticed MVP behind me.” Lashley could send anyone, play whatever trick she wants, but he can’t prevent the inevitable. Lashley VS McIntyre for the WWE World Championship is happening at WrestleMania! Lashley says he never needed anyone’s help. Did McIntyre forget what Lashley did to him at Elimination Chamber? He almost ended McIntyre’s career! And in hindsight, Lashley should’ve. But Lashley promises that the mauling then will pale in comparison to what’s happening at Mania! McIntyre’s time is up! This is the ALL MIGHTY ERA!
Well, Lashley’s fired up. McIntyre likes that. But Lashley beat McIntyre at Chamber, that’s true. There’s no one as big, bad and dangerous as Lashley. If McIntyre didn’t exist, Lashley would be THEÂ man in the WWE. But going after McIntyre like this, it only proves he’s afraid of McIntyre! Lashley pushes McIntyre, they brawl, and Lashley tackles McIntyre! McIntyre kicks Lashley away, runs into a clinch and gets knees, but he fights free with elbows! GLASGOW KISS and a BOOT! Lashley falls out of the ring and McIntyre shouts, “Is that all you got? You better bring more than that at WrestleMania, you son of a bitch!”
But then KING CORBIN attacks from behind?! SmackDown’s Wolf King is here and he brawls with McIntyre! Back Suplex SLAM! And then another! Corbin drags McIntyre up, eggs him on, but McIntyre rams him to a corner, and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes! McIntyre is furious, and he runs at Corbin, but into DEEP SIX! Corbin lets Lashley pick the bones and put on the HURT LOCK!! MVP says, “Ladies and gentlemen, may I present to you, the All Mighty WWE Champion.” This is a Mania preview! Lashley throws McIntyre down, Corbin tells him to do that again, so Lashley does!
McIntyre is a rag doll as Lashley leans on the hold! Lashley drops McIntyre, and MVP says, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the Hurt Business.” Lashley makes McIntyre stare at the title belt. This is WAR! McIntyre crawls, but Lashley looms over him. Lashley hauls him back up and again puts on the HURT LOCK! McIntyre can only fade back out with Corbin shouting in his face, “How do YOU like it, Drew?!” The Rocky Mountain Machine finally lets McIntyre go, but will he be able to do this against McIntyre at Mania when it’s just 1v1?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode, but something just seemed to hold it back. The handling of Lashley putting the hit out on McIntyre was probably what didn’t blend well from last week to this week, especially with throwing the Hurt Business changing members. Benjamin and Alexander were let go and very upset about that, but wanting matches with Lashley seemed off. I was expecting Benjamin and Alexander would try to cash in on Lashley’s offer to the locker room and go after McIntyre first.
What was also off was McIntyre getting impatient about people going after him under Lashley’s offer. I know McIntyre’s return angle centered around wanting the superstars to step up and be sharks, but why let Lashley’s bounty on his head make him get jumpy like that? He gets in people’s faces, throws Carrillo, fights Garza, hits Gulak, then has matches with Ricochet and Ali, all considerably quickly. Seems like they’re trying to jam in a month of build into two weeks when all they needed was to bring up the Elimination Chamber attack like they did near the end. Have a face to face get physical, then debut Corbin as the new replacement in the Hurt Business.
Which is also confusing, actually. Is Corbin going to finally get rid of the King of the Ring gimmick? Is he being traded to Raw and someone will eventually be sent to SmackDown? Was this Brand to Brand Invitation without having time to say so? Maybe next week’s go-home helps with that, or even this week’s SmackDown. But either way, it all seems like we’re being rushed because somewhere along the way, Vince had an idea of how to build this feud of Lashley and McIntyre, didn’t think it through and is just filling in the gaps as quickly as he can.
Another thing that seems clunky is having a copypasta of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions facing the brand’s top champion and her challenger. I liked the contract signing promos from Asuka and Rhea, and even Rhea being the first one to throw something, but we didn’t need Nia and Shayna coming out and goading Rhea into accepting a match for her and Asuka. Shayna and Nia wanting a Mania match should translate them to going to Adam Pearce, and he’ll make up some huge tag contender match for the go-home, Dana & Mandy VS Naomi & Lana, maybe even use Brand to Brand so Natalya & Tamina can join in, the Heels of Natty & Tamina taking the loss for I would think Naomi & Lana, given how Naomi won against Shayna because of multi-team chaos.
Riddle’s promo with Asuka was weird, too. I think he flubbed his lines and just had to bail because there was no time. Seems a shame, really, I felt like something was there. Sheamus VS Riddle was a great match, and of course it was leading to a US Championship match for Mania. That match will be on par, if not better, and could go either way. Sheamus might need the win more since he’s been on the losing end for a bit more, and Riddle hasn’t exactly had the strongest run as it is, either. Maybe Vince just has no idea what to do with Riddle past “Bro…!” and his behavior that comes off as annoying to other superstars.
Shane’s mockery of Braun was the usual doofiness WWE tends to bring to these kinds of things. Promos like this, with the fake pictures made up just for the promo and put on the titantron just aren’t hitting the mark like they used to, and honestly should just be stopped. Braun of course wins against Ryker, but again has the train sounds for his “Strowman Express” spot. Then him choosing a Steel Cage match was just an awful choice. Is it an unwritten rule that no one can ever remember the THOUSANDS of times when a cage match has NEVER stopped interference? It is just a guarantee that someone on Shane’s side will show up and help him against Braun, which sucks.
We got good promos from Orton and Alexa, and I’m hoping Alexa’s “hint” was the very subtle way of saying we are getting a Firefly Fun House match, as it’s not what Orton expects. It can start as a slug fest, they go backstage, and then things get trippy with the Firefly Fun House stuff where Orton loses and, like John Cena, is blinked out of WWE existence so he can take some time off or something. Then one day, unlike Cena, we get a puppet that is so clearly meant to be Orton joining Alexa in her playground.
I think the best stuff tonight was with the New Day, Styles and Omos. New Day have their game night idea, Styles literally plays along but Omos doesn’t. Omos is almost coming off the alpha of the two because he’s staying serious and focused. Woods VS Styles was a good match, and I’m a little surprised Omos got involved to get Styles disqualified. But Omos catching and throwing Kofi to then help Styles beat Woods down was pretty good. Omos is definitely going to be what makes or breaks the match, both in reality and in kayfabe. Omos did good with the power moves, he was able to run well for that corner body block, and I’m going to assume his finisher is the two-hand slam. It’ll come down to if Omos can keep up with the New Day once it’ll be a fair match, and he could be what costs him and Styles for making some kind of rookie mistake, which could be a good wrinkle in the story for him and Styles.
My Score: 8/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Oblong Ball Foot Show: Who’s Your Fav Ninja Turtle?
Every team has now played more than half of their schedule and Tunney and Balaz got you covered as we...
Hockey Talk- The Hall Finally Calls [111224]
Hockey Talk celebrates Jeremy Roenick finally getting inducted into the Hall of Fame 16 years after his last game and...
Oblong Ball Foot Show: Are The Lions Better Than The Chiefs?
With Rey Cash out on assignment, Andrew and PC take you through Weapon and Dumbass of the week along with...
Hockey Talk- Capital Gains [110524]
Hockey Talk looks at the surprising Washington Capitals and their captain, Alex Ovechkin, as he draws closer to the goal...
The Front and Center Sports Podcast – Last Week Today
The Chairshot presents episode 10 of The Front and Center Sports Podcast, a with an NBA and World Series Preview,...
Bandwagon Nerds #263: Dawn Patrol
BWN continues its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 1987 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Flyers, plus Star...
Bandwagon Nerds #262: Curse of the Great Bambino
BWN begins its coverage of Game 7 featuring the 2003 ALCS clash between the Yankees and Red Sox, plus MCU...
Bandwagon Nerds #261: Flying Figgity
The Bandwagon begins its 6th year by concluding its review of Agatha All Along and mulling over the question of...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (10/31/24)
IT'S TIME!
Hockey Talk- Jet Setters [102924]
Hockey Talk looks at the red-hot start to the season of the Winnipeg Jets and discusses how the defending champion...
Mitchell’s AEW Dynamite Results & Report! (11/20/24)
Dynamite is Freshly Squeezed!
Greg DeMarco Show: Looks That Kill
Patrick O'Dowd went to Arizona and he and Greg had themselves an extended weekend with IZW Looks That Kill!
Mitchell’s NJPW World Tag League Results & Report! (11/19/24)
It's Tag Season again!
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (11/19/24)
There's a lot on the line tonight!
Classic POD is WAR: What Is Thank You Alex Trebek? (111220)
The Chairshot, brings you THE podcast that will absolutely have you questioning everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling,...
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (11/18/24)
It's a BIG night!
#TheOddity 018: That’s Alot Of Chalamets
Join Dave Wortz and PC Tunney for your weekly newsletter on the ridiculous and dumb of actual headlines from around...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (11/16/24)
Championship or Bust!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Posthumously? Really??
Smash or Trash is back this week as the guys are talking beverages! Plus, some thoughts on the Mike Tyson/Jake...
Mitchell’s AEW Rampage Results & Report! (11/15/24)
Ricochet is on a Rampage!
