Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (4/25/22)
20 YEARS of the Viper!
Raw celebrates Randy Orton’s newest milestone!
April 25th, 2002, Randy Orton made his WWE debut, and the rest is history! How will Raw and Matt Riddle celebrate the Viper reaching 20 YEARS?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Sonya Deville; changed to…
- Raw Women’s Championship No Holds Barred: Bianca Belair VS Sonya Deville w/ Carmella & Zelina Vega; Belair wins and retains the title.
- Veer Mahaan VS ???; Mahaan wins.
- Arm-Wrestling Contest: Omos w/ MVP VS Bobby Lashley; Lashley wins.
- Mixed Tag Match: Dana Brooke & Reggie VS Tamina & Akira Tozawa; Tamina & Tozawa win.
- Finn Balor VS Damian Priest; Priest wins.
- Mustafa Ali VS The Miz; Ali wins.
- 8 Man Tag: Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens & The Usos VS Cody Rhodes, Ezekiel & RKBRO; Cody, Ezekiel & RKBRO win.
PLAY BY PLAY
Matt Riddle is in the ring!
The University of Tennessee has the Bro in the ring and all the superstars of Raw around ringside. Seth Rollins, however, is sitting by the announce desk. Riddle says what’s up, and welcomes us to Monday Night Raw! Tonight is special, because this is the 20th Anniversary of one of the greatest to ever do it. Let’s take a look back at the debut of Randy Orton! A good match against Hardcore Holly, and even more importantly, a win! Then from there, it was Evolution, the Legend Killer, Intercontinental Champion, the youngest World Heavyweight Champion ever, the Apex Predator, and now RKBRO!
Tennessee applauds and chants for “Randy! Randy!” and Riddle says there’s only one thing left to do. Give it up for Riddle’s friend, the Viper himself, RANDYYY! ORRRTOOON! The man of the hour makes his way out, and he gets nods and fist bumps of respect from the superstars at ringside. Fans cheer as Orton gets in the ring with Riddle, and then he gets a mic. “So I appreciate you, man. This is pretty cool.” And Knoxville is where Orton was born. Wikipedia was right on this one. SO it’s great that they’re able to do this here. His journey has had ups, downs, twists and turns, but he hopes no one is sick of him, because he ain’t going anywhere!
Those 20 years flew by in a flash. He made a to of relationships, had a lot of killer matches with some real badass men. John Cena, Triple H, the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Mick Foley especially. It was because of Mick Foley that Orton became the Legend Killer, and that Orton is even here now. Same for HHH, Ric Flair and a lot of others. But there is one thing that’s different these days. Orton is having more fun right now than he’s ever had in his entire career, all thanks to Riddle! Much love. And they hug! Fans cheer for “R K BRO! R K BRO!” and Orton says he’s gotta let us all know something.
We’ve all had our twists and turns, too, but they’ve always supported him. If it wasn’t for the fans, there would be none of this. He thanks all of them, as well. Fans chant, “Thank You, Randy!” “Randy! Randy!” and Riddle says he has a surprise! This man wanted to come out, says Orton’s a mentor to him. This is a second generation star who looks up to Orton as a locker room leader, and even says they were friends. So then, Knoxville, here is the AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, CODY RHODES! Cody makes his way out and Orton can’t help but smile. They hug it out, but now Rollins has to speak up.
“Awwwwwwww… Well, isn’t this cute? Don’t trust him, Randy~. Don’t trust Cody Rhodes. No no no. He’s not out here to show you love. He’s out here to try to steal your spotlight, just like he tried to steal MY spotlight at WrestleMania!” Rollins wants to let Mr. Nightmare in on a secret: not everything is about YOU! Rollins laughs and says tonight is specifically about Randy Orton, baby! Rollins picked out his finest suit for the occasion. What a career, 20 years in the past. Call a spade a spade, Orton’s best years are behind him. Orton is the past, but he’s not the present or the future. And neither is Cody!
Rollins says the next generation won’t be inspired by a Nightmare, a Bro or a Viper, but by a Visionary, a revolutionary, by Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! HAHAHAHA! But Ezekiel speaks up now? Ezekiel says as one of those newer stars, now would be a great time to congratulate Orton and introduce himself. He’s Ezekiel, Elias’ brother. He shakes Orton’s hand and Ezekiel says he’ll never forget him and Elias watching Orton dominate! But then Kevin Owens barges out from the crowd to call Ezekiel a LIAR! Kevin can’t stay back and let someone lie to Orton! Ezekiel looks like and talks like Elias BECAUSE IT IS!
Is Orton gonna let someone lie to him on tonight of all nights? This is how you pay tribute? Ezekiel disgusts Kevin! Kevin says Ezekiel passed the lie detector test but he’ll figure this out! Kevin’s the only sane one around here! Riddle wants Kevin to calm down, but here come the USOS! Jimmy & Jey are back again, and Jimmy says, “20. Years. 20 years, Uce. Two decades your boy, the Viper, been doing this thing in the WWE.” Jey says they were 15 watching Orton! Does Jey have a favorite Orton moment? Yes he does! The Usos get in the ring with everyone, and Jey says check it. They were watching Orton when they were down here, but now they’re fighting him while they’re up here!
What’s Jey’s favorite moment? When the Usos beat them at Backlash and unify the tag titles to solidify THEIR legacy as the best damn team in the world! RKBRO are the twos, #WeTheOnes! Fans boo and Adam Pearce has everyone wait right there. Before the celebration is tarnished, he will make this clear. All of them will be in competition tonight in the biggest match he can make! In commemoration of the 20th anniversary, it’ll be an EIGHT MAN TAG! Rollins, Kevin & The Usos VS Cody, Ezekiel & RKBRO! Fans love that! But as the teams argue, Kevin DECKS Ezekiel! So Orton RKOS Kevin!!
Rollins and the Usos back off, but they’ll have to stand their ground in tonight’s massive main event! Will these combustible elements blow the roof off the University of Tennessee?
Bianca Belair talks with Kane- Er, Glenn Jacobs, backstage.
The Knoxville native gets some encouragement and congratulations from the Knoxville County Mayor. Will Bianca make Tennessee the proudEST ever as she retains the title in her hometown?
Raw Women’s Championship: Bianca Belair VS Sonya Deville!
The EST is a fighting champion, but she ended up getting suckered into this by the power hungry and power abusing “Cruella” Deville. Sonya is blurring the lines of competitor and management again, but will Bianca make her pay for it? Or will Sonya end up trading in her jacket for a title belt?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the hometown hero can stay the champion!
The two tie up at the bell, Bianca headlocks but Sonya powers out, only for Bianca to run Sonya over! Fans cheer as Sonya bails out and Bianca blows a kiss. Sonya gets on the apron, Bianca goes after her, but Sonya uses that to trip her up! Sonya drags Bianca out to bump her off the apron, and then whip. Bianca reverses and Sonya goes flying over the table! Bianca gets back in the ring and the count is climbing! Sonya drags herself up at 9, but she can’t get past the desk! Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by count-out (still Raw Women’s Champion)
But Sonya stops the announce from saying it! She claims there’s a wet spot, this is not a fair match! She wants to restart this, and she wants NO count-outs! Well there Sonya goes again. She uses her authority to bend things in her favor, but Bianca just shrugs it off. The bell rings again, Bianca rushes out to fire off on Sonya! Sonya brawls with Bianca, they go around, and Bianca reels Sonya in, only for Sonya to RAM her into the apron! And RAM her into the barriers! “Tennessee sucks!” But Bianca RAMS Sonya, then scoops! Sonya slips out and pulls the hair! Bianca uses that to whip Sonya OVER barriers!
Sonya flounder sin the timekeeper area, Bianca staggers that way, but Sonya uses a CHAIR! She SMACKS Bianca down, the bell rings again!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by disqualification (still Raw Women’s Champion)
And again, Sonya says no! Bianca cheated first using a foreign object: her hair. The chair just levels the playing field. Now it’s NO HOLDS BARRED!! The bell rings again, and now Sonya is waving to someone? Out come Carmella and Zelina Vega! The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are at least on the same page now that they’re against Bianca. What will happen as Sonya keeps stacking the deck? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Sonya is mugging Bianca with Mella’s help! Fans boo as Sonya talks trash to Bianca’s face, then runs, into a BOOT! Bianca ELBOWS Mella, then SPINEBUSTERS Sonya! Bianca rains down fists on Sonya but Vega helps out! Vega hops onto Bianca’s back, but Bianca stays up. Sonya kicks Bianca down, she and Vega double whip to put Bianca in a corner. Vega whips Sonya in so she can RAM Bianca. Mella returns, Sonya whips Vega in, but Bianca tosses Vega out and DECKS her! Bianca tosses Mella, too, then dodges Sonya! Sonya hits buckles, Bianca ROCKS Sonya! Bianca gets in, chicken wings, but Sonya victory rolls to send Bianca into buckles!
Fans boo but Sonya gets a chair! Sonya puts the chair down and reels Bianca in. FULL METAL DDT!! Cover, TWO!?! Bianca survives and Sonya can’t believe it! Bianca really is the toughEST! Bianca calls to Vega, she helps wedge a chair into a corner. Sonya whips Bianca in, but Bianca turns it around! Sonya CRASHES into chair! Bianca DECKS Vega, handspring kicks Mella away, then torture racks Sonya! KISS OF DEATH!! Cover, Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall (still Raw Women’s Champion)
And this is for real now! Bianca overcame the unfairEST match Sonya could make, and she keeps that gold around her waist! Is there no stopping her now?
Mella and Vega argue backstage.
Sonya barges in and tells them both to shut up! They both failed to get her the title, so now they don’t get an opportunity. Then she’s going back on her word! Vega can’t believe Sonya is doing this to them when she promised! Sonya SLAPS Vega! And she tells Mella not to slap her back. She’s still their boss. Mella blames Vega but Sonya SLAPS Mella, too! Is the tyrant going to cause a revolt on Raw?
Edge and Damian Priest speak.
The Iconoclast says, “We look down on everyone, sitting atop our mountain of omnipotence. And if anyone comes close, we just kick them in the face down to the bottom of the mountain. People like AJ Styles, or Finn Balor. Tonight, Finn’s stay of execution ends. Damian deals with his unfinished business. Now, we’re better than everyone, but we haven’t shown that. We’ve let things like caring about what you think affect us. The kind of people who would cheer for a lousy program like the Tennessee Volunteers. Or the type of people who will fold themselves into their Pintos, shamble down to the polls, and support the current mayor of Knox County.”
The WWE Universe is such a fascinating cross section of society. People mock Edge for wearing suits and using big words and the purple lights, saying those belong to the Undertaker and this is blasphemy. People don’t like it when the truth slaps them upside their ugly faces. Edge and Priest are better than your favorites! Chew on that. You may not like the flavor since it’s not a cheeseburger or bag o’ chips, but you need to choke it down because it’s true. And speaking of favorites, where’s AJ Styles? Jury duty excuse? Or just mending the left arm they went after, the one Edge separated the first time in the Royal Rumble, the night Edge started his miraculous comeback.
Styles, Edge is speaking to you now. Edge thought back and realized Styles didn’t hit the Phenomenal Forearm. Styles probably thinks if he had, he would’ve won. But at WrestleMania Backlash, Edge will show it won’t. Edge says Styles can’t hit that move with one arm. Don’t let the lemmings push you into a situation you can’t handle, AJ. Stay home, hug your kids with your one good arm. As for Finn, they’ll see him later. Priest tells Finn that his guilt has been determined, and Priest shall be the punishment. Judgement day has arrived! But will Finn be able to beat the rap?
Veer Mahaan VS ???
First, he dominated Dominik Mysterio. Then he broke Jeff Brooks. Who will the Lion of India hunt down and maul this week?
Raw returns and Sam Smothers is the opponent. The bell rings and Veer BOOTS Sam down, then drags him up to whip. Sam hits buckles then Veer SPLASHES him! Sam staggers into the MILLION DOLLAR LARIAT! Veer growls and stalks Sam, to hip drop and CERVICAL CLUTCH!! Sam taps, Veer wins!!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission
An even faster victory for Veer, but there’s still no mercy! He POSTS Sam, then goes outside after him! The ref already calls for reinforcements but Veer clamps o the CERVICAL CLUTCH again! Veer thrashes Sam around, but lets go as the refs tell him to stop. Fans boo but Veer revels in this moment. Sam stirs, and Veer drags him up to SPINEBUSTER on the announce desk! Then Veer jumps up onto the desk, to clamp on the CERVICAL CLUTCH!! Sam can only gurgle and sputter! The refs tell Veer to stop but he holds on until he is satisfied. Will all of Raw soon #FearVeer?
Backstage interview with Bobby Lashley.
He is warming up, but perhaps for more than just tonight’s Arm-Wrestling Contest. Well Lashley is confident that he is still stronger than Omos. But if it goes past this, he has to be ready. He doesn’t trust Omos or that backstabber, MVP. Sarah wishes him luck, but will he need far more than that against The Colossus?
Arm-Wrestling Contest: Omos w/ MVP VS Bobby Lashley!
Raw returns and Omos and MVP are already in the ring. MVP has the mic to say, “Aw man, I’ve looked forward to this day. The day where Bobby Lashley is destroyed by his own ego. The ego that made him forget who made him All Mighty.” MVP tells the fans to shut up with the “What?” as he continues to say Lashley’s ego made him think he could go to WrestleMania without MVP, and to accept a challenge from an athlete superior to Lashley in every single way. Lashley’s muscles, athleticism and strength make him unstoppable for the average superstar. But this isn’t average, this is COLOSSAL!
Here’s a way even Tennessee can understand. And if you have a friend who can read, they can read the definitions of these words to you. Anyway, Omos will wrap his colossal hand, wrap it around Lashley’s puny digits, crush them, then rip the hand off at the wrist! But enough talk, here comes Lashley! He steps into the ring and they square up to the podium. Fans cheer for Lashley but MVP wants Omos to teach Lashley some humility. They lock up, the ref makes sure the grip is good. Ready, GO! These titans are in a deadlock and MVP taunts Lashley if he has second thoughts. Omos is gonna beat him! Oh yeah!
Lashley’s arm is at 45 degrees, but MVP is just egging him on and pissing him off! Lashley powers up to tilt things back his way! Omos holds on, keeps his hand off the pad, but MVP keeps talking trash, saying Lashley is nothing without him! Lashley powers through and WINS!
Winner: Bobby Lashley
MVP takes aim with his cane but Lashley is ready! So Omos CLOBBERS Lashley instead! And SMACKS him off the podium! And again! And again! Omos smothers Lashley into the podium then SMACKS him off it again! The podium is pushed aside, Omos drags Lashley up and throws knees! Omos CLOBBERS Lashley again! MVP grins as he and Omos stand over Lashley. But MVP also has Omos keep from dragging Lashley up. Instead, MVP wants Omos to use the podium! Lashley ain’t so might now, is he? Omos SMASHES Lashley with the podium again and again! Then he smothers Lashley with it again!
The refs tell Omos to stop but MVP says one more! Omos listens to MVP and he SMASHES Lashley again! “And there is your All Mighty.” MVP has Omos TOSS the podium out of the ring, and MVP raises Omos’ hand in victory. Lashley manages to sit up, will he be able to recover from such brutality?
R-Truth heads to the ring!
And he’s the special guest referee! Maybe R stands for “Renaissance.” That said, he’s going to keep the peace during this upcoming rematch!
Mixed Tag Match: Dana Brooke & Reggie VS Tamina & Akira Tozawa!
Raw returns and shares what set up this match. The committed couples were arguing about the debacle during their ceremony last week, and “therapist” Truth had them calm down. This was a group couples counseling session. Truth not only marries couples, he keeps them together. He is certified in therapeutic, scientific togetherness training. And y’know what, if he has to, he’d tear them all apart to keep it together. They’ve got 99 problems but love ain’t one. Tozawa says he has a lot of love. This sparks another argument but Truth shouts them down again. They have to put the T R U back in trust.
Management says as an exercise in team work, we have this Mixed Tag Match. And ain’t no one gonna pin Dana for the 24/7 title, the rules will be suspended for the duration. And furthermore, he’s keeping an eye on them as the referee. Yep, he’s certified! Don’t hate. So back to present, the couples have made their entrances, and the gentlemen start! Will this work out to keep them all together? Or will it only tear them all apart?
The bell rings, Tozawa and Reggie tie up. Tozawa whips and hip tosses, but Reggie kangaroo kicks and arm-drags! Reggie holds on, Dana tags in, but that allows Tamina in. Tamina runs in but Dana dodges, only for Tamina to scoop! Dana slips out, kicks low and whips Tamina. Tamina blocks, whips Dana, then reels her in and dips her. Tamina says if Tozawa has a lot of love, then so does she! Truth say sno, that ain’t PG! Tozawa tags in, Reggie gets in and dodges to then TWISTING CROSSBODY! And then, SOMERSAULT- NO! Tozawa avoids the seated senton, he sobats, spin kicks, slides under and SCREW HIGH KICKS!
Tozawa drags Reggie to a drop zone, goes up top, and “I LOVE YOU!” SUPER SENTON!! Cover, Tozawa and Tamina win!
Winners: Akira Tozawa & Tamina, by pinfall
Tozawa and Tamina hug, and then Tamina looks at Dana. Tamina throws Dana down, Tozawa covers, but Truth throws Tozawa into Tamina! Dana wants the title! Truth offers her an escape, but then rolls her up! And he counts it himself! TWO!! Dana escapes again and asks what the heck! She trusted him! Truth says he was testing her! Dana runs, leaving Reggie behind. Is the title too important to everyone to leave room for love?
Becky Lynch is here!
But despite the great sunglasses and outfit, Big Time Becks is feeling pretty low since she’s not Raw Women’s Champion. What will The Man have to say about not bringing the belt back home at WrestleMania? We’ll hear about it, after the break.
Raw returns and Becky has the mic. Fans are torn but she says, “Three years. It’s been three years since I’ve walked out on Raw without my championship. Three years and nobody was able to beat me for that title, and I’ll be honest with you, I haven’t wanted to show my face on Raw because I don’t know who Becky Lynch is without that title. I’ve grown so accustomed to looking in the mirror and seeing a champion that after WrestleMania, I didn’t recognize myself anymore. I’ve hit rock bottom. That’s it. I’ve hit rock bottom, that’s all I have to say, so…” Becky takes a breath and supports herself with hands on knees.
But wait, wait. If Becky hit the bottom, then there’s nowhere else to go but up! This isn’t the end! No no no! This is just the beginning of a legendary comeback! Becky laughs a bit like Rollins as she says no one can do a comeback better than her! She can’t stay down and wallowing with the shlubs of the Earth! She’s an arrow being pulled back so she can shoot into heights unknown! PEWWWW~! And all of you, you get to witness and be inspired by her rise! Her returning to the top, her prize, her precious! She’ll overcome Tennessee’s hometown girl and Becky will be champion again! She’ll be champion forever! No one can stop her! Not Bianca, not Sonya, not Liv, not Dana, not-
ASUKA!?! Fans go nuts seeing the Empress of Tomorrow return! And she goes right to the ring, where Becky looks like she’s seeing a ghost! Asuka takes off the mask to smile and dance around. Asuka gets herself a mic and says in Japanese that she’s happy to be back! Fans are happy to have her back, too! Asuka then tells Becky, “I will stop you! Because no one is ready for ASUKA!” Becky smirks, Asuka boops her on the nose, and that upsets Becky. Becky swings, misses, and barely dodges a back hand! Asuka’s put Becky on notice, will the Big Time Comeback be over before it even begins?
The Street Profits speak.
Angelo Dawkins is fired up as usual, and Montez Ford says 20 years of Viper, chef’s kiss. That’s a lot of RKO. Dawkins’ neck hurts just thinking about it. But real talk, much respect to Orton. Bottles poppin’, show ain’t stoppin’, even Mayor Glenn Jacobs spotted. And of course, Bianca Belair successfully defended her Raw Women’s Championship in her hometown! You go, girl! Sonya making excuses like Ben Simmons in Game 4. But that ain’t all, fam! RKBRO uniting with The American Nightmare and Ezekiel, who we keep confusing for his brother, Elias. And they’re against the Usos, Seth Freakin’ Owens & Kevin Owens.
Who Dawks got? Oh, his money’s on ZEKE! Ford isn’t sure so. Usos might have to do their Tribal Chief proud and make someone ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. But straight from Pearce, no matter who wins here or at Backlash, Profits got next for those tag titles! They’re coming for THE Unified WWE Tag Team Championships because the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke!
Finn Balor VS Damian Priest w/ Edge!
The Prince knows the Archer of Infamy all too well between their battles on NXT and Raw. But this Priest has a new Edge to him. Will Damian cut Balor down once and for all? Or will Finn make things Too Sweet on behalf of AJ Styles?
Raw returns and Edge and Priest makes their entrance. Edge sits upon the obsidian throne from his mountain of omnipotence, and he sends his envoy of punishment to the ring. The bell rings, the two circle, and tie up. Balor waistlocks, headlocks, but Priest powers out. Priest runs Balor over, but Balor hurries to get up. Priest is on him and tosses him to a corner! Priest ROCKS Balor, fires off stomps and uppercuts, but lets off as the ref counts. Priest then HEADBUTTS Balor, wrenches and whips corner to corner, and Balor hits buckles hard! Priest runs in but misses the back elbow, and Balor fires off shots!
Priest shoves Balor but Balor clotheslines Priest out of the ring! Edge looks upset but Priest drags Balor out. Balor fires back, body shots and haymakers, but Priest CLUBS Balor down. Priest Canadian racks Priest, APRON RAZOR’S EDGE! Edge is amused and Priest stands tall as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Priest grinds Balor down in a seated cravat. Balor fights up as fans rally, but Priest knees him low. Priest whips Balor to a corner, runs in, but Balor BOOTS him! Balor runs in to forearm, but Priest stays up! Balor whips, Priest reverses but Balor ducks and dodges to forearm again! Balor trips Priest to DOUBLE STOMP him! Edge is annoyed again as Balor runs and CHOPS Priest in a corner! Balor whips, Priest reverses and scoops but Balor slips out to ELBOW DROP DDT! Cover, TWO! Priest and Balor slowly get up, Balor KICKS Priest in the side. Balor throws body shots, wrenches, but Priest ROCKS him!
Priest KNEES, KICKS and KICKS, but Balor SLINGBLADES outta nowhere! Balor aims from a corner, runs in, but Priest choke grips! But Balor turns coke slam into victory roll, TWO! Priest runs in at the corner, Balor dodges and goes to the apron! GAMANGIRI and Priest goes down! Fans fire up and Balor climbs, but Edge stands up! Balor is distracted, Priest choke grips and drags Balor down! SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM!! Edge is pleased again, and Priest drags Balor up. Priest reels Balor in, for a COMPLETE SHOT! Cover, Priest wins!
Winner: Damian Priest, by pinfall
Judgement Day came for Balor and dealt out the punishment. Priest returns to his mentor and kneels before him. Edge says he may rise, and Priest raises his hand in victory. Will they continue to deal out pain and punishment against even the Phenomenal One?
The Miz heads to the ring!
And he’s ready to host a championship edition of MizTV as his guest will be the NEW WWE United States Champion, (Austin) Theory! Will the University of Tennessee be able to handle all this hot air? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and what a night it’s been! They’re celebrating the 20th anniversary of Randy Orton! A living legend whose career might stack up to Miz’s one day. But not only that, tonight’s guest is a true star in the making, who might remind you of someone in this very ring. Miz welcomes (Austin) Theory! Theory makes his entrance, and then takes a selfie with Miz. Miz admits, it’s like looking in a mirror. They take their seats and Miz says when he was a younger man, he had to earn “The.” But Theory will get there. So, “The Theory?”
No no, Vince McMahon has made it clear to him, it’s #JustTheory. Well then, Just Theory, it has been awhile since someone has brought credibility back to the US Championship. In fact, it has felt like 12 years since, wink wink nudge nudge. Miz was champion then, wasn’t he? CORRECT! And for the second time! He escalated the title to a level he knows Theory will uphold. Well thanks, Miz. The Miz. Now, how does it feel to be the new champion? Honestly, feels like he’s on another level. Miz is someone Theory grew up watching. Like, an inspiration! Guys, stop with the “What?” already.
But Miz overcame the odds and became a TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion! A WrestleMania main eventer! Miz did! And y’know what else? Theory wants to live up to those standards, and continue to prove why he is Vince’s best investment ever. Fans boo but Miz applauds. Show respect to the guest, please! They boo more. Theory says he’ll take the US Championship to heights it’s never been to before! And sure, he’s the youngest US Champion in history, but he’ll be remembered as THE US Champion! Bet all your money on that, because he can do this all day.
Miz does want to give him some advice, though. When you become champion, everyone around you becomes jealous. “Nothing infuriates people more than when handsome, young trendsetters like us succeed at every turn.” The locker room is full of parasites, and previous champions handed out title matches like glow sticks at Coachella. Everyone needs to EARN the right to face Theory in the ring! No one comes out and just demands a title match! Theory is THE US- Wait, someone is interrupting Miz! It’s MUSTAFA ALI! The Beacon is back on Raw! And he joins these two in the ring, holding a mic of his own.
Ali soaks in the moment as fans chant, “Welcome Back!” But then Miz keeps him form speaking. This guy still works here? Ali pushes the hand aside, but then Theory says, “Aren’t you the guy who took his ball and went home?” Miz laughs but says he knows what this is! It’s Mufasa, younger brother of Mustafa. Get it? Yeah, Theory gets it. Oh, Miz, that joke was not funny at all. Honestly, why is Miz out here cracking jokes? If Ali wants a laugh, he can just watch Miz wrestle. Theory has Miz keep cool but Ali says to get to business. He is back on Monday Night Raw!
Ali was back there talking with Pearce, discussing matters, but when Ali heard the NEW US Champion was going to be on MizTV, Ali just had to come out here! Cuz he’s kinda hoping Theory is going to announce he’s holding an Open Challenge for the title. And Ali is also kinda hoping that he’s the one to answer it. What’s Theory think about that? Theory VS Ali, US Championship, TONIGHT! Fans want it, but Miz says not to listen to that. Theory says he’ll think about it. NO. Well, Ali isn’t surprised. Theory is Mr. McMahon’s protégé, right? So he has no spine, all biceps and no balls. Is he afraid? Theory’s out here running his mouth but running away like his name’s The Miz!
Theory says Ali is talking to a former champion! A trailblazer! A future Hall of Famer! Miz doesn’t run away! Miz knows Ali is using his name to get himself some notoriety. There is nothing Miz would love more than to embarrass Ali right here and now, but he must’ve forgotten how thinks work around here. Miz doesn’t have some magic wand that makes matches. Theory says he does! He texted Vince, Miz VS Ali is happening now! He… What? Yeah, it’s what Miz wanted, right? Well, yes, thank you… But then Miz explains to Ali. After this match, Ali will wish he got those walking papers.
Ali SLAPS Miz! Ali dares Miz to bring it, and then Ali exits so the MizTV set can be set aside. Will the Hollywood A-Lister be blinded by the Beacon taking his spotlight?
Orton and Glenn Jacobs talk backstage.
These two know each other well. They seem to be reminiscing on old times and having a good laugh.
Mustafa Ali VS The Miz!
Raw returns and the match begins! Ali and Miz circle, feel things out, knuckle lock, but then Ali wrenches and wristlocks. Miz rolls, cartwheels and wrenches back to a wristlock. Miz says, “How ’bout that?” Ali rolls, handsprings, wrenches, but Miz ROCKS him with a right! Miz headlocks, Ali endures the grind and powers out, then spins Miz around for his own headlock! Miz powers out, Ali ends up in a corner but he goes up and over and handsprings! Miz didn’t even know where he went! Ali says “AWESOME~” to mock Miz, then he CHOPS and ROCKS Miz. Miz shoves and BOOTS Ali down!
Miz snarls, stomps Ali, then stomps him to ropes. Miz chokes Ali, smothers him, claws his face, then lets off to run and STRADDLE ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Miz stalks Ali, hip drops him, then claws his face again. The ref reprimands, Miz shifts to a chinlock. Ali endures, fans rally up, and Ali fights up. Ali throws body shots, CHOPS, then CHOPS again. Ali whips, Miz reverses and kitchen sink knees! Miz runs to basement BOOT! Cover, TWO! Miz is annoyed as Ali goes to a corner. Miz storms over, drags Ali up and CHOPS him back. Miz stands Ali up to CHOP him again. Ali staggers but Miz follows him.
Miz and the ref argue, Ali dodges the chop to CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Ali whips, Miz reverses and Ali hits buckles hard! Miz is seething while Ali is writhing. Miz rains down left hands and then digs his forearm into Ali’s face! The ref counts, Miz lets off and taunts Ali. Miz stomps Ali, KICKS him, but Ali manages to sit up. Miz KICKS him again, then KICKS him again! And again, and again! And again! And again! Ali still sits up, fans boo but Miz soaks it all up. Miz runs in, Ali ducks the buzzsaw to WHEEL KICK back! Fans fire up while both men are down, and Ali rallies the fans.
Ali blocks Miz’s punches to give punches, then he whips. Miz reverses but Ali ducks and dodges to DROPKICK! Ali CHOPS Miz in the corner again, whips, but Miz reverses. Ali slides, slips out, Miz hits buckles and Ali somersaults in for a NECKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Ali is surprised but he focuses and gets Miz up. Miz blocks the suplex, suplexes back but Ali slips out. Miz elbows but Ali waistlocks. Miz bucks the O’Conner roll, kicks low, BASEMENT DDT! Cover, TWO! Miz is frustrated and shouts as Ali gets to a corner. Miz goes to a corner, runs in, but Ali puts him on the apron. Miz ROCKS Ali, climbs, but Ali ROCKS him back!
Ali goes up top to join Miz, but Miz shoves him away! Ali lands on his feet but Miz dropkicks the legs out! Miz has the leg, steps through, but Ali rolls him up! High stack, Ali wins!!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by pinfall
Miz is shocked! The TWO-TIME Grand Slam Champion just lost! Ali’s return is off to a great start, but then TOMMASO CIAMPA attacks?! The Psycho Killer looms over the Beacon, just what brought this on?
Backstage interview with Rhea Ripley.
One week after viciously attacking Liv Morgan, will she tell us why? “You wanna know why, Sarah? Because I finally opened up my eyes. When I first came here, I became the Raw Women’s Champion, on my own. And since then, I’ve been tossed into the Tag Division, surrounded by tag partners that do nothing but bring me down to their level and make me weak. So I’m done.” She’s done with disappointments like- LIV ATTACKS! They brawl, referees hurry in to stop it, but easier said than done! Will Rhea and Liv tear each other apart on sight from here on out?
Kevin Owens argues with Chad Gable backstage.
They’re of course arguing about the lie detector test. Kevin refuses to pay what he owes until he gets definitive results. But then Rollins walks over to say hey to his best bud. But Gable has him SHOOOOSH! This is an A+ and B conversation, so Rollins can just see himself out. Did he just say Kevin is a B? Get outta here! He’s still not paying! And what does Rollins want? Duh, the tag match. They gotta game plan. Oh really? You think Kevin just magically forgot about last week? What does Kevin mean? Uh, he was fighting his heart out for Rollins against Cody, and Rollins goes and insults him!
Rollins laughs that off but Kevin isn’t. Maybe Kevin should but Rollins in a lie detector test to see if he means what he says! Cuz Rollins has not been as good a friend to Kevin as he is to Rollins! This is not a competition, Kevin. Well if it was, Kevin would win! But the Usos have these two calm down. They need to fall in line behind the Bloodline. Ain’t no more games, Uce. They need the W, they need to win! And the Usos are gonna make sure these two don’t lose it for them. Tonight ain’t just about Orton’s 20th anniversary. After Backlash, Usos are gonna show RKBRO and everyone why you don’t mess with the Usos. So we all better be on the same damn page.
Otherwise, The Tribal Chief gon’ be real mad. And you don’t want to be on his bad side. Rollins laughs that off and asks Kevin if he can believe those guys. Raw is THEIR show. Now- Kevin shrugs Rollins off and heads out after the Usos. FINE! Rollins will just do this on his own! But will that only ensure their team falls apart?
MVP and Omos talk backstage.
MVP tells Omos that the world is his now. It’s in the palm of his hand. Kevin Patrick walks over to ask about Omos brutalizing Lashley after Lashley won the arm-wrestling contest. MVP has KP hold it right there. Is he daft? Did Lashley look like a winner after all that? The arm-wrestling contest wasn’t about brawn, it was about brains. And without MVP, Lashley can’t see that. Lashley just isn’t mighty without MVP. And this is just a preview of things to come, because Omos is challenge Lashley to a rematch at Backlash. Omos grabs the mic and says, “After I’m done with him, there isn’t gonna be much left of the All Mighty.”
8 Man Tag: Seth Rollins, Kevin Owens & The Usos VS Cody Rhodes, Ezekiel & RKBRO!
The Architect wants after the American Nightmare, the Prizefighter wants after the Drifter’s little brother, and the SmackDown Tag Team Champions want after the Raw Tag Team Champions. Luckily, the feeling is mutual! Will Cody, Zeke, Riddle and Orton be able to cap the celebration off with a victory?
Raw returns and Ezekiel, brother of Elias, makes his entrance, followed by RKBRO. Then the Usos lead the way out for their team, followed by Kevin, and Rollins. Ezekiel attacks Kevin in retaliation for earlier, and now it’s just a brawl! Cody brawls with Jimmy, Riddle has Jey, and Orton is after Rollins! Then Zeke throws KO out, the Usos and Rollins are also thrown out with them, and fans fire up as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns again and Ezekiel throws Jimmy with a headlock takeover! Jimmy fights up, powers out, but Ezekiel runs him over! Ezekiel runs, things speed up, Ezekiel whips Jimmy to BOOT him! Then backslide, ONE! Zeke rolls, wrenches, reels Jimmy in, and suplexes to hold Jimmy up! Fans count, Ezekiel puts a twist on it for the SLAM! Cover, TWO! Ezekiel wrenches Jimmy, knuckle locks, and straight arm levers to lift Jimmy up again! Then tag to Riddle, Zeke wrenches and Riddle KICKS Jimmy! Riddle snapmares Jimmy, tags Orton in, and they coordinate, ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! Orton stomps away, picking Jimmy apart!
Orton scrapes laces on Jimmy’s face, then he tags Cody in. Legacy reunited as they mug Jimmy. Cody stomps a mudhole into Jimmy, Rollins protests that the ref isn’t doing his job. Cody suplexes to TOSS Jimmy, but Rollins gets in just to distract Cody. Jimmy whips, Cody reverses, kicks and Rhodes Uppercut! Jey tags in, Cody throws Jimmy out but Jey SAMOAN DROPS Cody! Cover, ONE!! Jey ROCKS Cody with haymakers and Rollins say sot keep going. Jey keeps Cody from getting away but fans rally up. Cody throws counter punches and kicks but Jey DECKS Cody with an uppercut! Tag to Jimmy and the Usos split the wishbone!
Jimmy keeps Cody from his corner and puts him on ropes. Fans boo, the ref counts, Jimmy lets off but Kevin gets a shot in! Tag to Jey, the Usos mug Cody, then Jimmy holds Cody in so Jey can forearm smash! Rollins wants in, so Jey tags him. Rollins swaggers around while Cody gets to a corner. Rollins runs in, but hits buckles as Cody moves! Rollins hits buckles, but he crawls after Cody! Rollins gets up, to DECK Orton! But he turns around and collides with Cody! Hot tag to Ezekiel! Zeke rallies on Rollins, whips him but Rollins kicks back! Zeke JUMP KNEES and SPINEBUSTERS! High stack, TWO!
Fans fire up with Zeke and he shouts, “Who wants to hear Zeke speak?!” Kevin says no one! But Ezekiel trophy lifts Rollins! Rollins slips off, shoves Zeke away, Riddle tags in! Riddle spins Rollins around to PELE! Then Riddle kips up to BROSPLODER! Fans fire up with Riddle and he BROTONS onto knees! Riddle gets to a corner, Rollins runs in but into an elbow! Riddle goes up top but the Usos trip him up! Orton protests but the ref is busy with him and Zeke! Rollins goes up, drags Riddle up, INVERTED SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and fans fire up again as Raw goes to break!
Raw returns once again and Rollins grinds Riddle down with a chinlock. Fans rally, Riddle fights up and throws body shots but Rollins knees and whips him away. Riddle elbows Rollins again, goes back up, and FLOATING BRO ATTACK! Both men are down, they crawl for their corners, hot tag to Jimmy! Jimmy CLUBS Riddle down, covers, TWO! Jimmy clamps on a chinlock and he thrashes Riddle around. Riddle endures again and fans rally more. Riddle fights up again, throws more body shots, but Rollins barks at him. Riddle swipes at Rollins, but Jimmy CLOBBERS him! Jimmy drags Riddle over by a leg, tag to Jey.
Jimmy anchors Riddle and Jey stomps Riddle down. Jey then stays between Riddle and the team, brings Riddle up, and hits a BACKBREAKER! Tag back to Jimmy and the Usos hear fans rally for Riddle. The Usos double whip Riddle to their corner hard, and Riddle falls to the mat. Jimmy then DECKS Ezekiel, DECKS Cody, and swipes at Orton. But Riddle is fighting back against Jey, Rollins and Kevin! Jimmy turns around into a BOOT! Riddle crawls for his corner, Rollins runs in but is sent back out! Jimmy hurries to waistlock and back suplex, but Riddle lands on his feet! Ripcord, FINAL FLASH! Both men are down and fans fire up again!
Riddle and Jimmy crawl, hot tag to Jey, and Rollins trips Orton! Jey runs in to HIP ATTACK Riddle! Jey tags Kevin, then Jey drags Riddle into position for the SWANTON BOMB! Cover, TWO!! Riddle survives but Kevin tags Jey back in. Jey looms over Riddle, drags him back up, but Riddle CHOPS and CHOPS and fires off forearms! Jey wobbles, but he blocks a roundhouse! Riddle blocks the kick, but gets the DRAGON WHIP! But he staggers into a hot tag to Orton! The Viper rallies and fans go wild! POWERSLAM! Jimmy gets in, POWERSLAM! Orton is all fired up, he DECKS Kevin and DECKS Rollins!
Orton has Jey on the apron and then drags him in through ropes. But Jey drops to drag Orton out! Jey goes for the desk but Orton blocks that, to SMACK Jey instead! And then ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton avoids Rollins’ flying knee, ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Kevin rushes in, Orton pokes him in the eyes! Kevin shouts in pain, but he gets an ANNOUNCE DESK BACK SUPLEX! Orton gets a hat trick, Riddle points out Jey to him. Jey flounders, Orton drags him in through the ropes! DRAPING DDT! Fans are thunderous as Orton hears the voices! Jey staggers up, but Rollins CLOBBERS Orton!
Cody gets in, dodges Rollins to give him a DISASTER KICK! Then RKO for Rollins! Kevin SUPERKICKS Cody, but Orton denies a stunner! Orton gives Kevin to Ezekiel’s haymaker! RKO for Kevin! Jimmy SUPERKICKS Ezekiel! Jimmy aims for Orton but he blocks, Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES! Riddle then pops Jimmy up for an RKO! Jey is up top, he leaps in but into an RKO!! All four get one, Orton covers, Orton’s team wins!
Winners: Cody Rhodes, Ezekiel & RKBRO, by pinfall
There was no running from it, the RKO hit all of Orton’s opponents tonight! RKBRO look unstoppable, will they commemorate Orton’s 20th year by becoming THE Undisputed WWE Tag Team Champions?
My Thoughts:
This was a good Raw, though still lacking a bit. I will say, it was great to see Asuka back. I don’t know why they waited so long for her return, but at least it works to coincide with Becky having her crisis of confidence. Becky and Asuka never did get that feud in 2020 because COVID 19 showed up, but we are also looking at a different Becky than back then. Either way, their match (or maybe matches) will be awesome, and you can be sure the winner goes right for the title. Speaking of, that Raw Women’s Championship match played out how I figured. Sonya would abuse her authority yet still fail, I just wish she didn’t bring Mella and Vega into it. But at the same time, Sonya slapping them like the tyrant she is, I really hope we get a match where if Sonya loses, she’s no longer management.
Another great return out of Mustafa Ali, and he has a very good part of MizTV with Theory and Miz. Theory being dense about making Miz eat his words is still good character stuff out of Miz. I hope Theory keeps that part of his character for a long time, it’s one of the things that still makes him bearable as a Heel. Miz VS Ali was a great match and it was good for Ali to win. Quite the surprise for Ciampa to go after him, but they could have a real great match next week for the Backlash go-home or even Backlash kickoff show. Then maybe if Ali wins, that earns him the US Championship match with Theory.
Edge and Priest having a thing with Balor is logical given the Bullet Club connection between Styles and Balor that WWE still hasn’t ever really said but have always alluded to. Naturally, Edge helps Priest beat Finn. While Edge VS Styles is the plan for Backlash, I wouldn’t mind a tag match of “Judgement Day” (that’s apparently the faction name) VS Styles & Balor. If Styles and Balor get into the tag division and win those undisputed titles, that’d be really cool. Rhea had a good promo and brawl with Liv, that will probably be a go-home match. Veer destroys another rando, but still no Rey, so maybe the go-home has Rey confront Veer to set up a Backlash match?
Good promo out of Street Profits to establish they’re up next, which was a given anyway. We got a pretty good arm-wrestling segment out of Lashley and Omos. Probably the best arm-wrestling match in WWE with Lashley getting stronger with his anger, but then of course we get a beatdown that gives us the Backlash match. Lashley managed to win at Mania so pretty sure Omos wins here with MVP’s help. I really liked what we got out of the 24/7 Championship story tonight, with Truth becoming a jack-of-all-trades. And of course him being special guest ref also led to him trying to count his own pin. Can’t wait to see where this goes next.
And of course, great stuff for Orton and his 20th anniversary. Great video package, though using Voices by Motionless in White is A) financially cheap, they already used that song back in NXT 1.0 and B) not really fitting other than playing a name pun off Orton’s theme, Voices by Rev Theory. But either way, that Orton celebration segment was of course going to set up a match for tonight, and that 8 Man was a really good one. Elias being Ezekiel now, his moveset is a good hybrid of Elias and some old school wrestlers like Ultimate Warrior. And that ending sequence was exactly what it should’ve been with Orton hitting all the Heels with RKOs and getting the win.
Chances are, something happens on SmackDown to give momentum back to the Usos to keep things even going towards Backlash. I still can’t be sure of their chances, but I would love if RKBRO got to be the unified champions to add that to Orton’s career since it’s his 20th year. Plus, Roman is already unified world champion, there needs to be conflict and struggle for the Bloodline somewhere and that can be the Usos not living up to his expectations.
My Score: 8.2/10
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Cero Miedo on Cinco de Mayo!
Penta made sure Judgment Day didn’t win the WWE World Tag Team Championships, and now he’ll make JD McDonagh pay for the WrestleMania screwjob!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day; Penta wins.
- Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS Sheamus; Sheamus wins.
- Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez; Iyo wins.
- Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri; Rusev wins.
- WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker; Rollins wins by disqualification, Jey retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Jey Uso is in the concourse.
The fans are all fired up as the WWE World Heavyweight Champion makes his way out into the crowd! Omaha, Nebraska all YEET along, and even Pat McAfee does, no concern for what Gunther might think. Jey high-fives fans on his way to the ground level, high-fives some more fans on the way to ringside, and Jey daps it up with Pat & Cole. Jey then goes to the ring, and the fans continue to bounce while singing along with Day One Ish! Jey then gets a mic while the fans cheer. Omaha even says, “One More Time! One More Time!” Jey thinks about it, and he figures why not! YEET! Jey and the fans bounce again, then Jey goes back to the mic.
Jey says, “The World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso, is now in your citaaay~!” The fans cheer, and Jey says look. He’s here. He knows Logan Paul’s here. So let’s just stand on business tonight! Where you at, Logan!? But instead, “Ladies and gentlemen…” The Wise Man walks out on stage! The fans boo as Paul Heyman continues his introduction, and he says he cam here tonight not to disrespect the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso. But he dragged himself all the way to Omaha, Nebraska because he wanted to say something straight to the face of the World Heavyweight Champion, Main Event Jey Uso.
Jey tells OG Heyman, “You got a lotta balls stepping to me after what you just did to my family.” Heyman says wow, Jey is going to lecture Heyman about betraying their Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns? Jey says yeah, he’ll talk to Heyman. Day one, Jey saw past him. He warned Roman about him, and he warned CM Punk about him! Well, a shame that no one warned Heyman. Warned him about his best friend, his BFF, his brother in arms, CM Punk. And while he’s at it, keep your damn boos to yourselves while he’s on the mic! Not one of these fans, or Jey, had to live through what Heyman did.
Heyman’s best friend, CM Punk, put him in a position that 100% absolutely guaranteed it would sabotage him! The fans chant for Punk and Heyman mocks them for it. “They chant his name because they don’t know what’s in the dark heart of that man.” Punk put Heyman in a guaranteed lose-lose situation with Roman Reigns. And let’s talk about Roman Reigns for a minute! The fans chant for “O T C!” and Heyman sighs. Heyman says he had a dream with his best friend, CM Punk, while Roman was still playing high school football. Long before Roman thought about following in his father’s footsteps into pro-wrestling.
And while Heyman helped Punk overcome adversity, what’d Roman think he was going to do? Sell him out to Punk? Why? After Heyman built the Bloodline for five years, why would he do that?! The fans boo more but Heyman sighs again. Heyman found a “stray big dog on the island of irrelevancy, and I turned him into the Tribal Chief and the ruler of the WWE Universe. We were the Undisputed WWE Champion for 1,316 days! And I’m not the one that blew it by getting beat by Cody Rhodes after being distracted by Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 40! HE lost the title! HE lost the title that I spent five years of my life building him up as the champion!
And then what’d he do? He disappeared. He went back to being a big dog licking his big wounds, and left me in the hands of Solo, and Jacob Fatu and those Tongans, who put me through a table at Madison Square Garden and almost ended MY 40 year career. And he didn’t come back toa venge me, he came back to get his ula fala back! But I betrayed Roman Reigns, right? I betrayed Roman Reigns, who couldn’t handle the fact that I just wanted to help out my best friend live out his dream! No, it’s always Paul Heyman! I’m always the liar! I’m always at fault! I’m the betrayer, I’m the double crosser, I’m always the freakin’ scumbag in this situation! NOT THIS TIME! I’M RIGHT! I’M RIGHT! I’M IN THE RIGHT! And you blame me?! Screw you!! And screw each and every one of you for booing me!”
The fans boo more but Jey isn’t sure what to think. The fans chant “You Suck! You Suck!” and call Heyman an a-hole, but Jey takes a moment. Jey asks if Heyman is okay. In fact, is Heyman done? Jey has another question: What does this have to do with Jey? Heyman smirks and says that he does owe an apology. It has nothing to do with Jey. Not that part. He didn’t come out here to talk Roman and Punk. Here is the thing Heyman did come out here to talk with Jey. See, Jey won that title because he wanted that title> But that title is all about power and control. And honestly, Jey doesn’t know how to wield that. Jey doesn’t understand that!
Jey thinks coming out here to YEET with the audience and putting on the best in-ring performance is all it takes. But that’s not what this title is about. So while Jey needs in his heart and wants to be a champion… Seth Rollins has to be a champion. Rollins has to have that power, that control, and Bron Breakker… Well, that is just stage one of the plan. Stage two is the World Heavyweight Championship. But Heyman is out here tonight to do Jey a favor. And we all know how well Heyman’s favors work out> Jey gets to sign his own death warrant. Jey gets to chose the night he loses the World Heavyweight Championship.
Because Seth Rollins hereby challenges Jey to the World Heavyweight Championship! Rollins pinned Roman Reigns at WrestleMania, Rollins deserves to be #1 contender! Jey gets to pick the time and the place, because Rollins will fight Jey for that title any time, and any place. Heyman drops his mic then takes his leave. Jey tells Heyman to hold on, OG. Omaha, can you help him out? Jey asks if Heyman just said “any time,” and “any place,” “any where,” for the world title, against Seth Freakin’ Rollins? Then it’s on TONIGHT! FOUR LETTERS! ONE WORD! UH, UH… YEET!!
Jey had Logan Paul on his mind, but now he is daring the Visionary to put up or shut up! Will Jey turn the tables on Rollins? Or is Jey playing into Rollins’ hand?
Heyman returns backstage.
He finds Rollins & Bron, and Heyman smiles. Heyman says, “He fell for it> I cannot believe he fell for it! He wants to do the match tonight! You were so right!” Rollins asks you know what he loves. He loves to say< “I told you so.” And he tells Heyman, “I told you so.” Heyman says that is true. Bron says Seth Freakin’ Rollins, World Heavyweight Champion… Heyman asks if Bron understands what is going on. Roman Reigns prepared Seth Rollins at Mania, and Rollins pinned the biggest star in the main event. CM Punk prepared with unbridled passion for Rollins at Mania, and Rollins not only beat Roman & Punk, Roman & Punk lost to Rollins in the main event.
Jey Uso is a great champion, don’t take that away from him. He made Gunther tap out! Gunther! Jey is no easy day in the park. But Jey wasn’t focused on Rollins, he was distracted by Logan Paul! And now he has no time to prepare for Rollins. But Rollins is fully focused on Jey because there’s no one left. Rollins is a sniper, and he has Jey in his sights. And tonight, we get handed the keys to the kingdom when the ref hands that World Heavyweight Championship to Seth Freakin’ Rollins…! Bron can see the vision now, but will we all see Rollins burning down the YEET Era?
PENTA VS JD McDonagh w/ The Judgment Day!
The Intercontinental Championship Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania only went well for “Dirty Dom” because he had an Irish Ace up his sleeve! JD is back, but will Penta make him pay for the part he played? Or will The Judgment Day be able to screw Penta over again?
Raw returns and JD is in the ring. The bell rings, JD and Penta circle while Carlito & Finn Balor watch from ringside. The fans rally for #CeroMiedo as Penta throws it up. But JD kicks low! JD headlocks for the takeover, but Penta headscissors. JD kips free, arm-drags and has the armlock. Penta headscissors again, JD kips free, and then he waistlocks. Penta ELBOWS free, runs, but JD drop toeholds! Penta avoids the basement dropkick, but JD avoids the Penalty Kick to roll Penta up! TWO and JD returns. Penta again avoids a kick but the STANDING MOONSAULT hits! Cover, TWO! Finn argues the count but JD CLUBS Penta.
JD stands Penta up to bump him off buckles, then he CHOPS! Penta CHOPS JD in return! And CHOPS again! Penta runs up to KICK JD’s leg out! The fans cheer while JD hobbles away. Penta CHOPS again, then KICKS the leg out again! The fans fire up with Penta while JD goes to another corner. Penta storms up, but JD puts him in the corner, only for Penta to dodges and CHOP! JD sputters, Penta swaggers, and Penta KICKS the legs out! Cover, TWO! Finn wants a timeout but there’s no such thing here. Penta drags JD up, whips him to a corner, but JD BOOTS in return! JD ELBOWS Penta down, then drags him up to bring him around.
Penta blocks the buckle bump, GAMANGIRIS, then CHOPS! JD leans back, Penta climbs, but JD SLAPS him! And SLAPS! JD shoves Penta down, kicks him, then goes to the apron. Penta blocks the boot, then ENZIGIRIS in return! The fans fire up, but Penta tells Finn to stay back. Finn says he’s just standing nearby. JD fireman’s carries Penta to APRON DEATH VALLEY! JD is in control and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and JD has Penta up top. JD pulls Penta into the Tree of Woe, then runs corner to corner, but Penta sits up! JD slides into the POST! Penta is free of the Tree, and then he runs to handstand and SWINGING DROPKICK! JD gets feet right to the face and Penta covers, TWO! JD stays in this but the fans rally behind Penta. Penta fires up, and he counter punches JD! Penta bobs ‘n’ weaves to CHOP, then ROCK JD! Penta fires forearm after forearm, whips, but JD reverses. Penta KICKS in return! Penta runs, ducks ‘n’ dodges, SLING-DOG! Cover, TWO! Penta hurries to stand JD back up and JAB!
Penta puts JD against the ropes to CHOP! The fans fire up and Penta whips. Penta scoops JD to BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! JD stays in this but Penta fires himself back up! The fans fire up but Finn distracts on the apron! That lets Carlito pull no Penta’s mask! Penta breaks free to GAMANGIRI! JD runs up but Penta TOSSES him out! Penta climbs, the fans fire up, “CERO! MIEDO!” SUPER CROSSBODY! Down go JD and Carlito! Finn freaks out but the fans rally up behind Penta. Penta puts JD in, but Finn creeps up! JD distracts the ref and Finn YANKS Penta down! Finn puts Penta in, but the ref DOES see it!
The fans fire up as the ref now EJECTS Finn & Carlito! The fans cheer whiel Finn & Carlito freak otu! They apologize, but it’s too late for that! Penta goes up a corner, but CHAD GABLE is here?! Gable grabs at Penta, Penta kicks him away, then Penta leaps over JD! Penta dodges JD to then FLY out onto Gable! Penta drags JD up but JD hits a JAWBREAKER! JD goes up, up, MOONSAULT FLOPS as Penta moves! MEXICAN DESTROYER!! Cover, Penta wins!!
Winner: Penta, by pinfall
Despite all the extra help on the outside, JD could not win! Cero Miedo is victorious, but when will Penta be Numero Uno?
Adam Pearce talks with Grayson Waller.
The Raw General Manager says the Aussie Icon wanted a match, so here’s his match. Yeah, but he didn’t know it’d be against him! Austin Theory finds Waller and Waller says good timing. Waller was talking with Pearce about how Waller’s been a bad friend to Theory, wanting a singles match for himself, but that’s selfish. Waller wants Theory to have the match, it’d be great for him. Okay, Theory is down! Pearce asks if Waller is serious, and Waller says he is! Well, if that’s what they want, fine. Theory has a singles match now. It’s official! Great! But who is it against? Uh, well, it’ll be better as a surprise, but they better get to the ring. #AllDay, remember?
Waller hurries away and Theory wonders what kind of surprise it could be. Well, everyone is wondering that. Who will Waller pass over to Theory to avoid getting brutalized?
Austin Theory w/ Grayson Waller VS ???
Raw returns as A-Town Down Under is already in the ring. And who is Theory’s opponent that was meant for Waller? It’s SHEAMUS! Monday Night Raw is once again Fight Night Raw as the Celtic Warrior is back again! Will Theory regret taking this banger?
The bell rings and the two circle. The fans rally, the two tie up, and Theory waistlocks. Sheamus throws Theory away and the fans cheer him on. Theory brushes that off, resets with Sheamus, and then Theory kicks low! Theory throws hands, puts Sheamus in a corner, but Sheamus ROCKS Theory! Sheamus UPPERCUTS, but Theory ELBOWS back! Sheamus fires a BODY SHOT, an UPPERCUT, then whips. Theory goes up and over, rolls, comes back, and he DROPKICKS Sheamus down! Waller says that’s his best friend right there! But then Sheamus CLOBBERS Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus storms up on Theory.
Theory ELBOWS Sheamus, whips, but Sheamus reverses to scoop, IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Sheamus says one more time! IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! Sheamus goes for the legs but Theory kicks at him! Theory reels Sheamus in and throws some hands, but Sheamus stomps Theory down! The fans cheer as Sheamus turns Theory over for a CLOVERLEAF! Theory crawls and has the ROPEBREAK! Sheamus lets go, Theory rolls out, and Waller checks on his friend. But Sheamus climbs up! SUPER FLYING LARIAT! Down goes Theory! The fans fire up, and Sheamus finds a fellow Ginger! The fans cheer more while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and the fans rally behind Sheamus. Theory CLUBS Sheamus and throws hands, but Sheamus shoves him and eggs him on! Theory BOOTS Sheamus, but Sheamus just eggs him on more! Theory runs, but into a scoop and POWERSLAM! Theory flounders to the apron and Sheamus storms his way over. Sheamus stands Theory up and Waller stays back, but Theory HOTSHOTS free! Theory slingshots and somersaults, but into the KNEE CAPPER! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Sheamus stays cool. The fans rally while Sheamus catches his breath, and then Sheamus goes to the apron.
Sheamus glares at Waller, Waller backs away, and Sheamus climbs. Theory avoids the flying lariat but Sheamus comes back! Theory dodges and Sheamus POSTS himself! Theory SUPERKICKS, somersaults, and BLOCKBUSTERS! Cover, TWO! The fans fire up for Sheamus while Theory goes back outside. Theory checks his jaw, shakes out the stars, and Theory climbs. Sheamus ROCKS Theory, fires body shots, and Sheamus climbs. Sheamus brings Theory up, tucks him in, WHITE NOISE! The fans fire up and Sheamus smiles as he’s clearly enjoying this. “This is Awesome!” as Sheamus rises up again.
Waller coaches Theory as Theory crawls to the apron, but Theory asks why Waller did this to him! Sheamus stands Theory up, and the fans cheer on the BEATS OF THE BODHRAIN! The fans count along, Sheamus goes past TEN, and Theory slumps down at FOURTEEN! The fans fire up, Waller is worried, and Sheamus goes to a corner. The fans cheer Sheamus on, and we get a BROGUE! Cover, Sheamus wins!
Winner: Sheamus, by pinfall
The Celtic Warrior made quite the return, and Theory is surely regretting subbing in for Waller. Will A-Town Down Under have a meltdown because of this?
BREAKING NEWS for Backlash!
Penta was so close at WrestleMania, and he got through JD here tonight, so now he will be challenging Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Championship!
Judgment Day regroups in the clubhouse.
They’ve clearly heard the news, and JD storms in asking what happened out there. The ref kicked them out? And why did Gable go out there? That wasn’t on any of them. JD says then Penta and Gable need to get it ASAP! Dom says Penta will be handled at Backlash, but as for Gable- Wait, who is this walking into the clubhouse? It’s A J STYLES! The Phenomenal One nods to Finn, Finn nods back, but Carlito asks how Styles even got here. Oh, R-Truth told him where they were. Plus, it wasn’t that hard to find. But he’s not here to fight or cause trouble. Styles just wants to give a friendly warning. Whether it is Dom or Penta, Styles is after that title.
Dom says whatever, old man. Wow, oh, so hurtful. But Styles tells Dom that it doesn’t matter who wins, he want the title! And then he’ll beat Dom up either way. Dom says this is crazy. Who knew being a champion was this hard. Penta, Styles, his hands are full! Wait, Finn has history with Styles. Can’t he handle Styles for Dom? Oh, what? Now Finn cleans up Dom’s messes for him? Nah, just messing with you. Finn’s got this. They fist bump, but will Judgment Day (not) hold it together without Liv around?
Chad Gable is backstage.
“Freakin’ luchadores. Bloody my nose?” The New Day walk over and Gable says it is not the time for this. Kofi Kingston says hold on, hold on, hear them out. They saw what went down, and that was awful. And they know that it is around time American Made got some respect around here. Xavier Woods says the War Raiders are already talking about getting a rematch, but New Day beat the bejeezus out of them, so that’s a no. What the New Day thinks is that opportunities need to start coming back to American Made. Gable likes what they’re saying. Give him some more ideas like that. But then Becky Lynch pushes through.
Woods tells The Man it was messed up how Lyra Valkyria treated her. Becky thanks him for that. Becky heads to the ring, what will she have to say here in Omaha?
Becky Lynch goes to the ring.
Omaha is torn as The Man has a mic in her hand. Becky says The Man has come around to Omaha, and she’s baffled by the bit of boos and “You Suck” chants she’s getting. Wait, wait, wait. She is very confused. The fans are treating her like she’s the bad guy here? No, she’s the victim! Okay, okay, she took out Bayley, fine. But when she came out to WrestleMania, everyone lost their minds! A woman in the crowd cried tears of joy! No one asked where Bayley was, because no one cared, Bayley is garbage! Becky took out the garbage! The fans were happy the garbage was taken out, but then Becky took credit for it and everyone got mad she took out the garbage!
That’s not what they should say when someone takes out the garbage! You tell that person, “Thank you for taking out the garbage! And what’s more than that, I also took out the recycling! Because that’s what Lyra is! She’s less offensive than garbage, but she’s still garbage! And what is garbage about her is her attitude. She doesn’t have a dream if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t have a title if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t make history if it isn’t for me! She doesn’t even have a freakin’ fiancé if it isn’t for me!!” The fans boo, but Becky says she still gets all this disrespect! But wait, here comes Lyra! Becky says this is what she’s talking about!
Lyra has a mic and asks, “Did you actually just call me recycling? You’re the Queen of Recycling! You’ve been recycling the same moves and the same tired old act for years! But that’s fine, Becky, you do you, I don’t care. What I have a problem with is you acting like you had anything to do with my success. The one thing I want to drive into your skull more than my foot is that you didn’t make me!” The fans cheer, and Lyra says she’ll catch Becky up. Becky went on holiday, and everyone here got better. Becky went on holiday, and Lyra made history of her own. Lyra holds up the Women’s Intercontinental Championship and the fans cheer.
Lyra says, “Oh, but you’re what this championship needs, right? That’s what you said. That’s rich, considering I’ve defended it more times than days you’ve shown up to work this year.” The fans cheer that zinger! Becky paces but Lyra says she sees it now. Lyra sees it so clearly. Becky shattered glass ceilings and Lyra is forever grateful. But Becky left all that broken glass on the ground and the rest of the Women’s Division were supposed to just follow behind because Becky never had any intention of taken anyone to the top with her. Becky says okay, okay, Lyra is right. Becky was gone, and everyone had the best year of their careers.
But that’s only because they didn’t have Becky around to compare themselves to! The fans boo but Becky says no, she didn’t help anybody because she doesn’t like anybody. She didn’t help anyone because her job isn’t to help anyone, it is to beat everyone! And Becky is very, very good at her job! She’s the greatest to ever do it! That’s not just her saying it, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED said so! The fans do cheer that, but Becky tells Lyra it doesn’t matter how great she thinks she is or how great she’ll become, because she will always be the moment after Becky! Wow… Sports Illustrated, huh? Lyra is wrong, she’ll take it back. Please, continue listing the achievements.
What can we say? Becky’s first SmackDown Women’s Champion, first woman to win the main event of WrestleMania, and the first Women’s Intercontin- NO! Wait! That’s Lyra! Becky frowns while the fans cheer, and Lyra says Becky must hate it. Becky must hate that this is Lyra’s first ever. But get used to being second. Becky throws hands but Lyra hits back! The fans fire up as these two brawl, and then Lyra hits a SPINEBUSTER! Becky gets up, Lyra is right on her, but Becky puts her in ta corner! Lyra dodges, RAMS into Becky again and again, then things spill outside! Lyra sends Becky into barriers! And apron! And barriers again!
The fans fire up but refs rush out! Omaha says, “LET THEM FIGHT!” but Becky gets free and throws off her jacket! Becky then gets in the ring and tells everyone, “You see this disrespect?! You see this disrespect?!” Lyra gets free and is back for more! The fans fire up, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to fireman’s carry! NIGHTWING DRIVER!! Lyra stands tall over Becky, title in her hand! Will this be the scene this Saturday for Backlash?
Iyo Sky VS Roxanne Perez!
The Genius Women’s World Champion won big last week on NXT alongside Jordynne Grace, but now The Prodigy is back in hopes of returning the favor. Will Roxie prove she’s ready for Raw? Or will Iyo show being a prodigy only gets you so far?
Raw returns and Iyo makes her entrance. The bell rings and the fans rally. The two circle, tie up, and Iyo pushes Roxie back. Roxie puts Iyo on ropes, Iyo turns that around, and the two go around. Iyo clinches, Roxie wrenches, but Iyo headlocks. Roxie powers up and out but Iyo runs her over! Things speed up, Iyo ducks ‘n’ dodges, then whips Roxie. Roxie cartwheels over the dropdown, then SLAPS Iyo! Roxie takes a bow, then dodges Iyo to bail out. Iyo pursues, they go back in the ring, and Roxie dodges again to roll back! Roxie RANAS, but Iyo handsprings through! The fans fire up, things keep moving, and Iyo handsprings again!
Roxie dodges, but Iyo comes back to SHOTGUN! Roxie tumbles out, Iyo builds speed, but Roxie is back to dropkick the legs out! Iyo writhes, but Roxie grabs the leg to stomp it and SMASH it! Roxie wants both legs but Iyo BOOTS her away. Iyo runs, but Roxie puts her on the apron. Iyo ROCKS Roxie first, but Roxie grabs a leg! DRAPING DRAGON SCREW! Roxie builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Iyo at the ramp! The fans boo but Roxie puts Iyo in. Iyo gets moving and she DIVES! Direct hit on Roxie at the ramp! The fans fire up with Iyo, and Iyo hurries to put Roxie in. Iyo aims, springboards, but Roxie SLAPS her down!
Roxie grabs Iyo’s leg, drags her to a corner, and STOMPS the knee against the crossbar! Iyo clutches her leg and slumps to the floor while Roxie leaves her behind, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Iyo has Roxie up top, for a SUPER ARM-DRAG! The fans fire up while both women are down! Iyo slaps her leg into working, then she crawls her way over. Omaha is behind Iyo as she ROCKS Roxie! Roxie ROCKS Iyo, but Iyo ROCKS Roxie back! The forearms keep going, Iyo fires a flurry, then she winds up to SHOTEI! Roxie staggers, runs up, but Iyo FLAPJACKS! And BUZZSAWS! Cover, TWO! Roxie toughs it out but Iyo goes to the apron. Roxie runs up, but Iyo blocks her punch to HOTSHOT the arm! Iyo climbs, Roxie stands, MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up while Roxie flounders, and Iyo kips up!
Iyo goes wild, so do the fans, and all aboard the SHIN- NO, Iyo’s leg bothers her! Roxie runs up, wheelbarrows, but Iyo rolls through to STOMP 182! Cover, TWO! Roxie survives and Iyo is frustrated! The fans rally, Iyo waistlocks, and she deadlift GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridge, but then a roll through! Roxie fights the second try to SAIDO! Iyo and Roxie stand, Roxie runs up, but Iyo wrenches and hooks her up! TIGER BACKBREAKER! Iyo says time to end this! Iyo CHOPS Roxie, hobbles to a corner, and climbs up! OVER THE MOONSAULT but Roxie moves! Iyo lands out but that jams up the leg! Roxie runs to SPIKE RANA!
Roxie roars, runs, and hits the HANDSPRING KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO!! Iyo survives the Guillotine Knee as taught to Roxie by Meiko Satomura, and Omaha rallies up more. Roxie fires hands, SOBATS, then runs to hop on! Iyo handsprings through, but Roxie blocks the kick! DRAGON SCREW! Roxie then has the arm, LA MAGISTROL BRIDGE! TWO!! Iyo bridges, TWO!! Roxie has the body scissors, O’Conner Roll, TWO! Iyo rolls Roxie up, TWO! Roxie has a lateral press, TWO! Iyo sunset flips! TWO! Roxie high stacks, TWO! Iyo sunset flips again, IYO WINS!!
Winner: Iyo Sky, by pinfall
Roxie is shocked! She tried to match speed with speed and move for move, but she just couldn’t keep up with the Genius! But then Roxie gets in Iyo’s face! Roxie offers a handshake? The fans aren’t so sure, but Iyo takes it. They both bow, and surprisingly, there is now respect here between them. But wait! GIULIA ATTACKS! It was all just so the Beautiful Madness could slip in! Roxie grins and they mug Iyo like they have before! Giulia ties up Iyo’s legs, has the arms, and sets Iyo up for a SUPERKICK and SURFBOARD STOMP!! Rhea Ripley is in Australia, she can’t save Iyo! Giulia sets Iyo up again, for another SUPERKICK and another SURFBOARD STOMP!!
Roxie and Giulia stand over Iyo, will these former NXT Women’s Champions soon run Monday Night Raw?
Rusev VS Otis w/ Akira Tozawa & Maxxine Dupri!
Bulgarian Brute no more, he has been REDEEMED! And now, he feels it is his divine appointment to “fix” all those on Raw who were once like him. Will that mean #TheDozer is going to go through baptism by fire? Or will he simply be crushed?
The bell rings and the fans rally as the two big men circle. They tie up, are in a deadlock, and they break. The fans rally more as the two tie up again. Another deadlock, but Rusev manages to power Oits bac. Otis powers Rusev back, the fans duel, and the big men break again. Rusev nods, perhaps liking what he is seeing already. They tie up again, and Rusev KNEES low, CLUBS Otis and fires hands in the corner! The ref counts, Rusev stomps a mudhole, but stops as the ref gets in there. Rusev storms up on Otis, stands him up, and whips him, only for Otis to reverses. Rusev returns to LARIAT! Otis stays up and shakes his head!
Rusev LARIATS, Otis stays up, so Rusev runs. Otis dodges with a roll! Otis then comes back and he LARIATS Rusev! Rusev stays up, but now Otis runs, and Otis LARIATS again! Rusev shoves Otis, Otis ducks ‘n’ dodges, but the WHEEL KICK comes outta nowhere! The fans are torn while Rusev stands tall, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Otis is down on the outside. Tozawa & Maxxine check Otis and coach him up, but Rusev storms outside. Rusev kicks at Otis, stands him up, but Otis EXPLODER Rusev over the desk! The fans fire up as Otis has more to give! Otis shoves the Hydration Station aside, then drags Rusev up to whip him hard into steel steps! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, but then drag shim out to fire clubbing arms! But then Rusev ducks, Otis’ arm hits POST! Rusev aims, but Otis ducks, so Rusev’s kick hits POST! Otis then CLOBBERS Rusev! Otis puts Rusev in the ring, storms in after him, and SPLASHES in the corner!
Rusev sputters and Otis runs up again! But Rusev MACHKA KICKS him down! Rusev roars and he shouts, “RUSEV! CRUSH~!” Stomp and ACCOLADE!! Otis endures, but he’s turning red! Otis shouts for Maxxine and Tozawa, but he TAPS! Rusev wins!
Winner: Rusev, by submission
Rusev continues to make Otis suffer by holding on, but Tozawa storms into the ring! Tozawa tells Rusev he can’t do that to his friend! They’re gonna fight right here and right now! The fans fire up as Tozawa rips his shirt away! Rusev says hold on now. Rusev did what he came here to do, and he spares Tozawa for tonight. But that’s just to lower Tozawa’s guard! Ruzev storms back in and GUT WRENCH POWERBOMBS Tozawa onto Otis!! The fans boo but Rusev shows no mercy! He POSTS Otis!! Then he drags Otis back in, and sends him into another POST! Otis falls out of the ring, Rusev goes out to drag him back in!
Rusev hits another MACHKA KICK!! And then he turns Otis back over, and he clamps the ACCOLADE back on!! The fans boo but that only makes Rusev want to do this more! Pearce, refs, and security rush out here! They tell Rusev to let go, but he waits until Otis is OUT! The fans boo, Natalya is here to console Maxxine, and Pearce reprimands Rusev. Will Rusev not care what he must do to “redeem” Monday Night Raw?
Raw returns and Adam Pearce is in the ring.
The General Manager hopes that they can get this show back on track. That said, please join him in welcoming to the ring… Pat McAfee! Omaha fires up as Pat hops off the desk, grabs a mic, and joins Pearce in the ring. Pearce also welcomes out Pat’s opponent for Backlash… DER RING GENERAL, GUNTHER! The fans are less excited as Gunther makes his way to the ring. Gunther and Pat keep their eyes on each other as Gunther fetches his own mic. Pearce wants to remind them that they’ve gone over this. They will NOT have what happened two weeks ago happen again. Get what you want out verbally, because Saturday, the time for talk is done.
Pearce says the floor is theirs, but keep it professional. Pearce then steps aside so Pat and Gunther can stare down. The fans cheer Pat on but Gunther says, “Well first of all… Do not worry. I’m not gonna do anything tonight, I’m not going to spoil that for myself. Because luckily for you, unlike you and your friend out there, I am professional.” The fans chant “You Tapped Out!” at Gunther, and he tells them to shut up! He’ll get back to that later, don’t you worry! Pat says he heard Gunther mentioned being professional. And Pat’s friend, Michael Cole, that is a walking, talking GOAT right there! The fans cheer that!
Pat tells Gunther, “For 28 YEARS, every single week of his life, except for three times, he has dedicated to traveling the world for this company. 28 years straight, 52 weeks a year, for this company!” The fans cheer that, too! Pat says Maggle has earned the right to have an opinion. And since that opinion pissed Gunther off so bad, Gunther flipped a switch and felt he had to attack a 60-year-old man, Pat will give Gunther an opinion of the man he’s standing in front of. Pat says it is apropos to be here in Omaha, Nebraska. When he thinks Nebraska, he thinks of the Cornhuskers! Pat shouts out Coach Rhule and his players in the crowd.
Pat says he can’t wait to watch the boys in the Fall rise to the top! And when Pat’s in Omaha, he also thinks of their steaks. Nobody beats this town’s meat! NOBODY! The fans chant “BEAT THE MEAT!” Pat says right across from this very arena is a baseball field that has hosted the NCAA World Series since 1950! The fans cheer that, and Pat says this city is a symbol of working hard and dreams coming true. And Pat feels “dreams” is a good word. They both have that in common. Pat might be from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the USA, and Gunther might be from Vienna, Austria, both men grew up with the same dream.
They both grew up wanting to be int hsi business, idolizing the superstars of yesterday, and spent hours and hours in front of TV watching pro-wrestling, thinking that is what they were put on this earth to do! The problem with Gunther is, he was at this for 20 years. He has been a champion for 80% of his WWE career. He’s jaded! This is no longer a dream but a job for Gunther. For Pat, every time he walks into an arena, he gets jacked up about life, baby! The fans cheer that! Pat says he thinks about 12 year old Pat, the kids out there in the crowd like him, dreaming in the upper rows to get in this ring and let a-holes like Gunther know that they don’t like what Gunther’s about.
And what Gunther’s about right now, as opposed to the Waltering around stage… Gunther doesn’t want it anymore. He’s too comfortable. It happened against Sami Zayn, it happened against Jey Uso, and it’ll happen with Pat. Pat will prove to Gunther and the fans that this Gunther… is SAWFT. The fans fire up for that! Gunther paces a moment, then he stares Pat down as he says, “Did you enjoy your little daughter’s birthday last week? Two years, right? It’s cute. I bet it was a very special day for you. Because for me, Saturday is a very special day, and you just got me into the right mood for it!
“Because it’s my first match since WrestleMania, and I’m going to show up sharp, I’m going to show up prepared, I’m going to show up more focused than every before. Don’t you worry that I’ll overlook you. Don’t worry that I’ll underestimate you. I promise you, you have my full and undivided attention. Because on Saturday, that bell is going to ring, and I’m going to beat you up! I’m going to MAUL you! I’m going to grab you by the head, and DRIVE it into this mat! I’m going to CHOKE YOU OUT until you drop like a wet towel! Tonight, by my grace, you are untouchable. But on Saturday, trust me when I say this! On Saturday, only the grace of GOD can lift my arms off your throat!”
Gunther shoves his mic into Pat, then he storms off. Der Ring General is ready to reload and unleash his full arsenal upon Pat, will Pat survive to even be part of next week’s show?
WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Jey Uso VS Seth Rollins w/ Paul Heyman & Bron Breakker!
To what Pat McAfee just said, perhaps Gunther did underestimate Main Event Jey Uso, but Jey also managed to bring something out of himself that even he didn’t know was there. But that confidence was preyed upon to give The Visionary his shortcut back to this title. Will Rollins and his A-Team make the plan come together? Or will we bookend the show with some YEET?
Raw returns as Jey makes his entrance, and from the ramp this time. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly in control!
The bell rings and Jey’s first defense begins. The fans rally behind Jey while he and Rollins stare down. Omaha gets the “YEET! YEET! YEET!” going and Jey is fired up. Jey is already undoing his wrist tape, he wants to throw down! Rollins slowly steps forward, the two tie up, and Rollins waistlocks. Rollins headlocks, spins, hammerlocks, headlocks again and hits the takeover to ghost pin! TWO, and Rollins laughs at how close he had Jey. The fans duel with “YEET!” and “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” Jey and Rollins circle, tie up, and Rollins headlocks again. Jey powers up and out, but Rollins runs him over! Cover, ONE!
Rollins sweeps the legs to cover, ONE! Jey kicks, Rollins blocks, and then Rollins ducks the Dragon Whip! Rollins lounges on the top rope and the fans boo. Jey is annoyed but he keeps his cool. Rollins swaggers up, but Jey UPPERCUTS him down! Jey just suckered Rollins! “YEET!” Rollins says okay, and he shoves Jey. Jey shoves back! Rollins shoves again, Jey shoves again, so Rollins CHOPS! Jey fires a haymaker, Rollins fires back, and the fans are torn! “YEET!” wins out but Rollins mule kicks low! Jey avoids the stomp, but Rollins kicks low again. Jey fights off the Pedigree, but Rollins bails out to avoid the superkick!
The fans are torn but Bron & Heyman walk over to check with Rollins. Rollins says it’s alright, Jey is good. Jey is champion for a reason. Rollins goes to the apron, has Bron relax, and then he steps inside. The fans rally behind Jey as Jey and Rollins circle. They feel things out, but then Rollins kicks low! Rollins CLUBS and stomps away on Jey, then stands him back up to bump him off buckles! Rollins stomps a mudhole in, digs his boot in, but the ref backs him off. Heyman sings along, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” and Rollins stalks Jey to the ropes. Rollins drags Jey up, “You think you’re on my level?” Rollins whips, Jey ducks ‘n’ dodges, and then UPPERCUTS!
Jey runs, Rollins blocks the kick, but the DRAGON WHIP hits! Jey runs and LARIATS Rollins up and out! Jey then DIVES, and Rollins is sent over the desk! The fans fire up while both men are down! Heyman & Bron are worried, but Raw goes to break.
Raw returns once more, and Rollins slithers into the ring. Rollins runs corner to corner at Jey, and Rollins forearm SMASHES! Jey falls to his knees but the fans still cheer him on. Rollins says the fans are just like Jey, they just don’t understand. Rollins brings Jey up, but Jey ROCKS Rollins! And ROCKS him again! And again! “YEET!” But Rollins kicks low! Rollins fires off in the corner, the ref counts, and Rollins keeps trying as the ref backs him off. The ref reprimands, but Rollins just goes back to Jey. Rollins puts Jey up top, CHOPS him, then climbs. The fans rally as Rollins brings Jey up, and Jey fires body shots!
Jey HEADBUTTS Rollins down and the fans cheer! Rollins stands, Jey leaps, but Rollins gets under! Jey keeps moving, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but then Rollins runs! DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! The fans fire up while both men are down again! “This is Awesome!” as Rollins and Jey go to opposite ends. Rollins storms up, but Jey counter punches again! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins wobbles, Jey pops, locks ‘n’ winds up to DECK Rollins! Then SAMOAN DROP! The fans fire up again as Jey shakes out the stars. “UCE! OH!” HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Heyman is relieved and Jey grows frustrated.
Rollins slowly rises up, but Jey is there to fireman’s carry! Rollins fights the Samoan Drop and slips out of the ring. Jey pursues, they go around the way, and Rollins slides in. Jey drags Rollins back out, but Rollins BOOTS Jey into barriers! Rollins builds speed and he DIVES! Direct hit and Jey hits barriers! Rollins puts Jey in, goes to the apron, and springboards, into a SUPERKICK! Cover, TWO!! The antiair didn’t end this and the fans can’t believe it! The fans again declare, “This is Awesome!” as Jey and Rollins stir. Rollins rises, Jey aims from a corner, and Jey runs up, but into a KICK! Rollins fireman’s carries, then pops Jey around!
Rollins aims, runs up and BUCKLE BOMBS!! Jey falls, Rollins climbs, and the fans fire up! FROG SPLASH FLOPS as Jey dodges! Jey runs and SPEARS into a PEDIGREE!!! Cover, TWO!! Rollins is furious and Heyman is shocked, but Jey is showing that championship grit! Heyman coaches Rollins up while he goes to a corner. Rollins nods, he knows he has Jey in his crosshairs. Rollins runs back up, but Jey avoids the stomp again! SLEEPER!! Jey has Rollins like he has Gunther, but Rollins throws Jey away! Jey hurries to get moving! SPEAR!!! Cover, TWO!??! Jey is stunned and the fans are shocked, but Bron has a huge smile seeing Rollins’ own grit on display.
Omaha again declare “This is Awesome!” and Jey rises back up. Jey hobbles to a corner and climbs up. Rollins stirs, rises, and he anchors a foot! Jey tries to get free but Rollins CLUBS him! Rollins climbs up now, HAMMERS Jey, but Jey HEADBUTTS! And HEADBUTTS! “YEET! YEET! YEET!” Rollins falls back, but into the ref! Bron grabs at Jey! Jey BOOTS Bron off into the Hydration Station! But that lets Rollins get up and SUPER DUPER PLEX! Roll through and FALCON ARROW! Rollins aims from a corner now, and he CURB STOMPS!!! Cover, TWO!?!?! Jey survives and Omaha is thunderous! Bron, Heyman, Rollins, none of them know how this is possible!
Rollins goes to Bron, whispers something to him, but wait! SAMI ZAYN is here?!? Even after what happened last week!? Bron hurries to the ramp, ready to fight Sami. But wait, Sami LEAPS in from the crowd! The fans fire up as Sami fires hands on Bron! Sami POSTS Bron, then Jey SUPERKICKS Rollins! And a SPEAR!!! Jey hurries up top and Sami cheers him on! USO SPLASH!!! Cover, TWO?!?!?! HOW?!?! Omaha has no idea what to make of that, and neither does Sami! Sami coaches Jey, Heyman coaches Rollins, and the fans rally back up. But Bron SPEARS Sami!!! Bron then slithers away to hide while the fans boo!
Jey asks what happened to Sami and he goes outside to check. Heyman distracts the ref, Bron SPEARS Jey!!! The fans boo even more, and Bron drags Jey up to put him in the ring! CURB STOMP!!!! Rollins crawls to the cover, laughing all the way, but C M PUNK is here?!?! Omaha goes nuts seeing Punk back! Punk CHUCKS a chair at Bron’s face! Then he gets int he ring! Rollins and Punk brawl, there goes the title match!
Winner: Seth Rollins, by disqualification (Jey Uso retains the title)
Punk SMACKS Rollins with the chair, JAMS him up, then SMACKS him again! Bron slides in, but Punk SMACKS away on him! Rollins tries to get back in but Punk runs him off! The fans are thunderous for Punk as he and Sami stand tall! Jey gets back up, and clearly the battlelines have been drawn! Will Rollins’ vision for Monday Night Raw fall apart?
My Thoughts:
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Coverage
Mitchell’s NJPW Wrestling Dontaku Results & Report! (5/4/25)
It’s a Wrestling Dontaku Weekend finale!
Who will stand atop the NJPW mountain?
The Goto Revolution finally leads NJPW, but will the Fierce Warrior be conquered by The United Empire as Callum Newman goes after the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Ryusuke Taguchi & Katsuya Murashima VS Hitamaru Sasaki & Jet Wei; Taguchi & Murashima win.
- Taiji Ishimori & Gedo VS MENTAI KID & Batten Burabura; Taiji & Gedo win.
- YOSHI-HASHI & Master Wato VS Great-O-Khan & Jakob Austin Young; Hashi & Wato win.
- Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori; Maika, Hazuki & Koguma win.
- El Phantasmo & Boltin Oleg VS Konosuke Takeshita & Rocky Romero; ELP & Boltin win.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK; Tanahashi, Yano, Yoh, Chikuzen & Tajiri win.
- 8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku; LIJ wins.
- IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura; Tsuji wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Callum Newman; Goto wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
Six Woman Tag: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma VS Starlight Kid, AZM & Yuna Mizumori!
It’s a Stardom Showcase as The Crimson Cannon Empress, The Wildheart & The High Speed Genius take on The Masked Idol, High Speed Bomb Girl & Kumamoto’s Unsinkable Ship! Which side of Stardom shines brightest in Fukuoka?
The trios sort out and Koguma starts against Starlight Kid. The fans cheer and the two circle. They approach, but Koguma dodges to do her bear taunt. But then Starlight CLUBS her! Starlight whips, Koguma whips but Starlight handsprings over. Starlight whips, runs up, but Koguma puts her on the apron. Koguma runs up, Starlight slips under and sunset flips, TWO! Starlight runs up, but into an arm-drag! Starlight comes back to hit a headlock takeover! Koguma headscissors, Starlight kips free, and the two strike their animal poses! The fans cheer as bear and tiger reset. They tie up, Koguma spins Starlight, then goes for the arms!
Starlight fights free of being made to bear pose! But then Koguma kicks low, runs, but Starlight blows past her to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Starlight tags Yuna. Yuna runs up to run Koguma over, then fires up as she keeps moving. But Hazuki jumps in and helps Koguma ELBOW Yuna down! Then they double Yuna into Maika’s shoulder tackle! The fans fire up for the TRIPLE DROPKICK! The ref reprimands but Koguma tags Hazuki in. Hazuki rallies the fans while she stands on Yuna! Then she scrubs her with the boot again and again! Hazuka runs to BOOT WASH her!
Hazuka bumps Yuna off buckles, tags Maika, and the fans cheer as Maika scoops and SLAMS! Cover, TWO! Yuna stays in this but Maika kicks her around. Maika eggs Yuna on, but Yuna rises to CLUB Maika in the chest! Maika comes back to DECK Yuna! Yuna flounders, Maika brings her up and whips her to a corner. Maika runs up but Yuna BOOTS her down, somersaults, and SHOTGUNS! Yuna hurries and she tags in AZM! The fans rally up for AZM as she climbs, then leaps, but into Maika’s arms! Maika throws AZM back, kicks her, and she has Koguma help double whip. But AZM sends Maika into Koguma, and Starlight jumps in!
Starlight hits a TAKEOVER HEADSCISSORS COMBO! Then AZM DOUBLE DROPKICKS Maika & Koguma! The fans fire up for Starlight’s team as she and AZK put Maika & Hazuki at the center of the ring. They coordinate, STANDING MOONSAULT and DOUBLE STOMP! Cover, TWO! Maika is tougher than that, but AZM drags her into a drop zone. AZM goes up, DIVING DOUBLE- NO, Maika avoids the stomps to then scoop and POWERSLAM! Cover, TWO! AZM stays in this but the fans rally behind Maika. Maika drags AZM up, reels her in, and suplexes, only for AZM to fight free! Maika kicks and runs, but into a ROUNDHOUSE!
Maika just roars and comes back! Maika spins AZM, suplexes, but AZM has a GUILLOTINE FACELOCK! The fans rally as Maika endures, powers up, and suplexes again! BRAINBUSTER! The fans fire up while both women are down! The fans rally as Maika and AZM crawl, hot tags to Yuna and Hazuki! Hazuki sends Yuna to an open corner, runs up, but Yuna puts her on the apron! Only for Koguma to SPLASH Yuna! Hazuki then goes up and MISSILE DROPKICKS Yuna! Koguma goes up to CROSSBODY! Hazuki hurries to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives, but is now in a CROSSFACE! Koguma & Maika intercept AZM & Starlight!
The fans rally while Yuna endures, and then AZM & Starlight break free! They both stomp Hazuki! Koguma & Maika drag Starlight & AZM back out, Hazuki CLUBS Yuna and whips her to ropes. Yuna reverses, Hazuki grabs ropes, then she DUMPS Yuna out! Yuna skins the cat to then LARIAT! The fans fire up with Yuna, she and the others coordinate! TRIPLE DROPKICK at the corner! Yuna then goes out while Starlight goes up! UFO SPLASH! Starlight sets Hazuki up for AZM’s DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS! Yuna adds the fireman’s carry and TROPICAL VALLEY BOMB! Cover, Maika breaks it! The fans fire up, but Starlight runs in and RANAS Maika!
Koguma runs in and spins Starlight around for a DDT! AZM runs up, Koguma blocks the kick to CUTTER! The fans fire up with Koguma as she and Hazuki coordinate. The “Double Crazy” combo DIVE and CROSSBODY!! Everyone is down at ringside and the fans fire up! Hazuki puts Yuna back in and the fans rally up more. Hazuki springboards and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Cover, TWO! Yuna survives but Hazuki keeps on her. Hazuki whips Yuna to a corner, Koguma hits a SPLASH, and then Hazuki adds an ELBOW! Maika adds a LARIAT, then she puts Yuna up top! Now we get Triple Crazy as Maika lifts and the others climb!
The fans fire up for the TRIPLE CRAZY BOMB!! Cover, but Starlight Kid breaks it!! Koguma CLOBBERS Starlight, Maika keeps AZM on the outside, and Hazuki drags Yuna up. Hazuki suplexes, Yuna slips free and she trips Hazuki up! Yuna hammerlocks an arm, turns Hazuki over, TROPICAL CRADLE!! TWO!??! Hazuki escapes, but Yuna runs up! But Hazuki spins her to a suplex and stalling BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, Triple Crazy wins!
Winners: Maika, Hazuki & Koguma, by pinfall
A fast ‘n’ furious fight from three rising stars, and it was the Wildheart that finishes it off! Will we see this Triple Crazy trio soon go for the IWGP Women’s and/or NJPW Strong Women’s Championships?
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, YOH, Ryota Chikuzen & TAJIRI VS TMDK!
As The Ace’s Final Road continues to roll on, this is quite the unique stop. Sure, he’s teamed with the Clown Prince and Mr. Direct Drive before, but he is now honored to be teaming with The Makai Love Machine and yes, THE Japanese Buzzsaw! Will Tanahashi & Tajiri add to their legends with this epic team-up? Or will Zack Sabre Jr, Ryohei Oiwa, Robbie Eagles, Kosei Fujita & Hartley Jackson prove that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
Just as always, Tanahashi shows off the abs, the fans cheer, and Yano even adds a “Sugoi~!” The teams sort out and ZSJ calls out Tajiri! The fans fire up as Tajiri accepts. The bell rings, ZSJ and Tajiri circle, and Fukuoka are strongly behind “TA-JI-RI! TA-JI-RI!” Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock, and ZSJ rolls to then wrench and wristlock. Tajiri seems rather unbothered, and he slips under ZSJ to then trip him and spread the legs! ZSJ reaches back but Tajiri uses his whole body length! ZSJ pushes up, crawls back, wrenches and hammerlocks, then half nelsons to cravat. Tajiri spins through to wrench and trip ZSJ!
Tajiri has the legs, ZSJ resists then hooks Tajiri to trip him. ZSJ returns the leg sprawl, then has a STRETCH MUFFLER! ZSJ uses it as a means to an end so he can have the BOW ‘N’ ARROW! Tajiri pops free and turns ZSJ over to have a headlock. ZSJ slips out the back, they each want the other’s arm, but then ZSJ top mounts. Tajiri pushes ZSJ away and the fans cheer the standoff! Tajiri and ZSJ feel things out, knuckle lock again, and ZSJ turns Tajiri. Tajiri turns that back around but ZSJ has an arm. ZSJ hammerlocks but Tajiri steps through the ropes, then steps back inside, and he has ZSJ’s arm wrapped around ropes!
The fans cheer, but Tajiri shows respect by respecting the ropebreak. The fans applaud, as does ZSJ, and then they tag out to Yoh and Eagles. The fans join in on “ROBBIE ROBBIE ROBBIE!” but Yoh rolls Eagles up! TWO and Yoh kicks low! Yoh whips, Eagles reverses to go up and around to arm-drag! Things keep moving, Eagles hurdles but Yoh dodges to RANA! The fans fire up but Fujita storms in and CHOPS! The Ichiban Sweet Boys double whip, but Yoh ducks the lariats! Yoh kicks and kicks, but the Sweet Boys CHOP and CHOP! They double wrench, and MAX- NO, Yoh fights free! Yoh crisscrosses the Sweet Boys into each other, and DOUBLE BULLDOGS!
Tag to Yano and the fans cheer, only for the Sweet Boys to double kick! They double whip, but Yano grabs the ropes! Yano then sends Fujita into Eagles, and he SLAPS them both on the heads! Yano then unties the buckle pad! The fans fire up, but Sweet Boys DOUBLE ELBOW, split the wishbone, and DOUBLE KICK! The Sweet Boys BLAST Yano’s corner, then Eagles brings Yano to the Mighty corner. Eagles bumps Yano off buckles then tags in Hartley. Big Hartley UPPERCUTS then ELBOW DROPS! Cover, TWO! Yano is a bit tougher than that so Fujita tags in. Fujita drags Yano up to CHOP! And CHOP!
Fujita whips Yano corner to corner, runs up, but Yano puts him on the apron! Fujita SLAPS Yano back! The fans rally and Fujita aims, springboard for the MISSILE DROPKICK! Cover, TWO! Yano stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita tags Oiwa and he drags Yano up. Oiwa whips Yano to ropes, then ELBOWS him down! Cover, TWO! Oiwa stays on Yano but Yano pulls on the mullet! Oiwa kicks free, runs, but into an atomic drop! The fans rally up while both men are down, and Yano tags in Ryota! Ryota CHOPS Oiwa! Ryota eggs Oiwa on, but Oiwa fires a forearm! Ryota CHOPS again! Oiwa fires another forearm!
Ryota CHOPS, Oiwa ROCKS him, repeat! The fans rally as Oiwa fires a flurry! ROLLING ELBOW! Oiwa runs, but into a BACKDROP! Fujita runs in, but into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! Eagles runs in, into a scoop and SIDEWALK SLAM! The fans fire up with Ryota, and he invites Tanahashi in! They double whip Oiwa, then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! And then Ryota says, “Genki de masu!” The fans cheer as Ryota and Tanahashi have energy to spare, and Ryota drags Oiwa up. Ryota reels Oiwa in, but Oiwa fights the lift! Oiwa powers up to BACKDROP Ryota! The fans rally, Oiwa runs, SPLASH DOWN! Cover, TWO!
The fans rally more as Oiwa and Ryota rise. Oiwa whips Ryota to a corner, runs up, but Ryota LARIATS him down! Oiwa is up to LARIAT Ryota! Both me are down now and the fans rally again. Hot tags to ZSJ and Tanahashi! One more meeting between these two after yesterday’s final singles match, and the two dosido in a battle of Cobra Twists! Tanahashi has the COBRA TWIST! ZSJ pries free to have the COBRA TWIST in return! But Tanahashi powers out, has a leg, DRAGON- NO, ZSJ sits down for the ARMBAR! Tanahashi stacks ZSJ, TWO! ZSJ RAMS Tanahashi, snapmares, but Tanahashi UP KICKS!
Tanahashi kicks low, snapmares, and he NECK TWISTS! The fans fire up and Tanahashi runs, but ZSJ catches him to wrench! PELE to the arm! Then a STOMP to the elbow! Tag to Hartley and the fans rally up. Hartley runs corner to corner and SPLASHES Tanahashi against bare buckles! Short arm LARIAT! Cover, TWO! The Sweet Boys BLAST Tanahashi’s corner, then they send Tanahashi to a neutral corner. Fujita runs up to CHOP! Oiwa adds an ELBOW! Eagles adds a FOREARM! Then Oiwa scoops Tanahashi to SLAM him! ZSJ NECK TWISTS! Hartley SENTONS! Cover, Tajiri SLAPS Hartley on the head!
Tajiri scurries away before ZSJ can get him! The fans fire up and now Yoh & Yano mug Hartley. They double whip, but Hartley DOUBLE LARIATS! “Jackson Number One!” Hartley fireman’s carries Tanahashi, but Tajiri slips in and dosidos with the ref! GREEN MIST for Hartley!! Ryota runs up and SLINGBLADES!! Tanahashi hurries up top while his team keeps TMDK out! HIGH FLY FLOW!! Cover, Tanahashi’s team wins!
Winners: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Yoh, Ryota Chikuzen & Tajiri, by pinfall
Legends working together makes for a classic finish to this match! Will this moment be one to remember as The Ace continues his countdown to the end?
8 Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Shota Umino, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi & Taka Michinoku!
As Wrestling Dontaku wraps up the weekend, Tetsuya Naito and Bushi have reached the end of their NJPW run. Will they be victorious one last time alongside Hiromu Takahashi & Shingo Takagi? Or will the Roughneck, Stone Pitbull, Holy Emperor & Blue Playmaker make this parting a bitter goodbye?
For one last time, Naito takes his time with the elaborate entrance attire. It also seems rather clear that Bushi is emotional over this being his farewell match. The fans rally and the teams sort out. The fans call for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” LIJ fust bump, the fans cheer, and Naito steps up for the team. The fans rally behind him more as he starts against Taichi. The bell rings and Fukuoka cheers even harder for “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” But then Naito tags out to Bushi. The Black Mask has the fans on his side, too, and he circles with Taichi. They approach, Bushi kicks low then runs, but into a BOOT! Taichi runs, but Bushi TOSSES him out!
Bushi DECKS Taka, but Shota & Ishii attack! They double whip, Bushi sends Shota into Ishii, then Bushi DOUBLE RANAS! BUSHIROONI~! Taichi is back but Bushi DECKS him! Takagi sets Taichi up but Taka trips Bushi! The fans boo but Taichi storms in and stomps Bushi. Taichi CLUBS Bushi, whips him corner to corner, then runs up, but into a BOOT! Bushi runs up and RANAS! The fans fire up while both men are down! Bushi stands and he tags in Hiromu. Hiromu BLASTS Ishii, then Takagi tags in! Hiromu & Takagi double whip Taichi to DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then they flex! The fans cheer the side chest.
Hiromu stands Taichi up to CHOP him to the corner. Hiromu whips corner to corner, runs in and LARIATS, then snapmares, but Taichi RIDGE HANDS! Taichi wrenches and HOOK KICKS! Shota BLASTS Takagi because he can, and Taichi tags in Taka. Taka BOOTS Naito down, then stomps Hiromu around. The fans rally but Taka brings Hiromu up. Hiromu CHPOS, CHOPS, and CHOPS! Taka gets mad, and he pokes Hiromu in the eyes! Taka whips Hiromu to the corner, stomps and knees him, then tags Ishii. Ishii winds up to CHOP! Hiromu grits his teeth and CHOPS back, but Ishii doesn’t budge!
Ishii CHOPS Hiromu and eggs him on! Hiromu stands to CHOP, but Ishii CHOPS back! Ishii gives more trash talk and more mocking kicks. Hiromu stands to CHOP, CHOP, CHOP! The fans fire up as Ishii staggers, but then Hiromu CHOPS again! And again! Ishii ROCKS Hiromu, suplexes, but Hiromu fights free! SUPERKICK! Hiromu roars, reels Ishii in, but Ishii suplexes first! But Hiromu’s right up!? And he dodges Ishii to SNAP GERMAN! Ishii’s right up!? SAIDO! Both men are down and the fans fire up! Ishii hot tags Shota, and Shota BLASTS Takagi again! Shota then runs up on Hiromu, but Hiromu dodges!
Shota hits buckles, hurries after Hiromu, but Hiromu fights the half nelson. Hiromu blocks a kick, and a punch, and then DRAGON SCREWS! Hot tag to Naito! The fans erupt as Naito kicks and CLUBS Shota again and again! Naito whips to arm-drag Shota! And ELBOW him down! And basement DROPKICK! TakaTaichi attack and double whip, but Naito reverses to send Taka into Taichi! Drop toehold for Taichi and Bushi basement DROPKICKS! Naito kicks and whips Taka, Taka reverses, but Naito reverses back to TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up as Naito poses, then he tags in Takagi. Takagi runs up on Shota, blocks a boot, and LARIATS through!
Takagi keeps moving, but Shota SWATS the lariat! Takagi YUKON LARIATS, but Shota roars as he stays up! Shota fires boxing elbows, but Takagi shakes his head! Takagi fires boxing elbows of his own! He ROCKS Shota, runs, but Shota LARIATS at the ropes! Shota runs, Takagi LRIATS! Takagi runs, Shota dodges, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shota stays up but the ELBOW and JAB hit! Shota ENZIGIRIS! Takagi SLIDING LARIATS! The fans fire up with Takagi and he whips Shota. Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota LARIATS Takagi down! But then Shota falls over, too! The fans fire up while both men crawl.
Taka tags in, he BOOTS Naito and BLASTS Bushi! Taka runs, redirects, redirects, and BOOTS Takagi down! The fans rally up as Taka brings Takagi up. Takagi ROCKS Taka! Taichi runs up to RIDGE HAND! Ishii ROCKS Takagi! Then we get a RIDGE HAND BACKHAND COMBO! SUPER K from Taka!! Cover, TWO!! Takagi is still in this but Taka goes to scoop! Takagi is too big, so Taka pokes him in the eyes! Takagi still ELBOWS! JABS! Taka UPPERCUTS, but Takagi PUMPING BOMBERS! Bushi slips in, as does Hiromu, and they double whip Taka to a corner. Hiromu runs up to forearm SMASH! Bushi adds an ELBOW!
Takagi LARIATS, then he snapmares Taka! Naito is in, LIJ hits a QUADRUPLE DROPKICK!! The fans fire up and Takagi says, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up more as The Rampaging Dragon drags Taka up. Taka fights the lift, and Shota SHOTGUNS Takagi! Hiromu dropkicks Hiromu’s legs! Hiromu dodges Ishii, he and Naito give Ishii TENDEDERO! Taichi runs up, he breaks through the line, but Hiromu sends him into an atomic drop! Takagi BLINDSLIDE BOMBERS! LARIAT in the corner, feed to a SUPERKICK! Naito wrenches Taichi for DESTINO!!! The fans are thunderous after seeing that final Destino!
Bushi then runs in and BLASTS Shota! Bushi keeps moving, for one last DIVE!! Down goes Shota and the fans are thunderous! Takagi has the fans join in for “OI! OI! OI!” Takagi runs, Taka dodges, and Taka BOOTS! Takagi comes back to PUMPING BOMBER! Takagi drags Taka up, pump handles and torture racks, BURNING DRAGON!! Cover, LIJ WINS!
Winners: Los Ingobernables de Japon, by pinfall
Their final battle in Fukuoka, their final battle with their friends, and their final battle in NJPW, it was all victorious! Naito & Bushi stand with Hiromu & Takagi to celebrate this final win. The fans cheer on “NA-I-TO!” as Naito leads the group in one last LIJ fist bump. The wild ride is over for the Uncontrollable Charisma, and he poses with his team one last time. Burn this moment into your memories, for we may never see Naito & Bushi back in a NJPW ring again.
IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji VS Yuya Uemura!
The Gene Blast may be one of the Reiwa Era Three Musketeers, but the Heat Storm vows to be the face of this new generation. A match meant to happen months ago finally does happen, but who will truly be the frontrunner of the future?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is the true global star!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as Yota and Yuya stare down. Fukuoka duels, but the “YO~TA!” sounds stronger than the “YU~YA!” They circle, feel things out, then circle a bit more. They feel out the knuckle lock, then Yuya rolls. Yota keeps him at bay as they clinch, then they go around. Yuya waistlocks, Yota wrenches free and waistlocks in return, but Yuya switches. Yota headlocks, Yuya rolls him to the mat and headlocks in return. Yota keeps his shoulders up, then fights to his feet. Yuya hits a takeover, Yota headscissors, but Yuya kips up. Yuya is fired up and the fans cheer him on.
Yota stands up and the two reset. They circle while the fans duel, and the two tie up. Yuya wrenches to a hammerlock but Yota switches and full nelsons. Then Yota headlocks and grinds Yuya down. Yuya fights up, pries at the hold, but Yota powers it on tighter. Yuya powers up but Yota squeezes the headlock even tighter! The fans applaud while Yuya endures. Yuya fires body shots, then powers up and out, drops down, but Yota avoids the dropkick! Yota dodges but Yuya arm-drags! And arm-drags again! Yuya has the armlock and the fans cheer again. Yota pulls at the hold, then fights up. Yuya grinds the elbow but Yota reaches for ropes.
Yota has the ROPEBREAK but Yuya brings him away from the ropes quickly. Yota fires forearm after forearm until Yuya lets go. Yota runs up but Yuya arm-drags! Only for Yota to drag Yuya down, trap an arm, and SACRIFICE the other arm! The fans cheer while Yuya writhes. Yuya shakes out the bad arm but Yota brings him back up. Yuya fires a forearm! Yota grins so Yuya fires more shots! Yota wrenches and serves up SOLE FOOD to the arm! Yuya staggers away to a corner and the fans rally more. Yota storms up on Yuya, puts him in the corner, and he wraps the bad arm around ropes! The ref counts as Yota pulls, so Yota lets go at 4.
Yota brings Yuya out to snapmare, then he has the bad arm in a top wristlock! Yuya endures, the fans rally, but Yota puts on the pressure! Yuya fights forward, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the arm! Yuya still manages the ROPEBREAK! The fans applaud as Yota legs go. Yota paces while Yuya shakes out the bad arm. Yota comes back to stomp the arm! Yota then wrenches Yuya, KNEES the arm, then KNEES it again! Yota KNEES Yuya into the corner, then paces again. Yuya stands, Yota runs in, but Yuya BOOTS him away! Yota runs back in, Yuya dodges and CHOPS! CHOPS! CHOPS! The fans fire up as Yuya winds up, but Yota dodges! Yota BOOTS Yuya in the corner!
The fans rally as Yota whips corner to corner. Yuya goes up and over, then arm-drags! And DROPKICKS! The fans cheer while both men are down. The fans rally again as Yuya rises up. Yuya roars, the fans fire up more, and Yuya brings Yota up to wrench and BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this but Yuya stays focused. The fans rally and Yuya brings Yota up. Yoga fights with elbows, then wrenches to YANK the arm! And YANK! And YANK! Yota whips, Yuya reverses, but Yota RANAS! Yuya tumbles out and the fans rally as Yota aims. Yota builds speed, and he DIVES! Direct hit and Yuya is sent into railing!
The fans fire up while Yuya stumbles and falls, and Yota fires back up! Yota has the fans rally more as he takes a lap. Yota comes back for Yuya, puts him in the ring, and the fans applaud. Yota steps in, stands Yuya up, but Yuya fights the suplex! Yota powers through, but Yuya fights free! Yuya CHOPS, then runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! The fans fire up while Yota grits his teeth. Yota storms around, goes to a corner, and he aims as Yuya rises. Yota runs in, STINGER SPLASH! The fans fire up while Yota snapmares Yuya down. Yota goes up, up, but Yuya avoids the Marlowe Crush!
Yuya dropkicks Yota’s leg, then has it for a SHIN BREAKER! GROUND DRAGON SCREW! Yuya then hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! Yota endures and the fans fire up! Yuya pulls on the main leg but Yota works to turn things over! The fans duel as Yuya fights against that, but Yota does turn the hold over! Yuya endures now, so he hurries to turn things over! Yota uses that to get the ROPEBREAK! The fans cheer, Yuya and the ref undo the hold, and Yuya stands over Yota. Yuya brings Yota up to scoop and SLAM him down! Yuya then goes to a corner, climbs up, only for Yota to GAMANGIRI! Yuya is dazed up top, so Yota climbs up after him!
Yota brings Yuya up, throws forearms, then goes to the very top! But Yuya fires forearms! Yota falls, Yuya adjusts, and Yuya leaps! Yota avoids the crossbody but Yuya rolls through! Yota comes back, Yuya slips around and full nelsons! But Yota powers up to break the hold! Only for Yuya to GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuya runs, but into a BOOT! Yuya comes back and takes a swing, but into the BACKBREAKER! FLATLINER! But Yuya avoids the stomp! Yuya shoves Yota, but Yota DROPKICKS! The fans fire up as Yota keeps moving, and then Yuya DROPKICKS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again!
The two men crawl away to the corners while the fans rally up. Yuya runs in corner to corner, but Yota BOOTS him! Yota runs up, but Yuya clinches! Yota fights free, ROCKS Yuya, and Yuya staggers to the ropes! Yota whips, Yuya ducks ‘n’ dodges but Yota blows past, only for Yuya to get under! URENAGE! Cover, TWO! Yota stays in this and the fans fire up! Yuya shakes out the bad arm, then he stands Yota up for a scoop. Yuya SLAMS, then he fires back up! The fans fire up with Yuya as he climbs again! Yuya is up top, for the FROG SPLASH! But he FLOPS as Yota moves! Yota runs back in, FLYING ARMBAR TAKEDOWN!!
Yuya clasps hands, but Yota breaks the grip! ARMBAR!! Yuya endures, flails, reaches out, but Yota pulls on the bad arm! Yuya fights around, but Yota just keeps after the arm! Yuya uses his core strength to sit up, but Yota PULLS the arm straight! Yuya falls over, fights around, and he turns over. Yota does his best to keep the armbar, even with this mounted angle! Yuya bites his thumb to ignore the pain in his arm! Yuya then reaches out, ROPEBREAK!! Yota lets go in frustration but the fans fire up. Yuya clutches his elbow but Yota paces around. Yota drags Yuya up from the ropes, but Yuya CHOPS! Yota brushes that off, but Yuya CHOPS again!
Yuya can’t put enough power behind the strikes with that bad arm, but he keeps trying! Yota BOOTS Yuya, Yuya drops to his knees, and the ref checks with him. Yuya refuses to let the bad arm cost him again, and he rises up to CHOP! And HEADBUTT! And HEADBUTT! Yota ROCKS him!! And then KNEES him down! The fans fire up while Yota stands tall! Yota goes to a corner, watches Yuya sputter and rise, GENE- DROPKICK to the leg! Yuya hurries to grab that leg, but Yota fires off forearms! Yuya eggs Yota on, so Yota HEADBUTT! But Yuya still DRAGON SCREWS!! Yuya steps through again, FIGURE FOUR!!
The fans fire up as Yota endures again! Yuya puts as much pressure as he can, Yota pries at the hold, but Yuya thrashes around! Yota reaches out, keeps his shoulders up, and he drags Yuya along towards ropes! But Yuya drags Yota back from ropes! Yuya thrashes as hard as he can, we hit 20 minutes, and Yota still endures! The fans rally harder and harder as Yota fights to turn this over! Yota does, but then Yuya turns it back! But this time, Yuya turns back the other way to keep Yota from the ropes! And then he PULLS on the leg! Yota lunges for the ROPEBREAK!! The fans fire up while the ref again frees Yota.
Yota clutches his leg while he crawls away, but Yuya is right on him! Yuya has the leg, but Yota ENZIGIRIS! Yuya falls, but he also manages to waistlock! Yuya drags Yota up, but Yota fires elbows! Yuya still GERMAN SUPLEXES! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yuya holds onto Yota and the fans fire up! Yuya full nelsons, DRAGON SUPLEX!! Bridging cover, TWO!! Yota survives again and Yuya is furious! Yuya roars, the fans are with him, and he reels Yota in! SAIDO BACKBREAKER! Then he puts Yota in the drop zone! Yuya climbs, the fans rally more, FROG SPLASH!! Cover, TWO?!?! Yota survives and Yuya is beside himself!
Fukuoka is thunderous as Yuya rises! Yuya brings Yota up, cording holds one arm, swings to get the other, but Yota STUNNERS free! Yota roars, runs, but into a DROPKICK! Yota just comes back, GENE- ARM-DRAG!! Yuya hurries to lock in those arms, but Yota fights off the clinch! They go around and around, and Yota frees an arm! But Yota brings it back in! DEADBOLT SUPLEX!!! Yuya roars, the fans are electric, GENE BLASTER outta nowhere!!! Cover, YOTA WINS!!
Winner: Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion)
The Heat Storm was certainly on fire, but Tsuji was volcanic! The gold stays with Yota, will he and those left in LIJ make sure NJPW stays tranquilo?
Speaking of which, the rest of LIJ returns to the ring so they can stand with their guy. Tsuji gets to also have his final photo op with the group as we know it. We also get one last LIJ fist bump with the five of them, and then Naito & Bushi let Yota, Takagi & Hiromu have the ring. Yota hurries to get the mic to tell Naito & Bushi, “Let me have one last word.” The fans applaud, and Naito & Bushi stop to hear him out. “Naito and Bushi leaving could signal the end of Los Ingobernables de Japon. But remember this: We’re ungovernable. We’ll always be connected in our hearts. Until next time.” The fans applaud that! Naito even gives one last fist bump salute.
The fans cheer as the LIJ Era has changed, and Bushi makes sure we see his mask where it says, “Adios.” Then Yota continues to say that he is still IWGP Global Heavyweight Champion, and that he’ll continue to defend the cerulean blue mat of NJPW. The fans applaud, and Yota says he is fortunate to have such a great rival in Uemura. And another in Gabe Kidd. So, who should he defend this belt against next? Well, he said the man’s name, so here comes the Mad Man! The fans bark it up for the War Dog, and Gabe gets right in Yota’s face. Yota says nic eto see him. Should they pick up where they left off?
Gabe takes the mic to say, “You’re an IWGP champion?” No, no, Yota beat Evil and Yuya, but in Osaka… It was a double knockout! Yota never beat Gabe! The fans cheer that point! Gabe says on June 15th… In Osaka Jo-Hall… “Let’s find out who the strongest is!!” The fans love that idea! Gabe heads back out, the fans bark more, and Yota tells Gabe, “Let’s show ’em our NJPW.” The fans also like that, and Yota asks if they’re ready! The fans cheer because they are, but who will make this their Dominion?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto w/ Yoshi-Hashi VS Callum Newman w/ The United Empire!
The Fierce Warrior finally put the G in IWGP at the New Beginning in Osaka when he won this title. But now, the Prince of Pace is looking to blow right past him as the top guy in NJPW! Will the Goto Revolution stay the course? Or will it be conquered by the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really the G of IWGP!
The bell rings and the fans rally strongly for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Callum doesn’t let that bother him, and he runs up to BOOT Goto! Callum fires forearms, whips, but Goto reverses! Callum ducks ‘n’ dodges to build speed, but then Goto dodges! The fans cheer as Goto is at least agile like Callum. They tie up, then they just fire off forearms! The fans rally as the shots go back and forth, faster and faster! Goto gets the edge, headlocks, but Callum powers out. Goto runs Callum over, but Callum kips up to ENZIGIRI! Callum TOSSES Goto out, then PLANCHAS! The fans fire up while Goto goes down!
Callum fires himself up and the fans cheer. Callum brings Goto up, the fans duel a bit more evenly, and Callum whips. Goto reverses and Callum hits railing! But he comes back to BOOT Goto down! Callum snarls, drags Goto back up, and now Callum sends Goto into railing! Goto comes back but Callum BOOTS him down again! And then PENALTY KICKS! The fans rally, Hashi coaches Goto, but Callum KICKS Goto in the back! Callum puts Goto in the ring, the fans applaud, and Callum sits Goto up again. Callum hits another PENALTY KICK! Callum then goes to the corner and climbs up, calling his shot.
Callum aims, DIVING- NO, Goto dodges! Callum comes back, but Goto dodges! Goto LARIATS, then he clinches for the SAIDO! Callum flounders away and the fans fire up. Callum goes to a corner, Goto runs in, MURAMASA! Then Goto puts Callum up top! Goto climbs up after Callum, just to drag him into a draped position! SUPER DRAPING NECKBREAKER!! Callum flounders out of the ring, Great-O-Khan & Francesco Akira check on him, as does Red Shoes. Callum winches, clutches his shoulder, but he manages to sit up. Callum has speed but Goto is taking advantage of his skinnier frame.
Red Shoes starts the ring count and Goto stays back, which annoys Callum. Callum storms into the ring, but Goto kicks him down! Goto has Callum up for a suplex, and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Callum stays in this and the fans fire up, but Goto stays right on Callum. Goto drags Callum up, but Callum clutches his shoulder, so Goto lets him be. We’re only five minutes in as the fans rally up, and Goto stomps Callum around. Callum crawls away to a corner but Goto grabs at him. Callum wants Goto to hold on, and Red Shoes has Goto step back. Callum’s neck and shoulder are really bothering him, but Goto just storms up to stomp him!
Goto drags Callum up, snapmares, then clamps on a chinlock. Callum endures as Goto’s knee digs into the back and neck. Goto then ELBOWS Callum in the head, stomps him around, and brings him up. Goto CLUBS Callum’s neck, but Callum CHOPS! The pain in his shoulders holds Callum back, but Goto clinches for a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! And then a GROUND OCTOPUS! Callum endures, reaches out, and the fans rally up. Goto thrashes around but Akira & Khan coach Callum. Callum kicks around but Goto shifts to a headscissor necklock! Callum endures the squeeze, kicks and kicks, and finds the ROPEBREAK!
The fans applaud and Goto lets go in frustration. Goto drags Callum up but he’s a ragdoll again. Goto still brings Callum around, snapmares him back down, then KICKS him in the back! And ELBOW DROPS! Callum sputters but Goto just ELBOW DROPS again! Akira & Khan coach Callum but Goto looms over him. Goto ELBOW DROPS onto Callum’s back! Cover, TWO! Callum toughs it out but Goto is still calm. Goto stands Callum up, kicks him low, but Callum fires a forearm! And another! The pain in the neck holds those back, and Goto CLUBS Callum! Goto runs, but into a DROPKICK! The fans fire up while both men are down!
Khan & Akira coach Callum, Hashi coaches Goto, and both Goto and Callum crawl to the apron. Goto goes to the floor, and Callum smiles. The fans rally as Callum builds speed and FLIES!! Callum does a full 360 to hit Goto and then rolls through more to stand back up at the ramp! The fans are thunderous and Callum fires himself back up! Callum drags Goto to his feet and puts him in the ring. The fans applaud, and Callum hurries back in. Callum aims from a corner while Goto flounders away. The fans rally more, and Callum runs corner to corner. FLYING DROPKICK! Callum then chicken wings for a TIGER SUPLEX!
But the bad neck won’t let Callum bridge! Callum hurries to lateral press, TWO! And we’re just 10 minutes in! The fans rally, Callum fires up with a very Will Ospreay style “OI! OI! OI!” The fans rally behind that, and Callum brings Goto up. Callum reels Goto in, hooks a leg, FIRE- NO, Goto slips free of Firebolt, waistlocks, but Callum fights the lift. Callum runs, Goto follows, but then Callum dodges! Goto dodges, Callum dodges, then Callum hurdles! But Goto fireman’s carries! USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire up for that high speed exchange! Goto has the crowd behind him again as he rises up.
Goto storms up on Callum, stands him up, but Callum fires a forearm! Only to fall to his knees! Callum rises up but Goto DECKS him! Callum is running on fumes, but the fans do rally for him, too. Goto eggs him on and Callum manages to stand. Callum fires a forearm, drops to a knee, but Goto stands him up. Goto DECKS Callum again! Callum shakes out the stars and he snarls! Callum fires another forearm, but Goto DECKS him a third time! Goto eggs Callum on, the fans rally again, and Callum rises. Callum puts his hands behind his back and dares Goto to hit him! So Goto DECKS Callum a fourth time!
Khan & Akira coach Callum on but Red Shoes asks if Callum wants to stop. Callum shakes his head, he’s not gonna stop here. Callum stands again, leans on the ropes, then comes back for more! Callum even SPITS at Goto! The fans boo that, but Goto DECKS Callum for it! Goto watches Callum sputter, and Callum slowly rises again. But then he falls back over! Callum headbutts the mat to fire back up, and the fans rally behind him! Goto winds up and ROCKS Callum! Callum is back to get in Goto’s face! Goto fires a flurry of forearms! Callum CHOPS! Goto feels that one! The fans fire up and Callum roars, but Goto spins him! URA G T R!
Goto goes to run but Callum reels him in! GERMAN SUPLEX! ROUNDHOUSE! Callum runs, but into a fireman’s carry! G T W!! Cover, TWO!! We’re 15 minutes in as Goto stalks Callum to the apron. Goto stomps Callum, then stands him up. But Callum fights the fireman’s carry with elbows! Goto still lifts! Callum flails, slips down, and KICKS Goto! Callum goes up, up, and OSCUTTER 2.0 on the apron!! Both men fall to the floor and the fans fire up! Red Shoes checks, both men are able to continue, so a ring count starts. Khan fans off Callum while the fans rally. The count already passes 7 of 20, then hit 10, but both men are still down!
Callum rises at 13, drags himself in at 17, but Goto is still down! Goto rises up and springs in at 19! The fans fire up as this continues! Callum goes to a corner, runs up, BUSAIKU KNEE! Then he hurries to bring Goto into the drop zone! Callum roars, climbs, and the fans fire up! DIVING DOUBLE STOMPS!! Cover, TWO?!? Goto survives the coup de grace and Callum can’t believe it! Akira & Khan tell Callum to keep going, he’s almost done it! The fans rally and duel as Callum hobbles over. Callum stands Goto up, then runs, but Goto swings, DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Both men stay up, and they DOUBLE LARIAT again!
The fans fire up, Callum returns, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide again! And again! Callum waistlocks, ripcords, RAINMAKER?!? Cover, TWO!!! Goto survives as Callum shouts out the former leader of Chaos! The fans are thunderous, Callum feeds off that energy, and Callum drags Goto up. Callum calls his shot, springboards, OSC- NO, Goto blocks the cutter! DISCUS- NO, Callum dodges and springboards! OSCUTTER 2.0!!! Cover, TWO!??! But Callum hooks a leg! FIREBOLT!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Goto survives again and the fans are electric! Callum is unsure what to do as we pass 20 minutes, but the fans dueling shakes the arena!
Callum drags Goto up, but Goto wrenches out! Goto spins Callum, dragon sleepers, but Callum slips free! Backslide! Goto rolls through, PENALTY KICK BLOCKED! Goto HEADBUTTS Callum, ripcords, RAINMAKER!!! Both men are down and the fans are thunderous again! Goto rises, he brings Callum up, and the fans rally as hard as they can! Goto HEADBUTTS away on Callum, then brings him up to HEADBUTT again! Goto snarls and the fans are thunderous again, as Goto suplexes for SHOTEN KAI!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Callum survives and Goto cannot believe it! The fans duel harder than ever before, and Goto rises again!
Goto roars and focuses his power! Callum sits up, into a BUZZSAW! But then Goto brings Callum around, but Callum drops to victory roll! TWO!! Callum SUPERKICKS, but Goto LARIATS!! Goto stands Callum up, dragon sleepers, but Callum fires shots from below! Goto blocks that arm, traps it, and G T R KAI!!! Cover, GOTO WINS!!
Winner: Hirooki Goto, by pinfall (still IWGP World Heavyweight Champion)
The Prince of Pace did his best to follow in the Aerial Assassin’s footsteps, but he is still a long way from reaching the top of the mountain. However, if this is how close he came on his first try, will nothing stop Callum Newman from being the future of NJPW?
As for Goto, the belt is put back around his waist, and he watches Callum walk away. Callum takes a moment to bow in deep respect to Goto before he and the Empire leave. Goto then grabs the mic, and the fans cheer him on. “No matter what anyone says, this is MY time!” The fans cheer that! Goto continues, “Who’s my next opponent? As a fighting champion, I’ll take on all challengers!” Wait! Zack Sabre Jr. makes his way back out here! Goto took this title from ZSJ so clearly ZSJ wants a rematch. ZSJ grabs a mic to tell Goto in Japanese, “Good work tonight. That was a fantastic match! Truly fantastic.
“You’ve been on a roll lately! You’re indeed a great champion. But I’m you’re next challenger!” The fans like the sound of that! Goto says, “I accept!” The fans really like that, and the two shake hands on it. Will the Submission Master make sure that- WAIT! Shingo Takagi is here?! He storms into the ring with a mic to say, “Pardon the intrusion!” The fans cheer as Takagi asks, “Mind if I speak my piece? Zack, hold on a moment. OI, GOTO! You really are something. You got a belt, a wife, and kids! And on top of that, you’re in Hontai!” The fans do applaud that with a bit of a chuckle.
Takagi points out that he, on the other hand, has no belt, no wife, no kids. “And now it looks like my faction is done… But that doesn’t mean I need to hang my head. I’ll soar to the top!” The fans applaud, and Takagi says the G in IWGP stands for Goto, right? But oi, oi, oi! You can’t spell “Shingo” OR “Takagi” without a G! He has two G’s, so he wants his shot at the title. At least, he’d like to say that. But he has no objects to Zack. Takagi did lose to ZSJ last time. So then Takagi will wait to challenge the winner of Goto VS ZSJ! The fans like that, too! Takagi says if it’s about G’s, Goto can’t argue Takagi’s point!
The three men all look to each other, and it looks like the deal is struck. Fierce Warrior VS Front Man, and the Rampaging Dragon gets the winner! Who will stand on the summit of NJPW going into the summer? Takagi and ZSJ take their leave, and Goto continues. “Again, thank you very much for coming today!” The fans applaud, and Goto says, “No matter who I’m up against, I will not be defeated. The Goto Revolution is far from over! Follow it until the very end! Let’s end with Goto’s G’s.” The fans chuckle, and Goto says he knows most of the locales had G in their names. But not in Fukuoka…
Even so, Goto still has this IWGP World title around his waist, so no worries there. IKU ZO! The fans cheer, and Goto says, “The G in IWGP is for GOTO!” The streamers fly, and the Fierce Warrior is ready to lead NJPW on! But will things only heat up from here on out?
My Thoughts:
An awesome event for Wrestling Dontaku’s finale, and we’re already building towards Dominion next month. I was rather surprised that the Six Woman Tag was so quick. Well, I feel like a lot of Stardom matches on a NJPW show end up like that… But the 10 Man Tag with Tanahashi’s team beating TMDK, and then the 8 Man Tag of LIJ winning, both of those matches felt just as fast/short. I suppose on some level, they did it because we all had a feeling who was winning. Tanahashi’s team wins because he also had special guests Tajiri and Ryota, so that was just a great moment for some longstanding legends.
LIJ winning was apparently to also commemorate their last match as a faction. With Titan being their CMLL member, we only have Hiromu, Takagi and Tsuji. I suppose a trio isn’t necessarily a faction, but I’m surprised they just sprang this dissolution on us. Great match from Yota VS Yuya, but I think they dragged it out a bit at the start. It got hot by the end, and Yota retaining was a great move. Gabe Kidd calling his shot is also a great move, he and Yota are going to have a great rematch from their time limit draw. And then awesome main event from Goto VS Callum, with Callum looking great even in defeat. Callum is definitely on his way, maybe he’ll really build up his power level in the G1 Climax this year.
Great promo to close, with Goto, ZSJ and Takagi establishing the next couple of title shots. I think Goto VS ZSJ has been made for Resurgence this Friday, so they’re getting that right out of the way so Takagi can face the champion at Dominion. At the same time, they kinda have to because Best of the Super Juniors is going to dominate May. Resurgence would be a wild place for a title change since it’s in the US and it’s a true PPV, so I’m not liking ZSJ’s chances.
My Score: 9.1/10
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