Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/11/22)
The American Nightmare VS Hollywood A-Lister!
It’s a battle of Downstait theme songs!
Cody Rhodes has his first match on Monday Night Raw in six years! But will The Miz ruin the American Nightmare’s homecoming already?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Veer Mahaan VS Dominik Mysterio; Veer wins.
- AJ Styles VS Damian Priest; No Contest.
- Cody Rhodes VS The Miz; Cody wins.
- Liv Morgan VS Naomi w/ Sasha Banks; Naomi wins.
- Bianca Belair VS Queen Zelina Vega; Belair wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Bachelorette Bonanza: Dana Brooke retains the title.
- RKBRO VS The Alpha Academy; RKBRO wins.
- The Street Profits VS The Usos; The Usos win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jerry “The King” Lawler is on commentary!
While the happy couple, Carmella & Corey Graves, are on their honeymoon, The King is back on Raw commentary!
The Miz heads to the ring!
Detroit boos as the Hollywood A-Lister makes his way out. He welcomes us back to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, MizTV, and his guest is an extraordinary superstar, one who has been the talk of every town all over the world after his shocking return to the WWE at WrestleMania and defeated Seth Rollins! But can he beat The Miz tonight? Fans sure think so. But they don’t matter, they cheer for the Lions. Rollins is very, very good, but The Miz is that much better. But ladies and gentlemen, please welcome The American Nightmare, CODY RHODES! “Wrestling has more than one royal family.”
Detroit fires up as Cody appears behind pyro! Cody makes his way to the ring, has even more pyro, and is fired up as he gets in the ring. Cody then picks up a mic and sits with Miz. Miz says, “Now that we broke our pyro budget and you took 45 minutes to celebrate yourself, are you trying to upstage me on my own show? Is that the type of guy you are now? An egomaniac who doesn’t care about anyone but himself?” Cody says, “Don’t get hot. Don’t begrudge me. This moment, it has been a long time since I was in front of a crowd like this, baby!” Detroit cheers and Cody soaks up the adulation to Miz’s annoyance.
Miz asks if we can get started now. Last week, Cody made an emotional explanation on why he returned to the WWE. Cody wants to make his father proud, one of the greatest of all time, Dusty Rhodes! Admirable. But Miz has to be honest, the reality is, if not for that family name, Cody wouldn’t be the Grandson of a Plumber, he’d be a plumber. Well, that’s clever. Wow! Miz After Dark, huh? Wow. But y’know why being a plumber would be a good thing right now? Because Miz is full of… Well, Cody will stop there but everyone got it, right? Miz hasn’t changed a day. He really hasn’t. Miz is still arrogant, obnoxious, and full-blown carny.
And the fact that Miz embraces it so bravely makes him reliable. Good ol’ Mike. But Cody wants to ask him something. Does Cody look the same? What does Miz think Cody’s been doing for six years? And every piece of that road provides Cody crystal clarity on not what he wants but what he needs to do. And that is to win the Undisputed WWE Universal Championship belt! Uh, it’s a title. Belts hold up your pants. But lofty goals! That’s good. Anyone who can beat Rollins at Mania definitely deserves to be in title contention. But that’s a long ways away, and a little birdie told Miz that Rollins wants a rematch.
So while Cody surprised Rollins before, Rollins can strategize. And we all know Rollins is the Architect, the Visionary, and Miz doesn’t like Cody’s chances. To be really honest, Miz doesn’t like Cody’s chances against Miz tonight. Fans boo that but Miz says out of all the things that happened at Mania, more people talked about Cody online an din the world. But Miz didn’t hide, didn’t sneak, didn’t surprise anyone. And would Detroit shut up!? Miz raises his hand and says when that goes up, their mouths go shut! But as Miz was saying, he single-handedly destroyed the Mysterios and he embarrassed mega star Logan Paul!
But everyone was talking about Cody Rhodes! Miz knows where Cody’s been! We ALL know. But maybe Cody forgot what THIS is! This is MIZ’S show! So you don’t come here and embarrass Miz on his show! Miz will not stand for- Cody has Miz calm down again. Cody will tell Miz something he’s probably never heard on his show: Cody respects The Miz, and all that The Miz has done. Cody gets the sense that this hostility is because Miz feels threatened by Cody. Cody’s opponent at Mania, Rollins, he has zero issues with. If he wants a rematch, Cody will be more than happy. But Miz? Things are getting personal.
Cody was not surprised that there would be criticism and doubt, but he’s mature enough to handle it all. He is here to beat the very best wrestlers in all of the WWE. Miz says they’re superstars. Sure, sure, superstars, wrestlers, whatever they say. Cody’s enjoyed this chat, but y’know what he’s really looking forward to? His first match on Raw in six years! Fans cheer Cody on again, and he tells Miz, “May the best man win.” Cody drops the mic, pats Miz on the shoulder, and fans cheer, but Miz rushes Cody! Cody tosses Miz out! And then gets ready to throw a chair! Will Miz be living an American Nightmare when he and Cody have it out in the ring?
Veer Mahaan VS Dominik Mysterio!
The Lion of India went after both father and son last week, and this was meant to be Veer’s in-ring return against Rey. But instead, Dom is stepping up for the family name! Will Dom be able to defend the honor of the Mysterios against a very hungry Veer Mahaan?
Raw returns and Veer makes his entrance. The bell rings and Veer circles with Dom. Dom dodges Veer, fires off hands and CHOPS, but Veer ROCKS Dom! Then Veer runs Dom over! Veer drags Dom back up, CLUBS him back down, then paces around Dom. Veer drags Dom up again, whips him to ropes, and hits a THESZ PRESS! Veer looms over Dom again, drags him back up to whip again. Dom kicks back this time, then SUPERKICKS! Veer stays up, comes back but Dom sends him out! Dom then WRECKS Veer with a dropkick, and PLANCHAS! Veer manages to catch Dom, and SLAM him into barriers!
Fans boo but Veer takes aim, MILLION DOLLAR LARIAT! Veer drags Dom into the ring at the count of 7 outta 10, then he stalks Dom to center. Veer drags Dom up again, sets him up, another MILLION DOLLAR LARIAT! Veer isn’t done, he hip drops, then puts on the TWISTING CAMEL CLUTCH! Dom taps, Veer wins!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission
Veer lets Dom go when he is satisfied, but it seems that’s still not enough! TWISTING CAMEL CLUTCH! Dom taps but it won’t matter now! The fans boo, the ref tries to get Veer to stop, but it takes officials to come out and make Veer stop! This lion is bloodthirsty, and he gets through to get after Dom again! MORE TWISTING CAMEL CLUTCH! Veer finally lets go and medics hurry out to help Dom. Will Veer tear through the rest of the Raw roster with this same ferocity?
Raw returns as Dom is stretchered to the back.
The officials clear the way as the medics wheel Dom around, and they arrive at the ambulance.
Backstage interview with Veer Mahaan.
Kevin Patrick asks Veer why he kept attacking Dom. “I strike fear into the heart of any man!” Will all of Raw come to fear Veer?
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
What is his mindset going into the match with Damian Priest? Styles is afraid. Of what he is going to do to Priest! It wasn’t smart to go 2v1, but Edge brought up Styles’ family. And when you do that, they gotta throw hands. Styles spots Priest getting ready, so he goes right after him! Styles throws Priest into trunks, but officials tell him to stop! Priest hits back and gets the edge, but Styles tackles him into boxes! The refs and officials pull these two apart, will they even make it to the ring to settle this?
AJ Styles VS Damian Priest!
The Phenomenal One would’ve beat The Iconoclast, but the Archer of Infamy tipped the scales. Things are starting 1v1, continuing from that brawl we just saw, but will the Rated R Superstar look to give Priest the edge?
The bell rings and Styles dodges Priest to fire off on him! Priest TOSSES Styles to a corner, but Styles dodges again to fire off more shots! Styles CHOPs, Priest shoves, then Priest ROCKS Styles with an uppercut! Priest KICKS and KICKS and ROLLING ELBOWS, but Styles ROCKS Priest! styles clotheslines Priest out of the ring! Priest gets to his feet but staggers, and Styles is on the apron! SLIDING KNEE and Priest hits post, too! Styles then leaps for a FLYING FOREARM! Priest gets sent over the barriers! Detroit fires up with Styles and he fetches Priest to SMACK him off the announce desk!
Styles SMACKS Priest off the apron, and fans fire up behind him. The ring count is climbing, Priest still staggers around, but Styles slingshots! FLYING FOREARM again! Down goes Damian and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Styles blocks a forearm to give a forearm! Priest knees low, ROCKS Styles with a haymaker, but Styles goes to a corner. Priest ROCKS Styles again, then whips corner to corner. Styles stops himself, elbows back, then goes up to QUEBRADA, DDT! Styles has a cut on his forehead that’s starting to bleed, but he shrugs it off as he slowly gets up. Priest stands, Styles blocks to fire off the Phenomenal Blitz! Then SLIDING FOREARM! Fans fire up with Styles and Priest gets to a corner. Styles runs in to clothesline, then fireman’s carry! But Priest elbows his way free! But Styles just fireman’s carries again, USHIGOROSHI! Cover, TWO!
Priest shakes the stars out, but Styles has the fans rallying. Styles brings Priest up, reels him in, but Priest RAMS him into the corner! Styles BOOTS back, hops up and leaps, but Priest dodges to BELL CLAP! And then LIFTING COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, TWO! Styles survives and Priest grows frustrated! Priest looms over Styles, drags him up by an arm, and KICKS him in the chest. And KICKS him again! And then knuckle locks to twist the wrist before he KICKS Styles down! Priest talks trash, kicks away on Styles, then drags Styles up. Scoop and dragon sleeper, but Styles slips out of the Reckoning to PELE!
Fans fire up as both men go down! Priest gets up and flounders to a corner, and Styles runs in. Priest puts Styles on the apron but Styles ROCKS him with a forearm! Styles springboards, into a ROUNDHOUSE! Styles tumbles down to the floor and Priest catches his breath. Priest kneels, and the lights start going down! Edge’s purple spotlight is on Priest, and it seems to give him power! What is going on here? We’ll find out, after the break!
Raw returns again and the match has been called off?! Styles is backstage and Sarah asks him what he thinks just happened. He asks, “What is this BS?” Styles wasn’t done! Edge wants to be on his mountain of omnipotence or whatever! Edge can do whatever, it won’t stop Styles from getting after him!
Cody Rhodes VS The Miz!
Cody may have been right earlier, saying the Hollywood A-Lister is threatened by the returning star. But will Miz prove he’s not afraid of the American Nightmare? Or will Cody be that much closer to his dream of winning the top title?
The bell rings and the two circle, but here comes Seth Rollins! The Visionary swaggers his way out and even confuses Miz. Detroit sings Rollins’ theme and Rollins is all smiles as he goes to ringside. Miz rushes Cody, Cody gets around to waistlock, but Miz elbows free! Miz CLUBS Cody, whips him, but Cody reverses. Miz kicks the back drop away, then runs, but into a POWERSLAM! Cody sees Miz goes to the apron, Cody springboards to DISASTER KICK him down! Cody then builds speed, but Miz moves to force Cody to stop the dive. Cody pursues, Miz leads him into the ring but Cody dodges the elbow drop!
Cody springboards again, but into a full nelson! Cody arm-drags free, kicks low, and suplexes Miz to hold him up! Fans cheer the showing of strength before the GOURD BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Rollins is on commentary and he applauds, but Cody shows off by doing some push-ups. Cody stomps Miz then cravats for a neck wrench. Miz fights up, fans rally behind Cody, but Miz pulls on Cody’s nose! Cody bumps Miz off buckles, throws hands, then whips corner to corner. Miz reverses, Cody goes, only for Miz to KICK him out of the air! Miz then runs to basement BOOT Cody down! Fans boo but Miz jams his knee into Cody’s back.
Miz then runs to basement BOOT again! Miz paces around, hip drops on Cody, then claws at Cody’s face! The ref counts, Miz stops at 4 to focus on a chinlock. Cody endures but Miz wrangles him down to the mat. Cody fights back up, fans rally, Rollins seems unamused, but Cody throws body shots. Cody counter punches Miz, ROCKS Miz, then CHOPS him! Cody whips, Miz reverses, but Cody tumbles up and to the apron, but Miz BOOTS him down! Cody flounders on the floor while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Miz CLUBS Cody down. Miz stomps Cody’s hands, then throws more haymakers. Rollins is amused now but fans still rally for Cody. Miz toys with Cody, throws hands, but Cody eggs Miz on! “Hit me! Hit me!” Miz kicks but Cody blocks to spin him around and LARIAT! Cody rallies, then scoops Miz, carries him around, for a SLAM! Cover, TWO! Cody fires himself up as Miz bails out. Fans rally behind Cody as he builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and down goes Miz! Fans fire up with Cody, he drags Miz up and into the ring. Cody climbs a corner, leaps, but Miz moves!
Cody’s leg jams, so Miz dropkicks the leg out! Miz then steps through, FIGURE FOUR! Cody endures as Miz pushes up to add pressure! Cody falls back, it’s a cover, TWO! Cody keeps his shoulders up, reaches out, drags Miz along, but Miz drags Cody away from ropes! Rollins has a sinister smile, Cody’s shoulders are down again, TWO as Cody sits back up. Cody SLAPS Miz, Miz SLAPS Cody! They SLAP, Cody gets the edge, and then Cody turns the hold over! Miz endures now and fans fire up! Miz crawls, reaches out, grits his teeth, and with a last gasp, ROPEBREAK! The hold is undone and Rollins looks disappointed.
Cody hobbles around as Miz stands. Miz hobbles, Cody kicks him and drops for the Rhodes Uppercut! Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER! Fans fire up with Cody as he wants Miz to get back up! Dragon sleeper, CROSS RHODES! Cover, Cody wins!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by pinfall
Rollins smiles as Cody has his first win on Raw in six years! Cody says he’s going for that title, but then Rollins gets in the ring. Rollins waves hi and he has a mic. “Coooodyyy~, hahahaha! Cooooodyyy~. I heard all the kind things you had to say about me earlier. I heard you even throw out the word, ‘rematch.’ But what I want you to remember about WrestleMania, Cody, sit hat you were a surprise opponent. So going into WrestleMania, you had every single advantage. And now that I see what I’m working with… HAHAHAHAHA!”
So here’s what Rollins is thinking. Rollins VS Rhodes PART 2! What does “Mr. Nightmare” say? Cody says yes. Rollins laughs and is excited now! Will the Visionary envision a path where Cody does not accomplish his world title dream?
Backstage interview with Tommaso Ciampa.
Ciampa is here full time, but “Ezekiel” walks over to welcome him here. Oh, well, thanks, Ezekiel. But Kevin Owens walks in to say this is a lie. That is Elias! He used to have a beard and guitar. Those are gone but don’t be folled. Stop lying, Elias! Kevin hates liars! What’s he pulling here? Ezekiel says Kevin is mistaken, then he leaves. Kevin tries to tell Ciampa what’s going on but Ciampa also says that’s Ezekiel. What? Is Kevin the only one still sane around here?! That IS Elias! Grow up! Ciampa doesn’t seem to get why Kevin’s upset. But what is the truth when it comes to Elias’ younger brother?
Liv Morgan VS Naomi w/ Sasha Banks!
The Living End beat The Boss all by herself on SmackDown, and unfortunately, Rhea is in COVID protocol. Will Liv be able to sweep the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions all on her own? Or will she #FeelTheGlow instead?
Raw returns and the champions make their entrance. The bell rings and Liv circles with Naomi. They tie up, go around, and Naomi headlocks. Liv powers out, Naomi runs Liv over, then drops it low. Naomi runs, Liv drops under, but things speed up again. Liv handsprings through the hip toss, but Naomi lands out of the back suplex! Liv ducks one roundhouse, then another, then whips, but Naomi kicks her away! Liv ends up in a corner, Naomi runs in but Liv goes up and over! Naomi goes up, and twerk attacks! Liv returns to RANA Naomi, and now Naomi is in a corner! Liv runs in, Naomi slips around her to roll her up and BOOT her down! Cover, TWO!
Sasha coaches Naomi, she drags Liv up but Liv goes for a cradle! TWO, and Naomi runs in. Liv ducks, things keep moving, but Naomi slides under! DOUBLE ENZIGURIS take both women down! Sasha rallies and the fans join in. Naomi and Liv slowly get up, and Liv rushes Naomi at the ropes! But Naomi avoids ObLIVion, but Liv denies the O’Conner! Liv elbows Naomi away, hops up, and leaps! But seated senton becomes POWERBOMB! Naomi high stacks, TWO and Liv pops her to a cover, TWO! Naomi sits on a prawn hold, Naomi wins!
Winner: Naomi, by pinfall
That was a fast and furious match and it ended in the blink of an eye! Liv’s 1-1 in 1v1, but will Rhea be ready so she and Liv can take the champs on 2v2?
Bobby Lashley is here!
The All Mighty is already a force to be reckoned with, but MVP betraying him to join Omos has surely angered him like never before. Will he crash the VIP Lounge and then topple the traitor and the titan he’s sided with?
Raw returns and Lashley sees the VIP Lounge is set up. He knows he wasn’t invited, but because of what Omos and MVP did to him, he decided to just invite himself. Last week should’ve been a celebration because Lashley went to hell and back against Omos at WrestleMania. He gives credit where credit is due: Omos is big and strong and scary, and Lashley barely made it out of that match. But then on Raw, he felt that power once again. This time, it was from being stabbed in the back by the one man Lashley thought he could trust in MVP. So without wasting time, Lashley wants MVP to bring his punk ass to the ring and explain to us all why!
But as Lashley waits, no one comes out. Well alright, then maybe Lashley should turn this lounge into something more suitable for him. He never liked this table, but this fresh leather couch is nice. But now Omos makes his entrance! And thanks to MVP, he is in a colossal suit! MVP says, “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. Stop embarrassing yourself like this. You’re so emotional. And if you should destroy any of my property, our- er, my lawyers will be sending you a bill for the damages.” Lashley says to shove that bill up his ass while he and Omos get in the lounge to explain why MVP did what he did!
MVP would love for Omos to teach Lashley a lesson, but MVP is teaching him how to be a businessman. Omos will wait for the time, and the money, to be right. Now put some respect on MVP’s name! In fact, Lashley and all his fans should be collectively thanking MVP! Fans boo instead, but MVP says if they want an explanation, fine. They deserve that much. “When I came back to the WWE, YOU WERE FLOUNDERING! You were letting some sawed off runt and some wannabe TikTok star lead your career astray! You couldn’t even sniff a WWE championship, despite all of your accomplishments, until I resurrected you!”
MVP takes credit for all of Lashley’s greatness! And yet Lashley acts like he doesn’t need MVP, after everything he’s done for Lashley?! Lashley doesn’t want to share his WrestleMania spotlight? MVP MADE LASHLEY! Before MVP returned, he was just Bobby. It was MVP who made Lashley ALL MIGHTY! Lashley says MVP came down for a farewell tour, wanted to call it an end, but then he did what he does best: latched on to his next meal ticket! He saw where Lashley was going, and he even went up to the top and defeated Lesnar for the title! Yes, but who was with him every step of the way? MVP!
But Lashley doesn’t need MVP anymore, right? So that’s fine. That’s the past. This is the present, and Omos is the future. Omos is bigger, stronger, meaner, and he will take Lashley’s place atop the mountain. Because Omos is also smart enough to know he needs MVP . Lashley barely survived that first match, so MVP guarantees… No, MVP promises Lashley he will NOT survive the second. Lashley says the one not surviving is MVP! MVP think s he’s tough cuz he has a giant. Lashley will chop Omos down like he did at WrestleMania! And then after he finishes Omos, Lashley is coming to get MVP! And then Lashley SMASHES the table!
Lashley also TOSSES the sofas! And SMASHES the champagne! The Rocky Mountain Machine doesn’t care about bills or damages, he just wants to damage Omos! Will he destroy the brawn and the brain of this new alliance?
R-Truth, Reggie and Akira Tozawa exit the Players Club.
Looks like Truth threw our husbands-to-be the best bachelor party ever. They had poker, cigars and manly stories! Did they all see what jumped outta that cake? That’s what’s up! Reggie says yes, this was the best party ever! Wait, Reggie’s still here? What about Truth’s 24/7- er, Reggie’s- er, where’s Dana? Reggie tells Truth that it’s okay. Dana and Tamina are having their bachelorette party. No one’s going after the 24/7 title there. Truth says Reggie is just asking for trouble! You can’t leave that title alone at some wild party with a bunch of conniving, scheming superstars! They gotta go find it and save it!
Austin Theory talks with Adam Pearce and Sonya Deville.
Vince McMahon has told Theory he has a US Championship opportunity soon, and they both know that. Pearce tells Austin- No, no, just call him Theory. He and Vince decided that “Austin” doesn’t suit him anymore. Probably because Steve Austin gave them hellacious Stunners at WrestleMania. But Pearce says he and Sonya are giving Theory what he’s promised, and next week, he will face Finn Balor for the US title. Theory thanks them then takes his leave, and Kevin barges in. Kevin asks what kind of ship they’re running here. First, Stone Cold goads Kevin into a match while he’s hurt, and now Elias is Ezekiel?!
Kevin can prove that’s still Elias, but he just needs some form of documentation! Birth certificate, driver’s license, hell, a library card! Pearce says that’s all confidential. Well these two don’t care about the truth but Kevin does! So next week, Kevin will put Ezekiel through a lie detector test. Y’know what, fine. Do that. Kevin thanks them for this, and Sonya finally gets to more pressing matters. Bianca Belair is going to have a match with Zelina Vega next, but Bianca wants to know who her first challenger will be. Sonya has a deal right here on paper, and says it’ll be great. Wait, what? What did she put on that contract? Sonya has no time to read Pearce in, gotta go.
Bianca Belair VS Queen Zelina Vega!
The strongEST, the fastEST, the roughEST, the toughEST and the newEST Raw Women’s Champion is going up against the Queen of the Ring! Will Bianca test Vega and see if this is a title worthy showdown?
Raw returns and Vega makes her entrance. The bel rings, Bianca claps along with the fans chanting, “E S T!” but Vega rushes in. Vega can’t roll Bianca up, Bianca handsprings back then runs Vega over! Bianca then whips Vega corner to corner, but Vega stops herself to go up and over. Vega reels Bianca into a BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Vega facelocks to keep Bianca down, and then bridges through to headstand! Bianca endures, Vega finishes bridging to have a Chancery! Vega then floats to make this a chinlock stretch! Bianca endures, fans rally up, and Bianca stands up to throw Vega off!
Bianca knees low, scoops Vega, and FALL AWAY SLAMS! Vega tumbles and Bianca kips up! Fans fire up as Bianca stomps Vega, then hoists her up top. Bianca trophy lifts Vega and carries her around to do squats! Then she DUMPS Vega down! Bianca drags Vega back up, torture rack, KISS OF DEATH! Cover, Bianca wins!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
Well, check the Queen of the Ring off the list! Sonya makes her entrance now, the contract in hand. But just what are the details? We’ll find out after the break!
Raw returns and Sonya has a mic.
Bianca sustained an eye injury at WrestleMania but she hasn’t been slowed down. So congratulations on both tonight and last week’s historic win. Sonya officially welcomes the new Raw Women’s Champion and fans cheer. Sonya says that was truly impressive, but it’s time for business. Sonya put it upon herself to find Bianca’s challenger. It was a hard task, as there are many great women in the WWE. Becky Lynch would surely love a rematch. Rhea Ripley and Carmella are also there, when they’re both back to compete. And speaking of, there’s Alexa Bliss, Liv Morgan, Doudrop, Dana Brooke. The options are endless and any one of them would love a title opportunity.
Bianca says she would be happy to take on any of those women Sonya just named. But at the end of the day, no matter who it is, Bianca vows to walk out the champion like she did at WrestleMania. Because Bianca is the strongEST, the roughEST and the braveEST. So whoever it is, let’s do it! Sonya is so glad Bianca said that. This is an open contract for a Raw Women’s Championship match. If Bianca wants to take on anyone, she can just sign right here and now to solidify why she IS the EST of the WWE! Oh, okay, Bianca sees what Sonya is doing. But she said what she said, so sure.
Bianca signs her part of the title, and Sonya thanks her. Now to bring out her opponent so they can sign this and we can make it official. This is a generational superstar who defies gender barriers, social norms, and has grace and style. A star who one year ago promised to come back for her shot! Please welcome… Then Sonya CHOP BLOCKS Bianca! And KNEES her down! Sonya then puts Bianca in a DRAGON SLEEPER, for an ELBOW DROP DDT! Sonya was of course talking about herself! Sonya signs the challenger’s part of the contract, and the WWE official has officially become the challenger! Sonya holds up the belt, but will this abuse of power stand?
Dana and Tamina enjoy their party.
Dana thanks their guests for being here, and for Tamina agreeing on the truce so they can all enjoy themselves. Tamina says of course. But after their honeymoons, it is open season. Well, easy now. But then Los Lotharios show up. What’re they doing here? They want to spice this up with a Los Lotharios Kiss Cam! They kiss Dana and Tamina no the cheeks. Then Nikki A.S.H shows up? She has a special something for them! DANCERS! Wait, one is a ref! This is a trap! Nikki rolls Dana, but Tamina breaks it! Tamina and Nikki brawl, Reggie comes here to make the rescue while Tamina TOSSES Nikki onto the bar! And slides Nikki from end to end!
Tozawa and Truth end up having to save Nikki from Tamina! Truth wants the madness to stop! Y’all should be ashamed! This backstabbing, greed! All y’all to blame! No one loves that title like Truth! No one does! But it isn’t the title that keeps them together. It’s love. Aww… Can Truth get an amen? AMEN! So in the spirit of love, and as the only officially certified “marriaging guy,” he orders all attacks on Dana Brooke to stop! Only until Truth can gloriously matrimonialize these two beautiful couples! Double wedding, NEXT WEEK! If y’all down with that, give him a what’s up? WHAT’S UP! Now let’s get this party started!
Adam Pearce confronts Sonya backstage.
Naming herself as the challenger is a complete and total abuse of power! Who the hell does she think she is? Uh, she’s the first official to answer an open challenge, and to become Raw Women’s Champion. She thinks she’s getting away with this?! There’s nothing to get away with. She’s a WWE official, and he can’t stop her. Don’t be jealous that she’s still in her prime. Sonya leaves, but is there something Pearce can do? Or is it all on Bianca to stop Sonya the tyrant from becoming Sonya the champion?
RKBRO VS The Alpha Academy!
The Tribal Chief announced on SmackDown that his cousins, The Usos, are coming for the Raw Tag Team Championships to unify them the same way he did World and Universal titles. But will it still be the Viper & Stallion holding onto these belts? Or will Chad Gable & Otis change things up #ForTheAcademy?
Raw returns and “SHOOOOSH~!” The Academy make their entrance, and Gable says Detroit is where he first declared his genius and announced that he’d earned his Master’s Degree with an immaculate 4.0 GPA! A-Thank-Yew~! Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like his genius rubbed off on the idiots. They all look and sound dumber than the last time Gable was here. SHOOSH. Shoosh, please. But we all heard what the Usos said. They have another thing coming if a SmackDown team is going to take Raw’s titles and leave! What’re you, crazy? The only reason the titles aren’t on the Academy is because Mania was full of distractions. Not least of which, the egomaniac, Gable Steveson!
Yeah, Steveson has a gold medal, but Chad has a gold brain! He might be the smartest man on the planet! A-thank-yew~! And look at Otis! Look at that face! Is this a face that’s worried? NO! This is a confident tree trunk who will beat RKBRO and inch the Academy closer to getting the titles back! A-thank-yew~! Gable & Otis get in the ring, and the match begins with Riddle and Gable. The two approach but Gable throat chops! Then CHOPS, then whips corner to corner. Riddle goes up and over and KICKS Gable down! Riddle then gut wrench suplexes Gable KICKS him down, and tags in Orton! ASSISTED FLOATING BRO!
Orton stomps Gable around, tags Riddle back in, and RKBRO mugs Gable with a KICK! Orton stomps a hand, Riddle brings Gable up. Gable and Riddle trade forearms, but Riddle fireman’s carries! Gable slips off, Otis tags in, Gable shoves Riddle to then waistlock! LARIAT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! The Academy soak up the heat, then Otis stands on Riddle in the corner! The ref counts, Otis steps off and Riddle flops out of the ring. Orton checks on Riddle, Otis goes out to put Riddle back in. Otis whips Riddle to ropes, then CLOBBERS him on the rebound! The Academy has control while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Gable wrenches Riddle’s arm with a mounted armlock. Fans rally as Riddle endures, and Riddle fights up. Riddle reaches out but Gable keeps him back. Riddle throws forearms, breaks free, and fires off palm strikes! Otis tags in, Gable chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX! Otis adds a SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Riddle survives but Otis kicks him to the corner. Tag to Gable, Otis Electric Chair Lifts, but Riddle fights off! Riddle shoves Otis, Gable leaps over, into a KNEE! Fans fire up but Otis keeps Riddle from Orton! Riddle KNEES Otis away! Otis falls out of the ring!
Gable grabs at Riddle’s foot, but Riddle kicks him away! Hot tag to Orton! The Viper rallies and fans fire up! Orton ducks to POWERSLAM Gable! Fans fire up more and Orton is feeling it! Orton puts Gable through ropes, drags him out, for the DRAPING DDT! Fans are thunderous but Orton hears those voices in his head! Gable turns RKO into backslide, TWO!! RKO after all!! Cover, Riddle intercepts Otis, RKBRO wins!
Winners: RKBRO, by pinfall
Gable and Otis still can’t crack the riddle that is RKBRO! But wait, who’s this pulling into the back? It’s the USOS! Jimmy & Jey have arrived on behalf of The Bloodline, and they want to complete the mission. Usos want RKBRO to know they’re coming, will we see SmackDown and Raw Tag Team Champions confront each other? We’ll see, after the break!
Raw returns and the Usos make their entrance!
Jimmy & Jey go right to the ring, RKBRO get mics, and Orton says he was beginning to wonder if these two were gonna show up. But apparently Big Dog let the bitches off the leash, and here they are live and in living color. Oh, wow, like they never heard that before. But Orton knows why they’re here, Uce! TO issue a challenge! The Usos are already the longest reigning SmackDown Tag Team Champions ever, so they wanna do that on Raw, too! So check it! USos here on Raw, they’re challenging RKBRO to a championship unification match to become UNDISPUTED WWE World Tag Team Champions!
Whoa, like in the Avengers when Thanos tried to get all those crystals? Yeah, Riddle, just like that. They got blue ones, they want red ones now! So let’s get this right. Usos are coming to RKBRO’s show, RKBRO’s ring and are going after RKBRO’s titles? Listen, Uce- But wait! Here come the Street Profits! Montez Ford 7 Angelo Dawkins have mics, and Ford says, “What’s happenin’, Motor City?” But does his eyes deceive him? Dawkins says he sees it but last time he checked, Profits were the ones who challenged RKBRO and Alpha Academy came in to make it a Triple Threat. The same Academy that the Profits whooped last week? YESSIR!
The Profits approach the ring and Dawkins says, they’re the ones next in line for a tag title shot. Is that right? But just look what we have here. All the way from SmackDown, it’s the UUUSOS~! Once again, they’re using their bloodline privilege to cut to the front. Jey says there ain’t no line except the BLOODLINE! Well guess what, Uce! The Profits will be happy to face the Double J’s after they take the titles from RKBRO. That way the Profits and the Usos can be the ones to unify this! The Profits are up, #WeWantTheSmoke! Usos and Profits argue, Orton tells them all to shut the hell up! No one wants to see them talking, they want a fight!
Fans are fired up for that! Profits VS Usos, right here and now, Orton wants it! Detroit wants it, too! Then let’s have that! Profits VS Usos, will this go a long way in determining who faces RKBRO?
The Street Profits VS The Usos!
Raw returns and RKBRO is watching this from commentary as Ford and Jimmy start. They slowly circle, fans rally up and duel, and the two tie up. Jimmy wrenches to a wristlock, but Ford rolls, handsprings and wrenches back. Jimmy headlocks, Ford powers out, but Jimmy runs Ford over. The Usos point at RKBRO and say #WeTheOnes, but Orton says to focus on Ford. Jimmy turns around into a dropkick! Ford wrenches then CHOPS Jimmy, then he ROCKS Jimmy with a right. Ford wrenches Jimmy, tags Dawkins, and they whip Jimmy to double shoulder him down! Then back suplex SPLASH! Cover, ONE!
Dawkins keeps on Jimmy but Jimmy ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jimmy CHOPS Dawkins, bumps him off buckles, then whips him corner to corner. Dawkins reverses, runs in, CYCLONE SPLASH! Jimmy staggers, Dawkins pushes him to a cover, ONE! Dawkins facelocks but Jimmy powers him back. Jey tags in, runs Around the World to forearm smash! Jey CLUBS Dawkins, runs, but into a FLYING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Dawkins drags Jey up, whips him to ropes, but Jimmy tags. Jey reverses the whip, Dawkins dodges band hurdles, but runs into a DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Jimmy snatches Dawkins’ headband and flings it at Ford!
Jimmy stands on Dawkins at the ropes, the ref counts, but Jimmy lets off. Jey gets a cheap shot in! RKBRO protests but the Usos get away with one. Tag to Jey, and Jimmy scoops Dawkins, BACKBREAKER AX HANDLE COMBO! Jey stays between Dawkins and Ford while he soaks up the heat. Jey stands right over Dawkins, then he clamps on a chinlock stretch! Dawkins endures as Jey thrashes him around but the fans rally up. Dawkins fights up, Jey facelocks, but Dawkins reaches! Jey THROWS Dawkins down by his head! Jey tags Jimmy and the Usos split the wishbone! Jey even pie faces Dawkins on his way out.
Jimmy dares Dawkins to reach for Ford, then ROCKS him with a haymaker! Jimmy brings Dawkins up, CHOPS him, but Dawkins hits back with forearms! Dawkins backs Jimmy down but Jimmy kicks. Dawkins blocks and spins Jimmy, but Jimmy DRAGON WHIPS! Cover, TWO! Jimmy drops a knee on Dawkins, then tags Jey. The Usos talk more smack while they mug Dawkins. Jey drags Dawkins up and whips him into the corner. Dawkins ROCKS Jimmy! Then tosses Jey up and out! Jey manages to get up and he drags Dawkins out, but Dawkins ROCKS Jey! And ROCKS Jimmy! But Jey CLOBBERS Dawkins!
Jey brings Dawkins up, and he throws him into RKBRO! Orton and Riddle get up but the Usos say they can’t do anything! But then Ford FLIES!! Direct hit on the Usos, and Ford shimmies his shoulders while even RKBRO applauds! The Profits are back in this as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once more and Jimmy has Dawkins in a chinlock. Dawkins endures and Detroit rallies up. Dawkins fights up, reaches out, but Jimmy holds him back. Dawkins throws elbows and gets free, but Jimmy gets around to fireman’s carry! Dawkins fights that off to hit the SILENCER! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Dawkins crawls for his corner! Hot tags to Jey and Ford! Fans fire up as Ford goes up and CROSSBODIES! Then he DECKS Jimmy, but Jey whips. Ford doges to then LARIAT! Jimmy back suplexes, Ford lands on his feet to mule kick, front kick and ENZIGURI!
Jey whips Ford, but Ford goes up and over and handsprings to then speed up and BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford keeps his cool and he brings Jey up. Ford whips, Jey reverses, but Ford goes up again. Jey stays clear and then shoves Ford into buckles! Back suplex NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ford is still in this but Jey goes to his corner. Tag to Jimmy, the Usos wait on Ford. But Dawkins drags Jey out to DECK him! Ford rolls Jimmy up in the distraction, TWO!! Dawkins tags in, Jimmy runs in but Ford doges! Dawkins ROCKS Jimmy, then Electric Chair Lifts! Ford goes up, “SUCK IT!” BLOCKBUSTER DOOMSDAY!! Cover, TWO!!
RKBRO, mostly Riddle, is shocked! Dawkins hurries but Jimmy escapes to the outside. Dawkins refocuses, builds speed, but Jimmy ROCKS him with an uppercut! SUPERKICK! Dawkins is down, tag to Jey and he goes up top! USO SPLASH onto knees! Dawkins was ready, hot tag back to Ford! Ford’s up top, FROM THE HEAVENS!! Ford flounders but gets to the cover, Jimmy breaks it!! Detroit says, “This is Awesome!” and the teams regroup. Dawkins gets Jimmy with underhooks, but Jimmy wrenches out to POST Dawkins! Ford TOSSES Jimmy, but Jey runs in. Ford ducks the leg lariat to BACK HAND!
Jimmy tags in, Ford whips but Jey reverses! Flapjack for ONE D!! Cover, Usos win!!
Winners: The Usos, by pinfall
One and DONE, the Usos just won! But RKBRO gest in the ring to stare them down. Both teams hold up their title belts, but the Usos back off first. But then Dawkins goes after Riddle! Riddle takes him out of the ring with a headscissors, and Orton sees Ford getting up. RKO!! But the Usos then DOUBLE SUPERKICK Orton! The Usos scoop up the Raw Tag titles, and they hold up all four belts! Will this be the future of the WWE? Or will the Viper & the Stallion turn the tables #outtanowhere?
My Thoughts:
A very good Raw here to follow a rather flat post-Mania week. MizTV with Cody to open the night was pretty good stuff, it poked a little fun at the differences between WWE and, well, literally every other company but mostly AEW (superstars = wrestlers, titles and belts), and it hyped up their match. Their match was great stuff, too, and Rollins showing up to watch was a good touch. Rollins and Cody of course establish their rematch, that’ll be on WrestleMania Backlash for sure. There’s a chance Rollins wins the rematch, and we get a tiebreaker on the way to Extreme Rules or Money in the Bank, whatever the next PPV is.
Veer VS Dom turned out to be one of a couple changes to tonight, it seems Rey Mysterio and Rhea Ripley were both out in COVID protocol. But Veer destroying Dom and “hospitalizing” him is a great way to add heat to Veer VS Rey, which can now be part of WM Backlash. Liv VS Naomi was also a change, but next week will give us the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship match. Naomi beating Liv in a quick match is par for the course on Raw, but it was still a fast paced and good match. Still confident Naomi & Sasha retain and then sadly, Rhea turns on Liv. Then Sasha & Naomi will feud with a SmackDown team like Natty & Shayna.
AJ Styles VS Damian Priest was some BS for sure. Good brawl backstage, really good match until Raw ran into the schedule they stupidly gave themselves. They insisted Cody VS Miz started at 9 PM Eastern or thereabouts, so I suspect the spooky light show was just to give them an out if Styles VS Priest started going long. Dumb as hell but whatever, it extends things so WM Backlash can have Edge VS Styles II. A silver lining was Ciampa’s call-up didn’t give him a dumb new name. And him ending up part of the “Elias IS Ezekiel” story was interesting. Kevin putting Ezekiel through a lie detector test actually sounds like an amusing segment.
Okay, so Theory ditched his first name of his own will since he and Vince talked it over. Don’t worry, everyone, this is obviously a gag because of Steve Austin giving everyone stunners. But sadly, Theory is getting his US Championship match with Finn Balor, aka he’s winning the US Championship next week. Lashley had a decent segment with MVP and Omos. Not one of Lashley’s sharpest promos but obviously this is leading to Lashley VS Omos for WM Backlash. Pretty sure MVP will be why Omos wins that and then they can have a tiebreaker at another PPV.
Bianca of course squashes Vega, but it was quite the twist for Sonya to make herself Bianca’s challenger. This has to be the next step to transition Sonya out of management and back to fulltime competitor. She’ll give Bianca a really good match, and it’ll be a good first defense for Bianca. Just wondering when Asuka is going to return and if Alexa will ever be used again. Maybe Asuka wins the Ms. MITB briefcase to do what she was supposed to back during Empty Arena Era and before Becky was pregnant. Then we got very entertaining bits from the WWE 24/7 Division, and of course this officially sets up the double wedding. I can’t wait to see what kind of chaos we get outta that.
And of course, we got great stuff out of the WWE Tag Division tonight to get that unification story going. RKBRO VS Alpha Academy was a great match, RKBRO had a great interaction with The Usos and the Profits, and then we got another great match with Usos VS Profits. Naturally, the champions of each brand win, and the Usos standing tall was a good close to tonight and a good start to this story. RKBRO can respond on Friday, the teams can go back and forth, and the tag title unification match at WM Backlash can go either way. I would love if RKBRO were undisputed tag champs first so that Orton & Riddle can have that distinction on their resumes.
My Score: 8.3/10
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The Road to the Tokyo Dome goes through KOPW!
As 2024 nears an end, Great-O-Khan defends the KOPW Championship one more time, against a former KOPW Champion in Taichi! Who will be THE 2024 King of Pro-Wrestling?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Chase Your Dream Match: Shoma Kato VS Hiromu Takahashi; Hiromu wins.
- Boltin Oleg VS Satoshi Kojima; Boltin wins.
- Triple Threat Tag: Jeff Cobb & Jakob Austin Young VS Ryohei Oiwa & Hartley Jackson VS Ren Narita & Yujiro Takahashi; Narita & Yujiro win.
- DOUKI & Taka Michinoku VS El Desperado & Master Wato; Desperado & Wato win.
- Fatal 4 Way: Kevin Knight VS Robbie Eagles VS Francesco Akira VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Eagles wins.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club War Dogs; LIJ wins.
- Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita; ZSJ & Fujita win.
- KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi; Khan wins and is the definitive 2024 KOPW Champion.
PLAY BY PLAY
After the Triple Threat Tag…
The House of Torture of course cheated to win, but they wouldn’t leave it at that! They waited until the United Empire and TMDK argued with each other to then attack them all! Yujiro Takahashi CLUBS Oiwa down while Narita shoves Cobb into big Hartley Jackson! And then Narita JAMS Cobb with the pushup bar! The fans boo but Narita JAMS Oiwa up, too! The Souled Out Son of Strong Style is so proud of himself as he holds up his NJPW World TV Championship, but wait. Christmas music starts playing? The fans clap along as surprise! Santa and his reindeer are here! Well, one reindeer. But shouldn’t the House of Torture be on the naughty list?
Santa Claus walks over, and he gets the mic. He sounds familiar as he tells, “Narita-san… You have a Christmas present waiting. Would you like it now?” Narita asks what the heck is going on. Santa steps into the ring and offers Narita the little tiny bag. Narita snatches the bag, then he and Yujiro look at it. The fans asks, “Nani nani? <What is it?>” Narita tells them to shut up. Narita gets the bag open and pulls out… Blue sunglasses! With LED lights! The fans cheer as the lights go down! “E! L! P!” EL PHANTASMO IS HERE! The Headbanga has been battling cancer, but he’s here in Korakuen Hall!
Narita is furious but ELP slides right into the ring! Narita & Yujiro run away, but the fans cheer ELP on as he stands side-by-side with Jado Claus. ELP gets the mic now, and the fans cheer him on. ELP takes a moment before saying, in Japanese, “Cancer. Cancer… I’ve beaten cancer! And I love Korakuen!” But ELP asks Jado-san how to say a certain something in Japanese. He whispers it, but then Narita & Yujiro attack! The fans boo these cowards, but then Narita says Merry Christmas! But ELP BOOTS him, ELBOWS Yujiro, then dodges Narita to SUDDEN DEATH! Jado Claus DECKS the Tokyo Pimp!
ELP again asks Jado, and Jado says on behalf of ELP, that ELP is going to wrestle tomorrow night! And… Then he’ll be at the Tokyo Dome! ELP grabs the NJPW World TV Championship! ELP looks it over, and looks to the crowd, and then to Jado, but then Jeff Cobb and Ryohei Oiwa get in the ring. Cobb asks if ELP’s good. ELP is good. Are they good? Then let’s turn it up a notch! FATAL 4 WAY for the TV Championship! Narita snatches his belt, gets out of the ring, and tells everyone to shut up! The odds just got stacked against the House of Torture, will the New Year have a NEW NJPW World TV Champion one way or another?
Shota Umino & Hiroshi Tanahashi VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita!
Ahead of battling for THE IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, The Roughneck and The Front Man bring some back up! The Ace is also preparing to fight Evil, will he and Shota bring a Once in a Century Paradigm Shift? Or will ZSJ and the Japanese Young Punk prove The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against ZSJ. The fans cheer this WrestleKingdom preview, and Korakuen duels between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” ZSJ and Shota feel things out, then knuckle lock. ZSJ clinches but Shota fights back with his own clinch. ZSJ slips around to chinbar but Shota wrenches to a wristlock. ZSJ rolls, tries another chinbar but Shota cranks the wristlock. ZSJ bridges, spins, slips around and wrangles Shota! Shota kips up to WRING the arm, but ZSJ UP KICKS! The fans cheer as the two reset. Shota and ZSJ circle, feel things out, and knuckle lock. ZSJ then stands on Shota’s hand!
ZSJ has another hand and twists the wrist! Then he has both arms for a motorcycle stretch but Shota fights up. Shota turns things around, and he fights ZSJ as ZSJ tries to turn them back. ZSJ keeps trying, and he pushes through, but Shota spins things right back around! The fans cheer while Shota digs a foot into ZSJ’s back. ZSJ flips, kips up, spins things around, but Shota spins them back! The fans cheer, and Shota spins ZSJ. ZSJ dodges the lariat, Shota blocks a kick, but ZSJ ducks the enzigiri! Shota avoids the Penalty Kick and arm-drags ZSJ, but ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free, avoids a leg pick, and the fans cheer!
Shota dares ZSJ to go for the leg but the two reset again. They feel things out, knuckle lock, and each man breaks free of one. They back off, and Shota tags in Tanahashi. The fans cheer, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Korakuen strongly supports President Ace. Tanahashi and Fujita circle, tie up, and Tanahashi powers Fujita back. The ref counts, Tanahashi lets off slowly, but then Fujita turns things around! Tanahashi turns things around, and repeat! The ref counts, Fujita lets off slowly, but then both men block a kick! They argue over who lets go first, and eventually agree for a mutual break. They set the feet down, but then Fujita holds on!
Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi, then whips. Tanahashi reverses but Fujita ducks ‘n’ dodges to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Fujita aims from a corner. Fujita runs corner to corner but Tanahashi BOOTS him! Shota CLOBBERS Fujita, then eggs ZSJ on! ZSJ runs up, Shota blocks a kick and he sends ZSJ into Tanahashi’s ELBOW! Shota CLOBBERS ZSJ and the fans fire up. Shota pursues ZSJ to the outside and CLUBS him down! Shota clamps onto ZSJ with a chinlock but the ref reprimands. Tanahashi CHOPS Fujita, but Fujita CHOPS Tanahashi! The fans fire up as Fujita storms back up, but he blocks a boot!
Fujita DRAGON SCREWS Tanahashi’s leg! Fujita kips up, ZSJ sends Shota into railing, and Fujita stomps Tanahashi. The fans rally and Fujita brings Tanahashi up to CHOP! Fujita eggs Tanahashi on, CHOPS him again, then CHOPS again! Tanahashi flounders and ZSJ tags in. ZSJ drags Tanahashi up to UPPERCUT! Tanahashi ends up in the TMDK corner, ZSJ UPPERCUTS him again! ZSJ says, “Mada mada!” and he UPPERCUTS again! Tanahashi falls, ZSJ tags in Fujita, and Fujita brings Tanahashi up. Fujita CHOPS again, and then CHOPS again! Tanahashi is stinging and using the ropes for defense while the fans rally up.
Tanahashi storms up but Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi CHOPS, Fujita CHOPS! Tanahashi falls and Fujita BLASTS Shota! Tag to ZSJ and he grabs a leg. Fujita also grabs one, they drag Tanahashi to center, and then they both go after arms. Then they shift, ZSJ has an arm while Fujita has a leg! Then they both have legs again! Then ZSJ has a leg and Fujita has an arm! Then back to the arms! They both isolate the arms for DOUBLE STOMPS! The fans cheer, the ref reprimands and ZSJ “apologizes” with a bow. ZSJ stands on one of Tanahashi’s legs to then twist the other! Tanahashi endures, even as ZSJ TWEAKS the ankle!
ZSJ twists the foot the other way, flips Tanahashi over, and shifts around to have a headscissor and armlock! Shota stomps ZSJ but Fujita goes after Shota! Fujita TOSSES Shota, ZSJ tags Fujita back in. Fujita stomps Tanahashi, KICKS him in the back, but Tanahashi gets mad! Fujita KICKS Tanahashi but Tanahashi fires up! Fujita KICKS and CHOPS, but Tanahashi fires forearm after forearm! Fujita CHOPS again! Tanahashi grits his teeth but Fujita CHOPS again! And CHOPS again! SHOTEI! Fujita falls but so does Tanahashi! The fans rally up while both men crawl, hot tag to Shota! Shota rallies on Fujita with big forearms and elbows!
Shota whips, Fujita reverses, but Shota dropkicks the legs out! ZSJ runs up and RAMS Shota! Then ZSJ runs, but into Shota’s DROPKICK! The fans fire up and Shota goes to Fujita. Shota whips corner to corner, runs up, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Fujita in, FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t mind. Shota clinches but Fujita fights the suplex with elbows. Shota runs up, but Fujita wrenches, waistlocks, but Shota ELBOWS free! Shota whips, Fujita reverses and DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Fujita crawls, hot tag to ZSJ!
ZSJ runs up to BOOT Shota! Shota stays up so ZSJ runs to BOOT him again! And BOOT him again! Shota roars and ROCKS ZSJ! Shota runs to ROCK ZSJ again! ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Shota eggs him on, repeat! Shota UPPERCUTS and ZSJ roars! ZSJ UPPER- NO, Shota hooks the arm, but ZSJ wrenches out of the backslide to PELE the arm! Then ZSJ basement DROPKICKS Shota! The fans fire up while Shota clutches a leg and an arm. ZSJ kicks him around, scuffs him and taunts him. The fans rally, the ref checks Shota, but Shota is okay to continue. ZSJ stands Shota up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT!
Shota clinches to EXPLODER! Both men are down and the fans rally again! Shota crawls, hot tag to Tanahashi! Fujita runs up, but Tanahashi blocks a kick to DRAGON SCREW! Payback for earlier! Tanahashi runs up at ZSJ in a corner, blocks a boot, and DRAGON SCREWS! Tanahashi put some stank on that one! Then he goes up the corner for a SUNSET SENTON! Cover, TWO! ZSJ stays in this but the fans continue to rally! “GO ACE! GO ACE!” echoes out as Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him into a COBRA TWIST! Tanahashi endures, then throws elbows into ZSJ’s leg. Tanahashi gets free to DRAGON SCREW again!
ZSJ writhes, Tanahashi ties the legs up, but ZSJ kicks at him! Tanahashi blocks a kick to GROUND DRAGON SCREW! And now, TEXAS CLOVER- NO, ZSJ fights the turnover and reels Tanahashi into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Tanahashi endures and the fans rally up, but Shota gets in! Shota stomps away on ZSJ, but then Fujita MISSILE DROPKICKS Shota! Fujita brings Tanahashi up but Tanahashi SHOTEIS him down! ZSJ is after Tanahashi but he avoids the shotei! ZSJ SLAPS Tanahashi, then PENALTY KICKS! Cover, TWO!! Tanahashi survives but ZSJ gives him a NECK TWIST! The fans fire up as ZSJ stand Tanahashi up.
ZSJ scoops but Tanahashi fights that, to a TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! The fans fire up but Tanahashi isn’t done! TWIST ‘N’ SHOUT! Tanahashi stands ZSJ up again, but ZSJ scoops to ZACK DRIVER!! Cover, ZSJ & Fujita win!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Kosei Fujita, by pinfall
Shota can’t believe The Ace fell, but this is why ZSJ is the IWGP World Heavyweight Champion! Will ZSJ do this all to Shota when they’re 1v1 in the Tokyo Dome? Or will Shota prove he’s mightier than The Mighty?
KOPW Championship Three Stages of Hell: Great-O-Khan VS Taichi!
The Dominator has, well, dominated as KOPW Champion for a long stretch of 2024, but the Holy Emperor did close out 2023 with this title. Granted, Taichi says that win, lose or draw, this is his final KOPW Championship match. As such, tonight’s stipulation is a sort of “Best Of” compilation as we go Best 2 Out of 3. Part one: a no ropes Sumo Rules match! Part two: Yoshinobu Kanemaru as special guest referee? Well, he would be a neutral party… And part three, if needed, will be a LAST MAN STANDING MATCH! Will Taichi “retire” from this truly freestyle division standing tall? Or will Khan truly conquer KOPW for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, but Taichi also brings back the trophy for the occasion, and it’s time to end the year in style!
Sumo Rules!
Both men finish preparations with weight belts and some stretching. They square up, the ref says go and they RAM into each other! The fans rally as both men go for those weight belts to use as leverage. They go around, get very close to the ring edge, but then Khan moves things away. Khan THROWS Taichi, but Taichi stays on the ring so the sumo match continues. They reset and go again! Taichi pushes Khan back with both hands, but Khan digs in his heels! They clinch, go around, and Taichi goes for the edge! Khan pulls on Taichi’s leg to get around, but Taichi uses that to steer Khan to another edge! But Khan hits a fireman’s carry takeover!
Khan drags Taichi up but Taichi fights off the throw! They clinch and fight for control again. They each try to lift with the belt! Khan has Taichi near the edge, but then Taichi has Khan near the edge! Khan is teetering and the fans fire up! Taichi THROWS Khan to the floor, Taichi wins the fall!
Khan: 0; Taichi: 1
Special Guest Referee!
The fans are thunderous as Taichi takes the Sumo Rules fall, but now we go to a much more complicated situation. The ropes have to be put back up, sure, but now the Heel Master of all people is going to be the referee! The time it takes to set up the ropes is a reprieve for both sides, especially Khan as he has to catch his breath and refocus. Once the ropes are up, both men wait in the ring. All that is left is the buckle pads, and of course, Kanemaru himself. Kanemaru gets a proper introduction and entrance before he goes to the ring, and wow, he’s even wearing an official NJPW referee shirt with the lion mark on it.
Referee Kanemaru does his check and he even tells Taka Michinoku to watch himself. Kanemaru does a far less thorough check of Khan than Taichi! Did the Empire pay Kanemaru off?! Kanemaru has Taichi cool off, then whispers something to Khan! The bell rings, the fans rally for Khan, and Khan circles with Taichi. They tie up, Taichi powers Khan to ropes, and Kanemaru calls for a ropebreak. Then he has a fast count! Taichi lets off before 4 and argues with Kanemaru! Kanemaru says that’s his count, deal with it. Khan and Taichi reset, tie up, and Khan puts Taichi on ropes. Kanemaru pays more attention to Taka than Taichi!
The fans can’t help but laugh as Kanemaru finally does count, and now it’s really slow! Taichi protests, but Khan pulls Taichi’s arms. Then he CHOPS Taichi and stops at “3!” Khan then goes after Taichi, wrenches and wristlocks, and Kanemaru is asking if Taichi gives up!? Taichi tells him to shut up, but Khan kicks and CLUBS Taichi. Khan whips, Taichi BOOTS Khan down, then covers! Kanemaru strolls over to count! And it’s so slow! “TWO” and the fans cheer. Taichi is upset, but Khan rolls Taichi up! SO FAST!! TWO!! Taichi is getting pissed but Kanemaru backs away. Taichi stomps Khan, and Kanemaru’s untying a buckle pad?!
Taichi stomps Khan around, Khan leaves the pad there loosely, and Taichi whips. Khan reverses, and SURPRISE! bare buckles! Taka protests but Kanemaru SMACKS him with the pad! Khan plays dumb, and then he stands on Taichi’s lower back. Taichi has the ropes, but Kanemaru kicks the arm away! Khan has Taichi’s other arm, Taichi keeps grabbing for ropes but Kanemaru keeps kicking the hand away! Khan drags Taichi up, brings him around, and ROCKS him in the back! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan Mongolian Chops him on the back! And Mongolian Chops again! And Mongolian Chops again! Kanemaru doesn’t bother counting at all!
Taka protests, Kanemaru warns him, but then Khan hops up to sit on his throne! The fans cheer while Taichi endures, and only now does Kanemaru count! Khan asks hold on, hold on, so Kanemaru stops counting! Khan hops down, and then he puts Kanemaru up on the throne! Khan gets the fans to join in on the “Ohh…! HMPH!” Kanemaru isn’t into it so he hops down. Khan apologizes to Kanemaru, then he kicks Taichi around. Taichi gets up to fire hands! Khan kicks low, whips, but Taichi reverses to wrench and HOOK KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down. Taichi stands, and he drags Khan up into SEITEI JUJIHOU!
Kanemaru might be stuck, he can’t ignore Khan tapping. But then Kanemaru drags Khan over to the ropes! Taichi is frustrated with Kanemaru but Kanemaru says that’s a ropebreak. Taichi storms up on Kanemaru, but then Khan waistlocks! Ripcord and SAYANAGI! Both men are down again and the fans rally up! Taichi goes to a corner, Khan runs in, but Taichi dodges! GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up and Taichi snarls. Taichi TAKES OFF THE PANTS! The pants were a bit stubborn, but still. But then Kanemaru “checks” Khan just to stay between him and Taichi! Taichi says move or else! Kanemaru says he’s the ref!
Kanemaru kicks Taichi, CLAWS Taichi’s eyes, then traps his arms! Khan gets up to IRON RIGHT!! Kanemaru “scolds” Khan, then “checks” Taichi. Khan rests in a corner and Kanemaru drags Taichi up for him. Taichi CHOKES Kanemaru! Kanemaru kicks low! Kanemaru whips Taichi into a corner, ELBOWS him, then Khan LARIATS! Khan snapmares and covers, Kanemaru wants more first! Khan sits Taichi up for a BASEMENT DROPKICK! Now cover, TWO!! Taichi survives so Kanemaru hurries to get his whiskey! Khan takes a swig, and Kanemaru sets Taichi up! WHISKEY MIST into Kanemaru! Taichi hits the GEDO CLUTCH, but Kanemaru really can’t count now!
Taichi lets off of Khan since there was no count to be had. Taichi drags Kanemaru up, but Khan WHISKEY BOTTLE SHOTS Taichi! IRON CLAW!! Kanemaru calls for the bell? He just hands the win to Khan without counting, so now we’re all tied up!
Khan: 1; Taichi: 1
Kanemaru has fulfilled the contract, Khan gives him the envelope of money. Khan even makes sure we all see how many thousands that is! Kanemaru heads out, is he going to party hard for the holidays? But that aside, it is time for the final fall!
Last Man Standing!
Taichi gets the mic first, and tells Khan that if that’s how Khan wants to do it, then Taichi will get down and dirty with Khan! No lumberjacks, no special guests, just the straight up ten count, and it can happen anywhere in Korakuen Hall! Khan says bet! The announcement is made for the official rule change, and now we have the final fall! Khan rushes Taichi on the outside, then whips him into railing! And we’re already going into the crowd! Khan throws Taicihi at English commentary, but big Hartley is a solid wall for Chris. Khan then drags Taichi up into the bleachers, and the fans clear out of the way!
Khan CHOKES Taichi with a chair, then lets off to clear chairs out of the way. The Young Lions try to help but Khan gets mad at them and pushes them aside. Khan drags Taichi up, knees him low, and then reels him in! But Taichi fights the sayanagi! Taichi SHOVES Khan, Khan falls to the floor but gets up, only for Taichi to CROSSBODY! Down goes Khan and Red Shoes hurries over. Both men are down but Taichi sits up. The count starts and Khan is still down at 5 of 10! Khan hurries to get up, and Taichi stomps him down! Taichi drags Khan back up into the bleachers, but we go the other way.
Taicih KICKS Khan down, Young Lions keep the fans back again, and Taichi drags Khan along. They keep moving through the crowd, and Taichi shoves Khan into chairs! Khan sputters but Taichi drags him up again. Taichi KNEES Khan, then drags him up. They go back down to floor level, and then Taichi aims at chairs! Taichi whips but Khan reverses and he BOWLS Taichi into chairs! Not quite a strike but he got a good number of those chairs! Khan pops the railing loose from the special corner piece, and he brings that corner piece over! Khan SMACKS Taichi with the steel! Taichi staggers away but he sits in a chair.
Khan starts folding chairs to stack them on the floor. Khan then uses one chair as a leash to drag Taichi over! Khan CLUBS Taichi, adds that one chair to the pile, and then snap suplexes Taichi onto the chairs! Taichi writhes but Khan rises up. Khan roars and the fans fire up! The count begins again but Taichi slowly sits up at 4. Taichi rises up, and he stands at 8! Khan brings Taichi around in a headlock, and they go to the orange bleachers! Khan uses the gate to smother Taichi, then they go up to the higher level! The fans fire up but then fans have to move! Khan KNEES and CLUBS Taichi, then whips Taichi at the exit door!
Taichi tumbles into the hallway! Khan drags Taichi back into the arena and uses the HITSUJIGOROSHI against the chairs! Taichi endures as Khan chokes him, then Khan lets him go! Red Shoes checks on Taichi, Taka coaches him, but the count begins. Khan sits in a chair to relax while he waits. Taichi sits up at 7, and stands at 9! Khan storms up on Taichi to CLUB him on the back! Khan headlocks Taichi, brings him to the other section, and he gets up close to the fans for photo ops. Khan then whips, but Taichi reverses, and Khan is sent into the wall! Taichi leaves Khan behind while the count begins again.
Khan sits up so Taichi KICKS him back down! Taichi drags Khan up, KICKS him again, and Khan falls to his knees. Taichi drags Khan up by his ponytail, and he goes close to the stairs that lead to the back! Khan fights the suplex, and for his life, but then he turns things around! Taichi fights the suplex, throws hands, and then DDTS Khan to the floor! Red Shoes checks both men, then starts the count. Taichi shakes out his arms and sits up at 4. Taichi stands at 6 but Khan is still down at 8! Khan drags himself up at 9! Taichi CLUBS Khan down, then brings him back up. Taichi brings Khan back to ground level, then snapmares him hard for a KICK!
Khan is in agony but Taichi drags him back up. But Khan RAMS Taichi into the railing! Taichi sputters while also sitting in a chair. Khan staggers away to ringside, and he goes looking under the ring. Khan brings out a trolly cart? Khan JAMS Taichi up using his own mic stand, then leaves him behind. Khan brings out a TABLE! Fans rally up as Khan puts the table on the trolly, then he staggers over to Taichi. Khan CLUBS Taichi down, then SHOVES him onto the table trolly combo. Khan has fans clear out, and then he SNOW PLOWS the chairs with Taichi on the cart!! The fans fire up as Khan stands over Taichi.
Khan drags Taichi up, and he brings the table along, too. Khan kicks chairs out of the way as he returns to the upper deck! Khan SMACKS Taichi off the edge, then he clears out space. Khan sets the table up, then he goes up to fetch Taichi. Khan JAMS Taichi up with a chair, then SMACKS him! Taichi writhes, fans rally, and Khan drags Taichi up. Khan vows to end this! IRON CLAW, and ELIMI- NO! Taichi fights Khan off! Taichi stumbles away through the crowd, but then grabs himself a chair. Taichi runs up to JAM Khan right in the face! Taichi then steals Khan’s idea to choke grip and CHOKE SLAM down through the table!!!
Khan writhes and the fans go nuts! Taichi hobbles around while Red Shoes counts Khan. Khan is still down at 5! Still down at 7! 9! KHAN GRABS RED SHOES’S HAND!! Khan survives, and though he has a couple bloody cuts on his back, he crawls his way to the ring. Taichi eggs Khan on and the fans are thunderous! Khan drags himself into the ring, Taichi runs, AX BOMBER!! The fans fire up and the count returns! Khan is still down at 5, stirs at 6, sits up at 7, and he rises at 8! So Taichi just runs up to AX BOMBER!! Khan drops to his knees, flops over, but he’s already pushing himself back up! Taichi runs again, AX BOMBER!!
Khan staggers around but he stays on his feet! Taichi says fine, AX- SAYANAGI!! Khan turns things around, and he AX BOMBERS in return!! Both men are down and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and Khan crawls for ropes at 5! Taichi slowly sits up at 6, and both men go to corners at 7! Red Shoes waits on them to rise up, and then Taichi fires up! Taichi runs up, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Neither man falls, so Taichi BOOTS! Khan BOOTS back! Taichi URAKENS! Khan MONGOLIAN CHOPS! Taichi SOBATS! Khan BODY BLOWS! Both men drop to knees, but they also grab at each other.
The fans rally as Khan and Taichi slowly rise. They are forehead to forehead, and then Taichi AX BOMBERS! Khan drops to his knees, Taichi BUZZSAWS, but Khan blocks it! Khan ROCKS Taichi with a right! And then Khan reels Taichi in, but Taichi Alabama Lifts! BLACK- NO, Khan fights into a GUILLOTINE! Taichi is stuck in the body scissors!! Taichi flails, even taps out, but that’s not how Last Man Standing works! Khan squeezes tighter and tighter, Taichi fades, and Red Shoes checks! Khan lets Taichi go and the count begins! Khan rises at 6, and Taichi is somehow up at 9!! So Khan clamps on an IRON CLAW!
Khan lifts Taichi, but Taichi slips free! Taichi shoves Khan and ROCKS him! DANGEROUS SAIDO!! But Khan is staggering to his feet?! Khan goes to a corner, flounders along ropes, but he isn’t down yet! The fans rally hard while both men fight to their feet! SUPERMAN PUNCH from Khan! PELE from Taichi! Both men are down again! Red Shoes starts the count on them both, and the fans rally even harder! Taichi is up at 7! Khan grabs Red Shoes at 9 again!! Taichi roars, Korakuen is with him, and he powers up! TENSHI JUJI- NO!! Khan blocks, and he hooks Taichi! Taichi CLUBS away on Khan, but Khan still lifts! ULTIMATE ELIMINATOR!!
Both men are down again and the fans rally as hard as they can! The count is on both men, and they’re both down at 5! At 7! 9! Khan pushes up, but he FLOPS back down!! DOUBLE TEN! IT’S A DRAW!! What does that mean for the belt!? Red Shoes goes out to talk with Abe-san, and then the announcement is made. In the end, with it being 1-1-1, a true draw, it all goes to KHAN!
Winner: Great-O-Khan, by pinfall (DEFINITIVE 2024 KOPW Champion)
Khan flips Taichi off, one last insult added on top. Khan is given the belt back, but Taichi grabs his trophy. Taichi steps up to Khan, and gives him the trophy, saying it is rightfully his now. Taichi shows Khan that respect, and Khan returns it with a handshake. Khan “retires” Taichi from KOPW, what will the Holy Emperor look to do in 2025?
As for Khan, he grabs the mic, and he asks Taichi to wait a moment. “You served this title for three years. We will honor your glory!” The fans applaud that, and Khan asks the previous champion to come closer. No, closer. The fans cheer Taichi on as he steps closer to ringside. Khan says Taichi served this title well, so here is his reward. Khan is giving the trophy back? Taichi says no, he gave that to Khan out of respect. Khan says to Taichi and to everyone to listen well. “We are the last KOPW Champion!” Everyone is a bit surprised to hear that.
Khan says, “As an alternative, on January 4th in the Tokyo Dome… as THE last KOPW Champion, We demand that the January 4th match determine the next IWGP World Heavyweight Championship challenger!” The fans are really intrigued by that idea! Khan throws down the belt, and Chris makes sure English speakers understand what Khan is suggesting. The New Japan Ranbo determining a #1 contender? Khan says that these are the words of the final KOPW Champion, The Great-O-Khan! “HAIL US, PEASANTS!” A New Year, a new era? Will Khan’s revolution bring glory to the United Empire?
My Thoughts:
A very good night for Road to Tokyo Dome, though I did skip a lot just because I didn’t have a lot of time today. But luckily I was skimming through, or I would’ve missed ELP’s great return. Congratulations on him beating cancer, and I like that they’re adding him to the NJPW World Television Championship match. It makes sense given ELP’s beef with the House of Torture, and honestly, why not just have ELP win? Not even so much for getting over cancer (though kind of that, too) but because fans love ELP and it’d help him solidify his singles run with Hikuleo long gone for WWE.
Really good stuff in the other tune-up matches, such as #DespeWado winning and the chaotic end to the Fatal 4 Way. Eagles won to help him and Fujita have momentum, but there is still more to the Road to Tokyo Dome first. Honestly that tag Fatal 4 could really go any which way they want so I’m not sure how the go-home math would even work. And Gedo of course took the loss against LIJ. Yota Tsuji is aiming for David Finlay and the IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship, but who knows how things go before we get to WrestleKingdom.
Very good tag match from Shota & Tanahashi VS ZSJ & Fujita, and it was technically a surprise for Tanahashi to take the loss. This works on many levels, as Tanahashi should be figuratively on the ropes going into his match with Evil, and this gives Fujita equal momentum alongside Eagles. And then great main event, Khan and Taichi really went the distance with this one. And it all makes sense after Khan reveals this is the end of the KOPW Division. Khan wants to make the New Japan Ranbo to basically be the Royal Rumble and that is pretty cool. I think they could keep the belt to represent that contender’s status the same as the G1 Climax having a briefcase, because that KOPW belt actually looks pretty nice.
My Score: 8.8/10
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Rockin’ around the Christmas Collision!
The Continental Classic continues on Christmas Collision, with crucial points on the line this close to AEW Worlds End! Who will finally take the lead in Gold League?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet; Ricochet wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford; Kris wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia; Garcia wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos; Briscoe wins.
- AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Here are the current Continental Classic Gold League standings!
Claudio Castagnoli: 2-1, 6 points
Will Ospreay: 2-1, 6 points
Ricochet: 2-1, 6 points
Darby Allin: 2-1, 6 points
Brody King: 2-2, 6 points
Komander: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Here are the current Continental Classic Blue League standings!
Kyle Fletcher: 3-1, 9 points
Kazuchika Okada: 2-1-1, 7 points
Mark Briscoe: 2-2, 6 points
Shelton Benjamin: 2-1, 6 points
Daniel Garcia: 1-1-1, 4 points
The Beast Mortos: 0-4, 0 points [ELIMINATED]
Ian Riccaboni is in the ring.
He has Big Boom AJ & Big Justice with him in the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they’re ready to bring the BOOM~! They’re ready to watch the action tonight, and even the final face-to-face of MJF and Adam Cole. AJ says if MJF is gonna bring the doom, then you know he and Big Justice will bring the BOOM~! But tonight, their guy, Adam Cole will bring the BOOM~ too! And of course we have big Continental Classic action! Daniel Garcia VS Shelton Benjamin in a critical showdown, and while Shelton is tough, Garcia is going to bring the BOOM~! Plus, Mark Briscoe battles The Beast Mortos! The Chicken is their guy, time to bring the BOOM~!
In Gold League, we have Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli, and the Swiss Superman is a DOOM~! Let’s go, Darby, bring that BOOM~! And then a match everyone wants to see, the fireworks rematch of Will Ospreay VS Ricochet! If you’re a fan of high-flying wrestling, this is the right night to be right here in AEW! Ricochet and their guy, Ospreay, will bring the BOOM~! But speaking of, that match is up first! The Aerial Assassin joins AJ & Big Justice in giving a BOOM~, but will Ricochet make sure tonight is #OuttaThisWorld?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Will Ospreay VS Ricochet!
Wait, are the fans throwing white streamers or is that… No, yeah, it’s toilet paper! Ospreay laughs at the fans basically calling Ricochet crap. Ricochet throws the toilet paper back! The bell rings and we’re on the clock. The fans fire up for Ospreay as he and Ricochet circle. The fans also sing, “F HIM UP, OSPREAY, F HIM UP!” Ricochet shrugs that off, he and Ospreay tie up, and then Ricochet rolls. Ospreay shoots in, waistlocks, but Ricochet switches. They go around, Ricochet gator rolls with Ospreay, then floats to a headlock. Ricochet wrenches, hammerlocks then headlocks again. Ospreay powers up and out, Ricochet runs him over, but Ospreay kips up!
The fans cheer and Ospreay smiles as he and Ricochet reset. They tie up, go around, and Ricochet wrenches to a wristlock. Ospreay rolls, wrenches and wristlocks, but Ricochet spins and wrenches to hammerlock. Ospreay reaches back, headlocks and hits a takeover. Ricochet rolls to a cover, TWO! Ospreay holds onto the headlock but Ricochet powers up and out. Ospreay runs Ricochet over, Ricochet bails out, and then Ospreay handsprings to fake Ricochet out! The fans cheer as Ospreay superhero lands out, and Ricochet is annoyed. Ospreay holds ropes open for Ricochet, but Ricochet goes around the way to step in on his own.
The fans boo Ricochet being a bad sport but Ricochet ignores that. Ospreay and Ricochet knuckle lock, then Ricochet kicks low! And CHOPS! Ricochet whips, Ospreay reverses, but Ricochet rolls off Ospreay’s back! Things keep moving, Ospreay avoids the handspring to then duck ‘n’ dodges and RANA! But Ricochet handsprings through! The fans fire up, and Ospreay arm-drags Ricochet down! The fans cheer while Ricochet endures the grind. Ricochet fights up and puts Ospreay on ropes. The ref counts, Ricochet and Ospreay slowly let g o, and Ricochet SLAPS Ospreay! Ospreay CHOPS Ricochet!
Ospreay takes a swing, Ricochet ducks under to roll back and RANA! But now Ospreay handsprings through! Ricochet dodges to waistlock but Ospreay bucks the O’Conner. Ricochet arm-drags Ospreay down, but Ospreay headscissors back! Ricochet pops free but Ospreay arm-drags! Ricochet headscissors, Ospreay pops free, and Ospreay handsprings, but Ricochet catches him! Ricochet then THROWS Ospreay into the Tree of Woe, and Ospreay falls down! The fans boo while Ospreay bails out, but Ricochet FOSBURY FLOPS! The fans boo but Ricochet takes the toilet paper to wipe himself, then he SMOTHERS Ospreay with it!
The fans boo that literally disgusting act of disrespect, but Collision goes picture in picture.
Ricochet taunts the fans, then drags Ospreay up. Ricochet puts Ospreay in, soaks up more heat, then KNEE-BOARD SENTONS! Ricochet swaggers to taunt the fans more, then he goes back to Ospreay. Cover, ONE!! Another cover, TWO! Ricochet taunts the fans more, then goes back for Ospreay. Ricochet stands Ospreay up to CHOP, and Ospreay goes to a corner. Ricochet RAMS into Ospreay, RAMS him again, then snapmares to UPPERCUT in the back! Cover, TWO! Ospreay stays in this but Ricochet drags him into a motorcycle stretch. Ospreay endures while Ricochet digs a knee into the back. Ospreay fights up, fights with elbows, then runs, but into a DROPKICK!
Ospreay is down in a daze but Ricochet has to shake out the stars in his own head. Ricochet covers, ONE! Ospreay then uses that one to flip off Ricochet. Ricochet RAMS Ospreay in the back! Ricochet then clamps on with a chinlock, and he digs his knee into Ospreay’s back. Ospreay endures, even as Ricochet JAMS Ospreay. Collision returns to single picture as the fans rally for Ospreay again. Ospreay fires up, fires hands, but Ricochet RAMS him into a corner. Ricochet runs up, RAMS into Ospreay, then goes to the apron. Ospreay takes a swing but Ricochet dodges and gets around him to GERMAN SUPLEX! Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay runs, handsprings, NEURALIZER KICK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ospreay goes to the apron, takes aim, and he springboards to PIP PIP CHEERIO! Down goes Ricochet, Ospreay covers, TWO! Ospreay stays focused and the fans rally up. Ospreay drags Ricochet up, CHOPS him, then CHOPS him again! Ricochet staggers, Ospreay runs, but Ricochet TIGER WALL KICKS! Forearm, SOBAT, and Ricochet runs, but into a POP-UP, and STYLES- NO, Ricochet sits up, slips free, and he underhooks Ospreay for a FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ospreay survives but Ricochet goes up.
Ricochet has to double clutch, the fans let him hear it, but Ricochet still MOONSAULTS! Ricochet lands out as Ospreay moves, and Ospreay runs up, but into an ELBOW! Ricochet handsprings, but into a pop-up, Electric Chair, spin around, STYLES CLASH!! Cover, TWO!! Ricochet survives and Ospreay is surprised. Ospreay pulls on the elbow pad and the fans fire up! “This is Awesome!” as Ospreay aims, but Ricochet bails out! The fans boo but Ospreay storms after Ricochet. They’re both on the apron and Ospreay goes up a corner. Ricochet anchors Ospreay first! Then Ricochet has the Electric Chair Lift!
Ospreay fights free, fights off a nelson, then he KICKS Ricochet! Ospreay runs, but into a pop-up APRON DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! The fans chant “You Still Suck!” but Ricochet adds a SHOOTING STAR PRESS! Ricochet puts Ospreay in, then springboards to 450 SPLASH! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives, but then Ricochet AX KICKS! Dragon sleeper, inverted suplex, VERTIGO! Cover, TWO!? Ospreay survives and Ricochet is shocked! Ricochet snarls and he aims from a corner. The fans rally for Ospreay but Ricochet loads up. SPIRIT- NO, Ospreay ducks under! Ospreay gets up, Ricochet blocks a kick!
Ricochet V-TRIGGERS, then he reels Ospreay in! But Ospreay fights out of the bomb, but then Ricochet returns the favor! Ricochet suplexes, into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Ospreay springboards for the OSC- CUTTER FROM RICOCHET!! Ricochet hurries to get Ospreay up, powerbomb into fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY DRIVER! SPIRIT- HIDDEN BLADE!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Ospreay and Ricochet both slowly sit up and the fans rally as hard as ever. Ricochet and Ospreay stare down, talk a bit of trash, then stand up. Ospreay draws a line in the sand and dares Ricochet to step up.
Ricochet steps right up, they stand toe to toe, literally! They start firing forearms! The fans cheer Ospreay, boo Ricochet, and Ricochet wobbles! But then Ricochet comes back with forearm after forearm! Ospreay wobbles, but he grins as he rises and roars! Ospreay fires a flurry on Ricochet, then ROCKS him! Ricochet flops over, Ospreay hauls him up! But Ricochet grabs at the ref! Ospreay kicks Ricochet’s arm away, but then Ricochet RAMS Ospreay into the ref! The fans boo but then Ricochet hurries to HOOK KICK! And VERTI- NO, Ospreay slips free to underhook! STORM BREAKER! Cover, but the ref is down!
The fans count, Ospreay would’ve won twice over! Ospreay calls to the ref, the ref sputters around, and Ospreay goes up. But then Ricochet kicks the ref into ropes! Ospreay gets tripped up and the fans boo more! Ospreay is confused as to what happened, but SPIRIT GUN hits the mark!! Cover, RICOCHET WINS!
Winner: Ricochet, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Ospreay earns 0)
The One & Only got away with murder, but there’s nothing that can be done now! Ricochet has NINE points, will he be headed to Worlds End?
Adam Cole heads to the ring!
The fans cheer as the Panama City Playboy returns to the Hammerstein Ballroom, and yes, they join in for the “BOOM~!” and the “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY~!” Cole grabs a mic, but he keeps his eyes on the ramp. That’s because we all know who’s next. MJF makes his entrance, but with a handful of security guards in front of him first. And not even AEW security, that’s his own personal security. MJF grabs a mic and has them cut his music. The fans boo but MJF tells them, “If I wanted your help, I’d ask for it. Sit down and shut up.” The fans tell MJF to STFU, but MJF shrugs that off.
MJF tells Cole that MJF is frustrated. It’s because for the past few months, MJF has had to listen to Cole say MJF is Cole’s biggest enemy! If memory serves, and MJF’s memory always does because unlike the fans here, he isn’t a complete moron… Didn’t Cole turn on MJF? But then does Cole realize he has bigger enemies out there? Like spray tan, cracks in the floor, gusts of win, and maybe… a cavity. Because last MJF heard, Cole’s dentist isn’t seeing him anymore. Cole was already staring daggers into MJF, but now he’s pissed. MJF has Cole calm down, and he tells the fans to shut up so he can shoot straight.
When MJF was the longest-reigning and greatest AEW World Champion of all time, Cole was nothing more than MJF’s cute little sidekick. That ate Cole up inside. Cole wanted to be MJF. Cole wanted #TripleB. But the sad truth is, Cole had many opportunities to win the title before MJF got anywhere near it. It’s almost like when it comes to Cole being elite enough to become world champion, just like his “s*itty little ankle,” Cole blows it. MJF laughs at his own joke, and then tells the fans he is talking, it is not that complicated. But this is why MJF doesn’t buy the hogwash that Cole turned on MJF because MJF would turn on Cole first.
Cole turned because he, like all these shmucks, is jealous of MJF. And who can blame Cole? MJF is rich, handsome, funny, entertaining, and then look at Cole. For crying out loud, Cole used to be ADAM COLE BAYBAY. Now, he’s just a crack baby! Cole asks if MJF is done. Was that the last line? Because it felt like MJF practiced that for two weeks in front of a mirror. But MJF killed it, really. Cole could come back with childish comments to hurt MJF’s feelings, but he won’t. Cole could mention MJF has had two surgeries on that fake head of hair of his while only in his 20s, which is hilarious, but he won’t.
Cole could talk about how MJF pulled some strings to get his girlfriend hired, like the real politician he is, but Cole won’t go there. Cole could talk about how every single time MJF enters a room, everyone waits for him to leave because he is loud, obnoxious and annoying as hell. But Cole won’t go there. Because Cole is not like MJF. They are nothing alike. That is why the friendship was ruined. Because, MJF, the truth is you say Cole is a failure, but in virtually every wrestling company Cole has worked for, he is the longest-reigning champion in so many!
In this very building, Cole bled BUCKETS against Kyle O’Reilly, wanting to prove he was one of the best in the world, and that is exactly what he did! Does Cole have regrets? Sure. Are there things Cole wishes he could take back? Absolutely. But Cole does NOT regret turning on MJF. The only reason it drives MJF insane is because Cole beat MJF to it. That’s MJF 101: Get close to someone, then turn on them. It’s what MJF does. Cole just did it better than MJF, and MJF knows it.
But Cole has been thinking, trying to understand what’s going on in MJF’s head, and he finally figured it out. MJF is terrified of having anyone close to him, because he feels it is a weakness. That hit a chord? Because not only does MJF act like a child, he thinks like a child! MJF knows in his heart that he was going to be the one to turn on Cole first! DAMN RIGHT HE WAS!!! MJF realizes he let the cat out of the bag. MJF says congrats, Cole, he solved the mystery! A regular Scooby-Doo! Great job, Adam.
But you want the truth? Here it is. The fact of the matter is, last year at Worlds End, MJF had every intention on stabbing Cole in the back that night. Cole just got lucky. When #BetterThanYouBaybay started, MJF didn’t give a damn about Cole. Cole was nothing more than a pawn. But MJF will admit, he did eventually start to care. For the first time in MJF’s life, he cared about someone else. Fans mockingly go, “Aww…” But MJF says that is just when Cole became a liability. And since Cole’s “a fragile little freak,” him jumping off that ramp and exploding his ankle made him a distraction!
Distractions, liabilities, emotions, there are no room for those when all you should be concerned with is maintaining the world championship! But Cole doesn’t get it, does he? Last year was a fluke. Cole ain’t the Devil, he just beat the Devil to it. But this year, Worlds End, December 28th, the same show where Cole tried to end MJF’s world, MJF ENDS Cole!! MJF throws down the mic and the fans are torn. Cole smirks and says MJF ends things then? Well, how about Cole ends this? COLE DECKS MJF! The guards rush in, but Cole fights them off! MJF sends more but Cole SUPERKICSK! And SUPERKICKS! And SUPERKICKS!
But then MJF LOW BLOWS Cole! MJF tells the fans to shut up! MJF takes out the Dynamite Diamond Ring! But then The Kingdom rushes out here! MJF runs away from Matt Taven & Mike Bennett, but he vows this ends at Worlds End. We have one week left, is that the last week Cole has in AEW? Or will MJF finally lose the one thing he has left in that diamond ring?
Backstage interview with Kris Statlander.
Lexy Nair is with the #BornAgainKristen and brings up her trying to make amends with Willow Nightingale last night, as well as making the save when Harley Cameron & Penelope Ford were beating Willow up. Kris says what she and Willow have to discuss is between them. But as far as her and Penelope go, they’ve got a lot of history, and if Ford wants a fight, Kris will give her a fight. Then speaking of history, Kris still has her eyes set on the TBS Championship, can she tells us more on that?
Kris says she looked back on 2024 and she had a downward spiral that started with losing that title. Maybe if she wins it back, Kris will right her wrongs. On that note, Mercedes Mone, you don’t have an opponent for Worlds End so here Kris is. Let her know when you’re ready for round two. Kris heads out, will she prove to everyone that she is still the Galaxy’s Greatest?
Backstage interview with Orange Cassidy.
AEW returns and Lexy is now with Freshly Squeezed. In exactly one week, he will compete against three other men for the AEW World Championship. There are a lot of combustible elements at play, and Cassidy says yeah, we saw that on Dynamite. Jay White, Hangman Page and Cassidy can’t exactly have a conversation. So really, Cassidy wants them to listen. “Between now and Worlds End, Jon Moxley can run and hide. He can hide behind his goons, he can run away in a pickup truck. But when that bell rings in seven days, he has nowhere to go. He will be in the ring with us. Us three. And you both know that we need to remove Jon Moxley from the equation.
“We can. We’ve done it. And after that, us three, we can fight for the AEW World Championship and one of us will become the AEW World Champion. Just something to think about. See you guys on Dynamite.” Cassidy is ready to remove the Maniac from the throne, but will the Switchblade and Cowboy listen to reason?
Kris Statlander VS Penelope Ford!
As Kris just said, she’s calling out The CEO in hopes of one more TBS Championship match. But will the Superbad Girl be more like the Grinch for Kris this Christmas?
The bell rings and the fans rally as Kris circles with Ford. They tie up, Kris powers Ford to a corner, then throws Ford back into the corner! The ref counts, Kris lets off, but Ford shoves her! Kris ROCKS Ford, TOSSES her, then runs up on her. Kris whips, drops down, then hurdles over. Kris CLOBBERS Ford and the fans fire up as she flexes. Kris drags Ford up, reels her in, and suplexes, and she holds Ford up! The fans cheer and Kris goes all the way to TEN, but Ford slips into a SLEEPER! Kris pries the hold open and she brings Ford around for another suplex! The fans fire up as Kris holds Ford up for five before the SLAM! Cover, TWO!
Kris drags Ford up, whips her to the corner, but Ford goes up, only for Kris to Electric Chair Lift! Kris climbs, Ford fights with fists, and she shoves Kris down! Ford steadies herself, then hits a FLYING BLOCKBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford is frustrated but she storms up on Kris. Ford bumps Kris off buckles but the fans rally behind Kris. Ford stomps a mudhole, but she lets off as the ref counts. Kris goes to the apron, but Ford jumps up to drop KNEES on her! The fans boo but Ford soaks up the heat, and Collision goes picture in picture.
Ford brings Kris around to THROW her into railing! Ford soaks up more heat, then drags Kris up and RAMS her into the apron! Ford refreshes the count, then stalks Kris around the way. Ford whips Kris into the steel steps! Kris falls over in a heap but Ford drags her up into the ring. Ford covers, TWO! Kris stays in this but Ford kicks her around. Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes, thrashes around, but lets off as the ref counts. Ford drags Kris up and whips her to ropes, then LARIATS as Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Ford CHOKES Kris on the ropes again! The ref counts, Ford lets off and Kris sputters to the apron. Ford runs and goes up, up, and KNEE DROPS on only apron! Kris then SHOTGUNS Ford off the apron! The fans fire up and Kris brings Ford up, to THROW into railing! Kris puts Ford in the ring, the fans fire up, but Ford kicks low. Ford reels Kris in, but Kris suplexes, FISHERMAN BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ford flounders to a corner but Kris has the fans rallying behind her. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT! Kris goes side to side but Ford dodges the knee! Ford hits a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!
Ford wasn’t quite perfect there but she watches Kris go to a corner. Ford runs corner to corner, handsprings, but Kris catches her! The fans fire up as Kris GERMAN SUPELXES, but Ford lands out! but Kris goes Matrix to dodge! So does Ford! STUNNER! Ford runs, Kris does her best to follow, but Ford hops up for a POISON-RANA! Cover, TWO!! Kris survives and the fans fire up! Ford is beside herself, but she drags Kris to a drop zone. Ford goes up top, and MOONSAULTS BUT FLOPS as Kris moves! Kris hurries to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! And then GERMAN SUPLEX again! The fans fire up as Kris scoops to tuck Ford in! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER! Cover, Kris wins!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Ford gave Kris quite the fight, but Kris came out on top! Wait, here comes Mone! Kris did call the CEO out, so Santa Mone says, “Ho, ho, ho ho ho! New York Citaaaay~! Please say hello to your C E O! Kris, after the year I’ve been having, I was planning on taking Worlds End off. I was planning on going to the Ritz in Boston.” The fans boo Boston, but Mone says since it’s the holidays, Mone feels like being nice. She already beat Kris once anyway, so she’ll just beat her twice! At Worlds End, you see that money changes everything, because Mone is the greatest TBS Champion of all time!
The challenge has been accepted, and Mone is looking to be busy before the New Year. Will Kris make her regret it?
Big Boom AJ & Big Justice return to the ring.
They’re getting Christmas Collision ready to bring the BOOM, but out comes Chris Jericho, who is still ROH World Champion after overcoming Matt Cardona last night at Final Battle. And he has Bryan Keith & “Big Bill” Morrissey with him as he asks if AJ has a permit for being here tonight. Did they talk with Mayor DeBlasio? Because they certainly didn’t run this past Jericho. Do they know who he is? Big Justice says yeah, he knows! “You’re a JACKASS!” Jericho is taken aback, but the fans agree with Justice. The Bad Apple says this is why dumbass kids should be sitting and not heard. Jericho says yeah!
And if being a jackass means he’s the King of New York, then Jericho’s the biggest jackass! And besides, Jericho talks for everyone here saying we do not want AJ & Justice here! The fans boo, they disagree with Jericho. But Jericho says they don’t even have Costcos in New York! New Yorkers shop at bodegas. Fans are torn, because they kind of agree. Jericho says his favorite is the Walgreens a few blocks over in Flushing. And speaking of Flushing, that’s where AJ & Justice belong: in the toilet! This is the Hammerstein Ballroom, the House that Jericho built! The fans boo that, it’s the House that Hardcore built.
But Jericho says there’s no time for goofy gimmicks like BOOM~, or bandit masks, or scissoring! Scissor me, Bad Apple~! But then wait! The Acclaimed is here! Well, Anthony Bowens is, at least. Bowens pushes past The Learning Tree and he joins AJ & Justice in the ring. Bowens has the music cut, and he tells Jericho that he doesn’t get why Scissor King is catching strays, but you caught his attention. Jericho is trying to intimidate a man in a walking boot and an 11 year old child while spouting nonsense about being the King of New York. Why doesn’t Jericho do what he has asked so many others in the past: SHUT THE HELL UP!
The fans cheer but Big Bill says, “As the Learning Tree always says, when a man tries to silence another man, he’s probably afraid of the truth.” The fans do cheer Big Bill because he is from New York. Bowens says he has no idea what that means, Bill. But he does know we’re live on TNT, Christmas Collision, Hammerstein Ballroom, New York City! So Chris, why not walk your ass to this ring and get it whipped by the Scissor King?! Jericho says if Bowens wants him to do that, then not tonight. Jericho waves bye, but AJ says hold on, listen up. We know Jericho is running scared, but we know at some point, Bowens will get to bring the-
Bowens stops the Boom? Because he wants to scissor! AJ says okay, and they SCISSOR BOOM~! But is that true? Will Anthony Bowens be the one to tear down the Learning Tree and be a champion?
Backstage interview with The Vendetta.
Lexy is now with Deonna Purrazzo & Taya Valkyrie, and they’ve got a hot streak going. Deonna’s message last week was ominous, but who was it for? Taya says there are so many options. Everyone deserves a slice of The Vendetta. There’s Mercedes, Mariah, Toni Storm, even Lexy could get some, so watch your back. Speaking of Toni, she stumbles in and apologizes for interrupting. She just wants to say hi to everyone, hello. Oh, Deonna, a pleasure. Deonna says she knows who Toni is. R-Really? So cool! Taya says she’ll make a guess: Toni has a tattoo on her leg, a little duck with a knife through it.
Wow, how’d Taya know? Deonna says no no no, she is not doing this again. She does not get what sick crap Toni’s up to, but she is already done with it. So for Dynamite’s Miracle on 34th Street, Toni VS Taya! Taya says she’ll make Toni forget everything! Toni nervously thanks The Vendetta, and says this is a big opportunity to face someone like Taya. Toni leaves, Deonna and Taya sigh, and Lexy has no idea what to say. Is Toni’s mind unraveling before our eyes? Or is there still a bit of Timeless inside Toni Time?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Shelton Benjamin VS Daniel Garcia!
This showdown was inevitable, but it’s even more fitting after The Standard of Excellence beat up the TNT Champion just because he stood up to the Hurt Syndicate. Will Shelton continue to bring the pain? Or will he not survive Red Death?
The bell rings and Garcia goes right at Shelton! Garcia fires hands but Shelton RAMS him into the corner! Shelton fires hands but Garcia turns things around to fire more shots! The ref counts, Shelton shoves Garcia back, but Garcia runs up to fire hands! Shelton shoves Garcia again, but Garcia gets under the lariat to waistlock. Shelton fights the lift but Garcia shoves him to SLAP! And CHOP! Shelton just grins and he picks Garcia up again! Shelton TOSSES Garcia away and Garcia goes to ropes. Shelton brings Garcia back up, scoops and SLAMS him, then brings him up again. Scoop SLAM! Shelton drags Garcia up and puts him in a corner.
Shelton whips corner to corner hard and Garcia falls! The fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton drags Garcia around, stomps him around, then TOSSES Garcia out hard! Garcia sputters but Shelton storms outside. Shelton brings Garcia up but Garcia fires hands! Shelton RAMS Garcia into the apron, then railing, then back to the apron! And repeat! Garcia falls in a heap and the fans fire up. Shelton grins as he drags Garcia up, to then THROW into steel steps! Shelton leaves Garcia behind and the ring count climbs on Garcia. Garcia drags himself up at 7 but Shelton goes out after him again.
Shelton puts Garcia in the ring, then grabs at him. Garcia grabs ropes but Shelton stomps him. Shelton stands Garcia up to DECK him! The fans cheer but Shelton brings Garcia up again. Garcia fires a forearm, then he CHOPS! Shelton eggs Garcia on, so Garcia CHOPS! Shelton grins, Garcia CHOPS, but Shelton DECKS him again! The fans duel but Shelton whips Garcia to ropes, for a BIG backdrop! Garcia flounders and Collision goes picture in picture.
Shelton stalks Garcia to the ropes, brings him up and around, then puts him on other ropes so he can CHOKE him! The ref counts, Shelton steps off, and Garcia coughs and sputters to a corner. Shelton stalks behind Garcia, stands him up, and winds up to ROCK Garcia! Garcia flounders against ropes then falls to the mat! Shelton stands over Garcia, drags him up and puts him in the corner. Shelton throws hands and Garcia stumbles. Garcia falls, but Shelton stands on him. Shelton stomps Garcia, drags him up, but Garcia fires up! Garcia breaks free to fire CHOPS and forearms on repeat!
Garcia whips, Shelton reverses and Shelton BOOTS Garcia down! Cover, TWO! Shelton is still amused, and he clamps onto Garcia with a chinlock. Garcia endures as Shelton grinds him down, and Garcia fights up, only for Shelton to wrangle him back down! Shelton leans all his weight on the hold and he squeezes tight. Garcia fades but the fans rally, and Garcia gets a second wind! Garcia fights up, Christmas Colilsion returns to siongle cipture, and the fans duel as Garcia fires hands! Garcia runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then SHOTGUNS SHelton down! The fans fire up and Garcia aims from a corner. Garcia runs up, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX!
The fans are torn while Shelton storms around. Shelton waits on Garcia, waistlocks, GERMAN SUPLEX! Garcia flops around but Shelton stalks him to the ropes. Shelton goes to the apron, runs up, but Garcia BOOTS him! Garcia takes a swing, but Shelton waistlocks! Garcia holds ropes to fight off the suplex to the floor! Garcia stands up and elbows Shelton away! Then Garcia LEAPS, but into Shelton’s clinch! OVERHEAD BELLY2BELLY to the floor! Garcia flounders, fans sing, “We Hurt People!” Shelton runs up but Garcia drop toeholds him into a chair! Shelton sputters and the fans rally up. Garcia makes Shelton take a seat, then rains down fists!
The fans count along and Garcia goes to nine, puts up the dukes, then hits TEN! Garcia gets space, runs back in, and he SHOTGUNS Shelton outta the chair! The fans are thunderous as Garcia goes back for Shelton. Garcia drags Shelton up but Shelton pushes him away. Shelton LARIATS Garcia, then rolls into the ring. The ring count starts, the fans help Garcia stand, and the fans fire up! Garcia hurries to the ring, but Shelton BOOTS, only for Garcia to block! DRAGON SCREW! Garcia runs, Shelton gets around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Even with a bad leg, Shelton has so much strength! Shelton storms up in the corner, but Garcia dodges!
Shelton’s knee hits buckles, and Garcia leg scissor rolls him! Garcia steps through for the DRAGON TAMER!! Shelton endures and the fans fire up! Garcia sits on the hold, but Shelton powers up! Shelton powers out of the hold, has Garcia’s legs, and he turns Garcia over into a QUEEN ANGELITO STRETCH! Garcia endures, reaches out, and he army crawls his way forward! But Shelton drags Garcia back! Garcia cradles Shelton! TWO!! Shelton escapes, but Garcia BOOTS him! Shelton SUPERKICKS Garcia! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous! Shelton covers, TWO!! Garcia barely gets out of that and Shelton is furious!
“This is Awesome!” as Shelton looms over Garcia. Shelton drags Garcia up, but Garcia trips Shelton! Jackknife bridge, GARCIA WINS!!
Winner: Daniel Garcia, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Shelton earns 0)
A Christmas Collision miracle? Who knows! But Garcia is still alive in the C2, but Lashley snatches Garcia into a SLEEPER! The fans boo but MVP hands the pimp cane to Shelton! But here comes Mark Briscoe, and he has a chair! Security wants this to stop before it gets out of hand, and even producers get out here! But wait! Is that Swerve Strickland rushing in from the crowd?! It is! He goes right up top to SUPER SWERVE STOMP the Syndicate and security guards! Garcia gets free of the pile, Mark Briscoe is with him, and now the locker room hurries out here to stop this from getting worse!
The fans chant, “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” and Nana eventually hands the mic to Swerve. “Bobby FREAKIN’ Lashley! Didn’t I say I was gonna get my hands on you by the end of ’24? By the end of 2024, I said I was gonna get my hands on you, and that’s what I did, courtesy of the most dangerous man in AEW. Whose house?!” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” Swerve is still aiming for Lashley’s head, will he and Lashley have it out at Worlds End?
AEW Continental Classic, Blue League: Mark Briscoe VS The Beast Mortos!
After getting a couple shockers, The Sussex County Chicken could easily jump up to the front of the block with one more! But will he #ManUp and bring down the menacing minotaur? Or will The Beast be a massive spoiler for Briscoe?
The bell rings and we’re on the clock again. The fans rally and duel while both men fire up. They RAM shoulders, and then fire forearms! The fans fire up as Mark gets the edge, but Mortos swings! Mark dodges to CHOP, then fire forearms! Mark ROCKS Mortos, whips, but Mortos reverses and SPLASHES Mark! Mortos runs but Mark follows to LARIAT! Mark runs, Mortos follows, but Mark dodges to CHOP! And CHOP! And forearm! And Mongolian Chop! Mark fires forearms against the ropes, then roars. Mark runs but Mortos follows to UPPERCUT! The fans fire up, Mortos runs but Mark follows to FOREARM!
Mark runs, Mortos follows, and he slingshots to hook and backslide, TWO! Mark trips Mortos to jackknife, TWO! Mortos gets around, hammerlock and cradle, TWO! Mark slips around to roll Mortos, TWO! Both men stand, both men dodge, and the fans cheer the standoff. The fans cheer “BOTH THESE GUYS! BOTH THESE GUYS!” as they reset. Mark and Mortos run up to RAM shoulders again! And again! Mortos is getting the better of this, and he CLOBBERS Mark! The fans cheer Mortos while Mark goes to ropes. Mortos runs in but Mark TOSSES him up and out! Mortos clutches a leg, stands up, but Mark runs!
Mortos slides in, dodges, and he SPEARS Mark! The fans fire up and Mortos roars while Collision goes picture in picture.
Mark rolls to a corner while Mortos headbutts buckles. Mortos then runs corner to corner to DROPKICK Mark! Mark sputters, Mortos drags him to a cover, TWO! Mark stays in this but Mortos drags him into a chinlock. Mark endures, even as Mortos leans on the hold. Mark fights up as the fans rally, and Mark fires body shots. Mortos THROWS Mark down! Mortos then CRANKS Mark’s neck, then KICKS him in the chest! Cover, TWO! Mark is still in this and he goes to ropes. Mortos storms up but Mark CHOPS! Mortos SMACKS Mark and Mark falls into a corner. Mortos stomps Mark, then digs his boots in!
The ref reprimands and counts, Mortos steps off, then Mortos snapmares Mark so he can step on Mark’s face! Then NECK TWIST! Cover, TWO! Mark stays in this and he goes back to ropes. Mortos waits on Mark to stand, then SMACKS him down! Mark dangles out of the ring in the ropes, but Mortos goes after a leg while Collision goes to break.
Christmas Collision returns and Mortos has Mark in a corner. Mortos whips corner to corner, then runs up to UPPERCUT, CHOP, and HEADBUTT! Mark staggers and the fans rally up for Mortos. Mortos brings down his kneepads, runs corner to corner, but Mark dodge! Mortos hits buckles then falls to the outside! The fans fire up as Mark then WRECKS Mortos with a dropkick! Mark builds speed and he DIVES, direct hit on Mortos! The fans fire up and Mark even hugs a few! Mark tosses a chair into the ring, and fans rally for #DEMBOYS. Mark sets the chair up, but Mortos anchors Mark’s legs! Mortos then SMACKS Mark!
Mortos drags Mark to the apron, Mark fires forearms. Mortos shoves Mark, but Mark fireman’s carries! Mortos fires elbows to get free! Mark REDNECK KUNG-FU UPPERCUTS! Then APRON GERMAN SUPLEXES! Mortos falls to the floor while the fans lose their minds! Mark rises up, takes aim, and he fires the fans up more. Mark goes up a corner, for a SUPER SKY TWISTER! The fans are thunderous and Mark high-fives the front row. Mark then goes back to the ring and builds speed! Mark uses the chair to FLY! Direct hit and Mark even lands on his feet! The fans fire up and Mark hurries to get Mortos back up.
Mark puts Mortos in the ring, “This is Awesome!” as Mark takes aim. FROGGY-BOW onto knees! Mortos saves himself there, and then roars! Mortos whips Mark, scoops him, and has the torture rack! BEAST BACKBREAKER! Then Mortos hauls Mark up for a POWER BREAKER!! The fans fire up for Mortos and he DISCUS- NO, Mark dodges, runs, but into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! Cover, TWO!! Mark survives and the fans fire up again! Mortos snarls, hauls Mark up, and then scoops! But Mark slips free! Mark crane kicks, then underhooks! But Mortos backdrops free! Mark rises, Mortos runs, but into a fireman’s carry!
Mark hits a ROLLING DEATH VALLEY! Then Mark goes up the corner, and the fans fire up for the FROGGY-BOW!! Cover, TWO?!? Mortos survives but Mark shakes his head. Mark just goes back up top! Mortos sits up and roars! But Mark still FROGGY-BOWS!! And then he underhooks, lifts, JAY DRILLER!! Cover, Mark wins!
Winner: Mark Briscoe, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Mortos earns 0)
And with that, Mark is now even with Kyle Fletcher, who Mark already beat earlier on! That is all the difference between the one seed and the two seed, how will this final round shake out?
Julia Hart speaks.
“Jamie, Jamie, Jamie. I’m no coward. What you call tricks, I call advantages. I suggested that you watch your back. I gave you all the warnings. So I’m not understanding why you feel the need to call me classless and sneaky. I thought I was being more than reasonable. I know you’re strong, but are you smart? Are my ‘tricks’ too much for you? I guess we’ll find out January 1st, Fight for the Fallen. But remember: The House Always Wins.” The Princess of the Black Throne is ready, but will she learn Hayter Hits Hard?
Backstage interview with Mariah May.
Alex Marvez is with the AEW Women’s World Champion and says in one week’s time, it will be Mariah VS Thunder Rosa for the title, in a Tijuana Street Fight! Marvez notes that Mariah not only had some harsh words for Rosa, but for her father, as well. Mariah says, “Aw~, Papa Rosa is gonna be in the front row. Is that to watch the match? Or does Thunder need a new mami?” But speaking of Rosa, she RAMS Mariah right into the door! And dribbles her off it, too! Mariah pulls hair, Rosa tries to choke Mariah, and then Mariah shoves Rosa away. Mariah calls Rosa crazy, but Rosa says she’s not done with Mariah!
Rosa storms after Mariah into the hall, and then to the stage area! Mariah has made it to ringside, Nigel tries to warn her, but Rosa CLOBBERS Mariah! Rosa rains down fists, then stomps away! Rosa SMACKS Mariah off steel steps, then grabs a chair! Mariah sputters, but gets away before Rosa swings the chair! Security rushes out here for the third time tonight, and Rosa LEAPS! The cluster keeps her away from Mariah but fans want to “LET THEM FIGHT!” Rosa holds up the AEW Women’s World Championship, will she send the “Woman From Hell” back where she came from in order to have the gold again?
AEW Continental Classic, Gold League: Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli!
While The Relentless One has been after each and every Death Rider, he gets one served up to him on a silver platter. But will Darby bring down the Swiss Superman before the final round? Or will Claudio crush Darby’s hopes and dreams this close to Christmas?
But before Claudio even gets in the ring, Darby DIVES out onto him! The fans fire up as Darby fires fast hands! Claudio gets away but Darby pursues, jumps on, and throws more hands! Claudio carries Darby up the ramp to then THROW him down! Darby writhes, Claudio drags him up, and Claudio gorilla presses! Darby slips free, goes to the entry, and then dodges Claudio to send him into the light truss! And then he shoves Claudio into it again! Claudio falls, and now Darby climbs up!? The fans fire up as Darby is up on the camera balcony! Darby SUPER CROSSBODIES Claudio down!
Claudio tumbles down the ramp and Darby sputters while fans lose their minds. The ref checks Darby, his fall was still really wicked. Claudio sits up in a daze as he’s now ringside, and somehow Darby pursues! They both get in the ring, the bell rings, and Darby runs up! But into a POP-UP UPPERCUT!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is already frustrated. Claudio drags Darby by his legs, to GIANT SWING~! The fans count as Darby goes around and around, and Claudio goes past TEN, past FIFTEEN, past TWENTY, and all the way to THIRTY!! Darby flounders out of the ring while Collision goes picture in picture.
The ref goes out to check on Darby, and somehow he’s okay to continue. Claudio steps out to fetch Darby, and lift shim up with one hand! Claudio then gut wrenches and carries Darby, to SLAM him onto railing! And DUMP him down! Claudio drags Darby up again, gut wrenches again, and he TOSSES Darby onto the railing! Darby flops back down and clutches his lower back, but Claudio leaves him behind. The ring count begins but Darby sits up. Claudio goes out after him again, and brings him up to CHOP! Darby staggers away to a corner, Claudio storms up and CHOPS again! Darby flops down but Claudio looms over him.
Claudio gets space, runs up, and he UPPERCUTS Darby against railing! Darby stumbles away, Claudio goes to the ring, but Darby rolls in, just to roll back out. Darby earns himself some time, but then Claudio storms out after him. Darby hurries int he ring to get away, but Claudio is after him there, too. Claudio stands on Darby’s hands, then stomps them! Darby writhes, but Claudio stomps his hands more! Darby goes to a corner. Claudio stands him up and CHOPS! Claudio UPPERCUTS, CHOPS, and Christmas Collision returns to single picture. The fans duel, Darby fires hands, but Claudio UPPERCUTS!
Claudio whips, Darby springboards, COFFIN- NO, Claudio catches Darby! Darby fights free, runs, but Claudio runs up! Darby DUMPS Claudio, then runs to DIVE! Direct hit at the ramp! The fans fire up again and Darby puts Claudio in. Claudio rolls out the far side but Darby DIVES again! Claudio is sent into railing but Darby goes up a corner! The fans fire up for the SUPER COFFIN SPLASH! Direct hit and both men are down again. The ref starts the ring count, the fans rally up, and Darby refreshes the count. Darby LEAPS onto Claudio for a SLEEPER! Claudio goes to steel steps and he steps up, but Darby squeezes tight!
Claudio steps back down, and he runs into the timekeeper’s area! BACKPACK SENTON through the table! The fans lose their minds again while Claudio leaves Darby behind in the wreckage. Darby stirs, the ref starts another ring count, and Darby crawls. “This is Awesome!” as Darby leaps in at 7! Claudio runs but Darby slips around! O’Conner Roll, TWO, springboard and SPALSH! Cover, TWO! Ghost pin, TWO! Claudio is up, but Darby sunset flips! Claudio stays up, and DOUBLE STOMPS! Claudio deadlifts Darby to then TOSS him out of the ring! Darby hits apron on the way out and fans tell Claudio he’s sick!
Claudio goes out after Darby and drags him up again. Claudio scoops and then POSTS Darby! And POSTS him again! Claudio TOSSES Darby aside, rolls into the ring, but only to refresh the count. Claudio then drags Darby by a leg and brings him over. Claudio SWINGS Darby into steel steps!! Claudio puts Darby in the ring, stands him up, and runs to LARIAT! Darby flips through the air! Claudio covers, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio is frustrated. The fans rally for Darby but Claudio rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Then Claudio tucks the arms, RICOLA- CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio escapes in time!
The fans rally while both men are down again. Darby and Claudio slowly rise, and Ricochet watches, very amused as Darby is his next opponent in the round robin. Darby crawls to a corner, climbs up, but Claudio UPPERCUTS! Claudio HEADBUTTS Darby, then climbs up again. Claudio brings Darby up and suplexes, but Darby fights around! SUPER SCORPION DEATH DROP!! The fans are thunderous for “A E DUB! A E DUB!” as Darby rises up. Darby climbs to the very top, COFFION DROP onto knees! Claudio saves himself, then he hauls Darby up. Straitjacket and RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?
Darby survives and shocks Claudio! Claudio argues with the ref but the count was fair! Darby’s just that tough! Claudio goes back to Darby and ripcords him into the RICOLA~ BOMB!! Cover, TWO!?!?! HOW?!? Claudio goes outside, and he brings out something from under the ring. He also has a chair! The ref takes the chair from Claudio, but Claudio has BRASS KNUCKLES! BRASS KNUCKLE PUNCH!!! Cover, CLAUDIO WINS!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall (gains 3 points; Darby earns 0)
The Swiss Superman screws over Darby, but then he gets that chair back. But wait, Ospreay slides into the ring! And HE has the brass knuckles that Claudio tossed aside! Ospreay dares Claudio to do something, but Claudio simply leaves. Does this mean Ospreay’s ready to ride against the Death Riders with Darby? Or will we see a Miracle on 34th Street send Ospreay and Darby to Worlds End?
My Thoughts:
A great Collision here as the last one before Worlds End, and therefore a bit of a go-home in itself. While the continued feud of MJF and Cole has still been a bit clunky since they did the double turn, their faceoff did a good job addressing some of that. They got good digs at each other as always, and MJF snapping and revealing “the truth” was their big move to recover this story. We of course got a brawl, and good save by The Kingdom. It feels like MJF still finds a way to hold onto the diamond ring, but c’mon, how fitting is it for Cole to get a diamond.
Good bit with Toni Storm and The Vendetta, and Deonna’s reaction to Toni was great. Deonna is justified in thinking this is still an act from Toni, not a legitimate psychological problem, and Toni VS Taya will be good stuff. Good promo from Kris Statlander, good match from her and Penelope Ford, and of course a good win for Kris. Good promo from Mone to make Worlds End official, but as I’ve been saying, Mone is more likely to lose the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship as part of the big NJPW Tokyo Dome weekend. The irony is, Mina Shirakawa is her challenger and Mina shows up plenty in AEW, so I don’t know how that math is supposed to work.
Good promo from Mariah May as it also turned into a brawl with Thunder Rosa. As it stands, Rosa standing tall holding up the belt means she is NOT winning at Worlds End, but they could still give us a little more from Rosa and Mariah on Dynamite’s Christmas episode to turn the tables. Good promo from Julia Hart to respond to Jamie Hayter, they’ll have a good match. Good promo from Orange Cassidy to try and reason with Jay White and Hangman Page, but that’s all the more reason Moxley likely uses the challengers all against each other like he did on Wednesday. Though, it would be fun if they at least started the match all annihilating Moxley with their finishers, making us think it’ll work out in favor of “Team AEW.”
Good stuff with Big Boom AJ & Big Justice here tonight, both hyping up the show but also interacting with Jericho’s group and even Anthony Bowens. They’re adding some more foreshadowing to The Acclaimed breaking up, and I guess we’re supposed to see this as a positive move, Bowens feuding with Jericho. Unless Bowens is going to be the guy that dethrones Jericho for whatever ROH cable TV debut/return is planned, the Jericho Vortex strikes again. Bowens should be going for an AEW midcard title, but right now, those are all tied up what with the C2 going on and the International Championship being tied up in Worlds End and NJPW plans.
Speaking of the C2, great stuff with all the matches tonight. Shelton VS Garcia was great stuff, and while Garcia gets the win, they’re still giving us some set-up for a TNT Championship match of Garcia VS Shelton. Mark Briscoe of course made the save, but great surprise for Swerve to show up. Lashley VS Swerve for Worlds End just needs to be said, it already feels a given. All that brawling was also a good segue into Mark VS Mortos, and another great showing for Mortos, even in losing. But as Mark has already had all his matches and is at 9 points, Kyle doesn’t even need to win against Garcia, he just needs to draw so that Mark will be out, and Garcia with him.
While Ospreay VS Darby on Wednesday raised the bar, Ospreay VS Ricochet still had great stuff of its own. Plus, Ricochet is bringing out more of his Heel side what with using the ref, and Ricochet’s win puts the pressure on Ospreay for Christmas Dynamite. Now, no offense to Brody King, but I’m thinking Ospreay wins that to take one of the semifinal spots. Darby VS Claudio tonight was also great, but Darby doing his best Sting off the truss was not the best when he gets that whiplash on the floor. I really thought that match was going to be called for concussion protocol, but Darby’s weirdly indestructible.
Claudio still cheats this win so there’s more heat on the Death Riders and Darby is also behind the 8 ball. Ospreay making the save was good, we can definitely have another “Team AEW” VS Death Riders with Ospreay joining Darby and a couple others, but the way they did the order of matches, Claudio’s got a seemingly easy ride against Komander for Christmas. Though, how awesome would it be if Komander pulled off the spoiler? Or if they were really going to add some drama, they should create a situation where the Death Riders end up ringside, violating the Continental Rules of no cornermen and that disqualifies Claudio. Claudio misses out on the semifinals because of a technicality, sending Ospreay and maybe Ricochet to the semifinals.
My Score: 8.8/10
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