Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/7/21)
Time to layeth the SmackDown!
Throwback Week at Fox means SmackDown is going old school!
It’s a Throwback SmackDown, and Cesaro won’t be denied~! Will the Swiss Cyborg swing Seth Rollins then make Roman Reigns acknowledge him?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Cesaro VS Seth Rollins; Cesaro wins and will challenge Roman Reigns for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania Backlash.
- Ruby Riott w/ Liv Morgan VS Carmella; Carmella wins.
- Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode; changed to…
- Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode; Dominik wins.
- Reginald w/ Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Tamina w/ Natalya; Tamina wins, by disqualification.
- 10 Man Tag: Big E, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura & The Street Profits VS Sami Zayn, King Corbin, The Alpha Academy & Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azeez; Team Apollo wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
“The Premier Show. The Rock’s Show, the People’s Show.”
This is #ThrowBackSmackDown! The fist is back, as just CG. But we go all the way back to August 26, 1999 for SmackDown’s first ever main event: The Rock VS Triple H, Shawn Michaels as special guest referee that screwed The Rock over! What a start for a series that has continued for 1133 consecutive weeks!
Roman Reigns heads to the ring!
The original episode closed with a champion, this week opens with a champion! Paul Heyman holds onto the Universal Championship for Roman as they and Jey Uso walk out. And after they finally get into the ring, Heyman fetches a mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, your Tribal Chief has asked me to eulogize the career of his victim, Daniel Bryan. And we shall do so with a 10 bell salute.” Heyman doesn’t need the timekeeper’s help, either, because they can do it themselves. Heyman himself says, “DING!” ten times and it amuses Roman. Heyman then hands the mic to Roman and Roman takes a moment to hear the fans booing from their ThunderDome screens.
“Unlike Daniel Bryan, I’m a man of my word. I did what I said I was gonna do: I put everything on my back and I carried it.” And for that, you should acknowledge Roman, thank him and celebrate him. He always gives us what we want. He gave Fox what they wanted, SmackDown what they wanted, and Daniel Bryan what he wanted. Bryan didn’t want to be here anymore, so Roman smashed him, pinned him and got rid of him! If Bryan wanted to be here, it was simple: ACKNOWLEDGE Roman. Bryan couldn’t, so he’s gone. And with him gone, he’s been replaced with someone who most certainly will acknowledge Roman. Roman looks to the ramp, and here comes Jimmy Uso!
Jimmy is back and Jey is happiest of all to have his twin brother back! Jimmy gets in the ring, hugs his brother, and fans are torn. Jimmy looks to Roman, they shake hands and hug it out, and Jimmy even shakes Heyman’s hand. The Bloodline is stronger than ever, but here comes Cesaro! “Hold on, hold on. Did I just hear you right? Did you just say that you replaced Daniel Bryan?” Cesaro hates to break it to them but he speaks for everyone that you cannot and can NEVER replace Bryan! No offense, Uso. But Cesaro has no time for this tonight. he has Seth Rollins to focus on, and that’s- Rollins attacks now! They brawl down the ramp, Cesaro EuroUppers but Rollins clubs back!
Referees rush in, and officials, and… is that Teddy Long?! Now THIS is a throwback! Teddy tells everyone to hold on, and says with the power that has been granted to him by the WWE’s Adam Pearce, Teddy proclaims that if Cesaro beats Rollins tonight, he WILL get a Universal Championship match against Roman Reigns at #WrestleManiaBacklash! HOLLA HOLLA! Rollins is furious, Roman is shocked, but Roman attacks Cesaro! Rollins throws Cesaro into steel steps! Rollins wants the “tough guy” to do something, and then he gets Cesaro up to put him in the ring. Rollins throws hands, stomps away, but the refs try to stop him! The stakes have been raised, and we’ll see how it goes, after the break!
Cesaro VS Seth Rollins!
SmackDown returns and the Swiss Cyborg is so close to a title opportunity! But can he punch his golden ticket to “WrestleMania Backlash” in this WrestleMania rematch?
The bell rings, the Usos are ringside watching as Rollins fires off on Cesaro! The ref backs him off, but Rollins comes right back to stomp Cesaro down! Rollins lets off again to run and SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO! Rollins goes outside to aim from the apron, and he climbs up to leap, FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Rollins is frustrated but Cesaro crawls to ropes. Rollins drags Cesaro up to throw him outside, and then follows out. The Usos say they’re just watching, and Rollins RAMS Cesaro into the apron, then the barriers, repeat! Rollins puts Cesaro in, covers, TWO! Roman is watching from his private suite, Heyman by his side, as Rollins seethes.
Rollins stalks Cesaro, the Usos cheer him on, and Rollins gets Cesaro up for forearms. Cesaro hits back with EuroUppers then body shots! Rollins knees low, runs, Cesaro trophy lifts! Rollins slips out and kicks a bad leg! Rollins SMACKS Cesaro off the mat, covers, TWO! Rollins fumes while Cesaro shakes out the cobwebs. Rollins gets Cesaro up, underhooks and squeezes tight on a facelock. Cesaro resists as Rollins goes for the double underhook, but Rollins shifts to a suplex. Cesaro fights that off to suplex Rollins up instead! Rollins fights but Cesaro holds on to SLAM Rollins down! Cesaro starts to fire up and he fires off EuroUppers!
Cesaro whips Rollins to a corner, runs in and uppercuts! Another whip, another uppercut! Cesaro keeps moving, DISCUS! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives and gets to ropes but Cesaro follows behind. Cesaro calls for it, and trips Rollins up, but Rollins twists! Cesaro sits on the body scissors, TWO! Cesaro gets the Gotch hold but Rollins back drops! Cesaro sunset flips, TWO! Cesaro gets the legs, Rollins gets to ropes! Cesaro YANKS Rollins up, Rollins back drops Cesaro to the apron but Cesaro DECKS him! Cesaro climbs, Jey distracts! Rollins springs right up, SUPERPLEX! Roll through, to the FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Cesaro survives and the fans rally up!
Rollins looks around, the Usos are pacing, and Cesaro gets to a corner, as SmackDown goes to break.
SmackDown returns again Cesaro wants the Sharpshooter! Rollins resists so Cesaro DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO and Rollins has a cover! TWO, and Cesaro gets the SHARPSHOOTER! Rollins endures, flails, reaches, claws his way over, but Cesaro reaches back to get the arm! Crossface! Rollins rolls, turns and DREAM SMASHER ELBOWS! Cesaro wobbles, Rollins runs, but Cesaro ducks the stomp, to get the BOOMERANG! Cover, TWO! Rollins is frustrated but he aims from a corner. Rollins runs but Cesaro scoops him! Rollins fights but he still gets TOSSED to the top buckle! Cesaro climbs up, gut wrenches but Rollins slips through to BUCKLE BOMB Cesaro! Cesaro comes back to LARIAT?!
Both men are down, fans are fired up and the Usos are pacing again. Cesaro rises, Rollins JABS but Cesaro JABS back! Rollins throws a haymaker, Cesaro throws body shots! Cesaro fires off EuroUpper after EuroUpper! Rollins baits Cesaro in to monkey flip him OUT of the ring! The Usos creep over, Jimmy distracts the ref but Rollins tells Jey no. “I’m not Roman, I don’t need your help!” Rollins wants to do this himself, surprisingly, and then he shoves Jey down! Jimmy asks Rollins what the heck, but then Cesaro distracts the ref, Jimmy SUPERKICKS Rollins!! Cesaro PLANCHAS Jimmy! Cesaro gets Rollins up and in, spins around and Gotch hold, NEUTRALIZER!! Cover, Cesaro wins!!
Winner: Cesaro, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Universal Championship)
The Usos tried to help, but they ended up helping the Swiss Cyborg! Will Roman have something to say to Jimmy & Jey about this?
Rollins talks with Roman backstage.
These two have been through a lot together so Rollins didn’t want to have to come in here and talk to Roman like this, “but that son of a bitch, Jimmy” cost Rollins the match! And Rollins wants to hear at Roman if he should be pissed at Jimmy, or at Roman. Roman gets where Rollins is coming from, but he wants Rollins to understand where Roman’s coming from. Yes, Jimmy screwed Rollins over. But Rollins losing screws Roman over, and now Roman has to deal with Rollins’ loose ends in Cesaro. Roman will handle Cesaro because that’s what he does. But Rollins needs to let Roman handle his family. Fine. They’re cool, Roman can handle Jimmy. And if he doesn’t, Rollins will.
Another classic SmackDown moment: December 13, 2001!
Booker T was at a supermarket when STONE COLD attacked him in the produce section! They brawled all over, made a mess, and Stone Cold Steve Austin got a “price check on a jackass.”
Teddy Long talks with Sonya Deville backstage.
The former SmackDown General Manager thanks Sonya for having him here tonight. And he loved that crooked stipulation, that was genius! Sonya says that when she heard Adam Pearce wasn’t going to be here, she feared running the show alone. But then hearing she’d be working with a WWE Hall of Famer, well she’s got his back. Sami Zayn comes in and says this is perfect! It is refreshing to see someone from “outside the establishment” working here again. Now, Teddy’s been gone a long time so he probably isn’t up to speed, but there is a massive conspiracy against Sami. He has a whole documentary, but he knows Teddy isn’t in on it so maybe Teddy can give him the match he needs for his Intercontinental Championship.
Teddy has a better one! Sami goes 1v1 with The Undertaker! That’s not better, Taker retired. Right, sorry. Forget that one. Then it will be a tag team match with Apollo Crews! Well no Sami doesn’t want that, because Apollo is the champion and his commander, Azeez, hurt his throat. Well he’s gonna need all the help he can get because their opponents are Kevin Owens and Big E, the Street Profits and Shinsuke Nakamura! That’s 5v2! Nope, 10 Man! Well who else does Sami have? The Alpha Academy, Otis and Chad Gable! Oh, and King Booker! Um no, King Corbin! That’s what Teddy said.
Now Teddy also knows Sami has cool dance moves, but try The Teddy out! Rock it with your hands now! Sami storms off, will he and the mish-mash he’s being thrown into succeed at all tonight?
The Usos and Roman talk backstage.
Roman says Jimmy is here for one hour, as a favor to him, with the spotlight and everything, and what happens? Jimmy screws up! He had time to get this right, Roman changed the whole game for Jimmy, and he misses. Now what does Roman do? Clean up the mess, treat Jimmy like a baby. They had a good thing going but Jimmy is making mistakes. Does Jimmy understand? Jimmy says Roman isn’t gonna talk to him like he does Jey. Second, Jimmy ain’t nobody’s bitch. Jimmy heads out, will Jey be the one to get him to fall in line?
Ruby Riott w/ Liv Morgan VS Carmella!
The Tag Team Turmoil didn’t work out for these three but there’s always the SmackDown Women’s Championship! With Bianca Belair and Bayley battling at Backlash, who will be right behind them?
The bell rings, Mell and Ruby tie up, Mella pulls hair but Ruby turns things around to put Mella in a corner. Ruby lets off but Mella shoves her! Mella dodges, does a moonwalk, but Ruby headlocks. Mella powers out but Ruby runs her over! Things speed up, Ruby mule kicks and suplexes but Mella slips out to throw Ruby by her hair! Mella drags Ruby up, talks trash to Liv and throws body shots! Mella CLUBS Ruby down, drags her up and whips her at a corner. Ruby stops herself, Mella runs in, but into DEADLY NIGHTSHADE! Ruby fires off forearms on Mella, cranks the arm, then reels Mella in for an STO! Cover, TWO!
Ruby drags Mella to a drop zone, goes up top, but Mella KICKS a hand! Mella tucks Ruby in, CHEEKY NANDOS! Cover, with the ropes! Liv points it out, the ref stops, and Mella BOOTS Liv down! Ruby rolls Mella, TWO! Mella ghost pins, TOW! Ruby jackknifes, TWO! Mella has the CODE OF SILENCE!! Ruby taps, Mella wins!
Winner: Carmella, by submission
Mella is Money and she is UNTOUCHABLE! But will she be seen as #1 contender after Bianca and Bayley run it back?
SmackDown shares another classic moment!
It was July 4th, 2002, and the future Rated R Superstar teamed with the Immortal Hulk Hogan! They became WWF Tag Team Champions that night, and that was the beginning of Edge’s legacy!
And then another moment on June 12, 2003! The Next Big Thing, Brock Lesnar was facing THE Big Show, had him on the top rope, and had the most infamous SUPERPLEX ever! It broke the ring!!
Bayley is here!
The longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion in history says it wouldn’t be a proper throwback without her! Bayley goes to the ring, and will celebrate the women’s champions of WWE, after the break!
SmackDown returns and Bayley has a mic to say, “To be in a WWE ring, you have to be a superstar. Not that I expect you sheep to understand that, but just because you’re a superstar, that doesn’t mean that it makes you a great champion.” Bayley knows what she’s talking about as the longest reigning SmackDown Women’s Champion at 380 days! But don’t worry, she isn’t here to talk about herself. She’s here to pay tribute to fellow women’s champions. The ones that led us with smiles on our faces when they won, the ones that put their bodies on the line for entertaining us.
First, we have Alundra Blayze, who isn’t as good as Bayley but did hold the WWF Women’s Championship for three YEARS. Then, Jacqueline, the first ever African American WWE Cruiserweight Champion and only woman to hold that, on top of two women’s championship reigns. Not as great as Bayley’s, she had 380 consecutive days. But then there’s Bayley’s childhood heroes, Lita and Trish Stratus! And don’t forget the classic, Ivory! The Glamazon, Beth Phoenix! And the latest Hall of Fame inductee, Molly Holly! Last, and certainly not least, our newest champion, Bianca Belair! Look at that smile! So giddy and happy, full of potential, and so, so naïve.
Bayley says Bianca is so blind to the world around her! Bianca has no idea what’s coming,. If she’s not careful, she’ll end up like all the rest: “NOT on Bayley’s Level!” Bayley is just looking out for Bianca. But Bayley tells us what she sees when she looks into Bianca’s eyes: insecurity! Bayley won’t just be the first challenger, she’ll be the LAST challenger! At Backlash, Bayley beats Bianca and finally shows us that she was right all along! But speaking of, Bianca is here! The newEST SmackDown Women’s Champion joins Bayley and gets herself a mic, and says Bayley just can’t let her be, can she? Like it or not, Bianca is living her best life, and is only going to make it better at Backlash.
And insecure? Girl, uh-uh. But to keep it 100, Bianca’s confidence is what bothers Bayley and empowers Bianca’s fans. So thanks for the “concern” but maybe Bayley should worry about herself. Because Bianca is on her way to becoming the new longest reigning women’s champion! And if at Backlash, Bianca is doing anything other than winning- Bayley busts up laughing! Bayley’s been doing this lately, and then she goes for a takedown! Bianca throws her away and then dares her to come back! Bianca RAMS into Bayley in the corner and stomps her down! Bianca TOSSES Bayley across the way, finally takes the belt off, and then dropkicks Bayley down, to kip right back up!
Bianca takes off the earrings but Bayley kicks low, and pulls on the other one!! Bayley throws Bianca into buckles by her ear! Bayley drags Bianca back up, pulls on the earring, and shouts, “Listening now?!” Bayley stands on Bianca’s ponytail, then stomps Bianca’s arms! Bayley reels Bianca in for the ROSE PLANTER! Bayley had her laugh and had her way, but will Bianca have the last laugh after Backlash?
Jey finds Jimmy backstage.
Did Jimmy mean all that? About Roman talking down on Jey and Jey being Roman’s bitch? Bro, that’s exactly what’s going on here! What happened, Jey? The Usos are the best tag team here, and it was just about them! But Roman’s the family! Roman benefits the family! No, whatever the family does benefits Roman! Jimmy being gone all year, he saw Jey fighting all of Roman’s battles for him! Jey’s the reason Roman is champion! But Roman IS the champion. They’re stronger together! Well check this, Uce. Roman is Head of the Table, but he takes care of himself. If Jey went to Roman right now, and if he asked if Roman needed Jey, Roman would say NO! Jimmy needs Jey! And Jey needs Jimmy.
If they want to talk family, picture this: Roman Reigns as Universal Champion. Jimmy & Main Event Jey, tag team champions! THAT is representing the family, Uce. Who will Jey listen to? The brother on his right shoulder? Or the Tribal Chief on his left?
Another classic moment: June 27, 2002.
Kurt Angle issued an open challenge, and was met by a newcomer. Who was this? JOHN CENA! And what is the one quality that he possesses that allows him to be in the WWE? RUTHLESS AGGRESSION!! Cena impressed a lot of people, but especially WWE Champion, The Undertaker!
Rey Mysterio w/ Dominik Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!
The Father and Son of Lucha are getting their chance at history at Backlash as they challenge the Dirty Dawgs for the SmackDown Tag Team Championships! But will the Show-Off shutdown the Mysterios’ momentum the same day that news was announced?
SmackDown returns as the tag champs make their entrance. Ziggler has a mic to speak, and he says “This is Throwback SmackDown, baby!” No two throwbacks better than the Dawgs! But they could be big in any era. But Ziggler says he and Rey could go toe to toe all night long. Dom doesn’t belong. At least each of the Kardashians had something. Dom is a legacy but he doesn’t belong in the ring, the company or the industry. He’s just Rey’s little kid. So get out of Ziggler’s ring sot he men can handle business. Aw, is Dommy gonna cry? Just beat it, punk! Dom says he’ll handle this? Dom wants to swap in for Rey?! Well okay then!
Dominik Mysterio w/ Rey Mysterio VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!
The tables have turned, but will the momentum still swing in the Mysterios’ favor? Or is the Show-Off going to show Dom that he’s not cut out for the family business?
The bell rings, they circle, and Ziggler shows superkick but Dom stays back. Ziggler dares Dom to show him what he can do, and then shoves him! Dom shoves back! Ziggler SLAPS Dom, laughs, and throws haymakers! “You don’t belong here!” Ziggler whips, Dom dodges and SLAPS Ziggler! Then dropkicks him! Ziggler bails out to regroup with Roode, but Dom slingshots out! Ziggler is ready, and he trips Dom up! Ziggler scoops and SLAMS Dom to the floor, laughs again, and drags Dom up to talk more trash. Ziggler puts Dom in at 5 of 10, then stalks him to a corner. Dom shoves Ziggler away, Ziggler gets in Dom’s face but Dom throws haymakers! Ziggler DECKS Dom and laughs again.
Ziggler turns Dom with a NECKBREAKER! Cocky cover, TWO! Dom gets to ropes, Ziggler is after him but Dom throws body shots! Rey coaches Dom but Ziggler DECKS him! “You can’t hang with me!” Ziggler scoops and SLAMS Dom again and fires up. Ziggler pushes Dom around, talks more trash, and reels Dom in. Ziggler suplexes but Dom makes it a cradle, DOM WINS!!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
Ziggler tries to deny this happened, but it happened! Can Dom and Rey catch the Dirty Dawgs sleeping and take those titles from them?
Backstage interview with Reginal, Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler.
Surprisingly, instead of either of the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions facing Tamina 1v1 tonight, the stylish sommelier is stepping up! Why? “As someone with a heightened palette, there is nothing worse than a sour taste in my mouth.” That is what he was left with after last week. He stands with the best tag team today, and knows that they will break Tamina & Natalya next week. Tonight, Reggie will break Tamina’s spirt to then have some spirits to cleanse his palette of Tamina’s sour presence. Another rare co-ed match could set the tone for next week’s title match! Will Reggie be tasting sweet victory or bitter defeat tonight?
SmackDown has another classic moment: November 11, 1999!
Arnold Schwarzenegger was a special guest, and he thanked the fans for the reception. He got to join commentary as The Rock’s team battled DX! Arnold helped Stone Cold get a chair, HHH took a swing on Arnold, and HHH got terminated!
Roman sits in his room.
Heyman walks over and Roman tells him to fetch his cousin. Which one? Roman glares at Heyman and he understands. Will Jey have to explain what went down to Roman?
Reginald w/ Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler VS Tamina w/ Natalya!
SmackDown returns as the statement makers, bone breakers and title takers make their entrance. Reggie doesn’t seem worried despite being in the ring with the Daughter of Superfly. The bell rings and Reggie wants Tamina to take a moment while he takes off his jacket. Reggie has a Team Shay-Nia shirt, and then he backflips to avoid Tamina’s boot! Reggie goes around the way, shows off his acrobatics going in then right back out the ring, but slides back in. Tamina rushes in, Reggie handsprings under the clotheslines, but this only upsets Tamina. Tamina grabs him by his hair, reels him in, and THROWS him, but Reggie lands on his feet! Tamina snarls and Reggie realizes he’s cornered!
Reggie slides under but gets caught! Tamina drags him up, “Who do you think you are?!” She tosses Reggie into a corner and Reggie climbs up! Reggie stands on the post itself! Tamina climbs up but Reggie LEAPS over, with a corkscrew! Even Shayna likes that one! Reggie does a dance, into a SUPERKICK! Nia and Shayna are in shock as Tamina puts Reggie in the drop zone! Tamina climbs, Shayna shoves her down and Nia drags Reggie out!
Winner: Tamina, by disqualification
Shayna goes after Tamina, Natty goes after Shayna but Nia CLOBBERS Natty! The champs combine for the KNEE SIDEWALK SLAM! Tamina fights them but that’s 2v1! Shayna drags Tamina by an arm, hammerlocks it, and Nia holds Tamina down so Shayna can STOMP the arm! Nia then drags Tamina out of the ring for a fireman’s carry, SAMOAN DROP into barriers! Nia then stands on Tamina’s head and tells her, “Don’t you DARE disrespect Reggie like that!” The Irresistible Force and Queen of Spades stand tall for now, but will they pay for this in just one week?
Apollo Crews and his team have gathered.
The WWE Intercontinental Champion says that much like his great-grandfather united tribes towards a common goal, tonight he leads these men into battle! They have King Corbin’s brutality, the might of Otis, the strategy of Chad Gable, and we have… Well Sami’s here. Like the five fingers of the hand, alone they are vulnerable, but together they are unbreakable! Apollo’s team is fired up, but will they be extinguished by their opponents? Speaking of…
Big E and his team have gathered!
“Oh~, tonight! We set our differences aside, because we throw it back, and OH~ we throwing down!” Those boys are gonna feel~ the power and the pain! Right, Kevin? Yeah. OHHH~! And that means Big E, Nakamura, KO and the Profits are UP, and #WeWantTheSmoke!! Ten men are ready to turn it up to 11! We see one for the history books, after the break!
10 Man Tag: Big E, Kevin Owens, Shinsuke Nakamura & The Street Profits VS Sami Zayn, King Corbin, The Alpha Academy & Apollo Crews w/ Commander Azee!
SmackDown returns with this match starting, Gable and Angelo Dawkins tie up. They go around, Gable waistlocks, Dawkins switches but Gable switches back to a headlock takeover. Dawkins headscissors, Gable kips free but Dawkins reverses roles with his own headlock takeover. Gable headscissors, Dawkins kips free, then shoots in, but Gable blocks to roll him. Dawkins keeps moving, hurdles but Gable arm-drags! Dawkins arm-drags then FLAPJACKS! Tag to Montez Ford, the Profits whip Gable to dropkick him down! Ford handsprings and shows off the shoulder shimmy before he covers, TWO! Sami shouts at Ford but Ford wrenches Gable. Gable breaks free and throat chops!
Tag to Apollo, they mug Ford, and Apollo drags Ford up to scoop and SLAM him! Apollo mocks Big E with the New Day clap, then Sami tags himself in! Apollo is upset but Sami stomps away on Ford. Sami CLUBS Ford down, does his moves and then stomps Ford! Sami puts Ford on ropes and chokes him! The ref counts, Sami lets off and Azeez smiles. Sami puts Ford in a corner, tells the ref to watch Kevin, and then he throws hands on Ford. Sami wrenches Ford, whips him corner to corner, but Ford goes up and over and handsprings to show off, before he dropkicks Sami down! Ford wrenches, Big E tags in, but Sami gets away! Big E dares Apollo to get in but Apollo swivels hips.
Corbin tags in, the Wolf King circles with Big E and they tie up. Big E headlocks, Corbin powers out, but Big E ducks and dodges to ram shoulders! Corbin rebounds to LARIAT! Corbin taunts Big E’s team, things speed up but Big E hurdles to CLOBBER Corbin! Big E pushes Corbin to a cover, ONE! Big E gets Corbin up, but Corbin powers him to the corner! Sami mugs Big E but Kevin BLASTS Sami off the apron! Sami’s team help shim but Kevin’s team rushes over! It is chaotic at ringside, Kevin get to the apron to FROG SPLASH Sami down!! Fans are fired up as all 10 men #JustKeepFighting, and SmackDown goes to break!
SmackDown returns again as Otis has Kevin down with a neck wrench. Kevin endures, fights up, and fights back with body shots. Kevin CHOPS, runs, but Otis throws body shots of his own! Otis whips Kevin to the corner, taunts the other team, then runs in to SPLASH! Apollo tags in and he stares Big E down before getting Kevin up. Apollo fireman’s carries, Kevin fights free to kick, but no stunner! Apollo mule kicks, Kevin dodges the boot to atomic drop and ENZIGURI! Both men are down and everyone fires u! Gable trips up Big E but Big E chases him, only for Otis to CLOBBER him! Apollo likes that, and he drags Kevin up to whip. Kevin reverses, ducks and WHEEL KICKS!
Hot tags to Nakamura and Sami! The King of Strong Style hits a DYNAMIC DROPKICK! He fires off on Gable, KICKS him down, then DECKS Corbin! Sami blindsides Nakamura, whips, but Nakamura kicks to get him with the WHEEL KICK! Nakamura whips, Sami uses that to BLAST the Profits! Sami tries to boot Nakamura but gets put in the ropes! SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura hops up to hit a FLYING KNEE! Cover, but Corbin breaks it in time! Corbin throws Nakamura out but Big E gets Corbin for a Belly2Belly! Apollo gets in to ENZIGURI and GERMAN Big E! Kevin gets Apollo with a STUNNER!! Otis drags Kevin out but gets a SUPERKICK for it! Otis stays up!?
Kevin SUPERKICKS Otis again, Otis still stands! Gable waistlocks Kevin for a GERMAN SUPLEX to the ramp! Dawkins POUNCES Gable, Otis CLOBBERS Dawkins! Ford FLIES and takes out Otis!! Nakamura aims at Sami, for the KIN- NO! Sami elbows him away and Corbin tags in! KINSHASA but a little too late! END OF DAYS!! Cover, Team Apollo win!!
Winners: Apollo Crews, Baron Corbin, Sami Zayn & The Alpha Academy, by pinfall
The ones who took advantage of the chaos and fury come out on top! Will this solidify Apollo as a true leader? Sami tries to sneak a touch at the Intercontinental title, is this as close as he’ll get to it?
Roman talks with his cousin.
Doesn’t he understand that all the hard work they’ve put in, the responsibilities he’s given Jey, and why? For the family. They do it because of love. Roman loves the Usos, which is why he wants Jimmy to have the same opportunities. But Roman needs to know where Jimmy stands, and we’re all about to find out right now. Roman leads the way back towards gorilla! What will Roman do to test his cousins’ loyalties?
SmackDown has one more classic moment!
“Viva la Raza~!” July 22, 2004, Eddie Guerrero returned and invited Vince McMahon into the low rider! The hydraulics were a bit more of a ride than Vince thought, but he didn’t mind, he was riding with Latino Heat! We miss you, Eddie!
SmackDown returns with Roman, Heyman and Jey in the ring.
Heyman gives Roman a mic again, and Roman says, “This is not how I envisioned the night. It was simple: I bring your brother back in-” Jimmy interrupts! Jimmy said he’s not being bossed around and now he’s playing by his own rules! Jimmy gets himself a mic as he gets in the ring and asks what’s up with Jey. Where does he stand? When Jey and Roman fought, that was an I Quit match. Jimmy sat backstage and watched, and Jey wasn’t quitting for nothing! Not until Roman dragged Jimmy into the ring, into the Guillotine and choked him out! Then Jey said he quit, for Jimmy’s sake because he loves Jimmy! Does Jey not remember? There’s footage from Hell in a Cell 2020 to remind him!
Jimmy tells Jey, “Don’t get hot at me when I say this. But if it were me, I would’ve never said I quit to you, no matter what.” Roman tells Jimmy, “That’s what this is about?” Jimmy’s stuck on the past? Roman and Jey moved past that. Roman isn’t going to go back and forth with Jimmy. “It’s simple: Fall in line. Stand with us. And acknowledge me.” Or Jimmy can take his ass home. Got that? And when Jimmy turns on the TV, he’ll have to explain to his kids why he’s home with them, watching The Tribal Chief, and THE Uso. Jimmy drops the mic and steps away. But then Jimmy stops at the ramp, and Jey assures Roman he’s close. Jey goes out to talk to Jimmy and says this will be easy once he accepts Roman.
But then Cesaro attacks Roman! The Swiss Cyborg has Roman alone, but Jey gets in, only to get CLOBBERED! Jimmy walks away as Cesaro fires off, but then he runs back in! Jimmy goes after Cesaro to save his brother! Cesaro pops Jimmy up for a EuroUpper! Jey gets up, Cesaro kicks him down and reels him in, NEUTRALIZER! Cesaro goes back to Roman, reels him in, and hits a NEUTRALIZER on Roman!! The Swiss Cyborg just devastated the Bloodline! Does this mean Cesaro will become Head of the Table??
My Thoughts:
A really good SmackDown, but a rather poor “throwback” SmackDown. Granted, I think this was because Fox insisted, not because WWE wanted to do a special episode. But even then, they kinda just threw everything together to reference the past. We got a CG SmackDown fist, not the real deal, but they were using the retro WWE logo that fits more of the 80’s and 90’s. By the time SmackDown came around, they were using the scratch logo of the Attitude Era. I get the Attitude Era isn’t the most appropriate, but that aesthetic would be more accurate. That aside, getting historic moments thrown in here and there were appropriate, and I’m glad we got those.
Bayley and Bianca had a good segment. Bayley listing past champions specifically from the WWE Women’s Championship line was nice, and it fit that she used them all to put herself over. Bianca had a good promo, and Bayley standing tall in their brawl furthers the fact that Bianca will retain. Ruby VS Carmella was a good match, but it just makes me remember Billie Kay got let go and she could’ve been money during this segment, coaching Mella, cheering her on, being the reason Mella wins with a cheat, and then they’d look strong in the tag division while Mella builds up in the singles. But nope, just Mella winning.
We got a very good tag title build, though, even with Nia and Shayna disqualifying the match of Tamina VS Reggie. The titles being on the line on SmackDown makes sense in a few ways. For one, the titles get exposure on TV as opposed to being on a PPV which (even with the various ways Peacock makes itself available) still costs extra. The match can have some time to breathe on the go-home to Backlash, and can make for a big moment on SmackDown if Tamina & Natty win. Ziggler goading Dom into facing him instead of Rey only to lose was good stuff, and their tag title match at Backlash could make up for a lot of the lackluster creativity because we could be seeing history.
Everything with Teddy Long tonight was great, and was the best part of this being a throwback episode. His involvement at the beginning with how Cesaro and Rollins got into it was great, and his promo backstage with Sami and Sonya was brilliant. The promos going into the 10 Man tag were fun, and the 10 Man Tag itself was really fun. We got great interactions between Apollo and Big E and then Kevin and Sami, and Corbin being the one to win and off of Nakamura, maybe things go from a Fatal 4 to a Six Pack Challenge. Or at least a Furious 5 to crown a contender who then faces Apollo later. Either would be great, though.
The Usos costing Rollins to then give us Roman VS Cesaro was a nice twist. I like that there is even the hint of a slow burn for Rollins and Roman in the works, but I should’ve figured this would somehow turn into Uso VS Uso. Sure, wrestling has seen tag partners face each other, and seen brothers face each other, but Jimmy VS Jey, with Roman and Heyman on the side, is going to be something special. Roman VS Cesaro will also be something special, but I do not see Backlash being the night Roman loses.
My Score: 8.2/10
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Will Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn get payback for Payback?
Raw is golden as Finn Balor & Damian Priest defend the Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships and Dominik Mysterio defends his NXT North American title! However, Finn & Priest only won thanks to Dirty Dom, will they be out of luck in a fair 2v2 fight?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Otis w/ The Alpha Academy VS Bronson Reed; Reed wins.
- Tommaso Ciampa VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium; Ciampa wins.
- NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Tegan Nox VS Natalya; Tegan wins and will challenge for the title next week.
- NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS Dragon Lee; Dom wins and retains the title.
- Nia Jax VS Zoey Stark; Nia wins.
- Drew McIntyre VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods; McIntyre wins.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & Damian Priest VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn; Finn & Priest win and retain the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Cody Rhodes is here!
The American Nightmare has Ontario, California all fired up! They sing along with the theme song, “WHOA~ OH!” and the pyro goes off as Cody high-fives the front row and even poses for some selfies. Cody steps into the ring and, after a recap package, he gets a mic to welcome us to Raw. “For those watching at home, if you’ll indulge me for just one moment, I’m gonna turn my back on the camera so I can see a very SOLD OUT Ontario, California!” Fans fire up as Cody turns to see the other half of the arena. Fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” and he then says he has been interrupted two weeks in a row trying to talk about this, so he’ll cut to the chase.
The subject: Main Event Jey Uso. Fans chant “UCEY! UCEY!” and Cody says Jey being on Raw means that someone is going to be sent over to SmackDown. And it also means a very disgruntled locker room that thought Cody should’ve let Jey sink. That’s not Cody. And no, Jey and Cody aren’t best friends. Perhaps, there are other reasons Cody wants Jey here on Raw. Something tells Cody that we’re not in the third inning anymore. But either way, Cody wasn’t gonna watch a man get jumped by three others for making the right decision, and that right decision being turning down The Judgment Day!
Cody says The Judgment Day are “undoubtedly” the most toxic faction in the history of- Well, hold on, here comes the Judgment Day! Finn Balor, Damian Priest & Dominik Mysterio have all their prizes on hand, and even mics. Finn tells Cody, “Why you always gotta stick your nose in Judgment Day’s business?” Priest says last week, they gave Jey the chance to join a real family, but Cody couldn’t help himself. Jey turned them down, got dealt with, but Cody had to save they day because everything is about Cody. Priest talks with Dom in Spanish, but then the fans boo as Dom starts talking to Cody.
Dom tells the fans to shut up, but then he tells Cody that Jey is gonna pay! Jey will pay for disrespecting the Judgment Day. Dom tells the fans “YO SOY UN CAMPEON!” Respect him! Cody has everyone stop here. This is rude of Cody, so keep going, Dom. The fans boo again but then Cody speaks up again. Mr. MITB mentioned real family? Dom, you’ve got a real family, and they can’t stand him! And the biggest question is, since this is Raw, if they wanna come get it, he’s game! But before that, here’s a question: All of them defending their titles tonight, what happens when Mami comes back and finds they are emptyhanded?
You keep Mami’s name out your mouth! But the three look to each other, and they drop the mics! Fans fire up as Cody stares the three down, but wait! Here comes Jey from the crowd side! Main Event Jey stands with the American Nightmare against common enemies! Fans chant “USO! USO!” Finn says this is 3v2, this is easy! But then here comes Sami & Kevin from the crowd! They stand with Cody and Jey, that’s 4v3! Judgment Day reconsiders, and fans boo as they retreat. Priest says Kevin & Sami get theirs later. Oh but wait! JD McDonagh appears, with chairs! That’s 4v4 but with a little extra!
Finn nods and fist bumps his boy, and Dom says heck, this is even now! Priest stays back, but the brawl is on! He says to hell with it then! The brawl goes 4v4, but Priest ends up all alone now! He gets jumped 4v1! Cody gets a chair as Priest powers out! SUPERKICK from Jey! CHAIRSHOT from Cody! Priest tumbles out of the ring and Kevin takes a seat in the other chair. Are the walls closing in on the most toxic team in WWE today? Or can they escape the Golden State still wearing gold around their waists?
Otis w/ The Alpha Academy VS Bronson Reed!
While “Master” Chad Gable could not survive the Tsunami, perhaps his number one guy can turn the tide! Will the tree trunk that is The Dozer survive the force of nature that is Auszilla?
Raw returns and Reed makes his entrance. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two mirror images stare down. They tie up, are in a deadlock, then break. They tie up again and Reed headlocks. Otis powers out but Reed RAMS him! Neither man falls and fans fire up! Otis headlocks, Reed powers out and they RAM shoulders again! Neither falls so they both run, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Neither falls and fans are fired up! Reed SLAPS Otis, but Otis shoves Reed! The two titans egg each other on, then run in to DOUBLE LARIAT! Both men fall back and then out of the ring! Both men stand up, and they stare down from across the way.
Otis and Reed meet at the side and Otis LARIATS Reed down!! Otis keeps after Reed but is sent into the POST! Reed then CLOBBERS Otis! Reed flexes, he puts Otis in the ring, and fans fire up. Reed brings Otis up, whips him to ropes, and fireman’s carries Otis to SAMOAN DROP!?! Cover, TWO! Otis hangs in there but Reed clamps on with a neck wrench. Fans rally and Maxxine coaches Otis up. Otis fights to his feet, throws body shots, and fans fire up. Reed HEADBUTTS Otis, Otis blocks a boot, both men run, to DOUBLE CROSSBODY!! Maxxine is stunned while both men are down! Fans fire up as the real-life kaiju stand!
Otis throws body shots and he backs Reed down. Fans fire up as Otis just windmills away! Then ELBOWS him! Otis whips, Reed swings but Otis rolls under!? DISCUS LARIAT! And then an ANGLE SLAM!! Maxxine cheers Otis on as Reed flounders to a corner. Otis runs in to SPLASH! Reed falls, and fans fire up! Otis has his target, and he RIPS OFF his shirt! The CATERPILLAR ELBOW! Otis then hurries up the corner, to VADER BOMB, BUT FLOPS as Reed moves! Reed SENTONS! Reed hurries up top, fans go nuts for the TSUNAMI!! Cover, Reed wins!!
Winner: Bronson Reed, by pinfall
Maxxine is speechless! The Alpha Academy has lost 0-2 to the Colossus! As the song says, this is his moment, will Reed prove he’s ready for war?
Tegan Nox finds Becky Lynch backstage.
The Man is happy to see Tegan’s back, but she was hoping to see her in the ring. When Becky made that Open Challenge last week, she was kinda hoping for someone like Tegan. And Tegan was waiting at gorilla, so what happened? Natty showed up and Tegan showed the veteran respect. Becky says you can’t do that, you gotta step on toes to show your worth. Becky has a huge title defense this Saturday, NXT No Mercy. Becky wants Tegan to be next in line after Becky wins. Tegan’s up for that. Will the girl with the shiniest wizard get her shot at the gold next week? Or will Tiffany Stratton make some big changes to Becky’s Big Time plans?
Adam Pearce is on the phone.
No, as of right now, the trade has not been finalized. Then he excuses himself as Tegan Nox walks in. She’s sorry for interrupting, but while we know Becky has her NXT Women’s Championship match on Saturday, Tegan is just wondering if she can get the winner of that. But then in walks Natty. Natty says it is great that Tegan’s finally standing up for herself. But maybe ask him to give Natty a rematch. Uh, Natty, Tegan respects you, but you lost. So step aside so someone else can have a shot. Clearly, someone is whispering in Tegan’s ear. The greatest trick of a champion is to distract the hungry challengers.
So if Tegan doesn’t think Natty has the passion, just say it to her face. Passion? Natty’s not the only one with passion around here! And Becky said if Tegan has to step on toes around here, then that’s what she’s gonna do! Pearce has them calm down, and says he isn’t handing out title opportunities. Maybe they go to the ring and we see who earns one. Natty says she’s up for that. Maybe Tegan will get hungry and remember her manners. Tegan says she’s starving. Who gets their shot at Big Time Becks?
Tommaso Ciampa VS Ludwig Kaiser w/ Imperium!
The Psycho Killer dealt with Giovanni Vinci, but now he has to deal with Der Ring General’s lieutenant. Will nothing stop Ciampa from going after Gunther and the Intercontinental Championship? Or will the Impeccable German’s European Excellence eliminate Ciampa from the board?
Raw returns and Imperium makes their entrance. The bell rings and the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock, but Ludwig puts Ciampa in a corner. Ludwig lets off, but throws hands! Ludwig headlocks, grinds the hold, and Gunther is watching backstage as Ciampa throws hands. Ciampa powers out but Ludwig runs him over! Ludwig “kicks dirt” at Ciampa, runs, but Ciampa hits a THESZ PRESS and fast hands! Ludwig staggers up into a snapmare, and Ciampa stomps Ludwig’s face! Fans fire up as Ciampa stomps more. Ciampa CHOPS Ludwig, CHOPS him again, but Ludwig ROCKS him with a right! And another!
Ciampa hits back with haymakers, then bumps Ludwig off buckles. Ciampa CHOPS, then ROCKS Ludwig again, and repeat! Ciampa stomps a mudhole in, the ref counts and Ciampa lets off. Ciampa brings Ludwig up but Ludwig throws hands! Ludwig hoists Ciampa up top, and then DECKS Ciampa with a haymaker! Ciampa checks his teeth as he sits on the apron, but Ludwig brings him up. Ciampa ELBOWS Ludwig away and fans rally up. But Ludwig runs in to SHOVE Ciampa off apron and into steel steps! Fans boo as Imperium stands over Ciampa, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ludwig POSTS Ciampa! Ludwig keeps Ciampa stuck in the ropes, then runs side to side to DROPKICK Ciampa down! The ring count starts as Ciampa is on the floor. Ludwig eggs Ciampa on, Ciampa hurries in at 5 of 10, but Ludwig is on him. Ciampa TOSSES Ludwig out! Fans fire up, Ludwig hurries but Ciampa CHOPS! And ROCKS! And LARIATS! Ludwig flops to the floor and fans fire up with Ciampa. Ciampa puts Ludwig in, runs up and clotheslines Ludwig up and out! Gunther is upset as Ciampa SMACKS Ludwig off apron, SMACKS him off desk, and whips him into the steel steps!
Fans fire up as Ciampa grins and slides into the ring. Ciampa drags Ludwig in through the ropes, WILLOW’S BELL! Cover, TWO! Ludwig survives but Ciampa reels him in! Underhooks and- NO, Ludwig wrenches out to UPPERCUT! Ciampa CHOPS! They go back and forth, Ciampa BOOTS then ripcords, ROLLING- NO, Ludwig fireman’s carries! But Ciampa slips free to REVERSE DDT! Fans fire up as the kneepad comes down! But Vinci gets in, so he takes the PSYCHO KNEE! Ludwig ENZIGURIS Ciampa!! Cover, but the ref is busy with Vinci and his busted nose! Ludwig says get out, and he kicks Vinci away!
Ludwig brings Ciampa up, for a JUMP KNEE! Cover, Ciampa wins!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Ciampa tells Gunther that he better be ready! Ciampa wants everything he has, and he’s taking it all! Gunther is furious, will he tear into Vinci and Ludwig for failing him?
Becky Lynch heads to the ring!
The NXT Women’s Champion holds the belt high as she’s going to be on commentary! She wants to see who is next in line, will it be the Welsh Firecracker of the Queen of Harts?
NXT Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Tegan Nox VS Natalya!
Raw returns and Natty makes her entrance. The bell rings and Natty circles with Tegan. They tie up, Natty hits a headlock takeover but Tegan headscissors. Natty kips free and the two stare down. Natty hits another takeover, denies the headscissors, but Tegan rolls her up. ONE, and Natty holds on. Natty covers, ONE, and Tegan hammerlocks. Fans rally and duel as Natty rolls and Tegan wrenches. N atty rolls and handsprings and hammerlocks, but Tegan hammerlocks back. Natty switches, Tegan switches, then Tegan stops Natty’s switch. Natty ELBOWS free, and then grins.
Tegan shoves Natty and then eggs her on. Natty shoves, spins, but Tegan dodges to TACKLE Natty! Tegan rains down shots but Natty shoves her away. Tegan UPPERCUTS Natty down! And PENALTY KICKS! Tegan then drags Natty up to suplex, for a GOURD BUSTER! Fans fire up and Tegan goes corner to corner, CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! This is the fire Becky wants to see! Tegan runs in but Natty rolls the shining wizard up, TWO! Natty kicks low, reels Tegan in, and she gets Tegan up for a SITOUT BOMB! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up but Natty has the legs! Tegan scrambles and HOTSHOTS Natty off ropes!
Tegan runs, WORLD’S SHINIEST WIZARD!! Cover, Tegan wins!!
Winner: Tegan Nox, by pinfall (NEW #1 Contender to the NXT Women’s Championship)
Tegan did it! She stood up for herself, stepped on some toes, and took the win! But considering Becky VS Tiffy II is EXTREME RULES, will The Man have to put up the fight of her life just to give Tegan hers? Or will the Wrestling Barbie make her Raw in-ring debut next Monday?
Judgment Day regroups.
Finn says nobody should ever get the better of them! McDonagh says it was 4v4, they should’ve had that. But then Priest CHUCKS a chair at the wall! Priest tells McDonagh to shut up! He doesn’t care who he is friends with, he is NOT Judgment Day! He just took a beating cuz of McDonagh! Get out! NOW! McDonagh leaves, Dom is scared silent and Finn is a bit unsure of what to do. Is the Punisher so stubbornly against adding The Irish Ace that he’s going to lose the war for Raw?
Seth Rollins is here!
Ontario, California sings along, “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” as the World Heavyweight Champion struts to the ring. Rollins stands in his spotlight and revels in the “WHOA~! OHH~ OHHH~!” The Visionary wants an answer from the King of Strong Style about their world title rematch, will he get it? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Rollins now has the mic. “ONTARIOOOOO~! Welcome to Monday… Night… Rollins!” And what say we play a little game? He’s sure they’ll like this one. If you guys are as sick and tired as Rollins is of Shinsuke Nakamura ducking and dodging him, then sing his song. “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Well that’s a yes. Rollins says alright, alright, alright. Question number two: If they think it is about time Rollins defended his world title, sing louder. “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” Two for two. Rollins says they’re beautiful and he loves ’em. And since we’re all in agreement, there’s only one thing left to do.
SHINSUKE! For weeks, Rollins has been calling you out, asking for this rematch, but Nakamura’s been duckin’, dodgin’ and playin’ games, but the time for games is over. Right here, right now, we are getting an answer! If Nakamura does not accept the challenge for a rematch, then Rollins is pulling the offer. He’s moving on! There are a million capable and willing talents, and Rollins wants to fight! So Shinsuke, this is your last chance. “The floor is yours.” Fans sing again “WHOA~ OHH~ OHHH~!” But then Nakamura is on the tron. “Seth Rollins… Name the time. Name the place. You have so many demands. No wonder your body fails you.
“I want nothing more than to be the straw that finally breaks your back, mangles you until there’s nothing left but dust. But I have restraint. Your stamina is admirable. But you have no patience. Only impulse. I dealt the hand, and you showed me all your cards. I have yet to show you mine. Let me make it clear! A match so brutal, so barbaric, you will NEVER walk again. A conclusion so humiliating, your daughter will be ashamed to look at you.” Nakamura says this is ROLLINS’ last chance. The last chance to hear his song, to be called a champion. Nakamura will stand tall, while Rollins will never stand again.
So yes, Nakamura accepts the challenge. Rollins, your career ends at Fastlane. LAST MAN STANDING!! Fans fire up hearing that! Rollins lets that sink in, and he takes off his sunglasses. Last Man Standing, huh? No pins, no submissions. Just a straight up fight until one man cannot answer the ten count. Two men walk in, only one walks out. Rollins throws his sunglasses down, paces around and laughs. He has to admit, Nakamura played this one perfectly, he really did. Nakamura got the match he wanted, on his terms, and played it perfectly BUT he has made one critical mistake.
Nakamura thinks that Rollins’ back is a weakness. Nakamura thinks he can exploit that weakness and beat Rollins so bad that his daughter will be ashamed to look at her father. Rollins says this broken back is not a weakness. No, no, no. For Rollins, it is a strength. The only way Rollins’ family is gonna be ashamed is if he doesn’t give it every single thing he’s got! The fans fire up and Rollins says the family knows he loves them, but they also know he loves this! Rollins paces a bit more as he says, “You think, Shinsuke, that I don’t know that every single time I step into this ring, it might be the last time I do?”
Shinsuke thinks Rollins is gonna give it less than 100%, knowing this might be his last match? Then Shinsuke’s crazy! Because Rollins’ 100% makes him the best in the world! Rollins’ 100% makes him the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Fans fire up more and Rollins says if Nakamura wants to get crazy… Rollins VS Nakamura at Fastlane, LAST MAN STANDING! Nakamura does have it right that only one walks outta there, but it ain’t gonna be Nakamura. It’ll be the Visionary, the revolutionary, it’ll be SETH FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!! The King of Strong Style has given Rollins more fuel for the fire, will Rollins #BurnItDown in Indianapolis?
Backstage interview with Ricochet.
Jackie Redmond is with The Highlight of the Night, who is on crutches. After last week’s attack, do we have an update on when he can be back int he ring? Ricochet doesn’t really know. He’s here, he’s on crutches, and he can guarantee his fans that he will return. It’ll take more than this to keep him down. But he wants to make something abundantly clear. It doesn’t matter who wins the World Heavyweight Championship match, because Ricochet has unfinished business with Nakamura. The King of Flight is grounded for now, but will he seek & destroy the King of Strong Style soon enough?
NXT North American Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS Dragon Lee!
Dirty Dom truly did The Boy Wonder dirty when, as special guest referee, he made sure Dragon didn’t win the title shot for No Mercy. However, justice is served, because now Dragon’s getting his shot tonight! Will Dragon take this title back to NXT? Or will Dommy do his Mami proud while she’s away?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if Dragon shows Dom no mercy!
The bell rings and fans fire up for Dragon. The two circle, tie up, and Dom kick slow. Dom throws hands, whips, but Dragon ducks ‘n’ dodges and runs Dom over! Fans fire up and things keep moving. Dom hurdles, Dragon leaps over, and then Dragon comes back to RANA! Fans fire up again as Dom bails out. Dragon builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit at the ramp! Fans are even more fired up as Dragon stands tall. Dragon puts Dom in, covers, TWO! Dragon keeps his cool as he whips. Dom reverses and rolls Dragon into a HALF CRAB! Fans boo but Dragon fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts and Dom lets go.
Dom drags Dragon up, suplexes, but Dragon fights! Dragon suplexes but Dom lands on the apron. Dom kicks low to APRON DDT! Fans boo as Dom stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Dom drags Dragon to a drop zone. Dom climbs the corner, gives some Latino Heat, but fans boo more. Dom tells them he’s the best, then FROG SPLASHES onto knees! Dragon saves himself and Dom writhes. Dragon and Dom rise as fans rally up, and Dragon storms up to ROCK Dom! And again! And again! Dragon whips, CLOBBERS Dom, then LARIATS! Dragon scoops but Dom slips free. Dom shoves Dragon to a corner, runs in, but Dragon pops Dom up to SUPERKICK! And JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! SWINGING BOOT! Combinacion Dragon hits, but Dragon Lee keeps going, HYDRAULIC DROPKICK! Cover, TWO!!
Dragon can’t believe it but Dom survives! Dragon stalks Dom, brings him up and in, but Dom slips free of the bomb! Dom kicks low, ROCKS Dragon, whips but Dragon gets around to SNAP GERMAN! Dom SUPERKICKS! Dragon JUMP KNEES! Dragon runs but Dom scoops, MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dragon survives and shocks Dom! Fans are thunderous while Dom argues with the ref. Dragon stands, Dom DROPKICKS him onto ropes! Dom dials it up while fans boo, but Dragon ducks the 619! Dragon spins and mule kicks, to then FLASH KNEE! Cover, TWO! Dom is still in this and the fans can’t believe it!
Dragon refocuses and he brings Dom up. Dom ROCKS Dragon, Dragon ROCKS Dom! “This is Awesome!” as they go haymaker for haymaker! Dom fires off a flurry, avoids the knee and CHOPS! Dom shoves Dragon, runs in, but Dragon puts him on the apron! Dragon ROCKS Dom, runs side to side and FLYING RANAS to the floor!! Fans are electric and Dragon puts Dom back in! Dragon brings Dom in, lifts, DRAGON BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Dom survives, he is not out of this yet! Dragon can’t believe this, but he goes up the corner. Dom ROCKS Dragon first! Dom climbs, but Dragon trips him up! And puts him in the Tree of Woe!
Dragon stands up, to WOE STOMP Dom down!! Dom flounders, Dragon brings down the kneepads! Dragon runs in, Dom pops him up to CROTCH him!! Dom hurries up top to FROG SPLASH!!! Cover, DOM WINS!!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still NXT North American Champion)
Dragon came so, so close to winning that title, but shockingly, Dom found a way to win all by himself! Dom might actually have the abilities of a true champion, but when will he have a personality to match?
Backstage interview with Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn.
Jackie brings up their joining Cody Rhodes and Jey Uso against The Judgment Day. Do either of them have something to say about that before tonight’s tag title match? Kevin says earlier wasn’t about helping Jey. All Jey did was prove he wasn’t with Judgment Day. All Kevin cares about is getting at Judgment Day himself. Sami agrees, this isn’t about Jey, about Cody or even Judgment Day. This is about two guys who started this as kids together! Who started at the bottom of the ladder and worked their way up, together! Working day in and day out together, to get to the highest point possible, the WWE Tag Team Championships in the main event of WrestleMania!!
This isn’t about anyone else but Sami & Kevin, and about taking back what is THEIRS! Sami calms down and Kevin says no more talking. Time to punch people in their stupid faces. The Prizefighter and Great Liberator are ready, but will they be able to pry the gold away from Judgment Day?
Michael Cole is in the ring.
The voice of WWE has Ontario welcome The Irresistible Force, Nia Jax. Fans boo but it’s not like Nia’s ever cared about that. She goes to the ring, and Maggle says since her return, she has laid waste to every woman who has crossed her path. So why is she targeting everyone in the Raw Women’s Division? Hm? Oh, sorry, she wasn’t paying attention. Relax, relax. But she is THE Nia Jax. “The baddest human in all of WWE.” They thought it was gonna be Rhea Ripley, the most dominant champion male or female. But Nia squashed her! Fans chant “YOU SUCK!” Nia says they thought it was Shayna Baszler. But Nia squashed her, too!
Zoey Stark? Squashed. Raquel Rodriguez? Squashed. Chelsea Green? Squashed! Piper Niven? Squashed! You put anyone in this ring with her and she will squash them! Wanna know why? Because she is Nia Jax, THE baddest in- Wait! Speaking of Zoey Stark, here she comes! So much for being squashed as she storms down and gets in Nia’s face! Yeah, Nia got her once. Congrats. But she did it while Zoey’s back was turned. Zoey dares her to do something here and now, face to face. Nia just grins and laughs, then she SMACKS Zoey! Zoey leaps in but Nia throws her away! The refs rush in as these two throw hands!
Fans fire up and want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Stark gets shots in on Nia but Nia shoves her away! Stark is right back up! Will this be a match to prove who is truly the baddest? Or will Nia squash Stark once and for all?
Nia Jax VS Zoey Stark!
Raw returns as Irresistible Force and Hunter get their match! The bell rings, and the two rush in again! Nia shoves Stark, but Stark comes back to jump on! Nia throws her off, but Stark sticks ‘n’ moves and DROPKICKS! And DROPKICKS! Stark springboards but Nia SWATS her out of the sky! Nia then drops an ELBOW! Cover, ONE!! Stark is showing her toughness already but Nia hauls her up. Stark throws hands but Nia throws Stark! Nia runs in to SPLASH at the corner! Nia TOSSES Stark again, then grins as she runs in to SPLASH! Stark flounders, Nia stalks her to ropes, and then CHOKES her!
The ref counts, Nia steps away at 4, and she storms up to bring Stark up. Nia whips her corner to corner, runs in but Stark dodges to POST Nia!! Fans fire up as Stark eggs Nia on. Nia storms up, into a SUPERKICK! HEEL KICK! ENZIGURI! Nia goes back to a corner, Stark runs in but Nia puts her on the apron. Stark GAMANGIRIS, then springboards, MISSILE DROPKICK! Nia stays on her feet, but she staggers into a fireman’s carry! But then Stark falls under the weight! Nia drags Stark onto ropes, then goes to the apron. GUILLOTINE LEG DROP!! Nia pushes Stark back in, has her in the drop zone, and she stands on Stark.
Nia climbs the corner, A-NIA-LATOR!! Cover, Nia wins!
Winner: Nia Jax, by pinfall
Stark gets squashed AGAIN, and Nia has a sinister smile on her face. Will nothing stop her from crushing even the Women’s World Champion, whenever it is that Rhea returns?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Byron Saxton asks Jey why he chose NOT to join Judgment Day. Jey says he has a “no more groups” policy. No teams, no groups, no emo bands, no Judgment Day. Cody gave Jey his second chance so he won’t do Cody like that. Plus, seeing how Judgment Day rolls, he ain’t about that. Well, we also know Sami & Kevin are taking on Finn & Priest, and that Jey has had a strained relationship with them. Where do they stand? Jey says he and KO have beef, it is what it is. As far as Sami goes, Sami is his dog. So as far as that goes, Jey says if Judgment Day tries to act up, Jey will be real close tonight. Yeet.
Judgment Day regroups again.
Finn congratulates Dom on still being champion. Dom asks where Priest went. Finn says he has to cool off, but it’ll be fine. They’ve still got a lot of work tonight. Dom nods and puts the ice pack on his head. Will Dirty Dom once again be an insurance policy for The Prince & Punisher?
The Miz is here!
The Hollywood A-Lister lives very close given Ontario is just outside of Los Angeles. And as such, he’s here to host MizTV with special guest, Drew McIntyre! What will Miz have to ask the Scottish Warrior? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz welcomes us back to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show. His guest tonight will speak for the first time since walking away from Jey Uso getting beat down by The Judgment Day. Is he a coward? Or a conflicted hero? We find out tonight. Please welcome DREW MCINTYRE! McIntyre makes his entrance, sword in hand and pyro at his back. McIntyre steps into the ring, gets some more pyro, then sheaths his sword. Miz says give it up for McIntyre! Miz also sees all the pent up frustration in McIntyre, and would love for him to take it all out on Kofi Kingston in their match tonight.
But first, this is an open, judgment free zone, for McIntyre to speak freely. So no questions? Miz wants to explain that he is on McIntyre’s side! Miz commends McIntyre for throwing Jey to the wolves. Miz would’ve done the exact same thing! He repeats, he would’ve done the same thing! But if McIntyre wants a question, then here: Why would the bold and powerful Scottish Warrior just leave Jey high and dry like that? McIntyre says he will make one thing really clear: He is NOTHING like The Miz. Fans cheer that but Miz says they’re a lot alike! No one expected McIntyre to abandon a helpless Jey Uso, that is a very Miz move.
Also, they both know what it is to be the backbone of this company, to take it to new heights, to be the hardest worker both inside and outside the ring, AND be world champion! Only to then lose it. McIntyre was the unwavering, unbeatable WWE Champion, Drew McIntyre! Until he wasn’t. And then he received an opportunity of a lifetime. Clash at the Castle, in his own backyard, in front of his own people, to win it all again! And what happens? The Bloodline happens. Who was front and center to give him beating after beating? The Tribal Chief’s Right Hand Man, Jey Uso!
So safe to say, McIntyre doesn’t trust Jey, and rightfully so, because Jey always does what is best for Jey. So when Judgment Day put the boots to him… McIntyre adds, “Karma’s a b*tch.” Exactly! Jey made his bed, now he has to sleep in it. McIntyre IS the Batman of WWE! Miz says that must mean Cody Rhodes is Superman. Speaking of which, how did it feel to be upstaged by Cody last week? Fans boo but wait, here comes The New Day! Kofi has Xavier Woods with him, and Kofi tells “Drewsy, Big D,” that they didn’t know he was cold blooded like that. Cuz the Drew they know is not a coward like he showed us last week.
Woods says for real. The past few years, he’s been Big D! But uh, maybe there’s some shrinkage going on. What’s wrong. Drew? Scared? Or just worried his big sword was too limp to get the job done? Miz speaks up that “Big D and Massive Miz” were having a conversation, but McIntyre tells him to shut up. You just expect McIntyre to save the day like always? Well, the New Day was in the back. Did they come out to do something? No! Many stars didn’t. Cody did, but not out of the goodness of his heart. It is his mess so he’s just cleaning it up. And to McIntyre, those are the actions of a hypocrite!
Kofi tells McIntyre that HE didn’t do what he was supposed to do. He should’ve helped Jey. Miz says save it but McIntyre again tells him to shut up. Does The New Day remember all the beatings from The Usos? The opportunities taken away by The Bloodline? How Roman Reigns treated Woods? They’re just gonna forgive and forget? No, they remember it all clear as day. But that was not the time. Jey is here, trying to make things right! Miz says “Oh, make it right? Are you kidding me with that?” SHUT UP, MIZ! New Day wants to call McIntyre a coward, but given everything Jey has done to them, the New Day hasn’t stepped to Jey once.
Kofi says because they’re watching, and they look up to McIntyre. As sure as the sun rises in the East and sets in the West, Drew McIntyre does what’s right! And they respect him for it! Miz has his hand raised and asks them what it means. Again, McIntyre tells Miz to shut up. Fans chant “SHUT UP, MIZ! SHUT UP, MIZ!” Miz says no, when his hand goes up, their mouths go- GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT!! Miz talked too much, and McIntyre says the time for talk is over. Kofi, get in the ring and we’ll find out what hard times is all about. A shot at Cody there? Well, Kofi’s ready, will he give McIntyre some Trouble in Paradise?
The Alpha Academy regroups.
Maxxine comforts Otis and promises to make him feel better. Otis feels bad but Gable says he’s still number one. Nothing to be ashamed of. Bronson Reed is massive, just like Otis. That was a great match, they can study tape and- But then Ludwig walks over. Maxxine, this is what he has been talking about. Look at these guys, and then look at Imperium. Imperium hold themselves to a higher standard while her guys are celebrating a loss. What an embarrassment! Um, for a man who speaks so many languages, who can he not understand what a loss means? SHOOSH! Ya lost! Ya lost! So you must be on your way back to boss man Gunther to get brow beat.
But uh, before you go, give Gunther a little message from Gable. Tell him Gable is still locked onto the Intercontinental Championship and will suplex his way into another shot and then take the title. And remember, that’s from Gable, so put some bass in your voice. Run along back to papa. A danke schoen~!
Drew McIntyre VS Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods!
Raw returns and the bell rings on this match. McIntyre and Kofi circle, with the fans behind Kofimania. They tie up, McIntyre puts Kofi in the corner, but lets off. Kofi dodges the haymaker to CHOP, CHOP and CHOP! McIntyre clinches to TOSS Kofi, but Kofi dodges to fire off more CHOPS! McIntyre shoves Kofi to DOUBLE CHOP him down! Even Woods is stinging from that one! McIntyre stands Kofi up to CHOP again! McIntyre JABS Kofi, whips him toa corner, but Kofi goes up and up to MISSILE DROPKICK! Kofi then forearms McIntyre in a corner! Then runs in again, but McIntyre catches the splash!
McIntyre pops Kofi around to suplex high and hard! Fans rally for Kofi but McIntyre CLOBBSER him! McIntyre runs, Kofi hurdles, then Kofi leaps, into a waistlock! McIntyre back suplexes but Kofi lands on his feet. Kofi runs to DROPKICK McIntyre outta the ring! Woods fires up and Kofi goes up the corner! SUPER TRUST FALL! Down goes McIntyre and Ontario fires up! Woods lifts Kofi onto his shoulders and the fans cheer along, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi hops down to the apron, then he aims, to FLYING AX HANDLES! McIntyre staggers, Kofi CLUBS him, and Kofi puts him in the ring. Kofi climbs again, to CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!
McIntyre hangs tough but is getting mad, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns as McIntyre looms over Kofi. Fans rally as McIntyre drags Kofi up to whip corner to corner. McIntyre runs in, Kofi dodges to SWING KICK! Kofi then goes up the corner again, FLYING- NO, McIntyre catches him for an OVERHEAD suplex! And then another OVERHEAD suplex! NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up as McIntyre kips up! McIntyre waits on Kofi as he slowly rises. McIntyre then reels Kofi in, but Kofi trips him up! Jackknife bridge, TWO! FAMOUSER! Cover, TWO! Kofi PENALTY KICKS, then runs for the “NEW~ DAY~!” BOOM DROP! Fans fire up as Kofi goes to the corner, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!”
Kofi aims, spins, TROUBLE- NO, McIntyre moves to reel him in, FUTURE SHOCK! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is surprised that Kofi survives, but he quickly refocuses. McIntyre drags Kofi up, CHOPS him and Kofi falls over! McIntyre shakes his head as Kofi rises up again. McIntyre brings Kofi around to CHPO him down again! McIntyre drags Kofi up and reels him in, short arm- NO, Kofi slips through! Kofi then sends McIntyre up and out! Kofi BOOTS McIntyre, runs, and DIVES! Direct hit and McIntyre hits desk! Fans fire up and Kofi brings McIntyre around, but McIntyre whips him away! Kofi leaps the steps, comes back but McIntyre gets under!
McIntyre ROCKS Kofi, then inverted Alabama Lifts. APRON ALABAMA SLAM!! Woods is freaking out as McIntyre hauls Kofi into the ring. McIntyre aims from the corner, the countdown begins! “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAY- NO! Kofi ducks it! S O S!!! Cover, TWO?!? McIntyre escapes and Woods can’t believe it! “This is Awesome!” as Kofi CLUBS McIntyre. GLASGOW KISS!! Both men are down, slowly stir, and the fans rally up. Wait, here comes The Viking Raiders! Ivar CLOBBERS Woods! Then TOSSES him into barriers! And then BACKHANDS him down!! Ivar RAMS Woods into barriers, then SPLASHES against them!!
McIntyre and Kofi see all that, but Kofi is the only one who cares! CLAYMORE!!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
Cowardly? That is a matter of opinion. Merciless? That is for sure! And even more so, he leaves the ring so Ivar can go after Kofi! Ivar fires off elbows in the corner while Sarah shouts praises! Fans boo but McIntyre doesn’t care. Ivar goes up the corner to VIKING MOONSAULT!! The War Beard may have just destroyed the New Day by himself, where will the raid go next?
Gunther verbally tears into Vinci.
Der Ring General is furious with him, and then asks where Ludwig was! Ludwig mentions Gable and Gunther says who cares! He didn’t expect much out of them, but he didn’t expect this! What happened out there? Ludwig blames Vinci! Gunther says that doesn’t matter, this all reflects on him! But since Ludwig seems to know how Vinci messed up, from now on, he is Ludwig’s responsibility. So if Ludwig messes up, there’s an issue. If Vinci messes up, there’s an issue. And in the meantime, Gunther will handle HIS responsibilities: being the greatest, longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all time! And he will do so by beating Ciampa himself.
Der Ring General leaves, and then Ludwig looks at Vinci with disappointment. Vinci is again without anyone to pass the buck to, is there about to be a mutiny in the ranks?
Backstage interview with The Viking Raiders.
Byron asks them about brutally mauling The New Day. Do they care to explain? Ivar says Kofi & Woods took Erik out of action, and Sarah says this is merely eye for an eye. Then when and where will Kofi & Woods look to return the favor?
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships: Finn Balor & Damian Priest VS Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn!
Payback’s match may have been a Steel City Street Fight, but there is no honor among thieves. The Prodigal Son’s already handled his business, will he help The Prince & The Punisher hold onto the gold? Or will the Prizefighter & Great Liberator fight and win these titles like they did at WrestleMania?
Things are heated already as there’s some pushing and shoving, but the ref cools them off. The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team holds together!
The teams sort out, but then they just brawl! The bell rings, Kevin tosses Priest while Sami and Finn brawl. Finn headlocks, Sami powers out, things speed up as Sami hurdles and arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Finn avoids the third and bails out. Kevin & Sami regroup and Ontario, California is fired up for the Canadians as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Priest KICKS away on Sami in the corner, then ROCKS him with a right! Priest whips corner to corner, runs in, but Sami ELBOWS him away! Sami goes up to AX HANDLE! Cover, ONE!! Sami brings Priest up but Priest RAMS him into the corner. Finn tags in and CLUBS Sami. Finn bumps Sami off buckles, CHOPS him, then whips him corner to corner. Finn runs in to CHOP, then he snapmares to ELBOW Sami in the head! Finn wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Sami down. Fans rally, Sami fights up, but Finn puts him in a corner. Finn fires off body shots, whips corner to corner, but Sami comes back to CLOBBER Finn!
Fans fire up, Sami brings Finn around and bumps him off buckles. Tag to Kevin, they whip Finn to drop toehold and SENTON! Kevin tells Priest to “SUCK IT!” Fans fire up but the ref keeps Priest back. Kevin CHOPS Finn, ROCKS him, then ROCKS him some more. Kevin CHOPS again, throws body shots in the corner, and he whips. Finn reverses but Kevin holds ropes. Kevin BOOTS Finn, ducks Priest’s cheap shot and GAMANGIRIS Priest down! But Finn trips Kevin to DOUBLE STOMP! Fans boo but Finn stomps Kevin more. Tag to Priest, he and Finn stomp Kevin, then Priest KICKS Kevin against ropes.
Kevin throws hands but Priest ROCKS Kevin! Priest then CHOKES Kevin on the ropes! The ref counts, Priest lets off and Kevin sputters, but Finn BOOTS Kevin down! Priest drags Kevin from ropes, KICKS him and KICKS him, and KICKS, but Kevin blocks! Priest BELL CLAPS free! Kevin ends up in a corner and Priest digs his knee in. The ref counts, Priest lets off to talk trash, but Kevin CHOPS and CHOPS! Priest and Kevin throw hands, this is a hockey scrum like Payback! Priest knees low, whips, but Kevin turns back drop into DDT! Fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tag to Sami! Sami fires off hands on Priest!
Sami whips, Priest reverses but Sami goes up and over to LARIAT! Fans fire up as Sami puts Priest in a corner and climbs. Sami rains down fists fast and goes to TEN! Sami then whips, Priest reverses but Sami turns pop-up into DROPKICK! Finn runs in but Sami TOSSES him out! Priest runs in but Sami dodges to clothesline Priest up and out! Fans fire up as Sami builds speed, to FLY! Direct hit with the tope conjilo and the champs are down as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Sami fires hands on Priest from above! Priest staggers away, Sami leaps, but into Priest’s choke grip! But Sami wrenches out, knuckle locks and CHOPS! Sami goes up and up and FLYING DDTS!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Sami and Priest crawl, hot tags to Kevin and Finn! Kevin dodges to clothesline Priest! Then he fires off on Finn! Kevin stomps away at the ropes, but the ref counts. Kevin lets off, Finn bails out, and fans fire up with Kevin! Kevin goes out and runs in around the way to LARIAT Finn! And he LARIATS Priest! Kevin goes up as Finn gets in, but Kevin avoids the haymaker!
Kevin ROCKS Finn, to CANNONBALL Priest! Kevin hurries back into the ring, goes corner to corner, and CANNONBALLS! Fans are all fired up for Kevin’s constant motion! Priest runs in, but gets a BIG back suplex to the desk! Kevin goes up to FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Finn survives but Kevin doesn’t lose hope. “This is Awesome!” as Kevin watches Finn stand. But Finn denies the stunner! Kevin BOOTS Finn, but Finn GAMANGIRIS Kevin! Finn ROCKS Kevin, climbs up after him, and throws elbows! But Kevin throws body shots! Kevin HEADBUTTS Finn down, then adjusts! But Finn is back to ROCK Kevin!
Finn goes up, brings Kevin up, but Kevin fireman’s carries! SUPER ROLLING SENTON!!! Cover, TWO!!! Finn survives and no one can believe it! Kevin crawls his way back to the corner, fans rally behind him as he climbs up again. But Priest runs in! Kevin ELBOWS Priest, pushes him down, and adjusts again. SWANTON BOMB onto knees!! Finn then runs in, to SHOTGUN! Finn goes up as Kevin falls down! COUP DE GRACE!!! Cover, SAMI BREAKS IT!! Priest storms in to drag Sami up, and Priest TOSSES Sami out! The ref reprimands but Priest helps Finn clear out the cobwebs.
Finn rains down fists on Kevin, tags in Priest, and then Priest brings the straps down. Priest slashes his throat, drags Kevin up, SOUTH OF- NO, Kevin slips free, hot tag to Sami! Sami clinches to CORNER EXPLODER! Fans are thunderous as Sami aims, but here comes Dom! Dom distracts, then runs away, and Priest BOOTS Sami! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S- NO, Sami slips free! Sami baits Priest into the corner, and POSTS him! To hit a BLUE THUNDER BOMB!!! Cover, FINN BREAKS IT!! Finn CLUBS Sami, but Kevin TACKLES Finn! Finn and Kevin scrap, they fall out of the ring, and Dom returns to HOTSHOT Sami!
Priest hits Sami with a FLATLINER!! Cover, TWO?!? Sami almost didn’t get that arm up! Dom can’t believe it, he argues with the ref, but just as promised, here comes JEY! Jey YANKS Dom down, UPPERCUTS him, and fires off more hands! Fans are thunderous as Jey keeps after Dom, but McDonagh attacks Jey! Dom & McDonagh beat Jey down! Fans boo, but HERE COMES CODY!! Cody slides through the ring to DIVE onto McDonagh! Cody & Jey go after Dom now! They run Dom off until security and producers rush out to stop this! Back in the ring, Finn drags Kevin around but Kevin hits a STUNNER!!
Priest TOSSES Kevin! Sami HELLUVA KICKS Priest!!! But McDonagh with a BELT SHOT!!! The ref was busy shouting at Cody and Dom!! Priest covers, Judgment Day wins!!
Winners: The Judgment Day, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions)
In the end, The Irish Ace was the trump card for the boys! McDonagh brings the prizes over to them to raise high over their heads, but will this get Priest to accept him? Wait, Jey & Cody return! They attack the Judgment Day! Producers and security rush in again, then Kevin and Sami jump back in! That 4v4 brawl happens after all! Kevin TOSSES McDonagh over the desk! Jey RAMS Dom into the apron! Sami hammers away on Finn! Priest tackles Jey but Cody’s after Priest! STUNNER on Dom!! Raw ends with chaos, but where will the chaos end?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here tonight, especially the level of action in the matches. Great opener from Otis VS Reed in a true hoss fight, or as popularized by Big E, “big meaty men slapping meat.” But Reed is building himself momentum, so great win for him. Really good stuff from Ciampa VS Ludwig, and I figured Ciampa would win. Really good promo from Alpha Academy with Ludwig and then Ludwig with Imperium. Vinci looks to be close to his limit of taking crap from the others, can’t wait to see how he breaks away. Gunther VS Ciampa seems to be set for Fastlane, but I don’t see Gunther losing this soon after breaking the record.
Really good stuff with Becky firing Tegan up and then getting Tegan VS Natty in a very good match. Great win for Tegan, and great spot for her as she makes a return to TV. Now, No Mercy is going to be big given Becky VS Tiffy is under Extreme Rules, it could go either way. And either way, whether it is Becky or Tiffy, we’re going to get a great match for next week’s Raw for Tegan to showcase her skills against a top talent, but I would think the champ retains. Nia had a good return promo, and I like that it was Zoey Stark that stepped to her. Good match but Nia’s return push of course meant she was winning. But Nia has made so many enemies already, you can bet Piper, Shayna, Raquel and especially Rhea will all want after her. This would’ve been a perfect set-up for Elimination Chamber but that’s not until February.
Hilarious MizTV segment, especially with McIntyre telling Miz to shut up again and again. Also awesome match of McIntyre VS Kofi, though I should’ve figured Ivar would get involved. McIntyre is definitely on course to turn Heel, and they’re doing a great job of showing us the turn progressing week to week, not just having it be instant like is tradition. And at this point, if there’s to be a tag match, McIntyre could team with Ivar to take out New Day. Awesome promos from Rollins and Nakamura, with Nakamura feeling like a supervillain. And Last Man Standing is an awesome way to escalate things, giving Rollins an out of sorts should he end up losing. Plus, Ricochet is waiting to finish this feud with Nakamura, so that’d be a great first defense for Nakamura.
And of course, great stuff from Judgment Day and their enemies all night. Really good opening promo from Cody that then teased a very good 8 Man Tag idea, Judgment Day & McDonagh VS Cody, Jey, Sami & Kevin. But that might have to wait for Survivor Series. I do wanna say, to me personally, Priest having issue with McDonagh is starting to flip around for me. McDonagh is doing his best to be a teammate, bringing chairs for the group to have the advantage. But then, I suppose only bringing two, a chair for him and a chair for Finn, is a bit passive aggressive. Dom VS Dragon was a great match, and it was quite a surprise that Dom won it on his own.
I’m still very disappointed WWE let Mustafa Ali go before No Mercy this Saturday, because it hampers the story they were telling both on Raw and NXT. And now, what? Are they going to throw someone in at the last minute? I mean, great for that guy if it happens, but c’mon. But that aside, amazing tag title main event, where again, McDonagh is the key factor in winning. If Priest still holds a grudge, then maybe Judgment Day has good reason to kick him out for not giving McDonagh a chance when he’s doing the work.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will the Aerial Assassin survive the Gene Blast?
On a night of United Empire VS Los Ingobernables de Japon, Will Ospreay defends the now IWGP United Kingdom Championship against Yota Tsuji!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tiger Mask & Kevin Knight VS Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Connors & Moloney win.
- Six Man Tag: Just5Guys VS The House of Torture; J5G wins.
- 10 Man Tag: El Phantasmo & The Guerrillas of Destiny VS Bullet Club War Dogs; ELP & GOD win.
- YOH & Lio Rush VS Hiromu Takahashi & BUSHI; Yoh & Lio win.
- Kazuchika Okada & Tomohiro Ishii VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito; ZSJ & Tito win.
- KOPW Championship Handcuffed Cornermen Match: Taichi VS SHO; Sho wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS TMDK; Bishamon wins and retains the titles.
- Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan; Khan wins.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Right to Challenge Contract match: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb; Naito wins and retains the Right to Challenge.
- IWGP United Kingdom Championship: Will Ospreay VS Yota Tsuji; Ospreay wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
KOPW Championship Handcuffed Cornermen Match: Taichi VS SHO!
The Holy Emperor, and pretty much everyone, knows when you face one member of the House of Torture, you face them all! That’s why he prepared something very special for this match. Just5Guys and the HOT boys will be allowed ringside, but must all be handcuffed together! Sanada, Douki & Taka Michinoku just beat Evil, Yujiro Takahashi & Dick Togo, will they and Taichi completely topple the House? Or is this gamble going to backfire on Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and the refs begin to secure the faction members together with the handcuffs. Sanada is cuffed to Evil, Douki is cuffed to Yujiro and Taka is cuffed to Dick. Fans applaud seeing this, but Evil is reluctant being literally stuck with his old tag partner. The feeling is mutual but these are the rules. Evil keeps stalling, Red Shoes tells him to sit down already, and Sho is getting anxious. All the cuffs are secure, the bell rings, and the technically 1v1 battle begins!
Fans rally up and Taichi eggs Sho on. Sho stays by ropes, begs the ref to do something, but the ref tells him he can’t. Sho bails out and he runs to where Dick and Taka are seated! Sho tries to uncuff Dick but he can’t, so he goes looking under the ring. Sho goes to Douki and Yujiro, then to Evil and Sanada, but no, he can’t free any of them. Sho then goes to Abe-san for help. Abe ain’t gonna do anything after all HOT has put him through! Then Taichi attacks Sho! Taichi whips Sho hard into railing! Fans fire up as Taichi looms over Sho. Taichi puts Sho in the ring, Sho wants mercy, but too late for that.
Taichi kicks Sho around, fans rally up behind him, and Taichi kicks Sho more. Sho goes to a corner and Taichi digs his knee in! The ref, Kenta Sato, counts but Taichi drags Sho out to then KICK him in the back! Sho writhes but Taichi stalks him to ropes. Taichi drags Sho up but Sho bends fingers! The ref reprimands, Taichi kicks low, but then Sho uses the ref as a shield! Sho CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then throws him out so Evil can attack! This is almost a Lumberjack match as Sanada has to drag Evil away and Douki has to keep Yujiro back! Fans boo but J5G get the HOT boys away from Taichi.
Taichi complains about that but the ref missed it all. Taichi gets back in and Sho is scared again. Taichi tells Sho he’s gonna get what he deserves, then runs in, only to get bare buckles! Sho switched up the Bullet Club Special by making it a neutral corner! Taichi sputters as he staggers back and Sho SPEARS him down! Sho grins and he drags Taichi around. Sho kicks Taichi out, pursues, and then wrenches the arm to whip Taichi in to railing. Sho opens the gate and he brings Taichi to the back rows, to BOWL Taichi into open chairs! Fans rally for Taichi, but Sho CHOKES Taichi with a chair! J5G and HOT keep each other back while the ref reprimands.
Sho goes back and “apologizes,” then he diverts the ref’s attention to the ring for a count. Taichi sits up as the ring count begins, and Taichi stands at 5 of 20. Taichi makes his way back to ringside at 10, slides in at 15, but Sho distracts the ref and Yujiro attacks! Douki tries to drag the Tokyo Pimp back and the ref sees this! The count continues, though!? Taichi fights Yujiro, Evil works to keep Sanada back, but Douki pries Yujiro off Taichi! Taichi slides in at 19!! Fans fire up while Sho is furious the plan failed! Sho shouts at the ref but stomps Taichi down. Sho CHOKES Taichi, the ref reprimands, and Sho lets off at 4.
Sho then CLAWS Taichi’s eyes! The ref reprimands again and Sho lets off at 4. Cover, but the ref says no! Sho asks why! Isn’t it obvious? Sho shrugs that off and talks some trash as he circles around Taichi. Sho gives Taichi some mocking kicks, but Taichi stands to CHOP! And HAYMAKER! And CHOP! But Sho claws the eyes! The ref reprimands, Sho stops and whips, but Taichi stops from hitting buckles! Sho runs in to SPEAR, but Taichi blocks it! But then Sho bends Taichi’s fingers! Sho wrenches, whips, and Taichi hits bare buckles! But Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! Both men are down and fans fire up!
Taichi stands first, and he gives Sho some Kawada Kicks. Sho goes to a corner, and Taichi runs in to BOOT him down! Taichi brings Sho out to DANG- NO, Sho fights the saido! Sho throws elbows but Taichi wrenches to HOOK KICK! Evil argues with the ref but Taichi storms out. Evil kicks at Taichi, but Taichi and Sanada both RAM Evil into the timekeeper’s area! Sorry, Abe! Seems he suffers no matter what when Evil is around. Taichi goes back for Sho in, Sho runs in but into a DANGEROUS SAIDO! Fans fire up even more, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims, but Sho dodges the Tensho to run. But into a SOBAT!
Fans fire up and Taichi drags Sho up. Taichi reels Sho in but Sho fights the lift. Sho bends fingers again, then wrenches to bring Taichi to his knee. Kick, KICK and SUPER- NO, Taichi blocks that kick! But Sho claws the eyes again! The ref reprimands but Sho whips, only for Taichi to reverse! Sho suffers the bare buckles! Then GAMANGIRI! Cover, but Evil distracts the ref! Sanada yanks Evil away and wrenches the arm while Taichi goes back for Sho. Taichi lets the others know to be ready with their own HOT boys, as Taichi BUZZSAWS Sho back down! Taichi roars and slashes his throat as the fans fire up again!
Taichi drags Sho up, reels him in, but then Yujiro sends his pimp cane in! The ref reprimands, Taichi is mad, but Sho shoves Taichi into the ref and the ref hits bare buckles!! Down goes Sato, and Dick uses POCKET SAND on Taichi!! Sho LOW BLOWS, then he RAMS Taichi into bare buckles! Fans boo as the House still pulls out their tricks! Sho scurries to his corner to get his “Murder Tool!” Dick CHOKES Taka while Sho takes aim at Taichi. Fans boo more but wait! The FIFTH GUY is here! Heel Master Yoshinobu Kanemaru slides in and snatches that wrench away! Fans are thunderous and Sho wants mercy!
Yoshinobu tosses the wrench, and gets his whiskey! Yoshinobu takes a big swig, and WHISKEY MISTS TAICHI?!? WHAT?!? Then he BOTTLE SMASHES Taichi!!! Yoshinobu RIPS the J5G shirt to reveal a House of Torture shirt!!! The Heel Master is living up to his name by joining the other side!!! Then he hauls up Taichi, to give him a BRAINBUSTER!! Fans boo and the rest of- Well, Just FOUR Guys, is shocked! Yoshinobu puts the ref back in, Sho drags Taichi up and in, to tuck and lift, SHOCK ARROW!!! Cover, SHO WINS!!!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (NEW KOPW Champion)
Why, Yoshinobu, why?!? Now the azure belt belongs to the Murder Machine! And then to “celebrate,” Yoshinobu BOTTLE SMASHES Taka!! And then he CRACKS Douki with it!! He just betrayed his oldest friends in NJPW, and for what?!? Wait, he also has the key! Yoshinobu frees Dick, Yujiro and Evil while Sho holds the belt over Taichi’s prone body. Evil stomps Sanada and puts him in next to Taichi. Yujiro and Dick do the same with Taka and Douki, and they’re all cuffed to ropes now! They can only watch as Taichi gets stomped by Yoshinobu and the HOT boys! Sho talks trash on Sanada, Douki & Taka to help their friend.
Sho then gets the mic, and he mockingly asks what’s wrong. It looks like these guys will be crying tonight! You can all go back to your hotel room and figure this out together. This belt is now Sho’s, he is this year’s good luck charm! Evil then takes the mic to ask “Just Five Guys-” Well first, shut up, fans! But then Evil laughs that Just Five is now Just Four! The Heel Master is now House of Torture! And Sanada, you wanted a Lumberjack match for the world title? Well then, The House of Torture now has the numbers advantage, so let’s do it! The House of Torture has five guys and Sanada’s group will have to rebrand again. But will the Cold Skull be able to deny the King of Darkness his prize?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Bishamon VS TMDK!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi went back and forth with Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls during this year’s G1 Climax, and those Mighty victories earned the “Young Punks” this match. Will Hilarious Haste & Mad Mikey bring more gold to the group? Or will the Fierce Warrior & Head Hunter prove they are the ones who don’t kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is the mightiest team in NJPW!
The teams sort out and Hashi starts against Mikey. The fans rally up as the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Mikey powers Hashi back step by step. Mikey puts Hashi on ropes but Hashi turns things around. The ref counts, Hashi lets off cleanly, and even Mikey applauds. But then Hashi blocks the cheap shot to CLUB the leg and clamp on a headlock. Mikey powers up but can’t power out as Hashi holds on tight. Mikey fights up, claws at an eye, then throws body shots. Mikey powers out and RAMS shoulders with Hashi! Neither falls so Mikey eggs Hashi on. Hashi runs and they RAM shoulders again!
Neither man falls so the forearms start flying back and forth! Fans fire up, Mikey gets the edge and he ROCKS Hashi! Hashi CHOPS back! Hashi runs, but Mikey ELBOWS back! Mikey runs but Hashi UPPERCUTS! Hashi runs but Mikey runs him over! Fans fire up more and Mikey tags Shane. Shane drags Hashi up, TMDK double whip, and then DOUBLE ELBOW! FIST DROP SENTON but Hashi moves! Hashi tosses Mikey, grabs Shane but Shane powers Hashi back. Goto tags in, Hashi whips Shane away and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDERS Shane down! Then ZANMAI, the hip toss senton! Mikey runs in but Goto kicks him, to snap suplex him onto Shane!
Fans rally up as Bishamon drags Shane up. Se-no, WAR DRUM FISTS! Shane falls and fans fire up more. Goto stomps Shane, Shane hits back, but Goto fires forearms and knees! Goto whips, Shane reverses and Mikey trips Goto so Shane can sliding boot! Then Shane BLASTS Hashi while Mikey SLAMS Goto! Mikey whips Goto hard into railing! Shane waits as Mikey drags Goto up to put him in the ring. Shane stands on Goto, tags in Mikey, and Mikey stomps Goto! Goto CHOPS back, but Mikey CHOPS! Shane tags in, TMDK double whip to DOUBLE ELBOW, and then FIST DROP SENTON COMBO! Cover, TWO!
Shane keeps on Goto with a wristlock. Shane KICKS the arm! Goto writhes and Shane shakes his leg. Shane bumps Goto off buckles, UPPERCUTS and ELBOWS and repeat! Shane brings Goto in for a HALF HATCH! Cover, TWO! Shane drags Goto over, tags in Mikey, and they wrench to put Goto on the ropes. Mikey BLASTS Hashi, Shane throws Goto down, and then Mikey drops a knee on Goto’s head! Mikey stands Goto up to CHOP again! Fans fire up while Goto is stinging, and Mikey tags Shane. TMDK coordinates, but Goto boots free! Goto throws elbows and forearms on everyone, but TMDK kick low!
TMDK runs, Goto follows to DOUBLE LARIAT! Fans fire up while all three men are down! TMDK go to opposite corner and Goto fires up! Goto clotheslines Mikey, Shane runs in but Gotos ends him into Mikey! Goto then runs to MURAMASA them both! Fans fire up as Goto then DOUBLE BULLDOGS! All three men are down again and fans rally up. Hashi is back and he reaches out! Goto crawls over, hot tag to Hashi! The Head Hunter runs Shane over! Then kicks low, to whip to a corner! Shane reverses but Hashi comes back to CHOP! Hashi mule kicks, turns Shane, but Mikey CLUBS Hashi first!
TMDK double whip Hashi, but he holds ropes! Hashi BOOTS Mikey, DUMPS Shane, then TOSSES Mikey onto Shane! Fans fire up as TMDK regroups in a daze. Hashi builds speed and FLIES out onto them both! Fans are thunderous as Hashi roars! Hashi drags Shane up and puts him in the ring. Hashi climbs up, aims and BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shane hangs tough but Hashi calls to Goto. Goto slides in, Bishamon double whip Shane corner to corner. Goto runs in to clothesline! Hashi runs in to CHOP! Hashi feeds Shane to Goto’s fireman’s carry but Shane slips free and shoves Goto into Hashi!
Hashi falls over, Goto staggers back, and Shane hits Goto with a BIG back suplex! Goto flops out of the ring, Hashi runs in but Shane spins him, X PLEX! Shane crawls for his corner while fans rally up. Mikey is still down so Shane goes after Hashi in the open corner. Shane hoists Hashi up top, CHOPS him, then climbs up after him. Hashi fights back with forearms and Shane staggers away. Mikey is back and he’s after Hashi up top! Hashi fires more forearms and now Mikey falls back. But then Mikey gives Shane a boost, POWERBOMB SUPERPLEX COMBO!! Mikey drags Shane onto Hashi for a cover, but Goto barrels in to break it!
Fans fire up while all four men are down! Mikey gets Goto out of the ring, then he regroups with Shane. Mikey tags in, TMDK drags Hashi up. Hashi fires off forearms on them, but Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey lifts, ATOMIC UPPERCUT! TMDK double whip, but Hashi dropkicks their legs out! Fans fire up and Goto rises! Hashi crawls over to the corner, but Mikey DECKS Goto first! TMDK HIGH LOW LARIAT on Hashi! TMDK then coordinates, and Mikey fireman’s carries Hashi. Hashi slips out, shoves Mikey at Shane but TMDK stops from colliding! Shane blocks Hashi’s kick, spins him around, BACK SUPELX NECKBREAKER! Cover, Goto breaks it again!
Fans fire up but TMDK stomp Goto. They get Goto up but Goto fires forearms now! Hashi BOOTS Goto, TMDK both run but Goto follows! TMDK dodge, fake Goto out, and Mikey hits a MIKEY BOMB!! Scoop and TANK BUSTER! Goto flops out of the ring and TMDK focuses on Hashi. They drag Hashi up, Shane climbs and Mikey scoops. But Hashi slips off to shove Mikey into Shane! Schoolboy bridge, TWO!! Hashi hurries to his feet, runs in, but Mikey BLCOKS the lariat! So Hashi spins to CHOP! And SUPERKICK! Shane returns to DROPKICK! Shane calls the shot, then Mikey fireman’s carries. HIGHWAY TO HELL!! Cover, TWO?!?
Fans are thunderous as Hashi survives! Shane and Mikey fire up and go for the classic! Mikey scoops, Shane hops up the corner, but Goto anchors Shane! Hashi fights free to hit ITADAKIKARI!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winner: Bishamon, by pinfall (still IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The Head Hunter made “Easy Pickings” out of Mikey, proving to be the MVP of this match-up! Bishamon holds onto the gold, will they always #GetBackUp as we enter the Fall?
Shingo Takagi VS Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman!
The unofficial best of three series between Los Ingobernables de Japon and The United Empire begins as the Rampaging Dragon once again collides with The Dominator! Takagi won last time with the KOPW title on the line, will he do it again? Or will Khan conquer Takagi for the glory of the Empire?
Khan holds out his United Empire shirt as if to offer Takagi a spot on the team. But then Khan throws the shirt onto Takagi’s head, tackles him, and rains down forearms! The ref reprimands, the match hasn’t started yet! Khan throws fists now then shoves the ref down! Khan CHOKES Takagi with the shirt! The ref reprimands, Khan tells him to shut up and he shoves the ref away. Takagi gets up and the bell rings, then Takagi runs in! But Khan picks Takagi up to DUMP him out! Khan goes out after Takagi but Takagi fires off shots! Takagi CHOPS, whips, but Khan reverses. Takagi hits railing but just gets angry!
Fans fire up as Takagi runs and RAMS shoulders with Khan! And again! And again! Khan runs Takagi over! Fans rally, but Khan grabs a chair! The ref reprimands but Khan shoves him away again! Khan then JAMS Takagi! And SMACKS him on the back! Takagi falls over while fans rally up again. Khan drags Takagi up and into the ring, calls for the ref while he kneels on Takagi’s neck, but Takagi pushes him away. Kahn drags Takagi up to SAYANAGI! Cover, TWO, but Khan clamps on the ARM ‘N’ HEAD TRIANGLE! Takagi endures as Khan leans his weight on the hold. Takagi fights around, and has the ROPEBREAK!
The fans cheer, the ref counts, and Khan lets off. Khan scuffs Takagi against ropes, eggs him on, but Takagi fires a forearm! Khan just puts his arms behind his back. Takagi CHOPS, but Khan shakes his head. Takagi CHOPS and CHOPS but Khan CHOPS! Takagi ends up in a corner, Khan ROCKS him then CLUBS him! Khan then goes up the corner to sit on his- NO, Takagi slips free! “BAKA! <IDIOT!>” DOUBLE CHOP! Takagi fireman’s carries to DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Fans fire up while both men are down! Takagi rises first while Khan goes to a corner. Fans chant for “TA-KA-GI!” as he runs in. Takagi blocks Khan’s boot to clothesline!
Takagi runs, Khan dodges, but runs into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Fans fire up as Takagi drags Khan up, suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Khan hangs in there but Takagi wants them to hold on. “OI! OI! OI!” Fans clap along, and then Takagi says IT IS TIME! Takagi has the fans all fired up, and he kicks Khan around. Takagi then hauls Khan up, pump handles, but Khan fights the lift! Takagi knees low, snapmares and runs, but Khan catches the sliding lariat into an armlock! Takagi fights free, JABS, JABS, and JABS! Khan Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian Chops! And then powers up, but Takagi blocks to steal the Mongolian Chops!
Takagi Mongolian CHOPS again, but Khan HELL STABS! Khan runs, but into the SAIDO! But Khan rises!? Khan BOOTS Takagi down! But Takagi rises! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Double monster rage! Takagi SWATS Khan’s haymaker to wrench and ELBOW BREAKER! Takagi JABS and ENZIGURIS! Khan staggers, runs back in but Takagi blocks the boot to then reel Khan in for MADE IN JAPAN! Cover, TWO!! Khan survives but Takagi stays focused. Takagi fires up again and the fans are with him. Takagi drags Khan up, pump handles, but Khan fights the lift! Takagi LARIATS point blank, but Khan stays up!
Takagi LARIATS point blank again, and Khan drops to his knees! Fans fire up as Takagi pump handles and torture racks, but Khan slips free! IRON SLEEPER, into Grapple Feint O-Khan PLEX! Both men are down and fans rally up again. Khan snarls as he crawls after Takagi. Takagi goes to the corner, Khan runs in, and he BLINDSIDE CLOTHESLINES! Then he torture racks to bring Takagi around, ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER into HERCULES NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Fans fire up as Takagi hangs in there but Khan stays on him. Khan drags Takagi up, reels him in, and scoops, but Takagi slips free!
Takagi waistlocks, Khan throws elbows, but Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Khan staggers, but he LARIATS Takagi down!! Fans fire up again as Khan looms over Takagi. Khan watches Takagi drag himself up with ropes, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Takagi CLUBS the arm, then fires ridge hand chops, but he can’t break free! ELIMI- NO, Takagi slips free to ELBOW! JAB! YUKON- NO, Khan catches Takagi with the left hand, for an ELIMINATOR!! High stack, TWO!?! Takagi survives and fans are thunderous! Khan is rather stunned, but he drags Takagi back up. IRON SLEEPER! Fans rally as Takagi endures!
Khan drags Takagi up, squeezes tighter, and Takagi is fading! Then Khan shifts to right hand ELIMI- DDT!! Takagi turns things around and both men are down again! Fans fire up as we pass ten minutes, and Takagi crawls over to Khan. They junkyard dog headbutt, then start throwing forearms! Takagi fires up and fans are with him. Khan eggs Takagi on and the forearms continue! Takagi CHOPS! Khan CHOPS! Takagi forearms! Khan forearms! Khan fires forearm after forearm, but Takagi just roars! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Takagi winds up but the IRON CLAW returns! Takagi CLAWS back!
Khan grabs the waistband but Takagi breaks free! JAB! HEADBUTT! But Khan IRON STRAIGHTS!! Takagi falls and the monster rage boils up! Khan IRON CLAWS, then he drags Takagi up! ELIMI- NO, Takagi slips out to DRAGON SUPLEX! SLIDING FOREARM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Khan rises but staggers around! Fans are thunderous again as these two run. Takagi dodges to PUMPING BOMBER!! Fans are electric as Takagi hauls Khan back up. “OI! OI! OI!” echoes out and Takagi pump handles, LAST OF THE DRAGON!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall
Another epic battle, and another epic victory for the Rampaging Dragon! Will Takagi use this momentum to fly back up and fight for a title? What does Khan need to finally get up and over that hump?
IWGP World Heavyweight Right to Challenge Contract match: Tetsuya Naito VS Jeff Cobb w/ Callum Newman!
Speaking of colliding once again, this is the second time this year the Uncontrollable Charisma battles the Imperial Unit! Cobb won their G1 Climax match but Naito won the whole tournament, will Naito lose that Right to Challenge during a Tour of the Islands? Or will WrestleKingdom still look tranquilo?
Wait, what’s that canvas tote bag Naito is carrying? Wait, THAT is the “briefcase” Naito is carrying the contract in? And he’s written “Kenrisyou” on it, both in Japanese katakana and ABCs. Well, then, who will be left holding the bag, but in a good way?
Cobb is patient as Naito takes off his elaborate entrance attire. After all, he’s seen this a few times already. The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. Naito has the strong majority of the crowd but Cobb shrugs that off as he and Naito circle. They approach but then Naito backs off. They circle more, tie up, and Cobb holds firm as Naito pushes. Cobb puts Naito on the ropes, Red Shoes calls for the break, and Cobb steps just to get Naito to flinch. Cobb raises his fist to mock LIJ, but Naito SPITS at Cobb! Cobb runs in but Naito dumps hm out! Naito knocks Cobb off the apron then baseball slides him into railing!
Fans rally for Naito as he CLUBS Cobb around the way. And CLUBS him again! Naito cravats to then CHOKE Cobb on the railing, right in front of Hiroshi Tanahashi & Toru Yano on commentary. Naito puts Cobb in, Cobb rushes up but Naito catches him for a TORNADO- NO, Cobb blocks that to then suplex! Naito slips free, waistlocks, but Cobb switches and clinches, to OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY! Fans fire up while Naito flounders away. Cobb storms up on Naito, drags him up, and ROCKS him with a right! Naito goes to a corner, Cobb throws body shots, then throat chops! Naito kicks back but Cobb eggs him on.
Naito kicks more but Cobb blocks, to CHOP! Cobb CLUBS Naito down, then paces around him. Naito sputters but Cobb pulls hair. Red Shoes reprimands and Cobb lets off. Cobb taunts Naito, brings him up, and whips him to a corner. Cobb runs in, clotheslines, then clotheslines again and again and again! Red Shoes counts, Cobb lets off and runs to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! SWINGING DROPKICK! Combinacion Cobb-ron! Fans are torn as Cobb mocks Naito’s posing, then Cobb covers. TWO, but Cobb covers again. TWO, but Cobb keeps his cool. Cobb looms over Naito, drags him up, and hoists him up into a BEARHUG!
Naito endures the squeeze, he CLUBS Cobb but Cobb just thrashes Naito around! Naito throws more elbows, gets free, but then Cobb HEADBUTTS! And short arm LARIATS! Then GACHIMUCHI FLOPS as Naito moves! Naito dropkicks the legs out! Fans rally while both men are down! Naito stands, throws forearms and kicks, then whips. Cobb reverses but Naito FLYING FOREARMS! Cobb staggers into an atomic drop! Naito ELBOWS Cobb down, then basement dropkicks him in the back! Fans rally as Naito has Cobb in a corner. Naito whips corner to corner, runs in to JUMP KICK! Leg sweep! SWINGING feint and then the dropkick!
Fans fire up as Naito poses for his Combinacion, then he goes back to cover. ONE!! Naito almost goes flying out of the ring there! Naito drags Cobb up, has a cravat for the neck wrench, but Cobb throws body shots. But Naito throws those heavy back elbows! Then he turns Cobb, for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Naito stays focused and he stomps Cobb around. Naito drags Cobb up, hammerlocks then half nelsons, but Cobb clubs free! Cobb then hits an atomic drop, and a DROPKICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Cobb rises while Naito goes to ropes. Cobb storms over and he drags Naito up.
Cobb waistlocks and deadlifts, but Naito fights with elbows! Cobb hops down to HEADBUTT Naito, then has him at the corner. Cobb climbs up to then deadlift SUPERPLEX!! Fans are thunderous while both men are down! Cobb crawls to the cover, TWO!! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives consecutive crashes and Cobb is beside himself! Fans rally as hard as they can for “NA-I-TO!” but Cobb stands first. Cobb whips Naito to ropes, but Naito holds ropes. Naito BOOTS back, runs in but Cobb gets around to shove Naito to a corner. BACK ELBOW! Cobb then hoists Naito up!
Cobb goes up the corner, but Naito slips under! Cobb holds the corner and he punches Naito away! Naito comes back to ROCK Cobb! Naito fires more forearms, then climbs up, to the very top! Naito CLUBS Cobb, but Cobb gets Naito up! Naito still SUPER STEINERS! Fans fire up as Naito BOOTS again, goes back up and reels Cobb in, ESPERANZA! Fans rally and Naito aims from the corner. Cobb stands, Naito tilt-o-whirls, but Cobb turns Destino into ATHLETIC PLEX! Naito staggers around, into a fireman’s carry! ONE ARMED F5 THOUSAND!! Fans rally up and Cobb covers, TWO?!? Naito is somehow still in this after all that spinning!
Fans rally, Cobb rises again, and he drags Naito up. Cobb reels Naito in, but Naito fights free! Naito throws those heavy elbows! Cobb wobbles, Naito comes back, but into another fireman’s carry! But Naito pops up to POISON-RANA!! Cobb gets spiked, yet he starts pushing himself up! Naito wrenches and tilt-o-whirls, but Cobb stops Destino into a TOUR- NO, Naito victory rolls through! TWO!! Naito eggs Cobb on, catches him, and TORNADO CRADLE! TWO!! Cobb escapes and runs in, into an ELBOW! And ENZIGURI! But Cobb GERMAN SUPLEXES! Naito roars and rises up!? But Cobb LARIATS him back down!!
Cobb hauls Naito up, whips and scoops, TOUR OF THE- DESTINO!! Naito tastes blood in his mouth but he just fires up! Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINOOO~!!! Cover, NAITO WINS!
Winner: Tetsuya Naito, by pinfall (retains the Right to Challenge)
Cobb may have conquered him in the G1 Climax, and may have been parodying him ever since, but the real deal Tetsuya Naito takes back that loss and holds onto his contract! Then is it all but a given that the Uncontrollable Charisma will main event WrestleKingdom 18? As for Cobb, where does he go from here, having fallen short?
IWGP United Kingdom Championship: Will Ospreay w/ Callum Newman VS Yota Tsuji!
Los Ingobernables is 2-0 on the night with Takagi conquering Khan and Naito denying Cobb. And now, the Gene Blast goes after the rebranded championship around the Aerial Assassin’s waist. Will LIJ be 3-0 and golden here tonight? Or will Ospreay bring about the Destruction of this Reiwa era Musketeer?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who feels like smiling after it’s all said and done!
The bell rings and fans rally up as the two stare down. There seem just as many “OSPREAY! OSPREAY!” fans as there are “YOTA! YOTA!” fans. The two circle, feel things out, then back away. Fans applaud them both being wary, then the two tie up. They’re in a deadlock but Ospreay wrenches and wristlocks. Tsuji rolls, powers through to wrench Ospreay, but Ospreay spins, slips through, waistlocks, then spins Tsuji to a cravat. Fans applaud the technical exchange, but Tsuji rolls and wrenches to wrangle Ospreay down! Tsuji has a cording hold but Ospreay fights up, waistlocks, but then Tsuji switches.
Ospreay pries the hold open, switches back but Tsuji facelocks. Ospreay wrenches out, hammerlocks, but Tsuji reaches back to headlock. Tsuji grinds Ospreay, but Ospreay endures. Ospreay powers up and powers out, but Tsuji runs him over! But Ospreay kips right up! Fans cheer and Tsuji grins. Ospreay smirks, talks a little trash, then eggs Tsuji on. Tsuji runs, Ospreay drops to hurdle, but then Tsuji leaps over! Ospreay arm-drags, Tsuji headscissors, Ospreay kips free and avoids the arm-drag! Ospreay stands on Tsuji and flexes, perhaps a shot at Chris Jericho. Ospreay then brings Tsujhi up but Tsuji arm-drags him away!
Ospreay goes to a corner, Tsuji runs in and jumps up to MONKEY FLIP, but Ospreay lands on his feet! Tsuji runs in but he flips through the hip toss! Tsuji arm-drags, then ducks ‘n’ dodges to tilt-o-whirl arm-drag Ospreay out of the ring! Fans fire up and Tsuji builds speed! Tsuji DIVES and Ospreay hits railing! Fans fire up with Tsuji, and he brings Ospreay up. Tsuji puts Ospreay in the ring then runs, to run Ospreay over! Cover, ONE! Tsuji was a bit lax there but he just smiles. Tsuji drags Ospreay up, cravats, but Ospreay pulls Tsuji’s hair. Red Shoes reprimands but then Tsuji snapmares Ospreay into body scissors!
Ospreay endures, reaches out, but Tsuji hooks an arm to keep him down. Tsuji squeezes tight and Ospreay endures, to then reach out for the ROPEBREAK! Tsuji lets go quickly enough, but Ospreay fires a forearm! And another! And another! Tsuji just CHOPS back! Ospreay sputters and fans applaud as Tsuji brings him up. Tsuji ROCKS Ospreay to a corner, then whips him corner to corner. Tsuji runs in but Ospreay dodges the splash! Ospreay runs back in but into a BOOT! Tsuji goes up but Ospreay CHOPS him down! Tsuji tumbles to apron then floor, and Ospreay aims to PLANCHA! Direct hit and down goes Tsuji!
Fans fire up as Ospreay rises and shouts “IKU ZO! <LET’S GO!>” Ospreay stalks Tsuji, drags him up, and brings him around to ROCK with a forearm. And then ROCK him again! Tsuji staggers around the way but Ospreay pursues. Ospreay wrenches and whips, but Tsuji reverses! Ospreay leaps over the railing! Ospreay then ROCKS Tsuji, jumps up and FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up and Ospreay apologizes to the front row. Ospreay drags Tsuji up, puts him in the ring, and drops a knee on Tsuji’s chin! And again! Ospreay paces around Tsuji, drags him up, and CHOPS! Ospreay paces around Tsuji again, then bumps him off buckles.
Ospreay CHOPS again and Tsuji sits down, chest stinging. Ospreay digs his boot in, scrubs and scrapes Tsuji’s face, and Red Shoes reprimands. Ospreay “apologizes” before he brings Tsuji up and scoops, for a BACKBREAKER! Ospreay pushes Tsuji down to cover, TWO! Tsuji hangs tough and fans rally up but Ospreay keeps his cool. Ospreay stalks Tsuji, drags him up, and shoves him to ropes to then CLUB him on the back! Tsuji grits his teeth, then grins through the pain! So Ospreay CLUBS him on the back again! And again! Tsuji turns around to smile right in Ospreay’s face! Fans fire up as Ospreay fires off forearms!
Tsuji grins as he fires forearms in return! Ospreay CHOPS again! Ospreay whips, Tsuji reverses but Ospreay holds ropes. Ospreay BOOTS back, runs, but Tsuji scoops to BACKBREAKER! Fans fire up while both men are down! We pass ten minutes as fans rally and the two men stir. Tsuji rises first, then fires off forearms! Tsuji whips, Ospreay reverses, but Tsuji blasts through to FLYING RANA! Ospreay bails out and Tsuji grins. Tsuji builds speed to FOSBURY FLOP! Fans are all fired up seeing a man that big do a move that agile! Tsuji is also fired up and he does a full lap around the ring.
Fans fire up as Tsuji puts Ospreay in the ring, and he brings Ospreay up. Ospreay swings, Tsuji blocks and spins him, inverted Gory Especial for the INVERTED GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO! Ospreay is still in this but he isn’t champion for no reason. Tsuji keeps on smiling, and the fans rally up again. Tsuji brings Ospreay up but Ospreay fights the suplex. Ospreay wrenches, Tsuji forearms, and Tsuji whips but Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Fans rally as Ospreay goes to the corner and he gets an “OI! OI! OI!” going. Not quite Takagi’s “Oi” but still. Ospreay springboards, PIP PIP CHEERIO! Cover, TWO!
Ospreay stays focused and stretches out his sore back. He drags Tsuji up, reels him in, but Tsuji fights the lift. Ospreay fires Kawada Kicks! But Tsuji blocks the chop! And catches the lariat to BACKBREAKER, COMPLETE SHOT and STOMP! An even more lethal combination, and Tsuji suplexes. Ospreay slips out but Tsuji elbows him! Tsuji whips, Ospreay reverses but Tsuji BOOTS him away! Tsuji tries again, Ospreay blocks but Tsuji brings him down to DOUBLE STOMP! Tsuji suplexes, but Ospreay STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRES! Both men are down again and fans fire back up!
Ospreay sits up and shakes out the stars. Tsuji crawls to a corner and Ospreay wants him to rise. Ospreay then runs in corner to corner to BOOT! That was a hell of a kick, but Ospreay just goes up. We pass 15 minutes as Ospreay BLINDSIDE FLYING FOREARMS! Fans fire up as Ospreay roars “OI! OI! OI!” and prepares that elbow. Tsuji sits up, HIDDEN- NO, Tsuji ducks it! Tsuji kicks, runs, but Ospreay flips through the lariat! But Tsuji slips out of the bomb! FALCON BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!? Ospreay survives and now Tsuji gets the “OI! OI! OI!” going. Fans rally up, Tsuji aims, and Ospreay slowly rises.
Tsuji runs in to GENE- KNEE!! CHOP! But Tsuji ROLLING ELBOWS! Tsuji runs but Ospreay Tiger Wall Kicks! Tsuji ducks the enziguri, Ospreay dodges the stomp to ROCK and ROLLING- JUMP KNEE! Tsuji runs, into a SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO!! Both men are down again and fans are thunderous! Ospreay sits up while Tsuji flounders. Ospreay dares Tsuji to sit up, so he does. They stare down, and then Ospreay ROCKS Tsuji with a forearm! Tsuji shakes his head while fans fire up again. Tsuji ROCKS Ospreay, but he shakes his head. Ospreay ROCKS Tsuji and he almost falls over!
Tsuji sits back up, and he throws another forearm. Not enough to Ospreay! Ospreay stands Tsuji up to ROCK him! Tsuji wobbles but he grins and fires another forearm. Ospreay ROCKS Tsuji again, Tsuji hits back, and they’re picking up speed! Ospreay eggs Tsuji on while giving him shot after shot! Tsuji leans on ropes, but he just smiles again! Tsuji comes back as Ospreay eggs him on again. Tsuji and Ospreay trade shots fast and furious! Fans are all fired up as Ospreay wobbles! Tsuji ROCKS Ospreay keeps on him, and DECKS him!! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji finally clutches his jaw. But then Ospreay rises up!
Ospreay snarls and winds up, to ROCK Tsuji! And CHOP! And CHOP on the back! And HOOK KICK! Tsuji bails out to the apron, and Ospreay goes out to join him, Ospreay goes up and up and- NO, Tsuji stops the cutter! Tsuji POSTS Ospreay, SUPERKICKS him, but Ospreay fires up! Only for Tsuji to HEADBUTT! Flashbacks to that Elimination Tag! Both men wobble, Tsuji runs in, but Ospreay moves! Tsuji’s curb stomp falls to the floor, and Ospreay goes up to SUPER OSCUTTER to the floor!! We pass 20 minutes as Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both somehow okay to continue, and fans rally back up.
A ring count starts and Ospreay slowly sits up. Ospreay grits his teeth as he stands, and he slides in at 12 of 20. Tsuji stands at 14, hobbles over but flops down at 16! Tsuji still pushes himself up, and he slides in at 19! Ospreay COAST2COAST DROPKICKS!! Cover, TWO!! Fans fire up with Ospreay and he calls his shot. Springboard, but no Oscutter! Tsuji shoves and scoops to BLUE THUNDER BOMB, then KNEE THRUST! CURB STOMP to the FACE!! Both men are down again and fans are fired up behind Yota more than Ospreay! Ospreay is dazed but he makes his way to the neutral corner.
Tsuji pounds the mat and the fans rally behind him. Tsuji storms up to Ospreay, stomps him, then stomps him again! Tsuji drags Ospreay up to CHOP! Ospreay shouts in pain but Tsuji puts him up top. Tsuji shouts and fans rally again. Tsuji climbs but Ospreay fires forearms! Tsuji throws shots back, then goes up to the very top! Tsuji brings Ospreay up to join him but Ospreay starts throwing headbutts! Ospreay switches positions to SUPER SPANISH FLY!! Cover, TWO?!? But Ospreay just brings Tsuji up, SIT OUT BOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Fans are electric, Ospreay is furious, he BUZZSAWS and HEEL KICKS! OSCUTTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!
Fans are electric because they are shocked, and Ospreay is just fuming! Ospreay vows to end this, and he hauls Tsuji up. Underhooks, Canadian Rack, STORM- STUNNER?!?! Tsuji brings that outta nowhere! TO GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Ospreay survives by a literal foot!! We pass 25 minutes, time is not on Tsuji’s side, and yet Tsuji smiles all the same! Fans are on Tsuji’s side, though, and he rises up again. Tsuji calls his shot, and goes up, up and FLYING STOMPS!!! Tsuji reels Ospreay in to underhook, Canadian Rack and STEALS STORMBREAKER!!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! Now even Tsuji’s shocked! Ospreay flips Tsuji off but Tsuji just grins.
Tsuji roars and powers up! Fans are thunderous as Tsuji aims, to GENE- HIDDEN BLADE?!?! that back elbow came outta nowhere!! Ospreay is seething, almost foaming at the mouth! “OI! OI! OI!” Ospreay aims, runs back in, and steals GENE BLAST!!! Cover, ONE?!?!? WHAT?!? Ospreay tries again, calls his shot, STORM DRIVER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Is Tsuji even human?!? Ospreay doesn’t care if human, robot, alien or more, but Tsuji’s roar does make him hesitate! Tsuji stands, grins, even laughs. He backs Ospreay down with that stare! Ospreay just HIDDEN BLADES anyway!! Ospreay hooks arms, to STORMBREAKER!!! Cover, OSPREAY WINS!
Winner: Will Ospreay, by pinfall (still IWGP United Kingdom Champion)
Tsuji pushed Ospreay to over 27 minutes, showing us he has resilience beyond expectations, but Ospreay still comes out the victor! Ospreay applauds Tsuji’s efforts, and even fist bumps him. Did tonight prove Tsuji proves to be a Reiwa Musketeer?
As for Ospreay, fans clap and chant along with his song, and he picks up both his belt and the mic. “Kobeee~!” Fans cheer the shoutout, and Ospreay says in Japanese, “Good evening. Did you have fun?” The fans cheer but he wants to ask again, did they have fun? The fans cheer even more! Ospreay continues by telling Tsuji, “You are amazing.” Tsuji grins and fans cheer, and Ospreay says the future of NJPW is in good hands with Tsuji, thank you very much. Ospreay then says that this is a beautiful place, he loves coming to Kobe. As a kid, he’d… Oh hey! It’s Zack Sabre Jr! These two are very familiar with each other.
The NJPW World TV Champion joins the IWGP UK Champion in the ring, gets a mic of his own, and then says, “Ospreay-chan, otsukaresama. <Lil’ Ospreay, thank you for your hard work.>” Fans cheer that, and Ospreay thanks ZSJ for the same. These two Englishmen continue with Japanese as ZSJ says that was a really great match and that Ospreay is really amazing. Ospreay asks if ZSJ really means that, and ZSJ says yes, he does. ZSJ says one thing, though. What is that belt? What is it called? The IWGP UK Heavyweight Champion. Oh okay. Then that belt… He wants it. ZSJ then asks if Ospreay knows enough Japanese to keep this going.
Ospreay says to give him a second while he thinks. ZSJ says good luck, you can do it. Ospreay takes a moment, the fans cheer him on, and Ospreay comes back with, “Eto… <Um…>” Challenge? Yes, maybe. “Okay desu.” Fans love that! ZSJ then tells Ospreay-chan that he has his next opponent. When is good for Ospreay? Ospreay apologizes that he’s running thin on his Japanese. ZSJ says that’s okay, but then let’s go to English. ZSJ says Ospreay still did good, though. But next month is Royal Quest III, October 14th. And ZSJ knows Ospreay knows that they are the two best British wrestlers in the world. Time to find who is THE best, with the UK title on the line.
Ospreay asks the fans if they like the idea of a match at Royal Quest. The fans cheer that! Ospreay considers it… And then he says okay, ZSJ is on! ZSJ thanks Ospreay and Ospreay thanks ZSJ. But do they bow or shake hands? They slowly reach out, and shake hands. Fans applaud as these two rivals have one more on the books. But neither wants to let go of the shake first. They agree, same time. Three, two, one, done. Then Ospreay yoinks ZSJ’s belt off him! Ospreay plays dumb but ZSJ lets that one slide. Until Ospreay rushes in! Then ZSJ dodges to scoop! Ospreay slips free and fans cheer the standoff!
Ospreay says a Zack Driver after all this? C’mon! He’s just trying to give you the belt back. Sure, sure, mate. ZSJ bails out and takes his leave, having to get ready for AEW WrestleDream and Bryan Danielson before Royal Quest. Ospreay chuckles and tells ZSJ he’ll see him at the Copper Box Arena. Ospreay tells Kobe that before they go, he needs to know the answer to one question: Who is the best pro-wrestler in the world? “OSPREAY!” Hmm… Who is the best pro-wrestler int he world?! “OSPREAY!!” That’s right! He is THE best pro-wrestler in the world, because he is Will Ospreay, and he is on ANOTHER LEVEL! ARIGATOGOZAIMASHITA!!
Ospreay waves the Empire’s banner while the streamers fly! The IWGP UK Champion is also going to Seattle for WrestleDream in a stacked Six Man Tag Match, but will he survive one more Don Callis Family feud to make it home to London?
My Thoughts:
An awesome night for NJPW on this large Destruction tour, even though I still skipped things. Well, I did skim, pretty good stuff but the first half was filler/build matches as this tour continues into October. Great stuff out of the KOPW Championship match with a unique take on the lumberjack match. But the last time (I watched) these two factions interact, something made me think the Heel Master was going to turn on his guys, and here we are! Yoshinobu now gives the House of Torture even more of a numbers advantage, really putting the pressure on Sanada and Just Four Guys when it comes to the rivalry. But as such, I would think Sanada retains in Ryogoku.
Great tag title match, but I figured Bishamon would retain. Goto & Hashi are a great team, NJPW knows they can depend on those two. Though nothing against TMDK, it probably just isn’t their time yet. NJPW probably wants to give Aussie Open time doing stuff in AEW/ROH before they resolve things between Aussie Open and Bishamon since Aussie Open never truly lost the titles. Then we got great stuff out of all the LIJ VS United Empire singles matches. Going in, I definitely figured it was all going to go this way. I lost it laughing at Naito’s canvas tote bag being his contract briefcase. And while Tsuji looked absolutely incredible tonight, I had no doubt Ospreay was going to retain.
WrestleDream is also a big part of his and ZSJ’s schedule, so Ospreay wasn’t going to lose momentum going into that Six Man Tag, and ZSJ wasn’t going to lose going into his true dream match with Bryan Danielson. And now, Ospreay VS ZSJ one more time around for the now IWGP UK Championship, that is going to be amazing stuff. Though with ZSJ still the inaugural NJPW World TV Champion, I don’t see the need for him to win Ospreay’s title. Perhaps they give these guys like 30+ minutes to put on a Match of the Year candidate so that no one can complain about ZSJ losing.
My Score: 9/10
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