Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (6/7/21)
Who’s going to Hell (in a Cell)?
The Raw Tag Team Champions will have new challengers!
Who will AJ Styles & Omos meet at Hell in a Cell? We find out in a five team battle royal! Plus, Shayna Baszler dares Alexa Bliss to leave the playground and get back in the ring!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Battle Royal: The Viking Raiders wins and will challenge AJ Styles & Omos for the titles at Hell in a Cell.
- Elias VS Jaxson Ryker; Ryker wins, by count-out.
- WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Ricochet VS Humberto Carrillo; Double Count-Out Draw.
- Jeff Hardy VS Cedric Alexander; Hardy wins.
- Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley VS Nikki Cross & Asuka; Cross & Asuka win.
- Mansoor VS Drew Gulak; Mansoor wins.
- Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Matt Riddle w/ Randy Orton; Kingston wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Raw Tag Team Championship #1 Contenders Battle Royal!
RKBRO makes their entrance but The New Day, The Viking Raiders, Lucha House Party and the destructive duo of T-Bar & Mace are already waiting in the ring! Only one team will be left standing, but who will be going to Hell in a Cell to take on the Phenomenal AJ Styles & towering Omos?
But speaking of, AJ Styles & Omos make their way out to watch this with their own eyes! Styles has a mic to say, “Gentlemen, before we start this battle royal, I just want to say thank you for showing up to this special State of the Tag Team Division Address.” Styles says that the WWE will be back on the road next month, and he and Omos feel obligated to the fans to defend their tag titles live and in person against the very best! And wow, what’s in the ring is unbelievable! These are the teams they want! For instance, the 11-time tag team champions, the NEW~ DAY~! Xavier Woods says don’t do the hip swivels.
But the New Day are legends! National treasures! Think about their showdowns! Just like at WrestleMania. That’s where Omos and Styles won, not that they’re keeping count or anything. Then Mace & T-Bar. TO be honest, we don’t know a lot about you guys. Nobody does. But they’re big, mean and like to fight. Styles won’t mention how Omos is bigger and meaner, that’s neither here nor there. Then Lince Dorado is here alone? Gran Metalik got hurt, that’s a shame, but Styles appreciates Lince’s heart. Not smart, but brave! And Lince does things people have only seen in video games, but Styles has done time and time again in his career. Lince was probably a big fan, right?
Then there’s the Viking Raiders! Raid and get paid! Big money is what it’s about. The champs could definitely throw down with them all over the world. But then there’s R, K, Bro…! Randy Orton is a 14-time world champion, a tag team champion, and a Legend Killer. Then there’s the rising star, sky’s the limit for Matt Riddle. And we’ve all seen it from these two. This is ridiculous and doesn’t make sense but the chemistry they have together is unbelievable. And this division is of course led by the unbelievable, unstoppable and incredible… What would Omos say they are? MAGNIFICENT! STUPENDOUS! And handsome to boot. Last but not least, phenomenal! YES!
Kofi Kingston says more like deplorable, detestable, or as we said from 2016 to 2018, BOOTY! Phenomenal & Abominable are not a registered team! Where are the forms?! The paper work!? that’s all lies! No one needs papers! They just need the titles! No interrupting Styles when he’s being nice. Nice? Styles wants to be nice? Then how about you shut your damn mouth! Riddle adds that he has a lot of experience here. Take the key, zip it, lock it, throw away the key. It’s done wonders for these two, and they’re the newest team on the scene with these new merchandise shirts. Riddle is wearing two because Orton doesn’t really wear shirts.
Riddle mentions that his uncle, Ron, helped with the design because he had a pet snake, Mr. Slithers. Mr. Slithers would go everywhere with Ron until he got out his one time- Oh, right. Zip, lock, throw away the key. But wait, here comes The Miz and John Morrison! Morrison wheels out Miz in his wheelchair, and Miz apologizes for the interruption. Morrison says Miz has nothing to apologize for. He is the most courageous superstar here to come out here in this condition! That is coooorrect. Miz can’t deny that he was “tragically” injured, but he says the Raw Tag Division is a bit dry. Which is why Morrison has the #DripStick on hand! Time to moisten things up!
COOOOORRECT! Morrison, #JohnnyDripDrip is competing on behalf of both members of the Greatest Tag Team of the 21st Century *stare off into distance* and looks to mop up the competition! Hit his music! But wait! Miz’s wheelchair is going out of control down the ramp! Morrison saves Miz from further disaster, and gets Miz to safety. Morrison waits just outside the ring as all the teams stare him down. Orton hits Woods with an RKO!! And then Riddle RKO’s Kofi! Lince chest bumps Ivar, and wants to high-five T-Bar, but no dice. RKO for Dorado!! Two teams, er well, one and a half, are down, the others are circling, and this will truly get underway after the break!
Raw returns and all the teams have regrouped. The bell rings while Styles & Omos join commentary, and Miz honks his wheelchair car horn. Lince works with the New Day Power Rangers as they brawl with RKBRO! T-Bar & Mace go after the Viking Raiders, and Morrison hangs back to wait for an opening. Erik knees Mace, Ivar CLUBS T-Bar, but both hit back. Woods ROCKS Orton, Morrison goes after Lince and throws him out! Lince holds on, slides under Morrison and he pushes Morrison! Morrison KICKS back, gets in and tries a powerbomb, only for Lince to RANA! Morrison holds on, Lince stomps him, then WRECKING BALL DROPKICKS!
Morrison uses his feet to hook the ropes and survive! Miz passes him the Drip Stick and Morrison sprays Lince in the face! Morrison slides back in, and ROUNDHOUSES Lince up and out to ELIMINATE him! But then Morrison turns around to have Mace & T-Bar stare him down! Morrison tries to get them on his side, and then asks for the drip stick! Miz tosses it in, Morrison sprays ‘n’ prays, but he gets a double choke grip for his troubles! T-Bar & Mace ELIMINATE Morrison! The Viking Raiders come back for more, T-Bar DECKS Ivar, then Mace feeds Erik to T-Bar’s forearm! Mace adds a LEG LARIAT and down goes Erik!
Riddle goes after T-Bar’s arm but no Kimura for the Bro! T-Bar KNEES then TOSSES Riddle aside! Orton shoves Mace away, but he runs into DOUBL EBOOTS! Woods and Kofi go after them but Mace & T-Bar get DOUBLE CHOKE SLAMS! “This is OURS to win!” T-Bar and Mace both have Orton! They aim for ropes, but Riddle makes the save! So T-Bar & Mace give Riddle HIGH JUSTICE!! That’s a devastating move but it won’t win the battle royal! The Raiders regroup and stare down. The behemoths fire up, but RKBRO and New Day help out! They go after Mace & T-Bar equally, and they throw T-Bar to ELIMINATE him! Then the other half ELMINATES Mace, we have our last three teams as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Orton fires hands on Kofi while Erik brawls with Riddle and Ivar is after Woods. Woods CHOPS Ivar back, Erik RAMS Riddle into a corner, and Orton bumps Kofi off buckles. Riddle turns things around on Erik, Kofi hits Orton back, and Woods goes after Riddle. Woods back suplexes but Riddle lands on his feet to boot. Woods slides under to hit a ROLLING ELBOW! The Raiders double kick Woods and double whip, but he slides under, only to get double shoulders! Erik growls and gets Riddle up. Erik feeds Riddle to Ivar but Riddle hits first! Riddle forearms back and forth between the Raiders, then KICKS and KICKS!
Erik stops the kicks but Riddle dodges, no RKO! Pop-up and LARIAT GERMAN SUPLEX! Riddle staggers up into Woods’ KNEE! Woods ELIMINATES Riddle!! RKBRO is down to one! The New Day rally on Ivar, kick after kick and forearm after forearm! They hammer away then run, but into Erik’s CLOTHESLINE! Erik ELIMINATES Woods! New Day is down to one and Kofi whips Erik! Erik goes up and over?! Ivar SPLASHES, then feeds Kofi to Erik’s SHOTGUN KNEES! Erik uses Ivar as his weapon, HIP ATTACK SENTON in the corner! Orton throws Ivar into a POST! Orton CLOBBERS Erik and fires up! Orton rallies, dodges and POWERSLAMS Erik!
Ivar gets up and brawls with Orton! Ivar scoops, Orton slips off and shoves. Ivar cartwheels to knee and whip Orton into Erik’s KNEE! The Raiders get Orton up and SLAM him into a drop zone! Erik scoops Ivar but Kofi dropkicks the Raiders over! Ivar SPLASHES Erik and Kofi claps it up! “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Kofi aims at Orton but Riddle returns to take the TROUBLE IN PARADISE! Orton ELIMINATES Kofi, no more New Day!! But then the Raiders TOSS and ELIMINATE Orton!! The Raiders win!!
Winners: The Viking Raiders (NEW #1 Contenders to the Raw Tag Team Champions)
Styles & Omos like what’s coming down the line! They’re here to entertain, and Styles promises the title match will still go their way. Are the champions getting ahead of themselves against such a battle tested team?
Bobby Lashley and MVP are still partying.
They’re popping bottles while the ladies relax with them, but there is business to attend to later tonight. Lashley and Drew McIntyre sign on the dotted line for their WWE World Championship match at Hell in a Cell!
Sonya Deville and Adam Pearce talk backstage.
As the return to touring continues, they’re both very excited to see all the familiar places again. But Charlotte Flair walks in and “apologizes” to interrupt. She knows they saw her be “pressured” into that match with Nikki Cross, so could the loss be stricken from the record? As much as they would “love” to do that, Charlotte still accepted the challenge and then lost that challenge. So no, there’s nothing they can do. That much these two agree on. Charlotte was asking nicely but she sees they’re both jealous. They’ve never had the career she’s had, because there’s only ONE Charlotte. So maybe agree on her getting a rematch with Nikki.
Rhea Ripley chuckles as she enters now. As much as she’d actually love to see Charlotte get flustered, at least Rhea respects Nikki. She won’t stand here and pretend she took her eyes off the clock and didn’t take Nikki seriously. So if anyone deserves a rematch with Nikki, it’s Rhea. Pearce says there might be a compromise that could see each of them respecting each other. Sonya suggests these two team up against Nikki and… Wait, both of them against Nikki? No, Nikki and a partner of her choosing. Sound good to them? Well unlike Rhea, Charlotte can be professional. So is that a yes? And who is there for Nikki to team with to take on both Nightmare and Queen?
The Viking Raiders are fired up!
The tag titles are in their future! And that means RAID! RAID! RAID! Ivar is so hungry right now. Let’s go feast on turkey legs! Ivar’s paying! Omos and Styles come by, and ask if they meant these turkey legs. Omos has one in hand. Hopefully the Raiders weren’t hoping to have some to celebrate. Styles doesn’t know a lot about Vikings. They can teach him. Well look, guys, to Styles & Omos, you’re just wannabe Vikings. You use electricity, mirrors, but apparently not deodorant. Erik says the way he lives honors the Vikings that came before. If Styles has a problem with that, then Erik has a problem with him,
This is why Vikings aren’t around anymore, Omos. And where did he get that turkey leg? Styles is kinda hungry, too. Will Styles poke the bears a little too much and get his head bitten off?
Ladies and gentlemen: Elias.
The Drifter is in the ring alone as he gives his introduction. There will be no other introductions tonight, because you could be walking with the NEW Raw Tag Team Champions, but you’re not. And whose fault is that? Jaxson Ryker’s! If Ryker would’ve just done what Elias said, we’d be celebrating this week! But instead, Ryker has become “completely unhinged.” For the sake of Elias’ career and sanity, he had to get away. Elias shows footage of last week when Elias abandoned Ryker as Omos tags in. Elias says he had no choice but to do that!
The first time Elias met Ryker, he didn’t just see this unbridled potential and massive arms. He looked into Ryker’s cold eyes and saw the ghosts of war. Elias saw a man who has been in battle and who would go to battle, just not for Elias. Elias walked out on Ryker, but that doesn’t change the fact that there is an “unwavering” truth that WWE stands for Walk With Elias! Now before Elias walks all over “that maniac,” RYKER ATTACKS FROM BEHIND! Ryker, hair cut short but beard still thick, CHUCKS Elias’ guitar out of the ring, then rains down fists on Elias’ head! And stomps him against ropes! Ryker rips Elias’ shirt off but referees separate them! This fight becomes a match, after the break!
Elias VS Jaxson Ryker!
Raw returns and Elias manages to get to his feet. He still wants this match, but the bell rings and Ryker CLOBBERS him! Ryker rams Elias into a corner, fires off forearms, then whips him corner to corner for a SPLASH! Elias flops out of the ring but Ryker pursues. Ryker follows Elias around the way and back into the ring, to CLOBBER him again! Ryker CLUBS Elias, whips him to ropes, but Elias reverses. Ryker KICKS back, then runs to CLOTHESLINE Elias out of the ring! Elias staggers to the desk, Ryker goes out and stalks up behind Elias, to throw haymakers! The ring count is climbing as Ryker throws more hands. Elias hits low and bumps Ryker off steps!
Elias gets in the ring, Ryker follows, but Elias fires off on him! Elias stomps Ryker down, gets him up and whips him to ropes to CLOBBER him in return! Elias catches his breath, stalks Ryker to ropes, but Ryker hits low! Ryker runs but Elias hits a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Elias grits his teeth and drags Ryker up to DECK him! And again! Elias taunts Ryker, gets him up and DECKS him again! Ryker hits back! And CLUBS Elias, only to run into a MANHATTAN DROP! Elias fireman’s carries, but Ryker pulls beard! Ryker whips and gives Elias a SPINESBUSTER of his own! Ryker is fired up but Elias bails out! Elias is running away!
Ryker shouts for Elias to return but he doesn’t, Ryker wins!
Winner: Jaxson Ryker, by count-out
Ryker wanted to finish this in the ring but the Drifter wasn’t for that! Will Ryker have his retribution soon enough?
Drew McIntyre heads to the ring!
It’s time to put pen to paper! The Scottish Warrior has his claymore sword, but will he need his Claymore kick tonight? We’ll wait and see, after the break.
Raw returns and now the table has been set. Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville preside over this contract signing, and Sonya introduces the WWE World Champion, Bobby Lashley! The music plays, but the All Mighty and MVP do not make their entrance. McIntyre says we’re not waiting on them. He’ll predict how this goes: Lashley will have his suit, the ladies, and so on, so that everyone will have to hop aboard The Lashley Train. Then Lashley will talk about McIntyre has had opportunity after opportunity. That’s a good point but Lashley is also missing the point. McIntyre has a story he loved growing up and fans might enjoy this one.
There was a Scottish king called Robert the Bruce. When he was king, Scotland was still enslaved. They lost big battles, the king went into hiding and would’ve been killed on sight. Robert the Bruce stayed in a cave for the better part of three years, and one day he just looked up at the ceiling. He saw a spider. The spider was making a web but it was damp in the cave so the web wouldn’t stick. The spider kept failing, falling, and getting back up. It did this over and over. The king sympathized with the spider, but he also wanted to tell the spider to give up because it won’t work out. But then it did. Finally, the web stuck, the spider had a home, and The Bruce was encouraged.
The king assembled an army, but was outnumbered 10 to 1. But The Bruce won Scotland’s freedom! And a famous quote he said to the army was, “If at first you don’t succeed,” well to modernize it, “Beat Lashley’s ass at Hell in a Cell and win back your championship!” McIntyre still makes this official by signing his part! MVP then responds via titantron, telling McIntyre to “downshift” a bit. Before Lashley puts pen to paper, there is business to discuss. So on behalf of Lashley, MVP apologizes for Lashley being “fashionably late.” Now they’re here, with the ladies following behind. McIntyre patiently waits as Lashley struts his way to the ring and helps the ladies into the ring first.
Lashley finally takes his seat at the table but MVP speaks directly to McIntyre. “Allow me to congratulate you on manipulating your way into once again facing the All Mighty WWE Champion at Hell in a Cell.” It is okay for MVP and Lashley to be out here, right? They won’t be given a 90 day suspension with no pay? Because Lashley and MVP held up their end of the deal. From bell to bell, they were in the lounge, enjoying some company. So here’s a question: How will they reward Lashley for his compliance/ What was it Lashley wanted? Once McIntyre loses at HIAC, he will NOT get another chance at the title while Lashley holds it, ever again!
MVP adds that Lashley plans on holding the WWE World Championship a long, long time. Lashley can’t wait to bring this title back on the road, out to the ALL MIGHTY Universe! McIntyre accepts the stipulation, mostly to shut MVP up. Well MVP appreciates the decisiveness. McIntyre says he will never fight Lashley for the title again if he loses. But he’ll need something in return. The match needs to keep outside interference away. The match needs to be so no one else will lose on his behalf. The match needs to be INSIDE HELL IN A CELL!! MVP advises Lashley quickly, and Lashley accepts those terms. Pearce and Sonya add these amendments, and it’s official!
MVP hopes that’ll be notarized. Lashley smiles and says that story about the spider and all that was admirable. Nice to see McIntyre to get back to his roots. But you forget to tell the whole story. If at first you don’t succeed, you just don’t win against the All Mighty, accept defeat, tuck your kilt between your legs, and walk away in shame. THAT is the ending of their story! McIntyre has some last words, some advice that he won’t listen to anyway. But McIntyre’s been in the Cell, Lashley hasn’t. He was told that he was never going to be the same after that match, and he hasn’t been. McIntyre flew 15 feet off the side, through a table, and felt physicality like he’s never felt.
So McIntyre wants Lashley to know he is willing to go through it all again, and inflict just as much pain and punishment on Lashley like he’s never felt before. McIntyre will tear flesh from skin with the steel, use whatever is under the ring. Whatever Lashley believes in, he should start praying, even though they won’t be answered. But just know that McIntyre will grant Lashley some mercy as he plants a Claymore right between his eyes and take back the title! “Enjoy the next couple of weeks, and I’ll see you in Hell!” Lashley vows to beat McIntyre there, too!
The Chief Hurt Officer is relaxed, but then McIntyre uses the sword to SLASH the table in half!! McIntyre is deadly serious, will he change Lashley’s life forever?
Backstage interview with Nikki Cross.
What has gotten into her? She’s gotten everyone’s attention with her back-to-back wins. Nikki says this has been something inside of her this whole time. It doesn’t matter if you’re not the prettiest, the strongest or the most experienced. It is her tenacity and spirit that makes her a winner. Believing in herself has helped Nikki realize is she’ll only regret not taking chances. She just has to try! Then who has she found as her tag partner? She has someone who she has admired for so long, with the coolest outfit that’s like a superhero cape and mask. Who doesn’t wish to be a superhero?
So Nikki couldn’t wait to ask, and she is so thrilled that… ASUKA said yes! Nobody is ready for Nikki & Asuka!! Will the Empress of Tomorrow help Nikki get another win over the Queen and the champion?
Sheamus heads to the ring!
The Fella has a face mask to keep his busted nose in place! The man that busted it is Humberto Carrillo, and Carrillo is battling Ricochet for a shot at Sheamus’ title! Who will become the sole focus of the Celtic Warrior’s wrath?
WWE United States Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Ricochet VS Humberto Carrillo!
Raw returns as the One and Only makes his entrance, followed by Dale Gas. Ricochet can’t help but grin and laugh at the damage done to Sheamus. Carrillo just shrugs, but Sheamus gets a mic. Is no one going to talk about the injustice here? How are these two “gobshites” getting the title opportunity after breaking his face?! How, Corey Graves? Graves doesn’t make those decisions. Sheamus says if he wasn’t under strict doctor’s orders, he’d- Carrillo scares Sheamus with a springboard! Ricochet does the same! Sheamus is pissed that they’re poking fun at him, but then Ricochet basically sucker punches Carrillo!
Ricochet builds speed to WRECK Carrillo with a dropkick while Sheamus gets way far away! The Fella shouts at Ricochet and Ricochet dares him to do something! This match is still happening, but things will cool off and sort out as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Ricochet fires off hands in a corner. The ref counts, Ricochet lets off and eggs Carrillo on, Carrillo hits back, Ricochet CLUBS him and whip shim. Ricochet runs in and clotheslines then brings Carrillo out to scoop and SLAM, right to a JUMPING LEG DROP! Ricochet covers, TWO! Sheamus vents on commentary as they ruined the best looking face in the world! Ricochet tries to suplex, Carrillo blocks so Ricochet throws hands! Ricochet CLUBS Carrillo, tells Sheamus to watch as he suplexes, but Carrillo slips out. Carrillo waistlocks, Ricochet standing switches, but Carrillo bucks him away to springboard CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!
Carrillo keeps cool and is after Ricochet with CHOPS! Carrillo CLUBS Ricochet, whips corner to corner, but Ricochet reverses. Carrillo goes up and over, rolls Ricochet up, TWO into a dead lift POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Carrillo grows frustrated. Carrillo whips Ricochet to a corner, runs in to clothesline, then fires off forearms and stomps! The ref backs Carrillo off, checks on Ricochet, and Ricochet is still okay to continue. Carrillo runs in but Ricochet dumps him out to the apron. Carrillo counter punches Ricochet, gets him up, and suplexes! Ricochet lands safe on the apron, throws body shots, and suplexes Carrillo!
Carrillo lands safe in the ring, Ricochet ducks one kick but not the ENZIGURI! Carrillo builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp and down goes Ricochet! Carrillo gets Ricochet up as Sheamus calls them both “juvenile delinquents” for what they’ve done. Carrillo climbs up, leaps, missile dropkick hits! Cover, TWO! Carrillo grows frustrated but he gets Ricochet back up to scoop and SLAM! Carrillo hurries back to a corner and back up top. MOONSAULT, but Ricochet moves! Carrillo rolls through, Ricochet dodges him and CLOBBERS him with that clothesline! Ricochet dead lift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Ricochet grows frustrated but Sheamus says Ricochet couldn’t do that to him. Ricochet gets Carrillo back up, fireman’s carries, but Carrillo fights. Ricochet still tries but Carrillo gets to the apron. Ricochet shoulders into a KICK! Carrillo drags Ricochet to the apron but Ricochet CHOPS! Carrillo CHOPS! Ricochet throws a haymaker! Carrillo forearms back! Ricochet mule kicks, gets space and runs at Carrillo, but into a SPANISH FLY to the floor!! Sheamus chuckles as both men are down and a ring count climbs. We’re at 5 of 10 a Ricochet flounders up. Ricochet gets to his feet at 7, and hobbles, but falls over! THE COUNT HITS TEN!
Double Count-Out Draw
Sheamus laughs at how “shameful” that all was. “Look at the state of these two bleeding Muppets!” Sheamus leaves, no one having won a shot at his title. Will the Celtic Warrior get to rest easy and let his nose recover before having to worry about a contender stepping up?
The New Day talk backstage.
Woods says there’s a 95% that if there’s a wall, a certain someone will run into it, knock himself out, and give them an easy night. Kofi likes how Woods thinks, and they go to their locker room. But MVP walks over to ask Kofi if they can talk. Kofi says sure. Did Lashley let him off the leash? Haha, always quick with the jokes. But MVP wants to say he was genuinely impressed with Kofi last week. And earlier tonight, too. But MVP isn’t surprised Kofi lost, either. What is MVP’s point? Kofi has stuff to do. MVP says that he might now represent Bobby Lashley, the All Mighty Chief Hurt Officer, but prior to that, he was a Kofi fan.
Just like everyone, MVP watched #KofiMania take over the world. Kofi did the unobtainable: he won the WWE World Championship at WrestleMania! These two go back a long ways, all the way to Deep South Wrestling. Kofi is like a little brother to MVP. So watching Kofi celebrate with his family, that gives MVP goosebumps. Kofi celebrating with his sons is the moment that made MVP want to return to the WWE. Because finally, the WWE had a champion that MVP could relate to and be proud of! So just hear him out. KofiMania was everything, but then it was over. Kofi doesn’t want to talk about that stuff, MVP gets that.
But did Kofi ever wonder why that happened? Kofi asks “P” to enlighten him. It’s because Kofi isn’t Lashley. MVP thought he saw a glimpse of the Kofi who could again be WWE World Champion. But then at the end of Kofi VS McIntyre, MVP saw Kofi shake McIntyre’s hand. That made Kofi look okay with being a loser. Is that how he wants this? KofiMania ended because Kofi let it end. There’s no friends in this! This is show business. But MVP knows Kofi wants to laugh and joke, shuck and jive with his friends- Watch your mouth, MVP! Kofi doesn’t want MVP’s advice.
Kofi doesn’t know how many times he has to keep saying this, but family and friends are the ones who give him motivation. That’s why Kofi does this. Somewhere in this world are little kids watching this show and watching Kofi and believing in himself because of him! That is why he does this. What does Lashley do it for? Money? No, Lashley fights for the WWE World Championship, and all the honor, prestige and accoutrements it comes with. MVP leaves it at that, but will what he said still get in Kofi’s head?
Eva Marie speaks.
“Over the last few weeks, you’ve heard my story. But that was only the beginning. It’s not easy running towards the peak of success, as glamorous as it appears.” Eva has had to put in tremendous amounts of determination and passion to be where she is today. And now, she’ll show us that she practices what she preaches. “The ability to inspire others comes from having the courage to show up and be seen.” Eva will show us a side of her no one has ever seen before. Eva will pull back the curtain and show us exactly what it takes to make it look this easy. We’ve waited long enough, #EvaLution will be here next week!
Mustafa Ali finds Mansoor backstage.
Apparently, Mansoor has a match with Drew Gulak tonight. Is he ready? Yeah, he is. No, Mansoor think he’s ready, but he’s not. Mansoor says he IS ready. Mustafa wants Mansoor to calm down, and he explains it to him like this. “What you ARE ready for is a fair and square fight against Drew Gulak. What you’re not ready for is when Drew Gulak decides when he’s not ready to fight fair.” What will Mansoor do against a poke in the eye? Or a hook of the tights? What will he do when he realizes he’s against someone willing to cut every corner just to win?
Mustafa knows Gulak and how dangerous he is. You can’t assume everyone plays by the rules. That’s not how this world works. Is Mansoor going to listen to what Mustafa is telling him?
Jeff Hardy VS Cedric Alexander!
The Charismatic Enigma doesn’t appreciate the disrespect that #PRIME shows to anyone and everyone in the locker room. Will Alexander learn lessons in humility and honor from the extremely talented veteran?
Raw returns and Alexander makes his entrance. The bell rings and Hardy circles with Alexander while he rallies fans up. They tie up, Alexander knees low and CLUBS Hardy on the back. Hardy blocks buckle bumps to give buckle bumps! Hardy gets three corners, but Alexander tries to turn things around, only for Hardy to send him hard into the fourth! Hardy dropkicks Alexander down, goes up top and leaps to ax handle Alexander’s back! Alexander drops to his knees, Hardy kicks but Alexander blocks and spins Hardy to dropkick back! Cover, TWO! Alexander digs his forearms into Hardy’s neck and pulls on arms. The ref counts, Alexander lets off but stomps Hardy down.
Alexander chokes Hardy on ropes in the corner and talks trash right in his ear! “SHOW ME SOMETHING!” The ref counts, Alexander lets off and gets Hardy back up. Hardy throws body shots but Alexander CLUBS and CHOPS him back! Alexander snapmares then basement dropkicks Hardy down! Cover, TWO! Alexander wraps on a chinlock and squeezes tight. Hardy endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Alexander throws Hardy down by his hair! The ref reprimands but Alexander asks what’s wrong. Alexander stands on Hardy’s face, then has him on ropes to choke him again! “I can do this all day, Jeff! I can do this all day!” The ref counts, Alexander lets off, and Hardy hits back!
Hardy kicks, Alexander blocks but Hardy hits the spinning back kick! Alexander bails out, Hardy builds speed but Alexander gets in to CLOBBER him first! Cover, TWO! Hardy still lives but Alexander is having fun now. Alexander gets Hardy up, kicks him over and over, and taunting him all the way. Hardy hits back, Alexander CLUBS him down then wraps on a chinlock. Alexander smothers Hardy into the mat but Hardy endures. Hardy fights up, throws body shots, and runs, but Alexander pulls hair! Hardy throws haymakers, but Alexander kicks back! Alexander seethes, whips Hardy to a corner, but Hardy goes up and up. Hardy mule kicks, then gets Alexander with a headscissor!
Alexander flounder sup, Hardy rallies, then ATOMIC DROPS, to the RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Hardy has the legs for the leg drop clutch! TWO!! Alexander narrowly escapes but Hardy keeps his cool. Hardy waits on Alexander, kicks low, but no Twist! Alexander gets around, fakes Hardy out and dropkicks a leg! Alexander gets Hardy up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Alexander grows frustrated with Hardy’s resilience, but that’s how Hardy’s stayed in this business! Alexander talks trash, goes up the corner, and mocks the Hardy fingers, but leaps into a kick! TWIST OF FATE!! Hardy hurries up top, aims, and SWANTON BOMBS!! Cover, Hardy wins!!
Winner: Jeff Hardy, by pinfall
The living legend landed his best and is making Alexander eat his words! Will #PRIME learn to brag less and battle more?
Charlotte finds Rhea backstage.
Since Charlotte is the more professional and experienced one here, she suggests Rhea follow her lead. And the only advantage Nikki has IS Asuka, Rhea can handle Nikki since she “respects” her so much. The Queen can handle Asuka. Rhea will gladly follow Charlotte, in two weeks, straight to Hell! But this title makes up for the “experience,” so Charlotte will follow her lead. So clearly these two are NOT on the same page. Will the end of this story be the same as the last two weeks?
Charlotte Flair & Rhea Ripley VS Nikki Cross & Asuka!
The fired up #SUPERBEST Nikki Cross makes her entrance first, ready to prove she can beat the Queen and Nightmare at the same time! But will the fact that there’s no time limit flip the script? Or will no one be ready for the combination of the Loony Lass and the Empress?
Raw returns and Asuka makes her entrance, followed by Rhea and Charlotte. The teams sort out, Charlotte insists to take the lead, and Rhea lets her. Nikki starts against Charlotte, they tie up, and Charlotte shoves Nikki down. Charlotte says the champ should show us how to do this, and she tags Rhea in. Rhea and Nikki circle now, and Nikki says she can do this! They tie up, but Rhea SLAMS Nikki down! Rhea gloats to Charlotte, Nikki rolls her up! ONE, and Nikki dodges Rhea to tag Asuka! Asuka and Rhea circle, they tie up, and Rhea headlocks. Asuka throws body shots, powers out, and things speed up. Rhea stomps but Asuka dodges.
Asuka does a dance, Rhea rushes in but Asuka dodges and follows to ram shoulders! Asuka shoves, Rhea shoves back. Asuka kicks but Rhea blocks to HEADBUTT! Rhea back suplexes but Asuka fights free to get the IRON OCTOPUS! Rhea endures, powers out but Asuka sunset flips! Rhea STOMPS Asuka down, then drags her up to whip her. Rhea dodges, Charlotte tags in, and Charlotte runs Asuka over. Charlotte tells Rhea to get out of the way, and then she CHOPS Asuka. Asuka dodges, Nikki tags in, and Asuka BOOTS Charlotte for Nikki to tilt-o-whirl toss! Asuka adds a dropkick, Nikki covers, ONE!
Nikki hurries to get Charlotte but Charlotte scoops. Nikki escapes, tags to Asuka, and Asuka wrenches and YANKS on Charlotte’s arm! Asuka has a wristlock, Charlotte handsprings through to wrench back. Charlotte pulls hair, headlocks, but Rhea tags in! Asuka breaks free and mule kicks Charlotte into Rhea! Asuka runs in, Charlotte moves, Rhea takes the HIP ATTACK! Down goes the champion, and Asuka is fired up! Charlotte goes out and walks over to her tag partner to help her up. Rhea shoves Charlotte away and says she should just leave her alone. Charlotte throws a forearm on Rhea!
The ref asks what they’re doing, and Charlotte orders Rhea to get in the ring! Rhea just glares at Charlotte while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Nikki gets Rhea with a headlock. Rhea powers up, Nikki thrashes, and again. Charlotte is frustrated with Rhea, Rhea powers up but Nikki hits a tornado style takedown! Rhea powers out this time, but Nikki goes up and over. Nikki runs in, Rhea puts her on the apron, but Nikki ROCKS Rhea with a right! Charlotte storms over but Nikki slingshots into the Oklahoma Roll! TWO, and Rhea HEADBUTTS Nikki down! Rhea drags Nikki up, Charlotte is annoyed but Rhea stomps a mudhole into Nikki in the open corner. The ref counts, Rhea lets off, and she gets Nikki up to an Electric Chair. Nikki flails, Charlotte tags in, and Rhea SLAMS Nikki down!
Asuka rallies for Nikki, Charlotte tells Rhea to shoo, and she covers Nikki, TWO! Charlotte tries again, TWO! Nikki is proving tougher than Charlotte likes, and Charlotte jams a knee into Nikki’s back! And again! Charlotte handsprings just to BOOT Nikki down! Charlotte mocks Asuka shouting for Nikki, then she fakes Nikki out to get on a thrashing chinlock! Nikki endures, Asuka coaches her on, and Nikki fights up. Charlotte drags Nikki over and throws her into the corner. Charlotte CHOPS Rhea to be a tag! “You mad?” Rhea seethes but she drags Nikki up just to throw her back down. Rhea mocks Asuka, then gets Nikki up for a suplex.
Rhea holds Nikki up for a count of 10, then 15, then 20, before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Rhea drags Nikki back over, tags Charlotte with a hard pat on the head, and tells “the princess” to get in. Charlotte seethes but she toys with Nikki. Charlotte runs but only gets buckles as Nikki dodges! JAWBREAKER! Nikki kicks, Charlotte blocks and ducks the enziguri, then swipes at Asuka! Nikki runs in, Charlotte catches her and carries her away! Nikki’s boots get Rhea! Sunset flip, TWO! Charlotte runs in but Nikki ends her into buckles! Rhea tags in, gets Nikki up with a waistlock, but Nikki make sit a BULLDOG! Hot tag to Asuka! SLIDING WIZARD!! Cover, TWO!!
Asuka fires up, runs to HIP ATTACK Charlotte down, then BOOTS Rhea! Asuka dodges, Rhea hits ropes, CODE BREAKER!! Charlotte gets in and grabs at Asuka! Asuka kicks free, but Rhea gets her for a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO!! Asuka gets to a corner, Rhea runs in but into a ROUNDHOUSE! Asuka GERMAN SUPLEXES! Asuka goes from a corner to run and HIP ATTACK Rhea down! Cover, TWO!! Asuka hurries, Nikki tags in, and Nikki goes to a corner. Nikki climbs and shouts at Rhea to get up. Rhea does, CROSSBODY!! Cover, but Charlotte pulls Nikki away! And then throws Nikki out!
Charlotte shouts for Rhea to tag her so they can get this done. Rhea ROCKS Charlotte instead! The Nightmare and Queen are brawling with each other! Nikki is very amused as Rhea pump handles. Charlotte rakes eyes to get free, then chop blocks and hits NATURAL SELECTION! Nikki covers, Nikki & Asuka win!
Winners: Nikki Cross & Asuka, by pinfall
A win is a win, and Nikki just pinned the Raw Women’s Champion! She and Asuka party on the announce desk, but how will Rhea repay Charlotte for this?
Alexa Bliss talks with Lily.
Yes, she knows, she’s going to tell everyone that. Not only did Shayna Baszler rudely interrupt their playdate with Reginald, Shayna also said the unthinkable. Alexa just repeats Shayna’s words so Lily can’t get mad. “She said Lily is just a stupid doll…!” Shayna is wrong! Don’t believe her? See what happens later when Shayna “plays” with them. Alexa promises it’ll be a real scream. Will the Queen of Spades wish she’d stayed away from Alexa’s Playground?
Mansoor VS Drew Gulak!
The Star of Saudi Arabia was undefeated for about 50 matches, including some of his biggest wins at Crown Jewel. But that’s just the level of competition on Monday Night Raw. Will Mansoor build up a new winning streak at the expense of the Philly Stretcher? Or will everything Mustafa Ali said about his old rival be proven true?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, and Mansoor arm-drags Gulak right away! Gulak gets up and is a bit surprised, but he and Mansoor circle again. They tie up, Mansoor wrenches to a wristlock but Gulak throws a haymaker to get a headlock. Mansoor powers out but Gulak runs him over. Gulak drops an elbow but misses, and Mansoor hits another arm-drag! Mansoor has the armlock but Gulak gets up. Mustafa is watching backstage as Mansoor puts Gulak in a corner. The ref counts the break, Mansoor lets off but Gulak SLAPS him, then CLOBBERS him! Well, there’s one point Mustafa brought up.
Gulak scoops and slams Mansoor into ropes! Mansoor clutches his legs, Gulak covers, TWO! Gulak gets Mansoor around, has the legs and pulls on them as he stands on Mansoor’s back! Mansoor endures, even as Gulak stands on his head. Mansoor fights up, throws forearms, and shoves Gulak away. Gulak comes back but into a CHOP and forearm! Mansoor whips Gulak to a corner but Gulak BOOTS back! High stack, TWO! Gulak hurries to Oklahoma Roll, TWO! Mansoor escapes again and Gulak seethes. Gulak scoops Manoosr, Mansoor slips off the back, but Gulak waistlocks to a school boy, and pulls tights! TWO, and Mansoor sits on Gulak for a cover, and WINS!
Winner: Mansoor, by pinfall
Gulak did do everything Mustafa said he would, and perhaps that is why Mansoor was able to win. Will Mansoor give credit where credit is due?
Randy Orton finds Matt Riddle backstage.
Orton lets Riddle “have the key,” and Riddle unlocks his mouth. Riddle thanks Randy for that, and says he’s been looking all over for him. Riddle has a match with Kofi after he was just trying to invite the New Day to his favorite burger place, Burger King. Riddle is famished and just wants to plop down in front of a delicious Whopper, fries and soda to chillax. Speaking of, WWE is going on the road, so these two could be road buddies! They could listen to chill tunes, and get Burger King in every state! Where’s Orton’s favorite place to go? Riddle loves Las Vegas-
Oh. Time to zip the lip again. Wait! Is Orton going to be with Riddle for the match? Not sure yet. Well, sweet hoodie. It has a viper with the stallion mane on it. Orton takes “the key” back, and puts it in the trash. Riddle pouts and scoots away, but will his actions speak for him?
Kofi Kingston w/ Xavier Woods VS Matt Riddle!
This match isn’t happening because of the Bro taking the hit for the Viper, this is more about those RKO’s before the match. But will MVP’s words weigh heavy on Kofi’s mind? Or will he be able to focus and solve the Riddle?
Raw returns and Riddle makes his entrance, and it looks like Orton still doesn’t feel the need to be ringside. But Riddle shrugs that off and gets in the ring. The bell rings, Kofi rushes Riddle but Riddle tackles him down! Kofi kicks him away, kicks and headbutts Riddle to a corner, then fires off fast hands. Kofi whips Riddle corner to corner, runs in and SPLASHES! Kofi snapmares, sits Riddle up and PENALTY KICKS him down! Cover, ONE! Kofi drops a splash, covers again, TWO! Riddle gets to his feet, Kofi fires off on him again. Kofi mule kicks, but Riddle gut wrench suplexes! Riddle holds on, gut wrench suplexes again, covers, TWO!
Riddle pushes Kofi down to drop the BROTON! Woods plays his trombone but Riddle covers, TWO! Riddle gets a little annoyed by Woods, but Woods mockingly asks, “What’s wrong, bruh?” Riddle turns around into Kofi’s JAWBREAKER! Kofi has Riddle in a corner again and CHOPS him! And CHOPS him! Kofi traps Riddle’s arms in the ropes to CHOP him! Woods likes that sound! Kofi covers, ONE! Riddle is getting mad, and here comes Randy! Riddle puts Kofi in a corner, whips him corner to corner, but Kofi goes up and up and missile dropkicks! Orton glares at Woods, but Kofi WRECKS the Viper with a dropkick! Woods says that’s what he gets!
Riddle gets up but Kofi dropkicks him out of the ring! Woods plays trombone right in Riddle’s face, but Orton gets Woods for an ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton helps Riddle up but Kofi SUPER TRUST FALLS onto them both!! The New Day regroup and fire back up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Riddle fires off body shots and a BOOT on Kofi! Kofi ends up in a corner, Riddle forearm smashes, goes side to side to forearm smash again, then hits the BROSPLODER! And a PENALTY KICK! Riddle fires up, gets Kofi up and suplexes, but Kofi slips out! Kofi is back in a corner and he BOOTS Riddle away. Kofi runs, goes up and up and FLYING RANAS! Riddle gets up into Kofi’s JUMPING STOMP! Cover, TWO! Orton coaches Riddle up but Woods coaches Kofi. Kofi kicks, CHOPS and REBOUND SPLASHES Riddle! Cover, TWO! Riddle is hanging tough but Kofi gets him up. Riddle shoves Kofi away, Kofi swing kicks in the corner!
Kofi takes a moment on the apron, but Riddle is right back! Dead lift, but Kofi elbows free! Riddle tumbles to the mat, Kofi climbs up the corner, but Riddle CHOPS him first! And another CHOP! Riddle climbs up, gets Kofi up, but Kofi hits back! Riddle steps down but CHOPS again! And again! Riddle climbs, gets Kofi back up, but Kofi holds off the superplex to SUPER GOURD BUSTER! And SPLASH Riddle off his feet! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives and Orton applauds while Kofi seethes. Kofi stalks up behind Riddle, runs in but Riddle uses body scissors to throw Kofi up and out! Riddle gets in the ring, Kofi staggers back up, and Kofi goes to the apron, but avoids a knee!
Kofi shoulders into Riddle, but Riddle ROCKS him with a right! Kofi stumbles off the apron, Riddle goes out after him, and Riddle ROCKS Kofi with that drive-by forearm! Riddle fires off on Kofi at the desk, KICKS him, and says, Gimme some!” Jimmy Smith fist bumps Riddle but Kofi puts Riddle in the ring. Riddle KNEES Kofi, and looks to Orton as he brings Kofi out along the ropes! Orton smiles as Riddle hits a DRAPING DDT! Orton says to finish this, and Riddle says not yet! Riddle has one more thing to do first. Riddle hears the voices in his head!! Orton says that’s not really how he should do this. Kofi staggers up, and denies Riddle’s RKO!
Kofi spins, Riddle ducks Trouble in Paradise and gets the gut wrench! Kofi powers out and spins Riddle for TROUBLE IN PARADISE!! Cover, Kofi wins!!
Winner: Kofi Kingston, by pinfall
The Bro tried to be like his bro, but bro, that didn’t work. The New Day is fired up, and Orton walks away. Is this going to jeopardize the chances of RKBRO truly becoming a team?
Nia Jax finds Shayna Baszler backstage.
Nia wants Shayna to listen. Things have been tense for many reasons- It’s because Alexa Bliss keeps sticking her nose their business for whatever reason, and because Nia keeps getting distracted by Reginald. Those cost them the tag team titles. Oh, how is Reggie, by the way? At home recovering for what Shayna did to him, which was way out of line? SHE is out of line? Nia isn’t here to argue, okay? She is offering her help. Nia has known Alexa a long time, and this is the most dangerous she’s ever seen her.
You think Shayna is scared of a little girl with a doll? It’s JUST a stupid doll, so NO, Shayna doesn’t need nor want Nia’s help. If anything, Alexa could use Nia’s help because Shayna’s going to show everyone what happens when you cross the Queen of Spades! Shayna storms down the hall, but will Twisted Lil’ Bliss and that “stupid little doll” have more than just a swing waiting for her at The Playground?
Raw returns and Alexa’s Playground is in the ring.
Alexa welcomes us back, and says that normally this is a place for friends. This week might be different, but who knows? Maybe after tonight, we’ll have a new friend! Right, Lily? Lily, be a bit more openminded. New friends come in different shapes, sizes and blood types. But- Here comes Shayna! Alexa waves hi but Shayna doesn’t wave back. Shayna steps into the ring, and shoves the rocking horse over! That wasn’t nice. Shayna didn’t learn her lesson last week. She did something naughty, but Alexa still hopes things will change. Alexa and Lily want to give Shayna a chance to be their new friend. She just has to apologize to Lily.
Shayna? Apologize? To a doll? Yep. Just two little words, “I’m sorry.” Shayna laughs and says Alexa is even more delusional than she looks. Alexa is what happened to Reggie. And more importantly, Alexa is what happened to Shayna’s & Nia’s tag title reign. What? Shayna thinks that was Alexa? That’s just silly! Alexa would never do that, she wants everyone to be friends. What was that, Lily? Oh. Alexa says it is in Shayna’s best interests just to apologize to Lily. Shayna gets up, grabs Lily, and smirks as she looks at it. “Lily, I’m sorry… I’m sorry that you’re just a stupid doll!” Shayna drops Lily, then Alexa ROCKS Shayna with a right hand!
Alexa fires off on Shayna but Shayna shoves her away! Shayna then STOMPS on Lily! Alexa is frozen in place as Shayna dares something to happen, then STOMPS on Lily’s head! Wait, the screens start glitching out. Alexa smirks and Shayna bails out. Alexa picks Lily up and cradles her, then FIRE explodes from the ramp! Shayna runs up to the stage, and then MORE FIRE! Shayna runs away while Alexa laughs, and cameras cut to gorilla. Shayna shakes off the bit of fear from those jump scares, but then the lights start flickering back here, too! Shayna gets out of the way of a falling cart! And of falling girders! Shayna runs for it before the whole place comes apart!
Shayna makes it to the back and says it’s just a stupid doll. But all the doors are locked! And then the lights start flickering again! Shayna keeps telling herself Lily is just Alexa’s doll, and she finds the one door that wasn’t locked. Shayna hears big footsteps coming, so she hurries into another room and closes the door! Shayna locks it up tight and puts a couch in front of the door for good measure. Shayna says this is NOT happening. But she turns around to see a mirror. And in the mirror is LILY!! Shayna is doing her best not to freak out. See? Lily isn’t really there. But then… the mirror keeps showing her!
Shayna BOOTS the mirror and shatters it! Shayna is freaking out because Lily’s still there! Is there no running from what she’s done? Will she have no choice but to accept that Lily is not just some doll?
My Thoughts:
Well this was another mixed bag for Raw. The ending we just saw was both a good and bad closing segment. It’s good that there is progress towards Alexa’s in-ring return, where it seems Shayna Baszler is going to be her opponent. But WWE could’ve really done a lot better these last two months since WrestleMania 37. She and Bray Wyatt should’ve been feuding over the powers of The Funhouse/Playground, but we haven’t seen Bray since Alexa screwed him over against Randy Orton.
Secondly, I’m not sure getting dragged into the supernatural is really something Shayna Baszler should be doing. The level of production on the ending segment was good and all, but why would Shayna want to talk this out at all? Shayna should’ve been going for a match with Alexa, and then that match never happens because of stuff like we saw here. It’d work out to about the same but at least it’d fit under Shayna’s character: fight first, talk later. Then with Hell in a Cell coming, Alexa and Shayna could have a supernaturally influenced cinematic match would be good to open the main show with. They might still do that anyway, but it’s always the small details that help.
I do like that we’re getting more on Mustafa and Mansoor. Mustafa gave Mansoor pointers on Gulak, and I guess Gulak shifts back and forth between Face and Heel as needed. A part of me is alright that his feud with Garza is over because it had such lackluster motivation, but it shows Raw has no follow through, and that they’re extra screwed with having very little people to choose from. But the main thing is, Mansoor wins but technically does have to give credit to Mustafa. Whatever we get between those two, from a feud to a tag team, is going to be good for both of them and for Raw, given the promos and in-ring ability Mustafa can give when given the chance.
Ryker VS Elias wasn’t much, but obviously this wasn’t going to be the end of the feud by a long shot. I feel like this has the same energy as “Let’s have Roman Reigns take on Sheamus” from a few years back. The Heel Heat fans had for Sheamus was supposed to translate to the Face Heat for Roman, but I don’t recall it working. We still don’t have live fans so I can’t be sure how Ryker is being received, but something about this makes sense. Hardy VS Alexander was good, and Alexander losing isn’t a bad thing. Alexander’s ego needed to hit a speedbump, and now he’ll have to prove he can get back up.
The Raw Women’s Division is a mixed bag all in itself. Lana is gone so there goes a tag team. Shayna is busy with Alexa, so one tag team is on hold. And the build to the Raw Women’s Championship is leaning more on having them finally build Nikki Cross as a competitor than anything. Rhea and Charlotte of course don’t work as a tag team, which is at least good storytelling, but I don’t know. Something just isn’t clicking, and yet Vince and his team just don’t seem to understand that. With news of a new WWE Draft coming after SummerSlam, I can only imagine that Raw will leech off SmackDown and NXT, but what good does moving pieces around when the players are the same inept ones playing now?
Tonight’s contract signing was pretty good, though. It was different than most, where the physicality wasn’t McIntyre on Lashley but McIntyre and his sword on the table. McIntyre might’ve gone on a little too long with the story of Richard the Bruce and the spider and the famous saying, but the real results of this segment were both natural moves and great moves. One, putting this match inside Hell in a Cell, because duh, that’s the PPV. Two, putting the stipulation that this is McIntyre’s last shot against Lashley, because one way or another, it does have to be the last time. Now, that stipulation doesn’t guarantee either result, but if McIntyre does lose, I can only think that he then goes on to the US Championship to finally finish his Grand Slam.
Speaking of which, Carrillo VS Ricochet in a contender’s match was another good and natural move. These two could’ve given a bit more but it’s fine that they held back. It was a good move for Sheamus not to interfere, both for his legit broken nose, and because it’d be too much for another dirty finish after other contender’s matches were “ruined” on Raw. But I think with a go-home episode left, the draw tonight is at the very least a sign that we’re getting another Triple Threat match for a title. Anyone’s guess as to who wins then, as we’ve seen all possibilities just these past few months.
Opening with the tag battle royal was a good move, but Styles’ promo and even the response promos from the top two teams were a little paint by numbers. The Heel champions list off who is in the match, mocking them, the challengers give it back, and then match gets going. The battle royal itself was good, and I’m pleasantly surprised the Viking Raiders win. Styles did put them over a bit last week on Raw Talk so something about this makes sense. Their promo backstage was alright, with Omos eating that turkey leg being the best part. They’re going to have a great match at HIAC, that’s for sure, but Styles & Omos are going to win.
MVP approaching Kofi backstage was actually a good detail in the story. MVP is trying to motivate a few things in Kofi, from getting more aggressive to ditching New Day and perhaps joining up in a new Hurt Business formation. Riddle VS Kofi to be the main event match was great stuff, and I think we did see some of that new aggression from Kofi. Riddle also showed his aggression, perhaps stemming from teaming with Orton. It was a good detail that Riddle trying to be too much like Orton is what cost him. Riddle could’ve used Bro Derek or Floating Bro to finish Kofi but he wanted to be like Orton and do the whole spiel before hitting the RKO. I hope this means Orton has to ironically tell Riddle to be himself and win his way.
And with SummerSlam being in Las Vegas, where Riddle currently resides, I wouldn’t be surprised if SummerSlam is when and where RKBRO get their tag title match and win. Fans will be back by then, fans still like Orton and I’m sure they like Riddle, so they’d react very strongly if RKBRO wins, or if Orton turns on Riddle. I personally hope for the former, but Orton and Riddle can definitely make for a great feud going into the Fall.
My Score: 8/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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