Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE NXT Results & Report! (9/7/21)
Tag titles on the line, times two!
NXT features the Men’s AND Women’s Tag titles in one night!
There’s a makeover on the horizon, but NXT still shines bright with gold! Will MSK make this night must-see? Will Shirai & Stark stay a team AND champions? Or will both their challengers take those titles into the future?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kay Lee Ray VS Ember Moon; KLR wins.
- Carmelo Hayes VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma; Escobar wins.
- The Creed Brothers w/ The Diamond Mine VS Chuckie Viola & Paxton Averill; The Creed Brothers win.
- NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter; Shirai & Stark win and retain the titles.
- Mei Ying w/ Boa VS ???; Mei Ying wins.
- NXT Tag Team Championships: MSK VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch; MSK wins and retains the titles.
PLAY BY PLAY
Kay Lee Ray VS Ember Moon!
The Scary Queen of Scots and longest reigning women’s champion in recent WWE history finally has her in-ring debut for NXT here in the USA! But the equally decorated former NXT Women’s and Women’s Tag Team Champion wants to make sure KLR doesn’t get an ego about anything. Will the Shenom fire up and rise again? Or will KLR simply start her journey to conquering this half NXT?
The bell rings, Ember steps to KLR and they tie up. Ember headlocks to a takeover but KLR fights to get the headscissor. KLR pushes up to add leverage but Ember claws at the legs. Ember kips free, headlocks again but KLR pulls hair as she works on an escape. KLR powers out, Ember runs her over! Ember grins, runs, but KLR arm-drags. Ember handsprings through to arm-drag back and then dropkick KLR down! Cover, TWO! Ember keeps on KLR with a wrench to the arm, KLR fights up as fans rally. KLR rolls through but Ember gets her for a facelock. KLR throws body shots but Ember HOOK KICKS and whips! Ember runs in but gets buckles, KLR HOTSHOTS the arm!
KLR gets back in to wrench and WRING Ember out into the ring! Ember writhes and clutches her shoulder but KLR talks trash. KLR drags Ember up, Ember throws body shots with the good arm but KLR CLUBS her down. KLR suplexes for a GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! KLR stalks Ember to a corner, gets her up and wraps an arm around the ropes. The ref counts so KLR lets off Ember at 4. KLR gets Ember up, steps over to hammerlock the arm and bends fingers! Ember rolls but KLR holds on for an ARMBAR! Ember clasps hands, powers up but KLR pulls the hands apart! Ember hurries to make it a cover, TWO! Ember schoolgirls, TWO!
KLR storms in but into a RANA! Ember rallies with her good arm giving clotheslines! Mule kick to front kick to ENZIGURI! KLR staggers to another corner and Ember grits her teeth. Ember roars, runs and forearm smashes! Ember throws KLR down, hops up top, and leaps for a FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ember gets a CROSSFACE! KLR endures, pries at the hold, but Ember adjusts her grip! KLR still fights, reaches out, but then rolls it back to a cover, TWO! Ember still has the CROSSFACE! Ember wants KLR to quit but KLR refuses! KLR kicks around, reaches out again, grabs at Ember’s foot and uses that for leverage!
KLR gets to a high stack, TWO, and Ember drags KLR into a TRIANGLE CHOKE! KLR endures the shin in her chin and CLUBS away on Ember! Ember lets go and KLR staggers to a corner. Ember snarls and runs in but KLR schoolgirls her into buckles! KLR and Ember are down as fans rally and NXT goes picture in picture.
Ember sits up slowly, KLR storms back over. KLR DECKS Ember with a right, then takes a moment before she digs boots into Ember. The ref reprimands, KLR lets off and Ember comes back to DECK KLR! KLR gets up to BOOT Ember, then stomp her over and over! Ember is defiantly getting up but KLR throws her down! Cover, TWO! KLR grows frustrated but she drags Ember around with a facelock. KLR wants the bad arm and gets it for a double wristlock. Ember endures and fights up, but KLR cranks the partial Kimura. Ember fireman’s carries out of it! KLR sunset flips, TWO! KLR BOOTS Ember back down!
KLR seethes, puts Ember on ropes and then stands on her back! The ref counts, KLR lets off and Ember sputters. KLR kicks at Ember but Ember gets up to ROCK her! KLR ROCKS Ember back, so KLR wrenches and CODE BREAKERS the arm! Ember writhes, KLR grabs at her again and CLUBS her shoulder. KLR pulls the arm way back and adds a leg for a partial Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Ember endures so KLR SPLASHES down on the arm! KLR CLUBS Ember but Ember gets up. Ember throws body shots, rolls KLR up, TWO! Ember Oklahoma Rolls, TWO! KLR gets up to CLOBBER Ember! KLR snarls but Ember kicks at her, so KLR stomps Ember back down.
KLR drags Ember up, hammerlocks the arm for the double wristlock, but Ember fights with body shots. NXT returns to single picture as Ember scoops! KLR slips out to DDT the locked arm! Cover, TWO! Ember survives and that frustrates KLR, so KLR goes back after the arm. Ember throws body shots, KLR whips her to a corner but Ember reverses! KLR hits buckles, Ember inside cradles! TWO, and KLR SLAPS Ember down! Ember gets up and is furious, but KLR SUPERKICKS! Ember sputters but rises again! Ember roars, KLR runs in but is put up top! Ember puts KLR in a Tree of Woe for KOWATA KICKS!
The ref backs Ember off, but Ember jukes past to PENALTY KICK KLR upside her head! KLR flops out of the Tree and Ember fumes. Ember covers, TWO! KLR flounders to a corner but Ember’s locked on. Ember storms over but KLR sends her into buckles! KLR wrenches, facelocks and TORNADO DDTs!! Cover, TWO!! Ember survives again and KLR grows further frustrated. KLR and Ember crawl at each other, the fans fire up, and KLR suplexes. Ember blocks but KLR also counters the suplex. KLR CLUBS Ember, suplexes again but Ember gets her first! Ember TOSSES KLR out of the ring!! Fans fire up as KLR crashes and burns but Ember takes aim.
Ember builds speed and she DIVES! Direct hit on KLR and Ember puts her in the ring! Ember climbs up, KLR ROCKS her first! KLR drags Ember up by her hair to TOSS her to the mat! Ember writhes, KLR climbs up top now, SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! KLR is shocked but she’s learning why Ember’s held multiple titles in her career! Fans are fired up for “N X T!” as the two brawl with forearm after forearm! Ember blocks the kick and snarls, as she hooks KLR for a TURBO BACKPACK! Cover, TWO!! Ember thought she could fly like an Eagles but the CWC still says “This is Awesome!” Ember gets up but KLR anchors her foot.
Ember SLAPS then spins to drop down for a cover, TWO! KLR has a sunset, TWO! Ember jackknife bridges, TWO and KLR bridges up! KLR spins Ember, but for a GORY BOMB!! Cover, KLR wins!!
Winner: Kay Lee Ray, by pinfall
Two former champions did battle, and in the end it was the former #ForeverChampion that won out! Can KLR recreate the rise she had in the UK here in the US?
Pete Dunne and the boys talk backstage.
Oney Lorcan is getting in some last pumps with the resistance band while Danny Burch gives him a pep talk. McKenzie then walks in to interview them about their main event match tonight. How are they feeling? Burch is done talking about this! The point is, Burch is back, and now he and Lorcan are gonna win back what they never lost! Holland says that when people step to fellas like them, they get hurt. Dunne says not just to win, but to END MSK. Burch says “one foot in front of the other,” and has McKenzie walk out. But will Burch & Lorcan walk out of their must-see tag title match as the new champions?
NXT returns to Fresco’s.
It seems that for Labor Day weekend, Indi Hartwell chose her favorite Italian restaurant so the ladies of NXT could have her bachelorette party. Candice LeRae walks out with bride-to-be Indi, and from McKenzie to KC Squared to Cora Jade and Amari Miller, all of them applauded. Indi can’t believe Candice pulled this off! Candice can’t either, since Indi doesn’t really have any friends. Huh? Nothing! But here they all are! Yay~! But Amari and Cora talk between themselves. Can anyone believe Indi and Dexter are the ones getting married? Pfft, it’s a wedding in the WWE. This is never actually happening.
Indi calls for a toast. She thanks them all for coming, and McKenzie can “interview” her if she wants. No, McKenzie left the mic at home. But trust her, Indi, you’re doing fine. Indi says she is just so full of love. This means so much to see them all, and especially her best friend of ten years, Persia, “who came all the way from Australia.” Wait, really? No, she’s here cuz Disney World. Indi recalls how Dexter walked into her life, and then stalked his way into her heart. Hmm… Before Dexter, Indi was lost. There was one person who guided Indi, supported her, and made Indi into the woman she is today. Indi thanks that one person for showing her the way: Candice LeRae. Hey, that rhymes.
To Candice! To Candice…? Candice says she’ll be the final toast. This all started- Wait, really? Kacy, Kayden, are you really trying to FlipFlop, TikTok whatever it is right now? Just… Anyway, when this first started, Candice did not approve. Dexter’s… strange. Creepy. Maybe even psychotic and deranged. Indi stops Candice there and gets it, no one is perfect and Candice didn’t like him. Just get to the good stuff. Candice says that now, looking back, she realizes Dexter does really love Indi, and that’s all you can ask for. Here’s to #InDex! To InDex!
Indi and Candice hug, and Candice says Johnny’s the tough nut to crack when it comes to acceptance. Indi says Dexter will just have to crack Johnny’s nuts. Umm… Phrasing… But what is the bachelor party like? Candice “just so happens” to have them GPS tagged so they could find out… Oh, then let’s totally do! Indi and Candice excuse themselves under “emergency wedding stuff,” and the rest of the ladies are just fine with that. Wait, who’s paying the bill, then? And yes, what are Gargano and Dexter up to?
Carmelo Hayes VS Santos Escobar w/ Legado del Fantasma!
Mr. Breakout 2021 has his golden ticket to whatever title he wants! But while teasing his decision, El Hijo del Fantasma’s many minions took offense that he even mentioned the North American Championship. Will this showdown here tonight help Hayes get that much closer to deciding his target?
The bell rings and Hayes circles with Escobar. They tie up, Escobar powers Hayes to ropes but lets off fast while smirking and shaking his head. Hayes shrugs that off and circles with Escobar again. They tie up, Escobar wrenches to then throw Hayes down for a facelock. Escobar SLAPS Hayes on the back and then offers him a chance to leave without getting hurt. Hayes says no no, they’re finishing this. They tie up, Hayes gets an arm and wrenches through to a wristlock. Escobar reaches for ropes but Hayes keeps him from them. They roll together and Hayes keeps the wristlock! Escobar fights but Hayes throws him down! Escobar gets up but Hayes arm-drags him away!
Hayes asks what’s up, and things speed up! Hayes RANANS Escobar out of the ring! Escobar seethes and now Hayes offers him a chance to leave. Escobar rushes back in, Hayes runs and tilt-o-whirls but Escobar SLAMS him down! SPLASH to Hayes’ back, then Escobar hammers away with fists! Escobar says if Hayes isn’t taking the easy out, then here’s the hard way! Escobar gets Hayes up, CLUBS him at ropes then brings him down to stomp that back! Escobar KICKS Hayes’ arm, digs his knee into Hayes at the ropes, but lets off as the ref counts. Hayes sputters, Escobar stomps Hayes’ legs. Escobar whistles before he DDTs Hayes down! Cover, TWO! Another cover, TWO!
Escobar rains down rights on Hayes, then gets him to a corner. Escobar CHOPS, then CLUBS Hayes on his back. Escobar whips corner to corner, Hayes manages to go up and over and around to then speed things up. Escobar waistlocks, Hayes switches and O’Conner Rolls, TWO! Hayes handsprings through to SUPERKICK Escobar down! Hayes drags Escobar up, throws forearms, then whips him to ropes. Escobar reverses, Hayes rolls off the back and PUMP KICKS! Hayes snarls as Escobar is on the apron. Slingshot but Escobar slips into the ring! Escobar runs to BLAST Hayes off the apron! Hayes hits the announce desk and Legado laughs at him as we go to break.
NXT returns and Escobar has Hayes down in the ring. Escobar drags Hayes to center to stomp him in the stomach, then has the legs to turn him for a LION TAMER! Hayes endures and tries to get free but Escobar lets off to drop knees into the back. Cover, TWO! Escobar is frustrated so he drops a leg! Escobar gets Hayes up, whips him to a corner and then runs corner to corner. BIG clothesline, and Escobar keeps Hayes up to clothesline again! Escobar back elbows, takes his time walking the ring, and then he runs corner to corner again for DOUBLE KNEES! Hayes wobbles but Escobar puts him up top, then CHOPS!
Hayes reaches for hair but Escobar throws hands! Escobar goes up, whistles and SUPER STEINERS! Cover, TWO!! Hayes is still in this but Escobar covers again, TWO! Escobar clamps onto the arm but Hayes resists. Escobar throws elbows in, traps the arm, but Hayes fights. Escobar still puts on the CROSSFACE! Hayes endures, claws at the grip, but Escobar just CLUBS him again. Escobar lets Hayes go to bring him up and RAM him point blank in the stomach! Hayes falls out of the ring, Escobar goes out and brings him over to bump off steel steps! Hayes keeps trying but Escobar ROCKS him! Escobar has the legs and turns Hayes on the steps for another BOSTON CRAB!
The ref counts for the ring count, Escobar lets off at 5 of 10 and puts Hayes in at 8. Escobar grins as he gloats, then covers, TWO! Hayes refuses to quit but Escobar drags him up to put him on ropes. Escobar stands on Hayes to choke him, while talking trash on Swerve! But Hayes trips Escobar up to ENZIGUR, and SPRINGBOARD IMPLODING LEG DROP! Escobar bails out before a cover but Hayes is right after him! Hayes bounces Escobar off the desk! Then Hayes puts Escobar in, hurries to build speed, SPRINGBOARD CLOTHESLINE! Hayes keeps moving, BASEMENT PUMP KNEE! Hayes gets Escobar back up, suplex to a CUTTER! Cover, TWO!!
Fans are thunderous as the Breakout star has the former Cruiserweight Champion on the mat. Hayes goes to the apron, springboards but into a KNEE from Escobar! Fireman’s carry, pop but CODE BREAKER from Hayes!! Hayes runs, tilt-o-whirl and FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Escobar survives but Hayes hurries after. Escobar’s on the apron, so Hayes slingshots to APRON DDT! Legado furiously distracts the ref so that ELEKTRA can scoop and SLAM Hayes onto the ramp! Lopez puts her jacket back on as Hayes drags himself into the ring, PHANTOM DRIVER from Escobar! Cover, Escobar wins!
Winner: Santos Escobar, by pinfall
El Legado is growing into una familia, and now Escobar has a clear path after Swerve. But will Isaiah Scott and Hit Row have something to say about all that?
NXT hears from Malcolm Bivens.
“The Creed Brothers are world class athletes, national champions!” Brutus was undefeated and placed number one in the NCAA tournament, and his brother Julius placed in the Olympic Trials in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. “These are the two newest members of Diamond Mine, and you have the opportunity to witness history.” NXT will see these two make their in-ring debuts. #DiamondMineForever. Roderick Strong welcomes them to the team and tells them the real work begins. Will Brutus & Julius follow the creed of Diamond Mine, victory through pressure?
Backstage interview with William Regal.
The NXT General Manager has an announcement in regards to the title picture. It has been two weeks since Samoa Joe won the title for a third-time, and he is always going to be a fighting champion. Next week, we find out who the #1 contender will be: Tommaso Ciampa, Kyle O’Reilly, LA Knight and Pete Dunne compete in a FATAL 4 WAY! That is huge, but who comes out proving they are worthy of challenging the Samoan Submission Machine?
The Creed Brothers w/ The Diamond Mine VS Chuckie Viola & Paxton Averill!
We know the credentials and the physically imposing figures Brutus & Julius cut as they enter the ring, but now it is time to back up all the talk! Will they make Bivens, Strong and #Hachiman proud with their first match in NXT?
The teams sort out, Brutus starts with Paxton and the two circle. Paxton rushes in but Brutus throws him right down then gets him to a corner. Brutus hits a BIG EuroUpper but Paxton throws hands! Brutus scoops and THROWS Paxton out of the ring! Brutus goes out after Paxton but Chuckie V is in his way. Brutus SHOVES Viola down to get at Paxton! Brutus puts Paxton in, Viola tags in but gets caught for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Julius wants in, his brother and him slap each other and that counts! Brutus whips Viola into Julius’ fireman’s carry takedown! Then Julius whips Viola back so Brutus can hit a fireman’s carry takedown!
Viola writhes, clutches a leg, but he still kicks Julius away! Viola throws big forearms but Julius RAMS Viola into a corner! Julius reels Viola in for a HUGE Half Hatch suplex! Julius is fired up and shouts, “I LOVE THIS!” Julius gets Viola up for a clinch and POWERSLAM! Julius sees Paxton reaching out so he THROWS Paxton in! Brutus gets in, he scoops Paxton while Julius scoops Viola. They RAM their opponents into each other, before they SLAM both men down! Julius drags Viola up and shoots in to RUNNING SPINEBUSTER, to BASEMENT LARIAT!! Cover, the Creed Brothers win!
Winners: The Creed Brothers, by pinfall
Brutus leaves Paxton alone, and who knows what he did to Paxton on the outside. Bivens is happy, Strong and Hachiman are proud, but will the Diamond Mine be bringing in a lot of gold soon enough?
Backstage interview with Ember Moon.
After that loss to Kay Lee Ray, it just seems things haven’t been going her way lately. More like three months. Lost the tag titles, lost her tag partner, and lost all the matches in between. Ember is getting tired. She knows this happens in everyone’s career, where you have to dig down deep and find that inner self… But KLR woke Ember up. Ember doesn’t want to feel like this anymore. Ember knows what she has to do, so stay tuned and see. Will there be another evolution of the Shenom on the horizon?
Hit Row speaks.
Swerve is laughing, actually. He can’t even be mad, because he should’ve seen this coming. From breaking a guitar on Escobar’s back to Hit Row hitting Legado in the parking lot, Swerve should’ve known Escobar would come back with something. Swerve just couldn’t put his finger on it, until it happened. But that’s alright, because Legado is never catching Hit Row slipping again ever. The joke is now on them! Top Dolla finds it funny, since the luchadors said in Espanol an old Mexican saying, he who laughs last, laughs best. Well Hit Row ain’t laughing! There’s a saying from Dolla’s nana, “A hard head makes a soft ass.” So that’s why Dolla draped them all on him like a poncho!
Adonis says that Legado got busted like a $10 piñata, so they should count their blessings. Time to apply some real pressure. And then, the nerve of just adding in some chica to go after the baddest chick! #FACTS. B-Fab tells “Senorita Secret Sauce” that she doesn’t know who she is, but she should know that hitting B-Fab with a pipe is not how to say hello. But when they really meet, B-Fab will make her big mad cuz y’see, they have una problema, they have a problem. And if you didn’t know, NOW you know. Will Lopez comprende after these two throw down?
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championships: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark VS Kacy Catanzaro & Kayden Carter!
On one side, two champions work together as a team, nothing more and nothing less. On the other, two friends became a team and are hoping to become even more than just influencers. Will the Genius of the Sky and the #SinCitySoldier make their own highlight reel out of KC Squared? Or will Kacy & Kayden have even more reason to dance and have fun once they get the gold?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see what makes for stronger bonds!
Starting off are Stark and Kacy and the fans rally up. The two circle, feel things out, then Kacy dodges to drop toehold. Stark stays up, Kacy headlocks, but Stark powers up. Kacy thrashes the hold, Stark powers out this time but Kacy dodges again. Stark also dodges, shoves but Kacy handsprings and headscissors! Stark also handsprings and wags her finger. Fans rally up for Shirai and Shirai herself wants in. Stark and Kacy both tag out, Kayden now circles with the former NXT Women’s Champion. They tie up as fans fire up, and Kayden headlocks. Shirai powers out, things speed up, Shirai hurdles but Kayden handsprings.
Things keep going, now Shirai handsprings then comes back to headscissor Kayden! Kayden handsprings through and Shirai kips up. Shirai shrugs, she has to give credit to the opponents. But then Stark wants to tag back in and Shirai says no! “I don’t need your help!” Stark sighs, but then Kayden dropkicks Shirai down! Cover, TWO! Kayden clamps onto an arm, Shirai fights up but Kayden grinds her down. Fans rally as Shirai endures, and Kayden even digs an elbow into the shoulder. Shirai fights up, throws body shots, Kayden cranks the arm. Kacy tags in, the wristlock is handed off and now Kacy grinds Shirai’s shoulder.
Shirai throws body shots but Kacy whips her to a corner. Kacy runs in but Shirai dodges. Shirai blocks Kacy’s boot, wraps the legs around the ropes and then ROCKS Kacy with a forearm. Shirai runs to hit a DRAPING CODE BREAKER! The ref checks on Kacy as she clutches her face, and then Stark tags in. Stark and Shirai argue a little but are in control as NXT goes to break.
NXT returns and Stark keeps Kacy grounded with a motorcycle stretch and knee in the back. Kacy endures, fights up and fans rally and duel. Kacy knees low, throws hands, but Stark knees back. Stark gets Kacy up, scoops but Kacy slips out. Kacy reaches but Stark keeps her from Kayden! Back suplex but Kacy resists, and Kayden tags in! Kacy gets away, Kayden runs in and she BULLDOGS Stark! Shirai jumps in but Kayden ROCKS her first, then sends Stark into her! Kayden runs in to EuroUpper them both! Kayden fires up, runs corner to corner and DROP-SPLASHES the champs! Fans fire up s Kayden goes to the ropes, springboards to wheelbarrow and victory roll, SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!
Kayden keeps fired up and dares Stark to get up. Stark sits up, Kayden kicks but misses. Stark blocks the return to spin and HEEL KICK Kayden! Shirai tags herself in and Kayden is on the ropes, 619!! Shirai hops over Kacy’s sweep to then PENALTY KICK her down! Shirai climbs, Kayden stands, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Shirai drags Kayden over, pushes her around, then clamps on for another cover. TWO, but Shirai gets a CROSSFACE! Kayden endures, moves around, fans rally and duel and Stark tries to give Shirai advice. Shirai scowls but she maybe takes it as she cranks back. Kayden still endures so Shirai lets her go and pushes her around.
Shirai whips Kayden to ropes, to DECK Kayden with a forearm! Shirai digs a heel into Kayden’s chest, then lets off as the ref counts. Shirai CLUBS Kayden, CLUBS her again, then boots her down. Kayden sits up so Shirai fires off forearm after forearm! Shirai whips Kayden to ropes but Kayden holds them. Shirai runs in, Kayden boots her away! Kacy tags in and stays hidden, Kayden moves as Shirai runs in so Kacy can shoulder her! Shirai staggers and Kayden table tops her! KC Squared combine for a wheelbarrow to back suplex SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Shirai survives, Kacy brings Shirai around and Kayden tags in. Kayden fireman’s carries, Shirai fights free to GERMAN SUPLEX!
Kayden ends up in the corner and Shirai powers up. Shirai runs in, SHINKANSEN! And Stark tags herself in! Shirai is annoyed but Stark makes sure Kayden can’t get away, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!! Kayden lives and Stark is annoyed but she drags her back up to whip back in. Kayden hits Shirai on the way in, then Stark runs in only to miss and hit Shirai! Shirai goes down, Stark realizes what happened, but she turns around into a kick and hammerlock to BLADERUNNER! Kayden thinks about it, tags Kacy, and the two combine again! They’re up top in an Electric Chair for a SUPER SPLASH!! Cover, Shirai springboards and missile dropkicks Kayden onto the pin!!
Fans are thunderous as Shirai keeps this going for her title reign’s sake! Kacy gets Stark up but Stark KICKS Kacy’s leg! Stark runs, SLIDING BOOT!! Cover, TWO!! “This is Awesome!” as Stark gets Kacy up for a back suplex, GO TO STARK! Tag to Shirai and she goes up top, OVER THE MOONSAULT!! Cover, Shirai & Stark win!!
Winners: Io Shirai & Zoey Stark, by pinfall (still NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions)
The champions may not be friends, but they’re still a team and still on top! Will there be any stopping them as they- Wait, whoa! Gigi Dolin, Jacy Jayne and… Is Mandy Rose copying Sheamus with that facemask? But anyway, they all CLOBBER KC Squared! Mandy RAMS Kayden into the titantron! Then they all stomp away on Kacy! The Rose and her buds show their thorns once again, are they going to target the tag titles next?
Kyle O’Reilly speaks.
“So the last 12 months of my career have been… challenging, to say the least. I mean, you go from the heartbreak of losing championship matches to the turmoil of my best friend stabbing me in the back.” But Kyle looks back to TakeOver 36, and how he closed a chapter in his career and in his life. It was freeing, yeah, not giving a damn anymore. Now he can think and feel and do whatever he wants. It doesn’t matter what it takes, who is footing the bill, or who comes to his birthday parties, because the endgame for Kyle is THE NXT Championship and Samoa Joe. “And it’s not about the physical title that he wears around his waist or whatever. It’s about what that title represents, it’s about being the best!” Kyle got over one obsession at TakeOver. Next week, he gets to begin another.
NXT now shares footage of the bachelor party.
Dexter and Gargano are in a limousine together, and somehow Dexter is friends with Odyssey Jones and Drake Maverick. But Gargano is most confused by how that zombie ref from way back when is still here. And where are they going? Who is paying for this, too? Or the wedding! Not gonna be Gargano! Nope! Not one red cent for- Watch out now! Grimes says it’s time to take this party TO~ THE~ MOON~! Jones is fired up, and Maverick tries to be fired up, and Zombie Ref does his best to say, “Moon…!” Gargano asks what Grimes is doing here, but Grimes is handing out hundies! Didn’t Grimes hate Dexter? And wasn’t Dexter terrorizing him for months?!
Grimes says the Million Dollar Man taught him that with enough money, you can solve any problem! So Grimes is using his millions to make sure this bachelor party and the #InDex wedding happen! And for Lumis himself, Grimes offers a truce. Lumis accepts it! Party time, boys! They get to the Go Karts and Grimes declares this the Dexter Lumis Bachelor Party 500 Grand Prix! The top prize is 10 THOUSAND DOLLARS! “Start your engines!” Everyone is fired up but Jones chops Maverick a little hard. And away we go~! Candice and Indi spy from inside an old Volkswagen bug as Gargano does his best to be the first across the finish line! Lumis bumps into Zombie Ref and Gargano takes the win!
And then, they move on to Axecelsior, the ax throwing range! But a quick question, anyone already have experience with an ax? The group looks around, and of course focuses on Lumis. He raises his hand to confirm he has used axes before. The boys take turns, Jones getting on the board but outside of the target. Lumis takes his turn and… BULL’S EYE! Gargano… struggles. Lumis pats Gargano on the shoulder and shows him proper tomahawk throwing technique. It works! Gargano and Lumis have a thumbs up together, and Maverick wants to try the trampolines. Aw, look at that lil’ Rockstar. Grimes best $10,000 that Jones can’t send Maverick to the moon! DEAL!
Maverick is worried as Jones comes jumping in! ODYSSEY POUNCE! Maverick goes flipping and flying, but not quite to the moon. And last but not least, LASER TAG! Team Green VS Team Dex! Or Team Johnny, but fine. GO TIME! Pew pew, tuck ‘n’ roll! Lumis, no, uppercuts aren’t allowed! But Gargano still tags that guy out so he’s not complaining. Jones takes out targets, Lumis chokes out a guy! Another easy one for Johnny. One guy thinks he’s safe, until Lumis brings out the RAG! He’s alive, right? Yeah, just unconscious. And now he’s out! The last guy is flanked by the entire team, so he quits. Fair game, PEW PEW. Total party kill~! Gargano says he’s owed 10 thous.
Gargano high fives everyone, but hesitates to high-five with Lumis. The others can’t believe he’s still not trusting Lumis. Zombie Ref actually talks and says, “He’s not that bad, eh.” Wait, he’s Canadian? But then Jones nudges Gargano and the high-five is complete! Gargano may have lost a son when Austin Theory ran away, but perhaps… He’s found a new son in Lumis? Indi jumps in and is so happy that Lumis finally cracked Johnny’s nut! Huh? Phrasing, Indi. Wait, were the girls spying on them? W-What? No…! But hey! Gargano and Lumis did a high-five! Yeah, they did. Bring it in, family! “Guys. Let’s go have a wedding!” Lumis… SMILES!?
Boa meets with Mei Ying.
“It’s time.” Tian Sha is ready to move out, but who will feel the wrath of the immortal empress?
Franky Monet talks with Jessi Kamea backstage.
Has Jessi seen the cheesy wedding invitations for the #InDex wedding? Ugh, it’s all anyone can talk about. Bet that wedding dress is gonna be super tacky. Yeah, not even a designer one. Robert Stone walks in and has huge news. Okay, don’t breathe on them, and button up more. Okay, sorry, but listen. He just came from Regal’s office and… #SuitManStone made sure to get this right. Next week, Monet VS Gonzalez… FOR THE TITLE. OMG really?! Next week? Does everyone understand how big this is for their brand? Screw InDex, they’ll be talking about the NEW NXT Women’s Champion! Monet is ready to get that gold, but will Bougie Bad be heartbroken by Big Mami Cool?
Mei Ying w/ Boa VS Virginia Ferry!
The dark and fearsome leader of Tian Sha finally steps into the ring herself! Will Ferry not fair very well at all? Or for all that long, either?
The bell rings and Ferry makes the first move, but Mei Ying throat chops her right away! Then wraps on a SLEEPER! Ferry JAWBREAKERS free, but Mei Ying stays up and BOOTS Ferry down! Mei Ying drags Ferry up, shoves her then THROAT CHOPS again! Ferry gasps and sputters as she stands, into Mei Ying’s HANDSPRING FOREARM! Mei Ying isn’t done here, either! She waits for Ferry to stand, choke grips and she just squeezes the life out of Ferry! It’s also a cover, Mei Ying wins!!
Winner: Mei Ying, by pinfall
That could’ve easily been a submission win, too! Will this ferocious, merciless dominance soon make it’s way to the very top of NXT?
LA Knight speaks while cruising in his car.
“It’s championship season! Which for me is all year round, so let me talk to you.” By now, we all know about the news, and there’s going to be a #1 contender’s match! Three superstars and one megastar! NXT faithful say, “No, not LA Knight! He’s a jerk~!” Quit the crying and bellyaching because here’s the thing. You’ll be doing a whole lot more crying and aching as Knight smacks around three favorites to become the contender. Then Joe has to look into Knight’s eyes and see that time is up. Who’s game is it? YEAH, L A Knight’s game! “See you soon, Joe.”
Tommaso Ciampa speaks.
“Last week, I talked about motivation. How a motivated Ciampa is a scary Ciampa. I was motivated to avenge Toothless Timmy’s injury, motivated to whoop Ridge Holland’s ass, and that’s exactly what I did.” Now, Ciampa’s motivation shifts. He has two goals in the coming match. One is Dunne. Ciampa isn’t blind and he can see who is calling the shots in the group. The game Dunne is playing does not have a pretty ending. If Dunne wants to “slay the dragon,” chop off the head. Two is something that’s been a long time coming. “But the greatest things in life are always worth the waiting for.” That goal… is Goldie. Ciampa storms off, will he get back what he cherishes most?
NXT Tag Team Championships: MSK VS Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch!
Nash Carter & Wes Lee went to Mr. Regal and simply wanted things to be fair in the tag division. They knew as well as anyone that the One Two never truly lost these titles and had yet to get their chance. This is that chance, and both Northern Grit and the Bruiserweight want their boys to make this a brutal return to the top. Will Lorcan & Burch take advantage of MSK’s kindness? Or will things stay the way their are: MSK All Night and All Day?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see which team shines and which team gets shiners!
Carter and Burch start, slowly circle, and fans chant, “Welcome Back!” for the Gov’nah. Burch and Carter feel things out, tie up and go around. Burch puts Carter in a corner but Carter fights back to put Burch in the corner. They go around and around, Burch digs a shoulder in but the ref counts. Burch lets off and the CWC is fired up. The two reset, tie up, and Burch gets an arm for a wristlock. Burch YANKS the arm, wrenches and reels Carter in for a headlock and takeover. Carter fights up but Burch throws palm strikes! Carter still gets to his feet, powers out of the headlock and things speed up.
Burch comes back but Carter goes Matrix. Carter dropkicks legs out then basement dropkicks Burch down! Carter fires up but Burch headbutts low! Tag to Lorcan, and he takes the handoff to wrench Carter’s arm. Oney grinds that arm, wrenches again then ROCKS Carter with a EuroUpper! Back suplex, Carter land son his feet and Lee tags in! MSK fires off on Lorcan, KICK to ENZIGURI to DOUBLE STOMP! Lee covers but Oney scrambles away! Lee still shoots the half, ONE! Lee facelocks to keep Oney down, but Oney fights up. Fans rally and duel, Carter tags in and Lee snapmares for Carter’s slingshot senton! Cover, ONE!
Oney RAMS Carter into the corner, Burch tags in but Carter fights back! Burch CLUBS Carter from behind! Burch gets Carter up to throw EuroUppers! Burch throws more EuroUppers, tags to Oney and they double wrench to a double CHOP! Burch tags back in and he double whips Carter with Oney. Carter ducks, springboards and TORNILLO CROSSBODIES! Direct hit, Carter runs in to uppercut in the corner! Lee tags in, he and Carter coordinate, RAILGUN DROPKICK! Burch bails out and MSK fires up as NXT goes picture in picture.
MSK dares the One Two to come back but they cool off first. Burch finally gets back in, he and Carter circle, and they tie up. They go around, Carter arm-drags Burch down to get a cording hold on the mat. Burch moves around, Carter holds on and wrenches! Burch knees low, throws EuroUppers then whips Carter to a corner. Carter reverses, runs in but only gets buckles! Then Burch LARIATS! Cover, TWO!! Burch seethes as he paces around Carter. Tag to Oney, they mug Carter and Oney EuroUppers Carter down! Oney puts Carter in a corner and CHOPS! Then he reels Carter in to EuroUpper! And whip hard into the corner! Carter bounces off buckles, Burch tags in.
Burch drags Carter up, snap suplexes, then covers. TWO, but Burch keeps on Carter with a chinbar. Burch thrashes Carter around, grinds him down, but Carter endures. NXT returns to single picture, Carter fights up but Burch throws him down! Burch cranks on the chinlock as he bridges, but Carter still endures as fans rally and duel. Carter fights up, throws body shots and elbows, but Burch brings him around! Burch ducks the enziguri, hauls Carter back up and then hits a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Tag to Oney, he keeps between Carter and Lee while egging Carter on. Oney CHOPS Carter, dares him to do something more, so Carter throws hands.
Oney CHOPS and still eggs Carter on! Carter forearms, Oney EuroUppers! Carter fires up and fires off, but Oney knees low! SNAP SUPLEX, to a ground ‘n’ pound! Oney fires up but fans boo as he talks trash to Lee. Oney drags Carter away, tags in Burch and they mug Carter again. Burch ROCKS Carter with a right, tags Oney back in and fans rally up. Carter crawls along ropes but Oney ROCKS him with a EuroUpper! Tag to Burch, they mug and double whip Carter but he holds ropes. Carter sends Oney out, Burch rams low! Burch whips, Carter reverses and JUMP KNEES! Both men are down, Burch grabs at Carter first and keeps him down while going to his own corner.
Hot tags to Oney and Lee! Lee rallies on Oney with big forearms and hammering fists! Burch gets in but Lee BOOTS him out! Lee headbutts, KICKS and shoves Oney to dropkick him to a corner! Lee goes corner to corner to FOREARM SMASH! HEEL KICK! GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Lee gets Oney up, Oney JAWBREAKERS! Lee comes back with a ROBINSON SPECIAL! Tag to Carter, he and Lee coordinate, PUSH-SAULT! Cover, Burch breaks it! Lee rushes in and throws Burch out! Oney bails out on the other end, Lee DIVES to take out Burch! Carter aims at Oney, MOONSAULT from the corner! MSK fires up and the CWC duels harder!
Carter puts Oney in, climbs up top again, SWANTON ONTO KNEES! Oney gets up to KNEE Lee off the apron, then he CHOP BLOCKS Carter’s leg! ANKLE LOCK!! Carter endures as Oney twists his foot! Burch intercepts Lee into a CROSSFACE!! MSK endures dual submissions and the fans are thunderous! Carter rolls to send Oney into Burch! All four men are down and “This is Awesome!” Holland and Dunne aren’t as convinced as they watch ringside. The four men rise and approach. Burch HEADBUTTS Lee, Carter KNEES Burch! Oney CHOPS Carter and then CHOPS him again! CHOP and then run corner to corner for a back elbow! Oney keeps going but Carter HIP TOSSES him into buckles! SUPERKICK for Burch!
Tag to Lee, fans fire up with MSK as they get Oney up, MUST-SEE BLOCKBUSTER!! Cover, MSK wins!!
Winners: MSK, by pinfall (still NXT Tag Team Champions)
Time to put some respect on the names! Carter & Lee prove themselves against the former champions and stand tall as Holland and Dunne look on. Will MSK continue to reign with this level of excitement? As for Dunne and Holland… Holland HEADBUTTS Burch down! Oney doesn’t understand, but then he sees he’s alone. Dunne shrugs and BUZZSAWS Oney down! Dunne stomps away on Oney, then feeds him to Holland’s scoop! ROUNDHOUSE and NORTHERN GRIT!! Fans tell Dunne & Holland “YOU SUCK! YOU SUCK!” but they just shrug it off. But as Oney stirs and Burch checks on him, Holland gets Burch up to DECK him with a hard right!
Dunne and Holland leave it at this, having sent a message: there is no room for failure or weakness in their world. Will everyone get that message soon enough?
My Thoughts:
Another great episode for NXT, and we can only hope and perhaps pray that this isn’t the last great episode. For one, everything in the bachelorette-bachelor skits was great. We got more of that The Way brand “twisted sitcom” humor that also helped give some personality to newer female superstars, Cora Jade and Amari Miller. Plus, we had that great twist with Zombie Ref. But if anything happens to “ruin” the wedding, it needs to be Austin Theory making a return to say HE is the only “son” of The Way. Theory should be angry that no one trusted him about Lumis to start, and in a twist, he isn’t going to go after Lumis but he goes after JOHNNY. Theory VS Johnny, The Way family dysfunction and all that, that’s perhaps the best way “New” NXT can keep this going in a compromise of how this brand was and how Vince is making it be.
KLR VS Ember was a great opener, and while KLR of course wins because she’s making the move to NXT USA, Ember had a very good promo to spin that around to perhaps another new form. I do like that she touched on Shotzi being taken away, that is still a lame move on WWE’s part but whatever. I’m certainly intrigued to see if Ember goes back to full Prophecy of Flame with a twist, or has yet another fresh idea all her own that they’re letting her go with. Escobar VS Hayes was also a great match, but naturally Escobar wins thanks to interference. Lopez being the one was a great little twist on that, though. And Hit Row has a good promo, and I look forward to Lopez VS B-Fab.
The Women’s Tag Team Championship match was great stuff, with KC Squared showing off some great moves overall, and there was good dysfunction character work with Shirai and Stark. The champs retain because they’re going to keep being tested just on the level of how well they can stick together as a team. Mandy leading Gigi and Jacy in beating down KC Squared was a pretty good surprise, but that mask Mandy is wearing looks really doofy compared to Sheamus’ mask. And Monet getting her title shot next week is of course to make the makeover episode of NXT big, so that (at least for now) the only change to NXT will be cosmetic.
Mei Ying won obviously, but I don’t think the fans really cared that much. Maybe like me, they were all hoping she was going to get in the ring way sooner, but now without Xia Li, it just isn’t as good. Sometimes you can have too slow of a slow burn, and this is probably that. Meanwhile, Diamond Mine is finally speeding things up. They should’ve done more with Tyler Rust, and unfortunately Arturo Ruas and Marina Shafir were cut before they could join up, but the Creed Brothers definitely defied my expectations. They’ve got the fire and charisma but also the deadpan angry faces to fit right in with Roddy Strong in that team, Diamond Mine can still be something.
We got great news about the NXT title #1 contenders match, and we got good promos from O’Reilly, Knight and Ciampa. But with the stare downs between Joe and Dunne we’ve gotten a few times, that has to be the match we get. Especially with how things went in the main event. MSK VS Oney & Burch was great stuff, and while I figured MSK was going to win, I did not see Oney & Burch being kicked out of Dunne’s group so soon. So much for WarGames with those four and any other four. But at the same time, this puts Dunne & Holland on this higher level of being Heels that I certainly feel Holland needed for himself. Dunne can go after Joe, Holland can go after the winner of Escobar VS Swerve, those two can become a British version of the Two Man Power Trip if “new” NXT sees it that way.
My Score: 9/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Best of the Super Juniors Results & Report! (5/25/25)
Round 8, all together!
The penultimate round of this round robin!
Best of the Super Juniors 32 enters round 8, and there are still a lot of moving pieces! Who will be that much closer to the semifinals?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles; Eagles wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Kushida wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan; Yoh wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X; Dia wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne; Mao wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack; Mack wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO; Sho wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors; Connors wins, by disqualification.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight; Desperado wins.
- Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Master Wato: 5-2, 10 points
Clark Connors: 4-3, 8 points
Francesco Akira: 4-3, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-3, 8 points
Hiromu Takahashi: 4-3, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-4, 6 points
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-4, 6 points
KUSHIDA: 3-4, 6 points
Dragon Dia: 3-4, 6 points
Ninja Mack: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current B Block standings!
YOH: 4-3, 8 points
Nick Wayne: 4-3, 8 points
MAO: 4-3, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-3, 8 points
El Desperado: 4-3, 8 points
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-4, 6 points
Kevin Knight: 3-4, 6 points
SHO: 3-4, 6 points
Titan: 3-4, 6 points
Robbie Eagles: 3-4, 6 points
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Ryusuke Taguchi VS Robbie Eagles!
The Funky Weapon fell short in last round’s main event, but he proved he’s still got it. But can he get it going again this late into the tournament? Or does the Sniper of the Skies have the kill shot waiting?
The bell rings, Eagles runs up, wheelbarrows, victory rolls and has the legs, RON MILLER SPECIAL!! Taguchi claws at the mat, drags Eagles along, and makes it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Eagles drags Taguchi back, but Taguchi kicks Eagles down to have OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go, Eagles bails out, and Taguchi goes to the corner, TRIANGLE- NO, Eagles moves, Taguchi lands safe on the apron, but then the leg jams! Eagles 619s the legs out! Taguchi falls to the floor, Eagles brings him around, and he KICKS the bad leg! The fans rally, Eagles taunts Taguchi, then drags Taguchi around.
Eagles SMASHES Taguchi’s knee off the floor! The fans cheer, Eagles stands Taguchi up, and he puts him in the corner. Eagles pulls Taguchi’s legs against the crossbar! The ref reprimands and counts, Eagles lets go at 4, but he sits on Taguchi! Eagles eggs Taguchi on as he hops down, then rallies the fans. Eagles aims from the apron, springboards in, but into ANTIAIR HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi clutches his leg but he rolls his way to Eagles. Taguchi has Eagles on ropes and rubs it in his face! POINT BLANK HIP again and again! Taguchi then runs, to HIP ATTACK! Eagles sputters and the fans cheer!
Taguchi calls upon the powers of Strange Style, “ORYA~!” KETSU- NO, Eagles rolls up with bridge, TWO! Taguchi rolls Eagles, TWO! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles scrambles, rolls, and KICKS Taguchi down! The fans rally while Eagles shakes out the bad leg. Eagles stands, hobbles, and he shows some cheek! HIP ATTACK! And HIP ATTACK! Taguchi sputters, Eagles fires the fans up with some swivel, but Taguchi blocks the hip attack to HEADBUTT the butt! The fans cheer and Taguchi HEADBUTTS Eagles’ stomach! The forearms fly, Taguchi gets the edge, but Eagles ROUNDHOUSES! SUPERKICKS! ENZI- NO, Taguchi ducks! OH MY GAH ANKLE!
Eagles rolls and kicks free, then catches Taguchi. Taguchi shoves free to HIP ATTACK! Eagles says I’LL BE BACK, but Taguchi catches him! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles reaches out, crawls forward, and the fans rally up! Taguchi stands Eagles up, Eagles cravats, ASAI- NO, Taguchi slips free of the DDT! Drop toehold, and OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Eagles endures, the fans fire up, but Taguchi yanks Eagles back! Chicken wings, DODON- NO, Eagles victory rolls! TWO and Taguchi has it! TWO and they roll, roll, roll, roll, roll! In the end, Taguchi has it, TWO!!! Eagles escapes but both men are dizzy! Taguchi fires up, the fans are with him, but both men fall over!
The fans rally hard, and this is just the first five minutes! Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Eagles is against ropes, but he comes back to HYPERION!!! Cover, EAGLES WINS!!
Winner: Robbie Eagles, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taguchi earns 0)
It was a wild shootout from the start, but it is Eagles who hits the mark! Will the Sniper still take aim at the top? Or will someone else in the block block his path?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: KUSHIDA VS Yoshinobu Kanemaru!
The Time Splitter and the Heel Master are on that bubble, one loss means the end for them! Will Kushida pick up speed and make it Back to the Future? Or does Kanemaru have one last cheap trick up his sleeve?
Kushida is on the corner for his entrance, and Kanemaru attacks! And ROCKET LAUNCHES him! The bell rings and Kanemaru whips to then DROPKICK the legs! Kanemaru steps through for a FIGURE FOUR! Kushida scrambles and rolls all the way to the ROPEBREAK! The ref reprimands, Kanemaru lets go, and Kushida scrambles away to the other side. Kanemaru drags Kushida back from ropes, holds him open, then gives a foot to the ref to split the wishbone! The fans cheer, Kanemaru turns Kushida over and SMASHES the knee! Kushida writhes more but Kanemaru is on him again, to YANK the leg!
Kanemaru taunts Kushida, mockingly asking what’s wrong. Kanemaru kicks Kushida to ropes, but Kushida CHOPS! Kanemaru kicks the leg, Kushida CHOPS, then Kushida CHOPS again! Kushida KICKS Kanemaru’s arm! The fans rally, Kushida whips, but Kanemaru reverses. Kanemaru handsprings, but Kanemaru DROPKICKS the legs! FIGURE FOUR!! The fans rally for Kushida while he endures, and he fights to push the main leg! Kanemaru powers the hold back down! Kushida endures, fights over, ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud but Kanemaru holds on until the ref reprimands. Kushida hobbles to the apron, and Kanemaru runs up.
Kushida RAMS Kanemaru, HOTSHOTS him away, then hurries up the corner. Kushida leaps but Kanemaru moves! Kushida’s leg jams, and Kanemaru trips him! Step through, but Kushida cradles, TWO!! Kanemaru escapes, Kushida waistlocks, but Kanemaru switches. Kushida slips under, FLIPS Kanemaru, and has the HOVERBOARD! Kanemaru fights up, spins through, and kicks the bad leg! Kushida PELES! Kanemaru goes to a corner, Kushida runs in, but Kanemaru BOOTS Kushida! Kanemaru runs, Kushida drops then HIP TOSSES into the ARM- NO, Kanemaru stacks Kushida, TWO! Kanemaru kicks and scoops, BRITISH-
NO, Kushida wrenches through to hop on, HOVERBOARD!! Kanemaru endures as Kushida thrashes the arm, and he grabs the ref! Kanemaru sends the ref into Kushida then ENZIGIRIS! Kushida and the ref are both down, so Kanemaru takes a swig of his whiskey! Kushida stands, but he smothers Kanemaru! Then TANAKA FASTBALL sends the mist flying! Backslide, KUSHIDA WINS!
Winner: Kushida, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Kanemaru earns 0)
Another fast and furious match as this night gets going, and Kushida turns things around! Kanemaru is more than likely out of the running now, but can Kushida still make it to the finals? Or is time running out?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: YOH VS Titan!
One man is near the front but the other is near the back! Will Direct Drive kick it into gear and keep it fresh? Or will El Inmortal stay alive for a little longer?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Titan DROPKICKS Yoh and Yoh tumbles out! Titan builds speed, Yoh is back and he trips Titan! Yoh ties Titan up in the Paradise Lock! Milano Collection AT can’t believe what he’s seeing! Yoh fires the fans up, then runs to DROPKICK Titan out of Paradise! Yoh hurries to suplex, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Titan stays in this but Yoh stays focused as the fans rally up. Titan stirs while Yoh tunes up! SUPER- NO, Titan ducks the kick, shoves, and then goes Matrix to dodge! CALF KICK! Yoh tumbles, Titan runs, but Yoh puts Titan on the apron. Titan GAMANGINRIS in return!
Titan then springboards and FLYING RANAS! Yoh tumbles out again and Titan FLIES! Down goes Yoh and the fans fire up again! The fans fire up, Titan puts Yoh in the ring, and then Titan springboards again! DIVING BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Yoh stays in this and the fans rally more. Titan waits on Yoh, pounds the mat, and the fans rally back up. Yoh stands, Titan throws off his elbow pads, and he FRAME- NO, Yoh BOOTS Titan first! Titan comes back but Yoh ducks a lariat to full nelson! Titan breaks free, switches, but Yoh elbows and runs! Titan follows to TORNADO DDT, and he brings Yoh up! But Yoh suplexes, FALCON GOROSHI!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Titan sputters, and Yoh roars as he rises up. The fans cheer and Yoh brings Titan around. Yoh underhooks but Titan fights it! The fans rally, Titan wrenches and tilt-o-whirls to DDT! Then he drags Yoh up to suplex, GOURD BUSTER! SUPERKICK! The fans fire up with Titan and he hurries to the corner! Titan skins the cat up top, aims and LA LANCER!! Yoh spasms, Titan covers, TWO!!! Yoh survives and the fans fire up again! Titan loosens his mask a bit, roars and the fans are with him! Titan drags Yoh up, reverse rack, but Yoh slips out of the yoyo! SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!!
Titan still lives, but Yoh roars again! Yoh drags Titan up, underhooks, DIRECT DRIVE!! Cover, YOH WINS!!
Winner: Yoh, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Titan earns 0)
It’s like everyone is going for a speed record in this round! Yoh seals the deal like Ziploc, and now leads with 10 points! Is it freshness guaranteed for the semifinals?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Dragon Dia VS Robbie X!
The block is sorting out with every match, but both men are on the bubble! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond be greater than X? Or will the X Express stay on track?
The bell rings and the fans rally. Robbie gets fans to bark for the War Dogs, and he ties up with Dia. Robbie puts Dia on ropes, the ref counts, and Robbie lets off, to CHOP! Robbie CLUBS Dia, stomps him down, then drags him back up. Robbie ROCKS Dia, whips, but Dia ducks ‘n’ dodges then slides to tilt-o-whirl and arm-drag! Then DROPKICK! Robbie tumbles out, Dia FLIES! Down goes Robbie and the fans fire up! Dia brings Robbie back up, puts him in the ring and covers, TWO! Robbie bails back out but Dia waits. Robbie shakes out an arm, rolls back in, but bails out again. Dia rushes after Robbie, but Robbie picks him up and POSTS him!
Dia writhes but Robbie KICKS him in the back! Robbie then stands Dia up just to DECK him! Robbie tells fans to move aside, and he grabs one of the chairs. Robbie brings that over, sits Dia down and CHOPSS! Robbie wants more chairs so he takes another one from the crowd. Robbie sets that chair up, runs up, and leaps to CANNONBALL Dia down! The fans fire up with Robbie, and he goes back to Dia. Robbie drags Dia up, puts him in the ring, then pushes to a cover, TWO! Dia stays in this and the fans applaud. Robbie stomps Dia on the back, then stands him up to whip corner to corner. Dia hits buckles hard and falls to the mat!
Robbie stands on Dia’s back, shouts for the War Dogs, and the fans cheer. Robbie sits Dia up, steps over, and he BITES Dia’s fingers! The ref reprimands and counts, Robbie stops and tells the ref to shut up. Robbie drags Dia back up, but Dia CHOPS! Robbie eggs Dia on, but Dia CHOPS again! Robbie CHOPS in return! Dia goes to a corner, Robbie runs up, but Dia BOOTS then RANAS! The fans fire up as Robbie staggers away. Dia growls and rises up. The fans rally and Dia runs in, but Robbie dodges. Dia dodges in return, then goes to the apron to trip Robbie! TORNILLO SPLASH! The fans fire up again as Robbie is on the ropes!
Dia dials it up, 619! Robbie flops back, Dia STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Robbie stays in this but Dia fires up more! The fans are with Dia and he goes to the corner. Dia climbs, watches Robbie rise, D D D- NO, Robbie stops the 4DT and suplexes! Robbie hangs Dia out to dry, then goes to the corner! GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMPS! Cover, TWO! Dia survives and the fans fire up again! Robbie is frustrated but he drags Dia back up. Robbie CLUBS Dia, suplexes, but Dia cradles! TWO!! Robbie escapes, hobbles away, but Dia runs up. Robbie BOOTS Dia, goes up, but Dia GAMANGIRIS! Dia goes up to get Robbie, ASTRO SCISSCORS!
Dia goes back up, D D D D T!! Cover, TWO!! Robbie survives going 4D but Dia just fires up more! Dia runs, rolls, REPTILI- NO, Robbie stops the rana! And makes it a SITOUT POWERBOMB!! Cover, TWO!!! Dia survives and the fans are thunderous! Robbie thinks on what he must do next, but he rises up while the fans rally again. Dia is in the corner, Robbie LARIATS! Robbie puts the leg in ropes to KICK, then he SPIN KICKS! RUNNING SHOOTING STAR! Cover, TWO! Dia stays in this but Robbie stays on him! “You’re dead, b*tch!” Robbie handsprings, Dia dodges, DOUBLE CORK!!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Robbie survives, but Dia SOBATS! ENZIGIRIS! But Robbie PELES! And DREAMCAST KICKS! Then Robbie reels Dia in, lifts, but Dia REPTILIAN RANAS!!! Cover, DIA WINS!!
Winner: Dragon Dia, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Robbie earns 0)
Both men love to go “X-treme,” but this skater boi is the one still standing! Will the Infinite Carat Diamond continue to shine until he’s holding up the trophy?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: MAO VS Nick Wayne!
DDT Pro collides with AEW/ROH, with both men just a step behind first place! But will the Strange Love Connection throw the Prodigy off his game? Or will the Idol Warrior see he just lives in Wayne’s World?
The bell rings and the two rush in! Mao BOOTS but Nick brushes that off! Nick and Mao fire forearms, Mao gets the fans to cheer him, then he kicks low! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then hurdles, then bypasses to UPPERCUT! Nick kips up and the fans fire up. Nick then covers Mao, TWO! The fans cheer while Nick flexes. Nick drags Mao up to CHOP! Mao comes back to SMACK Nick down! And then Tsukakui! The fans cheer as Mao waits on Nick. Nick rises, Mao winds up, and Mao kicks, kicks, and KICKS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, but Mao DROPKICKS! Mao kips up, and Tsukakui! The fans rally and Mao claps along.
Mao runs to BOOT Nick against ropes, then he runs again to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Nick stays in this but Mao has JUST FACELOCK! Nick endures, and the fans rally as he reaches out, fights around, then finds the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud and Mao lets go. Mao gets a Shikaku chant going, then he brings Nick up. Mao whips, Nick grabs ropes and KICKS back! Nick kicks again but Mao blocks to step over and WHEEL KICK! Mao then reels Nick in and calls his shot, but Nick suplexes first! The fans cheer all the same while both men are down. Mao goes to ropes, Nick rises up, and the fans rally again.
Mao is in a corner, Nick runs in, and Nick UPPERCUTS! Nick snapmares then runs up, spins Mao, and ASAI DDTS! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Nick keeps his cool. Mao sits up and checks his head. Nick stalks Mao, waistlocks, but Mao fights the nelson! Nick still powers through to have half, but Mao REAR HEADBUTTS! Mao whips, Nick reverses, then Nick avoids the knee to SHOOTING STASR! Cover, Mao goes Matrix! GEDO CLUTCH BRIDGE! TWO, and Nick has the body scissors the JAPANESE LEG ROLL! TWO, and Mao has a waistlock! This is a DOUBLE COVER, TWO!!! Both men get up and the fans fire up!
Mao says look but Nick says shut up! Nick says look, Mao says he can shut up! Mao ROCKS Nick! Nick SUPERKICKS back! Nick goes up the corner, WAYNE’S- NO, Mao ducks the cutter, keeps moving, SPIDER-MAN into the GERMAN SUPLEX! Nick handsprings to STUNNER! Bit Mao kips up to STUNNER!! The fans are thunderous while both men are down again! Mao sits up first and the fans rally. Mao and Nick crawl to each other, go forehead to forehead, then they stand to go forearm for forearm! Mao gets the Shikaku chant going again, then he ROCKS Nick! Nick comes back to ROCK Mao!
The forearms keep going and the fans rally up. Nick fires a flurry, but Mao winds up to SMACK Nick! Mao powers up, runs, OSAKA- NO, Nick BOOTS the uppercut! Mao avoids the roundhouse! Mao SLAPS, SLAPS, but Nick CROSS COUNTERS! Nick fires up and runs, but Mao uses the ref as a shield! Then LEAP FROG into the GERMAN SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Mao survives the turnaround but Nick fires back up! The fans rally, Nick says “IKU ZO~!” and he hooks Mao up! But Mao fights the Prodigy Plex! Mao spins Nick around and around and around, then reels him in for a POWERBOMB! Nick stands, Mao hits a DESTROYER!
Nick ends up in a corner, Mao runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Nick goes up to FLYING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! The fans fire up with Nick as he goes up, up, and WAYNE’S WORLD, but Mao handsprings through!? To STEAL WAYNE’S WORLD!!! Cover, TWO!??! But into the JUST FACELOCK!!! Nick scrambles, Mao rolls him away, DICK KILLER!!!! NICK TAPS, MAO WINS!!
Winner: Mao, by submission (gains 2 points; Nick earns 0)
More like the Nick Killer, but the point is, Mao overtakes The Prodigy to be right behind Yoh! But Mao still shows Nick respect with a handshake. Will these two run it back one day? Will one of them be the Best of the Super Juniors when they do?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Kosei Fujita VS Ninja Mack!
The Japanese Young Punk is mighty, and he is just outside the front of this block. However, the American Ninja Warrior, for all his speed and agility, has fallen completely out of the race. Will Mack manage to spoil something for Fujita? Or will even he see that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The bell rings and Mack offers the handshake. The fans applaud but Fujita dismisses it. Mack and Fujita circle, feel things out, then tie up. Fujita powers Mack back but Mack breaks free. They go again. fight for control, and Fujita pushes Mack to ropes. Mack powers his way back, then shoves Fujita way. The fans cheer and both men fire up as they go again. They clinch, fight for control, and Fujita puts Mack on the ropes. The ref counts the break, Fujita lets off with pats on the shoulder, but then CHOPS! Mack CHOPS, but Fujita CHOPS again! Mack CHOPS again, but so does Fujita! The fans rally as the CHOPS keep going!
Fujita CHOPS and Mack wobbles! Fujita CHPOS, CHOPS, CHPOS, then runs, but Mack UPPERCUTS! Mack runs, leaps over the dropdown, then TOSSES Fujita out! Mack builds speed, Fujita slips in, and he catches Mack in the handspring to GERMAN SUPLEX! Mack tumbles out and the fans fire up! Fujita goes up the corner and the fans rally, SUPER CANNONBALL! Down goes Mack and the fans fire up again! Fujita puts Mack in, then aims to ROUNDHOUSE! Cover, ONE!! Mack is tougher than that and the fans rally. Fujita stomps Mack, pushes him down, then yanks his leg for a HEEL HOOK!
Mack endures as Fujita grinds the hold, but Mack SLAPS and CHOPS! Fujita CRANKS the foot, but Mack scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Fujita DDTS the leg! The ref reprimands but Mack writhes. Fujita drags Mack around, and he SMASHES the knee! Mack writhes more but Fujita has him again. Fujita brings Mack around, turns him over, and has a HALF CRAB! Fujita pulls way back on that leg but Mack refuses to quit! Mack powers up, but Fujita brings him away from the ropes! Fujita has a deep angle on that leg, but Mack still makes the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Fujita lets go at 4, and the fans rally again.
Fujita stomps Mack, brings him up and CHOPS! Mack calls to his “little ninja” fans but Fujita CHOPS! Mack goes along ropes, the fans rally, but Fujita whips him corner to corner. Mack goes up and over, rolls, then comes back to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Mack rises, hobbles his way over, and he brings Fujita up with a waistlock. GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, ONE, but Mack holds on! Fujita reaches for ropes, Mack GERMAN SUPLEXES again! Another bridging cover, TWO! Mack still holds on, and he GERMAN ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! The fans fire up but Fujita scrambles to the ROPEBREAK!
Mack lets go and the fans rally again. Mack brings Fujita up, bumps him off buckles, and then RAMS him in the back! And RAMS him again! Mack goes up, climbs up, and he CLUBS away on Fujita’s back. Mack drags Fujita up the corner, adjusts position, and the fans anticipate something wild already. Fujita fires body shots, he stands up, but Mack swings! Fujita ducks the punch to SUPER DUPER GERMAN!! The fans are thunderous while Mack flounders around! Fujita hurries to cover, TWO!! Mack survives but Fujita roars and the fans cheer again. Fujita brings Mack up, reels him in, and ABANDON- NO, Mack fights the suplex!
Mack wrenches through, but Fujita wrenches and drop toeholds! Fujita ties up the legs, grabs Mack’s head and has the chinlock! Mack endures, crawls, but Fujita pulls him back! Mack keeps fighting, keeps crawling, but Fujita has the arms! Mack resists against the Nemos Lock to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Fujita lets Mack go. Mack writhes but Fujita brings him up. Fujita hooks a leg, suplexes to the torture rack, but Mack fires body shots! Mack slips down, shoves Fujita, then goes Matrix to then HANDSPRING CUTTER!! Cover, TWO!! Another cover, TWO! Mack is frustrated but the fans rally back up.
Mack rises, he dares Fujita to get up, and the fans rally more. Fujita rises, but he blocks the buzzsaw! Fujita CHOPS, but Mack ducks the heel kick to leg sweep! SHURIKEN KICK!! Mack goes up, up, and NINJA BOMBS!! Cover, MACK WINS!!
Winner: Ninja Mack, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Fujita earns 0)
The underdog comes out on top as Mack still gets another win! Will Mack spoil Fujita’s chances at the semifinals? Or is there still hope for this Ichiban Sweet Boy?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: Taiji Ishimori VS SHO!
The Bone Soldier is building momentum in the latter half of this tournament, but now he runs into the Murder Machine, who has done his best to cheat every opponent so far. Will Sho manage to stack the deck again? Or will be #ByGrace that Taiji avoids disaster?
Taiji turns the tables on Sho by attacking first! The fans fire up as Taiji runs Sho over from behind, then drags him to ringside, so he can POST him! Taiji has fans clear out, and then he BOWLS Sho into the chairs! STRIKE! Then he SMACKS Sho with a chair! Taiji CHOKES Sho with a chair, the ref reprimands, but this isn’t even a match yet! Taiji still leaves Sho behind so that he can go for the red buckle pad! The Bullet Club Special is now in play but Sho is still down. Taiji JAMS Sho up but almost knocks the ref over! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes, drags him to ringside, and then puts Sho in the ring. Now the bell rings and the fans cheer Taiji on.
Taiji CHOKES Sho but Sho scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Taiji stops at 4, but then he CHOKES Sho some more! The ref counts, Taiji stops, and Sho sputters. Sho then CLAWS Taiji’s eyes! Sho bails out, Taiji pursues, and Taiji has Sho at the ramp. Sho wants to retreat into the crowd but the railing won’t give. Sho goes to the entryway, Taiji pursues, but then something goes on backstage! Sho leaves Taiji behind and acts like it is all okay. But YUJIRO TAKAHASHI is choking Taiji with the pimp cane! The fans boo as this is literally happening behind the ref’s back! Yujiro throws Taiji down and Sho laughs.
Sho stomps Taiji, drags him up, and he has fans move! Sho BOWLS Taiji into chairs, STRIKE! Sho says that’s what Taiji gets! Sho then storms up on Taiji, twists his wrist, and brings him back to ringside. They go in the ring, Sho drags Taiji up, and he whips Taiji into the bare buckles! Taiji suffers his own trickery and Sho says this isn’t on him for once. Sho digs a knee into Taiji’s back while he has the chinlock, but Taiji BITES Sho’s hand! The ref reprimands, but then Sho CLAWS Taiji’s face! The ref reprimands Sho now, and Sho stops at 4. Sho drags Taiji up, TOSSES him out, then goes out to grab a chair!
The ref stops Sho, but this lets Yujiro use the chair to JAM Taiji up! The fans boo but Tokyo Pimp gets away with another one. Sho drags Taiji up, puts him back in, then covers, TWO! Taiji stays in this but Sho drags him back up. Sho TOSSES Taiji back out, distracts the ref, but the ref won’t fall for it this time! The ref stops Yujiro, but then that lest Sho JAM Taiji up! The fans boo more as the ref can’t keep up with both guys. The ref does say Yujiro needs to go, but Sho puts Taiji in the ring. Sho kicks Taiji around but Taiji CHOPS! And CHOSP! And then he CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, but Yujiro is still here to trip Taiji!
The fans boo as Yujiro gets in the ring while Sho is in the ref’s face! Yujiro whips Taiji, but Taiji stops from hitting buckles! Yujiro runs in, and Taiji dodges! Yujiro hits steel, Sho whips Taiji, but Taiji handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! The fans cheer, and Taiji grins as he brings Sho up. Taiji whips Sho into the bare buckles! Sho falls and writhes but Taiji keeps on him. Taiji wrenches and POSTS Sho! The fans cheer while Sho clutches his arm. Taiji brings Sho out, hammerlocks then scoops, but Sho slips free to bend Taiji’s fingers! Taiji CLAWS Sho’s eyes! Taiji runs, the ref is used as a shield! Sho SPEARS Taiji!
The fans boo Sho while both men are down. Sho rises up, he bends Taiji’s fingers, then wrenches to kick, KICK and SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Taiji stays in this and Sho grows frustrated. Sho aims his bow and he drags Taiji up. Sho reels Taiji in, tucks the arms, SHOCK- NO, Taiji slips free to BLOODY- NO, Sho fights free, but Taiji JUMP KNEES first! Sho drops down, Taiji aims and runs in, LA MYSTICA! BONE LOCK!! Sho endures as Taiji pulls on the hold! Sho fights around, Taiji rolls him away to then RAM into Yujiro! Down goes Tokyo Pimp, but then Sho whips Taiji into the ref! LOW BLOW!! The fans boo but Yujiro is back to stomp Taiji!
Yujiro drags Taiji up while Sho crawls to his corner. Sho grabs for his “Torture Tool!” The fans boo as Sho takes aim, but Taiji BOOTS Sho! And LOW BLOWS Yujiro! ZIGZAG for Sho!! And then BONE LOCK!! Sho endures, but where’s the ref? Gedo gets off commentary, but here comes SANADA! Gedo helps the ref, but The Cold Blooded Sanada uses the wrench to CLOBBER Taiji!! The fans boo but Sanada stands Taiji up for the DEADFALL!! Sanada leaves Taiji for Sho, the ref is up, and Gedo is stunned! Sho covers, and SHO WINS!
Winner: Sho, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taiji earns 0)
The House of Torture pulls out all the stops, but Sho is still only 4-4. Will Sho need to cheat one more time to finish above .500? Or was spoiling things for Taiji more than enough?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Francesco Akira VS Clark Connors!
This could be a very explosive combination as The Crown of Fire and 100 Proof are both a step behind the leader. Will Akira conquer this War Dog for the United Empire? Or will War Dogs Racing still have a chance at that final lap?
Oh, what’s this? Akira waits at the ramp for Connors? A bold strategy, Cotton, let’s see if it pays off for him. Connors steps out, sees Akira, and smirks. Connors likes Akira’s guts, and after he puts his things aside, Connors runs up! The two brawl on the ramp and the fans fire up! They RAM into railing, then more railing, then more railing! The railing almost falls over! Akira POSTS Connors hard and then keeps after him around the way! Akira CHOPS Connors, CHOPS again, and then again! And again! Akira is really fired up and the fans join in. But Connors UPPERCUTS Akira, SMACKS him off the apron, but Akira hits back!
Akira CHOPS, and he wants to go bowling! But Connors reverses the whip! Akira puts on the brakes, but the JEEP FLIPPER sends him into the chairs! The fans fire up and bark with Connors while he clears out space. Connors drags Akira up, brings Akira over, and puts him in the ring. But Akira is up to PLANCHA! Down goes Connors and the fans fire up with Akira! Akira drags Connors up, puts him in the ring, and this is finally a match! Akira reels Connors in, SPEEDFIRE! Akira aims, the fans rally, NOVA FIRE- NO, Connors ducks! And SPEARS!! The fans fire up and Connors has a wild look in his eyes as he wants more.
Connors puts one out, drags Akira up, and NO CHA- NO, Akira wrenches out to ROCK Connors! Connors runs up, but into a SUPERKICK! Connors comes back, Akira dodges, THE SPEAR HITS THE REF!!! The fans go nuts but Connors isn’t all that bothered. Connors hurries to aim at Akira, runs up again, but Akira dodges the lariat to CHPO, CHOP, and CHOP! The fans fire up but Connors shoves Akira, then SNAP POWERSLAMS! Connors goes out and he finds WHEEL-SAN! The fans cheer, but wait, that’s not what he wants? Connors brings out a TABLE! Table-san is put in the ring and Connors props it up in the corner.
Connors fetches Akira but Akira fires body shots. Akira CHOPS, Connors KNEES low, and then Connors SMACKS Akira off the table! Connors lines up the shot, runs in, but Akira dodge! Connors slams on the brakes, Akira comes back, and Connors LARIATS! Connors says Akira can’t get the better of him, and now he grabs Wheel-san! The fans cheer as Connors slides Wheel-san into the ring. Gedo wants Connors to kill Akira with this one, but the fans rally up. Connors drags Akira over, but Akira blocks the hubcap bump! Connors CLAWS Akira’s eyes, and he DRIBBLES Akira off the hubcap! The fans rally, and the ref is being carried away!
Connors smirks as he now can do whatever he wants. Connors puts Wheel-san over Akira’s face, and he CURB STOMPS!! Gedo loves it, but this isn’t the end! Connors brings Akira up, grins as he SLAPS the bloody forehead! But Akira CHOKES Connors! Akira is furious as he SLAPS and fires hands! Akira trips Connors and he rains down forearms!! The fans fire up as Akira brings it back to when Empire and War Dogs feuded so violently in the past! Akira takes off his belt, and he brings it over to LASH Connors! The fans fire up while Akira LASHES Connors again! Gedo does NOT like this as Akira LASHES Connors again and again and again!
Akira TOSSES his belt aside, that’s a free souvenir now. Akira won’t stop here, though, as he goes looking under the ring. Akira brings out chairs! Akira puts those in, then drag Connors over. Red Shoes is here and he says don’t do it, Akira! Akira stops himself, letting his rage subside. Akira tries to reason with Red Shoes, Red Shoes won’t let it go, so Akira SHOVES Red Shoes down! Connors has a chair, but Akira blocks the shot! Akira JAMS Connors up! Red Shoes says no, he can still stop now! Gedo says just end the match anyway! Akira SMACKS Connors with the chair again and again!! DISQUALIFICATION!
Winner: Clark Connors, by disqualification (gains 2 points; Akira earns 0)
But Akira doesn’t care, his rage has boiled up, and he SMACKS Connors again!! He gave Connors the points he wanted, was settling the grudge worth giving up a spot in the semifinals? Wait, Akira isn’t done, he wedges a chair in a corner, and then drags Connors up! Red Shoes reprimands, commentary all shout for Akira to stop, but Akira puts Connors against the chair. Young Lions rush in but Akira shoves them all away! The Young Lions come back, they keep Akira from running at Connors! Akira powers up and gets free, but Connors SPEARS Akira through the table!!! Both men are down in the wreckage, is nothing settled between Empire and War Dogs?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 B Block: El Desperado VS Kevin Knight!
The Rogue Luchador said at the start of this that anyone could win at any given time, no matter who they are and where they’re from. At the same time, he vowed just the other day that he would finish this off and win the whole thing! Will the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion stop The Jet from taking off? Or will Knight win that golden ticket shortcut to the top?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Knight and Despy circle, feel things out, and Knight waistlocks. Despy wrenches free but Knight rolls, kips up, and wrenches back to waistlock. Then Knight arm-drags for a takedown, and he drops a knee on the arm! The fans cheer, Knight wristlocks, then double wristlocks, but Despy fights up to the ROPEBREAK! Knight lets go slowly, and the fans cheer as Knight flexes. Knight teases Despy’s lack of abs, and Red Shoes checks. Despy says stop, and the two reset. They tie up, Despy trips Knight, then thigs speed up. Despy avoids the hurdle, but not the BACKDROP! Despy tumbles out and the fans rally.
Knight aims to PLANCHA, but Despy blocks his kick! Despy trips Knight up and Knight hits off the apron! Despy then goes for the leg, STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands, Despy lets go, but he YANKS Knight’s leg. Knight hobbles but Despy kick shim down. Despy stalks Knight around the way, brings him up, but Knight fires body shots! Despy CHOPS back and Knight staggers away. Knight returns to CHOP, so Despy UPPERCUTS! Despy puts Knight in the ring, storms up on him, and hits a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer and Despy covers, ONE!! Knight is tougher than that but Despy taunts him.
Despy stands Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy kicks the leg, then grabs it, SHIN BREAKER! Knight hobbles and falls, and Despy looms over him. Despy grabs a leg but Knight kicks and kicks and kicks! Despy kicks in return, then brings Knight in, only for Knight to BACKDROP again! The fans rally as Knight rallies with LARIATS! Knight whips, Despy reverses, but Knight goes up and over! Knight comes back to LARIAT again! Knight then runs corner to corner, BIG LARIAT! Knight powers up to scoop and BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer as Despy stays in this, and Knight says he was that close.
Knight goes to the corner and the fans rally as he takes aim. Knight springboards but Despy DECKS him! Despy goes out to the apron and stands Knight up, but Knight fires forearms first! Despy SMACKS Knight in return! Despy underhooks, but Knight holds on for dear life! The fans rally, Knight fights free, and he SUPERKICKS Despy! Then he APRON SATE- NO, Despy just shrugs Knight off! Despy laughs as Knight falls on the floor. Despy then grabs a leg and SMASHES it on the floor! Despy YANKS the leg, then has the STRETCH MUFFLER! Red Shoes reprimands as Despy thrashes Knight’s leg! Despy stops and he leaves Knight behind.
Knight writhes and Red Shoes checks him, and somehow Knight is able to continue. The ring count starts, Knight seethes as he sits up, but we already pass 10 of 20! Knight hobbles at 14, grits his teeth, and he rolls in at 17! Despy is on him with a gut wrench! GUITARRA POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Knight survives but the STRETCH MUFFLER returns! Knight endures, reaches out, but Despy rolls him from the ropes! They go around, Despy has NUMERO DOS! Knight activates the core to sit up! Knight reels Despy into an IRON OCTOPUS! Despy sits down but Knight pulls on the arm more! The fans rally as Despy fights around, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
Knight lets go in frustration but now things are even. Knight roars and rises up to bring Despy around. Despy shoves Knight, Knight comes back, but Despy ROCKS Knight! Despy fires more shots, but Knight fires back! Knight ROCKS Despy, roars, but the bad leg won’t let him jump! Despy KICKS the legs out! Despy then storms up to whip, but Knight reverses and SKY 2 HIGH! Cover, TWO!! Despy survives and the fans cheer! Knight snarls, he pushes Despy to the drop zone, and Knight climbs the corner! Bad leg or not, Knight aims, but Despy SHORYUKENS! Despy then ROCKET LAUNCHES Knight off the top!
Knight sputters, Despy goes up, but Knight rises! UPPER ROOM!! The fans fire up as Knight manages that jump, and he goes back up top! MOTHERSHIP UFO SPLASH FLOPS as Despy dodges! SPEAR!! Cover, TWO!! Knight survives, Despy is frustrated, but the fans fire up again! Despy drags Knight up, underhooks, but Knight wrenches out! Cradle, TWO!!! Despy escapes, Knight slips around, backslide! TWO!! Despy and Knight stand, Knight SUPERKICKS! Despy LOCO ELBOWS! Despy runs, into a DROPKICK!! The fans fire up as Knight still manages that jump, too! Knight then takes aim and waits on Despy.
Despy rises, Knight somersaults, and SATELLITE DDTS!! Cover, TWO?!?! Despy survives and Knight is shocked but the fans fire up again! Knight backs away to the corner and he climbs up again. The fans fire up as Knight reaches the top, but Despy rises! Despy hits the ropes to trip Knight up! A savvy move and Despy goes after Knight. Despy brings Knight up but Knight fires body shots. Despy HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! Knight fires more shots, but Despy ROCKS him! Despy goes to the very top, for a SUPER DUPER PLEX!! Both men writhe and the fans are thunderous! Despy crawls and covers, TWO!!!
The fans fire up again as Knight survives! Despy roars, he drags Knight up, and he underhooks for PINCHE LOCO!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Knight survives and shocks everyone! The fans love it but Despy is frustrated with Knight. Despy drags Knight up, underhooks him again, FACEBUSTER! Roll through and PINCHE- NO, Knight fights the lift! Knight reaches out, but Despy pulls that arm back! Despy underhooks again, for PINCHE LOCO!!! Cover, DESPY WINS!
Winner: El Desperado, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Knight earns 0)
Knight gave it his all but he could not bring down the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion! The Jet is now on the outside looking in, will Desperado make it to his back-to-back BOSJ wins?
Best of the Super Juniors 32 A Block: Master Wato VS Hiromu Takahashi!
The winner of BOSJ 30 now runs into the FOUR-TIME BOSJ winner, and it could all come down to this win! Will the Way of the Grandmaster continue on to the top of the block? Or will the Ticking Timebomb blow up all of Wato’s plans for the future?
The bell rings and the fans strongly rally for “HI-RO-MU!” The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Wato digs in and powers Hiromu to the ropes, but Hiromu turns it around. Red Shoes calls the break, Hiromu slowly lets off, and the fans applaud. But then Hiromu takes a swing! Wato dodges, headlocks, but Hiromu powers out. Wato RUNS Hiromu over, things keep moving, and Hiromu hurdles. Wato leaps over, then keeps moving to RANA Hiromu! Hiromu tumbles out, Wato builds speed, but Hiromu is back to ELBOW Wato! Hiromu whips Wato to a corner, Wato BOOTS in return and BULLDOGS!
The fans fire up with Wato and he goes back to Hiromu. Wato wrenches but Hiromu fights Recientemente. Wato KNEES low, whips, but Hiromu grabs ropes. Hiromu BOOTS Wato and then reels him in for a HANGING HEADSCISSORS! Red Shoes counts, Hiromu lets go to then whip Wato to a corner. LARIAT and snapmare, basement DROPKICK! The fans cheer, Hiromu covers, TWO! Hiromu keeps on Wato with the headscissors squeeze! The fans rally as Wato endures and moves around. Wato reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Hiromu lets go, Wato goes to the outside, but Hiromu is after him.
Hiromu CHOPS Wato, stalks Wato around the way, and they go past commentary. Hiromu stands Wato up to CHOP again! Wato flounders but Hiromu stays after him. Hiromu stands Wato up, CHOPS him again, and Wato falls back down. Hiromu brings Wato up, fakes putting him in and CHOPS! Then snap suplexes to the floor! Wato writhes, Red Shoes insists this be in the ring, then starts a count. Hiromu goes back to Wato, brings him up at 5 of 20, and puts him in at 8. The fans applaud and Hiromu covers, TWO! Wato toughs it out but Hiromu is right on him with a CAMEL CLUTCH! Hiromu sits deep on the hold already but Wato endures!
The fans rally, Wato frees an arm, and he uses that to crawl forward! Hiromu sits back down to bend Wato, but Wato still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Hiromu lets go. Hiromu paces while Wato writhes, and we pass five minutes. Hiromu brings Wato back up, just to CHOP him back down! Hiromu eggs Wato on, and the fans rally again. Wato rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Hiromu CHOPS Wato right down! The fans rally, Hiromu drags Wato up to whip, but Wato reverses and CALF KICKS! Hiromu goes to ropes, runs up, but Wato scoops to BACKBREAKER! Hiromu tumbles out and the fans rally up again.
Wato builds speed and he FLIES! Down goes Hiromu and the fans fire up again! Wato drags Hiromu up, puts him in, and goes to the apron. Wato springboards in, FLYING UPPERCUT! The fans cheer, Wato covers, TWO! The fans rally up as Wato rises, and Wato fires himself back up. Wato wrenches and hooks Hiromu up, but Hiromu fights Recientemente! Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Wato fights free! Wato SOBATS, then wrenches again, but Hiromu fireman’s carries! Wato sunset flips, into VENDEVAL! Hiromu endures as Wato pulls on the head and neck! Hiromu rocks the boat to then head for ropes! Wato lets Hiromu go so he can body scissors and roll!
VEND- NO, Hiromu makes it a cradle, TWO! VENDAVAL!! Hiromu endures all over again and the fans rally up! Hiromu leans, but he’s fading! Red Shoes checks Hiromu, but he gets that second wind! Hiromu seesaws around, but he is still fading! A third wind helps Hiromu make it to the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Wato lets go in frustration. Wato waistlocks but Hiromu fights the lift! Hiromu reaches out again, but Wato brings him away from ropes! Hiromu fires elbows to get free, but Wato swings through the lariat, CRUCIFIX DRIVER, then RECIENTEMENTE!! Cover, TWO!! Hiromu survives and the fans fire up!
Wato is frustrated but he just fires up more! The fans rally, Wato brings Hiromu up and chicken wings. RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu fights off The Second with an arm-drag! Wato is up but Hiromu mule kicks! Front KICKS! Hiromu SWATS the roundhouse to SUPERKICK! Hiromu runs, but Wato dodges! Wato tilt-o-whirls, schoolboys, but Hiromu rolls through to then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER! Both men rise and the fans rally up again! Wato runs up, but Hiromu scoops to SIDEWALK SLAM! Cover, TWO! Wato is still in this and the fans still rally. Hiromu roars, the fans fire up with him, and he brings Wato into the dragon sleeper!
Wato fires knees from below, Hiromu staggers, and Wato ROUNDHOUSES! Hiromu roars, but the DREAMCAST KICK hits! Wato roars, the fans fire up, and Wato drags Hiromu up. Wato waistlocks to TSUTENKAKU!! Bridging cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and Wato is beside himself! The fans rally even harder as Wato rises. Wato drags Hiromu back up, chicken wings again, RECIENTE- NO, Hiromu flips through! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER meets KOZY LARIAT!! Hiromu slumps down and Wato stands tall! The fans are thunderous and Wato roars! Wato drags Hiromu up,b ut HIromu SUPERKICKS!
Wato kicks, Hiromu ducks, and CODE BREAKAER! Then HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! Cover, TWO!!! Wato survives and the fans are thunderous! Hiromu hauls Wato up, fireman’s carries, and the TIMEBOMB 1.5!! But Hiromu isn’t done, he dragon sleepers and TIMEBOMB 2.0!!! Cover, HIROMU WINS!!
Winner: Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Wato earns 0)
To battle like this, these two truly are two of the Best of the Super Juniors! But in the end, four times beats one time, and Wato falls off the top spot. Will Wato still find his way into the semifinals?
As for Hiromu, he does offer a handshake of respect, but Wato refuses, too frustrated with himself to accept. Hiromu goes to the mic to tell Wato, “Where’s your belt? Aren’t you a tag champion? Take it easy, it’s okay. I figured I’d challenge. And as for my partner… Me and Kanemaru will challenge! I think! Understand, yesterday wasn’t really how Kanemaru felt. Me and him are challenging, so get ready!” The fans applaud, but is The Ticking Timebomb serious about the Heel Master coming around?
Moving on from that, Hiromu admits he’s really feeling that match now. Maybe Hiromu can’t go anymore. Hiromu thanks you for all your support, please chant for him. The fans do chant for “HI-RO-MU!” and he feels better. And it has been a little while since he’s done one, so maybe let’s do a little Hiromu survey! Don’t be shy, if this is your first time watching wrestling live, please raise your hand. Oh, a lot of you! And you didn’t even leave during this pointless promo! Thank you! The fans cheer and Hiromu wonders… Anyone planning on going to the finals in Ota? Yes, some, but not enough! Hey, Ota is near Nagoya, when you think about it.
In fact, nothing is “too far” within Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Everywhere is local in Japan! Right? The fans echo that, and Hiromu says, “Thank you for chanting that!” Hiromu says these are real fans here! The fans cheer that! Now, going through BOSJ, there is one thing Hiromu is sure of. He guarantees that BOSJ will be the best tour in ALL of NJPW! The fans cheer that! Hiromu vows that he will definitely win! IF he has your support! The fans cheer, and Hiromu says no really, he needs you! The fans chant his name again, and he powers up again. Hiromu thanks them, and promises that for the rest of BOSJ…
Hiromu will make it “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “Moto!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!” “MOTO!!” Fun for everyone!! The fans cheer as Hiromu sets down the mic, but will he get into the semifinals? Or could he still be one stumble away from missing out?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Hiromu Takahashi: 5-3, 10 points
Master Wato: 5-3, 10 points
Clark Connors: 5-3, 10 points
Francesco Akira: 4-4, 8 points
Kosei Fujita: 4-4, 8 points
KUSHIDA: 4-4, 8 points
Dragon Dia: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie X: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Yoshinobu Kanemaru: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ninja Mack: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
YOH: 5-3, 10 points
MAO: 5-3, 10 points
El Desperado: 5-3, 10 points
Nick Wayne: 4-4, 8 points
SHO: 4-4, 8 points
Taiji Ishimori: 4-4, 8 points
Robbie Eagles: 4-4, 8 points
Kevin Knight: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Titan: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Ryusuke Taguchi: 3-5, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
A great round here, but thankfully the last time all 10 tournament matches are on one card. I also appreciated that so many of those matches in the first half of the card were so fast and short. And at this point in the tournament, it makes sense a good chunk of each block goes down into mathematically eliminated territory. Mack still getting a win despite that was great for him, and he might’ve been the final nail in Fujita’s own run, depending on how the ninth round goes. The blocks still parallel each other at this point, three guys at 5-3 for 10 points, and it will really come down to who loses rather than who wins.
Wato may have lost tonight, but he could beat Kanemaru and still make it in. Hiromu has Robbie X, Connors has Fujita, one of those could end up a huge upset, but so could Kanemaru cheating Wato to then add onto this idea that Hiromu will team with him even though he isn’t going to be House of Torture. On the other side, Desperado VS Eagles, Yoh VS Taiji, and Mao VS Sho, those are also intriguing match-ups. I would think Despy makes it in as both champion and last year’s tournament winner, so the other two are going to be really tricky. And if this is where Nick Wayne’s run ends with him and Titan in a somewhat do-nothing match, it’s still a great first run, and he can be home in the USA and AEW in time for Fyter Fest.
My Score: 9/10
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Who will be the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, CHAMPIONS~?!
Tonight on Raw, Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods defend the WWE World Tag Team Championships in a Triple Threat against War Raiders and Creed Brothers!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable; Penta wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
- Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers; The New Day win and retain the titles.
- Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane w/ Iyo Sky; Kairi wins.
- Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor; Rollins wins and advances to Money in the Bank.
PLAY BY PLAY
Seth Rollins is here!
The Visionary leads the way for The Wise Man, the Badass and the Colossal Aussie as they head down the runway. The fans sing along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHHH~!” as Rollins steps into the ring in his mint blue floral suit. Rollins revels in the singing a little longer, then the fans bark for Bron Breakker. Paul Heyman has a mic and he gives his introductions. “Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Paul Heyman. Let’s see who the players are without even the benefit of a scorecard. First…” The fans bark as Heyman steps to his left. “A man, an attack dog, a badass, THE badass, in a true bloodline of badasses.
“And not just a badass, but the key to the future. If Skynet sent a Terminator from the future to this plane today and you asked that Terminator, ‘Who’s gonna main event WrestleManias 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and so on?’ That terminator would tell you the answer to that question is BRON! BREAKKER!” Fans are a little torn on that but Heyman says he’ll put his reputation on the line tonight. That’s not a prediction, that is a damn spoiler! The fans chant for “CM PUNK!” but Rollins smirks. Heyman asks Rollins if the fans realize that CM Punk is not here tonight. The fans boo, but Heyman says that is all thanks to “Big Bronson Reed!”
“WWE would never put him in the ring with top tier talent. Why? Because they were afraid of him! Not just the WWE, but the top tier talent here in the WWE! Why? Cuz he’s too reckless! Why? Cuz of the Tsunami! Why? Cuz he’s a violent man in the PG Era, and he’s gonna put everyone down in front of him! So what’d Bronson Reed do? He took the initiative! He went after THE top star in WWE! He went after the legacy player, the future of this industry! Bronson Reed targeted Seth Freakin’ Rollins. In one night, Bronson Reed put a beating on Seth Rollins worse than Roman Reigns ever put on Seth Rollins in ten years.
“In ONE night, Bronson Reed put a beating worse on Seth Rollins than CM Punk was able to do in his entire career! In ONE NIGHT, Seth Rollins fought Roman Reigns and CM Punk in essentially a handicap match at WrestleMania, and they couldn’t do the damage to him that Bronson Reed did to him in ONE NIGHT! Get down on your hands and your knees and thank the Heavens above for the altruism of this man to my right. The sacrifice that Seth Rollins is willing to make for each and every single one of you so that the trajectory of this industry going into the future is bigger than ever before.
“I give to you the most generous man I have ever met in my entire life. I give to you the epitome of the epiphany. I give to you a Visionary! I give to you an Architect! I give to you the future of this entire industry! Ladies and gentlemen… ACKNOWLEDGE Seth Freakin’ Rollins!” The fans boo and Rollins smiles, but then the fans chant “O T C! O T C!” Rollins takes a moment, listens for the fans singing his song, but also hears the fans chant, “We Want Roman!” Rollins waits for that to die down, then he says, “Make no mistake about it. Tampa, this is the vision. This is MY vision. This is the way forward! This is how we secure the future of the industry!
“We do it through total control! Through total domination! Through complete POWER!” The fans chant, “You Sold Out!” Rollins asks to who? To himself? Are they outta their minds? Rollins has not changed a beat! He told us exactly what he would do at WrestleMania, and he did it! Rollins takes a moment, but the fans cuss him out. Rollins says the fans are questioning his integrity right now. They are questioning him. Need he remind them, less than five minutes ago, everyone in this building was singing HIS song! And now, NOW, you wanna chant profanity at him? You wanna question HIS integrity?
The singing does return, and Heyman conducts it, but Rollins has everyone hold on. “You people, you morons, don’t even know right from left! You don’t know what’s good for you! But you’re telling ME that I’M the bad guy here, that I don’t deserve the power. I’m the only one who does. I’m the only person capable of leading this company into the future. I’m the only person capable of wielding that power! And that power comes through championships! And I tell you, I would be standing here before you, right now, World Heavyweight Champion, if it wasn’t for Sami Zayn… And C… M… Punk.” The fans chant for Punk again and Rollins sighs.
Rollins stands with Bronson and says, “CM Punk found out on Saturday exactly what happens when you underestimate me! Sami Zayn will figure that out tonight, because ladies and gentlemen, I have found something more powerful than championships. I have found an object that allows me to control the fates of those championships.” Rollins looks up to the Money in the Bank briefcase. Heyman smiles and Rollins says, “I’m going to qualify for Money in the Bank. I am going to win the Money in the Bank contract. And I am going to cash-in the MITB contract.
“But here’s the beauty of it: I can do it whenever I want; I can do it however I want; I can cash-in on whomever I want; and there is NOBODY who can stop me! And THAT is complete domination! THAT is total power! And THAT is why I am a Visionary! I am a Revolutionary! I am SETH! FREAKIN’ ROLLINS!” The mission statement is crystal clear, but will all of the gold soon belong to Rollins and his team?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: PENTA VS Dragon Lee VS Chad Gable!
Speaking of MITB, this could be one of the fastest and wildest qualifiers yet! But will a luchador win their way to LA? Or will Chad Gable give himself a very busy Saturday with both a Worlds Collide AND MITB match?
Raw returns as Gable is frustrated already seeing his Worlds Collide opponent, El Hijo del Vikingo, in the crowd to watch this. The bell rings, Gable, Penta and Lee watch each other. The fans rally, Lee and Penta realize Gable is the common denominator, so they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! They take turns stomping Gable, but then they argue over who gets to do more. They shove each other, then agree to keep on Gable together. They TOSS Gable out, Gable tumbles, and now Penta rolls Lee! TWO, and Lee says okay, if that’s how it is… Lee dodges Penta, runs up, but Penta puts Lee on the apron. Lee RAMS Penta, bumps and ROUNDHOUSES him, then RANAS!
Penta ends up in a corner, Lee runs corner to corner, JUMP KCIK! Leg sweep! COMBINACION DRAGON! But Gable is back to ROCK Lee! Gable whips, Lee reverses and Lee DROPKICKS! Lee runs to DROPKICK Penta! Lee comes back for Gable, but Gable catches him for an EXPLODER! Gable dodges Lee, Penta springboards, but Gable catches him! GERMAN SUPELX! The fans boo but Lee RAMS Gable. Lee slingshots but Gable NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable snarls and he drags Lee up. Gable THROWS Lee out, goes back to Penta, but Penta fires body shots. Gable CHPOS, whips, but Penta KICKS Gable!
Penta dodges Gable, mule kicks a leg, then SLING-DOGS! Lee is back but Penta pops him up in the corner, SUPERKICK to Lee! Gable runs up, into a BACKBREAKER! Penta picks Lee up into the Gory Especial, then he reels Gable in! Underhook, TIGER DRIVER GORY BOMB COMBO!!! The ref checks Gable as he flops out of the ring, but Lee also goes out, only for Penta to FLY! Direct hit and the fans fire up while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Gable whips Penta, but then Penta grabs ropes. Gable runs up, Penta TOSSES him, but then Lee runs up. Penta SUPERKICKS Lee, goes out, but Gable anchors his foot! Gable YANKS Penta down, then SMACKS him off the desk! Gable talks trash on Vikingo, goes back for Penta, then throws hands! Gable wants Vikingo to know what’s waiting for him on June 7th! But Lee FLIES! Gable moves, Lee lands right on Penta and they both fall off the desk!! Everyone loses their minds, even Gable! Gable sucker punches Vikingo! The fans boo and Michael Cole tells Gable to focus on the match! How dare he assault a guest?
Gable puts Penta in the ring, CHOPS him, but Penta just gets mad. The fans fire up as Penta winds up and CHOPS! Gable snarls and CHOPS! Penta CHPOS, Lee SUPERKICKS Gable! Penta SUPERKICKS Lee! Lee DRAGON TRIGGERS! And POISON-RANAS! Gable lariats, Lee slips through and lifts! LIGER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Gable survives landing on his head again, and the fans are thunderous! “This is Awesome!” and Lee rises up. Lee has Penta for a fireman’s carry, but Penta fights free with elbows! Penta spins Lee, pump handles, but Gable waistlocks! GERMAN SUPLEX PUMP HANDLE SLAM COMBO!!!
The fans are thunderous and Gable has the straps down! “A THANK YEW~!!” Gable goes up, up, and MOONSAULTS onto Penta! Cover, TWO!! Penta survives and Gable is furious! Lee runs up, but Gable THROWS him overhead! Lee hits buckles, Gable goes up, but Vikingo trips Gable! GAMANGIRI! Gable is in the Tree of Woe and Vikingo cheers on Lee! Lee climbs, aims, and WOE STOMPS Gable!! But Penta hits Lee with a DESTROYER!! Penta gives Gable the PENTA DRIVER!!! Cover, PENTA WINS!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Vikingo gets even with Gable, but they’ll surely go above and beyond at Worlds Collide! As for Penta, will #CeroMiedo be the one holding the MITB contract?
Judgment Day hangs out in the clubhouse.
JD McDonagh wants to talk tag titles but Finn Balor says one thing at a time. Finn’s gonna focus on MITB first, then they get back to business. As for Carlito & Dominik, they’re too busy playing WWE 2K and the WarGames match. But Roxanne Perez is here? She has a whole platter of chicken nuggets and offers him some. And then she says his shoulders seem tense. Roxie starts massaging Dom’s arm, and then LIV MORGAN walks in! She is absolutely livid, and Dom says hey, she’s back! Roxie wants to introduce herself but Liv hushes her. What’s been going on? Well, see, the time zones and nuggets and-
Liv stops Dom there, because Raquel already filled her in. And something is about to get very interesting. Liv will address that, but not before asking Adam Pearce for an MITB qualifier. Liv tells “Sister” Raquel time to head out, and Raquel tells Dom in Espanol that he messed up. Liv & Raquel head out, Finn chuckles and Dom plays it off by saying it’s so great to have Liv back. Finn says yes it is. Carlito says stop eating Roxie’s nuggies. Is Liv feeling what it’s like to have the tables turned on her? Or will she assert her dominance soon enough?
WWE honors our armed forces on this Memorial Day.
Home of the free because of the brave. Cody Rhodes narrates by saying it is easy to speak of sacrifice and harder to live it. Some did. From Normandy to Vietnam, across the Gulf War deserts and mountains of Afghanistan. Not for praise, but for freedom, for each other, and for all of us. Today, remember the selfless who stood in harm’s way and gave their all. Because of them, we live free. Because of them, we carry on. To them, we say thank you.
Rusev VS Akira Tozawa w/ Maxxine Dupri!
The Redeemer all but demolished The Dozer, and that is why the Stamina Monster is already raging as he stands in the ring. Will Rusev continue to “fix” the Raw roster by breaking them down? Or can Tozawa stop the rampage?
The bell rings and Tozawa rips his shirt! Rusev runs up, Tozawa dodges to fire off hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa, Tozawa is back to throw more hands! Rusev shoves Tozawa to a corner, runs in, but Tozawa dodges! Tozawa runs up but Rusev puts him on the apron. Tozawa GAMANGIRIS, goes up, and leaps to MISSILE DROPKICK! Rusev tumbles, but he comes back to LARIAT! The fans are torn but Rusev roars and stomps around! MACHKA KICK!! Rusev roars, “RUSEV! MACHKA!!” And then the ACCOLADE!!! Tozawa TAPS, Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev makes Tozawa suffer, he bends Tozawa back! The fans are torn and the ref tries to pry that grip open! But wait! Here comes Sheamus! Rusev throws Tozawa aside, and Bulgarian Brute stares down The Celtic Warrior. They were once friends, but that was a long time ago. The fans rally behind Sheamus, and Rusev stands down. Does Rusev feel Sheamus does not need his “help?” Or is he not deserving?
Backstage interview with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura.
Cathy Kelley tells Burt welcome back, and brings up Segura being a bit critical of the WWE in the past. What brings him by tonight? Segura knows he’s done stupid things in his life, saying that stuff was part of it. But Cody Rhodes was on their podcast recently, it was a great time, and a real eye-opener. Plus, Burt had such a blast at the show he attended, so Tom couldn’t turn it down. Cathy knows that’s true. They were interrupted last time, so maybe Burt can plug his stuff now? Burt says yes, his new special is called Lucky, on Netflix, watch now. Something has Bur’s attention and he excuses himself.
Cathy knows Tom has something coming up, too, and he says yes, his own special will be a wild sketch show and- Wait, Burt is calling for Tom. Tom says this happens every time… Tom heads over, and Burt’s got his shirt off as he’s excited to see the War Raiders in person! It’s like they could all be related! Ivar says time to fire up! Ivar CHOPS Burt on the chest, Burt is already red, and they chant “WAR! WAR! WAR!” The Raiders head out, Tom has Burt calm down cuz Erik & Ivar left. Burt asks how does he look. Very red. Tom suggests they check with a medic to check before he and Burt go to their seats.
Sami Zayn is backstage.
Sami says he can’t stand listening to those guys talk! Heyman, Rollins, running their mouths, Sami should’ve gone out there to interrupt. But for what? Jey Uso says it would’ve been 1v3. Gotta be smart, Uce. Gotta pick the right time. Rollins wants the power, but this is how they stop him! Sami goes out there, wins the qualifier, and snatch that briefcase. If anything gets messy out there, Jey has Sami’s back. Sami nods, and Jey has him bring it in for the secret handshake. Jey wishes Sami luck, but will the Underdog from the Underground be on top? Will the Visionary’s plan continue to succeed? Or will The Prince have his own golden ticket to LA?
WWE World Tag Team Championships Triple Threat: The New Day VS The War Raiders VS The Creed Brothers!
Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods certainly tried to use their opponents against each other in hopes of crossing one off the list, but now they’ll be facing them both! Will the New Day survive a night in Tampa? Will Erik & Ivar have redemption from WrestleMania? Or will Julius & Brutus make sure these titles are now American Made?
Raw returns as the titles are raised and Burt is seen chugging beer! Tom joins in, and then the War Raiders attack the New Day! The fans fire up, the ref reprimands, but the Raiders TOSS the Creeds! This has to come down to 1v1 but Erik & Ivar throw hands on Woods & Kofi! The Creeds return, but the Raiders stereo scoop and SLAM them! Then Erik scoops and SLAMS Woods! Ivar & Erik scoop Kofi to LAWN DART him out onto the rest! The fans fire up, the Raiders say “UP!” Erik scoops Ivar, and from the apron he THROWS Ivar onto everyone! The fans fire up, Ivar rises, and he puts Kofi in. The bell rings as Erik brings Kofi up.
Ivar climbs a corner, but Woods anchors Ivar’s leg! Kofi BOOTS Erik, Julius DROPKICKS Ivar to the floor! Woods & Brutus THROW Erik into barriers! Julius & Kofi do the same! The New Day and American Made have made an alliance, and they all RAM Erik together! They they go to the ring and stand tall together. The fans boo while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the Raiders are back. Kofi has Erik but Erik fires body shots. Kofi KNEES low, facelocks, and he puts Erik in the ropes. Kofi KNEES away on Erik, then tags Woods. Woods goes up the corner to GUILLOTINE DOUBLE STOMP! The fans boo but Woods struts around. “NEW~ DAY~!” “SUCKS!” Woods talks trash on Erik, brings him up, but the fans rally. Erik shoves Woods and ROCKS him! Both men fall and the fans fire up! Woods sputters but Erik crawls, hot tag to Ivar! Julius runs in but Ivar BACKDROPS him! BOOT for Woods! Scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM for Brutus!
Kofi runs in, Ivar dodges then scoop shim, SIDEWALK SLAM onto Brutus! Ivar runs and he DOUBLE SPLASHES! Julius is up, the fans fire up with Ivar, and Ivar runs in, only for Julius to dodge. Julius comes back, into the SEATED SENTON! Ivar TOSSES Woods, dodges Brutus and LARIATS him up and out! Kofi runs up but Ivar TOSSES him out onto Woods & The Creeds! The fans fire up more as Ivar says “UP!” Ivar climbs the corner! But Kofi jumps up to GAMANGIRI! Ivar falls but Erik DECKS Kofi! Brutus ROCKS Erik! Brutus RAMS Erik, hoists him up, but Erik SMACKS Brutus! Brutus ROCKS Erik then climbs.
Erik DECKS Brutus, but Julius springs up! The fans fire up for the SUPER DUPER PLEX! Woods hits the LIMIT BREAKER ELBOW on Erik! But Ivar is up top! WAR BEARD SPLASH!! Cover, Kofi & The Creeds break it! The fans fire up while all six men are down! “This is Awesome!” as the teams regroup. Kofi runs up on Erik, but Erik ducks the kick! EriK DECKS Kofi! The Creeds CLOBBER Erik! Ivar breaks their line to handspring DOUBLE BACK ELBOW! And then HEEL KICK for Woods! Ivar helps Erik wake up, and he says it is time to end this! Erik feeds Woods to Ivar, but Julius tags in! Ivar DECKS Julius, Woods FACEBUSTERS Erik!
Kofi KICKS Ivar, he and Brutus TOSS Ivar out! Brutus springboards to BRUTUS BALL Erik! Kofi DIVES at Ivar, but Ivar catches him! And RAMS him into the LED apron! The fans fire up for Ivar, and he runs up, CROSSBODY against the LED board! Ivar goes up, up, but Julius JUMP KNEES him! Woods rolls Julius up with tights! NEW DAY WIN!!
Winners: The New Day, by pinfall (still WWE World Tag Team Champions)
Well, The New Day used their opponents against each other all over again and came away with the titles! Will no one ever stop Kofi & Woods as the W, W, E, World, Tag, Team, Champions~?
Liv & Raquel walk ‘n’ talk.
And then they spot something. It’s Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane! What is this? A DMG CTRL reunion? Isn’t that group as dead as Kairi’s chances of winning MITB? Iyo says keep walking. Oh, they will! Liv is gonna walk right into Adam Pearce’s office and get herself a qualifier. And when she wins the briefcase, she cashes in on Iyo. Something Kairi could never ever do! Kairi tells Liv, in Japanese, that Liv keeps on talking, talking, talking like an idiot. Kairi then dares Liv to have a match with her tonight! Liv says challenge accepted. Raquel says Kairi done messed up, but Iyo says good on the Pirate Princess. Will Kairi sink Liv’s ship before it even sets sail?
Jey Uso heads to the ring!
The fans are ready to YEET here in Tampa as the World Heavyweight Champion makes his way down to ringside. After Saturday Night’s Main Event, we know he and Cody Rhodes are preparing for a star-studded tag team match at MITB, what will Jey have to say about it? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Jey has the mic to say, “The World Heavyweight Champ, Main Event Jey Uso is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says it has been a busy week for the champ. “YEET!” Everybody’s after the champ! “YEET!” Logan Paul got YEET’D! Cena ’bout to get YEET’D! And at MITB, it is Jey and his dawg, Cody- WAIT! Gunther is here! Der Ring General interrupts as he goes right to the ring and grabs his own mic. The fans taunt Gunther with “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther shrugs that off. Gunther tells Jey, “Well first of all, I came out here…” The fans boo but Gunther says he wants to congratulate Jey.
“And this one comes from a very personal places. Congratulations on the 15 year jubilee of The Usos in the WWE.” The fans cheer that, and Gunther says, “Secondly, congratulations on your first successful defense against Logan Paul on Saturday. You are holding onto this title way longer than I expected.” The fans boo that but Gunther says he appreciates Jey is doing everything in his power to fulfill this position. He really wants to be the captain of Monday Night Raw. And Jey has his hands full. There’s the long term plan going around, some of Jey’s friends are in trouble, and when they need Jey, he is there, no questions asked.
“And those are great qualities for a human being. But they are terrible qualities for a great champion.” The fans boo, but Gunther says he doesn’t blame Jey. Jey doesn’t know any better. Unlike Gunther, this position as World Heavyweight Champion doesn’t come natural to Jey. Being a great champion doesn’t mean you’re there for everyone else, that you sort out all the problems. Just guess, how was Gunther able to be a champion for almost ay ear? Because the only person he cares about is HIMSELF! The fans boo, but Gunther says if he is fully honest, Jey doesn’t have the intellect to carry himself as a great champion.
And in two weeks, when they step into the ring one more time, Gunther will relieve Jey from his position. Gunther will make things right and choke Jey out! Gunther will take back HIS World Heavyweight Championship and put it back where it belongs: Around Gunther’s waist! The fans boo but Jey takes a moment. “You done? Are you done?” Jey says he’s done, He is done with everybody saying his days as champ are numbered. “YEET!” Jey is done with everybody using an excuse for this title to turn their back on the people who brought them up! Jey does have friends, he does have family. He a real one, Uce. He fights for them, they fight for him!
The fans cheer and Jey paces. Jey tells Gunther he runs his mouth on Jey’s life. Gunther wants to judge Jey? Go ahead! Jey gets worked up and says what Gunther is fighting for is less than what Jey is fighting for. Jey isn’t overlooking Gunther, he knows what Gunther is capable of. Jey knows Gunther in and out. So see you in Phoenix. But at the end of the day, at the end of the day… Jey is fighting for the fans. Because in Phoenix, Jey will make Gunther tap out, again! Four letters, one word, UH UH, YEET!! The fans fire up with Jey as he heads out. Will this be the Summer of YEET?
Liv Morgan w/ Raquel Rodriguez VS Kairi Sane!
The leading lady of the Judgment Day is back from her time in Japan filming for Hollywood, but now she thinks she can just call the shots for MITB. Will Liv be rolling towards a MITB qualifier? Or will the Pirate Princess prove she’s still got it?
Raw returns as Kairi makes her entrance. The bell rings, the two circle, and they tie up. They go around, Liv puts Kairi on ropes, then they go along ropes. Kairi has Liv in the corner but she lets off as the ref counts. Kairi rushes up but Liv THROWS her down by her hair! Liv KICKS Kairi, stomps away, but the ref counts. Liv stops at 4, bumps Kairi off buckles, then throws hands! The ref counts, Liv shrieks, “OKAY!” But Kairi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Kairi CHOPS Liv again and then fires boxing elbows! Kairi backs Liv into a corner, ROCKS her, then whips corner to corner. Kairi runs up, Liv puts her on the apron, but Kairi RAMS Liv!
Kairi goes up, up, and leaps, but Liv gets under. Kairi says kiss this! The fans fire up, Liv says okay then! Liv runs up, Kairi sidesteps and drops down, then does it again. Kairi blows past, goes up and RANAS! Liv tumbles to the ropes, the fans fire up with Kairi, and she runs in, SLIDING D! Liv sputters and Kairi goes out to the apron. Kairi brings Liv up, BACKHANDS her, then gets space. Kairi runs in, but Liv dodges! Kairi boots the post, and Liv SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS to the floor! Raquel cheers and the fans are torn, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Liv suplexes Kairi! That’s Una Amiga as Liv brings her back up, for Dos Amigas! Liv brings Kairi up again, for THREE- NO, Kairi slips free, but Liv ELBOWS her! Liv runs, Kairi dodges, and then Kairi SPEARS! The fans fire up while both women are down! Raquel panics and coaches Liv but Kairi goes to a corner. Liv runs up but Kairi DECKS her! And CLOBBERS her! And CROSSBODIES her! Kairi whips, Liv reverses, but Kairi stops herself to come back, BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up with Kairi again and she has Liv in the corner. Kairi marches and then runs up, SLIDING D again!
Liv flounders, Kairi climbs, and FLYING KABUKI FOREARM! Cover, TWO! Liv lives and Kairi is annoyed, but she hurries to bring Liv back up. The fans rally, Liv breaks free, but Kairi ducks the enzigiri! Kairi has the legs, and she pulls Liv into the ANCHOR HOLD! Liv endures as Kairi bridges back! The fans fire up but Liv pulls hair! The ref reprimands, but Kairi DECKS Liv! Kairi roars, runs, but Liv STOMPS her down! Liv scowls, rises up, and she climbs the corner. FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO!! Kairi survives and Liv is livid! Liv SLAPS Kairi around, kicks her, then has her on the ropes. Liv runs up, but Kairi denies ObLIVion!
URAKEN!! Liv sputters, Kairi runs, SLIDING D the third!! Cover, TWO!! The fans rally, Kairi drags Liv up, and then she Alabama Lifts! But Liv sunset flips it! TWO, and both women hurry to their feet! Liv blocks the backhand to BACKSTABBER! Kairi flounders. Liv runs in, but Kairi pops Liv up! But Liv rolls, Kairi smothers it to a jackknife bridge, TWO! Both women grab at the other but Kairi Alabama Lifts again! ALABAMA SLAM! Kairi goes up the corner and the fans fire up! Raquel distracts the ref, ROXANNE shoves Kairi! The fans boo but then Raquel and Roxie argue! Roxie says she just helped Liv, what’s the big deal?
Liv runs at Kairi, Kairi rolls her up! KAIRI WINS!!!
Winner: Kairi Sane, by pinfall
Raquel is shocked, but Liv let herself get distracted by everything! Roxie says that wasn’t on her. Will Liv get over herself to accept the new girl on the team?
Rhea Ripley speaks.
“Mami’s always on top. It wasn’t just a saying to me, but it was a way of life. Lately, that just hasn’t been our reality, now has it? But at MITB, that all changes. For the first time in my career, I’m in a ladder match, which means no one is ready for the amount of brutality that I am going to unleash. I will do absolutely anything to climb that ladder, to retrieve the briefcase, and to once again cement myself at the top of the women’s division. So Iyo Sky, Tiffany Stratton, I advise you to hold your titles really tightly. Because absolutely no one is safe from Mami in the Bank.” The Eradicator is ready, will she be ready to call her shot after June 7th?
Judgment Day regroups.
Liv still wants to know what Roxie was doing out there. Finn defends Roxie just wanting to help. Dom knows that was the plan, right? Dom stammers, but Raquel says if Roxie hadn’t gone out there, Liv would’ve won! Liv says he can’t believe she’s saying this, but no, Raquel was the veteran out there and she should’ve known better. What? Finn grins again, is this going even better than he expected?
Lyra Valkyria is here!
The fans “WHEW~!” with the song as the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion makes her way to the ring. Lyra has the mic to say, “Well what is up, Tampa? Ugh, I wish I was out here to talk to you guys about some new competition and a new challenger for this championship. But news broke today that Becky went and did what Becky does best. She groveled and she begged and she twisted the arms of the right people in the back, and she once again talked herself into a rematch at MITB.” The fans boo, but Lyra says, “Why would I accept, right? I have nothing left to prove. I’ve beaten her twice.
“Every opponent that I have ever had, I didn’t care what they said about me or what they did to me. Once I beat them between these ropes, I was the ultimate winner. But I didn’t feel any satisfaction when I beat Becky. Because she came out here after Backlash, ego still through the roof, no embarrassment, no sense of shame, even though she’d been outwrestled and beaten. And she sat there, on that top buckle, and she talked like she won the match! She was that delusional! And then she just went on to try and steal the next opportunity from the next person. She’s like a rat with a piece of cheese, and I just couldn’t let her do it.”
The fans cheer, and Lyra says, “At Backlash, all I wanted to do was pin her shoulders to the mat for three seconds. But she came out here and she go tin my fiancé’s face, and she tried to take my eye out, and she tried to break my arm! So yeah, now it’s personal!” The fans like that! Lyra says at MITB, she is going to hurt Becky. She is going to break Becky’s ego! And if that means bashing Becky’s head in, then she’ll do it! But wait! Becky is here now! Lyra frowns as The Man makes her way out to the ring, and Becky has a mic to ask, “I made this personal? I made this personal? YOU cost ME! You cost me my opportunity!
“I was done with you! I was on the bigger and better things, because okay, okay, you won a match. You won a match, I won the night! Because I went home with my hot husband, and you went off to the hospital with your weird little fiancé!” Wow, Becky’s “hot husband?” AKA, the only talented thing about her? Becky says here it goes! Lyra makes it personal! Lyra made it personal first! She could’ve let it go, but she couldn’t. Because Lyra knows Becky is the best thing that ever happened to Lyra, or to that title! Lyra says that is not the flex Becky thinks it is! Becky acts like she just graciously stepped aside and shared the spotlight.
People are talking about Lyra because Lyra beat Becky! The fans cheer that! Okay, okay, Lyra says Becky “steals” opportunities. If Lyra is so confident, how about this? MITB, if Lyra wins again, Becky will never challenge Lyra for that title ever again. Fine! No problem for Lyra. As she sees it, she beat Becky twice, and the last time was with her eyes closed. Becky frowns, but she says Lyra did not let her finish. Because there’s something Becky keeps remembering. When Lyra took the NXT Women’s Championship from Becky, it was a quick roll-up, not really decisive. When Lyra won that match, the good person Becky was, what’d she do? Becky graciously raised Lyra’s hand.
So WHEN Becky wins at MITB, and does it fair ‘n’ square, Lyra must look her in the eyes and raise Becky’s hand! The fans are torn on that, but Lyra says she has never had an issue raising the hand of the woman better than her. It just hasn’t been Becky yet. Mic drop from The Morrigan, but will The Man make her humble? Or will Lyra close this title off to Becky for as long as it is on her shoulder?
Sami Zayn walks the halls.
And Karrion Kross says, “Well, well, WELL! Here we are again, Sami! You’re still trying to claw your way to the top when you could’ve just taken the deal, went to SmackDown, and challenged for the WWE Championship. NO, you gotta do it ‘your way.'” Sami says he has no time for the games, okay? Sami walks off but Kross says Sami knows he will never win the title, right? Sami looks back at Kross and tells him he’ll deal with this later. Sami continues on, but will he be winning his way to the top? Or just falling to the bottom?
Also, in the background, New Day is talking with Grayson Waller like they were last week. Are they still trying to convince the Aussie Icon of something?
Men’s Money in the Bank Qualifier Triple Threat: Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn VS Finn Balor!
The Visionary wants all the power, the Underdog from the Underground wants to stop that from happening, and The Prince wants to put Judgment Day back at the top with a world title. Who gets their way in this star-studded three way in Tampa?
Raw returns and Finn makes his entrance, followed by Sami. The bell rings, Sami and Rollins fire hands, and Finn watches. Sami LARIATS Rollins up and out, but Finn attacks Sami! Finn bumps Sami off buckles, throws hands, then CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and Finn whips. Sami ducks ‘n’ dodges then DIVES onto Rollins! The fans fire up as Rollins tumbles, and Sami is after him again! Finn hurries to join in and he CLOBBERS them both! The fans cheer, Finn brings Sami around and pushes him into the ring. Finn fires hands on Sami, CHOPS him, and Heyman scowls from ringside. Sami kicks back and puts Finn in the corner.
Sami climbs up, rains down fists, and the fans count, only for Rollins to stop Sami at 5! Rollins drags Sami down to CLOBBER him! Rollins rains down fists, huffs ‘n’ puffs as he goes to Finn, but Finn trips Rollins to DOUBLE STMOP! CHOP for Sami, CHOP for Rollins! Finn CHOPS Rollins, fires body shots, then fires haymakers! Rollins fires back, but Finn slips around to dragon sleeper! Sami runs up, Finn kicks him, DOUBLE DDT COMBO! Cover on Rollins, TWO! Cover on Sami, TWO! Finn is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Finn CLUBS Sami! The fans rally, Finn throws hands, but Sami eggs him on! Finn throws more hands, then reels Sami in. The fans want tables but Sami hits a suplex on Finn! The fans rally as Sami rises, but Rollins is in! Sami counter punches Rollins and backs him down! Sami climbs to rain down fists! The fans count and Sami goes to TEN, then fires a flurry to get to TWENTY! The fans fire up, Sami runs up and BLASTS Finn off the apron! Rollins runs up, Sami TOSSES him out! The fans fire up more as Sami goes to the apron! Finn grabs a foot, Sami kicks him away, then Sami kicks Rollins!
Sami goes up, ARABIAN PRESS! Direct hit on Rollins and Finn and the fans fire up with Sami! Sami rises up, gives a shoutout to the late, great Sabu, and then hurries to put Rollins in the ring. Sami waistlocks, Rollins fights the Blue Thunder to FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO! Rollins is annoyed but he storms up on Sami. Rollins puts Sami in the corner, grinds his forearm into Sami’s face, then CHOPS! Rollins puts Sami up, CHOPS him again, then climbs. The fans rally, Sam fires elbows, and he knocks Rollins down! But Finn CLUBS Sami! Finn climbs up, he and Sami fight, and Sami CLUBS Finn down! Then shoves him down!
Rollins is right up top! Sami fires body shots and then he CLUBS Rollins down! Sami then adjusts, and SUNSET FLIP POWERBOMBS!! Cover, Finn breaks it! The fans fire up while all three men are down! Finn drags Sami up to TOSS him out, then goes for Rollins. Finn dragon sleepers Rollins, drags him up, but Rollins KICKS free! Rollins then kicks low, underhooks, but Sami is back !Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS Sami first! Then Rollins underhooks Sami, only for Finn to SLINGBLADE Rollins! Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into a corner! The fans fire up, Finn fumbles in the ropes a bit, but he goes up the corner!
Sami is up and he ROCKS Finn first! Sami then climbs up after Finn, goes to the very top, SUPER DUPER PLEX!! But Rollins FROG SPLASHES Sami!! Rollins bounces off that cover, all three men are down again, and “This is Awesome!” Heyman is freaking out while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once again, and Rollins DECKS Finn! Sami sputters towards a corner, Rollins stomps him down and then stomps a mudhole in! The fans are torn but Rollins sees Finn sit up. Rollins tells Finn they can be 1v1 if they get rid of Sami first. Rollins & Finn get Sami up top, climb up after him, but Sami fights them both off! The fans rally behind Sami as he fires fast hands! Sami DECKS Rollins, DECKS Finn, and the fans fire up! Sami stands to leap, but Finn gets under. Rollins is there to catch Sami, but Sami DUMPS Rollins out! Finn runs up, but into a clinch! Only to victory roll it! TWO!! Sami escapes, Finn stands, and Finn waistlocks.
Finn dragon sleepers, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, Rollins breaks it! The fans rally, all three men slowly rise, and Rollins watches Finn. Rollins kicks Finn, underhooks, but Finn wrenches out, rolls Rollins up, but Rollins rolls through! Underhooks and PEDIGREE!! Cover, SAMI GHOST PINS ROLLINS! TWO!! Rollins escapes, kicks Sami, PEDIGREE!! Cover, TWO!??! Sami survives and the fans fire up again! Heyman is beside himself while the fans rally for Sami. Rollins gets in Sami’s face and tells him this is it! Rollins runs from the corner, but Sami avoids the stomp! BLUE THUNDER- NO, Rollins slips free to KICK the legs!
Rollins runs, but into BLUE THUNDER!! Cover, TWO!!! Rollins barely survives and no one can believe it! Where’s Finn in all this? Rollins sputters in a daze as he goes to the apron and the fans rally. Sami huffs ‘n’ puffs, looks up to the briefcase as motivation, and he throws hands on Rollins. Rollins staggers, but then he throat chops! Sami still throws hands! Rollins JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Rollins CLAWS Sami’s eyes, puts him in a corner, and just SLAPS away! Rollins huffs ‘n’ puffs and almost foams at the mouth! Rollins runs in, btu into a clinch! CORNER EXPLODER! Sami is feeling it and the fans are with him!
Sami aims, runs at Rollins, but FINN SLINGBLADES! Then Finn SHOTGUNS Sami into Rollins! They’re both down but Sami’s in the drop zone! Finn goes up, COUP DE- NO, Sami dodge! CURB STOMP by Rollins! HELLUVA KICK by Sami!!! Cover on Rollins, BRON BREAKKER drags Sami out!! And Bronson Reed is there to rain down fists! The fans boo, because for No Disqualifications, this is still unfair! But then JEY CROSSBODIES Bronson! Jey fires fists on Bron, SUPERKICKS Bronson, then SUPERKICKS Bron! SUPERKICKS again and again, but Rollins grabs Jey! Jey UPPERCUTS Rollins! Bron SPEARS Jey!!
The fans boo, Bronson POSTS Sami, but DOM is here with a chair!! Dom slides that into the ring, halfway between Finn and Rollins. Finn grabs the chair, Rollins FULL METAL CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, ROLLINS WINS!!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall (advances to Money in the Bank)
Dirty Dom tried to help but that backfired in a big way. But even then, Rollins had his minions help out, so it’s all fair. Bron & Bronson go after Jey & Sami, but CM PUNK is here?!? Bron & Bronson Security now move to the ramp, but Punk sneaks in from the crowd!! Fireman’s carry for Rollins, and a GO TO SLEEP!!! Rollins is down, Punk bails out, and the fans fire up! The Best in the World gets the better of The Visionary! But even so, Rollins is still going to MITB. Will the Visionary take over using that contract once again? Or will Punk make sure that never happens?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw to not just follow up Saturday Night’s Main Event but even accelerate towards Money in the Bank Saturday. Great tie-in of Worlds Collide with Vikingo being here, and that was an awesome Triple Threat from Penta, Dragon Lee and Gable. Gable VS Vikingo for Worlds Collide will be great stuff, but I think a graphic gave away that Vikingo’s match with Alberto Del Rio El Patron for the AAA Mega Championship is going to go Vikingo’s way to then escalate the Worlds Collide match. Very good promo from Rhea to hype up her part in MITB but there are still more people to add so I’m not sure Rhea wins.
Rusev VS Tozawa was really quick but I suppose it would be given Rusev is Rusev. But Sheamus confronting Rusev was great stuff, and they’re going to have a great feud. Fun promo with Burt Kreischer & Tom Segura to hype up the tag title match, and the tag title match itself was great stuff. The finishing sequence was quick and brilliant stuff, but it also makes me think we’re getting more New Day VS American Made after this. Great promo segment from Lyra and Becky to set up their rematch, but I feel like the stakes aren’t even. Becky only wants Lyra to raise her hand in victory? I feel like Becky would be pettier than that, but maybe she beats Lyra up so bad that Lyra can’t even stand.
We got great integration of other segments through the big stories. Judgment Day’s new dysfunction is all because of Finn, and he was clearly enjoying it. Liv not liking Roxie hanging around Dom is made all the sweeter because it’s what Liv was doing with Dom while Dom was with Rhea. But then in a great twist, Roxie really did try to help Liv, only for Raquel to not like it and that cost Liv. And then Liv seeing Roxie’s point later was a great detail, too. Finn is either going to break up Liv and Dom or Liv and Raquel and he doesn’t seem to mind which one it is.
Very good promo from Gunther and Jey, not that it really adds much. I was oddly expecting more Logan Paul to show up and talk trash on Jey while putting Cena over, saying stuff like how he and Cena are going to be this unstoppable dream team. Maybe Logan will do that Friday or next Monday, given next Monday is the go-home Raw. Seth Rollins & Paul Heyman had a very good promo to open the night, though they maybe let the chants for Punk and Roman go on when they didn’t need to. Jey and Sami had a good promo and that helped plug Jey helping Sami in the main event.
That main event was also an awesome match, but it works that Rollins won. The MITB contract served him well before, can’t wait to see if he wins it and tries to use it on June 9th during Gunther VS Jey. At the same time, CM Punk either gets in MITB with a qualifier, or he just shows up to make sure Rollins doesn’t win the ladder match. He might even stalk Rollins to make sure Rollins can’t cash in successfully. But such a story would get boring over time, so I would think Rollins just doesn’t win and has one last match with Punk for Saturday Night’s Main Event in Atlanta or for SummerSlam’s night two main event.
My Score: 8.8/10
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