Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/2/22)
The Bloodline is Raw!
The Undisputed WWE Universal Champion is here!
With a Six Man Tag set for WrestleMania Backlash, Roman Reigns and the Usos return to Raw to make everyone ACKNOWLEDGE THEM!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy VS Ezekiel & The Street Profits; Kevin & The Alpha Academy win.
- Veer Mahaan VS Burt Hanson; Veer wins.
- AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Edge; Styles wins and bans Priest from ringside at WrestleMania Backlash.
- WWE United States Championship Contenders Handicap Match: Mustafa Ali VS The Miz & (Austin) Theory; Miz & Theory win and deny Ali a title match.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Hallway Havoc: Nikki A.S.H wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- WWE 24/7 Championship: Nikki A.S.H VS Dana Brooke w/ Reggie; Dana wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- Bobby Lashley VS Cedric Alexander; Lashley wins.
- Six Woman Tag: Sonya Deville, Rhea Ripley & Becky Lynch VS Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Asuka; Bianca, Liv & Asuka win.
PLAY BY PLAY
The Bloodline is here!
The Tribal Chief, Roman Reigns, leads the way out for Paul Heyman and the Usos. Roman wears the World title while Heyman cradles the Universal title, and the Usos hold up the fingers for #WeTheOnes. Heyman hands over the Universal title, and the belts are raised for the pyro. Then they continue to the ring, and Roman takes a moment to admire the Universal title before getting in the ring. Then the Bloodline lifts all the belts again, for another round of pyro. Heyman has the mic, and he says, “If the Bloodline recalls correctly, and the Bloodline is never wrong, this is the part of the show where I’m entrusted to say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Monday Night Raw!'”
Heyman says this is a special treat for everyone watching at home on TV and those live here tonight. “Ladies and gentlemen, you should put down your children because take a look at them anyway. You should stand on your feet because now, at this moment, you get a chance to revel in the greatness of your Tribal Chief, THE Undisputed WWE Universal Heavyweight Champion… Roman. Reigns.” Heyman then hands the mic to Roman, and he says, “North Carolina. ACKNOWLEDGE ME!” But then RKBRO hit RKOS outta nowhere!! Roman is shocked as the Usos go down! But this ain’t all! HERE COMES MCINTYRE!
The Scottish Warrior storms out, sword in hand! And he raises it for his own pyro! Roman looks at the Raw Tag Team Champions and McIntyre, especially with McIntyre pointing his sword at Roman. McIntyre gets in the ring and RKBRO lets him have Roman all to himself. Roman tells McIntyre to go back now, but McIntyre says he’ll leave the sword on the outside. These two stare down, and McIntyre says he’s been waiting for this. The hands start flying! McIntyre and Roman throw haymakers, but Roman puts McIntyre in a corner to fire clotheslines! Only for McIntyre to clinch and hit back with haymakers and stomps!
The Usos return! But RKBRO goes after them! It’s a brawl all over, Orton going after Roman, McIntyre after Jimmy and Riddle after Jey! Security and officials get out there but the chaos continues, even as Raw goes to break!
The Street Profits talk backstage.
But then Ezekiel walked over and formally introduces himself. But they know him! It’s Elias’ young brother. And just like the good book says, it’s time to get ZEKE-AY! Here’s a cup, just for him. On three. One, two, three, ZEKE. Ezekiel takes a drink and wow. He’s feeling good now! But the Alpha Academy walk over and say drinking on the job is pathetic. Kevin Owens pops in to agree, it IS pathetic! And so is lying! The Profits can’t be believing him! SHOOSH! Ezekiel thinks he’s smart, huh? Smarter than Gable? He’s not! Never! In fact, Gable did research. He found out lie detector tests can be tricked, by only the most conniving of liars!
And Kevin shouts that that’s ZEKE! They’ll find a way! A better way! To expose him for the fraud he is so that even these idiots will know this is Elias! Dawkins says hold on, they gotta drop some truth. Ezekiel and the Profits are gonna kick their asses tonight. And that’s the bottom line~, because Zeke Da Freak and the Profits are up, and #WeWantTheSmoke! But then Kevin SPLASHES Ezekiel with his drink! Kevin and the Alpha Academy hurry off, but will revenge be served cold in the ring?
Six Man Tag: Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy VS Ezekiel & The Street Profits!
The trios sort out, Gable starts with Dawkins. They tie up, Dawkins headlocks but Gable powers out, only for Dawkins to run him over. Things speed up, Dawkins hurdles then whips, but Gable catches the drop to a waistlock. Dawkins gets free, things keep moving, and Dawkins handsprings?! But into an arm-drag! Dawkins keeps moving to back elbow! Tag to Ford and the Profits double whip. They DOUBLE FLAPJACK, then Ford covers, TWO! Ford wrenches an arm, grinds the shoulder, and he leans on Gable. Gable fights up, Ford wrenches to a wristlock, but Gable rolls and bridges to then handspring, wrench, headlock and drop toehold!
Gable has the arm and shouts, “A THANK YEW~” while he wrenches the arm more. Ford endures, even as Gable twists the shoulder! Ford fights up, fans rally, and Ford whips Gable away. Things speed up again, Ford hurdles and arm-drags! Then he dropkicks Gable down! Gable bails out but Otis gets in, to run into a dropkick! The Profits DOUBLE DROPKICK but Otis stays up! Ezekiel joins in, TRIPLE DROPKICK! Otis tumbles out and Gable is furious while Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Gable has Ford down with a top wristlock. Ford endures, fights up, but Gable shifts grip. Ford reaches for his corner but Gable DECKS Dawkins! Gable throws Ford out but Ford shoulders back in. Ford shoulder sin again, then slingshots, into a NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Gable tags Kevin and they mug Ford. Kevin stomps away but lets off to tell Ezekiel, “SUCK IT!” Kevin then gives Ford a short arm LARIAT to SENTON! Then LIONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Kevin clamps onto Ford with a chinlock and he grinds Ford down. Ford still endures, fights up again, and fans rally.
Kevin back suplexes, Ford slips out and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up and Ford crawls, hot tags to Gable and Ezekiel! Zeke rallies on Gable, whips him to ropes but Gable kicks him away. Zeke still gets him with a SPINEBUSTER! Otis runs in, into the JUMP KNEE! Zeke CHOPS, body shots and CHOPS again! He whips Gable but Gable reverses, only for Zeke to go up and MULE KICK! Gable goes to the far corner, Ezekiel runs in for a STINGER SPLASH! And then suplex, stall, and TWISTING SLAM! Cover, but Otis breaks it! Otis drags Zeke up to toss him aside, but Ford gets in. Otis scoops Ford, to TOSS him out of the ring!
Dawkins KNEES Otis out! Kevin SUPERKICKS Dawkins! Ezekiel trips Kevin up to fire off fists! Kevin gets away but Ezekiel wants after him! Ezekiel lets off to go after Gable, but he runs into a waistlock! Ezekiel fights the German Suplex but Kevin trips him! Gable Oklahoma Rolls Ezekiel, the Alpha Academy and Kevin win!
Winners: Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy, by pinfall
The Prizefighter, “Master” Gable and Otis SHOOSH Ezekiel and the Profits with some trickery of their own! Are they going to prove Ezekiel is not Elias’ brother but Elias himself?
Backstage interview with AJ Styles.
Kevin Patrick asks the Phenomenal One about a stipulation that has been added to his match with Damian Priest tonight. Why is that? This is about Edge’s fragile ego. At WrestleMania, Styles had Edge beat, but Edge’s new buddy showed up and distracted Styles. Edge doesn’t like Styles saying he had that match won, it offends Edge. So then why not up the ante? If Styles beats Priest tonight, Priest is barred from ringside at WrestleMania Backlash! And if Styles doesn’t, then it’ll be an uphill battle. Kevin wishes Styles luck, will Styles be able to limit the omnipotence of Judgement Day?
Sonya Deville talks with Adam Pearce.
She wants to understand what this investigation into her conduct is even about. She’s done everything by the book! Pearce says upper management are looking into this. She puts herself in a title match, changes the stipulations, and still fails. So they want to see her compete again without her executive power behind her. Pearce has made a Six Man Tag, Sonya, Rhea Ripley & Becky Lynch VS Liv Morgan, Asuka & Bianca Belair. Oh, cool. Then why don’t we make it No Holds Barred? Uh, no, Sonya, there is no “we.” Only Pearce has authority right now. Sonya has no power here. At all. Okay? Sonya doesn’t look happy about it, but will she just have to prove what she can do on her own?
Veer Mahaan VS ???
Undefeated at 3-0 but also unstoppable and with no remorse! Will Veer continue to victimize his opponents? Or will he finally run into someone he can’t manhandle?
Raw returns and Byron Saxton talks with Greensboro’s own Burt Hanson. Byron wants to ask, after seeing the damage Veer does to his opponents, why did Hanson sign up? Veer does scare Hanson, but he signed up because all his life, he’s wanted to be in the WWE in front of his hometown crowd. He worked down the street at Stevie’s BBQ just dreaming of this moment. Tonight, he makes a dream come true. Byron wishes Burt luck, but will he need a miracle?
The bell rings, Burt rushes in but Veer catches him to RAM him into the corner! Veer fires off body shots, the ref counts and Veer lets off to argue with him. Burt elbows Veer but that just angers him! Veer TOSSES Burt corner to corner! Burt staggers up and Veer is on him again, to whip him to ropes and KNEE him! Then back the other way, then back again! Veer whips and CLOBBERS Burt with a full body block. Veer then whips Burt to THESZ PRESS! Veer wants Burt to get up, and Burt manages to stand, for the MILLION DOLLAR LARIAT! Veer still isn’t done, he stalks Burt and hip drops! Then CERVICAL CLUTCH!! Burt taps, Veer wins!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission
Veer tore into Burt like a pulled pork sandwich! But he goes after him more and stomps Burt right out of the ring! Veer goes out, drags Burt up and scoops him into the ring. Veer has Burt in the ropes for another CERVICAL CLUTCH! Veer thrashes, the ref reprimands but Veer lets go when he’s satisfied. Will all wrestlers, not just Raw superstars, learn to #FearVeer?
AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Edge!
The Phenomenal One knows what is at stake with this match, but will he be able to remove the Archer of Infamy from Edge’s arsenal? Or will Judgement Day only solidify the advantage they have for Backlash?
Raw returns and Edge has a mic. “We are Judgement Day. Now I know most of you can’t stand to look at yourselves in the mirror. I know that most of you don’t like me anymore. In fact, you’re probably like everyone else in the world, perhaps you despise me. But that’s because you despise yourselves. You can’t look in the mirror because it’d make you physically ill. And if it doesn’t, it should. It is a miracle that everyone here in Greensboro, North Carolina- Oh shut up! It is a miracle that you can pull on your shoes, wobble out your doors, and count high enough to find your seats here tonight. The truth hurts, huh?”
In fact, if Greensboro could have a sports team, it’d be the Greensboro Lemmings. Edge knows that flew over their heads, so he’ll explain. A lemming is a rodent, or in this case a bunch of people with few teeth, that will join in a mass movement, rushing headlong into destruction. Styles, don’t be a lemming. For once, use your intelligence! But Edge knows it won’t happen. Styles’ heart outweighs his brain. But Styles, just know that by not staying home, hugging your wife and kids, you’re rushing headlong into pain at Backlash! Fans “WHAT” Edge and he repeats himself for the “peons.” He dares them to boo and they boo.
Edge knows Styles played the games, got Pearce to make tonight about removing Priest from Backlash. Kudos, well played, hope it’s worth it. Because now he feels the punishment he’ll receive when walking- Styles makes his entrance! Fans cheer as Styles gets in the ring and Edge exits. Will Styles make Edge eat those words when he removes his minion?
The bell rings and the two circle. Styles fires off haymakers, has Priest in a corner, but Priest tosses Styles to the corner! Style dodges, fires off more shots, and fans are fired up for Styles. Styles brings Priest around to CLUB him, but Priest shoves him back. Styles and Priest throw hands, Priest ROCKS Styles then UPPERCUTS! Priest whips to BOOT Styles down! Priest drags Styles up, whips him hard into the corner and Styles hits the mat. Priest stomps away on Styles, but lets off as the ref counts. Edge laughs at Styles and Priest brings Styles up for a suplex, BROKEN ARROW! Cover, ONE!!
Priest clamps onto Styles’ arm and grinds that bad shoulder. Styles endures, fans rally and Edge gets annoyed. Styles fights up, throws haymakers then KICKS! Priest grabs hair but Styles KICKS again. Styles throws more forearms, then whips. Priest reverses but Styles holds ropes. Styles elbows back, but Priest picks Styles up! Priest runs at ropes, they both tumble out but Styles lands on his feet! Edge looks worried as Priest staggers up. Styles aims and SLINGSHOT FOREARMS! Down goes Priest and Styles stares Edge down. Styles says Edge is getting this soon enough, and he goes back for Priest.
Styles bumps Priest off the apron, the ring count climbs to 5 of 10, but Styles POSTS Priest! Styles puts Priest in at 7, then gets in. Priest goes out the side, Styles hurries after him, but Priest scoops and POSTS Styles! Styles clutches the bad shoulder and writhes on the floor while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Priest staggers away to a corner. Edge is furious as Styles rushes in to corner clothesline! Styles fireman’s carries but Priest fights free. Priest clinches, throws knee after knee, then LEG LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Priest drags Styles around by the bad arm, puts him on the top rope, then ROCKS him with a right. Priest climbs up, fans boo but Priest brings Styles up. Styles slips under to get Priest in a torture rack! RACK BOMB! High stack, TWO!! Priest survives and Edge is pacing! Edge coaches Priest but Styles is up first. Styles drags Priest up, reels him in, but Priest powers out of the Clash! Styles sunset flips, TWO!
Priest ROUNDHOUSES the bad arm! Edge nods, but Styles ENZIGURIS! Priest staggers, Styles rushes in, but into a BACKBREAKER! Cover, TWO! Priest is frustrated, too, but he drags Styles up. Priest reels Styles in as fans rally up. Priest gets Styles up in the crucifix, but Styles slips off! PELE! Both men are down and fans fire up while Edge snarls. Priest gets to a corner, Styles runs in again, but Priest pops Styles out. Styles ROCKS Priest, springboards, but into a choke grip! SOUTH OF HEAVEN CHOKE SLAM! Cover, TWO!! Styles survives and Edge is beside himself! Priest scowls but he nods, knowing Styles is tough.
Priest wants Styles to stand and Styles does get up. Priest reels him in but Styles throws elbows to fight the clinch, Priest ducks to BELL CLAP! Ripcord, but the heel kick misses! Styles gets the leg, rolls Priset, but Edge gest on the apron! Styles swipes at Edge and Priest is free! But Styles dodges the boot! O’Conner Roll, STYLES WINS!
Winner: AJ Styles, by pinfall (Priest is banned from ringside at Backlash)
But Edge goes right after him! The Iconoclast is just a sore loser! Edge drags Styles up, feeds him to Priest, FLATLINER! Edge then tells Priest to keep going, and Priest isolates the bad arm. Edge brings chairs to the ring! Priest sets one under the arm, but here comes FINN BALOR! The Prince has his own beef with Judgement Day, and he dropkicks Priest down, then tackles Edge! Fans are fire dup, Edge gets away but Priest gets a SLINGBLADE! Styles clotheslines Priest out and Edge bails! Judgement Day regroups and retreats from these two. Styles and Finn throw up the Too Sweet! Will they be united against Edge & Priest?
Omos and MVP talk backstage.
Omos says he’ll grab Lashley with both hands and just snap Lashley’s whole body. But then Cedric Alexander walks in. What does he want? He just wants to talk about MVP forming the Hurt Business. That was the best! They all got to be champions! And if not for Bobby’s and Shelton’s egos, they’d all still be champs! Right? MVP says he’s proud that Cedric sees the bigger picture, and that he is man enough to say it to MVP’s face. MVP gets why Cedric wants to return to that original role, but MVP is not interested. MVP has moved on from the Hurt Business to much bigger things. So he and Omos are gonna talk about how Omos will rip Lashley limb from limb.
Cedric says this is just him, no Shelton. He wants to show what he can do on his own. As such, Cedric requested a match with Lashley. Oka, now that has MVP’s attention. If Cedric can handle his business, then MVP and Omos will watch. Omos says that means Cedric has to go. Cedric leaves, but will he be back in business with Montel Vontavius Porter?
The Miz heads to the ring!
The Hollywood A-Lister is back to host another episode of MizTV, and he’s got Mustafa Ali as his guest? Will Miz be civil with the man who beat him last week? We’ll find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz welcomes us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show, and he says he had the privilege and honor to host WWE’s fastest rising star, the youngest WWE United States Champion ever, the man called Theory! But then his show was hijacked by the “man that time forgot.” Miz likes to be the bigger man, so he’ll have that man explain himself. Please welcome Mustafa Ali! The Beacon makes his way out, but then the music stops partway. Miz acts like that was all a mistake, and then he says the fans are here to see Mustafa Ali! Fans cheer because they do like Ali. Just like Miz is happy to see Ali. Please, have a seat.
So, “Must.” Do you mind if he calls you that? Oh no his mic isn’t working? Miz promises to get that fixed. This is so unprofessional. Speaking of, Miz was in the middle of giving valuable advice to Vince McMahon’s handpicked protégé, and then Must had to waltz out and interrupt. Who does that? That was rhetorical. Time for brass tax. Is it true that Must’s act of desperation is because he’s never been champion? Or is it because the WWE Universe forgot about Ali on his hiatus? Oh no, is the mic still not working? This is so embarrassing! MizTV is WWE’s flagship talk show, so you hate to see this. Please, Must, don’t go online and complain.
Mustafa snatches Miz’s mic! He and everyone here only have one thing to complain about: the fact Miz is STILL HERE! The difference between Miz and Ali is that when Miz feels unheard, he goes back there and whines to he powers that be. But when Ali feels unheard, he goes to the fans! Because for Ali, he fans are the ones that matter. Miz snatches the mic back to say- Oh wait, that was the bad mic. Oh no, is it not working? Ali laughs and Miz is upset. Miz wants Ali to understand: Ali will regret this. Oh, so Miz is gonna face him again? NOPE. (Austin) Theory makes his way out! Theory “apologizes” but he had something to say.
An apology? That’s a young man with manners, and a working mic. So unlike “Must,” Theory has something ot say fans will want to hear. Miz applauds that. Theory says last week, it bothered Theory that Miz couldn’t even prepare for his match. So Theory talked to his mentor, Mr. McMahon, and had that lost be stricken from the records! What a thoughtful gesture! Thanks, Theory. That’s the least Theory can do when some shmuck is making a name for himself at Miz’s expense. And Theory “appreciates” Ali wants the US Championship match handed to him. But what has he done? He doesn’t deserve this!
UGH! You BOTH talk too much! Fans applaud that. Miz, we get it. You’re embarrassed and mad, but Theory has it all wrong. Ali does want to be US Champion. But not an opportunity handed to him. Ali wants to fight for it! Good, because Theory spoke with Vince, and Vince has accepted that Ali gets a Championship Contenders Match tonight! And as Theory sees it, it won’t go well for Ali. The truth is, when it come to Theory, Ali can’t beat him. Theory is the youngest US Champion in WWE history. And Theory doesn’t know if Ali can handle that heat. Clever. But if there’s anyone that can handle heat, it’s Ali. Ali accepts, let’s go!
Okay, that’s fine. Theory can do this #ALLDAY. But uh, Miz deserves a chance to redeem himself. So that contender’s match is Ali VS Theory and The Miz! In a HANDICAP MATCH! And uh, what time is it? Oh, that match is NOW. Ali sees how the deck is stacked, but will he still have the winning hand?
WWE United States Championship Contenders Handicap Match: Mustafa Ali VS The Miz & (Austin) Theory!
Raw returns and Miz mugs Ali in the corner. Miz whips, Ali reverses but Miz sunset flips. Ali rolls through, fakes Miz out and stomps Miz’s leg! Ali kicks the leg, but Miz shoves Ali away. Ali CLOBBERS Miz, then CHOPS him against the ropes. Ali whips,. Miz reverses but Ali ducks and dodges, only for Theory to hold ropes open! Ali falls out and hits the floor hard and Theory shrugs, playing dumb as to what happened. Theory brings Ali into the ring and tags in, then grins as he pie faces Ali around. Theory taunts Ali, brings him up and DECKS him. Theory DECKS Ali again, then again, then snapmares for a stomp! Cover, TWO!
Theory clamps onto Ali with a chinlock and grinds Ali down. Ali endures, fights up, and throws body shots. Ali JAWBREAKERS free but Miz tags in! Miz rushes in to KICK Ali in the corner! Miz fires off IT KICKS, but lets off as the ref counts. Ali goes up and over and CHOPS Miz back! Ali whips but Miz reverses, so Ali uses that to DROPKCIK Theory down! Ali then dodges, somersaults and NECKBREAKERS! Cover, Theory breaks it! Theory drags Ali up, whips Ali at the ropes, but Ali slips out and trips Theory! Theory shoves Ali away but Ali then dodges. Ali kicks Theory from the apron, but runs into a FINALE! Cover, Miz and Theory win!
Winners: The Miz & (Austin) Theory, by pinfall (Ali is denied his WWE US Championship match)
Theory and Miz stand on Ali as they take their victory selfie. But will this be the finale of Ali going after Theory and the US Championship? Wait! CIAMPA attacks! This is just like last week! What does the Psycho Killer have against the Beacon?
Reggie and Dana Brooke argue backstage.
He wants Dana to listen to him, but she refuses to even stay put. What about their honeymoon? Their what? Reggie thinks Dana’s gonna go on that with him now? He’s crazy! But then R-Truth is talking with his other clients, Tozawa & Tamina. Dana says out of all people, she never expected Truth to try and pin her for the 24/7 Championship. Truth owes Dana an apology. Dana, that was just a test. Like keeping her alert. He is sorry, though. He just wants his baby back. He needs it back! He feels empty inside! Truth feels empty? Tamina’s waist feels empty! And Tozawa, you’re supposed to be helping her!
Tozawa’s sorry about that. But it’s right there! Tozawa and Tamina rush Dana but Reggie and Truth hold them back! Not today! This is the honeymoon period, love birds! Tweet tweet! But then Nikki A.S.H bum rushes them all! And she covers Dana! The ref counts, NIKKI WINS!
Winner: Nikki A.S.H, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Dana shouts, “Noooo~!” while Nikki runs away! Truth, Tamina and Tozawa give chase, and Dana shouts at Reggie for failing her again! Reggie says he was trying, but Dana says if Reggie wants to save the marriage, he will get her a rematch! Dana storms off and Reggie’s stuck in the middle. Will Reggie work on “Happy wife, happy life” tonight?
WWE 24/7 Championship: Nikki A.S.H VS Dana Brooke w/ Reggie!
Raw returns as the Almost Super Hero makes her entrance. Truth, Tozawa and Tamina are also ringside to see which way this goes. The belt is raised, and we see whose love wins the day!
Nikki taunts Dana that she’s champion and Dana is nothing! Dana storms in but into a kick! Dana blocks the buckle bump, throws a body shot and bumps Nikki off buckles. Dana whips, Nikki reverses and then runs in but Dana puts her on the apron. Dana DECKS Nikki, then runs, but slides into the apron skirt! Nikki fires off on Dana, lets off as the ref counts, and she strikes her heroic pose. The ref counts, Nikki puts Dana in, and she covers, TWO! Nikki drags Dana up but Dana fires forearms! Dana whips, runs and handsprings, and back elbows Nikki down! Dana keeps moving, ROLLING NECKBREAKER! Cover, Dana wins!
Winner: Dana Brooke, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
But Tozawa sunset flips Dana! TWO as Truth drags him away! Truth “tests” Dana again, but Tamina drags him away. Dana scrambles as Tamina stares Truth down. Reggie rolls Dana?! How dare he! Dana SLAPS Reggie, then gets up on the desk. She has a mic to shout, “I want a divorce!!” Reggie freaks out and Dana storms off! Reggie hurries after Dana, can he salvage the marriage?
Backstage interview with Becky Lynch.
Kevin Patrick welcomes the former Raw Women’s Champion, and brings up her return to Raw last week was part of Asuka’s return. Becky doesn’t need to hear what happened, she was there. Does anyone understand the kind of bravery it took Becky to go out there and tell the world that she had hit rock bottom after losing the title? Her world, her identity. Only for Asuka, the woman who Becky literally handed that title to come out and disrespect her? When Becky left, she told Asuka to be a warrior while Becky became a mother. Becky kept up her end of the deal, but Asuka didn’t. As soon as Becky came back, Asuka disappeared!
Becky goes on the run of a lifetime, and as soon as Becky was at her lowest point, Asuka returns. Asuka’s never faced Big Time Becks, Asuka doesn’t know what she’s in for. Becky’s comeback story starts with ending Asuka’s! Will Becky and her team be able to stop the Empress of Tomorrow from taking over?
Seth Rollins heads to the ring!
The Visionary, the revolutionary, the Architect, wants to make tonight all about himself! This is “Seth Freakin’ Rollins Appreciation Night,” but what will that mean? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Rollins has the mic while he swaggers and dances to his own theme. “Oh baby, oh baby, oh baby! The time has finally come! Monday Night Rollins has begun! HAHAHAHA! Last week, we celebrated 20 years of Randy Orton. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. That was alright, it was okay. But it got me thinking. We should celebrate somebody who truly deserves it! Celebrate somebody who is underappreciated, undervalued. We should celebrate a trend setter, we should celebrate a fashion icon, a global sex symbol. Most importantly, we should celebrate a visionary, celebrate a revolutionary.”
Everyone, stand up! Clap for Seth Freakin’ Rollins Appreciate Night~! The spotlight shines on Rollins, but most fans boo. But then others sing his theme song, “OH~, OH~, OHHH~!” Rollins revels in it, he’s got the chills! This feels good, doesn’t it? Seth Freakin’ Rollins in the spotlight! HAHAHAHAHA! But then fans chant for “CODY! CODY!” Rollins says it’s funny they should mention that jerk. At WrestleMania, Cody tried to steal the spotlight. But at Backlash, Rollins will show the entire world why you can’t steal Rollins’ spotlight! Because Rollins IS the spotlight!! Fans still chant for “CODY! CODY!”
Rollins says this is HIS night, HIS spotlight, so shut up about Cody! See, that’s the problem! Some have forgotten just how good Rollins is. You get wrapped up in the American Nightmare fantasy and forget Seth Freakin’ Rollins is the standard bearer in this industry! Fans chant, “We Want Cody!” Rollins says they’ve forgotten how good Rollins is, but he loves to remind you. So here is the greatest highlight reel in the history of highlight reels, detailing Rollins’ rise to prominence! Appreciate Seth Rollins! “Wrestling has more than one… royal family.” Rollins is furious as Cody make his entrance instead!
Cody makes his way to ringside and Rollins is upset. Cody gets the pyro, the graphics, then more pyro. He then gets in the ring and gets the mic. But Rollins says before Cody speaks, he wants to know why Cody sticks his nose where it doesn’t belong! What is Cody out here for? If it’s not to give Rollins flowers, then shut up! Oh, Rollins wants flowers? Sure. Congratulations, Rollins, truly. But what is this all about? This literal unraveling we are all seeing, the superiority complex. It is like Cody’s win is an albatross around Rollins’ neck. Cody doesn’t want to invalidate those feelings, that’d be hypocritical.
But Rollins in this hideous outfit, and Cody’s hypocrisy knows no bounds so he’ll make it clear. Since Cody’s return, he’s been professional and courteous, even when Rollins shoved him off the top rope. But Cody has a feeling that Rollins is going to cross the line right before Backlash that he doesn’t want to cross. Rollins is one of the best wrestlers in 20 years. But he’s also delusional. Delusional? Rollins? DELUSIONAL?! Rollins laughs again and says that’s rich coming from Cody. But hear Rollins out: The American Dream, Dusty Rhodes, the late, great, and Cody’s father. Dusty wrestled hundreds, if not thousands of times in Greensboro.
Fans cheer for “Dusty! Dusty!” and Rollins says, “But just like you… He was an egomaniac who thought he was larger than life and thought he transcended the business. And it looks to me like the apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Dusty was delusional, and so are you!” Fans boo but Rollins says Dusty wanted to be WWE World Champion, but wasn’t good enough. And as long as Rollins is here, Cody won’t be good enough, either. Rollins laughs again, then he sucker punches Cody! Rollins fires off hands, throws off his jacket, but Cody turns things around on him! They brawl, Cody headlocks and punches!
Cody runs, springboards, to CODY CUTTER! Rollins flounders out of the ring and fans fire up! Rollins did cross a line, just as Cody knew he would. But will Cody have to cross over and join Rollins to settle this on Sunday?
Bobby Lashley VS Cedric Alexander!
The All Mighty has the Colossus coming for him at Backlash, but he isn’t going to back down. Will PRIMED Alexander just be a primer for Lashley? Or can Cedric somehow, someway prove himself worthy to MVP?
Raw returns and Cedric is already in the ring. The bell rings, Cedric talks smack but Lashley corners him. But then Omos makes his entrance! And Cedric uses that to sucker punch Lashley! MVP says how the mighty have fallen. Look at him! Cedric is beating- Oh, nevermind, Lashley CLOBBERS Cedric. Well, if he’s struggling with Cedric, what’s Lashley going to do with Omos? Lashley aims at Cedric, and runs in, but misses the spear! Cedric dropkicks Lashley’s legs out and rains down fists while MVP mocks “Robert.” Omos is just salivating thinking what he’ll do to Lashley’s limbs. Cedric stomps Lashley but the ref backs him up.
MVP talks more trash but fans rally for Lashley. MVP says that won’t help! Cedric kicks Lashley out, then builds speed. Lashley seethes, and he SWATS Cedric’s tope! Then he TOSSES Cedric into barriers! Lashley glares at MVP, then hauls Cedric up in a fireman’s carry! Lashley runs and POSTS Cedric! Fans fire up and Lashley glares at MVP again. Lashley puts Cedric back in the ring, MVP tells fans to shut up, but Lashley aims again. SPEAR!! But Lashley won’t end it there! He hauls Cedric up for the HURT LOCK! Cedric taps, Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
Lashley throws Cedric down, then dares Omos to do something! But MVP says it’s not time yet. Backlash will be the time, but will time be up on the Rocky Mountain Machine? Or will Lashley repeat what he did to the Colossus at WrestleMania?
Backstage interview with Liv Morgan.
Sarah asks her why she ambushed Rhea Ripley last week. Well Liv did to Rhea what Rhea did to her. Liv thought they were still a great tag team, but Rhea claims Liv was the disappointment that wasn’t holding up her end of the bargain. But Liv doesn’t think Rhea is disappointed in Liv. Rhea is disappointed in herself. And Liv isn’t going to take the blame or the beatings for Rhea. If Rhea doesn’t believe that, then just watch her. Will Liv more than hold her own in tonight’s Six Woman Tag?
R-Truth talks with Reggie backstage.
Truth says this situation with Dana isn’t that bad. Reggie has his health, those sharp suits and his acrobatic flips. But Reggie had it all! He was champion, had the love of his life. He blew it. Yes, he did do that. But Truth gets that feeling. He had the love of his life and let it slip away. Now Dana has the 24/7 Championship. Marriages are hard. 90% of divorces end in separation. But it’s all good. He has a prenup, right? A what? What!? Reggie doesn’t have a prenup!? Reggie, man…! If you don’t even know that, you’re gonna need Truth’s help as a certified divorce lawyer! Like his motto says, “If y’all can’t keep it together, The Truth will keep y’all apart.”
He’s esquire? The squire, the Duke of Earl, a baron and a jester! Did he ever tell Reggie about his certification to certify? Meanwhile, Nikki A.S.H. is bummed out on a road case. Doudrop walks over and asks if she’s done sulking around, playing games, and wants to take things more seriously. Yes, she does. Will Piper & Nikki soon make things very serious here on Raw?
Six Woman Tag: Sonya Deville, Rhea Ripley & Becky Lynch VS Bianca Belair, Liv Morgan & Asuka!
“Cruella” can’t bend the rules this time! She has to win this on an even playing field! Will she, the Aussie Nightmare and Big Time Becks prove why they’re the top of the Raw Women’s Division? Or will the EST, the Living End and the Empress of Tomorrow end those comebacks before they even begin?
Raw returns and Rhea makes her entrance, followed by Sonya. Liv makes her entrance next, then Asuka, and last but certainly not least, the Raw Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair! This star studded main event is about to go down, after the break!
Raw returns again, and Becky starts against Asuka as a preview of their coming showdown. Becky talks trash, Asuka says she’s just yapping away, but Becky says, “You don’t know who I am!” Becky swings but misses, then she dodges, only for Asuka to block her kick! Becky dodges and dodges and hurries to her corner! Asuka dares Becky to fight her, but Becky tags out to Sonya. Bianca wants in and Asuka obliges with a tag! Bianca and Sonya circle, but then Sonya runs away to her corner! Fans boo as Sonya tags Rhea. Rhea and Bianca circle, but Rhea smirks at Liv. Fans rally for the “E S T!” and Rhea is annoyed.
Rhea and Bianca tie up, Rhea waistlocks and SLAMS Bianca! Bianca fights up, switches, and SLAMS Rhea! Rhea fights up, pries the hold open but Bianca blocks the clothesline to reel Rhea in, for a suplex! Rhea slips off the stall to throw Bianca by her hair! Rhea then sucker punches Liv! Liv wants after Rhea but the ref keeps her back. Rhea bumps Bianca off buckles, tags Sonya, and they mug the champ. Sonya fires off kick after kick but lets off. Sonya then stands Bianca up to throw knees. Sonya snapmares, runs, but Bianca dodges to run Sonya over! Fans fire up and Bianca dusts off her hands before whipping Sonya to a corner.
Sonya reverses, Bianca goes up and over and handsprings, tot hen dropkick Sonya down! Bianca kips up, fans fire up, and Bianca puts Sonya in the corner. Tag to Liv, and Bianca whips Liv in for a back body blocks! Feed to Bianca’s scoop SLAM, then Liv covers. ONE, but Liv brings Sonya up. Sonya ROCKS Liv, then talks trash on her. Sonya whips, Liv reverses but Becky tags in. Sonya CLOBBERS Liv and Becky drops an elbow. Cover, ONE! Becky argues with the ref then says she should be champ. Becky EuroUppers Liv, but Liv turns it into a backslide! TWO, Becky kicks but Liv blocks to kick and KICK back!
Liv runs in to back body block in the corner, then she goes back in for a SHINING WIZARD! Liv snapmares Becky, goes up and leaps, missile dropkick! Cover, TWO! Liv watches Rhea and swipes at her, but Becky grabs Liv by her hair! Liv JAWBREAKERS, then dodges to DIVE onto Rhea! Liv rains down furious fists but Rhea kicks her away. The ref counts, Liv stomps Rhea then goes back to the ring, to get WRECKED by a dropkick! Becky puts Liv in, climbs up the corner, THE MAN’S LEG DROP! Cover, TWO! Liv is still in this and Becky is fuming as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again again, Rhea has Liv for a hip drop! Fans rally, Rhea dribbles Liv around, then she tells the ref to shut up about the hair pulling. Rhea stands Liv up, talks trash, but Liv SLAPS and SLAPS and SLAPS! Rhea SLAPS Liv down, and then checks her chin. Rhea gets Liv up to TOSS her to the corner! Rhea stands Liv up, RAMS into her, and again, and again! Rhea lets off at 4, tags Becky, and Becky stomps away on Liv. Becky mocks Asuka’s dance but Liv elbows Becky, then BOOTS her! Liv runs in, but into a MAN- NO! Liv arm-drags out and FLOAT OVER DDTS! Both women are down and fans are fired up as they crawl!
Hot tags to Rhea and Bianca! Bianca ROCKS Rhea, dodges her to DECK Sonya, then turns around, into a HEADBUTT! Rhea whips, Bianca dodges, ducks and runs Rhea over! Fans fire up and Bianca suplexes Rhea to hold her up! Bianca high steps then SLAMS Rhea, cover, TWO! Bianca shakes her head, then brings Rhea back up. Bianca scoops but Rhea slips off to RAM Bianca into a corner! Rhea RAMS her shoulder in, hoists Bianca up top, and ROCKS her with a haymaker. Then another! Rhea climbs up, but Bianca fights back with clubbing shots! Bianca bumps Rhea off buckles then DECKS her!
Rhea is on the mat, Becky hurries but Bianca kicks her away! Sonya distracts and Rhea BOOTS Bianca! Sonya tags in, she and Rhea climb up together. They get Bianca up for a DOUBLE SUPERPLEX! Sonya crawls to a cover, Liv breaks it! Fans fire up but Sonya whips Liv out of the ring. Bianca tags Asuka! Fans are thunderous as Asuka KICKS and KICKS Sonya. Sonya whips, Asuka swipes at Becky! Asuka dodges Sonya to then run her over! Fans fire up with Asuka as she HIP ATTACKS Sonya in the corner! Rhea runs in, into a ROUNDHOSUE! Sonya CLUBS Asuka, KICKs her, but Asuka blocks to get around and GERMAN SUPLEX!
Fans fire up and Asuka runs to SLIDING GAMANGIRI! Cover, TWO! Sonya survives but Asuka snarls. Asuka drags Sonya up, ELBOW BREAKER, and chicken wing! Sonya switches, shoves, Liv tags in, Asuka dodges to DROPKICK Sonya down! Asuka runs and HIP ATTACKS Sonya into a CODE BREAKER from Liv! Liv puts Sonya in, covers, Becky breaks it! Asuka BACK HANDS Becky down! Rhea BOOTS Asuka, but Bianca SPINEBUSTERS Rhea! Sonya throws Bianca out, but Liv O’Conner Rolls! ONE, to a roll-up! TWO, but Sonya KNEES Liv down!! Cover, TWO!! Liv survives and Sonya can’t believe it! Sonya runs in again, but Liv lets her hit buckles.
Sonya denies the code breaker and high stacks, with feet on ropes! But the ref sees that! He refuses to count, even as Sonya shouts at him! But she’s not management, she’s just a superstar tonight! Bianca pushes the feet off the ropes and Sonya is furious! Sonya turns around, into ObLIVion!! Cover, Liv’s team wins!
Winners: Liv Morgan, Bianca Belair & Asuka, by pinfall
Sonya tried to cheat but felt a bit of karma here! Will Sonya have to learn to do things by the book for real? Has Becky’s comeback hit a roadblock? And what will the Raw Women’s Championship scene look like moving forward?
My Thoughts:
A pretty good Raw, certainly making up for the subpar SmackDown from Friday. We got a good segment from Bloodline, RKBRO and McIntyre, but honestly, if not for being given the Six Man at Backlash, this felt like we were gonna get a Six Man tonight. Honestly, there was so much between SmackDown and this segment that could’ve been used to set up a Six Man tonight and we still get tag title unification. Whatever, we’ll just have to wait for title unification at Money in the Bank in Vegas or something. We got great stuff from Kevin, Alpha Academy, Elias/Ezekiel and Street Profits. Frantic Kevin is most hilarious Kevin, and that Six Man Tag was great stuff. The Heels winning makes sense, it puts pressure on the Faces, and Ezekiel will make the comeback.
Veer destroys another guy, and it was nice to at least get that guy’s last words as a promo. I’m disappointed Rey didn’t come out to confront Veer, Rey VS Veer should’ve been a Backlash match to avenge Dominik. Good promo from Styles, good rematch out of him and Priest, but I really don’t get why they needed a ringside ban stipulation on the line. Well, I suppose it does give a reason for the rematch. But then maybe Styles shouldn’t have won. It was still good for Finn to make the save, and I still hope we get Finn and Styles as a tag team. I wonder if SmackDown gets a bit of supershow treatment and have Raw stars since it’s the go-home show.
Good MizTV segment with Ali and Theory joining in. Ciampa’s attack last week made it clear Ali wasn’t getting at the US Championship right now anyway, and then Ciampa’s attack after the handicap match just doubled down. As I said last week, Ali VS Ciampa is going to good stuff, I hope they do that next week given this has been two attacks now. Then we’ll wait and see where things go as far as the US Championship. Hell, Ciampa should just go rogue Tweener and want after Theory on his own. We also got good stuff out of the 24/7 Championship Division, and Dana wanting that divorce was quite the shocker. But even better, Nikki is gonna put away the costume, and she will team up with “Doudrop” Piper Niven to give us a great tag team.
Good promo from Omos, MVP and Cedric, and fairly good match segment with Cedric and Lashley. Of course Lashley wins, but I feel like that just guarantees Omos wins, and probably with MVP’s help. Great segment out of the “Seth Freakin’ Rollins Appreciation Night,” with Cody showing up, too. Cody stands tall, and I bet that means Rollins wins to tie things up from WrestleMania. Then maybe the tiebreaker is at MITB, winner moving on to face Roman Reigns for the title(s).
And I really like that Sonya finally faced a situation where she can’t use her management authority to get out of it. That was basically where her story was going, anyway, so good they’ve given us a sample of it. Good promos from Becky and Liv going into tonight’s Six Woman main event, I just wish the match itself had more time devoted to it. Still a solid 15 minute match, and I figured the Faces would win. Sonya tastes more karma, Liv gets some points for the finish, but math stays even for each of the feuds. Liv VS Rhea probably goes Rhea’s way, Becky VS Asuka could probably go either way to set up a series of matches over the summer, and I would think Sonya has to choose between being a WWE official or a superstar if she wants another title match with Bianca.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Is Orange Cassidy coldblooded? Or just in control?
Before their AEW World Championship match at Full Gear, Jon Moxley puts Wheeler Yuta in Orange Cassidy’s way! Will Cassidy destroy The Decoder before going for The Maniac?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family; The Don Callis Family wins.
- Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida; Kris wins.
- 2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger; Lashley wins.
- Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli; Claudio wins.
- Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta w/ The Death Riders; Cassidy wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
8 Man Tag: Will Ospreay, Mark Davis, Ricochet & “Powerhouse” Will Hobbs VS The Don Callis Family!
This All-Star 8 Man is going to make for a massive match! The Aerial Assassin, Dunk Zilla, The One & Only and the man the family foolishly forgot are now teamed together against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, Brian Cage & Lance Archer! Will Ospreay lead this team to victory ahead of the grudge matches at Full Gear? Or will Callis’ Alpha, Aussie Arrow, Machine & Murderhawk Monster make sure #EverybodyDies?
Well forget sorting out, Ospreay leads his team in attacking the Callis Family right on the ramp! The fans fire up as Hobbs is after Archer, Davis is after Cage, and of course Ricochet is after Konosuke while Ospreay is after Kyle! Hobbs smacks Archer off railing, Kyle CLUBS Ospreay on the back, but Ospreay kicks low. Ospreay sends Kyle into railing, rips the tearaway pants right off him, and then LASHES him with them! Davis sends Cage into railing while Ospreay uses those pants to SLING Kyle into more railing! Davis CLUBS away on Cage, Ospreay blows snot on Kyle’s pants, and Davis sends Cage into more railing.
Kyle turns things around to send Ospreay into railing! Konosuke helps Cage against Davis but Hobbs still throws hands on Archer. Kyle CLUBS Ospreay, CLUBS Ricochet, but Konosuke puts Davis in the ring. The bell rings and this is finally a match. Konosuke headlocks Davis but Davis fires body shots. Davis powers up and out, but Konosuke RAMS him! The fans fire up as Davis stays up. Davis runs to RAM Konosuke! Konosuke stays up and the fans rally. Konosuke runs to RAM Davis, but Davis runs. Konosuke bypasses, leaps, but Davis catches him for a TOSS! And a SENTON! The fans fire up with Davis, and Ricochet reaches out.
Davis tags Ricochet in , then holds the way open, for Ricochet to FOSBURY FLOP onto Konosuke! But Cage CLOBBERS Davis! Cage then RAMS Ricochet into the apron, POSTS him, but Ospreay PENALTY KICKS Cage! The fans fire up as Ospreay goes up, but Kyle UPPERCUTS him! The fans boo as Kyle goes up, CLUBS away on Ospreay, and Ospreay falls to the floor. But now Hobbs is up! Kyle says wait! Then he fires hands! Hobbs just CHOPS Kyle! Hobbs climbs up to get Kyle, but Archer CLUBS Hobbs! Archer drags Hobbs down, throws hands, then puts Hobbs in between steps and post! Hobbs fights back, but Cage sends Ospreay into the steps!
The fans boo as Hobbs’ leg is crushed between steps and post! Archer puts Ricochet in the ring while a medic checks Hobbs. Archer brings Ricochet up but Ricochet slips free to fire off fast strikes! Hobbs is being helped to the back and Ospreay is concerned that this is now 4v3. Ricochet still fires strikes on Archer, but Archer grabs Ricochet by the neck! CHOKE- NO, Ricochet RANAS Archer first! Archer tumbles, stands up, and Ricochet springboards, but Archer CLOBBERS Him out of the sky! Archer BLASTS Davis, then catches Ospreay out of the air! Archer TOSSES Ospreay away and fans boo. But Ricochet springboards back in!
Archer catches Ricochet, and he CHOKE SLAMS Ricochet out onto Ospreay and Davis! The fans boo as the Don Callis Family is in control, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cage & Kyle flex to soak up the heat, then Archer goes out after Ospreay and the rest. Konosuke fetches Ricochet into the ring, waistlocks, and then brings him away from the corner. Archer beats up on Ospreay while Konosuke fires knees into Ricochet. Ricochet tumbles to ropes but Konosuke is on him. Davis fires hands on Archer, then sends him into railing! Davis fires more hands, but Konosuke CHOKES Ricochet at the ropes! The ref counts, Konosuke steps off and tags Kyle. Kyle stays between Ricochet and his corner. Kyle taunts Ricochet, stomps him around, then whips him to ropes. Kyle ELBOWS Ricochet down, then stalks him to a corner.
Kyle stomps away on Ricochet while Archer intimidates commentary. Kyle shouts at the camera while the ref counts, and Kyle steps off of Ricochet’s neck. Kyle bumps Ricochet off buckles, tags Cage, and Cage stands Ricochet up. Cage CHOPS Ricochet, then whips him to ropes for an ELBOW! Cage flexes while he taunts Ospreay & Davis. Cage drags Ricochet up but Ricochet RAMS him! And RAMS him! And fires forearms! Cage ROCKS Ricochet, then runs, but into a tiger wall kick and ENZIGIRI! Konosuke tags in and storms after Ricochet. Konosuke stomps Ricochet, then rains down fists! The ref reprimands while Dynamite returns to single picture.
Konosuke argues with the ref while Ospreay rallies the fans. Konosuke stays between Ricochet and his team, but Ricochet SLAPS Konosuke! Konosuke ROCKS Ricochet for it! Ricochet fires forearms and an UPPERCUT! Konosuke keeps Ricochet from his corner, reels Ricochet in, but Ricochet victory rolls! TWO, and Ricochet ducks a chop to handspring BACK ELBOW! The fans fire up while both men are down! Ricochet and Konosuke crawl, hot tags to Kyle and Ospreay! The fans fire up as these two fire fists and forearms! Kyle kicks and whips but Ospreay ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Kyle!
Ospreay whips, Kyle reverses, Ospreay handsprings to NEURALIZER KICK! Kyle staggers, Konosuke tags back in! Ospreay dodges Konosuke to BLAST Cage & Archer! Ospreay fires fists on Konosuke, but Konosuke CLAWS Ospreay’s face! Konosuke runs, but Davis intercepts with a fireman’s carry! AUSSIE DENTAL PLAN! Or maybe in this case, just a United Empire Dental Plan! But in any case, Davis scoops Konosuke, for the LAWN DART CUTTER! Cover, TWO!! Konosuke survives but the fans fire up. Ospreay & Davis bring Konosuke up, double pump handle, but the #MurderMachines make the save!
Archer puts Davis in a corner, Cage ducks Ospreay’s haymaker to waistlock. Archer runs up, BOOT GERMAN SUPLEX COMBO! Davis fires hands on Archer but Cage waistlocks, ripcords, and ROCKS Davis! Then fireman’s carry into the ASSISTED NECKBREAKER! The fans boo but the Murder Machines DOUBLE RIPCORD Ospreay up for Konosuke’s BLUE THUNDER BOMB!! Cover, TWO!! Ospreay survives and shocks everyone! Archer argues with the ref but the count was fair. Konosuke tags Kyle while fans rally up behind Ospreay. Kyle smirks as he stalks Ospreay. Kyle BOOTS Ricochet off the apron for good measure!
Kyle tells Ospreay that this is how he wants it, right? All about Ospreay! Kyle stomps away on Ospreay in the corner, then digs his boots in! The ref counts but wait! Here comes Hobbs! Hobbs hobbles but Kyle hurries to send Ospreay to the Callis corner. Tag to Konosuke and then Kyle slides out. Kyle runs up on Hobbs, but Hobbs CLOBBERS him! The fans fire up as Hobbs makes his way to the corner. Ospreay fights free of the corner but Konosuke holds him back! Ospreay fires forearms, reaches out, repeat! The fans rally as hard as they can, but Konosuke reels Ospreay in! Konosuke hits a back suplex, but Ospreay lands out!
Ospreay dodges Konosuke, hot tag to Hobbs! The Powerhouse powers up to rally on Konosuke! The fans fire up as Hobbs TOSSES Kyle, but the Murder Machines attack! They reel Hobbs in, but Hobbs fights the double suplex! The fans fire up but the Murder Machines double whip. Hobbs DOUBLE LARIATS! The fans fire up as Hobbs has targets in all corners! SPLASH for Konosuke! SPLASH for Cage! SPLASH for Kyle! SPLASH for Archer! The fans are thunderous and Hobbs brings the straps down. Archer kicks low, then runs, but Hobbs dodges, to SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up again, and Hobbs tags Davis!
Davis runs up to BOOT Konosuke, BOOT him again, but Konosuke just fires up! Ospreay CANNONBALLS onto Kyle while Konosuke fires hands! Konosuke spins, but Davis DECKS him! Davis roars, stands Konosuke up, but Konosuke backdrops back! POWER- NO, Davis stops the knee to ENZIGIRI! Davis gut wrenches Konosuke, for a PILEDRIVER!! Cover, KYLE BREAKS IT! The fans boo but now Aussie Open is face to face! Kyle pie faces Davis, talks trash, but Davis glares at him. Kyle SLAPS Davis, so Davis TACKLES Kyle! Davis throws hands, Kyle gets up, and Davis runs up! Kyle dodges and Konosuke DECKS Davis!
Ricochet springboards, FLYING LARIAT on Konosuke! But Cage POP-UP POWERBOMBS Ricochet! Hobbs SPINEBUSTERS Cage! Archer CHOKE SLAMS Hobbs! Ospreay hits the PIP PIP CHEERIO FOREARM on Archer! Ospreay dares Kyle to man up and fight him! Kyle snarls, gets in, and they fire forearms again! Kyle swings, Ospreay catches him, but Kyle breaks the full nelson with an elbow! Ospreay HOOK KICKS Kyle! Ospreay runs, Kyle dodges, but then Ospreay slips through the lariat! Kyle slips through the bomb, hoists Ospreay up, but Ospreay slips free! Kyle ducks the hook kick to SUPERKICK! Kyle runs, into the SPANISH FLY!!
The fans are thunderous as Ospreay takes aim from a corner! Kyle rises, so does Davis, and Ospreay runs up, Kyle uses Davis as a shield from the HIDDEN BLADE!! Ospreay freaks out, Kyle SUPERKICKS Ospreay out of the ring! Then Kyle DIVES onto Ospreay! Konosuke brings down his kneepad, aims at Davis, POWER DRIVE KNEE!!! Cover, Don Callis Family wins!!
Winners: The Don Callis Family, by pinfall
The Alpha stands tall over Davis as friendly fire takes out Ospreay’s team. But what happens when things divide into 1v1 matches? Will Konosuke still be International Champion after he and Ricochet go #OuttaThisWorld? Will Kyle prove that he IS The Protostar after tearing down Will Ospreay?
Jon Moxley & The Death Riders speak.
“Despite recent discoveries that Orange Cassidy is a snake, coldblooded, uncaring, unmoving, a serpent lurking in the darkest corners of the battlefield, my objective remains the same, my job on Saturday night remains the same. You may be this borderline sociopath, you may be a great guy just like everybody thinks. I don’t care if you’re a great guy. I don’t care what kind of person you are. When the bell rings on Saturday night, and the AEW World Championship hangs in the balance, you are a threat to my people. And I will destroy you.
“There’s so much more going on behind Orange Cassidy’s eyes than any of us could’ve imagined. You may make it to Full Gear with your mind in tact, but your body… For that matter, Darby Allin’s body… Still up for grabs.” Claudio jumps in, speaking in German about what he’ll do to Darby. Then in English, he says, “Tonight, I’m gonna end you.” Moxley pats Claudio on the shoulder. Will The Maniac’s top henchmen do his dirty work for him when they dismantle Cassidy & Darby? Or will it just be fuel on the fire for Freshly Squeezed & The Relentless One? Speaking of…
Darby Allin speaks.
“Claudio, I’m gonna keep this really short. Let’s not forget you’re the one who put the chair around Bryan’s neck and pulled the trigger on his career. Every single one of you Death Riders will have your day. And Claudio, today’s your day.” Will Moxley’s men be dealt with in brutal fashion before he suffers the same?
The Hurt Syndicate arrive.
Renee Paquette waits in the parking lot as an SUV pulls up, and she welcomes Montel Vontavious Porter, Shelton Benjamin & Bobby Lashley to the show. She heard MVP has a surprise in store, what’s he got planned? MVP says yes, there is a special treat for the AEW audience, and that is this announcement: The All Mighty Bobby Lashley will be in action here tonight on Dynamite in Reading, Pennsylvania, prior to his PPV debut on Saturday! Renee asks if MVP is at all concerned to put Lashley in a match- OH NO, Swerve attacks!! Swerve knocks Lashley over, then laughs as he gets away!
Shelton helps Lashley up but that ambush might’ve been with Swerve’s own silver chain. Will Lashley elect not to compete tonight after all? Or is he about to make an example out of whatever poor soul is put in front of him?
Adam Cole is here!
Reading fires up as the Panama City Playboy makes his way to the ring. They join in with the “BOOM!” and “ADAM COLE, BAYBAY!” Cole grabs a mic to ask, “Who’s ready for Storytime with Adam Cole, Baybay?” Reading sure is ready! Cole wishes so so badly that he could get his hands on MJF this Saturday, but he’s not. MJF did everything in his power to make sure he and Cole didn’t fight on Saturday, and he succeeded. But do you know who else succeeded last week? Roderick Strong did! The fans cheer as Cole says he and Roddy have the exact same goal: Give MJF the ass whooping of a lifetime! And that is exactly what happens at Full Gear!
The fans cheer, and wait, Kyle O’Reilly makes his way out here. The longtime friend of Cole & Roddy makes his way out here, and already has a mic. Kyle isn’t sure if Cole remembers, but 14 years ago, right here in Reading, PA, Cole and Kyle had their second match ever against each other. They’ve come a long way. Being associated with Cole has given Kyle some incredible highs, and some serious lows. And through those lows, Kyle knows Cole better than anyone. Which makes Kyle the only one willing to tell Cole the truth. The truth is, this crusade against MJF has got to end before someone gets hurt.
This obsession, Cole needs to wash his hands of it. His ankle has already been reconstructed, what’s next? Cole has friends willing to take a bullet for him, Kyle included, but Cole has got to stop having his friends fight his battles. Roddy barely makes it out alive last week, and now he wants to fight MJF! He wants to END MJF, all because of Cole. Kyle just doesn’t have a good feeling about any of this. Cole asks Kyle what he’s trying to say here. Kyle doesn’t think Roddy can handle MJF? Kyle asks Cole if he really thinks MJF isn’t already three steps ahead. MJF hasn’t been here for weeks but he’s pulling all the strings.
Cole should know that dealing with MJF is like playing with fire, and Kyle doesn’t wanna see his friends get burned. Cole needs to realize why so many of his friends are willing to go to war for him, and it’s because he is a great leader, an elite pro-wrestler, and a great friend, who doesn’t wanna see his friends get hurt. At least, so Kyle thinks. But Cole has to face facts: MJF is more of an evil bastard than Cole will ever be, and that is a good thing. Kyle drops his mic and walks away. Cole drops his mic, and has a lot to think about. Does Kyle have a point? Can Cole just let Roddy handle MJF and then move on?
Orange Cassidy speaks.
“A little later tonight, I’m gonna make an example out of you, Wheeler Yuta. And I’m gonna show everybody exactly what I’m gonna do this Saturday to you, Jon Moxley. And that’s walk down to that ring and beat you, alone.” But The Conglomeration steps in. Mark Briscoe has Rocky Romero & Tomohiro Ishii with him as he asks Cassidy, “What sense does that make, man?” Moxley said himself, there’s five Death Riders, one Cassidy. Conglomeration has his back, they are here for him. Cassidy says no, no one else needs to get hurt. Get hurt? What’s Cassidy talking about? The Conglomeration are ready to scrap!
PLEASE!! Cassidy is asking them… They don’t have to believe him or even understand him. But just promises him they’ll stay back here. If Cassidy insists, then so be it. Cassidy says there you have it, Jon. Five of you, one of him. Do what you’re gonna do. Because at Full Gear, Moxley’s gonna need all the help he can get. Cassidy is himself wanting the best for his friends, but will that work out for the betterment of AEW? Or is he just playing into Moxley’s hands?
Kris Statlander VS Hikaru Shida!
The #BornAgainKristen bodied the bullies that are Mercedes Mone & Kamille the last time she saw them, but she still needs to tune up for Full Gear. However, taking on the THREE-TIME AEW Women’s World Champion might be more than just a workout. Win, lose or draw, will the Shining Samurai get Kris ready for The CEO?
The bell rings, Kris and Shida shake hands and the fans applaud. The two circle, tie up, and Kris wrenches to a wristlock. Shida handsprings and wrenches back, then hammerlocks. Kris reaches back, hits a headlock takeover, but Shida headscissors. Kris kips free and the fans cheer while the two reset. Shida and Kris circle again while the fans fire up. The two tie up, Shida wrenches and hammerlocks, then CLUBS Kris on the back. Shida CLUBS Kris again, then waistlocks. Kris fights the lift with elbows, then switches. Kris SLAMS Shida, then flips her over. Shida kips up to arm-drag Kris! Kris ends up in a corner, and Shida runs up to KNEE her!
Shida climbs up and the fans cheer as she rains down fists! But Kris stops Shida at 5 and carries her out of the corner! Shida slips free, Kris blocks a lariat to SWEEP the leg! STANDING MOONSAULT! Cover, TWO! Shida is tough and she goes to ropes, but Kris whips her to a corner. Kris runs up but into a RANA! Kris cartwheels through! Then she CLOBBERS Shida! The fans fire up while Kris flexes. Kris drags Shida into a motorcycle stretch but Shida endures. The fans rally up and Shida fights to her feet. Shida arm-drags Kris down, and wraps her in a straitjacket stretch! Kris fights up with a bridge, but Shida hops on!
The fans rally while Kris RAMS Shida into a corner! Shida holds onto the straitjacket and pulls! The ref counts, Shida lets go at 4, and then MISSILE DROPKICKS! Kris tumbles and the fans duel as Shida fires up! Shida goes outside, drags Kris to the apron, and CLUBS her! Shida runs to KNEE LIFT! Kris flops to the floor and fans cheer while Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Shida brings Kris up again, and whips her into railing hard! Kris writhes, Shida drags her up, and then Shida whips Kris into more railing! Kris writhes again and Shida refreshes the ring count. Shida sits Kris in a corner to rain down fists! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands, so Shida stops. Shida brings Kris around, pushes her into the ring, and then stalks her. Shida stomps Kris around, brings her up, and snap suplexes! Kris writhes but Shida brings her up again. Shida then snap suplexes Kris into a corner! Shida drags Kris to a cover, TWO! Kris stays in this but Shida stays on her with a chinlock stretch!
Kris endures being bent back, and she reaches out with her free arm. Shida pulls back more but Kris rises up! Shida is again a backpack, but then she slips down. Kris fires body shots, slips around and lifts for a BIG back suplex! Kris huffs ‘n’ puffs as she rises up, but then Shida dodges the sliding forearm! Ghost pin! TWO, and Kris has a cradle! TWO! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris PELES! Shida staggers, but she comes back to ENZIGIRI! Both women are down and the fans fire up! The ref checks both women and they’re okay to continue, so a standing count begins. Shida and Kris stir at about 4 of 10, then rise up at 6.
Kris grabs Shida, but Shida fires a forearm! Dynamite returns to single picture as the shots go back and forth. Shida fires a flurry, then whips Kris to ropes. Kris ducks ‘n’ dodges, then dodges a knee! SNAP POWERSLAM! The fans fire up with Kris as she whips Shida to a corner. Kris runs up to UPPERCUT, then she goes side to side for a KNEE LIFT! Shida ends up in ropes but Kris reels her in. Fisherman BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Shida survives and the fans fire up again! Kris hoists Shida up, gut wrenches, but Shida slips free! DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Shida eggs Kris on, then dodges her to fire forearms! Kris just shakes her head!
Shida fires more shots, but Kris fireman’s carries! But Shida slips free, straitjacket roll-up! TWO!! KNEE STRIKE! And then short arm LARIAT! Shida takes aim, but she starts to doubt the Katana! Shida runs up but Kris dodges the boot to then scoop and INVERTED SLAM! Then Kris aims, DISCUS- NO, Shida backslides her! TWO!! Shida reels Kris in, suplexes, FALCON ARROW! Cover, TWO?!? Kris survives and Shida is shocked! Shida brings Kris up but Kris fires body shots and forearms! Shida ROCKS Kris, but Kris wrenches to kick! Kris runs, but into the JUMP KNEE! Shida hurries to suplex, but Kris turns it around!
Shida slips out of Kris’ suplex to slip around, GERMAN SUPLEX! Shida roars, aims, KATA- NO, Kris gut wrenches! Tuck and STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! Cover, Kris wins!!
Winner: Kris Statlander, by pinfall
Shida gave Kris a powerful match, but clearly Shida has to iron out her own crisis of confidence. Kris still shows Shida respect by helping her up. But wait, here comes Mercedes Mone & Kamille! The fans boo The CEO & Brickhouse but Mone has a mic. “Readiiiiing~! Say hello to your C E O!” The fans boo instead. Mone asks Kamille if she wants to hear a fun fact about Pennsylvania. The 76ers have had yet another terrible season! Embarrassing~! But shoutouts to Mone’s Celtics for another incredible victory. The fans boo Boston but Mone says another person with an incredible win was Kris Statlander. Mone is rarely impressed by her competition.
Does anyone else want to hear another fun fact? “NO!!” Well, Mone has held the TBS Championship longer than Kris! So at Full Gear, Mone will NOT lose, because she is The CEO, the greatest TBS Champion of all time! And she will NEVER lose this title! Fans tell The CEO to STFU, but Mone tells Kamille go get the job done! She is so pissed off! GO! NOW! Kamille walks up the steps past Mone, but with only one good arm! Mone says hurry up, but Kamille looks at both Shida and Kris. Kamille takes as swing, but Kris blocks to ROCK her! Shida QUESTION MARK KICKS Kamille! Then Kris & Shida TOSS The Brickhouse!
Shida goes out after Kamille, but then Mone goes after Kris! Mone goes for the backstabber, but Kris holds onto ropes! Mone is almost stuck up there, but Kris pops her around! STATURDAY NIGHT FEVER!! The fans fire up as Kris stands tall over The CEO! Will Kris once again become the Face of TBS? Or will Mone find a way to win even without her insurance policy?
The Hurt Syndicate has a cameraman with them.
MVP says hold on, he and Shelton have found Swerve. They go after the man in the big fur jacket, but that’s not Swerve! Swerve gave his jacket to the guy, but MVP & Shelton still beat this guy up for helping Swerve. MVP says they’ll find Swerve later, Lashley has his match up next. And it’ll be a 2-on-1 Handicap?! The All Mighty really IS mad, what poor duo is about to be destroyed?
AEW hears from Jay White and Hangman Adam Page.
“Hangman. You and I are on that same path to that same destination, trying to grasp at that same prize. 2024 still has some time left for The Switchblade to share the spotlight with Hangman once more!” But the Blackhat Cowboy asks White if he knows “Who the hell I am?! I am the Hangman! I am THE man! They named this whole godforsaken PPV after ME!” White says when he makes Hangman TAP, it will be a public declaration! But Hangman says White can’t make him tap, even if his life depended on it! These two vicious gunslingers will write one more chapter in their storied rivalry, but who comes out riding off into the sunset?
2v1 Handicap: Bobby Lashley w/ The Hurt Syndicate VS Joe Keys & Cheeseburger!
The All Mighty thought he’d have an easy night getting in a little warm-up, but The Realest quickly reminded him why he’s the most dangerous man in AEW! Lashley’s now doubling down to make a point, will there be nothing left of Keys & Cheese after tonight?
The bell rings and while the fans rally for Cheeseburger, he and Keys each argue the other should start. Lashley runs up and TOSSES Burger across the ring! Keys runs away, Lashley runs to RAM into Burger! Lashley brings Burger up, Keys runs in, but Lashley catches him for a COMPLETE SHOT DDT COMBO! Lashley drags Keys up and TOSSES him out! Lashley then turns to look at Burger in the corner. The fans rally for Burger, but Lashley CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but MVP & Shelton high-five Lashley. Lashley drags Burger up to gut wrench, Canadian Rack, and DOMINATOR! Keys runs in to break the cover!
The fans cheer Keys as he fires hands, but Lashley just gets angrier! Keys short arm LARIATS, but Lashley stays up! Keys runs, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! Lashley storms around, then aims at Keys. Keys staggers into the SPEAR! Lashley isn’t done there, and he clamps on the HURT LOCK! Keys can’t open that lock, he is OUT! Lashley wins!
Winner: Bobby Lashley, by submission
MVP & Shelton join Lashley in the ring to celebrate, but then “Whose House?” “SWERVE’S HOUSE!” The fans fire up, and here comes Prince Nana with a chair! Nana eggs the Hurt Syndicate on so Shelton storms out after Nana. MVP watches the rest of ringside for Swerve, but Swerve slides out from under the ring! The fans fire up as Swerve slips in to CHAIN PUNCH Lashley!! MVP gets on the apron but Swerve DECKS MVP with a chain punch! And then Shelton eats a chain punch! The fans are thunderous as Swerve aims, and hits a HOUSE CALL on Lashley! Swerve hurries to the top rope, and he gives Lashley a KILL STOMP!!
The fans are thunderous as Swerve stands over Lashley! MVP & Shelton get up and get in, but Swerve escapes, chain draped on his neck! Will AEW then, now and forever be whose house? “SWERVE’S HOUSE!”
Backstage interview with Mariah May & Mina Shirakawa.
Renee is now with the AEW Women’s World Champion and her best friend, the Rev-Pro Undisputed British Women’s Champion. They are planning their Championship Champagne Celebration for Full Gear, BUT Friday Night Rampage will feature the two of them teaming up for the first time in just over a year. Mariah says no champion deserves a celebration more than her. Her rise to the top was meteoric, and her reign will be historic. She takes ish and makes it shine, any time and any show, against anyone. In Mariah’s division, you hold this title, or you die.
Mina says yes, Mariah has been working so hard. She came back to tell her she is so very proud. And Mina will give Mariah a celebration she’ll never forget! Mariah says the “H Cup Angel” (Mina) and the “Woman from Hell” (Mariah herself) are going to make Rampage into Glampage. Everyone wants Mina, but Mina wants Mariah. And then… They’ll dance! These two shimmy and shake their way out, will they finally be toasting their victories at Full Gear?
Darby Allin VS Claudio Castagnoli w/ The Death Riders!
The Relentless One told The Swiss Superman that revenge was coming, and here is Darby’s chance! Will Darby avenge Bryan Danielson? Or will he just be the next to fall?
The bell rings and Darby stares Claudio down. Darby takes some deep breaths then circles with Claudio. Darby slips around to waistlock but Claudio flings him off, only for Darby to roll to his feet. They circle again, and the fans rally behind Darby. Darby and Claudio feel things out, tie up, and Darby headlocks. Claudio lifts Darby but Darby thrashes the hold. Claudio throws Darby off, runs up, but Darby uses that to get around and springboard arm-drag! The fans fire up while Claudio bails out, and Darby taunts Claudio with some drop steps. Claudio snarls, but then Darby fakes him out with a slingshot!
Claudio is annoyed and takes a swing but Darby slingshots up and over! Darby taunts Claudio again while the fans rally up. Claudio cools off before he storms up the steel steps. Claudio pops Darby up but Darby keeps from hitting buckles! Darby ELBOWS Claudio away, goes up, then leaps, but Claudio catches him! Claudio SLAMS Darby down, flips him back to his feet, but Darby slips around to waistlock. O’Conner Roll, TWO! Darby springboards to SPLASH! Cover, TWO! Claudio bails out but the fans fire up. Darby goes up a corner, and he SUPER COFFIN SPLASHES into a waistlock! Claudio swings and THROWS Darby away!
Darby staggers to his feet but Claudio runs up, to POUNCE Darby into railing! Darby writhes against the railing, but Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT Darby up and over! Fans freak out as Darby hits the floor! Claudio leaves Darby behind while the ring count climbs, but Darby drags himself up at 7. Claudio goes back out after Darby to suplex! Claudio holds Darby up while he marches up the steps! The fans fire up for this feat of strength and balance, and then Claudio TOSSES Darby back into the ring! Darby writhes again while Claudio steps back in. Claudio stalks Darby, talks some trash, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Claudio looms over Darby, then deadlift gut wrenches for a GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! And then another GUTBUSTER! Darby writhes while Claudio stands over him again. Claudio watches Darby crawl towards a corner and stalks him. Claudio drags Darby up, brings him around, and ROCKS Darby with a forearm! Darby pushes Claudio, then CHOPS! Claudio DECKS Darby! Darby tumbles out of the ring! The ref wants Claudio to stay back while Darby drags himself up. Darby is back in before the count starts, but then Claudio DOUBLE STOMPS him! Claudio kicks Darby around, then clamps on with a neck wrench!
Darby endures, fights up, but Claudio powers him down. Darby BITES Claudio’s hand! The ref reprimands but Darby fires off forearms on Claudio. Claudio HIP TOSSES Darby up and out of the ring! Darby hits the floor and flounders around while the ref reprimands Claudio. Claudio again waits on Darby, and then he DOUBLE STOMPS Darby the moment he’s in! The ref counts as Claudio stands on Darby at the ropes. Claudio steps off at 4, brings him around, and clamps on an armlock and chinbar. Darby endures, fights around, and manages to fireman’s carry Claudio! But Claudio rains down elbows! HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL even!
Claudio clamps on with a double wristlock and he grinds Darby down. Darby still endures and the fans rally up again. Darby fights around and Dynamite returns to single picture. Darby fires body shots but Claudio knees low! Claudio then HIP TOSSES Darby into a corner! Darby tumbles out of the ring but Claudio pursues! Claudio SWINGS Darby into railing! Then Claudio fireman’s carries, to TOSS Darby back in the ring! Claudio storms in while Darby flounders away. Darby flops back out of the ring but Claudio pursues him again. Darby trips Claudio up and traps him in the apron skirt! Darby then fires forearms, and BITES Claudio’s ear!
The fans fire up but Claudio shoves Darby away. Darby slides into the ring then DIVES onto Claudio! And then runs to DIVE again! Down goes Claudio and the fans fire up! Darby crawls over to bring Claudio up and into the ring. The fans fire up as Darby climbs up a corner, though slowly given all the damage to his back. That lets Claudio trip Darby up! Darby is stuck up top, and Claudio climbs up after him. Claudio gut wrenches for a SUPER GUT WRENCH PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Darby survives and Claudio can’t believe it! The fans fire up but Claudio calls for the swing! Claudio grabs the legs, but Darby twists to a victory roll! TWO!!
Claudio escapes and runs up, but Darby ducks ‘n’ dodges, roll and- WHOA, Claudio has to fight to stay up, and then he deadlifts Darby! Darby pops through to CODE RED!! Cover, TWO!! Claudio survives and the fans fire up again! “This is Awesome!” as Darby and Claudio crawl for ropes. Claudio runs up to UPPERCUT! And UPPERCUT again and again and again! The ref backs Claudio off, but then Claudio fires off body shots! Darby flops over but Claudio has the legs. Claudio FLIPS Darby up and over the ropes, but Darby lands on the apron! Claudio BOOTS Darby down! The ref wants Claudio to hold on but Claudio goes out after Darby.
Claudio drags Darby by his legs, then SWINGS him around! Into steel steps!! The fans lose their minds, the ref reprimands Claudio, but Claudio doesn’t care. The fans tell Claudio he is sick, but Claudio TOSSES Darby over the announce desk!! Schiavone, Excalibur & Matt Menard narrowly avoid becoming collateral damage! But Claudio clears the desk and brings Darby up. Claudio puts Darby on the desk, then stands over him. The ref reprimands but Claudio just ignores him. Claudio drags Darby up, and gorilla presses him! SUPER DUPER TOSS onto the timekeeper’s table!! The fans lose their minds as Darby is down but that table’s somehow still standing!
The ref checks on Darby but Claudio storms right over! The ref tells Claudio to stop so they go to the ring. Claudio lets the ring count start, and yet Darby somehow stirs at 4 of 10! The fans rally as hard as they can and Darby crawls his way over! Darby is still far away at 7! But then he powers up and LEAPS in at 9!! But Claudio LARIATS Darby inside-out!! Cover, Claudio wins!
Winner: Claudio Castagnoli, by pinfall
Darby truly is relentless, with durability like no other, but it just wasn’t enough against the strength and brutality of Claudio! Will no one stop The Death Riders from running roughshod over AEW?
Backstage interview with Private Party.
Renee is with Marq Quen & Isiah Kassidy and brings up that at Full Gear, the AEW World Tag Team Championships are on the line in a Fatal 4 Way. Private Party takes on The Acclaimed, The Outrunners and The Kings of the Black Throne. In such a match, the champs do NOT have to be pinned or submitted to lose their titles, so what is their strategy? Brother Zay says they obviously can’t tell her that, the other teams are watching. But it seems like the odds are against them. Fortunately, the odds have been against them their whole lives, their whole careers, just like against The Young Bucks.
But look what happened: Private Party defied the odds, beat The Bucks, and are your AEW World Tag Team Champions. That is the same thing that happens on Saturday. They leave Newark, New Jersey still your tag team champions. Because there ain’t no party like a Private Party, that’s a flex. Oh, speaking of! It’s AJ & Big Justice! They’re fired up to be here, but Justice wants to know what that face Zay made was last week. Oh, right, this one, with the chin scratching. And AJ says they’ve got a BIG announcement coming up after this! Maybe some double chunk chocolate cookies? BOOM!!
A green Porsche Taycan pulls up to the middle of nowhere.
And out steps MJF. The Wolf of Wrestling tells the hobo to “go get it” as he throws spare change off to the side like birdseed. MVP then sits back and tells Roderick Strong, “You’ve been through so much. The kid who grew up trailer park trash with two abusive alcoholic parents. For crying out loud! Your own mother shot your father right in front of you. That’s traumatizing. And as you know, Roddy, trauma is the result of an overwhelming sense of danger, powerlessness and fear. However, healing is a result of feeling safe, empowered and supported. That’s why you’d do anything for Cole. He makes you feel all those positive things that you lacked.
“It’s why I was no different than you. It’s why I trusted him. Unfortunately, the difference between you and I: Cole for me was a mirage of what I wanted him to be. A fraud, a liar. And whilst Cole is a fraud, I do actually believe deep down, in his narcissistic, sociopathic, frail, feeble frame, is a man who cares about Roderick Strong. This is precisely why upon further contemplation, I am happy you won, Roddy. Because I want Adam Cole to watch a person he cares about suffer! And because of your White trash upbringing, you aren’t intelligent enough to realize that you don’t have a prayer. And I’m sending you back to where you belong. To your grimy little trailer park.
“And after the match, you’ll be in so much physical anguish, you’ll wish your mother hadn’t shot your father, but instead shot you.” As if this scumbag couldn’t stoop any lower, he brings up Roddy’s past to hurt him. But will Roddy make sure MJF’s future is the one full of pain and suffering?
Backstage interview with AJ & Big Justice.
Renee is with the Costco Tiktok sensations and says that in the Full Gear Zero Hour, we will see #BigBoomAJ take on QT Marshall in a match 20 YEARS in the making. AJ says it may have been 20 years in the making for QT, this all started for AJ when QT threw the double chunk chocolate cookies down! Renee says AJ has not been in the ring in those 20 years, is he concerned about how his body will hold up? AJ isn’t worried about that, because he just has one strategy, and that’s the strategy they use each and every day. That strategy is to bring the BOOM~! But hey, there’s another special announcement.
Because when AJ rings QT’s bell, and he Power-Booms QT right in the middle of that ring, there is only one guy they want ringing the bell: Big Justice’s best friend, THE RIZZLER! Time to bring the BOOM~! Will QT be sleeping on the mat for The Rizzler? Will he be skibidi? Fanum Tax? Why are those even words?
Tony Schiavone is on stage.
And he welcomes out The Undisputed Kingdom! The fans cheer as Roderick Strong makes his way out, accompanied by Matt Taven & Mike Bennett. Schiavone brings up Roddy VS MJF at Full Gear, and we just heard all that disgusting stuff MJF had to say. Roddy’s response is that to be honest, he has not slept a wink since last week. IT is finally happening! Roddy feels like a kid on Christmas morning. He finally gets his hands on “MAAAAAX~!” The fans echo that, and Roddy says if MJF was here tonight, and not hiding out there, Roddy would ask him: Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his childhood?
Is Roddy supposed to be ashamed of his parents? You don’t think Roddy’s heard that stuff before? His whole LIFE, that is what people brought up! His mom’s an addict, his dad’s an addict, mom shot dad. Good job, Max, you made Roddy feel like he was in elementary school again. And people may look at Roddy’s past and feel sorry for him, but Roddy asks us not to. Because looking at MJF, Roddy feels sorry for him. Understand this, Max. With Roddy’s life, he learned that to get the most out of life, you have to earn it. If you wanna break the cycle, you have to earn it. And that is what Roddy’s done ever since he was a kid!
And now looking at MJF, he’s been spoon-fed everything. And when something doesn’t go his way or something happens and he doesn’t like it, MJF throws a temper tantrum like a baby until that changes. So Roddy wants MJF to do something for him: Look in the mirror and think about all the things that MJF has done to people. The manipulating, the backstabbing, the using. MJF needs to realize, when the bell rings at Full Gear, MJF will pay for all those sins. With every chop, with every punch, with every elbow, with every backbreaker! And when it is all over, Roddy walks to his hotel room for the best night of sleep in his life because he earned it.
Especially because Roddy will know he has broken MJF’s back, and left him humbled! Roddy is all fired up, and the fans are with him! Will MJF finally get what’s coming to him? Or will he give Roddy nightmares for the rest of his life?
AEW shares footage taken from last Saturday night.
First, a recap video of Daniel Garcia thwarting Jack Perry’s attempts to abduct and torture Matthew Menard, as well as the joyride they took in the Scapegoat bus, with Perry as the hood ornament. And now, they have Perry strapped into a chair, the bus headlights as the only source of light. Menard is behind the camera as he asks Perry how he’s feeling. How’d that work out for him, huh? Garcia splashes Perry with water to wake him up, and says “Let’s have a conversation. I’m all ears.” Perry chuckles and says Garcia thinks he’s so much better than him. Look at where they are! Garcia shouts back that he doesn’t wanna be here!
Garcia just wants to wrestle, but AEW is full of savages! Perry tried to take Daddy Magic’s life! And those in power just sit back and watch, pretending that nothing’s going on. So what do they do? Gotta take the power back, right? Perry counters with, “Everybody’s got a code. Everybody cares about right and wrong until it costs them something. Until they have to SACRIFICE!” Garcia gets in Perry’s face, grabs him by the mouth, and says Perry’s always going on about sacrifice but Perry has no idea what Garcia’s had to go through! Perry has NO idea what Garcia’s had to sacrifice to be here!
Garcia knows where Perry wants him to go, but Garcia promises that he’s never gonna go there. Perry smirks, then SPITS in Garcia’s face. Garcia wipes that off his face and says bet. Garcia’s got something for Perry, so just wait right there. Garcia goes to the bus while Perry mockingly asks what he’s gonna do. Menard tells shut up, Jack! Life must be so hard for him! What’s Jack got to be sad about?! Garcia comes back and he has a crowbar! Perry dares him to go ahead. Garcia raises the bar, but he SMASHES up the bus! Garcia throws the crowbar away and Perry laughs. Is that it? Garcia tells Menard they’ll get out of here. What? Where’s Garcia going?
Perry says yeah, walk away. Menard tells Perry that Garcia’s gonna whoop his ass! Just wait! Menard leaves, Perry shouts into the night, but will The Face of TNT soon be the one sacrificed for the greater good?
Renee Paquette presides over the ROH World Championship contract signing.
She welcomes us backstage to the signing for this match, which will happen next week, Dynamite: Thanksgiving Eve, in Chicago. The challenger, Tomohiro Ishii, is on her left, and the champion, Chris Jericho, is on her right. Jericho, as champion, you have the honors to sign first. Jericho smiles and waves as he says, “Hi, guys.” But Renee, you should know better. A champion of Jericho’s caliber does not just sign a contract thrust at his face randomly. He has a whole legal team that needs to approve this contract. Renee says it was sent to said legal team last week. Oh, really? What about today? The now! Jericho lives in the now!
Jericho says he’ll get this checked by his legal eagles one more time. But for now, wait here. Choto matte kudesai. Jericho steps around the corner and then down the hall. He smiles at his own picture on the wall. What a good looking guy. But wait, Ishii has followed Jericho to the hall. Jericho is a bit worried as he keeps moving. Jericho tries to block Ishii’s path but a trash can isn’t enough. Jericho tells staffers that Ishii wants to talk to them. They step in the way but Ishii pushes them aside. Jericho moves faster, pushes more people in the way, but Ishii pushes them aside. Was that RJ City?
Jericho goes up some stairs but Ishii follows. Ishii’s even gaining ground! Jericho goes through a doorway and ends up in the concourse! Fans cheer as Jericho and Ishii keep up their cat ‘n’ mouse game. Jericho decides to go into the stands! Ishii follows, and they head down the bleachers towards ringside! Jericho hurries over railing but so does Ishii. They go into the ring, and now Jericho tells Ishii to stop following him! Jericho wants a mic, a mic is brought, and Jericho says hey, listen, Ishii. Jericho would sign this contract, but he doesn’t have a pen. Ishii has a pen! Oh. Ishii clicks it for Jericho, and pushes it into him.
Jericho takes the pen, looks at the contract again, and still hesitates. Jericho signs his part, and then hands things over to Ishii. But then BRYAN KEITH & BIG BILL ATTACK! It was all a massive set-up! Bad Apple & Redwood beat down Stone Pitbull, and then sit him up! Jericho has the pen ready, but here comes The Conglomeration! Mark Briscoe & Rocky Romero rush in, and Mark TACKLES Jericho! Rocky fires off on Bill while Mark CHOKES Jericho! Keith saves Jericho from Mark but Mark fires hands on Keith! The fans fire up, but then Bill SKYSCRAPER- NO, Mark UPPERCUTS Bill first! Rocky adds on!
The fans fire up as The Conglomeration pinballs Bill, and then Ishii CLOBBERS him! Bill tumbles out, but Rocky DIVES! Bill is sent into railing! Keith stands up, into a kick and underhooks! JAY DRILLER! Jericho stands up, Ishii has him, and hits a BRAINBUSTER!! Conglomeration stands tall over The Learning Tree and his Branches, and now Ishii signs his part! The match is now official, and Ishii is looking to take a bite out of Jericho! Will The Conglomeration have the ROH World Championship to be thankful for this year?
Backstage interview with Jamie Hayter.
Renee is with the former AEW Women’s World Champion and notes that last time, we were going to hear from her, only for her to be interrupted by Julia Hart. What is Hayter’s reaction to that? Well, yeah, she isn’t angry, but she is baffled why Julia chose to interrupt Hayter. They’ve never really spoken or interacted, or even wrestled each other. Hayter is just curious as to why Julia felt it was okay to do that. Granted, Julia can do whatever she wants, Hayter moves to the beat of her own drum just as much as Julia. But… if Julia wants to have a chat-
Uh oh, something is happening to the video! Brody King’s message echoes, “It’s time to come home.” Julia Hart walks through the woods. Brody says The House is her foundation. She has seen her rebirth. Now it is time to rebuild. She has woken up stronger, more determined, and more dangerous than ever. Julia aims her arrow to shoot down a target: her past self. Her obstacles are just bull’s eyes. She is the Princess of the Black Throne, and the Keeper of Secrets. She is Julia Hart, and her heart grows harder. She hits her mark, but will she find Hayter Hits Hard?
Orange Cassidy VS Wheeler Yuta!
Freshly Squeezed has been accused of being coldblooded and uncaring, but he got pretty heated as he told The Conglomeration to keep themselves safe tonight. He goes 1v1 with The Decoder, a young man who was once Cassidy’s student, and who left him behind to join the then Blackpool Combat Club. If anyone is uncaring, it is Yuta with how he would then follow Jon Moxley’s lead in the destruction of Bryan Danielson and Chuck Taylor. Who will be the more ferocious fighter tonight, this close to Full Gear?
The bell rings and Yuta SHOTGUNS Cassidy! Yuta follows Cassidy to a corner to CHOP, then ROCK, then CHOP again! Yuta whips corner to corner but Cassidy goes up and out. Cassidy bumps Yuta off buckles, climbs up top, but has to leap over. Yuta comes back but Cassidy catches him to a backslide! TWO, but Cassidy reels Yuta in for a cradle! TWO! Yuta pulls on an ear! But Cassidy arm-drags and wrangles Yuta into the SEATBELT! TWO!! Yuta escapes and the fans fire up as these two stand off. Yuta huffs ‘n’ puffs, but Cassidy shows he wants a grapple. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but Cassidy blocks a kick!
Cassidy reels Yuta in for a headlock, but Yuta powers up and out. Cassidy ducks ‘n’ rolls, tilt-o-whirls, but Yuta suplexes! Into STUN DOG MILLIONAIRE! Yuta tumbles out and fans fire up! Cassidy builds speed to DIVE! Down goes Yuta and the fans fire up again! Cassidy brings Yuta up, whips, but Yuta reverses to reel Cassidy in! Cassidy fights the suplex, but then Yuta fights a suplex. Yuta suplexes, to RAILING BRAINBUSTER!! Cassidy writhes and fans are stunned! Yuta stomps Cassidy, then leaves him behind for the ring count. Cassidy crawls into the ring, Yuta exposes a crossbar, and then he GRINDS Cassidy’s face into the steel!
The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Yuta steps off at 4. Cassidy seethes as he rises up, but Yuta has him at the corner. Cassidy kicks Yuta’s legs out and Yuta falls onto a turnbuckle! Yuta falls back, Cassidy climbs, but Yuta grabs Cassidy first! Yuta drags Cassidy down but Cassidy fires hands. Yuta squeezes the facelock tight, then hits an APRON DDT! The fans boo Yuta while Cassidy writhes, and Dynamite goes picture in picture.
Cassidy clutches his neck while Yuta waits in the ring. A ring count starts and Yuta eggs Cassidy on. Cassidy reaches up as the count reaches 5 of 10, but he doesn’t sit up until 6. Cassidy hobbles up, stumbles and falls, but springs back to life! He slides in at 9! Only for Yuta to be right on him! Yuta reels Cassidy in, but Cassidy turns that into BEACH BREAK! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy is too sore to be frustrated. They both sit up, and Yuta crawls his way over to a corner. Cassidy rises, checks his neck, then runs up, but into an ELBOW! Yuta goes up, but Cassidy JUMP FOREARMS! Cassidy positions Yuta just right before he climbs the corner.
Yuta resists but Cassidy still brings Yuta up. Yuta continues to fight the suplex, throws body shots, then shoves Cassidy down. Cassidy rolls back to his feet, runs back up the corner, but Yuta again fights the suplex! Cassidy fires hands, but Yuta fires back! They brawl up top, Cassidy HEADBUTTS Yuta! But Yuta HEADBUTTS back! They both wobble, but then Cassidy BITES Yuta! The ref reprimands, but Cassidy CLAWS Yuta’s back! This is very Moxley of him to do! And then Cassidy hits the SUPERPLEX! Both men are down and the ref checks. They’re both okay to continue, so a standing count begins!
Cassidy sits up, spots Yuta, and heads that way. Yuta sits up, they fire forearms as they stand! Dynamite returns to single picture as these shots go back and forth. The fans fire up for Cassidy but boo Yuta as the shots go faster and faster! Yuta BITES Cassidy’s forehead! Yuta spits then runs, but Cassidy dodges! BODY BLOW! SUPERKICK! Yuta sits down, Cassidy runs, PENALTY KICK! Cassidy slashes his throat, hauls Yuta up, BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Yuta survives but Cassidy seethes. Cassidy rains down fists on Yuta! The ref reprimands about closed fists and hair pulling, but Cassidy doesn’t stop until the ref counts 4.
Cassidy stands, and he throws off the elbow pad! Cassidy aims at Yuta, runs up, but Yuta ducks the punch! GERMAN SUPLEX! Yuta runs to CHOP in the corner! And then a wrench and PAIN THRILLER! The fans boo while Yuta seethes and stands over Cassidy. Yuta sits Cassidy up, for HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! But Cassidy blocks one! And bends fingers, to then SNAP them! The fans fire up as Cassidy SNAPS finger after finger! Yuta swings, Cassidy BOOTS him, then serves up SOLE FOOD! Scoop and MICHINOKU DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Cassidy is busting out all his best friends’ best moves, but he hasn’t gotten it done!
Cassidy aims, loads up, and ORANGE- NO, Yuta ducks! Orange fights the suplex, switches to O’Conner Roll! TWO, Yuta dodges Cassidy, scoops him, and CROSS LEG TOMBSTONE!! Cover, TWO?!? Cassidy survives and Yuta is furious! The fans are thunderous, but Yuta rains down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! Cassidy grits his teeth but he’s almost a ragdoll! Yuta lets off to then hook the arms, CATTLE MUTILATION!! Cassidy endures as Yuta thrashes him around! Cassidy powers up as the fans rally, and he kicks around to the ROPEBREAK!! Yuta holds on, the ref counts, and Yuta finally lets go at 4!
The ref reprimands Yuta, but Yuta pushes past the ref to go outside the ring. Yuta grabs a chair! Yuta storms into the ring while the fans boo, and the ref says don’t do it! Cassidy dodges the chair shot! Victory roll, CASSIDY WINS!!
Winner: Orange Cassidy, by pinfall
Yuta is in disbelief! Cassidy beat him with a technical move! Yuta snarls but the ref keeps him back. Cassidy did what he promised in beating Yuta, but then he stares his former student down. Is Cassidy going to offer a handshake? WAIT, PAC ATTACKS! The Bastard BOOTS Cassidy down so we’ll never know what Cassidy was going to do! The fans boo more but Pac & Yuta stand on Cassidy. The rest of the Death Riders appear, and Marina Shafir has duct tape! The AEW World Trios Champions stomp away on Cassidy, like vultures picking the bones. Moxley steps into the ring while Marina hands the tape over to Pac.
Claudio puts Cassidy’s hands in his pockets, and then Pac tapes them in! Cassidy is physically bound, and Moxley paces around. Cassidy is pushed around by all the Death Riders, then Moxley DECKS him! Claudio hauls Cassidy back up, the Death Riders keep bullying him, and then Moxley SLAPS Cassidy down! But the bullying continues as they stand Cassidy up. Cassidy “kicks” Moxley! Defiant to the end! But Moxley DECKS him again! Moxley paces around more, then stomps Cassidy right on the face! Moxley leads The Death Riders away, and The Conglomeration finally comes out here.
Mark has scissors to cut Cassidy loose, and the fans boo as The Death Riders still retreat. Cassidy tries to stand up, but he has to use ropes to do it. Even so, Cassidy stands on his own two feet. Moxley eggs on the fans while Cassidy puts his sunglasses on. And then hands up, and then into the pockets! Try as they might, The Death Riders could not break the Freshly Squeezed fighting spirit! Will Cassidy finally become AEW World Champion? Or will Moxley find a way to break Cassidy at Full Gear?
My Thoughts:
A great go-home Dynamite here, though it felt like it contracted Go Home Syndrome. A lot of recap and other promos, but good promos all the same. Good follow-up from last week with Hayter and Hart, that will probably really get going after Full Gear. Good promo from Mariah & Mina to hype up their celebration segment for Full Gear, and with Toni Storm’s announcement of her retirement, you can bet Toni is anything but retired! Toni Storm most assuredly will return very soon, maybe even to ruin the celebration and spark another feud. I still want us to get to Mariah VS Mina but maybe Storm moves things back so that Mariah VS Mina happens in 2025.
Good promo from Private Party to also have AJ & Big Justice show up. The promos didn’t really add much to any of the matches, though. I’m very sure AJ does hit the BOOM on QT to win, and then Private Party finds a way to survive the Fatal 4. Great stuff with Perry, Garcia and Menard, that was another very action movie kind of promo, maybe even like that grittier Batman movie. But with Garcia not sinking to the same lows as Perry, that will be why Garcia loses. Honestly, why not just have Perry blatantly get himself disqualified? What great heat for Perry while keeping Garcia strong in not becoming TNT Champion.
Great promos in this MJF story. I appreciate Cole throwing his support behind Roddy was good, as well as Kyle O’Reilly wanting Cole to just leave it at this. MJF of course insults Roddy over his past while also trashing Cole at the same time, but great response from Roddy. Also I’m not a car guy so it took me a little too long to Google out what car MJF was driving. Anyway, given all these promos, I am very confident MJF wins at Full Gear and then Cole still wants after MJF, only for Kyle to have to fight Cole to make him stop. Then we’ll maybe get Cole VS MJF at Worlds End, or even some time in 2025.
Very good stuff with The Hurt Syndicate, even with them getting jumped by Swerve. Poor Cheeseburger, that’s one fan favorite that got fed to Bobby Lashley. But Swerve getting the better of the Hurt Syndicate again and again tonight, all the more reason Lashley wins at Full Gear. Very good promo vignette from White and Hangman to hype up their grudge match, which still feels it could go either way since they’re tied on the year. And Jericho and Ishii had perhaps simultaneously the most clever and most ridiculous contract signing segment ever. And of course Jericho worked out some sort of trap, only for it to go badly for him and his team. But with that, that means Ishii is losing next week, as I figured he would.
Awesome opening match with the 8 Man, and I liked that they had Hobbs do the “fighting through the pain” angle in the match. Also, great bit with Kyle Fletcher sending Davis into harm’s way so that the Callis Family can get the better of Ospreay’s team. I thought the Faces were going to win here, but the math now says Ospreay finds a way to beat Kyle, and maybe Ricochet takes the International Championship from Konosuke Takeshita. The Continental Classic is coming, and they could easily use that round robin to get Konosuke back to a feud with Kazuchika Okada and they battle for the Continental Championship at Worlds End like we should’ve gotten at WrestleDream.
Awesome match from Kris VS Shida, and I appreciate the crisis of confidence for Shida. Kris gets a great win to go into Full Gear, and then Kris and Shida get the better of Mone & Kamille, so all the more reason Mone finds a way to survive. As for Kamille, I feel like she should ditch Mone for being treated like crap by Mone, and maybe we can get a feud of Mone VS Kamille going into 2025. And of course, plenty of promos from Death Riders and “Team AEW” members. Moxley just kinda went on and on about stuff he’s already said in reference to Cassidy, but I did like Claudio going bilingual in talking trash on Darby.
Awesome matches from those stories, of course. Darby really got thrown around but he continues to show that toughness. Claudio getting the win mostly keeps Darby back so that Darby can build towards a world title match at Worlds End. Cassidy VS Yuta was great stuff, too, with great back and forth of Cassidy wanting to end it quick, having to grit it out with Yuta, and then Cassidy still finding a way to end it with a quick pin. And they did a good job muddying the math. Cassidy wins the match, but the Death Riders beat him down, only for Cassidy to literally stand tall at the end of the show. I still don’t see him taking the world title from Moxley, though, with Darby still in the wings, but this could end up Cassidy’s best match yet.
My Score: 8.9/10
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Will this be the mightiest Tag League yet?
It’s time for NJPW World Tag League 2024, and this year already looks mighty good as IWGP World Heavyweight Champion, Zack Sabre Jr, is in the A Block! Will he and Ryohei Oiwa make everyone #JustTapOut?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Kickoff – Shoma Kato VS Masatora Yasuda; Kato wins.
- Six Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Jado & Katsuya Murashima VS Taiji Ishimori & The Filip Brothers; Taiji & The Filip Brothers win.
- Six Man Tag: Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg & Tiger Mask VS The House of Torture; The House of Torture wins.
- Six Man Tag: Taichi, Douki & Taka Michinoku VS The United Empire; Taichi, Douki & Taka win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS TMDK; TMDK wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman; Cobb & Callum win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; Takagi & Tsuji win.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens; Bishamon wins.
- World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA; ZSJ & Oiwa win.
PLAY BY PLAY
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma VS Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman!
The Roughneck is bringing Everyone’s Kokeshi along for the ride, but this league might already be too much to handle. Can Honma help Shota bring about his Paradigm Shift? Or will they just get conquered by the United Empire?
The teams sort out and Shota starts against The Imperial Unit. The bell rings and Shota runs up to RAM Cobb! And RAM! And RAM! Cobb stays up so Shota kicks low. Shota runs to RAM Cobb, but Cobb rebounds to CLOBBER Shota! The fans cheer while Cobb stalks Shota. Cobb brings Shota up to whip him to a corner. Shota comes back to RAM Cobb! Cobb stays up, so Shota clinches! Cobb fights free with elbows, but Shota dodges a lariat to RAM Cobb! Cobb falls over! The fans fire up with Shota, and he brings Cobb up again. Callum runs in so Shota shoves Cobb aside to catch Callum. Shota shoves Callum at Honma for a shoulder tackle!
The fans fire up as Shota keeps moving and he SOMERSAULT SENTONS Callum! Shota then sets up so he and Honma can tabletop Cobb! Cobb sits up into Shota’s SHOTGUN! The fans fire up and Shota tags Honma. The fans rally behind Honma as he CLUBS Cobb. Honma reels Cobb in, but Cobb suplexes first! Cobb SLAMS Honma down, then calls for Callum. Callum rises but Cobb says hold on. The “Cobby Cat” mocks Honma by bopping himself on the head. Cobb then runs to FALLING KOKESHIÂ FLOP! Honma winds up and runs, but Callum is in the way! Cobb runs up, Honma dodges the lariat but Callum tags in.
Cobb dodges Honma, then shoves him at Callum. They pinball Honma around, and Callum BOOTS Honma while Cobb BLASTS Shota! Then Callum & Cobb coordinate to HIGH LOW with a shoulder tackle and leg sweep! The fans cheer and Cobb says You Can’t See Him! Callum stomps Honma, then KICKS him in the back. Honma gets mad but Callum scuffs him again and again. Honma rises, CHOPS, and CHOPS again! Callum CHOPS and pretends that hurt his hand. Callum CLUBS Honma down but the fans rally up. Honma rises to CHOP! And CHOP! And CHOP! Callum kicks low, reels him in, but Honma fights the suplex!
Honma catches Callum’s lariat to spin and DDT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Callum and Honma crawl, but Honma hot tags Shota! Shota rallies on Callum with big elbows! Shota whips, Callum reverses, but SHota ducks ‘n’ dodges to CLOBBER Callum! Cobb runs up, but Shota arm-drags him, then dropkicks the legs out! Cobb bails, Shota fires up, and the fans rally again. Shota whips Callum corner to corner, runs up on him, and UPPERCUTS! Shota reels Callum in for a FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota doesn’t let that slow him down!
Shota waits on Callum, then runs, but Callum avoids Ignition to hook Shota! Shota fights the backslide so Callum whips him to a corner. Callum runs up but Shota dodges! Shota runs up but Callum goes up and over! Callum keeps moving, but Shota ROCKS him, UPPERCUTS him, and runs! Callum follows to ROCK Shota at the ropes! Callum runs, but then stops to fake out Shota’s dropkick! Shota sits up, but he ducks the Penalty Kick! Shota rolls Callum but Callum rolls through. Shota ROCKS Callum, then spins, but Callum dodges the rolling elbow! DREAMCAST KICK! Shota drops to his knees and the fans fire up!
Callum and Shota crawl, hot tag to Cobb! Cobb runs up to waistlock Shota for a deadlift! Shota fights with elbows, goes to run, but Cobb reels him in for a forearm to the back! Cobb runs, but Shota DROPKICKS him! The fans fire up again and Shota heads for his corner. Hot tag to Honma! The fans rally as Honma CHOPS Cobb, and CHOPS, and CHOPS! Honma puts Cobb in a corner, whips him corner to corner, then runs up. Honma ELBOWS Cobb and hits a BULLDOG! The fans fire up as Honma shows Cobb how it’s done! FALLING KOKESHI- NO! Now Honma FLOPS as Cobb moves! Callum runs up to SHOTGUN Shota off the apron!
The fans fire up as Cobb RAMS Honma into the corner! Callum runs up to forearm SMASH! Callum drops down and Cobb LEAPS over to ELBOW Honma! Callum comes back and Cobb pops him up to the apron! ENZIGIRI, then fireman’s carry! Callum climbs, DOUBLE STOMP ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT! PENALTY KICK and GACHIMUCHI MOONSAULT! Cover, Shota breaks it! The fans fire up and Shota TOSSES Callum! Cobb kicks Shota, whips, but Shota reverses to TORNADO DDT! Shota shouts to Honma and the fans fire up again. Honma rises and he storms up on Cobb. Honma & Shota double whip corner to corner!
Honma runs up to LARIAT! Honma feeds Cobb to Shota’s UPPERCUT! Honma LARIATS, Shota clinches, EXPLODER!! The fans cheer and Honma runs, SLIDING KOKESHI! Shota keeps moving, IGNITION! Honma covers, Callum breaks it! Shota stomps Callum out of the ring and leaves the rest to Honma. Honma drags Cobb up, but Cobb fights the suplex! Cobb ROCKS Honma, whips him, but Honma grabs ropes! Honma BOOTS Cobb, and Shota joins in! DOUBLE RUNNING KOKESHI! And then they DOUBLE FALLING KOKESHI! Cover, TWO!! Cobb survives but Shota goes after Callum! CANNONBALL to the floor!
The fans fire up again as Honma climbs! FLYING- NO, Cobb catches Honma! SPINEBUSTER, and FALLING HAMMER! Cover, TWO!! Honma survives and the fans fire up again! But then Cobb reels Honma in, for a TOUR OF THE ISLAND!! Cover, United Empire wins!
Winners: Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Shota & Honma earn 0)
A powerful showing from “The Kokeshi Brothers,” but they could not bring down Callum & Cobb. With the IWGP Heavyweight Tag Team Championships already on Great-O-Khan & Henare, will The United Empire completely dominate the NJPW Heavyweight Tag Division?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji VS Alex Zayne & ???
Los Ingobernables de Japon’s heavy formation is in this block, ready to rampage like twin dragons. If only The Sauce could’ve brought his own monster back. Who will be the substitute for Lance Archer? And can he help heat things up?
Zayne makes his entrance before anyone else, and asks to speak on the mic. A mic is given, and Zayne says, “Kon’nichiwa.” The fans applaud, and Zayne explains that when he was contacted this year for WTL, he was also informed that Lance Archer could not make it. Zayne knew he had to do one thing: find the most “delicious” tag partner he could find. And that man is… RYUSUKE TAGUCHI!? The fans can’t believe the Funky Weapon is joining Zayne in this tournament! And he wears a green version of Zayne’s gear! Are things about to get really spicy now?
The teams sort out, and Takagi is in disbelief. LIJ fist bumps and the fans applaud. Taguchi and Zayne bow, “Itadakimasu,” and Zayne starts against Yota. They circle, tie up, and Yota powers Zayne back. But Zayne powers Yota back! Yota powers up to power Zayne onto the ropes, but Zayne turns things around. The ref counts, Zayne lets off slowly with a pat on the shoulders, but Yota plays with Zayne’s hair. Zayne smirks and Yota grins as the two reset. They circle, tie up, and are in a deadlock. Yota headlocks, but Zayne powers up and out. Yota RAMS Zayne but neither man falls. Fans cheer as Yota grins and Zayne plays with his own hair.
Things speed up suddenly, and Zayne sidesteps. Yota bucks the O’Conner Roll, then gets around Zayne. Zayne ELBOWS Yota away to a corner. Zayne runs up to BACK ELBOW and go to the apron in one go! Then he slingshots to RANA! Yota has a rough tumble, but he stands back up. Zayne runs up again, dodges the lariat and waistlocks, only to bring Yota back and run. Yota sidesteps Zayne then drops down, only for Zayne to IMPLODER KNEE DROP! The fans fire up but Zayne keeps moving, STANDING MARIPOSA! The fans cheer more while Zayne grins at Takagi. Zayne brings Yota up, tags Taguchi, and they double whip.
“Funky Sauce” misdirects Yota to hit a BULLDOG then basement dropkick! Cover, TWO! The fans cheer and Taguchi stomps Yota. Taguchi brings Yota up, kicks low, then whips. Yota reverses but Taguchi RANAS! A little slippery, but then Zayne BLASTS Takagi off the apron! Funky Sauce takes aim, Taguchi PLANCHASÂ but flops as Yota moves! Zayne is on the apron but Takagi YANKS Zayne down! The fans rally but Takagi hauls Zayne up to whip him into railing! Yota drags Taguchi up and puts him in the ring. Takagi gets the fans fired up, then he stands Taguchi up. LIJ double whip Taguchi to then DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE!
The fans cheer and then Takagi SENTONS! Yota SPLASHES down! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this but Yota tags Takagi. The fans rally and duel while Takagi stands Taguchi up. Takagi bumps Taguchi off buckles, RAMS into him again and again, then digs his shoulder in. The ref counts, Takagi steps back, and he snapmares Taguchi down. Tag to Yota and Yota drags Taguchi up. Yota snapmares Taguchi to ROCK him in the back! Taguchi falls back, Yota tags Takagi, and LIJ drags Taguchi up. They DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! Taguchi hobbles in pain, falls to his knees, and Takagi BLASTS Zayne off the apron!
Takagi gets annoyed with this Funky Sauce, but Taguchi fires off CHOPS! Taguchi runs, but Takagi easily dodges the hip attack! Takagi then suplexes Taguchi high and hard! Cover, TWO! Taguchi survives and the fans fire up. Takagi hears the fans dueling as he stomps Taguchi. Takagi KNEES Taguchi against the ropes again and again, then whips, for another KNEE! Takagi runs, but into a SOMERSAULT HIP ATTACK! The fans fire up while both men are down! Taguchi and Takagi crawl, hot tag to Zayne! Zayne jumps in and DECKS Takagi, then he BLASTS Yota! Zayne swats a lariat to fire elbow after ELBOW!
Takagi blocks the superkick to CLUB the leg! Yota joins in, LIJ whips Zayne, but Zayne KICKS Takagi, mule kicks Yota, and runs, DOUBLE SOMERSAULT KICKS! The fans fire up and Zayne runs at Takagi. Takagi ELBOWS Zayne, BOOTS him, then goes up. Zayne returns to JUMPING STEINERS! The fans fire up while Zayne covers, TWO! Takagi stays in this but Zayne brings him right up. Zayne goes to scoop but Takagi fights it! Zayne CHOPS, scoops, and BAJA- NO, Takagi slips free! SLIDING- NO, Zayne dodges! Zayne mule kicks, runs, but into the ELBOW! JAB! YUKONÂ feint and DDT! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up!
Takagi pounds the mat, the fans rally behind him, and he crawls, hot tag to Yota! Yota fires up and the fans are with him. Yota brings Zayne around to whip, but Zayne stops himself. Zayne dodges Yota, Yota dodges Zayne, and both men kick low! Yota comes back to BOOT! The fans cheer and Yota brings Zayne up again. Yota fireman’s carries but Zayne fights free. Yota ROCKS Zayne first! Yota tries another fireman’s carry but Zayne sunset flips it! TWO, and both men stand! Zayne rolls Yota, BASEMENT ENZIGIRI! Zayne hurries to hot tag Taguchi! Taguchi HIP ATTACKS in a corner! Taguchi goes corner to corner, for another HIP ATTACK!
Taguchi keeps moving, but Yota runs up! Taguchi dropkicks Yota’s legs out! The fans fire up and Taguchi keeps going! Another dropkick to legs, then a LEG SWEEP! Taguchi rolls Yota into the OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Zayne BOOTS Takagi off the apron! Yota scrambles to the ROPEBREAK! Taguchi lets go but he brings Yota back up. Taguchi traps Yota and Zayne runs in to ELBOW! Zayne then sets up and Taguchi runs, SHOTGUN IN MOTION! Taguchi then brings Yota out to GOURD BUSTER! The fans fire up as Zayne climbs! But Yota KICKS Taguchi away, then GAMANGIRIS Zayne off the corner!
Taguchi kicks Yota, runs, but into a scoop and BACKBREAKER! Takagi slides in, and he finds the camera, “TOKI GA KITA!” The fans fire up as the time has come, and they join in on a chant of “OI! OI! OI!” LIJ whips Taguchi to a corner, then Yota runs in to ELBOW! Takagi whips Yota back in to SPLASH! Takagi adds a LARIAT, then feeds Taguchi to a BOOT! BLINDSIDE LARIAT! SUPERKICK! Taguchi is down, Yota covers, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans fire up. Takagi stands Taguchi up and throws him to Yota for a POWERBOMB! Cover, Zayne breaks it! Takagi drags Zayne up, LIJ mugs him, but he fights back with CHOPS!
The fans fire up but Yota spins Zayne around to facelock, and Takagi wheelbarrows. Yota helps Takagi swing Taguchi down, then up for a BOOSTED WHEELBARROW GERMAN!! The fans fire up and Takagi leaves it to Yota. Yota takes aim and the fans rally. Taguchi rises, Yota runs in, GENE- LEG DROP!? And then La Magistrol! TWO!! Yota escapes in time, but Taguchi spins him to a backslide! TWO!! Yota escapes again! But Taguchi ENZIGIRIS! Taguchi fires up and the fans are with him! But Takagi LARIATS! GENE TRIGGER! PUMPING BOMBER!! And now Yota loads up, for the GENE BLASTER!! Cover, LIJ wins!
Winners: Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Zayne & Taguchi earn 0)
The Funky Sauce was hot, but they’re the ones that got burned! Will they be able to spice things up in the second round? Will Takagi & Tsuji keep the tag league tranquilo?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Bishamon VS KENTA & Chase Owens!
Hirooki Goto & Yoshi-Hashi once again clash with The Fang & The Jewel, both sides hungry for gold. Will it be Lights Out in the opening round? Or will someone just #Go2Sleep?
The teams sort out but then Bullet Club just attacks! Chase is after Goto and Kenta is after Hashi, and they put each man in corners. The bell rings to get this on record as Kenta TOSSES Hashi. Chase CHOKES Goto in the corner, then stands on him! The ref reprimands and Chase lets off to bring Goto up. Chase ROCKS Goto, whips him, and Kenta POSTS Hashi! Chase hits a big hip toss then covers, TWO! The fans rally up while Chase stomps Goto’s leg. Chase scrapes his sole off Goto’s face, and Kenta whips Hashi again. Hashi reverses and Kenta hits railing in front of English commentary! Chase ROCKS Goto, CHOPS him, then whips.
Goto grabs ropes to stop, then he BOOTS Chase! Hashi returns and Bishamon DOUBLE SHOULDER TACKLE! Then ZENMAI! Kenta returns but Bishamon kicks him first. “Se no!” Bishamon BEATS Kenta like a drum! The fans cheer and Bishamon flexes. Goto then goes back to Chase to stomp and CLUB him down. Goto kicks Chase, Chase shoves Goto and ROCKS him with a forearm! Goto knees Chase low, runs, but Chase TOSSES Goto out! Goto hurries back up, he counter punches Chase, and then counter punches Kenta! Chase slips out to YANK Goto down and THROW him into railing! Kenta intercepts Hashi with a kick!
Kenta whips Hashi away into railing while Chase sends Goto into other railing! The ref reprimands but Chase brings Goto through the gate. Chase has fans move out of the way, but then brings Goto back to ringside. Chase grins as he trolls the fans and pushes Goto into the ring. Kenta CLUBS away on Hashi before leaving him behind. Chase pulls on Goto’s arms then TWEAKS Goto’s neck! Not a twist, but equally painful. Chase tags Kenta while the fans rally for “GO-TO-O! GO-TO-O!” Kenta pushes Goto into the corner, Goto hits Chase, but Kenta RAMS Goto! The ref reprimands and counts as Kenta RAMS Goto more!
Kenta sits Goto down, and digs his boot in! The ref counts, Kenta stops at 4, and he tags Chase back in. They stomp Goto more, then Chase headlocks for a sucker punch! Cover, TWO! Chase drags Goto up and he bumps Goto off Kenta’s boot. Tag to Kenta and Bullet Club double whips. They DOUBLE ELBOW Goto down then Kenta covers, TWO! Kenta covers again, TWO! Kenta argues with the ref but the count was fair. Kenta drops an elbow, drops another elbow, then covers, TWO! Kenta gets mad at Hashi for no reason, but the fans rally up for Goto. Kenta CLUBS Goto, but Goto fires CHOPS in return!
Kenta knees low, whips Goto to a corner, but Goto reverses. Goto runs up but into a BOOT! Kenta runs but Goto follows! Goto avoids Chase’s cheap shot to LARIAT Kenta! The fans fire up while Goto and Kenta are down! Goto crawls, hot tag to Hashi! The fans fire up as Hahsi BLASTS Chase! Kenta kicks Hashi low then whips him to a corner. Kenta runs up but Hashi CHOPS in return! And mule kicks! And turns Kenta for a NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up and Hashi watches Kenta. Hashi waits on Kenta to rise, then runs up to CHOP! Hashi hoists Kenta up to hang him out to dry! The fans fire up as Hashi runs, and he DROPKCISK Kenta down! Cover, TWO!
The fans cheer Hashi on as he brings Kenta up. Hashi reels Kenta in, lifts, but Kenta fights with fists! Kenta slips free of the bomb, then slips around Hashi to spin and- NO, Hashi suplexes first! But Kenta slips free again, and he spins Hashi around, to SPIKE DDT! Hashi is stood up on his head before falling over, and Kenta tags in Chase. Chase brings Hashi up and fireman’s carries. Hashi fights free of that, but Chase slips around to half nelson, lift, and SWINGING FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Hashi survives but Chase says time to end this! Chase takes aim, C- NO, Hashi dodges the trigger! Chase knees low, runs, but Hashi dropkicks the legs!
The fans fire up whiel both men are down! Chase clutches his leg while Hashi crawls. Hot tag to Goto! Goto runs at Chase to LARIAT in the corner! Goto whips corner to corner, runs up again, but Chase BOOTS him! But Goto comes back! Only for Chase to BUCKLE SHOT and STO, then SENTON! Kenta steps in and Bullet Club drags Goto up. But Goto fires forearms and CHOPS! Kenta SOBATS! Chase KICKS! Kenta ROUNDHOUSES! Goto sits up into the “I HATE YOU!” PENALTY KICK! Cover, but Hashi breaks it! Kenta TOSSES Hashi then goes out after him. Chase drags Goto up and reels him in.
Chase tucks the arms but Goto fights the lift! Goto wrenches out but Chase ROCKS him first! Chase runs, Goto follows, but Chase ENZIGIRIS! Goto stays up, but the C-TRIGGER hits! Cover, TWO!! Goto survives but Chase hurries up! C-TRIGGER POINT BLANK!! And then the tuck for the PACKAGE PILE- NO, Hashi hits a BLOCKBUSTER! The fans fire up, Kenta BOOTS Hashi! Goto fireman’s carries Kenta but Kenta slips free! Kenta shoves Goto into Hashi, then waistlocks Goto. Goto fights the lift, and then ducks, HIDDEN GAP SUPERKICK for Kenta! The fans fire up as Bishamon regroups.
Hashi drags Chase up, whips him to Goto, but Chase BOOTS Goto! Chase swings on Hashi but Hashi ducks the lariat. Hashi powers Chase to ropes, Goto BLINDSIDE LARIATS, and then Hashi rolls Chase. Goto drags Chase up, Hashi has the legs! Chase BOOTS Hashi away! Chase then slips around to dragon sleeper, to steal G T- NO, Goto drops down to victory roll! Chase stands up, into a SUPERKICK! Goto drags Chase around while Hashi BLASTS Kenta! Dragon sleeper and SHOTO!! Cover, Bishamon wins!!
Winners: Bishamon, by pinfall (gain 2 points; Kenta & Chase earn 0)
Another classic in this storied rivalry, worthy of the titles themselves! Will this first win be the win that leads the Fierce Warrior & Headhunter back to the titles? Can Kenta & Chase borrow a page from Bishamon and #GetBackUp in the next round?
World Tag League 2024 A Block: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa VS Gabe Kidd & SANADA!
TMDK has a team in each block, doubling their chances of taking this league. But perhaps burying the lead is the fact that THE IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is joining in the fun! Will The Front Man & The Mullet rock this league right from the start? Or will the Mad Man and the turncoat Cold Skull get this tournament #WarReady?
The teams sort out but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face. Gabe pushes Oiwa, they start, and they tie up at the bell. The fans rally as Oiwa and Gabe are in a deadlock. They go around at center, then Oiwa digs his heels in to push Gabe back. Gabe turns things around to put Oiwa on ropes, but Red Shoes calls the break. Gable lets off, to then CHOP! Gabe scoops and SLAMS Oiwa, then he goes for legs. Oiwa UPKICKS Gabe, then stands up to scoop and SLAM Gabe! Gabe UPKICKS back, both men get up and go face to face. Then they go forearm for forearm! The fans rally as Oiwa gets the edge, but Gabe CHOPS!
Gabe headlocks. Oiwa powers up and out, and they RAM shoulders! Gabe eggs OIwa on and he runs to RAM Gabe! They both run now, and they RAM shoulders again, and again, and again! Gabe CHOPS then runs, but Oiwa CLOBBERS Gabe! The fans fire up while Gabe bails out. Oiwa eggs Gabe on and Gabe snarls. Gabe shakes the railing in frustration, then he paces around the outside. Gabe cools off, slides in, but then tags Sanada. Sanada steps in slowly, so Oiwa tags in ZSJ. The two rivals circle and the afns rally behind “ZAKKU! ZAKKU!” ZSJ and Sanada feel things out, knuclke lock, and ZSJ rolls to wrench.
Sanada is already frustrated so he kicks ZSJ low! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and then Gabe goes after Oiwa! Gabe CHOPS away on Oiwa while Sanada sends ZSJ into railing! And then more railing! Gabe does the same to Oiwa, and Sanada storms up on ZSJ. Sanada CLAWS ZSJ’s back, a definite attitude change showing. Gabe Too Sweets with Taiji Ishimori on commentary while Sanada pushes ZSJ into the ring. Sanada whips ZSJ to a corner, but ZSJ goes up, under, around, and RAMS into Sanada! ZSJ snapmares, Sanada handsprings through, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS him down! Tag to Oiwa and he BLASTS Gabe!
Oiwa goes back to Sanada and stands him up. Oiwa wrenches an arm, YANKS it, then wrenches to YANK it again. Oiwa tags ZSJ and ZSJ brings Sanada around to wrench, step over, and wrangle into a mounted armbar! Sanada endures as ZSJ bends the fingers and isolates the arm, to STOMP it! The fans cheer, ZSJ tags Oiwa, and Oiwa CLUBS Sanada’s arm. Oiwa headlocks for a takeover, then isolates the arm in an short arm scissor! The fans rally while Sanada endures and kicks around. Sanada reaches out, ROPEBREAK! Red Shoes calls it, Oiwa lets Sanada go, but then Oiwa brings Sanada up.
Oiwa whips, Sanada reverses, and Gabe trips Oiwa up! Sanda BLASTS ZSJ while Oiwa drags Oiwa out of the ring! Now things spill out into the crowd! Gabe CHOPS Oiwa, then SMACKS him off empty chairs! Sanada BOWLS ZSJ into chairs! Not quite a strike, so Sanada JAMS ZSJ up with a chair! That picks up the spare, and we can hear Gabe’s CHOPS on Oiwa echo out. Gabe stomps Oiwa while Sanada CHOKES ZSJ with a chair! Red Shoes reprimands the War Dogs, but Gabe POSTS Oiwa! Gabe says War Dogs run this, but Red Shoes starts a ring count. Gabe flexes on Oiwa, then drags him up at 7 of 20.
Gabe puts Oiwa in at 10 and Sanada covers, TWO! Oiwa stays in this and the fans rally behind him. Sanada is annoyed but he brings Oiwa up. Sanada CLUBS Oiwa, then bumps him off Gabe’s boot. Oiwa sputters while Sanada tags Gabe in. Gabe drags Oiwa up, mockingly asks where Zack-senpai went, then he UPPERCUTS Oiwa down. Gabe TOSSES Oiwa out, and he BLASTS ZSJ off the apron! Sanada whips Oiwa into railing! Gabe lifts ZSJ bu tZSJ wrenches free to KIMURA! Gabe powers through, to BITE ZSJ on the forehead! Sanada sends Oiwa into more railing, Gabe sends ZSJ through railing and into chairs!
Sanada BOWLS Oiwa into chairs now, there is the strike! Sanada continues to show his new edge as he JAMS Oiwa up with a chair. Red Shoes reprimands so Sanada brings Oiwa back to ringside. Sanada puts Oiwa in for Gabe and Gabe pushes Oiwa to a cover. Red Shoes says no, all the shenanigans were not right. Gabe gets in Red Shoes’ face about that, but Red Shoes stands his ground. Gabe storms around while the fans rally behind Oiwa. Gabe drags Oiwa up, to CHOP! Oiwa wobbles but he rises up. Oiwa CHOPS, and CHOPS, and fires forearms! Gabe DECKS Oiwa with just one! The fans still rally for Oiwa but Gabe stands on Oiwa’s face!
Gabe soaks up the heat, scuffs Oiwa and stomps him around. Oiwa sits up, Gabe runs, but Oiwa reels him in! Gabe fights the waistlock, runs, but into a SNAP GERMAN! The fans fire up while both men are down! Oiwa and Gabe crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Sanada! The fans fire up as ZSJ dodges Sanada, full nelsons, then spins him to a headlock. Sanada powers out but ZSJ catches him to a COBRA TWIST! Sanada powers out to HIP TOSS, but ZJS UP KICKS! Sanada avoids the Penalty Kick, blocks the boot, but ZSJ steps through the dragon screw to NECK TWIST! And basment DROPKICK! The fans fire up and we’ve only hit 10 minutes!
ZSJ drags Sanada up, UPPERCUTS him, then UPPERCUTS again! Sanada blocks the next to spin and suplex, but ZSJ says no to the Magic Screw! NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Sanada escapes but ZSJ stays focused. ZSJ stands Sanada up to scoop, but Sanada slips free. ZSJ fights the waistlock, runs, but into a dropkick to the legs! Sanada then DROPKICKS ZSJ down! Sanada fireman’s carries but ZSJ slips free, to have the IRON OCTOPUS! The fans rally while Sanada endures, and Sanada powers out to have a leg! DROPPING DRAGON SCREW! ZSJ clutches the leg and Sanada takes aim! SHINING-
NO, ZSJ ducks, but Sanada catches him to a backslide! ZSJ rolls through to NECK TWIST! Tag to Oiwa and Oiwa BLASTS Gabe off the apron! Oiwa goes back to Sanada and brings him up. Oiwa whips Sanada to ropes, ELBOWS Him down, then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada! Oiwa deadlift GUT RWENCH PLEXES! Cover, Gabe breaks it! Gabe CHOPS away on ZSJ and Oiwa, but ZSJ blocks! Oiwa DOUBLE CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS! ZSJ & Oiwa DOUBLE DROPKICK Gabe down! The fans fire up with Oiwa and he clamps onto Sanada with a SLEEPER! Sanada endures and fights up, but Oiwa thrashes him around!
Sanada still fights to his feet, slips around the back, and shoves Oiwa to ropes. Gabe trips Oiwa up! Oiwa kicks at Gabe but Sanada kicks ropes to jam Oiwa up! Sanada suplexes Oiwa into the MAGIC SCREW! Both men are down but the fans rally up again. Sanada crawls over, tag to Gabe, and Gabe storms right up on Oiwa. Gabe UPPERCUTS Oiwa right down! Gabe then puts Oiwa in a corner to fire off forearm after forearm! Red Shoes reprimands and counts, but Gabe digs his boots in while talking trash. Gabe shoves Red Shoes aside so he can keep stomping away on Oiwa! The fans rally and Red Shoes backs Gabe off.
Gabe seethes but the fans continue to rally for Oiwa. Oiwa grits his teeth as he sits up, but Gabe ROCKS him with another shot! Oiwa still looks up defiantly at Gabe, so Gabe fires shots! Gabe says Oiwa’s not worthy of being his NJPW Strong Openweight Challenger. Gabe says Oiwa’s just some “weak ass kohai!” Gabe SPITS on Oiwa, but Oiwa gets in Gabe’s face! Gabe fires slapping strikes, blocks a shot, then SLAPS Oiwa again! Oiwa spins to DOUBLE CHOP Gsbe down! Sanada runs up and kicks low! Sanada whips, Oiwa reverses, but Sanada reverses back, RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! ZSJ PENALTY KICKS Sanada!
Gabe runs up, ZSJ BOOTS him first! Gabe runs back in, slips out of the scoop, and he scoops ZSJ for EMERALD FLOWSON!! But Oiwa spins Gabe! Gabe avoids The Grip, runs, but into a LARIAT!! Cover, TWO!! Oiwa is frustrated but the fans rally behind him. Oiwa hauls Gabe up, ANACONDA PLEX!! Cover, TWO!! Gabe survives again but Oiwa roars! Oiwa drags Gabe up, reels him in, but Gabe fights the gut wrench! Gabe CLUBS Oiwa on the back, then he gut wrenches! Oiwa fights back, wrenches out, and he blocks a lariat to spin. Gabe HAYMAKERS, and SAIDOS!! Gabe crawls his way to the cover, TWO!!
The fans are thunderous as Oiwa survives! Gabe snarls and he drags Oiwa up. Gabe says this is the end. But Oiwa fights the suplex! Oiwa suplexes, but Gabe fights it! Oiwa still tries, but Gabe slips out to waistlock. Sanada DROPKCIKS Oiwa, Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe & Sanada work together to DOUBLE SUPLEX! Gabe suplexes again, BRAINBUSTER!! Cover, ZSJ BREAKS IT! Sanada TOSSES ZSJ out and tells Gabe to finish this! ZSJ RAMS Sanada, they brawl outside, and Gabe slashes his throat. Gabe drags Oiwa up, reels him in, but Oia slips through the gut wrench to backslide! TWO, and Gabe UPPERCUTS!
Gabe runs, but ZSJ is back! He BOOTS Gabe but Gabe SLAPS ZSJ! ZSJ KICKS the haymaker away to then ROUNDHOUSE Gabe! Sanada’s in to dragon sleeper! ZSJ arm-drags free, but Sanada comes back to SHINING WIZARD! Sanada then drags ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops first! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ and Sanada flop out of the ring, leaving Oiwa and Gabe to rise up. They run at each other, to DOUBLE LARIAT! neither man falls, they DOUBLE LARIAT again! Gabe UPPERCUTS! Oiwa PALM STRIKES! Gabe PALM STRIKES, CHOPS, JABS, rebounds, into a roll-up! Hig stack, TMDK WINS!!
Winners: Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa, by pinfall
Gabe is in shock! He gets right in Red Shoes’ face but Red Shoes says it was a fair count! Gabe then goes after Oiwa to CLOBBER him! The fans boo and Young Lions rush in, but Gabe eggs Oiwa on! So Oiwa obliges and they brawl among the fans! The Young Lions rush in to separate the two, but Gabe gets loose to CLOBBER Oiwa! They scrap, ZSJ joins in, and he pulls the two apart. Gabe kicks a chair in frustration, then goes into retreat. Wait, Oiwa chases Gabe to the ramp and beats him down! Young Lions again scramble in to stop this, but it just heads to the back! Sanada shrugs it off, will the #ColdWarDogs just have to try harder in the next round?
As for the winners, well, they’re no longer ringside so there won’t be any in-ring closing words. Backstage interviews begin, Gabe promises Oiwa will be put in the ground! Will the Mad Man show The Mullet what it takes to be NJPW Strong? As for ZSJ, he gathers himself, and tells NJPW Media that he doesn’t know where The Mullet went. Actually, no, he has an idea: The Mullet must be smashing the s*it outta Gabe. “Roy The Mullet” is the next NJPW Strong Openweight Champion! Oiwa will hit Gabe so hard, his legs will turn into trombones! As for ZSJ, there is something rare happening in this year’s WTL, isn’t it?
Yes, it’s that the IWGP World EFFIN’ Heavyweight Champion is involved, as this should be! The first time the world champion’s been in this tournament in roughly a decade! ZSJ said he was gonna be a different kind of world champion for NJPW, and that he promises to take NJPW back to the top! Now obviously, a conflict of interests, as this tournament is Shane Haste’s & Mikey Nicholls’ to win, but ZSJ won’t give the boys an easy ride. ZSJ is dreaming~ of an all TMDK World Tag League finals! Then who knows, maybe Zack & Roy get the job done.
But ZSJ knows the Tokyo Dome is coming soon. And Shota Umino wants to be ZSJ’s challenger. ZSJ says he will be keeping his eyes wide open for Shota. ZSJ says he’ll have a DOUBLE main event in the Tokyo Dome, it’s in the bag. What about you, Shota? The Front Man heads out, having put the pressure on his challenger, but will all of NJPW soon belong to TMDK?
Here are the A Block standings!
Zack Sabre Jr. & Ryohei Oiwa: 1-0, 2 points
Jeff Cobb & Callum Newman: 1-0, 2 points
Shingo Takagi & Yota Tsuji: 1-0, 2 points
Bishamon: 1-0, 2 points
Gabe Kidd & Sanada: 0-1, 0 points
Kenta & Chase Owens: 0-1, 0 points
Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi: 0-1, 0 points
Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma: 0-1, 0 points
My Thoughts:
A great start to World Tag League 2024, with just A Block opening things tonight. I will say those tune-up matches were interesting. Even though David Finlay is the Global Champion, it’s Taiji Ishimori that has apparently become Bullet Club’s international ambassador. Taiji brought Robbie X into the group, now he teamed with The Filip Brothers, Tome & Stevie, who knows who else Bone Soldier will recruit. Taiji’s team beating Tanahashi’s team, House of Torture cheating and beating Tanahashi’s friends, this is all putting the pressure on The Ace, meaning The Ace will win out at WrestleKingdom 19.
Shota Umino teaming with Tomoaki Honma, I wonder if this is to hold Shota back somehow. He is apparently still heading for WrestleKingdom and a world title match with ZSJ, so it’s not like Shota needs to win WTL, but I guess NJPW just wants Shota to give the fans a good time alongside a fan favorite like Honma. Also, Callum & Cobb have a fun new shirt for their team-up. I figured Zayne would need to improvise now that #MonsterSauce is no longer happening, and Taguchi was a great surprise choice. But #FunkySauce making its debut against a team as strong as Takagi & Tsuji was a shame because of course LIJ was winning that. Maybe Zayne & Taguchi can pull off a spoiler victory later on, but I don’t see Funky Sauce going that strong.
Bishamon VS Kenta & Chase really was an awesome match, and it is so surprising how Chase has grown in just the past couple years. Great win for Goto & Hashi, though, as they’re clearly the solid utility choices in the tag division. And what an awesome main event, with Sanada bringing out the most Heel stuff he’s done perhaps ever. A bit jarring really, but that’s just kinda old fashioned Heel turns for ya. Great win for TMDK, though, and definitely an unorthodox way of closing by having Oiwa and Gabe brawl all over ringside and into the back.
While ZSJ says it is big for the world champ to be in this tournament, which I do agree with on some level, it also makes some of the A Block action seem secondary. Gabe and Oiwa having their grudge was kinda the main motivator behind this match, and then it’ll be similar when Shota & Honma VS ZSJ & Oiwa happens. There is the added drama of, “What if someone pins ZSJ? Will they get a world title match before WK19?” Maybe Shota solidifies his WK title match by being the one that pins ZSJ in their match, but it all just feels like more flash than substance. No one else is going to pin ZSJ, Oiwa probably takes whatever losses their team will take, so A Block’s story suffers for it.
My Score: 8.9/10
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