Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (2/14/22)
One more Monday before Elimination Chamber!
The Beast is back on Raw to have the last word!
Before Elimination Chamber’s WWE World Championship match, Brock Lesnar is here on Raw to put the other five superstars on notice!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- The Street Profits VS The Dirty Dawgs; The Street Profits win.
- WWE United States Championship: Damian Priest VS AJ Styles; Priest wins and retains the title.
- 2v1 Handicap Match: Omos VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin; Omos wins.
- Women’s Gauntlet Match: Bianca Belair wins and enters the Elimination Chamber match last.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Bad Romance: Reggie wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- The Alpha Academy VS The Mysterios; The Alpha Academy wins.
- Randy Orton VS Seth Rollins; Rollins wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Bobby Lashley heads to the ring!
The All Mighty WWE World Champion, with MVP behind him, walks on stage, has the pyro fire off, and then continues down the ramp. Lashley has the second round of pyro go off, and he’s all smiles as MVP hands him a mic. “Before I triumphantly walk into WrestleMania your WWE Champion, I have to win one of the most brutal and gruesome matches in all of WWE: The Elimination Chamber.” This match has been known to change lives and destroy careers. But y’know what else does that? The All Mighty Lashley! There’s been so many who have tried to derail, dethrone and defeat him, but they’ve all failed, as he has destroyed every single one of them!
MVP says he sure has. MVP is no mathematician, but he’s figured out that the WWE Champion has a 1/6, or 16% chance, of winning. That doesn’t sound very good, until you factor in one very, very important variable: Seth Freakin’ Rollins, the Phenomenal AJ Styles, Matt Riddle, Austin Theory, and even the Beast Incarnate, Brock Lesnar are not All Mighty. So when you factor that in, by MVP’s calculations, Lashley has a 100% chance of walking out the same way he walks in: WWE World Champion! But here comes Seth Rollins! Rollins swaggers in his shiny snake skin suit and laughs it up. “Oh, I got some good news for you, Bob. You look great!”
But the bad news? Not as great as Rollins. But more good news: as of this moment, Lashley is currently WWE World Champion. But more bad news: Not for much longer. But even more good news: Rollins doesn’t think any of the other men in the Chamber match can beat Lashley. But even more bad news: Rollins knows someone who can. That man is a visionary, a revolutionary, and his name is Seth FREAKIN Rollins! MVP says he’s had a vision just now, too! If Rollins keeps running his mouth, he won’t make it to Elimination Chamber! “Bro…” Here comes Riddle! He scoots out in his toga and asks, “What’s with all the calculations, Bro? I thought the quiz bowl was last Monday.”
Riddle says that’s why he’s wearing this sweet toga. More on that later. Fans chant, “Toga! Toga!” But Riddle gets in the ring, and asks Rollins, “Are you saying that the Elimination Chamber is like one giant quiz bowl?” No he isn’t… Well Riddle hasn’t been in the Elimination Chamber. Last time he was locked in a tight spot was in a gas station bathroom, and it was awful! It smelled, it was brutal. But then, the custodian let Riddle out in the morning. And when Riddle saw the light, he knew he could accomplish anything. That’s why Riddle is confident that HE will win that WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match.
Rollins laughs but Riddle says, “Could you imagine if I was WWE Champion?” And then RKBRO is gonna win back those Raw Tag Teams Championships, and Riddle will be a double champion! That’d be pretty cool. But what’d be even cooler would be if they all came to the RKBROGA party. Maybe not Rollins. That suit would look sick under a toga, but Rollins has to get ready for a match with Riddle’s best friend, Randy Orton! But Lashley doesn’t have a match tonight, and Lashley would look amazing in a toga! Indy, what do you say? Lashley in a toga! Toga! But here comes Austin Theory.
Theory “apologizes” for interrupting the party, but then riddle says the party is later. Theory says Vince McMahon has taught him a lot, like expect the unexpected. And if you can’t beat your opponent one way, find another. And apologies are just weaknesses! Theory will apply all those lessons in the Elimination Chamber match, and being Mr. McMahon’s hands-on prodigy, Theory HAS to win! The fans boo and Theory tells them to shut up. But here comes AJ Styles! Styles asks Theory what he’s talking about. Theory’s lips have been on Vince’s ass for so long, he doesn’t make sense anymore.
Theory isn’t the one to worry about, Styles is! He’s been in this match, it’s hellish and brutal, and we’ve all decided that the odds are in no one’s favor. Styles says you walk out of the Chamber walk out a completely different person, but that’s the price they pay! Styles doesn’t want to look back with regrets about how he could’ve done more. So Lashley, no one, including you, is gonna stop Styles from having a defining WrestleMania moment. And before Riddle even starts, Styles can’t believe he’s saying this, but yeah, that’s a sweet toga. Thanks, AJ! And furthermore, the whole thing about being a double champion, that’s pretty cool.
See, Styles is facing Damian Priest tonight. He could be walking into WrestleMania United States AND World Champion! That would be a Mania moment! Riddle says, “You know what else would be an amazing, even phenomenal, moment? If you came to my RKBROGA party.” Lashley has everyone stop. This is ridiculous. He is the only one here who has even won a Chamber match! Theory is too wet behind the ears. He needs to wait. Seth Rollins, if he were really a Visionary, he’d see that there is no way he’s winning. Then there’s Riddle. If he thinks he’s winning, then come down off the cloud you’re on, bro,
As for Styles, Lashley is sorry but the Phenomenal One is not gonna get that moment he so hoped and dreamed for. And Lesnar, wherever you are, this is the closest you’re ever getting to this title again. Lashley will beat Lesnar up, then walk away and go to WrestleMania as your WWE CHAMPION! But here comes Lesnar! And he’s wearing a cowboy hat! Lesnar gives a tip of the hat before he heads down to the ring. He circles it once, gets in the ring, and puts his jacket and hat on Theory like he’s just a coat rack! Lesnar then stares down with Lashley, but MVP has Lashley stand down. But Theory JUJMPS on Lesnar!
Lesnar throws Theory off, everyone else gets out of the ring, and Lesnar GERMAN SUPLEXES Theory! Theory flounders while Lesnar stares Lashley down again. Rollins is enjoying this as much as Indianapolis is, and fans want that “ONE MORE TIME!” Lesnar drags Theory up, fireman’s carries, F5! Lashley isn’t intimidated, he raises his belt. But Lesnar aims finger guns at him. And then Lesnar gives Theory a free selfie! Will the Beast turn the Elimination Chamber into Suplex City? Or will he be denied his Winner Takes All with Roman Reigns?
The Street Profits are fired up backstage.
Angelo Dawkins asks if anyone else saw Theory take that F5. Montez Ford says theory has it that Theory is still spinning. But real talk, who they betting on? Well, let’s put it this way: If your name isn’t “Brock Lesnar,” you’re in trouble! But tonight is a very special SyFy edition of Raw, once again with a commercial free first hour! There’s the US Championship match, Priest VS Styles! Then there’s the RKBROGA party! BROGA! BROGA! Wait, hold up, last but not least, The Viper Randy Orton VS Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! Dawkins hears that!
But first, they’ve got business with the Dirty Dawgs. Unlike most teams, they get the dub! Because the Street Profits are up, and we want the smoke! But just a night removed from the Super Bowl, will the Profits be looking like the Rams? Or end up choking like the Bengals?
The Street Profits VS The Dirty Dawgs!
Tommaso Ciampa surprises Dolph Ziggler by being on commentary, given how Ziggler surprised everyone by showing up on NXT last week. The teams sort out, Ziggler starts with Ford, and Ford dropkicks Ziggler at the bell! Ford runs to SPLASH! Cover, Roode breaks it! Ciampa likes what he’s seeing, and notes how long it’s been since he was last on Raw. Roode distracts Ford, Ziggler CHOP BLOCKS Ford, then tags in Roode. The Dawgs mug Ford, the ref reprimands, but Ford counter punches Roode, ROCKS Ziggler, and again! But Roode catches Ford for an URENAGE! Cover, TWO!
Ciampa says Ziggler is the one who came into his home and dared to say he wants the NXT Championship, a title synonymous with Ciampa. If Ziggler wants that title, then he has to go through Ciampa. Roode tags Ziggler, and gives him an alley-oop for a FLYING FAMOUSER! Cover, Dawkins breaks it! Ziggler complains but then drags Ford up and claws the eyes! The ref counts, Ziggler lets off at 4, and Ciampa says he doesn’t like how Ziggler glosses over his time in NXT like it’s some minor league. Ziggler drags Ford up, reels him in, but Ford lands on his feet out of the back suplex, to ENZIGURI!
Both men are down, they crawl for their corners as fans rally, hot tags to Roode and Dawkins! Dawkins counter punches Roode, rallies with clotheslines then whips. Roode reverses, Dawkins hurdles and FLYING ELBOWS! Ziggler gets in, tog et an EXPLODER! Dawkins hits a CYCLONE SPLAASH on Roode! Roode avoids the bulldog for a SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Both Roode and Dawkins are down, and Ciampa gives applause to Ziggler. Ziggler shows Superkick, but Ciampa throws his drink at him! Ciampa asks if Ziggler’s a funny guy. Dawkins gives Roode a SPINEBUSTER! Tag to Ford, FROM THE HEAVENS! Cover, Profits win!
Winners: The Street Profits, by pinfall
A big win for Ford & Dawkins, but Ziggler SUPERKICKS Ciampa now! But the Profits put Ziggler in, whip and- NOPE, Ziggler avoids the spinebuster! The Show-Off survives the Profits and riles up the Psycho Killer, will Ciampa get even on NXT Vengeance Day?
The RKBROGA Party is underway backstage!
Apollo Crews and Commander Azeez partake, as do Carmella and Queen Zelina Vega. Zelina says Mella looks gorgeous in her modified toga. Riddle says aloha, how are his brogas and brogettes? They ready to really party? Wait, where’s Randy? No idea, Vega didn’t invite him, because this is her party. What? No it’s not. This is Riddle’s Broga party. BROGA! BROGA! BROGA! The others join in, and Randy is watching from somewhere else. Kevin Patrick asks Orton why he’s avoiding the party. Well, Orton just isn’t the broga kinda guy. Plus, he has a match with Rollins tonight, and Rollins is exactly what Orton told Riddle last week. He’s one of the most crafty superstars around.
There’s a reason Rollins is an Architect. He’s always planning his next move. And Rollins surely has a plan for how to steal the world title at the Elimination Chamber. But that’s Saturday. Tonight is Monday Night Raw. And since it’s Monday, Rollins will get hit with the three most destructive letters in sports entertainment: R K O. Will the Viper strike the Visionary and ruin Rollins’ momentum?
WWE celebrates Black History Month.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson narrates as WWE looks back on the career of his father, Rocky Johnson. “Power and charisma. A Herculean physique with unparalleled athleticism. That was the Soul Man, Rocky Johnson. And that was my dad.” Rocky Johnson & Tony Atlas became the Soul Patrol, the first African-American WWF Tag Team Champions. Outside the ring, Rocky married Ata, daughter of Peter Mavia, and then they would have a son, “Dewey.” The Rock’s father trained him in the world of sports entertainment, and he carried on the legacy by entertaining the millions (and millions!) of fans around the world.
In 2008, Rocky Johnson was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by The Rock. Rocky was one of the most dynamic performers of all time, and is remembered for paving the road for all athletes, no matter their race, color or creed. His legacy will be remembered for generations to come. “Thank you, Dad, for paving the way. I’ll see you down the road.”
Kevin Owens speaks.
“Look, I’m a realist. I don’t kid myself, I don’t live in delusion. At this point, I don’t think I’ll be in the Elimination Chamber match, which means I probably won’t be at WrestleMania this year. And that… And that really bothers me. But the one good thing about not being on WrestleMania means that I won’t have to compete in Dallas, Texas.” Last week, Kevin had glowing things to say about Texas. And after he did, WWE went on social media to conduct a poll. And the people of Texas called Kevin names! They questioned his integrity! To touch on that, Kevin WAS lying! But now he’s telling us the truth: “I can’t stand Texas anymore than I can stand anyone from Indianapolis.”
Kevin despises Texas and everything about it. he’s from Quebec, Canada, where the populace is informed, intelligent and sophisticated. Unlike Texas, where there are nothing but “redneck morons” with a Southern drawl! To drive this point home, if North America was the human body, Texas would be the ass! “Howdy, pardner!” Kevin laughs at his own mockery, but at least he’s honest. Will Texas have something to say about that soon enough?
WWE United States Championship: Damian Priest VS AJ Styles!
The Archer of Infamy couldn’t shoot down the Phenomenal One last week, and that’s why they’re having a championship rematch! Will Styles be on the doorstep of becoming the most phenomenal double champion? Or will Priest keep him from bringing this belt into the Elimination Chamber?
The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see if Priest wins, or Damian loses his cool!
The two approach, Styles gets around to headlock, but Priest powers up and out. Styles stops himself as Priest drops down, and Styles gets the headlock back. Priest rolls Styles off, then arm-drags Styles around. Priest clamps on with an armlock but fans chant for Styles. Styles fights up, throws forearms, then gets a leg. Priest ROCKS Styles back, then reels him in for knees. Priest runs, but Styles hurdles then CHOPS! And CHOPS! Priest whips to ROCK Styles with uppercut after uppercut, then a HEADBUTT! Priest ROCKS Styles again, throws more hands, then whips corner to corner. Styles reverse to KICK and CHOP and forearm!
Styles whips, Priest blocks! Priest whips Styles back, scoops him and hits a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Styles is still in this but Priest sits him up to clamp on a chinlock! Fans rally, Styles fights up, then throws body shots. Priest gives back kick after kick then a ROLLING ELBOW! Styles BOOTS, then fires off the Phenomenal Blitz! LARIAT! Priest flounders to a corner, Styles runs in to clothesline! Snapmare and SLIDING FOREARM! Styles fires up, Indy fires up with him. Styles reels Priest in, but Priest slips out and fireman’s carries for a FLAPJACK! Priest gets Styles up, reels him in to gut wrench, Canadian rack to CLIFFHANGER DDT! Cover, TWO!
Priest snarls, but he keeps his cool. Styles rises as fans rally, and Priest runs in. Styles dodges the kick and clothesline to PELE! Priest falls down but Styles still has to push himself back up. Priest also rises, Styles runs in to clothesline Priest out of the ring! Styles catchesh is breath, then slingshots, but Priest avoids the plancha to trip Styles on the apron! Choke grip, APRON- NO! Styles lands on the apron to PENALTY KICK! Priest avoids the knee to sweep the legs! Styles crashes on the apron, Priest gets in to drag him up. Styles ROCKS Priest back, but Priest dodges, only for Styles to avoid the kick! Styles ROCKS Priest again, but Priest BOOTS him!
Priest steadies himself, runs, he waits on the springboard! Sunset flip, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall (still WWE US Champion)
Priest saw Styles trying to repeat last week, and he changed the ending! Priest is still champion, and Styles shows him respect with a handshake. Will Styles try again sometime later on this Road to WrestleMania?
Alexa Bliss has another therapy session.
Other than that grocery story incident, last week was really good progress for her. She’s not being aggressive at all, but what about feeling anger? To be honest, for the first time in a long time, Alexa’s life is good. She’s happy. Then she’s entitled to a gift. When she hears the word, “gift,” what would she ask for? For the music to stop. Oh, okay. He turns off the violin music, and says he has another gift for her. He brings out the remnants of the actual Lily! He recovered these, and says it is his gift to her so that she can be at peace. Alexa takes a breath, and smiles. The doctor also presents the substitute Lily again. He has an idea: the substitute has a zipper on its back.
2v1 Handicap Match: Omos VS Cedric Alexander & Shelton Benjamin!
No one person has beaten the Mountain of a Man yet, but will bumping the number up make the difference? Or will the Hurt Business be the ones feeling the pain?
Benjamin & Alexander flank the ring. Omos pays attention to Benjamin so Alexander rushes in, only to get caught with an iron claw! The bell rings, Omos laughs as he squeezes Alexander’s head! Omos TOSSES Alexander to the corner, and he dares Benjamin to try something. Alexander tags Benjamin in, then bails out real quick. Benjamin talks trash, Alexander swipes at Omos! Benjamin gets in to fire off haymakers! Omos wobbles but he blocks the whip! Omos reels Benjamin in to glare him in the eye. Omos then whips Benjamin into the corner, but Benjamin dodges the splash!
Benjamin steps up to KNEE, then tags in Alexander. Omos shoves Benjamin, catches Alexander’s springboard, and then BOOTS Benjamin before bringing Alexander out for the MOUNTAINTOP SLAM! Cover, Omos wins!
Winner: Omos, by pinfall
Nope, not even two men can stop him! Will anyone be able to stop the walking, taking tower that is Omos?
Dana Brooke & Reggie are on a Valentine’s Day friend date.
They toast and Dana thanks Reggie for bringing her here. The food looks amazing. Reggie says Dana looks amazing. But in walk Tamina and Akira Tozawa. They hurry to sit down at a table nearby. Tozawa asks what she’s gonna have. Shh! They’re not here to eat, remember? They’ve got a plan to take the 24/7 Championship. Will these two be able to get the gold before dessert?
The BROGA Party continues!
And it seems Bros Apollo and Azeez are dominating beer pong! Riddle and Kevin Patrick just can’t catch a break. But don’t sweat it. Kevin looks amazing in his toga. Oh, the Profits are here! Aww yeah~! They took care o’ business with the Dawgs, and hear ye, hear ye, they heard there was a pahty. Who got next? Dawkins do! SCORE! BROGA! BROGA! Apollo and Azeez frown, their winning streak in jeopardy.
Adam Pearce is in the ring.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the contract signing to make official the Raw Women’s Championship match at The Elimination Chamber. Without further ado, please join me in welcoming the challenger, WWE Hall of Famer, Lita!” Indy loves Lita and gives her a standing ovation as she makes her way out to the ring. And of course, the champion, “Big Time Becks,” Becky Lynch! The Man comes ’round, but she doesn’t look in any good mood. She’s got baggy plaid pants, a wrinkled denim jacket, frizzled out hair, and big sunglasses to cover up what’re probably puffy eyes. Becky scowls as she sits at the desk with the others.
Pearce says their signatures on the contract make it official. Becky begs Lita that she doesn’t have to do this. She’ll be honest, she hasn’t slept all week thinking about this. Thinking about her teen hero would come for her. Her teen hero assaulting her! But Becky will let it all slide if they tear up the contract and walk away. Lita’s had a great career! One of the best ever! Becky said there’d be no Becky without Lita. What does she have left to prove? Leave now while your legacy is in tact! Lita doesn’t want to fight Becky and Becky doesn’t want to fight Lita! The only ones to see them fight are the demented fans who get off on ruining people’s lives!
When Becky and Lita are happy, the fans are miserable! When Becky and Lita are miserable, the fans are happy! They don’t need to play into the fans’ sick game! The fans don’t decide their fate, they do! What does Lita say? Lita wants to get this right. Should she tear the contract up and walk away? “NO~!” Or sign it up and shut Becky up for good? “YES~!” Lita says she didn’t come this far just to walk away. In fact, she didn’t come here just for one more match. She’s got a whole run left! A championship run. And Lita knows Becky’s trying to talk her out of this because Becky’s scared. She saw Lita still has what it takes.
So Becky doesn’t have to like it, but the match is happening. Lita signs on the dotted line! Becky sys Lita is pushing her to a point that she doesn’t wanna go to or can come back from. Lita has no idea what Becky is capable of doing to keep the title. She has studied Lita’s career closer than anyone, and knows all her weaknesses! Becky isn’t afraid to go for the throat! And then Lita will be the one who made Becky do it. Fans remember Lita now with a smile on her face. But after Becky’s done, they’ll remember Lita with tears in their eyes. Becky signs her part, and Lita says Becky feels there is no Becky without Lita. But if Lita had a hand in creating this, then it’s up to her to finish it.
But the only thing ending on Saturday is the 500+ day title reign when Lita becomes the NEW Raw Women’s Champion. Becky throws the clipboard at Lita, then sulks out of the ring. Is Becky’s mood only going to get worse these last five days? Or is it all mind games before the fight?
Women’s Gauntlet Match!
This match has HUGE implications on how the Raw Women’s Championship #1 Contender’s Elimination Chamber match plays out! The one who survives the gauntlet gets to enter that chamber match LAST! But who is out here first? The Nightmare, Rhea Ripley, and her former friend, Nikki A.S.H! Will Rhea’s brutality crush Nikki long before this Saturday? Or will the Almost Super “Hero” power through to the end?
Rhea Ripley VS Nikki A.S.H!
Raw goes picture in picture as these two stare down. The bell rings, the two circle slowly, and then they tie up. Nikki gets around, pulls hair and pushes Rhea, but then runs away to the outside! Rhea says she got that close to catching her. Nikki smiles and makes her way back up to the apron, only to back away when Rhea steps forward. Nikki goes around the ring, slips in then back out, all to troll Rhea. Then Nikki grabs Rhea’s foot! Rhea kicks Nikki away, drags her back up, but Nikki hotshots Rhea! Nikki gets in, but Rhea HEADBUTTS her! Nikki flounders back out, Rhea gets her on the apron and TOSSES her back in!
Nikki wants mercy then bails out again. Rhea sighs and just waits on Nikki. The only way to move on is in the ring, after all. Nikki lurks around the corner, moves around to the other side and gets on the apron, but then scurries around the other corner. Nikki gets in, circles with Rhea, and they tie up. Rhea shoves Nikki down, and then waits on her to get back up. They circle again, Nikki suckers Rhea into a HOTSHOT! Nikki hammers away on Rhea, headlocks then chinlocks, and even gets the arms for a straitjacket stretch. Nikki pulls back but Rhea fights up. Rhea turns but Nikki throws her down by her hair! Cover, ONE!
Nikki tries again, ONE! And again, TWO! Nikki is annoyed, she drags Rhea up, then kicks her low. Nikki puts Rhea on ropes to scrape her against them! the ref reprimands, Nikki lets off to stomp and RAM into Rhea at the corner. Nikki poses, then runs in, but Rhea puts her on the apron. Nikki shoulders in as Raw returns to single picture. Nikki ducks Rhea’s boot, trips Rhea up, and then spins her around to tuck her in the apron skirt! Nikki mugs Rhea, the ref counts and Nikki lets off at 4. Nikki has a devious grin as she then drags Rhea out. Nikki says Rhea is NOT the good guy here! Nikki runs and CLOBBERS Rhea! Cover, TWO!
Nikki keep son Rhea with a top wristlock. Rhea endures, fans rally up, and Rhea fights up, only for Nikki to wrangle her down. Nikki digs a knee into Rhea’s head as she keeps on the armlock. Cover, ONE! Nikki gets the top wristlock back but Rhea still endures. Rhea fights up, snapmares free, and she runs to the corner. Nikki dropkicks the legs out! Nikki then dribbles Rhea off the buckles over and over! The ref counts, Nikki lets off at 4 and snarls. Nikki stomps Rhea’s legs, then stomps Rhea’s head. Nikki scuffs Rhea but Rhea throws body shots! Rhea fights up to fire off forearms, but Nikki kicks the leg out!
Nikki kicks Rhea while she’s down, Rhea tries to hit back, but Nikki keeps her down with a facelock. Nikki cravats, grinds, but fans rally up. Rhea fights up, throws body shots, and breaks free to back suplex, only for Nikki to fight that off. Rhea gives Nikki short arm clotheslines instead! Then a back suplex FACEBUSTER! Fans fire up as Rhea drags Nikki up. Pump handle, RIP- NO! Nikki pulls hair to get out, and she CLUBS Rhea on the neck! Nikki hurries for a corner, but Rhea chases after! Nikki ROCKS Rhea, goes up the ropes, BOOTS Rhea, then leaps! Rhea catches Nikki and pops her around, pump handle and RIPTIDE! Cover, Rhea ELIMINATES Nikki!
But here comes Liv Morgan! Can she capitalize on the damage Nikki did to Rhea? We’ll see, after the break!
Rhea Ripley VS Liv Morgan!
Raw returns and the bell rings. Liv rolls Rhea, TWO! Rhea goes for a leg but Liv blocks and turns Rhea to backslide! TWO, and Liv gets Rhea in a cradle! ONE, Rhea kicks low. Rhea catches her breath, runs in, but Liv goes up to roll Rhea again! ONE, Liv SHOTGUNS Rhea to the corner! Liv runs in, back body blocks and rolls, to SHINING WIZARD! Liv snapmares Rhea, covers, TWO! Liv clamps on with a chinlock and squeezes tight. Rhea endures, fans rally, and Rhea fights up, but Liv wrangles her down. Liv keeps Rhea from ropes, but Rhea fights up again. Liv hops on to be a backpack, but Rhea RAMS her into buckles!
Rhea RAMS Liv in again and again, gets free and she snapmares Liv away. Liv runs in but Rhea dodges! Lia hits buckles. Rhea Electric Chair Lifts for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Liv is still in this but Rhea keeps her cool. Rhea drags Liv up, whips her to ropes, but Liv reverses. Rhea blocks that, but Liv dodges kicks. Rhea SUPERKICKS, but Liv rebounds, rolls, but no rana! Rhea swings Liv back up, but Liv makes it a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Rhea is still in this and Liv grows frustrated. Liv watches Rhea get up, then runs in, but no ObLivion! Liv ROCKS Rhea then goes up the ropes, missile dropkick flops!
Rhea gets the legs, PRISM TRAP!! Liv flails, scrambles, ROPEBREAK! Rhea holds on, Liv goes up the ropes to swing and send Rhea into buckles! Liv runs in, DOUBLE- NO! Another Electric Chair Lift! Rhea makes it a fireman’s carry and throws Liv, but Liv handsprings through to land on her feet! Rhea SUPERKICKS again! Liv staggers, Rhea pump handles, RIPTIDE!! Cover, Rhea ELIMINATES Liv! Two down, but here comes Doudrop! Will Rhea’s run end in round three? We see, after the break.
Rhea Ripley VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven!
Raw returns again and the bell rings on this round. The two circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Piper powers Rhea back, but Rhea manages to power Piper back! Piper pushes Rhea back again but Rhea turns things around to put Piper in the corner. Piper turns it back around, the ref counts, Rhea powers out of the corner, still tie dup with Piper. Piper headlocks, Rhea throws body shots but Piper grinds the hold. Rhea throws more body shots, powers out, but Piper RAMS shoulders with her! Neither falls, Rhea says Piper will have to do better than that. Fans rally behind Rhea, Piper dares her to try.
Rhea runs, RAMS Piper, but Piper stays up and laughs it off. They both talk some smack, Piper fakes the run but Rhea dodges her cheap shot! Rhea rebounds to run Piper over! Rhea dusts herself off, Piper gets up and gets in Rhea’s face. Piper HEADBUTTS, so Rhea HEAEDBUTTS! Rhea swings, into Piper’s SAIDO! Piper runs in, SENTON! Cover, TWO! Piper stays cool and she KICKS Rhea in the side. Piper drags Rhea up, bumps her off buckles, then CLUBS Rhea in the chest in the corner. Rhea sputters as she goes along the ropes, but Piper HEADBUTTS her. Piper wrenches, HEADBUTTS the arm, then does it again!
Rhea throws body shots and forearms, but Piper ROCKS her with one! Piper drags Rhea into the facelock, then scoop SLAMS her! Piper runs, but Rhea dodges the senton! And basement dropkicks in return! Rhea growls, fans fire up, and Rhea drags Piper up. Rhea throws short arm clotheslines but Piper stays up! Piper reels Rhea in for a short arm clothesline of her own! Rhea stays up, they start trading clotheslines with! Rhea then gets around Piper’s to ripcord and DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Rhea drags Piper up, pump handles, but Piper’s too big! Piper elbows free! Piper HEADBUTTS again!
Piper scoops Rhea, but Rhea slips out to waistlock! Rhea can’t lift Piper, Piper elbows free again. Piper runs, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Rhea tries again, pump handle RIPTIDE!!! Cover, Rhea ELIMINATES Piper!! But that just means Rhea has to take on the E S T! She’s the strongEST and toughEST, and with her at 100%, will this be the easiEST round for Bianca?
Rhea Ripley VS Bianca Belair!
Raw goes picture in picture while Bianca gets the fans fired up. The bell rings and these two circle. Bianca’s got so much energy, she’s shaking the ring. They tie up, Bianca gets around to roll up, TWO! Bianca says it was that close. Bianca waits on Rhea, and the two circle again. They tie up, Rhea gets around to roll Bianca, TWO! Bianca says that was good, and the two reset again. They tie up, Bianca waistlocks, but Rhea holds it off. Bianca SLAMS Rhea down, keeps on the waistlock, but Rhea fights up. Rhea pries at the hold, gets free to switch, and she SLAMS Bianca this time! Rhea holds onto the waistlock but Bianca headlocks back.
Rhea squeezes on a rear bearhug, but Bianca fights up to get that headlock. Rhea endures, powers out, but Bianca runs her over! Bianca SLAPS Rhea, then STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO! Bianca keeps cool, but Rhea hits back. Bianca CLUBS Rhea, drags her up, then bumps her off buckles. Bianca gets fans going but Rhea throws a body shot. So Bianca bumps her off another buckle! Bianca whips corner to corner, Rhea reverses and Bianca hits buckles hard! Bianca hits the mat, Rhea catches her breath, and Rhea storms over to Bianca. Bianca shoves her, then dodges her to put her in the corner.
Bianca blocks Rhea’s boots, Raw returns to single picture and Bianca DROPS Rhea! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is still in this, and Rhea gets the ropes. Bianca drags Rhea up, scoops her and SLAMS her! Rhea gets up, Bianca scoops her again, but Rhea slips out! Rhea scoops, Bianca slips out, rolls Rhea up, TWO!! Rhea gets up, but Bianca trips her to a jackknife, TWO! Bianca kicks Rhea low, whips her to a corner, but Rhea reverses again. Rhea runs in, into an elbow! Bianca goes up, tells Rhea to kiss this, then flips up over Rhea! Rhea swings, Bianca catches her and spins her, snap suplex! Roll through, but Rhea blocks the second suplex!
Rhea tries but Bianca blocks now. They fight for suplex control, Bianca gets Rhea up, and marches around before the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Rhea survives but Bianca is amused. Bianca drags Rhea up, whips, and catches Rhea to a cobra twist! Rhea endures being bent and stretched, and she grabs the hair! Bianca CLUBS Rhea in the ribs, then digs a claw into the side. Rhea still endures, fans rally and duel, and Rhea powers out! Bianca blocks the hip toss to give a hip toss! Bianca runs in at the corner, but Rhea drop toeholds her into buckles! Rhea gets up, Bianca swings but Rhea spins her, cravat and knees!
Rhea snapmares Bianca, runs and basement dropkicks but misses! Bianca hurries to handspring and MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Bianca grows frustrated but she drags Rhea back up. Rhea HEADBUTTS! Rhea wobbles, but she gets Bianca up to whip. Bianca goes up and over and handsprings, but runs into BOOTS! Rhea runs but Bianca dodges, DOUBLE FACEBUSTERS! Both women are down, Rhea flounders to the ropes and then the apron. Bianca grits her teeth and pursues as the fans fire up. Bianca gets Rhea up but Rhea sends Bianca into the steel steps! Both women are down on the outside as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again, and Rhea fights the chicken wings. Bianca still gets Rhea up, but Rhea fights free. Bianca stomps her down, then tries the chicken wings again. Rhea still fights, but Bianca hits the GlamEST Slam! Cover, TWO!! Rhea is still in this, Bianca is losing her cool. Bianca stands Rhea up, but Rhea ROUNDHOUSES! Pump handle, RIP- NO! Bianca slips out, torture racks, but Rhea fights off! Rhea boots but Bianca blocks! Bianca dumps Rhea to the outside, but Rhea stops the buckle bump to give the buckle bump! Rhea adjusts, goes up top, but Bianca ROCKS her first! Rhea ROCKS Bianca fast!
Rhea talks trash, Bianca SLAPS her! Rhea SLAPS back! “Bring it!!” Bianca SLAPS, Rhea SLAPS, it’s a SLAP fight!! The ref tells them to stop, but they’re still brawling. Rhea boots Bianca, Bianca dropkicks Rhea! Rhea holds onto the top, and perhaps her top? Bianca trophy lifts to ROCKET LAUNCH Rhea! Fans fire up with Bianca, and she handsprings, onto knees! Rhea saves herself and both women are down! Rhea and Bianca slowly stir as the fans rally up. Rhea goes up the corner, saying she’s gonna end this! Bianca stands, Rhea leaps, BIG missile dropkick! Cover, TWO!! Rhea can’t believe she hasn’t finished this!
Rhea hurries to get the legs! PRISM TRAP!! Bianca endures, rolls, and throws Rhea into ropes! Then she hits a SPINEBUSTER! Bianca hurries to get Rhea up, torture racks, KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (has Elimination Chamber advantage)
Bianca won, but she shows respect to Rhea. They fist bump, and Bianca might need to rethink that toughEST part. Rhea proved she can last a bloody long time, but will she have to do it all again this Saturday? Or will we see very much the same thing as we saw here tonight?
The BROGA Party continues, again!
Riddle has a guitar and plays a song. “I gave my love a cherry, that had no stone. I gave my love a story, that had-” The Alpha Academy attacks! They ruin the party and Chad Gable says he’s sick of this crap. He JAMS Riddle with his own guitar! “Party’s over, bro.” Gable laughs as he and Otis leave. Will RKBRO make them pay for this when the Raw Tag Team titles are on the line?
Reggie and Dana are almost done with their meal.
It was all great, but Dana’s still got room for dessert. Reggie says he’s stuffed. The obviously disguised R-Truth walks up and offers them some “tear a me the soo.” Reggie tells Dana to run while he keeps Truth back! Dana runs, but into Tamina! She ducks the haymaker to DECKS Tamina, then she throws Tozawa into Tamina! The chase is on through the restaurant! The ref has some dessert, but Dana pops out from a hiding spot. Her best friend saved her again! Big kiss on the cheek. Reggie asks if Dana would like to take their friendship to another level. Dana apologizes for leading Reggie on. He’ll make some woman happy some day but she doesn’t see him like that.
Oh, alright. Friends it is. And then roll up! The ref comes back in time, Reggie wins!!
Winner: Reggie, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Friendship does have its perks. Reggie leaves Dana behind and Truth says, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Dana! Looks like Cupid don’t like the friend zone!” Now, after Reggie! Dana feels betrayed, but then she gets stuck with the bill. Insult to injury, will Dana get back at Reggie’s rejection?
The Alpha Academy VS The Mysterios!
Gable & Otis just ruined Riddle’s good times, but will they overlook Rey & Dominik and lose on the way to their rematch with RKBRO? Or will Gable teach the father-son team a thing or two about teamwork?
Raw returns as the tag team champions make their entrance. And Gable has Mike Rome “SHOOSH!” Gable says everyone needs to shoosh or they’ll all be put on double secret probation. Well, they are in Indiana, so chances are the fans already are on probation. But now that the Academy ended that BROGA Party, time to get down to brass tax. Less entertainment, more education! And it’s coming at ya in the form of Gable’s first ever Public Assembly! Tonight’s topic: cheaters! Gable’s never cheated! Not to make the Olympics, not to win these tag titles, and not to get his Master’s Degree with a 4.0 GPA! Thank you!
Gable despises cheaters, and the worst of the worst is RKBRO! There is misinformation that RKBRO won fair and square in the Academy Challenge. Those morons hired an Irishman to host the spelling bee! The accent was thicker than Otis’ neck! And then the quiz bowl! Who put cartoons in as a category!? It should’ve been a question on Michelangelo the painter, and here we are talking about the Ninja Turtles! Pathetic. Then there’s “the morons” of the WWE Universe, feeding RKBRO answer after answer, helping them win. Where were the fans when the Academy needed them!? Nowhere to be found!
That’s the problem these days! The fans worship cheaters! It’s disgusting! And so listen up! Especially the Mysterios, and young Dominik. Such an illustrious career, but Dom’s listening to conman Rey that cheating is the way! Just look at footage from last week! Maryse tried to cheat for Miz, but failed. Rey cheats for Miz and gets away with it! Tsk tsk tsk. Disgusting and shameful! But Dom raises Rey’s hand and fans cheer. Gable knew it! They worship cheaters, and it’s gross! But wait, here come the It Couple! Miz & Maryse strut out because they’re going to be on commentary for this match! Raw goes picture in picture as they make their way down.
Miz and Maryse take their seats. the teams sort out and Gable starts against Dom. They circle, Dom goes up the corner to get the fans fired up. Gable raises his hands, the fans boo. The two tie up, Gable wrenches and wristlocks to YANK the arm. Gable grinds the shoulder, Dom moves around, but Gable whips him to ropes. Gable waistlocks, SLAMS Dom down, then holds on tight. Dom fights up, but Gable SLAMS him down again! Roll to a bridge, TWO! They fight up, Dom moves around and throws Gable out! Gable hurries back in, but into an arm-drag! And another! Dom has the armlock now and he grinds Gable.
Rey rallies the fans, Gable fight sup but Rey tags in. The Mysterios double whip then back elbow. Rey and Dom work together, ALLEY-OOP SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Rey gets up, Gable throat chops! Gable whips Rey to the Academy corner but Rey BOOTS back! Rey elbows Otis, sunset flips, but Gable stays up. Otis tags in, Gable rolls back and holds Rey down for Otis’ elbow drop! “For the Academy!” Otis looms over Rey, talks smack on Dom, then drags Rey up. Otis whips Rey to a corner hard, and Rey bounces off buckles face first! Otis pushes Rey to ropes and stands on him! The ref counts, Otis hops off at 4, then soaks up the heat.
Otis stomps away on Rey at the ropes, but backs off as the ref counts. Rey sputters as Raw returns to single picture, but Otis pushes him back down. Otis stands on Rey again! The ref counts, Otis lets off at 4 again and argues with the ref. Otis keeps on Rey while the It Couple is properly introduced now. Miz & Maryse kiss to show us their love. Otis drags Rey up and whips him corner to corner hard! Rey bounces off buckles, then bounces off Otis! “All day long.” Otis runs, and SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Miz says they are the Academy’s guests out here, and are helping make sure the Mysterios do not cheat again.
Otis drags Rey over, Gable tags in, and Gable brings Rey around. Fans rally for Rey as Gable whips and RAMS Rey into a corner. Gable fireman’s carries, then GUTBUSTERS Rey! Cover, TWO! Gable drags Rey up but Rey throws body shots. Gable ROCKS Rey, whips him back to a corner, but Rey goes up and over, only to get caught! Rey slips out and drop toeholds Gable into buckles! Gable scrambles and tags in Otis! Otis drags Rey by his head and squeezes Rey’s head in a neck wrench! Fans rally up but Otis pushes Rey down then climbs the corner. VADER BOMB FLOPS as Rey moves! Fans fire up and Rey hurries for his corner!
Hot tags to Gable and Dom! Dom rallies on Gable, whips, but Gable reverses. Dom ducks and dodges to RANA Gable away! Gable flounders up, Dom whips again. Dom follows, leaps, TORNADO DDT! Cover, TWO! Miz says this is fine, this is an athletic competition. Dom fire sup with Latino Heat, snap suplex! Uno amigo! Then dos amigos! Gable slips out of the third, to TIGER PLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Dom survives and Gable argues the count. Gable then whips Dom, Dom kicks back and runs in to wheelbarrow and body scissor throw Gable out! Hot tag to Rey, and he DECKS Otis!
Rey and Dom coordinate, they both run side to side, Dom baseball slides Otis and Rey hits Gable! Then they switch it up, Rey holds ropes open for Dom to DIVE onto Otis! Rey runs to slide and SUNSET BOMB Gable! Fans fire up but Miz protests on the Academy’s behalf! The Mysterios are on top as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Gable has Dom in a Bow ‘n’ Arrow! Dom pops free to a cover, ONE! Gable keeps Dom from reaching Rey and whips him away, to then Belly2Belly! Gable holds on, and hits another Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Gable climbs up a corner, MOONSAULTS, but has to land on his feet as Dom moves! Roll up, TWO! Gable waistlocks Dom, back suplex but Dom lands on his feet! Dom jumps the chop block, hot tag to Rey! Rey rallies on Gable, whips, but Gable reverses. Rey tilt-o-whirls to headscissor! Rey DECKS Otis, Miz protests, but Gable kicks and sunset flips! Rey rolls through, BUZZSAW! Cover, TWO!
Miz distracts Rey, Rey whips but Gable reverses. Rey elbows Gable, springboards and wheelbarrows, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Gable drags Rey up to an Electric Chair Lift, but Rey throws down fists! Rey spins and wheelbarrows to BULLDOG! Cover, Otis breaks it! Dom gets in, but Otis scoops! Rey saves Dom and the Mysterios POST Otis together! Miz protests again, Gable rolls Rey up! Rey rolls through to ENZIGURI! Gable’s on the ropes, Rey tags Dom! The Mysterios dial it up, DOUBLE 619!! Miz is furious as Dom goes up, so Miz gets on the apron! Dom boots Miz, Rey hits a SEATED SENTON!
Dom CROSSBODIES Gable! But Gable rolls through and grips tights!! The Alpha Academy wins!
Winners: The Alpha Academy, by pinfall
Hypocrisy from the Hollywood A-Lister, and then Maryse gets in to be mad about what Rey did to Miz. Miz throws Dom out! Maryse SLAPS Rey, Miz gives Rey a SKULL CRUSHING FINALE! The It Couple gets the last laugh on Valentine’s Day, but will Rey & Dom get their revenge on the Road to WrestleMania?
We check back in with Alexa.
After all the trials and tribulations, the doc is proud to say Alexa has been cured. Well, as much as she’s going to be. But she’ll be fine, so long as she has Lily. Oh, this isn’t “Lily.” She’s gone. Right. But inside the doll is the stuffing of the original. So in a way, her spirit is in there, too. Alexa has her competitive spirit, she will surely have an extraordinary life and career. Just as long as she has Lily by her side. As long as Lily’s with her, she’ll be cured. Well, thanks, Doc. This has been fun. She shakes the doc’s hand, and then has him shake Lily’s hand. Gotta go. People to see, things to do. Y’know. And then Alexa lets the Newton Balls start up again. Hear that, Lily? Alexa’s cured!
Oh wait, isn’t there an opening in that Elimination Chamber match? Well Alexa knows what she’ll be doing this Saturday! Alexa is now part of the Women’s Chamber Match!! Will she twist the Road to WrestleMania into Alexa’s Playground?
BREAKING NEWS!
After what Miz did during the Mysterios’ tag match, he’ll have to face the consequences! Miz VS Rey has just been added to the Elimination Chamber card!
Randy Orton VS Seth Rollins!
The Viper and the Architect meet again! The Apex Predator has the Raw Tag Team Championships to look forward to, but the Visionary has his eyes set on the WWE World Championship. Will Rollins survive the three most dangerous letters in the WWE? Or will not even he see the RKO coming?
Raw returns and Orton makes his entrance. Raw goes picture in picture as he enters the ring and strikes his iconic pose. Orton hands his vest to a fan in the front row, gives him a fist bump, then goes back to the ring. Orton takes his time wiping his boots before stepping inside, and the bell rings. The two circle, but then Rollins bails out to taunt the fans. Fans are torn, Rollins goes back to the ring, and he circles with Orton again. They tie up, are in a deadlock, but Rollins gets around and gets away to strut. Orton keeps cool, Raw returns to single picture, and the two go again. They tie up, go around, and Rollins gets away again, to strut some more.
Orton DECKS Rollins with a right! Orton bumps Rollins off buckles, throws more hands, then stalks Rollins to a corner. Rollins kicks back, but Orton punches back! Orton bumps Rollins off buckles, throws EuroUppers, then climbs up to rain down rights! The fans count along, but Rollins trips Orton up at 7! Rollins stomps a mudhole into Orton, then swaggers some more. Fans are torn again, Rollins puts Orton on the ropes and he chokes him! The ref counts, Rollins lets off at 4, then swaggers a little more. Rollins runs in corner to corner to forearm smash! Snapmare and PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO!
Rollins stalks Orton to ropes, fish hooks Orton’s mouth, but lets off with a crossface forearm! Orton flops to the apron, Rollins goes out the side. Rollins taunts the fans then CLUBS away on Orton’s back. Rollins swaggers, runs back in, and BOOTS Orton down off the apron! Fans are torn between cheers and jeers but Rollins enjoys all of it. Rollins drags Orton up and into the ring, then goes up the corner. Orton flounders up, Rollins leaps, DOUBLE AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Orton survives but Rollins drags him up into a chinlock. Rollins squeezes tight but Orton endures. Orton has the ropebreak, Rollins lets go at 4.
Orton sputters and gets away to another corner. Rollins storms over, but Orton kicks low! Orton CLUBS Rollins, EuroUppers, then EuroUppers again! Rollins CHOPS, Orton CHOPS! Orton haymakers, Rollins kicks low. Rollins whips Orton into the corner but Orton comes back and rallies with clotheslines! Orton gets around but Rollins avoids the powerslam. Orton avoids the stomp to clothesline Rollins out! Orton goes out after Rollins and they go to the announce desk. Fans fire up because they know what’s next! Back suplex to the desk! Did a monitor just break? Orton puts Rollins in the ring, stalks Rollins, kicks and puts him through ropes!
The fans fire up for another vintage Orton move! But Rollins know this one well and slips out to dump Orton out of the ring! Rollins aims from the apron, FLYING KNEE! Down goes Orton and Rollins leaves him behind. Rollins builds speed in the ring to DIVE! Direct hit and Orton goes over the desk! The Viper is down, the Visionary is laughing, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the two duel over the suplex. Orton suplexes Rollins up, but Rollins turns it right around to snap suplex Orton! Fans rally and duel, Rollins goes to the corner. Rollins goes up, but Orton trips him! Rollins lands on his architect, but Orton goes up to bring Rollins up. SUPERPLEX! Fans fire up while both men crash down! Orton crawls to a cover, TWO!! Orton is too tired to be frustrated, and both men slowly rise. Orton ROCKS Rollins with a right, but Rollins ROCKS Orton back with one of his own. Orton kicks low, Rollins throat chops! Orton SLAPS Rollins, Rollins forearms, Orton forearms back!
Orton and Rollins keep throwing hands and fans fire up! Orton gets the edge, then EuroUppers! Rollins PELES! Orton wobbles around on noodle legs, he hurries after Rollins, but into a BUCKLE SHOT! Rollins runs to SLINGBLADE Orton down! Rollins aims from a corner, Orton sits up, Rollins runs in, into the POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO!! Rollins survives but Orton grits his teeth. Rollins goes to the apron, fans rally up and Orton drags Rollins in through ropes. But again Rollins slips off and he rolls Orton up! TWO, SUPERKICK!! Rollins pushes Orton to a cover, TWO!!
Rollins grows frustrated but Rollins talks trash on Orton, “Your boy, Riddle, tried this on me last week!” Rollins aims, spins, ROLLING ELBOW! Orton wobbles, Rollins reels him in and turns him, for the DREAM SMASHER ELBOW! Orton drops and Rollins aims from the corner again. Rollins runs in, but Orton avoids the stomp! Rollins avoids the lariat, kicks and underhooks! But Orton dumps Rollins to the apron! Orton gets Rollins fast, DRAPING DDT! And he hears those voices! RKO!! But the Alpha Academy show up! They won’t let Orton get this, but Riddle won’t let them get Orton!
Riddle attacks the Academy, Orton helps out by throwing Otis in barriers! Orton CLOBBERS Gable, returns to the ring, CURB STOMP outta nowhere!! Fans boo but Rollins laughs it up as he drags Orton to a cover, Rollins wins!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by pinfall
The Visionary benefits from the Alpha Academy wanting extra credit. Rollins is heading to the Elimination Chamber with great momentum, but will it help him overcome the odds?
My Thoughts:
For being a go-home, this was a great episode. I feel like being commercial free on SyFy and having picture in picture again helped, just like last week. And what also really helped was that Women’s Gauntlet Match. That was awesome stuff, especially Rhea being the Ironwoman of the match. Her and Nikki starting things off seemed almost too early but it all worked out that Rhea made it to the end and then lose to Bianca. The only thing is, Bianca winning here and getting to be last into the Elimination Chamber, I feel like that just ensures Bianca loses to whoever is still around by then. It won’t be that heroic of a moment for her to come in, clean up, and go to WrestleMania.
Another bit of a letdown was how they revealed the sixth entry. Alexa Bliss just deciding to be in that match and then being officially approved seems like lazy work from Vince. And even without all that, I feel like they didn’t quite punctuate her finishing her therapy and returning to action. The way the doctor was talking, it was almost like there should’ve been a twist where he was never really there, and Alexa was the one who put the doll back together. Her wardrobe and the match graphic suggests Alexa’s becoming a hybrid of Playhouse and Goddess/Five Foot Fury personas, so it’ll be a matter of time before she returns to Playhouse Bliss.
The 24/7 Championship story’s punchline was actually rather clever. Reggie was fine with letting Dana have the title if he could get a girlfriend, but then he busts outta the friend zone and gets the belt back! I hope they really give us something big for WrestleMania with this belt, something chaotic and hilarious, maybe get some legends in on it. Kevin Owens had a great promo to do a 180 on Texas, and if he doesn’t have a match with Seth Rollins or US Champion Damian Priest, maybe a big name in wrestling who’s from Texas shows up and has a match with Kevin? Maybe not Austin, even though them both using Stunners is something they should reference.
Omos returns to action and squashes The Hurt Business, which is good for Omos. But I’m not sure where Omos is going from here. He’s been so dominant that he hasn’t taken a bump, is he just too tall to take one? Because in order for him to go further, that first singles loss has to happen. We got a pretty good tag match out of Profits VS Dawgs, but the main thing was Ciampa being here, the same way Raw had Grayson Waller on to go after Styles. Ziggler and Ciampa are going to have a really good match on NXT, but the Dirty Dawgs are just spinning their wheels. I don’t think a tag team break-up story will work for those two, so maybe both Dawgs spend some time in NXT?
We got a very good contract signing segment out of Becky and Lita, especially with how Becky came out as a disheveled form of herself. I did like that she was framing this as her being reluctant to hurt Lita and that’s why she was stressed, as if that was going to scare Lita off. No brawling in this contract signing since they did that all last week, so their match is just going to be awesome. Then we got just a lot of great integration of all the other stories together. We got a great opening promo segment with all the Elimination Chamber entries, plugging pretty much everything else in the night, and I loved that Theory got punked by Lesnar.
Priest VS Styles was a great US Championship match, for being rather short in comparison. I figured Priest was going to retain, Styles wasn’t going to go into the Chamber match with a title. Maybe they do revisit this for Mania, maybe not. The BROGA Party was pretty good stuff, I liked seeing Apollo & Azeez loosen up as characters, but I should’ve figured The Alpha Academy would ruin things. Alpha Academy were busy tonight, too, taking on the Mysterios to help Miz set up a match for Elimination Chamber with Rey. Maybe there are bigger plans for each of them for Mania, because this seems like something on a blow-off level.
Orton VS Rollins was a very good main event, but I should’ve figured the Academy would go after Orton after also taking out Riddle. Rollins has a lot of momentum right now, but all the more reason to think he’s not winning. That and Lesnar VS Roman, Winner Takes All being the clear plan in mind. But the Raw Tag Team Championship match could go either way, and who knows if RKBRO survives losing this time.
My Score: 8.4/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHI FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHAS but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKON feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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