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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Time to deal with some absolute egos!
Joe Hendry made it through Vengeance Day still the NXT Champion, but now he teams with Myles Borne against Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy; Eli and Legacy win.
- Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright; Lexis & Uriah win.
- Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence; Sol wins.
- Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair; Wren wins and will challenge Fallon Henley for the title.
- Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page; Ricky & Ethan win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Tatum Paxley is here!
The fans cheer the NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion as she holds up the belt and heads to the ring. Tatum puts the belt around her waist and grabs a mic to say, “I am your NEW NXT Women’s North American Champion!” The fans cheer again, and even chant, “You Deserve It!” Tatum continues by saying they don’t know how much that means to her. For the longest time, she’s felt she’s been doing this whole thing wrong. She was begging to be noticed, to be accepted, forcing friendships, all to just still feel alone. She’d play with the dolls and wonder if it was all worth it. All the self doubt, the loss, the mental battle of thinking she should be “a little less Tatum.’
But at Vengeance Day, it became very clear: Tatum didn’t win the title because of The Culling, or because someone else carried her there, or even that she got lucky. She won this title because of the fans! The fans cheer that! Every time she felt alone, every single one of the fans encouraged her to keep going. Now she wears this title around her waist, and she feels something she has been searching for her entire life, and that is the confidence that she belongs! The pain, the hurting, it was all worth it! And she’ll tell us the truth: She won the NXT Women’s Championship for The Culling; but she won the Women’s North American Championship for the fans!
Now she realized something: Tatum has never been and never will be- Interrupted by Izzi Dame… Izzi “congratulates” Tatum on beating her for the title. That must’ve been the best day of her life! But before Tatum starts acting like she knows who she is now, let’s all remind everyone who Tatum used to be. Roll tape! The fans boo as Izzi throws Tatum’s past at her. All the way from from her tryout to joining the Diamond Mine, to losing the NXT Women’s Breakout Tournament, to turning on Diamond Mine, to Level Up, to her #TuesdayAddams transformation.
The fans cheer the video genuinely, but Izzi mockingly says, “Wow! Just wow!” It is truly inspiring how Tatum finally found herself! Izzi would be touch, if it weren’t so fake! Tatum, you haven’t changed at all! You haven’t found anything! You’re just doing what you always do, and that is trying to convince everyone that she’s not just the same weirdo outcast she was when she first showed up here. The fans boo but Izzi says Tatum can stand here and hold the title, soaking in all the fake love from the fake fans, but Izzi and Tatum know what this is: Another mask! Tatum thinks beating Izzi validates her?
The fans sing the Addams Family theme song while Izzi says all Tatum’s found is she is the chameleon of NXT! How is she not tired constantly changing? It’s almost impressive! Always pretending! But sooner or later, the unlovable girl she’s hiding from will show herself again. And when she does, everyone will see what Izzi already knows: Tatum Paxley, championship or not, will forever be the girl desperately trying to fit in. Hopefully Tatum’s enjoyed the past couple of days borrowing that belt, because Izzi wants it back NOW. Tatum turns around to see Niko & Spears! Then Izzi BOOTS Tatum down!
The fans boo as Izzi POWERBOMBS Tatum down! Izzi snatches the belt off Tatum, taking being a sore loser to a new level. Will Tatum just have to beat Izzi again to finally shut her up?
Ricky Saints talks with Ethan Page backstage.
The Absolute asks All Ego just what the hecc was that on Saturday! Ethan slid the belt all the way to Hendry?! Ethan says he knows! He knew the moment it left his hand! Saints says yeah, and he saw it as it slid right by him! Now neither men have titles! They’re naked! Ethan says that visual will haunt him now. Saints says the visual they need is them both as champs! Which is what makes them so great. They don’t dwell on the past. The last two days have sucked for Saints. Oh? Well, the last two WEEKS have sucked for Ethan! Saints apologizes, and he forgives Ethan for Saturday. But guess what? Tonight, after they beat those two cornballs, it’ll look like this.
If Ethan pins Myles, then guess what? He’s back in the North American Championship scene. If Saints pins Hendry, he’ll be main-eventing Stand & Deliver! That’s a sold out crowd chanting his name, oh yes indeed! Ethan says that’s right. Every dynasty has its slump, and this is a mere blemish on their impeccable records. Saints says barely a hiccup! After tonight, they’ll be back holding hands with Miss Title Contention! Ethan sees it, Saints loves it, and now they will both be TWO-TIME champions! Say it again, TWO-TIME CHAMPIONS! But will the Absolute Egos have their way? Or will they be made to believe in Borne & Hendry?
Jasper Troy VS Eli Knight VS Sean Legacy!
The MonStar LFG Season 1 Champion is not happy he lost his Speed Championship in a Triple Threat. But since he can’t just go right after the champion, he’ll take it out on the other guy in that title match, and then Super Sean just because he’s here! Will Troy destroy two high-fliers with one match? Or will there be another win snatched away from him?
NXT returns as the Disrespectfully Athletic makes his entrance, followed by Legacy. The bell rings and Troy ROCKS Legacy! Eli jumps on Troy but Troy throws him down. Legacy jumps on but Troy RAMS him into a corner! Eli comes back, but Troy THROWS him across the way! The fans are torn but Legacy runs up. Troy scoops Legacy, fireman’s carries, but Eli jumps in! Troy catches him!? And then he shrugs Legacy off so he can gorilla press Eli! Eli wiggles free, but Troy gets him again, CHOKE SLAM onto Legacy! The fans fire up while Troy puts Legacy in a corner and fires knees! Troy then goes to Eli in the other corner and BODY BLOWS!
Troy short arm LARIATS Eli, then stalks Legacy. Troy HEADBUTTS Legacy, then steps on him in the corner! The fans rally, Troy steps off, and Troy storms up on Eli. Troy BODY BLOWS Eli again, then whips corner to corner. Troy runs up, but into a BOOT! Eli hurries to fire hands on Troy, but Troy whisp him away. Troy CLOBBERS Eli, the fans fire up, and Troy stalks Eli. Troy scoops Eli, then aims at Legacy. Eli slips free, Legacy SUPERKICSK! Eli SUPERKICKS, then they DOUBLE SUPERKICK! Troy tumbles up and out of the ring! Legacy whips Eli but Eli reverses! Eli ROCKS Legacy in a corner, then ROCKS him again!
Legacy fires shots in return, and we can see Troy drag himself up with the apron skirt. But KEANU CARVER CLOBBERS TROY! The fans are torn as the One Man Demolition Crew CHOKE SLAMS Troy through the desk! The fans go nuts, and Keanu tells Booker T this is what he meant! Keep his name out your mouths! Don’t play with Keanu! Keanu just turned this Triple Threat into a 1v1, and NXT goes to break!
NXT returns again as refs check on Troy. Legacy has Eli in a chinlock but Eli fights up. Eli arm-drags free, runs up, and he blocks a boot to CALF KICK! Then Eli goes up, up, and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Legacy tumbles out, Eli goes to a corner, and Eli springboards to SUPER CROSSBODY! The fans fire up with Eli and he hurries to get Legacy in the ring. Eli goes to the corner for the TIGER WALL MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up again as Legacy survives. Eli hurries up top, and he MOONSAULTS! Legacy moves, Eli lands out, and then Eli dodges to BOOT! Eli runs up, Legacy goes up and over!
Legacy runs up, Eli dodges, but Legacy BOOTS him from the corner! Legacy QUEBRADAS into the dragon sleeper, and the SAVING GRACE! Cover, TWO! Eli survives but the fans fire up again! Troy clutches his side but he’s standing back up! “This is Awesome!” as Legacy hurries to get Eli up int the torture rack! But Eli fights free! Eli ROCKS Legacy, Legacy ROCKS Eli, and repeat! The fans rally as they go back and forth, but then Legacy gets the edge! But Eli ENZIGIRIS! Legacy UPPERCUTS! Eli falls, Legacy WRECKS Troy with a dropkick just to be sure! Legacy turns around, Eli JUMP KNEES!
Eli runs, blocks a boot, but Legacy dodges! Eli dodges back, but runs into a SPANISH FLY! The fans fire up with Legacy, but Troy is back up!? The fans are going nuts as Legacy fires hands! Troy snarls and RAMS Legacy into a corner! Then he BODIES Eli! The fans are torn, but Troy pops Legacy up, and SPINEBUSTERS him down! Then he BACKDROPS Eli onto Legacy! Troy clutches his ribs but he’s still so strong! Troy then hoists Eli up, RAMS him into Legacy at the corner, and then fireman’s carries them both!? DOUBLE SAMOAN DROP! Troy roars, rises up, and he guzels Eli! MONSTAR CHOKE SLAM! Cover, BUT LEGACY BREAKS IT!
The fans are thunderous for “NXT! NXT!” Legacy stands, but Troy runs up! Legacy ducks ‘n’ dodges, only to run into the BIG BOSS- SHOTGUN from Eli! No slam for Troy, and Legacy runs up to SLICED BREAD! Legacy hurries to a corner, he springboards to 450 SPLASH! But then Eli adds his MOONSAULT! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!!
Winners: Sean Legacy & Eli Knight, by pinfall
Both Eli and Sean are surprised, but them both winning is better than them both losing! They shake hands on it and celebrate together! Will this momentum send both men towards titles? As for Troy, he surely has a score to settle with Keanu now. When and where will the MonStar get his shot at the Demolition Man?
Tatum Paxley is furious!
She demands to know where that snake, Izzi, slithered off to. She asks Shiloh Hill if he saw them. He says sorry, he hasn’t seen The Culling. Tatum says she has to find Izzi before she goes. Wait, before she goes? Oh, that part he can help with. Shiloh has his tire iron, and both he and Tatum laugh maniacally as they hurry to the parking lot! Will Izzi’s car be two tired for her to get out of here?
Birthright talks backstage.
Arianna Grace says she successfully defended her TNA Knockouts World Championship last week, so now it is the boys’ turn to impress. Stacks asks Lexis King if he’s good, and Lexis says he’s just disappointed it had to come to this. Charlie Dempsey is too stubborn for his own good. Did Uriah make the call? Nope, but his dad did. And “they” are on their way. Perfect. Birthright heads out, but who could they mean by “they?”
Charlie Dempsey & Tavion Heights VS Lexis King & Uriah Connors w/ Birthright!
Despite the offer from his friends in the second-generation-superstar club, The Son of the Gentlemanly Villain is still his own man. And he chose to team with his former No Quarter Catch Crew member to make sure Birthright understands that. Will Charlie & Tavion prove they can reach new heights their way? Or will the Drama King and Chase U dropout show them it’s in their blood?
The teams sort out, Charlie starts against Uriah, and the two tie up. Uriah headlocks, Charlie slips around but Uriah wrenches and wristlocks. Uriah shifts to a full nelson but Charlie breaks that to then wrench and full nelson in return. Uriah breaks free of that, snapmares, and covers, ONE! The fans applaud as the two tie up with knuckle locks. They’re shoulder to shoulder in a Test of Strength, and Uriah bends Charlie back. Charlie fights up, but Uriah wrenches. Charlie wrenches back then whips, but Uriah leaps over the dropdown. They tie up again, and Charlie puts on the pressure. Charlie hits a straight arm suplex, then clamps onto a CATTLE MUTILATION!
Charlie moves around, then goes to a FUJIWARA, but Uriah rolls through. Charlie gets Uriah’s legs, drags him back, then tags Tavion. Charlie puts Uriah in the BOW ‘N’ ARROW, then THROWS him to Tavion for the GUT WRENCH PLEX! The fans cheer while Uriah flounders away. Tavion runs up, Uriah dodges and tags Lexis. Lexis saves Uriah from the suplex, but then Tavion snatches Lexis for a scoop SLAM! Tavion runs, Charlie tags, and Tavion rolls into jackknife, turning it into a fireman’s carry. FLAPJACK and KNEE LIFT! Charlie covers, TWO! Lexis scrambles away to the apron but Charlie grabs after him.
Lexis HOTSHOTS Charlie, then CHOPS! Lexis whips, Charlie reverses, but Uriah tags in. Lexis waistlocks, Cahrlie BOOTS Uriah away, then he drop toeholds! Tavion tries to warn Charlie but Charlie is too busy hammering Lexis! Uriah CLOBBERS Charlie! The fans boo but Uriah stomps Charlie. Uriah drags Charlie over, CHOPS him, then tags Lexis back in. Lexis snapamres Charlie to then get the leg, and he tags Uriah. Uriah slingshot SENTONS but onto knees! Charlie UP KICKS Lexis, then BACKBREAKERS Uriah! The fans rally, hot tag to Tavion! Tavion SLINGBLADES Uriah, BLASTS Lexis, and CLOBBERS Uriah!
Tavion whips Uriah to OVERHEAD BELLy2BELLY! Tavion keeps going, RUNNING BELLY2BELLY! Cover, Lexis breaks it! Charlie storms in and he TOSSES Lexis out! But Uriah BOOTS Charlie out! Tavion SPEARS Uriah out of the ring! Uriah and Tavion are down hard, but Charlie and Lexis brawl! The ref checks, Tavion gets up, and he keeps after Uriah. NQCC puts Birthright int he ring, then hug it out. The fans fire up for the boys, but wait! Is that Fit Finlay & William Regal?! And Charlie GERMAN SUPLEXES Tavion?!? The fans are going nuts, but Charlie feeds Tavion into the ring! Uriah hits Tavion with a BARE BONE KNEE STRIKE!
Tag to Lexis, and he gets Tavion up for the CORONATION!! Cover, Birthright wins!!
Winners: Lexis King & Uriah Connors, by pinfall
It seems Charlie is still his father’s son. He steps into the ring and embraces his Birthright! Will nothing stop them from taking over?
The Culling walks the halls.
Izzi feels good about how that went. Niko is sure Tatum will now spiral out of control. But then The Chair Man hears the car alarm. Someone just put their car on blocks?! And a few other cars, too… Well, as we see Shiloh Hill walking back to the door, we know who did it. But Robert Stone asks what’s going on! Shiloh says he didn’t know which car was The Culling’s, but the car alarms are too loud. Stone says get inside! They get away from the honking, and Shiloh shouts that he didn’t know which car it was. Stone is trying to figure out what and why, but Shiloh leaves the tire iron with him. The Culling complains to Stone, but will they just have to take it up with the mechanics?
Tony D’Angelo is here!
The fans cheer as the man who was once The Don goes to the ring. Tony gets a mic and says, “When I returned to NXT, I told the WWE Universe I came back for two reasons. The first mission was DarkState. Vengeance Day was the culmination of that mission. On Saturday, me and Lennox went to war.” The fans applaud that. Tony says that while he despises Dion, Dion went out on his shield. Tony left DarkState the way they left him: Beaten, empty, and searching for answers. So now, we get to reason number two as to why Tony returned. And while he was away, he considered his future. This life goes by fast but he had time to reflect.
See, Tony looked at the man in the mirror, and had to be honest with himself. There was one thing that that man could not accomplish. There was one thing that that man could not achieve. And in that moment, Tony buried that version of himself six feet under, became the man that stands before you today, the man who proved he is the toughest SOB in NXT! The fans cheer that! The second reason Tony came back… is to win the NXT Championship. The fans cheer that! Tony knows Joe Hendry is a sensation, and he has no issues. If this was a year ago, Tony would have a sit down and break bread with Hendry. But that’s not him anymore.
“Joe, if I gotta break your face, that’s what I’m gonna do. And I’d love to say this is just business, but this is personal to me. Now Joe, this is your one warning. Prepare yourself for my actions, cuz I will not be denied. Tony D’Angelo will be the next N X T Champion!” The fans like the sound of that. But with Ricky Saints also wanting his shot, will Tony have more than just the champion to deal with?
Lola Vice talks with Sol Ruca backstage.
Miami Vice says hola, and Sol says hola. Sol says congrats on the win at Vengeance Day. Lola says gracias, it felt so good knocking out Kelani Jordan. Now, how is Sol? She’s… okay. Yeah, Lola gets that there is a lot on Sol’s plate. She’s got Lainey Reid tonight, then her best friend betrayed her. But Lola knows she’s looking at the next NXT Women’s Champion. Sol says damn straight. Next week in Houston, Sol takes the title from Jacy Jayne while getting her hands on Zaria at the same time. Lola says she’ll be watching. So when Sol takes the title, know it’ll be her and Lola at Stand & Deliver. Well, a lot has to happen first.
Lola still wishes Sol luck, and Sol heads to gorilla. Will Sol make it through the Southern Bell and her toxic back-up? Or will her wave of momentum come crashing down around her?
WrenQCC talks with Myles Borne.
Kendal Grey says she and Wren Sinclair were so pumped to see Myles win the North American Championship off Ethan Page. That was amazing! Glad to see he finally had his moment. Myles thanks them, and says not to be rude, but have either of them seen his tag partner? They gotta prepare for the match tonight. Wren says she knows where they can find him! Remember that one time? Oh, yes, Kendal remembers now. Watch. Joe Hendry! “Say his name and he appears!” The fridge? Wren opens it up, but no, that’s just a cake. But then Hendry steps in and asks what they’re looking at. Hendry, why weren’t you in the fridge? Been there, done that.
Myles asks Hendry where he’s been. They gotta game plan for Ethan & Ricky! Hendry apologizes, he had some business to attend to, but he’s here now. Time to game plan! Myles wishes Wren luck for her Speed match. Wren says she’s got the need! The need for speed! Kendal, are you ready? Wait, Kendal’s stuffing her face with cake! Kendal~! What? She’s got the night off. Cheat day~! Fine, let’s just get going. Kendal says good luck, guys! So, she’s not gonna share? Will Wren become a contender in three minutes or less? Will Myles & Hendry prove they were Borne to Believe?
Sol Ruca VS Lainey Reid w/ The Fatal Influence!
NXT returns as Sol makes her entrance, joining The Fatal Influence in the ring. The bell rings and the fans rally behind Sol as she circles with Lainey. They tie up, go around the ring, and against the ropes. Sol powers up but Lainey slips around to a waistlock. Sol switches, but Lainey switches back. Lainey pries the hold open to a wrench and wristlock. Sol cartwheels, then slips under to BACKDROP Lainey! Sol has the armlock, Lainey fights up, but Sol wrenches to wristlock. Sol wrangles Lainey but Lainey endures. The fans rally as Lainey headscissors, and she holds on tight as Sol tries to kip free. Sol moves around, and headstands to then pop free!
Sol drops on Lainey for a headlock, but Lainey fights up to her feet. Lainey powers up but can’t power out as Sol holds on tight. Lainey powers up again, pries the hold open, and she turns things around to headlock Sol. Lainey snapmares but Sol cartwheels through! The fans cheer while Lainey frowns. Lainey runs up, Sol trips her up, and Sol steps on Lainey to use her as a surfboard! Then Sol STOMPS Lainey’s leg! Lainey scrambles away while the fans cheer. Jacy & Fallon fan Lainey off, then Lainey runs up to kick Sol! Lainey kicks again but Sol blocks! Lainey hops around, rolls, and trips Sol in one go!
Lainey headlocks but Sol powers up and out. Lainey RUNS Sol over, then hits a headlock and takeover! Sol rolls to a cover, ONE! Lainey holds on but Sol headscissors. Sol squeezes tight but Lainey still kips free, then DROPKICKS! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs up, but Sol catches her! Sol spins with Lainey for the FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Lainey scrambles to a corner, Sol runs up, and Sol MONKEY FLIPS Lainey away! Lainey ends up in the far corner, and Sol runs up again. Lainey puts Sol up top, but Sol BOOTS her! Lainey SHOVES Sol, but Sol body scissors Lainey to throw her out of the ring! The fans cheer as Sol gets back up.
Sol runs to use the corner for the MOONSAULT! Down goes Lainey and Jacy is upset, but Sol just brings Lainey up and into the ring. Sol senses Jacy creep up and she stares the champ down. But then Fallon distracts the ref! This lets Jacy anchor Sol in the ropes! Sol kicks free, only for Lainey to DOUBLE STOMP! Lainey and Fatal Influence soak up the heat while NXT goes picture in picture.
Lainey storms up to stomp Sol, then HAMMERS away! Lainey stops just to JUMP LEG DROP! Then she brings Sol up to bump her off buckles. Lainey runs corner to corner and UPPERCUTS! Then she SHINING WIZARDS! Sol flounders along the ropes but Lainey keeps on her. Lainey CHOKES Sol, stops as the ref counts, then pushes her down. The ref reprimands but Lainey steps on Sol, and DOUBLE STOMPS again! Cover, TWO! Lainey argues the count but the count was fair. Lainey reels Sol in but Sol cradle counters, TWO! Both women stand, and Sol ROCKS Lainey first! Then mule kicks! Then SMACKS Lainey again!
Sol whips, but Lainey turns backdrop into NECKBREAKER! Lainey then clamps on with a chinlock and grinds Sol down. Sol endures, fights to her feet, then JAWBREAKERS free! Sol goes to a corner, Lainey runs in, but Sol ROCKS her! And susnet flips! TWO, and Lainey grabs ropes for good measure. Both women stand, Sol blocks a superkick, but not the second SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO! Jacy is frustrated that Sol survives, but Lainey CLUBS Sol down. Lainey turns Sol for a Gory Especial! Sol endures as Lainey bends her back! The ref checks on Sol but she just powers up! Lainey hits a GORY BOMB! Cover, TWO!
Lainey is frustrated as Sol survives, and she stands Sol up as NXT returns to single picture. Lainey whips Sol to a corner, runs up, but Sol goes up and over. Sol then SHOTGUNS Lainey down! Sol fires forearms on Lainey, has the arms, and kicks the legs out so she can SURFBOARD STOMP Lainey into buckles! Sol runs up, but Lainey dodges! Lainey runs up, but Sol puts her on the apron! Lainey bumps Sol off buckles, KICKS low, then buckle bumps for another KICK! Lainey then steps in, FLYING STUNNER! High stack, TWO! The fans rally as Sol survives. Lainey taunts the fans before she stands over Sol.
Lainey DOUBLE- NO, Sol Electric Chair Lifts Lainey right up! And then SLAMS her down! Both women are down and the fans fire up again! Zaria is seen watching this backstage, probably hoping Sol loses. Sol and Lainey rise up, and Lainey SMACKS Sol first! But Sol SMACKS Lainey back! Lainey ROLLING ELBOWS Sol, but Sol rebounds to ROCK Lainey! Then mule kick! CLUB! Bob ‘n’ weave, UPPERCUT! Sol whips and ELBOWS Lainey down! And LARIAT! Sol whips Lainey to the corner, then SNAP GERMANS! Lainey flounders, Sol goes up, and Sol MISSILE DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Sol kips up!
Sol aims again, runs back up, KNEE STRIKE! High stack, TWO! Lainey flounders but Sol goes to the apron. Sol springboards, but has to roll through as Lainey moves! Sol goes back, but into the BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! Sol survives, the fans fire up, but Fatal Influence is frustrated. Lainey drags Sol up, Gory Especials, but Sol sunset flips it! TWO, and Sol hits the X-FACTOR! Lainey flounders, Sol gets her up, fireman’s carry for the swing and AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!! Lainey survives and the fans can’t believe it! Fatal Influence is relieved, but Sol whips Lainey to the corner. Lainey holds ropes to stop the German Suplex!
Lainey ELBOWS Sol, then slips around, reverse victory roll, TWO! Lainey rebounds but into the EDDY GORDO KICK! Lainey wobbles, Sol runs, but Lainey scoops! Sol slips free and TOSSES Lainey out! Lainey ROCKS Sol from the apron, then steps in, but Sol SUPERKICKS! The fans cheer “Women’s Wrestling!” as Sol goes up, up, but Lainey YANKS her down! And then the ROLLING CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Lainey takes down her kneepads, for some SOUTHERN HOSPITAL- NO, Sol dodges, then SOUL SNATCHER!! Cover, Sol wins!
Winner: Sol Ruca, by pinfall
Fatal Influence is beside themselves! Lainey gave Sol a run for her money, but it was still Sol on top! The wave of momentum is growing, will it completely wipe out Jacy and Zaria? Or will Sol be denied both revenge and reign?
Robert Stone meets with Sean Legacy, Eli Knight, and Elio LeFleur.
The (Interim) NXT GM is still getting his hearing back, but the Sky Slicer says he’d love to defend his Speed Championship against both Legacy and Eli if he could. Stone says it has already been a long night, and he also enjoyed the double pin. And yes, while it’d be great for Legacy or Knight to challenge Elio, the rules state there has to be a Speed Tournament. Elio says that takes so long, which is kinda the opposite of what the Speed Division is about. Eli says yeah, him beating Troy should mean something. Legacy says they beat Troy. Stone admits, that is true. They can get the tournament going, but we’ll have to see how it goes.
And then Vanity Project walks in. Jackson Drake says enough of the Speed title. Jumping through hoops just to get a chance? What a pain in the ass! Brad Baylor wants to talk NXT Tag Team Championships. They’re already thinking Stand & Deliver, the biggest spotlight for Stone’s brightest new stars! Ricky Smokes says, “Y’know, guys who can actually go more than three minutes.” They already cleared out the division, but surely Stone can get creative. Drake says don’t even worry about it. Their guy, Stone, will cook up something great. Laters. Vanity Project leaves, and Legacy says let’s put a pin on the Speed title for a second, because he has an idea.
Stone will consider what Elio said about the Speed Division, but yes, he likes where Legacy is going. He thinks he has an idea. Will Legacy & Knight soon swipe right on a match with the tag team champions?
Backstage interview with Blake Monroe.
Blake Howard brings up The Glamour beating Jaida Parker in the Street Fight, a huge victory. What’s next for her? Blake says Jaida brought out a godawful side of her, and learned that when you mess with the Woman From Hell, you get burned. So as for what’s next, the biggest show of the year is coming up. This will be Monroe’s first Stand & Deliver, and she’ll make it all about her in St. Louie. Howard corrects her that it’s St. Louis. Monroe says she is the conversation, she is the controversy, so what will she do? Well- Tatum turns the corner and calls to Blake. They both respond and Tatum says right, both Blake.
But then, have either Blake or Blake seen The Culling? No, and no. Okay, bye. Tatum calls out to Izzi that she’s looking for her, and Monroe says Howard needs to do something about his name. Because that, like many other things, belongs to her. Blake Monroe leaves Blake Howard speechless, but did Tatum just make herself a target?
Women’s Speed Tournament Finals: Thea Hail VS Wren Sinclair w/ Kendal Grey!
The Grown-Ass Woman stole the spotlight from Blake Monroe while the Captain of WrenQCC managed to slay Nikkita Lyons. Now both of these young and hungry superstars is looking to go right at the Toxic Cowgirl, but that means getting through each other! Who makes themselves #1 contender in three minutes or less?
NXT returns as Thea makes her entrance. The bell rings, and Thea DROPKICKS Wren down! The fans rally and duel but Thea KICKS and STANDING MOONSAULTS! Cover, ONE, but Thea dodges a lariat to jump on the arm! KIMURA, but Wren powers out! Wren CHOPS Thea, fireman’s carries, and ROLLING SENTONS! Wren keeps moving, and she RUNS Thea over, then BULLDOGS! Cover, TWO! The fans rally as Wren goes for arms, but Thea fights around! Thea fights up, jumps and wheelbarrows, then arm-drags! Then mule kicks! Thea runs, and ROLLING NECKBREAKERS! Cover, ONE and Wren bails out!
We hit the two minute warning orange phase, and Thea builds speed! DIVE and down goes Wren! Thea shakes out her arm, then gets Wren int he ring. The fans rally up again as Thea climbs. Thea aims and CROSSBODY FLOPS as Wren moves! Wren hurries to then roll Thea up, TWO!! Thea escapes, and has the KIMURA!! Wren flails, reaches out, and rolls through! Wren gets the FINAL WRENCH!! Thea flails, fights, but she QUITS!! WREN WINS!
Winner: Wren Sinclair, by submission (NEW #1 Contender to the WWE Women’s Speed Championship)
With 62 seconds to spare, Wren seals the deal! The Texas girl gets to do it up big in Houston, but will she dethrone the Toxic Cowgirl? Or will even the Speed Division be stuck under the Influence?
Robert Stone meets with the NXT Tag Division.
Suit Man Stone thanks everyone for being here, and he knows that we are officially in Stand & Deliver Season. After talking with Vanity Project earlier, it got him thinking. This division is deep, this division is hungry, so Stone is going to put together a tag team tournament! The winners get their shot at Vanity Project at Stand & Deliver! Everyone except Swipe Right likes that! What do they look like to him? Oh, so they don’t want to be at Stand & Deliver? That’s not what they’re saying! Yeah, that’s what Stone thought. So now, to the teams in the tournament: the new team of Legacy & Knight; The Culling; Birthright; Hank ‘n’ Tank; OTM; DarkState.
Shugars says no, DarkState ain’t doing no tournament! They want their rematch and they want it now! But then OTM storms up on DarkState, and they start throwing hands! The other teams get in there to break this up, but clearly it’s about to pop off! Who survives the tournament to then have their shot in St. Louis?
Backstage interview with Fatal Influence.
Blake Howard is now with Jacy, Fallon, and Lainey, and brings up the title defenses next week in Houston. How are they handling these targets on their back this close to Stand & Deliver? Jacy says wow, she never thought she’d miss Sarah Schreiber, but here we are. And she doesn’t need Blake Howard reminding her that she has to deal with both Sol and Zaria next week. If she wants to walk into Stand & Deliver as champion, then she has to make the impossible happen. And he watches the product, right? Then he should know that this is perhaps the most unpredictable WrestleMania season ever!
How many new champions have been crowned lately? Penta, Cody Rhodes, Lash & Nia, AJ Lee! The odds are stacked against Jacy. Howard brings up Tatum beating Izzi, and Jacy can’t even. Fallon, you talk to him. Fallon is pretty sure he’ll bring up Wren Sinclair now, right? Everyone’s favorite little underdog, a leader of two people. Big deal. All Fallon has to do is win within five minutes. Oh, look, here they are! Wren steps in and says considering she beat Lyons and Thea in under three, she’ll have no problem beating Fallon in five. Kendal is also confident in that. And if we’re talking numbers, Fatal Influence is definitely losing one of their titles next week.
Oh, and Jacy, if you get past Sol and Zaria to make it to Stand & Deliver as she so desperately wants, just know Kendal will be the one she defends that title against. Lainey says enough. They don’t have time for this. Time to go. Fatal Influence leaves, WrenQCC is ready to bring the fight to them, but who will get to Stand & Deliver?
The Culling heads out.
Niko & Spears are ready to go for those tag titles, but then Tatum CLOBBERS Izzi! They start brawling, Izzi RAMS Tatum into the garage door, but The Culling and security separate these two! Stone sees this and shouts that this is enough! If they wanna get their hands on each other, fine! The rematch for the Women’s North American Championship is gonna happen in Houston! And in a STEEL CAGE!! Tatum loves that idea! Will she get to rip into Izzi without anyone getting in her way?
Backstage interview with Robert Stone.
Blake Howard catches up with Stone and says this is a huge night for NXT in Houston now. Stone says he’s even got stars from Raw & SmackDown texting him about it. Remember that this is Stone’s first road show for NXT, and he wants to make it special. Well, adding Tatum VS Izzi in a Steel Cage is huge, and Stone says yes, it has to end somehow with these two. Plus, the other two title matches, the NXT Women’s Championship Triple Threat, and the Women’s Speed Championship. Then there’s the tag tournament, and we’re starting in Houston! Hank ‘n’ Tank VS Birthright. The tournament culminates on March 31st as NXT returns to NYC, winners going on to Stand & Deliver.
And also, and he hasn’t said anything yet, but… OTM AND DarkState are now OUT of the tournament. Between Vengeance and what happened just now in his office, it cannot keep happening. Vanity Project walks back in and Brad appreciates having all this time off. Smokes says he’s even gotten some invites to parties in Houston, so- Stone says don’t party too hard. W-Why? Because in Houston, they will be in Six Man Tag action against LOS AMERICANOS! What?! Yeah, sorry, gotta go. Man, Stone used to be cool! Stone promises that the Houston fans are gonna love this, but he’ll let Vic Joseph break this next bit of news!
Vic Joseph indeed takes up the mic to say this is big. Next week, NXT is live in Houston, the hometown of Booker T. And Vic doesn’t wanna let the cat out of the bag, but this duo was only meant to be a duo for three months. A lot of people didn’t know that, and this is three YEARS! So it is Vic’s honor to say that next Tuesday, it will be BOOKER T APPRECIATION NIGHT! All hail King Bookah~! The fans cheer that! Booker asks, why did they wait to say this? But between celebrating Booker T’s career both in the ring and at the desk and all those title matches, will NXT in Houston be the biggest episode ever?
Joe Hendry & Myles Borne VS Ricky Saints & Ethan Page!
Even after their big victories the last couple of weeks, The NXT Champion and the North American Champion are teaming up against their common enemies! Will Hendry & Borne prove they aren’t champions out of dumb luck? Or will these Absolute Egos earn themselves golden tickets to championship rematches?
NXT returns as Myles makes his entrance, followed by Joe Hendry. The teams sort out and Hendry starts against Saints. They tie up, Saints headlocks for the takeover, but Hendry headscissors. Saints kips free, but turns around into a tie up, and then Hendry headlocks for the takeover. Saints headscissors, Hendry kips free, and TURNS! The fans cheer, but Saints hits low! Saints ROCKS and whips, but Hendry reverses, blows past, and CLOBBERS Saints! The fans cheer, but Ethan runs up! Hendry HIP TOSSES Ethan, then he HIP TOSSES Saints! Hendry drags Saints up, tags Myles in, and they coordinate, for the DROPKICK SUPLEX COMBO!
The fans cheer as Myles waits on Saints, then scoops, for the FALL AWY SIDE EFFECT! Cover, TWO! Saints survives Myles pulling out a new move, but Myles fireman’s carries. Saints fights free, waistlocks, but Myles switches. Saints RAMS Myles into a corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Myles ducks Ethan’s cheap shot, DECKS him for it, but Saints ROCKS Myles! Saints hits a BIG back suplex, then he tags Ethan. They stomp Myles, then Ethan rains down fists. Ethan drags Myles up to suplex, but Myles fights it! Myles fires body shots, then ANARCHY SUPLEXES! Cover, TWO! Myles keeps on Ethan, but Ethan RAMS him into the corner!
Ethan RAMS Myles again and again, then stops as the ref counts 4. Ethan drags Myles up, but Myles fires body shots! And he ELBOWS Saints! Myles ROCKS Ethan, ROCKS Saints, repeat! The fans fire up as Myles UPPERCUTS then runs, but into a BOOT! The fans boo Ethan but he tells Saints to go get the belts! Saints grabs a belt, slides it in, but way out of the ring! Ethan is incredulous, and Saints says he is so, so sorry. Ethan says this wasn’t that hard, he’s right here! Saints apologizes, and NXT goes picture in picture.
Saints tries to explain himself to commentary, but Myles snatches Ethan into a cradle! TWO, and Ethan drags Myles from Hendry! ELBOW DROP! Ethan tags Saints, they stomp Myles down at the ropes, but step off as the ref counts. Saints drags Myles up to put through the ropes, and then CHOKE! The ref counts, Saints stops at 4, then taunts Hendry. Saints UPPERCUTS Myles down, then brings him back up. Saints tags Ethan back in, they mug Myles, and Ethan stays between Myles and Hendry. Ethan brings Myles around to suplex, but Myles slips free to roll Ethan up! TWO, and Ethan anchors Myles’ leg!
Ethan drags Myles back, tags Saints in, and Saints ELBOW DROPS Myles on the back of his head! Cover, TWO! Saints drags Myles up to wrench, then he goes up the corner. Saints tightrope walks, and he gives Myles the Old School AX HANDLE! Myles sputters, Ethan smiles, and Saints strikes his pose. Saints storms up on Myles but Myles fires body shots. Myles whips, Saints reverses, and Saints SPINEBUSTERS! Then he gator rolls Myles to tag in Ethan. Ethan steps in and ELBOW DROPS on Myles’ chest! Ethan scoop SLAMS Myles, tags Saints, and Saints goes up the ropes to SPLASH! Cover, TWO!
Myles survives, but Saints keeps Myles down with a chinlock. Myles endures, fights up, and NXT returns to single picture. Myles fires body shots but Saints KNEES low. Saints puts Myles in the corner, CHOPS, then tags Ethan. Ethan kicks Myles down, then he and Saints double whip. Myles reverses to send Saints & Ethan into each other! Myles DECKS Saints, but Ethan whips Myles to the corner. Ethan runs up, but Myles dodges the splash! Myles crawls, reaches out, but Saints YANKS Hendry down! The fans boo but Saints THROWS Hendry into barriers! Ethan SPLASHES Myles in the corner!
The fans are riled up as Ethan whips Myles corner to corner and SPLASHES again! Tag to Saints, then Ethan puts Myles up top. Saints joins in, and they DOUBLE ICONOCLASM! Then they YANK Myles up, ASSISTED TORNADO DDT! Cover, Hendry CLOBBERS Ethan onto it! The fans fire up, but Ethan TOSSES Hendry! Hendry lands safe on the apron, ROCKS Ethan, then steps in, only for Ethan to give him a CONFIDENCE BREAKER! Saints then SHOTGUNS Hendry down! The fans boo but Absolute Egos are on the same page now. Saints puts Myles up top, but Myles fires hands! Myles and Saints trade shots, then Myles ROCKS Saints!
Ethan runs up, Myles ROCKS him! Saints SMACKS Myles! Saints then runs side to side, tags Ethan, and he goes right up to get Myles! SUPER DUPER PLEX for the Power! Ethan adds a DIVING BODY PRESS for the Glory! Cover, TWO!! Myles survives and shocks Ethan! Ethan stomps Myles but the fans rally, “WE BELIEVE!” Ethan RIPCORDS Myles up, but Myles fights the slam to a REVERSE DDT! Myles crawls, reaches out, and this time, hot tags to Hendry and Saints! The fans fire up as Hendry rallies on Ethan & Saints! Then he kicks Ethan, spins him, and NECKBREAKER! Then he scoops Saints for the FALL AWAY SLAM!
Hendry kips up, and he dodges Ethan to scoop him! Pop up to the fireman’s carry, and the ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! Saints runs up, Hendry dodges, ANGLE SLAM! Hendry busts out all the hits! Cover, TWO! The fans rally for Hendry as hard as they can, and he starts up the stomp stomp clap! But Ethan anchors Hendry! Hendry kicks free, he dodges Saints, but DOUBLE LARIATS take both men down! The fans rally up again, and now Saints wants Ethan to get a belt! Not this again! Ethan slides the belt to Saints properly this time, but the ref spots that! Saints swings, but the ref stops him! The fans fire up as Hendry then rolls Saints up, TWO!!
Saints runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and Ethan tags in before the SPEAR!! Saints hoists Hendry up, Ethan steps in, and only now does Saints realize Ethan tagged in! The fans rally as Myles is back! DROPKICK on Saints! Ethan just goes for Hendry, TWISTED GRIN on the gold!! Cover, ETHAN & SAINTS WIN!!
Winners: Ricky Saints & Ethan Page, by pinfall
Myles is furious, but Ethan rubs it in with his cocky grin. Saints says Ethan’s a genius! But using Saints’ logic earlier, if Ethan pinned THE NXT Champion, who’s really becoming the TWO-TIME NXT Champion?
My Thoughts:
A great NXT that basically acted as a go-home to the BIG Houston episode next week. Very good promo from Tatum given her title win, but naturally even she was annoyed with Izzi coming back for another match. Shiloh Hill doing more car shenanigans was great, and adding Tatum VS Izzi to next week is great stuff. I’m not usually one for Steel Cage matches, because you can just feel The Culling interfering on Izzi’s behalf and Shiloh countering. I would hope Tatum keeps the title, it’d be disappointing for her reign to only be 10 days. Very good promo from Blake Monroe with Blake Howard, clever way of pointing out the same names. And yeah, I would think Monroe wants that North American title back and will challenge Tatum at Stand & Deliver.
Great match from Sol VS Lainey, and I’m pleased Zaria let it play out. Great win for Sol, but still unclear if the Triple Threat will help Jacy win or give her a protected loss. Great Speed match from Wren VS Thea, and great win for Wren. I feel bad for Thea, especially since she is dealing with awful “fans” being, well, just awful to her on social media. Thea has been doing great work since day one, she deserves something good, and maybe she’ll finally reach the top of NXT after Stand & Deliver. As for Wren, great promo from her and Kendal with Myles and Hendry, and then a really good promo with Fatal Influence. And yeah, if any title changes, it might be Wren taking the Speed title from Fallon.
Awesome Triple Threat from Troy, Legacy, and Eli, even with Keanu Carver getting involved. Troy definitely looks like a monster coming back from that table spot and almost winning the match. Eli and Legacy both winning that match was really clever stuff, and a great excuse to make them a team for this “impromptu” tag tournament. Although, it just makes me wonder where the Dusty Cup went… And I like that we got six teams announced at first, only for OTM and DarkState to take themselves out because of their behavior. OTM VS DarkState can still happen as a grudge match, and the four teams will all have great matches on the road to what was going to be Roadblock.
Great development with Birthright. Fit Finlay & William Regal showing up and signaling Charlie Dempsey’s turn was a nice surprise. Now Birthright has the right number of people for a “golden prophecy.” Lexis King could make himself the top title guy, Stacks as the midcard guy, and then Charlie & Uriah as the tag team. Very good promo from Tony D, but duh, he was going to call his shot at the NXT Championship. Very good promo from Ethan & Ricky, especially with Ricky pointing out the usual rule of “pin a champ, get a title match.” Great tag team main event, especially with the blatantly bad pass from Ricky to Ethan. Ethan winning on Hendry was not only a surprise, but it was a great way to show Ethan wants THE title back.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Who the War Dragons survive round two?
The New Japan Cup is gaining speed, but only the best will gain any ground! Tonight is Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale, Yuya Uemura VS Drilla Moloney, whose time has come?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Aaron Wolf & Masatora Yasuda VS OSKAR & Yuto-Ice; Oskar & Yuto win.
- 10 Man Tag: Bishamon, Boltin Oleg, Toru Yano & Tatsuya Matsumoto VS The United Empire; The Empire wins.
- Hartley Jackson & Kosei Fujita VS Callum Newman & Zane Jay; Hartley & Fujita win.
- Six Man Tag: Hontai VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Yota Tsuji & Daiki Nagai VS Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale; Takagi wins and advances.
- 2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Yuya wins and advances.
PLAY BY PLAY
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Shingo Takagi VS Don Fale w/ Dick Togo!
The Rampaging Dragon is no stranger to the House of Torture, from feuding with them in Los Ingobernables de Japon and now the Unbound Company. And now, he faces the Rogue General who indeed had the House backing him just last round. Will Fale have another stacked deck here tonight? Or will it not matter when Takagi’s time has come?
No attack during the entrance or introductions, so there’s that. The bell rings and the fans rally up for “TA-KA-GI! TA-KA-GI!” Fale and Takagi step up, stare down, and Takagi shoves Fale. Fale shoves back, so Takagi fires forearms, and a CHOP! Fale DECKS Takagi! Takagi gets up and RAMS Fale! Fale stays put so Takagi runs and RAMS him again! And again! Takagi fires up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, and he RAMS Fale! Fale stumbles into the ref, then out of the ring! The fans cheer, but Yoshinobu Kanemaru rushes in! Takagi dodges the bottle shot, then blocks the next! Takagi kick slow, takes the whiskey, and takes a swig! But Fale BODY BLOWS the whiskey out of him!
The fans boo but Fale CLUBS Takagi down! Fale then drags Takagi up, just to TOSS him out! Fale distracts the ref so that Kanemaru can whip Takagi into railing! Takagi writhes and the fans boo, but Kanemaru gets away with that. Takagi staggers away into the crowd, and Fale wants the ring count. The count begins, but Takagi walks back to ringside at 8, rolling in at 9 of 20. But Fale CLUBS him down, then stands on Takagi! The ref counts, Fale steps off at 4, then he stalks Takagi. Takagi headbutts the buckles to fire up, then he ROCKS and KNEES and HEADBUTTS! The fans fire up as Takagi calls his shot!
Takagi goes to scoop, he gets Fale up, but falls under Fale’s weight! Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally for Takagi while he sputters. Fale stalks Takagi to the ropes, stomps him, then stands on him again! The ref counts again, so Fale steps off at 4. Fale argues with the ref, then drags Takagi up. Fale BODY BLOWS, and BODY BLOWS again! Takagi falls over, but Fale turns him over. Fale stands on Takagi’s back, using him as a surfboard! Then Fale covers, TWO! The fans rally behind Takagi has Takagi toughs it out. Fale brings Takagi up again, but Takagi KNEES low! And KNEES again! And again! Takagi goes for the scoop but Fale CLUBS him!
Fale scoops, but Takagi fights free! Takagi runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, then RAMS Fale! Fale rebounds but into a kick! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale BACKDROPS free! Takagi sunset flips, but Fale stays up! Fale HIP DROPS but flops as Takagi dodges! SLIDING PUMPING BOMBER! Both men are down but the fans fire up! Takagi rises up, and the fans join in with the “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs in and LARIATS Fale at the corner! The fans cheer and Takagi JABS, JABS, JABS! Takagi winds up to ROCK Fale! The fans cheer again, and Takagi goes up to ELEVATED DDT! Cover, TWO! Fale survives but the fans still rally for Takagi.
Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he looks to the cameras. “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans cheer and Takagi vows to lift Fale! Takagi reels Fale in, but Fale fights with body shots! Fale whips Takagi to a corner, runs up, and SPLASHES! Then he snapmares Takagi for the SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO! Takagi survives and the fans cheer! Fale frowns but he calls his own shot. Fale waits on Takagi to stand up, and he guzels! Then the GRE- NO! Takagi breaks free, ducks the hand, to JAB! HEADBUTT! And then facelock! Fale is still really big, but TAKAGI SUPLEXES HIM! The fans are thunderous as Takagi manages the impossible!
Takagi then runs, PUMPING BOMBER!! Cover, KANEMARU YANKS THE REF OUT! The fans boo but now Dick Togo slithers into the ring! Takagi shouts at Kanemaru, but turns around into the POCKET SAND! The fans boo again but Dick & Kanemaru mug Takagi! They choke him in the corner, then they set him up for Fale to SPLASH! Takagi falls, but Fale & Kanemaru set him up! DICK CHOP! The fans boo while Takagi writhes, but Dick puts the ref back in the ring. Fale runs to ELBOW DROP! But Gedo gets off commentary to argue with the ref! Fale’s cover goes uncounted! The fans cheer Gedo, but Fale storms over!
Gedo hides behind the ref while Kanemaru takes a swig. Dick stands Takagi up, but Takagi ducks the WHISKEY MIST! Kanemaru sprays Dick instead! JAB! YUKON LARIAT! Down goes Kanemaru, but now Takagi takes a swig! The fans cheer as Takagi gives Fale a DRAGON WHISKEY MIST! Takagi then BLINDSIDE PUMPING, and runs to PUMPING BOMBER TAKEDOWN!! Cover, TAKAGI WINS!
Winner: Shingo Takagi, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Blacksmith applauds as justice is served! Takagi tastes the bitter whiskey, but also sweet victory. He definitely prefers the latter, but will he continue the climb to the top?
2026 New Japan Cup Second Round: Yuya Uemura VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Heat Storm vowed last round that he would light that fire in NJPW as the shining sun leading the way, and winning the Cup would solidify that. But will Yuya still have the hot hand? Or will he be shot down by 44 Caliber?
The bell rings and the fans cheer as the two circle. Drilla and Yuya tie up, are in a deadlock, but Yuya wrenches to wristlock. Drilla spins to wrench in return, only for Yuya to roll and wrench right back. Drilla rolls, breaks the grip, then wrenches to wristlock. Yuya reaches out but Drilla keeps him from ropes. Yuya rolls, wrenches, hammerlocks, headlocks, spins to hammerlock, then he snapmares Drilla down for the armlock! The fans cheer the technical display. Drilla stands but Yuya wrenches again. Drilla rolls, rolls back, handsprings, then breaks free! The fans applaud that technical display, too.
Drilla and Yuya reset, and Drilla calls for the knuckle lock. Yuya obliges and they lock up. They feel out the other knuckle lock, then go shoulder to shoulder for a Test of Strength! The fans rally as Drilla powers up and bends Yuya back! Yuya bridges to stay up, but Drilla hops on! Yuya is still up, so Drilla jumps on! Again, Yuya stays up! Drilla tries again but Yuya uses that to get up and kick free! Yuya arm-drags, Drilla headscissors, but Yuya kips free. Drilla headlocks for the takeover, and he fights off the headscissors! The fans cheer while Drilla grinds Yuya down. Yuya keeps his arms up, but Drilla squeezes tighter.
Yuya fights to his feet and pries the hold open, only for Drilla to clamp it on tighter. Yuya fires body shots, powers up and out, then arm-drags! And arm-drags! Then he dodges a lariat, to arm-drag again! The fans cheer the exchange as Yuya again has the armlock. Drilla endures the top wristlock as he moves around, but Yuya puts on the pressure. Drilla rises, Yuya wrenches, but Drilla works on the escape. Yuya grinds the arm but Drilla goes to the ropes. Red Shoes calls the break, but Yuya whips Drilla. Drilla reverses, Yuya handsprings, but Drilla RUNS him over! The fans cheer as things keep moving, and Yuya arm-drags again!
Yuya has the armlock again, and the fans rally as Drilla fights it. Yuya fights off headscissors while putting pressure on the double wristlock. They stand, Drilal lifts Yuya, and Drilla puts him in the corner. Red Shoes calls the ropebreak, Drilla backs off, only to RAM Yuya low! Drilla then whips corner to corner, but Yuya goes up and over. Drilla fakes out the arm-drag! And he KICKS Yuya in the back! The fans cheer as Yuya gets right up. The two go face to face, then forearm for forearm! Yuya fires a forearm, KNEE, and CHOP, then runs, but Drilla hurdles! Drilla drops down, but Yuya avoids the dropkick! Drilla still CHOPS Yuya!
Drilla CHOPS Yuya to the corner, CHOPS him again, and the fans rally up. Drilla whips corner to corner but Yuya reverses. Drilla goes up and out, then he DUMPS Yuya to the floor! The fans fire up as Drilla builds speed, and he WRECKS Yuya with the dropkick! Yuya hits railing then slumps down while the fans cheer. Drilla drags Yuya up, brings him around, and whips him hard into railing! The fans rally while Yuya slumps back. Drilla brings Yuya around to put in the ring, and the fans rally behind him. Drilla storms in and brings Yuya up. Yuya breaks free to CHOP! Drilla slips around, ripcords, but Yuya blocks the chop!
Yuya swings, but into a clinch! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! A shoutout to The Rebel with that one and the fans rally up. Drilla stalks Yuya, KICKS him in the back, then brings him up. Drilla shoves Yuya into a corner, RAMS him in the back, then RAMS him again! And again! Drilla reels Yuya into a BIG back suplex! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Drilla looms over Yuya, and drags him into a chinlock, digging his knee into Yuya’s back. Yuya endures, fights forward, and has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer as Drilla lets Yuya go. Drilla looms over Yuya again, stands him up, but Yuya ROCKS him! Yuya fires another shot, but Drilla kicks low!
Drilla scoops Yuya for a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Drilla clamps right onto an arm, traps it, and then has Yuya’s legs! MODIFIED TEXAS CLOVERHOLD! The fans rally as Yuya endures! Yuya crawls with his one arm, reaches out, and he has the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer while Drilla lets go. Drilla drags Yuya up, SLAPS him on the back, and eggs him on! Yuya stands, and he fires a forearm! And another forearm! And another! But Drilla CHOPS him back! Yuya sputters, Drilla whips, but Yuya reverses for the FLYING ARM-DRAG! Then a DROPKICK! The fans rally up again while both men are down!
Yuya and Drilla rise up, and Drilla goes to a corner. Yuya storms up and CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Drilla shoves Yuya back, but Yuya comes back to DOUBLE CHOP, DOUBLE CHOP, and DOUBLE CHOP! Yuya whips corner to corner, runs in, and CHOPS again! The fans cheer as Yuya fires up, and he reels Drilla in for the SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally again as Yuya waistlocks. Yuya goes to full nelson but Drilla breaks free and arm-drags! Then he RAMS Yuya in the corner! Fireman’s carry, tuck, and RUNNING AIR RAID CRASH! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer as Yuya survives, but Drilla shakes it off. Drilla goes to the apron while the fans rally up, and Drilla climbs the corner. Drilla aims for a MACHO ELBOW FLOP! Yuya gets the arm for the ARMBAR! Drilla clasps hands to fight it off, but Yuya shifts to ARMBAR the other arm! Drilla keeps his hands clasped, so Yuya sits up and twists for the double wristlock! The fans rally as Drilla still endures, and he kicks his way around. But Yuya rolls to throw Drilla to center! Then Yuya cording holds, but Drilla fights the suplex! JAWBREAKER! ENZIGIRI! Both men are down again and the fans rally back up!
Drilla and Yuya stir while the fans duel. Drilla headbutts the buckles a la Takagi, then runs in, but into a RANA! And then DOUBLE WRISTLOCK! The fans rally again as Drilla fights the hold! Drilla rises up, then fireman’s carries! Yuya slips free, Drilla ELBOWS him, but Yuya blocks a superkick! Yuya swings, but Drilla ducks to then fireman’s carry, DEATH VALLEY BOMB! The fans fire up while both men are down again! Drilla clutches the elbow and shakes out the bad arm while the fans rally. Yuya rolls over while Drilla rises up. Drilla brings Yuya up to his feet, then puts him on the top rope. Drilla CHOPS Yuya before he climbs up to join him.
The fans rally as Drilla goes to the very top, but Yuya fires body shots! Yuya then HEADBUTTS Drilla down! Yuya fires up as he rises, to CROSSBODY FLOP! Drilla avoids the High Fly Attack to then GORE! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up as Yuya survives! Drilla huffs ‘n’ puffs as he rises up again, and he brings Yuya up, only for the bad arm to hurt. Drilla puts Yuya in the drop zone and goes up top. The fans rally again for the MACHO ELBOW! Direct hit this time, and Drilla is fired up! The fans are with him as he goes back to Yuya and vows to end it. Drilla drags Yuya up, but the bad arm limits his lifting!
The fans rally as Drilla still tries, but Yuya resists. Drilla KNEES Yuya, then brings him around to Canadian Rack! But Yuya fights free! And he backslides Drilla, TWO! Drilla swings, but into the full nelson! Drilla breaks free, but Yuya GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO! ARMBAR!! The fans fire up as Drilla is caught! Yuya breaks the grip to PULL on the arm! Drilla scrambles, fights to stack Yuya, ONE as Yuya keeps the arm up! TRIANGLE HOLD! Drilla endures again, but he seems to be fading! Red Shoes checks on Drilla, and he revives to fight around again! Drilla deadlifts Yuya for the fireman’s carry!
But then Drilla pops Yuya around to a shoulder rack, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA- NO! Yuya lands out to run and SUPERMAN CLUTCH!! TWO!! Drilla survives that shoutout to Colt Cabana, and he POP-UP POWERBOMBS! The fans fire up again while both men are down! Drilla fires up, the fans rally, and Drilla drags Yuya back up! Drilla hauls Yuya up, Canadian Racks, but Yuya slips free again! Cording hold! Cording hold! But Drilla fights the suplex! Drilla HEADBUTTS, but runs into an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Yuya pulls on the arm but Drilla clasps his hands! The fans rally as the two struggle, and Drilla stacks Yuya! TWO!
Both men stand, and Drilla BOOTS! Yuya DOUBLE CHOPS! Yuya takes another swing, but Drilla ducks to ripcord and CHOP! But Yuya roars! Drilla SUPERKICKS! Yuya PELES! Then DRAGON SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO!! Drilla slumps over but that still saves him! Yuya roars and the fans are thunderous! Yuya goes up the corner, takes aim, and HIGH FLY- DROPKICK!! The anti-air hits and the fans fire up again! Drilla snarls, builds speed, and GORES!! But Drilla isn’t done there! He hauls Yuya back up, Canadian Rack, and DRILLA KILLA!! Cover, BUT YUYA ROLLS IT BACK! YUYA WINS!!!
Winner: Yuya Uemura, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
Yuya quite truly won by the seat of his pants, snatching victory from the jaws of this War Dragon! What will it take for Drilla to have that breakthrough to the next level?
As for Yuya, he’s very tired, but he still grabs the mic while resting on the mat. The fans cheer as Yuya manages to sit up. “To be honest, I thought today would be a no-go, but this is the soul of NJPW!” The fans cheer that! Yuya says the reason he was able to win today was because the fans supported him, and that gave him the energy! Thank you very much! The fans cheer again while Yuya stands back up, if just for a moment. Yuya asks if the fans love NJPW, and the fans cheer because they do. Yuya says if you like NJPW, come watch as the Spring’s hottest star, Yuya Uemura, becomes the strongest of all time!
The fans cheer again, and Yuya says he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts! Wait, did the mic go out? Oops. Yuya makes sure the mic is on as he repeats himself that he’ll speak for everyone’s hearts, and that he’ll continue to heat up this New Japan Cup! YOSHA! The fans cheer as Yuya falls back! Yuya gets another win, but will he keep it up all the way to the finals?
My Thoughts:
A great start to the second round, but I’m a little surprised we didn’t get more than two tournament matches. Takagi VS Fale was very good, even with the usual House of Torture overbooking. Gedo helping turn things around was great, too. Then awesome main event from Yuya VS Drilla. That sudden ending was a great move, they really made it seem like Drilla was going to win. But Yuya pulling it out was great, it builds his story of becoming the “sun,” aka the face of NJPW. He’s definitely proving himself worthy of being a top star in this generation, can’t wait to see how far he goes.
My Score: 8.9/10
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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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