Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (12/20/21)
Another All Mighty Monday!
Day 1 draws ever closer!
The WWE World Championship match has only gotten bigger, and the All Mighty Bobby Lashley looks to gloat about it on tonight’s Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bianca Belair VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven; Belair wins.
- Finn Balor VS Austin Theory; Balor wins.
- Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS AJ Styles & Omos; The Mysterios win.
- Randy Orton VS Chad Gable w/ Otis; Orton wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Blinded by the Christmas Lights: Dana Brooke retains the title.
- WWE US Championship Contender’s Match: Damian Priest VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode; Ziggler wins and will challenge Priest for the title.
- Rhea Ripley VS Zelina Vega; Rhea wins.
- Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens VS Big E & Bobby Lashley; Rollins & Kevin win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bobby Lashley heads to the ring!
The Rocky Mountain Machine has MVP right behind him, and he’s here, now the fourth man in the WWE Championship match for WWE Day 1 in Atlanta! Lashley and MVP get mics as fans are torn between cheering and jeering. MVP says, “Ladies and gentlemen, Bobby Lashley is in the building! So get on your feet and give praise to the All Might!” They should, considering what Lashley did last week. He did what some people, something even the most extraordinary people would say is impossible. In one night, Lashley beat Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins and WWE Champion, Big E!
MVP knows these people aren’t athletes so they wouldn’t understand the Herculean task that was! Lashley makes the impossible routine! This was tantamount to running the Boston Marathon, winning it, going to the NBA Finals and winning it, then going five rounds in boxing. But this is what MVP really wants us to consider: Now that Bobby Lashley has been added to the Day 1 PPV, no one can disrespect him again, he shows you what happens! We must acknowledge that- Big E is here! THE WWE Champion struts his way to the ring and gets a mic to respond. “Hats off and cheese curds to you.” Lashley did everything he said he would: he beat all three men to make Day 1 into a Fatal 4!
But there’s something that sticks in Big E’s craw. The Lashley Big E knows is strong, dominant, has a lot of sisters, but… When it comes to getting it done in the ring, he does it all on his own! Which is why Big E is so surprised that Iceberg Slim had to crack Big E in the leg with the cane! So Big E thought, “Maybe Bobby Lashley doesn’t quite have the plums, the cajones, that I thought he did.” Lashley says he would’ve beaten Big E anyway. He didn’t need help from anyone. MVP did that on his own. Lashley didn’t need MVP’s help with Seth Rollins or Kevin Owens, and he didn’t need it to beat “Little E” here.
Lashley is no saint. You take MVP out, Lashley will take Big E out and take the victory. But people are questioning if Lashley could’ve won on his own. Before that match last week, MVP said that if Lashley couldn’t beat Big E, MVP would. Now, Lashley is thinking MVP believes that. So in the spirit of competition, let’s see if MVP can! MVP is a two-time US Champion and has the cane, so Lashley’s going to stand on the outside, and in “the spirit of competition,” let’s see if it’s true. Lashley is leaving MVP alone in the ring with Big E! Big E takes off his jacket and belt, MVP chokes up on the cane, but then Rollins and Kevin attack Lashley outta nowhere!
Lashley gets up, but they POST him! MVP goes out, as does Big E! Big E fights Kevin and Rollins, MVP checks on Lashley! The 2v1 wins out and Rollins and Kevin double whip Big E into barriers! Then they go after Lashley again in the ring! Kevin sits Lashley up for Rollins, Rollins runs in, into BIG E! Big E then gets Kevin for an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Lashley gives Rollins the DOMINATOR! Rollins and Kevin retreat, and surprisingly, Big E and Lashley are standing tall together! But does this mean for Day 1 and the world title?
Backstage interview with Bianca Belair.
She and Piper Niven have reached the “final chapter,” but it’s more like a story of bitterness and envy. Bianca’s stayed in her lane but Piper tries to take her frustrations out on her. Doudrop has to admit that Bianca is the EST of the WWE. This is the last match for Piper to learn that no matter what, she can’t take Bianca out. And this chapter ends like all the others: Bianca’s hand held high as the UN-DE-NI-A-BLE winner.
Seth Rollins and Kevin Owens talk backstage.
They got Lashley but it wasn’t enough. They have to get him out of this match! He’s too strong, he’s not normal! He’s somehow getting younger like a jacked Benjamin Button! Rollins agrees but he wants Kevin to shut up so he can think! Sonya Deville & Adam Pearce walk over, and Rollins immediately says it was all Kevin’s idea. Well, they don’t care, because here’s their idea. The Fatal 4 Way? Th-They love it! No, not that. It’ll be the most intriguing tag match on Raw! It’ll be a tag team match of Kevin Owens & Seth Rollins VS Big E & Bobby Lashley! A great idea, right? Right? Okay, see you there. What about an alternative? Nope.
Rollins says this is Kevin’s fault for being too loud. Rollins goes off to think but Kevin wants him to stay so they can talk strategy.
Bianca Belair VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven!
The EST has won twice already, once by count-out and then with a 1-2-3. Will the third time be the charm and finally end the series? Or will Doudrop have the last word on their story?
Raw returns as Piper makes her entrance. The bell rings and Bianca shoves Piper. Piper shoves back, Bianca shoves again. Piper pie faces, Bianca ROCKS her with a right! Bianca wants the torture rack but Piper slips away and bails out! The fans boo, Bianca eggs Piper on. Piper gets on the apron, but catches Bianca to hotshot her! Piper gets in, Bianca dodges, rams a shoulder but Piper rebounds to run Bianca over! Piper stomps Bianca, CLUBS her down, then stalks her to a corner. Bianca hits back but Piper throws forearm after forearm. Piper stands Bianca up, then runs in to SPLASH! Fans rally for the EST but Piper drags her up.
Bianca throws body shots and forearms but Piper ROCKS her with one! Piper whips Bianca to a corner, Bianca goes up and over and handsprings to then dropkick Piper to the corner! Bianca kips up, RAMS her shoulder in, then runs in again. Piper puts her on the apron, blocks a haymaker but Bianca ROCKS her with a forearm! Bianca leaps but Piper catches her! POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! Piper looms over Bianca, runs, SENTON FLOPS as Bianca moves! Bianca runs to handspring and SPLASH onto knees! Bianca bails out but Piper goes out after her. Piper drags Bianca up, Bianca throws body shots!
Piper shoves Bianca into apron, runs but Bianca sends her into the apron! SPINEBUSTER! Bianca is fired up and Piper is down as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bianca is up top! But Piper hits ropes to trip her up! Piper CLUBS Bianca, climbs up to join her, but Bianca CLUBS away on Piper! Bianca sunset flips but Piper holds on! Piper DECKS Bianca with a punch, then jumps! But Piper lands on her butt as Bianca moves! Ghost pin, Piper rolls through and SPLASHES! Bianca sits down, Piper comes back to CANNONBALL! Cover, TWO! Piper is frustrated as Bianca survives. Piper hammers away on Bianca, then looms over her again. Piper drags Bianca up, TOSSES her to a corner, then takes her time walking over to drag Bianca up. Piper TOSSES Bianca again!
Fans rally for The EST but Piper slaps her in beat with the chant! Piper mocks the dance moves but Bianca SLAPS Piper right back! Piper bobs ‘n’ weaves and throws body shots and kicks, then a dropkick! Piper ends up in a corner, Bianca RAMS in! And again! Bianca whips corner to corner, but Piper reverses to reel Bianca in! Bianca slips off the scoop, goes up top and CROSSBODIES! Bianca springs back up and fans fire up as she hits the handspring MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bianca is surprised but she follows Piper to a corner. Bianca RAMS into Piper again, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count to 5 but Piper brings Bianca out for a SIT-OUT POWERBOMB!
Piper can’t cover right away, but then she chooses not to! Piper drags Bianca over to a drop zone, then she climbs up the corner! Piper tells Bianca to kiss this, then VADER BOMB FLOPS as Bianca dodges again! Bianca hurries to bring Piper up to the torture rack! Fans are all fired up as she hits the KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins again!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
One, two, three, easy as E S T! Bianca sweeps Piper and is surely undeniable now! Will this finally make Piper Doudrop the issue with Bianca?
Backstage interview with Austin Theory.
For whatever reason, it seems Vince McMahon has taken an interest in Theory. And Theory feels so lucky! And there’s a reason why. All the great selfies, and the promise Vince sees in Theory. And also, Vince sees Theory as the future WWE World Champion! How’s that sound? Great! YES! Theory is off to beat Finn Balor! Kevin Patrick says Theory better be careful he doesn’t lose.
Finn Balor VS Austin Theory!
The Prince is in no mood for being in Theory’s selfies, or being a stepping stone in Theory’s career. So tonight, Balor’s looking to teach Theory something Mr. McMahon hasn’t: respect! Will Theory learn his lesson or only get an even bigger ego?
Raw returns as Theory makes his entrance. The bell rings and Balor fires off on Theory! Balor stomps away, the ref counts, Balor lets off to whip then CLOBBER Theory with an elbow! Theory bails out, Balor goes out after him but Theory kicks low to bump him off the apron, then RAM him into it! Theory puts Balor in, but Balor trips Theory to rain down forearms! Theory gets up and bails out again but Balor has him at the apron. Theory hotshots Balor then CLOBBERS him from behind! Theory rains down fists from all sides then stomps Balor down! Then again! Cover, TWO! Balor gets up but Theory is on him in the corner with clotheslines!
Theory snapmares Balor, wraps on a chinlock and he grinds Balor down. Balor endures, fights up, moves around, but Theory drags him back down. Fans rally, Theory says he’s the best, but Balor fights up. Balor pries free but Theory kicks low. Theory whips, Balor reveres, Theory sunset flips but Balor rolls through to basement dropkick! Balor then clotheslines Theory out of the ring! Balor goes to the apron to kick, but Theory blocks and trips Balor up! Balor hits the apron, Theory drags Balor out for a DRAPING NECKBREAKER! Theory looms over Balor as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Theory has another chinlock on Balor. Balor fights up, Theory cranks the hold and wrangles Balor back down. Balor fights up again, pries at the hold, turns around and JAWBREAKERS free! Theory kicks low, whips Balor to a corner, but Balor BOOTS! Balor elbows, whips, Theory reverses but Balor forearms Theory down! Balor then trips Theory to DOUBLE STOMP! Balor KICKS Theory to the ropes, then stomps away! The ref counts, Balor lets off, and Theory goes to the apron. Theory shoulders into Balor, somersaults and SHOTGUN dropkicks! Cover, TWO! Balor gets to a corner while Theory grows frustrated.
Theory stomps Balor and throws hands in the corner. The ref counts, Theory lets off at 4 but runs into buckles! Balor GAMANGIRIS Theory down then goes up top! Fans fire up, but Theory trips Balor up! Theory then LEAPS up, ARABIAN PRESS SPANISH FLY! Theory takes time to get his phone, selfie cover! TWO and Balor has the cradle! TWO, Theory gets Balor up! Balor slips out, ELBOW DROP DDT! Balor takes aim, SHOTGUN dropkick sends Theory into buckles! Theory flops down. Balor goes up top, COUP DE GRACE!! Cover, Balor wins!
Winner: Finn Balor, by pinfall
That’s what Theory gets for thinking the future was already here! His ego cost him, will Vince McMahon have something to say about this?
The Miz is backstage.
He and Omos just talked about something, and Miz TV is going to be great this time! AJ Styles walks over and asks what they’re talking about. Oh, just a very revealing conversation. See you guys in the ring. Styles doesn’t worry about that, he and Omos are gonna have a great night! They’ll let Miz do his song and dance, they beat up the Mysterios, and then after New Year’s, they’re back in the title picture! Sound good? Sounds great. Omos pats Styles on the shoulder pretty hard. Is this going to go as phenomenally as Styles thinks?
Raw returns with Miz TV.
Miz is in the ring and wants to address the controversy surrounding himself and his wife. To his “beautiful, loving, understanding wife,” Miz loves her. If Maryse loves the family, she will not talk about their relationship on The cutting Edge. Then Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See Talk Show in WWE history, and his guests are “more combustible than Urban Meyer and his former coaching staff.” Miz wants everyone to welcome AJ Styles & Omos! Styles & Omos make their entrance, and Miz welcomes them and thanks them for being here. But then Omos chucks a chair because he prefers standing.
Miz says these two have been dominant and are former Raw Tag Team Champions, but lately, it’s just obvious that they’ve been out of synch. Styles says, “Kinda like you and your wife, huh?” This isn’t about Miz and his wife, this is about Styles & Omos. People are asking, “Has the magic left?” Well, has it? No, it’s called growing pains. Miz should know all about that. Styles meant what he said last week: When he and Omos are on the same page, they are unstoppable! See, Styles sees Omos’ untapped potential, he knew he had to take Omos under his wing. Omos has made great strides. He could be a tag team champion on his own!
Now, they went off the rails a bit, but it happens. They’re back on the same page and Styles is proud of the team. They’re seeing eye to eye. So they should just clean house in the WWE! They can take all the titles! What does Omos say to that? Miz cuts Omos off by saying that was so sincere. But what if Miz told Styles he’s heard otherwise. Yeah, right. From who? Who doyou think? The man closest to the situation, Omos himself! Oh Styles sees what this is! Miz TV, Miz deflects. Styles wants to ask Miz something: “What kind of man puts the mother of his children in harm’s way?” See, now Styles is deflecting.
If Styles had an actual conversation with his own personal colossus, he’d know these things! Miz was shocked when Omos confided in him! And more shocked at what Omos said. You wanna know what Omos said? Omos is sick and tired of carrying Styles! And that was just the beginning. Omos says he was the biggest and brightest from day one! Styles is holding Omos back ever since he “recruited” Omos. And this mutual respect is one-sided! How long did it take Styles to get here? 15 YERS! Omos was begged to sign up! Omos said it the bets: Omos isn’t the next Andre the Giant, he’s the first Omos!
Is Miz done? Styles says why they should never be on this show. Miz is full of BS! He’s a piece of stuff, if you get what Styles means! But if that’s true, then Omos can tell Styles. But before Omos can answer, the Mysterios make their entrance! Rey & Dominik want their match with Styles & Omos now!
Rey & Dominik Mysterio VS AJ Styles & Omos!
The RKBRO-nament is still on pause, but the father and son of lucha libre royalty don’t mind having a phenomenal warm-up! Will the dysfunction stirred up by The Miz help Rey & Dom divide and conquer Styles & Omos? Or can Styles & Omos work out their differences through this match?
Raw returns, Styles starts with Dom and they tie up. Styles waistlocks, SLAMS Dom down, then gets up. Dom wrenches out, fires big forearms, and knuckle locks as he goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! But Styles scoops Dom to hit a BACKBREAKER! Rey coaches Dom, Styles drags Dom up to scoop but Dom slips out to kick low. Dom whips, Styles catches Dom for a cobra twist! Styles stretches Dom but Dom endures as fans rally up. Dom slips out, wheelbarrows to a victory roll, TWO! Styles ducks the lariat to PELE Dom down! Styles grins at Rey as Dom gets to a corner. Styles runs in but Dom dodges and Styles only gets buckles! Hot tag to Rey!
Rey headscissors Styles then goes at him at the ropes. Styles puts him out but Rey shoulder sin and slingshots up to TORNADO DDT! Drop toehold puts Styles on ropes, Rey runs and hits the 619! Rey goes up top to FROG SPLASH onto knees! Styles crawls, reaches out, but Omos turns away! Omos really feels how Miz said?! Rey rolls Styles up, the Mysterios win!
Winners: Rey & Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall
Styles is stunned! Not by the roll-up defeat, but by Omos not caring about him! Styles stands up, Omos looks everywhere but in his direction. “Is this how it’s gonna be? I should’ve never took you under my wing, because you’re a piece of trash!” That got Omos’ attention! Omos shoves Styles, Styles fires off haymakers and kicks! PELE and Omos is rocked! But then Omos shoves Styles all the way away! Styles forearms back, springboards up, but Omos catches him! Omos snarls and fireman’s carries, for the COLOSSAL DROP!
Omos looms over Styles, then he gets a mic. “Next time you see me, it will be in a match! Against YOU!” Omos drops the mic on Styles, will he drop Styles into the trash after they have their 1v1 showdown?
Austin Theory hesitates in front of Mr. McMahon’s office.
He wants to knock, but he thinks not to. He doesn’t want to face Vince after that defeat. Is that the right move with The Chairman?
Randy Orton VS Chad Gable w/ Otis!
The Viper told the Bro to stay in the back, he’s doing this on his own! Will the Apex Predator strike down “Master” Gable in revenge for Riddle? Or will there be a sweep #ForTheAcademy?
Raw returns as the Alpha Academy make their entrance. The bell rings, Gable and Orton tie up. Gable wrenches an arm, has the wristlock, but fans rally for Orton. Orton gets up, breaks free and wrenches back to have a wristlock. Gable rolls, bridges, handsprings, and spins through to headlock, spin and drop toehold! Orton gets away but Gable gloats “FOR THE ACADEMY!” Orton catches his breath and steadies himself on the outside, then he goes back to the ring as the count climbs. Orton is in at 5 of 10, he and Gable circle. They tie up, Orton headlocks, hits the takeover, but Gable headscissors. Orton kips free, Gable trips the leg to cover, ONE!
Orton runs into an arm-drag! Gable has the armlock and grinds the shoulder. Orton fights up, powers Gable to a corner, the ref counts. Orton whips corner to corner, Gable dodges and he arm-drags again! And again! And back to the armlock! Gable says he can do this all day, but Orton fights up. Fans rally again, Gable grinds the arm but Orton knees low! Orton throws Gable out, Gable hurries back in but Orton KICKS him in between the ropes! Orton drags Gable out, but Gable knows this trick! He gets around, Orton elbows free of the waistlock! Gable arm-drags, Orton fakes Gable out, RKO!! Cover, Orton wins!
Winner: Randy Orton, by pinfall
And now they’re even! Otis beat Riddle but Orton beat Gable, but Otis runs in! Orton goes for an RKO, Otis shoves Orton away! Orton dodges Otis, but again Otis powers out of the RKO! And then a third time! Orton gets out of the ring and Otis is furious! “No neck, no RKO!” Is the key to this battle the Viper VS the Dozer?
Bobby Lashley prepares in the locker room.
MVP walks over and asks what’s up. Is he good for tonight? Can he trust Big E? No, he can’t. But Lashley will beat the hell out of Rollins and Kevin. If Big E even looks at Lashley wrong, he’ll beat the hell out of him, too. MVP hopes Lashley was setting up a trap out there. MVP can take care of himself but Lashley wasn’t gonna bail on him, was he? Lashley says he has to hydrate. Can MVP go get him some water? Sure, champ. MVP heads out, but that wasn’t a yes or no. Is the All Mighty reconsidering his business partnership with Montel Vontavius Porter?
Dana Brooke and Reggie are on another holiday date.
“What a beautiful place!” This is what the holidays are all about. Great lights, beautiful company, what more could they ask for? Dana thanks Reggie for bringing her here. But how about they check the rest of the park? They move on, but Akira Tozawa the elf is looking for where R-Truth went. But then Tamina rushes out and reminds him to stay out of her way! She lurks after Dana and Reggie, and then Truth Claus appears! Tamina rolls Dana up in the distraction, but she slips away! Truth, Tozawa and Reggie tussle while the ladies brawl in the lights! Dana fires off kicks, then runs away! Reggie helps Dana get to the exit! Every time! Tamina scares Truth and Tozawa away!
WWE US Championship Contender’s Match: Damian Priest VS Dolph Ziggler w/ Robert Roode!
The Archer of Infamy already shot down the GLORIOUS “Big Bob,” but he still has a score to settle with the Show-Off! Will Priest clear out the Dirty Dawgs? Or will Ziggler have himself a shot at gold after tonight?
Raw returns and the Dawgs make their entrance. The bell rings and the two circle. Priest rushes over, Ziggler gets a leg, but they end up in the ropes. The ref counts, Ziggler lets off but gets a few elbows and kicks in! Priest grabs Ziggler to TOSS him to the corner! Ziggler gets away, Priest bucks the O’Conner Roll and then runs Ziggler over! Priest dodges Ziggler to then back elbow him down! Priest smirks, Ziggler flounders to a corner, and Priest runs in but misses the back elbow! Ziggler jumps on but no DDT! Ziggler kicks a leg, runs, but no Famouser! Ziggler turns it to a sunset flip, TWO! Priest dodges Ziggler’s haymaker to BELL CLAP!
Priest drags Ziggler up but Ziggler throws elbows! Priest CLUBS Ziggler, KICKS him in the side, then drags him up. Ziggler gets ropes, the ref has Priest back off. Ziggler kicks low but Priest DECKS him with a right! Priest whips and FLAPJACKS Ziggler, then smirks again. Fans fire up with Priest as he goes up top. But Ziggler springs up there to join him, for a SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and writhing as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Priest fights free of Ziggler’s chinlock and ROCKS him with a right! Priest whips, Ziggler kicks him back! Ziggler ducks the heel kick and leaps to get the SATELLITE DDT! Cover, TWO! Roode coaches Ziggler up and Ziggler takes aim. Ziggler slaps himself to fire up, Priest stands and he blocks the superkick to ROCK Ziggler again! Priest fires off KICK after KICK after KICK, ROLLING ELBOW and a WHEEL KICK top it off! Priest runs corner to corner for the big back elbow! Then Priest suplexes, but Ziggler slips out and shoves, Priest CLOBBERS Ziggler on the return! Suplex for the BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO!
Priest keeps his focus and he goes to a corner. Priest climbs up, Ziggler goes up after him! Priest fights and hops down to ROUNDHOUSE Ziggler down! Ziggler flops to the apron, Roode TRIPS Priest! The ref missed it and now starts a ring count! Roode taunts Priest, Priest is FURIOUS! Roode trips over the steps, Priest leaps and CLOBBERS him! But Priest gets counted out, Ziggler wins!
Winner: Dolph Ziggler, by count-out (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE US Championship)
Priest doesn’t even realize the match is over, he is MAULING Roode! Priest then turns his attention to Ziggler, Ziggler dropkicks him! It does nothing but anger Priest more! Ziggler runs away but Priest pursues! Ziggler’s way up the ramp, so Priest drags Roode up! THE RECKONING to the floor! Priest glares at the Show-Off, will Ziggler reconsider even showing up to work anymore?
Backstage interview with Finn Balor.
Kevin Patrick’s sure that win must’ve felt satisfying. Finn says it sure was. Hopefully Theory took plenty of selfies while getting his ass beat. But then Theory BLINDSIDES Balor! Theory fires off on him, then gives him a BACK SUPLEX to a road case! Security and refs rush in, Theory gets one more selfie to rub it in. Will this get Theory back on Vince’s good side?
Theory visits Vince’s office now.
Vince has him take a seat. Theory apologizes for the loss, he was foolish and tried to take a selfie during the match. But he got Finn back with an attack. A calculated, cold-blooded and vicious attack! Yes, Vince enjoyed that part. He beat the pudding out of Finn. But he still lost the match. What to do about it? Fire Theory? Vince loves firing people, especially before the holidays. It gives him a warm feeling, like he just had a good meal. But Vince will give Theory a rematch against Finn next week. That’s all Theory needs. Theory thanks Vince. Vince says he didn’t become a ruthless businessman by making bad investments. Theory better not be a bad investment.
Remember, Vince has the pencil, and the eraser. Vince erases something, then blows the shavings off onto Theory before doing a really bad “Ho ho ho!” Will Vince’s twisted reason for the season give Theory the motivation he needs to win?
Edge heads to the ring!
MizTV had its turn, now Raw gets Rated R with The Cutting Edge! But will The Mrs. tell all about herself and The Miz?
Raw returns and Edge shouts out Milwaukee. “I have been waiting for a long time to say this, but welcome to the return of The Cutting Edge.” His guest tonight may not have a lot in common with Edge, other than they’re both Canadian and both frustrated with The Miz. So welcome to the show, Maryse! Maryse makes her entrance and Edge says before they get going, “How frustrating is it to be married to that dude?” Maryse says he isn’t going to make it like they’re friends or something. She’s just using his platform to speak. She couldn’t get on MizTV? No, he wouldn’t let her talk. He’s the most Narcissistic and arrogant human on Earth! She can’t even put in in words!
Oh, okay. Didn’t realize this would end up as therapy, but sure, go on. Maryse says it is a little uncomfortable. She has a knot in her stomach. Most know her as Maryse, the bigger than life and perfect person, but she’s still a human who wants to be respected, and maybe even thanked! She loves Miz, it’s been over 15 years, but she wants a thank you for what she does. She takes care of the house, the kids, the food, their business, their reality show, everything! Milwaukee doesn’t seem to sympathize with her as she says she’s just tired. Last week, Edge could’ve hurt her, and he didn’t.
People understand she’s a mom with a two-year-old in Madison, and a three-and-a-half in Monroe. If something happens to her, who takes care of the kids? Maryse gets emotional but fans still don’t really sympathize. Maryse asks Edge if he’d ever have used Beth like this. Edge apologizes… that her life is some sort of horrible country song! Gonna lose a dog and truck? Anyone else buying this? “NO!” Edge saw Maryse’s crocodile tears! Miz is using Maryse to get Edge in a false sense of security so Miz can attack! Miz, this is low, even for you! Using your wife as a shield, and then as a decoy! Would Edge have done this to Beth? No, because he respects her!
So c’mon, Miz! Get out of your hiding spot! The music plays instead, so there’s no hiding, as Miz rushes in from the crowd! Edge was ready, he fires off hands and BOOTS Miz! Maryse SMACKS Edge with her purse, then SLAPS him in the face! Miz comes back, Edge tries to fight it, but he still ends up in a SKULL CRUSHING FINALE!! The Ultimate Opportunist even knew it was coming, and yet The A-Lister pulled it off! Does this mean The Miz will get one over on Edge at Day 1?
Rhea Ripley VS Zelina Vega!
The Nightmare lost to the Queen of the Ring last time because Carmella and Nikki A.S.H. ended up a huge distraction. But now, with their tag partners banned from ringside, will we see who is really the better woman?
Raw returns and Zelina makes her entrance, with a mic in her hand. “Greetings, greetings, my dairy loving farm peasants.” But then their booing upsets her. They’re taking Rhea’s side over hers?! Zelina calms down and says that even without the “fatal distraction,” Nikki, Rhea can’t stop WWE’s one true queen! The bell rings and Zelina bows, but then Rhea rsuhes her! Zelina uses ropes for defense and the ref has Rhea back off. Zelina gets aroudn to fire off kicks, but Rhea blocks one! Rhea spins Zelina, Zelina ducks the boot and runs, tilt-o-whirls, but Rhea blocks the DDT! Rhea wags her finger, supelxes but Zelina STUN-DOG MILLIONAIRES! Cover, TOW!
Nikki is watching backstage and is happy to see Rhea getting up. Zelina fires off, Rhea blocks the knee and throws Zelina to then BOOT her down! Rhea puts Zelina up top, ROCKS her with a haymaker then CHOPS her! Rhea climbs, brings Zelina up, STALLING SUPER- NO! Zelina fights back to the corner, slips under, and YANKS Rhea into buckles! Rhea tumbles, Zelina runs to KNEE Rhea down! Cover, TWO! Zelina drags Rhea up, but Rhea HOOK KICKS her down! Pump handle and RIPTIDE! Cover, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
And point proven! Rhea’s brutality was too much for Queen Zelina all on her own, will Rhea and Nikki be able to take those tag titles back together?
Backstage interview with Big E.
Sarah knows Big E and Lashley are on the same team tonight, but can they- Uhhhhh don’t say that filthy word. Sarah, tonight is not about coexisting or being the best team. This is about setting the tone for Day 1. Much like a preacher on Sunday morning, Big E must lay hands on Kevin and Seth! Lashley walks over, Big E asks if Lashley is here to “bump gums” or fight. Or MVP ready to take another swing? Lashley says he didn’t need MVP last week, and he won’t need MVP at Day 1 to put the Hurt Lock on Big E or anyone and get that title. But he’s focused on Kevin and Rollins. Can he trust Big E?
Big E says Lashley doesn’t have to worry. Just leave Montel in the back. Lashley says he can handle that. The Powerhouse and the All Mighty are combustible elements, will it explode right here tonight?
Liv Morgan heads to the ring!
The LIVing Embodiment may have a battered hand, but she managed to batter Becky Lynch. Just find the video on YouTube! Or Liv can tell you all about it, after the break!
Raw returns and Liv has the mic, and a kendo stick! “Last week, I challenged Becky Lynch to a rematch at Day 1. And as we all just saw, good ol’ Rebecca tried to ensure herself by injuring me before accepting that rematch. As I laid there with my arm stuck between those steel steps, I knew that no matter how much pain I was in, I couldn’t let Becky get the upper hand. So when Becky was leaving last week, she said she was gonna fly home to train. So I knew that meant Becky was gonna fly home to the private gym that she owns with her try-hard husband in Iowa.” Then Liv knew she would follow Becky there to even things out. Little did Liv know that that was Becky’s plan all along.
Some might have already seen what aired on social media, but for those that didn’t, have a look. Footage plays of Liv storming right into the gym, right up to the ring that was set up in it, and how Becky was choking out one of the trainees. Then Liv gets right in the ring and everyone but Becky sees it! Liv had a kendo stick, and Liv SMACKS not Becky, but a redhead decoy! Becky gets the stick, swings on Liv, but Liv fires off hands! Becky SMACKS the bad arm, then SMACKS Liv on the back and in the ribs! Bu Liv blocks it, and ENZIGURIS back! Liv fires off on Becky until Becky bails out of the ring! Becky shouts for someone to get Liv outta there, but Liv left on her own.
Liv admits, Becky was a step ahead. But Liv learned that Becky is so threatened by her, she had one of her own students pretending to be here because she knew Liv would be coming for payback. Liv really can’t stand that she had to beat up an innocent person, that’s not what she wanted. But Liv was really happy when she thought it was Becky. That’s the kind of person Becky is, though. She’s willing to sacrifice a student and didn’t even care. That’s disgusting. And at Day 1, it won’t be a fair fight, Becky will try to cheat again. But Liv welcomes it because at the end of the day, Liv will have her arm raised. Then Becky can have all the time in the world to spend with her baby and “hot” husband.”
Becky can try to break Liv’s arm, but Liv will break Becky’s face and become the NEW Raw Women’s Champion! But here comes Becky! Becky smiles as she has a mic and says, “Congratulations Liv, you foiled my master plan. You beat that poor, innocent girl senseless! I thinks he still has ice on her arm. You may have even broken her elbow! But you gotta crack a few eggs if you want to make an omelet, am I right?” In this business, you pay your dues. Becky did hers, that’s why she’s not soft. It’d take much more than a few smacks of a kendo stick to keep Becky down, and when you’re big time, you don’t have time to stay down!
But Becky isn’t so sure about Liv, what with that dodgy arm. Well it only took one arm to kick Becky’s ass! Becky says touché. Sometimes, even the best laid plans go awry. But Liv taught Becky’s students that everyone gets lucky once. What Becky will teach them is that luck runs out. Liv got lucky once, but kudos where kudos is due. Liv stepped up more than Becky thought. Liv is #1 contender and made a spotlight for herself. But it gets hot under the lights, and Liv can’t handle the heat. Becky can’t scare Liv out of the match! She’s starting the new year the NEW champion! And you know what? Liv’s spotlight is bright, and she’s feeling just fine. Why not take a look for yourself, Becky?
Oh, Liv. As much as Becky wants to finish what she started and take Liv’s other arm, she’s not an idiot. She won’t get near Liv swinging that stick like a maniac. Oh, no, this isn’t for Liv. This is for Becky. Liv throws the kendo stick to her! Pick it up and get in! Don’t insult the champion! The longest reigning Raw Women’s Champion for a reason! Liv is lucky Becky’s got a private jet to catch. The Man walks away, but will she man-up on Day 1?
Seth Rollins & Kevin Owens VS Big E & Bobby Lashley!
The Architect and the Prizefighter annoy each other, while the Powerhouse and the All Mighty can barely trust each other. But when it comes to a common goal, both sides can agree they need to win! Will there be a winning team? Or will dysfunction win out in the main event?
Raw returns and Lashley makes his entrance. Then Kevin and then Rollins enter. The teams sort out, Big E starts with Kevin, and Big E fires off with the bell! He has Kevin in a corner but the ref counts. Big E lets off, Kevin kicks then whips but Big E reverses. Lashley tags in to go and run Kevin over! Rollins springboards in but Big E hits him with a body shot, then tosses him out for Lashley to run over! Fans fire up for the surprising teamwork as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns, Lashley stalks Rollins on the outside and goes around the way. Lashley THROWS Rollins into barriers, then follows him into the ring. Rollins kicks low, reels Lashley in, but Lashley blocks the suplex to suplex Rollins instead! Lashley carries Rollins around for a count of 10, and then with one arm, before the SLAM! Fans fire up as Lashley waits on Rollins to get up. But Rollins fights the full nelson and kicks Lashley away! Rollins then baits Lashley in to dump him out! Tag to Kevin and Kevin drops a senton on Lashley! Kevin stomps away, drags Lashley up and puts him in. Kevin drops another senton! Cover, TWO!
Kevin facelocks Lashley, grinds him down, but fans rally up. Big E reaches out, but Kevin knees Lashley down! Kevin mocks the hip swiveling but the ref keeps Big E back. Rollins tags in, he and Kevin double suplex Lashley up and over! Kevin flexes then tells fans to suck it! Rollins covers, TWO! Rollins chinlocks and grinds Lashley down, but Lashley fights up. Fans rally for Lashley as he pries free and arm-drags Rollins away! Then he gets Rollins for a COMPLETE SHOT! Hot tags to Kevin and Big E! Big E rallies on Kevin, OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! And another! And then the SIDE Belly2Belly! Big E swivels them hips, runs but has to clothesline Rollins out first!
Kevin rolls Big E, TWO! Kevin runs into the Urenag-E! Cover, TWO! Big E claps and fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Big E scoops, Kevin slips out, Big E again has to swipe at Rollins! Kevin SUPERKICKS Big E down, tag to Rollins! FROG SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Tag back to Kevin, Rollins DIVES onto Lashley! SWANTON BOMB from Kevin! Cover, TWO!! Big E survives and Kevin shouts for Rollins as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns as Kevin stomps Big E and digs his boot in. Kevin goes up and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Big E moves! Big E and Kevin crawl, hot tags to Rollins and Lashley! Lashley rallies on Rollins, spins him around and hits a NECKBREAKER! Then an OVERHEAD Belly2Belly! Lashley runs corner to corner to clothesline! And then runs again, into a BOOT! Rollins runs, Lashley hurdles! And scoops Rollins for a POWERSLAM! Cover, Kevin breaks it! Big E throws hands on Kevin, whips him out to the apron and then runs but into a KNEE! Rollins ROLLING ELBOWS Big E! Lashley kicks Rollins and gets him up, but Rollins slips off the rack!
Rollins jumps Lashley, SPEAR to Big E!! Kevin tags in, kicks, but no Stunner! Lashley SPEARS Kevin! Cover, Lashley and Big E win!
Winners: Big E & Bobby Lashley, by pinfall
CURB STOMP from Rollins right after!! Rollins realizes he was a second too late, but he goes after Lashley with fists! Rollins gets Kevin out of the ring so he can drag Lashley out. Kevin helps, they mug Lashley just like earlier tonight! Rollins pulls the steps apart, Kevin helps out again, and they use that to RAM Big E down! They go back to Lashley and RAM him down! Kevin then CANNONBALLS Big E into barriers! Rollins and Kevin regroup to get Lashley up and shout out to the Shield with the assisted APRON POWERBOMB!! But Rollins wants to keep going, and he gets the base steps! Kevin puts Lashley on the steps, holds him in place, and Rollins climbs up, but he laughs it off.
Then he runs in to STOMP Lashley down!! Just when it looked like they were showing mercy! Rollins and Kevin get in the ring, they shake hands, but they each watch the other in case one turns. They both turn around, to HUG! Rollins and Kevin are victorious tonight, but will this alliance only last until Day 1?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good episode, but there are subtle signs WWE is just trying to drag things out to get to Day 1. For one, the WWE US Championship Contender’s match. It was so obvious they wanted to give Ziggler his title match without giving him the title match tonight. The count-out win and Priest going “Damian” again, all setting up what I thought was a Day 1 match but is instead just a match for next week’s go-home. Priest is surely winning that match, and then it’s on to…? Broken record time: WWE shouldn’t have cut so many superstars, they literally got rid of great challengers for Priest.
And then while Belair VS Piper “The Final Chapter” was a good match, it wasn’t as good as last week’s. If they could’ve booked the second match like this one and then given us last week’s match tonight, that would’ve been proper pacing. Also it seems a shame for Piper that she didn’t win one of these. Doesn’t really say much for the Raw Women’s Championship scene if they’re not willing to build up another Heel in the singles division while they’re keeping Becky Heel. Becky and Liv had an okay segment tonight, but I feel like Becky’s Heel run is still not working because I heard fans cheering when they saw Becky teeing off on Liv in the video. Becky should get past Liv and then slowly shift back towards Face so she can start something with Piper.
Rhea beating Zelina was of course how this was going with Nikki backstage and Mella just absent tonight. WWE has no idea what it’s doing with its RawDown Women’s Tag Division anyway, so of course the former champions are going to fight their way to another opportunity. I still hope Nikki goes back to her SAnitY look, that will really reinvigorate her and Rhea and all of this stuff. Then WWE can get SmackDown’s side going with a team like Shayna Baszler and Natalya, who are both former champions and therefore have history with Rhea & Nikki. Too bad WWE cut a lot of good choices for challengers in that division, too!
It’s hard to tell if WWE wants Lashley to be Face or not. Fans loved him in the main event, because what’s not to like about a big strong guy doing big strong guy stuff? But I do suppose they were able to keep it a mystery. When Lashley had MVP and Big E square off, Rollins and Kevin attacked before anything really happened, and of course he didn’t answer MVP directly. So Lashley could still come out of Day 1 a Face or a Heel and it’d still be fine. It also gives WWE time to decide if they want to go through with the turn or not. But I will say, Rollins and Kevin have amazing bad guy odd couple chemistry, and they did a great job teasing the alliance breaking only to double down. Are they going to be the Heel answer to RKBRO?
For those wondering why Riddle wasn’t around tonight, they did a great kayfabe saying Orton wanted to handle Gable alone, but I would think this has to do with filming vignettes with MSK for NXT. But I like that we’re getting Orton VS Otis before Day 1, we could see quite a good singles match out of Otis. And maybe Rollins & Kevin as a team replace Styles & Omos since we got their break-up tonight through the use of Miz TV and the match with the Mysterios. Miz TV was perhaps purposefully a little weaker than The Cutting Edge tonight, and Miz getting the better of Edge despite being obvious is obviously because Edge wins at Day 1. And probably gets Beth Phoenix involved, too.
My Score: 8/10
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Coverage
Mitchell’s Road to Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (4/27/24)
Rural Revitalization continues!
Will Great-O-Khan be setting the table?
It’s Rural Revitalization in Hiroshima for the KOPW Championship! Can Yuya Uemura survive tires, lemons and a table? Or will Great-O-Khan conquer him for the United Empire?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Frontier Zone – Boltin Oleg & Toru Yano VS Rey Paloma & HANZO; Oleg & Yano win.
- Six Man Tag: Tiger Mask & Bishamon VS Bullet Club; Bullet Club wins.
- Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita VS Jeff Cobb & Francesco Akira; Cobb & Akira win.
- Six Man Tag: El Desperado, Shota Umino & Tomohiro Ishii VS The House of Torture; Desperado, Shota & Ishii win.
- Hiroshi Tanahashi & Katsuya Murashima VS Tomoaki Honma & Shoma Kato; Tanahashi & Murashima win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS SHO & Yoshinobu Kanemaru; Sho & Yoshinobu win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo; TMDK wins and retains the titles.
- KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan VS Yuya Uemura; Yuya wins and becomes the new KOPW Champion.
- 10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: TMDK w/ Zack Sabre Jr. VS El Phantasmo & Hikuleo w/ Jado!
Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls snatched the titles away during the Windy City Riot, but the Guerrillas of Destiny are getting their rematch! Will the Headbanga & Young Guerilla redeem themselves on the Road to Wrestling Dontaku? Or will they see The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see if The Mighty stay NJPW Strong!
The teams sort out and Hysterical Haste starts against ELP. The fans rally up with the bell and the two circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but then Shane cording holds into a wrench and wristlock. ELP rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. ELP keeps Shane from ropes so Shane rolls, kips up, snapmares and KICKS ELP! The fans cheer while Shane shakes out his leg. ELP grimaces as he stands and shakes out the arm. The two reset, tie up, and ELP waistlocks. ELP goes for a chinlock but Shane standing switches. ELP switches, Shane switches again, and repeat. ELP headlocks, Shane powers out, then reels ELP in for a headlock.
ELP powers out, Shane runs him over, and then he sits ELP up to run. ELP drops under, hurdles over, but Shane shoves him. ELP rolls off Shane’s back to RANA! The fans fire up as ELP kips up and fixes his hair. The fans rally for “E L P! E L P!” while Shane is in a corner. Shane comes back to fire a forearm! ELP fires a forearm back! Shane fires another forearm so ELP gives it back. They go back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! ELP gets the edge, but Shane UPPERCUTS! Shane CHOPS ELP, whips him corner to corner, but ELP goes up and over and keeps moving. ELP fakes Shane out to avoid the dropkick!
ELP goes to ropes to LIONSAULT but Shane moves! ELP sits up but avoids the Penalty Kick! The two stand off and the fans cheer! Shane and ELP reset, and Leo reaches out. ELP tags him in and the fans rally up. Shane tags Mikey, and he circles with Leo. They get face to face, and Mikey pie faces Leo! They tie up, Leo shoves Mikey away, but Mikey comes back. They tie up, Mikey headlocks but Leo lifts. Mikey thrashes the hold, Leo powers out and they RAM shoulders! Leo eggs Mikey on so Mikey runs and they RAM shoulders! Leo runs, Mikey ELBOWS him! Mikey runs, Leo runs him over! The fans fire up as Leo flexes.
Leo drags Mikey up, suplexes, but Mikey fights it! Mikey tries to suplex but Leo’s so tall! Leo suplexes, Mikehy slips free to waistlock, but Leo RAMS him into a corner! Leo runs in, Mikey dodges, only for Leo to LARIAT outta the corner! Tag to ELP and the Guerrillas get Mikey up. ELP BLASTS Shane while Leo whips Mikey to a corner. Leo SPLASHES, ELP clotheslines, then feed to the SIDEWALK SLAM and FALLING AX HANDLE! The Guerrillas high-five, ELP covers, TWO! ELP brings Mikey up but Mikey fights the suplex! Mikey powers out, whips, but ELP BLASTS Shane! ELP dodges Mikey, waistlocks, but Mikey swings. ELP ducks, into a DDT!
The fans fire up while Mikey shoves ELP over and tags in Shane. Mikey brings ELP up to TOSS him out, and then Mikey BLASTS Leo! Shane whips ELP into railing! Shane flexes, fans applaud, and Shane drags ELP up. APRON BACK SUPLEX! Shane shoves ELP in, covers, ROPEBREAK! The fans rally as ELP stays in this but Shane grabs one of ELP’s hands. Shane stretches out the arm to then KICK ELP in the shoulder! Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires forearms! Shane shoves ELP but ELP ELBOWS Mikey! ELP fires off on Shane, whips, but Shane reverses and Mikey trips ELP up! Shane basement dropkicks ELP and he spins around into a HAYMAKER from Mikey!
ELP flops to the floor, Mikey claims the apron is slippery, but the referee reprimands him all the same. The ring count starts but Mikey puts ELP in at 4 of 20. Shane covers, TWO! Shane keeps ELP down with body scissors. ELP endures, reaches out, drags Shane along as he crawls over, and the fans rally up. Shane grabs ELP’s arm and brings him into a cover, TWO! Shane whips ELP away into The Mighty corner! Tag to Mikey, he sends Shane in, but ELP puts Shane on the apron! ELP BOOTS Mikey, ROUNDHOUSES Shane, then runs, but Mikey catches him! Mikey RAMS ELP back into the corner!
Mikey taunts Leo then digs boots into ELP. The fans rally up and ELP throws body shots. Mikey eggs ELP on so ELP CHOPS! ELP tries to get under but Mikey grabs a leg and drags him back! Tag to Shane, and Shane stomps ELP down. Shane kicks ELP around, kicks him more, but ELP fires off hands! Shane back drops ELP up and away! The fans rally while Shane drags ELP back to a cover, but Leo breaks it! Shane drags ELP back, tags Mikey in, and TMDK mug ELP. ELP sputters, Mikey tags Shane back in, and Shane sucker punches Leo! Mikey hoists ELP up but ELP BOOTS Shane! ELP backs Mikey into the corner, then goes up and over Shane!
Shane runs into Mikey but Mikey still pursues ELP. Mikey drags ELP back but ELP ENZIGIRIS free! The fans fire up, but Shane gets ELP’s legs! ELP BOOTS Shane away, hurries up again, but Mikey BLASTS Leo first! Mikey then brings ELP around to back suplex! ELP lands on his feet, but Shane back suplexes! ELP still lands on his feet, then he ducks under TMDK to hot tag Leo! The fans fire up as Leo UPPERCUTS Shane, swings on Mikey, but Mikey dodges, only for Leo to BOOT him! Leo scoops Shane for SNAKE EYES and a BOOT! The fans fire up with Leo while Shane and Mikey go to opposite corners.
Leo runs in to SPLASH Mikey! Leo keeps going but Shane BOOTS him! Shane runs up but Leo ELBOWS him down! Leo runs to drop the JUMPING ELBOW on Shane! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up and Leo watches Shane stir. Shane rises, Leo choke grips! GODS- NO, Shane slips free and Mikey fires a forearm! Shane UPPERCUTS, Mikey LARIATS, but Leo stays up! Shane runs to LARIAT! Leo roars, but TMDK double kick! TMDK reels Leo in, but Leo DOUBLE SUPLEXES them instead! The fans fire up and Leo watches TMDK bail out. Leo tags ELP and ELP goes up. Leo helps him walk the tightrope, to ARIHARA MOONSAULT TMDK down at the ramp!
The fans fire up again, and Leo goes out to get Shane in. ELP & Leo get Shane up to CHOP, straitjacket torture rack, and then Leo runs. BOOT into the spin, BRAIN SALAD! Cover, Mikey breaks it! Mikey fires forearms on Leo & ELP, runs, but ELP hurdles so Leo can DDT! Mikey bails out, the fans fire up, and ELP tunes up the band. Shane rises, into SUDDEN- NO, Shane dodges! Shane runs up, but into Leo’s hands! ELP aims, but Shane pulls Leo into SUDDEN DEATH! Shane UPPERCUTS ELP and DROPKICKS Leo! Shane KICKS ELP, BOOTS him, then reels him in for an INVERTED EXPLODER! Cover, TWO!!
ELP survives and Shane is surprised! The fans fires up, Shane and ELP rise, and ELP staggers to a corner. Shane puts ELP up top, ROCKS him with a right, then climbs up. Shane brings ELP up but ELP fires body shots! ELP HEADBUTTS Shane down but Mikey tags in! Shane goes up, ELP sends him back down, so Mikey UPPERCUTS! Mikey gives Shane the boost, and they get ELP for the SUPERPLEX BOMB COMBO! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives but Mikey powers up and runs, SLIDING LARIAT! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives again and the fans fire up! Mikey grows frustrated, he drags ELP up and reels him in.
ELP slips free of the Blue Thunder to kick and tuck the arms! But Mikey trips ELP to jackknife bridge, TWO! ELP rolling clutches! TWO and Mikey has the cover! TWO and ELP ghost pins, TWO!! Mikey escapes but ELP dodges! ELP DROPKICKS Mikey down and the fans fire up! Both men crawl, hot tag to Leo! Leo runs to BLAST Shane, then he turns to look at Mikey. Mikey eggs Leo on, then fires forearms! Leo ROCKS Mikey with just one! Mikey fires another flurry, but Leo ROCKS Mikey again! Leo eggs Mikey on and the fans rally. Mikey kicks low, ROCKS Leo, then runs, but into a scoop! Tag to ELP before the POWERSLAM!
ELP goes up to SWANTON BOMB! And then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up, ELP tags Leo back in, and they tune up the band again! Mikey rises, but Shane trips Leo! Mikey ROCKS ELP, Shane UPPERCUTS ELP! Feed to the scoop but ELP slips free! ELP shoves Mikey into Shane, and Leo grabs them both! But both Shane & Mikey fight free of the choke slams! Shane KNEES, Mikey FOREARMS, but then ELP fires off on TMDK! ELP runs, but into a double trophy lift! THUNDER- DOUBLE DDTS!! ELP turns things around on TMDK, and the fans are thunderous! Mikey stands up into SUDDEN DEATH! ELP PLANCHAS onto Shane!
GODSEND for Mikey! ELP then climbs up the ropes, then climbs onto Leo! SUPER THUNDERKISS 86!! Cover, but Shane barrels through ELP to break it!! The fans are thunderous again but ELP is frustrated. ELP fires off on Shane, runs, but Shane LARIATS! Shane dodges Leo but runs into the POWER TRIP! GOD- NO, Mikey rolls Leo up!! TMDK WINS!!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Leo is furious! He is sure Mikey pulled tights there! He stomps at Mikey, pushes past ELP and goes after Mikey on the outside! Mikey and Leo push each other around, but there’s nothing Leo can do about this one. Will he and ELP just have to fight their way back up to the top? As for TMDK, will they continue to rock ‘n’ roll through the ranks with all this gold?
KOPW Championship Rural Revitalization: Great-O-Khan w/ Callum Newman & Francesco Akira VS Yuya Uemura w/ Taka Michinoku & Taichi!
It’s Rural Revitalization 2: Hiroshima Style! The Dominator just managed to make it past Tanga Loa, will he make it through the Heat Storm? Or will KOPW soon belong to Just5Guys?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who can put in the work!
This first round is Mazda tire carrying. Each man has a big orange cone placed in their corner, so they simply have to go fetch the tires from the stacks outside. Whoever gets four tires first wins the round! The bell rings, Yuya kicks Khan then heads for ropes, but Khan reels him in for a BIG back suplex! Khan goes out now, hurries up the ramp, and grabs two tires at once! The fans cheer and Khan gets those tires in the ring. Then he goes back for more! A risky move but that means four tires are on play. Yuya DROPKICKS Khan and here’s where the risk is involved! Yuya aims to PLANCHA but Khan chucks a tire!
Yuya falls back, Khan gets the tires in then drags Yuya out. Khan CLUBS away on Yuya against the apron, then uses a tire to bind Yuya’s legs! Khan CLUBS Yuya more, and Khan even ties Yuya up in the ropes! Khan sacrifices two tires to trap Yuya! The fans cheer the creativity, and Khan STOMPS Yuya on the apron before heading for more tires. Yuya works to get free as Khan brings two more tires to the ring. Khan sets those tires in, Yuya gets free, but Khan has stacked two tires. Then three, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Yuya takes the tires off Khan’s cones, leaving him with just one. Yuya goes out to get the last tires remaining!
Yuya brings tires to his cone, then clears out some space. Yuya has two tires, steals Khan’s one, but then Khan grabs Yuya for an IRON CLAW SLEEPER! Yuya fights free, but Khan Mongolian Chops him down! Khan throws the tires off Yuya’s cone, then throws the cone! We’re back to zero and zero, and Khan whips Yuya into a corner, to then clothesline him! The fans fire up as Khan climbs up and sits on his throne! Khan then hops down to Mongolian Chop! And Mongolian Chops! And Mongolian CHOP! Yuya sits down, Khan takes a tire, but then THROWS it at Yuya! Yuya goes up and over and AX HANDLES Khan down!
The fans rally as Khan grabs tires and cone, and he starts stacking! Yuya has two, then three! He just needs to find one more! Yuya grabs one from outside, but Khan reels him in! Khan DECKS Yuya, then undoes some of the stack. Khan confiscates a tire, makes sure it’s nice and bouncy, but also works up quite the sweat. The fans rally as Khan aims and takes a swing, only for Yuya to counter tire with tire! They clash again, and again! Then they set up for TIRE SUMO! And again, TIRE SUMO! They run in again, and Khan RAMS Yuya! Yuya is disarmed, and Khan CLOBBERS him with the TIRE SUMO!
The fans fire up while Yuya is down and Khan grabs tires. Khan says he’s not done with Yuya yet. Khan starts stacking tires at the center of the ring, then drags Yuya up. Khan clinches Yuya into HITSUJIGOROSHI! Yuya endures, even as Khan throws knees! Khan then scoops to SLAM Yuya on the tires! That’ll leave some skid marks! Khan then drags Yuya off the stack, brings him up and around, to then put a tire around his head. And then another! Yuya’s two tired to stand but Khan makes him! Khan throws a BODY BLOW, then he TRIPS Yuya into a TIRE DDT! The fans fire up while Khan grabs the other tires.
Khan stacks tires on his cone, that’s two. Khan hurries to find other tires on the outside, and he has a third. Khan considers his options, and takes one of the tires from Yuya. But Yuya clings to the tires, so Khan stomps him! Yuya refuses to let go of the tires! Khan stomps Yuya more but Yuya defends the tire with his body! Khan claws at Yuya, they tug-o-war over the tire, but Khan pulls on Yuya’s ear! Yuya kicks low, kicks again, then SMACKS Khan with the tire, and DROPKICKS Khan down! The tire goes tumbling out of the ring while Yuya fires up! Yuya takes Khan’s tires, hurries them over to his cone, that’s three right there!
Now Yuya has to hurry and find another! Yuya goes outside, grabs the tire, but Khan intercepts! They tug-o-war again, but then Khan RAMS Yuya into a corner! Khan takes this tire, that’s one. Khan finds tires on the outside and brings them in! Yuya hurries to cover tires again! Khan stomps Yuya, still stacks three, so it’s all down to this seventh tire! Yuya and Khan tug-o-war yet again, the fans rallying behind them! Khan grabs Yuya’s arm, but Yuya slips around to a SLEEPER! Khan fights up but Yuya squeezes tight! Yuya then CLUBS away on Khan, runs, but into a TIRE SWEEP! And a BASEMENT DROPKICK!
Khan grabs the final tire, but Yuya schoolboys him away! Yuya rolls through, snatches the tire, and complete his stack! Yuya wins the first round!
Khan: 0; Yuya: 1
Just like with Tanga Loa, Khan drops the ball in the first round! But then, will history repeat itself here as we prepare for the second round?
The tarps are set down, the table is set, and it’s time to eat up some Hiroshima lemons! Khan makes sure the people watching at home and around the world understand that Hiroshima lemons are the best, which probably means they’re the most sour. Khan puts on his bandana and takes his seat at the table. He and Yuya get some wet wipes to clean their hands, and it all comes down to who finishes their one lemon first. Ready, set, EAT! Yuya starts fast and that face shows how sour these are. Khan says hold on, and he just takes a HUGE bite! Yuya is suffering but Khan is reveling in the sourness! Khan’s already halfway through!
Yuya can barely keep the lemon in, but Khan’s eaten it all up! Can he get it all down before Yuya? Khan is chewing and chewing, Yuya is practically shaking from how sour it all is! Khan keeps going and… Yes, Khan has it all down! Khan wins!
Khan: 1; Yuya: 1
Khan now lets his body feel the stinging sweetness, and he says it was delicious! But then, that leaves us with this third and final round. And this time it’s a TABLES match! Who will be feeling sour and sore after this one?
The bell rings, both men rush in, Yuya dodges to fire haymakers! Yuya whips, Khan reverses but Yuya CLOBBERS him! Khan gets up, but Yuya DROPKICKS him down! Khan bails out, Yuya aims and PLANCHAS! Direct hit at the ramp, and the Heat Storm fires back up! The table is there, so Yuya drags Khan right up! Yuya goes to suplex but Khan blocks! Khan fights with body shots, turns things around, but Yuya fights the suplex! They fight for control, but Khan RAMS Yuya into the apron! The fans rally, Khan drags Yuya back up, and whips him into railing! Yuya tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land!
Khan storms out after Yuya and he asks fans move aside. Young Lions help the fans clear out while Khan drags Yuya up. Khan brings Yuya around and reminds everyone, No Disqualifications! Khan BOWLS Yuya through chairs, and that’s definitely a strike! The fans cheer Khan as he stands on chairs, but then asks more fans to move aside! Khan stomps Yuya, stomps a chair onto Yuya, then tosses that chair aside. Sorry to whoever had that seat… Khan then drags Yuya up and brings him around, but Yuya throws body shots! Khan Mongolian Chops Yuya down! Khan drags Yuya back up, and BOWLS him into more chairs!
Yuya is stuck on the seats, that wasn’t quite a strike. But Khan stacks chairs on Yuya to pick up the spare. Khan SMACKS chair with chair! Yuya sputters while fans applaud, and Khan goes back to fetch Yuya. Taichi and Taka are there but so are Newman and Akira. The Empire keeps the two out of five guys at bay while Khan drags Yuya to the back of the crowd. Khan whips Yuya into the emergency exit! Khan then SLAMS railing down on Yuya, and then SMACKS railing with railing! Khan talks trash while Taka and Taichi coach Yuya up. The ref checks Yuya, but he’s somehow able to continue, so Khan drags him up.
Khan brings Yuya around to drag him through the chairs! Khan brings Yuya back to ringside, then into the ring. The fans applaud, and then Khan goes looking under the ring. Khan eventually finds another lemon! Khan takes a big bite and uses the citrus to power up! Then he DIGS the lemon into Yuya’s face! The citric acid burns but the fans fire up! Khan goes to fetch the table from outside, puts it inside, and then sets it up in a corner. The fans rally up as Khan stalks Yuya. Khan drags Yuya up, reels him in to scoop, but Yuya slips free! Khan avoids hitting table, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya whips Khan into the blue corner, then DOUBLE CHOPS again!
The fans fire up and Yuya grits his teeth. Yuya roars, brings Khan up and reels him in for a BIG back suplex! The fans rally again and Yuya brings Khan up. Yuya clinches, but Khan fights the lift! Yuya still tries, but Khan fights it to a head ‘n’ arm clinch. Yuya gets around, headlocks, but Khan pops out to waistlock. Yuya fights being pushed around, then switches to get an arm. Khan clinches but so does Yuya. They fight for control, and Khan’s SAYANAGI takes Yuya down! The fans fire up and both men stir. Yuya flops out of the ring, but Khan crawls in pursuit. Khan drags Yuya up, then RAMS him into railing!
Yuya writhes, Khan goes looking under the ring, and he brings out another TABLE! Khan SMACKS Yuya with the table, then stands the table up at ringside. Khan drags Yuya up, SMACKS him off the apron, then climbs up. Khan drags Yuya up onto the apron, Mongolian Chops, then regular CHOPS! Khan UPPERCUTS, then clamps on the IRON CLAW! Khan scoops but Yuya fights free! Yuya DROPKICKS! Khan holds onto ropes to stay up, but Yuya hurries to run! Yuya LARIATS, but into the IRON CLAW!! Khan drags Yuya up and over, ELIMINATOR- NO, Yuya grabs ropes to fight that off! Khan kicks low, winds up, but Yuya traps the arm!
Yuya traps the other arm, takes aim, but Khan fights the Deadbolt with all his might!! The fans are thunderous as Yuya still tries! Khan BITES Yuya’s ear! And then POSTS him! But Yuya runs up, into a BOOT! Yuya falls back, Khan sits down, and the fans rally again! Khan undoes his hand tape, ends up pushing the table over, and then he folds it all up. Khan puts the table in the ring, pushes Yuya aside, and then he sets this table up again, in the blue corner. Yuya goes up top to CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as Yuya roars! Yuya has his choice as he hauls Khan up. Yuya traps the arms, but Khan makes it a BELLY2BELLY!
But Yuya rises back up! Yuya runs in, gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! But Khan’s right up! Khan LARIATS Yuya down! The fans fire up as Yuya is right back up, and URENAGES! Both men are down again and the fans are thunderous! Khan flounders around, he and Yuya crawl to center, and Yuya fires a forearm! Khan gives it back! Both men stand, and Yuya fires a haymaker! Khan comes back to forearm! Yuya wobbles, but he comes back to HAYMAKER! Khan staggers, wobbles, but comes back to FOREARM! Both men stagger, but Yuya fires another haymaker! Khan fires a flurry of forearms, but Yuya haymakers!
Khan ROCKS Yuya, but Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! And DOUBLE CHOPS! But Khan throws an IRON RIGHT! The fans fire up again as Yuya falls! Khan roars with Monster Rage and he hauls Yuya up! IRON CLAW, and then ELIMIN- NO, Yuya slips free! Yuya wrenches, traps the arms, DEADBOLT SUPLEX through the table!! YUYA WINS!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, 2-1 (NEW KOPW Champion)
Yuya slammed the Deadbolt shut on Khan and now he takes the title from him! The Heat Storm is rising, how hot will he make the KOPW Division through the Summer?
10 Man Tag Elimination Match: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs!
These factions have been battling all over this Road to Wrestling Dontaku, but now they will fight ’til the last man! Will there be a roll call for Bushi, Hiromu, Takagi, Yota y Naito? Or will this alliance with the Good Looking Emperor, Jake Lee, help David Finlay, Gabe Kidd, Clark Connors & “Drilla” Dan Moloney shoot down LIJ?
Wait, it seems Naito has brought backup of his own? It’s SLYLY! The dragon-like mascot of Hiroshima Toyo Carp, and half-brother to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Phillie Phanatic! Well, Naito does love him some baseball. Tensions are running high, and Finlay throws his shirt at Yota. Yota balls that shirt up, and throws a fastball over the plate! The teams sort out, Finlay pushes Yota around and Gabe talks trash on Takagi. Red Shoes gets them all to settle down, and the War Dogs bark and put up the Too Sweet. Jake joins in at the end there. LIJ mocks the barking before they fist bump, and the fans cheer.
Things finally sort out and Finlay starts against Yota. The fans fire up behind “YO~TA! YO~TA!” at the bell, and Yota makes sure Finlay hears that. Finlay gets on the corner but the fans all boo. The two circle, tie up, and Yota uses his size to put Finlay on ropes. Finlay turns that around to grind forearms in Yota’s face and push him around. Finlay then backs up to SPIT at him! The fans boo but Yota CHOPS Finlay in return! The fans cheer, Yota headlocks, and Yota grinds Finlay down. Finlay powers up and out to headlock back, but Yota powers up and out. They RAM shoulders, Yota rebounds to run Finlay over!
The fans fire up, things speed up, but Finlay bails out. The fans boo but Finlay says he’s got time. Yota barks at Finlay but Finlay just mockingly applauds. Finlay returns, kips up just to show off, but then Hiromu wants in! Yota tags Hiromu, Finlay tags Drilla. Hiromu fires forearms on Drilla, whips, to ROCK, trip, KICK the ropes, then run and SHOTGUN Drilla down! The fans fire up while Hiromu barks. Hiromu runs corner to corner to clothesline, snapmare and basement dropkick! The fans fire up but Connors runs in to knee Hiromu low! Connors barks, runs, but Hiromu kicks low! Bushi dropkicks legs out so Hiromu can basement dropkick!
The fans fire up but Drilla fires hands and CHOPS on LIJ. Hiromu CHOPS back, he and Bushi double whip to TU LO SABE! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Hiromu fires Hiroshima up. Hiromu fireman’s carries, but Drilla slips free to RAM Hiromu into the corner! The Dogs mug Hiromu while Jake Lee runs up to BLAST Naito! Finlay and Connors help out in mugging Yota and Bushi! Things have pilled out into the crowd in multiple areas while Naito fights back! Jake kicks Naito, then whips him hard into railing! Naito tumbles up and over into No Man’s Land! Gabe and Takagi throw HEADBUTTS back and forth!
Finlay snatches a phone? He’s taking pictures of Jake stomping away on Naito! But then Yota attacks Finlay! Finlay POSTS Yota, a ring count starts, but the Dogs just keep beating LIJ down! Drilla finds his way back to ringside, Hiromu manages to make his way in! Hiromu crawls in at 17 but Drilla is there to stomp him! Drilla bumps Hiromu off Finlay’s boot! Drilla tags Jake in, they mug Hiromu, and Jake digs his boot in while Finlay pulls Hiromu’s hair! Red Shoes is busy getting everyone to stop brawling! Jake lets off but Hiromu fires off CHOPS! Jake just kicks low, whips, and then HIP TOSSES Hiromu down!
Hiromu staggers up but Jake clamps on a SLEEPER! Tag to Finlay and they mug Hiromu in the corner. Red Shoes reprimands and counts, the fans boo, and Finlay lets off at 4. Finlay soaks up heat, then he takes Hiromu’s Kamaitachi mask and THROWS it to the crowd! Finlay then BLASTS Yota off the apron! The Dogs CHOKE Hiromu more, mug him while Finlay argues with Red Shoes, then Finlay brings Hiromu up. Finlay fireman’s carries and goes to dump Hiromu! Hiromu clamps onto ropes, Bushi runs in to make the save! Connors goes after Bushi so Takagi makes the save! But Connors goes after Takagi now!
Finlay puts Hiromu on the apron but Hiromu rolls back in, SAFE! The fans cheer while Finlay is frustrated. Finlay storms up on Hiromu in a corner but Hiromu CHOPS and CHOPS! Finlay knees low, whips corner to corner hard, and Hiromu flounders all the way back to where he started! Finlay drags Hiromu up and over, the fans still cheering him on, but Connors tags in. Connors BLASTS Naito off the corner, then snap suplexes Hiromu down! Connors runs to ELBOW DROP! Cover, TWO! Hiromu stays in this but Connors stays on him with a seated full nelson. The fans continue to rally for “HI-RO-MU!” as he endures!
Hiromu fights around, even as Gedo barks at him to give up. Hiromu still gets the ROPEBREAK! Finlay pushes the foot away and that distracts Red Shoes, allowing Drilla to join in and stomp Hiromu! Drilla & Connors double whip but Hiromu gets around to lift Connors and throw him at Drilla, FORCED RANA! The fans fire up but Connors keeps Hiromu away from his corner! Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, to DRAGON SCREW! The fans rally again while both men are down! Hot tag to Naito! Naito rallies on Connors, BLASTS Drilla, swings on Jake, but Jake gets away. Connors CLUBS Naito, whips, but Naito reverses to arm-drag!
Naito atomic drops, runs, and ELBOWS Connors down, to then basement dropkick! The fans fire up while Naito stares Jake down. Naito covers Connors, TWO! The fans rally, Naito drags Connors up and dragon sleepers, for the NECKBREAKER! And then, LEG HOOK NELSON! Connors endures but Gabe stomps Naito! Gabe BLASTS Takagi, the rest of the Dogs attack, and Gabe stomps away on Naito! Gabe tells off the fans but the fans boo. Red Shoes reprimands so Gabe steps away, and Connors drags Naito up. Connors UPPERCUTS, whips, but Naito reverses to TORNADO- NO, Connors powers out!
Connors dodges Naito, redirects and POUNCES! Naito is down but the fans rally up. Naito and Connors crawl, hot tags to Takagi and Gabe! The fans fire up for the NEVER Openweight Championship appetizer! They RAM shoulders, Takagi ROCKS Gabe then runs to RAM him! Gabe rebounds to RAM Takagi, but Takagi rebounds to RAM Gabe! Gabe fires a forearm, whips Takagi to a corner then runs in to clothesline! Takagi says that’s not enough, so Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe says he’s a madman, then whips, only for Takagi to reverses. Takagi runs in, blocks a boot, and clotheslines through! The fans fire up with Takagi, but Gabe shoves him!
Takagi kicks and CLUBS away on Gabe, but Gabe BITES Takagi’s forehead! Red shoes reprimands, but Takagi spins Gabe around to suplex high and hard! Cover, TWO! Gabe’s still in this but the fans rally behind “TA-KA-GI!” Takagi looks around, “Oi, Hiroshima! TOKI GA-” NO, Gabe CLOBBERS Takagi! It isn’t his time yet, and Gabe stands Takagi up to HEADBUTT again and again! Then Gabe suplexes high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi’s tougher than that but Gabe shakes his head. Gabe scuffs Takagi, eggs him on and runs, but Takagi blocks the Rebounder to HEADBUTT! Gabe HEADBUTTS! Both men shake their heads, and then Takagi HEADBUTTS!
Gabe HEADBUTTS! Takagi HEADBUTTS again and again, but then Gabe HEADBUTTS again and again! Takagi fires a forearm, Gabe gives it back, repeat! The fans fire up as the shots go back and forth! Gabe gets the edge, but Takagi fires boxing elbows! Gabe CHOP! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! Gabe UPPERCUTS and YUKON LARIATS! But Takagi’s right up to LARIAT!! Gabe rises and shouts! Both men run in, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! And again! Gabe fires palm strikes, talks trash, but gets a JAB, HEADBUTT, and a PUMPING BOMBER take takes both men up and out! DOUBLE ELIMINATION!!
Fans go wild as Takagi’s sacrifice play makes things 4v4! Bushi and Drilla jump in and Drilla fires off shots! Drilla ENZIGIRIS, ripcords, but Bushi dodges to RANA! And DROPKICK! Drilla bails out but Bushi builds speed, only for Connors to SNAP POWERSLAM! Drilla gets in, he and Connors get moving, SPEAR GORE COMBO!! Cover, TWO!! Bushi survives but the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Champions coordinate. Connors BLASTS Naito off the apron before he climbs a corner, and Drilla gets Bushi up. Drilla suplexes, but Bushi slips free! Bushi shoves Drilla into Connors, then runs back in to CODE-
NO, Drilla blocks and aims for ropes! Bushi slips free, dodges Drilla, but Drilla ducks the enzigiri, only for the REWIND HEEL to hit! Bushi whips Drilla up and out and to the floor, Bushi ELIMINATES Drilla! We’re 4v3 in LIJ’s favor, but then Connors SPEARS Bushi! Connors says this is it, and he reels Bushi in for- NO! Bushi turns No Chaser into a backslide! BUSHI ROLL! Bushi ELIMINATES Connors!! The Black Mask singlehandedly handles the tag champs and the fans fire up! But then Finlay CLOBBERS Bushi and rains down fists! Finlay roars in rage, then he drags Bushi up. Canadian Rack, but Bushi slips free to backslide!
Finlay rolls through to UPPERCUT! Jake BLASTS Naito, BLASTS Yota, and then Finlay gets Bushi up! Finlay POWERBOMBS Bushi to the outside, onto Naito and the rest! Finlay ELIMINATES Bushi! We’re back to 3v2 as Finlay still has Jake but LIJ still has Naito, Hiromu and Yota. And speaking of Yota, he gets in to brawl with Finlay! Yota whips, Finlay reverses but Yota flipping RANAS! Then he BLASTS Jake! Yota runs corner to corner to STINGER SPLASH Finlay! Yota keeps moving, he runs Finlay over to then run and SPLASH! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up with Yota as he smiles and paces around.
Yota brings Finlay up and fireman’s carries, but Finlay slips free. Yota kicks, runs, but Finlay ELBOWS him down, then SENTONS on top! Finlay barks as he aims at Yota. Yota rises, Finlay runs in, and UPPERCUTS at the corner! Then clotheslines! Then FALCON ARROWS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Yota but Finlay grows frustrated. Finlay drags Yota up, reels him in, but Yota fights the lift! Finlay CLUBS away on Yota, tries again, and he has Yota up, but Yota fights free of the bomb! Yota fires forearms, but Finlay UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS! And UPPERCUTS again! Finlay runs, but Yota backslides to KNEE Finlay down!
The fans fire up again as we pass 20 minutes, and Yota drags Finlay up. Yota goes up and up but Finlay shoves him over! Yota’s on the apron, he and Finlay brawl! Yota ROCKS Finlay, but Finlay gets in Red Shoes’ face! Jake grabs at Yota, Yota kicks him away, but Finlay BLASTS Yota down and ELIMINATES him! The fans boo but the Dogs have made this 2v2! Finlay and Jake stand together, and they dare Naito & Hiromu to join them. Naito and Hiromu oblige as they step inside. Naito stares Jake down, Hiromu stares Finlay down, and they start swinging! The fans fire up, but then Finlay fireman’s carries Hiromu! Finlay aims for ropes!
Naito gets past Jake to save Hiromu, but then Jake BOOTS Naito down! Jake scrapes Naito out of the ring and goes after him, but Hiromu fireman’s carries Finlay! Hiromu runs at ropes and dumps Finlay out! Finlay stays on the apron but Hiromu SUPERKICKS! Finlay holds onto ropes and wobbles, but Hiromu builds speed! Hiromu DIVES and SUNSET FLIPS, but Finlay still holds on! Finlay throws down hands, gets back inside, he’s SAFE! Hiromu is also safe because he went through the second rope. Hiromu runs back in, but avoids Blue Thunder to wheelbarrow! But Finlay turns that into an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER!
Hiromu writhes, the fans rally as hard as they can behind him, but Finlay drags Hiromu up. DOMINATOR! Cover, Naito breaks it! Jake stomps Naito and TOSSES him out! It was all second rope so Naito’s safe, but Finlay talks trash on Hiromu. Finlay drags Hiromu up, reels him in, suplexes, but Hiromu slips free! Finlay UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS, and UPPERCUTS! Flashback to the 23rd! Hiromu just takes UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT from Finlay, but he doesn’t stop! Then he SUPERKICKS! Hiromu runs, but into another UPPERCUT! Finlay gets Hiromu up, but Hiromu RANAS Finlay up and out to ELIMINATE him!!
The fans are thunderous as The Rebel is shocked! Hiromu mocks him, but then Jake runs in! Hiromu gets under the boot to get under Jake! Jake fights Hiromu off, snarls, and then runs up! Hiromu dodges to kick a leg! Hiromu runs, but Jake kitchen sink knees! Jake takes aim, runs up, and FACE BREAK SHOT! Hiromu tumbles up and out and to the floor, Jake ELIMINATES him! And now, at 25 minutes in, we’re down to just Jake and just Naito! Naito slowly rolls into the ring as the fans rally behind him. Jake watches Naito stand, and the two stare down. Jake runs in but Naito dodges to fire off forearms!
Naito whips but Jake reverses to KNEE low! Jake fires up but fans boo as he stands Naito up. Jake reels Naito in for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Naito protects the plate but Jake is aiming another heater! Jake waits as Naito stands, then winds up to choke grip! But Naito throws back elbows to get free! Naito then wrenches, TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Naito rises, he drags Jake up, and he throws those heavy back elbows! Jake crawls around, Naito brings him up, and Naito throws more heavy back elbows! Jake wobbles and staggers to the corner but Naito is right on him.
Naito brings Jake around for even more heavy back elbows! Jake falls over, the fans fire up, and Naito aims from the corner. Naito drags Jake up and in, but Jake BOOTS Naito down! Naito dangles off the apron! Red Shoes keeps the War Dogs from interfering, and Naito stands up. Jake aims, runs in, but Naito avoid the FBS! Naito drags Jake ot the apron, Jake elbows him back! Jake runs up, but into an ELBOW! Naito goes up and over, sweeps the legs, then BASEBALL SLIDE DROPKICKS! Jake falls, LIJ wins!!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, Naito as the lone survivor
It came down to the bottom of the ninth, technically speaking, and Naito just hit the walk-off homer! Jake is stunned and Finlay is frustrated, but Yota just smiles back at him. Finlay and Yota will have it out as part of Wrestling Dontaku Night One, who will be smiling then?
As for LIJ, they regroup in the ring and have their hands raised. Slyly’s even still hanging around! But uh, he’s a little too chunky to get in the ring, so he just settles for pumping up the crowd like he does at baseball games. Naito gets the mic to say that it was three months ago, the Splash Strong series back in January, since Naito was last in Hiroshima. Naito would like to thank the fans from coming here tonight, “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer, and Naito continues by saying, “Hiroshima is my second home. I really long to have a match at Mazda Stadium.” The fans love the sound of that!
Naito does preface that him saying that doesn’t mean there’s anything planned. So please, tranquilo, be patient, and look forward to the day that finally happens. So, shall they do it? The fans cheer again! So then, for the first time in Hiroshima Sun Plaza Hall in a year and eight months, is everyone ready? The fans cheer because they sure are! Well then, the only way to close The Road to Wrestling Dontaku here in Hiroshima… Bushi! Hiromu! Takagi! Titan! Yota! Slyly! Y Naito! NOSOTROS! LOS! INGOBERRRRNABLEEEES~! DE! JA! PON!! Slyly gets in on the roll call! Will all of LIJ have success as we reach Wrestling Dontaku next week?
My Thoughts:
A great event to conclude Road to Dontaku before getting to Wrestling Dontaku itself. An unfortunate change in the card, Sanada fell ill and could not compete, so his match alongside Taichi against Tanahashi & Tomoaki was changed into Tanahashi and a Young Lion VS Tomoaki and a Young Lion. Hopefully Cold Skull gets well soon. Great tag title match from TMDK VS GoD, and while I figured TMDK was going to retain, I didn’t think it’d be in a shady way like holding tights. While ZSJ VS Cobb for the NJPW World TV title is still to come, I doner of GoD shift gears and ELP becomes a singles guy so Leo and Loa can team up. Then ELP can challenge ZSJ in a battle of initials while the Brothers Guerrilla get to take on Shane & Mikey.
Great Rural Revitalization again, they managed to pull off great comeback spots each round. I was very surprised Yuya won out, I felt like Khan could’ve done one more Rural Revitalization before losing. But at the same time, Yuya feels like the unofficial fourth Reiwa Musketeer behind Narita, Shota & Tsuji. Yuya getting a title, any title, ahead of the others is good stuff for him, and could even bring about a feud with one of the Musketeers for the Summer. And then a great 10 Man Elimination Tag. I again really like that NJPW allows over the rope eliminations even in a tag match like this to really mix things up. Jake Lee not winning out for the War Dogs is really surprising, but I feel like that means Jake will defeat Naito 1v1.
My Score: 8.9/10
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It’s a violent end to a legendary friendship!
Former Best Friends, Trent Beretta & Chuck Taylor, have been through many Parking Lot Brawls, but this is their first time as enemies! Will there be broken bones to go along with the broken hearts?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor; Trent wins.
- Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo; Rosa wins.
- “Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell; Bill wins.
- Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions; Shibata & Garcia win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Parking Lot Brawl: Trent Beretta VS Chuck Taylor!
Years of friendship, thrown away, and why? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Freshly Squeezed having more success in AEW than them? Because #JustTrent had a problem with Cassidy as a person? Because #JustTrent turned out to be the selfish one in the relationship? Well, then will #JustTrent get his ass kicked? Or will he take advantage of how Chuckie T. is a Kentucky Gentleman?
Trent stares Chuck down while we hear the crowd of other wrestlers taunting him. Trent takes a swing, but Chuck dodges to fire off hands! The brawl is on, and Chuck gets the edge! Chuck ROCKS Trent, then SMACKS him off a car hood! And then off the car door! Chuck drags Trent up, but Trent RAMS Chuck into the car! And throat chops him just because! Trent gets space, runs back in, but Chuck dodges so Trent hits the passenger door! Chuck gets a trash can lid and he stands Trent up. Trent jumps through the open window but Chuck drags him back out. Trent kicks low, and he gives Chuck a CAR HOOD BACK SUPLEX!
Trent grabs the trash can lid, SMACKS Chuck right in the head and Chuck falls down! The crowd boos but Trent opens a car trunk to bring out a trash can, a dustpan and a baseball bat! Chuck storms up but Trent CHUCKS the trash can into Chuck’s face! Chuck flounders and Trent smirks. Trent SMACKS Chuck with the trash can, CLUBS him around, and Chuck is busted open! The white car has red polka dots on it now, and Trent talks trash, “This is what you wanted?!” Trent runs up, but Chuck POP UP POWERBOMBS Trent onto a car hood! Trent writhes, Chuck staggers around, and Chuck brings Trent around.
Chuck headlocks Trent before he SMACKS him off another car door. Trent goes around the back and then up onto a truck! Chuck follows, and he CLUBS Trent in the chest! But Trent slips under, and he CLAWS Chuck’s bloody face! Trent DECKS Chuck and Chuck falls through drywall sheets! Trent looms over Chuck as he crawls out of the wreckage. Trent stalks Chuck, brings him around and SMACKS him with the trash can lid! Trent hoists Chuck onto a car roof, SMACKS him again, then goes back to the truck. Trent climbs onto the roof of the truck, to FLYING ELBOW from car to car! Cover, TWO!!
Trent is furious, but Chuck is still in this as Rampage goes picture in picture.
Trent fumes, paces around, and goes back to the goodies. He brings out… Is that a screwdriver?! And he JABS Chuck in the head with it!! And then he DIGS it into Chuck’s forehead!! As if he wasn’t already bleeding badly!! Trent leaves Chuck behind, to fetch what looks to be a flat screen TV. Then he brings out a wood door!? Did someone visit Home Depot before coming here? Chuck CHOPS Trent in return then fires haymakers! Trent CLAWS Chuck’s face! Trent grabs that TV and CHUCKS it, only for Chuck to duck it! Rampage returns as TV screen hits windshield! Chuck kicks low to snap suplex Trent through the door!!
The crowd is losing its minds as Trent crawls. Chuck gets Trent’s legs, to CATAPULT him into the truck’s tailgate!! The crowd fires up while Chuck gets a sinister look on his face. Chuck takes a piece of that drywall to SMASH it on Trent! Chuck gets that trash can, he SMACKS Trent with it! Chuck sees the pile of extra goodies nearby, and he uncovers some light tubes! But first, he’ll clean up the mess, he SMACKS Trent with the dust pan! And SMACKS him again and again! And then one more shot with the trash can! Trent writhes, but Chuck drags Trent up. Chuck SMACKS Trent off the tailgate, then clears some space.
Chuck climbs up, but Trent ROCKET LAUNCHES him onto the light tubes!!! The tubes shatter under Chuck’s back! Trent sputters, he’s bloody now, too. Trent puts Chuck against the car hood and stands on him! Trent soaks up the heat, but Chuck TRIPS Trent! Trent writhes, Chuck reels Trent in, Canadian Rack, RAZOR’S EDGE onto a windshield!! Trent writhes while fans chant “HOLY CHUCK!” Chuck covers Trent on the hood, TWO!! Trent survives and hurries around the back of this sedan. Chuck snarls, goes up after Trent, and they meet on the roof. They’re both so bloody as they fire forearms back and forth!
The crowd cheers Chuck and boos Trent, and as the two swing wild, they end up HUGGING! You GOT to give the people what they want, right? They stand, Chuck ROCKS Trent and reels Trent in, but Trent LOW BLOWS!! Trent has Chuck now, PILEDRIVER ON THE CAR ROOF!!! And then, SNAKE BITE!! Trent is choking Chuck out!!! Chuck IS out, Trent wins!!
Winner: Trent Beretta, by submission
The Best Friends tore each other apart, but it is #JustTrent that stands tall in the end. He’s clearly lost the respect of his peers given how the other wrestlers are chanting “You Suck! You Suck!” But wait, Trent isn’t done? He has a monkey wrench!? Cassidy & Kris step forward to say no, this is going too far! Trent says this is all Cassidy’s fault! And SMASH, Trent hits Chuck’s leg with the wrench, and even shatters the glass behind it!! Chuck clutches the already recovering leg, and now Cassidy wants after Trent! Kris stops Cassidy, Trent’s still got the wrench! Trent escapes into the shadows of the arena, what darkness is living in Trent’s heart?
Don Callis is watching this.
And he seems to like the sadistic savagery he just witnessed. Trent may not have Best Friends anymore, but could he end up with a whole new family?
Backstage interview with Kyle O’Reilly.
Arkady Aura is with #CombatKyle and brings up his impressive showing in Dynamite’s Casino Gauntlet this past Wednesday. But we all want to know, what is next for her? Well, on Saturday, May 11th, AEW is coming to his hometown! Collision in Vancouver, British Columbia! The Rogers Arena, the same building an 11-year-old Kyle saw his first wrestling show ever. And at that show, Kyle told his dad that he was gonna do this one day. Papa O’Reilly said, “Oh yeah, sure you will, kid.” But somehow, Kyle pulled it off. 25 years later, he’s coming back home to do the one thing he’s ever been good at and that’s wrestling.
Kyle is going to take on the best wrestlers this world has to offer, right here in AEW, where the best wrestle. Kyle is ready for a fight, who will take him up on that in two weeks?
Thunder Rosa VS Deonna Purrazzo!
La Mera Mera and The Virtuosa could not coexist in the race for the AEW Women’s World Championship, and now they will Rampage against each other! Who will stand tall, ready for another shot at the title?
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Deonna and Rosa step up, talk a little trash, then Deonna pie faces Rosa! Rosa swings but Deonna catches the arm! Rosa avoids the takedown to knee low! They tie up again, go around and around, and Deonna puts Rosa in a corner. The ref counts, Rosa powers her way out but Deonna headlocks. Rosa powers up and out, but Deonna RAMS her! The two stay up, Deonna eggs Rosa on then kicks her low! Deonna whips, Rosa blocks the hip toss, but then Deonna blocks a hip toss! Rosa avoids the lariat to DECK Deonna! Rosa rains down fists but the ref reprimands.
Rosa sits Deonna up, clamps on a COBRA CLUTCH, and she grinds Deonna down. The fans rally but Deonna fights up. Deonna throws hands, then wrenches, but Rosa breaks free. Deonna BOOTS Rosa, then has the arm for the ARMBAR DDT! Deonna dusts herself off as she paces, then she KICKS Rosa’s arm. And KICKS it again! Rosa goes to ropes, Deonna pushes her down and ties her up in Paradise! Rosa is stuck, Deonna soaks up the cheers and jeers, and then runs to DROPKICK Rosa out of Paradise! Deonna stands Rosa up but Rosa ROCKS her first! Deonna stands, Rosa RAMS into her then bumps her off buckles.
Rosa goes up and up to leap, but Deonna blocks the rana and has a BOSTON CRAB! They’re in the ropes, the ref counts, and Deonna lets go. Rosa crawls to the corner, Deonna paces while soaking up the heat. Rosa stands, builds speed, and she WERCKS Deonna with a dropkick! Rosa fires up despite the pain in her back, and she kicks Deonna. Deonna stands, Rosa CHOPS her against the post! And CHOPS her again! Deonna ducks, Rosa chops post! Deonna SUPERKICKS Rosa down, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Deonna steps on Rosa’s face, steps away, and Rosa staggers up to railing. Deonna storms up but Rosa kicks her low. Rosa then runs Deonna side to side to POST her! But then Deonna RAMS Rosa into apron! And SMACKS her off it! Deonna snarls, brings Rosa around, and she puts Rosa in the ring. Cover, TWO! Deonna clamps onto Rosa to pull her arms in, for a straitjacket stretch! Rosa endures, fights up, but Deonna turns that into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Rosa is still in this, and she is feeding off the energy of the fans! Rosa stands, and she ELBOWS Deonna! And body shots! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS again!
Rosa has Deonna in a corner to UPPERCUT! Rosa runs corner to corner and back again, but Deonna dodges! Rosa POSTS herself and falls to the apron! Deonna storms back over, brings Rosa up and wraps the bad arm against ropes! The ref counts, Deonna KICKS the ropes as she lets off, and Rosa clutches the elbow. Deonna returns but Rosa RAMS into her! Deonna CLUBS Rosa, has her in a corner, and HEADBUTTS the lower back as Rampage goes to break.
Rampage returns and Deonna runs in, but into an ELBOW! And then a BOOT! Rosa goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up with Rosa as she rises up! Deonna runs in, Rosa dodges to fire forearm after forearm! Deonna shoves, Rosa ENZIGIRIS! Rosa runs, to SHOTGUN BOOT! Deonna flounders to ropes, Rosa pounds the mat and the fans rally again. Rosa runs side to side to DROPKICK again! Cover, TWO!! Deonna toughs it out while Rosa shakes out her arm. Rosa drags Deonna up, but Deonna SOBATS! Deonna runs to KNEE LIFT and RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Deonna wants the Fujiwara but Rosa rolls free!
Deonna BOTOS Rosa down, covers, TWO! Rosa is still in this and the fans rally up. Deonna is frustrated but she fireman’s carries Rosa. Rosa fires elbows, waistlocks, but Deonna pries the hold open! Deonna waistlocks, Rosa victory rolls and STOMP 182! The fans rally up again and Rosa covers, TWO! Deonna stays in this but Rosa stays on her. Rosa drags Deonna to a drop zone, goes to a corner and climbs. But Deonna rises and catches the leap! FUJIWARA ARMBAR!! Rosa endures, reaches out, pushes Deonna over to get a REAR NAKED CHOKE!! Deonna is in the body scissors but she fights around!
Deonna rises, to BACKPACK SENTON! Deonna is free, the fans fire up, and Deonna brings Rosa back up. Deonna SLAPS Rosa, then reels her in! Gotch Hold, but Rosa jackknife bridges! TWO, Deonna sunset flips, TWO! Prawn hold, TWO! FUJIWARA!! Rosa rolls it to a cradle, ROSA WINS!!
Winner: Thunder Rosa, by pinfall
Deonna thought she had the perfect formula but Rosa says she just beat her at wrestling! But then Deonna CLOBBERS Rosa at the ramp! The fans boo but Deonna drags Rosa up to RAM her into the bleachers! Rosa slumps down, but Deonna digs her boot in! Deonna SLAPS Rosa around, tells the ref to shut up, and she SLAPS Rosa more! So Rosa SLAPS back! They brawl on stage and then out to the ledge of the upper level! The fans fire up as they keep going! Security rushes in, the fans boo, but Deonna flips Rosa off! It seems nothing was settled here, will these two look to go Double or Nothing?
Backstage interview with The Undisputed Kingdom.
Arkady Aura is with Roderick Strong, Matt Taven & Mike Bennett as she notes Will Ospreay is the NEW #1 Contender to the AEW International Championship. Taven says hold on, before we get started here, “Not Lexy,” as three guys who care deeply about neck health, and as two guys who nursed someone from the brink of paralysis (aka Roddy), The Kingdom wishes a very speedy recovery to “the world’s greatest boss. TK, stay strong, buddy.” Roddy then shouts that “WILL… Ospreay. Congratulations, you did it! You have signed, sealed and delivered the downfall, demise and destruction of The Aerial Assassin at Double or Nothing.”
Roddy says the world can sing Ospreay’s praises, but none of that matters when you step in the ring with Roddy. Just like all the ones before, Roddy will dismantle Ospreay, he will BREAK Ospreay, and he will make Ospreay fall in front of The Savior of the Backbreaker. Roddy’s confidence is strong, but will Roddy be the one feeling the End of Heartache after taking on the #BillyGOAT?
“Big Bill” Morrissey VS Trevor Blackwell!
The human skyscraper says he wants to sit under the Learning Tree, but Chris Jericho’s gonna need a bigger tree if he’s to give guidance to Big Bill. Will Bill prove he is worthy of The Wizard’s sage advice?
The moment Bill is in the ring, he SPLASHES Trevor right in the corner! The bell rings, Bill runs to BOOT Trevor down! Trevor flounders around, Bill runs corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Trevor flops around, Bill wants Jericho to watch this. Bill said he’d show Jericho he is worthy, and we do see Jericho watching backstage, holding the FTW Championship on his shoulder and oddly still wearing a #LionHook shirt… Jericho nods as Bill CLUBS Trevor on the back! Bill then tells Jericho to watch him! Scoop and BIG BOSS SLAM!! Cover, but Bill lets off! Bill wags his finger, he wants Jericho to see more.
Bill brings Trevor up, reels him in, and short arm LARIATS! Cover, but again Bill lets off! Bill is having too much fun at poor Trevor’s expect. Bill says Jericho’s gonna wanna teach him. Bill hoists Trevor up for the SKYSCRAPER CHOKE SLAM!! One foot cover, a very Jericho move, and Bill wins!
Winner: “Big Bill” Morrissey, by pinfall
Trev might want to change his last name to Well-done, because he got roasted. Bill wants Jericho’s guidance, does he even need it when he can do all this?
BREAKING NEWS for Rampage!
Rampage won’t be following up Collision next week but it also won’t be back on Friday just yet. For AEW’s return to Canada, Rampage is going to be BACK TO BACK with Dynamite! Get ready for a truly All Elite Wednesday!
Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions!
The Wrestler said during Collision earlier tonight that he was going to take on Shane Taylor Promotions by himself if he had to, but then the Dragonslayer offered his help. Now they’re both going to take on #TAIGASTYLE and Big Bad Shaney T. himself! Garcia wears basic trunks and boots to match Shibata, will The Wrestlers win out? Or will STP rumble, bad man, rumble?
The moment all four men are in the ring, Shibata CLOBBERS Lee Moriarty and then he and Garcia both go after Shane! The fans fire up as they stomp and kick Shane right out of the ring! Then they go out to keep after him! Shibata whips and BOOTS Shane into railing! Garcia fires off on Lee, then Shibata adds an UPPERCUT! Shibata whips and BOOTS Lee against railing! Garcia stomps Shane, Shibata snap suplexes Lee to the floor! Shibata leaves them behind to go into the ring and sit cross-legged! Garcia sits with him! The fans fire up and the two go out again. The brawling continues but Shane throws heavy hands!
Lee ROCKS Garcia, Shane puts Shibata in, and Shane storms in after Shibata. Lee sends Garcia into railing, but Shibata fires hands on Shane! Shibata KICKS and KICKS, but Shane blocks the boot! Shane JABS Shibata and Shibata falls back! Shane talks trash, the fans boo, but Shane drags Shibata up. Shane HEADBUTTS Shibata, tags Lee, and they mug Shibata. Lee stomps a mudhole in, lets off as the ref counts, but he sneaks mule kicks on Shibata the whole time! Shibata trips Lee, stomps him, but Lee gets up to RAM into Shibata! Lee brings Shibata around, suplexes, but Shibata slips free to waistlock!
Lee elbows free, kicks, but Shibata blocks! Lee KNEES Shibata but Garcia tags in! Shibata BOOTS Lee, Garcia LARIATS! Garcia DROPKICKS Shane, gets around Lee, TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! And then another TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Garcia brings Lee up again but Lee suplexes! Garcia slips free, spins Lee and kicks low, to then TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The trifecta is complete and the fans fire up! Garcia storms up on Lee, brings him up, and UPPERCUTS! The fans rally for Garcia, he CHOPS Lee to ropes. And CHOPS Lee against ropes! Garcia runs, but Shane trips him! Lee distracts the ref so Shane can DRAPING DDT to the floor!
Shibata protests but Lee mocks him by sitting cross-legged. The ring count climbs, Garcia drags himself up at 3 of 10, slides in at 5, but Lee stomps Garcia at the ropes! Lee drags Garcia up, bumps him off buckles, then tags Shane. Shane pushes Garcia against the buckles, to then CHOP! Garcia seethes and he fires forearm son Shane! The fans fire up, Garcia throws more shots, then leaps, but into Shane’s arms! Shane RAMS Garcia into a corner, then CHOPS! Shane runs up, but Garcia BOOTS! Garcia spins, but Shane ROCKS him first! And URENAGES! And then SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO!
Shane seethes but he keeps Garcia from Shibata, and Rampage goes picture in picture.
Shane mocks Garcia’s dance, drags him up, but Garcia CHOPS! Garcia staggers, but Shane fires body shots in the corner! Shane ROCKS Garcia, tags Lee, and STP mugs Garcia. Garcia flounders to ropes, Lee CHOKES him! The ref counts, Lee steps away, and he stomps Garcia around. Lee wraps an arm around the ropes, then fishhooks Garcia! The ref counts, Lee lets off, and Garcia feeds off the energy of the fans. Lee brings Garcia up but Garcia fires forearm sand CHOPS! Lee gets around, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Garcia stays in this but Lee stays on him with a wrench. Tag to Shane, and Lee hooks Garcia up in a COBRA TWIST, just so Shane can KNEE Garcia down!
Shane has Garcia on ropes, ROCKS him with a forearm, then scoops him for SNAKE EYES! Garcia slumps down in the corner, Shane drags him back up, and TOSSES him out! Shane goes out to then put Garcia against railing. Shane ROCKS Garcia, talks trash on fans, then brings Garcia around to scoop and SLAM him to the floor! Shane talks more trash on the fans, Lee has him cool off, and Shane brings Garcia up again. Shane puts Garcia in, tags Lee, and then Lee clamps on with a top wristlock and stretches Garcia out! Garcia endures, turns to fight the pressure, but Lee CLUBS him down. Lee drags Garcia up, tags Shane, and Shane scoop SLAMS!
Shane runs to SPLASH Garcia again! Rampage returns to single picture, Shane drags Garcia to a drop zone, and he goes up a corner. The fans boo but Shane blows them a kiss. FALLING SPLASH FLOPS as Garcia moves! T he fans fire up, but Lee KICKS him down! Lee hurries back and tags in, then he drags Garcia up. Lee wrenches, wristlocks, but Garcia endures. Lee SNAPS the fingers! The fans boo Lee being so villainous, but he drags Garcia up. Lee bumps Garcia off buckles, Shane holds Garcia up, but Garcia fights free with boots and haymakers and elbows! The fans fire up, Garcia sends Lee into Shane!
Lee hurries to waistlock but Garcia switches, SAIDO! The fans are thunderous as Lee and Garcia crawl! Hot tags to Shane and Shibata! Shibata BOOTS Shane! Shane roars, Shibata runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS! Shibata whips to BOOT Shane in the corner! Shibata fires forearms, the ref counts, but Lee runs up. Shibata DECKS him! Garcia RAMS Lee into a corner, climbs up, and while Shibata fires forearms on Shane, Garcia rains down fists! Garcia goes all the way to nine, then DOES HIS DANCE! Shibata and Garcia coordinate, DOUBLE HYDRAULIC DROPKICKS! The fans fire up and Garcia stands Shane up. Shibata runs in to BOOT!
Shibata CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS Shane, then CHOPS, CHOPS and JABS! Garcia does his dance while Shibata JABS and CHOPS to the rhythm! The fans are loving this, as now Garcia runs in to KNEE Shane! Shibata & Garcia get Shane up, to DOUBLE SUPLEX!! Cover, ONE?!? Shane has power to spare, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shibata BOOTS him! They go again, but this time Shane DOUBLE SUPLEXES them!! The fans boo but Shane tags in Lee. Lee runs up to clothesline Shibata, and JAB! And CHOP! JAB! CHOP! JAB! CHOP! Shibata just scowls at Lee! Lee says okay, and he fires more JABS and CHOPS!
Shibata steps into the shots, so Lee eggs him on! Shibata ROCKS Lee! Shane runs up, HEADBUTTS, then Lee HALF HATCH SLAMS! Cover, TWO!! Shibata toughs it out and STP grows frustrated. Lee drags Shibata up, kicks then waistlocks, but Shibata fights the lift! Shane storms in, helps Lee put on the full nelson, and Shane promises to knock Shibata out! But Shibata BOOTS Shane first! Garcia jumps on for a SLEEPER! Shibata switches on Lee for a SLEEPER!! The fans fire up as STP start fading out! Shane fires up to RAM Garcia into buckles! But Shibata BOOTS him! And Garcia SAIDOS!! Shibata PENALTY KICKS Lee!! Cover, The Wrestlers win!
Winners: Katsuyori Shibata & Daniel Garcia, by pinfall
Shibata helps Garcia stand up, and Garcia is proud to have won alongside one of his heroes! And with the fans cheering him on, Garcia sets up… to DO HIS DANCE! Will this momentum help Shibata avenge Hook and take that FTW Championship off of Chris Jericho? Or will The Learning Tree have some things to teach Shibata?
My Thoughts:
A great Rampage here, though I was oddly more excited when I thought it was just Deonna VS Rosa and the Parking Lot Brawl. But even so, at least Bill squashing a dude was used in story. He was showing off, he’ll surely have Jericho’s blessing if he helps defeat Shibata on Dynamite, but a part of me almost wants this to be all a trap. Bill was teammates with Ricky Starks in a feud against Jericho, and if Jericho is being obliviously arrogant then maybe Bill is using that against Jericho, too. But either way, let’s just hope this story helps Bill get going rather than slow him down like the #JerichoVortex has always done.
The Parking Lot Brawl was moving maybe a bit fast for me, especially with how there were some obvious spots already set up when they arrived, such as the drywall draped across the truck bed. But they surely got bloody, and in the end, Trent won out because he was willing to sink to the lowest low. And then they’ve written Chuck off again with that monkey wrench to the shin, so Cassidy VS Trent is definitely a Double or Nothing match. And something is just telling me that if Kris is gonna turn out to be the villain in the Willow Nightingale story, she’s probably gonna screw Cassidy over to help Trent, too.
Really good match from Deonna VS Rosa, and with Rosa getting a quick pin then that brawl, we’re clearly getting more out of them. Good promo from Kyle O’Reilly to hype AEW’s newest Canada tour, and good promo from The Kingdom to tie in their old Neck Health Awareness gag to the Tony Khan piledriver angle. Roddy calling out Ospreay, I would definitely think Ospreay wins the title at Double or Nothing. And really good tag main event from Shibata & Garcia VS Shane Taylor Promotions. STP keeps getting great showings even in losing, but Lee took the loss here to keep Shane himself strong. Great win for Shibata but this just adds to the go-home math where Jericho retains the FTW Championship on Dynamite.
My Score: 8.7/10
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