Coverage
Mitchell’s WWE Raw Results & Report! (5/9/22)
Fallout from Backlash!
What’s next for RKBRO?
WrestleMania Backlash has come and gone, but RKBRO was on the losing end. How will the Raw Tag Team Champions handle the rebound?
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Raw Tag Team Championships: RKBRO VS The Street Profits; RKBRO wins and retains the titles.
- Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Judgement Day; Ripley wins.
- Finn Balor w/ AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Judgement Day; Balor wins, by disqualification.
- Sonya Deville VS Alexa Bliss; Bliss wins.
- Ezekiel VS Ken Owens; No Contest.
- Veer Mahaan VS Frank Lowman; Veer wins.
- WWE United States Championship: (Austin) Theory VS Cody Rhodes; Cody wins by disqualification, Theory retains the title.
- Sasha Banks & Naomi VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H; Sasha & Naomi win.
- Mustafa Ali VS Tommaso Ciampa, The Miz as special guest referee; Ciampa wins.
- Raw Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Bianca Belair VS Asuka; Belair wins by disqualification, Asuka is denied a title match.
PLAY BY PLAY
RKBRO heads to the ring!
Randy Orton & Matt Riddle are still only Raw Tag Team Champions, even after losing to The Bloodline alongside Drew McIntyre. But will they still be Raw Tag Team Champions after tonight? Or will Montez Ford & Angelo Dawkins get that gold back?
Before the match, Orton & Riddle get the mics and fans chant for “Randy! Randy!” Randy starts with welcoming the fans to the show. And unfortunately, at Backlash, he and Riddle gave it everything they got but lost the battle to the Bloodline. But before it’s all said and done, they will win the war. It was the Usos’ idea in the first place to go for tag title unification, but it didn’t happen, did it? Nothing was on the line last night because during the contract signing, the Big Dog, Roman Reigns, tore up the contract because he knows the Usos can’t hold a candle to RKBRO.
So here’s what happens, Usos! RKBRO want those SmackDown Tag Team Championships and unify the titles to become UNDISPUTED WWE Tag Team Champions of the World! Riddle adds that since the Usos can’t figure things out on their own and the Tribal Chief decides things for them, RKBRO will be going to SmackDown this Friday to go right up to the chief and demand that tag title unification match! Fans like the sound of that. And if Roman says no, then just goes to show that Roman has no confidence in his cousins. But that doesn’t matter, because the bros are still gonna show up with the scooter and… Randy being Randy cuz that’s all he needs as the Viper!
But here come their challengers! Ford & Dawkins have mics, and Ford sighs. “RKBRO. First and foremost, we must say… Ahhh… Tough loss last night.” Dawkins says the Bloodline is tough, but like the Profits showed, those ain’t the ones you need to worry about, the Profits are. And RKBRO wants to settle unfinished business with the Bloodline. But remember here tonight in Connecticut, the three most important words: #WeGotNext! It is Ford & Dawkins, the Profits, who will unify those tag team championships! RKBRO talking smack but didn’t mention the Profits once. Well maybe those 4/20 shirts got them all fogged up. But in a couple minutes, RKBRO VS Profits for the Raw tag titles.
And when the smoke clears, just like Genesis, not only do the Profits want the Raw Tag titles, but #WeWantTheSmoke! So they want the smoke? Yes, that’s what Ford said. Well Riddle says RKBRO 4/20 says “We just smoked your asses!” And they’ll do it with the three most dangerous letters in sports entertainment: R K BRO! This is going to get all fired up, after the break!
Raw Tag Team Championships: RKBRO VS The Street Profits!
Raw returns and the introductions are made. The belts are raised and we see who is meeting the Usos for a date with destiny!
Ford starts with Riddle and fans rally as they circle. They tie up, Ford goes for a roll-up, TWO! Ford facelocks, cradles, TWO! Ford gets around for another roll-up, TWO! Ford pats Riddle on the head, then mocks Orton’s pose. Riddle gets up and circles with Ford again. They tie up, and Riddle gets a FLYING ARMBAR! Ford stacks, TWO, and Riddle shoots in to jump on for a SLEEPER HOLD! Ford fights free, but Riddle rolls him up. TWO, but Riddle pats Ford on the head in return. Riddle does the Orton pose and fans fire up. Fans chant “BRO! BRO! BRO!” and Ford gets heated. Ford and Riddle tie up again, Riddle headlocks but Ford powers out.
Ford bypasses Riddle to dropkick him down! Ford dusts himself off and taunts Orton, then he brings Riddle up. Dawkins tags in, they whip and run Riddle over, then cover. TWO, but Dawkins keeps close. Dawkins brings Riddle up but Riddle shoots around to gut wrench! Dawkins blocks, powers out, runs to hurdle and FLYING ELBOW! Cover, TWO! Dawkins watches Riddle go to a corner, runs in, but the cyclone gets buckles! Riddle KICKS and KICKS and KICKS and has Dawkins in the corner. Tag to Orton and fans fire up! Orton throws EuroUppers, brings Dawkins up and bumps him off buckles.
Orton goes corner to corner to bump Dawkins off more buckles, then he climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count along, and Orton stops at 9 to put some stank on 10! Orton snapmares, then gives Riddle the ASSISTED FLOATING BRO! Cover, TWO! Riddle whips but Ford tags in, Dawkins reverses but Riddle holds ropes. Riddle headscissors Dawkins out, but Dawkins blocks Penalty Kick to trip Riddle up! Then Ford FLIES and takes Riddle out at the ramp! Fans fire up and Orton is worried for Riddle as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Riddle throws body shots and forearms on Ford! Fans rally, Riddle reaches but Ford keeps him from Orton! Riddle throws more forearms but Ford holds on! Ford then reels Riddle in for a LARIAT! Ford drags Riddle up, suplexes, but Riddle slips out and ripcords, FINAL FLASH! Both men fall back, tag to Dawkins and Orton! The Viper rallies with lariats, then ducks to POWERSLAM! Then POWERSLAM for Ford! Dawkins is in the ropes, Orton gives him the DRAPING DDT! Fans are fired up as Orton hears the voices in his head! RK_ NO! Dawkins powers out but Riddle tags in!
Dawkins DECKS Orton, Riddle FINAL FLASH KNEES! Ford runs in but Riddle TOSSES him! Riddle goes up and out and checks on Orton. Then he PENALTY KICKS Ford! Orton sets Ford up, SPRINGBOARD FLOATING BRO, but Ford moves! Only Orton takes the hit! Feed to the ANOINTING! Ford tags and climbs, FROM THE HEAVENS!! Cover, Orton breaks it in time!! Ford cannot believe Orton came back! Dawkins brings Orton up but Orton throws him out. Orton smacks Dawkins off barriers, Ford ducks a roundhouse to ENZIGURI! Ford goes back up, he wants it again! FROM THE- RKO!?!? Cover, RKBRO wins!!
Winners: RKBRO, by pinfall (still Raw Tag Team Champions)
Even Orton was amazed by that one! And after that RKO from the heavens, is it a done deal that the Raw and SmackDown Tag Team Champions are going to Hell… in a Cell?
Kevin Patrick interviews (Austin) Theory on stage.
The WWE United States Champion is representing A-Town here in Connecticut, and Kevin asks him how he feels about his match with Cody Rhodes, who has been in sensational form beating Seth Rollins twice. Theory doesn’t need to prepare. He can do this all day. he is the youngest WWE United States Champion for a reason! He’s already great and barely scratching the surface of his potential. But do you hear that? Before Cody’s return at WrestleMania, Theory was practically in diapers when Cody was in the WWE. Theory doesn’t give a damn about Cody or the past, or respecting history! He is about the future, because the future is the WWE United States Champion, THEORY! But will Theory be taking a victory selfie? Or deleting this from his social media timeline?
Judgement Day heads to the ring.
Damian Priest and Edge are joined by their newest member, Rhea Ripley, as they descend upon the arena. They used their numbers to cast down AJ Styles at Backlash, but what will they do next? We find out, after the break.
Raw returns and fans boo as Edge has the mic. Edge says they formed Judgement Day because they were tired of being sheep like all the fans. What did that get them? Edge got a Hall of Fame ring, sure, but he’s bigger than the Hall of Fame! And it also got him surgeries on just about any part of his body. Did fans care that he fought his way back? No! They just sit there with their supposed morals but hide their resentment, go home to their keyboards and make asinine comments! Fans hate what he says because it’s true! Judgement Day holds a mirror up to each and every one of them! They hate what they see because for one, they’re ugly.
When they look in a mirror, Judgement Day loves what they see. And for all the morons here in Hartford–because if you live in Hartford, you are a moron–but what all they don’t understand is that nothing and no one can touch Judgement Day! Fans chant “You Suck!” but Edge eggs them on. Priest says that the truth hurts. Individually, Edge and Priest could destroy each and every one of the fans’ favorites. But together, they’ve become even more! Together, they’re something else. And if you thought what they did to Styles was bad, just imagine adding an instrument of brutality like Rhea Ripley!
With that said, all rise! Priest said ALL RISE! This is the newest member of Judgement Day, Rhea Ripley! Rhea smiles then scowls as she says, “Joining Judgement Day was the easiest decision of my life. Edge, Damian, I saw the two of you change for the better, and I wanted that for myself.” Rhea is done signing autographs at the airport for all the little kids who want to be just like her when they grow up. Those autographs then get sold on eBay! Rhea is done being used. And that is why she joined Judgement Day. Speaking of being used, she has unfinished business she has to attend to: Liv Morgan! Liv will no longer ride Rhea’s coattails. Tonight, Rhea gives Liv a reason to cry when she absolutely destroys her!
Edge says unrealized potential is what this is about! Priest the punishment, Rhea the eradicator! They were ships without rudders, but Edge has given them direction! They have taken their fate into their own hands as his Saints of Fate! Listen up! A few weeks ago, Edge pulled Rhea aside and told her in his humble opinion that Liv was holding her down, like an albatross in the shape of a human sized LOL Doll. Poor lil’ Liv. Edge is the reason the fans’ favorite little tag team split up! Edge saw Rhea being wasted away. She was a juggernaut living in the slow lane instead of running everything over like she can!
Edge’s message… No, it’s even more than that! This MOVEMENT is not done. Judgement Day isn’t stopping, they’re just looking for more. But here comes Liv! Will Liv make sure Rhea is the one living a nightmare tonight? Or will Judgement Day sentence her to a Riptide?
Liv Morgan VS Rhea Ripley w/ Judgement Day!
Raw returns again and the bell rings. Liv and Rhea go right after each other with fast hands, but then Rhea shoves and HEADBUTTS Liv down! Edge and Priest are amused as Rhea TOSSES Liv to a corner, then RAMS into her! Rhea drags Liv up to TOSS her across the way, then runs in, into a BOOT! Liv runs into body shots and haymakers from Rhea, then Rhea RAMS into Liv again! Rhea digs her shoulder in, lets off at the ref’s count, and then Rhea hoists Liv up top. Rhea ROCKS Liv, adjusts, ROCKS her again, then climbs up after her. Liv throws body shots and trips Rhea up! Then Liv goes Old School to RANA!
Rhea staggers up into a SHOTGUN dropkick! Rhea is on the ropes, but she BOOTS Liv down! Edge loves it as Rhea covers, TWO! Rhea is annoyed but she drags Liv into some ground ‘n’ pound. Rhea says Liv did this to herself because she’s such a failure. Rhea rains down more shots, then lets off to pace around. Rhea drags Liv up to dribble her off the mat! Fans rally for Liv but Rhea CLUBS Liv down. Rhea scuffs Liv, stalks her, and she chokes Liv on the ropes! Edge mocks Liv’s pain while Rhea KICKS Liv down. Rhea scowls as fans rally for Liv. Rhea dribbles Liv off the mat again and again!
Liv flounders to a corner but Rhea drags her back up. Rhea CLUBS Liv down, then wraps on a body scissor squeeze. Liv endures, even as Rhea pulls on an ear. Liv and Rhea shout at each other, and Liv powers back to a cover, TWO! Rhea CLOBBERS Liv again! Cocky cover, TWO! Rhea stomps Liv down, then stands on her to grind her boot like she’s crushing a bug. Rhea tells Liv to stay down but Liv refuses. So Rhea hooks her up, RIP- NO! Liv slips out, shoves, dodges and fires forearms! Rhea swings, misses, and Liv fires off fast hands! Fans fire up as Liv kicks, kicks and ENZIGURIS! Rhea wobbles, into the FLOATING DDT!
Rhea flounders back up, Liv runs to springboard and FLYING CODE BREAKER! Cover, TWO! Rhea is still in this and Judgement Day looks worried for their new member. But then Rhea EDDY GORDO KICKS from below! Rhea runs but into an elbow! Liv goes up and up and missile flops as Rhea dodges! Rhea mule kicks then ties up the legs, PRISM TRAP! Liv endures, reaches out, but Rhea bends the legs! Liv taps, Rhea wins!
Winner: Rhea Ripley, by submission
Edge smiles, proven right about the brutality he has reinvigorated within Rhea. But to that point, he nods, and Rhea gets Liv back in the PRISM TRAP! Liv endures as Rhea thrashes her around with no remorse! Edge won’t let the ref get in, even as Liv taps again! But wait, here comes FINN BALOR! Priest stares the Prince down, but then Finn throws up the Too Sweet. Because here comes AJ STYLES! The Phenomenal One and Finn throw it up, and Finn is about to throw down with the Archer of Infamy! Will Judgement Day be on the receiving end of their own punishment?
Finn Balor w/ AJ Styles VS Damian Priest w/ Judgement Day!
Raw returns yet again and the bell rings. They tie up, Finn waistlocks then goes after an arm. Priest stays up, powers up, and he scoops Finn, but Finn slips off. Finn headlocks, Priest powers out and runs Finn over. Edge nods but fans rally for Finn. Finn CHOPS, kicks and wrenches, but Priest ROCKS Finn to KICK him. Priest ROCKS Finn again, then whips him corner to corner hard. Priest runs in to back elbow! Priest runs more but Finn dropkicks the leg out! Finn KICKS that leg, then has it in the ropes to pull on it! The ref counts, Finn lets off, but Priest grabs Finn’s ears! The ref counts but Priest BELL CLAPS!
Priest CLOBBERS Finn and Edge likes what he sees. Priest fires haymakers, kicks, stomps, but the ref counts. Priest lets off at 4, then snarls as he drags Finn up. BROKEN ARROW! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps onto an arm but Finn endures. Finn fights up and JAWBREAKERS! Fans fire up, Finn gets to a corner, and he BOOTS Priest from the corner. Finn runs, but into a FLAPJACK! Cover, TWO! Priest clamps on with a chinlock and he digs a knee into Finn’s back. Finn endures again and Styles coaches him. Priest pushes Finn to a cover, TWO! Priest then clamps onto the chinlock again as he grinds Finn down.
Fans rally, Finn fights up, and he throws body shots. Priest knees low, whips Finn to ropes and tilt-o-whirls, but Finn slips into a RUSSIAN LEG SWEEP! Both men are down and fans rally up! Finn stands to KICK and CHOP and KICK! Finn whips, Priest reverses but Finn dropkicks the leg! Finn then trips Priest for some ground ‘n’ pound! Priest shoves Finn away but Finn trips Priest to DOUBLE STOMP! Fans fire up and Finn has Priest in a corner for a CHOP! Finn rams his shoulder in again and again, then whips. Priest reverses but Finn reverses back, only for Priest to choke grip! But Finn wheelbarrows to a victory roll, TWO!
Priest runs but into a SLINGBLADE! Fans fire up and Finn clotheslines Priest out of the ring! Priest falls at Edge’s feet and Finn builds speed! But then Rhea stands in the way! Fans boo, Edge SPEARS Finn outta nowhere!
Winner: Finn Balor, by disqualification
Styles goes after Edge! Fans are thunderous but Priest drags Styles up! Styles counter punches, so Rhea gets in! Styles hesitates to hit Rhea, but Edge POSTS Styles! Judgement Day isn’t done there, Priest sets Styles up, LEG SWEEP SPEAR COMBO!! Judgement Day stands tall as the boos rain down, but will the mountain of omnipotence not be moved?
Kevin Owens talks with The Alpha Academy.
Chad Gable explains that the technicians will pinpoint chromosomes, do some comparative analysis, see how it all aligns and- Kevin doesn’t understand, these words mean nothing to him. What is Chad getting at? Well, remember the red Solo cup they confiscated from Ezekiel? Er, Elias? Right, right, yeah. Chad had it sent to his friends in the DNA lab. Wow, he’s got friends in THE DNA Lab? Wow. Chad says that by next week, we’ll have irrefutable evidence that Ezekiel has been lying and that he IS Elias. No way! That’s amazing! No more lies, no more faulty devices. And perfect timing. Because tonight, Kevin has a very special guest.
Every year, Nova Scotia has a Grand Prix tournament. His brother “Ken” has won it three times. He’s a legend! Ken was supposed to be here closer to SummerSlam, but Ken was able to be here tonight! He is! And he’ll compete against Ezekiel! No, wait, ELIAS. Anyway, tonight, the lies are done. Kevin’s “older brother” beats the truth out of Elias. It’ll be great. Wait, is this what it sounds like?
Omos and MVP head to the ring!
The Nigerian Giant, the Colossus, was victorious over the Rocky Mountain Machine, Bobby Lashley, at Backlash, but with a huge assist from Montel Vontavius Porter. What happens as they celebrate in the VIP Lounge? We’ll see, after the break.
Raw returns as Omos and MVP stand in the ring, with security at the ramp. MVP says this can only mean one thing: big, big, BIG things poppin’, little things stoppin’, so sit back and enjoy the view, because the VIP Lounge is for people better than you. So everyone needs to stand up and show respect to the man that dominated and defeated the so-called All Mighty at Backlash! This is the 7’3″ 403 pound Nigerian Giant, OMOS! Fans boo instead. MVP says respect the man who proved that MVP has been speaking the truth. Lashley became All Mighty because MVP did that. And then Lashley’s ego got so big that he didn’t want to share the spotlight.
Lashley went to WrestleMania 38 and hogged all the glory, leaving the man that made him WWE World Champion at home on the sidelines! That ungrateful so-called- Oh, wait, here comes Cedric Alexander. He wants to bust it wide open! “We did it! We did it!” Alexander is so proud of the big man. Everything MVP said was facts, no filler. Alexander wants to be let in, MVP shouts at the guy to step aside, and the guard moves. Alexander says with MVP’s intellect, Omos’s size and strength, and Alexander’s technical prowess, they can SMASH anyone that steps in their way. Uh, no, what is this “we” “they” stuff?
Alexander says it’s the three of them. Omos put down Lashley! MVP stops Alexander there. MVP still likes Alexander but- Here comes LASHLEY! MVP is furious and now he wants the security to do their job. Lashley CLOBBERS the first guy, SPINEBUSTERS the second, then scoops the third to POST him! Then he back drops another! Alexander aims form the apron to leap, into Lashley’s arms! Lashley TOSSES Alexander into barriers, then gets in the ring to stare Omos down. Omos shoves, Lashley dodges to clothesline Omos out of the ring! Omos lands on his feet, but Lashley glare at MVP! Alexander jumps on but Lashley tosses him again!
MVP bails out, Lashley rips up another VIP Lounge set! Alexander springboards back in, into a HURT LOCK! Lashley thrashes Alexander and Alexander taps so Lashley throws him down. MVP and Omos bail, this is not the time nor the place. But will they have no choice but to face the wrath of All Mighty Bobby Lashley?
Adam Pearce talks with Sonya Deville.
Sonya says enough with this investigation! We all know that whether she’s in the ring or acting as a WWE Official, she does things by the book and gets the job done. Who is she facing tonight? She is in rare form. Oh, as in wants to change rules to suit her? There can’t be any of that, they have to have a conversation. Well they can have it after her match tonight. Who is she facing? Well, a quality competitor- Sonya says it doesn’t matter. It’s not personal, it’s just business. Sonya smirks and exits on her new catchphrase, but will she regret not hearing who she’s facing?
Sonya Deville VS ???
Raw returns and Pearce has things hold on a moment. He was going to tell Sonya earlier, but the formal investigation into Sonya’s conduct has concluded. Upper management has found Sonya recklessly and unprofessionally abused her power, so it his duty to inform her that her contract as an official is TERMINATED! She is still a WWE Superstar, though, and he was going to tell her the name of her opponent. It’s… ALEXA BLISS! Fans are fired up to have the Five Feet of Fury back, and Sonya is in a tailspin! Will Sonya crash and burn against Twisted Bliss?
The bell rings and fans cheer Alexa while Sonya seems to realize she’s in a match. Sonya rushes in, Alexa dodges and kicks back to hit a DDT! Sonya flounders, Alexa drags her to a drop zone and goes up top! TWISTED BLISS! Cover, Alexa wins!
Winner: Alexa Bliss, by pinfall
And just like that, she’s baaack~! Will the former Raw Women’s Champion be looking to return to the top soon enough? Will Sonya ever get over losing her authority?
Ezekiel VS Ken Owens!
So, the Drifter’s younger brother is taking on the Prizefighter’s older brother, but no one can be sure if any of that is real. Either way, will Ezekiel have another big win in the WWE? Or will the KO family have reason to celebrate?
Raw returns and “Ken” makes his entrance. It’s still to Kevin’s theme song, and clearly Kevin grayed up his beard and put on a messy wig. Ezekiel sure isn’t falling for it. “Ken” asks Ezekiel his name, and introduces himself. Ezekiel says hi to Ken, but Kevin doesn’t want him to do that. No one believes Ezekiel and Elias are different people. Okay, maybe some dumbasses do, but no one here. The ones in the back who call him “Ezekiel” are just playing along. No one buys this act, okay? Just to prove a point, Kevin asks the fans by show of hands who actually believes. Pretty much everyone raises their hands.
Did those same people finish high school? You’re either idiots or liars! And who knows what is worse! No, lying is worse! Kevin can’t stand them! Ezekiel is the worst! Ezekiel tells Ken that Ken doesn’t need to raise his voice. Kevin probably wouldn’t approve. Aha, see! Kevin would love the way Ken talks because it’s how Kevin talks because THIS IS KEVIN! You knew it all along, just like you’re Elias! So just admit it! Ezekiel is shocked. He is not Elias, and he could see that right now would be the right time for his brother to come out and sing a lullaby so Ken can calm down. Kevin DECKS Ezekiel! And then fires off more shots!
The ref wants Kevin to stop but Ezekiel hits back! And stomps away in the corner! The Alpha Academy appear, but Ezekiel BOOTS Chad! Otis gets in to CLOBBER Ezekiel, and now it’s 3v1! Kevin and Chad set Ezekiel up for Otis’ SPLASH! Otis kicks the Ken wig and then drags Ezekiel back up. Otis and Chad feed Ezekiel to Kevin’s STUNNER! “A THANK YEW~!” Kevin couldn’t get what he wanted to hear out of Ezekiel, but will Ezekiel let actions speak for him?
Adam Pearce talks with Asuka backstage.
He tells the Empress of Tomorrow that she is more than deserving of a match with Bianca Belair. Asuka thanks her, but Becky Lynch walks in and says “deserve” is a funny word. The Man is the greatest Raw Women’s Champion ever and she still hasn’t gotten a rematch. But then Asuka just reappears and Pearce is just handing her a shot. Pearce says Asuka is not being handed anything. If Asuka beats Bianca tonight, then she has a title match. Oh, beat the champion to then get a championship match. That doesn’t make any sense! Well, Asuka’s team did win last week. But Asuka didn’t get the pin, that was Liv! And they were working together.
And Liv did get a pin on Sonya. Did Pearce orchestrate something? It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t make sense! Last time Asuka was champion, Becky literally handed her the title. She had to take it off and hand it over. That was two years ago, doesn’t matter now. And Asuka gets fired up and she calls Becky out. Asuka didn’t even NEED Becky! Pearce runs away and Becky says fine, he can play his favoritism and stack the deck! Becky’ll knock it down and make her comeback! Asuka says okay then, well, Becky did give her the title to become a mommy, yet Becky’s the one acting like a baby! Crying and begging and throwing tantrums!
Becky says Asuka’s the stupid one with the green tears! Becky storms off and Asuka laughs at her, but will Asuka still be laughing after taking on the EST?
Veer Mahaan VS ???
The Lion is back, and he’s still on the hunt. Will he slaughter another opponent served on a silver platter? Or will someone finally bankrupt the Million Dollar Arm?
Raw returns and Byron Saxton interviews Veer’s opponent, Frank Lowman. Frank, we’ve seen week after week of Veer decimating and hospitalizing men. Does he have any concerns about accepting this match? Of course Frank does. He doesn’t wanna be carted out of here, but he has a wife and three beautiful little triplets that expect him to provide for them. So he has to do this for his family! Will his family be meeting Frank at a hospital in Hartford?
The bell rings, Veer and Lowman tie up. Veer waistlocks and SLAMS Lowman, stays on and SLAMS him again. Veer still has the waistlock, gets Lowman up but Lowman throws elbows. Lowman dodges the lariat to BOOT Veer! Veer wobbles, Lowman kicks again! Lowman runs, but Veer hits the THESZ PRESS! Veer drags Lowman up, reels him in, and hits a SIDEWALK SLAM! Lowman writhes, Veer looms over him, and Veer gets Lowman up again to whip into a corner. Veer then runs in to SPLASH! Then MILLION DOLLAR ARM!! Lowman flounders, fans chant, “He Has Kids!” but the CERVICAL CLUTCH is own! Lowman taps, Veer wins!
Winner: Veer Mahaan, by submission
Another week, another victory, and for once, Veer shows mercy. But given how he made such quick work of such a big man, will everyone come to #FearVeer?
Kevin Patrick interviews Cody Rhodes backstage.
This is the American Nightmare’s first WWE United States Championship match ever, but Kevin Patrick does congratulate him first on his victory at Backlash. What is next for Cody and Seth? What’s next? Hopefully nothing, for fear of going to the limit for a third time. Rollins is top tier no matter how you slice it, but Cody walked away with the moment, the money and the victory. So as far as Cody’s concerned, the chapter of Cody VS Rollins is closed. Theory, the youngest US Champion in history is brimming with potential, but just like gold, you need to dig to find it. Theory better be ready to dig down, because nothing sounds better than The American Nightmare as the NEW United States Champion. Cody heads out, but will he be leaving with the gold around Theory’s waist?
WWE United States Championship: (Austin) Theory VS Cody Rhodes!
Raw returns and Theory makes his entrance. The introductions are made, the title is raised, and we see who really represents Hotlanta!
Fans are behind Cody as he circle with Theory and feels out the grapple. Cody gets a leg, Theory gets to a corner and the ref counts the ropebreak. Cody lets off, but Theory shoves him! Theory talks trash to Cody and the fans but the fans boo. Cody and Theory reset, knuckle lock, then collar ‘n’ elbow. Cody wrenches to a hammerlock, Theory switches it onto Cody, but Cody trips Theory and has the legs! Theory scrambles to a ropebreak to avoid the figure four. Fans boo and Cody taunts Theory as Theory gets back up. They circle, tie up, and Theory headlocks. Cody powers up but Theory grinds the hold.
Cody powers out but Theory runs him over, then cartwheels to mock Stardust. Cody gets up and says that’s clever. Then he kicks Theory low and drops for the Rhodes Uppercut! Roll-up, TWO! Theory swings but into a backslide, TWO! Theory rushes in but into a waistlock! They go to ropes, Theory slips in between for a defense, then he cheap shot elbows Cody away! Theory wrenches an arm but Cody ROCKS Theory! Cody goes to a corner, Theory runs in but is put outside. Theory HOTSHOTS Cody, then somersault SHOTGUN dropkicks! Cover, ONE!! Cody hurries up but Theory CLUBS him on the neck.
Theory snapmares and stomps Cody down, then covers, ONE! Theory clamps on with a chinlock but Cody moves around. Cody fights up as fans rally and he throws body shots. Cody arm-drags free, but Theory comes back to CLOBBER Cody with an elbow! Cocky cover, ONE! And Cody ROCKS Theory with haymakers and forearms! Cody whips, Theory reverses and Cody hits buckles hard! Theory snarls as he looms over Cody. Fans chant, “You Suck!” but Theory shakes his head. Cody gets a foot but Theory CLUBS Cody down. Theory ROCKS Cody but Cody ROCKS Theory back. Theory dropkicks the leg out!
Theory snap suplexes Cody to cover, TWO! Theory is annoyed but he stalks Cody as he crawls to a corner. Theory brings Cody up, fans rally for Cody and that annoys Theory. Cody throws body shots, Theory hits back, they brawl, and Theory kicks low. Theory reels Cody in but Cody blocks the suplex. Cody suplexes to GOURD BUSTER! And a dropkick sends Theory out! Fans fire up with Cody and he goes up, DISASTER KICK! Theory hits the floor and Cody goes out after him! Cody aims from the apron but Theory blocks the kick to trip Cody up! Theory snarls, and he uncovers the announce desk! Theory goes back in, scrapes Cody out, and brings him to the desk.
Cody turns things around on Theory with hands and CHOPS! And CHOP after CHOP! They get on the table but Theory scrambles away into the ring! Fans boo but Theory is on the defensive as Raw goes to break.
Raw returns again and Theory has Cody down with a chinlock. Fans boo Theory and Cody fights his way up. The fans rally as Cody gets to his feet, and Cody pries free! But Theory CLUBS him on the back, reels him in, and back suplexes! Cody lands on his feet, ducks and dodges, DOUBLE CROSSBODIES collide! Both men slowly rise as the fans fire up. Cody counter punches Theory, throws haymakers, then whips. Theory reverses but Cody CLOBBERS Theory! Cody goes to the corner, goes up and over and POWERSLAMS! Cover, TWO! Theory survives but Cody keeps his cool. Cody stalks Theory now, and decides to go up top!
Theory stands, Cody MOONSAULTS! Direct hit, cover, TWO! Cody grows a little frustrated but he fires himself up. Fans rally as Cody brings Theory up. Theory swings, misses but he back elbows hard! Fisherman, AOI SHODOU! Cover, TWO! Cody survives and Theory seethes but the ref defends his count. Theory says A-Town Down, and he hauls Cody up. Fireman’s carry, but Cody elbows free! Cody ducks and springboards, DISASTER KCIK! Theory stays up so Cody springboards, CODY CUTTER! Fans fire up with Cody, and he gets Theory up, but ROLLINS attacks!
Winner: Cody Rhodes, by disqualification; Theory retains the title
The Visionary ruins Cody’s moment! Rollins stomps away on Cody, kicks him out of the ring, then goes out to CLOBBER him! Rollins rains down fists, fans boo, but Rollins drags Cody up to smack him off the desk! And again! Rollins tells Cody he will NOT take anything from Rollins ever again! Fans chant, “You Suck!” but Rollins dribbles Cody’s face off the desk! Rollins then clears more space, and CURB STOMPS Cody on the desk! Cody falls back and fans boo, but Rollins just glares down at Cody. Rollins then tells Cody that never again will Cody take something from him! Is Rollins writing a new chapter in this story whether Cody likes it or not?
Sasha Banks & Naomi VS “Doudrop” Piper Niven & Nikki A.S.H!
The WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions are gearing up for a title match with Shayna Baszler & Natalya, but will they overlook the newest tag team on the block? Or will this Celtic connection make management see they are worthy?
The teams sort out, Naomi starts against Piper, and they two circle. They approach, Naomi dropkicks but Piper stays up. Naomi dropkicks again, runs in, and hits a forearm smash! Naomi whips but Piper blocks to headbutt! Naomi flounders and Piper stalks her to ropes. Naomi dodges the haymaker to slide and twerk, then kangaroo kick! Naomi runs to sunset flip but Piper stays up to DROP on Naomi! Cover, TWO! Naomi survives but Piper CLUBS her to a corner. Piper chokes Naomi on ropes but the ref counts. Piper lets off at 4, then brings Naomi up to CLUB her again. Piper dribbles Naomi off the mat while fans rally up.
Naomi gets to ropes, Piper brings her up and chinlocks. Piper taunts Sasha by holding out Naomi’s hand, then she thrashes Naomi in a cobra clutch. Naomi fights up, throws body shots, then JAWBREAKERS! Naomi is free, but Piper grabs her by her hair. Piper throws Naomi away from Sasha and Naomi gets to a corner. Piper runs in to SPLASH! Naomi sits down while Piper dusts off her hands. Piper stalks Naomi, brings her away from Sasha again, but Naomi keeps reaching. Piper scoops, Naomi slips out and dropkicks! Piper wobbles, Naomi headlocks and BUCKLE BULLDOGS! Sasha tags in and fans fire up!
Sasha and Naomi DOUBLE SOLE FOOD Piper in the corner, then Sasha goes up to CROSSBODY! But Piper catches her to SLAM her down! Nikki tags herself in and she hurries to cover, TWO! Nikki rains down fists on Sasha, then drags her up to a top wristlock. Sasha endures, fights up, but Nikki throws her down for a NECK SNAPPER! Cover, TWO! Nikki drags Sasha up, brings her around, strikes the heroic pose, and Piper wants in. Nikki says she’s got this, but then Sasha slips out and gets around to waistlock! Nikki switches but Naomi tags in and ROUNDHOUSES Nikki! Sasha DECKS Piper, then RENT’S DUE! Cover, the champs win!
Winners: Sasha Banks & Naomi, by pinfall
Piper seethes as the Boss & the Glow take the win! Piper wants Nikki to take this seriously. They need to work together. This is what happens when Nikki doesn’t listen! But before Nikki can respond one way or another, The Miz arrives! And he’s a referee…? He’s the special guest referee for what’s up next! Will he be fair? Or will he be The Miz?
Mustafa Ali VS Tommaso Ciampa!
Raw returns and both The Beacon and the Blackheart are in the ring. The Miz has a mic to say he has been thinking, and Ali has a point. Ali has not been treated fairly in the WWE, so Theory went to Vince McMahon and got Ali someone impartial, honorable and respected: The Miz. Miz vows to call this down the middle, so ring the bell! The bell does ring, and Ali circles with Ciampa. They tie up, go around, Ciampa pulls hair and puts Ali in a corner. Miz calls the ropebreak, Ciampa lets off but Ali ducks the cheap shot to CHOP Ciampa! Miz reprimands Ali, but then Ciampa sucker punches Ali!
Ciampa CLUBS Ali, hauls him up and whips him to ropes. But Ali KICKS back and then trips Ciampa for a jackknife bridge. Miz is slow to checking, Ciampa is out before a count! Ali complains but Ciampa CLOBBERS him! Miz shrugs, like it’s not his fault he wasn’t fast enough. Ciampa stomps Ali, has him in a corner, and keeps stomping. Miz technically reprimands Ciampa, and he slowly counts the ropebreak. Ciampa lets off at 4, though it was more like 8 in real counts, and then he runs side to side. But Ali dodges and Ciampa knees the buckle! Ali then HOTSHOTS Ciampa, but Ciampa come back to KNEE Ali down!
Ciampa goes out after Ali to CLOBBER him! Ciampa sits o the desk to applaud and pat himself on the back. Miz slowly ushers Ciampa back into the ring with a slow ring count. Ciampa gets Ali in at 2 but it was more like 4 of 10, and then Ciampa goes to Ali. CRADLE! Miz is slow again, ONE for Miz is more like five for real refs. Ciampa CLOBBERS Ali and throws down elbows. Ciampa clamps on a chinlock and cranks back as Ali endures. Miz checks with Ali, but Ali says he’s not giving up. Miz tells the timekeeper that’s a no, and fans rally up. Ali fights up but Ciampa snapmares and stomps Ali down!
Ciampa drags Ali back up, whips corner to corner hard and Ali flops to the mat! Miz mocks Ali’s pain and asks if he wants to give up. Ciampa clamps the chinlock on again, Ali says no, and he fights up. Fans rally up, Ali throws body shots but Ciampa knees low. Ciampa whips, Ali reverses and runs in, but into a BOOT! Ciampa runs in but into a LARIAT! Ali fires up and the fans are with him, and Ali counter punches Ciampa! Ali throws haymakers, whips, but Ciampa reverse. Ali ducks and dodges to CLOBBER Ciampa! Ciampa goes to a corner, Ali CHOPS and whips corner to corner, Ali runs in to DROPKICK!
Ciampa flounders, Ali somersaults in for the NECKBREAKER! Fans fire up and Ali drags Ciampa to the drop zone. Ali goes up top, 450 but he has to roll through! Ciampa ripcord ROLLING ELBOWS, then BOOTS Ali! Ali staggers, Ciampa waistlocks but Ali bucks the O’Conner! UPERKICK, Ali springboards, FLYING DDT! Cover, Miz is slow again, TWO!! But again, that’s more like seven or eight for a real ref. Ali is furious and Miz says he is the ref here, don’t hit him or you’ll be disqualified! Ciampa hits a REVERSE DDT! Miz counts and it’s like a cheetah! Ciampa wins!!
Winner: Tommaso Ciampa, by pinfall
Miz turned three into 1.5 and Ali loses because of it! But will Ali make sure to get back at Miz one way or another?
Lacey Evans speaks.
“I was a child of abuse. My father struggled with mental health and addiction, which meant spending a majority of my childhood jumping state to state just to get away from him, or running from the things he had done. My mother tried to find us refuge in various women’s shelters and camp grounds, but ultimately my father found us. My mother broke, and we were brought back into his web of anger and addiction. Neither child protective services nor law enforcement could save me, but through my experiences, I learned how to save myself.” Lacey learned to hide, fight and when to use them.
She became a wrestling state champion by the age of 15, but she had to learn how to juggle a job, wrestling and school. She had to learn to do her own make-up because she didn’t have a mother who could teach her about beauty and confidence. IN fact, Lacey had so little support, she was kicked out of her home at 17 and was still the first in her family to graduate high school and become a US Marine. She has spent her entire life thinking that if she just proved herself worthy of her father’s love, then maybe he would choose that over addiction. She graduated as a US Military Police Officer, but he didn’t even show up for the ceremony.
One thing her father did show up for over and over again was the call to addiction and depression and anger. That led her father to overdose two months before her WWE tryout. And right before her first match in NXT, another member of her family overdosed in the parking lot. The threat of death and depression around every corner has been a constant reminder of what she lives for. She lives for her daughter’s smile, and to show the world that the weight of another’s pain doesn’t have to be carried on your back. She lives and fights to beat the cycle. Those experiences have made her into the motivated, careful and confident mother, wife, sister, daughter, US Marine and WWE superstar.
Bobby Lashley speaks.
“The only reason Omos won at WrestleMania Backlash was because of you, MVP! And then you bring him out here tonight, parading around your new Nigerian Giant, victorious to the world to share the spotlight with him. Why don’t you let him have a spotlight of his own without your interference? Next week on Monday Night Raw, I want that 7 foot 3 Nigerian Giant trapped inside a 15 foot steel cage!” The All Mighty has spoken, will not even the Colossus survive this one?
R-Truth meets with Dana Brooke and Tamina backstage.
His job is one the line. Are they both sure they want to go through with this? YES! Dana is right! Both these marriages are done. So the guys are meeting them here? Yes, and Dana tricked them into thinking it was a double date. Snakes! But Reggie and Tozawa arrive with flowers and chocolates to apologize. Well, just Reggie has chocolate. No candy from Tozawa? Well they got you these. DIVORCE PAPERS!? Yep! Truth is certified to serve, so y’all just got served. Tozawa, too?! He panics and runs away. Tamina is upset at Truth that it isn’t official until Tozawa holds the papers. Oh, right. Truth takes off after Tozawa, and Reggie pleads with Dana.
Tamina says oh no. Not now! Tamina and Dana storm off, but is this truly the end of these love stories?
Becky Lynch heads to ringside!
The Man makes tonight Big Time as she is joining commentary for this one! Will she have anything to say about the Empress of Tomorrow going after the title?
Raw Women’s Championship Contender’s Match: Bianca Belair VS Asuka!
Raw returns once more and Asuka makes her entrance. Then Bianca makes her entrance, but Becky isn’t impressed by either of them. The bell rings and Asuka stares down with Bianca as Becky says she wasn’t in game mode at WrestleMania. Bianca and Asuka tie up, go around, and Bianca wristlocks. Asuka wrenches to wristlock back, but Bianca rolls, kips up and wrenches back. Asuka reaches out, throws forearms, then uses ropes to flip through and wrench back. Asuka waistlocks, Bianca switches and SLAMS Asuka down, then floats to a headlock. Asuka fights up, throws body shots and powers out.
Bianca rams Asuka but Asuka stays up. Asuka roars, fans fire up and things speed up. Bianca handsprings then tells Asuka to kiss this. Asuka runs in, Bianca hurdles but Asuka turns hip toss into takedown and press, TWO! Bianca runs Asuka over and swaggers while Becky gets mad about losing again. Bianca drags Asuka up, whips her to a corner but Asuka reverses. Bianca goes up and over and handsprings again, but Asuka elbows her then ROUNDHOUSES! SLIDING KICK! Cover, TWO! Asuka smirks and she brings Bianca up to suplex. Bianca blocks, suplexes back, then rolls through to deadlift!
Asuka slips out, dodges Bianca, but Bianca ducks the roundhouse to chicken wing! But Asuka victory rolls, TWO! But into an ARMBAR! Bianca scrambles, clasps hands, powers up but Asuka makes it a TRIANGLE HOLD! Bianca flails and moves around, then deadlifts again! POWERBOMB! Becky storms off commentary to trip Bianca and throw her into steps!
Winner: Bianca Belair, by disqualification
Big Time Becks then goes into the ring to BOOT Asuka down! Becky runs to drop a leg, brother! Then an elbow for good measure! Becky says this should’ve been her contender’s match, and she drags Asuka up again. MANHANDLE SLAM! Becky raises her hand as if she won, but will she be in for big time consequences?
My Thoughts:
This was a really good follow-up to Backlash, until the last half hour or so. They started cramming a crap ton of stuff that wasn’t even really needed. I’m not sure why a supercut of Lacey Evans’ promos from SmackDown the last month was played here, unless there’s a “trade” between brands in the works. Or maybe even more concerning, just an end to the brand split. Then they shoved in Reggie and Tozawa being served papers, even though I feel like they could’ve kept Tozawa & Tamina going. In the end, the main event is not even 10 minutes, and it gets “ruined” by Becky anyway. It seems they’re blending Asuka VS Becky in with the Raw Women’s Championship, Triple Threat at Hell in a Cell, and because of that, we could get just about anyone winning.
I did like that we got the WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions having a match on Raw, but I’m disappointed that they’re putting dysfunction in the team of Piper and Nikki already. The champs were of course winning, but why not just win a good match? Nikki is still being superhero even though last week Piper told her it was time to stop playing around. Hopefully the team sticks together as Nikki finally does shed the costume, the RawDown Women’s Tag Division needs to keep teams together. I will say it was great that Sonya got stripped of her management power and then was so distraught, she got squashed by a returning Alexa Bliss. Another good part of that is Alexa is a hybrid of Fun House Bliss and the Goddess. Only time will tell which side has more power.
RKBRO and Profits opening was great stuff, both promo and match. I like that RKBRO still want that tag title unification so their trip back to SmackDown will be good stuff. And as such, of course RKBRO wins the match and what a great finish. I’m all for the unification match happening at Hell in a Cell, but I don’t think they need this one in the cell. Just let it be another 2v2 classic. As for matches that will be at HIAC and in the cell, my number one is Cody VS Rollins Part 3. We got a great US Championship match from Cody and Theory, and the US title’s current design fits so well with Cody’s gear, but sadly this was just a vehicle to Cody VS Rollins, HIAC match.
Judgement Day has a decent group promo. For Edge talking about being a superior intellect, he just resorts to pedestrian “run down the fans” promos. But Priest and Rhea held up their parts of this, and we got some great matches from tonight. Judgement Day handing the win to Finn and then beating him and Styles down should’ve been expected. I am hoping for a Six Person Tag, Liv joining Styles and Finn against Judgement Day. Maybe Liv does what Rhea did and makes the male superstars conflicted about hitting her, and then Finn or Styles capitalizes to win.
Miz being special guest for Ali’s match was a dead giveaway he was screwing Ali over, but at least Miz was good at playing it up. Maybe Ali gets an ally and gets a tag match with Miz and Ciampa? Veer got another win, and while Frank Lowman had a good promo before hand, I’m disappointed that it was another week and still no Rey Mysterio. I guess they’re going to push this closer to HIAC, but Veer didn’t even destroy Lowman like he did everyone else so I’m not even sure Veer VS Rey is still happening.
The VIP Lounge stuff was decent stuff, with Alexander of course wanting back into the Hurt Business and Lashley of course going after everyone. Lashley wanting a Steel Cage is a pretty good move if they’re not going to HIAC, but there’s still a lot MVP can do to help Omos so Lashley isn’t guaranteed a win. And I again love everything going on with the Ezekiel story. Kevin was hilarious during Chad’s promo about doing testing on Ezekiel’s DNA from the Solo cup, and of course “Ken” was just Kevin copying Elias/Ezekiel. Can’t wait to see how they play the DNA test results. I would love if they said it was 100% match, but then Ezekiel claims he’s actually been Elias’s twin brother, as twins (most of the time) have matching DNA.
My Score: 8.3/10
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The storied rival has its final chapter!
For the last time, John Cena and Randy Orton battle over the WWE Championship! This time, it is on Backlash, in Orton’s hometown of St. Louis!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest; Fatu wins and retains the title.
- WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch; Lyra wins and retains the title.
- WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA; Dominik wins and retains the title.
- GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee; Gunther wins.
- Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton; Cena wins and retains the title.
PLAY BY PLAY
It’s the WWE Backlash Countdown Show!
Join Michael Cole, Wade Barrett & Big E in discussing, analyzing and predicting all the action on this highly anticipated night!
Backstage interview with Lyra Valkyria.
Byron Saxton is with The Morrigan and asks how she is feeling tonight. She looked up to Becky Lynch for so long, only for her to stab her in the back. And at the same time, Lyra has dedicated this match to Bayley. How is Lyra going to manage all her emotions? Lyra says there is so much going on in her head, but the way to deal with it is focusing on the main emotion: embarrassment. She gave herself “the ick” looking back and seeing how she ate everything Becky fed her. Becky would’ve had a friend for life in Lyra, but then Becky turned on her. And what did The Man expect? For Lyra to run home to Dublin and cry?
No! That shows Lyra that Becky underestimated her. Lyra meant it when she said she is the better wrestler now. Becky may still be the bigger star, but when that bell rings, Lyra will show that she was never a stepping stone. Becky becomes Lyra’s stepping stone, as well as the crowning name on the long list of opponents when Lyra retains the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. Lyra is locked in, but will the Luck of the Irish favor her in the end?
Vic Joseph joins the panel!
The Voice of NXT helps plug Battleground, but he also gives Lyra her props. From NXT UK to NXT USA, Vic has seen Lyra achieve her potential every step of the way. The NXT Women’s Championship match between Lyra and Becky was all about someone from the NXT roster stepping up and proving herself, and Lyra did just that. Lyra took the NXT Women’s title off Becky, but will Lyra keep the Women’s Intercontinental title from Becky? Or is #BeckyHogan going to step on Lyra to get ahead?
Jackie Redmond & Peter Rosenberg tag in for the panel.
Cole & Barrett have to go prepare for calling Backlash, so Jackie and Peter join Big E in looking back on memory lane. John Cena VS Randy Orton as a rivalry predates the iPod, Wikipedia, and even the original Xbox! 25 years later, will this truly be the end of an era for WWE?
Pershard Owens sings the Star Spangled Banner.
Talkin’ ’bout a detonator…
The fuse is let, and tonight is about to be explosive. Egos, attitudes, grudges, ambitions, motivations, and glory, it’s overflowing! WrestleMania was historic, but now everyone will face the Backlash!
WWE United States Championship Fatal 4 Way: Jacob Fatu VS Drew McIntyre VS LA Knight VS Damian Priest!
The Samoan Werewolf only just took this title “for the family” at WrestleMania, and yet now the stakes are raised! The Scottish Warrior wants to fight a real fighter, the Mega Star wants to redeem himself from his loss, and the Archer of Infamy wants to kill two birds with one stone by avenging his own loss while putting gold back around his waist. Will one of these challengers get what they want? Or will Fatu dog walk all of ’em, YADADA MEAN!?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really all gas and no brakes with it!
The bell rings and the fans rally up as all four men look at each other. Knight talks some smack but St. Louis is loud for “FATU! FATU!” Knight runs up to throw hands on Fatu, Priest and Drew go after each other! Fatu fires back and they trade shots. Priest and Drew are on the outside while Knight throws hands “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Priest CLUBS Drew, Fatu TOSSES Knight, and then Fatu runs corner to corner. Knight dodges, Fatu hits buckles, and Knight hits a JUMP NECKBREAKER! Priest is back in the ring, but Knight gives him a BIG back suplex! Knight WRECKS Drew with a dropkick, then RAMS into Fatu!
Knight slingshots to SHOUDLER TACKLE Fatu! Knight sunset flip BACKBREAKERS, then he dodges Drew to pop-up and POWERSLAM! The fans fire up as The Mega Star is unlocking that kavorka! Spell it out, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” ELBOW- NO, Priest catches Knight, but Knight kicks free! DDT! Knight runs and DOUBLE ELBOW DROPS! Fatu shoves Knight, scoops, but Knight slips free, REVERSE DDT! Cover on Fatu, ONE!! Fatu is tougher than that, but Knight drags Fatu up. Fatu RAMS Knight into a corner, fires hands, then he ROCKS Priest! Knight ROCKS Fatu, Priest ROCKS Fatu, and Knight runs, they HIGH-LOW COMBO!
The fans fire up for that teamwork, and then Priest & Knight POST Fatu! Fatu flops out of the ring, but Priest avoids Knight’s cheap shot! BELL CLAP! Drew RAMS Knight into Priest, then OVERHEAD SUPELXES Knight! Priest runs up, but into a SPIENBUSTER! Drew has Knight again, NECKBREAKER! Then a NECKBREAKER for Priest! Fatu is back, but Drew gives him a NECKBREAKER! Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew aims at Fatu. Drew runs up, but Knight LARIATS! Fatu SUPERKICKS Knight! Fatu kicks Knight out, ELBOWS Priest away, then goes up. Priest JUMP KICKS! Priest climbs up to the very top, SUPER STEINER!
Fatu flounders, Priest rises, and Priest clinches Knight for a FLATLINER! Priest goes out to run around the ring, and he FLYING AX HANDLES Fatu! Priest puts Fatu back in, then dodges a shot to ROUNDHOUSE Fatu! Priest knuckle locks Fatu, St. Louis wants tables, but Priest goes Old School to CROSSBODY Drew! Fatu runs up, Priest dodges, COMEBACKER LARIAT! Fatu flounders out, Priest runs to ELBOW Drew! And ELBOW Knight! Priest runs, and he LARIATS Drew up and out! Knight swings, misses, and Priest DREAMCAST KICKS! The fans fire up and Priest goes back out. Priest runs in but Fatu POP-UP SAMOAN DROPS Priest onto the barriers!
The fans fire up with Fatu, and then Fatu stares down with Drew. The fans fire up even more as these alpha males step into the ring. This is the match-up Drew wanted all along, and the two men step up. The hands start flying and the fans fire up! The fans are strongly on Fatu’s side, but the hands keep going faster and faster! Fatu gets the edge, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew runs, but Fatu BODY CHECKS him! Drew is right up, ducks ‘n’ dodges, but runs into a POP-UP SAMOAN DROP! The fans are thunderous, and Fatu runs in, HIP ATTACK on Drew! The fans fire up again, and Fatu drags Drew to the drop zone.
Fatu climbs the corner as St. Louis declares, “This is Awesome!” Fatu nods, reaches the top, but Drew is up to CLAW Fatu’s face! The ref reprimands but that’s all he can do! Drew goes up to the top, but Knight trips Drew up! Knight puts Drew in the Tree of Woe to stomp away, “YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!” Knight then runs corner to corner and back again, KNEE for Drew! Knight then climbs up, has Fatu on the very top, but Fatu HEADBUTTS Knight down! Fatu adjusts, but Drew sits up! SPIDER SUPLEX throws Fatu onto Knight! But Fatu’s right up to HIP ATTACK Drew!! And then he DIVES onto Priest!! Fatu is all fired up and the fans are thunderous!
Fatu goes up again, SEWANTON BOMB on Drew! Fatu geeks out, but gets B F T!! Priest has Knight, SOUTH OF HEAVEN!! Drew hits a CLAYMORE on Priest!!! Priest falls on Knight for a cover! DREW BREAKS IT!! The fans are electric as all four men are down! “This is Awesome!” and that might be an understatement now! Priest flops out of the ring, Fatu and Drew go to corners, and Knight finds his way to another. The fans rally, Fatu geeks out, and Fatu runs, into a FLYING HEADBUTT! And then a kick and FUTURE SHOCK!! Then Drew has Knight, but Knight wrenches out! B F- NO, Drew powers out, reels Knight in, FUTURE SHOCK!!
Drew kips up, the fans fire up, and Drew calls his shot! Drew gives the countdown, “THREE! TWO! ONE!!” CLAYMORE for Knight!! Cover, PRIEST yanks the ref!! Priest really does screw Drew this time! Drew is furious but Priest drags him out now! Priest and Drew throw hands and the fans fire up! Drew THROWS Priest and himself over the barriers! Fatu is up, he brings Knight around for HEADBUTT after HEADBUTT! Fatu has Knight down, goes up, up, BEST MOONSAULT FLOPS!! Knight rises up, goes to the corner, “L! A! KNIGHT! YEAH!” BOX JUMP FLYING AX HANDLE! And then the BOX JUMP ELBOW DROP!! Cover, TWO!?!
Fatu survives and Knight is beside himself! Priest and Drew are brawling in the crowd! Priest SMACKS Drew off a road case! Priest makes Drew look into the camera, “He’s bored at work!” Priest ROCKS Drew, but Drew ROCKS Priest! They go up to some upper deck, and Priest ROCKS Drew again! They stand on road cases, but Drew HEADBUTTS! Drew reels Priest in, takes aim, but Priest CLAWS Drew’s face! Priest decides to do what Drew was planning, and with the straps down, SOUTH OF HEAVEN DOWN THROUGH THE TABLES!!! The fans go nuts with Priest and Drew down in the wreckage!!
Producers and medical hurry to check Drew and Priest, but that just means Knight and Fatu are the only two left! Knight RAMS Fatu into the apron, then POSTS him! Knight hobbles but he brings Fatu back up to SMACK him off the desk! Fatu is on the desk, and Knight uses a piece that fell off to SMACK Fatu! Knight keeps Fatu on the desk, and he looks for a perch. The fans fire up as Knight climbs the corner! “L! A! KNGIHT!” NO, Solo Sikoa gets Fatu clear! Knight is furious but Solo tells him it’s not going down like that. Knight storms up on Solo, but a LARIAT hits outta nowhere!! IS THAT JEFF COBB?!?
The fans go nuts as now the Imperial Unit is Solo’s new enforcer! Cobb THROWS Knight around, POSTS him, and then runs to SPLASH Knight against the post!! Cobb drags Knight up, puts him in the ring, and Fatu sees what’s going on. Fatu is not happy with Solo bringing in reinforcements when he didn’t want it, but Solo still serves Knight up on a silver platter. Fatu doesn’t look the gift horse in the mouth, and he gives Knight a HIP ATTACK!! Fatu puts Knight in the drop zone, goes up and up, BEST MOONSAULT EVER!! Cover, Fatu wins!
Winner: Jacob Fatu, by pinfall (still WWE United States Champion)
The Samoan Werewolf may not like Solo bringing in a ringer, but he still keeps his gold. Will nothing stop “the family” now that they’ve reloaded the arsenal?
WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria VS Becky Lynch!
When they say, “Never meet your heroes,” perhaps those people were talking about this scenario right here. The Morrigan & The Man were bonded by their Irish blood, and by how the younger followed in the footsteps of the elder. They’ve battled over the NXT Women’s Championship and even won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships at WrestleMania. But the moment they lost those titles, Becky showed her true colors and betrayed Lyra! Becky called Lyra “recycling,” or rather, “less offensive trash,” but will Becky be the one thrown out this time? Or will Becky take away a title just as Lyra did to her back in the day?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who the real Lass Kicker is around here!
The bell rings and the fans rally up. Lyra and Becky circle, tie up, and they go around. Becky puts Lyra in the corner, the ref counts, and Becky lets off to talk trash. Becky shoves, Lyra shoves, and the two reset. They tie up, Lyra waistlocks, Becky switches, and Becky SLAMS Lyra down. Becky smothers Lyra into the mat, then waistlocks again. Lyra fights up, ELBOWS free, then runs. Becky dodges and RUNS Lyra over! Becky flexes, talks trash, then soaks up the heat. Things speed up, Lyra drops down then hurdles, but Becky hits an arm-drag, only for Lyra to ghost pin! TWO, and Becky arm-drags again!
The fans boo but Becky soaks it up. The two reset, tie up, and Lyra waistlocks. Becky elbows Lyra, whips her to ropes, but Lyra slides under! Lyra blocks a kick, trips Becky, and then turns Becky over with the REVERSE CRAB, to then go for the arms! MEXICAN SURFBOARD! Becky endures as Lyra swings her around! Lyra drops Becky, stands on the legs, and then hooks the legs up! Becky resists but Lyra still gets the arms to pull her back, into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky endures, Lyra rolls and pulls Becky back into the ROMERO SPECIAL! Becky still endures, but Lyra rolls her and pulls her back again! A third ROMERO SPECIAL! Then a cover, TWO!
Becky escapes, but Lyra waistlocks. Becky switches, Lyra spins through and NORTHERN LIGHTS! Bridging cover, TWO! Becky scrambles and Lyra says she told her she’s the better wrestler! Lyra then dodges to ENZIGIRI! Becky bails out, the fans “WHEW~” with Lyra, and she WRECKS Becky with a dropkick! The fans fire up and Lyra puts Becky in the ring. Lyra climbs, but Becky trips her up! Becky THROWS Lyra down, then snarls as she rains down fists! The fans boo but Becky seethes as she paces around. Becky signals that she will be champion! She CLOBBERS Lyra, smothers her into the mat again, then HAMMERS away on Lyra! Cover, ONE!!
Lyra is tougher than that, but so is Becky given she has a bloody cut on her elbow. Lyra ELBOWS Becky but Becky CLUBS Lyra! Becky stands Lyra up to SLAP her! And CHOP her! And CHOP again! Lyra falls into a corner but Becky soaks up the heat. Becky stands Lyra up, runs corner to corner, but Lyra dodges! Becky hits buckles, but then she dodges to JUMP KICK! And BECKSPLODER! Lyra writhes, Becky covers, ONE!! Becky argues the count with the ref, then goes back to Lyra. Becky talks trash on Lyra, CHOKES her on the ropes, but stops as the ref counts. Lyra goes to the corner but Becky brings her around to TOSS her out!
Lyra is on the floor, Becky builds speed, and Becky WRECKS Lyra with a dropkick! Becky THROWS Lyra into barriers, then SMACKS her off more barriers! “Is this your girl?” Becky tells Lyra’s fiancé to thank her! Lyra fires forearms off on Becky! Becky POSTS Lyra in return! Becky puts Lyra in the ring, covers, TWO! The fans rally for Lyra but Becky talks more trash. Becky SLAPS Lyra, pie faces her, but Lyra just stares defiantly! Then Lyra SLAPS Becky back! The SLAPS fly, Becky clinches, but Lyra cradle counters! Roll through, into a RUNNING FISHERMAN BUSTER!! Both women are down and the fans fire up!
Lyra feeds off that energy and she rises up! Lyra runs and LARIATS! And LARIATS! And SOBATS! KICKS! HEADBUTTS, KICKS again, then runs, cartwheel and ENZIGIRI! Becky staggers around, Lyra GUT WRENCH BOMBS! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! Becky goes to the apron but Lyra drags her up. The fans rally m ore, but Becky ROCKS and ROUNDHOUSES Lyra! Becky climbs, but Lyra ROCKS her first! Lyra reaches the top, and fans actually duel as Lyra stalling SUPERPLEXES!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives, reminding us why she’s a Grand Slam Champion!
The fans rally up and Lyra has Becky for a fireman’s carry! Becky fights free, waistlocks, but Lyra switches! O’Conner Roll, TWO! Becky has the O’Conner, but wants the rope! The ref stops that! The fans boo and Becky “apologizes,” but then she runs up on Lyra! Lyra scoops, Becky slips free, EYE OF THE HURRICANE! Cover, TWO!! Lyra survives and Becky is growing frustrated. The fans rally for Lyra more and Becky dares Lyra to get up. Lyra rises, Becky clinches, but Lyra slips free to shove Becky into buckles! Lyra runs up, Becky dodges, but Lyra stops the jump kick! Lyra DUMPS Becky out, takes aim, and PLANCHAS! Down goes Becky!
The fans fire up as Lyra hurries to put Becky back in. Lyra climbs the corner, takes aim, TURN OF FORTUNE!! Cover, TWO!!! Lyra is frustrated, but she hurries back up! MOONSAULT onto knees! Becky turns that around on Lyra while the fans fire up! Becky crawls her way over to Lyra, both women stand, and the forearms fly! Becky ROCKS Lyra but Lyra ROCKS Becky right back! The shots pick up speed, Lyra gets the edge, but Becky KNEES low! UPPERCUT into a hook! Becky fights the backslide, SLAMS Lyra down, ARMBAR!! Lyra clasps hands, rolls through, and she has the ARMBAR!!
Becky fights, rolls, high stacks, TWO! Becky steps over, DISARM-HER!! Lyra rolls Becky to a cover, TWO!! Becky clinches, MANHAND- ARM-DRAG! Cover, TWO!! MANHANDLE SLAM!!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives and Becky cannot believe it! St. Louis is thunderous, “This is Awesome!” Becky is freaking out trying to figure out what to do. Becky just HAMMERS away on Lyra! The fans boo but Becky goes to the outside. Becky grabs a chair! The fans boo but The Man is getting desperate! Becky brings the chair in, the ref stops her, and they tug-o-war over the chair! Becky give sit up to the ref, but that lets her untie a buckle pad!
Becky drags Lyra up, brings her around and whips, but Lyra reverses! Becky stops from hitting steel but Lyra GERMAN SUPLEXES! And HEEL KICKS! MOONSAULT!! Cover, TWO!! Becky survives and Lyra is beside herself! The fans rally while Lyra now thinks on what she must do. Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky fights free! Becky shoves Lyra into a buckle! MANHANDLE SLAM!! Cover, TWO?!?! Lyra survives one thing after another and Becky is going berserk! Becky HAMMERS away on Lyra again, and even DRIBBLES Lyra head off the mat! The fans boo, the ref reprimands, but Becky stands Lyra up.
Becky aims but the ref sees the bare buckle! The ref stops that, goes to fix things, but Lyra fireman’s carries! NIGHTWING DRIVER!!! The ref is too busy with the buckle! Cover, TWO!?!?!? Becky survives thanks to her shenanigans and Lyra is completely frazzled! Lyra drags Becky up, fireman’s carries, but Becky still fights! Clinch and MAN- NO, wheelbarrow for the victory roll! TWO, and Becky SLAPS Lyra! Roll-up, high stack, TWO! Lyra has a victory roll, LYRA WINS!!!
Winner: Lyra Valkyria, by pinfall (still WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion)
Becky attacks Lyra! The Man is a sore loser! DISARM-HER!! The ref reprimands, pries at Becky’s grip, but Becky refuses to let go! More refs rush in, Becky still doesn’t stop, so producers are needed! Adam Pearce shouts right at Becky, and only now does Becky let go!! Lyra is down, potentially her arm and even her nose broken by the woman she once looked up to! Becky scowls, wants to go back for more, but the producers stand in her way. Did Becky still coset Lyra her title with all the damage she did? Or can The Morrigan rise up and keep her #ShinyShiny?
WWE Intercontinental Championship: Dominik Mysterio VS PENTA!
Though it took a Fatal 4 Way to win it, and an Irish Ace in the hole to keep it, “Dirty Dom” thinks he is already the greatest Intercontinental Champion of all time, as well as the greatest Mysterio and the greatest luchador ever. But now, the Man with Zero Fear gets another shot, and hopefully it’ll be a fair one. Will Penta prove he is the greatest? Or will Dom have another dirty trick up his sleeve?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly El Campeon!
The bell rings and Dom circles with Penta. Dom talks trash but the fans rally behind Penta. Dom shoves Penta, so Penta DROPKCISK Dom! Penta runs up, Dom dodges and fires hands! Dom whips, Penta ducks ‘n’ dodges and RANAS! Dom tumbles, the fans fire up, and Penta runs in. Dom dodge the kick, comes back, ducks ‘n’ dodges to RANA! The fans cheer because that was impressive, and Dom runs up again. Penta pops him up to SUPERKICK him upside-down! Then BACKSTABBER! Cover, TWO! Dom stays in this and Penta nods respect. The fans rally for Penta while Dom goes to a corner.
Penta runs in, Dom pops him up to crotch him on the ropes! Dom then DROPKICKS Penta down to the floor! The fans cheer, Dom builds speed, and Dom DIVES to TORNADO DDT! Dom flexes and fans cheer because that was impressive, too! Dom refreshes the ring count then mocks Penta’s swagger. Dom stomps Penta, fans actually sing for “Dirty, Dirty Dom~!” Dom stands Penta up to CHOP, but Penta CHOPS in return! The CHOPS go back and forth, then Dom dodges to SHOVE Penta into steel steps! Dom rolls into the ring and flexes. The fans cheer, Dom goes out to drag Penta up, and Dom puts Penta in.
Dom hears the fans dueling, tunes out the taunts, and he slingshots to SENTON! Cover, TWO! Penta stays in this and Dom argues the count. The ref defends it, so Dom just stomps away on Penta! Dom uses the Finn style jump stomps, then he rains down fists! Dom lets off to soak up cheers and jeers, then covers, ROPEBREAK! Dom is annoyed and he CLUBS Penta into the chinlock. Penta endures, claws at the hold, and fights up. Penta fires body shots, but Dom fires knees! Dom whips, Penta KICKS him, then Penta dodges to come back, SLING-DOG! The fans fire up and Dom bails out. Penta goes up, up, and from the post, SUPER CROSSBODIES!
The fans fire up as Dom and Penta crash down! The ring count starts, both men stir at 3 of 10, and Penta rises up. Penta pushes Dom into the ring, huffs ‘n’ puffs, and he climbs up the corner. Penta leaps, but into Dom’s kick! Dom snap suplexes, that’s Uno Amigo! Then another suplex, but Penta slips free! Penta shoves Dom, but Dom drop toeholds him onto ropes! Dom dials it up, but Penta ducks the 619! Penta GAMANGIRIS, then slingshots to CRUCIFIX DRIVER! Cover, TWO!! Dom survives and both men are down! The fans rally up and Dom DROPKICKS Penta! Dom runs up, OBLIVION!! Cover, TWO!!
Penta survives Liv’s move and Dom is furious! Dom runs up, Penta puts him on the corner, and Penta GAMANGIRIS! Penta climbs, but Dom shoves him down! Penta CHOPS from the apron, then runs up, but Dom BOOTS him! Dom hops down, reels Penta in, but Penta fights the suplex! Penta ENZIGIRIS, then runs up, APRON DESTROYER!!! Both men are down and the fans go nuts! But wait, here comes Carlito! Judgment Day let Dom come out here alone, but Caribbean Cool isn’t gonna let this go down! But this is all so Finn & JD can get Penta up! Finn gets an idea and grabs a chair!
But the ref sees Finn! Finn’s improvising just cost him his chance! The ref EJECTS Judgment Day!! The fans fire up as now things are 1v1 again! Carlito can’t believe Finn messed this up! Penta FLIES onto Judgment Day! The fans fire up but wait, Finn avoided disaster! Where’d he go? Penta hobbles, rolls into the ring, and SUPERKICKS Dom down! Penta vows to finish this, but Finn returns! Finn distracts the ref now, and EL GRANDE AMERICANO is here! Grande HEADBUTTS Penta with that loaded mask!!! Dom goes up, FROG SPLASH!!! Cover, DOM WINS!
Winner: Dominik Mysterio, by pinfall (still WWE Intercontinental Champion)
The Prince almost screwed things up, but then he managed to turn things around with help from the supposed other greatest luchador in history! Will Judgment Day owe Chad Gable- Er, uh, El Grande Americano big time for this?
GUNTHER VS Pat McAfee!
Once again, Der Ring General lost a championship, at WrestleMania, against someone he surely felt was beneath him. And while his ego was still hurting, he lashed out against Michael Cole in an attempt to intimidate and silence commentary. Pat stepped up for his friend, got beat up for it, but he isn’t going to back down just because Gunther is a bully. In fact, Pat has always believed in standing up to bullies, which is why he’s getting back in the ring! Will Pat win one for all the underdogs out there? Or will Gunther unleash all of his anger and silence Pat for good?
The bell rings and Pat throws his shirt to the crowd! The fans fire up as Pat and Gunther circle. They feel things out, Gunther smirks but Pat is stone cold serious. The fans taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” but Gunther ignores that. He and Pat tie up, and Gunther shoves Pat to a corner. Pat sees what he’s dealing with now, but he still comes back to circle with Gunther again. They tie up, Gunther headlocks and THROWS Pat! The ref checks Pat but Pat stands back up. Pat and Gunther circle again, tie up, and Gunther grabs an arm! Gunther wrenches Pat, wrangles him down and steps over. Gunther pie faces Pat around and the fans boo.
Gunther wrenches, wristlocks, but Pat rolls, rolls, handsprings, and wrenches! But Gunther breaks free! Pat avoids the chop and the fans fire up! Pat and Gunther circle again, and Gunther is oddly amused. Pat and Gunther tie up, and Pat headlocks! Gunther powers Pat to ropes, Pat shifts to a facelock, but Gunther puts Pat on the apron! Pat holds on, the ref counts, and Pat lets go slowly. Gunther pats Pat on the head, and Pat says okay. Pat ROCKS Gunther! Pat slingshots, runs, and fires forearms! Pat runs, into a CHOP! Pat is right down and coughing for air! Gunther drags Pat up, just to CLUB him back down!
Gunther stomps and kicks Pat around, pushes Pat, but Pat comes back to JAB! JAB! HAYMAKER! Pat fires hands, and even CHOPS! Gunther eggs Pat on! Pat CHOPS, the fans fire up, but Gunther wants more! Pat CHOPS, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down again! The fans boo as Gunther glares at Michael Cole. Gunther stalks Pat to a corner, talks trash, “You wanna play with the big boys, huh?” Gunther CHOPS Pat in a corner, CHOPS again, then stomps a mudhole! Gunther stops and Pat puts up his dukes! The fans rally, but Gunther CHOPS Pat down! The fans boo and Cole tells Gunther fine, just pin and finish it!
Gunther decides not to do that, he wrenches and whips Pat instead. Gunther CLOBBERS Pat, but Pat avoids the elbow drop! Pat KICKS Gunther! That NFL punt wasn’t quite enough, and Gunther snapmares Pat! Gunther KICKS Pat now! Pat writhes, but he still rises up! The fans rally behind Pat and he stands again. Pat roars, Gunther eggs him on, and Pat spins to CHOP! Gunther CHOPS, but Pat stays up to CHOP! Gunther BOOTS Pat down now! Gunther glares at Cole, dares Cole to help Pat, but Wade Barrett tells Cole to just sit down. The fans still taunt Gunther with, “You Tapped Out!” as Gunther goes back to Pat.
Gunther talks trash on the fans, then he brings Pat up. Gunther dares Cole to keep cheering his guy on. Cole says stop toying with Pat then! Pat SLAPS Gunther! Gunther CHOPS Pat, and GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat sputters, Cole says just end it then! Gunther looms over Pat, eggs him on, and Pat still rises up! Gunther clamps onto Pat’s head, and then has the SLEEPER!! Pat is already red from everything else, but wait! Pat pries at the grip! Gunther is amused as Pat manages the ROPEBREAK, but then Gunther GERMAN SUPLEXES! Pat flounders and Gunther paces. Gunther laughs as the fans boo, because Gunther knows only he can end this.
Gunther soaks up the boos and he stalks Pat to ropes. Pat sits up, Gunther clamps onto him again, and Gunther uses a facelock to put Pat in a corner. Gunther CLUBS Pat, reels him in, and hoists Pat up top! Gunther CLUBS Pat, then climbs up. The fans rally for Pat, and he holds on for dear life! Pat fires elbows and he knocks Gunther down! Pat adjusts, and manages to MOONSAULT! Gunther moves, Pat lands out, GERMAN SUPLEX! Pat lands out?! PUNT!! PUNT!! And then a PUNT!!! Cover, ONE?!?! Gunther takes all those shots and is just pissed!! Gunther eggs Pat on, so Pat SLAPS him! Gunther eggs Pat on more, so Pat SLAPS again!
Pat SLAPS, Gunther CHOPS, but Pat just feeds off that now! The CHOPS keep going, and then Pat ELBOWS Gunther! The forearms go back and forth, Pat fires fast hands, Gunther guards! Pat runs, and he BOOTS Gunther! Pat keeps moving, to SUPERKICK! Shoutout to the Panama City Playboy, but Gunther reels Pat in for a POWERBOMB!! Cole says fine, just end this match already! Gunther clamps on the BOSTON CRAB!! But Pat endures! Cole goes to the apron to tell Pat to keep fighting! But Gunther drags Pat back to rain down HAMMER ‘N’ ANVIL ELBOWS! The fans cheer on Cole, but Gunther grabs him through the ropes!!
The fans boo as Gunther drags Cole into the ring! The ref reprimands and Cole says Gunther should just pin Pat already! Gunther pushes Cole around, has him by his tie, then reels Cole in! But Pat BOOTS Gunther! Gunther BOOTS Pat!! Gunther glares at Cole as Cole is on the outside again. Pat O’Conner Rolls! TWO!! Pat bails out, Cole coaches him, but Gunther is on Pat again! Gunther suplexes, but Cole trips Gunther!! Cole holds Gunther’s foot down as Pat covers, TWO!!! Gunther is pissed, but Pat puts on the SLEEPER!!! Gunther flails, powers out, and short arm LARIATS!! Gunther drags Pat back up, and he stares Cole down before putting on the SLEEPER!!!
Pat is down in the body scissors and he’s turning purple! The fans rally as Pat still fights, but Gunther traps his arms, too!! Pat is still fighting even now!! Pat rises up, throws elbows, and the fans are thunderous! Pat fires shot after shot but Gunther wrangles him back down!! Pat is caught again, and NOW he’s out! Gunther wins!!
Winner: Gunther, by submission
Gunther pushes Pat away and Cole is distraught. Cole goes to Pat’s side, feeling just a bit responsible for letting it go this far. Der Ring General grins as he still returns to his winning ways. Pat manages to sit up again now that he can breathe, and Cole helps him stand. Gunther and Pat stare each other down, and Gunther shows Pat a nod of respect! Gunther leaves, but will he be just as ruthless as he heads back for the mountaintop?
Undisputed WWE Championship: John Cena VS Randy Orton!
Both men have been here in the WWE for 25 years, never wrestling anywhere else, and never wanting to go anywhere else. And while he’s “gone Hollywood,” Cena still became the #NeverSeenSeventeen. The Viper is still only at 14, but he hopes to change that tonight as he now has the homefield advantage. Will the Legend Killer add one more name to that hit list? Or will Cena still be the Last Real Champion?
The fans obviously sing along with Voices as their hometown hero makes his entrance. Orton already seems to be getting chills hearing his hometown sing that for him. Then things turn to “Let’s Go, Cena!” “CENA SUCKS!” even before the music plays. Then things turn to “JOHN CENA SUCKS~!” with the music, even as Cena wears his St. Louis Blues inspired merchandise. The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who is truly the greatest of their generation!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Cena and Orton circle. They feel things out, tie up, and are in a deadlock. The two break, the fans applaud, and the two reset. Orton and Cena circle again, tie up again, and are in another deadlock. They break again and the fans again applaud. St. Louis rallies behind “RANDY! RANDY!” which annoys Cena, but then he offers a handshake. The fans boo and Orton smirks. Orton steps up, Cena still offers, and Orton accepts. But then Cena pokes Orton in the eyes! Cena fires hands, headlocks, but Orton powers up and out. Orton runs Cena over, then he pokes Cena in the eyes!
The fans cheer, Cena bails out, and Orton goes to the corner so he can look down at Cena. The fans cheer more and Cena slides in. The two tie up, go around, and Orton puts Cena in a corner. The ref counts, Orton lets off at 4, but he counters Cena’s punch! Orton ROCKS Cena, headlocks, and the fans duel, “You Can’t Wrestle!” “YES, HE CAN!” Cena powers up and out, ducks down, and hurdles over! Orton still runs Cena over again! The fans fire up as Orton headlocks, hits a takeover, but Cena keeps his shoulders up. Cena endures, fights up, and powers out. Orton runs Cena over yet again! Cena bails out and the fans boo.
Cena wants to walk!? The fans boo more but Cena doesn’t care. But Orton rushes out to CLUB Cena from behind! Orton ROCKS Cena, ROCKS him again, and they return to ringside. Orton ROCKS Cena, Cena rolls into the ring, and Cena comes back to LARIAT! Cena rains down fists, the fans boo, but Cena stops to catch his breath. Cena brings Orton up to bump him off buckles. Cena climbs up and fans boo more as Cena rains down fists! The fans still count along, and Cena goes to 7 before he hops down. But Orton kicks low! Orton bumps Cena off buckles, then climbs up to rain down fists! The fans count and Orton goes past TEN, to hit TWENTY!!
The fans fire up and Orton backs off. Cena staggers around, Orton reels him in, and UPPERCUTS Cena down! Cover, TWO! Orton drags Cena to center to stomp a leg! The fans cheer and Orton stomps Cena’s other leg! Cena clutches his ankle, but Orton stomps Cena’s hand! The fans cheer as Orton picks Cena apart, with a stomp to the other hand! Orton pushes Cena down and runs up, to KNEE DROP! Cover, TWO! Cena stays in this but Orton stays focused. Cena goes to ropes, rises up, but Orton is on him with a kick down low! The fans cheer Orton and he whips, but Cena reverses. Cena clamps on a SLEEPER! And becomes a backpack!
Orton stays on his feet and Cena slips down. Orton powers up and out, and he catches Cena for a SLEEPER! Cena endures, but he drops to a knee. Cena fights up, powers out, and he grabs the SLEEPER again! The fans boo but Orton powers up and out. Orton has the SLEEPER! Cena powers out, to have the SLEEPER! Orton slips around to hit a BIG back suplex! The fans rally while both men are down. Orton and Cena stir, Cena goes to the ropes, and Orton is up. Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start up those SHOULDER TACKLES! And then the SPIN OUT BOMB! The fans boo but Cena smooths his hair. Cena smirks, raises his hand, and says the fans can’t see him!
Cena runs, and FIVE KNUCKLE SHUFFLES! Orton staggers, Cena fireman’s carries, but Orton slips free! Orton shoves Cena and LARIATS! And LARIATS again! Orton dodges then SNAP POWERSLAMS! The fans fire up while Cena flounders to the apron! Orton storms over there, drags Cena through the ropes, but Cena slips through to roll Orton up! TWO, and Cena has a leg! Orton fights off the crossface, but Cena powers through! STFU!! Orton endures, reaches out, but Cena drags him from the ropes! Orton BOOTS Cena away and Cena goes back to the apron! Orton runs up, has Cena in the ropes, DRAPING DDT!
The fans fire up while Cena sputters, and Orton starts to hear those voices! Orton watches Cena rise up, R K- NO, Cena powers out, fireman’s carries, and ATTITUDE- RKO?!?! Orton turns that around at the last second and the fans are losing their minds! “This is Awesome!” while both men are down again! Both men slowly rise up, Cena has Orton, but Orton ROCKS Cena! Cena ROCKS Orton! Orton kicks Cena low, but then Cena fires a body shot! Orton HEADBUTTS Cena, but Cena HEADBUTTS back! Orton ROCKS Cena again, but Cena ROCKS Orton again! Orton UPPERCUTS! Cena HAYMAKERS! Cena fireman’s carries, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!?!
The fans fire up as Orton survives while Cena grows frustrated. Cena waits on Orton to rise up, the fans duel again, and Cena fireman’s carries! Orton grabs ropes, Cena pries him free, but Orton slips off the carry! Cena ducks ‘n’ dodges to start more shoulder tackles, but into an RKO!!! The fans fire up but Cena flounders away to a corner! Orton clutches his shoulder, the RKO continues to be a double-edged move when you get right down to it. But wait! Orton wants to go yard! But Cena avoids the Orton Punt! Fireman’s carry and ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! Cover, TWO!!!! Orton survives again and Cena is beside himself!
The fans rally as hard as they can for Orton but Cena stalks Orton to a corner. Cena talks trash, and he mocks hearing those voices! Cena smirks as the fans boo, and then Cena decides to further copy Orton! Cena aims from a corner, runs up, but Orton dodges Cena’s kick! RK- NO, Cena shoves Orton into the ref!! The ref goes down, Cena has Orton again, ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT!! But no ref means no pins! Cena smirks again, and he tells the fans, “Shh.” Cena goes outside, grabs the title belt, and Cole asks why he’s resorting to this. Cena says, “History.” Cena slips back into the ring with the belt, but Orton hits an RKO!!!
The ref stirs, Orton covers, and the ref counts! TWO!!!! The delay saves Cena and Orton is beside himself! Cena flops out of the ring, crawls off towards barriers, but Orton pursues. Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and storms up on Cena. The fans call BS, but Orton thinks this is a good a place as any. Orton clears the desk! The ref reprimands but then Cena RAMS Orton into the ref!! The ref hits steel steps! Cena POSTS Orton, and the fans are dueling again! Cena sees the desk, and then smirks again. Cena decides to use another of Orton’s ideas, and he fireman’s carries Orton. But Orton slips free and fireman’s carries! ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT onto the desk!!
Cena tumbles off the desk and to the floor! Then the desk breaks! They really made those sturdier than before. Orton mutters something while he clears space. Orton drags Cena up, SMACKS him off the pieces of the desk, then goes back to the ring. The fans fire up as Orton starts looking underneath the ring! Orton goes around the way, and tada! Orton brings out a TABLE! St. Louis fires up again as Orton sets the table up right where he found it, then he drags Cena over that way. Cena fires hands and SMACKS Orton off barriers! And off the steps! Cena fireman’s carries Orton, but Orton fights free! Orton fireman’s carries again!
Orton hits another ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT, through the table!!! Once again, Orton gives Cena his move! Orton drinks some Prime Hydration, then goes back to Cena. Orton steps over Cena to drag him back up, and he puts Cena in the ring. “This is Awesome!” but the ref is still down! Orton huffs ‘n’ puffs and he hears those voices again! Cena stirs, rises to his feet, and RKO!!! Cover, here comes a spare ref!! The count, TWO!??!?!? Another delay saves Cena and Orton is at a loss for words! The ref defends the count was fair, but Cena has the belt again! Cena aims, runs up, but Orton dodge! BELT SHOT on Eddie Durango! RKO AGAIN!!!!
Orton covers, he would’ve won ten times over! Nick Aldis and his producers hurry to ringside to finally check on both refs. Orton argues with Aldis, they need another official! Aldis says okay but there aren’t many left to work tonight! Orton is furious, so he just RKOS Aldis! And RKO for each and every producer! Even Jamie Noble!! The fans are thunderous as Orton unleashes that 2009 Viper! Orton looms over Cena, seethes, and goes with the last thing he has in his arsenal. Orton lines up a shot, Cena rises up, BUT R-TRUTH gets in the way! Truth pleads with Orton to spare his “childhood hero!” Orton just RKOS Truth!!
Cena is up, and he LOW BLOWS Orton!!! The fans boo, but Cena isn’t done there! He has the belt, and he CLOBBERS Orton with it!!! Cena puts the belt outside, the first ref returns, and he counts the cover! CENA WINS!!!
Winner: John Cena, by pinfall (still Undisputed WWE Champion)
Cena’s first defense of his 17th world title is certainly one for the history books! It took multiple referees, tables, distractions, and even a friend/fan biting the bullet for him, and Cena comes out the other side still the champion. Cena takes the mic, and he shouts to cut the damn music! Cena says he doesn’t need the music, he needs competition. And he sure as hell doesn’t need the fans. “Drink it in, St. Louis. Because this is what the Last Real Champion looks like.” The fans boo as Cena holds up the title at the corner, but if this is what the Last Real Champion needs to survive the Viper, what more will it take for him to finish his Farewell Tour?
My Thoughts:
Despite the concerns from right after WrestleMania, this Backlash turned out amazing! It didn’t need a two hour preshow when there wasn’t gonna be a preshow match, but I get that they did so because this was the final Backlash for Cena, they needed time to talk about Cena becoming the 17 time world champion, and what facing Orton one more time meant to everyone. Cena VS Orton: The Final Time was definitely better than Cody VS Cena at Mania. There was a lot of talk of Cena “purposefully” giving a bad match at Mania and whether that saved it from actually being a bad match because of the meta, but I think they realized that this time, it had to be a legitimately good match.
And it was! It was great stuff from two icons of wrestling, no matter what anyone says. It’s that saying of “I’m not as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” It didn’t flip the classic moment of Orton slapping the ref to get disqualified, but Cena did still took out two refs through the course of this. Great stuff with Aldis and all those producers, aka former/retired wrestlers, taking RKOs so Orton could unleash his anger. And while I figured R-Truth would play a part, I didn’t think we’d get him taking an RKO. Cena of course resorts to all the cheating ways to win, but this is Heel Cena after all, what else would he do? And now there is some real intrigue as to who is next for Cena as he continues his farewell tour.
To go back to the top, awesome move with the Fatal 4 Way opening tonight. All four guys got their stuff in, it was wild, and yet, Solo Sikoa still gets involved, just as they implied last night. Additionally, Solo brought in a new member to the team, also as they implied. Personally, I still wanted Hikuleo, just so that Solo would be leading the entire Guerrillas of Destiny, but maybe they want to wait until Tama and Loa are health. At the same time, I can’t fault them for going with Jeff Cobb because he’s Jeff Cobb. Cobb is sturdy, strong, athletic, and anyone who has watched NJPW, ROH and/AEW already knows what he’s capable of. You can tell already that this only ups the tension within the faction, and we might get Cobb VS Fatu very quickly.
Lyra VS Becky was great, with Becky really doing her best to Heel her way through this. I really thought she was going to pull off a cheap win thanks to the buckle or some other trick, but Lyra does prove herself the better wrestler tonight. Now, with Lyra holding her nose and then playing up the damage to the rest of her body, they could be setting up some injury angle where she has to take time off, maybe even vacate the title. Lyra’s fiancé was right there, this could be Lyra’s out so the two of them can have their wedding and honeymoon and all that while Becky goes for the vacated title. Bayley could even return to be a major roadblock to that title, and we get a great match from Bayley VS Becky to crown a new champion.
Dom VS Penta was great, and St. Louis seems to be a Dom friendly crowd. Naturally, Judgment Day had to help, but also a logical move for El Grande Americano to get involved because of how Penta superkick’d Gable. Penta will surely confront Gable and get a match with El Grande, this can lead us into something for either Worlds Collide or Money in the Bank in June. As for Dom, things seem patched up in Judgment Day for now, but that could easily change at a drop of a hat. Honestly, Worlds Collide needs to be built starting this Monday, and maybe some AAA stars show up to call out “the greatest Intercontinental Champion/greatest Mysterio ever.”
And of course, for being a bit sudden, Gunther VS Pat was great stuff. It went about how I expected, with Pat just taking damage and getting back up. A little surprised Cole tried to help Pat cheat Gunther out of this, but it didn’t change the outcome. Gunther make Pat take a nap to get the win, but I did like the modicum of respect Gunther showed on his way out. Logan VS Jey is set for Saturday Night’s Main Event in a couple weeks, but much like Rollins, perhaps Gunther tries to change plans? Or maybe Gunther wants the Intercontinental Championship? Gunther should go for something, I’m just not sure what with all these other stories going on right now.
My Score: 9/10
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Will the Front Man have his Resurgence?
Hirooki Goto and Zack Sabre Jr. battle over the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship, knowing that Shingo Takagi waits at NJPW Dominion!
OFFICIAL RESULTS
- Strong Survivor: Allan Breeze VS CJ Tino; Tino wins.
- Bea Priestly VS Viva Van; Priestly wins.
- Fred Rosser VS Matt Vandagriff; Rosser wins.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario; TJP & Templario win and become the new NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions.
- 8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers; The Bucks & Good Brothers win.
- NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney; Ishii wins and retains the title.
- NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita VS El Phantasmo; Konosuke wins and retains the title.
- IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr; Double Pinfall Draw, Goto retains the title.
- NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa; wins and
PLAY BY PLAY
NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Championships: World Class Wrecking Crew VS TJP & Templario!
No longer just for the West Coast, Royce Isaacs & Jorel Nelson are World Class! But will they start to take over the world from the West Coast? Or will the Aswang & Lion Warrior conquer them for the United Empire?
The introductions are made, the belts are raised, and we see who is truly world class!
The teams sort out and then WCWC just attack! The bell rings, the fans boo, but Nelson stomps away on TJP! Isaacs TOSSES Templario, then WCWC double whip TJP. TJP leaps over the double lariat and Templario springboards to DOUBLE CROSSBODY! The fans fire up as now TJP & Temp have Isaacs. They double whip him to DOUBLE ELBOW, then roll him into a wheelbarrow and BULLDOG! The fans fire up and Temp SPLASHES the leg! And SPLASHES it again! Then stomps it! Temp wrenches Isaacs, tags TJP, and they double whip to HIP TOSS, then TJP becomes Templario’s weapon for a GOURD BUSTER SPLASH!
The fans cheer and TJP covers, TWO! TJP stays on Isaacs with an UPPERCUT! Isaacs goes to ropes, Nelson talks trash, but TJP tells Nelson to “SUCK IT!” TJP UPPERCUTS Isaacs, whips, but Isaacs catches TJP to a suplex! TJP slips free and wraps on the IRON OCTOPUS! Nelson runs in, CLUBS TJP and BLASTS Templario! Then BOOT and BACKBREAKER, into a BODY CHECK! The fans boo but Isaacs rains down fists! Tag to Nelson and WCWC wrench TJP for a DOUBLE ATOMIC DROP! TJP staggers, Nelson dropkicks the legs out, then Isaacs deadlift suplexes TJP! Nelson covers, TWO! Nelson rains down forearms while the fans boo!
Nelson rains down fists, the ref reprimands, and Nelson “apologizes.” Nelson taunts Templario, bumps TJP off buckles, then tags Isaacs. Isaacs digs his boot into TJP while Nelson messes with TJP’s hair. Isaacs then BLASTS Templario while Nelson rains down fists! The ref reprimands WCWC but he also has to keep Temp from storming in. Isaacs & Nelson stomp away on TJP in the distraction and the fans boo. Isaacs taunts TJP to go tag Templario, then stomps him down! Isaacs clamps onto TJP’s arms for a motorcycle stretch! TJP endures, the fans rally, but Isaacs pulls on the arms! The fans boo WCWC while TJP still endures.
The fans rally harder for “T J P! T J P!” Nelson hijacks English commentary to talk trash, but TJP fights up to FLIP KICK Isaacs away! Isaacs hurries to whip TJP, but TJP goes Spider-Man to then slip under and RANA! The fans fire up while TJP and Isaacs crawl, hot tags to Templario and Nelson! Templario handsprings, then he fires forearms with Nelson! Templario gets the edge, trips Nelson, and things speed up. Nelson hurdles but Temp shoves. Nelson sunset flips, Temp rolls through but Nelson avoids the basement dropkick! Temp avoids a kick, rolls Nelson, but Nelson rolls through to RAM Temp! Temp comes back to SHOTGUN!
The fans fire up as Nelson tumbles out! Isaacs is in, Temp kicks but Isaacs blocks! Isaacs FLIPS Temp but Temp lands out! Isaacs whips but TJP tags in! Temp slips around Isaacs, shoves him to TJP for BOOTS, then TJP goes up to MISSILE DROPKICK! WCWC regroups outside and the fans fire up. Temp holds the way open for TJP to Triangle Jump DROPKICK! Then TJP returns the favor so Temp can DIVE onto WCWC! The fans fire up with the Empire as they put Nelson back in. TJP goes up, up, and MAMBA- NO, Nelson dodges! TJP blocks a shot, SOBATS, then runs, but into a DROPKICK! Nelson dodges Temp but Temp goes up to DROPKICK back!
Isaacs is in, Temp dodges and V-TRIGGERS! Temp runs, but into a ROLLING ELBOW! All four men are down and the fans fire up! Isaacs and Temp bail out and the fans rally as TJP and Nelson go to corners. Nelson throws off the elbow pads and runs up, but into TJP’s TORNADO DDT! The fans fire up again as Nelson flounders to the apron. TJP goes up, but Isaacs ROCKS him! Isaacs goes up, and stalling SUPERPLEXES! TJP flounders back up and Isaacs LARIATS him back down! Nelson hits a MACHO ELBOW! Cover, TWO!! TJP survives and the fans fire up! WCWC is furious, they whip to SPINEBUSTER and CATAPULT, for NO VASELINE!! Cover, Temp breaks it!!
Temp fires off on WCWC then runs, but into DOUBLE ELBOWS! WCWC soak up the heat, but they miss the Templarooni! The fans fire up as Temp dodges and uses Nelson to get up and RANA Isaacs! Temp then whips, Nelson reverses, but Temp drop toeholds Nelson into buckles! Wheelbarrow and GERMAN SUPLEX! The fans fire up, but Isaacs is back! He POP-UP UPPERCUTS Temp down! The fans boo but Isaacs drags Temp back up. Isaacs whips, Temp reverses, and TJP goes up and over to TORNADO- NO, Isaacs stops that! TJP waistlocks, Isaacs switches, but TJP ducks so Temp’s SUPERKICK hits Isaacs!
Temp runs up on Nelson, Nelson slips around to waistlock Temp, but TJP waistlocks Nelson! Nelson steps through the O’Conner but TJP reaches up to headscissor Nelson forward for Temp to reel in and pick up! EL TEMPLO!! TJP goes up to MAMBA SPLASH!! Cover, ISAACS BREAKS IT! The fans fire up while all four men are down! TJP rises and THROWS Isaacs out! TJP aims to PLANCHA! Down goes Isaacs! Temp kicks away on Nelson, ENZIGIRIS, and TJP joins in. TJP Electric Chair Lifts and Temp goes up! Temp tightrope walks, FLYING FOREARM DOOMSDAY!! Cover, TWO!! Nelson survives and TJP is beside himself!
The fans rally up as TJP rises. Isaacs rolls back in, TJP holds him down with a facelock. Temp steps in, they double suplex, but Isaacs fights that to DOUBLE SUPLEX! TJP & Temp fight that, but Nelson anchors Temp! Isaacs shoves TJP into Temp, but TJP fireman’s carries Isaacs! Isaacs fights free, gut wrenches, but TJP turns that around!? Isaacs turns it back around, SPINNING TOMBSTONE!! Nelson whips Temp and pops him up, POWERBOMB! Another catapult, another fireman’s carry, and again, NO VASELINE!! Temp writhes and the fans boo, but WCWC kips up! They keep after Temp with another fireman’s carry.
Nelson and Isaacs take Temp to a corner, and Nelson steps on Temp’s back to- NO, TJP avoids the splash! Temp slips free to ENZIGIRI Isaacs! Nelson CLAWS TJP’s eyes and goes up another corner, to POP THE- NO, TJP catches Nelson to a backslide, but Nelson rolls through to cradle! Temp tips it over, THE UNITED EMPIRE WINS?!?
Winners: TJP & Templario, by pinfall (NEW NJPW Strong Openweight Tag Team Champions)
Nelson is stunned! He thought he had it, but the Lion Warrior gave Captain TJP the much needed assist! Nelson throws a fit before he and Isaacs storm off. Will all of NJPW, all over the world, soon belong to the United Empire?
8 Man Tag: Bullet Club VS The Young Bucks & The Good Brothers!
The War Dogs are still coming fresh off their win against The House of Torture, and now claim the right to be called THE Bullet Club! However, the Founding Fathers of Bullet Club seem to take offense. Matthew & Nicholas Jackson reunite with Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson, will they #ShowUsTheLight? Or will we see that David Finlay, Gedo, Gabe Kidd & Clark Connors are the ones that’re #JustTooSweet?
The fans bark for the War Dogs, and then they throw up their Too Sweet. The fans chant, “Too Sweet! WOOP WOOP!” and the Founding Fathers raise theirs, but the War Dogs attack! The bell rings, the fans are torn, but the brawl is on! Things spill out to the outside, Karl fires hands on Gedo, Finlay THROWS Matt over barriers, and then goes after Matt in the crowd! The fans fire up as Karl CLAWS Gedo’s face! Gabe sends Gallows into railing, but Nick TOSSES Finlay to ringside! Connors has Matt now and they brawl. Gedo CLAWS Karl’s face in return! Gabe and Gallows return to ringside, then go up the ramp.
Gabe and Gallows brawl, shout at each other, and then Gabe CHOPS! Gallows UPPERCUITS! Matt ROCKS Connors, and Finlay has Nick on the stage! Nick fights the suplex, then SUPERKICKS Finlay down the stairs! Finlay tumbles, Gallows CLUBS him, and they all set up for Nick to run and FLY! Nick bowls them all over and the fans fire up! Matt puts Connors in and Nick puts him in a corner. The Bucks whip Connors to a corner, then Matt LARIATS! Nick LARIATS! Karl JUMP KICKS! Gallows SPLASHES! Gallows scoops Connors and SLAMS him down! The fans rally up as Matt goes to a corner. He FLIES out onto Gabe & Finlay!
Anderson SENTONS Connors, Gallows SPLASHES, and then the Bucks coordinate! RISKY BUSINESS! The fans fire up for the Founding Fathers, and they call for the Too Sweet! The fans cheer as they wind up, but the War Dogs attack again! Finlay fires off on Matt, Gabe HEADBUTTS Gallows, Gedo has Karl and Connors has Nick! The War Dogs climb up in the corners, and they rain down fists! The fans count along, and we go all the way up to TEN! That’s forty total and the fans cheer! The War Dogs toss everyone out but Karl, and Gedo stomps him. Gabe SMACKS Gallows off railing, and Connors drags Karl up.
Connors whips Karl to the corner hard and Karl falls to the mat! Connors puts Karl in place, runs, and hits an ELBOW DROP! Connors drags Karl up, brings him around, and whips him into Finlay’s boot! Connors tags Gedo but Finlay digs his boots in. The ref counts, Gedo argues with him, but that lets Finlay & Gabe CHOKE Karl! Gedo storms up but Karl CHOPS him first! And CHOPS, but Gedo blocks to poke Karl in the eyes! The fans are torn, but Gedo CLAWS at Karl’s eyes! The ref reprimands and counts, and Gedo stops at 4. Gedo looms over Karl, pulls him back, and CLAWS at his face again!
The fans boo, the ref counts, and Gedo stops at 4. The fans are torn as Gedo throws up the Too Sweet, then he tags Finlay. Finlay stomps Karl to a corner, stomps a mudhole in, but stops as the ref counts. The fans rally and duel as Finlay stands Karl up. Finlay UPPERCUTS, runs corner to corner, and UPPERCUTS again! Finlay suplexes and THROWS Karl, then pushes him down for a cocky cover. TWO, but Finlay drags Karl away from his corner. Finlay bends Karl’s fingers while Gabe & Connors BLAST the OGs! Gabe grabs a mic to talk trash during the match! Gabe stomps Karl, and mockingly asks if this is 2013 again, when those “14-year-olds were still cool?”
Gabe mocks the Bucks and say they’re the Young CUCKS, because they’re bigger virgin nerds than anyone in this building! And F YOU, too!! Gabe tells Karl and Gallows that HE’s the resident bald white guy in NJPW now! But then Karl CHOPS Gabe! And CHOPS, CHOPS, CHOPS! Gabe DECKS Karl, the War Dogs BLAST the OGs, then Connors feeds Karl to Finlay. Karl dodges, sends Finlay into Connors, but Gabe UPPERCUTS! Gabe whips, Karl reverses, SPINEBUSTER! Hot tag to Gallows! The fans fire up as Doc BOOTS Connors, ROUNDHOUSES Finlay, and YAKUZA KICKS Gedo! Gallows whips Connors into Finlay!
Gallows runs to SPLASH them both, then runs to CROSSBODY Finlay & Connors! The fans fire up but Gabe attacks! Gab e BITES Gallows’ head, talks trash, but Gallows UPPERCUTS! Gabe COMEBACK- NO, he runs into the 12 STEP PROGRAM! Both men are down from that modified Sky High and the fans fire up! Hot tags to Finlay and Nick! Connors still jumps in with Finlay but Nick rallies on them with his strike fest combo! SHINING WIZARD for Finlay, then a BULLDOG LARIAT COMBO! The fans fire up again and Nick tags Matt. The Bucks mug Gabe, double whip, but Gabe reverses. Nick goes up and Matt SUPERKICKS!
Matt cravats, Nick helps, ASSISTED SLICED BREAD! SHINING WIZARD! Finlay is up, DOUBLE SUPERKICKS hit him first! Matt puts Finlay in the ropes, Nick goes up, DRAPING SWANTON! Cover, TWO! Finlay survives but Matt tags Karl. Gallows joins in and the fans rally up. Gallows reels Finlay in, but Connors SPEARS him! Finlay hits Karl with an IRISH CURSE BACKBREAKER! But he gets DSOUBLE SUPERKICKS again! The Bucks fake Connors out to DOUBLE DDT! Gabe blocks a kick, sends it into Matt, then UPPERCUTS! But Nick SUPERKICKS in return! Gabe rebounds, but into DOUBLE SUPERKICKS!
Gabe rebounds again, to DOUBLE LARIAT! Gallows is back, he and Gabe DOUBLE LARIAT! And DOUBLE LARIAT! Gabe CHOPs, CHOPS, and UPPERCUTS! Gabe runs, into a GUN STUN!! We never thought that move would return to NJPW but here we are! Finlay flounders, hot tag to Gedo! Gedo JAWBREAKERS Karl, SUPERKICKS, and the rest of the Dogs hold down the OGs! Gedo mule kicks Karl now to GEDO CLUTCH! TWO!!! Karl escapes and the fans fire up! GUN STUN for Gedo!! Gabe runs up, dodges, COMEBACKER!! Gallows ROUNDHOUSES Gabe!
Connors & Finlay mug Gallows, double whip him, then Connors runs in, only for Gallows to DUMP him! Gallows DUMPS Finlay, too! YAKUZA KICK for Gedo, and into the E V P TRIGGER!! Matt says that’s not enough! Nick climbs up to be on Gallows’ shoulders! SUPER T K DRIVER!! The Bucks PLANCHA out to wipe out the Dogs! The Good Brothers top it off with a MAGIC KILLER on Gedo!! Cover, the Founding Fathers win!
Winners: The Young Bucks & Good Brothers, by pinfall
The War Dogs are beside themselves, but the OGs of Bullet Club still got it! The War Dogs step back into the ring, they look at their “senpai” while Gedo is helped to the back. The Bucks say no hard feelings, and offer the Too Sweet. War Dogs throw it up, just to Too Sweet with each other. It seems some things aren’t “4 life” like we thought. But with the Good Brothers back in town, will things be #JustTooSweet no matter where you look?
NJPW Strong Openweight Championship: Tomohiro Ishii VS “Drilla” Dan Moloney!
The Stone Pitbull took this title off Gabe in the Windy City Riot, and now he defends it against another of the War Dogs! Will Ishii survive the 44 Caliber? Or will his reign not even last a full month?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see who’s really got that dog in ’em!
The bell rings and the fans rally as Drilla and Ishii get face to face. Then Drilla fires forearm after forearm! Drilla whips, Ishii reverses, but Drilla RAMS Ishii! Ishii roars so Drilla fires more forearms! Ishii eggs Drilla on and leans into the shots! Drilla keeps throwing shots but Ishii backs him down! The fans rally behind Ishii, and he DECKS Drilla into a corner! The fans fire up and Ishii shakes off those forearms. Ishii CHOPS, and CHOPS, but now Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearms but now Drilla leans into the shots! The fans fire up as Drilla ROCKS Ishii. Drilla runs but Ishii CLOBBERS Drilla!
The fans fire up and Ishii suplexes, but Drilla slips free! Drilla waistlocks, Ishii fires elbows, and things speed up. Drilla hurdles, drops down, then DROPKICKS! The fans are torn but Drilla shakes out his arms. Drilla looms over Ishii, kicks him, and CHOPS him! The fans “WOO~” while Ishii wobbles, and Drilla CHOPS again! Drilla CHOPS Ishii to the corner, then CHOPS again! Ishii eggs Drilla on so Drilla winds up and CHOPS! Drilla stomps away on Ishii, the ref counts, but Drilla digs his boot in. The ref counts, Drilla steps off, and the fans rally. Drilla grins and brings Ishii up, but Ishii fires body shots!
Ishii backs Drilla down but Drilla snapmares and KICKS Ishii in the back! Ishii writhes, Drilla covers, TWO! Drilla is annoyed but Ishii is tougher than that. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, and hits a BIG back suplex! Ishii sputters and rolls to the apron. The fans rally as Drilla storms over to join Ishii. Drilla drags Ishii up, reels him in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla pushes Ishii and ELBOWS him down! Ishii LARIATS the legs out from under Drilla! Drilla hobbles up, runs in, but into a SNAP POWERSLAM on the floor! The fans fire up while the ref checks Drilla. Drilla is okay to continue, so Ishii drags him into the ring.
Drilla goes to a corner, Ishii runs in, and LARIATS! Ishii whips, Drilla reverses, but Ishii comes back to CLOBBER Drilla! The fans fire up more as Ishii shakes off that damage. Ishii drags Drilla up, but Drilla fights the lift with elbows! Only for Ishii to shift and SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Drilla stays in this but he’s frustrated with himself. Ishii kicks at Drilla rather mockingly, and Drilla stands in a huff! Drilla ducks the haymaker to ripcord and CHOP! Then he brings Ishii in for a PILE- NO, Ishii fights that, so Drilla grabs tights for a STUFF PILEDRIVER! Ishii writhes but Drilla also grits his teeth from pain, and the fans rally up.
Drilla and Ishii stir, and Drilla rises first. Drilla drags Ishii up, CHOPS and ROCKS him on repeat, and the fans “WOO~” with every CHOP! Ishii just stares Drilla down! Drilla CHOPS, ROLLING ELBOWS, but Ishii DECKS him! The fans fire up and Ishii finally feels that damage. Ishii clutches a shoulder but he storms up on Drilla. Ishii kicks Drilla, hoists him up top, and then climbs up after him. Ishii stalling SUPERPLEXES! But Drilla’s right up!? The fans fire up and Drilla returns, but Ishii LARIATS! Drilla HAYMAKERS! Ishii HEADBUTTS! Drilla ROLLING ELBOWS, then ducks the enzigiri! Drilla runs, but Ishii stuffs the Gore!
Drilla wrenches free of the facelock, but Ishii HEADBUTTS Drilla down! The fans fire up while Ishii staggers around. Ishii roars to fire back up and the fans are with him! Drilla slowly rises, Ishii runs, but Drilla catches Ishii to a MADE IN JAPAN!??! Cover, TWO!! Ishii survives Drilla using Shingo Takagi’s move and the fans fire up! Drilla goes to a corner while the fans rally up. The fans are on Ishii’s side and that pisses Drilla off. Drilla aims and runs in, but Ishii KNEES him low! Ishii stands Drilla up, but Drilla SUPERKICKS! Ishii rebounds, but into the SPINEBUSTER! Drilla gets moving again, and he GORES Ishii down!! Cover, TWO?!?
Ishii survives and Drilla is beside himself! The fans rally while Drilla and Ishii are down again. Drilla sits up and slashes his throat, vowing to end this. Drilla stands and he brings Ishii up. Drilla reels Ishii in, but Ishii fights the lift! Drilla swats a lariat, ducks the other, but Ishii ducks the enzigiri to deadlift GERMAN SUPLEX! Both men are down again and the fans fire back up! Drilla and Ishii stir as the fans rally up more. They go to ropes, rise up, and they both run in! DOUBLE LARIATS! Ishii fires boxing elbows, but Drilla eggs him on! Ishii fires forearm after forearm, but Drilla DROPKICKS! Drilla runs, but Ishii LARIATS him down! Cover, TWO!
Drilla survives and the fans rally up! Ishii sits Drilla up, runs, and SLIDING- NO! Drilla catches Ishii into a clinch! URE- NO, Ishii slips free to waistlock! Drilla switches, ripcords and DROPKICKS! Drilla reels Ishii in and suplexes, for a BRAINBUSTER!! But Ishii rises?!? His fighting spirit keeps him moving, but Drilla runs to LARIAT! Ishii stays up, UPPERCUTS, and ENZIGIRIS! Both men fall again and the fans fire back up! Ishii headbutts the buckles to fire up, and the fans are with him! Ishii runs again, to LARIAT!! Drilla tumbles, Ishii pushes him to a cover, TWO!! Drilla survives but Ishii powers back up!
Ishii hauls Drilla up, reels him in, and suplexes, but Drilla slips fere! Drilla shoves, then catches Ishii to wrench and Canadian Rack! DRILLA- NO, Ishii lands out! Drilla avoids a lariat, then another, and GORES!! Cover, ONE!?!? Drilla is shocked and the fans are thunderous! Drilla goes to a corner and he aims again! Drilla runs up, but Ishii turns leg lariat into POWERBOMB! And SLIDING LARIAT!! Ishii roars, suplexes, and BRAINBUSTERS!!! Cover, Ishii wins!!
Winner: Tomohiro Ishii, by pinfall (still NJPW Strong Openweight Champion)
The Stone Pitbull showed the young pup how it’s done! Will Ishii continue to prove no one is as NJPW Strong as him?
NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita w/ Rocky Romero VS El Phantasmo!
It was just last week at Wrestling Dontaku that The Alpha and Headbanga battled over the NJPW World Television Championship. They went 15 minutes for a time limit draw and both men want more! Will ELP get all he can when he takes this title from Takeshita? Or will Konosuke NEVER lose again?
The introductions are made, the NEVER belt is raised, and we see who NEVER gives up!
The bell rings and the one hour time limit is on. ELP and Konosuke circle, the fans rally up, and the two tie up. Konosuke headlocks, ELP powers up and out, but Konosuke runs him over! Things keep moving, ELP stays low then hurdles over, but Konosuke leaps over. Konosuke sidesteps, ELP rolls off Konosuke’s back, but Konosuke reels him in! BLUE THUNDER- NO, ELP sunset flips! But Konosuke rolls through! ELP still reels Konosuke in and tucks the arms, but then Konosuke wrenches free! ELP dodges the lariat, but Konosuke goes Matrix to avoid Sudden Death! The fans fire up as the two are in a standoff!
Konosuke and ELP reset, circle again, and the fans are dueling. Konosuke and ELP step up, and ELP CHOPS! The fans “WOO~” and ELP eggs Konosuke on. Konosuke winds up, but then ROLLING ELBOWS! ELP falls, the fans are torn, but Konosuke stands ELP up. Konosuke whips, ELP ducks ‘n’ dodges to springboard and CROSSBODY! Then he somersaults to LIONSAULT! ELP bounces off the cover, and Konosuke is up to LARIAT ELP up and out! The fans are torn but Konosuke builds speed to FLY! Down goes ELP and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up, puts him in the ring, and then clamps on with a chinlock.
ELP endures, pries at the hold, but Konosuke shifts to go for an arm. The fans rally as ELP throws body shots, but Konosuke knees low! Konosuke whips, ELP reverses, but Konosuke FLYING UPPERCUTS ELP down! Konosuke clamps onto ELP with a double wristlock! ELP endures so Konosuke changes it to a COBRA CLUTCH! ELP fights around all the same, reaches out and has the ROPEBREAK! Konosuke lets go, ELP goes to a corner, and Konosuke storms up. Konosuke whips corner to corner hard and ELP bounces off buckles! The fans rally while ELP writhes on the mat. Konosuke watches ELP as he rolls away to ropes.
Konosuke stalks ELP, drags him up, and wrenches to put him in a corner. Konosuke whips ELP corner to corner, but ELP stops short! Konosuke runs in but ELP goes up and over! ELP runs in, but into a BOOT! Konosuke hops up, but ELP GAMANGIRIS him to the floor! The fans fire up and ELP builds speed to DIVE! Direct hit and Konosuke goes over railing! The fans fire up while both men are down! Konosuke rises as the ring count starts. ELP aims from the ropes! ELP did this in Japan, he’s gonna do it in California! SUPER DUPER THUNDERKISS!! Direct hit and the front row almost gets wiped out!
A Takeshita fan talks trash while showing off her Konosuke art, but Rocky is mad and throws off his jacket. ELP drags Konosuke up, CHOPS him back over the railing, and the ELP fans all “WOO~!” ELP storms after Konosuke, CHOPS him again, then puts him in the ring. Rocky gets up on the apron! The fans boo and ELP jumps, but Konosuke dodges! Konosuke then sidesteps to BLUE THUNDER BOMB! Cover, TWO! ELP survives but Konosuke reels him in. ELP fights the suplex, but Konosuke powers through to suplex! ELP slips free, straitjackets and torture racks! BRAIN SALAD! Cover, TWO!!
Konosuke survives, but ELP kips up and the fans fire up! ELP tunes up the band and the fans cheer him on. ELP aims at Konosuke, for SUDDEN- NO, Konosuke blocks it to fire off boxing elbows! Then a ROLLING- NO, ELP mule kicks, front kicks, but then Konosuke BOOTS! ELP BOOTS! Konosuke rebounds but ELP ENZIGIRIS! Both men are down and the fans fire up again! Rocky coaches Konosuke, the fans rally for ELP, and both men rise. ELP and Konosuke go forehead to forehead, then forearm for forearm! ELP grins as the shots keep going back and forth! Both men stand, and the forearms keep going! Konosuke ROCKS ELP and eggs him on!
ELP returns to ROCK Konosuke, and the forearms fly again! The fans fire up as the shots go faster and faster! Then DOUBLE FOREARMS send both men staggering back! ELP and Konosuke go to the apron now, and the forearms fly again! The fans rally as the shots keep going, and ELP ROCKS Konosuke! And ROCKS him again! Konosuke just ROCKS ELP in return! And again, and again, and again! Konosuke has ELP up against the corner, and hoists him up! Konosuke drags ELP onto his shoulder, but ELP fights free!
ELP mule kicks, then he reels Konosuke in! Konosuke fights the tuck, so ELP kicks him low! APRON PILEDRIVER!! Konosuke falls to the floor and Rocky is stunned! We pass 10 minutes while ELP rises up. ELP hears the ring count so he refreshes it, then he goes looking under the ring! ELP brings out a table! The fans fire up but the ref reprimands. ELP ignores that to set the table up at ringside. ELP then fetches Konosuke, drags him to the apron, and tucks the arms! Konosuke fights the lift, and ROCKS ELP! Then POWER DRIVE KNEES! Konosuke reels ELP in, but ELP fights the Blue Thunder with elbows! ELP rolls into the ring, but Konosuke avoids the shoulder!
Konosuke KNEES ELP back down and the fans fire up! Konosuke drags ELP up the corner, and the fans are already worried about what he’s planning. ELP fights with body shots, and then adjusts his position on the top rope! Konosuke fires body shots, then SUPER LARIATS ELP down!! Konosuke hurries to cover, TWO!! ELP survives and Konosuke is furious! Konosuke drags ELP up, scoops him, but ELP slips free to gut wrench! But Konosuke turns that back around! TOMBSTONE!! But Konosuke holds on! Konosuke stands up, tucks ELP in, BASTARD DRIVER!! Cover, TWO!! ELP survives and the fans fire up!
ELP shakes his head, defiant against the damage done to him. The fans rally more but Konosuke brings ELP up. But ELP wrenches out, only for the ALPHA ELBOW to knock him down! POWER DRIVE- SUDDEN DEATH!! ELP hits first and the fans fire up! ELP hurries to reel Konosuke in, but Konosuke Alabama Lifts! And he spins ELP around for another BASTARD DRIVER!! And then a WHEELBARROW GERMAN SUPLEX!! The fans are thunderous, and ELP is right up!! LARIAT!! Cover, ONE?!!? WHAT?!?
ELP just runs again, goes up and up, and FLYING- ALPHA ELBOW!!! Cover, ONE!??! The fans are thunderous as both men defy expectations! ELP dodges a lariat to POISON-RANA!! Konosuke stands up but wobbles, and ELP ROLLING ELBOWS!! Cover, ONE?!?!?! HOW?!?! ELP shrugs it off to tune up! SUDDEN DEATH!! SUDDEN DEATH AGAIN!! And then C R 2!!! Cover, TWO?!?!? Konosuke survives all of that and the fans are electric! Rocky is freaking out but “This is Awesome!” ELP is up, THUNDERKISS ATTACK! And then a somersault back to the apron, THUNDERKISS 86 SPLASH!!! Cover, ROCKY DRAGS THE REF OUT!!!
The fans boo as Azucar sours the taste of this one! The ref and Rocky argue, but ELP storms out to get Rocky! Rocky runs for it, but ELP SUPERKICKS him! ELP reels Rocky in and POWERBOMBS him through the table!! ELP goes into the ring, but the POWER DRIVE KNEE finds him! And then RAGING- CRADLE!!! TWO!!! Konosuke escapes, dodges, and ROLLING ELBOWS!! And then POWER DRIVE KNEES!!! Cover, TWO!?!?!? HOW?!?!? Konosuke throws off his elbow pad, winds up, and ALPHA ELBOWS!!! Then the RAGING FIRE!!! Cover, Konosuke wins!!!
Winner: Konosuke Takeshita, by pinfall (still NEVER Openweight Champion)
ELP kept his NJPW World TV Championship, but now Konosuke has kept his NEVER Openweight Championship! Is Konosuke going to prove he isn’t just The Alpha of AEW, but the Alpha of the World?
IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto VS Zack Sabre Jr w/ Shane Haste!
The Fierce Warrior took this title from The Front Man at the New Beginning in Osaka, and the Goto Revolution has been on a roll these last few months. ZSJ wants the spotlight back, but there’s also a catch: The winner here must defend against Shingo Takagi at NJPW Dominion in June! Will it be out of the frying pan and into the fire for Goto? Or will this be ZSJ’s resurgence?
The introductions are made, the belt is raised, and we see if the G in IWGP is still for Goto!
The bell rings and the fans fire up as Goto and ZSJ stare down. Goto and ZSJ then circle, feel things out, and go around. They knuckle lock, then clinch, and ZSJ waistlocks. ZSJ shifts to a headlock but Goto wrenches out to wristlock. ZSJ rolls, bridges, spins and wrenches, but Goto headlocks! ZSJ hammerlocks, Goto goes to the ROPEBREAK, and the fans cheer this opening exchange. Goto and ZSJ reset, circle again, and the two tie up. ZSJ headlocks, grinds the hold, but Goto powers up and out. Fans sing for “OH~ Zack Sabre Junior~!” as he RAMS Goto! Goto rebounds to RUN ZSJ over!
ZSJ avoids the elbow drop, Goto avoids the Penalty Kick, and Goto hits a headlock takeover! ZSJ headscissors, Goto kips free and Goto deflects a boot, only for ZSJ to avoid the lariat! The fans cheer and the two reset again. ZSJ and Goto circle, feel things out, and ZSJ RAMS low! ZSJ whips, but Goto blocks a hip toss, only for ZSJ to do the same! ZSJ THROWS Goto down, then clamps on for the NECK TWIST! The fans fire up, and Goto goes to the apron. ZSJ steps outside and NECK TWISTS Goto again! The fans rally while ZSJ sits Goto up on the floor, and KICKS him in the back! ZSJ then UPPERCUTS, but Goto CHOPS!
ZSJ UPPERCUTS, Goto CHOPS, repeat! The fans rally while Goto falls back! ZSJ swaggers around a bit, rolls into the ring, and lets the ring count climb. Goto sits up at 7 of 20, stands at 10, and takes a moment before rolling in at 12. ZSJ kneels on Goto, the ref reprimands as they’re in the ropes, but ZSJ SNAPS the fingers! Goto bails out while clutching his hand, but the ring count starts again. ZSJ eggs Goto on, Goto shakes out the bad hand and rolls back in. ZSJ is after the hand again and SNAPS the fingers! ZSJ then wrenches the arm, steps over, and he reaches out to have the other arm! Goto endures this modified motorcycle stretch, but ZSJ wrangles him down!
ZSJ has a DOUBLE MOUNTED ARMBAR! Goto endures, the fans duel, and ZSJ pulls on the arms! Goto kicks around to the ROPEBREAK! ZSJ lets go and kicks at Goto. ZSJ scuffs Goto, taunts him with more kicks, but Goto sits up. ZSJ kicks at Goto while taunting him more and more. Goto scowls and stands up. They shoulder bump each other, but then Goto CHOPS and CHOPS and CHOPS! ZSJ UPPERCUTS back, then storms up on Goto in a corner. ZSJ pushes Goto, slaps him around, but Goto SLAPS! Goto CHOPS, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and ZSJ uppercuts. Goto reverses, runs in, but into a BOOT!
ZSJ runs, but Goto follows to LARIAT! The fans fire up while both men are down! Goto rises, he drags ZSJ up, and he ROCKS ZSJ with forearm after forearm! Goto whips, runs in, and MURAMASA! SAIDO! Cover, TWO! Goto stays focused and he brings ZSJ up. ZSJ fights the lift, pulls on an arm, and ZSJ wrenches. Goto fires forearms but ZSJ PELES the arm! Goto staggers, ZSJ runs, but then Goto follows again! Only for ZSJ to wrangle Goto to a FUJIWARA! Goto fights, ZSJ traps that arm, and then gets the other arm again! Goto endures the DOUBLE FUJIWARA! The fans rally, Goto fights around, but ZSJ steps over! Goto still gets the ROPEBREAK!
ZSJ lets go in frustration but the fans rally back up. Goto sputters but ZSJ stands him up. ZSJ UPPERCUTS Goto, has him on the ropes, then UPPERCUTS again! And again! ZSJ whips, Goto reverses, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI! Both men are down and the fans fire back up! Goto and ZSJ stir, rise up, and Goto brings ZSJ up to ROCK him with a forearm! Goto eggs ZSJ on, so ZSJ ROCKS him back! Goto ROCKS ZSJ again, and again, but ZSJ UPPERCUTS! Goto ROCKS ZSJ, ZSJ UPPERCUTS, and repeat! They go faster and faster, harder and harder, and the fans fire up more! ZSJ UPPERCUTS again and again, but Goto spins him! URA GTR!
Goto runs and LARIATS ZSJ down! The fans fire up and we’re only at ten minutes! The fans hope these two “FIGHT FOREVER!” and considering there’s a one hour limit on this, they can definitely keep going! Goto rises and fires up again. Goto stands ZSJ up, but ZSJ scoops back! ZACK DRIVER!! ZSJ can’t make the cover and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ and the fans rally again. ZSJ makes it to ropes, stands back up, and he goes to a corner. Goto sits up, ZSJ runs in, PENALTY KICK! Deep stack cover, TWO!! Goto survives and the fans cheer again. Goto goes to a corner, ZSJ goes back to his, and ZSJ aims again.
ZSJ runs in but Goto puts him in the ropes! Then DRAPING SHOTO!! Both men are down again and the fans still rally! Goto rises and powers up! ZSJ sits up, into the BUZZSAW! Goto then drags ZSJ up, fireman’s carries, USHIGOROSHI again! Goto roars, the fans fire up, and Goto dragon sleepers, for G T- NO, ZSJ catches the arm, backslides, TWO!! ZSJ steps over, hammerlock and then CLARKY CAT!! ZSJ has the arms trapped again but Goto fights around! ZSJ pushes on the arms for an almost standing Clarky Cat! Goto endures, even as ZSJ pushes down hard on the arms! And has a leg! CLARKY CAT: BAD BALLOON REMIX!!
Goto fights with his free leg, so ZSJ shifts to focus on just an arm, URESHI ARMBAR!! Goto endures, fights with his legs, and still manages the ROPEBREAK!! ZSJ lets go in frustration and the fans fire up again! Shane coaches ZSJ to keep on Goto and the fans duel. ZSJ waits on Goto to sit up, and then he KICKS! Goto falls over, ZSJ paces, and Goto sits back up. ZSJ KICKS again! Goto falls back over, the fans rally, and ZSJ paces again. Goto sits back up, ZSJ eggs him on, and then ZSJ PENALTY KICKS! Goto falls in another heap and the fans continue to rally and duel. ZSJ lines up another shot to KICK, KICK, KICK! Goto blocks!
ZSJ SLAPS, SLAPS, SLAPS, and fires off fast SLAPS! Goto HEADBUTTS him in return! Shane is worried now as Goto HEADBUTTS again and again and again! Goto SLAMS ZSJ down, runs, and LARIATS ZSJ inside-out! The fans fire up as Goto drags ZSJ back up, fireman’s carries, and G T W!! Cover, TWO!! ZSJ survives and the fans fire up again! Goto shrugs that off to drag ZSJ up and dragon sleepers, but ZSJ drops down to victory roll, then EURO CLUTCH!! TWO!!! Goto escapes in time, and he clinches to a SLEEPER! Then roll, GOTO NI SHIKI!! TWO!! Goto fireman’s carries, ZSJ sunset flips, but Goto rocks it back, TWO!
ZSJ has the sunset flip, TWO!!! Goto narrowly escapes and the fans boo! Goto and ZSJ run back in, and DOUBLE LARIATS collide! Then they DOUBLE LARIAT again! And DOUBLE LARIAT again! The fans rally up while both men wobble. Goto eggs ZSJ on, ZSJ runs in, but into a fireman’s carry! Throw and G T- NO, ZSJ slips through, waistlocks, O’Conner BRIDGE, but Goto has a waistlock!! DOUBLE COVER, AND THREE!?!? The ref has to explain to the timekeeper to ring the bell, and then call it a DOUBLE PINFALL DRAW!!!
Double Pinfall Draw; Goto retains the title
ZSJ is pissed with the ref, and uses a GUILLOTINE CHOKE to take him down!! ZSJ grabs the world title, tosses it down at Goto’s feet, and the fans all call BS! ZSJ undoes his wrist tape, the fans tell the ref he sucks for this one, and Goto stands up to stare ZSJ down. This draw does not sit well with either man, but ZSJ pie faces Goto! ZSJ and Shane storm off while the fans boo, but there’s nothing that can be done about this decision now. Goto survived the rematch with The Front Man, will he be so lucky against the Rampaging Dragon?
NJPW Strong Women’s Championship: Mercedes Mone VS AZM VS Mina Shirakawa!
The CEO thought she was just getting one or the other for Resurgence, but that Double Count Out Draw in Chicago really upped the ante. Now both High Speed Bomb Girl and Fighting Gravure Idol get their shot, will one of them leave the Golden State wearing gold? Or will she still be #FourBeltsMone?
The introductions are made, the lavender belt is raised, and we see who is truly NJPW Strong!
About Chairshot Radio Network
Launched in 2017, the Chairshot Radio Network presents you with the best in sports, entertainment, and sports entertainment. Wrestling and wrestling crossover podcasts + the most interesting content + the most engaging hosts = the most entertaining podcasts you’ll find!
MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)
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SATURDAY - The Mindless Wrestling Podcast
SUNDAY - The Front and Center Sports Podcast
CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS
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
Patrick O'Dowd's 5X5
Classic POD is WAR
Chairshot Radio Network Your home for the hardest hitting podcasts... Sports, Entertainment and Sports Entertainment!
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4 Corners Podcast: Playoffpalooza
Dave and Tunney discuss all the awesome action that has been going on in the NHL and NBA Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Is It Drafty In Here?
Patrick and Dave discuss the NFL Draft, Shedeur Sanders, and the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs!
4 Corners Podcast: Rory McIlroy, NBA Playoffs & NIL
Join Patrick and Dave every Tuesday as they cover the four corners of the professional sporting world!
4 Corners Podcast: Houston Still Has a Problem
This week, we discuss the NCAA Final Four, the NHL Playoff chase, the end of the Gr8 Chase and much...
4 Corners Podcast: Chalk & Chase
This week we talk a little MLB, discuss the red-hot Blues, the GR8 Chase, and whether a chalky NCAA Tournament...
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu News Report! (5/9/25)
June will be electric!
Bandwagon Nerds #287: Filling A Void
The Nerds review Thunderbolts*, check out the latest trailers, and celebrate Star Wars Day as only they can!
Mitchell’s Hyrule Puro-Resu Results & Report! (5/1/25)
Let's live it up!
Attitude Of Aggression #308- Unidentified History: From Undesirable to Undeniable
This debut Episode examines how UAPs went from an undesirable topic of discussion into an undeniably important aspect of our...
Bandwagon Nerds #286: Hela Hath No Fury
VILLAIN MADNESS reaches its epic conclusion. Plus trailers for Predator: Badlands, Pee Wee as Himself, WWE Unreal and much more!
Mitchell’s WWE Backlash Results & Report! (5/10/25)
John Cena's Final Backlash!
Mindless Wrestling Podcast: Release The Backlash
Join DJ, Rob and Jason every week as they give their "Mindless" takes on Pro Wrestling and much, much more!
Mitchell’s NJPW Resurgence Results & Report! (5/9/25)
NJPW's back in the Golden State!
Mitchell’s WWE SmackDown Results & Report! (5/9/25)
The time is now!
Mitchell’s ROH Results & Report! (5/9/25)
TGIROHF!
Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis
Chairshot Staff picks!!!
DWI Podcast #475: JAFC vs RKO
We give our picks and predictions for WWE Backlash!
Andrew’s TNA iMPACT! Results & Match Ratings: 5.8.2025
We get to see Alicia Fox in action and a dog collar match! Definitely an odd combination, so let's see...
Mitchell’s AEW Collision Results & Report! (5/8/25)
Collision on a Thursday?!
Mitchell’s WWE Evolve Results & Report! (5/7/25)
Hear ye, hear ye!
