Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (8/10/21)
Will NXT plunge back into chaos?

William Regal presides over the Cole-O’Reilly face to face!
Before the 36th TakeOver event in NXT history, before everything comes to blows, William Regal will TRY to keep the peace between the volatile and violent Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Dakota Kai VS Sarray; Kai wins.
- LA Knight w/ Cameron Grimes VS Andre Chase; Knight wins.
- Gigi Dolin w/ Jacy Jayne VS Amari Miller; Dolin wins.
- NXT Breakout Tournament Semifinal: Odyssey Jones VS Trey Baxter; wins and advances to the finals.
- Boa w/ Tian Sha VS Drake Maverick; Boa wins.
- Ilja Dragunov VS Pete Dunne; Dunne wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Ember Moon is NOT medically cleared!
She wanted her revenge on Dakota Kai, but the medics couldn’t allow her to compete. So taking her place against Kai is…
Dakota Kai VS Sarray!
But before the match, #CapKota calls out Raquel Gonzalez! “I hope you’re watching, Mami. Because I’m about to defeat the undefeated Sarray and prove that I am no one’s sidekick. Cuz you’re looking at the next NXT Women’s Champion!” Will Cobra Kai sink her fangs into her substitute opponent? Or will she burned by the Warrior of the Sun all the same?
The bell rings and the two circle. Sarray offers a handshake but Dakota slaps it away! Fans boo but Dakota doesn’t care as she and Sarray circle. They tie up, Dakota gets an arm and wrenches to a wristlock, Sarray fights the hold, wrenches back, then wristlocks. Dakota slips through to wrench and wristlock back, but Sarray rolls, kips up and wrenches! Dakota moves around but Sarray wrangles her to the mat. Sarray hammerlocks, Dakota fights up and throws Sarray down! Dakota slaps Sarray around but that only angers Sarray! Dakota whips Sarray to a corner, Sarray goes up and over and elbows! Sarray stomps Dakota and fans fire up!
Dakota turns things around to throw forearms in return! Dakota whips Sarray to ropes, Sarray reverses and springboards to arm-drag! Sarray kips up, fires up, and kicks Dakota! Sarray reels Dakota in to scoop, carry around, and SLAM her down! Sarray gets the legs, ties them up and drops down as fans fire up again! Sarray bridges back for a MUTA LOCK! Dakota endures, and pulls Sarray’s hair! Dakota drags Sarray down and out of the hold to AX KICK her on the back! Sarray gets to ropes but Dakota gets her up. Dakota bumps Sarray off buckles, digs her boot into the throat, but stops as the ref counts 4. Dakota drags Sarray to a cover, TWO!
Dakota is annoyed but she wants the fans to respect her, their future champion! Dakota clubs Sarray, drags her up but Sarray throws body shots. Dakota CLUBS Sarray down, uses one foot for a cover, ONE! Sarray kicks back but Dakota hammers her at the ropes. Dakota bends Sarray back against the ropes but the ref counts. Dakota lets off, fans chant, “YOU SUCK! WOOP WOOP!” but Dakota drags Sarray up to snapmare and KICK her! Cover, TWO! Dakota snap suplexes Sarray to a cover, but Sarray goes Matrix, only for Dakota to throw her by hair! Cover, another Matrix bridge and Sarray elbows Dakota away. Sarray runs, rolling takedown, ONE! TO THE MUTA LOCK!!
Dakota reaches as Sarray focuses on the legs! Dakota grits her teeth, claws her way around, and gets the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Sarray lets go at 3 and stomps Dakota down! Sarray kicks Dakota to a corner, then stands on Dakota at the ropes! Sarray uses ropes to go up and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Dakota crawls away, Sarray is after her and gets Dakota up, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Sarray keeps the fire going while NXT goes picture in picture!
Sarray goes to a corner and climbs up top. Dakota stands, Sarray jumps and missile dropkicks her down! Cover, TWO! Sarray stays fired up as Dakota flounders around. Sarray rallies the fans then dares Dakota to stand. Dakota is in the corner, Sarray runs in and Dakota drop toeholds her into buckles! Dakota stomps away on Sarray then drags her up. Dakota whips Sarray to ropes, Sarray holds those ropes, but Dakota slides and trips Sarray to spin and BOOT her! Dakota then gets in to cover, TWO! Dakota grows frustrated and she takes it out on Sarray’s back. Dakota bends Sarray then SLAMS her head down, and repeat! Cover, TWO as Sarray bridges!
Dakota clubs Sarray to ropes, then drags her up. Dakota chokes Sarray on the ropes! The ref counts, Dakota stops at 4, and she clubs Sarray down again. Sarray gets to a corner, Dakota stands on her in return for earlier, but still lets off at 4. Sarray gets up and throws body shots and kicks, but Dakota ROCKS Sarray with a forearm! Dakota snapmares, covers, TWO! Dakota wraps on a chinlock and squeezes tight. Sarray endures as Dakota makes it a straitjacket stretch and thrashes her about. Sarray fights up, then JAWBREAKERs free! And dropkicks Dakota down! Both women are down and fans fire up!
NXT returns to single picture as Sarray throws forearm after forearm! Dakota stays up but Sarray gets around to GERMAN SUPLEX! Sarray aims from a corner, runs in, wheelbarrow takedown to a cover, TWO! DUBLE STOMPS! Fans fire up more as Sarray paces. Sarray gets Dakota up, waistlocks again, but Dakota resists the lift! Dakota throws elbows, gets free and runs, but Sarray dodges to shove and waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dakota escapes but Sarray is firing up! Sarray gets Dakota up, half nelson but Dakota blocks the rest. Dakota elbows Sarray then whips her to a corner. Dakota goes side to side, BOOT WASH! Dakota drags Sarray to a cover, TWO!!
Fans rally harder for “NXT! NXT!” but Dakota drags Sarray up. She taunts Sarray but Sarray throws forearms. Dakota forearms back so Sarray hits again. The forearms fly faster and faster, turn into haymakers, and fans fire up as Sarray ROCKS Dakota! Dakota wobbles but SCORPION KICKS! Sarray flounders against ropes, Dakota runs but into a DROPKICK! Speaking of, Dakota is on the ropes and Sarray fires up! Sarray runs, SUNLIGHT DROPKICK!! But she’s not done with one, she goes again! Dakota gets out of the way to AX KICK Sarray down!! Both women are down, fans are thunderous, and Raquel Gonzalez has arrived outside!!
Fans are fired up as Sarray rolls Dakota, TWO! Dakota stands but into a wheelbarrow and victory roll! Dakota shoves Sarray away but Sarray rebounds to jackknife! TWO, and both women fire up! Sarray HEEL KICKS Dakota, then HEEL KICKS her again! But Dakota follows Sarray Around the World to BOOT her down!! Cover, Dakota wins!!!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall
In the blink of an eye, Sarray loses her first NXT match, and it IS to Dakota Kai! But she isn’t done with the Warrior of the Sun! Dakota runs but HERE’S RAQUEL! Dakota runs the other way now! Raquel can’t catch her so she gets a mic to call her out! “DAKOTA KAI! You will never beat Raquel Gonzalez, and you will never have this! If you wanted a chance, all you had to do was ask. Well, chiquita, at NXT TakeOver, you’ll get your opportunity. But at TakeOver, I am going to tear. You. APART!” Former friends turned bitter enemies, will Team Kick’s captain be CRUSHED by Big Mami Cool?
Indi Hartwell prepares for her date!
And both Johnny and Candice can’t stand it. Candice says, “We have done everything for these kids. We bought this house so they could each have their own bedrooms.” But Johnny says they can’t have Indi running away like Austin Theory did. He’s out there, half-naked in the wilderness somewhere, they can’t have this happen. Indi loves Dexter, they’re dating now, Johnny and Candice have to make this work. Ding dong. Dexter’s arrived. Gargano gets the door and the two stare down. Johnny “invites” Lumis in, and Lumis enters.
Indi finishes up her make-up and Candice says everything looks great. But, and Candice doesn’t want to ask, but does she have any- Indi tells Candice to stop worrying. As a former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, she’s so strong she doesn’t need protection! That’s not… Sigh.
Meanwhile, Johnny and Lumis are staring down more in the living room, and Johnny asks what Lumis’ intentions are with #IndiWrestling. Not talking, huh? Well then Johnny will Lumis what’s happening tonight: Lumis will take Indi to a nice restaurant, show her a great time, and then bring her up by 10 PM. “And no funny business, okay?!” Indi walks into the room and sees the bouquet of darkened roses Lumis brought. They’re of course for her and she asks what they’re doing. Oh, wait, is it a surprise? Indi loves surprises! She takes him by the hand and they leave. Johnny and Candice reluctantly say, “Have a great time!” but then grumble behind the door.
Johnny tells Candice not to worry, he already has Indi’s phone GPS-tracked! They hurry off to their car so they can follow #InDex! But is there no way they can stop this romance now that it’s rolling?
Hit Row speaks.
An angry Ashante Thee Adonis says, “This all started when Legado started talking real spicy!” B-Fab says they tried to let this go, but then Legado went and jumped Top Dolla and Swerve! Dolla says it’s cuz Legado knows damn well, if they puled up face to face, their teeth would become chiclets. The second Escobar put his hands inside Swerve’s mouth to snatch his grill, he not only disrespected Swerve, he disrespected Hit Row and their culture. Swerve has the luchador mask Escobar used to cheat him once! Here’s Swerve “respecting” Escobar’s culture now. He puts it in the fire! Will this pale in comparison to the fireworks that pop off when Swerve and Escobar meet in a match?
Ilja Dragunov is here!
Just 12 days ahead of TakeOver 36 and his rematch for the NXT UK Championship, the Moscow Madman is here in the CWC to speak! “I’m not a man of big words. Simply because where I come from, and on the path I have been going, words didn’t mean anything. But pain has meant something. The struggle has meant something. The sheer, blind belief in fighting spirit has meant something!” So his strength is not in his mouth, but in his fists! So with his fists and everything else that he is, he will make the “unthinkable” happen.
Dragunov vows that on August 22nd, TakeOver 36, “you will witness chaos! You will witness rage! History will be made, and an unbeatable kingdom WILL fall!” Dragunov will do that by ending Walter’s reign and becoming the NEW NXT UK Champion! However, a former NXT UK Champion arrives! Pete Dunne slowly makes his way into the ring and gets himself a mic in the process. “Beofre you get ahead of yourself, you owe me a big ‘thank you.’ Because without me traveling the world with the UK Championship, putting NXT UK on the map, and carrying the entire continent of Europe on my back,” Dragunov doesn’t get his match, doesn’t get to TakeOver, and damn sure doesn’t get to stand in front of the Baddest Man in NXT.
For that matter, Dragunov should count himself lucky. If Dunne had stayed in the UK, he would’ve put Dragunov in his place a long time ago. Dragunov tells Dunne that speaking of big words, Dunne has a lot of them. Dragunov is not here because of Dunne or anyone else. He is here because he did nothing else than giving everything he has and carried his so-often destroyed body straight to the top! Dragunov will make the impossible possible when he beats Walter, not something Dunne can change, nor something he ever did! But that’s in two weeks. How about Dunne shows Dragunov that his words are as strong as his will? Dragunov wants to fight tonight!
Dunne says Dragunov must be as mental as he looks. After tonight, Dragunov won’t even make it to TakeOver! In other words, Dragunov’s challenge has been accepted! Will the Bruiserweight break Dragunov’s spirit or just his body?
Backstage interview with LA Knight and Cameron Grimes.
McKenzie brings up Knight ditching Grimes last week, and Knight says she can’t be serious. “Let me talk to ya. First, put some respect on his name. He is The Butler, okay? And if anybody left anybody hanging, he left me hanging.” Grimes lost, Knight kept saving him, over and over. The people were going nuts for “L A KNIGHT!” It was a madhouse! Knight gave Grimes a chance to make up for the golf course, but then he failed because Grimes is a failure! But Ted DeBiase- Don’t worry about him, Ted’s filling Grimes’ head with delusions. Just like every millennial when they were told, “You’re special~!” NO NO! Ain’t nothing special about The Butler Grimes. Grimes was always meant to be a butler.
But Grimes will find out how to win, because there is only one Million Dollar Megastar, one man who runs this! Whose game is it? Whose game is it, Grimes? It’s L A Knight’s game… That’s right, dummy! Now put the title on his shoulder. Grimes does as told, and he follows Knight out of the locker room. How much more can Grimes put up with?
LA Knight w/ Cameron Grimes VS Andre Chase!
NXT returns and Knight’s opponent is the former (and self-proclaimed) Number One Seed in the Breakout Tournament. Will Knight be teaching everyone a lesson in winning tonight?
The bell rings and the two tie up. Chase gets around to waistlock but Knight throws an elbow. Knight headlocks, Chase powers out but Knight runs him over. Things speed up and Chase hip tosses Knight down! Chase arm-drags Knight, only for Knight to yank him into ropes! Knight kicks and hits the BFT! Knight covers, Knight wins!
Winner: LA Knight, by pinfall
Knight did make quick work of Chase thanks to #BluntForceTrauma, but now he wants Grimes to attend to him. Grimes wipes Knight’s sweat off his brow, but now Knight wants Grimes to shine his shoes! Grimes crouches down, but here comes Ted DeBiase! Grimes is ashamed and Knight is shocked as the Million Dollar Man walks out. DeBiase blows right past Knight to get a mic. “This has gone too far. Cameron, I know you’re a man of your word. But… But I have a lot more for you. You could be doing a lot of other things.” Knight insists Grimes is destined to be a butler, but everyone tells him to shut up.
DeBiase says the one thing Grimes shouldn’t ever be is a butler. He believes in Grimes, and the people believe in Grimes! The fans chant “TO THE MOON!” and Grimes nods. Knight asks DeBiase what he wants, then insists he should go to the back, then says DeBiase better have something important to say or get punched in the mouth again! Fans boo and DeBiase glares at Knight. Grimes keeps the peace, and DeBiase tells Knight, “You need to shut your mouth.” And Grimes, you can be whatever you want to be. Just follow your heart. Be what you want to be, Grimes. And you want to be a champion, right? DeBiase thinks that if Knight puts the title up one more time-
Knight interrupts with “NO NO NO!” He’s won twice, there’s no third! Feed Grimes all the false hope you want, here’s the reality. Grimes can’t win, it’s scientifically proven. But at TakeOver 36, Knight has a deal. Grimes is Knight’s butler. But at TakeOver, they can have another match, but third time ain’t always a charm! And if Grimes somehow wins by the grace of God, then Grimes can have the title! But the bottom-line is, WHEN Knight wins for a third time, Grimes won’t be Knight’s butler, DEBIASE will be! Grimes doesn’t want DeBiase to accept this but DeBiase says he’s a gambling man. His money’s on Grimes, and he’s got a LOT of money! Challenge accepted!
The highest of stakes for the Million Dollar Man, but what else for the most lavish prize possible? Can Grimes win his freedom while securing DeBiase’s? Or will Knight be gloating all the way to the bank?
Gigi Dolin arranges flowers.
Or rather, starts cutting the flowers off their stems… “We are people that are just surviving. You come home every night, driving yourself insane like I do, because you’re never satisfied. Io Shirai, Ember Moon, Raquel Gonzalez, Dakota Kai, unlike you, this isn’t just our job, this isn’t a 9-to-5, this is everything to us. And it’s not just about surviving. It’s about taking notice and running through every top woman in this business. And I’m not doing it alone.” If Gigi isn’t alone, who else is fighting to do more than survive?
Gigi Dolin w/ Jacy Jayne VS Amari Miller!
Aha! So it’s Jacy who Gigi was referring to. They were both seen talking with Mandy Rose backstage, is this somehow related to that conversation?
The bell rings and Gigi circles with Amari. They tie up, Gigi gets an arm then throws Amari by her hair. Amari scrambles away and Gigi grins. They tie up, Amari gets around, waistlocks, hammerlocks, but Gig switches, spins and wrenches Amari to a hammerlock and snapmare! Gigi then pie faces Amari and laughs. Jacy cheers Gigi on as she and Amari go again. Amari waistlocks, Gigi elbows out hard, then Gigi runs, but into a forearm! Amari back elbows, whips and reels Gigi in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE! Amari scrambles after but GIgi gets away. Gigi is on the apron, she throws Amari down then YANKS the arm against the apron!
Gigi gets in, drags her by a leg, but Amari holds ropes. Gigi stomps Amari’s hand, gets her up but Amari throws shots. Gigi ROCKS Amari back, whips her to ropes and ROCKS her again! Gigi whips Amari again to ROCK her again, then back around for a wrench and cobra twist! SPINNING COBRA TWIST POWERSLAM?! Cover, Gigi wins!
Winner: Gigi Dolin, by pinfall
Gigi said she’s not like the rest, and that was definitely not like anything anyone has ever seen! Will Gigi have any more surprises for the NXT Women’s Division?
NXT catches up with #InDex on their date.
They’re at Fresco Cucina Italiana and are ready to order. Indi says they will have the calamari, the mussels, the stuffed mushrooms, the chicken fingers and a large salad. After all, Lumis doesn’t (can’t?) talk. But Indi just loves chicken fingers! She’s so glad they ordered those, that’s like a classic thing, right? “All Heart to Poison Pixie. Do you have eyes on Index?” Wait, who? Did Lumis hear that? “I repeat, do you have eyes on Index? Over.” Indi looks around, but Lumis doesn’t seem to notice. Or is it he doesn’t mind? Indi storms over to a propped-up menu and snatches it away. It’s Candice! “Hey…! Wow, of all the rest-”
Johnny asks Candice on their walkie-talkies if she sees Index. Indi tells Johnny to lave her and Lumis alone, they’re on a date. Candice? No, it’s Indi! Over and OUT. Candice says they’re made, abort the plan! Indi goes back to Lumis, they hold hands, and does even Lumis smile? Is this the beginning of a true American love story?
William Regal, and extra security, stands by in the ring.
“In 12 days, at TakeOver 36, it will be Adam Cole VS Kyle O’Reilly III, the Undisputed Finale!” He now asks both men to join him in the ring. First out is Adam Cole, saying he IS the black ‘n’ gold brand, “always have been, always will.” Cole of course gets in his “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” before Kyle makes his entrance. Regal continues to speak, laying down the rules of the match: It will be two out of three falls, and each man chooses a stipulation for a fall apiece; if there needs to be a third fall, Regal chooses that stipulation. Regal lets Kyle go first. Kyle says the only reason he isn’t ripping Cole’s head off is because he has respect for Mr. Regal.
But Kyle has been thinking of some crazy stipulations and all the tools he could use to abuse Cole. But that loss at Great American Bash doesn’t sit well with Kyle. So for Kyle’s stipulation, it will be a straight-up singles match with pinfall or submission. Cole almost laughs at Kyle but Kyle says Cole is such a narcissist, losing that standard match will shatter Cole’s ego worse than a chair ever could. Cole says Kyle is so predictable. Of course Kyle goes with this, Kyle is delusional! Kyle continues to live in a world where he sees himself as the better competitor, when for 13 YEARS, Cole has proven time and again that he is better than Kyle at this job in every way!
And speaking of The Bash, Cole won 1v1, fair and square. But Kyle is continuing on the “win” at Stand & Deliver. Kyle knows the one, it was where Cole had him beat but the ref was down. And it was the one that doesn’t even count on their records because it was unsanctioned! Then a few weeks ago, Kyle decides to SMASH Cole’s head into steel steps, making it crystal clear what Kyle really wants. And unfortunately for Kyle, Cole wants that, too! The second fall needs to be a Street Fight! And Cole tells everyone not to even worry about Regal’s stipulation, because it ain’t going to the third! Cole will win in a 2-0 sweep, and will win the Cole VS O’Reilly saga!
Kyle asks Cole if he even understands why Kyle did that. It’s because Cole taught Kyle that. As far as Kyle’s concerned, Cole was asking for it by sharpening the blade and handing it to Kyle. Kyle knows what being human garbage has done for Cole. Kyle may be naïve to think he can be a nice, upstanding citizen while still achieving his goals, “but ain’t that just a kick in the nuts?” Kyle has his priorities straightened. He is literally willing to do anything to put Cole down for good. Kyle doesn’t care. And now that he doesn’t care, he’s the most dangerous man Cole’s ever faced.
Wow, does Kyle hear himself? How much of a MORON can he be? Of course Cole taught Kyle! He’s taught Kyle for 13 YEARS, and for 13 YEARS, Kyle has tried to follow in Cole’s footsteps! For 13 YEARS, Kyle has tried to live up to Cole’s standard, and for 13 YEARS, Kyle has ridden Cole’s coattails. Because whether Kyle wants to admit it or not, but Cole has said it over and over, “You will NEVER be Adam Cole!” Cole is the GREATEST NXT superstar of all time! No one can touch him! No one ever has, no one ever will! Kyle is just a footnote in Cole’s career! So how about Cole teaches Kyle something else, right here and now?
Cole tells Kyle that his biggest problem is that he doesn’t have a killer instinct. Kyle is soft. #CoolKyle is pathetic. Oh he’s taking his jacket off now? Big tough guy wants to hit him? He won’t because Kyle is nothing, and means nothing to Cole! They shove then brawl and security rushes in! Regal knew this would happen, so he’s already naming the third fall here! It will be… IN A STEEL CAGE!! The three stages of Hell have been set, but will either of these two survive them?!
Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher speak.
Old Man Ciampa says that Pete Dunne and Oney Lorcan want us to fear them as the baddest men in all of NXT. But a couple weeks ago, they could’ve proven just that against him and #ToothlessTimmy. But instead, they needed help. They needed a third man. Enter Ridge Holland: young, big, blue chipper. The industry chooses people like Ridge Holland, and Pete Dunne chose Ridge Holland, too. Ciampa gets that, he does. But here is what Ridge is not: He is NOT Thatcher, he is NOT Ciampa. These are two men who have traveled the world perfecting their craft, sacrificing, passionate, because THEY chose this industry, and continue to choose it.
Hell, let’s get real! Thatcher & Ciampa DEFINE everything that is GOOD, that is JUST, that is PURE about this industry! But Ridge wants to enter this world and make a name for himself? Hell, let’s party! Ridge Holland VS Tommaso- Thatcher puts a hand on Ciampa’s shoulder and says, “Please, sir, with all due respect, Ridge Holland VS Timothy Thatcher.” Alright. Class is in session! What painful lesson will the Northern Grit learn from Professor Thatcher?
Imperium speaks.
“We are here to protect the purity of our sport! By any means necessary-” Wait, MSK interrupt! Payback from last time as they even pretend to be Imperium. “What is wrong with our division?” “Interrupting opponents to have a message said.” “Rude!” “Childish!” They can’t hold in their laughter any longer, and throw off the “ImperiuMSK” jackets. That’s more like it! But Imperium, all that stuff you’re spewing about MSK’s reign being meaningless is crazy! Don’t they understand that MSK is the IV drip in this division, bringing it to life?
So if they want to be next in line for a title opportunity, if they want this work, if they want to risk it, if they want this two-piece side o’ the biscuit…!! Just let them know. They’re fighting champions. MSK All Night and All Day. With the challenge thrown out, will Barthel and Aichner choose to respond with action?
NXT Breakout Tournament Semifinal: Odyssey Jones VS Trey Baxter!
It’s been quite the journey, but there’s just one more step before the finals! Will Odyssey’s epic continue? Or will #AllHeart be enough to see him through to the other side?
The bell rings and the two circle. They approach, Baxter gets around but Jones breaks the waistlock to throw Baxter down. Baxter grins as he sits up and Jones likes the fighting spirit. They circle but as fast as Baxter is, Jones is big and has him cornered. Back suplex but Baxter lands on his feet! Baxter tries a schoolboy but Jones stays up! Baxter shifts but the sunset flip doesn’t work any better. Jones brings Baxter up with both hands, throws him but Baxter rolls! Fans fire up as both guys enjoy this. Baxter says toro toro, but Jones says that’s child’s play! Jones eggs Baxter on so Baxter runs and forearms! Jones stays up, Baxter fires off and throws fast hands!
Baxter goes to run but Jones reels him in and back suplex TOSSES him! Fans fire up with that showing of strength, and Jones storms in at the corner. Baxter slips out and ROUNDHOUSES Jones back, then springboards, but into Jones’ hands! Jones TOSSES Baxter across the ring and fires up! Fans rally for “OD-Y-SSEY!” as he gets Baxter up. Jones gut wrenches with one arm, but Baxter sips out to a sleeper hold! Jones stays up, throws Baxter off hard, then drags Baxter up. Baxter ENZIGURIS, but Jones stays up! Baxter ENZIGURIS again and is free. Jones storms in, gets caught in the ropes, tiger feint to the leg!
Jones staggers, Baxter springboards in and dropkicks a leg out! BASEMENT DDT! HEEL KICK BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Baxter keeps moving while Jones is still down, leaps but Jones dodges! Jones SPLASHES Baxter in a corner, then swinging URENAGES! Cover, Jones wins!
Winner: Odyssey Jones, by pinfall (advances to the Breakout Tournament finals)
Baxter’s heart was all in, but his body just wasn’t big or strong enough! Jones’ odyssey continues, will he be THE Breakout superstar?
Samantha Irvin interviews Jones at ringside, congratulating him on officially making it to the 2021 Breakout Tournament. How does he feel? “Well first thing’s first, WHAT UP, NXT UNIVERSE?!” And they have no idea how excited he is to be going to the finals and finally have his breakout moment. “Look, Mama! I made it!” After waiting a whole year in the back, will Jones finally be a star?
Tian Sha speaks.
Boa says, “Disobedience will NOT be tolerated.” Mei Ying blows her dragonbreath! Who will be next to burn at the hands of Tian Sha?
NXT returns, outside Mr. Regal’s office.
McKenzie Mitchell says Mr. Regal has big news towards next week’s episode, and then Kushida walks out through Regal’s door. Malcolm Bivens is telling Regal that he will not regret this decision. Bivens also seems to be scouting as he looks at the two towering security guards. He hands them his Diamond Mine cards, and tells McKenzie that now Regal has news for her. Bivens leaves, Regal walks out, and he thanks McKenzie for being here. He just finished signing the papers, and next week will be huge.
First, MSK VS Imperium for the NXT Tag Team Championships! Second, after Bivens’ “convincing” argument and Kushida saying he wants a challenger, it will be Kushida VS Roderick Strong for the NXT Cruiserweight Champion! That IS big news! Will much of NXT’s golden landscape change this close to TakeOver?
NXT shares Mandy Rose’s tweet.
“Congratulations Gigi Dolin on your victory! It sure seems like the advice is already paying off.” There’s even a winking emoji, and an @ to get Jacy Jayne in on the tweet. What is the Golden Goddess working on in the background of the black ‘n’ gold?
Boa w/ Tian Sha VS Drake Maverick!
Xia Li may have failed to dethrone Raquel Gonzalez, but there are more titles for Tian Sha to take in NXT. Will Boa begin his own journey to the top of the men’s division? Or can Rockstar Spud halt his progress before it begins?
The bell rings, Maverick rushes in but into kicks! Boa BOOTS Maverick down then dares him to come back. Maverick dodges his boot, kicks the other leg, then keeps kicking! Boa THROAT CHOPS! Maverick sputters and scrambles away but Boa runs in. Maverick BOOTS Boa, CHOP BLOCKS him, then runs. Boa STRAIGHT PALM STRIKES Maverick in the chest! Boa snarls and stalks Maverick. Fans rally for Maverick but Boa stomps Maverick’s hand! Boa wrenches Maverick, knuckle locks and wrenches! Boa has Maverick on his knees and he KICKS Maverick down! Boa wrenches, knuckle locks, KICKS him more, and is toying with Maverick.
Boa wrenches, lifts Maverick with one arm, then SLAMS him down! Boa stands on the arm, digs his heel in, but Maverick pushes him away. Boa drags Maverick up, lifts him again, but Maverick hops onto his shoulders! Maverick spins and RANAS Boa to a corner! Maverick runs to dropkick Boa’s legs out, then keeps going! Fake out and redirect to another dropkick! Boa bails out, Maverick goes to a corner and climbs up, to SUPER SENTON!! Direct hit and both men are down! Fans fire up as both men writhe! Boa drags himself into the ring while Maverick shakes out his arms. Maverick drags Boa back out at 5 of 10 and SLAMS the leg on the apron!
Boa clutches his leg and the ref checks him. Maverick turns around, and GETS SMOKE IN THE EYES! Mei Ying appeared ringside and now blinds Maverick with her dragonbreath! Maverick flounders into the ring, into a ROUNDHOUSE!! Boa covers, Boa wins!
Winner: Boa, by pinfall
Boa redeems himself for past failures, with help from Tian Sha’s fearsome leader. Will he now be the face of their conquest?
NXT checks back in with #InDex.
Indi says Lumis is too funny! Indi feels like she could talk to Lumis all night! How was the food? She’s stuffed, but always has room for dessert. Oh, he’s got a little something. She gets it with her napkin. Here’s a cake for the two lovebirds~! Wait, that voice…? And then the waiter asks her, in a very NOT Italian accent, “You such a beautiful young lady! Why’a you date crazy man?” Johnny! Y-You mean Jonbo! Yes, he is Jonbo the wa- STOP! No, he show you- She snatches the toupee and the mustache. Well, fine! But Lumis better be paying for dinner! And y’know what? No cake for you! This is Johnny’s cake now! Indi says that’s their cake, they really did order one!
The two tug-o-war over the cake, and of course it goes FLYING into Lumi’s face! Lumis glares at Johnny through frosting and Johnny says, “See you at home!” Johnny runs away and Indi says she always has room for dessert. She wipes a piece off his face and eats it up. Then she leans in, as does Lumis, and Indi covers up the camera so we don’t see the kiss!
NXT looks closer at the coming war: Kross VS Joe.
The NXT Champion says, “Good evening. I have had a lot to say for a very, very long time. There are certain people who would’ve never stepped into a ring with me if they knew what my true intentions were. Everything needed to fall into the right place, at the right time. And that time and place… is now.” Kross wont’ deny that he enjoys hurting people. But someone needed to cause this suffering and chaos. And that someone was him. Regal started to doubt himself because of Kross, until SAMOA JOE returned to NXT! Joe speaks now, “Many people asked me, ‘After the injury, why’re you coming back?'”
To Joe, he isn’t returning. “‘Coming back’ is reserved for people who think they’re gone.” For Joe, it was about rebuilding. Kross says Joe is acting like Superman, here to save the day. Joe got to be enforcer, slapping around those who have big mouths. And none bigger than Kross while he’s been NXT Champion. Kross doesn’t bye that “crap.” Does anyone know the real Samoa Joe? He’s really just like Kross. Joe likes to hurt people, and nothing is wrong with that. #UnlessProvoked happened pretty quick. Comparing Kross and Joe is like saying a housefire is a hurricane. Both are dangerous, but one is just that much more.
Kross says, “Sure. But I resent the fact that he’s here pretending like he wants to change things. Samoa Joe just wants to control things.” Kross knew what Joe was all about from the first time they locked eyes: “He’s just another opportunist.” Joe is getting what he wanted, though: a second chance. Joe says it’s not even about the title. “I’m there to f*** him up.” Kross VS Joe, TakeOver 36. They each vow to put the other down, “by any means necessary.” When Joe goes out, so will the past of NXT. Because in the end, everyone pays the toll. Tick-tock. Neither man is going to back down, but they will meet face to face in next week’s go-home episode!
Ilja Dragunov VS Pete Dunne!
The Moscow Madman isn’t just ready for this, he was born for this! Will #UNBESIEGBAR show that even the Bruiserweight DOES NOT know violence like he knows violence? Or will Dunne break Dragunov like he does fingers: in a snap?
The bell rings and the CWC are thunderous already as these two tie up! They go around, Dunne uses a chinbar to wrangle Dragunov, then he cranks the arm. Dragunov rolls, gets up, but Dunne wrangles him again. Dunne has a grounded cording hold, Dragunov rolls through and gets up to roll, fireman’s carry takeover, then cover. ONE, Dragunov has an arm and wrenches it on the mat. The two fight up, Dunne hooks a leg to resists the snapmare, then he bends fingers! Dragunov endures, Dunne shifts to a toehold and then shoot the half. ONE, and the two stand off. Fans keep rallying as the two circle again.
Dunne and Dragunov approach, Dragunov gets a leg and trips Dunne. Dragunov digs his knee into an arm, then traps the other. Dunne headbutts from below, pulls on both ears and then drop toeholds. Dunne ties up the legs, stands on them, then drops back to pull on the deathlock! Dunne gives toying jabs then shifts to a headlock. Dragunov fights up, throws Dunne with a takeover, then shifts to grind the headlock. Fans cheer, Dunne gives quick hammer fists, but then fights up to power out. Things speed up, Dunne leaps and KNEES Dragunov down! Then he KICKS Dragunov in the back! And then another! Dragunov gets mad but Dunne SLAPS him down!
Dunne kicks Dragunov, drags him up, wrenches the arm but Dragunov breaks free. Dune ducks one but not the LEFT LARIAT! Dragunov waistlocks and drags Dunne up, GERMAN SUPLEX! Dunne lands on his feet and Dragunov actually likes that! Dunne rushes in, Dragunov goes Matrix! Then he PELES Dunne to a corner! Dragunov runs in to KNEE Dunne at the corner, then HALF HATCH SUPLEXES! Dragunov goes up the corner, leaps, and KNEE DROPS Dunne in the chest! Cover, TWO! Dunne is still in this but Dragunov knows he’s tough. Dragunov goes up the corner, Dunne rushes up top to get him, and has a wristlock!
Dragunov throws body shots, then CHOPS! Dunne falls back, Dragunov leaps, but into a BIG forearm!! Dragunov flounders out of the ring as NXT goes picture in picture.
Dunne smirks and shrugs while a ring count starts. Dunne goes out to fetch Dragunov, drag him up and around the way, and wrenches the hand and arm to hammerlock against the steps! Dunne STOMPS the arm, then jumps to DOUBLE STOMP Dragunov’s chest! Dunne leaves Dragunov behind with the count getting higher, but Dragunov gets in at 9! Dunne stomps, Dragunov kicks, so Dunne steps through to a modified deathlock! Dunne adds a bit of a toehold into it, but Dragunov endures and even shouts at Dunne. Dragunov pries at Dunne’s grip but Dunne jumps up to STOMP him down! Dunne goes after an arm again, standing on the hand.
Dunne drops knees right on the shoulder! And then bends the arm back, trapping it in his legs, then digs a knee into the shoulder. Dunne stands up to drop more knees! Dunne reaches over Dragunov to get his other arm, and he digs his elbow into Dragunov’s ribs! He even pulls Dragunov’s nose and ear before standing up to STOMP the other arm! Dragunov writhes but he can’t clutch either arm! Dunne sits Dragunov up and punches him right in the forehead! Dunne gets Dragunov up, wrenches an arm and grinds Dragunov down towards the mat. NXT returns to single picture as fans rally up. Dunne digs in knuckles wherever he can, but Dragunov manages a scorpion kick!
Dunne is more annoyed than hurt, so he TWISTS the arm, and kicks Dragunov down! Dunne gives Dragunov more toying kicks but Dragunov starts to grin. Dragunov eggs Dunne on, Dunne gives more kicks but Dragunov stands up. Dunne boots, Dragunov LARIATS! Dunne stays up to ROCK Dragunov, “THIS IS AWESOME!” as Dragunov LARIATS again! Dunne ROCKS Dragunov, Dragunov LARIATS Dunne, repeat! Dragunov gets the edge and CLOBBERS Dunne! Dragunov swings a big hammer fist but Dunne blocks it! Dunne has the arm between his feet and TWEAKS it! But Dragunov rebounds and LARIATS Dunne again! Dragunov keeps moving, ANOTHER LARIAT!
Dragunov is still going, but Dunne BOOTS him! Dunne shoves Dragunov to ropes, CONSTANTINE SPECIAL! Dragunov came back with the 619 clothesline and fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” as these two rise. Dragunov gets Dunne’s arm, wrenches and knuckle locks to then CHOP and CHOP and CHOP Dunne down! Pump handle, but Dunne gets the arm and wrenches to a double wristlock! Dragunov fights through that to cobra twist and rains down elbow after elbow! Then the Gotch lift EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!! Fans chant for “NXT! NXT!” as Dunne and Dragunov stand again. Dragunov storms over but into a BOOT! Dunne runs in but Dragunov goes Matrix!
But Dunne KICKS an arm out! Dragunov is down, Dunne gets his fingers and bends! But Dragunov slips through and CHOPS Dunne off his feet! BACK SENTON! Waistlock, but Dunne slips through to FUJIWARA! But Dragunov rolls and stands, hooks a leg for a takedown and a rain of elbows! Dunne pulls Dragunov’s hair! And gives Dragunov knees right to the forehead! Dunne shifts over to the FUJIWARA! But Dragunov resists so Dunne floats to the other arm, FUJIWARA! Dragunov rolls, but into a TRIANGLE! He makes it a cover, ONE! Again, ONE! Dragunov shimmies out to drop an elbow, but Dunne knees him in the face at the same time!
Dunne again gets Dragunov into the TRIANGLE HOLD! And it’s on tight! Dragunov doesn’t stop, he DEAD LIFT POWERBOMBS Dunne! High stack cover, TWO!! FOREARM DROP!! Cover, TWO!?! Dunne survives that desperate shot and the fans are electric in the CWC! Both men are down but the fans hope they “FIGHT FOREVER!” because “THIS IS AWESOME!” Dragunov waistlocks, Gotch lifts, but Dunne pulls fingers again! Dragunov slips through to BACK HAND! But with the bad hand! Dunne stops both hands then BUZZSAWS! Whip, Constantine- No! The arm can’t hold Dragunov up! BUZZSAW and FOREARM!
Dunne drags Dragunov up, pump handles, but Dragunov slips through! Gotch lift, but Dunne victory rolls to an ARMBAR! Dragunov bridges to relieve pressure, but Dunne has the arm stuck! Dragunov rolls back?! Waistlock, Gotch lift, SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!?!? More like 2.7, but that’s still not 3! Dragunov goes to a corner, climbs up top, SUPER SENTON!! It just clips Dunne but Dragunov isn’t stopping here, anyway! Dragunov aims from the corner, “UN! BE! SIEG!” Walter?! The NXT UK Champion finally makes his presence known, just as Dragunov has this in his grasp. Dragunov kicks Dunne out of the ring and dares the Ring General to do this now!
But Dunne gets Dragunov in the pump handle! Dragunov fights the lift, switches and shoves Dunne into ropes, to then JUMP KICK him down! Dragunov resets, TORPEDO MO- FOREARM!! Pump handle, BITTER END!! Cover, Dunne wins!!
Winner: Pete Dunne, by pinfall
That was definitely a bitter end to this match, as the Ring General threw Dragunov off his game. Walter gets in the ring, stares down with Dunne a moment, but then Dunne shrugs and leaves. Walter drags Dragunov back up and SLAPS him down! And then wraps on the SLEEPER! But Dragunov still has life as he arm-drags Walter away! Walter rushes to his feet, and into TORPEDO MOSCOW!! Walter underestimated Dragunov’s fighting spirit here tonight, will he do the same at TakeOver? Will there finally be a NEW NXT UK Champion?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode for NXT, and though TakeOver isn’t for two weeks, this episode felt like the go-home. For one, we got a lot of big matches set up for next week. The NXT Tag Team and NXT Cruiserweight Championships are on the line since TakeOver is bringing in the NXT UK Championship and now the Million Dollar Championship. MSK had a good payback promo on Imperium, and of course Kushida will defend against Strong. It was a clever detail that Bivens gave his card to those really big security guards. On one level, Diamond Mine should have always been recruiting, even after their members were revealed. On another, they need new members because Nick Da Prick Khan decided to throw Tyler Rust away despite him being in the Diamond Mine story.
Knight had a good promo and a fast match, DeBiase returns again and of course helps motivate Grimes into going after the Million Dollar Championship one more time. This has to be the time Grimes wins, and the next phase of NXT can have Grimes as the fun-loving, money-spending, title-defending Million Dollar Caveman headed TO~ THE~ MOON~! Hit Row has a short but strong promo segment. Swerve VS Escobar for the North American title just needs to be declared already since we know that’s happening, and then they can go all out to finally settle this score that goes back to their days fighting over the Cruiserweight title.
We got a great pseudo-Prime-Target for Kross VS Joe, and Kross’ line about NXT’s past being done hits differently when you factor in all the talk and concerns about NXT. I will worry about NXT only when/if those things come to pass. All that aside, Kross VS Joe, Sleeper VS Sleeper is still more exciting than Lashley VS Goldberg, Spear VS Spear. Kross may not be a great in-ring guy, but at least both guys are in their prime, and neither guy is resorting to intimidating a teenager. Jones VS Baxter was a really good match for how quick it went. I already sensed the Breakout Tournament becoming The Big Hoss Tournament, so Jones winning makes sense. Hayes VS Hudson could still go either way, giving us a great tournament finals either way.
It was good to see Boa get himself a win, but I hope this isn’t NXT dumping Xia Li. Yes, her heel kick legitimately knocked people out, but the first time it happened, they should’ve realized how strong her heel kick was. Then they should’ve said, “Let’s book matches where that kick never comes into play again.” At the same time, Xia Li is still recovering from rib injuries suffered during her match with Raquel Gonzalez, but Boa’s promo made me think she was out of Tian Sha completely.
Everything with #InDex and The Way was well done and very funny. I’m still betting on Mixed Tag: InDex VS The Way, and THAT is the make-or-break for both the romcom and The Way as we know it. Johnny acknowledging that Theory’s missing is also a good sign, maybe Theory comes back home after the InDex saga wraps. Ciampa and Thatcher have a good promo, and I do like that Thatcher wants to take on Ridge Holland first. Gigi Dolin had a good promo, but the transition messed up the beginning so I don’t think I got those first few words right. But Jacy Jayne at ringside for Gigi’s match, and Mandy’s tweet right after, confirms another trio is forming.
Dakota VS Sarray was a great match, just as Dakota VS Ember would have been. I almost thought Raquel was going to interfere with the match but her getting there just after Dakota wins was still a good call. Raquel has a strong promo in response, and because Dakota is so devious on top of being skilled, I really feel that match could go either way.
Cole VS Kyle III is apparently following in the footsteps of Cole VS Gargano in that is Two Outta Three Falls, or rather an unofficial Three Stages of Hell. Tonight’s Cole-O’Reilly face-off was good, but it was definitely more because of Cole than Kyle. There was one flaw, though: Cole says Kyle has no killer instinct, but this is after the Unsanctioned match and that chain-wrapped knee drop, and after Kyle gave him the brainbuster to the steps. Cole even brought that up himself, so it just seems like a weaker part of his argument.
But at the same time, Kyle choosing a singles match is a weak move from both him and the booking team. Kyle could have at least spiced it up by saying it’d be a Submission Match. And personally, I was hoping Regal would up things a bit more than a Steel Cage match. Yes, NXT Cage matches are far better than RawDown Cage matches, but there’s still that cliché of “Now they can’t escape each other!” when it’s not needed. Cole and Kyle want to settle this, it’d be weird of NXT to write it as “And now Cole turns chicken.” Last Man Standing or I Quit would’ve better escalated things on a proper scale with Cole saying “Street Fight.” Standard match becomes Street Fight, dropping the disqualifications and ring counts, then LMS/I Quit drops pinfalls and submissions and it comes down to sheer will of character.
My Score: 9/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be in this business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
A great Monday Night Raw as the go-home to Backlash, but everything with the world title match was both great and curious. No Logan Paul here in Omaha is a mixed bag itself. From the story side, he should’ve, so he and Jey could’ve had a face-to-face. But as a person, I was glad we didn’t have to endure Logan being smug. And quite the audible bringing Heyman out to talk with Jey. Heyman’s passion was great, really adds some stuff to help us understand his side. And I like that they “suckered” Jey into this match. It was definitely an awesome match, even with the overbooking that eventually threw it out.
Sami and Punk showing up was all fine in story, but after what happened last week, I feel like Sami shouldn’t have come back so soon. But that aside, Jey, Sami and Punk make for a good unit to counter Rollins’ team. Though, Rollins will need another member who can wrestle since Heyman won’t be of any use. Here’s hoping it is Austin Theory given how Theory is upset with Waller after that switcheroo. Good return for Sheamus, though I feel like Sheamus has done more returns in the last 12 months than just about anyone ever. Here’s hoping Sheamus still gets in on the Intercontinental Championship story.
Speaking of, great match from Penta VS McDonagh, even with the overbooking. A bit surprising Penta overcame all that to win, but it works since now Dom and Penta are now set for an Intercontinental Championship. And there is room on the card as it doesn’t seem Jey VS Logan is happening for Backlash. Makes me wonder if they started us on a Jey VS Logan feud before they were really ready, as Backlash “isn’t big enough” for Logan’s “star power.” I like that Styles also got in on this, Styles VS Finn is going to be awesome, and can certainly set up the winner as the next challenger. It really depends on what happens with Dom VS Penta.
Gable getting involved as also good, given how he and Penta had their confrontation last week. New Day had a good promo with Gable to gas up American Made. That is to say, New Day is using American Made as a shield against The War Raiders, but it’ll only help Erik & Ivar earn their rematch. Great return match for Rusev with Otis looking strong even in defeat. Rusev doesn’t waste time teasing he’s a Tweener, he goes right to blindsiding Tozawa and beating Alpha Academy down. Not sure who is next for Rusev, as there aren’t as many Faces not really tied into anything on Raw. Maybe whatever WWE Draft we get moves Rusev to SmackDown, or at least moves some names from SmackDown and NXT to Raw so Rusev can face fresh meat.
Great promo from Becky and Lyra to help hype Becky VS Lyra. Good brawl, but now Lyra standing tall makes me think Lyra loses the title. Becky can start on some sort of second Grand Slam or something like that, but also she and Lyra will be 1-1 and the rematch for the Women’s Intercontinental title can be the tiebreaker at like MITB or SummerSlam. Iyo VS Roxie was a great match, but of course Giulia showed up. No reinforcements with Rhea promoting Crown Jewel: Perth, and sadly, Dakota Kai being hurt and now released, no Damage CTRL to help either. But the Heels did need a moment where they stood tall, and one of them could even get a world title shot.
And honestly, Pat and Gunther had an awesome promo to hype their match. Pat put over Maggle, he put over Nebraska, and quite perfectly framed this story as the hungry dreamer in Pat himself and the complacent veteran who has already done so much. Gunther’s response was also great, because now he’s angry enough to get that hunger and that fire back. I would think Gunther wins, as he needs the rebound from WrestleMania and Pat doesn’t really need much. But Pat can get a moral victory of sorts by lasting longer than Gunther or any of us expect. Pat can just keep getting up after every chop, have a false finish or two, but ultimately lose because his body can’t come through for his fighting spirit. Respect for Pat but momentum for Gunther, that’s the best outcome.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!

Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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