Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/30/22)
Raw’s on the highway to hell!
Raw gives us just a taste of what’s to come!
Before Hell in a Cell on Sunday, Raw Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair, takes on Asuka in the 1v1 we would’ve seen before Big Time Becks butted in!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Bianca Belair VS Asuka; Belair wins.
- Six Man Tag: Ezekiel & The Mysterios VS Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy; Ezekiel & The Mysterios win.
- Alexa Bliss VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven w/ Nikki A.S.H; Bliss wins.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Must-See Moment: Tamina wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- WWE 24/7 Championship Must-See Moment II: Akira Tozawa wins and becomes the new WWE 24/7 Champion.
- WWE United States Championship Contenders Match: Mustafa Ali VS Tommaso Ciampa w/ (Austin) Theory; Ali wins by disqualification and earns a title opportunity.
- WWE United States Championship: (Austin) Theory VS Mustafa Ali; Theory wins and retains the title.
- Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships Contenders Match: The Usos VS Shinsuke Nakamura & Matt Riddle; Nakamura & Riddle win by disqualification and earn a title opportunity.
- Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley; Liv wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
Becky Lynch is here!
The Man is in Des Moines, getting ready for this Sunday’s Raw Women’s Championship Triple Threat! She gets the mic to welcome everyone to The Big Time, as well as Monday Night Raw. She feels so good saying that again, because it’s been awhile. Truth be told, she hasn’t felt up to it without the title. She didn’t feel like coming out here, pretending it’s all okay, when she knows that so many fans pray for her downfall! Yeah, you didn’t didn’t you? So many of you hope Becky will never get the title again. But lucky for her, she doesn’t live for us! She lives for herself! She does what she wants and is fueled by spite and coffee! And right now, Becky’s all fueled up!
Becky says some people, they collect stamps or friends. Becky collects enemies! She will keep collecting enemies as she rises to the top because it lets her know she’s on track. And she knows she’s on track because she is just days away from regaining the title at Hell in a Cell! Becky knows the odds are stacked against her, but haven’t they always. Those odds never stopped her before. She defies the odds! She defies convention! But first, let’s look back to Money in the Bank, 2020. Asuka won the Ms. MITB contract, and credit where it is due, she earned it. That is why when Becky went off to create life like the god she is, she generously gave Asuka the greatest gift of her career: the title.
The title was inside the briefcase, and Asuka was elated. But even then! Becky had a plan. Becky knew Asuka was the best but that Becky could still beat her. The plan would be Asuka would reign until Becky returned to beat her, and then no one could touch her! But what Becky realized is that she created a selfish, entitled little monster by just handing the title over! Asuka became accustomed to being handed things! But speaking of, here comes Asuka! And Becky isn’t happy about it. Asuka gets a mic to say, “Becky, Becky, Becky. You’re still a Big Time Baby!” Asuka fakes crying and Becky says SHE is the baby? Asuka’s the one-
Asuka tells Becky to shut it! No one is ready for Asuka! Not Bianca, not Becky, because at Hell in a Cell, Asuka is ready to be the NEW Raw Women’s Champion~! Fans like the sound of that, but Becky says no, because Bianca- Oh, here comes Bianca! The RawEST Women’s Champion has her own mic already, and she says, “Uh-uh. Both of y’all need to stop because both of y’all are doing way too much.” She isn’t complaining about a Triple Threat, thanks to Becky, where Bianca doesn’t even have to get pinned to lose the belt. But it is what it is. So unlike the two of y’all, Bianca likes to do her talking in the ring.
So Asuka, while Bianca respects you, you kicked Bianca last week. And in their match tonight, Bianca will have a lot to say. And Becky, girl. Bianca can’t wait to give Becky a piece of her mind on Sunday. Because Bianca doesn’t care what her odds are, the only percentage she is sure about, is that the belt is 100% not going anywhere. And if Bianca has to, she will 100% drop Becky like she did at WrestleMania. Becky DECKS Bianca! Asuka fires off on Becky! Bianca goes after them both! Asuka pushes Bianca aside to get at Becky but so Bianca returns the favor. They stare down, but Becky DECKS Asuka! But Bianca gets Becky in a torture rack!
Bianca throws Becky to the apron! Asuka HIP ATTACKS Becky down! Fans fire up and Becky is furious, but The Man will have to stand aside while the EST and the Empress have it out! Who wins the match that would’ve been if not for Becky?
Bianca Belair VS Asuka!
Raw returns and the bell rings! Asuka and Bianca tie up, go around, and Bianca arm-drags Asuka but the tie-up stays on. Asuka throws Bianca in return, Bianca waistlocks and SLAMS Asuka down. Becky is on commentary to watch this while Asuka waistlocks. Bianca headlocks, hits the takeover, but Asuka keeps her shoulders up. Asuka headscissors, Bianca kicks and kips free, but Asuka rams a shoulder. Bianca rebounds to run Asuka over! Bianca dusts off her hands, runs, but handsprings over Asuka. Asuka hurdles, Bianca leaps, and Bianca tells Asuka to kiss this. Things speed up again, Bianca hurdles but Asuka KICKS Bianca down!
Asuka says she’s smarter than that, and she brings Bianca up to toss. But Bianca handsprings through! And again, kiss this! Bianca then flips up and over Asuka to dropkick her down! Fans fire up and Bianca brings Asuka up. Bianca puts Asuka in a corner, fans rally and Bianca TOSSES Asuka! Asuka goes to the opposite corner, Bianca drags Asuka up to TOSS again! Fans fire up and Asuka goes to another corner. Bianca runs in, Asuka drop toeholds her into buckles! Asuka then TOSSES Bianca again! Becky reminds us she’s won Triple Threats before but Asuka digs her boots into Bianca.
The ref counts, Asuka lets off to bring Bianca up. Bianca fights the waistlock, then wrenches and suplexes! Roll through, deadlift, but Asuka fights free! Asuka rolls Bianca to get the leg, ANKLE LOCK! Bianca endures, rolls, but Asuka holds on! Bianca still endures as Asuka twists the foot! Fans rally, Bianca fights up, but Asuka GRAPEVINES! Bianca fights back and pries Asuka off the leg! Asuka fires elbows and Bianca lets go, Asuka jumps on for a GUILLOTINE! Bianca fades, fights back up and fans rally as she suplexes Asuka! Becky is annoyed seeing the resiliency, Bianca HANDSPRING MOONSAULTS! Cover, TWO!
Becky says she can get outta that, she’s a wizard. Asuka wrenches Bianca’s arm to drag her down! Bianca rolls, but Asuka makes it an ARMLOCK! Bianca moves around, but into a TRIANGLE HOLD! Bianca deadlifts Asuka, but Asuka gets the ropes! Asuka’s headscissor sends them both tumbling! Becky stands up to look at them. Becky mockingly says that looked painful, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Bianca elbows Asuka away, kicks her low, then scoops for a FALL AWAY SLAM! Bianca kips up, fans fire up, Becky looks stressed. Asuka elbows and BOOTS Bianca, then LARIATS! Bianca stays up and wags her fingers but Asuka SOBATS, KICKS and BACK HANDS Bianca, into a GERMAN SUPLEX! BASEMENT HIP ATTACK! Cover, TWO! Becky says she’s actually liking this, they’ll beat each other up and she can pick at the scraps! Asuka goes to the apron and talks trash on Becky before climbing up. Becky tells her to worry about Bianca! Bianca ROCKS Asuka, and Becky says she’s proven right!
Bianca CLUBS Asuka, drags her up, but Asuka fights the superplex! Asuka throws body shots, but Bianca backflips away from the haymaker! Only for Asuka to missile dropkick! Asuka hurries to get the cover, TWO! Asuka keeps cool, runs in at the corner, but Bianca slips out! Asuka hits buckles, Bianca bumps her off buckles! And again, and again! Bianca slingshots in to torture rack! But Asuka throws elbows and Bianca tosses her away! Asuka clutches a leg and Becky is loving this. Asuka bails out, Becky mocks her pain, “Who’s the crybaby now?” Bianca goes out after Asuka, puts her in the ring, then she tells Becky that she’s still champ.
Becky says the champ’s days are numbered. Bianca gets in, POP-UP KNEE! Cover, TWO!! Asuka almost had Bianca! Bianca and Asuka slowly get up, Bianca ducks the roundhouse and blocks the backhand, but Asuka gets the FLYING ARMBAR! Bianca moves, into an ASUKA LOCK!! Bianca flails, kicks around, tries to keep the hold from sinking in! Asuka almost has it, fans rally up, and Bianca gets to her feet! Bianca RAMS Asuka into a corner! Bianca keeps hitting Asuka into buckles, but Asuka clamps back on! Bianca switches, chicken wings, GlamEST Slam! HANDSPRING MOONSAULT FLOPS as Asuka moves!
Asuka gets the arm, LA MAGISTROL, but Bianca blocks it to a cover! Bianca wins!!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by pinfall
But Becky ruins the moment by throwing Bianca out! BECKSPLODER to Asuka! Bianca returns, into the MANHANDLE SLAM! Big Time Becks leaves both Bianca and Asuka down, but will she be able to do this again when they’ll see her coming? Or do the numbers spell disaster for Becky this Sunday?
Six Man Tag: Ezekiel & The Mysterios VS Kevin Owens & The Alpha Academy!
Elias’ younger brother teams with the father-son duo of Rey & Dominik to take on the outright obsessed Prizefighter, Chad Gable & Otis! Will Ezekiel & The Mysterios teach them what happens to bullies? Or will Kevin expose the truth even before Hell in a Cell?
Raw returns as Ezekiel makes his entrance. The Alpha Academy then make their entrance, followed by Kevin. The trios sort out and Kevin wants the Academy to be fired up like he is about this. Gable starts with Rey and they tie up. Gable headlocks, spins around and drop toeholds to float to another headlock. Rey fights up to waistlock, but Gable switches and goes back tot he headlock. Rey throws body shots, powers out, but Gable runs him over. Rey monkey flip counters to a wheelbarrow and arm-drag! Things speed up, Rey tilt-o-whirl headscissors Gable down! Tag to Dom, the Mysterios mug Gable, and Dom ROCKS Gable with rights.
Dom clubs but Gable kicks low. Gable throws big forearms, whips Dom to ropes, and then hits a BIG Belly2Belly! Roll through, another Belly2Belly! Cover, TWO! Gable wrenches Dom, Dom ROCKS Gable with forearms! Dom knuckle locks, goes up and up and FLYING ARM-DRAGS! Gable bails out, Kevin rushes in! Dom dumps Kevin out, Rey dodges Otis to dropkick him! Zeke gets in to boost Dom and Dom dropkicks Otis! TRIPLE DROPKICK sends the tree trunk out! Fans fire up with Ezekiel & The Mysterios, but then Gable CLOBBERS Dom off the corner! Fans boo but Gable says “SHOOSH!”
Gable goes out to fetch Dom and whip him into barriers! Dom is down, Gable shooshes everyone, and Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Kevin stomps Dom down, then steps through for the SHARPSHOOTER! The Mysterios are wearing Hart colors but Kevin is the one using the move! Dom endures, Rey gets in to SHOTGUN Kevin down! Fans rally, Dom and Kevin crawl, tag to Otis! Otis runs to DECK Rey! Otis whips Dom to a corner, runs in and clotheslines! Dom is down and Otis goes up! VADER BOMB FLOPS as Dom moves! Fans rally up as Dom and Otis crawl, hot tags to Gable and Ezekiel! Fans fire up as Zeke rallies! Ezekiel whips, Gable reverses but Ezekiel goes up to mule kick! Kevin runs in, JUMP KNEE!
Zeke runs to SPLASH Gable, then SPLASHES Kevin! SPLASH for Gable again, then a fireman’s carry! Electric Chair, spin and POWERBOMB! Cover, Otis breaks it! Dom is up top, he CROSSBODIES but into Otis’ arms! But Rey SEATED SENTONS! The Mysterios take Otis out, but Kevin tosses Dom! Rey runs in, RANA to put Kevin on ropes! Rey dials it up, 6 1-NO! Kevin dodges, but then Rey ducks, SUPERKICK hits Gable!! Kevin realizes what happened, and Zeke throws him out. Gable is on ropes now, Dom and Rey dial it up, DOUBLE 619!! Ezekiel gives Gable the TWISTING BRAINBUSTER! Cover, Zeke & Mysterios win!
Winners: Ezekiel & The Mysterios, by pinfall
Kevin is furious! He tears up the announce desk! Will Kevin absolutely lose his mind on Sunday if Ezekiel wins again?
Cody Rhodes is here!
The American Nightmare goes to the ring with all his pyro and the fans all fired up. But with Hell in a Cell and his third match with Seth Rollins on Sunday, Cody isn’t here to fight. He wants to address the underhanded attack and horrible behavior of The Visionary before they have it out one last time. What will he say to Rollins? We hear it all, after the break.
Raw returns and Cody has the mic while fans chant his name. “I’m gonna say something that might surprise you. I have always been a fan of Seth Rollins. From the very first time I saw Seth Rollins, you could see the potential to do great things.” Someone else who saw that potential was a teacher of his down in NXT. But you don’t have to say that name, it was the man who raised Cody. Fans chant for “DUSTY! DUSTY!” and Cody heard about the special ingredients Rollins had that would make him a generational talent. And we all know Rollins lives up to the hype. So imagine you’re Cody and you get the call that he was going to get his second chance, and against Rollins, at WrestleMania.
It might surprise you but Cody was nervous. He was very nervous! Because everything he had done, everywhere he had gone to, he could not return here with a loss. But he didn’t. He was at the top of his game, he won, and they ran it back at Backlash and Cody won again. Both times, Cody was the better man, and it has driven Rollins mad. “Envy is the act of counting other people’s blessings but ignoring your own. Jealousy leads men to desperate measures. Seth Rollins is an egomaniac, and he wants everything for himself, but that’s one of the things that makes Seth Rollins so dangerous.”
Cody says Sunday, Hell in a Cell, he walks into the biggest challenge in his entire career. Cody needs Rollins to know, to feel this, to hear what Cody is going to say next: All the respect for Rollins, the reverence over their previous matches, and every ounce of self control will be locked outside of that cell! Rollins will be in there with a man that wants to hurt him! But here comes Rollins himself! Des Moines is thunderous for one of their own, but Rollins just laughs. Rollins isn’t walking out there from the stage, he’s up in the crowd! Fans fire up as Rollins swaggers his way down and laughs at “Cody, Cody, Cody.”
Cody can wax poetic all night long about Rollins’ motivation, but he’ll make it very, very easy to understand. “I. Don’t. Like you!” And he doesn’t want Cody here! Rollins tried after WrestleMania to accept this new version of Cody. But every week, the pandering got worse and worse and worse, and the Cody chants got louder and louder and louder! Now all Rollins hears is the chanting and he can’t stand it any longer! Fans chant for Cody even now but Rollins smirks. Rollins says Cody left WWE six years ago because he wasn’t good enough. And then every single day Cody was gone, Cody and his “little friends” tried to tear down what Rollins was building here!
And when that didn’t work out so well, Cody came running back as the prodigal son to fulfill his family legacy! “NOT ON MY WATCH, PAL!” Cody doesn’t get to be a conquering hero in Rollins’ kingdom! You don’t get to take a sledgehammer to the throne and then take that throne from Rollins! Rollins will say it again: “I. Don’t. Like you. I don’t want you here! And in six days, inside Hell in a Cell, I’m gonna prey on your insecurities. And I’m not just going to change you, Cody, I’m going to end you.” Then we can all finally wake up from the American Nightmare.
Rollins laughs as he dances around the steps, but Cody tells Rollins, “Just curious. What right now is stopping me from? Three little ropes? This barricade? What is stopping us? Why are we waiting? It seems, as polite as I’ve been, the time for talk is over.” Oh, he wants to go now? Cody dares Rollins to come to the ring to talk with some actions! Fans fire up for that as Cody throws off his jacket! Oh, Cody wants to do this now? Rollins storms down the steps, starts undoing his own suit jacket, but then stops at the barrier. “Aww… HAHAHAHAH! I’ll see you Sunday!” Rollins goes back to the stairs and blows a kiss to Cody.
CODY RUSHES ROLLINS! They brawl in front of the fans and the fans are loving it! Cody pinballs Rollins off barriers and haymakers, and even trash cans! Rollins hits back, fans are thunderous, and Cody RAMS Rollins into barriers! Rollins and Cody keep throwing hands, they end up going to the ringside area. Rollins rakes eyes! Fireman’s carry, but Cody slips off to shove Rollins, and then CLOBBERS him through barriers! Cody isn’t done, he rains down fists on Rollins right by commentary! Security and officials rush out to stop this but fans boo! “Let Them Fight!” Cody storms off and Rollins tries to egg him on.
But then Rollins gets in the ring and DIVES onto Cody! The brawl is back on by the ramp! The refs have to help now, and the two are forcibly separated! Fans still want to “Let Them Fight!” and Cody returns outta nowhere! He CLOBBERS Rollins! The officials have to drag them away by hands and legs and fans chant, “This is Awesome!” Rollins shouts at Cody, “YOU’RE GOING TO HELL!” and laughs, but will Rollins end up going there right with him on Sunday?
Alexa Bliss VS “Doudrop” Piper Nivens w/ Nikki A.S.H!
The Five Foot Fury is 3-0 in her return, but she’s looking to get back to the gold and glory she had not too long ago. Money in the Bank is on the horizon, but will Alexa even make it past this week? Or will Doudrop pop that comeback bubble?
The bell rings and Alexa rushes Piper with forearms! Piper shoves Alexa way then CLOBBERS her. Piper fires up but fans boo as she drags Alexa up. Piper whips Alexa into a corner, then runs in to SPLASH! Piper snapmares Alexa then wraps on the cobra clutch! Alexa endures but Piper thrashes her around. Alexa throws elbow but Piper ripcords and LARIATS! Cover, TWO! Piper is annoyed but she looms over Alexa. Piper drags Alexa up, SLAPS Alexa, and Alexa staggers to a corner. Piper storms up but Alexa throws body shots! Piper HEADBUTTS Alexa down! Piper hauls Alexa up, and wraps on another cobra clutch
Alexa endures, Piper thrashes her around, and then Piper shoves Alexa back into buckles. Alexa dodges the splash, dodges the haymaker and tilt-o-whirls to throw Piper into buckles! Alexa kicks a leg out, KNEES Piper then dropkicks her! Piper stays up so Alexa dropkicks a gain! Fans fire up and Alexa throws KICK after KICK! Alexa runs, but Piper scoops her! SLAM, and SENTON FLOPS as Alexa moves! Fans fire up as Alexa gets up, but Piper runs her over! Piper drags Alexa to a drop zone and she goes up the corner. VADER BOMB FLOPS as Alexa moves! Nikki is freaking out as Alexa goes up top!
Nikki gets on the apron and goes after Alexa! Alexa kicks Nikki away, TWISTED BLISS! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
And that’s a fourth win! Alexa toughed it out, will she continue until she’s once again on top of the world?
MVP talks with Omos backstage.
The mics aren’t picking up what he’s saying, but it is surely about how they will handle Bobby Lashley both at Hell in a Cell on Sunday, and tonight in the contract signing. Will Montel Vontavius Porter and the Nigerian Giant try to get any advantage they can before their 2v1 Handicap match with the All Mighty?
The Miz heads to the ring!
The Hollywood A-Lister is ready to host another edition of MizTV, with special guests, The Street Profits! What will Miz ask Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and Miz has a mic to welcome us to the Most Must-See WWE Talk Show. And speaking of, the most must-see event of the Summer is next week! Next Monday, after Raw, on the USA Network, it is SEASON THREE OF MIZ & MRS! And not just one episode! NO! It is a double episode premiere! And to help him celebrate, he will have his vivacious and talented wife, Maryse, with him next week! And they’ll celebrate like only The It Couple knows how- Wait, here come the Profits! It rains Solo cups in Des Moines and fans fire up! And Miz doesn’t even get to introduce them. Ford welcomes us to the show, and says it’s the Street Profits~!
Dawkins tells Miz he shouldn’t be talking his show, he should be talking about Hell in a Cell on Sunday! What’re they looking forward to? Cody VS Rollins III, of course! Did you see ’em throwing hands? Good thing they’ll be in HELL IN A CELL! Yo, Miz knows Cody, right? Didn’t he beat Miz last week? Sportsmanship is key, Miz. Yes, but y’know what Ford is ready~ ready~ for? The Triple Threat for the Raw Women’s Championship, in which the beautiful Bianca Belair brings home the gold once again! And Ford is excited! But oh, where are their manners? Their mothers taught them better.
They came out, addressed the fans, so beautiful, and said hello to the babies. But they were rude by asking questions and didn’t wait for an answer. Miz is a leader, a legend, and inspiration! Let’s ask Miz about HIAC. Let’s ask Miz on MizTV, what does Miz think about the show? Well, thanks, here’s what he thinks. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHAT YOU THINK! Bruh, you been here this long and you still fallin’ for that? C’mon, you better than that! Miz gets mad and puts up his hand, but Dawkins gives him a high-five! The Profits shoulder bump but Miz does it again. What, he got a question?
“Do you know what this means?” Dawkins copies Miz. Ford copies Miz! Dana Brooke runs out here? She’s being chased for her 24/7 Championship! Miz notices and says no! None of that! This is HIS show! Dana gets in the ring, Tozawa gets in, and he snatches the belt! Tozawa, that doesn’t count. Dana ROCKS Tozawa, then waistlocks. Tozawa switches, O’Conner Roll, TWO as T-BAR has a choke grip on Tozawa! CHOKE SLAM!! Tamina stomps away in Dana! But Ford SUPERKICKS T-Bar away! Dana turns things around on Tamina, Apollo Crews whips Truth but Truth stops and does his dance. Truth then does the splits and ‘WHAT’S UP?!” SCISSOR-
NO! Crews dodges to ENZIGURI! But Dawkins DECKS Crews! Dana and Tamina brawl, Tamina gets Dana but Dana fights the bomb to ROUNDHOUSE! Dana handsprings but misses in the corner! Tamina fireman’s carries, but Dana fights free! Dana ROCKS Tamina, but runs into the SAMOAN DROP! Cover, Tamina wins!!
Winner: Tamina, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
Tozawa applauds and Tamina helps him up. He prepares his body, and she kisses him! There IS still romance between them! But then he backslides her!! TOZAWA WINS!
Winner: Akira Tozawa, by pinfall (NEW WWE 24/7 Champion)
That’s what she gets for walking all over his heart before! Will the Stamina Monster be able to keep this belt all to himself? But he also hopes Tamina will forgive him later.
(Austin) Theory is here!
The youngest WWE United States Champion ever is willing to give Mustafa Ali another chance, but only if Ali gets through another mercenary Theory enlisted via Vince McMahon. Will The Beacon still shine through when going up against The Blackhearted Ciampa?
WWE United States Championship Contenders Match: Mustafa Ali VS Tommaso Ciampa w/ (Austin) Theory!
Raw returns and Ali makes his entrance. The bell rings, they tie up, Ciampa knees low! Ciampa CLUBS Ali, Theory says he appreciates himself for being so generous to Ali. Ali dodges a chop to CHOP back, but Ciampa headlocks, Ali powers out, Ciampa runs him over! Ciampa flexes, things speed up, and Ali hurdles while Ciampa slides. Ciampa back suplexes, Ali lands on his feet to waistlock, but Ciampa elbows free. Ciampa runs in but Ali slips out to ROUNDHOUSE! Ali slingshot somersaults, into a KNEE! Cover, TWO! Ciampa rains down elbows on Ali, clamps onto him with a chinlock, and Theory says Ali doesn’t deserve a title shot anyway.
Ali endures the almost Bully Choke, but he fights up and throws body shots. Ciampa knees low, whips, but Ali reverse. Ciampa stops himself and comes back to CLOBBER Ali! Ciampa goes up the corner, just to applaud for himself and pat himself on the back. then FALLING AX HANDLE! Cover, TWO! Ciampa is annoyed but he stomps Ali’s head! Theory doesn’t see how Ali is championship material as Ciampa stomps Ali more. Ciampa drags Ali up, put shim in the corner and throws more body shots. Ciampa snapmares, wraps on the chinlock, and he grinds Ali down again. Theory says everyone is just jealous that Vince McMahon sees Theory as the greatest thing ever.
Ali fights up as fans rally, and Ali throws body shots. Ciampa HEADBUTTS Ali! Ciampa wrenches, whips corner to corner hard, then runs in. But Ali goes up and over and keeps moving, to duck and dodge and LARIAT Ciampa down! Ciampa bails out, hurries up again, but Ali dropkicks him down Ali builds speed to DIVE! Direc hit and both men hit the desk! Ali puts Ciampa in, climbs up, but Theory goes after Ali! The re sees that, and that’s a disqualification!
Winner: Mustafa Ali, by disqualification (earns a title opportunity)
Theory doesn’t care, he rains down fists and stomps Ali against the steel ring steps! Theory won’t let Ali make it to his title match! Theory says Ali is not championship material, then he POSTS Ali! Theory gets the mic to tell Ali, “A win by disqualification, some might call it a coward’s way out. But a win’s a win, right? And me? I’m just on another level. And that United States Championship match ‘for the future?’ I say why wait and we just do it right NOW!” Theory uses semantics to his advantage, will he take Ali’s hopes away all in one go?
WWE United States Championship: (Austin) Theory VS Mustafa Ali!
Raw returns and Theory stomps away on Ali in the corner, but the match hasn’t officially begun! The ref backs Theory off and asks Ali if he still wants this. Ali wants this match, and he stands up. The introductions are made, the bell rings, and Theory rushes in to fire off on Ali again! Theory CLUBS Ali, whips him to ropes, and back drops Ali! Ali writhes, Theory covers, TWO! Theory grins because he’s still got Ali at his mercy. Theory bumps Ali off buckles, he talks trash on Ali and the fans, and then Theory drags Ali up. Theory RAMS Ali into buckles face first! Theory taunts Ali to get up, and Ali SUPERKICKS him! FLYING TORNADO DDT!
Fans fire up and Ali drags himself over to the ropes. Ali gets up, climbs the corner, but Theory hits ropes to trip Ali up! Theory fireman’s carries, A TOWN DOWN!! Cover, Theory wins!
Winner: (Austin) Theory, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
Theory gets the belt and his smartphone to take victory selfies because he took full advantage of the authority given to him by Vince McMahon to screw Ali over. But then Adam Pearce walks out to say to check his texts instead. While Vince was impressed with the tactics, he’s decided he’d rather see them in a fair fight. And it’ll be this Sunday at Hell in a Cell! Theory doesn’t seem worried at all. Will he just beat Ali down again? Or will Ali win when it’s fair and square for once?
Matt Riddle speaks.
“On behalf of Randy, I just want to take everyone for the kind words and support. I love that guy. But as for the Uce-bros, you guys messed with the wrong dude, and I’m gonna get my vengeance.” Randy might not be here, but that doesn’t mean The Bro is alone. Isn’t that right, King? Shinsuke Nakamura says a ronin is a samurai without a kingdom to defend, without a master. Right now, Nakamura and Riddle are two wandering ronin with a common purpose: Toe bleed the Bloodline dry. So the #Bronin are gonna take those titles, and there’s nothing the Usos or the Tribal Trash can do about it, bro!
Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championships Contenders Match: The Usos VS Shinsuke Nakamura & Matt Riddle!
Jimmy & Jey got the win in the unification match thanks to the Big Uce, but he’s not here right now. Will they be able to get it done when Roman can’t interfere with the ronin? Or will they be owing the King of Strong Style and his new Stallion a shot at these unified titles?
Raw returns and the newly formed #Bronin make their entrances. Nakamura and Riddle have already integrated their poses together. The teams sort out, Riddle starts with Jimmy. Jimmy kicks low, ROCKS Riddle with an uppercut, then another! Jimmy whips corner to corner, Riddle goes up and over and KICKS Jimmy down! Riddle gut wrenches and brings Jimmy over, tag to Nakamura. Gut wrench suplex, PENALTY KICK, and ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! Cover, ONE! Jimmy powers Nakamura to the corner, Jey tags in, and Jey hits a big forearm smash. Jey brings Nakamura around, runs, but into a knee!
Nakamura KNEES Jey in the side and shoulders, over and over! Nakamura runs for a SLIDING BOOT! Nakamura gets Jey up, puts him in the corner, tag to Riddle. The Bronin fire off kick after kick, then Nakamura feeds Jay to the FISHERMAN BUSTER! Bridging cover, TWO! Riddle clamps onto Jey with a chinlock. Jey fights up, fights free, but Riddle dodges the haymaker to jump on, GUILLOTINE! But Jey gets to ropes, Jimmy tags in, HOTSHOT to the SAMOAN DROP! Jimmy covers, TWO! Jimmy drags Riddle to the ropes to choke him! The ref counts, Jimmy lets off at 4, and Jey cheap shots Riddle! Nakamura protests but it doesn’t matter now.
Jimmy stomps Riddle, tags Jey, and the Usos get Riddle up. Fans rally for Riddle but the Usos double whip Riddle hard into the buckles! Riddle writhes but Jey stomps Riddle down. Riddle goes to ropes, and now Jey chokes Riddle! Fans boo, the ref counts, Jey lets off but Jimmy gets a cheap shot of his own! The Usos raise their fingers to the sky, #WeTheOnes. Riddle gets up but Jey facelocks then whips him to a corner hard! Riddle bounces off buckles again, and Jey tags Jimmy. Jimmy taunts the fans, dares Riddle to reach for Nakamura, then ROCKS him with an uppercut! Jimmy CHOPS, then stares Nakamura down.
Jimmy runs in, but Riddle dodges! The splash hits POST! Riddle crawls, but Jey runs in! Riddle dumps Jey, keeps going for his corner, hot tag! The King of Strong Style dodges Jimmy to DYNAMIC DROPKICK! KNEE and AX KICK for Jey! Strike fest for Jimmy! Then KICK after KICK! Nakamura gives Jimmy GOOD VIBRATIONS! Then a whip corner to corner, but he blocks Jimmy’s boots! Nakamura puts Jimmy in the ropes, KICK and SLIDING GERMAN! Nakamura goes up, waits on Jimmy, FLYING KNEE! Cover, TWO! Nakamura is furious but he aims from a corner. Jimmy gets up, but Jey rushes in! Nakamura DECKS Jey, Jimmy SUPERKICKS Nakamura!
Tag to Jey, he goes up, USO SPLASH! Cover, Riddle breaks it!! The Bronin are still in this battle and Raw goes to break!
Raw returns and Jimmy keeps Nakamura jus fingertips away from Riddle! Jimmy reels Nakamura in to scoop but Nakamura slips off! Jimmy ducks the roundhouse but not the WHEEL KICK! Fans fire up while both men are down! Nakamura and Jimmy crawl, hot tags to Jey and Riddle! Riddle spins Jey to PELE, then he kips up and runs in to forearm smash! Riddle goes side to side, another forearm! Jey fights the exploder, but runs into the BROSPLODER! BROTON! Fans fire up and Riddle has Jey on the apron! Riddle brings Jey through ropes, this one’s for Randy! No, Jey slips out! Nakamura tags in as Jey dumps Riddle out!
Jey builds speed, into a KINSHASA!!! Cover, JIMMY BREAKS IT!! Fans are thunderous and Nakamura ROUNDHOUSES Jimmy! Nakamura gets Jey, but Jey SUPERKICKS him! Riddle tags back in, dodges Jey and hits the POWERSLAM! Randy’s spirit is here as Riddle hits another POWERSLAM! Jey is on the apron, Riddle brings him in through ropes, DRAPING DDT, bro! Fans are thunderous again as Riddle hears those voices! Riddle wants Jey to get up, RK- NO! SUPERKICK! Jey has Riddle on ropes, CHOKES him again, but the ref counts! Jey lets off at 4, Jimmy has Riddle’s scooter! Riddle blocks the scooter attack!!
The ref sees Jimmy up to no good, Jimmy CLOBBERS Riddle anyway!!
Winners: Matt Riddle & Shinsuke Nakamura, by pinfall (earn a title opportunity)
The same thing Theory did to Ali, but now the Usos owe a title match! But the battle isn’t over here, Nakamura goes after Jimmy and Jey goes after Riddle! Fans fire up as Nakamura fires off on Jimmy against barriers! But Jimmy throws Nakamura over the barrier! The Usos regroup and have Riddle in the drop zone! They go up the corners, but Nakamura gets in to ROUNDHOUSE Jimmy down! Riddle springs up after Jey, for a SUPER RKO!!! Fans are thunderous and the Bronin stand tall! They have their golden tickets, will Riddle & Nakamura cash in and strike first blood on the Bloodline?
Backstage interview with Mustafa Ali.
Kevin Patrick asks him what it means that he finally has a fair match with Theory for the US Championship? Ali is hurting right now, but this pain will be worth it. Ali has been through ell and back just to EARN an opportunity. Ali doesn’t care what tricks Theory plays to knock Ali down, Ali still gets up. This Sunday, at Hell in a Cell, the odds my be against Ali, but he will not stay down! Ali walks out of his hometown of Chicago the NEW US- Theory CLOBBERS Ali! What was that? No, highly doubtful. Another selfie, please! New champ, Theory’s ass! Will this sucker punch only motivate Ali to kick Theory’s ass?
Raw celebrates Memorial Day, and thanks those who gave their all for all of us.
“They didn’t volunteer to die. They volunteered to defend values which make up what we call civilization.” – Ronald Regan
“What does it mean to be selfless? To have the courage to put all else first for a greater cause? In every generation, there are those who put everything before themselves. And this weekend, we honor them.” The men and women who fought for our freedom, from World War I to Desert Storm, Normandy to Afghanistan. Look back at the moments, the events, that defined America’s history. The struggles, the battles. Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Ronald Regan said that we honor their memory so that their pledges and sacrifices will be remembered.
We show our gratitude to those who shaped us, who guided us, and who ensured our values and freedom would live forever. We show reverence and respect. On this weekend, we say, “Thank you.”
Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley!
Finn Balor and AJ Styles aren’t with Liv this time, but they will be at Hell in a Cell as they and the Judgement Day go 3v3 in Six Person Tag Team Match! Will the Prince and Phenomenal One be needed tonight? Or will Edge and Damian Priest allow the Eradicator to handle Liv all on her own?
Raw returns and Rhea makes her entrance. And it would seem yes, Edge is allowing her to take on her former friend and tag partner alone. Will Liv be able to get a semblance of payback now that this is truly 1v1? We find out, after another break.
Raw returns again and the bell rings. Liv SHOTGUNS Rhea, then fires off forearms! Rhea shoves Liv away, Liv dodges but Rhea elbows her down! Rhea brings Liv up, swings but Liv goes Matrix to avoid the haymaker! Liv tries to roll Rhea but she stays up. Liv avoids the stomp but not the HEADBUTT! Rhea scowls, drags Liv up and CLUBS her. Rhea TOSSES Liv across the ring and Liv goes to the corner. Rhea runs in but into a BOOT! Rhea runs back in but Liv goes up and over then runs to the other corner. Liv goes up but Rhea catches her! Liv slips around to a SLEEPER! Liv thrashes around but Rhea RAMS her into buckles!
Rhea RMAS Liv into more buckles, then more buckles! Liv is still holding on tight! Rhea grabs at Liv, Liv thrashes more, but Rhea BACKPACK SENTONS! Cover, TWO! Rhea is annoyed but she drags Liv up and CLUBS her again. Rhea slams Liv down, then storms over. Liv drop toeholds Rhea into ropes! And then SHOTGUNS her in the back! Rhea staggers to a corner, Liv runs in but into BOOTS! Rhea storms up to stomp Liv down, then kicks Liv around. Rhea KICKS Liv to ropes, gets mad, and she CHOKES Liv on the ropes! The ref counts, Rhea lets off, and Liv throws Rhea out! Fans fire up as Liv builds speed, but Rhea blocks the dropkick!
Rhea brings Liv out in an Electric Chair, but Liv gets back to the apron! Liv mule kicks Rhea, then FLYING RAN- NO! Rhea blocks the rana to SLAM Liv into the barriers! Liv is down and Rhea calls her pathetic as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again, and we see Priest and Styles have shown up after all! Rhea hoists Liv up but Liv victory rolls! TWO, and Rhea gets Liv back up for an atomic FACEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! Rhea argues the count but the ref says it was fair. Styles coaches Liv up but Rhea wraps Liv up in a seated cobra twist! Liv endures, even as Rhea digs claws into the ribs! Fans rally, Liv fights up, and Liv throws haymakers! Rhea throws Liv by her hair! The ref reprimands but Rhea doesn’t care. Rhea smirks as she drags Liv up to KICK her in the back. Rhea wraps on a body scissor squeeze and even throws forearms and palm strikes!
Rhea tells Liv she is pathetic so she should just give up! Fans rally, Liv grits her teeth and pushes back to a cover, TOW! Liv is free but Rhea CLOBBERS her! Rhea mocks Styles’ clapping for Liv, and then she stalks Liv. “You’ve always been pathetic, Liv! You made me weak! You brought me down to your level!” Rhea pie faces, Liv SLAPS Rhea! Liv blocks the headbutt and kicks, KICKS and ENZIGURIS! Fans fire up with Liv and Liv runs in to SHINING WIZARD! Liv runs in again but misses the back body block. Rhea runs in, but only gets POST! Styles fires up for Liv as she goes up top! SUPER CROSSBODY! Direct hit and fans fire up!
Liv roars and she gets Rhea back up and in. Rhea hurries to ropes, Liv runs in, but Priest saves Rhea from ObLIVion! Cover, TWO!! Priest can’t believe it, and Styles DECKS him for it! Rhea sees that but she gets Liv up, RIP- NO, Liv slips free to BACKSTABBER! Roll up, high stack a la Rhea, LIV WINS!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
Styles raises Liv’s hand in victory, they’re rolling into Hell in a Cell! But Priest drags Styles out and RAMS him into barriers! Priest drags Styles up, Liv shouts at him, so Priest lets Styles go. Priest storms up on Liv! But here comes FINN!! Finn tackles Priest and rains down fists! Priest shoves Finn away but gets a SLINGBLADE! Finn and Rhea stare down, but Liv goes up top. Finn and Styles tell Rhea to turn around. MISSILE DROPKICK! And Styles aims at Priest, PHENOMENAL FOREARM! But that’s still not all! Finn is up top, COUP DE GRACE!! The Judgement Day is down without their leader! Will Edge furiously return this Sunday for the Six Person Tag?
Bobby Lashley heads to the ring!
The All Mighty’s challenge last week was used against him, and now he’ll have a huge 2v1 Handicap Match for Hell in a Cell! But for right now, he’s here to sign on the dotted line. Will Lashley, MVP and Omos refrain from letting loose here? Or will they brawl it out like we saw with Cody and Rollins earlier tonight? We’ll just have to see, after the break.
Raw returns once more, and Omos makes his entrance with MVP. Adam Pearce is already in the ring and there are security guards all around to make sure this stays civil. Pearce welcomes us to the contract signing, and he says their signatures will make it official. Just take a seat and we can begin. Lashley and Omos stare each other down, neither moving. But then MVP takes his seat, so Omos sits with him. Lashley sits last, and they pull up to the table. Omos signs, and MVP gets a mic to say, “It should’ve never come to this, Bobby. We shouldn’t be here right now, man. I did everything for you. Money, celebrity, championships, I got you everything. I got you things you didn’t even know you wanted, man.
“But now here we are. At this Sunday in Hell in a Cell, there won’t be any ordinary matches with rules to protect you, no raggedy cages for you to crash through and accidentally win. The only thing that waits for you Sunday is the brutal beating that I’m gonna put on you with the Nigerian Giant, Omos. The All Mighty Era exists because of me. And it’s nothing without me, so it’s fitting that this Sunday, a Hell in a Cell, it comes to an end once and for all.” MVP signs, and Lashley says that’s a wonderful little story MVP spun. But he got it all wrong. Lashley never needed MVP. MVP is that leech that latches on just to keep himself relevant.
MVP says Lashley’s talking too much so just sign the contract. Lashley says it’s like that, huh? The sad part is, Lashley thought of MVP as a friend. MVP says he considered Lashley a brother! But Lashley turned his back on MVP, so sign the contract. Well even though this contract says “Handicap Match,” and MVP and Omos think Lashley’s at a disadvantage, the truth is, this is just Lashley’s chance to send both their asses to hell! Signed and delivered! But MVP says this isn’t done yet! Lashley is surely full of anxious energy. And no one wants to wait until Hell in a Cell, least of all Omos! Pearce wants them to keep calm as all three stand up.
Lashley and Omos stare down, but Lashley tosses the table first! The security swarms in but Omos BLASTS free! Omos TOSSES man after man, as does Lashley! They take out about 20 all on their own, and then Omos tosses armchairs around! MVP wants Omos to go after Lashley, but then Cedric Alexander CHOP BLOCKS Lashley outta nowhere! Cedric handsprings, but Lashley dodges the Neuralizer, and he also dodges Omos to RAM Omos in the corner! Cedric runs in, into a MILE HIGH SPINEBUSTER! But Omos BOOTS Lashley down! And MVP rains down fists, a vulture picking the bones!
MVP tells Omos to get a table, and Omos does as told! Fans fire up as Omos puts the table in, sets it up in a corner, then brings Lashley up! Omos ROCKS Lashley, scoops him, but Lsahley slips free! Lashley SPEARS Omos through the table!! MVP is freaking out as the Rocky Mountain Machine is rolling towards Sunday! Will Hell in a Cell be where Lashley finally ends things with MVP and Omos?
My Thoughts:
A decent Raw, but pretty typical for go-home episodes. It didn’t have Go-Home Syndrome, at the very least, but that’s because of all the new faults Raw has given itself. The recaps of what we saw this very episode were shoved in right as Liv VS Rhea was about to get started, so several minutes were wasted on what could’ve been a very good “main event” match. And while Liv and Rhea didn’t walk out with Styles, Finn, Priest or Edge, I knew we’d see some of them at some point before the match was over. And while Finn was here this week, Edge was the no-show. And them just announcing the Six Person Tag in a graphic really took out the drama of this story. It’ll still be a very fun match, but who knows what happens.
Oddly, I’m hoping Ciampa joins The Judgement Day and turns things back to their side. He seems to have lost his first name again so if he joined up, maybe he’d be used better in kayfabe. Ciampa and Ali did have a good match but I should’ve known Theory would use it to screw Ali over. Rather surprising that Vince (in kayfabe) is the one saying Theory can’t get away with the screw job, but I do like that at least one of the midcard titles is on a PPV again. Ali in Chicago, I would hope WWE does the right thing and gives him the win, especially with Theory standing tall twice on Ali, both in the ring and with the backstage attack. But this is WWE, Vince tends to make hometown heroes lose, so that might still happen here.
Good opening segments from the Raw Women’s Championship scene. Good promos from Becky, Asuka and Bianca, very good match between Bianca and Asuka, and of course Becky gets the better of them at the end. Given that, Becky might not even be in the decision and her comeback will have to go through Money in the Bank. Honestly, that’d be a great “full circle” moment, where Asuka wins the title at HIAC, Becky wins MITB, and then Becky cashes in on Asuka the Raw after MITB. Bliss VS Piper should’ve been more than it was, but we’ve seen this kind of booking for the women’s midcard a lot lately. There’s a good chance they and Nikki will be in MITB with Becky to spice things up.
Great Six Man from Ezekiel & Mysterios VS Kevin & Alpha Academy. Kevin basically costing his team and having a freak out over it is great stuff, and I can’t wait to see how things go with Kevin VS Ezekiel at HIAC. MizTV was a very good segment, mostly because the Profits hijacked things from Miz and the 24/7 Championship chase also spilled in. Tozawa getting the belt to end the segment was a nice change of pace, and it basically frees Dana up for that impending feud with Carmella. Rough for T-Bar and Apollo Crews to end up in this but guess the 24/7 Division needs bodies to fill it out. Maybe if they hadn’t cut people…
Great segment from Cody and Rollins. Cody’s promo was solid, Rollins’ response was solid, especially with his allusion to AEW, and of course that brawl was the moment of the night. Those guys are going to have an awesome Hell in a Cell match, but it’s hard to say if Rollins will really lose 0-3. MITB can still be redemption for Rollins, he and Becky could parallel each other, and of course Rollins has been Mr. MITB before and could try to chase that Heist of the Century high. He could even wait to screw Cody over during an Undisputed Universal Championship match, taking the title(s) from him and Roman, like a two birds, one stone situation.
Great stuff from the Undisputed Tag Team Championship story. I like #BROnin as the team name for Riddle & Nakamura, it is actually rather creative. Fusing names would sound like shipping, and combining nicknames to make them “Bros of Strong Style” or “Kings of Bro Style” would be too much like RKBRO. Plus, ronin samurai are cool. A bit of copy ‘n’ paste with Usos disqualifying BROnin like Theory did Ali, but this tag title match should happen anyway. Usos probably still win the title match, and maybe with Roman’s help again, but maybe Riddle and/or Nakamura get after Roman and his titles for the summer.
And lastly, the contract signing for Lashley, Omos and MVP went about how 90% of contract signings go. MVP did the talking, Omos and Lashley did the brawling, but Lashley stands tall with a great table spear spot. With that, Lashley probably ends up losing, and maybe Omos goes to MITB. I don’t want him to crash into ladders, but he could at least take a few jams from the ladders, or have someone else climb up him to go for the briefcase.
My Score: 8.3/10
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Everyone is showing raw emotion!
The New Day’s no longer positive, Drew McIntyre’s back for revenge, and Rhea Ripley battles Raquel Rodriguez, all on one Monday Night Raw!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- 8 Man Tag: The Miz & The Final Testament VS The Wyatt Sick6; The Miz & Final Testament win.
- Dakota Kai VS Liv Morgan; Liv wins.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Lyra Valkyria VS Zelina Vega VS Ivy Nile; Lyra wins and advances to the next round.
- Anything Goes: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez; Rhea wins.
PLAY BY PLAY
The New Day arrives backstage.
Xavier Woods wants high fives but no one is accepting. Kofi Kingston says hey to Natalya & The Alpha Academy, but they don’t return it. Their verbal shaming of Big E has not sat well with anyone, will Woods & Kofi figure out who’s really in the wrong here?
Gunther is here!
Wichita, Kansas is a little torn as Der Ring General heads to the ring, dressed rather casually compared to other times, but he seems to have gotten over those multiple Coup de Grace double stomps from last week. Gunther grabs a mic, smiles as the fans both cheer and jeer, and he says, “As everybody has seen, quite obviously Finn Balor has made a grave mistake. And whether he deserves it or not, he now has my undivided attention. And I guarantee you right now, Saturday Night’s Main Event will not end up like Survivor Series for me.” But before he can continue, The Prince makes his way out here!
Finn, accompanied by The Judgment Day, also gets a mixed reaction from Wichita. But Finn tells Gunther that Gunther could’ve just given him the title match like he deserved. But instead, Gunther tried to mess with Finn by giving it to someone who didn’t deserve it, like Dirty Dom. The fans boo more but Finn says let’s be real! Finn is the only reason Gunther is still World Heavyweight Champion! And hearing what he said, Gunther is right about one thing: SNME will be NOTHING like Survivor Series. Because at Survivor Series, Gunther retained the title thanks to Finn. And at SNME, Gunther loses the title because of Finn!
And after eight long YEARS, Finn Balor walks out as the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! The Judgment Day applauds but the fans boo. Gunther tells Finn he’ll set one thing straight: Finn did NOT earn his title match. Finn’s audacity of claiming any responsibility of GUNTHER being champion is what did it. But Gunther gets it, Finn is frustrated. Eight years ago, Finn was the first-ever Universal Champion. And at that point in Gunther’s career, he looked up to Finn. Gunther respected Finn. But over the time, that respect kept fading and fading. Not because Gunther chose to, but because Finn chose to cut corners.
Finn chose to take shortcuts! Finn chose to hang out with a bunch of weirdos in a clubhouse! The fans cheer that but Gunther also adds that Finn chose to play second fiddle to Damian Priest. Finn gets heated, JD McDonagh keeps him back, and Gunther says, “So here we are now. Standing across from each other with no respect left. And I figuratively and literally am looking down on you. Eight years ago, you were the best in the world… for one night. I am the best in the world RIGHT NOW and for THOUSANDS of days to come! And this title proves it!!” The fans do cheer that.
Gunther tells Finn there is one reason he wont’ leave Saturday as World Heavyweight Champion: Finn is NOT on Gunther’s level, and he never will be! Finn chuckles, and then The Judgment Day storms up to the ring! Gunther stands his ground, but here comes Damian Priest! Finn and his boys are shocked but The Punisher is storming down the ramp! Priest DOUBLE LARIATS JD & Carlito, KICKS and THROWS Dom aside, then fires hands on Finn! The fans fire up as Priest then THROWS Carlito down, and gives JD SNAKE EYES off railing! Finn goes after Priest now, and he sends Priest at the ring. Priest stops himself and fires hands on Finn
Priest puts Finn in the ring, and Gunther is there to CHOP him down! Priest SUPERKICKS Finn out of the ring! But then Gunther LARIATS Priest! The fans are torn as Gunther rains down fists on Priest, the guy who tried to help him! Gunther says he does not need help, and he TOSSES Priest out! Gunther storms out, clears off the desk, and now the fans are really fired up! Gunther brings Priest over, but Finn SLINGBLADES Gunther down! The Prince ends up saving Priest and he DROPKICKS Gunther into steel steps! But then Finn SMACKS Priest off the desk! Finn puts Priest in, climbs a corner, just to COUP DE GRACE Gunther!!
Judgment Day rushes Priest but he TOSSES Dom, throws JD into Carlito, then gives JD a FLAPJACK! SUPERKICK for Carlito! Dom throws hands, but Pries tis just pissed. Finn CLOBBERS Gunther on the outside, then hurries into the ring to save Dom! FINAL CUT! The Judgment Day mugs Priest now while fans boo. The boys set Priest up and Finn runs in, SHOTGUN! Priest hits buckles and falls! Judgment Day mugs Priest more while Finn goes up! COUP DE GRACE for Priest!! Finn wants more, his boys set Priest back up, COUP DE GRACE!! The fans boo even harder, but Finn wants another! Finn hits a third COUP DE GRACE on Priest!!
Wichita boos but Finn eyes the world title. Finn grins as he picks it up. Will Finn be a DOUBLE CHAMPION after Saturday Night’s Main Event? Or can Der Ring General stand against all of Judgment Day?
Judgment Day regroups backstage.
They’re all very excited after taking Gunther and Priest at the same time, and in steps Adam Pearce. He has to hand it to them. Another Monday, another night Judgment Day is causing chaos. But he is here as a courtesy to Finn. Pearce spoke with Gunther, and that conversation has brought about a change to Saturday Night’s Main Event. Huh? It will be Gunther VS Finn… VS PRIEST!! Finn is furious but then he says fine. Because it’ll make it even more satisfying when Finn beats both Gunther and Priest to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion! The Judgment Day agrees, but Pearce has something else to say.
Since Finn is so worried about the other champions, here’s an opportunity to lead by example. Next week on Raw, Finn & JD will face the War Raiders again, for the tag titles again, and the best part? The rest of Judgment Day is BANNED FROM RINGSIDE! Pearce leaves, Judgment Day is furious, but the Liv says Finn should relax. He’s got everything under control. Though, she was wondering if Finn’s got any advice for Raquel’s match tonight. They wanna listen to Finn so they’ll win. Finn says yeah, Sis, just give him a couple minutes. Finn heads out, JD follows, and Liv says she feels good about tonight. Will Judgment Day be (not) fine?
8 Man Tag: The Miz & The Final Testament VS The Wyatt Sick6!
The Hollywood A-Lister’s sins came back to haunt him, but he aligned himself with men who are without conscience. But will any of them be conscious after facing Uncle Howdy and the new Wyatt Family? Or will Kross make Bo Dallas #FallAndPray?
The fans fire up for the Wyatts, and Bo talks to the rocking chair to say this is for the family. Then with a “Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah~!” Bo and the Wyatts rush the ring! The fans fire up as the brawl is on and the bell rings! Lumis scares Miz and slithers after him while Gacy has Akam, Rowan has Rezar and Bo of course goes after Kross! The Wyatts manage to LARIAT the AOP up and out of the ring, then Bo CLOBBERS Kross! Bo clinches but Miz drags Kross out to safety! The Final Testament regroups while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Akam has Gacy down. The fans boo, Miz soaks it up, and Rezar tags in. AOP double whip to DOUBLE SPINEBUSTER! Cover, TWO! The fans rally but Rezar DRIBBLES Gacy’s face off the mat! Rezar then drags Gacy up, fires body shots, then talks trash. Rezar whips Gacy but Gacy BLASTS Kross! Gacy BOOTS Rezar, heads for his corner, but Rezar whips! But Gacy handsprings and comes back from THE UPSIDE-DOWN! The fans fire up while both men crawl, hot tags to Miz and Rowan! Big Red, the Ramblin’ Rabbit, rallies on Miz AND Akam! Then LARIAT in the corner for Miz, LARIAT in the corner for Akam!
Rowan runs back at Miz, but Miz BOOTS him! Miz runs but Rowan grabs him and TOSSES him! Miz lands hard out by Akam, and Rowawn builds speed!? Rowan WRECKS Akam and Miz with a dropkick! The fans fire up as Rowan puts Miz in, and he BOOTS Akam! The fans fire up and Rowan slides in. Miz KICKS Rowan, but that just pisses Rowan off! Rowan suplexes for the CUTTER! Cover, AOP breaks it! AOP BLAST The Wyatts, then they hoist Rowan up! DOUBLE POWERBOMB!! But Gacy & Lumis get in to fire hands! They dodge, DROPKICK and SUPERKICK in stereo! TheN Lumis whips Gacy so he can DIVE onto AOP!
Lumis goes up, Gacy sets AOP for the CANNONBALL! All four men are down and Miz is freaking out! Rowan crawls, hot tag to Howdy! Bo CLOBBERS Miz, then LARIATS in a corner! Bo reels Miz in, suplexes, and puts Miz on ropes for the MAGIC SCREW! The fans are thunderous and Bo waits on Miz. Miz rises up, scrambles to ropes, and he throws an elbow! Kross tags in, but Bo ROCKS Kross first! Bo LARIATS Kross up and out! The fans fire up for Bo, he builds speed, but Scarlett trips him up! The fans boo as the Femme Fatale gets away with that one. Or does she? NIKKI CRSS creeps out from nowhere, and she creeps Scarlett out!
Nikki waves, Scarlett runs away but into the ring! The ref tells her to get out, which she does, but Nikki is there on the other side! FLYING THESZ PRESS! Bo clinches Kross, but Miz CLOBBERS him! The fans boo but Miz thinks he’s got him> Bo GRABS Miz with the MANDIBLE CLAW!! Miz flails desperately, but PAUL ELLERING is back! POCKET SAND!! Kross scoops Bo for the FINAL PRAYER! Cover, Final Testament wins!
Winners: The Final Testament, by pinfall
That mastermind, Ellering, returns when Kross needed him most! But is this only the first battle in a war with the Wyatts?
Sit-down interview with CM Punk.
Jackie Redmond is with the Second City Saint and thanks him for taking the time. He thanks her for inviting him, he appreciates it. Punk then teases if she’s going to belittle his Chicago Blackhawks, she’s in for a fight. Jackie says no, she’ll be asking something much more important. It is all anyone’s talking about, anyway: the promised favor from Paul Heyman! What is it? Can he hint anything about it? No, this isn’t the right time for that. That’s a personal thing. Punk and Heyman go back many years, the favor is between them.
Jackie accepts that and then asks about Seth Rollins. Last week, Punk let Rollins know that Punk doesn’t think about Rollins at all, but Rollins made it clear that he has his sights set on Punk. Rollins is willing to force the issue, so how will Punk handle it? Punk says it is no secret that he doesn’t shy away from a fight. If you go after him, he’ll start swinging. But when it comes to Rollins’ hatred for Punk, Punk is more confused than anything. Punk doesn’t hate Rollins. To understand, you have to talk about the history between them, which also goes back years.
We’re talking about a 16-year-old Seth Rollins coming to Punk to ask Punk to train him, for free. Now, that’s the key part everyone leaves out. Rollins’ entitlement gets carried over into adult Rollins, who wants to be the best in the world, in everyone’s Top Ten List. But Punk remembers when Rollins was on the top ten list of those to be fired from here. Punk “shielded” Rollins from that. If Punk had to live in his shadow, Punk would hate Punk, too. Rollins is a multiple time world champion, a Mr. Money in the Bank winner, but everything he’s done, Punk did before and did it better.
Now, Punk doesn’t claim to do those things because he wanted a thank you. He did recognize Rollins had all the potential in the world. And in Punk’s absence from the WWE, Rollins did a fantastic job filling to void. But simply put, the starting player is back, Rollins has to go back to the bench. Jackie appreciates the honesty, and thanks Punk for his time. But is Punk really telling the truth that he doesn’t hate Rollins with how he just talked down about him? Will Rollins’ hate for Punk only grow exponentially now?
Dakota Kai VS Liv Morgan!
#CobraKai is already into the second round of the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship tournament, but she could capture a golden ticket off of the Women’s WORLD Champion here in Wichita. Will Damage CTRL be doing damage to Judgment Day for the holidays? Or will Liv simply use Kai to prepare for Iyo Sky?
The bell rings, Liv runs up and the two tie up. Dakota headlocks, but Liv pulls hair to get free! Liv shoves, drops down, but Dakota stops herself. Dakota bypasses Liv, then hurdles. Liv jumps over, comes back, but Dakota arm-drags her around and around! Dakota snapmares Liv to then NECK SNAPPER! Jackknife bridge, TWO!! Liv escapes and scurries away to a corner. Dakota runs up but Liv TOSSES her up and out! Dakota SMACKS off steps before hitting the floor, and Liv grins while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns and Liv SLAMS Dakota down! Dakota writhes but Liv kicks her around. Wait, Pure Fusion Collective make their way out here? They must be upset on Shayna Baszler’s behalf for how Dakota won that Triple Threat. Anyway, Liv hits a snap suplex, then rolls, that was Una Amiga! Now she hits Dos Amigas! And then Liv gives some Latina Heat for Daddy Dom, but Dakota hits a suplex first! The fans fire up while Liv flounders away. Liv runs back up but Dakota ROCKS her first! And again, and again, and again! Liv shoves Dakota, but Dakota LARIATS! And LARIATS! Then DROPKICKS! The fans fire up with Dakota as she goes after Liv!
Dakota whips Liv corner to corner hard, and Liv sits down! Dakota then runs side to side to BOOT WASH! Liv flounders to the apron but Dakota puts her in ropes, DRAPING STOMP! Cover, TWO! Liv survives and now Dakota notices PFC. They wave mockingly and also mockingly coach her. Dakota fireman’s carries Liv, but Liv slips free to shove! Dakota comes back with a SCORPION KICK! Dakota runs, Zoey is there, so Dakota BOOTS her! And PERNALTY KICKS Shayna! The ref tells PFC to back up, but Liv runs up! Dakota avoids ObLivion, rolls Liv up, TWO! Liv dodges a kick to hit a CODE BREAKER!
Dakota staggers to a corner, Liv runs up, SHINING WIZARD! Liv kicks Dakota out, then goes up, FLYING- POWERBOMB!! The fans fire up but Sonya gets on the apron! Dakota BOOTS her down! Dakota runs Around the World, but Liv dodges the boot! Dakota hobbles, Liv runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, Liv wins!
Winner: Liv Morgan, by pinfall
The Women’s World Champion snatches her belt and leaves, but PFC goes after Dakota! They really ARE upset over last week’s Triple Threat! They mug Dakota, then drag her up. But wait, here comes DMG CTRL! Iyo Sky RAMS Shayna, Kairi drags Sonya out! URAKEN for Sonya! Zoey & Shayna dodge the handspring but Iyo comes back to DOUBLE SHOTGUN! Iyo kips up while Wichita fires up, and Kairi joins in! Iyo gives Kairi a hand to go up, up and AWAY! TRIPLE CROSSBODY!! PFC goes down, the fans fire up more, but then Iyo turns around into OBLIVION!! Liv gets the final shot on the Evil Genius, will this be how things go at Saturday Night’s Main Event?
Drew McIntyre speaks.
“Hell in a Cell was the most violent match of my 24 year career. And in the end, I succumbed to massive blood loss. I could’ve been at Raw post Bad Blood, against doctor’s orders. I proved time and time again The Scottish Warrior isn’t just a catchy nickname, it is earned. But I had to go back to Scotland. My family needed me. 2024 should’ve been a career year for Drew McIntyre, but time and time again, I kept getting screwed over at the finish line. While I was home in Scotland, that same thought kept going through my head, burning in my brain. ‘What if I’m wrong? What if everyone else was right? What if people truly can change? What if my gut was wrong?’
“Then I turned on Survivor Series and I saw Roman Reigns standing side by side with CM Punk. Who was by their side? Sami, Jimmy, Jey, with their stupid fingers in the air. After everything they know, Roman just snaps his fingers, they put their tails between their legs, they run right by his side? At least CM Punk took a bribe! They all sold out for absolutely nothing. That’s when it was clear, that’s when I knew I had to come back. That’s when I knew I was gonna take out Sami. That’s when I knew I was gonna take out Jey Uso. Spending time back home, I realized there’s no changing the past, no matter how much I want to.
“But I can change the present. And I will change the future.” The Scottish Terminator has new targets, or perhaps old depending on how you look at it. But will there be no running for Jey and Sami now that McIntyre’s making it his mission to destroy them?
Adam Pearce exits his office, with Cody Rhodes!
The Raw General Manager shakes hands with the Undisputed WWE Champion, and then The New Day walk by. They see the American Nightmare, and Cody says he’s known them both for a very long time. Cody and Woods have even known each other since they were kids. Cody says they should be ashamed of themselves. Woods laughs that off and says good coming from that guy, like he was so good in high school. The New Day continues on, who else will the find disapproves of this new attitude?
Seth Rollins is here!
Wichita sings for The Visionary, “WHOA~ OH~ OHH~!” while he goes to the ring. Rollins grabs a mic and welcomes Wichita to Monday Night Rollins~! And he is your host tonight! He is a Visionary, he is a Revolutionary, he IS Seth FREAKIN’ Rollins! And there’s a lot to talk about tonight. Wichita, give it up for CM Punk, huh? The fans are torn but Rollins tells “Punker,” when you’re done in the ring, Punk can be a politician! That right there earlier tonight, that was a master class in how to spin the truth. Take a little bit of the truth, play the victim, and Punk’s been doing that his entire life!
Rollins says Punk is a fraud, a conman, and Rollins will share the truth between them. Punk was right, Rollins did go to get trained by The Best in the World, no doubt about it. Rollins looked up to Punk, idolized him, and Punk helped Rollins get his foot in the door here in the WWE. Rollins respected Punk, and they were once friends. And if the story ended there, you might wonder, too: Why does Rollins hate Punk? The part of Punk’s story that he left out will tell you why. When Punk walked out the door of WWE eleven years ago, Rollins called and texted as a friend and how he respected what Punk stood for.
What’d Rollins get in return? Nothing! Rollins got ghosted! And not just Rollins, it was everyone who was a friend of Punk’s here in WWE! Because if you didn’t quit your dream job, and your priorities didn’t line up with Team CM Punk, then you were evil. And if the story ended there, okay. But that’s not what happened! Because for the next ten years, all Punk ever tried to do was tear WWE down! That’s all he did! Punk talked crap, took pot shots, and when Punk finally walked back in here, do you know why that was? Because Punk FAILED at everything else, burned every single bridge that would lead him to water, and… the money was right.
The fans are still torn, but plenty of fans still chant “CM PUNK! CM PUNK!” Rollins says yeah, once upon a time, he used to chant for Punk, too. He used to respect Punk, used to want to be just like Punk, follow in his footsteps. But somewhere along the way, Rollins realized Punk was a fraud and that he wanted to be BETTER than Punk! And Rollins was! Everything Punk did, Rollins did it TWICE! And he did the one thing Punk could never do, and that was main event WrestleMania! But wait, here comes Sami Zayn! Rollins tells Sami to stay outta this but the fans cheer Sami on as he goes right down to the ring.
Sami steps in with a mic in hand, and Rollins says if Sami is out here to defend Punk again, then they’re gonna be fighting again. Rollins does not wanna hear it, he has no time for it. Sami says last week, Rollins was angry, Sami was angry, they said some things and had it out in the ring. That’s bound to happen when they’ve known each other for as long as they have. But it was wrong of Sami to assume Rollins dropped Jey. Sami’s known Rollins long enough so he was wrong, and for that, he is sorry. The fans cheer the apology, and Rollins says he is glad Sami brought that up.
Because the thing that’s been eating Rollins up is, as far back as they go, 20 YEARS, and their kids play together, they’re tight! But when Jey went down, Rollins was the first person Sami thought of! And Rollins wants to know why. Well there is a reason! The way Rollins was talking, he was outta his mind! No, go back and watch. Rollins wasn’t talking like Rollins, he wasn’t like the guy Sami’s known those 20 years. Rollins was being someone who points his fingers at everyone else, that blames everyone else, and acts like they’re the only person with moral clarity. He wasn’t being Seth Rollins, he was being Drew McIntyre!
Rollins stares Sami down and says, “I am not Drew McIntyre.” Sami says he knows that, because Rollins is a better person. But this thing with Rollins and Punk, it is bringing out the worst in Rollins. And maybe Sami shouldn’t have gotten involved. Sami saw a guy he’s known forever and a guy he’d just gone to war with, they were fighting, and Sami got involved when he shouldn’t have. That is why he is here. Sami has to tell Rollins that this thing with Punk is worse than Sami thought possible, so Sami will let Rollins deal with it however he wants. Rollins thanks Sami for that, that is all Rollins has wanted.
Okay, so what about them? Are Sami and Rollins good? The fans chant “HUG IT OUT! HUG IT OUT!” Rollins says, “Yeah, Sami, we’re good, man.” Rollins appreciates Sami letting him handle things with Punk, and notes it seems Sami has something with Drew. Rollins heads out, and Sami says yeah, that’s good advice. Sami will handle things with Drew! Sami says this thing with Drew, they won’t run it back like before. Sami won’t listen to Drew coming out here, week after week, talking about everyone else is wrong and he is wrong and is some martyr. Sami’s gonna end this as quickly as it started, so this is how it goes!
Sami has already spoken with Adam Pearce. The fans cheer that! Sami says Saturday Night’s Main Event, Sami VS Drew, and Sami will see Drew in Long Island!! The fans fire up as SNME just gets that much bigger. Sami heads out, but then McIntyre CLOBBERS Sami on the stage!! The fans boo, producers and refs rush out, and they have to drag McIntyre off of Sami. McIntyre grins and says okay, he’s done with Sami, for now. Will McIntyre put Sami out of action like he did to Jey last week? Or can Sami stop the Scottish Terminator before he gets started?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship Tournament Opening Round Triple Threat: Lyra Valkyria VS Zelina Vega VS Ivy Nile!
Another spot in the semifinals awaits, and we’ll see The Morrigan, La Muneca & The Diamond Pitbull battle it out! Will Lyra fly on to the second round? Will the LWO have the Queen of the Ring representing them? Or will this tournament soon be American Made?
The bell rings and Zelina SHOTGUNS Ivy! Lyra rolls Zelina, TWO! Zelina and Lyra clinch, Lyra whips, but Zelina leaps to FACE SMASH! Then BASEMENT HEEL KCIK! The fans fire up and Zelina dials it up, 619! Lyra flops back but Ivy YANKS Zelina down! Ivy runs up, whips Lyra, then tilt-o-whirl POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Ivy stomps away on Lyra, then stands on her face! The fans boo and the ref reprimands while Raw goes to break
Raw returns and Lyra rallies the fans before she builds speed. Lyra WRECKS Ivy and Zelina with one dropkick! Lyra puts Ivy in, brings her around, and then runs up a corner! TORNADO DDT! Then a roll through to fisherman and BUSTER! Cover, TWO! Ivy stays in this but Lyra stays on Ivy. Lyra fireman’s carries, but Ivy fights around to an ARMBAR TAKEDOWN! Ivy clasps hands and fights around, and she rolls back, but into a DISARM-HER! Ivy references The Man but Lyra rolls Ivy, TWO! Ivy lets go and runs up, but Lyra sunset flips! ONE, and Ivy jackknife bridges! ONE as Lyra rolls and rolls, but Zelina is up top! SWANTON BOMB!!
Zelina covers Ivy, TWO!! A cover on Lyra, TWO!! Zelina is annoyed but she builds speed to SLIDING SUNSET BOMB! A shoutout to Rey Mysterio and Zelina hurries up top. Zelina climbs up and the fans rally for the FLYING METEORA! Cover, Ivy BOOTS it apart! The fans boo but Ivy throws Zelina to a corner. Zelina BOOTS Ivy, goes up, and CROSSBODIES! Ivy catches Zelina for a SWINGING SIDE SLAM! Cover, Lyra breaks it! The fans fire up and all three women are down! The fans rally, Ivy drags Lyra up to waistlock, GERMAN SUPLEX! Ivy holds on, Lyra scrambles around, and Lyra grabs Zelina! Ivy DOUBLE GERMAN SUPLEXES!
Bridging cover on Lyra, TWO!! Lyra stays in this but Ivy stays on her! Lyra fights #SuplexIvy to switch, but Ivy switches for a BIG back suplex! Cover, TWO! Lyra stays in this, but Zelina hops on! CODE RED for Ivy! Cover, Lyra breaks it again! Lyra hurries to get Ivy up, fireman’s carries, and hits the NIGHTWING DRIVER! Cover, LYRA WINS!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (advances to the next round)
The Morrigan finds her opening, and now she’s flying back to a “shiny shiny!” But the next match will have Alba Fyre VS Kairi Sane VS Natalya, who wins that Triple Threat to meet Lyra in the semifinals?
Rhea Ripley prepares backstage.
Priest finds her, and he simply tells her, “Eradicate.” They fist bump and Priest heads out. Will Rhea do exactly that when she and Raquel Rodriguez go Anything Goes?
Backstage interview with The New Day.
Cathy Kelley is with Woods & Kofi and brings up last week’s celebration becoming anything but “don’t you dare be sour,” the very phrase they coined ten years ago. What was the intention behind them berating their longtime friend, Big E? Kofi says hold on, she is supposed to be neutral, why is she asking a question like that? Woods says Cathy is cleary biased, so they’re going to go talk to the people they need to, and that’s the fans. Can’t he just answer the question? Woods says no, Cathy, please. Now hand Woods the camera. What? Woods doesn’t care if John Cena’s his best friend, the cameraman is gonna hand it over!
Woods takes the camera from this guy, then he and Kofi head on through the backstage area and towards gorilla. The fans can be heard booing as they do, and The New Day make their entrance without music or fanfare. The fans instead chant “NEW! DAY SUCKS! NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods asks, “What’d we do?” Kofi and Woods go into the ring, we get a different camera perspective while they get mics. Kofi says no no no no no, but the fans just boo more. “You mean to tell me… after the ten years of positivity that Woods and I have given you, you mean to tell me you’re this mad, all from one day?”
The fans boo and give thumbs down, but Woods says that New Day came out here… The fans chant “We Want Big E! We Want Big E!” and “NEW! DAY SUCKS! NEW! DAY SUCKS!” Woods says they didn’t even do anything to Big E! The fans boo because yes they did! Kofi says they could’ve hit Big E with a steel chair! They could’ve hit him with a sledgehammer! The fans chant for Big E more, and Woods says, “Y’know what? We were gonna try to come out here and talk…” The fans boo more so New Day just gives up and drops their mics. New Day leaves, acting like they’re somehow NOT in the wrong, but will someone get it through their heads what they did?
Anything Goes: Rhea Ripley VS Raquel Rodriguez!
After weeks of being this close to getting even with Liv Morgan, and yet being so far from revenge because of Big Mami Cool, these two finally have it out 1v1! No disqualifications, no count outs, no holding these two back from what they really wanna do to each other! Who will be the Top Mami after tonight?
Raw returns and Raquel makes her entrance. But Rhea goes after her at the ramp! Rhea fires hands, then she whips Raquel into barriers! The fans fire up as this match is happening in front of them, and Raquel sends Rhea into the railing! And then the barriers! Then she CLUBS away! Rhea hits back, they brawl, and Rhea SMACKS Raquel off a trash can! The fans fire up but Rhea has them move aside. Rhea makes Raquel take a seat so she can CHOP and CHOP and CHOP! Rhea then runs and TOSSES Raquel over the barriers! We’re finally ringside and Rhea CHUCKS a trash can at Raquel! The trash flies everywhere while Rhea storms up on Raquel.
Rhea puts Raquel in the ring, where a lot of items are already waiting! Rhea gathered those during commercial it seems, and Rhea hits a FACE SMASH then LARAIT! Raquel stays up, so Rhea SMACKS her with a kendo stick! Raquel falls, and Rhea SMACKS her again! Raquel grabs the stick, throws Rhea to a corner, but Rhea BOOTS in return! Rhea goes up, up and MISSILE DROPKICKS! Down goes Raquel and the fans fire up! Raquel tumbles out, Rhea builds speed and WRECKS her with a dropkick! The fans fire up with Rhea, and she looks under the ring. Rhea brings out a TABLE! The fans love it!
But then Raquel RAMS Rhea into the post! Raquel scoops Rhea, to FALL AWAY SLAM her onto the desk! Rhea tumbles, Wade Barrett & Joe Tessitore get clear, and Raquel roars while Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Rhea DOUBLE BOOTS Raquel! Both women are down and Wichita fires up! Rhea and Raquel rise, Rhea wrenches Raquel to short arm LARIAT! And then ROUNDHOUSE! Rhea grabs a chair, tosses it to Raquel, then DROPKICKS the chair into her! The fans fire up and Rhea runs, but into a KNEE! Raquel hoists Rhea up, ALLEY-OOP into buckles! Cover, TWO! Rhea stays in this but Raquel is furious! Fans want tables but Raquel sets up a chair. Raquel gut wrenches Rhea but Rhea slips free! Rhea gets around, and atomic FACEBUSTERS Raquel off the chair! Then Rhea SMACKS Raquel with another chair! Cover, TWO!
Rhea is seething and she piles chairs together. Rhea hauls Raquel up, pump handles, but here comes Liv! Liv taunts Rhea, Rhea runs up to TOSS Liv into the ring! Liv flounders, almost hitting those chairs on that landing! But Raquel CLOBBERS Rhea! Raquel decides to use that chair pile herself! Scoop and SLAM onto the chairs! Cover, TWO!! Rhea survives but Raquel sits a chair up upside-down! Raquel aims Rhea at the chair legs, but Rhea slips free! Rhea HEADBUTTS Raquel! Then she pump handles, but Liv jumps on for a SLEEPER! Liv thrashes but Rhea THROWS her down! Rhea runs up and tells Liv that she’s gonna pay!
Raquel runs up but Rhea SUPERKICKS her! But Liv gets Rhea into OBLIVION!! But wait, Iyo Sky is here! Payback with a MISSILE DROPKICK! The fans fire up as Iyo kips up! Iyo then builds speed and DIVES! Down goes Liv! But Raquel covers Rhea! TWO!! Rhea survives again but Raquel brings that table up! The fans are torn because they like the table but the want Rhea to rise up! Raquel hoists Rhea up, but Rhea slips free again! Raquel runs up, but is sent into a CORNER CHAIR!! Rhea then hauls Raquel up, pump handles, and RIPTIDE through the table!!! Cover, Rhea wins!!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by pinfall
That was brutal to be sure, but Rhea grins as she gets one over on Raquel. Rhea spots the world title, but so does Iyo. They both grab it, then stare down with each other. With Iyo facing Liv this Saturday, could the Evil Genius be leaving Long Island the NEW Women’s World Champion, and Rhea’s new target?
My Thoughts:
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Will heads for the Tokyo Dome?
Gabe Kidd & Sanada won A Block handedly while Naito & Hiromu came out of B Block’s chaotic finale, but only one team can win World Tag League!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Tiger Mask VS Daiki Nagai; Tiger Mask wins.
- Shane Haste & Mikey Nicholls VS Shoma Kato & Katsuya Mursahima; Shane & Mikey win.
- Bishamon VS The Filip Brothers; Bishamon wins.
- Six Man Tag: The United Empire VS Taichi, Taka Michinoku & DOUKI; Taichi, Taka & Douki win.
- Six Man Tag: Los Ingobernables de Japon VS Bullet Club; LIJ wins.
- 10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, Tomoaki Honma & Jado VS The House of Torture; The Houes of Torture wins, by disqualification.
- Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Shota Umino, Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi; TMDK wins.
- 2024 World Tag League Finals: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi; Naito & Hiromu win.
PLAY BY PLAY
10 Man Tag: Hiroshi Tanahashi, Toru Yano, Boltin Oleg, Tomoaki Honma & Jado VS The House of Torture!
The Ace, The Joker & The Rook are joined by a couple knights of NJPW to stand against The King of Darkness and his army of scumbags! With WrestleKingdom on the horizon, which side of this war wins this crucial battle?
But as The House makes their entrance, Team Ace turns the tables by going after them first! The fans cheer as Tanahashi goes right after Evil and The House panics! Yano brawls with Narita, Oleg and Jado take care of Kanemaru and Yujiro, and Tanahashi headlocks Evil. Tanahashi brings Evil to ringside to POST him! Evil falls but Tanahashi drags him back up to wrench and whip into railing! The fans cheer more and Tanahashi CLUBS Evil. Tanahashi whips Evil at more railing, and Evil hits so hard that he tumbles up and over! The rest of the team keeps The House down all around ringside while Tanahashi fetches Evil.
Tanahashi brings Evil into the ring, then follows, and finally the bell rings! The fans cheer as Tanahashi stalks Evil to a corner. Tanahashi stomps Evil, throws forearms, and the ref counts. Tanahashi shoves the ref! The President is getting really rough with his employees, but he stalks Evil. Tanahashi drags Evil up to fire a BODY BLOW! And another! Tanahashi whips, Evil reverses, and then Evil gets in the ref’s face so Dick Togo can trip Tanahashi up! Then the House rushes in and BLASTS Team Ace off the apron! The ref reprimands everyone but Evil CHOKES Tanahashi with the tag rope!
The fans boo but The House beats up on Team Ace, and then Evil throws away the evidence of his crime. Dick passes the mic to Evil, and Evil grabs it so he can shout in Tanahashi’s face about just giving up now and sparing himself the embarrassment at WrestleKingdom! Tanahashi tells Evil he’ll never surrender, and the ref reprimands Evil. Evil stops choking Tanahashi and throws the mic away. Evil tags Narita and the Souled Out Son of Strong Style stomps away on Tanahashi’s legs! Narita then clamps on a KNEEBAR! Evil and Yano shout at each other, but Tanahashi fights his way to the ROPEBREAK!
The ref counts and Narita lets go at 4. Narita stomps Tanahashi more, then he tags Tokyo Pimp. Narita & Yujiro have the legs, and they split the wishbone! Yujiro then drops an elbow on the bad leg! Yujiro taunts Tanahashi, then ROCKS him with a forearm! Tanahashi ends up on ropes, so Yujiro ROCKS him, then CHOPS him! Yujiro stands Tanahashi up, Narita & Sho anchor Tanahashi in place, and Yujiro BOOTS him! The ref reprimands everyone but Yujiro snapmares for a cover! TWO, the fans rally, but Kanemaru tags in. The Heel Master YANKS the leg, then whisp Tanahashi to ropes. Kanemaru dropkicks the leg out!
Kanemaru hurries to step through, FIGURE FOUR! The House BLASTS Team Ace again! The ref reprimands and the fans rally up while Tanahashi endures. Honma clears Evil out, and he runs to FALLING KOKESHI on Kanemaru! The fans cheer as Tanahashi is saved, but Narita goes after Honma! The fans boo as Narita TOSSES Honma, but Kanemaru tags Sho. Sho stomps the leg, then DDTS the foot! The fans rally for Tanahashi but Sho scuffs him around. Tanahashi stands up and he fires forearms! Sho CLAWS Tanahashi’s eyes, but Tanahashi CLAWS Sho’s eyes! The ref reprimands them both, but Tanahashi blocks a kick! DRAGON SCREW!
The fans fire up as Tanahashi crawls over, hot tag to Oleg! The fans fire up as BARS CLOBBERS Sho! Evil gets away before Oleg can get him, and Yujiro attacks from behind! Yujiro & Narita double whip, but Oleg CLOBBERS them both! Kanemaru kicks and whips, but Oleg reverses to scoop Kanemaru! Oleg SMACKS Sho using Kanemaru! Then Oleg SLAMS Kanemaru, and gut wrenches! The fans fire up for the Shake, Shake, Shake! GUT WRENCH PLEX! Oleg kips up and the fans fire up! Oleg then deadlifts Sho for the gut wrench. But Sho bends fingers and wrenches free! Sho runs, SPEARS, but he bounces right off of Oleg!
The fans fire up and Oleg deadlifts Sho again! Shake, Shake, Shake! GUT WRENCH PLEX! And another kip up! The fans fire up with Oleg and he runs to BODY PRESS! Cover, TWO! Oleg drags Sho right up into his arms, then pops him to a fireman’s carry! But Sho CLAWS Oleg’s eyes! Sho slips free, but Oleg kicks Sho! Sho runs to dropkick Oleg’s legs! Sho whips, and TADA! Bare buckles! Oleg suffers The House Special, and Evil DROPKICKS Tanahashi! Sho & Evil double whip Oleg into the bare buckles! Oleg hobbles forward, into a DOUBLE- NO! Oleg fights to DOUBLE SUPLEX them first! The fans fire up and Oleg crawls, and Tanahashi is adamant about getting in!
Oleg isn’t sure about it, but he tags Tanahashi back! Tanahashi fires a strike fest on Evil, and goes an extra round before the SHOTEI! Tanahashi runs to SLINGBLADE! The fans fire up while Tanahashi stalks Evil to a corner. Tanahashi stomps a mudhole into Evil but the ref counts. Tanahashi is not stopping! He SHOVES the ref away! Tanahashi’s rage is getting the better of him as he UPPERCUTS Evil! Tanahashi goes corner to corner, runs back in, but Evil sends him into the ref! And then The House attacks again! Dick stomps away on Tanahashi while Evil recovers! The fans boo and tell Dick to go away!
Narita brings in chairs! Dick stomps Tanahashi more, and the House has all their favorite items! Dick has his Spoiler Choker, Narita with his pushup bar, Sho with the “Torture Tool,” Yujiro with the pimp cane, and Kanemaru with his whiskey bottle. The fans boo as Evil stands on Tanahashi’s face and The House closes in. Evil drags Tanahashi up, and Dick clamps on the SPOILER CHOKER! And then The House CLOBBERS Team Ace with all their weapons! Evil takes aim, but Tanahashi BOOTS him first! Tanahashi THROWS Dick away, but Evil JAMS him up! Tanahashi blocks the chair shot! Tanahashi kicks low, and he SMACKS away on Evil!
The fans fire up as Tanahashi breaks the chair on Evil’s back! Narita runs up, Tanahashi JAMS him first! And then he JAMS Yujiro! And he JAMS Kanemaru! And he JAMS Sho! Then Tanahashi uses the frame to SMACK Evil! The ref is back, he tells Tanahashi to stop, but Tanahashi shoves the ref again! Tanahashi’s rage explodes as he beats Evil down with the chair! Team Ace is DISQUALIFIED!!
Winners: The House of Torture, by disqualification
Tanahashi keeps beating Evil to serve justice, but Young Lions rush in and stop him! Evil writhes, but Tanahashi gets a new chair! Tanahashi SMACKS Evil again and again! His team isn’t even sure what to do, so they let him just BASH away on Evil! Tanahashi tells Evil this is what he gets! One more chair shot! AND THEN ANOTHER! Evil scrambles out of the ring, and Young Lions have to get in Tanahashi’s way to stop the beating! Tanahashi drops the chair to grab the mic, and he shouts, “EVIL, YOU BASTARD! Shut up about my retirement! Oi, oi, you want me to leave so badly? I get it. You want it a year earlier, huh?
“Then in our match on January 4th, I’ll put my career on the line right then!!” The fans are shocked, but Evil says good! And there’s no going back now that he said it! But Tanahashi adds that Evil won’t be able to rely on his goons! It will be a LUMBERJACK MATCH! Now YOU remember that!! Team Ace and The House will wage war once again in the Tokyo Dome! And given Evil only won tonight because Tanahashi lost his cool, will Tanahashi dish out his final justice?
Six Man Tag: TMDK VS Shota Umino, Alex Zayne & Ryusuke Taguchi!
Zack Sabre Jr. took the pin when he and Ryohei Oiwa faced Shota Umino & Tomoaki Honma in the tournament, so an IWGP World Heavyweight Championship match is set for WrestleKingdom! Will the Roughneck burn The Front Man again with the help of Funky Sauce? Or will we see even now that The Mighty Don’t Kneel?
The teams sort out and after Shota stares at the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, and his paper replica to compare, he steps up to the champ. The bell rings and the fans cheer as we get this WK19 preview. Shota and ZSJ stare down, the fans rally up, and it sounds pretty even between “SHOTA! SHOTA!” and “ZAKU! ZAKU!” Shota and ZSJ get their fans even more fired up, and then the two circle. They feel things out, knuckle lock, but then ZSJ rolls to wrench. Shota wrenches back and he WRINGS ZSJ out! ZSJ UPKICKS, and the two reset. The fans cheer and the two circle again. Shota avoids a leg pick but ZSJ avoids an enzigiri!
Shota avoids the Penalty Kick, then spins ZSJ to underhook! ZSJ flips that but Shota fights the scoop! ZSJ avoids the uppercut but Shota blocks the uppercut! Shota wants the backslide but ZSJ spins that around, only for Shota to arm-drag! But ZSJ headscissors! Shota kips free and the fans cheer the standoff! Shota dares ZSJ to take the leg, but ZSJ just pushes the foot away. The two reset and feel things out again. They knuckle lock, go forehead to forehead, but then each man kicks a knuckle lock apart. ZSJ and Shota back off, and ZSJ dares Shota to bring it. Shota steps back up, they go forehead to forehead, and then ZSJ offers a free shot.
Shota says no, the champ should take the free shot. ZSJ decides to tag in Oiwa instead. Shota says fine, and he tags Taguchi. The fans rally as Taguchi and Oiwa circle. They tie up, Oiwa headlocks, but Taguchi pries the hold. Oiwa clamps on tighter but Taguchi fires body shots. Taguchi powers up and out, but Oiwa runs him over! Things speed up, Taguchi hurdles and DROPKICKS Oiwa down! Cover, TWO! Fujita slides in but Zayne intercepts! Zayne kicks the Japanese Young Punk and then throws him out! Funky Sauce double whip Oiwa to then BULLDOG and BASEMENT DROPKICK! The fans cheer and Taguchi stalks Oiwa.
Taguchi HIP DROPS Oiwa again and again, then uses the ropes to go up, out, and slingshot back in, but he hip drops onto Oiwa’s knees! Taguchi hobbles away and Oiwa storms up to whip. Taguchi reverses, runs up, but Oiwa pops him up onto the top rope! Taguchi is stuck right on the Funky Weapon! The ref checks but Oiwa SHAKES the ropes! Taguchi suffer, then he slowly tilts to one side! Oiwa gut wrenches Taguchi off the ropes! Tag to ZSJ and ZSJ UPPERCUTS the butt! Then he UPPERCUTS the butt again! And again! Taguchi falls over and ZSJ tags Fujita. Taguchi backstrokes towards his corner, but Fujita stomps him down!
Fujita drags Taguchi up, CHOPS him, then whips him to a corner. Fujita runs up and CHOPS again! Fujita snapmares Taguchi to PENALTY KICK! Cover, TWO! Taguchi stays in this and the fans rally up. Fujita drags Taguchi up, but Taguchi CHOPS! And CHOPS! And CHOPS! Fujita CHOPS back! Fujita runs, Taguchi jumps, but Fujita CHOPS the hip attack! Taguchi hobbles away while Fujita says he’s too smart for that. Fujita runs, but Taguchi somersaults to HIP ATTACK! Hot tag to Zayne and he fires forearms on Fujita! Zayne whips, hip tosses, then STANDING MARIPOSAS! The fans fire up while Zayne brings Fujita up.
Zayne fires more elbows, then a mule kick! Zayne runs to ROLLING AX KICK! Fujita goes to a corner, Zayne runs in, but Fujita BOOTS him away! Fujita hops up but Zayne comes back to JUMPING DRAGON RANA! The fans fire up and Zayne storms over to Fujita. Zayne scoops and B AJA BLASTS! Cover, TWO! Fujita survives but the fans rally behind Zayne. Zayne brings Fujita up, straitjackets, but Fujita fights free to CHOP! Zayne BOOTS! Fujita kicks but Zayne ducks! Fujita rolls off Zayne’s back and runs to GAMANGIRI! The fans fire up while both men are down! Fujita and Zayne crawl, hot tags to ZSJ and Shota!
The fans fire up as ZSJ BOOTS Shota, and Shota ROCKS ZSJ! Shota eggs ZSJ on so ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Shota UPPERCUTS in return! They UPPERCUT back and forth, harder and harder! The fans rally as they now go faster and faster! ZSJ gets the edge with UPPERCUT after UPPERCUT, but Shota roars! Shota UPPERCUTS again and again, ZSJ roars, but Shota UPPERCUTS him down! Shota hurries to FISHERMAN SUPLEX! Bridging cover, TWO! Not quite perfect but Shota stays fired up! Shota clinches ZSJ but ZSJ fights the lift! ZSJ goes for the arm but Shota waistlocks. ZSJ spins around to FACELOCK GUILLOTINE!
Shota endures and stays on his feet, even as ZSJ has the body scissors! The fans duel as ZSJ thrashes, but Shota powers through to suplex ZSJ up and over! Both men are down and the fans fire up again. Shota rises, then he brings ZSJ up to dragon sleeper. ZSJ spins and PELES the arm! But Shota blocks a roundhouse to PELE! But ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Both men are down again and the fans rally more! ZSJ and Shota crawl, but ZSJ tags in Oiwa! Oiwa runs in at the corner to DROPKICK! Oiwa has the single leg but Shota fights off the suplex! Oiwa swings but Shota clinches, so now Oiwa fights free!
Shota ROCKS Oiwa, spins, but Oiwa ROCKS Shota! Oiwa runs, into a clinch! EXPLODER! The fans fire up while both men are down! The fans rally, Shota and Oiwa crawl, hot tag to Taguchi! Taguchi calls to Zayne and then BLASTS Fujita! Funky Sauce whips Oiwa to a corner, then Zayne sends Taguchi in. HIP ATTACK! Taguchi goes up, Zayne RANAS Oiwa into the butt! Backslide, roll through, KETSUYE! Cover, TWO! Oiwa survives but Taguchi signals for that. Taguchi and Zayne use the power of Strong Style, and then “ITADAKIMAAAS~!” Oiwa stands, into a DOUBLE HIP ATTACK SANDWICH! Cover, Fujita breaks it!
Zayne ROCKS Fujita, he and Taguchi double whip, but Fujita ducks the lariats to shove Zayne into Taguchi! Zayne blocks a kick but not the DRAGON WHIP! Shota dropkicks Fujita’s legs! ZSJ BOOTS Shota! Shota roars, but ZSJ BOOTS him again! ZSJ whips, Shota reverses and TORNADO DDTS! ZSJ flounders away and the fans fire up with Shota! Shota tells Taguchi to finish it off, and Taguchi runs at Oiwa! And he sliding kicks! Oiwa tumbles, Taguchi grabs the leg to OH MY GAH ANKLE!! Oiwa endures, reaches out, but Taguchi drags him back! Oiwa gets up to LARIAT! Both men are down and the fans fire up!
Oiwa fires up and he brings Taguchi around. Oiwa whips, then clamps on a SLEEPER! But Taguchi slips right out! Taguchi has the headlock, but Oiwa slips out to hit a BIG atomic drop! Taguchi hobbles and Oiwa clamps on the SLEEPER! Taguchi flails but he’s fading already! The fans rally and Oiwa spins Taguchi, for THE GRIP!! Cover, TMDK wins!
Winners: TMDK, by pinfall
The Mullet gets the better of The Funky Weapon, but Shota still dares ZSJ to go for the leg. ZSJ ignores Shota’s bait and just gives him the paper belt. “This is the closest you’ll get to the effin’ title.” ZSJ SLAPS Shota with it! Shota says don’t be rude to the kids! A fan made that for him. Shota dusts off the paper belt, and claims that he’s gonna get the real deal soon enough. ZSJ says yeah, sure. ZSJ will make Shota a real nice toy belt himself so he can keep dreaming. ZSJ mockingly puts something together using his old wrist tape! Shota says wow, thanks. With not even a month left, who will win out when the real belt is on the line?
2024 World Tag League Finals: Gabe Kidd & SANADA VS Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi!
It’s the moment of truth as The Mad Man & Cold Blooded take on The Uncontrollable Charisma & Ticking Timebomb. There is still a lot of uncertainty regarding the tag titles given Henare’s knee injury, but for right now, it’s time to answer one question: Who will be the 2024 World Tag League Champions?
As Naito enters the ring, Gabe stays right at the center, but Naito completely ignores him. Then Naito takes his time with his entrance attire, as always, but Gabe and Sanada both stay calm. Gabe paces but Sanada keeps his eyes closed. Hiromu fires up Kumamoto and Naito finally does away with the pants. The teams finally sort out, and Gabe eggs on “the Junior.” Hiromu grins, then he fist bumps Naito, and yes, it seems Hiromu and the NJPW Strong Openweight Champion will start! The bell rings and both men run in! They DOUBLE LARIAT, but it’s Hiromu who falls! Hiromu gets up to CHOP, but Gabe CHOPS!
The fans fire up as the CHOPS go back and forth already! Hiromu backs down, but for only a moment! Hiromu CHOPS again, so Gabe CHOPS again! The CHOPS go back and forth, but Hiromu backs down again. Gabe eggs him on so Hiromu CHOPS! Gabe CHOPS again! Hiromu clutches his chest but he CHOPS again! Gabe CHOPS again, then braces himself. The CHOPS keep going, then they get forehead to forehead. Gabe winds up to CHOP! Hiromu drops back, and Gabe kicks at him. Gabe eggs Hiromu on so Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS and CHOPS! Gabe spins to CHOP! Hiromu backs down, but runs up to LARIAT!
Gabe stays up, so he and Hiromu both run, but to take out Naito and Sanada! Then Hiromu runs up to kick Gabe low! Hiromu CLUBS Gabe, CHOPS, and Gabe feels that one. Hiromu whips, Gabe reverses, and Sanada gets a cheap shot in! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands, but the War Dogs double whip. Hiromu grabs ropes to stop, and Naito runs in! Naito CLOBBERS Sanada and Hiromu kicks Gabe! LIJ mugs Gabe then double whips, to DOUBLE CHOP! Then they DOUBLE BASEMENT DROPKICK! Gabe flounders away while the fans cheer. Hiromu tags Naito and Naito storms up on Gabe.
Naito CLUBS Gabe again and again, then snapmares for a chinlock. Gabe endures the knee in his back, even as Naito digs it in deeper. Naito then shifts to have a headscissors! Naito pushes up to put on the pressure, but Gabe still endures. Naito lets Gabe go and Hiromu sits in the ropes. Hiromu assures Red Shoes it isn’t what he thinks, but then Naito bumps Gabe off Hiromu’s boots! It WAS what it looked like! The fans cheer but Red Shoes reprimands, and Naito tags in Hiromu. Hiromu CHOPS Gabe to a corner, then CHOPS again! Naito joins in and they double whip Gabe corner to corner. Gabe comes back, Naito drops down and Hiromu CROSBODIES!
Sanada storms in but Hiromu CROSSBODIES! Hiromu goes out and chases down Gabe, CROSSBODY! Hiromu keeps moving, and Naito sets Sanada up for the CROSSBODY! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he goes back to the ring. Gabe storms around in frustration, then pushes his way to No Man’s Land. He eggs Hiromu on, so here he comes! But Sanada was lurking! He attacks first, then sends Hiromu into chairs! Naito and Gabe brawl, and Naito CLUBS Gabe around. Fans are told to move aside, and Naito whips. Gabe reverses and he BOWLS Naito into chairs! Not quite a strike but Gabe just flips off the fans.
Sanada is beating Hiromu down somewhere in the upper deck, and Gabe drags Naito back up. Gabe UPPERCUTS Naito, but Hiromu fights back against Sanada! Sanada CLAWS Hiromu’s face! Hiromu stops the suplex, then suplexes Sanada! Sanada fights that, and he CLAWS Hiromu’s face again! As for Gabe, he BITES Naito’s forehead, then SMACKS him down! At least they’re at ringside. But then Gabe looks under the ring, and he brings out a table! Gabe sets the table up, but Naito fires forearms on Gabe! Gabe SMACKS Naito again! Gabe hauls Naito up to POWERBOMB through the table!!
The fans go wild as Gabe looms over Naito. Gabe slides in and mocks Naito’s pose! The fans are torn but most boo. Red Shoes reprimands Gabe, and it seems Sanada has retuned to ringside, with Hiromu somewhere in the crowd. A ring count starts, but Gabe SPITS at Naito! The count is 7 of 20 and the spotlight shows Hiromu is still so far away! We pass 10, then 12! Hiromu hobbles at 15 and he’s finally in the aisle! Hiromu runs and slides in safe at 19! The fans cheer but Gabe drags Hiromu up. Gabe CHOPS Hiromu in the corner, then CHOPS again! And then JABS! Tag to Sanada and he CLAWS Hiromu’s back while Gabe talks trash on Naito.
The fans rally for Hiromu but Sanada stomps him in a corner. Sanada digs his boot in, but he stops as Red Shoes counts. Sanada drags Hiromu up, TOSSES him out, and Gabe quickly runs Hiromu back to the back of the crowd and up the bleachers! Gabe ROCKS Hiromu with a straight right hand! Then SMACKS him again! Hiromu flops over and Gabe leaves him behind again. The ring count returns while Hiromu sputters. The fans cheer Hiromu on as he’s up, but he’s still so far away at 10! Then 15! Hiromu returns at 18 to slide in at 19.5!! Sanada is on Hiromu, but Hiromu dropkicks the legs out! But Naito isn’t at the corner!
Sanada tags Gabe and he stomps away on Hiromu in the corner! Red Shoes reprimands but Gabe drags Hiromu up. The fans rally for Hiromu, but Gabe whips him hard into the corner! Gabe eggs Hiromu on, saying he’s not “Despy” or Douki. Hiromu rises up to CHOP! Gabe snarls but Hiromu CHOPS again! Hiromu roars and he CHOPS! Gabe finally wobbles, but he keeps Hiromu from Naito! Gabe throws Hiromu down by his hair, then he WRECKS Naito with a dropkick! Gabe mocks the tranquilo and the fans boo. Gabe tags Sanada and the War Dogs bring Hiromu up. The fans rally but the War Dogs double whip, only for Hiromu to DOUBLE CROSSBODY!
Hiromu crawls, reaches out, but Sanada keeps him from Naito! Hiromu breaks free, blocks a kick, and a punch! Sanada CLAWS Hiromu’s eyes! Sanada runs but Hiromu bolts for the corner! Hot tag to Naito! Naito kicks and fires off on Sanada, but Gabe CLUBS him! The War Dogs double whip, but Naito reverses to send Sanada away! Then he sends Gabe into Sanada! Gabe falls, Naito dodges Sanada to arm-drag! And ELBOW! Naito keeps moving, basement DROPKICK! Gabe ROCKS Naito! Gabe whips, Naito reverses and runs up to ELBOW him down! Sanada runs up but is sent into the corner! Naito blocks boots to put Sanada in ropes, DRAPING NECKBREAKER!
Naito hurries to stand Sanada up, turn him, and stall for the NECKBREAKER! The fans fire up as Naito does the pose himself. Cover, TWO! Sanada is tougher than that but Naito drags him up. Naito dragon sleepers for another NECKBREAKER, and then it’s the LEG HOOK NELSON! Sanada endures as Naito puts on the pressure, and Sanada kicks around. Naito puts on more pressure, but Sanada has the ROPEBREAK! But of course Naito claims he needs a little help. Red Shoes counts, Naito lets the hold go, and he brings Sanada to a corner. Naito drags Sanada up, reel shim in, but Sanada stops Esperanza! So Naito BOOTS him!
Naito whips corner to corner but Sanada goes up and out, and even to the floor! Naito slides out but Sanada goes to the apron. Naito hurries back up, but Sanada KICKS ropes to jam Naito up! The fans boo and Red Shoes reprimands but Sanada tags Gabe. Gabe drags Naito up, has him in a corner, and CHOPS! HEADBUTTS! Repeat! Gabe wobbles a bit, but he rolls back and returns to LARIAT! Then SAIDO! Naito gets flung, Gabe hurries to cover, TWO! The fans fire up but Gabe drags Naito right up to suplex and BRAINBUSTER! Cover, TWO!! Naito survives but Gabe seethes. The fans rally for Naito as hard as they can, which annoys Gabe.
Gabe drags Naito up, reels him in, but Naito fights the lift! Gabe CLUBS Naito but still Naito fights! Gabe DOUBLE CHOPS Naito’s back, then powers through! But Naito powers out and throws those heavy back elbows! Gabe SPITS at Naito! Naito SLAPS Gabe! Gabe rebounds, Naito dodges, tilt-o-whirl CRADLE! TWO!! Gabe SMACKS Naito, reels him in, “I’m a MAD MAN, y’know!” But Hiromu SUPERKICKS him first! Sanada DROPKICKS Hiromu! Naito dropkicks Sanada’s legs! But Gabe KNEES Naito down! Hiromu fireman’s carries Gabe! TIMEBOMB 1.5! Sanada runs up, into a wrench and FACLON ARROW!
Sanada flounders out and Hiromu brings Gabe over to Naito! BOOSTED TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up and Naito brings Gabe back up! Wrench and tilt-o-whirl, DESTINO!! Cover, SANADA YANKS RED SHOES OUT!! The fans boo Sanada but he just soaks up the heat. Hiromu goes to the apron and he CROSSBODIES Sanada down! Hiromu helps Red Shoes up, Naito wrenches Gabe again, DESTIN- NO! TOMBSTONE!! Gabe and Naito are down and the fans rally even harder! There is some dueling in here, but the “GABU! GABU!” is still overwhelmed by the “NA-I-TO! NA-I-TO!” Both men stir while Red Shoes returns.
Gabe clutches his neck while rolling away from Naito. Naito changes course and rolls for his corner, hot tags to Sanada and Hiromu! Hiromu dodges Sanada’s boot but Sanada blocks the lariat! Dragon sleeper, but Hiromu spins that around! Sanada fights the suplex so Hiromu dropkicks a leg out! Hiromu KICKS and fireman’s carries, and flips Sanada into the dragon sleeper! Sanada spins that around, but Hiromu fights a suplex! Hiromu suplexes but Sanada slips free to dragon sleeper! SKULL END! Hiromu endures but Sanada drops back into the body scissors! The fans rally and Hiromu fights around!
Sanada squeezes as tight as he can and Hiromu is fading! Red Shoes checks, Hiromu faintly comes back to life, but Sanada goes to his old ways! Sanada goes up and up to ROUNDING BODY PRESS, but onto knees!! Hiromu saves himself and the fans rally up! Hiromu feeds off the energy to fire back up. Hiromu runs to HIROMU- NO, Sanada dodges the lariat, but the HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER still finds him! Fireman’s carry, TIMEBOMB 1.5!! Cover, TWO!! Sanada survives and Hiromu grows frustrated. The fans rally up behind him and Hiromu drags Sanada up. Hiromu fireman’s carries but Sanada slips free.
Sanada waistlocks but Hiromu switches. Sanada grabs at Red Shoes, Red Shoes gets away, and Hiromu avoids the low blow kick! Hiromu SUPERKICKS Sanada, then runs, but Sanada slips around! Sanada shoves Hiromu at Red Shoes and Red Shoes almost ends up falling out of the ring! Sanada whips Hiromu to POP-UP LOW BLOW! And then O’CONNER BRIDGE!! Cover, NAITO YANKS RED SHOES OUT!! Naito returns the favor and grins at Sanada. Gabe storms in with a chair! Naito runs and shoves Hiromu out of harm’s way! Naito then dodges Gabe to POP-UP LOW BLOW!! Another bit of returning the favor!
The fans are thunderous as Gabe writhes and rolls out of the ring. Naito drags Sanada up, Hiromu helps, BOOSTED TORNADO- NO! Sanada slips free, but Naito sends him into a SUPERKICK! ENZIGIRI! HIROMU-CHAN BOMBER!! The fans fire up with Hiromu as he fireman’s carries Sanada, for the OG TIMEBOMB!! Cover, TWO?!?! Sanada survives and shocks everyone! Hiromu roars and the fans are with him! Hiromu clinches in a dragon sleeper, but Gabe BITES Hiromu’s face! Gabe DECKS Naito, then he drags Hiromu up. Hiromu CHOPS, CHOPS , and CHOPS! Gabe just UPPERCUTS!
Gabe scoops and SLAMS Hiromu, then goes up the corner! MAD MAN MOONSAULT! Gabe calls to Sanada to get Hiromu, and Sanada goes up! ROUNDING BODY PRESS!! Cover, TWO!!! Hiromu survives and Sanada is furious!! Red Shoes defends his count and the fans are electric for Hiromu! Gabe reels Hiromu in, PILEDRIVER!! Feed to the DEAD- NO, Naito CLUBS Sanada! Naito dodges Gabe, comes back, DESTINO!!! SHINING WIZARD from Sanada!! Sanada hauls Hiromu up but Hiromu pump-handles! HIROMU-CHAN CRA- NO! SHINING WIZARD!! Sanada roars, fans are torn, but he drags Hiromu up.
Sanada clinches, DEAD- NO, Hiromu slips free, wrenches, pump handle, HIROMU-CHAN CRADLE!!! LIJ WINS!!!!
Winners: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi, by pinfall (World Tag League 2024 Champions)
Sanada cannot believe it, but Kumamoto absolutely loves it!! The War Dogs tore through A Block, but it was the team that survived the extra Triple Threat match that takes the whole thing! What does this mean for the combination of Gabe and Sanada in the future? Is there a future for them?
As for LIJ, Naito drags himself into the ring, crawls over to Hiromu, and master and student hug it out! Red Shoes brings them the trophies, and LIJ sets them side by side before they stand back up. Naito gets his hat back on while Hiromu rests on the mat again. And after a little water to refresh themselves, Naito gets the mic. “Buenas noches, KUMAMOTOOOO~!” The fans cheer, and Naito says, “The way things work, it should be Hiromu, the main event winner, on the mic right now. But it looks like he took some damage. In that case, I’ll say my part first.” The fans applaud that.
Naito thanks all the fans that came out to the Grand Messe Kumamoto for the WTL Finals. “Gracias, amigos.” The fans cheer that, and Naito adds that he won the main event here back in April of 2018. He sent a message to all the fans here that night. Does anyone remember what he said about “having the courage to take that step?” The fans applaud as it seems they do. Naito says, “Make no mistake, we won the World Tag League thanks to Hiromu.” The fans applaud again, and even chant for “HI-RO-MU! HI-RO-MU!” Naito says that Hiromu’s refusal to give up under any circumstance made Naito feel he had to take that step, too.
“And that step brings me to that singles match we were set to have before the pandemic.” Fans are intrigued hearing that. Naito says how about doing it January 4th in the Tokyo Dome? The fans cheer for Hiromu in support of that idea. Hiromu takes the mic now and asks if it takes Naito that long to take a step. The fans chuckle, and Hiromu stands. Hiromu says thanks to that, they were able to enter WTL and win it all. Hiromu thanks Naito for that, both arigato and gracias. The fans applaud, and Hiromu reviews the idea: January 4th, WrestleKingdom, Naito VS Hiromu. “The answer is, of course…! Let’s do it.”
The fans cheer as the match is now set! Hiromu thanks Naito for letting him know this is how he felt! “It’s important to say what we feel, isn’t it? Everyone, do you have something you want to say as well? It could to a friend, a lover, a parent, a teacher, a senpai, a kouhai! I’m reminded once again how important it is to share what we are feeling. Naito-san, do you mind if I tell you something, too?” The fans are again intrigued. “Naito-san, thank you for teaching me how to be a wrestler!” Hiromu bows and the fans applaud. Hiromu then says January 4th can’t come soon enough! “Everyone, we only live once, so enjoy it to the fullest!”
First, think of the life you wanna live, and then enjoy it to the fullest! And during that time, if pro-wrestling can bring you even a bit of joy, Hiromu will be satisfied! So then, let’s have more… The fans echo back, “Moto!” Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! Moto! MOTO fun in life enjoying pro-wrestling together~! The confetti goes off as the WTL winners must take a different route for WrestleKingdom. Will it be teacher or student who proves themselves the better man in the Tokyo Dome?
My Thoughts:
An awesome finale to WTL 2024, even with a lot of the other matches just kind of filler since there weren’t tag titles to be defended here and a lot of WrestleKingdom 19 stuff to be set up. I made sure to do the 10 Man Tag because it of course fed Tanahashi VS Evil, but I certainly didn’t see it happening that way. Tanahashi going wild because of all the frustration he has with Evil was some great stuff, and a Lumberjack match is a great move so that Tanahashi’s allies, aka all of The House of Torture’s enemies, are gonna be ringside with them. But moving up the retirement stipulation is a shock. Was saying 2026 would be when Tanahashi retires just a smokescreen so this would be more shocking? Or is this the smokescreen to put more drama on a match we’re pretty sure Tanahashi still wins?
The Six Man Tag of TMDK VS Shota & Funky Sauce was really good, and a really good win for Oiwa there. This was all still just secondary to building heat on Shota and ZSJ, but it was rather funny for Shota to have that paper (and I think soft foam?) belt and ZSJ mocking him with the wrist tape. If Shota ends up winning, I think NJPW is guilty of making him their “Super Cena,” their “Cena Wins LOL” guy, and that’s a disservice to Shota and especially Zack. Zack needs to make it through a WK with that belt, let Shota fight his way back up through the New Japan Cup or something.
And awesome, incredible main event with the WTL finals. I figured Naito & Hiromu were winning, just because Gabe’s got his NJPW Strong title and the Kenny Omega match for that Tokyo Dome weekend. Not sure what it means for Sanada, but I don’t think he’s leaving War Dogs already (as funny as that would be). And I suppose with Henare’s knee in question, they’re just going to leave the Heavyweight Tag Team Championship match for another time. Naito VS Hiromu, the World Champ VS Junior Heavyweight Champ match we never got four years ago for the anniversary show, is a great move for WK19. There’s no place better than WK for a match like that, and they can’t wait on this match with Naito having said he’s getting closer and closer to retiring.
That said, maybe Hiromu wins to put him over and get him into that next level where he’s going for big titles. Granted, NJPW is literal about the “heavyweight” part of the World Heavyweight Championship, and I don’t know if Hiromu’s going to be able to pull off a 205+ frame. He’s already ~195, he’s already 35, but hey, maybe he can get a short reign in just so he can say he was on top of both weight classes in his career.
My Score: 9/10
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Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)
TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends
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