Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Hell in a Cell Results & Report! (6/20/21)
Abandon all hope, ye who enter the Cell!
The WWE goes back to Hell earlier than usual!
It isn’t October yet, but the WWE couldn’t wait to step inside Hell in a Cell! Will Drew McIntyre’s run at the world title come to an All Mighty end?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff Show – Mandy Rose w/ Dana Brooke VS Natalya w/ Tamina; Natalya wins.
- SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bianca Belair VS Bayley; Belair wins and retains the title.
- Cesaro VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins.
- Alexa Bliss VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald; Bliss wins.
- Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn; Sami wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair; Charlotte wins by disqualification, Ripley retains the title.
- WWE World Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bobby Lashley VS Drew McIntyre; Lashley wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Hell in a Cell Kickoff Show!
Join Kayla Braxton, Jerry “The King” Lawler, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Peter Rosenberg in discussing, analyzing and predicting the action tonight.
Sonya Deville joins the panel!
She joins in the discussion on the SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell match, Bianca Belair VS Bayley! JBL wishes she was just Rosenberg’s replacement but maybe next time. But what does Sonya think we’ll see between Bianca and Bayley? Bianca is extremely talented as a pure athlete and as a superstar, but Bayley is playing the same old games. Bianca played the games right back, got Bayley back with them, and that forced Bayley to bring out that vicious side we know well. We know what that Bayley is capable of and will be bringing her best, but Bianca is already a big star in the division.
Rosenberg points out Bayley’s tweet from yesterday, where she promises that Bianca’s “idea of ‘Oh wow, WWE? That would be fun to try!’ becomes an ugly reality.” Bayley says this is her world and will see Bianca in Hell! So Bayley is saying that while Bianca is a great athlete, Bayley is going to prove she’s the better wrestler. Sonya says Bayley plays her mind games when she knows she can. And then when it doesn’t work, she goes back to her core of “vicious, aggressive, ruthless” Bayley. Kayla says Bianca has been on a roll but last Friday night, Bianca dared Bayley to get in the Cell. Bayley’s been in the Cell before, so is Bianca getting overzealous? Too much too fast?
King says this overconfidence could be her downfall. Bianca, not having been in the Cell before, has no idea what that’s like, while Bayley does know. There’s a saying and he’ll paraphrase here, “She who laughs last, laughs best.” And he predicts it will be Bayley. JBL agrees, you have to be careful what you wish for. “Hotrod” Roddy Piper and HBK Shawn Michaels played mind games all the time, but they were two of the all time best. Bayley is in that category now. The mean Bayley that was the longest reigning champion has always been there, and JBL predicts that will help her win.
Sonya cannot fault a champion that has stepped up and raised the ante. She respects Bianca calling Bayley out even knowing the experience edge Bayley has, so she’s going Bianca. We will see soon enough if Bianca’s boldEST move is a smart one!
The Kickoff Show returns, and Sonya talks Alexa Bliss VS Shayna Baszler.
Kayla for one has never seen Shayna this frazzled, so what exactly is going on? Sonya says there is nothing quite as daunting as this Alexa Bliss and her “maniacal ways.” No one can fully prepare for something like this. But that said, if there is anyone that can handle it, it’ll be Shayna and here’s why. Shayna is a decorated cage fighter and unpredictability is her strong suit. Sonya has the same background, she knows what it’s like to be locked into a cage and get hit in the face. Being able to be on the tip of your toes and be ready for anything is something Shayna is skilled in. Sonya chooses Shayna.
Rosenberg isn’t sure what to say about this. Alexa being this demented, Lily is in “timeout” or something, all that. But Sonya is right, Shayna is one of the few people who could stand in a crazy situation like this, with the pure fight experience she has, and come out of it on top. King counters by saying if we’re talking mind games, the recap package is enough to show that Alexa has gotten under Shayna’s skin. JBL adds that if Rosenberg never knows what to say, he can just stay quiet and let JBL handle things. King continues that when it comes to Alexa, he isn’t sure if she’s a witch, but he’s pretty sure her other car is a broom. Something weird is going on here.
Rosenberg tells JBL, “See? This is what we’ve got. Witchcraft!” And Rosenberg gets what King is saying, this isn’t normal stuff. JBL says Shayna’s complaining, sun in her eyes, shoe was untied, “Wah wah wah,” to avoid taking the blame for her own failures. But Alexa, who is a former champion, is living rent free in Shayna’s head. There is no way Shayna can overcome any of this. Rosenberg gets that, too. He feels Shayna is the one who can handle it, and better her than him. Wow, quoting himself, huh? You can’t use yourself as a source! Kayla puts a final touch on this that this will be unpredictable.
But moving on to the Raw Women’s Championship, Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair. Rhea has been a great champion, just like Bianca, but Charlotte has been coming hard to get the title back. The brawl was wild, it took referees and officials to stop it, but then it kept going until Charlotte got a bloody nose. Charlotte is not happy to say the least. Kayla had Charlotte on today’s special edition of WWE’s The Bump, and Charlotte admitted she sees her younger self in Rhea. This could be good or bad for Rhea. Sonya agrees there. Charlotte is one of the most decorated and dominant champions as a 13 time women’s champion. She’s been around the block, has all the confidence in everything she does.
But that said, Rhea has all that, too! Strength, dominance, and no backdown. Others might, but Rhea has the confidence to go out there. It is experience that might get the win. Rosenberg says being in a position like Rhea’s as the new kid, new champion, she’s kicking butt all over the world, doing her thing. But at the same time, she’s in the early stages of learning how to be a champion, and she has to deal with someone like Charlotte who has a lot of experience. JBL agrees with that point, because this is next level. There is always that one match in a champion’s reign, where it is essentially champion VS champion, even if that other person doesn’t have a title.
This is Charlotte Flair! She is not in Ric’s shadow, she is standing on her own. Rhea is a terrific champion, but this could be her coming out party, if you will. She could show she is the champion, or find out that she still doesn’t stand up to Charlotte’s level. But it is very telling that Charlotte sees something of herself in Rhea. Kayla brings up how last year, we saw something like this play out with NXT. Rhea was the champion, she took on Charlotte, and Charlotte took that title from her. Rhea’s grown a lot, she has a title again, surely she won’t let history repeat itself. King says that everyone who gets in the ring thinks they’ll win. If you don’t, then you won’t. You need that confidence first.
Both Charlotte and Rhea are thinking they’re going to win tonight, but you don’t earn the title of “The Queen” for nothing. Charlotte is The Queen of women’s wrestling, King is not betting against the Queen. Kayla is excited, we’ll see if the Nightmare will finally overcome Charlotte tonight.
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Megan Morant asks Sami about his long and storied history about Kevin. Sami asks if Megan knows about “karma.” Yes, karma is when- Sami interrupts and explains, “Karma is the idea that there is an inherent sense of justice in the universe. That things have a way of evening out. And that if you are a good person, an honest person, a truthful person, a liberator, a champion of the people, and dare I say, a borderline saint,” then in this life, you will be rewarded. If you are the opposite, such as a “selfish, backstabbing, corporate co-conspirator piece of trash like Kevin Owens, you will be punished.”
Sami admits he was skeptical about karma after having suffered injustice after injustice. But Sami then saw that karma is real! Because look at Kevin! Look at what’s been happening to him recently! Kevin lost his chances at the WWE Intercontinental Championship, not because of Sami but because of karma! And when Commander Azeez caved in Kevin’s windpipe, that wasn’t thanks to Sami! That was karma! Sami happens to know that Kevin is not 100% tonight! Kevin can barely breathe! If that’s not karma, then what is? So tonight, when Sami defeats Kevin, Sami won’t just be winning a match, no! He’ll get vindication! He’ll be serving cosmic justice! Sami loves karma, but will things turn right back around on him?
Mandy Rose w/ Dana Brooke VS Natalya w/ Tamina!
Stemming from the scrap between the #SexyMuscleFriends and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, the Golden Goddess looks to take the fight to the Queen of Harts! Will Mandy get her and Dana one step closer to a title match? Or will the #BOAT sink the challengers before they even set sail?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Natty headlocks to a takeover but Mandy headscissors. Natty kips free and resets with Mandy. Mandy headlocks now and hits the takeover, but Natty headscissors. Mandy kips free now and Dana cheers her on. Natty applauds somewhat mockingly, and ties up with Mandy again. Natty wrenches to a wristlock but Mandy handsprings and wrenches back. Mandy has the wristlock, but Natty rolls, handsprings and slips through to back drop! Mandy makes it a sunset flip, TWO! Natty rushes Mandy to get a waistlock. Mandy gets up, throws Natty down and has a wristlock, but Natty headscissors again.
Mandy moves around, gets Natty’s legs and turns her over to then hook the legs for a figure four knot. Natty reaches back to get a chinlock and drags Mandy off the leg lock. Mandy fights up and wrenches out to get a headlock. Natty endures the grind, powers out but Mandy goes up and over in the corner. Things speed up, Mandy rolls and eggs Natty on. They keep moving, Mandy hurdles Natty and drops but Natty jumps over. Natty eggs Mandy on now, then side steps her, only for Mandy to get around and roll her up. TWO, and the two reset again. Natty might be applauding genuinely this time as the two reset again.
Mandy kicks Natty low and fireman’s carries, but Natty fights free to go after an arm! They go around and Mandy gets a ropebreak. The ref counts, Natty lets off but Mandy YANKS Natty into the ropes! Mandy gets Natty in a corner for mudhole stomps! The ref counts, Mandy lets off but comes back to dig her knee in. The ref counts again, Mandy lets off and she taunts Tamina. Mandy stands Natty up to snapmare and drag her to a cover, ONE! Mandy keeps her cool as she brings Natty up, to DECK her with a right forearm! Cover, TWO! Mandy puts Natty in body scissors and squeezes. Natty endures but Mandy even uses a chinbar. Mandy taunts Natty that she CAN do it all!
Natty powers up, turns around and rains down fists! Mandy and Natty fight in facelocks, and Mandy powers out to get a guillotine, only for Natty to scoop and SLAM Mandy down! Mandy still gets up first and goes after Natty with forearms! Mandy hammers away on Natty’s back, drags her back up, and hooks her up for a modified Octopus Stretch! Natty endures but Dana taunts Natty. Natty powers out, gets around, and puts Mandy in a COBRA TWIST! Mandy endures as Natty cranks and SPANKS her! Mandy powers out and puts Natty in the Cobra Twist! Mandy throws down elbows, but Natty hip tosses Mandy!
Both women slowly rise, and Mandy rushes at Natty but Natty shoves her away. Mandy comes back but only gets buckles! Natty gets Mandy for a slingshot atomic sit-down! Natty steps on Mandy then basement SHOTGUN dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Mandy is proving she’s tougher than Natty thought but Tamina says Natty still has this. Natty gets Mandy up, RAMS Mandy into a corner and then fires off forearms! Natty hoists Mandy up top but Mandy boots her away! Mandy adjusts, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Mandy hurries to cover, TWO! Mandy is surprised but she shouldn’t be with Natty’s track record.
Natty sits up but Mandy is on her. Mandy reels Natty in, underhooks the arms, but Natty blocks the lift! Natty wrenches out, reels Mandy in but Mandy cradle counters! TWO, and a DISCUS from Natty takes Mandy down! Cover, TWO! Natty grows frustrated with the “glorified fitness model,” and she drags Mandy up by her hair. Mandy gets around to backslide! TWO, and a KNEE FROM A ROSE!! Cover, TWO!! Natty survives Mandy’s best shot and Mandy is shocked! Mandy goes for another knee but Natty blocks and spins her. Mandy ducks the discus to waistlock, but Natty switches and O’Conner Rolls! Cover, TWO, and Mandy has a schoolgirl! TWO!
Natty and Mandy fight for control, Natty goes for an arm! Mandy scrambles and gets a ropebreak! Natty lets go at 4 and Mandy checks her arm. Natty comes back, but Mandy trips her first! Jackknife cover, TWO as Natty bridges out! They spin, Natty trips Mandy and steps through! Mandy flails but Natty ties her up for the SHARPSHOOTER!! Mandy taps, Natty wins!
Winner: Natalya, by submission
This is why Natty is the winningest woman in WWE history! Will this make Mandy and Dana get more serious about their in-ring ability?
“Good evening, all you hell raisers out there.”
Thank you for tuning into the station of eternal damnation. You already know who she is: “Your villainous voice of choice; your hellish hostess through Hades; the one you can’t escape.” For first-time listeners, it’s okay to be scared. “Actually, if you ain’t scared, you should be!” The All Mighty is giving the Scottish Warrior one last chance at the dance! And here’s a special shout out to the women ready to step inside. “Slay, my lady warriors, slay!” The Queen haunts the Nightmare, and the one who laughs last will laugh b-E-S-T!
Our mysterious MC will sign off now, but before she goes, she wishes everyone standing at the gates of Hell good luck tonight. They’re gonna need it. Here’s one dedicated to you, as Ozzy Osbourne’s Straight to Hell rocks the ThunderDome! No apologies, no love lost, no more waiting! Hell in a Cell is here!
SmackDown Women’s Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bianca Belair VS Bayley!
The EST wants to finally shut up the rude Role Model once and for all, and is willing to take on perhaps the scariEST match type possible to do it! Bianca has never seen the inside of this sinister structure but Bayley has, is this the boldEST move or the dumbEST?
The Cell is lowered, the introductions are made, and the belt is raised as the blue brand’s gold opens the ThunderDome’s last ride!
Bayley tells Bianca there’s no going back now. But Bianca dares Bayley to bring it already. The two circle, tie up, and Bianca scoops to SLAM Bayley! And scoops to SLAM her again! And then she CLOBBERS Bayley! Bayley bails out and Bianca mockingly asks what’s up. Bayley walks off those slams as Bianca eggs her on. Bianca rushes her at the apron but Bayley HOTSHOTS Bianca down! Bayley hurries to bring out a chair from under the ring! Bayley puts that in the ring, then adds a second chair. But Bianca gets Bayley first, only for Bayley to throw Bianca down by her hair! Bayley smiles as she gets a chair, but they both see the second one!
Bayley kicks the second chair away before Bianca can get it! Not even the fastEST can make up that distance. Bayley taunts Bianca with the one chair, swings, but Bianca drops down to get a sunset flip! TWO, Bianca schoolgirls, ONE! Bayley gets the chair back before Bianca can get it! But Bianca prepares her hair! Bianca forces Bayley to use the chair as a shield to defend against the hair whip! Bayley swings but Bianca dodges, and then shoves Bayley into the corner! Bayley sandwiches the chair between her and buckles, then staggers back into a dropkick! The chair goes into Bayley and Bayley goes down! Bianca is fired up as she dares Bayley to get up. Bayley does, and Bianca RAMS her!
Bianca digs her shoulder into Bayley, hoists her up top, and throws hands on her. Bianca sits Bayley up but Bayley throws furious body shots! Bayley swings but Bianca backflips away! Bianca is right up, stumbles a moment but steadies herself. Bayley still resists, drops down to the apron and SMACKS Bianca off the top of the post! Bayley brings Bianca through ropes to POST her! Then KNEES her into the post! Bayley hurries to cover, TWO! Bianca shows she’s the toughEST, but she’s not invincible as her arm is bothering her now. Bayley is after that arm with a hammerlock, then she RAMS Bianca into more buckles!
Bayley wraps the arm around ropes, clubs away on Bianca, then lets off to watch Bianca flounder away. Bianca tries to hold Bayley off but Bayley CLUBS her down. Bayley steps over the bad arm for a finger-bending mounted armlock! Bayley CLUBS Bianca down, covers, TWO! Bayley gets Bianca back up but Bianca fires off forearms with the good arm! But Bayley has the bad arm for a SHOULDER COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Bianca writhes but Bayley goes out to move the steel steps. Bayley gets the top half up and in, then drags them over to a corner. Bayley goes back for Bianca and drops elbows onto the bad arm.
Bianca rolls towards the steps, Bayley grabs her ponytail and stands on it on the steps! Bayley wants Michael Cole to praise her, but Bianca gets her ponytail free. Bayley mocks Bianca, but Bianca TRIPS Bayley! Bayley lands on her tailbone on the steps! But Bayley snarls and runs to KNEE Bianca in the corner! Cover, TWO! Yep, still the toughEST! Bayley stalks Bianca back towards the steps, grabs the braid again and ties it around the bottom rope! Bianca’s hair is becoming a hindrance now as Bayley has her stuck! Bayley runs, but Bianca uses the rope to trip Bayley! Bayley falls and SMACKS onto the steel steps!
Bayley bails out, Bianca gets free, and she TOSSES the steps! Bayley barely gets out of the way, but Bianca WRECKS her with a dropkick! Bayley runs into a support beam and now she has a bad arm! Bianca digs Bayley’s face into the steel fence to grate her face! But Bayley gets Bianca’s hand and BITES it!! Bianca staggers away in pain and in shock that Bayley would do such a thing! Bayley grabs the bad arm to KICK it against the steel! Bayley leaves Bianca behind to go looking under the ring again. Bayley finds a kendo stick now and mockingly shushes commentary as if it’s a secret. Bianca gets up, and Bayley SMACKS her in the ribs! Wait, that was a DOUBLE stick, two sticks taped together!
Bayley backs off and runs in, to SUNSET BOMB Bianca into the Cell wall! Bayley kicks at Bianca to get out from under her. Bayley says Bianca wanted this match and here it is! Bayley brings out another super kendo stick, like Darth Maul’s lightsaber! And another! Bayley makes the kendo stick line between ring and Cell, just like last year. Bianca comes back with a kendo stick! Bayley dodges but Bianca ROCKS her with a right hand! They play a little cat ‘n’ mouse in and out of the ring. Bayley doesn’t see Bianca waiting, and Bianca gives Bayley a SPINEBUSTER through the double super kendo sticks!! Bianca shoves Bayley back in the ring, covers, TWO!!
Bianca can’t believe Bayley survived, but just because she’s the toughEST doesn’t mean Bayley isn’t tough, too! Bianca finally gets one of those chairs, and she gets in to SMACK Bayley on the back! Bianca sees Bayley go to a corner, runs in at her with the chair, but Bayley BOOTS the chair into Bianca! Bianca is down while Bayley grits her teeth. Bayley gets the chair again, stands it up and puts Bianca’s bad arm through it! Bayley YANKS the arm over and over then JAMS it! Bianca clutches the arm but somehow it still has feeling. Bianca kicks Bayley from below but Bayley grabs the braid to keep Bianca close. Bayley stomps Bianca, then ties the hair to the chair!
Bayley reels Bianca in to then dig her boots in! Bianca endures so Bayley stomps her down! Bayley laughs at Bianca again, and says Bianca is trapped! So Bianca SLAPS Bayley! Bianca drags herself and chair over to ropes. Bayley run sin, but KNEES chair! Bianca got Bayley back and gets up. Bianca is free of the chair and she CHOP BLOCKS the leg! Bianca uses her braid to tie herself to Bayley’s arm! Bianca uses it to reel Bayley in over and over for shoulder after shoulder! Arm-drag and then drag outside, Bayley is thrown into steel! Bianca uses the kendo sticks to SMACK away on Bayley! Then the braid reels Bayley into more steel! Bianca RAMS Bayley into the steel again and again!
Bianca lets Bayley free and slaps her around. Bayley crawls but Bianca has a little laugh now. Bayley wants out but that’s not how HIAC works! Bianca laughs more as Bayley realizes the situation she put herself in. Bianca BOOTS Bayley into the steel! And dribbles her off it! Bayley staggers about, Bianca follows her around the way, but Bayley finds a ladder! Bayley RAMS the ladder into Bianca’s ribs! Bayley puts the ladder into the ring, then she drags Bianca up and into the ring. Bayley gets the ladder, but Bianca grabs the other end! They tug-o-war, and Bianca uses the corner to push off.
Bianca pushes Bayley all the way across the ring, but Bayley moves aside so that the ladder hits post! The ladder jams Bianca in the stomach, Bayley SMACKS Bianca off the rungs! Bayley gets the ladder for herself and she sets it down. Bayley puts Bianca inside the ladder to SLAM it shut on her! Bayley stands on the ladder to squeeze Bianca! Bayley drags Bianca up for a ROSE PLANTER!! But that’s a bit double-edged as Bayley’s leg takes some damage! Bianca rolls away, Bayley drags her back inside the ropes and covers, TWO!!! That was the closEST it could’ve been! Bianca survives and bails out but Bayley pursues.
Bayley drags Bianca in but Bianca sunset flips! TWO, Bayley has the cover and the ropes! TWO and Bayley is furious! Bianca gets back up, Bayley hurries after her, but Bianca blocks the leg takedown! Bianca wants a backslide, Bayley fights it off but swings into a double chicken wing! GlamEST Slam into buckles! Bianca puts Bayley in the drop zone, then presses the ladder down onto her. Bianca is going for broke as she goes up top! Bianca jumps but Bayley rolls with the ladder! Bianca rolls through, comes back and drops a BACK SENTON! Bayley is sandwiched between Bianca and the ladder!!
Bayley writhes and Bianca repositions the ladder. Bianca opens the ladder up, then torture rack lifts Bayley! Bianca aims for the ladder! FULL METAL KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still SmackDown Women’s Champion)
That was the nastiEST, wildEST and perhaps greatEST win in Bianca’s career! She is still champion and her legacy is still growing, will there be no denying that Bianca is the b-E-S-T yet?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
Megan congratulates her on her win just now, what was her first HIAC like? That thing is brutal! But she had what it takes to keep the title. Bayley did kick Bianca’s butt, but Bianca will never forgive Bayley for how she treated her. Is Bianca finally through with the obnoxious Role Model’s ridicule?
Bobby Lashley and his ladies are partying even now!
MVP wants Bobby Lashley to remember, Drew McIntyre may have skill, and they may be in the Cell, but this is business as usual. The ladies say this is all Lashley! They’re all confident he’ll show McIntyre what’s what, and MVP wants Lashley to get in that zone. Lashley is turning on the Chief Hurt Officer mode, but will it be a little too late against the always-on Scottish Warrior?
Alexa Bliss speaks from the Playground.
“Wow! What a painful night for Bayley. But what a great night for Bianca! Anyway, it’s so nice of you guys to join me tonight in Hell… in a Cell!” Speaking of cells, Lily is still serving her timeout. Alexa says Lily is a little naughty, but not nearly as much as Shayna Baszler. Shayna brought all this upon herself, so don’t blame Alexa for what happens next. But there is a lesson to be learned! One: be careful what you wish for. Two: expect the unexpected. When you knock on Alexa’s door, you’ll never know who or what will answer. Will Twisted Lil’ Bliss make the Queen of Spades sorry that she didn’t say she was sorry?
Cesaro VS Seth Rollins!
The Swiss Superman already bested The Architect back at WrestleMania 37, and then again soon after. Rollins continues to see things with a more-than-skewed perspective, will Cesaro make him see things right after another spin?
But as Cesaro makes his entrance first, Rollins attacks from behind! Just like #WrestleManiaBacklash and thereafter! Cesaro goes after Rollins and he throws Rollins into barriers! Rollins gets up, they brawl, Cesaro puts Rollins in the ring then hurries in. Rollins is after Cesaro again, Cesaro pulls Rollins’ jacket off him! The ref has them both back off long enough for the bell to ring, and then Rollins leaps into a POWERSLAM! Cesaro rains down furious forearms, Rollins gets up and throws hands. The brawling continues, Rollins gets an edge then whips but Cesaro reverses to back drop!
Cesaro roars and glares at Rollins. Rollins gets up, Cesaro is after him and yanks him up by a leg to put him on the apron. Cesaro runs and BOOTS Rollins down! Rollins flounders up as Cesaro goes out after him. Cesaro storms over but Rollins kicks low. Rollins whips but Cesaro reverses to send Rollins into barriers! Cesaro runs side to side to EuroUpper Rollins down! Cesaro puts Rollins in at 7 of 10, climbs up a corner, and leaps to FLYING AX HANDLE Rollins down! Cover, ONE, and Rollins grimaces. Cesaro CLUBS Rollins, then bumps him off buckles. Rollins staggers, Cesaro throws more forearms and body shots.
Cesaro bumps Rollins off buckles again, then brings him around to EuroUpper! Rollins sputters, Cesaro throws more EuroUppers! The ref check son Rollins but Cesaro just throws more EuroUppers! Rollins kicks low, then gets Cesaro for a BUCKLE SHOT! Rollins scrapes Cesaro’s face on the rope! The ref reprimands, Rollins lets off but Cesaro grabs hair! They scrum in the ropes, the ref pulls them apart but Rollins pokes Cesaro in the eye! And ROCKS him with a right! Rollins waistlocks, Cesaro swings an elbow but Rollins spins Cesaro for a DDT! Cover, ONE!! Cesaro sits up while Rollins seethes. Rollins throws hands on Cesaro then digs his boot into Cesaro at the ropes!
The ref counts, Rollins lets off at 4, and Rollins brings Cesaro up to DECK him! Cesaro sits up again as Rollins winds up. “One punch!” Rollins DECKS Cesaro again, perhaps claiming he’s WWE’s One Punch Man compared to Cesaro’s Superman. Rollins whips, KNEES Cesaro against ropes, then whips back the other ay for another KNEE! Rollins reels Cesaro back in, but Cesaro blocks the suplex. Rollins throws body shots but Cesaro still blocks to suplex Rollins instead! Both men are down, Rollins rolls away to the apron and Cesaro crawls over. Rollins gets up, Cesaro swings on him but Rollins shoulders into Cesaro. Rollins shovels Cesaro up and out!
Cesaro gets up and is a bit punch drunk. Rollins leaps to FLYING KNEE! Cesaro goes down, a ring count starts, and Rollins gets Cesaro up and in at 7 of 10. Rollins aims from the apron, springboards, for another FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Cesaro survives and Rollins is a bit frustrated now. Rollins stalks Cesaro, throws haymakers and keeps Cesaro down. Cesaro gets up again, but Rollins DECKS him again! Rollins sits Cesaro up to dig fingers into Cesaro’s bad eye! The ref counts, Rollins lets off, and he watches Cesaro stagger up. Rollins runs but Cesaro blocks the kick to EuroUpper! Rollins DECKS Cesaro again, but Cesaro’s right back up with another EuroUpper!
Rollins ROCKS Cesaro, Cesaro EuroUppers again! And again! Cesaro backs Rollins down with the flurry of EuroUppers and body shots! Cesaro lets off in the corner and catches his breath. Cesaro blocks Rollins’ clothesline to torture rack and SLAM Rollins down! Cesaro pulls of Rollins’ black glove while stomping him down! Cesaro makes Rollins eat his glove before the RAINMAKER?! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives but Cesaro PUNTS the glove! Cesaro runs in to EuroUpper Rollins in the corner! Whip corner to corner, another EuroUpper! Cesaro keeps moving but into a mule kick! Rollins runs but into a SPINNING POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!!
Cesaro grits his teeth while he and Rollins are still down. Cesaro gets up, grabs Rollins’ leg, but Rollins flails for ropes. Rollins gets the ropebreak but Cesaro yanks him up and reel shim in! Rollins back drops Cesaro out but Cesaro lands on the apron to DECK Rollins! Cesaro climbs a corner, but Rollins springs right up there to join him! Cesaro holds off the superplex with pure power! Cesaro HEADBUTTS Rollins down! Cesaro adjusts, leaps, CROSSBODY but Rollins rolls it to a cradle! TWO!! Rollins dodges a EuroUpper to send Cesaro into buckles! Rollins waistlocks, Cesaro elbows free, but Rollins PELES!
Cesaro staggers and Rollins runs, to ROLLING ELBOW! Rollins reels Cesaro back in, DREAM SMASHER ELBOW!! Rollins shouts out Cesaro’s fellow King of Wrestling! Cover, TWO!! Cesaro survives the knockout shot and Rollins is beside himself! Rollins says, “You’re not gonna earn anything over me! You think you’re better than me?!” Rollins says Cesaro hasn’t earned anything, and he stomps away on the bad arm! And digs his fingers into Cesaro’s face! And then drags him into a FUJIWARA! Cesaro endures the armbar, powers up, and scoops Rollins! Rollins knees free, reels Cesaro in, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO!! But Rollins runs, BOOMERANG WIZARD! Cover, TWO!!
Rollins is beside himself again as Cesaro still stays in this. Rollins gets up, Cesaro flounders and Rollins aims from a corner. Rollins runs but has to dodge a clothesline! Rollins mule kicks, front kicks and sobats, but runs into a DISCUS! Both men are down but stirring. Rollins crawls to ropes, Cesaro stalks up behind him, and gets him for a SPINEBUSTER! To the SWING!! Around and around Rollins goes for 10, 15, and stops at 18! Cesaro goes for and gets the SHARPSHOOTER! Rollins endures, reaches for ropes, but Cesaro clamps onto that arm for a CROSSFACE! Cesaro rolls to have Rollins in the middle of the ring! Rollins rolls it to a cover, TWO!
Cesaro gets legs again and we’re back to the SHARPSHOOTER!! Rollins fights towards ropes but again Cesaro gets the arm! Cesaro STOMPS the arm down! And then again! And again! Cesaro reels Rollins in but Rollins uses it for a cradle counter! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, the Architect finds a way to survive Cesaro! Rollins celebrates finally getting one on the board, but is this series far from over?
We return to the Kickoff Panel!
Kayla likes the “hot start” to the night. She recaps the wins we’ve seen so far, how does King feel about the night? Has it gone the way he thought it would? Not exactly, but he just loves the look on the faces of the losers. That scowl on Cesaro, and of course Bayley! A tough night for Bayley, Rosenberg couldn’t believe that KOD onto a ladder. Brutal for sure. Rollins finds a way and JBL dares someone to follow that. This is a loaded card and he is happy to be here in person. Still much more to go, and we have perhaps the most twisted one up next!
Alexa Bliss VS Shayna Baszler w/ Nia Jax & Reginald!
Ever since pulling the rug out from under The Fiend, Twisted Lil’ Bliss and her friend, Lily, have been doing whatever they want to the Raw Women’s Division. It got on the nerves of the Queen of Spades, and her disrespecting the “stupid little doll” has set off Alexa. Will there be no running and no hiding from what’s coming?
Sarah interviews Shayna, along with Nia Jax and Reginald, before the entrance. Can they explain in their own words what is going on with Shayna, Alexa and Lily? Shayna tells Sarah to never say that stupid doll’s name around her again. Okay but what is her response to Alexa’s cryptic warning about “expect the unexpected?” Does Shayna look like she cares at all what that lunatic has to say? Alexa has fun playing with dolls, Shayna has fun hurting people. Alexa started this, Shayna will end it! Nia agrees, but there’s nothing wrong with a little luck. Nia has Reggie wish Shayna luck but Shayna slaps him before he can kiss her hand. Nia says it’s fine, and the three head out.
The bell rings and Alexa has a sinister smirk as she and Shayna circle. Shayna hesitates seeing Alexa not even put up her dukes. They circle, Reggie distracts, and Shayna CLOBBERS Alexa! Shayna fires off in a corner, the ref counts and Shayna lets off at 4. Alexa just smirks as she gets up, but then grits her teeth as Shayna stomps her back down! The ref counts again, Shayna lets off at 4, but Alexa grins as she gets up again. Shayna runs in, Alexa dodges and Shayna knees buckles. Alexa contorts herself as she crawls back after Shayna. Shayna tries to shake that off but Alexa ROCKS her, KICKS her, and then runs in to double KNEE her against ropes!
Alexa stalks Shayna and Nia worries. Alexa drops a SOMERSAULT SENTON! Cover, TWO! Alexa sees Reggie on the apron again but he does his best not to look her in the eyes. He doesn’t want to get hypnotized again! Alexa smirks but Shayna CLOBBERS her from behind! Shayna fires off in the corner, lets off to run back in and KNEE Alexa down! Alexa sits up and laughs?! Shayna is confused, and runs in to get Alexa up for a gut wrench SLAM! Cover, TWO! Alexa survives but is still relishing the fight! Shayna drags Alexa by her arm and wrenches for a double wristlock! Shayna tortures Alexa’s elbow and now Alexa is mad!
Alexa fights up, moves around, but Shayna shifts to a top wristlock! Shayna bends the fingers way back, but Alexa throws knees. Shayna gets up to stand on Alexa’s head! Alexa endures, even as Shayna twists the wrist. Shayna keylocks the arm! And STOMPS it!! Alexa writhes, finally feeling pain! Nia and Reggie applaud, but crying turns to laughter again?! Shayna gets the arm, wrenches it and twists it, but Alexa overpowers her? Shayna still bends the fingers but Alexa shouts, “LOOK AT ME!” Their eyes lock, and is Alexa hypnotizing Shayna?! Shayna resists, but she let go of the hold! Alexa ROCKS her again! And then CLOBBERS her!
Alexa rallies with big forearms then a THESZ PRESS! Fast hands but Shayna shoves her away! Alexa shrieks, gets Shayna up and reels her in, SPIKE DDT!! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives and now Alexa is throwing a tantrum! That was a glimpse of the old Alexa but she calms down to KICK Shayna right back down! Alexa storms about, runs in and SHOTGUN dropkicks Shayna out of the ring! Nia and Reggie hurry to check on Shayna, but then Nia and Alexa lock eyes. The ring count is climbing and… Is Nia going to be Alexa’s puppet now? Shayna gets in the ring at 5 of 10, and Alexa IS controlling Nia! Reggie tries to snap her out of it, but Nia is used to SLAP Reggie!!
Alexa and Nia shout, but Shayna wraps on the KIRAFUDA KLUTCH! Alexa gets free to THROAT CHOP! And… TWISTED DDT!! Alexa goes up top for TWISTED BLISS!! Cover, Alexa wins!!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
Nia is shaking off the hypnosis and has no idea what just happened! Though, does anyone really know what happened here? Is Alexa going to make the entire Raw Women’s Division dance to her tune?
Kevin Owens VS Sami Zayn!
The Prizefighter admits that he has done awful things to people throughout his career, and the Great Liberator wants him to pay for it all! Sami claims he will triumph over the #KOConspirator with his cosmic justice, but will Sami find out that karma is a two way street?
Sami keeps his distance from Kevin before the bell, and then they start throwing hands with the bell! Kevin backs Sami down to a corner, the ref counts, and Kevin lets off at 4. Sami hurries to ropes for defense but Kevin keeps him in the ring. Kevin DECKS Sami, stomps Sami, and throws more hands! Sami flounders about but Kevin CHOPS him off his feet! Sami goes to another corner, Kevin whips him corner to corner hard, and Sami writhes about. Kevin smirks as he stalks Sami and has him up in a corner. Kevin is still gasping and coughing but he CLUBS and stomps Sami down. Kevin CHOPS Sami, whips him corner to corner hard again, and Sami bounces off buckles!
Kevin takes a second to breathe, and he double stomps Sami in a corner! Kevin gets Sami up, throws forearms, and Kevin whips Sami to ropes to CLOBBER him with an elbow! Then a BACK SENTON! Kevin again has to catch his breath but Sami gets away in that gap. Sami bails out, Kevin goes out the side and comes in around the way. Sami kicks but Kevin blocks to kick the hamstring! Kevin whips Sami into barriers, then puts him in the ring. Kevin gets on the apron but Sami gets him in the ropes with a kick! Sami fires off on Kevin now, but the ref counts. Sami lets off at 4 and Kevin sputters again. Kevin gets up and CHOPS Sami! Sami headlocks to throw a punch!
Sami stomps Kevin, brings him up and whips him to ropes to LARIAT! Kevin scrambles as Sami wants a chinlock. Sami throws clubbing crossfaces, then lets off while Kevin coughs and sputters again. Sami stands Kevin up now, reels him in, but Kevin blocks the suplex. Kevin tries a suplex, and hangs Sami out to dry! Sami flops off, Kevin runs corner to corner to corner clothesline! Kevin gasps but he comes back with a CANNONBALL! Kevin drags Sami to a cover, TWO! And now things get harder for Kevin because of his coughing and sputtering. Sami drags himself to ropes, Kevin stalks over to him.
Kevin keeps Sami from running away with a fish hook in the mouth! But Sami YANKS Kevin into the ropes! Kevin sputters as he bails out, and Sami builds speed to FLY! Tope conjilo hits but Kevin gets up as he sputters and coughs his way to the timekeeper’s area. Kevin gets in the ring, Sami sees he’s vulnerable. Sami wants after Kevin but the ref has him stay back. Kevin holds a hand, Sami wants to keep going, but the ref won’t let him. Sami doesn’t believe Kevin’s arm injury and he BOOTS Kevin down! Sami stomps Kevin over and over, the ref reprimands and Sami lets off. Kevin refuses to give up so Sami stomps him more! And rains down rights!
Kevin can only guard as Sami ground ‘n’ pounds. Sami lets off and Kevin kicks from below! Sami drops an elbow onto Kevin’s throat! Kevin bails out and is hurting all over! The ref has Sami stop and Kevin is struggling just to stand now. Kevin holds the wrist, gasps, but fires off forearms on Sami! Takedown and ground ‘n’ pound! Kevin’s fury is helping him fight through the pain, but only so much. Sami gets to a corner, Kevin stomps a mudhole into him, but lets off as the ref counts. Sami bails out, Kevin pursues and LARIATS with the good arm! Kevin refuses to stop but a ring count is climbing! Kevin gets in at 6, but goes out to SWANTON onto knees!!
Sami and Kevin are both down with a new count climbing! Sami hurries to get Kevin up, in and reels him in, BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?! Kevin survives with everything that hurts and Sami is furious! Sami stalks Kevin to ropes, throws crossface forearms, but Kevin gets up to ROCK Sami with the good forearm! Kevin still hangs back but Sami goes after him with haymakers. The ref wants Sami to back off but he won’t as Kevin wobbles in the ropes. Kevin hits back now, haymakers and CHOPS on repeat! BOOT! Sami staggers into another BOOT! Sami swings but Kevin kicks! STUN- NO! HALF ‘N’ HALF!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Talk about #JustKeepFighting!
Sami hammers Kevin but Kevin back hands from below, these two won’t stop! It is a scrum and McAfee for one loves it! Sami and Kevin stop as both catch their breath, and Kevin gets to the apron. Kevin SLAPS Sami, Sami hammers and stomps Kevin off the apron! Kevin leans on the announce desk to get up while coughing and sputtering. Sami has a bloody lip, but he storms over, into a kick and STUNNER!! Kevin drags himself up with one good arm to get into the ring! The ring count is 5 of 10 and Sami is still down! Sami sits up at 7, flounders at 8, stumbles at 9, but gets in at 9.99!! Kevin would sigh if not for his hurt throat.
Sami is dazed, Kevin coughs, and yet Sami still throws a jab! Kevin HEADBUTTS Sami! And uses his shoulder! Sami throws haymakers and jabs, Kevin fires off, they’re brawling on their knees! Kevin gets the edge with so many headbutts! Kevin stomps Sami on the ropes in a rage and the ref is counting! Kevin just lets off at 4.5! Sami is half in and half out of the ring, but Kevin storms back over. Kevin drags Sami up with his good arm but Sami HOTSHOTS the bad one! Sami hurries in as Kevin is down, BLINDSIDE SHINING WIZARD! Kevin’s throat hits ropes!! Kevin staggers into a HELLUVA KICK!! Cover, Sami wins!!
Winner: Sami Zayn, by pinfall
Whether this was cosmic justice or not, this was a grudge match that was out of this world! Sami vindicates himself, but is karma far from done with these two eternal frenemies?
Raw Women’s Championship: Rhea Ripley VS Charlotte Flair!
Anyone else getting deja vu? The Nightmare was NXT Women’s Champion, the Queen was incredibly confident she’d change that, and it did go the challenger’s way at WrestleMania 36. But a year has made both women stronger, tougher and meaner. There may have been distractions and detours, but these two finally meet 1v1 again. Will Rhea be living a nightmare as history repeats itself? Or will this be a redemption story for the underdog champion?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who has grown more since April of 2020!
Wait, Charlotte snatches the belt from the ref, throws it to Rhea, then DECKS her! The ref reprimands Charlotte because this is before the bell! Rhea is furious, she demands this go down, and it begins! Charlotte rolls Rhea up, TWO! Rhea gets up but into Charlotte’s BOOT! Charlotte shouts at Rhea as she bails out, “That’s why you’re number two!” Rhea fumes, the ring count begins, but Charlotte eggs Rhea on. Rhea tells her to back off, and then gets in at 6 of 10. They approach, Charlotte kicks low and goes to buckle bump but Rhea blocks to bump Charlotte! Rhea fires off hands, Charlotte ROCKS her back! It is a brawl, just like Raw! Rhea spins and back elbows!
Rhea whips Charlotte to a corner, Charlotte reverses and Rhea hits hard! Charlotte rushes in, Rhea dodges, and then Rhea BOOTS Charlotte down on the return! Rhea snarls while Charlotte checks her face. Rhea goes up top, but Charlotte kicks a leg out! Rhea tumbles to the mat and Charlotte stomps away on her! The ref counts, Charlotte lets off but then digs her boots in! The ref counts, Charlotte stops at 4 and wraps on a sleeper hold. Charlotte thrashes Rhea around but Rhea endures. Charlotte leans on the chinlock but Rhea reaches with legs. Charlotte keeps Rhea from ropes and then wrangles her back down.
Rhea keeps moving, gets up, but Charlotte throws her down by her hair! Charlotte drags Rhea back up, goes to suplex, but Rhea blocks to suplex instead! Charlotte slips out to shove Rhea into buckles! Charlotte runs and clotheslines Rhea out of the ring! Rhea crawls, Charlotte goes out and BOOTS her into barriers! Charlotte applauds herself and then puts Rhea in the ring. Cover, TWO! Another try, ONE! Another, ONE!! Charlotte has a wild grin, apparently amused by Rhea’s resilience. Charlotte drags Rhea up, KICKS her in the leg, and Rhea drags herself as she suffers a Charlie horse. Charlotte CLUBS Rhea down then dares her to get up.
Charlotte keeps kicking Rhea, has the leg and wraps it around the ropes! Charlotte pulls on the leg to go after the knee, but Rhea pulls on hair. The ref reprimands and counts, Charlotte lets off by dropping an elbow. Rhea gets to a corner, Charlotte runs in but into boots. Charlotte blocks them to ROCK Rhea again! Charlotte puts the leg on the ropes but Rhea avoids the knee drop! Charlotte hobbles into forearms! Rhea gets around Charlotte, reels her in and hits a short-arm clothesline! And another! Ripcord but Charlotte breaks free, only for Rhea to bob ‘n’ weave and HEADBUTT! Charlotte wobbles into a SUPERKICK!
Rhea has to get her bad leg moving as Charlotte goes to the apron. Rhea hobbles over, gets Charlotte up but Charlotte ROCKS her! Charlotte shoulders in but Rhea dodges, only for Charlotte to catch the kick! DRAPING KNEEBAR! The ref counts the ropebreak but Charlotte lets go at 4.5! Rhea hobbles again, but still comes back to WRECK Charlotte with a dropkick! Rhea goes out to fetch Charlotte into the ring, and then growls as she goes up the corner! Rhea climbs, leaps, and missile dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Rhea growls again as she hammers and clubs Charlotte. Rhea gets the legs, PRISM TRAP!!
Charlotte is caught, but she rolls to throw Rhea into buckles! Rhea is dazed, Charlotte pushes her out to hit NATURAL SELECTION! Cover, with legs on the ropes! TWO!?! Rhea kicks out and the ref noticed too late, Charlotte is surprised either way! Charlotte goes after Rhea again, scoops but Rhea slips out to waistlock! Charlotte elbows free, runs in but boots buckle! Rhea gets Charlotte for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Charlotte tumbles to the opposite corner and Rhea has to get her bad leg working again. Rhea runs corner to corner, but Charlotte gets her for a BACKBREAKER to BUCKLE SHOT! Rhea is dazed again as Charlotte drags her around.
Charlotte slithers to the corner and goes up top. MOONSAULT! Rhea moves but Charlotte STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!! El Idolo’s combo did not help The Queen finish this! Charlotte is after the leg, jams knee into knee and then steps through! Rhea makes it a cradle, TWO! Charlotte runs, boot feint to ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! Another El Idolo move but still not a victory! Charlotte rains down forearms on Rhea, then has the leg to KICK it! Charlotte steps through but Rhea boots her to the apron. Charlotte BOOTS back, and then climbs back up. Rhea CLUBS her first! They brawl, Rhea goes after Charlotte’s legs then her shoulders!
Rhea hobbles up the corner to join Charlotte, and stands her up for a SUPERPLEX! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is writhing but also raging as Charlotte survives! Charlotte seems to be grinning through the pain, but Rhea kicks at her. Charlotte and Rhea start throwing hands as they stand and it is fast and furious! Charlotte CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! About time she uses those! Charlotte runs in but only gets buckles! Rhea pump handles for the RIPTIDE!! Cover, ROPEBREAK!!! Charlotte’s ring awareness saves her and Rhea can’t believe it! Charlotte bails out as Rhea shouts in frustration. Rhea wants out after Charlotte but the ref says no.
Rhea doesn’t listen, she goes out the side. She hobbles around the way, but hobbles into a kick to the leg! Rhea hits apron on the way down, goes to the steel steps, and Charlotte dropkicks the bad leg into them! Rhea is shouting in pain as she writhes and rolls. The ring count is 8 of 10, both women get in at 9! Charlotte SPEARS Rhea down! And gets the leg, for a FIGURE FOUR! Rhea shouts at Charlotte, slaps and clubs the leg lock, but Charlotte pushes and bridges. Rhea rolls first to get the ROPEBREAK! Charlotte is frustrated and swings on Rhea, but Rhea drags Charlotte with her to the floor! Rhea is free but shouting in pain.
The ring count has started again as both women get up. Rhea goes to the announce desk, Charlotte runs at her, but Rhea YANKS the desk hood off and it hits Charlotte! The ref calls the match?!
Winner: Charlotte Flair, by disqualification (Rhea Ripley retains the title)
Rhea doesn’t even understand that’s what happened, she fires off furious fists and forearms! Rhea puts Charlotte on the apron to hammer away! The ref tells her to stop, the match is done! Charlotte is pissed, too, Rhea gets in and Charlotte tackles her! They just want to fight!! Charlotte claims that DQ was on purpose, but Rhea throws her into buckles! Rhea hobbles up, gets Charlotte in the pump handle, for a RIPTIDE!! Charlotte recovers as Rhea leaves, and while Charlotte says, “You’re learning!” Rhea says, “Just doing what you would do to me!” The Raw Women’s Championship remains with the Nightmare, but will the controversy only keep the door open to the Queen?
WWE World Championship Hell in a Cell Match: Bobby Lashley VS Drew McIntyre!
The Rocky Mountain Machine wants to be done with the Scottish Warrior, and the feeling is mutual. To make it worth both men’s time, they each added a stipulation. McIntyre put this match inside the devil’s playground, but Lashley says that when McIntyre loses, McIntyre can no longer challenge for the world title while it belongs to Lashley! Is that motivation enough for McIntyre to reach the top a third time? Or is there no stopping the All Mighty?
The Cell touches down again, the introductions are made and the title is raised as we see how it all ends for these two titans!
MVP promises this ends tonight for McIntyre as McIntyre and Lashley stare down. They get face to face but then Lashley bails out to go looking under the ring! McIntyre goes after Lashley with haymakers and elbows! McIntyre whips Lashley into the steel, then digs his face into it! Lashley can only endure as McIntyre brings him around for more haymakers. McIntyre hauls Lashley up to RAM him into steel! McIntyre scowls as he brings Lashley around the way and POSTS him! McIntyre gets the steel steps, raises them high overhead, but Lashley kicks his leg out! The steps drop, Lashley RAMS McIntyre into the Cell! Lashley digs his knee into McIntyre’s head to push him into the steel!
Lashley drags McIntyre up, MVP nods and Lashley goes to suplex. McIntyre blocks, to suplex and TOSS Lashley into steel! Lashley tumbles down, MVP checks on him through the fencing, but McIntyre goes back for the steps! McIntyre RAMS Lashley down with them! Lashley is in a daze as McIntyre dares him to get up. McIntyre RAMS Lashley again! McIntyre puts the steps aside to bring Lashley back up. McIntyre puts Lashley in the ring, drags him up again, and underhooks the arms! Lashley wrenches out to ROCK him with a right! But McIntyre BOOTS back! McIntyre hauls Lashley up, clinches and OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes!
Lashley flounders out of the ring, McIntyre pursues and MVP hurries to coach Lashley from outside. McIntyre gets a kendo stick and SMACKS Lashley down! McIntyre gets Lashley up and uses the kendo stick in a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP into the steel! Lashley crawls but McIntyre gets a TABLE! McIntyre stands the table up in a corner of the Cell, but MVP slips his cane into the Cell! Lashley gets it to CANE SHOT McIntyre in the throat! And again! Lashley looms over McIntyre as McIntyre gasps for air. Lashley drags McIntyre back up, and RAMS McIntyre into the steel now! Lashley digs his boots into McIntyre then lets off.
McIntyre sputters and hobbles, MVP tells Lashley to stomp McIntyre out! Lashley RAMS McIntyre into the apron, then RAMS him into steel! They go to the base steps, Lashley gets McIntyre up but McIntyre shoves Lashley into the post! McIntyre fireman’s carries, shifts position, AIR RAID CRASH to the STEPS!! MVP panics as he sees his champion down! McIntyre steps up and over Lashley to go looking under the ring. McIntyre finds another table! McIntyre sets this table up near the ring, then fetches Lashley. McIntyre throws punches, dribbles Lashley off the steel over and over and over, then lets him flop to the floor!
Lashley flounders, McIntyre gets him up again, and brings him around the steps. McIntyre lines things up but Lashley throat chops again! MVP tells Lashley to catch his breath quick so he can go after McIntyre more. Lashley gets McIntyre up for headbutt after headbutt after headbutt! Both men are down, exhausted, but Lashley gets up to bring McIntyre around the way. Lashley whips McIntyre into the steel, but McIntyre rebounds to CLOBBER Lashley! McIntyre gets Lashley up and bumps him off the top half of the steel steps. McIntyre puts Lashley in the ring, brings out chairs and shouts, “We’re just getting started!”
McIntyre puts three chairs in the ring, takes one and wedges it in a corner. McIntyre runs at Lashley but gets an elbow for it! McIntyre staggers, gets through a boot to elbow back, and has Lashley’s legs! INVERTED ALABAMA SLAM onto a chair! Cover, TWO!! McIntyre is frustrated but he keeps his focus as he gets the other chair. McIntyre SMACKS Lashley on the back! Lashley crawls, McIntyre goes up top with a chair, for a FLYING CHAIR- NO! Lashley catches McIntyre and wants the full nelson! McIntyre runs at a corner and uses the buckle to knock Lashley away! SPINEBUSTER! Jackknife cover, TWO!!
But McIntyre gets Lashley right up for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Lashley lives and McIntyre is a bit surprised. McIntyre watches Lashley crawl and MVP is stressing out. McIntyre KICKS Lashley out of the ring! McIntyre taunts Lashley to show how badass he is, and then he kicks Lashley down the way. McIntyre gets the steel steps again, takes aim, and RAMS him again! Lashley flounders, McIntyre lifts the steps, but Lashley RAMS them into McIntyre’s face, and steel fencing! And then again! And again! Lashley pushes the steps aside so he can hammer away on McIntyre’s head, and CHOKE him! Lashley lets off as MVP continues to sing his praises!
Lashley finds the kendo stick and brings it over to McIntyre. McIntyre sits up in a daze, MVP says this is what McIntyre asked for! Lashley passes the stick to MVP, and MVP uses the stick to wedge McIntyre into the corner! McIntyre is still defiant with double middle fingers! Lashley fires off haymakers in a rage! And chokes McIntyre against the kendo stick! And fires off body shots! Lashley roars right in McIntyre’s face, then gets space. McIntyre breaks free of the stick! But he runs into a COMPLETE SHOT! MVP says that they hurt McIntyre, and now they will finish him! Lashley puts McIntyre in the ring, and gets one of the chairs.
Lashley sits the chair up, gets McIntyre up, FULL METAL COMPLETE SHOT! McIntyre somehow sits up, but Lashley gives him another FULL METAL COMPLETE SHOT! Lashley doesn’t end it here, he goes to get something more. MVP likes that, he wants Lashley to punish McIntyre! Lashley has a new kendo stick and he SMACKS McIntyre! And again! And again! Lashley eggs McIntyre on as he SMACKS him, and McIntyre is getting mad! McIntyre stands up, and blocks the stick! GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! Lashley staggers, McIntyre has a chair and he JAMS Lashley! Lashley pokes McIntyre in the eye! Lashley ducks the blind chair shot, and shoves McIntyre into the ref!
Lashley whips McIntyre at his own corner chair, but McIntyre reverses to RAM Lashley into it!! McIntyre gets Lashley turned around, FUTURE SHOCK!! Cover, but the ref can’t call it!! McIntyre sees this, and shouts to another ref to get in as substitute! The ref obeys, opening the cage door. Lashley gets the HURT LOCK! McIntyre fights, arm-drags free, an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly suplexes Lashley! Another chair, another JAB and SMACK! Chair TOSS! Lashley flounders, into a CLAYMORE!!! Cover, but where is the ref? There he is! But MVP drags the ref out to stop the count!! Opening the Cell let MVP in, too!
McIntyre glares a hole through MVP and MVP talks trash, but the door is relocked! MVP realizes he’s trapped! He turns around into McIntyre’s hands! McIntyre dribbles MVP around ringside! McIntyre shoves MVP into the ring, and aims from a corner. CLAYMORE FOR MVP!! Montel Vontavious Porter pays for his role in all this, but McIntyre isn’t done. McIntyre has MVP on the outside and is shouting in his face how MVP has brought this upon himself. But Lashley sneaks up behind! HURT LOCK!! McIntyre rams Lashley into steel over and over but he’s still stuck! McIntyre keeps going, they both GO THROUGH THE TABLE!! The one McIntyre left in a corner finally comes into play!!
McIntyre drags himself out of the wreckage, drags Lashley up out of the same wreckage, and they get in the ring. McIntyre drags Lashley to center, but he wants to make Lashley suffer now. Lashley crawls, McIntyre SMACKS him with the chair! Lashley snarls at McIntyre so McIntyre SMACKS him again and again and again! McIntyre aims from a corner, Lashley flounders up, CLAY- NO! Lashley ducks and avoids the kick! McIntyre ends up on the apron, Lashley hurries over and POSTS McIntyre, then CHOKE SLAMS him through the other table!! Lashley goes out after McIntyre to get him up and into the ring again.
Lashley doesn’t bother with a pin here, he wants to finish this off with his one-shot-kill. McIntyre drags himself up, Lashley runs in, but the Spear gets buckles! Backslide, TWO!!! GLASGOW KISS! Lashley staggers, McIntyre gets him up, FUTURE SHOCK DDT!! But McIntyre won’t end it here, and he takes aim from the corner again. Lashley stands, but MVP anchors McIntyre’s foot! Lashley rolls McIntyre up and pulls tights! Lashley wins!!!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by pinfall (still WWE World Champion)
THIS is how the All Mighty defeats the Scottish Warrior?! If not for MVP, Lashley wouldn’t have lasted this long! But sadly, a win is a win, and a loss is a loss. McIntyre is BLOCKED from challenging for the world title so long as the Lashley has it! And with an insurance policy like MVP, will Lashley ever lose it?
My Thoughts:
Well, another Hell in a Cell, another mixed bag of results. Firstly, for the kickoff show, I did like that Sonya stuck around a bit more, certainly to talk the three women’s matches, but I feel like she still could’ve given general predictions for the men’s matches. It’s not like the men on the panel only talked about the men’s matches and stayed quiet during the women’s matches. If we’re talking equality, let Sonya at least give her ideas on one of the grudge matches we had. The kickoff match being a singles match was actually the best move given how depleted Vince has made the RawDown Women’s Tag Division. The champs, Sexy Muscle Friends and ShayNia are the only teams right now after all the releases, they gotta stretch things out.
Opening with the SmackDown Women’s Championship HIAC made 111% sense to sandwich the show with HIAC matches, and this one was a great one. There was a lot of creativity just on how Bayley and Bianca used Bianca’s braid, and they managed to use the Cell just enough to justify it being there. Honestly, if this were Extreme Rules and not HIAC, I could’ve seen them do a lot of the same spots, like the hair tied to ropes or chairs. But whatever, WWE will do what it wants. Bianca retaining also makes 111% sense, she is building up to be stronger and stronger. Money in the Bank is next, it’ll be the first one with live fans, I’m thinking Bianca will retain there, too.
I almost thought they were going to schedule all the SmackDown matches in a row and then do all the Raw matches in a row, but I suppose a slight shuffle was good enough. Cesaro VS Rollins was on par with their WrestleMania 37 match, maybe a touch better given the story of them knowing each other’s moves better now. Rollins winning and in an inconclusive cradle counter was the right call. These two could easily make it a best of 5, or at least use MITB as part of the story. Perhaps even the rumored return of King of the Ring? They meet in the SmackDown bracket finals, and whoever wins probably defeats even the Raw finalist.
Alexa VS Shayna, and by proxy taking on Reggie and Nia, was certainly more an interesting segment than a good match. There were elements to the in-ring action that made Twisted Alexa feel almost literally like The Fiend, which is still a good thing, but I’m surprised they went away from Reggie as the puppet to Nia. It does make more sense, though, as Alexa would want the strongest one under her power. I wonder if Shayna and Reggie will have to put aside their differences to keep Nia from becoming Lily’s human host body. It seems just the right balance of hokey and actual quality story telling that is WWE’s wheelhouse.
Sami VS Kevin was an awesome match, even without it being in the Cell. We all know Kevin was selling bad throat, but I hope he was also selling bad arm. It didn’t seem to come up that naturally, even with Sami’s tope conjilo landing on him hard. An injury now would really derail this awesome story. Assuming Kevin is good to go, we’re going to get plenty of gloating from Sami and then Kevin will go after him, claiming it is karma back on him. They, too, could even look to use MITB or KOTR to settle this if WWE really wanted fans to show up/tune in for summer SmackDowns.
What was really awkward for this year’s HIAC was for the last two matches, both belonging to Raw we should note, having dirtied up finishes. Everything about the main event was awesome up until the “controversy.” Granted, HIAC matches have no disqualifications, but Lashley doesn’t come out looking that strong when MVP had to help him multiple times. Though to counter back again, this is no worse than Roman Reigns as Universal Champion, really. Could be why Roman’s stopped needing Jey to help, Roman needs to look stronger than other top champions so he stops cheating to win while they start cheating to win. Guess I have to commend Vince on some shrewd tactics there.
I do think Rhea VS Charlotte, being an awesome match, actually benefits in their story for having the Champion’s Advantage finish. Rhea hasn’t had much going for her, so that her beating Charlotte clean almost seems the less interesting move. The brutality continuing after the bell and that little bit of verbal exchange as Rhea left both add some depth back into the story and to Rhea’s character. I don’t think there’ll be a double turn, Charlotte is having too much fun being Cruella da Heel. But if Rhea is becoming a savvier Face, maybe even a Tweener, it could really lend to Rhea taking on anyone and everyone (that Raw has left) over the summer.
My Score: 8.7/10
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The Hollywood A-Lister’s got his own nightmare before Christmas!
Christmas is just a few days away, but things aren’t merry and bright for Raw! The Miz must face his fears as he faces Dexter Lumis 1v1!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky; Iyo wins and advances to the next round.
- Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy; Gable wins.
- Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest; Damian Priest wins, by disqualification.
- The Miz VS Dexter Lumis; Lumis wins, by disqualification.
- Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre; McIntyre wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Drew McIntyre walks to gorilla.
The Scottish Terminator makes his way through the curtain and to the stage, and the fans have a mixed reaction as he goes to the ring. McIntyre grabs a mic, and he says, “After Hell in a Cell, I’ve never been so beat up in my entire life. 16 staples in my head, my back almost broken from landing on the steel steps. And I went home to Scotland. The reason I went home, and I haven’t really talked about it publicly, is because a very close family member passed away. Some people probably feeling sympathy right now. Some guys in the back are probably talking to each other, saying, ‘I didn’t know.’ Maybe if you cared enough, you would’ve asked.
“Over these past two months, guess how many people phoned me to check. Not how I was doing mentally but how I was doing physically after Hell in a Cell. ONE PERSON! These past 17 years, I’ve been led to believe we’re all a big happy family in the back. We’re brothers and sisters, we travel the world together, we spend more time with each other than with our actual families, but it’s all BS! My brother, John, in Scotland wouldn’t stab me in the back to take my spot, but people like Jimmy, Jey and Sami 100% would.” The fans boo that, then chant “YEET! YEET! YEET!” McIntyre says that proves his point.
After watching everything The Bloodline did, Jey says he is a changed man. He does a cute hand sign, he says a made-up word, and the fans just forget about it and move on. That’s the other thing McIntyre realized: He has given and given and given all this time, and the fans turned on him for a guy who was gone for years and has told the WWE fans to go screw themselves! McIntyre was fighting for the fans, he thought they believed in him, so he believed in the fans! McIntyre bled out in the cell, and while he was gone, the fans instantly forgot him! The fans boo, that’s not true! But McIntyre says from now on, he gives no more for anybody!
McIntyre will take and take and he will tell the truth! The real villains are Roman Reigns and CM Punk! And if you choose to prop them up, as he already said, Jey, Jimmy & Sami, the things Roman did to you… Roman took a vacation, then simply snapped his fingers and they were by his side again! McIntyre suggests everyone who ever wronged McIntyre should sleep with one eye open. But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! The fans cheer and sing for Sami but Sami says hey, McIntyre is angry, he doesn’t have to believe Sami in place of believing everyone has ulterior motives. Sami doesn’t blame him.
But personally, man to man, Sami did not know what happened with McIntyre’s family. They figured he was recovering from one of the most vicious matches of all time. Sami thought that, all the guys ‘n’ girls in the back thought, and that’s all the fans thought. Believe that or not, fine, but Sami wants to level with McIntyre. Talk about 17 years, Sami has 22 years in this game. Sami’s been through what McIntyre’s been through. Sami’s had losses. Trust him. He has had losses he had to put on the side and go to work that week. The same sacrifices, from birthdays to weddings to funerals that he should’ve been at? Sami’s done it all.
Sami has put unnecessary stress on his wife, on his kid, and why? Because this is the life that they both chose! They are WWE SUPERSTARS! The fans cheer that! And as such, they are LUCKY to be WWE Superstars! And you think this is just your story or Sami’s story? Y’know who else has stories like this? Every single person sitting in the stands. Every single person at home! The kids who struggle at school, the adults who struggle at work, who struggle economically, physically, and they have their losses and sacrifices, but they still get up every day to do what they gotta do to soldier on, without pointing a finger at everyone else!
The fans fire up for that passion. Sami says McIntyre dares pointing a finger at the fans for forgetting him?! They didn’t forget, brother! They MADE McIntyre! And McIntyre still thinks the world revolves around him just because once upon a time, someone told him he was “The Chosen One.” But newsflash, just because you’re mad doesn’t make you special. And now McIntyre thinks everyone else is somehow tied to him? What Jimmy does has nothing to do with McIntyre. What Jey does has nothing to do with McIntyre! What SAMI does has nothing to do with McIntyre!
But McIntyre, if you want to still walk around all angry and pointing fingers at the fans, at Sami, at Jey, at Jimmy, at Punk, at Roman, and still be mad about The Bloodline, fine. No one is stopping McIntyre. But Sami has no problem being McIntyre’s problem and facing him in this ring right now! McIntyre says if Sami wants to know the truth… IT isn’t just anger. McIntyre’s anger comes from pain, and he doesn’t doubt what Sami just said. There was so much truth and passion, but it’s never the whole truth, is it? Sami has a way of spinning things. Because Sami can fly back home every week to his family. McIntyre is halfway across the world from his!
And no one here in Boston ever leaves Boston, they’re with their families 24/7! McIntyre doesn’t have that luxury! The fans boo that veiled insult, but McIntyre says he will remain calm and ask Sami why he wants this fight. They both know the result, we saw it time and time again, Sami has NEVER beaten McIntyre. So McIntyre suggests, given Sami isn’t 100%, and Sami’s wife and kid are here tonight… Sami should just walk back there, take their hands, and leave this arena. Of all those in the Bloodline, Sami is the least of McIntyre’s worries.
Sami says McIntyre is right about a couple things. When it comes to win-loss records, McIntyre has Sami’s number. And Sami is not 100%. Haven’t been since Saturday Night’s Main Event. And yes, the smart thing would be to just go home, celebrate and get healthy over the holidays. But Sami would so much rather do this. Sami fires hands! The fans fire up but McIntyre shoves Sami away. McIntyre swings, but gets caught! Sami lifts but McIntyre fights free, then GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTT! McIntyre takes aim, but here comes JEY USO! The fans fire up as Jey runs down the ramp, slides in, and then dodges McIntyre to SUPERKICK!
The fans fire up as Jey & Sami DOUBLE LARIAT McIntyre up and outta the ring! The fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” with Jey & Sami Uso! Will the Scottish Terminator’s mission be ended when Sami and/or Jey shut him down?
Adam Pearce is met by Pure Fusion Collective.
The Raw General Manager asks Sonya Deville what he can do for her and she says not much. She knows how stressful this job can be since she once had it. She’s just here to make things easier. And how’s that? Well, Kairi Sane is not cleared to compete, there is an opening in the tournament, and Sonya wants it. Oh, is that so? Y’know, Sonya, that is a terrible idea. They caused this scenario so he’s just gonna reward them? Are they outta their minds? And zip it! Plus, he already filled that vacancy with Iyo Sky. Happy Holidays! PFC is upset by that since Iyo just lost to Liv Morgan, but will there be nothing to stop the Evil Genius now?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Natalya VS Alba Fyre VS Iyo Sky!
Just as Pearce said, PFC taking out the Pirate Princess will not mean they get away with murder! The Queen of Harts and the Fire Keeper must now figure out how to handle this change to the program. Will Iyo redeem herself for losing Saturday Night’s Main Event by moving on to the next round?
Raw returns and Alba makes her entrance, Isla Dawn seeing her to the ramp, and then Natalya makes her entrance. The bell rings and Alba kicks Natty then ELBOWS Iyo! Alba whips but Natty reverses and Alba tumbles out of the ring! Iyo rolls Natty, TWO! Iyo whips, Natty dodges in the corner and gets Iyo up! REBOUND SIT-DOWN, and then Natty steps on Iyo, only for Alba to trip Natty up! Alba brings Natty out to send into steel steps! But then Iyo DIVES onto Alba! The fans fire up with Iyo and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Natty brawls with Abla. Alba knees low, but Iyo CROSBODIES them both down! The fans fire up and Iyo SHOTEIS Alba! And SHOTEIS her again! And then DROPKICKS her down! Iyo brings Alba around, whips, but Alba reverses. Iyo goes up and out, then blocks a shot to ROCK Alba! The fans fire up, Iyo spirnboards, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo handsprings up and the fans fire up again! Iyo gets the fans going, but Alba wrenches and facelocks, TORNADO DDT! Alba gets Iyo up again to GOURD BUSTER her onto Natty! Alba then rearranges them into the drop zone!
Alba goes up, the fans are torn, but Alba grins as she SWANTON BOMBS! Cover on Iyo, TWO! Cover on Natty, TWO! But into a KOJI KLUTCH! Natty endures, flails, fights around, but Alba holds on tight! Natty pushes, stacks Alba, TWO!! Natty has the legs! Alba flails now, but Iyo runs up! Natty trips Iyo onto Alba, and she has them both! Natty turns them both over, DOUBLE SHARPSHOOTER!! Iyo and Alba both flail, both claw at the mat, and Alba gets the ROPEBREAK! No disqualifications so Natty can hold on! But now Iyo drags herself under the ropes, and there’s no room left, so Natty has to let go!
Natty rises up and she stalks Iyo to the apron. Natty drags Iyo up but Iyo HOTSHOTS Natty! Natty staggers, rebounds, but Iyo jumps the baseball slide! Natty hits Alba down, and then Iyo PENALTY KICKS Natty! Iyo fires up and springboards, ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit on both targets and the fans fire up! Iyo hurries to get Natty up and into the ring, then she drags Natty into the drop zone. Iyo climbs, but Alba CLUBS Iyo first! Alba snarls as she climbs up, but Iyo holds onto ropes! Natty CLUBS Alba and she adds on! SUPER GERMAN SUPLEX on Alba! But Iyo stays up top to go OVER THE MOONSAULT! Cover, Iyo wins!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The Genius of the Sky moves on, ready to fly against The Morrigan! Will Iyo be able to get past Lyra Valkyria and head for the title?
Judgment Day sulks in the clubhouse.
Finn Balor tells JD McDonagh that he can’t believe this. This was supposed to be a Merry Christmas, Finn was supposed to be celebrating with two titles, and now he has none! Liv Morgan tells Raquel Rodriguez to tell Finn that the reason she suggested he stay away from Damian Priest is because she knew this would happen. Raquel starts to relay the message, but Finn has JD tell Liv that she’s got her own problems to worry about and to stay off his back. But then Liv tells Raquel to tell Finn that the reason she’s “on his back” is because he lost the tag titles. JD, tell Liv that Christmas is-
Dominik speaks up to stop the arguing. Christmas IS around the corner, and now they’re not even talking to each other? Dom says he’s gonna go talk with Pearce and get a match with Priest! Dom’s gonna step up for this family. Oh, Dom thinks he’s better than Finn? No, it’s not even like that. Dom has a plan. He’ll talk with Pearce then fill everyone in later. Dom heads out, JD prays for one week of no drama while it’s Christmas. Will Dirty Dom make sure The Punisher pays for screwing Finn & JD over? Or will Priest be given the gift of sending Dom South of Heaven?
Sami and Jey regroup backstage.
Sami can’t believe Jey didn’t text or call about the comeback. Jey says, “My bad.” But Sami says it’s fine, he’s happy Jey is back. And thanks for having his back out there tonight and every night, Sami appreciates Jey. Jey thanks Sami for that, and says you know he had to come back for payback. Jey is gonna handle business! Actually, Sami was kinda hoping he could handle McIntyre. Sami talked a big game, he’s gotta back it up. But Sami, you’re not even 100% tonight. Sami knows, but he started something so he has to finish it. Jey says alright. He’s got next! They secret handshake and Jey wishes Sami luck. Will Sami finally get a win on McIntyre in a Christmas miracle?
Chad Gable w/ Team American Made VS Akira Tozawa w/ The Alpha Academy!
As “Master” Gable said last week, it was about time he settled things with his past. Will Gable prove to the world that he was always the reason the Alpha Academy was relevant? Or will he find out he can’t keep up with the Stamina Monster?
Raw returns and the #AlphaBabes make their entrance, showing off that new merch while they’re at it. The bell rings and the fans rally up. Tozawa and Gable tie up, Gable wrenches and talks trash right to Tozawa’s face! Gable CHOPS Tozawa down, stands him up, CHOPS him down again, repeat! Gable whips and CLOBBERS Tozawa, then raises the fist. The fans boo more but Gable talks smack on Otis. Gable drags Tozawa up, suplexes, but Tozawa slips free! Tozawa SOBATS, spins, slides under, and SPIN KCIKS! Gable goes to a corner and Tozawa puts him up! But Gable gets Tozawa for a HANGING ARMBAR!
Otis protests, the ref counts, and Gable lets off at 4. Gable says he didn’t break a rule, and Otis never learns. Gable SLAPS Otis, slides into the ring, but Tozawa victory rolls! TWO, but Tozawa SUPERKICKS Gable down! Tozawa rips the shirt off, goes up top, and SUPER SENTRONS onto knees! Gable saves himself and hauls Tozawa up to GERMAN SUPELX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! Gable GERMAN SUPLEXES again! But he isn’t done, Gable spins Tozawa around, and POWERBOMBS him! ANKLE LOCK!! Tozawa flails but he’s so far from the ropes! Tozawa TAPS, Gable wins!
Winner: Chad Gable, by submission
But Gable won’t let go! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Gable just drops into a GRAPEVINE! So Otis storms in and he drags Gable off the leg! Otis TOSSES Gable! The fans are thunderous, but Team American Made steps up to support Gable. Gable says Otis never learns! But Otis’ hips are moving! He’s shaking, quaking, and the fans fire up, but American Made backs off. Will Gable finally fight Otis and put this beef to rest?
The New Day talks backstage.
They still don’t understand how everyone here doesn’t see things their way. But then Dirty Dom walks over, clapping with “New! Day Rocks!” Finally, someone who understands! Dom says he never liked Big E, but uh, no, what they did was crazy. Well, whatever, Broke Ass Tom Selleck! Dom says Tom Selleck wishes! Dirty Dom heads for gorilla, ready to fight for the Judgment Day. But will Dom go from “Broke Ass Tom Selleck” to just broken?
Dominik Mysterio VS Damian Priest!
Judgment Day’s history has always been a rocky one, but it has never been rockier than right now. Betraying Rhea Ripley & Damian Priest probably has a lot to do with it, but will Dom be able to smooth things over by taking Damian down? Or will Priest finally beat some sense into #LatinoCheat?
The bell rings and Dom bails right out! Dom dares Priest to come get him, but Priest says Dom needs to get back in the ring. Priest will even give him a free shot! Dom storms up to the apron, steps in, and takes that swing, but Priest blocks it! Then Priest BELL CLAPS Dom, DECKS him, then DECKS him again! Dom staggers around, Priest picks him up to SLAM DUNK! Dom staggers back up, into a torture rack! Priest bends Dom with the Argentine Backbreaker! Priest then THROWS Dom down and the fans fire up. Priest paces around, powers up his arm, and Dom rises. The fans rally and Priest runs, but Dom ducks a lariat!
Dom kicks, CLUBS and KICKS again! SUPERKICK! Then DROPKCIK! Priest staggers but Dom hurries to stalk behind him. Priest sits up first and glares at Dom. Dom panics, but he DUMPS Priest out! Dom builds speed to DIVE, but into Priest’s hands! FLATLINER onto the desk! The fans fire up and Priest drags Dom up to then POST him! Dom falls in a heap, but Priest puts Dom in the ring. Priest then notices a very suspicious Santa Claus. Priest snatches the beard away, and tada! It’s JD! Priest TOSSES JD and the fans cheer! JD wants mercy but Priest SLIDES him across the desk! The fans fire up as Wade narrowly avoids getting hit!
Priest then has a Spider Sense moment, and he looks under the ring! Carlito spits out his apple in surprise! Priest drags Carlito up and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! But then Finn attacks!
Winner: Damian Priest, by disqualification
Finn fires hands, but Priest blocks the desk bump! Priest body shots and SMACKS Finn off the desk! And again, and again! Priest puts Finn in the ring, Dom runs up, but Priest DECKS him! Priest fires more hands on Finn, but the Judgment Day regroups! They mug Priest 4v1 as usual, and JD even drops elbows! The fans boo but the Judgment Day stand Priest up. WAIT! Here comes the War Raiders! Erik & Ivar fire hands on Dom & Carlito, and Priest TOSSES JD! Finn realizes he’s alone, and Priest SUPERKICKS him down! Priest stomps a mudhole into Finn, the Raiders put Carlito and Dom in the ring!
Ivar KNEES Carlito, then feeds him to Erik’s KNEE! The fans cheer, JD gets up, but Priest LARIATS him inside-out! Dom is fed to the WAR MACHINE!! Finn staggers up, but Priest grabs him! And Finn goes SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! The Judgment Day just got further embarrassed, and that’s not even considering JD’s Santa costume. Will the War Raiders be some unlikely allies for Priest in this ongoing war with the Judgment Day?
Sit-down interview with Seth Rollins.
Jackie Redmond thanks The Visionary for taking this time to talk with her, and he says it is his pleasure. Jackie talked with CM Punk and heard what he had to say, what Punk believes, when it comes to Rollins’ hatred for Punk. And we have heard from Rollins, as well, but Jackie’s still just curious. What is the root cause, the driving force, of this disdain he clearly feels for CM Punk? Rollins says the thing is, he has tried to explain how he feels many times over the years, and it sort of… Well, he won’t say he’s talking into the wind, but Rollins just feels Punk has needed the WWE more than the WWE needed him.
And so that hypocrisy from Punk is what just eats at Rollins. It is hard for Rollins to let that go. Jackie mentions how Rollins has talked about getting rid of it by “cutting it out” and fighting through it, and how this fight with Punk has to happen as a catharsis. What does “cutting” Punk out look like? What should we expect from, not even so much a match, that doesn’t feel like the right word now. Rollins says it’ll be fight. That’s what we’re getting, no question. It is the biggest fight in their sport right now, and Rollins needs it now. After Survivor Series, seeing Punk hand-in-hand with Roman Reigns… Roman’s finger in the air, Punk doing the stupid Go To Sleep thing…
Rollins just wanted to throw the remote through his TV, he was so viscerally, internally destroyed. Rollins felt that was it, no more waiting. The world needs to see it. This is perfect. The Netflix debut, the world will be watching. But to answer the question, he doesn’t know what it’ll look like. You might see a side of Rollins that no one’s ever seen. No pun intended, it will be raw, visceral, violent. Rollins needs to exorcise this demon from his soul, he has to cut the cancer out of his brain, or he is going down. Then the only way to process the betrayal is to go through a fight, and we get that on January 6th, Raw in LA for Netflix.
Jackie thanks Rollins for the time and his honesty. Rollins says yeah, he can’t wait. Will Rollins truly #BurnItDown when it comes to fight CM Punk?
The Miz VS Dexter Lumis!
The Hollywood A-Lister has his own history with the man now turned buzzard, and things are only worse now that this is about the Final Testament and the Wyatt Sick6. Will Miz manage to bury the past once and for all? Or will he get no mercy from Lumis?
Raw returns as Miz waits. A message flashes, “I OPENED THE DOOR,” and then the lights go down. And from that mysterious door to the other side, out steps Lumis. He takes off the Mercy the Buzzard mask, then rushes the ring! Miz scrambles right out as Lumis slithers along the mat! The fans cheer Lumis on while Miz tentatively returns to the ring. The bell rings, Miz wants Lumis to hold on, but Lumis swings hands! Miz bobs ‘n’ weaves, then throws a punch! Lumis just glares at Miz! Miz runs away, Lumis gives chase, and they go around the outside, then back inside! Lumis drags Miz out of the ring to ROCK him!
Miz staggers, Lumis THROWS him into barriers! The fans cheer, Lumis ROCKS Miz again, and then Lumis SMACKS Miz off the apron! Lumis pushes Miz into the ring, Miz bails out, but Lumis goes out to the apron. CANNONBALL! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up. Lumis CLUBS Miz, stalks him, then puts him in the ring. Miz again asks for mercy, but then he tries a cheap kick! Lumis blocks and UPPERCUTS! Lumis scoops, Miz slips free and Miz BOOTS Lumis! Miz runs, but into a THESZ PRESS! Lumis rains down fast hands, then runs to AX HANDLE! The fans fire up and Lumis brings Miz up.
Miz breaks free to throat chop! The ref reprimands but Miz runs, only for Lumis to catch him! URENAGE! Lumis storms around, then goes looks to the corner. Lumis climbs, but wait, the Authors of Pain are here! So Lumis CANNONBALLS onto them! The fans fire up but Kross attacks!
Winner: Dexter Lumis, by disqualification
The Final Testament beats Lumis up and puts him in the ring. Miz stands, confident now that he has reinforcements. Kross says they’ve got Lumis where they want him, but Lumis looks to the sky. Seems it’s the other way around! The lights go down, and when they come up, the rest of the Wyatts are here! They brawl with Final Testament and then send them running! Nikki wants uppies, and Erik Rowan pops her up to POWERBOMB her out onto The Final Testament! Nikki is all fired up as the Wyatts stand together! Will The Final Testament be the one buried and forgotten after all is said and done?
The War Raiders regroup backstage.
Erik & Ivar are fired up after getting the better of Judgment Day, and then Priest walks in. He says what’s up, and they give him some pushes and shoves of excitement. Priest says okay, okay, settle down. But that was good, and he appreciates the save. Ivar says hey, they’ve all known each other a long time. And while they haven’t always seen eye to eye, there has always been honor here. They may not be friends, but Priest had their backs in a big way last week and they don’t forget that. They owed him, they got him. Priest respects that. If the War Raiders are at war with the Judgment Day, then he’ll go to war with them.
They all fist bump, and Erik & Ivar say they like the sound of that. Could these three finally tear down Judgment Day once and for all?
The zero symbol returns…
And now it’s joined by a pentagram? What could these clues be leading to?
The New Day barges out to ringside.
And Kofi Kingston tells Joe Tessitore & Wade Barrett on commentary that no no no no! You do not get to speak about them like that! Woods asks what is going on around here? What happened to unbiased journalism? How long has Tessitore even been with the WWE? Not that long, right? Certainly not long enough to know that his job is not to have an opinion but to tell the TRUTH like they have! But it seems in 2024, no one wants the truth! Certainly not these fans. Wade was sympathizing with E as well! Well that’s fine, because Wade and Big E have something in common. They’re not man enough to lace up their boots again and get in the ring!
The fans boo now but Kofi says speaking of getting back int he ring, allow the New Day to do that and continue to tell everyone what they were trying to tell people before. They did NOT put hands on Big E. They could have, laid him out here in the ring, stretchered out of the building again, but they didn’t! So why is everyone so upset!? The fans keep booing but Kofi says this was supposed to be a homecoming for Kofi, and for the woman he bought a plane ticket for to come all the way here to Boston from Ghana, and that is Kofi’s mom! Kofi’s mom is in the front row! Miss Elizabeth Kingston is here, but she doesn’t seem very amused.
Kofi says his mom sat in the middle seat for 20 HOURS, just to see Kofi, and the fans are ruining her experience! This is his mother! The woman who taught him how to be the man that he is today! She does not deserve to see her son get booed out of his own hometown! Woods says they gave the fans ten of the best years of their LIVES…! Kofi steps back outside to apologize to his mom for the fans. She does not deserve this. Kofi doesn’t understand why they’re doing this. Kofi wants a hug. Miss Elizabeth stands up, but she pushes Kofi! She’s upset with HIM, not the fans! Miss Elizabeth takes her coat and leaves! Kofi is confused, what’s this about?
Kofi calls after his mom but she tunes him out. Though, it might be hard to hear over the fans. Will it ever get through to the New Day that they are in the wrong?
The New Day regroups backstage.
And then they cross paths with Rey Mysterio. Woods asks if he’s gonna pile on. Rey says no, it’s not like that. Rey thought about what they said last week, being a locker room leader and all. Rey definitely could’ve handled things better, so he’ll apologize to them. Rey just has the responsibility to help everyone as much as he can. So hey, what New Day did was out of pocket, all foul. And if they want to start fixing things, they can start by apologizing. Whoa, hold up. Them? Apologize to Rey and the locker room? No, they aren’t apologizing, because they didn’t do anything wrong! This is ridiculous!
Rey is just as bad as Big E and everyone else! Why not let Woods pop that mask off again so he can hear them better. New Day did nothing wrong. Rey says okay, fine, que pasa nada. Just don’t say he didn’t try. From this point on, New Day is on their own. And oh, get used to hearing this. “New! Day SUCKS!” With that, Rey takes his leave. After hearing that, will Kofi & Woods have anything but a Merry Christmas?
Sami Zayn VS Drew McIntyre!
The Honorary Uce may have just lost to the Scottish Terminator at Saturday Night’s Main Event, but he isn’t going to give up the fight. Will Sami finally get a win over McIntyre as a Christmas miracle? Or will McIntyre ruin the holidays with a Claymore?
Raw returns and Sami makes his entrance. The bell rings and McIntyre kicks low! McIntyre fires hands, then CHOPS Sami in a corner! McIntyre ROCKS Sami, stands him up, and then CHOPS again! The fans are torn but McIntyre paces while Sami sits down. Sami rises up, and he avoids a chop to fire hands! The fans fire up as Sami CHOPS and fires more punches! The ref backs Sami off, but Sami comes back to stomp and punch! The fans rally behind “SAMI USO!” and Sami whips Mcintyre corner to corner. McIntyre reverses, Sami goes up, but McIntyre KICKS him out of the air!
McIntyre snarls and then he deadlift suplexes Sami! Sami writhes and clutches his back, but McIntyre storms over to him. McIntyre STMOPS Sami’s hands! Then he ROCKS Sami with a right! Sami goes to ropes but McIntyre CHOPS him again! The fans “WOO~!” as that chop echoes out! The fans rally for Sami but McIntyre grins. McIntyre whips but Sami KICKS him in return! Mcintyre comes back but Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but then Mcintyre moves so Sami Arabian Presses to land back inside. Sami smiles as he gets the better of McIntyre, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Sami is in the corner. McIntyre storms up to stomp away on him again! The ref backs McIntyre off but then McIntyre storms back up. McIntyre drag’s Sami up to the apron, and he suplexes Sami up and into the ring! Sami flounders to the ropes and the ref checks him. Sami says he’s still in this, so McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami CHOPS McIntyre! And CHOSP! And fires forearms! Sami whips, McIntyre reverses but Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for McIntyre to tilt-o-whirl BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Sami survives and McIntyre grows annoyed. The fans rally up but Sami writhes form all the damage.
McIntyre stalks Sami to the ropes, eggs him on, and then whips him to ropes. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges again, and this time Sami tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Sami and McIntyre both rise up, and McIntyre bails out. Sami storms up to ropes, grits his teeth, and he PLANCHAS! But McIntyre catches him! And then he aims for the desk! Sami fights free, and he DRIBBLES McIntyre off the desk! Sami backs off as the ring count climbs, but Sami goes back for McIntyre. McIntyre stops the step bump to SMACK Sami off the steps! McIntyre refreshes the ring count because he wants to do more damage!
McIntyre stalks Sami up the steps, then lifts him for an APRON BACKBREAKER!! Sami falls and writhes, and McIntyre has a manic look on his face as he watches Sami suffer, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Mcintyre has Sami in the Inverted Alabama Lift! INVERTED ALABAMA- VICTORY ROLL! TWO!! McIntyre escapes and runs up, but Sami dodges! McIntyre POSTS himself! The fans fire up as McIntyre flops back, and Sami hurries to the corner! Sami climbs, but his back slows him down! McIntyre ROCKS Sami first! And then CHOPS him! McIntyre climbs up after Sami, fires some shots, then fireman’s carries Sami! SUPER WHITE NOISE! A shoutout to Sheamus and McIntyre covers, TWO!! The fans fire up while McIntyre grows frustrated. Sami stirs but McIntyre watches him closely.
The fans rally and McIntyre drags Sami back up. But Sami cradle counters! TWO! McIntyre GLASGOW KISS HEADBUTTS! Sami falls and McIntyre snarls. McIntyre goes to a corner, and he takes aim at Sami. Here comes the countdown! “THREE! TWO! ONE!” But Sami LARIATS McIntyre! And then a clinch, EXPLODER into the corner! Sami goes to the other side and the fans fire up! Sami aims as McIntyre rises, but that back tightens up. Sami fights through the pain, gets running, but CLAYMORE!! Cover, McIntyre wins!
Winner: Drew McIntyre, by pinfall
That was perhaps the closest Sami’s come, but he was still so far away from victory over McIntyre. 3-0 in 2024, 10-0 overall, and McIntyre stands over Sami to rub it in. Sami is already dazed, but McIntyre rains down fists! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but McIntyre shoves the ref away to HAMMER Sami down! But here comes Jey, just like earlier tonight! Jey runs in, dodges again, and this time, SPEAR!! Jey has Mcintyre down, but now he goes up! But wait! TAMA TONGA SHOVES JEY OFF THE TOP!! Solo Sikoa & The Bloodline are here! McIntyre is just as surprised, but given the truce they called on Friday, McIntyre takes his leave.
The Bloodline beat down Sami & Jey, which McIntyre loves to see. Tama Tonga rains down fists on Main Event Jey in a corner, but the fans chant for “O T C! O T C!” Instead, Jacob Fatu gets running! But Jey dodges the hip attack! SUPERKICK for Tama! Jey fires haymakers on Jacob! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Solo steps in to swing, but Jey dodges! Jey ROCKS Solo! Jacob SUPERKICKS Jey! The fans boo as the Samoan Werewolf gets all geeked up! Solo adds his SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo throws off his jacket, sits Jey back up, but Sami gets in! Sami fires hands, but Tama TACKLES Sami! Tama beats Sami down and fans boo again.
Solo tells Tama to set Sami up, and Tama stomps Sami into the corner. Jacob runs in, to HIP ATTACK! Jacob isn’t done, he puts Sami in the drop zone to go up, up and BEST MOONSAULT EVER! The fans boo but Solo adds on another SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo roars, then he and his Bloodline stand over the OGs. Jacob adorns Solo with the ula fala, will not even Roman Reigns be able to stop the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief? Will all of the WWE have no choice but to acknowledge Solo Sikoa?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw here to build both the last Raw of 2024 and the first Raw of 2025, aka the Netflix debut. Rollins had a very good interview promo to add just a little more to things, but I feel like there’s little left that they need to say. Very good stuff with Judgment Day, such as the classic “X, can you tell Y…” gag from Finn and Liv. Dom thinking their plan to screw Priest over would work is hilarious, as was how it all fell apart. Priest gets the win from disqualification, but then great save from the War Raiders. Good promo from Priest and War Raiders, love the reference to ROH by saying “honor” there, and that’s a solid Six Man Tag right there.
Fun little bit from Pearce with Pure Fusion Collective, and of course Sonya thought she’d get a second chance, and of course Pearce uses real logic to say no way. Iyo Sky replacing Kairi Sane was announced last week on social media, so I guess Sonya didn’t check between shows. Great Triple Threat from Iyo, Alba and Natty, and of course Iyo won or else why put her in there? Iyo VS Lyra next round will be great stuff, as will Dakota Kai VS Zoey Stark, and whatever combination we get for the title match is going to be great. I don’t think we’ll get DMG CTRL VS DMG CTRL, so if Dakota wins, Iyo loses, and then vice-versa.
Great stuff with American Made and Alpha Academy, but of course Tozawa takes the loss. Otis standing up to Gable & The Creeds was a great moment, and I really hope we get Gable VS Otis for the big Netflix debut. Win or lose, Otis should definitely have a moment where he rallies through Gable and both Creeds, really get the crowd hot before the finish. Miz VS Lumis was good but could’ve been better. With only two hours, I guess they had to trim things down to the basics. Another disqualification finish tonight is a bit much, but I guess it keeps things going until we can come up with some kind of new 8 Man Tag, or even a really wild Mixed 10 Person match so Nikki and Scarlett can get involved legally.
Great stuff with New Day, from their interaction with Dom, then their “interrupting” the show to try and get their point across. It was great to have Mama Kingston there, and I just knew she would be disappointed in Kofi. Good promo with Rey, too, as Rey now leaves New Day out in the cold. I feel like we need a big tag team match to not only have Heel New Day show their stuff against like LWO, Alpha Academy, etcetera, and then they earn their way to a match with the War Raiders to revisit their feud, just with flipped Heel and Face dynamics. That could be some really good stuff as Raw on Netflix paves the road to WrestleMania 41.
And great stuff with McIntyre and the extended Bloodline. He and Sami had a great promo to again bring up family and sacrifice, but also how Roman’s OG Bloodline came back together without Roman ever changing a thing. Great brawls, great saves by Jey, and of course McIntyre won the match. Jey will of course get next, probably also for the Netflix debut, but good stuff with Solo Sikoa and his Bloodline showing up. They beat down Jey & Sami to send a message to Roman, who was obviously not going to be here tonight. There will surely be a response in part on SmackDown, but maybe more verbal than physical.
I feel like the “Transfer Window” will need to put all Bloodline members, old and new, on one brand so the story can be told all on one show. It’d just be easier while Jimmy’s foot is healing, because what can Roman do without backup against Solo, Tama & Jacob? And honestly, still waiting on when and where Hikuleo is going to show up. This is a good time to bring him in with Tonga Loa also hurt, so Solo can get the numbers edge on Roman again.
My Score: 8.8/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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