Coverage
Andrew’s NOAH the New Year 2022 Results & Match Ratings: 1.1.2022
Pro Wrestling NOAH kicks off the new year with a show at the Nippon Budokan! Ultimo Dragon, Keiji Muto and KENTA are kicking off the new year NOAH style!
Pro Wrestling NOAH kicks off the new year with a show at the Nippon Budokan! Ultimo Dragon, Keiji Muto and KENTA are kicking off the new year NOAH style!
Now I haven’t been shy in my general disinterest of wrestling, which honestly NOAH is the only brand that kept my interest, I just was generally disenchanted by wrestling in 2021. Might as well try to kick things off with NOAH’s big Budokan New Year show!
A few of the early attention grabbing highlights, Ultimo Dragon, KENTA and 4 championship matches! Do Marufuji and Keiji Muto hold on to the tag team titles? Does Go Shiozaki return to the mountain top after his injury hiatus and dethrone Katsuhiko Nakajima?
Only one way to find out!
Ratings:
- Junta Miyawaki & Kinya Okada vs Kai Fujimura & Yatsuke Yano: Miyawaki wins via Falcon Arrow @8:39 – ** ½
- Funky Express (King Tany, Akitoshi Saito & Mohammad Yone) vs KONGOH (Tadasuke, NIOH & Manabu Soya): Yone wins via Muscle Buster @8:45 – ** ¾
- STINGER (Seiki Yoshioka & Yuya Susumu) vs KONGOH (HAOH & Aleja): HAOH wins via 450 Splash @11:44 – ***
- Atsushi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada, Hajime Ohara & Ultimo Dragon vs Los Perros del Mal de Japon (Kotaro Suzuki, YO-HEY, EITA & Nosawa Rongai): Ultimo wins via La Magistral @13:51 – *** ¼
- Masakatsu Funaki & Hidaka Ikuto vs Kendo Kashin & Kazuyuki Fujita: Fujita wins via Beast Bomb @12:17 – **
- GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship: HAYATA (c) vs Yoshinari Ogawa: HAYATA retains via Cradle @20:54 – **** ¼
- GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Titles: Keiji Muto & Naomichi Marufuji vs Masato Tanaka & Masaki Mochizuki: Geniuses retain via Figure Four @20:50 – **** ¼
- KENTA, Takashi Suguira & Kazushi Sakuraba vs Daiki Inaba, Yoshiki Inamura & Masa Kitamiya: KENTA wins via Go 2 Sleep @25:46 – ****
- GHC National Championship: Kenoh (c) vs Kaito Kiyomiya: Kenoh retains via Roundhouse Kick @24:42 – **** ¼
- GHC Heavyweight Championship: Katsuhiko Nakajima (c) vs Go Shiozaki: Nakajima retains via Emerald Flowsion @30:10 – *****
Results:
Starting off with a musical number, we go into a quick vignette that is shot like a classic Edo Period drama. With Shiozaki entering the evil emperor’s (Nakajima) throne room and they have a stare off before going to a few cuts of the rest of the card’s major combatants. It was a really nice touch, and gets the idea of the returning hero trying to take down the villain over beautifully.
Junta Miyawaki & Kinya Okada vs Kai Fujimura & Yatsuke Yano
Miyawaki gets the Young Boy treatment because he’s been injured for nearly a year. He was starting to get some headway before his injury, but now this is effectively a “get right” match and allows him to set the tone at the historic Budokan.
The less experienced duo of Yano and Fujimura do their best to really try to work over Miyawaki. Lots of great tandem attacks, the Midnight Express Double Drop Kick and just generally throwing the book at the returning elder young boy. Miyawaki starts his comeback with a Tornado DDT, Snap DDT, Fisherman’s Buster and a delayed Falcon Arrow that was just beautiful. Good way to show Miyawaki is back in form.
Funky Express (King Tany, Akitoshi Saito & Mohammad Yone) vs KONGOH (Tadasuke, NIOH & Manabu Soya)
Still not used to seeing Taniguchi as King Tany. It allows for him to actually show a measure of personality which he usually doesn’t, and it’s not super hard to wrap my head around…I just will always see him as the Maybach monster…and now he’s doing disco.
This goes the way most multiman Puro matches do. Each side gets their moves in, all the men get a shot to shine and then we finally start getting to the meat of the match when Yone comes back in and Tadasuke takes a hot tag and peppers Yone with some offense. Tadasuke also does his best Chris Jericho impression before hitting a Swanton and then going for his version of the Jumbo Lariat. Yone buys time with his Disco pose, then catches Tadasuke and that allows the rest of the Funky Express to get in some offense. Reverse Sitout Powerbomb from Tany, Death Sickle from Saito and Muscle Buster from Yone gives the Funky Express the win!
Is this a bad sign for KONGOH? With 3 more matches involving KONGO members, two of them being the biggest titles in the company, is this a harbinger?
STINGER (Seiki Yoshioka & Yuya Susumu) vs KONGOH (HAOH & Aleja)
Stinger starts things off quickly, as to be expected. Junior Heavyweight style doesn’t change too much over all the Puro companies, and when all four of these men are known as more classic Juniors and not mat technicians, this should be quick and striking.
When it comes to my knowledge of these teams, Susumu and Yoshioka are very accomplished as singles and together. They wrestle circles around most Juniors in the business at the moment. Aleja has potential but HAOH is usually more of a glue guy. Only time he really impressed me was his singles match with Kotaro Suzuki, but he at least has the potential to bring it.
With all that said, we get levels of cockiness from the Stinger crew, and the Kongo guys utilize their cleverness and gaps in the defense to stay in the match. HAOH does a move I’ve seen him do a few times, but it’s still cool. He feeds into the corner, jumps on the middle turnbuckle, baits the guy in, walks the ropes away, rewinds and attacks. Kongo takes that advantage and they start quickening the pace, trying to steal one. Tandem Neckbreaker/Leg Drop, HAOH goes for a Leg Twist German, but Yoshioka kicks out, HAOH hits the 450 Splash, and picks up the win!
Kongoh got a win back and it definitely came in a match where they were not favored.
Atsushi Kotoge, Daisuke Harada, Hajime Ohara & Ultimo Dragon vs Los Perros del Mal de Japon (Kotaro Suzuki, YO-HEY, EITA & Nosawa Rongai)
So the beauty in the heel group here is that EITA is known for his Dragon Gate career, but Nosawa got the okay to utilize a the Perros del Mal stable in NOAH. So the Perros have their Dragon Gate guy, and the babyfaces have, well…THE DRAGON that started Dragon Gate.
Kotaro calls out Ultimo first, and they have a decent exchange, where Ultimo gets the standing Headscissors twist off twice. Mark Pickering does a great job at showing the ties between most of the men. Ohara is Dragon’s protégé, and Dragon has faced everyone on the Perros team many times. So I do appreciate that he’s doing great keeping the story threading together. Kotoge and Harada are a tag team known as Momo no Seishun. So whatever ties aren’t present because of Ultimo Dragon, it’s because the Perros are a thorn in many sides.
The Perros really utilize the sliding and tandem dropkicks a lot. Poor Kotoge is on the receiving end of numerous kicks to the head, gets tripped in the corner, posted between his legs and then Suzuki pushes him back into the post using the ropes for added leverage. Kotoge needs to find a way to tag out and possible check to make sure he doesn’t have a concussion or an impromptu vasectomy. After some attempted stopping, Harada finally gets tagged in, evens things out and Ultimo gets his hands on Eita for a few moments.
Nosawa takes the tag from Eita, they clear house a bit and Nosawa tries to embarrass Dragon with a La Magistral, but Ohara breaks it up. Dragon tries his own, but a low blow and distracted referee gives Nosawa the chance to try and take Dragon’s mask. Kotoge makes the save, Eita tries to take out Kotoge but Kotoge keeps the advantage. Dumps Eita out, big Tope con Hilo, so the Babyfaces are rolling. Nosawa tries a few moves into a La Magistral, but Dragon counters that, and finally locks in his La Magistral for the win.
Ultimo is now 4-0 in his career in NOAH. Will he stick around? This was the best I’ve seen Ultimo look in a while.
Masakatsu Funaki & Hidaka Ikuto vs Kendo Kashin & Kazuyuki Fujita
This match went how most of us expected. Kashin got beat up quite a bit, Ikuto threw the decorations at him, Funaki stretched him but Fujita was the enforcer. Once Kashin got Fujita back in, Ikuto died. Ikuto sells the Beast Bomb as a Knockout, so much so that Funaki goes to get water and pours it on his face to wake him up.
Decent enough match, but Fujita is still very legit and when he’s motivated, his matches are impressive to watch.
GHC Junior Heavyweight Championship: HAYATA (c) vs Yoshinari Ogawa
Ogawa really has had a tendency to attack his tag team partners when they hold the singles title. If this goes the way of his Kotaro Suzuki challenge, it was more just to get the challenge out of his system and then back to business as tag champions. The NOAH Junior division is always…interesting if nothing else.
Things start very quickly, Ogawa may have a longer wrestling career than HAYATA does years alive, but that doesn’t slow him down. HAYATA and Ogawa spend some time utilizing the guardrails and outside, before bringing things back in as to not risk a DQ. After some back and forth, Ogawa finally gets a hold of his strategy and keeps a Key Lock in for quite some time. Even rolling through with it, countering HAYATA’s attempted rope run comeback with a Hip Toss into more Key Lock. HAYATA manages to get out and then goes for some high risk spots landing a big Tornado DDT out of the corner, and HAYATA tries to keep things going. As he whips Ogawa into the corner, Ogawa stops himself and counters HAYATA to take back the momentum. HAYATA goes back to the arm he was working on with an Armbar, HAYATA tries to get out of it, but Ogawa transitions it into a Hammerlock and drops the knee into the wrist.
Ogawa is doing a great job keeping up with the speed and still applying his great technical prowess. MY FAVORITE OGAWA MOVE! HAYATA gets the advantage, goes for a Thesz Press from the middle rope, but Ogawa falls backwards so his knee meets HAYATA’s nether region in the most seamless counter to a move. Can’t DQ a guy when the other person drove himself into the knee. This of course gives Ogawa some solid time in control, which he uses the apron, the post, works over some joints and holds a top wristlock as the re-enter the ring and HAYATA barely escapes to the ropes.
HAYATA does manage a small glimmer of hope before posting himself and Ogawa goes back into a Top Wristlock/Camel Clutch variation. HAYATA gets Ogawa off balance, but Ogawa hits a Snap DDT, posts him again, Back Suplex and then Back Drop Driver twice; but HAYATA kicks out. So Ogawa is showing frustration as he’s going to power moves instead of his technical prowess. He goes to the well too many times, HAYATA flips through the Backdrop, hits a Lariat and then a combination of kicks ending with an Enzuigiri. DDT from HAYATA, which makes sense to soften him up for Headache, but then HAYATA goes to the Moonsault and Ogawa gets the knees up.
Both men are making dumb choices because they’re frustrated. HAYATA goes for Headache, Ogawa blocks in, tries to lock in a leg lace or Figure Four on HAYATA, but a quick Up Kick and HAYATA cradles Ogawa tightly for a 3 count! Surprise pin out of both men’s desperation, doesn’t make anyone look bad. Really clever finish.
After the match HAYATA extends the hand, but Ogawa is still hot that he lost because he got out witted and not directly beaten. So Ogawa throws down the Junior Tag title, rejects the handshake and stomps off.
GHC Heavyweight Tag Team Titles: Keiji Muto & Naomichi Marufuji vs Masato Tanaka & Masaki Mochizuki
Mochi starts things off with Muto, which makes sense due to Tanaka having a match earlier in the day for the Zero1 promotion. So this allows Mochi to get some more work against Muto and give Tanaka as long of a breather as possible.
Tanaka and Marufuji go back and forth for a little bit and Tanaka doesn’t look gassed at all. He’s crisp, going move for move and forces Marufuji to avoid the Sliding D or it could’ve been an early issue. Muto gets back in and both Mochi and Tanaka work over the Legend. Indian Deathlocks and a heavy focus on his legs is smart. Not only is Muto’s age a key factor in where to attack, the surgically replaced knees are always a target and after he pulled it back out last year, there has to be a tiny fear of the Moonsault returning.
Mochi and Marufuji square off, as we get for tag team partners teeing off. Mochi’s kicks and Marufuji’s whip like chops trade back and forth. Mochi gets the best of things, gets Tanaka in and Tanaka tries to keep the pressure up. Sliding D off the apron, a few big Brain Busters, but Marufuji keeps fighting back with KO-OHs and clever shots to keep his team in. Multiple Sliding D variations from Tanaka, Marufuji with a flurry of his own offense before Tanaka hits a Kobashi style Spinning Backfist for both to have to tag out.
Mochi and Muto go back and forth. A few great kicks and a block of the Shining Wizard almost spell disaster but Marufuji makes a save. Slingshot Backstabber from Marufuji gives Muto the opening for the Shining Wizard, but a Shotei stops Muto, Tandem Sliding D and Sliding Knee force Marufuji in to make the save. Marufuji pulls off the 2v1, dodges a few attacks, and manages a Jumping KO-OH, Shining Wizard from Muto. Marufuji and Muto pull off some tandem offense of their own, but Mochi refuses to stay down. Mochi refuses to lose to multiple Shining Wizards, so Muto pulls out the Figure Four and Mochi is forced to tap.
The Geniuses mark their first successful defense together.
KENTA, Takashi Suguira & Kazushi Sakuraba vs Daiki Inaba, Yoshiki Inamura & Masa Kitamiya
KENTA and Kitamiya start off, KENTA continues his shenanigans of powdering early. Kitamiya then pushes his power game on KENTA and you can see small glimmers of old KENTA getting dragged back out. As they do the usual take turns approach to tag teams, Inamura comes in and gets tied in the ropes early and KENTA decides to step on the Young Bulldozer’s face. This pisses off Inamura, so even though Sugiura is the legal man, Inamura goes after KENTA and KENTA takes the old NOAH veteran approach. He no sells the offense, grabs him by the hair and this has a lot of shades of when the current vertarns were young facing Kobashi, Misawa, Sasaki and KENTA took great notes. Inamura makes it his life goal to go after KENTA. Inamura catches him by surprise, but as things break down a little later you can see KENTA isn’t playing. He’s no selling Inamura and even no sells Kitamiya’s attack, just walks off. This s really interesting. This is either NOAH KENTA doing his veteran approach, or someone really pissed him off.
WOW, Inamura charges in to break a pinfall and KENTA casually steps back and makes the younger look stupid while stepping on Inaba. This is really classic veteran match play and then Inamura blind sides KENTA. KENTA drops to a knee and stares the kid down. Kitamiya gets Suigura in the Prison Lock, KENTA walks in to break it up, but Inamura comes in and stares down KENTA. After some staring and a few words, KENTA slaps him back into 2021, and Inamura powders looks rattled. KENTA does get the hold broken, but then eats some offense by Kitamiya for his troubles.
Kitamiya and Sakuraba exchanging as things break down a little more, Inaba gets tagged in and tries to speed things up. Sakuraba blocks a Brainbuster attempt by sitting out, but Inaba continues his relentless assault. Smartly, Inamura and KENTA come in together and this was a war. KENTA does more selling for the youngster and Inamura gets some great moment in. Kitamiya might still be a little salty that about KENTA walking away from him earlier, but it paid off in a beautiful old school NOAH way. KENTA landed his offense, and punctuated the match with a Go 2 Sleep.
KENTA puts over Inamura in the post-match, Sugiura asks KENTA to fight for NOAH against the NJPW team on the 8th. KENTA agrees to team with Suigura and Sakuraba again and legitimately looks happy. With KENTA putting Inamura over, it’s either a clever cover that he took the Pillar approach to dealing with younger wrestlers or that was the idea that KENTA was intended to go through the pacings with the tiny tank.
We’ve had such great matches, it’s hard to think that these final 2 still have potential to raise the bar even higher. Kaito and Kenoh have had a brotherly rivalry as have Katsuhiko and Go. So familiarity breeds contempt, and these could set the bar insanely high for the first day of a New Year.
GHC National Championship: Kenoh (c) vs Kaito Kiyomiya
Early on Kaito tries his damndest to apply his athleticism and just generally more flashy moves. Its fun to see how far Kaito has come, since I remember when he first came back from abroad and was really in a bit over his head. He was thrown into the fire and even given a yearlong Heavyweight Title reign as he was learning. Seeing a much more polished Kaito is actually really fun personally.
Kenoh starts beating the hell out of the Supernova, throws him around outside and lands pinpoint Sole Butts, Round Kicks and just general big brothering. Chiding slaps, kicks for the hell of it and Kenoh is trying to prove a point. Kaito manages a Lariat off the ropes, dumps Kenoh to the outside and then charges and does a no touch Tope con Hilo right on to Kenoh.
Kiyomiya locks Kenoh into the Stretch Plum, and it’s nice to see how he started off as channeling Misawa, and now he’s learning to reinvent and adapt other things to slowly become his own person. Kenoh fires as Kiyomiya taps into a bit of the Rainmaker cockiness, since he so desperately wants a match with Kazuchika Okada. We see a Snap Dragon Suplex from Kenoh, Okada-esque Dropkick from Kiyomiya and then Kenoh hits a PK for them to both have a breather spot.
The aggression turns up, Kenoh starts hitting some stiff strikes and looks to go to the ropes. Kenoh’s finisher is a Rolling Double Foot Stomp when he’s not knocking people out. Kaito blocks, Kenoh jumps to the ramp, Kaito tries to follow but Kenoh catches him with a fierce German Suplex. As Kaito is rocked, Kenoh hits a normal Double Foot Stomp, but between how long it takes to roll him in the ring, Kaito kicks out.
Kenoh tries to hit a PK and go back for another Professional Foot Stomp, but Kaito blocks him and starts putting some offense together. Big strikes, Falcon Arrow variations, but Kenoh kicks out. They trade counters on big moves until Kenoh pulls a little Minoru Suzuki, changes levels and tries to slow the Supernova with a Sleeper. Kaito is mostly out, Professional Foot Stomp, but only two. Tiger Suplex, Dragon Suplex, strike exchange. The aggression and frustration is palpable. Kenoh hits a thunderous Roundhouse as Kaito folds over and the referee stops Kenoh from covering Kaito and calls for the bell. Kaito got knocked out, Kenoh retains!
Happy birthday Kenoh, you bastard!
GHC Heavyweight Championship: Katsuhiko Nakajima (c) vs Go Shiozaki
Sufficed to say, these two have a lot of history. As opponents, as one of the best tag teams of the last few years AXIZ. Nakajima betrayed Shiozaki in 2020 during Go’s big title run. Go was able to stifle Nakajima’s rise in 2022, but after injuries caught up with him, Nakajima has had a chance to ascend to the top. Do we get a returning hero celebration, or will Go need more time to get back to his peak performance and fall to the Dark Side of Nakajima?
The first exchange is a kick from Nakajima, and returned with a thudding Shiozaki chop. Nakajima powders and Shiozaki goes after him. Nakajima trips up Shiozaki and sends him face first into the middle turnbuckle, kick to the pad and some nice offense from Nakajima. We then get Nakajima going from corner to corner for his 5 Second Pose on your throat. Nakajima’s personality always shines in his matches but his ability is second to none.
The smartass tendencies of Nakajima continue, and Shiozaki lands a Gowan Lariat because Nakajima is leaving himself open. Machine Gun chops in the corner, and Shiozaki is really playing the hits to prove his shoulder is in good shape. Those chops hurt my chest watching on Wrestle Universe. Nakajima catches Go with a classic Enzuigiri, and that gives him the momentum. Nakajima throws Go out, Apron PK and then just a lot of use of the outside to assist his attacks. They go to the ramp, fight back and forth and then Nakajima gets an idea.
2003 Kobashi and Misawa went through his mind, but Shiozaki blocked numerous times. Shiozaki counters, and then executes a release German Suplex sending Nakajima to the floor from the elevated ramp. Shiozaki manages to get Nakajima back into the ring before 20, goes for a larger move but Nakajima buys himself time by rolling away from it and landing a swift kick to help recollect himself. Fighting Spirit Kicks/Chops trade begins when they get up. This fighting spirit spot is a little reminiscent of the Kensuke Sasaki v Kenta Kobashi chop fest. Granted it’s both of their mentors, but it’s their version of it since Nakajima is known for his kicks.
Sick bump #2 pic.twitter.com/oRlwu28Ek3
— Pro-Wrestling Noah Eng (Hisame, 冰雨) (@Hi5ame) January 1, 2022
Go Flasher stops Nakajima’s run long enough for Shiozaki to collect himself and try to mount a comeback. Shiozaki charges with the Lariat, but it gets countered with a kick, then Nakajima kicks Go in the face and he’s rocked. Vertical Spike from Nakajima and…oh wait Go kicked out! Shiozaki dodges the punt, Nakajima tries to go after him and Shiozaki’s struggling to get up. The referee checks to make sure he’s actually okay, and apparently is. R15 returns a boot from Shiozaki, then as he’s perched, Nakajima goes for an Avalanche Frankensteiner, but Go holds on. Lifts Nakajima all the way up, Avalanche Brainbuster, stumbling and a Gowan Lariat takes Nakajima’s head off but only for 2!
Shiozaki removes the elbow pad, close range Gowan Lariat, also for just 2. Shiozaki goes for his big match move homage to Kenta Kobashi, as he goes for the Moonsault, but Nakajima moves. Punt from Nakajima gets a very weak kick out from Go. Vertical Spike number 2, with a long delay, is – AGAIN Shiozaki kicks out! Nakajima calls Shiozaki to his feet and hits him with a fusion of the Vertical Spike and Emerald Flowsion. Nakajima retains!
Overall Score: 9.5/10
Either my expectations were just insanely low, or whatever, but this show was possibly the best event I’ve seen. It flowed, the four hours breezed by and everything fed well into each other. The last 5 matches were amazing, they all had their own personality; but it was just wonderful to watch.
NOAH continues to impress me the more I watch the product, and hopefully NOAH can drag this level of quality and intrigue out of New Japan. Here’s to hoping that all 3 Wrestle Kingdom days are just as captivating, not just the January 8th event.
KONGOH ended up going 3-1 in all their matches, and the way they ended the show by declaring their intentions again New Japan and saying “WE are NOAH”, is great stuff.
／
📺【ABEMA PPV】絶賛販売中🔥
＼■WRESTLE KINGDOM「新日本プロレス vs プロレスリング ・ノア」横浜アリーナ
配信:1/8(土)こご5時〜
販売:2022/1/13(木)よる11時59分まで日本向けPPV⇒https://t.co/CljBwn9F44
海外向けPPV⇒https://t.co/IUO6DhWjYk#プロレスのチカラ #njpw #noah_ghc pic.twitter.com/KoEi1ztPSr— プロレスリング・ノア ｜PROWRESTLING NOAH (@noah_ghc) January 1, 2022
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The end is so close, we can almost taste it!
Half of A Block at 3-2, half at 2-3, and only two rounds left! Who will break away from the pack to lead this World Tag League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Daiki Nagai; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Bullet Club; The United Empire wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI VS TMDK; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask; Yano, Oleg & Tiger Mask win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS The House of Torture; LIJ wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Kenta & Chase win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; Gabe & Sanada win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji; Takagi & Tsuji win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 3-2, 6 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-2, 6 points
Bishamon: 3-2, 6 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 3-2, 6 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-3, 4 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 2-3, 4 points
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-3, 4 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-3, 4 points
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
The Roughneck almost didn’t make it to this round with how he hurt his foot last round, but he’s good to go! But will he and Honma be able to make it through the sixth? Or will The Fang Revived & The Crown Jewel make them #Go2Sleep?
OH NO, Kenta & Chase attack as Shota & Honma make their entrance! Bullet Club takes advantage of Shota & Honma going out into the crowd, and now they’re beating Shota & Honma down! The ref reprimands but Chase uses Shota’s own glowstick to JAM him in the head! Kenta drags Honma up for haymakers and Chase JAMS Shota again! The ref reprimands more but this isn’t a match so Bullet Club keeps beating up on Shota & Honma! Kenta POSTS Honma, and Chase drags Shota over. But Shota fires forearms in return! The fans fire up and Shota saves Honma from Kenta! Shota fires forearms on Kenta & Chase again and again!
Kenta ducks Shota’s forearm to full nelson, and Chase kicks the bad leg! Shota drops to the floor as he clutches the knee, and Kenta stomps Honma. Chase grabs a chair and he pushes the ref aside. Kenta holds the leg out! Honma covers the leg to shield it! So Chase SMACKS Honma instead! Kenta drags Honma up, Chase brings Shota around, and Chase puts Shota in the corner. Chase pulls the leg against the post, and then he grabs the chair! CON-CHAIR-TO on the leg against the post! The fans are stunned as Shota falls to the floor and shouts in pain! Kenta drags Honma up and puts him in the ring, and Chase wants the bell!
Kenta storms in, the bell rings, and now we’re on record as Kenta stands Honma up. Kenta KICKS, and KICKS, and KICKS, but Honma blocks! Honma CLUBS the leg, but then Kenta CLAWS Honma’s face! Kenta brings Honma over to bump off Chase’s boot. Tag to Chase and Bullet Club mugs Honma. Chase then traps Honma’s head for the NECK TWEAK! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Chase tags Kenta. Bullet Club continues to mug Honma, then Kenta covers. TWO, but Kenta drops a knee on Honma’s head! And another! Kenta tags Chase and Chase stomps Honma. Chase grinds his forearm into Honma’s face!
Chase drags Honma up, headlocks and punches! Chase bumps Honma off Kenta’s boot, tags Kenta back in, but Honma fights back! The fans rally as Honma fires CHOPS and SLAPS, but Bullet Club mugs him again! They double whip Honma to a corner, then Kenta runs in. Honma dodges Kenta, then dodges Chase! Honma kicks Chase, catches Kenta, DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up but Shota is still down! Honma is in an unofficial 2v1 handicap match at this point! Shota crawls, but he’s still so far from the corner. Kenta CLUBS Honma, then brings him around. Chase adds on, and they double whip again.
Honma grabs ropes, BOOTS Kenta, then DUMPS Chase! The fans fire up as Honma hurries to his feet. Honma SHOULDER TACKLES Kenta! The fans fire up as Shota is back up! But then Chase CHOP BLOCKS him! Shota falls and tumbles into railing! Honma CHOPS Kenta! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Honma whips Kenta corner to corner, then runs up to ELBOW! And BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Honma fires up! FALLING KOKESHI FLOPS as Kenta moves! Tag to Chase and Bullet Club storms up on Honma. SOBAT! KICK! ROUNDHOUSE! Chase mocks the Kokeshi call to KNEE Honma down! Cover, TWO!
Chase calls to end this, and Kenta goes up a corner. Chase brings Honma in, but Shota gets up to SHOVE Kenta down! Kenta hits apron then floor! Shota shoves Chase into a cradle! TWO!! Chase escapes, runs up but Honma shoves Chase into Shota’s ELBOW! Chase staggers and Honma rolls him up! TWO!! Chase escapes again, but Honma runs up. Chase swats the lariat, fires a strike fest, but Honma roars! Honma HEADBUTTS, runs, KOKESHI- C-TRIGGER!! Chase tucks Honma in, hoists him up, PACKAGE PILEDRIVER!! Cover, Bullet Club wins!!
Winners: Kenta & Chase Owens, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
Bullet Club struck first and they struck last, and they’re still in the running! Can they find an outside shot at the finals and hit the mark? As for Shota & Honma, they’re mathematically ELIMINATED from the finals! Will Shota even have a leg to stand on when it comes time for his world title match?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
The Funky Sauce is on the bubble at 2-3 but they seem to be getting hot at just the right time. Can Zayne & Taguchi cook up a great comeback? Or will the heat die down after facing the Mad Man & Cold Blooded?
The teams sort out and then the War Dogs attack! It’s the Bullet Club way! Gabe is after Zayne, Sanada is after Taguchi, and the bell rings to get this on record! Sanada TOSSES Taguchi while Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Sanada helps drag Zayne up, and they War Dogs DOUBLE SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! The fans rally up but Gabe reels Zayne in. Zayne fights the driver, shoves Gabe at Sanada at the corner, but Gabe narrowly avoids running into him. Zayne then SUPERKICKS Gabe, and he dodges Sanada to then IMPLODER KNEE DROP! STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans fire up but Gabe waistlocks! Zayne fights, switches, but Gabe backs him down!
Zayne keeps hold of Gabe and Taguchi tags in. Taguchi CLUBS Gabe, Zayne kicks, and Funky Sauce double whip. They blow past Gabe to then BULLDOG and basement DROPKICK! Taguchi covers, TWO! The fans rally as Funky Sauce HIP ATTACK back and forth! Gabe sputters, and he gets a HIP ATTACK SANDWICH! The fans cheer again and Zayne drags Gabe up. Taguchi goes to a corner, Zayne sends him in, and Taguchi BOOTS! Taguchi goes up for DEADLY HIPS! Taguchi then hops up, Zayne tilt-o-whirl RANAS, but Gabe stops from running into cheeks! Gabe SHOVES Taguchi to the floor, then he dodges Zayne to CHOP!
Zayne falls then flounders away while the fans rally up. Sanada brings Taguchi out into the crowd and SMACKS him off chairs! Gabe does the same with Zayne on the other side! Young Lions make sure fans get to a safe distance while Sanada SMACKS Taguchi off more chairs. Gabe sends Zayne into the back wall! Gabe fires forearms, then THROWS Zayne into the wall again! Sanada drags Taguchi up and moves through the crowd while Gabe SMACKS Zayne with spare railing! Gabe has a wild grin as he storms around. The ring count starts, so Sanada brings Taguchi back to ringside. Taguchi resists but Sanada CLAWS his face!
Gabe has fans clear out, then he BOWLS Zayne into the chairs! Zayne tumbles up and over multiple rows! That was a strike, maybe even a turkey! Gabe then goes back for Taguchi to put him in the ring at 15 of 20. Gabe flexes and mockingly asks where Zayne went. Gabe drags Taguchi up, and he CHOPS! Taguchi goes to a corner while the fans rally up. Gabe bumps Taguchi off buckles, tags Sanada, and Sanada stomps Taguchi down. Sanada stomps away, and Gabe intercepts Zayne at the gate! The ref counts, Sanada lets off, and Gabe grins as Zayne is down in the crowd again. Sanada drags Taguchi back up to bump off buckles.
Sanada whips corner to corner, runs in, and ELBOWS! Taguchi sputters but Sanada tags Gabe. Gabe eggs Taguchi on. Taguchi rises up to CHOP! Gabe eggs Taguchi on more, so Taguchi CHOPS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Gabe BITES Taguchi’s forehead! Then he bumps Taguchi off buckles! The ref reprimands but Gabe tags Sanada. Sanada stands Taguchi up and ROCKS him with a right hand! Taguchi drops to his knees, so Sanada stands him up to ROCK him again! Taguchi wobbles, Sanada ROCKS him again, but Taguchi comes back with CHOPS! The fans rally, but Sanada CLAWS Taguchi’s eyes! Sanada whips, Taguchi HIP ATTACKS!
The fans fire up as Taguchi reaches out, and Zayne has returned! Taguchi crawls over but Gabe runs over to YANK Zayne down! And it’s back out to the crowd! Zayne fights the driver to BOWL Gabe into chairs! STRIKE! The fans fire up as Zayne hurries back, but Sanada drags Taguchi away. BIG atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles, reaches out, but Sanada reels him back in! Taguchi fires elbows, runs, but he fakes Sanada out! HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again as Taguchi crawls! Hot tag to Zayne! Zayne dodges Sanada, fires hands and forearms, then whips. Zayne HIP TOSSES Sanada to then MARIPOSA!
Zayne drags Sanada up, suplexes, but Sanada fights it to suplex! Zayne fights that, and it’s a battle for control! Zayne suplexes up and over! The fans fire up and Zayne rises! Zayne stands Sanada up to fire forearms and ELBOWS! Then a mule kick! Zayne runs but Gabe trips him up! Gabe drags Zayne out and suplexes, but Zayne fights it! Zayne hangs Gabe out to dry on railing! Then ROLLING AX KICK! Gabe flops down, Zayne runs in and he dodges Sanada! BOOT! ENZIGIRI! Sanada ends up in a corner, tag to Taguchi! Funky Sauce whips Sanada corner to corner, then Taguchi HIP ATTACKS! Feed to Zayne, tilt-o-whirl RANA into the HIPS!
The fans fire up as Zayne backslides Sanada, but Sanada rolls through! KETSUYE! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe runs up to kick Zayne and brings him around. Gabe suplexes, but Zayne slips free! Feed to the HIP- NO, Atomic Drop! Wait, Gabe’s knee is what hurts? Taguchi wags his fingers, did he activate his buns of steel?! Zayne ENZIGIRIS, and then HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up again and Taguchi goes for Sanada. Funky Sauce double whip, but Sanada grabs ropes. Sanada TOSSES Zayne, then dodges Taguchi to spin and suplex, MAGIC- NO, Taguchi slips free! Sanada fights the suplex to dragon sleeper! But Zayne BLOCKBUSTERS!!
The fans are thunderous but Gabe UPPERCUTS Zayne! Zayne hits back, and the two fire heavy shots! The fans rally, Zayne blocks a boot to KNEE, but Gabe LARIATS! Gabe kicks Taguchi, suplexes, but Taguchi fights it! Taguchi wrenches to ENZIGIRI! Gabe falls but Sanada rises, so Taguchi runs up, to whiff on the hip attack! Dragon sleeper, but Taguchi drops down! OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Sanada flails and reaches out, Gabe and Zayne intercept each other! Gabe reels Zayne in, but Zayne fights the lift to have OH MY GAH ANKLE 2!! The fans are thunderous as the War Dogs are enduring! Zayne shouts, “ITADAKIMASU~!” And he BITES Gabe’s leg!!
The fans are thunderous but then Gabe rolls and sends Zayne into Taguchi! All four men are down, and Zayne continues tumbling out to the floor. Gabe bails out to the apron, but Taguchi runs at Sanada. Sanada BOOTS Taguchi, SANADA QUEBRADA! Taguchi dodges! Sanada’s leg jams! KETSU- NO! Sanada dodges the hips! Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada roars, the fans fire up, and Sanada clinches for DEAD- NO, Taguchi trips Sanada up, steps over, LA MAGISTROL!!! TWO!! Gabe beats up on Zayne while Sanada catches Taguchi! Taguchi switches but Sanada shoves the ref, LOW BLOW MULE KICK!!
The fans boo but Sanada reels Taguchi in! DEADFALL!! Cover, War Dogs win!
Winners: Gabe Kidd & Sanada, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
Another first strike, last strike match for Bullet Club, and the Funky Sauce is ELIMINATED from the finals! Gabe & Sanada now moving up the ranks, will they be the ones taking those trophies?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Neman!
The four-peat is still alive, but at 3-2, who knows for how much longer. Can the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter defy the United Empire? Or will the Imperial Unit & Prince of Pace make sure Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi won’t #GetBackUp?
The teams sort out and Callum pushes Goto. Goto steps up and the fans cheer with the bell. Goto and Callum stare down while the fans rally up more, then they circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Goto uses size to power Callum backwards to ropes. The ref counts, Goto lets off with pats on the shoulder, and the fans applaud. Callum brushes that off literally and the two go again. They tie up but Callum kicks low! Callum fires a forearm, whips, but Goto reverses. Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges and BOOTS Goto down! The fans fire up and Callum waits on Goto to sit up. Callum stomps Goto, then stands him up to fire forearms.
Goto CHOPS, Callum fires a forearm, repeat! Callum knees low, whips, but Goto grabs ropes! Hashi tags in and Goto BOOTS Callum! Bishamon CLOBBERS Callum! Cobb runs up, but Bishamon drop toeholds him onto Callum! Callum sputters while Goto & Hashi bring Cobb up. “SE~ NO!” DRUM BEAT! The fans fire up as Bishamon CLUBS Cobb back down onto Callum! Goto steps out while Cobb rolls away, and Callum coughs and sputters his way to ropes. Hashi brings Callum around to cover, ONE!! Callum is still toughing it out and the fans rally up. Hashi drags Callum up to CLUB him on the neck!
Callum goes to another end of the ring but Hashi storms up. Hashi CLUBS Callum again, then keeps him from Cobb. Hashi ROCKS Callum with a forearm, then whips him to ropes. Callum reverses and HIP TOSS NECKBREAKERS! Cobb runs up to BLAST Goto! Cobb goes out to stomp Goto down, then he stands on Goto’s chest! The fans cheer, and Cobb pretends he didn’t see Goto there as he steps off. Callum drags Hashi up to ROCK him with a forearm! Callum then CHOPS Hashi off his feet! The fans cheer and Callum brings Hashi over. Callum bumps Hashi off buckles, then he tags in Cobb.
Cobb HEADBUTTS Hashi in the back! And HEADBUTTS him again! Cobb whips and RUNS Hashi over! Cobb then carefully covers, TWO! Another cover, TWO! A third cover, TWO! Hashi stays in this and the fans rally up again. Cobb stalks Hashi to ropes, stomps him, then drags Hashi up. Cobb CLUBS Hashi down, pushes him around, and then steps on Hashi’s back! Cobb stands on Hashi to use him as a surfboard! Cobb mocks Goto’s pose, then steps away to tell Goto to go back to his corner. Cobb bumps Hashi off buckles then tags Callum. Callum CHOPS Hashi, kicks him, but Hashi fires forearms!
Callum and Hashi go back and forth, and Hashi has the edge! But Callum CHOPS Hashi off his feet! Callum stands Hashi up, tags Cobb, and the Empire mugs Hashi in the corner. The fans rally but Cobb scoops Hashi and holds him with one arm! Then Cobb SLAMS Hashi down! Cobb again mocks Goto’s pose to power up, GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives and the fans fire up, but Cobb brings Hashi around. Hashi fires body shots and forearms! Cobb JABS! Cobb whips, but Hashi dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up and Hashi crawls over, hot tag to Goto! Goto runs to RAM Cobb!
Cobb stays up so Goto RAMS him again! Cobb tells Goto nice try! Cobb kicks low, whips, but Goto reverses. Goto then blows past Cobb to LARIAT! Callum runs in but Goto kicks him, and snap suplexes him onto Cobb! The fans fire up and Goto brings Cobb around. Goto fires a flurry of forearms, then whips corner to corner. Goto runs up to MURAMASA, and then BULLDOG! Cover, TWO! Cobb stays in this and the fans rally up more. Goto drags Cobb up but Cobb’s too much to fireman’s carry! Cobb CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires forearms! Cobb fires back and the forearms go back and forth!
The fans rally as Goto and Cobb throw shots, but then Cobb gets the edge! Cobb pumps up, swings, but into a dragon sleeper! But Cobb fights free! Goto ROCKS Cobb, runs, but Cobb blows past Goto now to “JOHN CENA!” SHOULDER TACKLE! Goto is down and the fans fire up! Cobb rolls his way to the corner, Goto crawls, hot tags to Callum and Hashi! Hashi dodges to fire a strike fest! Hashi CHOPS and Callum goes to the corner. Hashi storms up to CHOP again! Hashi turns Callum, Callum slips free to shove, trip, and DOUBLE STOMP! The fans fire up, Callum huffs ‘n’ puffs and rises again.
Callum drags Hashi up, but Hashi suplexes! Callum slips free, waistlocks, but Hashi RAMS him into a corner! Goto runs up and LARIATS! Hashi CLUBS Cobb off the apron! Hashi whips Callum but Callum BOOTS Goto! And then Callum jumps Hashi’s basement dropkick to DOUBLE STOMP! Cobb storms in and he deadlift suplexes Hashi! Callum adds a PENALTY KICK! Cover, Goto breaks it! The fans fire up but Cobb TOSSES Goto! Cobb goes out after Goto again while Callum brings Hashi up. Cobb runs up but someone crashes into railing! Hashi avoids Callum’s Oscutter, then blocks a kick to fire a forearm!
Callum fires back and the fans rally as the shots go back and forth! Callum wobbles, Hashi fires a flurry! Hashi spins to COHP! Callum falls, kips up and ENZIGIRIS! Callum runs, but Goto is back, and he LARIATS Callum! Bishamon stands Callum up! Fireman’s carry, USHIGOROSHI! They call their shot and get Callum back up! Dragon sleeper, leg lift, but Callum kicks free! Goto suplexes, Callum knees free! Goto waistlocks, spins Callum around, and Hashi LARIATS at the ropes! Then full nelson, but Callum BOOTS Goto and STUNNRES Hashi! Victory roll, TWO!! Cobb drags Goto out to send him into railing!
Hashi ducks a roundhouse to SNAP DRAGON SUPLEX! Hashi sees Callum tumble to a corner but Cobb runs up to ROCK Hashi! Goto gets in, Cobb ROCKS him, too! Cobb fires more shots, but gets caught into an URA GTR! Hashi LARIATS Cobb down! The fans fire up and Hashi roars! Callum SUPERKICKS Hashi! And DREAMCAST KICKS Goto! Hashi runs up, into a JUMP KNEE! Callum springboards, OSCU- NO, Goto catches him! Hashi has the legs! SHOTO!! Cover, BISHAMON WINS!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Cobb & Callum earn 0)
A fast and furious finish, and it was certainly lights out for Callum! The United Empire’s dream of facing each other in the finals is in jeopardy, but is the dream of the four-peat about to come true for Goto & Hashi?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji!
TMDK is on the ropes in both blocks, their hopes of a mighty battle in Kumamoto is no longer possible. But can The Front Man & Mullet stay strong until the end? Or will the Rampaging Dragon & Gene Blast keep World Tag League tranquilo?
The teams sort out, LIJ fist bumps, and the fans rally up as Oiwa steps up to Yota. Yota grins, the bell rings, and the fans rally up. Yota and Oiwa circle, feel things out, then circle. They tie up, Oiwa spins to hammerlock, but Yota reaches back to headlock. Oiwa powers out and wrangles Yota into a headlock. Yota fights up, fires body shots, then hammerlocks in return. Oiwa slips around to switch the hammerlock onto Yota, but Yota switches and full nelsons. Oiwa fights that, so Yota spins him to a snapmare. Yota chinlocks but Oiwa slips right out to hammerlock! Oiwa then hooks the other arm and brings Yota into a cover, TWO!
Oiwa keeps on Yota with a double wristlock but Yota fights up to headlock. Yota hits a takeover, Oiwa headscissors, and Oiwa holds on tight! Yota fights around, pops out and has Oiwa’s legs trapped! Oiwa endures, Yota floats to a headlock but Oiwa again headscissors. Yota kips free this time but Oiwa goes up and hits a headscissor takedown! The fans fire up while Oiwa pushes up to put on the pressure. Yota fights around, ROPEBREAK! Oiwa lets go of Yota to stomp him down, then he brings Yota up to CHOP! Oiwa CHOPS Yota at the ropes, then runs, but Takagi jumps in! LIJ DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE Oiwa down!
The fans fire up and Takagi SENTONS! Yota BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this but Yota brings him up. Yota CHOPS Oiwa, but Oiwa comes back for more. Yota CHOPS again, but Oiwa shakes his head. Oiwa CHOPS, ROCKS, and fires more forearms! But Yota CHOPS Oiwa down! The fans fire up and Yota runs, but Oiwa dropkicks the legs out! The fans fire up again as Oiwa hurries, tag to ZSJ! ZSJ drags Yota around by a leg, has a standing toehold, and he twists and tweaks that foot! ZSJ turns Yota over and hooks up the legs. Yota resists as ZSJ goes for the arms, so ZSJ STOMPS the legs!
The fans fire up while Yota writhes, and ZSJ tags Oiwa. Oiwa storms up and grabs a leg for his own standing toehold. Yota endures, fights, but Oiwa YANKS the leg! Oiwa drags Yota around to YANK the leg again! Oiwa then tags ZSJ back in and ZSJ goes right after the leg, SPINNING TOEHOLD! ZSJ scissors the leg but Yota kicks with the free leg. But ZSJ grabs that and adds it on, DEATHLOCK! ZSJ pulls way back on it, and even has a headscissors! ZSJ again innovates with this modified Bow ‘n’ Arrow, but Yota endures and reaches out! Yota rolls over to have the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and ZSJ lets go to tag Oiwa.
Oiwa drags Yota up to dropkick the legs! Oiwa brings Yota up again, has a leg, but Yota fights the lift! Yota CLUBS away but Oiwa DRAGON SCREWS the leg instead! Tag back to ZSJ and ZSJ stalks Yota to a corner. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Yota, UPPERCUTS again, and then UPPERCUTS again! Yota falls over, ZSJ drags him around, and he stands on the leg before dropping into another DEATHLOCK! Yota endures as ZSJ stands up to put on the pressure! Takagi storms up to CHOP ZSJ! ZSJ stays standing but Takagi JABS, JABS and CHOPS, but ZSJ catches him! COBRA TWIST! The fans are thunderous as ZSJ has both LIJ behemoths!
Red Shoes counts, ZSJ lets Takagi go, and then he drags Yota back by just walking! Tag to Oiwa, and Oiwa stomps Yota down. The fans rally up while Oiwa drags Yota up, and he RAMS Yota into an open corner. The fans rally and duel while Oiwa pulls the leg around ropes! Oiwa then KNEES the knee! Red Shoes reprimands but Oiwa whips corner to corner. Yota manages to reach the other side, and Oiwa runs up. Oiwa blocks a boot, but Yota reels him in to then DOUBLE STOMP! Both men are down, the fans rally up, and Yota hot tags Takagi! Takagi CLOBBERS Oiwa, BLASTS ZSJ, and shouts, “Mada mada! <Not done yet!>”
Takagi runs in at the corner, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through! The fans fire up with Takagi and he JABS, CHOPS, and repeat! Red Shoes counts, Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS, but ZSJ storms in! ZSJ wrenches the arm, CLUBS it, then he and Oiwa double whip. Takagi grabs ropes, comes back, but into DOUBLE BOOTS! Takagi stays up, clinches Oiwa and kicks ZSJ! DDT COMPLETE SHOT COMBO! The fans fire up again as Takagi suplexes Oiwa high and hard! Cover, TWO! Takagi tells Kochi, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up and join in on “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi rises, brings Oiwa up, but Oiwa fires a forearm!
Takagi shakes that off and comes back to ROCK Oiwa! Oiwa fires another forearm, but Takagi fires back! The forearms go back and forth and the fans rally up again! Takagi JABS, JABS, and JABS! Oiwa LARIATS! Oiwa roars, runs, but Takagi LARIAT at the ropes! Takagi runs, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Oiwa comes back into an ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Yota runs in to BLAST ZSJ off the apron! LIJ brings Oiwa up and they double whip. Oiwa breaks the double chops to DECK Yota and DROPKICK Takagi! The fans fire up as everyone is down! Oiwa crawls over, ZSJ is back, and ZSJ tags in!
ZSJ storms up to UPPERCUT Takagi, then UPPERCUT again! And again! Takagi eggs ZSJ on, then blocks a boot! But ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basement DROPKICK! Takagi flounders to a corner, and ZSJ almost parodies Takagi. ZSJ runs up to UPPERCUT, then NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Takagi stays in this but ZSJ stays focused. The fans fire up as ZSJ aims, and KICKS! Takagi blocks! Takagi puts ZSJ’s leg in the ropes, fires JAB after JAB, then DRAPING DRAGON SCREWS! ZSJ flops over and clutches that leg but fans cheer as Takagi rises again.
Takagi grabs a leg, has a standing toehold, then steps through. ZSJ boots Takagi away, Takagi comes back, but ZSJ avoids the sliding lariat to grab that arm! ZSJ hammerlocks, traps, and TWISTS! The fans fire up while ZSJ sits back to clutch his leg and Takagi clutches that elbow. ZSJ clamps back onto the arm, twists the wrist and SNAPS fingers! Red Shoes reprimands but ZSJ digs elbows into Takagi’s back. ZSJ then drags Takagi up to UPPERCUT the arm again and again! Takagi fights the takedown to ELBOW! YUKON- NO, ZSJ blocks to PELE the arm! ZSJ BOOTS Takagi, then catches Takagi on the rebound!
ZSJ isolates the arm and STOMPS! Then he scoops, but Takagi slips free! Takagi suplexes, ZSJ fights it, so Takagi hits a SWINGING NECKBREAKER! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! ZSJ and Takagi crawl, hot tags to Oiwa and Yota! Oiwa dodges to headlock but Yota powers right out. They RAM shoulders, and both men fire up! They fire forearms back and forth, faster and faster, and the fans rally up! Yota gets the edge and ROCKS Oiwa! Yota runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs to SPINNING UPPERCUT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again and Oiwa grabs a leg! SHIN BREAKER!
Oiwa trips Yota, steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Oiwa thrashes the hold as Yota endures! Yota pushes at the main leg, but Oiwa pulls on Yota’s legs! Yota endures, reaches out, but Oiwa pushes up for more pressure! Yota fights, crawls, and manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer and Oiwa lets go of the hold. Takagi coaches Yota but Oiwa SPLASHES down on the leg! And then drops knee after knee onto it! Red shoes reprimands as Yota again has ropes, so Oiwa stands Yota up. Oiwa whips, Yota reverses, and Yota kitchen sink knees! And then basement DROPKCIKS! Takagi runs up to BLAST ZSJ down!
Takagi checks on Yota, and the fans rally up. Yota stands and Takagi runs in, to ELBOW Oiwa! Takagi feeds Oiwa to Yota’s BOOT, then Takagi BLINDSIDE LARIATS! Oiwa staggers and Yota brings him in. LIJ hits a DOUBLE BACK SUPLEX! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans fire up again. Yota drags Oiwa up, Takagi wheelbarrows, but ZSJ CLOBBERS Yota! Takagi KNEES and TOSSES ZSJ out hard! LIJ double whip Oiwa, then duck Oiwa’s counter lariats! Takagi fireman’s carries Oiwa to TOSS him to Yota’s KICK! That was like the Aussie Open Dental Plan! The fans fire up as Yota hauls Oiwa up to the top rope!
Yota climbs up after Oiwa and fires up! The fans fire up with him, and Yota SUPERPLEXES Oiwa! Oiwa sits up, into a SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Yota covers, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Takagi TOSSES ZSJ out again! Takagi goes out to stomp away on ZSJ, and Yota grins as he rises up again. Yota powers up, aims at Oiwa, GENE- NO, Oiwa hurdles over, and ZSJ catches Yota into a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! ZSJ then suplexes, but Yota slips free! ZSJ switches to have the COBRA TWIST! Red Shoes reprimands, but Yota HIP TOSSES free! ZSJ UP KICKS, Oiwa UPPERCUTS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Oiwa DAIGOSHIKIPLEXES! Cover, Takagi breaks it!
ZSJ BOOTS Takagi back out, then pursues. Oiwa fires up, and he clamps on a SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing right as Oiwa spins Yota! Yota ducks The Grip, and PUMPING BOMBER hits! But ZSJ runs in at Takagi to BOOT! Takagi comes back, ZSJ BOOTS the lariat! Takagi ELBOWS! JABS! YUKON feint and DDT- NO, ZSJ slips free! PENALTY KICK! But Takagi’s right back up! PUMPING BOMBER!! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Takagi! GENE- LARIAT?!? Oiwa takes Yota down first, but he also falls over! The fans are thunderous as ALL FOUR MEN are on the mat!
ZSJ and Takagi roll out to the aprons, and the fans rally as hard as they can as Oiwa drags himself up! Yota crawls to the corner, and Oiwa runs in! Oiwa LARIATS, then he suplexes! Yota fights that, wrenches and swings, but Oiwa catches him and spins him! But Yota suplexes first! Oiwa fights that, slips around to waistlock, but Yota fights the lift! Yota switches, Oiwa fights, and then Oiwa switches to have a SLEEPER! Yota snapmares free, and SUPERKICKS! Oiwa staggers, Yota roars and runs, but Oiwa gets around! SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up as we hit 20 minutes! Yota runs up again, but Oiwa gets back around, SNAP GERMAN! Bridging cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Yota escapes! Oiwa hurries to his feet, and he storms over to a corner. The fans fire up with Oiwa, ZSJ keeps Takagi from getting to the corner, and Oiwa DIVING BODY PRESSES! Cover, TWO!! Yota survives that simple yet effective splash, but Oiwa roars! Oiwa gut wrenches, DOCTOR- RANA from Yota! SUPERKICK! Oiwa roars, but Yota’s GENE TRIGGER hits! Oiwa falls back and now Yota roars! The fans are thunderous again and Yota goes to the corner. Yota goes up and up, to MAROON CRUSH! Cover, ZSJ drags Yota back with an ANKLE LOCK! Takagi CLUBS ZSJ and has a STANDING CROSSFACE!
ZSJ lets Yota go to slip free of Takagi! ZSJ fires UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT on Takagi, but then Yota catches ZSJ! Spin and wheelbarrow, then BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! ZSJ flounders out and the fans fire up with LIJ! “OI! OI! OI!” Yota sets up in the corner, Takagi stands Oiwa up, PUMP- NO, Oiwa shoves Takagi away and rolls Yota up! TWO!!! Yota escapes with nanoseconds to spare! Takagi CLUBS away on Oiwa, he and Yota double whip, but Oiwa DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans are thunderous again and Oiwa roars! Oiwa rises, brings Yota up, DOCTOR BOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and shocks Oiwa!
The fans are electric as Oiwa rises again. Oiwa sits Yota up into the SLEEPER! Yota endures and the fans rally up! Someone is sent into railing as Yota fights up, but here comes Takagi! Oiwa ducks, ZSJ catches Takagi into a SLEEPER! ZSJ tells Oiwa now’s the time! IRON OCTOPUS on Takagi, and THE- GENE BLASTER POINT BLANK!! DEATH VALLEY DRIVER for ZSJ!! The fans are thunderous again while ZSJ flops out of the ring! Takagi shouts that they’re not done! Takagi runs to PUMPING BOMBER!! Takagi roars, Yota rises, and Oiwa is set up for the PUMPING BLASTER!!! Cover, LIJ WINS!!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; ZSJ & Oiwa earn 0)
Another fast ‘n’ furious fight that Oiwa just could not win out! And now, Oiwa & ZSJ are ELIMINATED from the finals! The Mighty Don’t Kneel, but will they simply have to fall back on other plans for WrestleKingdom?
As for LIJ, Yota shows Oiwa respect by standing him up and raising his hand. Oiwa shakes free, not wanting Yota’s pity, so Yota BOOTS him down! ZSJ lets it be while he and Takagi raise their titles at each other. The IWGP World Heavyweight Champion helps his young teammate out of there while the NEVER Openweight Champion stays in the ring. Yota then grabs the mic to say, “Oi, Kochi. Finally…” Takagi says, “Our time has come!” The fans cheer that! Takagi repeats to Yota that their time has come. Yota recaps that they are now 4-2, and on top of the block! The fans cheer that!
Yota asks, “Hey, Takagi-san, you’re ready, right?” Takagi says, “Of course I’m ready! I’m totally ready! Now it’s time to make this really interesting. There’s no time like the present and no team like us to win this! We’re rampage to the end of this league.” The fans cheer that, and Yota tells Kochi and everyone watching to “keep your eye on us as we win this thing!” The fans cheer again, and Yota says, “Oi, Kochi, are you ready?!” The fans cheer because yes they are! Yota simply ends with, “We are winning this World Tag League.” Mic drop and LIJ heads out, but will they be headed to Kumamoto?
Here are the NEW A Block standings!
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 4-2, 8 points
Bishamon: 4-2, 8 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 4-2, 8 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Kenta & Chase Owens: 3-3, 6 points [ELIMINATED]
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 2-4, 4 points [ELIMINATED]
My Thoughts:
Another great round for World Tag League, and A Block is dropping like flies compared to B Block. With three teams at 4-2, so many teams get wiped out here, despite the great matches everyone had. Kenta & Chase finish off Shota & Honma, but then Kenta & Chase are still out because Gabe & Sanada won. Bishamon of course stays in the running, their four-peat is a big story for them, and they take Cobb & Callum out of the running to cross off any chances of a United Empire finals. And as I said when this all started, WTL was not the real goal of ZSJ and Shota, they were just setting up their world title match at Tokyo Dome.
Though, ZSJ & Oiwa VS Takagi & Tsuji was an awesome main event with a lot riding on it because had ZSJ & Oiwa won, they might’ve eliminated LIJ from the running. Hard to tell say, given LIJ lost to Bishamon and to Kenta & Chase but beat everyone else. But I guess if Takagi VS Konosuke is a WrestleDynasty thing, then maybe he and Yota can battle for the tag titles at WrestleKingdom. Though, that might telegraph Khan & Henare winning since Takagi would be bringing the tag titles along to a match with Konosuke Takeshita. Maybe? NJPW’s plans could be up in the air even now for all I know.
My Score: 8.9/10
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OHHH Monday Night Raw! Don’t you DARE be sour!
At least, we hope things won’t be sour given last week’s tense moment between Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. Can the Power of Positivity prevail on this night, the TENTH ANNIVERSARY of ya bois, the New Day?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL; Liv & Raquel win.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Dakota Kai VS Katana Chance VS Shayna Baszler; Dakota wins and advances to the next round.
- Gunther VS Dominik Mysterio; Gunther wins.
- R-Truth VS Pete Dunne; Truth wins.
- Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
CM Punk arrives backstage!
And as he heads to gorilla, he says hey to Jey Uso & Sami Zayn. They feel great after their win at WarGames, and even Sami shakes Punk’s hand. Punk continues on as his music begins, and while Everett, Washington may not be Seattle, they go supersonic for The Best in the World! And yes, “IT’S CLOBBERIN’ TIME!” Punk signs autographs before he goes to the ring, and fans cheer more as Punk does a quick lap before grabbing a mic. Punk takes a moment as the fans chant his name, and he says, “Is it good to be alive in Everett, Washington on a Monday night or what?!” The fans cheer that!
Punk says to those at home, it is SOLD OUT here in Everett! And the last time you saw Punk, he stood on that ramp, fresh from a possible career ending Hell in a Cell match, and he said he wasn’t sure what the future held for CM Punk. He had a lot of things to consider. And now some deja vu, here he is, life and in living color, fresh from a possibly career ending WarGames, and now Punk knows exactly where he’s going. He’s less beat up than he was after Hell in a Cell. We can all tell, Punk put the personal issues aside, handled business with Drew McIntyre, then handled some personal business for his friend, Paul Heyman.
The fans cheer that, and Punk gets up on the corner to tell us that he knows what the future holds. Punk points to where a sign would be, and he wants us to imagine it with him. He can see it. For his entire career, everyone said it wasn’t there. They couldn’t see the vision. The sign isn’t hanging in Everett, but oh, ladies and gentlemen, Punk sees it. Punk knows what the future holds. There are many roads you can take to get there, different ways you can finish your story, and the Royal Rumble’s around the corner. That could be the road he takes, or maybe it’s Elimination Chamber. All roads Punk’s taken have been dead-ends, but he has a favor to call upon to get where he needs to go!
Punk invites all of us to come on the journey with him! And- “BURN IT DOWN!” Here comes Seth Rollins! Punk sighs as the Visionary struts out in a very shiny pewter colored suit, or maybe more clay, and then he heads to the ring. Rollins takes off his amber colored sunglasses before he goes into the ring, and the fans sing for him, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Rollins has a mic of his own now, and now the suit appears a bit more the color of hot cocoa. The fans fire up seeing both Rollins and Punk in the ring, and the dueling chants are on! Punk and Rollins stare down from opposite corners, and Rollins speaks first.
“You know, I’ve been thinking a lot. I really shoulda knocked your ass out the same day you came back to the WWE.” The fans are torn on that, but Rollins says he has regretted that every single day of the past year. And over this past year, a lot has gotten in the way. Punk got hurt, Rollins had titles to defend, Rollins had a Bloodline to take down… And the last time Rollins saw Punk, Rollins was this close to taking his shot. But Rollins had pity on Punk, because Punk had just come out of Hell in a Cell and was hanging on by a thread. Rollins showed pity, and that was Rollins’ mistake.
After Saturday, seeing Punk there triumphant next to Roman Reigns, it all became clear that it was time to rectify Rollins’ mistakes. The fans are again torn, but Rollins says that as we stand here right now… Rollins takes off his jacket and says there is nothing in the way. There is only air and hatred, and Rollins has a feeling in his gut that TONIGHT is the night he knocks CM Punk on his ass!! The fans are again torn but Punk just smirks. Punk finally says, “You talk too much, and you don’t listen enough. I just came out here and I said I put all the personal stuff aside. I’m long past running races with people I didn’t even know I was running.
Six months ago, Rollins was a champion, he had something Punk wanted. But now, Rollins has nothing! The fans are torn on that one, but Punk says he knows where he’s going, and what’s in his future. Rollins, kid, you ain’t it. Rollins has been thinking about Punk for six months? Punk doesn’t think about Rollins at all! Punk has things to do in this business, so just stay out of his business. The fans fire up and they wanna see this fight! Rollins tells Punk, “You talk too much, and you don’t listen enough! This is MY business!” Rollins DECKS Punk! The fans fire up, Punk gets up, and the brawl is on! But Sami & Jey hurry out here!
Sami & Jey separate Rollins and Punk, the fans “YEET! YEET! YEET!” but both Punk and Rollins want more! The fans want more, too! Rollins dares Punk to bring it, but Punk listens to level heads and hops out of the ring. Adam Pearce is there, as are producers, but Rollins grabs his mic again. “C’mon! Am I your business now? C’mon now!” Punk rushes in! Rollins stomps at Punk, the producers pull Punk back and Rollins says fine, get him outta here. Yeah, yeah, go on, Punk! Go on, Jey! Run along to Roman! Sami grabs a mic to tell Rollins hey, no! Sami gets Rollins is angry, but he doesn’t get to talk to Jey that way.
The fans cheer and Rollins tells Sami yeah, fine, Sami’s right. That was family, that’s fine, Rollins is just pissed, he shouldn’t have gone there. But Jey is Roman’s family, what’s Sami’s excuse? Sami ain’t family. Sami stares at Rollins, and fans chant “Sami Uso!” Rollin says oh, ha-ha, yeah, Rollins loves Sami Uso. But if Sami’s family with Roman, then he should really be family with Rollins! Rollins and Sami have known each other way longer than they’ve known Jey or Roman. They came up int he business together, up and down the roads for over 20 YEARS together! They’re family, and yet Sami stabbed Rollins in the back when Sami teamed with Punk!
Sami stops Rollins there to bring up how Sami didn’t ask for Punk. Did Rollins think Sami wanted Punk as a partner in WarGames? No, he didn’t. But Punk was willing to help when the OGs were down a man! Sami didn’t want to take his help, he wanted Rollins! Sami asked Rollins, TWICE, and he’ll remind Rollins that Rollins said no TWICE. The OG Bloodline wouldn’t have needed Punk if Rollins had teamed with them, but Rollins is just too damn stubborn! The fans really fire up hearing that one. Rollins gets a headache, and he asks if he’s losing his mind. Can Sami remind Rollins what Sami even wanted him to team with them to do?
What did Sami want Rollins to team with them for? Oh yeah, to help Roman Reigns! To help that monster to regain their power! Sami says “that monster” was created by Rollins! Rollins created that monster when he put the chair in Roman’s back TEN YEARS AGO! So don’t act like Rollins’ hands are clean in this. Rollins says he is in no way acting innocent. He understands completely what he has done. He understands the sins he committed. Rollins understands that the chair shot to Roman’s back was the motivation for “The Tribal Chief.” Rollins has apologized and atoned for that.
But if we’re pointing fingers for stabbing people in the back, then Sami needs to look in the mirror and see he did the same damn thing! And Rollins doesn’t fault Sami for it, because Sami did it for the right reasons! Roman is the scum of the earth! He treated Sami like crap, he treated Jey like crap, every single person was supposed to bow down to Roman. Rollins understands why Sami did what he did, why they ALL did what they did at WrestleMania 40, what they sacrificed in order to take down The Bloodline! Does Sami not remember this? Get it through your head: Roman Reigns has NOT changed!
Has Roman apologized to Sami? To Jey? To ANYONE? Even a shred of remorse? No. Roman hasn’t changed, and “that snake” CM Punk sure hasn’t! Stubbornness is NOT the issue here. Sami’s naivety is! He’s gullible! That’s the issue. And really, Sami’s just being stupid. The fans aren’t so sure about that, and Sami says that Rollins is really angry, with a lot of frustration. If Rollins wants to blow off some steam, then Sami has no problem meeting him in this ring tonight! The fans fire up for that! Rollins says fine by him. Rollins drops the mic and pushes past Sami, but who pays for Rollins simply lashing out?
The Judgment Day is in their clubhouse.
Finn Balor tells everyone that he warned Damian Priest months ago: Finn would be lying in wait for the moment Priest thinks he’s finally done with Finn, and then- Liv Morgan interrupts. Didn’t they agree that Finn was going to leave Priest alone? Finn says oh, well, yeah, but that’s when Dominik was going to handle it. But seeing as lil’ Dom Dom couldn’t get the job done, Finn handled it himself. And now instead of Priest walking around here with the World Heavyweight Championship on his arm, he’s walking around with an arm in a sling.
And Liv, maybe if they’d all listened to Finn, her team might not have lost at WarGames. And now, Liv has to worry about Iyo Sky facing her for the title at Saturday Night’s Main Event! Sis, she’s got a lot to worry about. Liv says yes, that is right. She and Raquel have Damage CTRL to focus on, so that’s what they’ll do. She just hopes Finn knows what he’s doing. Oh, Finn knows. See? He and JD are still WWE World Tag Team Champions. And when everyone listens to Finn, Judgment Day wins. Carlito likes that rhyme. Finn heads out, but Raquel asks what Finn means by that. Liv isn’t sure. But Liv wants Dom to keep an eye on Finn while Liv & Raquel have their match.
Dirty Dom says no problem, and he heads out after The Prince. Liv & Raquel head to gorilla, and JD goes back to WWE 2K. Is everything (not) fine with Judgment Day?
Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez VS Damage CTRL!
Well, as Finn just said, the Women’s World Championship is now set to be on the line on December 14th, Saturday Night’s Main Event! Will Lil’ Liv & Big Mami Cool be rolling towards Long Island? Or will The Evil Genius & Pirate Princess start to take control?
The teams sort out, and Raquel BOOTS Kairi down at the bell! Then she BLASTS Iyo! The fans boo but Raquel drags Kairi up. Raquel TOSSES Kairi to the Judgment Day corner, then tags Liv. The fans boo as Raquel scoops and SLAMS Kairi, then Liv becomes her weapon! POWERBOMB SENTON! Cover, Iyo breaks it! The afns fire up but Raquel TOSSES Iyo out! Raquel tells Iyo to stay out, but Liv runs at Kairi. Kairi BOOTS Liv, then runs up to BLOCKBUSTER! Kairi crawls, Liv drags her back, but Kairi ENZIGIRIS! Th efans fire up while both women are down, and Kairi crawls again! Hot tag to Iyo!
The fans fire up as Iyo SHOTEIS Liv! And SHOTEIS again! DROPKICK! Liv tumbles and Iyo kips up! Iyo runs up to ELBOW Liv, then brings her around, only for Liv to throw Iyo at ropes! Iyo BOOTS in return, then goes out to the aprno. Raquel sings, Iyo blocks to SHOTEI! And JAWBREAKER! Iyo KICKS Raquel into ropes, then slingshots to DROPKICK Raquel down! Not the cleanest hit, but Liv waistlocks! Iyo switches and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Liv tumbles to a corner and Iyo fires up! The fans fire up as Iyo runs in, SHINKANSEN! Iyo has Liv in the drop zone and climbs up! Th efans fire up again, but Liv trips Iyo up!
Iyo is in a Tree of Woe and Liv hurries away. Tag to Raquel and Raquel hoists Iyo right up! TEXANA- RAAN!! Raquel avoids hitting buckles, and grins, but Kairi tags in! Raquel runs up, Iyo POSTS her! Kairi AX KICKS and shoves Raquel down! Iyo goes up again, to MISSILE DROPKICK! Raquel is down, and Kairi is up top! The fans fire up for the IN-SANE ELBOW! Cover, LIV BREAKS IT! Liv saves it with nanoseconds to spare, but Iyo TOSSES Liv back out! The fans fire up as Iyo DIVES! Direct hit at the ramp! Kairi brings Raquel up, but has to dodge a lairat! Kairi fires fast hands, an URAKEN, and another URAKEN!
The fans fire up as Kairi roars, but Raquel BOOTS her down! Raquel deadlifts Kairi for the TEXANA BOMB!! Cover, Raquel & Liv win!
Winners: Liv Morgan & Raquel Rodriguez, by pinfall
But they’re not done as Raquel stomps away on Iyo! Liv joins in, but HERE COMES RHEA! The fans fire up as Mami runs in, but Liv runs away! Rhea and Raquel throw hands! Rhea HEADBUTTS Raquel, then pump handles! RIP- NO, Raquel fights free, and she CLUBS Rhea in the bad eyebrow! But Rhea UP KICKS! And she LARIATS Raquel up and out! The fans fire up and Rhea goes out to DRIBBLE Raquel off the desk! Liv attacks Rhea! Rhea has Liv as a backpack, and she POSTS her! Liv crumbles, but Raquel BOOTS Rhea! And THROWS her into the desk! Rhea hits the edge!! The fans boo and security rushes out while Rhea clutches her face!
Rhea rises up but Liv laughs as she and Raquel fall back. Rhea wants more, but security keeps her back for her own safety. When and where will Mami Rhea have her revenge?
Backstage interview with Gunther.
Cathy Kelley is with Der Ring General, only to be interrupted by Finn & Dom. Finn tells Gunther, “Hey, Champ. I think you owe me a title match. It was the second time that you faced Damian for the title, and it was the second time that you walked out as champion. And it was the second time because of me! So instead of kicking me in the face, you should’ve been shaking my hand! So, for the second time, I think you owe me a title match.” Gunther says he doesn’t owe Finn anything. He didn’t want Finn’s help, he never needed Finn’s help, and while Finn was plotting this all along, Gunther had a terrible time leading up to Survivor Series.
Gunther needed to win this by himself, and for himself. And that is what Finn took away from him. Oh, well, does he want to face him then? Dom keeps putting up the two fingers and Gunther slaps them down. Why’s Dom so cocky, huh? Oh, right, Gunther knows why. Because unlike Finn, Dom scored a win over Priest. And y’know what? Gunther thinks Dom deserves something for that. Gunther’s feeling rather generous right now. As World Heavyweight Champion, Gunther has leverage around here. Gunther will talk with Adam Pearce. Dom smiles, but then he stops as Finn looks at him. Will Dirty Dom of all people get a title match with Gunther?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Dakota Kai VS Katana Chance VS Shayna Baszler!
Speaking of title matches, everyone in this tournament is deserving, but only those who win will get what they want! To parallel SmackDown’s Women’s United States Championship Tournament, we hold a round of Triple Threats that boil down to singles matches. Tonight, it is #CobraKai, one half of KC Squared, and the Queen of Spades, who defies the odds to head for gold?
The bell rings and Shayna goes right at Dakota! Katana jumps on Shayna, but Shayna throws her off! Dakota DROPKICKS Shayna, BOOTS Katana, then runs up to GAMANGIRI Shayan to the floor! The fans fire up and Dakota builds speed, to DIVE into a HAYMAKER! Shayna drags Dakota up to THROW her into the desk! But Katana PLANCHAS Shayna! The fans fire up with the American Ninja as she says it’s finally her time! Katana stands over Shayna while Raw goes picture in picture.
The ref checks Dakota, she’s okay, and Katana gets Shayna in the ring. Katana then rolls her to a sunset flip, TWO! Katan whips, Shayna reverses, but Katan goes up and up and LEAPS, but Shayan catches her! Shayan pops Katana up to a suplex! Cover, TWO! Katana sputters but Shayna drags her into a wristlock. Shayna twists the wrist and pulls on the arm. Dakota crawls in, Shayna twists Katana’s arm more, but Katana fights up! Shayna CLUBS Katan, then gut wrench SLAMS her! Cover, Dakota breaks it! Dakota then drags Shayna up, but Shayna fights the suplex! Shayan wrenches, Dakota fires forearms and an ENZIGIRI!
Shayna staggers to a corner, Dakota runs in for a BOOT WASH! Katana rolls Dakota up! TWO, and Dakota kicks Katana. Dakota TOSSES Katana out, then goes Around the World! Shayna dodges the boot to hit a BIG back suplex! Cover, Katana breaks it! Katana SPIN KICKS, LEG SWEEPS, and then runs, but Shayna blows past her! Katana runs back in but into a FLAPJACK HOTSHOT! Katana sputters and flounders, but Shayna brings her up. Shayna wrenches the arm and has a top wristlock! Katana endures being bent around, and she fights up, but Shayna wrangles her down. Shayna isolates the arm, but Dakota runs up!
Shayna catches Dakota, wrangles her arm, and then STOMPS Katana! Dakota flails, but Shayna- NO, Dakota avoids that stomp, which she knows too well! Raw returns to single picture as Dakota fires shots! Shayan shoves Dakota but Dakota comes back to FLYING MARE! Shayna ends up in a corner, Dakota runs in, to BOOT! Shayna flops to the apron, Dakota puts her in ropes! JUMP STOMP! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives and Dakota grows frustrated. Dakota drags Shayna into a drop zone and goes up the corner. The fans fire up but Shayna GAMANGIRIS Dakota! Shayna climbs up after Dakota now, but Katana joins in!
The fans fire up as Katana pulls Shayna from the corner! Dakota HEADBUTTS Shayna, but Shayan ROCKS Dakota! Shayna ROCKS Katana, then has Dakota back up! Dakota fires body shots and Shayna falls back! Dakota adjusts, and she STOMPS Shayna down! But then Katana ROCKS Dakota! Katana goes up to SUPER STEINER Dakota onto Shayna! Cover, TWO!! Shayna survives so Katana covers Dakota! TWO!! The fans fire up while Katana is beside herself! Katana drags Dakota up, whips, but Dakota reverses. Shayna waistlocks Dakota, Dakota elbows free! But Katana BOOTS Dakota! Katana then uses Dakota as a step to FLYING RAN- NO, Shayna blocks!
Shayna swings Katana up, fireman’s carries, but Katana slips free! O’Conner Roll, Dakota DDTS Katana! Shayna KNEES Dakota! Cover, TWO!! Dakota survives and the fans fire up! Shayna is seething but she goes to a corner. Shayna aims at Dakota, runs back up, but she has to KNEE Katana away first! Dakota victory rolls Shayna! TWO!! Shayna escapes, but Dakota dodges to SCORPION KICK! And then fireman’s carry, for the DETONATION- NO, Shayna has the leg! Shayna yanks Dakota up, KIRAFUDA KLUTCH!! Body scissors, but Katana is up top! Dakota rolls free, 450 SPLASH on Shayna!!
Dakota fireman’s carries Katana! DETONATION KICK!! Cover, Dakota wins!!
Winner: Dakota Kai, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Fast and furious to say the least, but Dakota is now moving on! The brackets show that either Zoey Stark, Kayden Carter or Raquel Rodriguez is next, will someone come back to avenge their teammate? Or will former teammates in Dakota and Raquel have it out in the semifinals?
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The Raw General Manager says, “Ladies and gentlemen, we are here tonight in commemoration and celebration of the incredible ten-year anniversary of the most decorated tag team in WWE History! Without any further ado, please join me in welcoming Xavier Woods & Kofi Kingston, The NEW~ DAY~!” The fans fire up as Woods & Kofi make their way out. The ring and stage are decorated with balloons, as well as props representing the best moments of the team’s career. Kofi shakes hands with Pearce, then starts passing out pancakes. Woods also shakes hands with Pearce, and the fans cheer as Woods throws more pancakes.
Pearce says, “Gentlemen, congratulations. This ring and this moment, this night is yours. But if I may be so bold, to speak on behalf of the WWE Universe, I think we all would love to let you know how much we think New Day Rocks.” The fans join in, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods & Kofi grab mics, the cheering gets louder, and they’re a bit emotional. Woods says, “IT’S YA BOIS, THE NEW~ DAY~!” Woods wanted to come out here and say that being a part of the WWE, and being successful in the WWE for ten years… Getting to this point is so much than they could ever dreamed when they started.
So Woods wants to thank each and every one out here. Kofi says yes, it’s been one hell of a ride. Never in Kofi’s wildest dreams would he have thought they’d achieve so many accolades and accomplishments. And have so much fun while doing it! They could not have done it without each other, and you know who else? Who? Who, who? Yes, that’s right, each and every one of the fans! The fans cheer for “EEE~! E! E! E!” Woods says yes, they miss him, too. But with all this said, Woods & Kofi wanted to be face-to-face with the fans to say “what we’re about to tell you… Is not your fault.” What?
Woods says the New Day has nothing but love for each and every one of the fans. Kofi says that he and Woods, they’ve talked. And especially in light of last week… They both feel that when it comes to “The New Day” going forward… WAIT! BIG E IS HERE?!? The fans are all fired up, and both Woods & Kofi are excited to see the man himself! Big E walks his way out to the ring, finally on Raw again after almost four years! Big E joins his boys in the ring, the fans cheer on “E! E! E!” and Big E takes it all in. Big E says he can’t thank us all enough. But he wishes he was here under different circumstances.
Because to see Woods & Kofi argue and bicker and say some of the most hurtful things they could to each other… That troubled Big E’s soul something deep. When they started The New Day ten years ago, they were all they had! Kofi, ten years ago, you were mulling over retirement because your passion was beaten out of you! Woods, ten years ago, you and Big E were each this close to getting fired! And on one of the worst days of Big E’s life, the scariest moment of his career, Woods and Kofi were at his hospital bedside making sure he was good! The fans cheer that!
Big E wants Kofi to remember, that Big E was in a neck brace just a few months after Kofi’s daughter was born, and yet Kofi, his wife, and baby Lotus were in Big E’s home so Big E could hold Lotus. When Woods got back after winning King of the Ring, Big E was one of the first to greet him, tears spilling out of Woods’ eyes! The fans cheer those moments, too. Big E says what they built here means something to a lot of people. The fans also cheer that, and Big E says for damn sure, it means a lot to him. “So, until I am medically cleared to return to this ring… I am going to remind the two of you exactly who you are.”
The fans fire up as Big E says he will be here to cheer for them, root for them, uplift then, EVERY SINGLE WEEK! Big E will serve as the team’s manager! The fans cheer Big E on while Woods and Kofi both look a little guilty. The fans cheer on, “NEW! DAY ROCKS! NEW! DAY ROCKS!” Woods lifts his mic and says, “Now? Now you wanna come back? After you watched us fight for months? After you watched us argue to the edge of the cliff, and the last thing left to do was jump!? NOW you wanna come back? E, you left us.” The fans boo as Woods is being so negative! Big E says he broke his NECK! What is he saying, “left them?!”
But now KOFI says it, too! “YOU LEFT US!!” Yeah, Big E broke his neck. SO WHAT!? WHAT?!? Stone Cold Steve Austin broke his neck and came back! Kurt Angle broke his neck and came back! Edge broke his neck and came back! They didn’t even have people here waiting for them! Big E had family who kept the lights on, so he’d have something familiar to walk back into. And what’d Big E do with that? NOTHING! Woods & Kofi didn’t change, they didn’t evolve, at their own deficit, for Big E.
Kofi stops Big E from saying anything, and he says that as BIG as E is, as STRONG as E is, and the fact he never even needed surgery for it, he’s trying to say he couldn’t have been back here sooner if he wanted to? Big E says he was meeting with doctors, getting scans, MRIs and- Yeah, they heard it all before. Woods tore his Achilles off the bone, had surgery, and was back in nine months, for Big E. If Big E really, truly cared about The New Day, he would’ve been back a long time ago! He would’ve been by their side, encouraging and cheering them on this entire time, galvanizing them! But NO, he chose his new life over them!
Big E chose his projects and his GIRLFRIEND over them! Big E chose his DESK JOB over The New Day! In fact, listen up: Does Big E even realize the burden he’s become? No matter where New Day goes, the fans always say, “We Miss E!” As if Kofi & Woods didn’t! But obviously Big E didn’t miss them. The fans boo but Kofi says their philosophy since day one has been about brotherhood over anything else! We Before Me! But E… Broken neck or not, Big E chose Big E over The New Day! The fans boo but Woods keeps going: Let’s stop teasing all these fans. Let’s tell them the truth: BIG E WILL NEVER BE MEDICALLY CLEARED!
And since that’s the case… Why doesn’t Big E just get the hell out of this ring and get back to his desk where he belongs? And then they’ll call him, if they need him. The fans boo even more and Big E is as stunned as anyone that The New Day would say these things. Big E says he is not letting them throw this away like that! Not after a decade! They can fix this! Big E wants to hug it out, but Kofi keeps him at a distance. Woods doesn’t even look at Big E. Big E can’t believe it. Just like that, the group is over? Big E asks if they mean this. The fans chant “BIG! E ROCKS!” but he has no choice but to exit the ring.
With Big E gone, Kofi & Woods look at each other now. They say it’s just them now? They united over treating their other friend like nothing, and the fans boo as hard as they can! New Day is now just Two Day, did they just kill the Power of Positivity?
Karrion Kross speaks.
“Throughout my life, I have done some really terrible things to people. Which I’m actually quite proud of. So I have a tolerance for when people wanna do something back to me. But last week… He sent that creature after MY WIFE. And words are not gonna get me what I want, which is exactly each and every one of them in the arena next week. He used Scarlett to get to me. CONGRATULATIONS, because it worked! But just remember: You started this fire, and now I am going to make sure you burn in it. Tick-tock.” The Wyatts have escalated things with the Final Testament, who survives when these forces of nature clash?
Gunther VS Dominik Mysterio!
Der Ring General didn’t appreciate The Prince interfering with his match at Survivor Series, nor did he for SummerSlam, but perhaps as passive aggressive payback, he’s letting Dirty Dom face him 1v1. And furthermore, Dom is telling Carlito & JD McDonagh to stay in the back? Does Dom really think he can handle Gunther all on his own? Or will Gunther use Dom to send a warning to everyone about pissing him off?
The bell rings, and Dom SHOVES Gunther! Gunther scowls but Dom eggs him on. The fans fire up as the two circle, and they tie up. Dom facelocks, but Gunther lifts Dom right up and puts him on the apron. The ref counts, Dom lets go, and Gunther pats Dom on the head. Dom SLAPS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Dom! The fans fire up more as Gunther goes out, brings Dom up, but Dom RANAS Gunther into POST! Dom hurries into the ring, builds speed, and he WRECKS Gunther with a dropkick! Then Dom DIVES! Down goes Gunther and Dom flexes! The fans boo but Dom is standing tall while Raw goes picture in picture.
Dom waits on Gunther, and Gunther settles down before storming back into the ring. They circle, feel things out, and Gunther powers Dom into a corner. The ref counts, Gunther lets off slowly, but Dom avoids a chop! Dom CHOPS, but Gunther just glares. Dom backs up as Gunther steps forward, and Gunther grabs Dom again! Gunther TOSES Dom, but Dom avoids the chop to CHOP! Gunther is just getting angrier, but Dom keeps his distance. Dom then slides under, only for Gunther to turn on a dime! Gunther kicks low, whips, but Dom ducks ‘n’ dodges, only for Gunther to scoop! Gunther pops Dom up to SLAM!
Dom writhes while Gunther looms over him. Dom wants mercy but Gunther just clamps on a facelock! Gunther then stands Dom up to CHOP! Dom sputters but Gunther is on him again. CHOP! Dom falls right over and Gunther paces. Dom sputters, Gunther eggs him on, and Dom CHOPS! And CHOPS! Gunther CHOPS Dom off his feet! Dom writhes while clutching his chest, but Gunther is back on him. Gunther snapmares Dom, to then NECK TWIST! Dom writhes even more, but Gunther stays close. Gunther stalks Dom to a corner while Raw returns to single picture. Gunther eggs Dom on so Dom fires body shots!
Dom kicks, Gunther blocks and DECKS Dom! Gunther then has the legs and flips Dom over, BOSTON CRAB! Dom endures, crawls, but Gunther drags him back to center! Dom fights the other way, ROPEBREAK! The ref counts, Gunther lets go at 4, and fans boo as Dom survives. Gunther storms up, not even upset about the blood trickling from his own chest, and he pie faces Dom around. Gunther mocks Latino Heat and brings Dom up again. Gunther CHOPS Dom, pie faces him, and eggs Dom on. Dom CHOPS again! Gunther CHOPS again! Dom drops to his knees, but stands back up.
Gunther pulls Dom’s hair and eggs him on. Dom CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires a flurry of forearms! Dom CHOPS, but Gunther grabs him by the face! CHOP, and SLEEPER! Dom grabs the ref, the ref cowers in the corner, Dom LOW BLOW MULE KICKS!! The fans boo but Dom 619s Gunther in the gut! Dom keeps moving, and he dropkicks Gunther onto ropes! Dom redials, 619!! Dom goes up and FROG SPLASHES!! Cover, TWO!! Gunther survives and Dom is shocked! Dom thinks on what he has to do, and somehow Everett has come around on him!? Dom brings Gunther up, but Gunther fights the suplex!
Gunther CHOPS, BOOTS, and he hauls Dom back up! GENERAL BOMB!! Cover, Gunther wins!
Winner: Gunther, by pinfall
Dom put up a bigger fight than anyone expected, but it still wasn’t big enough to stop Gunther! But here comes Finn! Finn dodges Gunther to SLINGBLADE! Finn aims, and he SHOTGUNS Gunther down! Finn hurries up a corner while fans are again torn, but Finn still hits a COUP DE GRACE!! Finn smiles and says, “Watch and learn, kid.” Dom does watch as Finn goes back up, COUP DE GRACE!! The Prince isn’t done, he goes back up! CUOP DE GRACE!!!! Finn gets Gunther in the back, and then he holds up the world title! Finn puts it down on Gunther, and he grins. Finn says that’s how it’s done.
The Prince leaves, but he may have just put a target on his own back here. Will Der Ring General give Finn what he wants so he can also give Finn what he deserves?
Backstage interview with Pete Dunne.
Cathy is with The Bruiserweight, and says that while Dunne knows he has a match with R-Truth, does Truth know that? Or does Truth think he still has a match with- Dunne stops Cathy there. Please do not say that name. And as for that idiot, R-Truth, he doesn’t seem to know so Dunne will make this very clear. Tonight, it is Pete Dunne VS R-Truth. Truth needs to get that in his head. Wait, something is going on behind all this. Producers rush in and the camera follows. Someone just attacked Jey Uso?! But the culprit is long gone! Adam Pearce wants medics to check Main Event Jey, but just whodunnit?
R-Truth VS Pete Dunne!
Raw returns as The Bruiserweight makes his way to the ring, still seething over the misunderstanding Truth has had about names and identities. Will Dunne help Truth #FigureItOut the hard way?
The bell rings, the fans chant “BUTCH! BUTCH! BUTCH!” and that just angers Dunne. Dunne runs up, Truth does the splits then runs! Dunne ENZIGIIRS Truth down! Dunne HAMMERS away on Truth but the fans boo. Dunne stomps Truth, tells the fans off, then he grinds Truth’s arm! STOMP! The fans boo but Dunne waits on Truth to get up. Dunne then just shoves Truth down to stand on Truth’s head! Dunne STOMPS Truth, but the fans still chant “YOU’RE A BUTCH! YOU’RE A BUTCH!” Dunne clamps onto Truths’ face but the ref counts. Dunne stops to stomp Truth down, and he dares fans to keep calling him Butch.
Dutch BOOTS Truth down, then he rains down fists! The ref has Dunne stop so he can check Truth. Truth is still in this but Dunne is still pissed at the fans! The ref keeps Dunne from going after the fans, and Truth rolls Dunne up! TRUTH WINS!!
Winner: R-Truth, by pinfall
Dunne’s anger got the better of him, and now he’s lost the match! Will Dunne absolutely lose his mind at this rate?
Backstage interview with Bron Breakker.
Cathy is now with the Intercontinental Champion, and says that in the Triple Threat, in a match where Sheamus ended up with a broken rib, Bron is still the champion. Was that match his biggest challenge to date? Yes, it was obviously a great challenge. But Bron told both men- Oh, speaking of, Ludwig Kaiser steps in. And Kaiser says Bron sure seems happy with himself. That is a surprise, because of Bron had come in a few seconds later, that title would be Kaiser’s now. But hey, it doesn’t matter. Because Kaiser accomplished what he needed to.
When Sheamus broke one of Kaiser’s ribs, Kaiser vowed to come back and put an end to the Celtic Warrior for good, and that’s what he did. A rib for a rib. And now, there is nothing stopping Kaiser from taking the title and bringing it back to where it belongs in Imperium. Bron asks if that’s a challenge. Because Bron knew Kaiser would come here today with the whole “Bron didn’t pin Kaiser” thing. So yeah, Bron will talk with Pearce, see what can be done. But Bron would love nothing more than to face Kaiser for this title and beat him, so that Kaiser can have that stupid look on his face, knowing he will never, ever hold this title.
BUT… Bron will give Kaiser his props. That was a hell of a match. Kaiser proved to everyone that he is on his way out from under Gunther’s shadow. But if Bron was Kaiser, Bron would try to get out of the shadow a lot faster, because Gunther’s stock is plummeting. Bron leaves, will the Impeccable German make good on a title rematch that is 1v1?
Sami Zayn finds Pearce backstage.
Sami wants to know what happened to Jey and Pearce has him calm down. Medical is still evaluating Jey, they have to wait to know the damage. Sami asks who did it, and Pearce says he doesn’t know, but who does Sami think did it? Sami says he knows exactly who, and he’s about to whip his ass in that ring! Is Sami accusing The Visionary of lashing out against Jey? Will Sami beat a confession out of him? Or is Sami aiming at the wrong man?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is on a phone call.
He tells whoever that he appreciates them being on the same page, he just needs them to make it official. He thanks them, then promises to call back, because Finn stepped in. Finn knows Pearce saw what happened out there. He did. Then the only thing Finn needs to know is when is he getting a world title match. Oh, that’s rich. It takes an act of Congress to make Finn defend his tag title and yet Finn wants more. Finn’s lucky the War Raiders aren’t here tonight, or- Oh, the War Raiders?! Finn doesn’t care about them! Finn only cares about when Pearce stops letting Gunther duck Finn!
Duck Finn? Funny enough, Pearce talked with Gunther and Gunther wants this match just as badly. Finn gets his wish. Finn VS Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship… SATURDAY NIGHT’S MAIN EVENT! Finn says about time. Finn turns to go but Pearce tells him, “One more thing. Next week, let’s talk about your other title match.” Pearce leaves and Finn doesn’t like how that sounds. Is Finn going to learn that it’s all about give and take?
Seth Rollins VS Sami Zayn!
The Visionary wants to beat the crap out of CM Punk, but he ended up picking a fight with the Honorary Uce. Will Rollins not just #BurnItDown, but burn down the few bridges he has left? Or will he just be red hot in his pursuit of the Best in the World?
The bell rings and the two tie right up. They go around, Rollins puts Sami in a corner, but the ref counts. Sami and Rollins push each other as they let off, then they tie up again. Rollins headlocks, Sami powers up and out, but Rollins runs Sami over! The fans cheer Sami on as things speed up. Sami ducks, hurdles, then TOSSES Rollins out! The fans fire up and Sami builds speed, but Rollins moves! Sami hits the Arabian Press to land back inside, and the fans fire up as Sami waits on Rollins. Rollins paces around the outside while Raw goes picture in picture.
Sami waits, the fans rally up, and Rollins goes to the steps. Rollins takes his time going up to the apron, then steps inside the ropes. Rollins and Sami tie up again, go around in another deadlock, but Sami waistlocks, Rollins wrenches out to hammerlock and he wrangles Sami to the mat. Sami fights up, Rollins pulls on the arm, but Sami ELBOWS free. Sami bumps Rollins off buckles, then fires forearms! Rollins fires back! The forearms go back and forth, harder and faster, but Rollins ROCKS Sami! Rollins bumps Sami off buckles and Sami falls right over! Rollins stands Sami up to CHOP! Sami CHOPS back!
The CHOPS go back and forth, then Rollins whips Sami to ropes. Rollins scoops Sami to a BACKBREAKER! Sami writhes but Rollins walks around him. Rollins drags Sami up and wrenches an arm. Rollins whips Sami hard into a corner, and Sami falls to the mat! Rollins scowls, not happy he has to fight his friend and rival, but he drags Sami up by his hair. Rollins waistlocks and has a rear bearhug squeeze! Sami endures, fights around, and he throws elbows! Sami is free, he ROCKS Rollins, but Rollins CHOPS back! Sami falls and Rollins seethes as he stands over him. Rollins taunts Sami, eggs him on, and Sami rises.
Sami CHOPS, but Rollins nods,. Rollins CHOPS Sami, Sami CHOPS back, and the CHOPS continue! Raw returns to single picture as now the forearms fly! Rollins gets the edge, whips, but Sami goes up and over! Sami LARIATS Rollins down! The fans fire up and Sami goes to a corner. Rollins stands but Sami kicks him! Sami bumps Rollins off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! Fans count to TEN but Sami fires a flurry to go all the way to TWENTY! Rollins flounders away but Sami leaps, AX HANDLE! The fans fire up as Sami goes up again! Rollins stands, Sami leaps, but Rollins kicks low!
Rollins underhooks, Sami wrenches out! Sami avoids the lariat to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Rollins survives but Sami is not deterred. The fans rally up and Sami storms over to Rollins. Sami stands Rollins up but Rollins fires elbows! And an ENZIGIRI! Sami goes to a corner, Rollins runs corner to corner, but Sami catches him! BUCKLE EXPLODER! The fans are thunderous as Sami goes corner to corner, and he takes aim again! Rollins stands, Sami runs up, SUPERKICK from Rollins!! Rollins then runs up, but Sami avoids the curb stomp! Sami bails out while Rollins hobbles a bit. Rollins seethes while Sami catches his breath.
Sami rises but Rollins goes out the side. Rollins storms his way over, and he tells Sami that he didn’t want this fight. This fight is with Punk. Sami SLAPS Rollins! Sami says he knows it was Rollins! Sami SLAPS Rollins, but Rollins POSTS Sami! And then POSTS him again! Sami falls and Rollins rolls into the ring. The ring count climbs, but then Rollins goes out to fetch Sami. Rollins stands Sami up, and TOSSES him into the timekeeper’s area! Sami flounders up, the ref reprimands, but Rollins is still seething. Rollins drags Sami up, says it wasn’t him, but Sami BOOTS Rollins away! The fans fire up as Sami storms up on Rollins!
Now Sami POSTS Rollins! Rollins falls back, but Sami gets him in the ring. The fans rally for “SAMI USO!” but then Sami grabs a chair! The fans fire up as Sami wants revenge for Jey! Sami says stop, what’s Sami doing!? Sami says he knows it was Rollins! Rollins doesn’t understand, Sami says it was Rollins who jumped Jey! Rollins says he wouldn’t do that! How about Punk? Maybe it wasn’t Punk, but it sure wasn’t Rollins! Use your head, Sami! The fans are thunderous, but Sami cools off. Sami puts the chair outside, but then Rollins snatches Sami to a cradle! ROLLINS WINS!!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
Rollins defended his innocence, but then he takes advantage of Sami’s emotions! Rollins still wants Sami to understand, Rollins loves that Sami has a big heart, but he wants Sami to start using his brain. Either way, there is still the mystery of whodunnit. Wait, who is this getting int he ring!? CLAYMORE!! DREW MCINTYRE IS BACK?!? Wait, did HE attack Jey!? And now he’s hit Sami! Is the Scottish Terminator going to make sure no one survives his wrath?
My Thoughts:
A great Raw, maybe even an awesome one, with another great pivot from one event to the next. Saturday Night’s Main Event is stacking up. We already know of Cody Rhodes VS Kevin Owens for the WWE Championship, and then they snuck in the announcement of Iyo Sky VS Liv Morgan for the Women’s World Championship. Great stuff from Judgment Day up and down the show again, with a great tag match out of Liv & Raquel VS DMG CTRL. Logical move to have Raquel beat Kairi, that keeps the math on Iyo and Liv untouched. Rhea coming out to go after Liv but getting Raquel, it’s a logical move to give us Rhea VS Raquel as a way for Rhea to bide her time. Liv VS Iyo can happen for SNME, Rhea gets the winner at the Royal Rumble.
Finn wanting after Gunther over the unwanted assist was good stuff, as was Gunther giving a match to Dom tonight instead of Finn. Dom got a strong showing, perhaps doing two birds at once: Dom is building his power level to counter his reputation as Judgment Day’s scrub, but also showing Gunther might still have an arrogance problem. Gunther of course won, but Finn attacking afterward was of course happening, as well. Gunther VS Finn for the title at SNME, I wonder if Priest returns the favor and screws Finn over. At the same time, Pearce definitely planted the seeds of Finn having to pull double duty on that night, opening the show with the tag titles but then having to turn right around and go for the world title. That’s probably how Finn & JD even lose the tag titles.
Great Triple Threat from Dakota, Shayna and Katana to start the Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament, and for just a moment, I thought they were giving this to Shayna. But in the end, Dakota wins out, which I feel is the right choice because Dakota’s been one of the many deserving superstars for a lot longer than a few others. There are a lot of great choices in this tournament, too, but we’ll have to see how this shakes out before I can say Dakota’s getting the title. And speaking of titles, great promo from Bron and Kaiser to set up their own title match, but at this point, if Bron didn’t lose a Triple Threat, he won’t lose 1v1. But I did like Bron getting in Kaiser’s head about leaving Gunther behind, as perhaps Imperium has run its course.
Well, speaking of a team running its course… That New Day anniversary segment was powerful stuff. It was nice seeing some of those old items, and they had a good video package before this segment, but I did NOT see it going this direction. Woods and Kofi talking like it was going to be a faction divorce was already something, but then Big E makes a surprise return and logically tries to patch things up with the group. The shock was Kofi and Woods doubling down by using Big E as some sort of common enemy! They were so callous about Big E’s broken neck that, as the medical diagnosis was years ago, was nearly fatal. It was no less than a miracle Big E wasn’t paralyzed, either, and yet New Day is expelling Big E from the group as Woods & Kofi go Heel together, and that’s nuts!
Very good promo from Kross to put the Wyatts on notice, and that will definitely bring about the 8 Man Tag I’ve been expecting. That will be a great match, can’t wait to see how it goes. Great stuff with Dunne and Truth tonight, especially with how it overlapped a bit with this bigger story of Punk, Rollins, and maybe even McIntyre again. Punk had a good promo to tease his part in the Royal Rumble and maybe even Elimination Chamber if need be, and then Rollins reigniting their issues was good stuff. Sami and Jey made natural mediators, with Rollins lashing out at them. I would think McIntyre attacked Jey as McIntyre still hasn’t gotten over that grudge.
Rollins VS Sami was a great main event, with a very clever win for Rollins. And then McIntyre hits Sami as further revisiting of grudges, and I feel like McIntyre will want to go after Punk, but he’ll be detoured by Sami and/or Jey for some great matches there. The Road to WrestleMania starts a little later this year with the Rumble being a February event, not a January one, but there can be twists and turns that somehow still give us Rollins VS Punk in Vegas, title optional. It’d be bigger if the title was on the line so that Punk can finally have a WrestleMania title match main event, but that would depend on the plan for Gunther’s WrestleMania as well.
My Score: 8.9/10
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