Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (7/13/21)
Will The Way Fall and Pray?
The NXT title, the Breakout Tournament, and the Warrior of the Sun!
Johnny Wrestling says Karrion Kross is not on his level, but he has to prove it! Will Gargano finally get THE NXT Championship back?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Ember Moon VS Dakota Kai w/ Raquel Gonzalez; Kai wins.
- Bobby Fish VS Tyler Rust w/ Diamond Mine; Rust wins.
- Sarray VS Gigi Dolin; Sarray wins.
- Dexter Lumis VS Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma; Escobar wins.
- NXT Breakout Tournament 2021 Opening Round: Ikemen Jiro VS Duke Hudson; Hudson wins and advances to the next round.
- Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter VS The Robert Stone Brand; Catanzaro & Carter win.
- NXT Championship, with Special Guest Referee Samoa Joe: Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS Johnny Gargano; Kross wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
WWE and NXT mourn the loss of “Mr. Wonderful,” Paul Orndorff.
Ember Moon VS Dakota Kai w/ Raquel Gonzalez!
The Shenom got to see Shotzi Blackheart take care o’ business on SmackDown, and now she’s a lone wolf again. Will she get back towards the top by getting through Dakota? Or will #CobraKai sweep the leg and show no mercy in the Capital Wrestling Center?
The bell rings, Ember and Kai circle and fans fire up. They tie up, go around, and Ember throws Dakota down to an armlock. Dakota rolls, wrenches back to a top wristlock, but Ember wrenches and gets around to hammerlock. Ember headlocks, Dakota wrenches and headlocks back. Ember powers out, Dakota runs her over, and fans duel as Dakota talks trash. Things speed up, Ember hurdles and Dakota leaps. Ember handsprings through the hip toss to arm-drag Dakota around and get the armlock again! Ember looks to Raquel and Raquel talks some trash while Dakota endures. Ember digs a knee into Dakota’s head but Dakota fights up as fans rally.
Dakota pulls hair to throw Ember down! The ref reprimands, Dakota covers, ONE! Ember gets up but Dakota is on her with a whip to a corner. Ember hits buckles hard, and Dakota goes side to side to BOOT WASH! Cover, TWO! Dakota grows frustrated but she sits Ember up to CLUB her and AX KICK her down! Cover, TWO! Raquel tells Dakota that she’s got this, and Dakota mule kicks Ember back down! Cover, TWO! Dakota looms over Ember, gets her up, but Ember gets around to roll her up! TWO, and Dakota BOOTS Ember right down! Cover, TWO! Dakota grows annoyed but she brings Ember up and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch.
Ember endures and fans rally up. Ember fights up to her feet but Dakota wrangles her back down! Dakota thrashes Ember around, leans on the hold, but Ember fights back up. Ember arm-drags free, catches the kick to a takedown and has a high stack! TWO, Dakota bails out but Ember builds speed. Ember DIVES and sends Dakota hard into barriers! Fans fire up but Dakota shoves Ember into the apron! Dakota throws Ember into the ring but Ember spins to KICK Dakota down! Ember is on the apron and she SLIDING BOOTS Dakota down! Raquel panics as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dakota gasps and sputters, Ember fetches her into the ring, and then stomps Dakota down. Dakota rolls away to ropes but Ember is after her with a choke on the ropes! Ember CLUBS Dakota, runs and slides and blows a kiss, saying ‘This is for Shotzi!” GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Ember scowls but she gets Dakota up to whip her into a corner. Ember runs in to forearm smash, then reels Dakota in. Dakota ROCKS Ember with a right, whips her to the corner, then runs in only to be put on the apron. Dakota drops down to trip Ember up but Ember boots her away. Dakota comes back to BOOT Ember through the ropes! And then spins her into the POST!
The ref checks on Ember as she’s on the floor, and Dakota leaves Ember behind for the ring count. The count climbs, Ember gets up at 5 and in at 6, but Dakota covers. TWO, and Dakota starts to grow frustrated. Dakota drags Ember up and bumps her off buckles. Dakota digs her boot in, the ref counts and Dakota lets off at 4. High stack cover, TWO! Ember crawls, Raquel talks trash and Dakota clubs away on Ember’s back. Dakota wraps on a chinlock, Ember endures, and Ember fights up to throw body shots. Ember arm-drags free again, to then roll Dakota and bridge! TWO, and Dakota CLOBBERS Ember! Cover, TWO!
Dakota laughs as she brings Ember ack up for Kowata kicks! NXT returns to single picture as Dakota kicks Ember down then covers, TWO! Dakota CLUBS Ember, looms over her and pie faces her around. Ember gets up and Dakota throws a forearm! Ember gets mad, but Dakota kicks low and snap suplexes! But Ember kips up! Ember roars, fans fire up and Ember CLOBBERS Dakota! Ember wrenches, back kicks, front kicks and ENZIGURIS! Dakota gets up for Ember to BOOT, NECKBREAKER and BUTTERFLY SUPLEX! Ember kips up again, runs corner to corner and back body blocks! Ember snapmares Dakota, runs and springboards, BIG CROSSBODY! Cover, TWO!
Ember keeps her focus as Dakota survives. Ember pushes Dakota around now, brings her up but Dakota boots. Ember blocks but Dakota SCORPION KICKS! Dakota gets to a corner, Ember runs in but misses. Dakota yanks a leg and Ember falls hard! Dakota goes Around the World to BOOT Ember again! Dakota dragon sleepers for the TWISTING DDT! Cover, TWO!! Ember survives and Raquel is shocked! Fans rally up as Dakota gets Ember up again. Ember SLAPS Dakota, Dakota DECKS Ember! Dakota says Ember is nothing without Shotzi, and Raquel repeats that. Dakota climbs, but Ember GAMANGIRIS first!
Ember gets Dakota in position, climbs up to join her, and Ember SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and Ember is shocked! Ember scowls and steps on Dakota as she makes her way to the apron. Ember talks trash back at Raquel but Dakota runs over! Ember dodges the shoulder but Dakota dodges the kick! Ember ROCKS Dakota with a forearm and slingshots, but Dakota ROCKS her back! Dakota drags Ember up the ropes, to a fireman’s carry, DRAPING GO TO KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
Just as it seemed Ember’s Law was going to come into effect, #CapKota finds a way to win! But wait, XIA LI is heading to the ring?! And she goes right past Dakota to go after the champ! “You’re in the way of MY destiny!” Raquel says if Xia wants it, she’s got it! But let’s see her show up for it! Raquel “wishes” Xia luck, because this is the closest Xia will ever get to the belt. But will Tian Sha’s living weapon win this title for the glory of Mei Ying?
Backstage interview with Diamond Mine.
Malcolm Bivens says they are open for business, and he explains what this means. “We take, we mold, we build with the best resources…” He looks to Roderick Strong as he says, “The best fighters…” Then he looks to Hideki Suzuki as he says, “With the best coaches…” And lastly, he looks to Tyler Rust as he says, “And with the best prospects.” Bivens says it is all under one roof, one camp, and when you leave, you come out the best you can be. The Diamond Mine is about competition, so it is open challenge time! They want to make money, so- Bobby Fish comes in! He says he’s in as he stares Roderick Strong down! Whoa, whoa, whoa! Fish gets Rust first.
That’s fine, they can all get it as far as Fish is concerned. Strong promises, after Rust is done with Fish, it’s over. Oh is that what Roddy thinks? Fish and Rust is happening, after the break!
NXT hears from Ikemen Jiro.
“I am Ikemen Jiro, and I’m from Tokyo, Japan. ‘Ikemen’ means ‘handsome’ in Japanese. Of course I’m Ikemen! Don’t let my good looks fool you. I’ll still kick your ass!” Jiro was trained by Tajiri and The Great Muta, and so it was his dream to join the WWE. He made that dream come true, and looks forward to fighting the “big guy.” WWE has a lot of big guys, actually, so he’s excited about it! Ikemen promises to win the NXT Breakout Tournament! But will he get through the Duke of Smugness in this opening round tonight?
NXT checks in with LA Knight and his new butler.
The Million Dollar Megastar is bragging, but the “troglodyte” is late. Cameron Grimes finally arrives and Knight says late on his first day is bad form. Yeah, but he showed up. Because before having all this money, Grimes had his word. His word is his bond, so step out of the way while he holds up his part of the bargain. Grimes is going TO~ THE~ broom. No, the only thing he’s doing dressed like that is going to the toilet. Meet Knight out back and they’ll take care of this.
Knight has his personal barber here! He’s not a miracle worker but they can at least clean Grimes up and make him professional. Fast-forward through it all, and Grimes is trimmed and slick! Even Grimes likes it! He didn’t think the gloves were a good choice, but this is great! What? He looks like a penguin! Now time to get to work. Grimes says Knight is just jealous that Grimes makes this look good. Here we go! But what chores will Knight give Grimes to do first?
Bobby Fish VS Tyler Rust w/ Diamond Mine!
The Infamous One wants after the Savior of the Backbreaker but he’ll gladly take on the grunt first. But will Fish be able to get through the Diamond in the Rust to go after his former friend?
The bell rings, the two circle, and fans are on Fish’s side as he has Rust on the ropes. Rust turns it around but Fish knees low. Rust ducks a roundhouse to back suplex high and hard! Rust gets a leg, DRAGON SCREWS Fish, and stalks Fish to a corner. Rust CHOPS Fish, follows him around and wrenches the arm to wrangle him. Rust has a top wristlock, then puts the arm down to stomp it! Fish gets up but Rust throws forearms and CHOPS! Rust snapmares, KICKS Fish in the back, but Fish gets up to throw forearms! Fish snapmares, KICKS Rust, but Rust forearms and snapmares back. Rust wraps on a headscissor squeeze and rolls around but Fish endures.
Fans rally, Fish gets up and out but Rust fires forearms. Fish blocks a kick, hits back with forearms and body shots of his own, then KICKS Rust down! And again! Rust gets to a corner, BOOTS Fish away, but runs into a back drop! Fish gets Rust again for an EXPLODER into ropes! Strong gets on the apron to distract Fish but Fish dares him to get some now. Rust gets up, Fish DECKS him, and Rust bails out. Fish glares at Strong again, Strong says Fish has bitten off more than he can chew. Rust is back and he CHOP BLOCKS Fish! BUZZSAW! Cover, Rust wins!!
Winner: Tyler Rust, by pinfall
Rust may have been a pawn, but Strong baited Fish into a trap! The Diamond Mine surround Fish, but here comes KUSHIDA! The Cruiserweight Champion has a reason to go after Strong for how he attacked from behind, but Strong says “You’re on MY time now!” Will the Time Splitter make that time sooner rather than later?
Samoa Joe visits Karrion Kross.
“Mr. Kross, I’ll be your official this evening. I came here to remind you of a few things. First and foremost, protect yourself at all times. And secondly, obey my commands at all times. Do you understand, sir?” Kross still warms up with jabs to the heavy bag, but Joe BOOTS it out of the way! “I said, do you understand?!” Scarlett keeps Kross calm enough to talk. Kross wants Joe to understand that if Joe screws him over, he will be the one that gets dealt with. Joe will take that as a yes. Joe leaves and Kross throws his boxing gloves off in a huff, but will Kross be able to focus on his opponent tonight?
NXT Media catches The Way as they arrive.
Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae and Austin Theory all refuse to answer any questions, this is all business tonight. However, Indi Hartwell lingers, and Beth Phoenix asks her details about her and Dexter Lumis. Nothing happened, he was a complete gentleman backstage. But Indi did want something to happen, and surely so did he. But after losing the women’s tag titles, it just wasn’t the right time. Best gives Indi advice: sometimes, just take a chance. Beth heads out and Indi thinks on that advice. Can Indi find a way to make #InDex finally happen?
Sarray VS Gigi Dolin!
The Warrior of the Sun wanted to take on the Lightning From Down Under, but Toni Storm said no, and then got moved over to SmackDown. But that’s no sweat off Sarray’s nose, especially with the brash and hungry young star stepping up to take her on instead. Will Gigi rain on Sarray’s parade in the summer heat?
The bell rings, Sarray offers a handshake, and Gigi takes it. There is respect here as the two circle and tie up. They’re in a deadlock but Sarray wrenches through to a wristlock. Gigi spins, steps through, wrenches back, but Sarray rolls and kips up to wrench again. Sarray hammerlocks, Gigi drops but Sarray headlocks. Gigi fights back up, throws body shots, powers out, but Sarray handsprings over and arm-drags Gigi . Headlock takeover but Gigi headscissors. Sarray kips free and the fans cheer the stand-off. The two circle again, but wait, is that Raw’s Mandy Rose? Why is Mandy back in NXT? Sarray and Gigi shrug that off, Sarray kicks but Gigi kicks back!
Gigi snapmares and KICKS Sarray, but Sarray gets up to egg her on. Gigi ROCKS Sarray with a forearm, then eggs Sarray on! Sarray throws a forearm, dodges Gigi and rolls her up, TWO! Sarray keeps the legs to tie them up, and fans fire up as Sarray gets a MUTA LOCK!! Gigi is stuck, she pries at the hold, but Sarray lets her go to then KICK her down! Sarray gets Gigi up, fisherman but Gigi cradle counters, TWO! Sarray rushes in but Gigi rolls her up, TWO! Gigi seethes, Sarray runs in but Gigi dodges. Gigi comes back to STO! Cover, TWO as Sarray Matrix bridges out! Sarray runs but Gigi ROCKS her! Gigi runs but Sarray dropkicks!
Sarray fires up, runs and hits a DROPKICK OF THE SUN!! Gigi staggers up, Sarray brings her in, SAIDO OF THE SUN!! Cover, Sarray wins!
Winner: Sarray, by pinfall
Still undefeated, and apparently impressive to Mandy. What will the Golden Goddess have in store for Sarray and perhaps other women on NXT?
El Legado del Fantasma speaks.
Santos Escobar says, “Our world is in a constant state of war. There’s winners, there’s losers, and luck plays a fundamental part. Take Bronson Reed, for example. He’s a winner, and he’s lucky.” He got to live happily ever after without taking on Escobar 1v1! But Swerve on the other hand, he is a winner, but he is NOT lucky. He has the one thing Escobar wants: the North American Championship. Joaquin Wilde asks if they heard that “cypher celebration” last week. It was offensive to his ears! Swerve couldn’t stay on beat! Wilde could never dance to that! Escobar would just press the stop button. Mendoza says that Hit Row has no guts and no class.
Speaking of which, Dexter Lumis! He is a loser! Both a loser in love, and in a minute, a loser in the ring. Escobar always ends up on the right side of history! Legado heads out, but will they be silenced by the menacing mute?
NXT hears from Duke Hudson.
“Hey, Duke Hudson here. I’m not perfect, but I’ve gotta be close.” All the way from Adelaide, Australia, towering at 6’5″, 270 pounds with big biceps, a broad back, and “the bets backside in the business,” any more B’s and he’d be making honey. And it all starts with Ikemen Jiro tonight. Yes, Jiro is a risk-taking high-flyer with an odd looking jacket, but Hudson can just punch him in the face. You can call him Duke, or you can call him the Breakout Tournament winner. The other seven don’t have a shot as far as he’s concerned, but will the first one up take him down?
Dexter Lumis VS Santos Escobar w/ El Legado del Fantasma!
We’ve heard from Indi about their #InDex moment, and we’ve heard from El Hijo del Fantasma about this match, but Lumis lets his actions speak for him. Will Lumis get lucky both in this match and in love tonight?
The bell rings and Lumis just stares at Escobar. Escobar talks trash, steps to Lumis, but Lumis doesn’t flinch. Escobar throws hands, whips, and runs Lumis over, but Lumis kips right up! Escobar turns around and is startled! Escobar throws a punch, Lumis blocks it! Mendoza distracts and Escobar throws a forearm and knees! Escobar whips, Lumis dodges, ducks and THESZ PRESSES for fast hands! Lumis lets off to scare off Mendoza and Wilde, and then even scares Escobar! Legado regroups and Escobar tells his henchmen to “get ‘im!” Legado flanks Lumis, but wait where did he go?! Lumis trips Escobar up from under the ring! He tries to drag Escobar in!
Legado drags Escobar out and Lumis slithers out after them! Legado freaks out and scrambles up the ramp as NXT goes to break!
NXT returns and Escobar has Lumis down with a double wristlock. Lumis endures, fans rally and duel but Escobar stomps away on Lumis. Escobar kicks Lumis, gets him up, put him in a corner, and CHOP! Lumis winces but Escobar talks trash. “YOU should be afraid of ME!” Escobar CHOPS, Lumis shoves him, but Escobar whips him corner to corner. Escobar runs in to DOUBLE KNEE! Escobar puts Lumis up top, GAMANGIRIS, and then climbs up top. Escobar hits a SUPER STEINER! Cover, TWO! Lumis lives but Escobar covers again, TWO! Escobar grows frustrated and he stomps it out on Lumis. Fans rally as Lumis sits up, Escobar runs and basement dropkicks him down!
Escobar drags Lumis back up, facelocks and puts him in a corner. Escobar throws knees, fans rally and duel as Escobar runs in and clotheslines! Escobar keeps moving, and corner clotheslines again! Escobar gets Lumis up for a snap suplex, uno amigo! Another snap suplex, dos amigos! Escobar gets Lumis up again but Lumis blocks tres! Lumis suplexes, Escobar slips out and hits a BACKSTABBER! Lumis writhes, Escobar runs back in, but Lumis CLOBBERS him! Both men are down and fans fire up! Escobar gets up but Lumis DECKS him! And again! And again! Lumis uppercuts and Escobar goes to a corner. Lumis runs in to clothesline and BULLDOG!
Fans fire up as Lumis looms over Escobar. Escobar staggers up, Lumis baits him in, SIDE EFFECT! But Wilde distracts the ref and Mendoza saves Escobar from The Silence! Lumis glares at Mendoza, but slithers out around the way. Mendoza and Escobar back off, but Wilde YANKS Lumis into the post! Escobar hurries to get Lumis in, reels Lumis in to a fireman’s carry, PHANTOM DRIVER!! Cover, Escobar wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall
Whether or not Lumis is lucky, Escobar is always prepared by having his henchmen by his side! But sneaking up behind them is Hit Row! Swerve and his crew heard what Escobar had to say, so what is Escobar going to do with them here? Escobar and Legado simply walk off. Will it only be a matter of time before Escobar learns just how and why Swerve is #JustDifferent?
Wade Barrett has a sit-down interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Wade thanks Kyle for joining him, and brings up The Great American Bash. It was an absolute classic, but ultimately, Adam Cole came out the winner. How does that affect Kyle? Well losing is part of what they do and it’s part of life. He looks back and struggled to recognize who he was. Where was Kyle’s killer instinct? Who knows. Kyle’s said in the past that he sold his soul and wants it back, and wonders if he needs it back. Kyle won titles. Sure he did things differently, but it got the job done. So wait, Kyle is saying that in order to beat Cole, he has to do things differently? No, no, he doesn’t need to change. Just get his groove back. That Kyle is still in here somewhere.
Kyle has beaten Cole, but what counts is how well you walk through the fire. They’ll fight again, whether it’s on the sidewalk or in the ring. Kyle can’t let Cole say and do the things he’s done and get away with it. Now, Kyle isn’t just the guy that can and will beat Cole. He is the guy and can and will finish Adam Cole. How, when and where will this finally be settled by these former friends turned bitter enemies?
NXT checks back in with Knight and Grimes.
Knight sets down some ground rules. First, Grimes needs to slow down, and walk a few steps behind Knight. Why? Because he’s a butler! And Grimes will address Knight as either “Mr. Knight” or “Sir.” And his first task as butler is to mow the lawn. This huge field right here? Yes, this whole thing. Grimes says this is nothing! Just wait until he gets on this bush hog here- Whoa, okay, first off, Knight has no idea what a “bush hog” even is. Second, he’s not letting Grimes get the keys to ride that thing. Grimes is using an old fashioned PUSH mower! Knight likes detail, this will get that done.
This big yard, with this little pusher? Grimes is fine, Grammy Grimes used to chase him around with one of these all the time! Fine, just get it done. Gotcha, sir! Grimes sets to work, but just how long will this take?
NXT shares footage from the break.
Indi Hartwell returns the favor from last week, and somehow carries Lumis? Well, for a few seconds, and then falls over on him. The two lock eyes and fans feel the heat. But Candice shoves Indi away from Lumis! The Poison Pixie is like an anti-cupid! Indi and Lumis were so close, but Candice is taking Indi far away. Will Candice have to lock Indi away in a tower somewhere to stop #InDex from happening?
NXT Breakout Tournament 2021 Opening Round: Ikemen Jiro VS Duke Hudson!
The black ‘n’ gold brings back the tournament all about helping fresh faces shine in the spotlight! And starting it off is the Handsome One and the Duke of Smugness, two of the best looking in the bracket! Will there be a bracket buster in the Breakout Tournament already?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Hudson waistlocks and SLAMS Jiro down! Jiro gets up and comes back to waistlock. Hudson throws him off with ease but Jiro gets back up. Jiro gets a little jazzy and he cartwheels around Hudson. Hudson gets annoyed, but Jiro baits him into a headlock. Hudson powers up but Jiro’s jacket helps him hold on! Hudson powers out the second time but Jiro handstands handsomely on the top rope! Jiro dodges Hudson, runs but leaps into Hudson’s arms for a pop-up and KNEE, then a HOTSHOT! Hudson keeps going, BIG double ax handle! Fans boo as Hudson gets Jiro up but Jiro fires off body shots!
Hudson pulls the jacket over Jiro’s head and fires off with hands in the corner! The ref counts, Hudson lets off, but Jiro CHOPS! Hudson CHOPS Back! And Hudson’s hands are bigger so that hurts more. Hudson scoops and SLAMS Jiro, then stalks him to ropes. Jiro tries to slap Hudson but Hudson kicks him down. Hudson whips, Jiro sunset flips, but Hudson brings Jiro up. Jiro bobs ‘n’ weaves to JACKET PUNCH! And again! And again! And again! Jiro whips, Hudson reverses but Jiro goes up and over and shouts out Tajiri with the TARANTULA! The ref counts, Jiro lets off at 4, and fires up! The fans fire up, too, as he springboards, but into Hudson’s OVERHEAD Belly2Belly!
Hudson fires hands in the corner, then hits a BIG uppercut! Jiro checks his face but Hudson covers, ONE?! Hudson gets Jiro up, reels him in, crucifix, but Jiro turns Razor’s Edge into RANA! Hudson hits buckles, Jiro rolls him up, TWO! Jiro BOOTS, goes up, and BLOCKBUSTERS! But Hudson bails out to save himself! Jiro WRECKS Hudson with a dropkick then ASAI MOONSAULTS! Jiro hits Hudson but checks his feet. Fans are fired up for “NXT! NXT!” as Jiro manages to get Hudson up and into the ring. Jiro drags Hudson up but Hudson throws Jiro to the apron. Jiro PALM STRIKES, slingshots and RANAS again! Jiro fires off kicks and SUPERKICK!
Jiro runs, but into a SCRAPBUSTER! Cover, Hudson wins!!
Winner: Duke Hudson, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Hudson snuffs out Jiro’s fire in a flash, and now he’s heading right into round two! Will Hudson tower over the rest of the field and be THE Breakout star?
Backstage interview with Pete Dunne and Oney Lorcan.
They are going to be watching the main event closely, so who do they think comes out of the NXT Championship match with the title? Dunne makes it clear that he doesn’t care who wins tonight. Do him a favor and ask Gargano “Who’s the baddest man around here?” And then remind Kross that at NXT TakeOver, Kross got caught in Dunne’s triangle hold and had no answers for it. Trust Dunne when he says that he’d beat either of them 1v1 because he is the best technician in the world. But Timothy Thatcher comes by and asks, “Well, which is it? Are you the best technician in the world? Or are you the baddest man in NXT?” Dunne asks who’s asking. Ciampa attacks and the brawl is on!
Security rushes in to stop this, but the Bruiserweight and Boston Brawler want after Old Man Ciampa and Toothless Timmy! Will we see these two teams fight it out to at least prove who is the meanest duo in NXT today?
Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter VS The Robert Stone Brand!
With new NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions, the title chase starts again! KC Squared is back and ready to climb after the gold, but Jessi Kamea & Aliyah want those belts to add to their bougie bad life. Who gets one step closer to the new champions, Io Shirai & Zoey Stark?
The teams sort out and Jessi starts with Kacy. They circle, tie up and Jessi BOOTS Kacy to the corner! Tag to Aliyah and Jessi whips Kacy into Aliyah’s boot! Aliyah thrashes Kacy around and tosses her by her hair! Kacy goes to a corner, Aliyah runs in and back elbows! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Aliyah gets Kacy up, brings her over, tags Jessi, and the Brand mugs Kacy. Stone applauds as Jessi scrapes Kacy’s face on ropes. Kacy elbows her away but Jessi grins as she CLUBS Kacy down. Jessi gets between Kacy and Kayden as she AX KICKS Kacy down. Cover, TWO! Jessi gets Kacy up and puts her in the corner again to tag Aliyah.
The Brand mugs Kacy more, Aliyah stomps her down, then tag back to Jessi. The mugging continues with a hard knee to the ribs! Cover, TWO! Jessi gets Kacy up, scoops her but Kacy turns that to a cradle! TWO, and Aliyah tags in! Jessi gets Kacy and brings her back so Aliyah can stomp her. Aliyah whips Kacy into the corner, runs in but Kacy boots her! Kacy runs, Aliyah catches her, but Kayden still tags in! Kacy gets free, Kayden BULLDOGS, then rallies with clotheslines! Kayden CHOPS Aliyah, whips but Aliyah reverses to throw Kayden down by her hair! Aliyah swings on Kacy but misses, and Kacy chases Aliyah! The ref keeps Kacy back as Aliyah goes after Kayden.
Stone wants Aliyah to use a shoe as a weapon but that distraction allows Kayden to roll Aliyah up! Jessi breaks it and whips, but Kayden reverses to send Jessi out! Kacy LEAPS and takes Jessi down! Kayden dodges Aliyah to SUPERKICK! Tag to Kacy, Kayden turns Aliyah and Kacy climbs, 450 SPLASH-BREAKER!! Cover, KC Squared wins!
Winners: Kayden Carter & Kacy Catanzaro, by pinfall
The #HightlightReel gets another one, and KC Squared moves on! Will this win get them closer to the Evil Genius and Rising Star(k)?
As for the Brand, Stone tries to console Aliyah but she shoves him away! This is technically his fault, after all. He doesn’t understand why she’s upset, and she says she’s helped him more than Stone has ever helped her! Aliyah doesn’t need him or anyone, and then she SLAPS Stone! And then fires off hands on Stone in a corner! And knees! Fans fire up for Aliyah taking a stand, and Stone flounders about until Aliyah KICKS him in the side! Fans want that “One More Time!” so she kicks him AGAIN! Aliyah is happy with herself, and walks out on both Stone and Jessi.
Franky Monet swaggers in and talks with Jessi. Stone tells Jessi to go, and she leaves with Franky. Is this the end of The Robert Stone Brand once and for all?
Samoa Joe visits Johnny Gargano.
Johnny, Candice and Theory are all waiting to welcome Joe to their private room. Joe says, “Mr. Gargano, I am going to be your official tonight. A couple things to remember: One, protect yourself at all times; Two, obey my commands at all times.” That’s so easy! Gargano is a law abiding citizen, and he will even leave The Way backstage. All Joe has to do is count to three, and Gargano will do the rest. Theory asks if Joe wants to hang out while they wait. The Way has these awesome new T-shirts! They can get one for Joe! Joe just leaves. That’s fine, this is a big night for everyone. But as Joe exits, he crosses paths with Dunne. Will there ever be more than just stare downs between them?
NXT checks in with Knight and Grimes once more.
Knight returns and what is this? Grimes is in his swimsuit at poolside, having lemonade! Wait why is he still wearing the gloves and cowboy boots? But it’s about time Knight got back! Where is Grimes’ uniform and who is that kid mowing the lawn? Grimes says he is a man of his word. He will still be Knight’s butler, but he’s also a billionaire! Grimes knows how to delegate! Good job, kiddo. Knight tells Grimes to stand up and Grimes says, “Yes sir.” Knight says he doesn’t care how rich Grimes still is, when Knight tells Grimes to do something, Grimes is to do it! Not some kid, not someone else. Okay, okay.
The kid, Noah, finishes up the work and Grimes thanks him. Now how much did he promise? Two, three, five hundred? Grimes is thinking five hundred. But Knight says it’s ZERO hundred, because the kid was not invited. Knight has a no kids policy! Great job, kid, but get out of here. Noah kicks Knight in the shin then runs off! Knight is furious but Grimes notices the money fell on the ground. Grimes will take care of that, and he uses the rake to scoop up the money, and bump Knight into the pool! Knight splashes down in his leather vest and jeans and says Grimes did this on purpose! Grimes says he didn’t, and asks if Mr. Knight wants a towel.
Adam Cole is here!
Cole goes to the ring, BAYBAY, and gets a mic. “My GOD does it feel good to say, ‘I told you so.'” Cole told the world that he was better than Kyle O’Reilly, and then proved it at the Great American Bash. Cole proved that he is the greatest superstar in the history of the brand! Cole proved that Stand & Deliver was not just a fluke, but that it doesn’t count because for all the idiots out there, “unsanctioned” means it isn’t on the record. And Cole heard Kyle’s “pathetic” interview earlier. “Losing’s just a part of what we do.” Yeah, if you’re Kyle O’Reilly, it is. But also how Kyle went through the fire. Sure did, and he got burned by ol’ Adam Cole Baybay.
If Cole were Kyle, he’d highly reconsider wanting a rematch. They both know Cole will just embarrass him again. But enough about Kyle, Cole is sick and tired of that guy. Cole wants to talk about Samoa Joe! Big Bad Joe who snuck up from behind to put Cole in the clutch! Joe who stood by as Kyle tried to rip Cole’s knee from its socket! He’s more like COWARD Joe! Joe is “nothing more than an overpaid security guard in a suit,” and he doesn’t scare Cole. Cole would ask Joe to face him but he won’t. There’s no one man enough to go toe-to-toe with Cole! But wait, here comes Bronson Reed!
Reed says “You gotta love the confidence.” Cole is a master of mind games, and of manipulating someone with something to lose. But Reed lost the NXT North American Championship, so he has nothing to lose! So Cole, right here, right now, all eyes are on Reed! And people must wonder what Reed’s next move is. Many see Cole as NXT’s golden boy, but Reed sees him as a golden opportunity! So Baybay- Cole SUPERKICKS, but Reed blocks it! Reed spins Cole, Cole duck sand dodges but runs into Reed’s body check! Cole goes running and says Reed will pay for that! And now Joe comes out! The NXT Enforcer looks at Cole, and Cole stays put.
Joe goes into the ring, and he’s ready for the main event! Cole storms off, Reed takes a moment before he exits, and after the break, we see if Karrion Kross can keep up with Johnny Freakin’ Wrestling, or if doomsday comes for The Way!
NXT Media catches up with Robert Stone, Jessi Kamea & Franky Monet.
They ask if, after beating Stone up and storming off, Aliyah is still part of the Robert Stone Brand. Franky says that they won’t have to worry about Aliyah anymore. Mandy Rose returns, and says the brand looks to be under new management. She heads off, but what does any of this mean for the future of the NXT brand?
BREAKING NEWS!
After the confrontation tonight, the Diamond Mine has their first tag team match together! Strong and Rust take on Fish and Kushida, will the Infamous and the Time Splitter get even with their common enemies? And, after the challenge was issued and accepted, it is made official! Raquel Gonzalez defends her NXT Women’s Championship against Xia Li! Will Ricky Desperado be able to deny Tian Sha their destiny?
NXT Championship, with Special Guest Referee Samoa Joe: Karrion Kross w/ Scarlett Bordeaux VS Johnny Gargano!
Mr. Apocalypse and NXT’s first-ever Triple Crown Champion finally go 1v1 for THE title, with Joe making sure things don’t cross the line. Will Kross make The Way #FallAndPray? Or will Johnny Wrestling prove why he is now, then and forever Mr. NXT?
The introductions are made, Joe raises the belt, and we finally see who is the superior superstar!
Gargano sucker punches Kross before Joe can ring the bell! Joe tells Gargano to let off but Kross TOSSES Gargano into the corner! The bell rings as Gargano dodges and stomps away! Gargano climbs up to rain down fists, but Kross caries Gargano across the way to stomp a mudhole in the other corner! Kross reels Gargano in, spins him around and EXPLODERS! Kross dusts off his hands as he looms over Gargano. Fans chant for “Johnny Wrestling!” as Kross KICKS Gargano in the side. Kross gets Gargano in a corner and throws forearms! Kross digs his forearm in, Joe counts, and Kross lets off at 4. Kross snap suplexes Gargano, then paces around as Gargano writhes.
Kross taunts Gargano, “is this all you got?” Kross waistlocks, Gargano slips under and calf kicks Kross out of the ring! Gargano WRECKS Kross with a dropkick, then SUPERKICKS from the apron! Gargano CANNONBALLS and takes Kross down! Joe wants this back in the ring but fans fire up as Gargano paces around the ring. Kross gets up and BOOTS Gargano right down! Joe gets mad as he tells Kross to get this in the ring. Kross gets Gargano up but Gargano throws forearms! Kross forearms back, a ring count begins, and Gargano baits Kross into running into steel steps! Gargano gets Kross up, throws more forearms, and Joe lets off the count as this continues.
Kross grabs Gargano with both hands to SLAM him on the announce desk! NXT goes picture in picture as Joe reprimands Kross. Kross steps back, other refs check on Gargano, and Gargano slowly stirs. Kross goes to the ring, waves bye to Gargano as the ring count climbs. Gargano sits up at 4 of 10 but Joe gets his mic checked by the other ref. Gargano gets up, Kross gets him in the ring and covers, ONE!! Kross keeps his cool, gets Gargano back up, and wrenches to hammerlock and throw body shots! Gargano falls to a knee, Kross aims and runs in to stomp Gargano down! Gargano gets to ropes but Kross chokes him with them! Joe counts, Kross lets off at 4.
Kross stomps Gargano to a corner, digs his boot in, but lets off at 4 again. Joe reprimands, Gargano fires off hands on Kross! Kross knees low, whips corner to corner, and Gargano tumbles up and down! Kross smirks as Gargano writhes, and Kross shows off his agility just to make a point to the fans. Kross snapmares Gargano, wraps on a chinlock and grinds Gargano down as NXT returns to single picture. Fans rally up, Gargano fights back and throws forearms. Kross knees low, runs in but gets a BOOT in the corner! Gargano elbows Kross away, then dodges Kross, and Kross POSTS himself! Scarlett checks on him and Kross manages to get out of the corner.
Gargano runs in to clothesline, but Kross stays up! Gargano goes again, another clothesline! Kross roars, choke grips, but Gargano breaks free to ROLLING ELBOW! Kross stays up, scoops, but Gargano slips off to ENZIGURI! Kross is in a corner, Gargano runs in but is put on the apron, Kross runs, into the SLINGSHOT SPEAR! Cover, TWO! Kross sputters and scrambles out, but Gargano builds speed! DIVE and direct hit into barriers! Fans fire up as Gargano gets Kross back in the ring. Gargano aims, slingshots, but no final beat! Kross turns it into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Roll through to dead lift suplex! Cover, TWO! Fans are thunderous as Gargano survives!
Kross stalks Gargano to a corner, drags him up, but Gargano holds ropes to deny the suplex! Kross puts Gargano up top and CLUBS him on the back! Kross climbs, Joe counts the ropebreak but Kross says they’re doing this the hard way! Gargano fights off the suplex to make it a CROSSBODY! And then BUZZSAW! Kross stays up so Gargano BUZZSAWS again! Gargano powers up but Kross LARIATS first! Kross scoops Gargano for an OKLAHOMA- DDT!! Gargano counters, covers, TWO!! Gargano gets up slowly but the fans are thunderously behind him! Gargano fires off forearms but Kross choke grips. Gargano gets free again, but Kross ROCKS him first!
Gargano rebounds but into a CHOKE SLAM! Kross gets Gargano up, “I own you!” Kross runs but into a SUPERKICK! And then another SUPERKICK! Gargano runs, tilt-o-whirls, gets the arm, but Kross makes it a SLEEPER! It isn’t quite the Krossjacket, Gargano rolls back to get GargaNO ESCAPE!! Kross endures, Scarlett shouts to him, and Kross powers up! Kross pops Gargano around to spin and spin and SLEEPER! Gargano flails, reaches, fades, but gets a second wind! Gargano reaches out, for the ROPEBREAK! Kross doesn’t let go so Joe pulls him away from Gargano! Kross laughs it off, stares down with Joe, but goes after Gargano on the outside.
Gargano is at the barriers, Kross DRIBBLES him off them! “You remember this, right? Time to go, Johnny!” Gargano flops over, Joe tells Kross to get in the ring but Kross says up his! Kross pulls steel steps apart, but Joe goes out to snatch those from Kross! Joe isn’t letting Kross do what he wants, but dares him, “All you gotta do is jump.” Speaking of, Gargano DIVES for a TORNADO DDT! Gargano puts Kross in, ONE FINAL BEAT!!! Cover, TWO!?!? Kross survives, dodges a superkick, DOOMSDAY FOREARM! And then Kross reels Gargano in, POWERBOMB! Dead lift and ANOTHER POWERBOMB! And then ANOTHER POWERBOMB! And then a fireman’s carry, to DOOMSDAY SAIDO!!
Kross isn’t done with Gargano, he winds up the hands of time. Gargano manages to get up, Kross grins, DOOMSDAY FOREARM!! Cover, Kross wins!
Winner: Karrion Korss, by pinfall (still NXT Champion)
Joe hands Kross the belt and raises Kross’ hand in victory, but only for a short time. Joe dares Kross to do something if he feels like it. Kross says for Joe to take the ref shirt off first. Scarlett is the one who keeps this from going down, until Joe isn’t looking! Kross gets Joe in the Krossjacket! Fans boo as Joe works to escape the hold, but the body scissors are in! Kross mockingly shouts, “Unless provoked, Joe! You brought this on yourself!” Joe is out and Kross finally lets him go! Will Kross make himself into the tyrant of NXT? Or will he have to answer to the authority above even Samoa Joe?
My Thoughts:
A great episode of NXT, but I have to say, a handful of things got completely ruined because Vince McMahon just insisted on getting new faces for his SmackDown Women’s Division. No Tegan for Candice to feud with, no Toni Storm for Sarray or Raquel Gonzalez, the knee jerk reaction from Vince is causing a ripple effect in NXT and it sorta sucks. You know who’s a team that should’ve been moved up to RawDown? Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter. 1) You can still do name shortening and it’d probably be fine. “Kacy & Kayden, Catanzaro & Carter” whatever, it works better than “Shotzi & Nox.” 2) THEY DIDN’T HAVE STORIES TO STILL GET TO!
Also, I don’t understand why Mandy Rose is hovering around, she has a tag partner in Dana Brooke so why is she apparently scouting out things? Sarray VS Gigi was good but I feel like Gigi wasn’t ready for some of the moves Sarray was throwing around. Even just that headlock takeover was rough. Ember VS Dakota was a great match, but it was mostly just filler after losing some pivotal players. But I will say, this worked out great for Xia Li. They’re kinda just rushing to her getting a title match, but she and Raquel can have a great match. Raquel surely retains now and then we build to whatever SummerSlam TakeOver we’re getting with whoever is next.
I do like that the Robert Stone Brand finally hit the wall, but why is Aliyah leaving? Did we not see Franky trying to recruit both her and Jessi away from Stone? Is this a sign that Aliyah is going to go to Raw just because, the same way we’re just suddenly getting Storm, Nox & Shotzi on SmackDown? I mean, Aliyah’s been in NXT forever, but I feel like she almost didn’t need to go to RawDown. With Franky managing her instead of Stone, maybe she could’ve built herself up to be a tag title contender. Now she’ll just be fodder for someone else. Maybe Franky finds someone new to take Aliyah’s place. And again, why was Mandy talking with them when she’s on Raw?!
The first 2021 Breakout Tournament match was great stuff from Jiro and Hudson. For just a moment, I thought Jiro was going to pull it off in that sweet space nebula jacket, but Hudson finishing it right off in that Boss Man Slam/Winds of Change scrapbuster was a great way to suddenly finish this off. Dunne had a good promo, but I like that Thatcher and Ciampa get in his face. That’s going to be a great tag match, but the point of it is a bit uncertain. If Ciampa & Thatcher had the tag titles, yeah, okay, they want to be fighting champions and are picking fights with the toughest people they can find. But now, it’s just a really good scrap to perhaps build contenders up? I guess that’s fine.
Legado had a good promo, Escobar VS Lumis was a really good match, and Legado keeps getting that Heel Heat from cheating to make sure Escobar wins. Hit Row coming out to confront them was good, and I definitely look forward to a big Six Man Tag before Swerve VS Escobar for the North American Championship. I would love if Hit Row helps Swerve win to stick it to Legado for all the times they cheated Swerve. We got a lot of great stuff out of Grimes and Knight, and I had a feeling Grimes was going to find a way to make this annoying for Knight. Grimes enjoyed being a butler, enjoyed mowing the oversized lawn, and found a way to kinda Tom Sawyer it. The rake bumping Knight into the pool was clever, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
We also got a good interview promo from Kyle, a good in-ring promo out of Cole about Kyle, and I like that Reed is stepping up to him. They had a good brawl and Joe showing up was a good segue to the main event. Joe had good segments with both Kross and Gargano throughout the night, and of course his presence added something to the title match. There was a lot of great interaction and tension between Joe and Kross, but in a way, that just made it seem like Gargano was just a formality. Though I suppose that was what this was all along, but it might not have felt it in a normal match.
Either way, Kross retains, goes after Joe, and probably takes on Joe for SummerSlam TakeOver in Joe’s in-ring return. Maybe Joe wins to become the first ever THREE-time NXT Champion and allows Kross and Scarlett to move on to RawDown like some have been thinking. Otherwise, Joe gets added to Kross’ legacy, that I personally wouldn’t want to see but would understand why they did it.
My Score: 9/10
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Will this become King of the YEET?
Though he lost the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, Jey Uso has a chance to be King of the Ring, if he can beat Sheamus, Rusev and Bronson Reed!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka; Asuka wins and advances to the next round.
- AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio; Styles wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane; Kairi wins, by stoppage.
- King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso; Jey wins and advances to the next round.
PLAY BY PLAY
Liv Morgan & Dominik Mysterio are here!
Green Bay is a bit torn as the Bonnie & Clyde of WWE go to the ring together, proudly wearing their belts. And Liv seems extra proud of herself after insulting and then knocking out Nikki Bella last week. Liv grabs the mic to say, “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Morgan~! And please make some noise for the most gorgeous man in WWE. He is the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, Dominik Mysterio~!” The fans make noise, but it isn’t all positive. Dom has the mic and thanks Liv, but tonight is not about him. Tonight is all about Liv! The fans boo again but Liv thanks Dom for that.
Liv says respect is the thing she is out here to talk about. Everyone needs reminding that this is LIV’s division! And when you talk about her division, you talk about HER! See, Nikki Bella had to learn that the hard way, and now she’s home all beat up, watching Liv on her TV, which is where she should be! Wanna know what was worse than that? The fact that Iyo Sky claimed Nikki paved the way for them all. What a joke. No one paved the way for Liv, and especially not Nikki! Liv paved her own way, and she became the history-making, record-breaking, FOUR-TIME WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion!
The fans boo a bit more but Liv asks the fans if they know what that makes her. What it makes her is the greatest WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion of ALL~ TIME! So she is not asking for respect anymore, she’s demanding it! Just like she is demanding for a rematch she never got over the Women’s World Championship. So Iyo, they can do this the easy way or the hard way. Well, here comes Iyo! The fans cheer the Genius as she holds up the Women’s World Championship and goes to the ring. Iyo grabs herself a mic while the fans cheer her on. Iyo tells Liv, “Do everyone a favor, and shut your mouth!”
The fans cheer and Liv is upset, but Iyo says all Liv does is whine and show disrespect. Iyo rants in Japanese a second and the fans appreciate that. But Iyo says Liv disrespected Nikki Bella, and she disrespected Iyo! If Liv wants to fight, then Iyo is right here! The fans cheer that and Liv says okay, okay. She does wanna fight her, but only for the title. But if Iyo is scared because Liv has beaten her more than any other woman in the WWE, then Iyo can just hand the title over, Liv doesn’t mind. Liv smiles and Iyo sneers. Iyo is not handing Liv anything. If Liv wants it, she has to earn it. Liv can’t just steal it like she stole Dirty Dom from Rhea!
Dom says hold on, hold on! The fans boo Dom but Dom says let’s just make this easy for Liv and give her what she wants! Like Dom does every single day! Liv tells Iyo to listen to Dom, he’s smart. Just shine the belt up and hand it over, thanks. Oh, Liv wants it? Yes, she wants it. Iyo says alright, she can have it. Catch! Liv catches the belt, and then she gets a DROPKICK! And a BUZZSAW! Dom is upset but then Iyo ROUNDHOUSES him! The fans fire up as Iyo holds up her title while Dom & Liv run away! Liv still has to face Kairi Sane later tonight in a rematch of their own, will the Pirate Princess just add insult to injury?
Queen of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Stephanie Vaquer VS Raquel Rodriguez VS Ivy Nile VS Asuka!
The final Fatal 4 Way for the Queen of the Ring is here, with Alexa Bliss awaiting the winner! But will it be La Primera making big moves in her “rookie year” on Raw? Will Big Mami Cool make up for Liv falling short? Will this tournament soon be American Made? Or will the Empress of Tomorrow have a massive return?
Raw returns and Raquel gets ready backstage. Liv finds her and tells her to win, no matter what. Raquel says got it, then she makes her entrance. Ivy is already in the ring, so that leaves Asuka to make her entrance for the first time in just over a year! The fans fire up to see her back, from classic theme to the face paint. The bell rings, Raquel rushes Asuka and Ivy is after Vaquer! They brawl, and then Ivy and Raquel whip! Vaquer reverses, Asuka CLOBBERS Ivy, and then the two work together against towering Raquel! KICK after KICK, then DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up and chant, “Welcome Back! Welcome Back!”
Asuka and Vaquer tie up, Vaquer ducks a kick to shove, then follow. Vaquer dodges a lariat, sweeps to cover, ONE! Asuka sweeps to cover, ONE! The two standoff and the fans cheer. But Ivy CLOBBERS Vaquer! Raquel puts Asuka in a corner, but Ivy tries to roll Raquel up! Raquel YANKS Ivy up to PUSH her away! Asuka headscissors, but Raquel uses that to POWERBOMB Asuka onto Ivy & Vaquer! Ricky Desperado stands tall while the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Vaquer ROCKS Ivy! Vaquer fires more hands, then runs, itl-ow-rhils and rolls Ivy up, TWO! Ivyh swings, but Vaquer spins her and snap suplexes her! But Raquel is up, only for Vaquer to serv eher SOLE FOOD! Asuka is back, Vaquer dodges to mule kick! Vaquer runs and METEORAS Raquel in a corner! Vaquer runs up, blocks Asuka’s boot, and DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS her! Asuka writhes but she goes to a corner. Ivy runs up, but into a BIG back suplex! Vaquer grins as she wraps on the headscissors! The fans fire up for the DEVIL’S KISSES! AH AH AH AH, but then Raquel KICKS Vaquer in the side!
Raquel drags Vaquer up, suplexes, but Vaquer slips free! Vaquer wrenches, snapmares, and now she puts Raquel in the headscissor! DEVIL’S KISSES, but Raquel Electric Chair Lifts! The fans fire up for that feat of strength, but Asuka runs in! Raquel BOOTS Asuka, but Vaquer RANAS Raquel to the apron! And she holds on, for DEVIL’S KISSES on the apron!! AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH AH, YEEEEAH~! The fans fire up and Vaquer smiles. Raquel flounders around, Vaquer climbs and springboards, CROSSBODY! Asuka is in to clinch, chicken wing, but Vaquer fights the rest of the Asuka Lock!
The two fight for control, Vaquer pulls hair but can’t get a grip. Vaquer RAMS Asuka into a corner, Ivy RIDER KICKS Vaquer down! Ivy then fires off on Asuka! Ivy whips Asuka, Asuka KICKS back! Ivy staggers, Asuka runs up, but Ivy dodge! HIP ATTACK for Raquel! Ivy cradles Asuka, TWO! Ivy waistlocks to GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Asuka stays in this and Ivy is surprised! Ivy says she was that close, and talks trash on Asuka while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again and Vaquer has Asuka up top. Ivy joins in, Asuka blocks the suplex, but then Raquel joins in! Raquel Electric Chair Lifts both Vaquer and Ivy, and Asuka MISSILE DROPKICKS them all down! The fans fire up as Asuka rises! Asuka KICKS Vaquer, KICKS Ivy, and repeat! Asuka SUPERKICKS Vaquer, then spins to BUZZSAW Ivy! Raquel runs up, Asuka bobs ‘n’ weaves, fires off palm strike after palm strike, and then a SOBAT! And a front KICK! CODE BREAKER! Raquel staggers, Asuka fires up and the fans are with her! Asuka runs up and SOBATS! ROUNDHOUSE for Ivy! Asuka waistlocks, Ivy takes a swing, but gets a POP-UP KNEE for it!
Asuka covers, but Vaquer breaks it! The fans fire up as these two meet again. Vaquer and Asuka smile as they circle. Vaquer dodges a shot to fire of fa flurry! Vaquer whips, Asuka reverses, and Vaquer RAMS Asuka! Asuka fire sup, so the shots keep going! The fans fire up with Asuka, but Vaquer fires HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Vaquer runs, Asuka UPPERCUTS her at the ropes! Asuka grins, runs, but Vaquer KNEES her low! Vaquer whips just to reel Asuka in, snap suplex! Vaquer goes to a corner, takes aim, but Asuka runs up! Vaaquer goes up and over, DROPKICKS Asuka, then shakes out her own leg.
Vaquer underhooks, lifts, and TIGER BUSTER! Cover, Ivy drags Vaquer away! Ivy TOSSES Vaquer, scoops Asuka, SWINGING POWERSLAM! Cover, Vaquer breaks it up! Vaquer underhooks Ivy now, but Ivy wrenche sout. Vaquer JAWBREAKERS and ROUNDHOUSES! But Raquel BOOTS Vaquer! Raquel drags Vaquer up, “This is Awesome!” TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, RHEA DRAGS RAQUEL OUT! The fans go nuts for Mami as she waves hi. Rhea BOOTS Raquel, then hits a RIPTIDE to the floor!! Rhea then tosses Raquel back in for someone, anyone! Asuka runs up with the HIP ATTACK! Cover, Asuka wins!
Winner: Asuka, by pinfall (advances to the semifinals)
The #EmpressImpact certainly made an impact, but so did Rhea! Will Rhea and Raquel have to run back their own classic feud to put this to rest? Cathy Kelley interviews Asuka in the ring to congratulate her on this huge return win. How is Asuka feeling? Asuka smiles and the fans cheer, and Asuka says, “The fire didn’t die! It’s still alive! I will be the Queen of the Ring! No one is ready for Asuka!!” The fans cheer that! And will this big win help Asuka turn this into The Empress of the Ring? Or will Alexa Bliss “welcome” Asuka back by eliminating her from the tournament?
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
Roxanne Perez talks with Dom, Finn & JD about some things, Raquel ices from her match, and Liv says they need to go talk strategy for fighting Kairi. Raquel says she’s not really cleared for anything more tonight. Liv says oh, okay, she’ll go handle it herself then. Liv storms off, Dom wants to follow her, but JD has Dom hold on. Isn’t Dom supposed to help JD & Finn get the tag titles? Oh, yeah, but AJ Styles has been breathing down Dom’s neck. So JD can handle AJ for him, then they can get the tag titles. Finn agrees, he’ll be out there to have JD’s back. Actually… Finn was supposed to handle Styles last time, but he didn’t, so…
Dom suggests Finn stays back to hold down the fort. Finn frowns, but then he says Dom is right. He will stay in the back. But then Dom should go out there to watch JD’s back and make sure things go well. Dom agrees and heads out with the Irish Ace. Will JD handle the Phenomenal One so Dirty Dom doesn’t have to? Finn meanwhile talks with Raquel about that stuff with Liv. Don’t worry about her, things are going to work out. Raquel thanks Finn for that, and Finn tells Roxie that while Liv said she wants to handle things herself, but Finn has an idea. Finn and Roxie go off to talk, what is The Prince getting up to tonight?
Gunther is here!
Green Bay is rather conflicted seeing Der Ring General as World Heavyweight Champion again, but Gunther smiles as he makes his way to the ring. Gunther shows off the belt around his waist, and even eggs the fans on with their cheers and jeers. Gunther even gives the belt a kiss before holding it up, and off goes celebratory pyro! Gunther then grabs himself a mic, and while the fans boo, he says, “At WrestleMania…” The fans boo more and Gunther chuckles. “Look, guys, I’m man enough to admit that at WrestleMania, Jey Uso was the better man. He was the better man for one night! Because on every other single night, I am UNTOUCHABLE!”
The fans boo more, but Gunther just grins. Gunther continues by saying he has heard all the rumors and the chatter about what is next for him. The fans chant, “GOLD~BERG! GOLD~BERG!” Gunther says no, no, definitely NOT that guy! Gunther punked Goldberg out in front of his family, Goldberg learned his lesson! Gunther doesn’t care about rumors, he cares about reality. Seth Rollins has that Money in the Bank contract, and Gunther has what he wants! Gunther tells Rollins that he’ll say this directly to him. “A few weeks ago, you said to me when I win your World Heavyweight Championship back, I’m a target.
“Well, since I’m a target, I wanna make it very easy for you. I am right here! So don’t waste anymore time.” WAIT! GOLDBERG IS HERE?! Green Bay fires up as the living legend steps out on stage, gets his pyro, then storms down to the ring! Goldberg thanks the fans for that, and then he tells Gunther don’t be confused, it is all good. Tonight is Gunther’s night! Tonight, Goldberg is here to celebrate Gunther winning the World Heavyweight Championship. Goldberg’s been there before, he knows how Gunther must feel. So congratulations! But y’know what? Before Goldberg leaves, a few months ago, Gunther started something with Goldberg’s family in Atlanta!
And Goldberg is gonna make sure that he ENDS it, in Atlanta! So July 12th, Saturday Night’s Main Event, “You’re MINE! Because YOU’RE NEXT!” Gunther frowns but the fans all cheer on “GOLD~BERG!” Will Goldberg get himself one more win in his storied career? Or will Gunther make sure July 12th is Goldberg’s last match, period?
AJ Styles VS JD McDonagh w/ Dominik Mysterio!
The Phenomenal One has been chasing the WWE Intercontinental Championship for the last few months, and with no spot in the King of the Ring tournament left to him, he’s come back around to try again. But will he be able to trump the Irish Ace? Or will the Judgment Day use their usually dirty tricks to deny him again?
The bell rings and the two circle. They tie up, Styles puts JD in a corner, but JD pulls the hair to put Styles in the corner. The fans rally for Styles as JD lets off. Styles dodges a haymaker to hit a headlock takeover. Styles grinds JD down but JD fights up. JD powers up and out to then reel Styles in for a headlock. Styles powers up and out, but JD RUNS him over! Things keep moving, but Styles trips JD to then float to a headlock. JD rolls to a cover, ONE, and Styles holds on. JD powers up and out, Styles sunset flips, TWO! JD hurries to high stack, TWO! Styles pops JD into the sunset, TWO! Styles arm-drags!
The fans fire up, JD headscissors, but Styles flails. Styles moves around to headstand then jackknife, TWO as JD bridges up! JD powers through to spin Styles for a backslide! Styles rolls through but JD gets away before the Clash! The fans oddly sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” while JD and Styles tie up. JD kicks low, then stomps away in the corner! JD digs his boots in, the ref counts, and JD steps off. JD soaks up heat, then he stalks Styles to the ropes. JD CHOPS Styles, whips him corner to corner, but Styles catches JD to a COBRA TWIST! JD resists, Styles rolls JD and has the CALF CRUSHER! JD scrambles around, but Styles rolls him away!
Styles pulls on the leg, JD fights the other way, and Dom pushes the ropes forward! The ref reprimands but JD still makes the ROPEBREAK! Dom helps JD out of the ring, but Styles goes out there. Styles storms up on Dom, they go running around the outside! Dom tries to get to the crowd but Styles grabs that vest! JD FLIES in over the barriers to wipe Styles out! Dom applauds and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and JD has Styles in the chinlock. The fans rally, Styles fights up, and Styles fires body shots. JD THROWS Styles down by his hair! The fans boo but JD stands on Styles’ hair! The ref reprimands but JD pulls Styles’ arms to also pull hair! The fans rally for Styles, the ref counts, and JD stops at 4. Just to do it again! The ref counts again, JD stops, and Styles KICKS JD from below! Styles rises to fire off a Phenomenal Blitz, with the LARIAT! And SLIDING FOREARM! The fans fire up while JD goes to a corner. Styles runs and LARIATS, then fireman’s carries for an USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!
JD stays in this and Styles frowns. The fans rally, Styles reels JD in, but JD wrenches out to HEADBUTT! JD suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and JD is furious! The fans rally up again as JD brings Styles up. JD puts Styles in a corner, ROCKS him, then hoists him to the top rope. Styles fires hands on JD, but JD CHOPS! JD climbs, Styles fires hands, and JD drops back. JD ROCKS Styles again, climbs back up, but Styles fires body shots! Styles HEADBUTTS and JD falls! Styles steadies himself on the top rope, adjusts, then aims, but Dom gets on the apron! Styles scares Dom off, but JD kicks Styles low!
JD hits a ripcord, but Styles turns that into a headlock takeover! Styles deadlifts JD into the STYLES CLASH!! Cover, Styles wins!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall
Dom runs up, Styles dodges! PELE! Dom staggers around, Styles runs up, but Dom puts him on the apron! Styles ROCKS Dom, but Finn rushes out here! Finn gets Dom outta there, but the belt was left behind! Styles picks the belt up and the fans cheer! Will Styles make this title phenomenal? Wait, Finn and Dom coordinate, and JD is up. Judgment Day flanks the ring, but Styles slips right past them all! Styles still has the belt in hand, but will he finally get his shot at it?
Sheamus prepares backstage.
The Fella spots The Alpha Academy walking over and asks Natalya, Maxxine & Tozawa what’s the crack. How’s Otis doing? Doing better, he’ll be back soon. But they know Sheamus has a match tonight, so how is he feeling? Natty says from one vet to another, he has to take care of Rusev. No problem there, Natty. Sheamus will bully the bully. Tozawa shouts, “Sheamus! Kick his ass!” The Celtic Warrior nods, will he get revenge for the Alpha Academy?
Bayley heads to gorilla.
The Role Model wants revenge of her own on Becky Lynch, but uh, what’s going on over here? New Day stands with Grayson Waller as Waller argues with Austin Theory. A-Town Down Under is falling apart, but will Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods be the reason it all ends?
Bayley goes to the ring!
Raw returns as The Role Model makes her entrance, and Green Bay cheers her on. Bayley grabs a mic and says, “Ding dong, Green Bay!” The fans cheer again, and Bayley says it feels so amazing to be back. She missed the fans so much! She smiles as the fans sing and chant for her, and she says we all know that classic quote: You don’t know what you have ’til it’s gone. But every time Bayley gets in this ring, she knows exactly what she has. She knows what it feels like to be here, and she doesn’t take any of it for granted. Every single time she gets an opportunity to be in front of the fans, she revels in it! This is what she was born to do!
The fans cheer, and Bayley says this is what is most important to her, what she puts her heart and soul into every single night. And two months ago, Bayley was stripped of an opportunity. She was robbed of a WrestleMania match! The fans boo, and Bayley says she was robbed of her tag title shot, a division she holds near and dear to her heart. But luckily for her, Bayley doesn’t come in here day in and day out, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, losing sleep and putting her body on the line, just for one night of the year! She doesn’t do it just for the big moments, the titles, or WrestleMania, but for nights like tonight and for people like the fans in Green Bay!
The fans cheer Bayley on more, and she says, “So Becky Lynch… If you think you taking me out for WrestleMania hurt me, if you think it broke me, I want you to know that you’re wrong. It healed me, Becky! It made me better, Becky! That it made me stronger!” The fans cheer again and Bayley paces. Bayley says, “Now, I may have said in the past, hell, right up to WrestleMania, how much it bothers me, how much you’ve been a chip on my shoulder, how you’ve always been just two steps ahead, you’ve always been just two rungs ahead of me and I could never make it there. Yeah, that at at me, Becky!
“But y’know what? I’m climbing that ladder, Becky, and I’m coming straight for you. I’m knocking you down, and I’m taking everything that you took for me! So you better get your ass out here right now!” The fans cheer that! And then here comes Becky! The fans are torn as The Man struts out in Chicago Bears merchandise, holding up her title belt. Becky joins Bayley in the ring and grabs her own mic while the fans boo. Green Bay chants, “Bears Still Suck! Bears Still Suck!” Becky says the Bears still beat Green Bay last time. And Becky has always been a chip on Bayley’s shoulder? No, Bayley, you and Becky are the same!
Becky and Bayley were “never meant to be at the top of this division,” yet here they are! The difference is, Bayley accepts being second fiddle, Becky does not! Y’know, kinda like the Packers. Bayley would rather have her group of friends than a legacy. Becky would rather have a legacy than a group of fake friends! Legacy!? Bayley did build a legacy! She’s a future Hall of Famer! Right, Michael Cole? That’s right! She built her legacy, and is so confident in it, she doesn’t mind helping the locker room. She doesn’t mind bringing people up that need help. Oh, okay, the people, right. Bayley fights for the people~!
Becky used to fight for the people, but the people stopped fighting for her, so that’s why Becky stopped fighting for them! So hey, here’s a secret: The people stopped fighting for Bayley, too. Where’s the proof? It was when Bayley got taken out of WrestleMania and Becky stepped in, and no one gave a DAMN about Bayley! No one cared that Bayley was no longer there, they all cheered for Becky! Bayley asks if Becky can hear herself. She sounds like an idiot! The fans can see it! Becky is so insecure! Becky is so worried about what everyone thinks! She took an entire YEAR off, and she worried about whether fans would cheer or boo, and that’s why Becky took Bayley out!
Becky didn’t know if the fans would care, so she had to make it a surprise! And 24 hours later, it still didn’t sit right. Becky probably couldn’t sleep that night, and then she went and took Lyra out, too, because Becky couldn’t hack it if the fans weren’t going to cheer. Becky says they did cheer for that, too. Bayley asks Becky if she forgot how it is to fight for everything. To fight for WrestleMania, for championships. Or maybe is Becky’s too far up her own ass that she doesn’t know what it is like anymore. Becky says no, she has forgotten what the struggle is like. But has Bayley forgotten what championship gold feels like?
The fans boo but Bayley says maybe she has. Remind her. C’mon, stop hiding and get over here! Becky says no, she’s not turning her back to Bayley. Becky snakes away saying Bayley’s the sneaky one. But if Bayley wants a match, they can have a match. But not here in Green Bay! And not even for the title! See you in Columbus, Ohio! Then Becky SLAPS Bayley! So Bayley DECKS Becky!! The fans fire up as The Man scurries away! Bayley smiles, will she get to do that all over again when she and Becky throw down?
Backstage interview with Jey Uso.
Cathy Kelley is now with Main Event Jey and says it was a bit of a setback last week, losing the world title to Gunther. But how important is it he moves forward with this King of the Ring match tonight? Jey says it is very important. He won his first world title from Gunther, he has Gunther’s respect. Then Gunther won it back, so Gunther got Jey’s respect. So as far as Jey sees it, that makes them 1-1. Gunther can look past Rollins, look past Goldberg, but they’ll run it back one day. If that means winning KOTR, then say less. Four letters, one word, uh uh… YEET! But then, will Jey also make that one word, “King?”
Nick Aldis is backstage.
The SmackDown General Manager is here, and he meets with AJ Styles. Aldis thanks Styles for handing over the Intercontinental Championship, and Aldis will make sure it is returned to Dom in a timely fashion. But good news! Styles has a chance to get this title permanently. It is now official for Night of Champions! Dom VS Styles for the Intercontinental Championship! Styles thanks Aldis for that and heads out. Then Bayley steps in and Aldis says he heard all that out there. So speaking of making it official, Becky VS Bayley will happen. But Aldis is putting a little twist on it. As he sees it, WrestleMania was when Becky took Bayley’s title match.
So now, Bayley is owed a title match in return. Next week, Raw in Columbus, it will be Becky VS Bayley for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship! Bayley thanks Aldis and says this is why she always liked him. But then Lyra Valkyria walks over. The Morrigan welcomes Bayley back, and congratulates her on the title match. Bayley says she’s just trying to do what’s best for her. She is sorry that she didn’t get back to Lyra on the texts or calls, it was a rough two months. But it wasn’t personal. Lyra gets it, this is what is best for Bayley. But Lyra just wants Bayley to know, if Bayley wins the title, then Lyra will do what’s best for Lyra and come after her for it.
Lyra heads out, and things have really escalated. Will the Role Model tear down The Man, only to battle someone else who was once a friend?
Liv Morgan VS Kairi Sane!
The greatest women’s tag team champion of all time has been having a hard time against the Pirate Princess. A loss because Roxie and Raquel argued, then Raquel takes a loss because Iyo got the better of Liv, and then the losses in the Queen of the Ring tournament, no wonder Liv lashed out against Nikki. But will Liv take her frustrations out on Kairi in this rematch? Or will Kairi only add to the misery with another defeat?
Raw returns and Liv is back in the ring. The bell rings, Liv runs up, but Kairi dodges! Kairi then blocks a kick, trips Liv, and floats to a headlock. Liv scrambles to the outside and clutches her arms. Is Liv still hurting from things last week? The ref has Kairi wait while the medics check Liv. Liv’s arm is definitely the concern, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, and unfortunately, that rough landing from the takedown did in fact jam up Liv’s arm, she cannot continue. Kairi wins by stoppage, but will Liv’s misery only continue in and out of the ring?
Backstage interview with Sami Zayn.
Cathy Kelley is with the Honorary Uce and she congratulates him on advancing in the KOTR. Friday Night SmackDown will see Sami take on Randy Orton, how is he feeling? Sami isn’t sure. He feels he’s talked about the World Heavyweight Championship so much lately, and now somehow, the opportunity is here. Sami has had the chance a few times to challenge for that title, but something about this time feels different. Karrion Kross walks in and says, “Oh, this is so disturbing! It feels… different? There’s absolutely nothing different about this! Sami, you know you’re an insane person, right?
“You know what an insane person does? They do the exact same thing every day, expecting a different result. Lemme explain to you what’s going to happen. You’re going to go to Friday Night SmackDown, and you’re going to compete against one of the most diabolical people this business has ever seen, a guy who knows how to in, The Viper, Randy Orton. And then, you’re gonna lose! And he’s gonna go on to become a FIFTEEN-TIME World Champion, and you are gonna stay at zero.” Sami smiles and says, “You think I’m crazy? You know what I think you are? I think you’re a coward. I think you hide back here, and you talk, and you hide in the shadows, and you lurk, and you talk in riddles.
“Why? You don’t go out there, because maybe all the big talk when you go out there, maybe you can’t back it up?! Maybe you don’t have the courage to talk a big game, and maybe you fall on your face, and you don’t have the courage to go back out there, cuz trust me, I’ve talked a big game, I’ve gone out there, and I’ve lost, and I have the courage to pick myself back up and go out there again. Can you say the same? I didn’t think so. So I’m done listening to you talk, you understand me? Right now, my focus is the King of the Ring, that’s my priority. But I’m telling you now, the second that’s done, the second that’s done, I am going to Adam Pearce.
“And you and me, we’re gonna have this match once and for all.” Kross says, “It’s about time.” Mr. Doomsday leaves, has Sami just sealed his doom?
Jey Uso enters through the concourse.
The fans young and old are fired up as Jey asks them to play his music! Four letters, one word, UH UH… YEET! Jey heads down the bleachers, and fans show off the new foam YEET hands! Will Jey get his hands on that ticket to the next round? Or will someone else have that semifinal match with Cody Rhodes?
King of the Ring Tournament Fatal 4 Way: Sheamus VS Rusev VS Bronson Reed VS Jey Uso!
Raw returns and Rusev makes his entrance. Following that, The Celtic Warrior enters, leaving the Colossal Aussie for last. Paul Heyman accompanies Bronson, but why is Heyman holding Rollins’ MITB briefcase…? The bell rings and Bronson goes after Sheamus while Rusev goes after Jey! They end up in the corners, Rusev stomps a mudhole into Jey but Sheamus dodges Bronson. Sheamus CHOPS and ROCKS Bronson, but Bronson hits back! Bronson HEADBUTTS Sheamus, then SHOVES Sheamus up and out of the ring! Bronson goes to the apron but Sheamus CLUBS a leg out! Sheamus sends Bronson into barriers!
Rusev keeps beating Jey down, and Bronson sends Sheamus into steel steps! Then into barriers! Rusev drags Jey up to fire body shots on those wrapped-up ribs. Rusev shoves Jey, runs up, but Jey DUMPS Rusev out! Rusev is right up to ROCK Jey, but Bronson YANKS Rusev down! Bronson and Rusev brawl now, and Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips, Rusev reverses, and Bronson is sent into steps! Jey then DIVES out onto Rusev! The fans fire up and YEET with Jey, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Bronson is beating up on Jey now. Bronson fireman’s carries Jey but Jey slips free! Jey ROCKS Bronson, counter punches, “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey pops, locks, and puts some stank on the HAYMAKER! The fans fire up as Jey mule kicks, then UPPERCUTS! Bronson blocks the next kick, but Jey DRAGON WHIPS! Bronson tumbles out, Sheamus slides in, btu Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Rusev is back, Jey SUPERKICKS him! Rusev wobbles, Jey SUPERKICKS again! Rusev is still up, Jey runs, but Rusev LARIATS! The fans fire up, Sheamus and Bronson brawl, and Bronson whips. Sheamus reverses to POST Bronson!
Sheamus runs up on Bronson, but Bronson DUMPS Sheamus into the crowd! The fans fire up with Sheamus at their feet, and Bronson gloats. But Sheamus rises up to get Bronson’s arms! Sheamus gives Bronson BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes TEN! The fans fire up and Sheamus adds another TEN, so that’s TWENTY! The fans fire up with Sheamus, but Jey SUPERKICKS Sheamus at the barriers! But Bronson runs up, only to be sent into barriers! Jey lines up a shot, “UCE! OH!” Jey runs in, but Rusev is there to CLOBBER him first! Rusev roars, the fans are torn, but Rusev goes to the ring.
Sheamus is there, and the fans rally up as these former friends are 1v1. The fans cheer for “RUSEV DAY!” as the forearms fly! They fire hands, haymakers, body shots, and then Sheamus fires off with forearms! Sheamus whips, Rusev ducks ‘n’ dodges to WHEEL KICK! The fans fire up and Rusev watches Sheamus flounder. Rusev runs in at the corner, but Sheamus BOOTS him! Rusev just roars! Rusev runs back in, Sheamus scoops Rusev to POWERSLAM! The fans rally as both men rise up. They throw more haymakers, and the fans duel, “Let’s Go, Sheamus!” “RUSEV DAY!” Bronson CLOBBERS both men because he’s just that big!
Wait, Sheamus and Rusev get up, just to brawl with each other! So Bronson SPLASHES them both in the corner! Jey BOOTS Bronson from the corner! Jey CROSSBODIES, but Bronson catches him! WORLD’S STRONGEST SLAM!! Bronson roars, the fans boo, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again, and Rusev sputters from being thrown onto the announce desk! Sheamus leaves Rusev behind to go after Jey. The fans rally for m ore tables, but Sheamus and Jey fire haymakers! They go shot for shot, then it is fast ‘n’ furious! Sheamus blocks the kick, ducks the Dragon Whip, and fireman’s carries! Jey fights free to the apron, but now Sheamus has Jey on the ropes! Jey fires elbows to stop the Bodhrain, and he GAMANGIRIS! Jey hurries inside, but Sheamus gives him an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But Bronson runs up to HEADBUTT Sheamus down! Bronson wobbles, but he brings Sheamus back up.
Bronson reels Sheamus in, says thumbs down, but Sheamus fights the lift! Sheamus fireman’s carries Bronson!? The fans go nuts for that alone! And then, WHITE NOISE!! Right on the Slim Jim logo! Cover, TWO!! Rusev hurries to stomp Sheamus, and he URENAGES Sheamus onto Bronson! Rusev snarls, the fans are torn, but they do agree, “This is Awesome!” Rusev sees Jey in a corner, runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Bronson is back up, Jey SUPERKICKS him! And he SUPERKICKS Sheamus! Jey aims again, SUPER- NO, Rusev blocks to ROUNDHOUSE Jey! And then ACCOLADE!! Jey endures, the fans fire up, but Jey gets an arm free!
Rusev traps that arm again, pulls on Jey’s back, but Jey keeps fighting! Sheamus gives Rusev a KNEE CAPPER! Rusev flounders away, Bronson is up but he gets a KNEE CAPPER! MACHKA KICK for Sheamus! Sheamus BROGUES Rusev! Cover, SENTON from Bronson! Bronson hurries up a corner while Sheamus is in the drop zone! The fans are going nuts, TSUNAMI onto Sheamus!! Cover, JEY BREAKS IT!! The fans fire up and Heyman is stunned, but Jey keeps this one going! Bronson snarls, runs up, but Jey dodges! And SPEARS!! Jey topples Bronson, but he hurries to the top rope!
The fans are thunderous, but oh no, h ere comes Bron Breakker!! Bron SHOVES Jey off the corner, and he laughs at Jey! The fans bark, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is after Bron! Sami won’t let them screw Jey over! He POSTS Bron! Sami then lines up a shot, runs in, but Bron catches Sami first! And he military presses Sami to TOSS him onto and over the desk!!! But wait, PENTA FLIES ONTO BRON!! The fans are thunderous as #CeroMiedo gets payback on Bron! But Bronson gives Jey a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Bronson hurries up top, takes aim, but then L A KNIGHT is here! And he SHOVES Bronson off the top, YEAH!!
The fans are going nuts as Jey hurries to SUPERKICK Bronson! And then SPEAR!! Jey hurries back up like he wanted, and he gives Bronson an USO SPLASH!! But Jey won’t stop there, he knows Bronson is tougher than that! So Jey hits another USO SPLASH!! Cover, JEY WINS!!
Winner: Jey Uso, by pinfall
The Mega Star smiles as he screws over the guys who screwed him over, and now Main Event Jey Uso is moving on! But wait! Seth Rollins storms out here now! He is furious that his plan has been foiled! Rollins throws off his Chicago Bears colored jacket and tie, rolls up his sleeves, and has Jey all to himself in that ring. Except CODY RHODES is here! The fans are thunderous as the American Nightmare makes sure Rollins can’t make a move! The fans sing along with Cody’s song while Cody stares down with Rollins. Green Bay is losing their minds as Rollins is about to explode with anger, but then that anger subsides…?
Rollins lets Cody and Jey have their moment, and Rollins’ team regroups on the ramp. The Wise Man says this is the right move, because now Cody and Jey are going to be opponents in the semifinals. Jey and Cody look to each other, knowing that in order to get back to the top, they must go through the other. They shake hands and the fans cheer. But will Cody and Jey be able to stay friends after battling it out next week in Columbus?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw with more great build for Night of Champions. Judgment Day ties stories together, with a very good promo from Liv & Dom with Iyo to hype up a possible title match. Unfortunately, Liv legitimately dislocated that shoulder in her match with Kairi. Hopefully for her sake and everything else going on, it isn’t serious and she can still be on TV. And even if not, there is a way to keep the story going in Judgment Day if they were to have Roxanne Perez step in and help defend the tag titles with Raquel in place of Liv. Maybe half the reason Judgment Day loses those titles is because Roxie and Raquel can’t get along while Iyo & Kairi can.
Great Fatal 4 Way for Queen of the Ring, and nice touch with Rhea going after Raquel. Asuka winning is a great way for her to return. Asuka VS Alexa will be really good but I can’t be sure who wins that when there’s also Jade and Roxie on the other side. But I feel like the Women’s Division has a more open title story than the Men’s, because the main thing is that Naomi is Miss Money in the Bank and can cash-in to “ruin” things for whoever is Queen of the Ring and the champion they’re challenging. Though with that, Jade Cargill is probably still the favorite, especially when she towers over Roxie and Alexa, and could overpower Asuka.
Good stuff with Styles VS JD and how he outsmarted the Judgment Day boys. Aldis being here to make matches was a bit of a surprise, but good on him to make a match for Night of Champions. Styles VS Dom could probably go either way, but it’d be a great moment if Finn screws Dom over in that match. Very good promo from Bayley and Becky, and I appreciate Lyra feeling just a touch disrespected with Bayley getting her title match first. Making the title match for next week is fine, Becky VS Bayley will definitely get ratings and be a great match, but I wonder if something involving Lyra is made for Night of Champions. I only count four matches with KOTR, QOTR, Cena VS Punk and now Styles VS Dom.
Gunther had a good promo, and while he said he doesn’t put stock in rumors, the rumors were true and Goldberg is back. That match not being for Night of Champions is a touch surprising, but I suppose having Goldberg as the hometown hero for Saturday Night’s Main Event works out better. Remember what happened the last time Goldberg had a high profile match in Saudi Arabia? And even without that, two weeks is not enough time for Goldberg to get ready, both in kayfabe and shoot. Pushing it to just under a month is better for Goldberg, and I would certainly hope Gunther retains. Remember the last time Goldberg just suddenly had a title match against a younger talent?
Great promo from Sami with Kross, but I feel like it foreshadows Sami not winning KOTR. Though how great would it be if Sami becomes KOTR, takes the title off Gunther like he did with the Intercontinental Championship, and then Sami and Kross feud over the world title. That aside, also good stuff with the promos going into tonight’s main event. And while I figured Jey would win, they did a great job with the overbooking to help it. Great stuff from Sheamus and Rusev as they’re starting a feud, and then of course LA Knight showed up to screw Bronson Reed. Bron Breakker going Knight and then Penta joining in, that was also great stuff, perhaps we get Penta & Knight VS Bron & Bronson as part of something.
Cody protecting Jey is good stuff, and Rollins standing down works so well. Rollins understands what we should all understand: Cody and Jey will battle, the winner of that is probably the favorite to be King of the Ring, but Rollins could make it to where they’re still challenging him. Cena VS Punk at Night of Champions is the first real tease of where Rollins can strike, because Rollins can’t resist screwing his most hated enemy in Punk and the guy who is retiring anyway in Cena. Then if that doesn’t work out and Rollins still has the briefcase, he could go after Gunther during his match with Goldberg at SNME. Or he just waits until SummerSlam when KOTR challenge whoever it is, and we get the next best “heist of the century.”
My Score: 8.8/10
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Who makes NJPW their dominion?
NJPW returns to Osaka-Jo Hall, and Hirooki Goto defends the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship against Shingo Takagi! Will the Fierce Warrior slay the Rampaging Dragon?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato & Katsuya Murashima VS Daiki Nagai & Masatora Yasuda; Kato & Murashima win.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & “Don Fale”; The House of Torture wins.
- El Phantasmo & Shota Umino VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura; Tanahashi wins.
- IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO &
Yoshinobu KanemaruDouki; Sho & Douki win and become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions. - IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii; Taichi & Ishii win and become the new IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg; Oleg wins and becomes the new NEVER Openweight Champion.
- Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay VS EVIL; Evil wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd; Gabe wins and becomes the new IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Shingo Takagi; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS House of Torture & ???
While their leaders will battle in a Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch later tonight, Chase Owens, Clark Connors, “Drilla” Moloney & Taiji Ishimori will wage war with Ren Narita, Yujiro Takahashi, Sanada, and the newest member of the House. But will it not matter who Evil recruited? Or could new blood be just the thing to turn the tide?
Sanada walks out in a very odd body suit. It’s like he wants to walk out here in a leopard speedo but not really. Also, he’s now the “Cold Blooded Snake,” so clearly he is still evolving. But then, who is this mystery partner? Wait, is that Bad Luck Fale?! A founding member of Bullet Club has now betrayed Bullet Club!? And now he’s “Don Fale?!” Then is this the dawn of a new era in NJPW?
The brawl is on as Taiji, Connors & Drilla rush Sanada, Ren & Yujiro, but Chase wants to know why Fale, why? Chase and Fale were tag partners and friends! But Fale grabs Chase by the neck! Connors rushes in and CLUBS Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS Connors! Drilla attacks Fale, but Fale BODY BLOWS and BODY BLOWS, and then TOSSES Drilla! Taiji fires off but Fale BODY BLOWS him, too! The bell rings to finally put this on record as Fale steps on Taiji in the corner! The fans rally, Fale drags Taiji to the ropes, and Fale stands on Taiji for the Bullet Club Massage! Or, perhaps the House of Torture Massage now!
Tag to Yujiro and he drops a leg, brother! And then another leg! Cover, TWO! Yujiro CHOKES Taiji as a cover, the ref reprimands, and Yujiro stops at 4. Tag to Ren and he BLASTS the Bullet Club corner! Ren bumps Taiji off buckles, SCRAPES Taiji’s face off the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally for Taiji while Ren TOSSES him! Ren distracts the ref, which lets Fale whip Taiji hard into the railing! Yujiro drags Taiji up to put in the ring and Ren covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this, Drilla glares at Ren, but the ref has Drilla back down. Taiji fires hands on Ren, but Ren CHOKES Taiji! Ren puts Taiji in the corner, but stops as the ref counts 4.
Tag to Yujiro and Sanada distracts the ref. Ren snapmares Taiji and holds him open! But as Yujiro lines up the shot, Taiji UP KICKS Ren! Yujiro kicks low, whips, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally, hot tag to Connors! Connors CLOBBERS Ren, CLOBBERS Yujiro, KICKS ropes to jam up Sanada, and the fans fire up! Connors runs to ELBOW Ren in one corner, then runs to ELBOW Yujiro in the other! Connors reels Ren in and snap suplexes! Cover, TWO! The fans rally behind Connors and they bark it up. Connors aims at Yujiro, but Fale drags him out!
Fale whips Connors into railing! Chase gets in Fale’s face but the ref has them both back down. Drilla pushes Fale, so Fale whips Drilla into railing! Wait, Connors has Wheel-san! Connors CLOBBERS Fale with Wheel-san! The fans fire up and Connors hurries back into the ring. Connors whips Yujiro to SNAP POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Tokyo Pimp toughs it out but Connors vows to end it! Connors drags Yujiro up, but Yujiro BITES Connors’ hand! The fans boo and the ref reprimands, but then Connors ROCKS Yujiro! Connors runs up, but Yujiro FLAPJACK HOTSHOTS Connors! And then he BOOTS Connors!
Yujiro runs, but Connors goes the other way! JEEP FLIPPER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Yujiro and Connors crawl, hot tags to Sanada and Drilla! GORE OUTTA NOWHERE! The fans fire up as Drilla shows off his dancing pecs and drags Sanada up. DRILLA- NO, Sanada slips free! Drilla HEADBUTTS, Sanada drops, but Drilla blocks the sneaky low blow! Drilla whips and SPINEBUSTERS! The fans fire up and bark with Drilla, then he drags Sanada back up. Gut wrench and DRILLA- NO, Sanada BOOTS the ref! Sanada then slips free, reels Drilla in, and MAGIC SCREW! The fans rally but the House goes after Bullet Club on the outside!
Sanada grabs his guitar! The fans boo as this Cold Blooded Snake steps inside. Chase stops Sanada! He takes the guitar, gives it to Drilla, then sets Sanada up. Drilla takes aim, but then Chase LOW BLOWS Drilla?!? The fans don’t understand! Why did the Crown Jewel do that?! NO WAIT, he’s joining the House, too!?? SMASH HIT from Sanada to Drilla!! It wasn’t just Fale as Mr. X, there was a MOLE inside the club! Sanada covers Drilla, the House wins!!
Winners: The House of Torture, by pinfall
Taiji asks why, Chase, why, but he just gets a LOW BLOW for it!! The old guard of Bullet Club is leaving them all behind to join up with Evil! Then is there nothing to stop this from being a HOT boy summer?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Yuya Uemura!
The Ace Final Road continues to make connections, and that leads to his first and last 1v1 match with the Heat Storm. Will Tanahashi continue to ride high on his retirement tour? Or will Yuya only get hotter with the summer?
The bell rings and the fans rally for Tanahashi already. Tanahashi and Yuya circle, feel things out, and tie up. Tanahashi waistlocks, Yuya switches, and repeat. Tanahashi trips Yuya but Yuya switches. Tanahashi switches, Yuya switches, repeat, and then the two separate. The fans applaud this opening exchange, and the two reset. They circle, tie up, and Yuya wrenches to hammerlock then headlock, then he spins through to hammerlock, headlock, and hit the takeover! Tanahashi headscissors, Yuya kips free, but now Tanahashi hits a headlock takeover. Yuya headscissors. Tanahashi kips free, and Yuya headlocks.
Tanahashi fires body shots, powers out, but Yuya slides under! Yuya arm-drags! Tanahashi arm-drags, and he has the armlock! The fans rally, Yuya tries to headscissors but Tanahashi fights that off. Yuya rises up, Tanahashi grinds the arm, but Yuya wrenches and SAYANAGIS! Yuya then steps over to SNAP LOCK the arm! The fans rally while Yuya runs, and he basement DROPKICKS the arm! Tanahashi clutches the elbow and the fans rally more, but Yuya drags him up. Yuya wrenches the arm, wrenches again, then snapmares for Short Arm Scissors! Tanahashi endures, even as Yuya puts on the pressure.
Tanahashi turns, clasps hands, and he kicks his way over. Tanahashi reaches out but Yuya turns him back to keep on the scissors! The fans rally as Tanahashi continues to endure, and Tanahashi fights to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Yuya lets go, and the fans applaud. Yuya brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fires forearms. Yuya wrenches the arm! Tanahashi fires more forearms, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Cover, TWO! The fans rally while Yuya stands Tanahashi up. Yuya wrenches and whips, but Tanahashi FLYING FOREARMS! And then he ELBOWS Yuya, whips him to ropes, and BACKDROPS him!
The fans fire up and Tanahashi storms over to Yuya. Tanahashi drags Yuya up to scoop and SLAM into the drop zone! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes up the corner, SUNSET SENTON! A rough landing but Tanahashi stands back up. The fans rally and Tanahashi waits on Yuya. Yuya slowly rises, Tanahashi builds speed, but Yuya dodges the slingblade! Tanahashi blocks a kick, and waves bye before he DRAGON SCREWS the leg! Tanahashi resets and runs again, SLING- NO, Yuya slips through to trap the arms! Tanahashi kicks at Yuya’s legs, whips, but uses that to reel Yuya in for a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi and he tries once again. SLINGBLADE! Down goes Yuya and Tanahashi covers, TWO! Yuya stays in this and the fans rally up. Tanahashi hurries up the corner, aims, but Yuya stands. Tanahashi hits a HIGH FLY- NO, Yuya dodges the High Fly Attack, and now he goes up top! FROG- NO, Tanahashi dodges the Frog Splash Attack! The fans fire up while both men writhe. Yuya clutches his arm, the same arm that he injured all those months ago, and the fans rally. Tanahashi crawls his way over, drags Yuya up, and he fires a forearm! Yuya comes back with a forearm of his own!
The two stand, Yuya fires up, and the fans fire up with him! The forearms go back and forth, the fans cheering both men! Tanahashi eggs Yuya on, so Yuya fires a flurry! Tanahashi fires a strike fest! Yuya goes to a corner, Tanahashi storms up and whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And ARMBAR! Tanahashi clasps hands and the fans rally! Tanahashi fights around, but Yuya pulls on the arm! Yuya CLUBS Tanahashi’s grip and has the ARMBAR! Tanahashi has the ROPEBREAK, but Yuya drags him up into a cording hold! Tanahashi DRAGON PALMS, then DRAGON SUPLEXES!
The fans fire up with Tanahashi builds speed. But Yuya catches him for a RANA! Then ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks the cover, TANAHASHI WINS!!
Winner: Hiroshi Tanahashi, by pinfall
Yuya doesn’t realize it as he goes for a cover of his own, but he missed the kick-out by a thin margin! Tanahashi shows Yuya respect with how close that was. But is this really the only time Yuya gets to test himself against one of the best ever? Or will Tanahashi’s Final Road bring them back around before the year is over?
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
Direct Drive & The Way of the Grandmaster surprised a lot of people taking these titles off of the Ichiban Sweet Boys, but now some familiar foes come around to take these titles from them. We saw the House of Torture add new members, will they be adding new gold as well? Or can Yoh & Wato keep it fresh like Ziploc?
Wait, Sho grabs a mic. And he talks trash about how in Best of the Super Juniors, Wato lost in a “terrible effort” against Kanemaru, and yet he managed to hurt Kanemaru in the process! Sho also talks trash on Osaka, too, saying Kanemaru is above competing here in Wato’s hometown. The fans boo but Sho says these two don’t even have the right to call themselves proper champions! But don’t worry, Sho has a replacement for Kanemaru! Wait, really? Sho drops the mic and the House has yet another new member! It’s… DOUKI?! What?! Back from injury, and yet he’s turned to the dark side! Will Japones Del Mal make things very, very bad for Yoh & Wato?
Oh, of course Sho & Kanemaru still have to attack from behind! The shock of this return was the perfect distraction! Sho TOSSES Yoh out, Kanemaru kicks Wato out for Douki to RAM into the railing! Douki stomps Wato, drags him around, and then SMASHES the knee off the floor! Sho talks more trash but Douki puts Wato in the ring. The bell sounds so this is finally a match!
IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: YOH & Master Wato VS SHO & Douki!
The fans boo as Douki and Sho stomp away on Wato, and the ref reprimands. One in, one out! Douki & Sho say hold on, and they stand Wato up to double whip. Wato grabs ropes, and he BOOTS Sho, ELBOWS Douki, and RAN- NO, Sho stops the rana and Douki basement DROPKICKS! Then they SMASH both knees off the mat! Yoh rushes in and fires off on Douki & Sho! Yoh CLUBS Douki, but Sho BODY BLOWS Yoh! Sho & Douki whip Yoh into bare buckles! Kanemaru still does his part in bringing out the House Special! And then Douki distracts the ref so Sho can hold Yoh open! Kanemaru climbs up, and that bad arm isn’t even hurt! Kanemaru uses it to DICK CHOP!
The fans boo as the House gets away with stooping even lower than usual! Douki brings Wato up but Wato fires body shots. Douki TOSSES Wato out, and he distracts the ref so Kanemaru can SMASH Wato’s knee on the floor! Then Sho SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! Then they DOUBLE SMASH the knees off the floor! The fans boo as Sho & Kanemaru mug Wato, then Sho drags Wato to his feet. The ref reprimands, Sho puts Wato in, and Douki DDTS a foot! And then Douki turns Wato over for the HALF CRAB! Wato endures, reaches out, and Sho keeps Yoh down on the outside! Wato crawls forward, but Douki drags him back!
Douki sits deep on the leg and the fans rally harder! Wato endures, pushes up, and he reaches out again! ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer but Douki holds! The ref counts and Douki lets go at 4. Douki kicks Wato and taunts him. Wato grits his teeth but Douki stomps him. Wato rises up to throw body shots and chops but Douki laughs them off. Wato fires a forearm but Douki kicks low! Douki clamps onto a leg but Wato CLUBS away on him! Douki kicks the bad leg, runs, but Wato manages a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while both men are down! Wato crawls, but so does Douki, and Sho tags in first!
Sho BLASTS Yoh from the corner, then he drags Wato back. Douki KICKS Wato’s bad leg! The ref reprimands and the fans boo, but Douki watches Wato go to the corner. Douki runs in, Wato dodges, and he BOOTS Sho! Wato sends Douki into Sho, then he DOUBLE BULLDOGS! The fans fire up while all three are down! Wato crawls, hot tag to Yoh! The fans fire up as Yoh rallies on Sho & Douki with forearm after forearm! Yoh whips Sho into the bare buckles! Then he whips Douki into the bare buckles! Then Yoh PLANCHAS onto Kanemaru! Yoh then whips Kanemaru into railing! Yoh roars and the fans fire up with him!
Yoh goes up a corner, takes aim, and he CANNONBALLS into Sho! Cover, TWO! Yoh drags Sho up, brings him in, but Sho bends fingers! Yoh ROCKS Sho, turns him, but Sho still bends fingers! The ref reprimands but Sho whips. Yoh avoids hitting bare buckles, then he dodges Sho. Sho avoids hitting buckles but Yoh kicks low. Yoh runs but Sho uses the ref as a shield! Then he SPEARS Yoh down! Both Sho and Yoh are down but Sho crawls over, tag to Douki! Douki runs up on Yoh to LARIAT in a corner! Douki scoops and SLAMS Yoh, then runs to DOUBLE STOMP! Then Douki WRECKS Wato with a dropkick!
Douki goes outside and SMASHES Wato’s knee off the floor! The fans boo Douki as he swaggers around the way. Douki aims at Yoh, DAY- NO, Yoh ducks the Daybreak to UPPERCUT! Yoh runs, but Sho trips him up! The ref reprimands but Sho holds Yoh up. Douki runs, but Wato trips him up! The fans cheer and Yoh breaks free. Yoh sets up for WATO IN MOTION! Down goes Sho, and then Wato runs to BOOT Douki down! Wato fires up and the fans cheer as he FLIES! Down goes Douki at the ramp! Wato hobbles but he fires up even more! The fans cheer their hometown hero and he puts Douki back in the ring.
Yoh tags Wato in and then brings Douki up! FALCON ARROW! Kanemaru distracts the ref, Sho RAMS Yoh into the ref! Kanemaru SHOVES Wato down, Sho sends Yoh into bare buckles! The fans boo as now Kanemaru gets his whiskey bottle and Sho gets his Torture Tool! They aim at Wato & Yoh, but Wato & Yoh dodge! Kanemaru & Sho avoid colliding, but they take DOUBLE SUPERKICKS instead! Wato & Yoh aim at Douki, the fans rally up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS! The fans fire up as Wato helps the ref back to his feet. Yoh suplexes Douki, but Douki slips free, and he shoves Yoh into the ref! Sho LOW BLOWS Yoh!
WHISKEY MIST for Wato! The fans boo but Sho has the Torture Tool! Sho CLOBBERS Yoh with it! The fans boo and Wato hobbles up, but Sho spins him around for Douki’s #DeathPipe! HOMERUN to the legs!! The fans boo but Sho laughs as he brings Wato around. Sho puts Wato on the ropes, holds the bad leg out, and Douki goes up! FLYING DEATH PIPE STRIKE!! Wato writhes, the fans boo more, but there’s nothing to stop Douki from putting Wato in the PARADISE FIGURE FOUR!! Sho keeps Yoh back, Wato TAPS, the House wins!!
Winners: Sho & Douki, by submission (NEW IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champions)
The Young Lions try to stop Douki from inflicting more damage, but Sho & Kanemaru TOSS them all out! The House mugs Wato, adding insult to injury! Douki beats Wato down with the pipe! Yoh tries to go after him but Sho CHOKES him with the wrench! Douki then CLOBBERS Yoh! Sho is now a DOUBLE champion, and Douki holds gold after his first match back! How much more will the House stack the deck?
IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Callum Newman & Great-O-Khan VS Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii!
The United Empire has gone through changes, and they are calling for NJPW to do the same. But is the future here with the younger generation? Or will the Holy Emperor & Stone Pitbull prove old dogs can still learn new tricks?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if past or future is our present!
The teams sort out and Taichi starts against Callum. The bell rings, the two run up, and Taichi BOOTS! Callum BOOTS back, and Taichi eggs him on! Callum fires a forearm, Taichi fires a ridge hand chop, and repeat! They go back and forth, then they add KICKS to the mix! Callum fires a flurry, whips, but Taichi reverses. Callum BOOTS Taichi, Taichi SOBATS and ROUND KICKS! Callum falls but kips up to DROPKCIK! Taichi is up and the two tie up! They scrap, end up in the Empire’s corner, and Khan tags in. The Empire mugs Taichi, Mongolian Chop to a PENALTY KICK! Ishii storms in but Callum BOOTS him!
Khan grabs Ishii’s leg and THROWS him down! Callum DOUBLE STOMPS Ishii, then Callum rains down forearms on Taichi! The ref reprimands so Callum stops and steps outside. Khan drags Taichi up and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Khan MONKEY FLIPS Taichi, then fireman’s carries for the SLAM! Khan stands Taichi up again for a SAYANAGI! Cocky cover, TWO! The fans rally as Khan drags Taichi up, his tearaway pants already starting to tear away. Khan CLUBS Taichi into the corner, then hops up to sit on his throne! The fans applaud, the ref reprimands, and Khan hops down,
Khan brings Taichi around to Mongolian Chop him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii coaches Taichi up while the fans rally, but Khan gives Taichi mocking kicks. Khan then BLASTS Ishii off the apron! Khan mockingly asks Taichi what’s wrong, then slaps him around. Taichi fires RIDGE HAND after RIDGE HAND! Khan winds up but Taichi CHOPS him first! Taichi reaches out but Khan keeps him from the corner. Khan UPPERCUTS and whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down, but Taichi manages to tag Ishii! Ishii ROCKS Khan, then dodges Callum to send that BOOT into Khan!
Ishii whips Callum into Khan at the corner, then runs up. Callum dodges so Ishii LARIATS Khan! Callum returns but Ishii dodges, so Callum forearm SMASHES Khan! Ishii RUNS Callum over, then suplexes Khan high and hard! The fans fire up and Ishii looms over Khan. Ishii drags Khan up to CHOP! And CHOP again! Khan staggers but he shakes his head. Khan blocks the next chop to wrench, ELBOW BREAKER, and then KNEE the arm! Mongolian Chop to the arm! Ishii CHOPS, though a bit double-edged. Ishii runs, but into a SAYANAGI! Khan holds that bad arm out for Callum to PENALTY KICK into the ARMBAR!!
Ishii endures and the fans rally up! Ishii kicks around, fights his way over, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Khan lets go, and Khan tags Callum. The Empire double whip just to YANK Ishii’s bad arm, CLUB it, BOOT Ishii, then KNEE him down! Cover, TWO! Ishii toughs it out but Khan drags him back up for a waistlock. Callum runs, but Ishii BOOTS him away! Ishii ELBOWS Khan, then ducks so Callum’s ROUNDHOUSE hits Khan! Ishii then GERMAN SUPLEXES Callum! Callum tumbles away and the fans rally up! Ishii crawls, hot tag to Taichi! The fans fire up and Taichi runs corner to corner.
Taichi BOOTS Callum, and the fans rally behind him. Taichi runs, Callum avoids the Ax Bomber, swats the return, then BODY BLOWS! Callum KICKS Taichi to a corner, but Taichi comes back to AX BOMBER! The fans fire up, and OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi aims at Callum, winds up, but Callum ducks the buzzsaw to roll Taichi up! TWO, and Callum ducks a backhand! Taichi avoids the spin kick! Taichi reels Callum in for a DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Cover, TWO!! Callum survives and the fans fire up! Taichi feeds off that energy and takes aim. Callum rises, but Khan rushes in! Khan stops the Tensho Jujihou to THROW Taichi down!
Ishii runs in, Khan blocks the lariat and runs to LARIAT Ishii! Khan picks Taichi up and RAMS him into a corner! Khan then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan climbs up the corner and he drags Taichi up to join him! Taichi fights with ridge hands! Khan falls, but Callum DROPKICKS Taichi to the floor! The fans fire up and Khan brings out the Monster Rage! Khan PLANCHAS Ishii down!? Callum builds speed and FLIES! Direct hit on Taichi and Callum rolls through! The fans fire up while all four men are down on the outside! Callum rises first and he puts Taichi in the ring. Callum climbs the corner and DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO!!
Taichi survives and the fans fire up! Khan keeps Ishii on the outside while Callum rises up. The fans rally more and Callum roars! Callum brings Taichi up, BLOODY- NO, Taichi slips out and back suplexes! Callum lands out, and feeds Taichi to a KNEE from Khan! Callum ROCKS Taichi, then coordinates with Khan. ROLLING ELBOW IRON RIGHT COMBO!! Callum then drags Taichi up, hooks up the legs, FIREBOLT!! Cover, ISHII BREAKS IT! The fans fire up, and then Khan CLOBBERS Ishii! Khan throws up the crown, then he fireman’s carries Taichi! Callum says crowns up, runs the ropes, but Ishii CLOBBERS him!
The fans fire up as Taichi slips free of Khan, shoves him at Ishii, and Ishii LARIATS! Ishii blocks Callum’s boot to HEADBUTT! DOUBLE GIRI COMBO!! The fans are thunderous as Taichi stands Callum up! Alabama Lift, but Khan has a SLEEPER on Ishii! Callum fights free, kicks off Ishii, and TORNADO DDTS Taichi! Khan GERMAN SUPLEXES Ishii away! The fans rally up while Callum watches Taichi runs. Callum runs in, V-TRIGGER! Callum runs again, but into a FOREARM! Callum V-TRIGGERS again! Taichi roars and runs in, but into a SPANISH FLY! Cover, TWO!! The fans are thunderous while Callum is furious!
Callum shakes his head, mostly to shake out the doubt. The fans rally even harder for Taichi as Callum runs. Springboard and OSC- TENSHO JUJIHOU!! Alabama Lift, Ishii ROCKS Callum into the BLACK MEPHISTO BRAINBUSTER!!! Khan returns but into a TENSHO JUJIHOU!!! Taichi roars because he’s not done with Callum! BLACK MEPHISTO!!! Cover, TAICHI & ISHII WIN!!!
Winners: Taichi & Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Champions)
The United Empire could not conquer the past, and now Taichi & Ishii reign! This perhaps makes up for how Douki betrayed Just4Guys to make them Just3Guys, but perhaps they can just join Hontai now? As for the Empire, what are they to do after losing what little gold they had?
NJPW announces the participants in G1 Climax 35!
Naturally, Hirooki Goto is in, but will he still be world champion? Joining him in A Block will be: Boltin Oleg; Yuya Uemura; Yota Tsuji; David Finlay; Evil; Sanada; and Hiroshi Tanahashi in his FINAL G1! B Block has: El Phantasmo; Shota Umino; Shingo Takagi; Zack Sabre Jr; Great-O-Khan; Gabe Kidd; Ren Narita; and Konosuke Takeshita to represent AEW & DDT Pro! The remaining spots are up for grabs as part of play-in matches during the New Japan Soul tour! Two on June 23, the other two on July 4th, who will be lucky enough to be chosen for this opportunity?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS Boltin Oleg!
The Alpha of AEW is back, and though he is planning for a big summer, he has a big title defense to start it off! Will Konosuke keep this title going into G1 Season? Or will he be put behind BARS?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if things NEVER change!
The bell rings and the two run up to tie up! Konosuke headlocks, Oleg powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Oleg rebounds to RAM Konosuke, Konosuke rebounds to RAM Oleg, then Konosuke BOOTS Oleg! Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses, but Konosuke RAMS Oleg! Oleg rebounds to CLOBBER Konosuke! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs at Konosuke in the corner! SPLASH! Oleg keeps moving, but Konosuke meets him with a JUMP KNEE! The fans duel while Oleg bails out. Konosuke builds speed and FLIES! Down goes Oleg at the ramp and the fans fire up! Konosuke rises and the fans cheer him on.
Konosuke drags Oleg up and into the ring. Konosuke brings Oleg to the apron, but Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke powers through to FALCON ARROW Oleg into the ring! The fans rally and Konosuke climbs up. He gets the fans fired up, and then SUPER SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Oleg is still in this and the fans applaud. Konosuke paces around while Oleg rises. Konosuke brings Oleg around as the fans rally for “BO-RU-TIN!” Oleg fights the back suplex and throws elbows. Konosuke keeps Oleg from running and ROCKS him in the back! Konosuke shoves Oleg to the ropes and ROCKS him in the back again!
Konosuke whips, Oleg reverses but Konosuke TAKESHITA LINES into a fireman’s carry! The fans fire up and Konosuke panics! Oleg F5s Konosuke to the outside!! The fans fire up as Konosuke crashes down! Oleg crawls to the apron and then storms up on Konosuke at the ramp. Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, but Konosuke hits back! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again, and they go further up the ramp. Konosuke ROCKS Oleg in return, but then Oleg ROCKS Konosuke again! They’re up on stage now, and the ALPHA ELBOW knocks Oleg down! The fans fire up while Oleg sputters and rises again. Konosuke uses the full length of the stage for a running start!
Oleg meets Konosuke for DOUBLE LARIATS! Oleg CHOPS, then he gut wrenches! The fans fire up for the Shake, Rattle and THROW down the ramp! Konosuke tumbles all the way from the D to the N in “DOMINION!” The fans fire up for Oleg as he hobbles after Konosuke. The ref finally starts a ring count, as is his discretion, and Oleg rolls into the ring at 7 of 20. Konosuke stands at 10, hobbles his way over, and rolls in at 14. The fans applaud as this continues, and then Oleg runs up, jumps up, and VADER BOMBS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally and Oleg drags Konosuke up. Oleg runs, but Konosuke ROCKS him!
Oleg swings, but into a cording hold! ALPHA ELBOW! Konosuke hauls Oleg up for BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! But right into a BOSTON CRAB! Konosuke sits deep on the hold, wanting to take Oleg down with a “Young Lion” hold! The fans rally for Oleg and he fights around! Oleg reaches out, powers up, and almost throws Konosuke off! Oleg pushes forward to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Oleg is freed. But Konosuke runs and LARIATS Oleg down! Konosuke vows to end this now, and he reels Oleg in. But Oleg blocks the suplex! Konosuke tries, but Oleg lifts him first! But Oleg’s back gives out!
Konosuke waistlocks for a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Konosuke grows frustrated but the fans still rally behind Oleg. Konosuke goes to the corner and climbs up. Konosuke fires up and the fans cheer. Konosuke reaches the top, but Oleg ROCKS him first! Oleg climbs up after Konosuke now! Konosuke fires body shots, then LARIATS Oleg off the corner! But Oleg rises!? And he ROCKS Konosuke again! The fans fire up as Oleg climbs up, and he drags Konosuke onto his shoulders for the fireman’s carry! SUPER DEATH VALLEY DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and now Oleg grows frustrated!
The fans rally as Oleg tries another fireman’s carry! Konosuke flails and slips down to have a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! Oleg endures as Konosuke squeezes tight, but the fans rally up! Oleg gets a second wind, Konosuke CLUBS away on him, but Oleg BACKDROPS free! Both men rise, and they DOUBLE LARIAT! Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS Oleg!! Konosuke drags Oleg up, but Oleg fireman’s carries through! The fans fire up as Oleg hits a POINT-BLANK KAMIKAZE!! Cover, TWO?!? Konosuke survives and the fans fire up! Konosuke and Oleg both catch their breath before they rise again.
Konosuke ROCKS Oleg, Oleg ROCKS Konosuke, repeat! The forearms keep going back and forth and the fans rally up! Oleg gets the edge, but then Konosuke ALPHA ELBOWS again! Konosuke pulls off his elbow pad, winds up again, but Oleg DECKS Konosuke!! Oleg roars, the fans fire up, and Oleg runs! Konosuke dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Konosuke runs, but Oleg LARIATS through!! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives and the fans fire up again! Oleg rises, he fireman’s carries Konosuke, but Konosuke slips down to waistlock! Full nelson, and DRAGON SUPLEX!! But Oleg stirs!? Konosuke hurries to ALPHA ELBOW again!!
Oleg falls in a heap but Konosuke isn’t done! He vows to end this, and he stands Oleg up, but Oleg SHOTGUNS! Konosuke ruses, POWER- NO, Oleg stops the knee attack and fireman’s carries! KAMIKAZE!!! Cover, OLEG WINS!!
Winner: Boltin Oleg, by pinfall (NEW NEVER Openweight Champion)
His first singles championship, and it comes off the incredibly accomplished Konosuke Takeshita! Oleg shows The Alpha respect, but this title is now going to be with Oleg for the G1! Will Oleg be the one to define the NEVER fighting spirit?
Dog Collar Chain Deathmatch: David Finlay w/ Gedo VS EVIL w/ The House of Torture!
If tonight has shown us anything, it’s that the Dog Pound Cage Match barely settled anything! The War Dogs may be THE Bullet Club now, but the House of Torture has been making moves in the shadows. But can The Rebel still put the King of Darkness down? Or will we have to admit that Everything is Evil?
Well, given this is a No Disqualification match, Evil is putting all the cards on the table by having all nine of his henchmen at ringside! Finlay makes his entrance, and it seems he only has Gedo with him. To be fair, his dogs got beat up in the 8 Man Tag, and Gabe Kidd has to focus on his own goal of the Global Heavyweight Championship. Wait, Finlay has Gedo go to the back? Evil chuckles, surely Finlay doesn’t think he can win 1v10. Wait, the rest of the dogs are still here! Connors, Drilla & Taiji walk with Finlay, but they’re still outnumbered 2:1. Even so, five War Dogs step up to the stacked deck of 10.
Finlay has the chain, and he has his boys throw up the Too Sweet. Osaka barks for the War Dogs as Finlay puts his collar on. Evil has his boys put one out, and he smirks as he picks up his collar. Evil puts it on, the factions stay outside, and the bell rings. The fans rally as Finlay and Evil gather up slack, and they circle as they get closer. The tug-o-war gets tenser, but Evil lets some slack go so the distance stays the same. The two feel things out using the slack as a weapon. Evil takes swipes, and then he stands on the chain! Finlay uses that trick against Evil and trips him up! Finlay rains down fists, but Evil scrambles out of the ring!
Finlay quickly reminds Evil that they’re stuck together by reeling him back in! Finlay CLUBS away on Evil, the fans and the War Dogs fire up, and then Finlay throat chops Evil in the corner! And throat chops again! Finlay climbs up to rain down fists, then he wraps the chain around the post! Finlay CHOKES Evil, then RAMS him! Finlay wraps the chain around the post again and he pulls! Payback for when Evil did this in the dog pound! Finlay stomps Evil, CHOKES him, but Evil refuses to give up. Finlay fires point-blank LARIATS again and again and again, all the way to TEN! The fans cheer while Evil sputters.
Finlay lets Evil out of the corner, gathers up some slack, and he LASHES Evil on the back! Finlay then TOSSES Evil over the top rope, and HANGS him! The warring factions keep each other at bay, and then Finlay lets Evil drop to the floor! Finlay takes his time going outside, but Evil YANKS the chain and FLINGS Finlay into railing! The Rebel crashes down and the ref checks him. Evil has the ref check him, but this is a distraction! The House swarms Finlay! The War Dogs rush in, but again, this is a 2:1 ratio, the House beats up on the War Dogs! Evil drags Finlay into the crowd! The fans fire up but they clear out of the way as Evil PUNCHES Finlay!
Evil CHOKES Finlay with the chain! The ref reprimands but there’s nothing more he can do. The factions brawl more at ringside, and oh look, the blue buckle pad is gone! The House Special is waiting while Evil BOWLS Finlay into chairs! The fans clear out a bit more as Evil looms over Finlay. Evil ROCKS Finlay, talks trash, then drags him back to ringside. Evil throws more headlock punches, then he stands on Finlay’s head! The ref reprimands, Evil steps off, and Evil drags Finlay up. Finlay is busted open, but Evil GAGS Finlay with the chain! Finlay flails, fans have to move aside, and Evil CHOKES Finlay on the railing!
The fans boo Evil and rally for Finlay, but Evil brings Finlay back to the ring. The House has thoroughly beat down the War Dogs, and Evil GAGS Finlay again! Finlay can only suffer as Evil wraps the chain around his head a bit more, then BOOTS him down! Evil drags Finlay up, then SMACKS him off bare buckles! The fans boo and the War Dogs coach Finlay on. Evil tells them to shut up, and then he puts Finlay in a Tree of Woe! The bare buckles make that hurt more. Evil’s collar comes undone, and he “complains” to the ref! That’s all a distraction so Dick and the House can CHOKE Finlay using the chain!
The fans boo, the ref does reprimand about the chain detaching from Evil’s collar, but Evil claims it was totally by accident. Finlay is freed from the Tree, the ref grabs the chain, and he reattaches it for Evil. Finlay coughs and sputters while Gedo protests, this has to be because of something Evil did to the chain. Evil whips Finlay hard into more bare buckles, because the House undid one of the neutral corners! And then the same on the other neutral corner! Evil laughs at Finlay but Gedo and the dogs coach Finlay up. Evil whips Finlay back into the House corner and Finlay falls in a heap. Evil says the ref should just call it.
Finlay refuses to let Evil win like that, so Evil whips him at the red corner! Finlay avoids hitting those bare buckles, then he dodges Evil! Evil avoids hitting the bare buckles, but Finlay YANKS the chain and LOW BLOWS Evil! Finlay storms up on Evil, and now Evil is sent into bare buckles! The King of Darkness tastes some of his own medicine! Finlay gathers up the slack and LASHES Evil again and again! Ren, Yujiro & Sanada get on the apron, but Finlay BLASTS them all down! Finlay then stands Evil up to CHAIN PUNCH! The fans fire up and Evil looms over Evil. Finlay drags Evil up, reels him in, and POWERBOMBS him out onto the House!
The fans fire up as The King of Darkness is used to wipe out about seven of his pawns! Finlay goes outside again, and he wraps up his fist again. Finlay says no more games, and he punches away on Evil’s forehead! The fans bark, Finlay shouts, “WAR DOGS~!” and the fans cheer! Finlay fetches Evil, whips him hard into railing, then laces through a corner. Finlay reels Evil in with the chain and has him against the corner! Finlay then runs around Evil to wrap him up! Evil is trapped, and Finlay fires away with HAYMAKERS! Finlay BITES Evil’s forehead, then spits out that awful taste. Finlay unwraps Evil by running around the other way, only for Evil to YANK Finlay into POST!
Finlay is in a daze, and Evil brings out chairs! Evil has Dick distract the ref. No Disqualification or not, Evil wants to escalate things! He puts the chair around Finlay’s head, and then YANKS him into the POST!! Finlay falls in a heap while the fans boo Evil! The ref checks on Finlay, and somehow Finlay is still able to continue. Evil drags Finlay up with the chain, reels him into the ring, and Evil LASHES Finlay now! Finlay writhes but Evil LASHES him again! Finlay flounders but Evil LASHES him again! The fans rally for Finlay but Evil drags him up, to LARIAT! Finlay staggers around, Evil LARIATS again! Finlay leans on Evil, then slumps down.
The fans rally for Finlay but Evil wraps his arm in chain. Evil winds up and stands Finlay for the CHAIN LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Finlay survives and the fans fire up! Evil brings Finlay back up, fireman’s carries, and DARKNESS FALLS! Cover, TWO!!! Finlay is still in this and the War Dogs rally the fans! Evil is annoyed but he vows to end this now. Evil drags Finlay up, reels him in, EVERY- NO, Finlay slips free and suplexes! INTO OBLIVION!! The fans fire up as Finlay turns this around! Both men are down, but Finlay uses the chain to bring Evil over. Finlay reels Evil in, lifts, and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Evil falls in a heap from hitting off bare steel!
Finlay shows no mercy, and he POWERBOMBS again! Finlay wobbles but then leans against the ropes. Evil sputters, the House is worried, but Finlay is on Evil again! POWERBOMB!! Finlay staggers, but even the War Dogs want more! Finlay storms over to Evil, uses the chain to CHOKE him, then turns around. But Evil reels the ref in and CHOKES him! Evil and the ref fall, and Finlay realizes what happened. Finlay says that won’t spare Evil, and he KNEES Evil down! Finlay says Evil wanted this, now he’s gonna pay! Finlay stands Evil up to KNEE him down again! The fans cheer Finlay on as he drags Evil back up.
Finlay reels Evil in for another KNEE! Finlay slashes his throat and vows to end this! The fans fire up and bark with Finlay. Finlay wraps his knee with the chain, but Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER! Gedo gets in and uses the chain to CHOKE Dick! Sanada CLUBS Gedo! Connors CLUBS Sanada! Sho hits Connors with the Torture Tool! Drilla kicks Sho low and reels him in, DRILLA- NO, Ren uses the PUSHUP BAR! Taiji fires off hands on Ren, but Yujiro uses the PIMP CANE! Finlay CLOBBERS everybody, but Chase is in! Finlay SMACKS that traitor, then goes after Ren! WHISKEY MIST! DEATH PIPE!! Chase gives Finlay a C-TRIGGER!!
The fans boo as all these traitors help Evil! They even bring in a table! They CHUCK the table right at Finlay’s head! Then they set it up near a corner, and Fale climbs up!?! Finlay is put on the table, and Fale DIVING SPLASHES through the table!! The fans boo as Finlay is completely wrecked! Evil makes sure the collar is back on as if nothing happened. Evil calls for the ref, then he wraps the chain around Finlay’s neck! Evil CHOKES Finlay, a new ref comes in as a replacement, and Evil uses the chain to help with the SCORPION DEATHLOCK!! Finlay endures as Evil bends him back and pulls on the chain!!
The fans boo but Finlay can only endure! Bloody forehead, bloody back, and he’s PASSING OUT!! EVIL WINS!!
Winner: Evil, by submission
The King of Darkness let The Rebel have the name, “Bullet Club,” because clearly he wants what matters more: POWER! The House of Torture is a force of nature at ten men strong, will no one stop them from taking over NJPW?
As for Finlay, the medical team is brought in, and they bring a backboard and stretcher. Will their boss dog ever be able to bark again?
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Gabe Kidd!
When these two battled last, it went to a time limit draw, and obviously everyone was left wanting more. But will sixty minutes be enough this time around? Or will the Gene Blast and Mad Man fight forever?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and these two finally run it back!
Gabe surprisingly shows respect by offering a handshake. Yota accepts and the fans cheer. The bell rings and the two slowly circle. The fans duel, with plenty of “YOTA!” and “GABU!” Gabe then SMACKS Yota, SAIDOS, and Yota tumbles out! “I’m a Mad Man, y’know!” Gabe runs and FLIES! Down goes Yota and the fans fire up! Gabe goes back to Yota, drags him up and into the ring, and the fans cheer. But then Yota BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Yota runs to FOSBURY FLOP! Direct hit and the fans fire up again! Both men are down from bringing out the big moves early, and a ring count begins. Both men stir at 8, and Yota rises at 10 of 20.
Yota brings Gabe up at 13 but Gabe fights the scoop! Yota fights the driver, we pass 15! And then 17! Yota fights the suplex, both men hear 19 and they LEAP in! The fans cheer as these two avoid a rather quick draw. The two then tie up, Gabe headlocks, and Yota powers up and out. Gabe RUNS Yota over, then things speed up. Yota bypasses then HIP TOSSES Gabe, and adds a basement DROPKICK! The fans rally while Gabe goes to ropes. Yota storms up but Gabe CHOPS! Gabe fires forearms and UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Yota reverses and hit a KITCHEN SINK KNEE! Gabe sputters but Yota brings him up for a scoop and SLAM!
Yota runs, and he SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head, he’s tougher than that, but Yota stays calm. Yota storms over to Gabe, stands him up, and CHOPS him back down! Gabe huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises up, but Yota fires a forearm. Gabe fires back, they trade shots, but then Yota BODY BLOWS! Gabe falls in a heap and sputters again. Yota brings Gabe back up, then runs to RUN Gabe over! The fans cheer and Yota pushes Gabe to a cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and the fans applaud but Yota grins. Yota brings Gabe up, ROCKS him, and has him in a corner. Gabe eggs Yota on so Yota CHOPS him!
Yota stands Gabe up, RAMS into him again and again, but Red Shoes reprimands. Yota snapmares Gabe, then wraps on body scissors! Gabe endures the squeeze, fights off the chinlock, and he eggs Yota on again. Yota fires a forearm, Gabe SLAPS, and repeat! Yota SLAPS Gabe now! Gabe sputters and Yota turns scissors into a top mount so he can CHOP Gabe! Gabe snarls and grabs at Yota, but Yota CHOPS him again! Yota paces, then he scuffs Gabe. Gabe sits up with a scowl, but Yota scuffs him again. Gabe gets in Yota’s face, so Yota fires forearms. Gabe tells Yota off but Yota fires a flurry! Then he DECKS Gabe!
Yota smiles and paces while Gabe slowly sits back up. Gabe shakes out the stars, but Yota fires even more forearms. Gabe powers Yota to the ropes! Yota HAMMERS Gabe, but Gabe SHOVES Yota up and out! Yota tumbles to the floor but is otherwise okay, so a ring count begins. The fans rally, Gabe sits cross-legged, but Yota is still down at 10 of 20. Yota stands at 13, rolls in at 15, and Gabe says F YOU! LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Yota survives and the fans cheer but Gabe is annoyed. Gabe barks, the fans join in, and Gabe stands Yota up. Gabe winds up to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP as he has Yota against ropes! Gabe then LARIATS and CROSSBODIES!
Yota tumbles away and Gabe snarls. Gabe runs in at the corner and LARIATS! Then he clinches to EXPLODER! Cover, TWO! Gabe shakes his head and paces around Yota. Gabe runs, but Yota ducks the lariat to COMPLETE SHOT, then deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Gabe tumbles to a corner, the fans rally up, and Yota growls. Yota runs corner to corner to V-TRIGGER! Gabe falls, Yota grins, and Yota goes up, up, and MARLOWE- NO, Gabe dodges! Gabe runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Gabe is still in this but Yota stays focused. The fans rally and duel as Yota brings Gabe up.
Yota reels Gabe in, suplexes, but Gabe blocks! They fight for suplex control now, and Gabe fires a body shot! Gabe then hangs Yota out to dry and BOOTS him! Gabe goes up the corner now, and he GUILLOTINE SENTONS! Not the best hit and Gabe may have taken as much damage as Yota on that. Gabe crawls over to bring Yota up, and he SAIDOS! Cover, TWO! Yota is still in this and the fans cheer. Both men are down but Gabe sits up. Gabe shakes his head, he doesn’t care about that. He eggs Yota on and dares him to bring the fight! Gabe SLAPS Yota, then eggs him on more. Yota CHOPS in return and the fans fire up!
Yota eggs Gabe on, then catches him for the BACKBREAKER, FLATLINER and STOMP! The fans fire up as the Gene Combination hits! Yota watches Gabe bails out, so Yota builds speed again! Yota DIVES and down goes Gabe! But Gabe’s right up to BOOT Yota! Gabe runs up, but Yota pops him up! Gabe mule kicks, then goes up, up, and ASAI MOONSAULT! Direct hit and then Gabe inverted suplexes into a gut wrench! TOMBSTONE on the floor!! Gabe and Yota are both down while the fans fire up! Gabe rises and the fans cheer him on! Gabe puts Yota in the ring, hauls him up, and suplexes for the BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yota stays in this, but Gabe frowns. Gabe grabs Yota’s legs and GIANT SWINGS him! Gabe borrows from his new friends in the Death Riders, and then he turns Yota over for a BOSTON CRAB! Gabe wants to use that Young Lion hold to humiliate Yota! The fans rally as Yota endures and powers up! Yota storms his way forward, but Gabe drags him back and sits deep! The fans rally more as Yota powers up again! Yota grits his teeth and fights forward, but Gabe sits deeper! Yota still manages the ROPEBREAK! Gabe lets go in frustration, and he stomps and kicks Yota at the ropes. Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe eggs Yota on.
Gabe tells Yota that this is NJPW, so get up! Yota rises, and he fires a forearm. Gabe shakes his head so Yota fires more shots. Gabe says they’re still not good enough, and he CHOPS in return! Yota sputters, the fans rally, and Gabe waits on Yota. Yota rises to fire a forearm, Gabe CHOPS again, and Yota staggers back. Yota storms up to fire a forearm, but Gabe gives that back. The forearms go back and forth, speed up even, and the fans rally. Yota fires a flurry, then a CHOP! Gabe felt that one! Gabe still comes back and fakes a chop to JAB! Red Shoes reprimands about closed fists but Gabe kicks and CHOPS Yota!
Yota stands to HEADBUTT! Gabe falls right over! Yota waits on Gabe, winds up, but Gabe catches him to a nelson! Yota breaks it but ends up in a COBRA TWIST! The fans fire up, Yota reaches out, but Gabe rolls Yota up! TWO, and Gabe SMACKS Yota! Gabe reels Yota in, but Yota Alabama Lifts! DEADEYE! Yota then reels Gabe in, lifts, and hits a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and Yota grows frustrated but the fans love it! Yota runs to CURB STOMP Gabe, then he goes up the corner! The fans fire up for the MARLOWE CRUSH!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans cheer again. Yota roars and the fans duel again!
Yota aims from a corner as Gabe rises. GENE- KNEE!!! Gabe roars, KICKS Yota in the face, then reels him in! LEG TRAP PILEDRIVER!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and no one can believe it! The fans rally up again and Gabe roars! Gabe brings his kneepad down and takes aim at Yota! O- NO!! Yota pops Gabe up for a KNEE of his own! And then a POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives and the fans rally up again. Yota goes to a corner, Gabe stands, GENE- LARIAT!! Gabe counters again, and then he hauls Yota up! Yota fights the driver, wrenches, but Gabe SMACKS him! Yota V-TRIGGERS!
Gabe rebounds, Yota dodges, but then Gabe rebounds again, COMEBACKER!! The fans are thunderous and Gabe aims from the corner! O- GENE BLASTER!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Now Gabe survives and the fans are electric! Yota roars and he reloads! Gabe stands, into the GENE- NO! Gabe facelocks, PARADIGM SHIFT?!?! And then the LEG TRAP DRIVER!!!! Cover, GABE WINS!!!
Winner: Gabe Kidd, by pinfall (NEW IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Mad Man used The Maniac’s move and made himself a champion! Gabe has been saying he wants to restore the feeling of Strong Style in NJPW, but did he prove he can also be elite?
After being presented the belt, Gabe grabs the mic. “Tsuji, wait, wait, wait.” Gabe hobbles over to his rival and the fans applaud. Gabe tells Yota that NJPW in the 1990s, it was Hashimota and Mutoh. In the 2000s, it was Tanahashi and Nakamura. And then the late 2010s, it was Okada and Omega. But now, with 2025, it will be them, Tsuji and Kidd!! Gabe wants Tsuji to understand, he will see him again later. Gabe then asks if anyone minds that he speaks English. No, let’s be real. It is very public what happened to him, the struggles he has been through. “Getting sectioned in a side checker hospital, not wanting to live anymore…”
But none of that matters now, because he is now the GLOBAL HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! The fans cheer Gabe on as he holds up the belt. Gabe revels in that praise, and then says that he wants challengers now! Who is it gonna be? OI! HIROSHI TANAHASHI! Get out here, ya bastard! The fans cheer Tanahashi on, and Gabe says hurry up, get out here. Here comes The Ace! The fans cheer as Tanahashi makes his way back out here, and Gabe holds the ropes open for the President. The fans applaud, and now they’re face to face in the ring. Gabe says this is Tanahashi’s Final Road. Then let’s go, President! They’ll fight one last time!
The fans cheer that idea! Will Tanahashi and Gabe light it up even before entering the G1? Will the Mad Man regret gambling with The Ace?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ YOSHI-HASHI VS Shingo Takagi!
The dream finally came true earlier this year at the New Beginning in Osaka as the Goto Revolution dethroned Zack Sabre Jr. Goto was handed the banner of Hontai by Hiroshi Tanahashi, and then Goto overcame ZSJ again in their rematch. But now, this former ungovernable has come back to regain former glory! Will this become the Takagi Revolution? Or will the Fierce Warrior slay this Rampaging Dragon?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who makes this their Dominion!
The bell rings and the fans fire up already. The dueling is strong between “GO-TO-O!” and “TA-KA-GI!” The two feel things out, knuckle lock, then clinch, only to separate. They go again, then separate, and the fans continue to rally. The two tie up collar ‘n’ elbow, and Takagi powers Goto to the ropes. Goto turns things around on Takagi, lets off slowly, and pats Takagi on the shoulders. Takagi rushes Goto and kicks low! Takagi CLUBS Goto, clamps on a headlock, but Goto poewrs up and out. GOto headlocks inr eturn, but now Takagi powers up and out. They RAM shoulders and Takagi just brushes it off.
Takagi runs to RAM Goto, but Goto grits his teeth. Goto and Takagi egg each other on, then Goto runs. Goto RAMS Takagi, Takagi rebounds and RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds and RAMS Takagi again, and both men stand their ground. The fans rally as Goto fires a forearm and Takagi fires a CHOP, then repeat! They both throw forearms now, but then Goto knees low, snapmares, and KICKS Takagi in the back! Takagi stands to CHOP! The fans fire up and Takagi whips. Goto reverses, Takagi blocks the hip toss, and Takagi THROWS Goto down. Goto avoids the senton and he hits a takeover. Takagi headscissors, Goto kips free, and the fans cheer the standoff.
Goto and Takagi reset while the fans rally. They approach, and Takagi offers a handshake? Goto is wary, but Takagi promises a clean fight. Goto accepts the handshake, but then Takagi KNEES low! Goto fights the pump handle, dragon sleepers, but Takagi arm-drags free. Takagi bypasses Goto, but Goto counters a hip toss with a hip toss! Goto then RUNS Takagi over! Takagi bails out and goes to the crowd. Takagi dares Goto to come get him, but Goto tells Takagi to get in the ring. Takagi stretches out his arms and legs, then steps back to the apron. Red Shoes has Goto stay back, but then Takagi steps in and Goto attacks!
Goto CLUBS away on Takagi in the corner, then he whips Takagi to ropes. Goto ELBOWS Takagi down, then ELBOW DROPS! Takagi sputters, Goto drops an ELBOWS on the back! Cover, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Goto brings Takagi up. Goto digs his knee into Takagi’s back as part of the chinlock. Takagi endures, but Goto ELBOWS him in the head! Red Shoes reprimands but Goto stomps Takagi around. Goto and Takagi trade forearms but Goto stomps Takagi in the corner. Goto whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS! The fans fire up with Goto and he headlocks, but Takagi fights off the bulldog!
Goto fires knees, but Takagi shoves Goto away! Goto comes back, but into the ELBOW! Takagi goes up and reels Goto in, TORNADO DDT! Takagi then runs up and LARIATS Goto up and out of the ring! The fans cheer, then they duel while Goto is down on the outside. Takagi goes out to fetch Goto, and he brings Goto around the way to whip hard into railing! Yoshi-Hashi has to stay back as Takagi storms over that way. Takagi brings Goto around to SMACK him off the apron! Takagi then fireman’s carries for a SNAKE EYES off the apron! Takagi doesn’t stop, he brings Goto to the ramp! Snap suplex onto the ramp! Right on the N and I!
Goto writhes, clutching his leg, and Red Shoes has Takagi stay back. Takagi waits, and Goto is okay to continue. Takagi stomps Goto, drags him up, and Takagi brings Goto to the ring. Takagi then drops an ELBOW of his own! And a SENTON! The fans applaud and rally up again. Takagi brings Goto up, puts him on the ropes, and KNEES him low! And KNEES him again! Takagi backs off as Red Shoes reprimands, and then Takagi whips to KNEE Goto again! Takagi runs to RUN Goto over! The fans fire up and Takagi flexes. Takagi drags Goto back up, reels him in, and suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO!
Takagi looks to the camera, but then says not yet. Takagi wraps on the body scissors! Goto fights around as he endures the squeeze. Takagi clamps on a chinlock, Goto still fights, so Takagi shifts to make it part COBRA TWIST! The fans rally as Goto still endures and still fights around! Goto kicks his way to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, but Takagi holds on! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, so Goto lets go at 3. Takagi stands while the fans rally. Takagi kicks Goto around, then stands him up. Goto fires CHOP after CHOP, but Takagi RIDGE HAND CHOPS, and RIDGE HAND CHOPS, then DOUBLE CHOPS!
Takagi has Goto in the corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs in, but blocks a boot! Takagi LARIATS through and the fans fire up! Takagi stands Goto up to JAB, CHOP, and repeat! The fans rally with every JAB, then Takagi CHOPS! Takagi then whips Goto back the other way, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into BOOTS! Takagi runs, Goto follows and LARIATS! The fans cheer while both men are down. Goto rises as the fans rally and duel again. Goto storms over to Takagi in the corner, fires forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs in and MURAMASA to the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and the fans cheer.
The dueling continues as “GO-TO-O!” rises and storms over to “TA-KA-GI!” Goto scoops, Takagi slips free to the apron, but Goto ELBOWS Takagi. Goto runs up but Takagi RAMS him! Takagi looks to the floor and nods. Takagi brings Goto up but Goto DECKS him! Takagi goes to the floor and leans on the railing. Goto rolls out to go after him, but Takagi RAMS Goto into the apron! Takagi has media clear out, and he whips Goto. Goto stops from hitting railing, then he picks Takagi up! Goto has Takagi on the railing, for a DRAPING SHOTO to the floor! The fans fire up and Red Shoes checks both men. They’re both able to continue, and Goto rolls into the ring first.
The ring count is climbing, Takagi is still down at 7 of 20. Takagi stirs, rises up, and he uses the railing to stand at 11. But then he falls back! Takagi rises again at 15, and he slides in at 17! The fans applaud, and Goto storms his way over. Goto stomps Takagi, brings him up, but Takagi fires a forearm! Goto fires back, but then Takagi CHOPS! Goto ROCKS Takagi, Takagi HEADBUTTS Goto, repeat! Takagi then runs, but Goto catches him to URA GTR! Goto runs and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this and Goto snarls. The fans rally and Goto brings Takagi up. Takagi fights the fireman’s carry and CLUBS away on him!
Takagi ELBOWS, JABS, and YUKON LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto is down! Takagi drags Goto back up while the fans rally, but Goto takes a swing! Takagi catches him, spins him, and hits a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Takagi then runs to SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans applaud. Takagi shouts to Osaka and says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as Takagi stands Goto up and pump handles. Goto fires elbows and gets free, to then fire forearms! Goto runs, but Takagi follows to LARIAT at the ropes! And SAIDO! Goto stands?! But Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON- NO, Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI!
The fans fire up again while both men are down! The dueling begins again and is strong as ever. Goto stands first, he runs, but DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Takagi drops to his knees while Goto staggers back, and the fans rally up again. Takagi and Goto DOUBLE LARIAT again! Goto roars, runs, but Takagi swats a lariat to BLINDSIDE LARIAT, then PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi hauls Goto up to POWERBOMB! High stack, TWO! Goto stays in this and the fans fire up. Both men slowly rise up, and Takagi fires up with “OI! OI! OI!” The fans join in, Takagi runs corner to corner and LARIATS! The fans fire up while Goto sputters.
Takagi roars, the fans fire up more, and Takagi puts Goto up top. Takagi climbs up but Goto fires body shots! Goto shoves Takagi down but Takagi fires ridge hands! Takagi climbs up again, but Goto fires forearms! Takagi HEADBUTTS, Goto HEADBUTTS, and they keep going back and forth! Goto then pushes Takagi down so he can climb up, SUPER KAI TEN!! High stack cover, TWO!! Takagi survives that super sunset bomb and the fans are thunderously dueling! Goto fireman’s carries, G T W!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi survives again and the fans rally up more. Goto roars and drags Takagi into a dragon sleeper!
But Takagi spins it around! Takagi squeezes tight, but Goto drops down! Takagi holds on, but Goto fires hands from below! Goto is free, runs up, but Takagi puts him in the ropes! Takagi hits the DRAPING GTR! And then he pump handles to hit MADE IN JAPAN!! Cover, TWO!?! Goto survives and the fans are thunderous again! Takagi drags Goto up, runs, and PUMPING BOMBER! The fans are thunderous as Takagi stands Goto up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, TWO!??! Goto survives and the fans are electric! Takagi is beside himself but the fans continue to duel between them!
Takagi rises and he goes over to Goto. Takagi pump handles again but Goto fires elbow after elbow! Takagi POINT-BLANK LARIATS! The fans fire up while both men stay up, and Takagi LARIATS again! Goto drops to a knee, but Takagi brings him back up. Goto fires forearms! Takagi fires boxing elbows! Goto HEADBUTTS into a FOREARM! But then Goto and Takagi DOUBLE HEADBUTT! Goto fires up, but Takagi JABS! And HEADBUTTS! And POINT-BLANK- NO, Goto catches Takagi to facelock! Takagi fights the suplex, and then he suplexes! But Goto fights that and suplexes, SHOTEN KAI!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous!
Goto and Takagi stir, the fans rally as hard as they possibly can, and Goto rises first. Goto goes to a corner, roars, and he powers up! Takagi sits up, into the BUZZSAW! But then he springs up!? But Goto LARIATS Takagi back down!! Osaka is erupting as Goto dragon sleepers! But Takagi fires hands! So Goto grabs the arm, only for Takagi to somersault clutch! TWO, and SLIDING D!! Both men are down again, and the fans duel as hard as they can! Takagi roars, and then he drags Goto back up! Takagi pump handles, torture racks, but Goto slips down! G T R!!! Goto has to crawl to the cover! TWO?!?!?
The fans are electric as Takagi survives! Goto is almost foaming at the mouth, but he brings Takagi up for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! And yet Takagi rises!? Takagi says he’s not done yet, but Goto HEADBUTTS him! And then URA SWING into G T R!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Fierce Warrior reveals he is still growing and evolving as he busts out a brand new take on his classic finisher! The Rampaging Dragon has been slain, but can he rise back up in the heat of the G1?
As for Goto, Hashi helps put the belt back around his waist, and Goto shows Takagi respect by holding out his hand. Takagi stands up, applauds Goto, and then shakes his hand. The fans applaud, will these two run it back soon enough? As Takagi makes his leave, Goto grabs the mic. The fans cheer Goto on, and he says, “The Goto Revolution is all about the will of a veteran.” The fans cheer, and Goto says that in a sense, Takagi is part of that revolution. Goto tells Takagi not to give up. “You’ll find yourself a nice wife. You have to create your own future.” The fans chuckle but they do applaud Goto supporting Takagi both professionally and personally.
Goto says, “As for me, it is my mission to create the future for NJPW!” The fans applaud, and Goto adds, “The Goto Revolution is far from over. Please keep following me until the very end!” The fans applaud again and Goto says they will close with Goto’s G’s. “Let’s go, Osaka-Jo!” The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP stands for Goto!” With that, Goto puts down the mic and the streamers fly! If the Goto Revolution is keeping the G in IWGP, will the Fierce Warrior also make the G1 into the Goto 1?
My Thoughts:
A great night for NJPW, a very packed show, even though I skipped ELP & Shota VS ZSJ & Oiwa. Bullet Club and House of Torture sure had a big night tonight, with “Don Fale” defecting from Bullet Club and apparently bringing Chase Owens with him, and Douki replacing Kanemaru to not only have a shocking return but to take those titles off Yoh & Wato. And then all of this factors into that dog collar match to help Evil win, showing the House of Torture is the new big bad faction everyone has to worry about.
Tanahashi VS Uemura was very good, and a part of me figured Tanahashi would win to stay strong as he goes into the second half of his final year. Oleg VS Konosuke was great stuff, especially for Oleg to win the NEVER Openweight title. Konosuke is still going to be in the G1 but I wonder if after that, Konosuke focuses more on AEW related story, especially since things will sort out between the Continental & International Championships. Yota VS Gabe was great, but that flying senton was perhaps a spot Gabe hadn’t practiced, he really overshot it. Gabe winning was still the right move after how strong he’s been going and is becoming NJPW’s favorite anti-hero. Gabe VS Tanahashi will be great stuff, but I would think Gabe retains the title.
And the main event was awesome, both guys still very popular and still going strong. Goto retaining made sense, there’s still a lot he can do as champion. He will definitely be tested in the G1, with every match being the other guy giving their best against him. But I don’t expect Goto to win the whole thing, or maybe even A Block, with quite a few top names in there. Tanahashi might make a good push, it could be between him and Goto since this is Tanahashi’s last G1.
My Score: 9/10
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