Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW G1 Climax 31 Results & Report! (10/12/21)
Round 7, B Block!
Does someone’s luck run out? Does another’s change for the better?
Kazuchika Okada and Jeff Cobb are both 6-0 and going for lucky number 7! Will one, both or neither keep going strong in the G1 Climax?
NOTE: NJPW no longer wants to feed AXS TV now that it is with Anthem and Impact Wrestling. But never fear, I will cover NJPW in the spirit of AXS in providing the most important matches of the show.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Taichi w/ Miho Abe VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado; Tama wins.
- YOSHI-HASHI VS SANADA; Sanada wins.
- Kazuchika Okada VS Chase Owens; Okada wins.
- Hirooki Goto VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo; Evil wins.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb; Cobb wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the NEW B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 6-0, 12 points
Jeff Cobb: 6-0, 12 points
EVIL: 5-1, 10 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SANADA: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Chase Owens: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Tama Tonga: 1-5, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi w/ Miho Abe VS Tama Tonga w/ Jado!
As you can see, the Holy Emperor and the Good Bad Guy are out of the running. However, the Guerrillas of Destiny are surely hungry to get the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships back. Will Tama get a win over Taichi to get back in the tag title hunt?
Miho helps Taichi with his jacket and fanny pack given the taped ribs. Taichi taunts Tama with the title but Tama shrugs off the trash talk. The ref does his check but Tama attacks! Tama kicks and fires off forearms, the bell rings to get this on record and Tama fires off elbows in the corner. The ref reprimands, Tama lets off but comes back with haymakers and uppercuts. Tama drags Taichi up to whip but Taichi reverses to CHOKE Tama in the corner! The ref counts, Taichi lets off but then he chokes Tama to the mat! The ref reprimands again, counts, and Taichi lets off. Jado coaches Tama up but Taichi stomps him down.
Taichi kicks Tama out of the ring, then chokes him around the way! Taichi whips Tama into railing and fans cheer. Taichi gathers up camera cables and uses those to choke Tama now! The ref reprimands, counts, Taichi lets go quickly. Taichi brings Tama back around into the ring, then clamps on a choke from behind. The ref sees this and reprimands, and Taichi lets off again. Tama throws body shots in return, but Taichi chokes him again! The ref counts, Taichi lets off to whip, but Tama reverses to hurdle, hurdle and HAKU CHOP! Tama takes off the vest as fans cheer and he stomps Taichi in the bad ribs. Tama drags him into a CAMEL CLUTCH!
Taichi endures, but he gets the ropebreak. Tama holds on until the ref counts 4, then kicks him out of the ring. Tama goes out to RAM Taichi into the apron! And then into railing! Taichi clutches his ribs as Tama paces. Tama goes back into the ring to leave Taichi at the ring count’s mercy. Miho checks on Taichi as the count climbs, and it is 10 of 20 before Taichi sits up. Taichi drags himself up at 15 and in at 16. Fans cheer but Tama stomps a mudhole into Taichi at the corner. Tama lets off as the ref reprimands and he stalks Taichi. Taichi kicks back but Tama drops elbow after elbow then a LEAPING elbow drop to the ribs! Cover, TWO!
Tama sits Taichi up, CLUBS him with crossface forearms then wraps on a body scissors! Tama adds a chinlock but Taichi still endures. Taichi moves around, Tama wraps the chinlock on tighter, and fans rally up. Taichi fights to sit up, he elbows but Tama hold onto a crossface of sorts. Taichi elbows again and is free! But Tama CLUBS and whips him, only for Taichi to reverse, wrench and DANGEROUS HOOK KICK! Both men are down and the fans rally up. Tama goes to a corner, Taichi runs in to corner clothesline! Taichi then snapmares and KICKS Tama in the back! Tama writhes and Taichi paces. Taichi then comes back to KICK Tama in the chest!
Jado coaches Tama to hang in there and Tama sits back up. Taichi KICKS him in the chest again but Tama shakes his head and eggs Taichi on. Fans fire up as Taichi KICKS and KICKS and KICKS! Tama stands up and is all fired up! He blocks a kick, CLUBS the leg then dropkicks Taichi to a corner! Tama runs in corner to corner but Taichi dodges the splash to GAMANGIRI! Tama is down, Taichi encourages the fans and they rally up. OFF COME THE PANTS! Taichi wants Tama to sit up, but Tama ducks the buzzsaw to punch the ribs! Tama boots the Ax Bomber away but Taichi boots Tama back! Taichi runs but Tama ducks the clothesline to get the TONGAN TWIST!
Fans fire up as Tama goes to the corner! Tama climbs, SUPREME FLOW FLOPS as Taichi moves! Fans rally up as both men are down! Taichi drags himself up with the ropes and he stands Tama up to KICK the leg, then BUZZSAW him down! Fans fire up with Taichi and he wants Tama to stand. Tama flounders, Taichi stands him up and runs, AX BOMBER! Tama drops to his knees but Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER! Tama goes down, but he gets right back up! JUMPING HIGH KICK! Tama is down and fans fire up! Taichi goes to the corner, powers up and takes aim, and Tama slowly rises. TENSHO- NO! Tama dodges, body shots and forearms! Taichi comes back, but into a clinch!
Tama wants a bearhug but Taichi fights so Tama KNEES, CLUBS and fireman’s carries! Taichi fights free and comes back to waistlock. The ribs stop the saido, Tama GAMANGIRIS to a GUN- NO!? Taichi drags Tama up, DANGEROUS SAIDO!! Taichi crawls to a cover, TWO!! Tama survives and fans are fired up! Taichi roars and drags Tama back up. Taichi Alabama lifts, but Tama headbutts while upside down! Underhooks but Taichi holds that off to back drop free! Alabama lift and BLACK- NO! Tama slips out to fireman’s carry, ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Tama hurries up top, SUPREME FLOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Taichi survives and fans are fired up again!
Tama slithers as fans rally up, and Tama pounds the mat. He may not be a Viper but he could be hearing voices. Taichi writhes, Tama wants him to stand! GUN STUN!!! Cover, Tama wins!!
Winner: Tama Tonga, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Taichi earns 0)
Now that was Too Sweet! Tama gets a win over the Dangerous Tekker, will he and brother Loa be primed for a tag title shot?
YOSHI-HASHI VS SANADA!
Much like Taichi and Tama, the Headhunter and the Cold Skull aren’t in the running for the finals this year. But Hashi is still a NEVER Openweight Six Man Tag Champion. Will Sanada earn Los Ingobernables de Japon a shot at those titles? Or will there be no Skull End in Hashi’s future?
The bell rings and the fans rally up, “SA-NA-DA!” “YO-SHI-HASH!” as the two stare down. They slowly circle, tie up, and Hashi gets around to a waistlock. Sanada switches, Hashi wrenches out to a wristlock but Sanada reverses that onto Hashi. Hashi rolls, trips Sanada and drops an elbow on the knee. Sanada tries to fight back with a forearm, Hashi traps the leg, but Sanada wrangles him with his free leg. Sanada wants the arm but Hashi clasps hands. Hashi pushes to a cover, Sanada keeps his shoulders up, and Hashi gets free. The fans cheer the exchange as the two reset. Hashi and Sanada feel out a knuckle lock but Hashi kicks low to get a headlock.
Hashi grinds the hold, Sanada fights up to throw body shots. Sanada powers out, Hashi runs him over with a shoulder, and fans cheer as Hashi speeds things up. Sanada drops, hurdles, runs and turns Hashi’s arm-drag into his own! Sanada then dropkicks and fans cheer as Hashi goes to a corner. Sanada goes corner to corner, Hashi puts him on the apron but Sanada forearms back. Hashi runs back to slide and trip Sanada up! Hashi then brings Sanada around the elbow on the back. Hashi whips Sanada, Sanada reverses but Hashi stops from running into railing. Hashi elbows Sanada away, then baits him in to drop toehold Sanada into railing!
The ref checks on Sanada but he’s somehow okay. Hashi drags Sanada up as the ring count climbs. Sanada’s dead weight so Hashi lets him be and goes into the ring. The count is already past 10, and reaching 15 as fans rally up. Sanada stands up and slides in at 19! Fans cheer as the match continues, and Hashi stomps Sanada down. Hashi drags Sanada up to snapmare and clamps on a chinlock. Sanada endures the knee in his back, Hashi grinds the hold but Sanada reaches out. Hashi pulls back harder, Sanada scoots forward with his foot, then gets the ropebreak! Fans cheer and Hashi lets go cleanly to bring Sanada back up.
Sanada throws forearms but Hashi gives them back. Fans rally up as they pick up speed, then Hashi CHOPS Sanada! Hashi hangs Sanada out to dry on the top rope, runs and dropkicks him down! Cover, TWO! Hashi drags Sanada up and whips him to a corner, runs in, and CHOPS again! Hashi brings Sanada around to suplex, HEAD- NO, Sanada fights out of the neckbreaker, but Hashi kicks low. Hashi whips, Sanada dropkicks Hashi’s leg out, and fans cheer as both men are down. Fans rally up, and Sanada kips up! Sanada rallies on Hashi with forearms and arm-drags, then a BIG atomic drop! Hashi staggers into a trip, and Sanada ties him up in Paradise!
Fans cheer and Sanada encourages them to get louder. The fans get louder, Sanada is satisfied with the volume, and he dropkicks Hashi out of Paradise! Cover, TWO! Sanada brings Hashi up but Hashi fights the fireman’s carry. Sanada kicks low, whips Hashi to a corner then RANAS him on the rebound! Fans fire up as Hashi bails out. Sanada takes aim and PLANCHA, but Hashi dodges! Hashi comes back with a PLANCHA of his own! Direct hit and down goes Sanada! Hashi stands back up, drags Sanada up and puts him in the ring. Fans cheer as Hashi goes up top and hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO!
Hashi keeps his cool and drags Sanada up. Hashi reels Sanada in, lifts but Sanada fights the bomb. Sanada fireman’s carries but Hashi fights free. Sanada elbows Hashi away, runs, but Hashi goes the other way to LARIAT Sanada down! Hashi gets Sanada up and hits a RUNNING POWERBOMB! Cover, TWO! Sanada survives and fans fire up but Hashi vows to end this. Hashi drags Sanada up and reels him back in. Hashi fisherman’s but Sanada fights the lift. Sanada puts Hashi on ropes for the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down and fans fire back up! Hashi and Sanada slowly stir as the fans rally up, and Hashi rolls to the far side.
Sanada grits his teeth as he gets up in the corner. He runs corner to corner but Hashi dodges! Sanada tumbles up and out then springboard missile dropkicks back in! Sanada fireman’s carries but Hashi fights, so Sanada throws him into the dragon sleeper! Hashi drops to arm-drag free, but Sanada comes back to headlock! Hashi turns that into a full nelson! Half nelson, pump handle, but Sanada fights and rolls free to fireman’s carry again! TKO! Cover, TWO! Sanada goes up top to ROUNDING BODY PRESS onto knees! Hashi saves himself at the last second and Sanada writhes and rolls away. Fans rally up as Hashi climbs now, for the SWANTON onto knees! Sanada returns the favor!
Fans rally again, “SA-NA-DA!” “YO-SHI-HASH!” while both men are down. Sanada rises, throws a forearm, but Hashi forearms back. Sanada throws another forearm, Hashi gives it back. They stand, the forearms keep going, and fans rally up as they build up speed again! Sanada wobbles, Hashi ROCKS him then CHOPS him! Fans rally up again as Hashi waits on Sanada. Sanada stands to fire off forearms, ROLLING ELBOW, then tilt-o-whirl into the dragon sleeper! But Hashi fights to fisherman but Sanada fights out of that with a knee! Sanada leans on ropes, Hashi catches his breath and fans rally back up. Sanada runs but into a DRAGON SUPLEX!
But he’s right back up! Sanada runs but into a SUPERKICK! Hashi hurries to get Sanada up and run, BASEMENT METEORA! Fans fire up with Hashi as he drags Sanada up to the fisherman. KUMAGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives but fans fire up again! Hashi wraps on a sleeper and leans on the hold. Sanada endures, claws at the hold but Hashi shifts to the full nelson, the half, but Sanada pops out of Karma to O’Conner Roll and sit-down! TWO!! Sanada fireman’s carries, Hashi slips out, Karma CRADLE! TWO!! Sanada and Hashi scramble to their feet, Hashi LARIATS Sanada down! Hashi sits Sanada up in the sleeper, shifts to the pump handle, KA-
NO! Dragon Sleeper! Inverted suplex, DRAPING TKO!! Top rope, ROUNDING BODY PRESS to Hashi’s back! But Sanada isn’t done there, he drags Hashi into the SKULL END!! Hashi endures, fans are thunderous, and Sanada bridges back as far as he can! HASHI TAPS, SANADA WINS!
Winner: Sanada, by submission (gains 2 points; Hashi earns 0)
The Cold Skull gets a hot win by switching up the pattern! Will Sanada be able to throw his opponents for a loop as the G1 enters the homestretch?
Kazuchika Okada VS Chase Owens!
The Rainmaker is going for lucky number 7, but the Crown Jewel could get another shocking upset! Will it be another hot hand for Okada? Or will he bust running into the Texas Heavyweight Champion?
The bell rings and fans rally up, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” as he and Chase circle. They feel out the grapple, back away, then approach to tie up collar ‘n’ elbow. Okada puts Chase against the ropes, lets off and fakes the chop, to then pat Chase on the shoulder. Fans cheer as Chase rushes in but Okada kicks low. Okada headlocks, Chase powers out but Okada runs him over. Things speed up, Okada fakes out Chase’s dropkick to run him over again. Okada drags Chase up, throws a short elbow, then comes back to CLUB Chase on the back. Chase goes to the corner, Okada brings him out and turns him for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, ONE, but Okada keeps Chase down with a chinlock.
Chase fights up, throws body shots, but Okada CLUBS him down. Okada brings Chase up to scoop and SLAM him, then he goes to the apron for a slingshot senton onto knees! Chase gets the better of Okada here, and fans rally up as Okada writhes. Chase stomps Okada, gets the legs to stomp him in the gut, then again. Chase digs his heel in, lets off, then jams knees into Okada’s back. Chase shoves Okada to ropes to then stand on his back! Chase salutes then steps off to bring Okada back up. Chase ROCKS Okada in the back with a forearm, then shoves him for another forearm! Chase whips Okada hard into a corner, and Okada falls to the mat.
Fans rally up again, “O-KA-DA! O-KA-DA!” but Chase drags Okada up. Okada throws body shots, forearms, and whips Chase, only for Chase to reverse into a cravat knee smash! Chase then hits a mule kick and NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Another try, TWO! Another, with both legs, TWO! The deep hook didn’t defeat the Rainmaker but Chase keeps his cool. Fans rally up, Chase sits Okada up to clamp on a shoulder claw! Okada endures as Chase digs deeper! Okada fights up, Chase CLUBS him down. Chase kicks Okada around and taunts him, then slaps him. Okada gets up, Chase throws a forearm but Okada eggs him on. Chase throws more forearms, Okada fires back!
Chase kicks the leg! Okada hobbles and Chase whips, but Okada ducks and dodges to CLOBBER Chase with an elbow! Fans fire up as both men are down again. Chase sits up but Okada stands as fans rally. Okada throws forearm after forearm, then whips Chase corner to corner. Okada runs in to back elbow! And then kick to DDT! Cover, TWO! Okada paces, brings Chase back up but Chase throat chops! Chase throws Okada out of the ring, builds speed but Okada dodges the dropkick to kick and DDT Chase to the floor! Fans fire up again as both men are down on the outside. The ref checks, both men are okay to continue, and a ring count starts.
Okada slowly sits up as the count reaches 10 of 20. Okada stands, brings Chase up and puts him in at 13. Fans cheer as this continues in the ring. Okada wrenches and puts on the MONEY CLIP! Chase RAMS Okada into a corner and is free, but Okada comes back, into a BACKBREAKER! Fans rally back up as Okada writhes. Chase hobbles around, runs corner to corner and forearms Okada, to then reel him in for a LARIAT! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Okada up, fireman’s carries, but Okada fights free. Chase elbows him back, runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Both men are down again and fans rally back up.
Okada sits up first but Chase follows. Okada is in the red corner, Chase runs in but Okada pops him up to the top rope. Chase boots back, Okada comes back but Chase puts him up top, GAMANGIRI! Chase cravats for a SUPER SNAPMARE SLAM! Cover, TWO! Okada survives and fans fire up again while Chase grows frustrated. Chase drags Okada up, wrenches an arm but Okada ROCKS him with forearms. Chase ROCKS Okada back, runs at the ropes but is put on the apron. Chase boots back, slingshots and SPEARS Okada down! Fans fire up as Chase drags Okada up. Chase whips Okada to a corner, runs in but is popped up to an Alabama! REVERSE NECKBREAKER!
Fans rally up as both men are down again. Okada drags Chase up, Chase swings but Okada catches the arm! MONEY CLIP! Chase throws haymakers with his free arm and is free! Chase whips, Okada reverses and dropkicks Chase down! Okada hurries to get the arm, MONEY CLIP! Chase is already red as Okada leans on the hold. Fans rally up, Chase fights, and gets the ROPEBREAK! Okada lets go and fans keep rallying. Okada and Chase slowly rise, Okada scoops and SLAMS Chase, then heads for the corner. Okada climbs, MACHO ELBOW DROP! And of course, Rainmaker Pose! Okada drags Chase up, wristlocks but Chase elbows back.
Okada ROCKS Chase with a forearm to the back! Okada goes to a corner, runs corner to corner but Chase dodges! Chase rolls Okada and has his feet on the ropes! The ref doesn’t see it, TWO!! Okada protests but Chase runs in, Okada dodges the knee. Okada runs, Chase resets to SHI TRIGGER!! Okada flounders against ropes, Chase runs again, but Okada dodges to SNAP GERMAN! Okada keeps the waistlock on to ripcord, but Chase dodges! And fakes out the dropkick to SHINING WIZARD! Chase drags Okada up, reels him in, but Okada back drops free! Chase fires off fast hands, but Okada ducks to backslide! Chase rolls through, BOOTS, but Okada just glares.
Chase boots again, Okada fires up, but into a SHI TRIGGER!! Chase roars, fans fire up and Chase underhooks the arms, but no Package Driver! Chase CLUBS away on Okada, tries again, but Okada flips through to the MONEY CLIP! Chase arm-drags free, but runs into a scoop! TOMBSTONE!! Both men are down but fans are thunderous! Okada gets up, drags Chase up and ripcords, but Chase ducks to backslide! Okada rolls through, Chase reels him in and tucks the arms, but Okada fights free again! Chase sunsets, Okada sits on it but Chase finishes the flip, TWO!! Okada narrowly escapes, spins Chase, but Chase BOOTS and hammerlocks! JEWEL-
No! Okada denies the heist to BACK2BACKBREAKER! And then MONEY CLIP!! Chase is caught again but he’s fighting as fans rally! Chase reaches, Okada drags him away to a MONEY CLIP CAMEL CLUTCH! Chase taps, Okada wins!!
Winner: Kazuchika Okada, by submission (gains 2 points; Chase earns 0)
And fortune still smiles upon the Rainmaker! Okada gives a Low Sweet to Chase, perhaps as a sign of respect. But will Okada be feeling too sweet all the way to the top of G1 finals?
Hirooki Goto VS EVIL w/ Dick Togo!
The Fierce Warrior may not be able to take the block, but he could spoil things for the King of Darkness! Will Goto make sure at least one name doesn’t make the cut? Or will he be the newest to learn Everything is Evil?
The jackets are put aside and Evil Low Sweets with Dick. The bell rings and Evil talks trash to Goto as the fans rally up. Goto just kicks and fires off CHOPS! Evil kicks and runs, but Goto ducks to run and run Evil over! Evil bails out but Goto tells him to get back in the ring. Dick distracts but Goto still sees the sneak attack coming! Goto kicks and fires forearms, but Evil rakes eyes! The ref reprimands, Evil tells him to shut up, but Goto turns things around to fire forearms! Goto whips corner to corner, takes a moment to check his vision, then runs corner to corner. But Evil dodges while taking the buckle pad! Goto runs into bare buckles while the ref reprimands Evil.
Evil tosses the buckle pad aside, drags Goto up and throws him out. Goto ends up by railing and we can see where this is going! Evil RAMS Goto into the timekeeper’s area! Down goes Abe-san, along with the bell and NEVER Openweight Six Man belt! Fans rally but Evil uses a chair to choke Goto! Evil lets off before the ref sees, then Too Sweets Dick before he gets in the ring. Evil gets impatient for the ring count but then he shouldn’t have knocked the timekeeper over! The ref keeps count all on his own and it climbs up to 10 of 20 before Goto gets up. Goto stands at 12, Abe-san joins the counting at 14, and Goto gets in at 16.
Evil grabs a leg and stomps away on it! He then turns Goto over for a HALF CRAB! Goto endures, drags himself around but Evil blocks him from the ropes! Goto powers through and still gets the ropebreak! Evil sits deeper but lets off as the ref counts to 4. Evil paces and fans rally for Goto, but Evil kicks him around and CLUBS him. Evil then scoops, SLAMS and covers, TWO! Another, TWO! Another, TWO!! Evil gets frustrated but the fans cheer as Goto stays in this. Evil gives toying kicks and talks trash, then stands on Goto’s head. Fans rally, Evil brings Goto up and Goto fires off hands! Evil kicks low, then boots, but Goto deflects to DISCUS LARIAT!
Both men are down and rolling towards corners as fans rally up. Goto runs in at Evil, MURAMASA! And BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Goto drags Evil up, Evil kicks low and runs but Goto follows to LARIAT! Goto gets Evil up, fireman’s carries, but Evil bails out. Evil takes a moment to catch his breath and go around the way, then he dares Goto to come get him. Goto slides out but Evil slides in. Goto gets to the apron, Evil runs in but Goto ROCKS him with a forearm. Evil grabs at the ref and Dick grabs at Goto! Goto kicks Dick away but Evil BLASTS Goto off the apron! Goto hits railing and the timekeeper’s area again! Abe-san suffers again!
Dick drags Goto up to DECK him while Evil still distracts the ref! Dick then puts Goto in for Evil to cover, TWO! Evil grows annoyed but fans rally up again. Evil drags Goto up, Goto blocks the fireman’s carry! Evil knees low, whips Goto into the bare buckles, then runs, but into a fireman’s carry! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and fans fire up again! Evil goes to a neutral corner, drags himself up the ropes, but Goto runs in! Evil BOOTS him, Goto comes back but into more BOOTS! Evil runs at Goto, DOUBLE LARIATS collide, but Goto stays up! Goto grits his teeth, drags Evil up and slaps him around. Goto fires up but Evil blocks the kick to rake the eyes!
Evil throws Goto’s foot at the ref so hard, the ref falls down! Not Evil’s usual tactic, but that’s because he wants Dick to get in! MAGIC KILLER!! Evil shouts the ref as he covers, the ref counts, TWO!! Goto survives and Evil is beside himself! Evil drags Goto up, fireman’s carries, DARKNESS FALLS!! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives again and fans fire up! Goto and Evil stir as the fans rally, but Evil stands first. Evil slashes his throat, drags Goto up, spins Goto around, but Goto throws elbows to fight the STO! Evil still tries but Goto gets free and pulls hair. Evil breaks free but Goto ducks his elbow to ROCK Evil with a right! Facelock, URA GTR! Goto keeps moving, and LARIATS Evil down! Cover, TWO!!
Fans fire up again as both men are down. Goto grits his teeth and fires himself up as he stands. Goto drags Evil up, dragon sleepers, but Evil slips out to shove him at the ref! But Goto blocks the low blow to fire off forearms! Evil drops to his knees, Goto drags him back up, but Evil reels him in! Goto slips out to sweep the leg! Goto figure fours the legs for the GOTO SHIKI CRADLE! But Dick is distracting the ref!! Goto would’ve won twice over! He lets off to tell Dick to leave, as does the ref. But then Evil runs in! Goto gets the ref out of the way, Evil clotheslines Dick in the corner! Goto runs in to clothesline sandwich them both!
Fans fire up with Goto and he drags Evil back up into the dragon sleeper. But Evil rakes eyes again! The ref reprimands, Evil drags Goto back up and whips him, only for Goto to reverse! Evil hits buckles, Goto fireman’s carries, G T W!! Cover, TWO?!! Evil survives but Goto still has more to give! Goto fires up and takes aim, BUZZSAW! Then the dragon sleeper, for G T- No, Evil grabs the ref! Goto shoves them away, Evil uses the ref as a shield, and Dick uses the SPOILER CHOKER!! Goto is fading out, Dick leaves him on the mat! Evil finally lets the ref go and drags Goto up, EVERYTHING IS EVIL!! Cover, Evil wins!!
Winner: EVIL, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Goto earns 0)
Talk about spoiling things! The King of Darkness keeps winning thanks to his court jester, and he is still alive in the block! Is there still an outside chance Darkness Falls on the G1 Climax finals?
Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Jeff Cobb!
The Ace is on the outside looking in, but that doesn’t mean he can’t turn the tides! Will he put the United Empire’s Hulk on a last minute detour? Or will he be crushed as Cobb climbs up the G1?
Tanahashi takes off the jacket and shows off the muscles, which the fans do like. Fans rally up already, “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” at the bell. Tanahashi and Cobb circle, feel out the grapple slowly, then tie up with knuckle locks. Just one of Cobb’s is stronger than both of Tanahashi’s, and Tanahashi gets away to reset. They tie up again, collar ‘n’ elbow, but are in a deadlock. Cobb pushes Tanahashi back to ropes, Tanahashi turns things around, and Tanahashi lets off, only for Cobb to shove him down. Tanahashi gets up and protests, but then shrugs it off as he and Cobb circle again. They tie up, Tanahashi headlocks but Cobb powers up.
Tanahashi thrashes the hold, Cobb tries to power out but Tanahashi holds tight! Cobb fights and powers up again to power out. Tanahsahi slides out to avoid any kind of shoulder tackle and fans cheer his savvy. Tanahashi wants Cobb to chase him but Cobb tells Tanahashi to get back in. They continue to dare each other, Tanahashi gets the fans rallying again. Cobb goes out, Tanahashi gets back in and Cobb gets frustrated. Cobb gets in, Tanahashi runs but into a scoop! Tanahashi slips out, full nelsons, but Cobb breaks it with pure power! Tanahashi powers up to put it back on but Cobb powers up to break it again! Cobb grins but Tanahashi powers up even more, so Cobb elbows him away.
Cobb runs in at the corner but gets an elbow. Tanahashi goes up but Cobb drags him down with a waistlock. Tanahashi elbows free but runs into a DROPKICK from Cobb! Fans cheer the agility of the big bad Cobb, and he stomps Tanahashi down. Cobb JAMS his knee into Tanahashi’s back, then throws an uppercut. One finger cover, ONE! Tanahashi doesn’t appreciate Cobb’s cockiness, but Cobb wraps him up in a rear bearhug. Tanahashi endures the squeeze, Cobb pushes him into the corner, then throws body shots. Cobb RAMS his shoulder in, and again, then brings Tanahashi around to scoop and cradle for a BACKBREAKER! Cobb uses Tanahashi as his guitar!
Cobb shoves Tanahashi into the corner again, then CHOP LARIATS! Fans rally up, “Let’s Go, Ace!” but Cobb CHOP LARIATS again! And again! Cobb lets off and Tanahashi drops to a knee. Cobb mocks those clapping for Tanahashi as he scoops and carries Tanahashi around. Cobb KNEES Tanahashi in the side, then again, before tossing him down. Cover, TWO! GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Fans cheer but Cobb is annoyed with Tanahashi’s resilience. Fans rally up and Cobb toys with The Ace. Cobb stands on Tanahashi’s hand, then lets off. Tanahashi slowly stands, throws body shots, but Cobb just laughs those off.
Cobb messes Tanahashi’s hair up but Tanahashi throws harder body shots! Tanahashi fires up but Cobb RAMS him into the corner! Then goes corner to corner to RAM him! Then back the other way! Then a fourth time! Cobb lets Tanahashi fall while fans cheer his strength. Cobb steps on Tanahashi as he heads to the corner and climbs up. Cobb mocks Tanahashi’s posing, SUNSET SENTON FLOPS! Cobb completed the rotation but Tanahashi avoids the impact! Fans fire up as Tanahashi stands and fires fast hands on Cobb. Tanahashi whips, Cobb reverses but Tanahashi comes back with FLYING FOREARMS! Tanahashi fires up more as he puts Cobb in the drop zone.
Tanahashi stomps Cobb, goes up the corner, and shows him how it’s done! SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! Fans rally up for Tanahashi as he waits on Cobb. Cobb slowly rises, Tanahashi runs, and he dropkicks the legs out! Then he gets a leg for the DRAGON SCREW! Tanahashi ties up the legs for the TEXAS CLOVER HOLD! But Cobb’s so big, it’s hard to turn him over! Tanahashi powers up and gets the turn! Cobb endures, powers up, but Tanahashi sits deep! Cobb powers up again and gets the ropebreak! Tanahashi lets go quickly and stalks Cobb as fans rally. Tanahashi stomps the legs, even as Cobb holds ropes. Red Shoes has Tanahashi let off and Cobb goes to the apron.
Tanahashi runs back over but Cobb ROCKS him first! And headbutts! Cobb bumps Tanahashi off buckles, then climbs up the corner. Cobb wants to bring Tanahashi up but Tanahashi fights the superplex to the outside! He gets Cobb’s leg through the ropes, DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Cobb flops down to the floor as fans fire back up! Fans rally, Tanahashi climbs up top and watches Cobb down below. HIGH FLY ATTACK! Direct hit and down goes Cobb! Red Shoes checks on both men but they’re somehow okay to continue. Fans rally harder than ever, “Let’s Go, Ace! Let’s Go, Ace!” Red Shoes starts a ring count as both men stir.
Tanahashi stands at 8 of 20, gets in the ring at 10, but Cobb is still down at 13! Cobb rises at 14, flounders at 16, then hobbles up and in at 18! Fans cheer as this continues, and Tanahashi fires up as he runs. SLING- NO! Cobb gets around to a waistlock but Tanahashi elbows free. Tanahashi runs into a LARIAT from Cobb! Fans rally again while both men are down. Tanahashi crawls to a corner and drags himself up the ropes. Cobb runs in but misses the back elbow! Tanahashi runs in but Cobb catches his crossbody! Cobb pops Tanahashi up to a suplex, but Tanahashi fights free to TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi fires up and runs, SLINGBLADE! Cover, TWO!
Tanahashi drags Cobb to a drop zone and goes up the corner. Fans fire up as Tanahashi aims, HIGH FLY FLOW onto knees!! Cobb saves himself and Tanahashi writhes and rolls away! Fans are thunderous as the two slowly stir. Tanahashi fires himself up, he and Cobb glare at each other. Cobb springs up to his one good leg and dares Tanahashi to bring the fight! Cobb throws a forearm, Tanahashi gives it back. Cobb forearms again, Tanahashi gives it back again. Fans rally as the two pick up speed and keep going. Cobb ROCKS Tanahashi, keeps throwing forearms, but then he loads up, only for Tanahashi to SHOTEI! But Cobb fires up, only to turn around into another SHOTEI!
Tanahashi runs, SLING- NO! Cobb swings Tanahashi, ATHLETIC- NO! Tanahashi makes it a SLINGBLADE!! Cover, TWO!! Fans are thunderous again and Tanahashi goes right back to a corner! Tanahashi climbs, aims, HIGH FLY ATTACK is caught!! Cobb pops Tanahashi around to a fireman’s carry, for an F5 THOUSAND!! Both men are down again and fans rallying as Cobb crawls to a cover. TWO!! Tanahashi barely gets out of that one and Cobb is beside himself. Fans rally, “LET’S GO, ACE!” as hard as they can. Cobb tells Tanahashi to just give up but Tanahashi says he won’t! Cobb whips Tanahashi to ropes, scoops, but Tanahashi makes it a cradle, TWO!!!
Cobb and Tanahashi stagger up, Tanahashi blocks the superkick to SHOTEI! But Cobb GERMAN SUPLEXES outta nowhere! Cobb whips and scoops, TOUR OF THE ISLAND!!! Cover, Cobb wins!!
Winner: Jeff Cobb, by pinfall (gains 2 points; Tanahashi earns 0)
The Once in a Century Talent falls again! He was already out of the running, but is he just going to owe yet another IWGP US Championship match in the aftermath? As for Cobb, he gets the mic to speak.
“Tanahashi, Tanahashi.” He applauds, showing his respect. “Are you guys sad that I beat the Ace?” Tanahashi is amazing! But two more wins for Cobb and the United Empire! Jeff Cobb is senshou youshou! That is to say, he will be THE champion in NJPW! But will Cobb’s confidence and dominance be tested in these last two rounds?
Here are the current B Block standings!
Kazuchika Okada: 7-0, 14 points
Jeff Cobb: 7-0, 14 points
EVIL: 6-1, 12 points
Hiroshi Tanahashi: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
SANADA: 3-4, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Hirooki Goto: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
YOSHI-HASHI: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Tama Tonga: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Taichi: 2-5, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Chase Owens: 1-6, 2 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round for the G1, but full disclosure, I really did consider skipping the first two G1 matches since they wouldn’t affect the top of the block. But Taichi VS Tama was still really good and could lead to Dangerous Tekkers VS Guerrillas of Destiny one more time for the IWGP Heavyweight Tag titles. And Hashi VS Sanada was also very good, and it was great to see Sanada change things up. I hope Sanada finally gets something going for himself, he was running real hot just a couple years ago but things seemed to change, even without factoring in COVID and 2020.
But of course, the latter three matches were great stuff. Chase looks strong even in losing to Okada, who of course continues on undefeated. Evil also stays in the running with his 6-1 record, he could definitely try to spoil things for Cobb next round. But after Cobb got that great win in a great match with Tanahashi, it’s as I said before and I’ll say it again: Okada VS Cobb, both undefeated going into the ninth and final round, that is the big money main event NJPW is sitting on. The winner of that should go in as the undefeated 9-0 B Block winner, and maybe even THE G1 winner just on that. Given that, I feel like Okada finds a way to win to really beef up how the G1 feels.
My Score: 9.1/10
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
Is La Mera Mera still the best luchadora?
Thunder Rosa already whooped “Thunder Harley” on Dia de Los Muertos, but will she feel the wrath of “Harley-gram?”
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Top Flight VS Katsuyori Shibata, Atlantis Jr. & Mascara Dorada 2.0; win(s).
- The Beast Mortos VS Serpentico; wins.
- Hechicero VS Komander; wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Harley Cameron; wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
[Due to scheduling conflicts, coverage will be on delay]
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
TUESDAY - Musical Chairs (music) / Hockey Talk (NHL)
WEDNESDAY - The Greg DeMarco Show (wrestling)
THURSDAY - Keeping the news ridiculous... The Oddity / Chairshot NFL (NFL)
FRIDAY - DWI Podcast (Drunk Wrestling Intellect)
SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
Powered by RedCircle
Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!
The battlelines have been drawn!
To defy Solo Sikoa’s tyranny, Paul Heyman returned to bring Roman Reigns a wild card: C M PUNK! Will WarGames end the Bloodline Civil War?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae; Rhea, Bianca, Naomi, Iyo & Bayley win.
- WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura; Nakamura wins and becomes the new WWE United States Champion.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser; Bron wins and retains the title.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest; Gunther wins and retains the title.
- Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed; Roman, Jey, Jimmy, Sami & Punk win.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the Countdown to Survivor Series!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action that’s about to heat up chilly Vancouver, British Columbia!
Backstage interview with Imperium.
Cathy Kelley is with both Gunther & Ludwig Kaiser ahead of their title matches tonight. Many are wondering where Der Ring General’s confidence is at going into this match with Damian Priest. Gunther says, “Confidence. Well, it’s up to me to deal with him.” As for Kaiser, he’s in the Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship! That is just what Gunther was talking about in having to do better. Yes, well, Cathy says Gunther has given Kaiser quite a few pep talks. How will that help him tonight? Kaiser says tonight is a special night for them both, but especially for the Intercontinental Championship.
Ever since Gunther lost the title, that title lost all its prestige they worked hard for! And there is only one man who can restore the honor and the prestige of the Intercontinental Championship, and that is Ludwig Kaiser. Gunther says enough said. Imperium heads out, will they both soon reign over Monday Night Raw?
Sheamus arrives backstage.
“Vancouver, are you ready for a banger?!”
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Jackie Redmond is with the Big Bad Booty Nephew as he sports a Scott Steiner shirt, and brings up the Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat. He could lose the title without losing the match. Yes, an interesting match to be sure. Bron has had a whole week to reflect the job in front of him. He has to respect Kaiser for going out and making a name on his own. And he respects Sheamus, who doesn’t? A former world champion, a future Hall of Famer to be sure. But Bron is not the champion that we should be trying to have an experimental thing like seeing if you can do this on your own or without a tag team.
Anyone else would be a better choice. Kaiser’s game plan is obvious: he’ll sewer rat around to steal the title. And Sheamus, wow… He’s feeding into some false hope because he reads the internet like a nerd! Sheamus hasn’t won the IC title so that’s just a given? Bron played for the Ravens, they didn’t win a Super Bowl while he was there, but after he left, should he get one for participation? NO! Take it back to retirement home, old man! This isn’t Saturday Night Bingo, this is Bron at Survivor Series! The dogs are barking in Vancouver! Bron is fired up, will he need to be even more badass than usual when facing two opponents?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
The second longest-running premium event for WWE behind only WrestleMania, and Jackie is so glad to finally have this one in Vancouver. And now, we flashback to 1987, when WWE told cable operators that if they wanted WrestleMania back, they needed to air the first-ever Survivor Series, and NOT Starrcade. Such a cutthroat business is only matched by cutthroat wrestling families. Be ready for Bloodline: Civil War here in British Columbia!
Backstage interview with William Regal.
Cathy is with the Gentleman Villain, and says there is a lot of history of them talking about WarGames. Can he say what is so special about tonight? Regal says he was in WarGames 1993, but he never really got in the match. He always wanted to be because it is the ultimate form of combat. The victors leave and look back knowing they accomplished the greatest thing they could, and that is completely tear apart another team that stood in front of them. And yes, there is history of them in NXT with WarGames, great to see her again. Cathy agrees, it is a brutal match, and we’re just minutes away. Could Regal do the honors?
Regal works up the energy for it, it has been a minute. Cue him up. We’re here for Survivor Series… “WARGAMES!!” Cathy loves to hear it. But who will be the victors that dominate their enemies inside the double cage?
Singing the Star Spangled Banner and O Canada is Vancouver’s own, Elizabeth Irving!
Tonight, step into a world where nothing is as it seems.
A funkadelic cover of War Pigs plays as armies gather in death’s construction. Because “ladies and gentlemen…! There’s no way to do WarGames 4 versus 5.” No holds barred, no telling what will happen. Tonight, surviving is just the beginning. This is Survivor Series WARGAMES!
Women’s WarGames: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley VS Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton & Candice LeRae!
Common enemies make for unlikely allies, and now its time for WAR! Will Mami, The EST, The Glow, The Evil Genius and late addition Role Model eradicate the opposition? Or will the team stacked with gold be stacking bodies for the holidays?
After everyone on “Team Rhea” makes their entrance, the team sorts out. Bayley says she’s got this, and she heads to the ring while the others stay in the shark cage. Then everyone for “Team Liv” makes their entrance, and Nia steps up, perhaps wanting payback for Bayley helping Bianca on Monday. The bell rings and Nia DECKS Bayley! We’re on the clock with five minutes before reinforcements can be sent. Nia soaks up heat, shoves Bayley, but Bayley dodges! Bayley bobs ‘n’ weaves, RAMS Nia, then fires off hands! Bayley whips, Nia blocks, and Nia whips Bayley. Bayley ducks ‘n’ dodges to ROCK Nia!
Bayley keeps moving and hse ROCKS Nia again! Bayley runs but Nia scoops! Bayley slips free, BOOTS Nia from a corner, then storms back up. But Nia grabs Bayley with both hands! Bayley breaks free, headlocks, but Nia powers out. Bayley stops from hitting cage, but Nia backdrops! Bayley sunset flips, avoids stomps, but Nia HEADBUTTS Bayley to a corner. Nia runs up but Bayley dodges! Bayley is in the gap, and she eggs Nia on! Nia steps in but Bayley catches her for a HOTSHOT STUNNER! The fans fire up and Bayley storms up on Nia. Bayley fires hands, then gets space. But Nia DUMPS her to the second ring!
Bayley hops back in and she RAMS Nia into the post! Nia pushes back, ELBOWS Bayley, and Bayley falls into the second ring. Nia storms in, her team cheering her on but Vancouver solidly behind Bayley. Nia is annoyed, and she whips Bayley to a corner. Bayley goes up and up, but Nia yanks her back down! Bayley fights the fireman’s carry and HAMMERs away! The fans fire up, and Bayley ROCKS Nia! Bayley knuckle locks, then goes up and up again! Bayley uses the cage to balance, and she FLYING RANAS Nia away! The fans fire up and Bayley undoes her arm, well, armor. Bayley uses it to LASH Nia! And again! And again!
Nia blocks the next shot and she SLINGS Bayley away! Nia LASHES Bayley with her own attire! The fans boo but Nia LASHES Bayley again! Bayley hauls Nia up, TOSSES her to the gap, an then she rubs the armband on her booty! Nia then runs up to HIP ATTACK Bayley! Bayley flounders but she still has to wait one more minute before help arrives. Nia storms in, and she whips Bayley, only for Bayley to reverse! Nia hits steel, and then Bayley KNEES her down! Bayley keeps moving, but Nia BODY CHECKS her! The fans boo but Nia soaks it up. Thirty seconds left and Nia stands Bayley up. Nia TOSSES Bayley into the wall!
Bayley sputters but Nia runs in, HIP ATTACK against the steel!! Ten seconds and the fans count down! Team Rhea sends Naomi! Naomi has a party hat but she’s ready to fight! And she brings out goodies from under the ring! Is that a toilet seat? And also a brightly colored kendo stick! Naomi SMACKS away on Nia, treating her like a pinata! But this pinata can hit back! But Naomi hops around for a SLEEPER! Nia RAMS Naomi into buckles! Nia runs back in, Naomi goes up and she stomps away on Nia’s back! Naomi leaps, then kicks low! Naomi whips but Nia reverses. Naomi slides under, then mule kicks!
The fans fire up as Naomi runs, FAMOUSER! The fans fire up and Naomi calls to Bayley. Naomi runs to SPLIT LEG DROP! Fans cheer “Happy Birthday!” for Naomi but we have 90 seconds until Nia gets reinforcements. Bayley & Naomi DROPKICK SANDWICH Nia! And then Naomi has the kendo stick! But Nia blocks! Nia has the stick and she SMACKS away on Naomi and Bayley both! The fans boo, but Nia finds that toilet seat! Nia grins and puts the seat around Naomi’s neck! Nia gets space, but Bayley SMACKS her with the stick! The fans fire up as Naomi JAMS Nia with the seat! And whips her into the corner!
Bayley hands the seat over, Naomi puts that around Nia, and she gives Nia a STINK FACE! Then a mule kick! Bayley & Naomi drag Nia up, but Nia DOUBLE HEADBUTTS them! Nia runs, ten seconds left, and Nia breaks the double lariat, only to run into a DOUBLE BACKDROP! Here comes- Candice?! She shoves Tiff aside to hurry down to the ring! The Poison Pixie grabs chairs and slides them in for Nia. This is Candice kissing up to the Queen of the Ring, and Nia appreciates it. Nia SMACKS Bayley, SMACKS Naomi, repeat! Candice steps in, picks up a chair for herself, and they swing! Naomi & Bayley dodge!
Naomi & Bayley fire forearms on Nia and Candice, then they wedge Nia into a corner with one! Candice runs up to CLOBBER Bayley! And she ROCKS Naomi! Nia RAMS Naomi with the chair! The fans boo as Candice sits a chair up. Another 90 seconds left on the clock as Candice uses the chair to go up, CODE BREAKER SENTON COMBO! Candice tosses the chairs aside into the second ring, and Nia TOSSES Naomi over to join her. Candice sets the chairs up together while Nia thrashes Bayley around. Candice CLUBS Naomi, then brings her to the chair bridge. Naomi SMACKS Candice off her own contraption!
Bayley RAMS Nia into a corner, then makes sure the chairs are in place. Naomi brings Candice over, but Nia CLOBBERS Bayley! Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner, and now Nia scoops Bayley! Nia sets Bayley in the chair structure, and Candice LIONSAULTS! The countdown is back, and Rhea’s team sends Bianca! The fans fire up as The EST runs down and looks for something to bring to the party. She finds a trash can! And she CHUCKS it at Nia! Nia falls, Candice runs up, but Bianca SLAMS the door on her! Bianca then brings up a fire extinguisher! Bianca puts that in, but she wants more!
Vancouver wants it and Bianca finds it, it’s a TABLE! Bianca powers that table into the cage, Naomi helping her, and Bianca goes for more. Wait, Candice RAMS Naomi into a corner using the table! Bianca has a chair to SMACK Candice! Bianca whips Candice into a corner, runs up, but Candice ELBOWS her! Candice goes up, but Bianca catches her! And fights the poison-rana! REVERSE ALABAMA SLAM! Candice hits buckles and falls back! Nia grabs Bianca’s Cahir, puts Bianca in a corner, but Bianca elbows free! Bianca goes up, and BACKFLIPS with the chair! Pass to Nia, DROPKICK into the chair!
Nia staggers back, Bianca kips up, and the fans fire up! Bianca and Naomi hurry to have Nia in a corner, and they mug Nia with fists! The fans count along, Naomi adds kicks, and they go to 12! Nia sits down, Bayley keeps on Candice, and Bayley has Candice in the second ring. Bianca has a chair and wedges it into Nia. The countdown is back, Naomi DROPKICKS the chair into Nia! Bayley drops elbows on Candice, but here comes Tiffany! It’s her time, and she makes sure to get her own trash can, and its lid! Tiffy puts those in the ring, Bianca notices, and she backflips over Tiff! Tiff still SMACKS Bianca with the lid!
LID SHOT for Naomi, and then a SPINEBUSTER! The fans fire up as Tiff says it’s her time, and she handsprings to ELBOW Bianca in the corner! Bayley runs up but Tiff trips her! CATAPULT into Nia’s LARIAT! Nia & Tiff high-five, and the fans are torn about Tiff turning the tide. They send Bianca and Naomi into each other while Candice beats up on Bayley. Tiff hooks Naomi, backslides, and Nia adds a LEG DROP!! Nia hauls Bianca up, fireman’s carries, and Tiff goes up. ROLLING NECKBREAKER SAMOAN DROP! Naomi crawls to the gap but Nia puts her in the second ring. Bayley swings, Tiff blocks, and Tiff takes the chair to SMACK Bayley!
Nia runs up on Naomi but Naomi dodges! Naomi takes the chair to SMACK Nia! And SMACK her again! Tiff hits Bayley’s leg, Candice and Bianca brawl, but Bianca scoops! Candice slips free to THROW Bianca down! There’s 20 seconds left as Naomi keeps on Nia. Bayley puts Tiff in ropes to HOTSHOT STUNNER! The countdown is back, Rhea’s team sends Iyo Sky! The most experienced woman when it comes to WarGames, the Evil Genius looks around for something particular. Yes, she finds a trash can! It’s even color coded to match! Wait, it also has strings? Oh, so she can properly carry it on her shoulder as she climbs!
The fans fire up as Iyo climbs, looking to do this same tactic a third time! But Candice hurries to intercept! The fans boo but Iyo SMACKS Candice! Candice hits back, and she drags Iyo over! The fans freak out a bit as Iyo has to fight off a superplex! Candice goes to the top rope, Iyo SUNSET FLIPS! Candice holds on, so Iyo SHOTEIS Candice’s hips! Iyo ELBOWS Candice off the top rope! Iyo adjusts, and she MISSILE DROPKICKS! Iyo kips up and the fans fire up! But Tiff whips Iyo! Iyo stops from hitting steel and ELBOWS Tiff! Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges Tiff, then handsprings! Tiff dodges but Iyo wags her finger now! Tiff runs up, Iyo drops, but Tiff handsprings!
The fans cheer and Tiff shrugs. She can do it, too! Iyo waistlocks, O’Conner, but Tiff bucks that! Iyo avoids the Tiffy Stomps to SMACK Tiff with a chair! Iyo stomps Candice, SMACKS her, then fires up again! Iyo runs up, SHINKANSEN for Tiff! SHINKANSEN for Candice! Nia CLOBBERS Iyo! The countdown is back, Bayley SMACKS Nia! Team Liv sends Raquel Rodriguez, and Ricky Desperado is ready to rumble! She looks under the ring, and she thinks about it. She says why not. TABLE! The fans fire up as Raquel sets that aside and goes into the ring. Raquel scoops Iyo to FALL AWAY SLAM her into steel!
Then Raquel scoops Naomi to LAWN DART her into steel! Bayley saves Bianca and they mug Raquel! The fans cheer but Nia makes the save. Nia and Raquel, the biggest in this match, beat down Bianca and Bayley. They haul the two up, and TOSS them into the steel! And then they do it again the other direction! Nia and Raquel high-five, and they soak up the heat. Naomi kicks Raquel, Raquel ROCKS Naomi! Nia hauls Iyo up, as does Raquel with Naomi! They BOMB them into the steel, then they copy AOP’s SUPER COLLIDER, BOMBING Iyo & Naomi onto Bayley & Bianca! The fans boo but Nia and Raquel alone are dominating!
Tiff & Candice regroup with Nia & Raquel, but the countdown is back! The fans cheer as here comes Mami! And Mami’s a monster in her spooky custom face mask! Rhea sees the giants waiting for her, so she grabs that table Raquel left behind! She and Raquel tug-o-war, and then Rhea SEESWAS the table into Raquel! Rhea runs up to DROPKICK Nia !Raquel ROCKS Rhea, kicks her low, and the two scrap! Rhea waistlocks but Tiff SMACKS Rhea down with the lid! The rest of the team rushes back in and Bayley beats down Tiff! Iyo and Candice scrap, Nia & Raquel TOSS Naomi, but she rebounds to DOUBLE REAR VIEW!!
The fans fire up as Liv realizes this is her last 90 seconds of safety. Rhea helps Bianca up, “This is Awesome!” as Rhea’s team regroups! Rhea has the toilet seat, and she SMAKCS Raquel with it! IT BREAKS! The fans fire up as Bianca’s hair becomes a weapon! Tiff tries but Iyo SMACKS Tiff down! Candice SMACKS Iyo! Bianca WHIPLASHES Candice!! Raquel LARITS Bianca! Naomi BULLDOGS Raquel onto the toilet seat! Nia CLOBBERS Naomi! Rhea is up to HEADBUTT Nia! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT again! The fans are loving this as we have our final countdown! And Liv realizes what this means a little too late.
Liv sees the door open, and she doesn’t wanna go. The fans cheer Rhea on, the refs say Liv has to go, and Liv says okay! But then Liv runs away to the back!? The fans boo, but the match won’t end until Liv gets in the ring. Oh wait, Liv has a BASEBALL BAT! She just needed her equalizer. Rhea says she ain’t afraid of that bat or of Liv! Liv steps into the ring, the bell rings, “And now, let the WARGAMES BEGIN!!” Liv laughs, but so does Rhea. Bianca POSTS Raquel, ruining Liv’s back-up plan. And then Rhea takes off the mask to reveal she’s all Furiosa! Rhea KICKS Liv, CLUBS away, and the fans are thunderous!
Rhea pump handles Liv, but Nia CLOBBERS Rhea! The fans boo as Rhea gets mugged by Liv’s team! They sit Rhea up, Liv has the bat, BAT TO THE RIBS! AND AGAIN! AND AGAIN, AGAIN, AGAIN! Then to the BACK! And again! The fans boo but Candice drags Rhea to a corner. Liv shows she has handcuffs! Nia keeps Rhea trapped, and Liv goes for Rhea’s hands! But Rhea’s team fights off Liv’s team! Bayley fires forearms on Nia, Rhea stomps Tiff, and Iyo SPRINGBOARD MISSILE DROPKICKS NIA! The fans fire up but TIFFY STOMPS for Iyo! BOOT for Tiff! FLYING DDT for Rhea! Bianca TOSSES Candice into steel!
Raquel picks Bianca up to SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Naomi KICKS and FACEBUSTERS Raquel! Liv is up top, FLYING CODE BREAKER on Naomi! But Bayley SUNSET BUCKLE BOMBS Liv! Nia fireman’s carries Bayley, SAMOAN DROP!! Cover, TWO!!! Bayley survives and the fans fire up! Nia is shocked but wait. Iyo and Tiff have climbed up the cage on opposite ends! Iyo is going back for her trash can! Tiff is looking to copy the Evil Genius, but Iyo still has that trash can armor! SWANTON BOMB from Tiff, TRASH CAN MOONSAULT from Iyo!!! Vancouver is absolutely erupting over that!
Iyo grins and Tiff manages to stand. Tiff brings out goodies from within her trash can, but she doesn’t want any of it. She wants her BRIEFCASE!! The fans fire up, is Liv cashing in on Nia or on Liv? The ref asks if that’s true, but Raquel says Tiff better not go for Liv! Iyo FIRE EXTINGUISHER BLASTS everyone!!! Iyo puts out the fire, and Rhea cuffs Raquel!! Rhea BEATS on Raquel! Nia BODIES Rhea! And DECKS Iyo! Nia looks for tables and she has her minions set those up. Naomi tries to stop them but Candice beats her down! Tiff & Candice bring a table to the second ring to set it up, and Vancouver likes where this is going!
Nia sets up a table in the first ring, and Candice has Bianca up top. Candice rains down fists, but Bianca hoists her up! ALLEY-OOP off buckle! Naomi KNEES Tiff down! Nia BODIES Naomi, hoists Bianca up, SAMOAN DROP! LEG DROP, brother! Cover, Iyo AND Bayley break it! Which surprises each of them given their Damage CTRL history. The two stare down, argue a little, but Nina DOUBLE LARIATS them both! The fans boo but Nia soaks it all up. Nia LASHES Bianca with her own braid! And then she puts Bianca on the table! Nia climbs, grins, but Bianca CLUBS her first! Naomi KICKS Nai from below!
Bianca & Naomi hoist Nia up to DOUBLE POWERBOMB her through the table!!! Naomi covers, LIV BREAKS IT WITH THE BAT!! Liv SMACKS Iyo, but Bianca blocks! Bianca takes the bat, Liv panics, but Bianca grabs a chair! They go to the other run, and Raquel manages to BOOT Bianca! Bayley fires off, but Liv gives Raquel a chair! SMACK to Bayley, then FULL METAL OBLIVION!! Cover, Rhea YANKS Liv up! HEADBUTT! Pump handle! Raquel reaches out to save Liv! Rhea BOOTS Raquel! Liv FULL METAL CODE BREAKERS!! Liv puts Rhea on the table, goes up the corner, but Rhea CHOPS!
Rhea climbs up, she and Liv brawl up top! Liv stomps away on Rhea, but Rhea blocks the Oblivion! Rhea fires more elbows, then she HEADBUTTS Liv! Pump handle! SUPER RIPTIDE down through the TABLE!!! Cover, TEAM RHEA WINS!!!
Winners: Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Naomi, Iyo Sky & Bayley, by pinfall
Eclectic as this unit was, it was their combined experience that won the day! And with Rhea pinning the Women’s World Champion, will she and Iyo both be after Liv for the gold?
WWE United States Championship: LA Knight VS Shinsuke Nakamura!
The Mega Star shines bright and talks loud, and that was apparently all the reason this darker side of Nakamura targeted him. Will the darkness grow stronger with the luster of championship gold? Or will this Knight deny the King of Strong Style his throne?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if bravado can best bushido!
The bell rings and the fans rally up while Knight stares Nakamura down. They circle slowly, then Knight avoids a kick. Knight mocks Nakamura with a quick crane stance, and then the two tie up. They go around, Nakamura puts Knight in the corner, but the ref counts. Nakamura lets off, to then uppercutr! Nakamura fires knees and elbows, then he snapmares Knight for a KICK! Knight staggers to a corner but Nakamura fires hands! Nakamura whips corner ot corner, but Knight comes back to LARIAT! Knight rains down fists on Nakamura and the fans fire up! Knight hauls Nakamura up to suplex high and hard!
Knight drops an ELBOW, then covers, ONE!! Knight keeps after Nakamura in the corner, stomps away on him, “YEAH! YEAH!” Knight goes corner to corner but Nakamura bails out. Knight runs to WRECK Nakamura with a dropkick! Knight goes out to smack Nakamura off barriers, but Nakamura fires knees! Nakamura sends Knight into barriers, then into more barriers! Knight blocks a third and he SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again and again! “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight winds up and SMACKS Nakamura off the apron again! Knight puts Nakamura in but Nakamura ROCKS Knight! Nakamura whips, Knight grabs ropes and BOOTS back!
Knight suplexes Nakamura, hoists him out to dry, and then goes up, ELBOW DROP! Nakamura flops down and the fans fire up! Knight waits on Nakamura, then scoops, but Nakamura slips free. Nakamura waistlocks, Knight switches, but Nakamura runs to HOTSHOT Knight! Knight kicks back but Nakamura OVERHEAD ELBOW! AX KICK! Basement DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Nakamura drags Knight up, fires forearms on Knight in the corner, then hoists him up onto the top rope. Nakamura goes corner to corner and back again, TOP SHELF KNEE! Knight flops to the apron then the floor while fans rally up.
Knight drags himself up, rolls into the ring, but Nakamura kicks him around! Nakamura kicks and scuffs Knight at the ropes, but the ref has him back off. Nakamura waits, then runs up, but into a HOTSHOT off the ropes! Nakamura falls, Knight flounders, and the fans rally. Nakamura grabs at Knight but Knight kicks and DDTS! Cover, TWO! Knight whips Nakamura, sets up, but Nakamura KICKS him! But Knight ducks a roundhouse! Torture rack, BURNING HAMMER!! Cover, TWO!! Nakamura survives but Knight brings him up. The fans rally but Nakamura RAMS Knight into the corner! Nakamura runs up but into an ELBOW!
Knight puts Nakamura up top, climbs up after him, but Nakamura fires forearms! Nakamura CLUBS Knight down, but Knight springs right up! But Nakamura slips under and trips Knight up! Nakamura climbs up behind Knight now as fans rally. Knight fires elbows and Nakamura falls back! Only for Nakamura to ENZIGIRI! Knight sits down, Nakamura goes right up! Nakamura hauls Knight up, for a SUPER INVERTED EXPLODER!! The fans fire up and Nakamura covers, TWO!! Knight survives but only just so! Nakamura aims from a corner, Knight sits up, KIN-NO, Knight silps aroudn to SIDE EFFECT!
Knight hurries to the corner, climbs up, and he spells it out! “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” DOUBLE JUMP ELBOW DROP! Knight fires back up and the fans are with him! Knight waits on Nakamura, Nakamura rises slowly, but then he flops to the gap between rings. The ref checks Nakamura, Knight goes after him, but Nakamura fires a body shot! Knight fights the suplex, but so does Nakamura! Nakamura CLAWS the eyes! REVERSE DDT on the steel!! The ref reprimands but Nakamura crawls into the ring. Nakamura watches Knight rise, and BLINDSIDE KINSHASA!!! Cover, NAKAMURA WINS!
Winner: Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (NEW WWE United States Champion)
On day 120 of Knight’s reign, it comes to an end! Nakamura is now a THREE-TIME United States Champion, will nothing stop his darkness from shining?
The Alpha Academy is getting dressed backstage.
Akira Tozawa checks on Otis. Otis doesn’t wanna come out, and it doesn’t sound good. Maxxine says there is a lot of pressure and drama during the holidays. But see, these True Classic shirts are just the right fit. Loose on the stomach, tight on the arms, and incredibly comfortable. Tozawa hands this shirt to Otis and Otis tries it on. Maxxine is sure this will work. “Ohhh~ yeeeah~!” Otis walks out, and Maxxine was right. When he looks good, he feels good. But uh, now we need some pants… Will you be a True Classic this holiday, just like Otis?
WWE Intercontinental Championship Triple Threat: Bron Breakker VS Sheamus VS Ludwig Kaiser!
The Big Bad Booty Nephew knows all about the 33-and-a-one-third chance of winning in a Triple Threat, and it might take those odds to stop him from winning this time. Will the Fella make this the banger to end all bangers? Will the Impeccable German make Der Ring General proud? Or will Bron defy the odds and keep the dogs barking here in Vancouver?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see how the math plays out!
The bell rings and the three watch each other. Then Kaiser finds he’s the common denominator. Kaiser bails out and the fans boo, but Bron ROCKS Sheamus! Bron RAMS into Sheamus again and again, but Sheamus fights back with haymakers! Sheamus whips, Bron reverses but Sheamus KCIKS Bron back! Sheamus runs, but into a clinch and EXPLODER! Sheamus bails out but Kaiser brings out a chair! Kaiser storms in but Bron blows past him to then CLOBBER him! The fans fire up but Sheamus is back. Sheamus and Bron circle again, tie up, and Bron powers Sheamus to a corner. Sheamus CLUBS and KNEES Bron in return!
Sheamus lifts Bron for an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus hits another IRISH CURSE! And then he tries to lift Bron again, but Kaiser KICKS Sheamus’ legs out! Kaiser puts Bron in the corner and then upside-down in the ropes to run and DROPKICK! The fans boo but Kaiser goes out and fetches his chair. Kaiser storms back in, wedges that chair in a corner, but Bron AND Sheamus storm up on him! Kaiser finds he’s cornered, so he fires hands! Bron & Sheamus hit him first! They pinball Kaiser around, then whip him corner to corner, Sheamus runs up to LARIAT! Then he and Bron whip Kaiser back!
Kaiser stops from hitting the chair, so Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser! Sheamus TOSSES Kaiser to the apron, and the fans fire up! But Bron says no Bodhrain, he CLOBBERS Sheamus! The fans boo but Bron just steps out to then line up a shot. Bron runs in around the way, but Kaiser WRECKS Bron with a dropkick! Then Kaiser runs to DROPKICK Sheamus into the steps! Kaiser RAMS Sheamus into the desk! But then Bron CLOBBERS Kaiser!! The fans bark it up as Bron then hauls Kaiser up, for an EXPLODER to the floor! All three men are on the outside and the fans rally up. Bron stands, and he stalks Sheamus.
Bron stands Sheamus up to SMACK him off the desk! Bron SMOTHERS Sheamus, CLUBS him, but the fans rally behind the Celtic Warrior. Sheamus fires hands on Bron, but Bron CLOBBERS Sheamus! Bron rains down fists and talks trash. Kaiser crawls away so Bron focuses on Sheamus. Born pushes Sheamus into the ring, then he stomps Sheamus in the corner. And stomps him again! The fans bark for Bron while he stalks Sheamus to another corner. Sheamus fires an elbow! And a boot! Sheamus fires haymakers again, but Bron KNEES Sheamus low! Bron whips, then kitchen sink knees Sheamus down!
Bron pushes Sheamus to a cover, TWO! But Bron does pushups to show off! Bron stalks Sheamus, slaps him around, and talks trash. Bron shows little respect, but Sheamus fires body shots in return! The fans fire up but Bron knee slow! Bron runs, but Sheamus scoops! POWERSLAM! The fans fire up, Sheamus covers, but Kaiser breaks it! The fans boo but Kaiser SLAPS Sheamus! Sheamus and Kaiser brawl and then they fall outta the ring! The shots keep going, Sheamus SMACKS Kaiser off teh desk, then hoists Kaiser up! Kaiser fights free of the bomb, but Bron LEAPS from the apron!! DOUBLE LARAIT over the desk!!
If fans aren’t losing their minds, they’re barking for Bron! Bron drags Sheamus up and leaves Kaiser behind, just to DUMP Sheamus into the crowd! Bron stands Kaiser up, military presses him, but Kaiser CLAWS eyes! Kaiser slips down and he RAMS Bron into steps! Kaiser grins, but Sheamus rises up! Sheamus has Kaiser for the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans fire up and count along, Sheamus goes all the way to TEN! Then to ELEVEN! Bron runs up, but Sheamus catches him! Another round of TEN! The fans fire up with Sheamus and he goes up the barriers to FLYING DOUBLE LARIAT! Sheamus roars and Vancouver is with him!
Sheamus puts Kaiser in the ring, then storms up on him. Kaiser bails out the side, but “This is Awesome!” Wait, Kaiser grabs Sheamus’ shillelagh! He dares Sheamus to come get him! Sheamus does, and he blocks the shillelagh to SMACK Kaiser! SHILLELAGH LARIAT!! The fans fire up again and now Sheamus eyes Bron in the ring. Bron dares “Old Man” Sheamus to bring it! Sheamus puts the shillelagh down and steps in. They throw hands! The fans fire up for this brawl, and Sheamus gets the edge! Bron JUMP KNEES Sheamus! Bron climbs up, but Sheamus trips him up! Bron is stuck on the top rope, and now Sheamus brings him out with the crucifix!
CELTIC CROSS!! The fans fire up as Sheamus covers, TWO?!? Bron survives and Sheamus can’t believe it! Sheamus drags Bron up, fireman’s carries, and then he goes up a corner! But Bron slips free and CLUBS Sheamus! Sheamus BOOTS Bron, but Bron is right back up! SUPER STEINER! The fans bark it up again and the straps are down! Bron runs up, but Sheamus sends Spear into chair!! Then BROGUE!!! Cover, KAISER DRAGS THE REF OUT! The fans are thunderously BOOING but Kaiser grins, knowing he screwed Sheamus from that guaranteed win! Sheamus goes out after Kaiser, but Kaiser SHILLELAGH SMACKS him!!
Kaiser fires off on Sheamus with the wooden club, and he BEATS Sheamus to the floor!! The fans boo but Kaiser isn’t done as he puts Sheamus back in. Kaiser storms in, shillelagh in hand. KNEECAPPER from Sheamus!!! Cover, TWO!?! Kaiser survives and Sheamus is beside himself!! “This is Awesome!” as all three men are down! Sheamus rises while Bron is in a corner and Kaiser flounders at center. Sheamus goes to a corner, he takes aim, and runs up, but the body won’t let him! KAISER ROLL!! Kaiser roars and the fans boo, but Kaiser just brings Sheamus back up. Clinch and- NO, Sheamus fireman’s carries!
Kaiser CLUBS the ribs! Clinch and SIDEWINDER!! Kaiser roars, but Bron SPEARS!!! The fans bark it up as Bron takes out Kaiser, and now he aims at Sheamus! Sheamus rises, Bron runs up, SPEAR!!! Cover, Bron wins!
Winner: Bron Breakker, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
This was perhaps the closest Sheamus has ever come to being Intercontinental Champion, but it was because of Triple Threat rules that he fell short. But that’s not to say that Bron survived as he was the one who put both men down in the end. Will it take far steeper odds to bring down this second generation superstar?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: GUNTHER VS Damian Priest!
Der Ring General took this title from The Punisher at SummerSlam, but that was because The Prince’s jealousy made him betray his brother in the Judgment Day. However, since that moment, Priest’s confidence has grown while it seems Gunther’s has waned. Will the King of the Ring lose to the King of the Streets? Or will Gunther find a way to reignite that “killer aura” Priest says has gone away?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the rightful World Heavyweight Champion!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Priest smirks as he and Gunther circle. Gunther keeps his distance but Priest dares him to bring it. They tie up, Gunther goes for a head ‘n’ arm, but Priest pries free. Gunther headlocks for a takeover but Priest headscissors. Gunther kips free, roles reverse, Priest arm-drags but Gunther headscissors. Priest kips free and arm-drags again, and Priest keeps on the armlock. Gunther endures, fights up, and arm-drags, but Priest arm-drags Gunther right back down! Gunther goes to the ropebreak, Priest lets go, and Priest avoids the lariat! Gunther avoids the roundhouse and bails out!
The fans boo Gunther but Priest dares Gunther to come back. The ref starts the ring count and Gunther paces. Gunther works to fire himself back up, and he storms into the ring. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther backs away to a corner. The fans boo and Priest is annoyed, but Gunther seems to still have some hesitation. They go again and Gunther kicks low! Gunther CLUBS Priest on the back, CLUBS him in the chest, then whips corner to corner. Priest comes back and he CLOBBERS Gunther! The fans fire up while Priest shakes out his arm. Priest may have hit Gunther so hard, he hurt himself.
Gunther is back on the outside, and now he grins because he sees a target. Priest says whatever, just get in. Gunther storms back in and the fans rally up. Priest and Gunther circle, feel things out, and Gunther wants that left arm. Priest KICKS Gunther, KICKS, and KICKS! Gunther blocks a kick but Priest avoids the chop to BELL CLAP! Gunther goes to a corner and Priest whips him corner to corner. Priest runs up but into a BOOT! Gunther runs but Priest FLAPJACKS him! Priest still falls back because of the bad arm. The ref checks but Priest says no, he won’t stop because of this. Gunther storms up but the ref has him stay back.
The ref goes back to Priest, but Gunther slips around to KICK the bad arm! Priest bails out but Gunther goes after him! Gunther POSTS Priest, then whips him hard into barriers! The fans are torn but Priest stands back up. Gunther storms up on Priest to wrench and SLAM the arm into the post! Priest shouts in pain but Gunther leaves Priest behind. Gunther refreshes the ring count, returns to Priest, but Priest ROCKS him! Priest stalks Gunther now, but Gunther wrenches the arm to UPPERCUT it! Priest rolls into the ring but Gunther is after him again. Gunther HIP DROPS the bad arm! Priest writhes, fans boo, but Gunther soaks up the heat.
Gunther gets cocky, this is that Gunther that beat so many before. Gunther KICKS Priest down, drags him by the bad arm, and stomps him! Priest gets mad but Gunther stands Priest up. Priest fires body shots! Priest ROCKS Gunther in the corner! The fans fire up but Gunther wrenches and hammerlocks! Gunther wrangles Priest to the mat to KNEE the arm! Gunther pushes down on the arm, KNEES the shoulder again, but the ref has Gunther back off. Priest refuses to let the ref call this, but Gunther stands him up. Gunther wrenches Priest, RAMS him, and then drops a KNEE on the elbow! Gunther looms over Priest while fans rally.
Gunther stands Priest up, wrenches the arm, and he CHOPS! The fans “WOO~!” and Gunther kneels on Priest’s arm! Gunther pulls the arm back, and even has the other! DOUBLE ARMBAR!! Priest endures as he’s being bent back! The fans rally, and Priest powers up! Priest rises to his feet! Priest ROCKS Gunther! And ROCKS him again! But Gunther CHOPS! Gunther wrenches but Priest ROCKS Gunther! Gunther still wants the arm! Priest CLUBS Gunther, Gunther wrenches the arm! Gunther RAMS the shoulder, then CHOPS! Priest ROCKS Gunther again and again! Priest breaks free, CHOP KICK AT THE SAME TIME!!
The fans fire up while both men are down! Priest rises and the fans fire up! Priest ROCKS Gunther again, and again, but Gunther grabs the bad arm! ELBOW BREAKER! Priest roars to CHOP, CHOP, and CHOP! Priest winds up, and he DECKS Gunther! The fans fire up and Priest grits his teeth. Priest runs to ELBOW in the corner! Then a clinch and FLATLINER! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated but he pumps up the good arm. The fans rally as Gunther rises, and Priest runs to COME- NO, Gunther ducks under! CHICKEN WING CROSSFACE! Priest fights it so Gunther CLUBS him! Gunther lifts Priest, Priest fights the bomb!
Priest kicks Gunther low, hoists Gunther up, but the bad arm wont’ let him! Gunther grinds the arm, but Priest reels Gunther down into SNAKE BITE!! Gunther endures, fights around, looks to stack, TWO! Priest lets Gunther go and he SUPERKICKS! Gunther wobbles, Priest kicks low! Priest reels Gunther in, roars, and he lifts! Crucifix, but Gunther fights off Razor’s Edge! CHOP to Priest’s back, and then a SLEEPER! Gunther spins Priest around, GENERAL BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Priest survives and Gunther is beside himself! The fans rally up, but Gunther goes to a corner! Gunther climbs, but Priest hurries to ROCK Gunther first!
Priest ROCKS Gunther again, but Gunther has the SLEEPER! Priest CLUBS Gunther, climbs up after him, and goes to the very top! SUPER STEINER!! Priest hurries to bring Gunther up! Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE!! Priest crawls to the cover, TWO!! Gunther survives because of the delay! The fans rally up, “This is Awesome!” as Priest rises. Priest brings down the straps and waits on Gunther. Choke grip! SOUTH OF- NO, Gunther fights and the bad arm hurts! Gunther CHOPS! Priest CHOPS! Choke grip, SOUTH- NO, Gunther is free again! DOUBLE WRISTLOCK TAKEDOWN!! KIMURA!!! Priest endures but he’s caught!
Gunther has the headscissors, he STOMPS away on Priest’s head! Priest refuses to give up but he’s turning red! He’s fading! Priest gets a second wind and fights free of the headscissors! The fans are thunderous as Priest crawls over, ROPEBREAK! Gunther lets go but he isn’t sure what more to do. The fans rally and duel, Gunther starts shouting trash talk. Priest sits up, Gunther drags him up by the bad arm, and then short arm LARIATS! Gunther says he IS the best, and the fans continue to duel. Gunther short arm LARIATS again! Gunther paces while Priest reaches out. Gunther stands Priest up, but Priest ducks! LARIAT!!
The fans fire up as Priest grits his teeth. Priest waits on Gunther, then runs, COMEBACKER LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Priest grows frustrated. Priest storms around and the fans fire up again. Priest goes up a corner! Gunther hits ropes to trip Priest up! The ref reprimands but Gunther CHOPS Priest! Gunther climbs up, but Priest choke grips! Gunther SLAPS Priest, brings him up to the very top, but Priest holds it off with his one good hand! Priest SHOVES Gunther, but both men fall! Gunther hits the mat, Priest hits the floor! The ref checks, Priest needs a second to know if his arm is really bad
OH NO, FINN BALOR IS HERE!! DIVING DOUBLE STOMP OFF THE STEPS!! The Prince just made sure Priest is screwed over again! But then Gunther BOOTS Finn down!! Gunther doesn’t want controversy, and he hurries to haul Priest up! GENERAL BOMB! Flop over, HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS!! SLEEPER!!! Priest is furious but he’s also fading out!! PRIEST IS OUT, GUNTHER WINS!
Winner: Gunther, by submission (still WWE World Heavyweight Champion)
SummerSlam, Survivor Series, Finn repeats himself by screwing Priest over! Will the Prince never let The Punisher possess this title before him? Will anyone ever stop Gunther now that he’s made it past one of his toughest challengers?
Men’s WarGames: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk VS Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa & Bronson Reed!
The OTC has reunited with his OG Bloodline, even the Honorary Uce, but when they couldn’t find a fifth man, their Wise Man came through with quite the wild card! Will the Second City Saint make good on the deal he struck and help Roman humble Solo? Or is there no stopping the “Undisputed’ Tribal Chief and his Bloodline from taking over the WWE?
Solo’s Bloodline makes their entrance first, and all together. And it seems it is already decided that Solo’s Right Hand Man, the Good Bad Guy, makes his way to the ring. Tama climbs the cage like a spider, both creeping Michael Cole out but also making him chuckle. Then the OG Bloodline makes their way out, and Vancouver of course loves Sami. Punk decides to poke the bears, and that has Fatu all up on the bars! Surprisingly, Roman Reigns does not come out last, he is fourth. He still gets his pyro, though. That means with Main Event Jey make his entrance last, coming in from the crowd! The fans fire up and bounce along, “YEET! YEET! YEET!”
Jey being last out, that also means he’s first in. Jey even climbs up onto the cage so everyone can see him to bounce along. The bell rings and we have five minutes until Solo’s Bloodline sends their first man. Tama is perched on a corner and he watches Jey as Jey steps closer. Jey joins Tama in the second ring, and Tama has a wild grin. Tama hops down, stares Jey down and the two circle. The fans cheer for “O T C! O T C!” Jey dares Tama to bring it, but Tama just stays back as a stall tactic. The fans now chant for “C M PUNK! C M PUNK!” Tama and Jey circle more, the fans sing for Sami, and now the hands fly!
The fans fire up as Jey and Tama go back and forth! “BOO! YEET! BOO! YEET! YEET! YEET!” Jey whips Tama, Tama reverses, but Jey goes up and over! UPPERCUT! The fans fire up and Jey gets everyone to “YEET!” Jey runs up, LARIAT and GAMANGIRI! Tama staggers, but he blocks another kick. Tama also avoids the Dragon Whip to SLIDING LARIAT! The fans boo but Tama just says, “Yeh yeh yeh yeh!” Tama CLUBS away on Jey, gator rolls, and FALCON ARROW! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline & CM Punk but Tama rains down fists on Jey! Tama paces, then he slides to NO Man’s Land for a SLINGSHOT SENTON!
The fans fire up with “YEH YEH YEH!” and Tama HEADBUTTS Jey. Tama fires hands, but Jey ROCKS Tama back! “YEET! YEET!” YEET!” Tama staggers but Jey runs up to whip. Tama reverses again and Jey hits buckles hard! Tama mocks the “YEET!” then he SPLASHES! Tama covers out of instinct and then remembers this match can’t end until all ten men are in. Tama throws down hands but the fans taunt him for messing up. Tama ignores that, and he slithers around Jey. Tama runs to SLIDING- NO, Jey dodges! Tama blocks the kick again but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey then powers up with “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK in the corner!
The countdown is here and Solo’s Bloodline sends out… BRONSON REED! Talk about escalating things! The Colossal Aussie storms down to the ring, looks under, and he brings out chair after chair! Bronson puts those in, that’s about half a dozen! Bronson storms in but Jey CHUCKS a chair at him! And another! And another! Bronson SWATS that one!? Jey dodges, fires hands, and Bronson wobbles. Jey runs but Bronson CLOBBERS him! Bronson says this is HIS ring now! Bronson shakes the cage and grabs a chair. Bronson JAMS Jey up, and he calls Tama over. Tama makes his way to the first ring while Bronson JAMS Jey up again!
Bronson SAMCKS Jey with a chair! Tama gets a boost, BIG SENTON! Then BIGGER SENTON from Bronson! The fans boo but Bronson soaks up the heat while Tama hushes the fans. Bronson stalks Jey to the second ring, HEADBUTTS him, and Tama adds stomps. Jey still has to suffer another minute of this, but Tama CHOKES Jey with boots in the corner! The fans rally for the OG Bloodline but Bronson stands on Jey’s chest! Bronson steps off, then he whips Tama in, STINGER SPLASH! Tama sets Jey up for Bronson’s SPLASH! The countdown returns and Bronson is waiting. The OG Bloodline sends out #BigJim!
Jimmy runs up to the ring, and he just goes right in! Jimmy GAMANGIRIS Tama, GAMANGIRIS Bronson, then runs up. Jimmy dodges to CHOP Bronson again and again! The Usos set up, double mule kick! Then double pop ‘n’ lock, DOUBLE UPPERCUT! The Usos CHOP Bronson but Tama UPPERCUTS Jey! Bronson whips Jimmy but Jimmy BOOTS back! Jimmy UPPERCUTS Tama, then goes up to WHISPER IN THE WIND! The fans fire up, no one knew he could do that! The Usos stand together again, and they aim at Bronson. Jimmy RAMS Bronson, Jey forearm SMASHES! They aim at Tama now, and JimmY CHOPS!
Jimmy RAMS Tama, Jey forearm SMASHES! The fans rally but 90 seconds left until Solo’s side can send another. The Usos send Tama into the wall, then they have a man each in the corners. The Usos rain down fists in stereo, and the fans count all the way to TEN! Jimmy & Jey then aim, DOUBLE UPPERCUTS for Bronson! The fans fire up as The Usos coordinate. The Usos whip Bronson into the wall! The fans declare, “This is Ucey!” but here comes the countdown! Solo’s side sends out… Wait, no, Solo tells Loa to stand down. Jacob Fatu is sent instead! The Samoan Werewolf storms down to the ring, but The Usos are ready!
Jacob steps up and in, and the fight is on! Jacob knocks Jey over, then TOSSES Jimmy into steel! Jacob stomps away, but Jey SAMOAN DROPS Jacob! Jacob kips up!? Jacob swings, Jey dodges, but Jacob BODY CHECKS Jey! HIP ATTACK on Jimmy against the steel! Jacob THROWS Jimmy into the steel! “I love you, Solo!” Jacob CLOBBERS Jey, then THROWS Jimmy again! Jacob stomps Jey, the fans tell off Solo but Solo soaks it up. Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy, then runs, HANDSPRING KICK into a HANDSPRING MOONSAULT! Tama and Bronson join in and keep the Usos down.
Jacob and Bronson hoist Jey up for Tama to run, PENDULUM BOMB! Bronson HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel! Jacob HIP ATTACKS Jimmy against steel!” I LOVE YOU, SOLO!” The countdown is back, The OG Bloodline send CM- No, Roman stops Punk, and tells The Honorary Uce to go. Sami heads out, leaving Punk and Roman alone together. Sami storms his way down as the fans fire up! Sami runs up to fire hands on Tama! Sami whips, Tama reverses but Sami goes up and over to then LARIAT! Sami kicks Bronson, fires hands, but Bronson HEADBUTTS! Bronson whips Sami to a corner but Sami dodges!
Sami climbs up and he rains down fists! The fans sing and count all the way to TEN then Sami goes way past it! Bronson falls and Sami is all fired up! The fans are with Sami as he then stomps away on Bronson in the gap! Sami goes up to CROSSBODY, but Jacob catches him! But Jimmy SUPERKICKS Jacob down! Sami and Jimmy do the secret handshake! The fans cheer as they’re dawgs again! They stomp away on Jacob, then Jey joins in so they can mug Bronson. The fans cheer “UCEY! UCEY!” Sami goes back to the other ring to bring Tama up, and he THROWS Tama into the steel! But Bronson HEADBUTTS Jimmy!
Bronson rains down fists on Jimmy but Sami CLUBS Bronson. Jacob CLOBBERS Sami! Bronson HEADBUTTS Jey! Jacob has Jimmy for the IMPALER DDT! The countdown is back, and now Loa is sent out. The Silverback storms to the ring, and he goes looking underneath. He brings out a TABLE! The fans don’t mind that, but that door won’t stay open. Loa holds it open, Jacob helps bring the table in, and Loa goes for more! Tama fires hands on Sami while Loa brings out another table! Jacob says time to do some damage, and that table is put in the second ring. The Guerillas ATOMIC DROP and LARIAT Jey!
Jacob starts putting chairs here and there while The Guerillas hit Sami with a POWERSLAM! The fans rally for Punk while Bronson BOOTS Jey out of a chair! Jimmy ROCKS Jacob! But Jacob THROWS Jimmy into steel! Loa rains down fists on Sami, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Sami flounders on the ropes, Loa runs up to SPLASH Sami against steel! Jacob tells the cameraman to move, and he MOONSAULTS onto Jey! Tama lines up a shot, and he tells Jey to watch this. Basement DROPKICK with a chair into Jimmy! Loa THROWS Jey against steel! But the countdown is back! Roman steps forward, but Punk pushes right past him!!
The fans are torn as Punk punks out The OTC and goes right to the ring! Punk stares down Jacob, Bronson and the Guerrillas. Punk then looks to Roman and Roman shakes his head. Punk turns around to step down!? The fans boo, but then Punk brings out a TOOLBOX!! Punk wasn’t backing off, he was just grabbing what he needs! TOOLBOX SMASH for Jacob, for Tama, for Bronson and for Loa! Punk SLAMS the toolbox onto Loa again and again! Punk does not stop, he makes sure Loa is down! Punk then sets the box down, and he SHINING WIZARDS Bronson! And SHINING WIZARD for both Tama & Jacob in the same corner!
Punk runs back in to SHINING WIZARD Jacob, and BULLDOG onto the box!! Wait, Jacob is back up?!? Punk doesn’t see it until he turns around! UPPERCUT! POP-UP SAMOAN DROP!! The fans are torn as Jacob stands tall! Maybe he really is a werewolf! Jimmy ROCKS Bronson, Sami and Jey storm up, but Solo’s Bloodline takes the fight to them! It is a brawl all over, and Bronson ELBOWS Sami against steel! Then THROWS him into the steel! The countdown is back while Loa CHOPS Jey! Bronson adds on, and here comes Solo! The fans boo the “Undisputed” Tribal Chief, especially as he stares Roman down.
Solo tells Roman he’s gonna see what a real Tribal Chief is like. Solo goes to the ring, and he SLAMS the door shut on Sami! Solo tells his guys to bring someone else over, and now he SLAMS the door on Jey! And now SLAMS the door on Jimmy! Solo grabs the chain that locks the cage?! Solo closes the door behind him, and he URENAGES Sami right down! Then Jimmy is brought up, Guerillas of Destiny give him the TONGAN TWIST! Solo says hurry up and get Jey up! Jey is set up into the TONGAN TWIST! Solo tells Jacob to bulldoze them now! They gotta hurry, the countdown is still going! The Usos are stacked, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!!
Bronson goes up and Sami is in the drop zone! TSUNAMI!! The fans boo but Solo grins as his Bloodline is dominating! Punk fights back, but he gets mugged and beat down! The fans boo more but Solo soaks it all up. And Solo still has that chain, because he’s locking the door! Solo says Roman’s not getting in here! Solo laughs as the countdown is back, but the beating on the OG Bloodline continues! The OTC is unleashed, but how is he to get in this match? Roman pulls at the lock and chain but it isn’t giving way. Roman looks at the cage, tries to find a weak spot, but there isn’t one. So Roman will just have to do what Iyo Sky does, and climb!
The fans fire up as yes, roman climbs the cage! The Guerrillas hurry after him, but he DECKS Tama! And DECKS Loa! Roman is on the top, but Bronson is after him! Roman SMACKS Bronson off the steel, and Bronson falls onto his Auszilla! Jacob tries, Roman kicks him away. Solo tries but Roman SMACKS him off the steel! And again! Solo falls, and Roman is in! The match has officially started with the SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans are thunderous as Roman UPPERCUTS again and again and again! But Solo TOSSES Roman! Roman comes back to UPPERCUT! Roman rejoins his side in the first ring and helps them to their feet.
The fans cheer, Roman tells Punk he can get himself up. Punk does stand up, and he stares down with Roman. Wait, someone else is coming out here? Paul Heyman is here! The Wise Man tells his Tribal Chief and the Best in the World that they just have to bring the best out in each other, because this is WARGAMES!! The announcement is official, and both Roman and Punk put their differences aside. The fans fire up as the two sides stare down. They step up to the center, and THE BRAWL IS ON!! The fans fire up as Roman ROCKS Solo, Punk ROCKS Jacob, and then Sami & The Usos have Bronson and the Guerrillas!
The fists fly, Sami goes up and up to TORNADO DDT Bronson! Loa CLUBS Sami, ROCKS him, then HEADBUTTS him! Loa & Tama haul Sami up, but The Usos DOUBLE SUPERKICK The Guerrillas! Then the Usos go up corners! STEREO USO SPLASHES!! But Jacob HEADBUTTS Jimmy and Solo stomps Jey! Those two already knocked Roman and Punk down, and now Solo TOSSES Jey into steel! Jacob CHOKES Jimmy, and now Solo and Jacob go back to Roman and Punk. Roman and Punk fight back with haymakers! Roman has Jacob this time, Solo UPPERCUTS Punk! And UPPERCUTS Roman!
Jacob RAMS into Punk, then brings him around. Solo & Jacob prepare their best moves, but Roman ducks the Samoan Spike! Punk fireman’s carries Jacob, but Solo dodges Roman! SPEAR HITS PUNK!! SAMOAN SPIKE on Roman!! Cover, TWO?!?! The miscommunication almost costs the team! Solo says whatever, just get Punk up! Bronson fireman’s carries Punk, for a DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! Jacob puts Punk in a corner, BEST MOONSAULT- NO, his leg gives out! Bronson SENTONS Punk! Cover, Sami breaks it! Tama goes after Sami, but Sami THROWS Tama into steel! Loa attacks Sami, Bronson checks Jacob.
Jimmy UPPERCUTS and CHOPS Loa, whips, but Loa THROWS Jimmy into steel! Solo & Bronson set the table up, and Jacob somehow hobbles back up. But Roman LOW BLOWS Jacob!! And SPEARS Solo!! The OTC doesn’t care about honor right now, but Bronson SUPERKIKCS him down! Bronson puts Roman on the table! Bronson goes up, and up, and UP!? The fans freak out that Bronson is on the very top of the cage! SUPER DUPER TSUNAMI but Punk saves Roman!!! The fans are thunderous as Bronson obliterates the table!! Roman is just as shocked that Punk got him to safety, and the fans cheer Punk for it!
Roman is maybe not humbled, but he is grateful, and he offers Punk a hand. Punk takes it and the two stand together! Only for Jacob to CLOBBER them both!! Jacob SUPERKICKS Punk, hauls him up, IMPALE- SUPERMAN PUNCH! SAMOAN SPIKE!! Solo isn’t done with Roman, and he SAMOAN SPIKES again!! Cover, DOUBLE SUPERKICK from the Usos! The fans fire up but Jacob TOSSES Jimmy! Jacob hobbles after the Usos, but Jey SUPERKICKS! Jimmy SUPERKICKS! Jacob staggers, swings, but they DOUBLE LARIAT! And then they whip Jacob into a ONE D!!! The fans are thunderous, and now the Usos hurry to set up a table!
The fans love it as Jimmy climbs and Jey positions things just right. Jey hauls Jacob up and onto the table, abut Loa runs up! Jey dodges Loa to SPEAR Loa! Tama fires off on Jey, and he sends Jey into steel! Sami gets Tama for a BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Jimmy is finally clear, and he says hold on. If Big Bronson can do it, then #BigJim can do it! Jimmy goes up for a SUPER DUPER USO SPLASH!! But Jimmy bounces off, he can’t cover!! The fans are losing their minds but Heyman sure loves what he sees! Sami staggers over, helps Jimmy to his feet, and then he helps Jey. “This is Awesome!” as they go to the second ring.
Sami helps Punk, The Usos help Roman. Together, they all surround Solo! Solo sees he is in trouble, the fans tell him how screwed he is, and Roman makes sure Solo understands that. Roman says Solo wanted peace, so Solo needs to acknowledge Roman. Solo says HE is still chief! SUPERKICK! SUPERKICK! DOUBLE SUPERKICK!! Sami gives Solo a HELLUVA KICK!! And then feed to Punk! GO TO SLEEP!! And then “OOOAH~!” SPEAR!!! Cover, OG BLOODLINE WINS!
Winners: Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Sami Zayn & CM Punk, by pinfall
The OTC hugs it out with the OG Bloodline, but the OG Bloodline does accept Punk with handshakes and hugs. Punk and Roman stare down, but Sami reminds Roman, they won thanks to Punk. Roman offers a handshake, and Punk takes it! The fans cheer as these two Paul Heyman guys find respect on the battlefield. The OG Bloodline hold up their ones, Punk does his night-night pose, and the pyro goes off. But while WarGames is over, this may have simply been one battle in the real Bloodline Civil War. Will Roman be able to take back the ula fala and title of TRUE Tribal Chief from Solo? And just what is the promised favor Heyman owes Punk?
My Thoughts:
A great, almost awesome WarGames, but no countdown/kickoff show ever needs to be two hours when there aren’t matches of any kind. And there weren’t even those super exclusive sit-down interviews. Well, I’m actually okay with that, but still, there was nothing really that big going on. Though, I did appreciate there were some New Day centric UpUpDownDown segments sprinkled throughout. Perhaps they were trying to give us some last tastes of New Day before it all falls apart on Monday night.
Opening with Women’s WarGames is basically tradition by now, and they did really well, but with maybe some wrinkles that needed ironing out. I like that Rhea actually customized her mask. Busted faces as angles are rare, but aside from maybe Cody Rhodes running with the “Dashing Dashed” Cody story from years ago, no one has ever really tried to use the mask to their advantage. And I like that Iyo went so far as to have a prepared trash can because she knew she’d do another drop-in spot. At the same time, smart of them to not just use that up, and instead coordinate a double high spot with Iyo and Tiff.
Tiff almost cashing in was good, but of course she is again intimidated into not doing it because Raquel was there to protect Liv. I kinda wish Tiff still got to cash in on Liv, because that little bit we got of Tiff and Iyo going handspring for handspring shows we could get an exciting title match from them. After all, Iyo is still owed her shot on Liv that she won in the battle royal weeks ago. Rhea’s team winning out despite the go-home math from last night was quite the surprise, as was Rhea pinning Liv. Maybe we get a Triple Threat of Liv, Rhea and Iyo, making it that much easier for Tiff to cash in and take the title from them all.
Another defiance of go-home math was Nakamura winning, even though he stood tall last night. At the same time, Nakamura’s return push meant he needed to win, and I’m glad they went through with that. Nakamura at least bends rules and takes advantage of the environment with the DDT to the metal plate covering the gap between rings. Maybe this helps give Knight a bit more dimension. Not that fans don’t love Knight for just being “Kavorka! With everybody saying L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BUT if Knight has to think things through, understand that Nakamura is that sinister and crafty, maybe Knight can find something beyond that.
The Triple Threat for the Intercontinental Championship was most definitely a banger, even though they really got us with how Kaiser kept Sheamus from winning. While there can still be a way for Sheamus to get back to the IC title, like maybe by WrestleMania, it felt like this could’ve been such a great chance for Sheamus. But for now, Bron can move on to just about anyone. Gunther VS Priest was really good, though I’m not sure Gunther’s crisis of confidence was as well-executed as it could have been. I do appreciate the spark was that he saw Priest’s arm was hurting, and they made that the story of the match.
I just don’t know why Finn had to interfere again. Is Finn suddenly going to be back in the world title hunt? Well, I suppose why not? He can’t keep complaining about Priest if he’s not also going to try for that title himself, but there’s also the world tag titles to consider. This already feels like a Heel version of the Fraxiom story in NXT, where a tag champ wants more, even if it means potentially losing what he already has. Perhaps if not for Crown Jewel needing Champion VS Champion, we would’ve gotten past this by now. Maybe we get one final match of Finn and Priest, Loser Leaves Raw so that there will never be a revisit of this until some WWE Draft down the line.
Though as I say that, Priest would have to lose and be moved to SmackDown. Which isn’t so bad, could be a fresh start for Priest. He could challenge for the US Championship, and maybe eventually build up to be a WWE Championship contender. And another great WarGames match with the Bloodline Civil War, though there were also some oddities like in the women’s. The OG Bloodline all having independent intros was fine, but that then created some interesting choices in order. I would’ve thought Roman would make himself last out, because duh, he’s Roman. But Jey being the one sent in, he wanted to do his crowd entrance and then go right to the ring, so that’s fine.
The Men’s WarGames still followed the math, though. Solo’s side had advantage and stood tall on the go-home, so of course The OG Bloodline won. Really good stuff, with Roman being passive aggressive to Punk and Solo calling audibles to send his meanest guys first. Punk teasing a betrayal only to bring out a toolbox for a weapon was also clever, but Roman’s entrance into the cage was a bit overpowered. He fought everyone off to start and he helps his side up, but I suppose it was needed so that Heyman came out to smooth things over between Punk and Roman. There was that scary part with Jacob’s failed moonsault, but he kept going so I guess his leg wasn’t broken or anything.
Great bit to finish with Solo taking everything from everyone, and I liked the GTS into the Spear. Now with OG Bloodline winning, you can bet we get Roman VS Solo for the ula fala, and Punk will have Heyman do something for him. As I said last night for SmackDown, this could be a case where Heyman advocates for Punk in a World Heavyweight Championship match against Gunther for Royal Rumble, and Roman has to figure things out all on his own if he wants a title shot. Another thing I said last night was that Roman is still too cocky. He may be treating Sami & The Usos nicer, but he was still expecting Punk to play along, and still acting like he deserves Tribal Chief treatment. Roman needs to be humbled before he can really be Tribal Chief again, and Heyman choosing Punk over him might be the thing that gets through to Roman.
My Score: 9/10
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